Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
QUICK RELEASE BUCKETS FOR BUCKET WHEELS
Inventors: Joachim Vorauer, Rudolf Pletz, BeImin Smajlovic
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
None.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This application pertains to material handling, and in particular bucket wheel
apparatus and related methods of attaching buckets to a wheel.
It will become apparent from this disclosure that embodiments of the quick
release bucket system and method described herein offer various advantages
and benefits not yet available with conventional flowsheets.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Maintenance time to change out buckets of a bucket wheel apparatus can be
time consuming and may cause complications during shut down,
commissioning, or decommissioning. In some instances, removal of a single
bucket from a wheel may take up to six hours.
A contributor to the long removal and installation process for attaching and
removing buckets from a wheel is the tedious removal and installation of the
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pins 101 forming a connection between the bucket 100 and the wheel 300 at the
front open end 122 of the bucket 100. There is a long-felt need to provide a
robust connection system in which bucket installation and/or removal can be
done in less time (e.g., under an hour, and as little as 30 minutes or less
per
bucket, without limitation).
The inventors have designed a quick release connection system for connecting
one or more buckets 1 to a wheel 400 of a bucket wheel apparatus which
incorporates a pre-tensioning device which addresses and overcomes the long
bucket 100 change out times associated with prior designs (such as the
conventional state-of-the-art design found in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and
15-
17.
Embodiments of the present invention incorporate a hook design incorporating a
plurality of hooks 2, rather than pins 101, which are assumed at a front open
end
22 of the bucket 1. The plurality of hooks 2 are designed to receive a
crossbar
401 of a wheel 400. Since the connection between each hook 2 and the
crossbar 401 is loose, a retaining pin 12 at the rear closed end 23 of the
bucket
1 is employed to pretension the bucket 1 at another adjacent crossbar 401 of
the
wheel 400.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an improved connection
system and method for attaching and removing a bucket from a wheel of a
bucket wheel apparatus which reduces maintenance and/or shut down time.
It is another object of embodiments of the invention to provide a system and
method which circumvents the aforementioned problems associated with
conventional bucket wheel designs.
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86327050
It is a further object of embodiments of the invention to provide an improved
connection
system and method for attaching and removing a bucket from a wheel of a bucket
wheel apparatus which avoids the use of cumbersome pins 101 and alignment
thereof
(with a bucket 100 and wheel 300), and which removes complex work that can
increase
exposure to harm, compromise safety, or negatively impact health and safety of
workers (e.g., Health Safety and Environmental (HSE), Environment Health &
Safety
(EHS), Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR), etc.).
According to another embodiment, there is provided a bucket for attaching to a
bucket
wheel having a plurality of buckets thereon, the bucket comprising a body
defined by
an outer side, a first side, and a second side; a front open end comprising
teeth, a rear
closed end, an inner wheel end, an outer tangential end, the bucket being
wherein it
further comprises a plurality of hooks adjacent the front open end, each hook
having a
pocket which defines a crossbar opening for receiving a first crossbar
provided to the
bucket wheel, wherein the bucket further comprises a retaining pin having a
distal tip
which can be received in a receptacle of a second crossbar which is adjacent
the first
crossbar and also adjacent the rear closed end of the bucket.
These and other objects will be apparent from the appended drawings and
description
herein.
Although every object is believed to be attained by at least one embodiment of
the
invention, there is not necessarily any one embodiment of the invention that
achieves
all of the objects of the invention.
It should be noted that embodiments of the invention may be particularly
suitable for
use with operations within the mining industry (e.g., concerning iron ore
processing)
and various material handling of materials associated therewith.
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86327050
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A bucket (1) for attaching to a bucket wheel (400) is disclosed. The bucket
(1) may
have a plurality of buckets (1) thereon. The bucket (1) may comprise a body
(21)
defined by an outer side (30), a first side (31), and a second side (32). The
bucket (1)
may comprise a front open end (22) comprising teeth (20), a rear closed end
(23), an
inner wheel end (24), and an outer tangential end (25). The bucket (1) may be
characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of hooks (2) adjacent
the front open
end (22). Each hook (2) may have a pocket (3)
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which defines a crossbar opening (13) for receiving a first crossbar (401)
provided to the bucket wheel (400).
In some embodiments, the bucket (1) may comprise a retaining pin (12) having
a distal tip (14) which can be received in a receptacle (402) of a second
crossbar (401). The second crossbar (401) may be provided on the bucket
wheel (400) adjacent the first crossbar (401). The second crossbar (401) may
also be proximate the rear closed end (23) of the bucket (1).
In some embodiments, the retaining pin (12) may comprise a transversely- or
diametrically-extending receptacle (15) that receives a slider key (403) as
shown
in FIG. 18. In some embodiments, the slider key (403) may comprise an
inclined surface (404) and the receptacle (15) of the retaining pin (12) may
comprise a complimentary inclined surface (18) which engages the inclined
surface (404) of the slider key (403), without limitation. In some
embodiments,
the position of the slider key (403) may be adjustable and may be fixed into
place via endplates (405), without limitation.
In some embodiments, the bucket (1) may comprise a guard (16) forming a
protective pocket (17) for protecting the second crossbar (401) from abrasive
material during operation of the bucket wheel (400), without limitation.
In some embodiments, the bucket (1) may comprise a scoop extension (7)
which protects the retaining pin (12) from abrasive material during operation
of
the bucket wheel (400), without limitation. In some embodiments, the scoop
extension (7) may be defined by scoop extension sidewalls (9), a scoop
extension outer sidewall (10), and abutment surface (8), without limitation.
In some embodiments, each of the hooks (2) may comprise a finger (4) having a
distal tip (5), without limitation. The tip (5) of each finger (4) may be
tapered,
rounded, or chamfered as shown, without limitation.
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In some embodiments, each of the hooks (2) may comprise a guide surface (11)
provided in the form of a ramped surface for receiving the first crossbar
(401),
without limitation.
A bucket wheel (400) may comprise at least two buckets (1) according to any
one of the preceding claims. Hooks (2) of a first one of the two buckets may
engage a first crossbar (401) of the bucket wheel (400). Hooks (2) of a second
one of the two buckets may engage a second crossbar (401) of the bucket
wheel (400). A retaining pin (12) extending from the first one of the two
buckets
may be received in a receptacle (402) of the second crossbar (401). The
retaining pin (12) of the first one of the two buckets may be locked to the
second
crossbar (401) via a slider key (403). The slider key (405) can be secured by
one or more endplates (405).
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS
To complement the description which is being made, and for the purpose of
aiding to better understand the features of the invention, a set of drawings
illustrating the new and novel bucket wheel system and method of attachment to
and removal of a bucket from a wheel is attached to the present specification
as
an integral part thereof, in which the following has been depicted with an
illustrative and non-limiting character.
FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 illustrate various views of a conventional bucket used
in a
conventional bucket wheel apparatus.
FIGS. 11, 13, and 15-17 illustrate various views of a conventional bucket
attached to a conventional wheel of a bucket wheel apparatus.
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FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 illustrate an improved bucket according to a non-
limiting
exemplary embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 12, 14, 18, and 19 illustrate the improved bucket of FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 8,
and
10 being secured to an improved wheel, according to certain non-limiting
embodiments of the invention, which will be described in further detail
hereinafter.
In the following, the invention will be described in more detail with
reference to
drawings in conjunction with exemplary embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
While the present invention has been described herein using exemplary
embodiments of a bucket wheel apparatus and connection method for attaching
and removing a bucket from a wheel, it should be understood that numerous
variations and adaptations of the same will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill
in the field from the teachings provided herein.
The detailed embodiments shown and described in the text and figures should
not be construed as limiting in scope; rather, all design features should be
considered to be exemplary or suggestive in nature. Accordingly, this
invention
is only limited by the appended claims.
Moreover, while this subject matter has been disclosed with reference to
specific
embodiments, it is apparent that other embodiments and variations can be
devised by others skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit
and
scope of the subject matter described herein. The appended claims may
include some, but not all of such embodiments and equivalent variations.
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Where ranges are disclosed herein, the range may be inclusive of each high and
low value listed. All patent publications mentioned herein are hereby
incorporated by reference, in their entirety for any and all purposes, as if
fully set
forth herein.
The inventors have recognized a novel and heretofore unappreciated system
and method of connecting one or more buckets 1 to a wheel 400 in a bucket
wheel apparatus. Embodiments involve the inventive concept of using hooks 2
and a pre-tensioning device, such as a retaining pin 12 which can be received
in
a receptacle 402 of a crossbar 401 of a wheel 400.
Turning now to prior art FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15-17, a
conventional
bucket 100 is attached to a conventional bucket wheel 300 via a number of pins
101 extending through respective pin openings 106 through the conventional
bucket wheel 300. The pins 101 extend into the conventional bucket wheel 300
to secure the bucket 100 thereto.
The conventional bucket 100 comprises an outer side 130 which is designed to
face away from the conventional bucket wheel 300. The conventional bucket
100 further comprises a first side 131 and a second side 132 which join with
the
outer side 130 to form a body 121. The body 121 of the conventional bucket
100 has a front open end 122 which employs a number of teeth 120, a rear
closed end 123, an outer tangential end 125 which is configured to be furthest
away from the conventional bucket wheel 300, and an inner wheel end 124
which is configured to be closest to and/or abut the conventional bucket wheel
300.
The conventional bucket 100 may, as shown, comprise an extension 107 having
an abutment flange 108, one or more securing tab openings 111 extending
through the abutment flange 108, one or more first support(s) 109, such as a
gusset or a flange as shown, and one or more second supports 112, such as a
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gusset or a flange as shown. The extension 107 may be positioned below an
extension outer sidewall 110, such that the one or more first support(s) 109
connect the abutment flange 108 to the extension outer sidewall 110.
When mounted to the conventional bucket wheel 300, the one or more securing
tab openings 111 may align with one or more complimentary securing tabs 302
which extend from a crossbar 301 of the conventional bucket wheel 300. The
crossbar 301 may be flat or rectangular as shown.
Turning now to the non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention found in
FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, and 19, according to some embodiments, a
system and method for connecting and/or disconnecting a bucket 1 to a wheel
400 may comprise a bucket 1 having one or more hooks 2.
Each hook 2 may comprise one or more apertures 6 as shown. Each hook 2
may comprise a finger 4 having a distal tip 5 which defines a pocket 3. The
pocket 3, combined with a guide surface 11 forms a crossbar opening 13 which
is suitable for receiving a crossbar 401 of a bucket wheel 400. The crossbar
401 may be cylindrical or round in shape as shown, and may comprise a
receptacle 402, such as a transversely- or diametrically-extending)
The bucket 1 similarly comprises an outer side 30 which is designed to face
away from the conventional bucket wheel 400. The bucket 1 further comprises
a first side 31 and a second side 32 which join with the outer side 30 to form
a
body 21. The body 21 of the bucket 1 has a front open end 22 which employs a
number of teeth 20, a rear closed end 23, an outer tangential end 25 which is
configured to be furthest away from the bucket wheel 400, and an inner wheel
end 24 which is configured to be closest to and/or abut the bucket wheel 400.
The bucket 1 may, as shown, comprise a scoop extension 7 comprising an
abutment surface 8, scoop extension sidewalls 9, and a scoop extension outer
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sidewall 10. The abutment surface 8 may be configured to contact a crossbar
401 of the bucket wheel 400. Extending from the bucket 1 (e.g., in a direction
substantially aligned with the direction of travel of the bucket 1 and
generally
parallel to the abutment surface 8 is a retaining pin 12 configured for pre-
tensioning the bucket 1 to the bucket wheel 400.
The retaining pin 12 may comprise a distal tip 14 and a transversely- or
diametrically-extending receptacle 15 for receiving a slider key 403. The
distal
tip 14 of the retaining pin 12 may be chamfered or rounded to promote easy
ingress and egress from the receptacle 402 in the crossbar 401.
As shown in FIG. 18, the slider key 403 may comprise an inclined surface 404
which engages a complimentary inclined surface 18 within the receptacle 15 of
the retaining pin 12. The slider key 403 may be tightened and held in place
using one or more endplates 405 as shown, to fix the bucket 1, slider key 403,
and retaining pin 12 to the bucket wheel 400.
The bucket 1 may, as shown, comprise a number of guards 16 near scoop
extension 7 and flanking scoop extension sidewalls 9 to form a protective
pocket
17 which is configured to protect hooks 2 while in operation (See FIG. 12,
which
most clearly shows how crossbar 401 is protected by guards 16.
It should be understood that where a single feature, apparatus, component, or
device is mentioned herein, a plurality of the same feature, apparatus,
component, or device may be employed. Accordingly, where used herein, the
term "a" preceding a noun may, in most practical instances, be replaced with
"at
least one of or "a plurality, without limitation.
Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments
and applications, it should be appreciated that one of ordinary skill in the
art, in
light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-11
without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed
invention.
LIST OF ENUMERATED IDENTIFIERS IN THE DRAWINGS
1 Bucket
2 Hook
3 Pocket
4 Finger
5 Tip
6 Aperture
7 Scoop extension
8 Abutment surface
9 Scoop extension sidewall
10 Scoop extension outer sidewall
11 Guide surface
12 Retaining pin
13 Crossbar opening
14 Tip
15 Receptacle (e.g., transversely- or diametrically-extending)
16 Guard
17 Protective pocket
18 Complimentary inclined surface
20 Teeth
21 Body
22 Front open end of bucket
23 Rear closed end of bucket
24 Inner wheel end of bucket
25 Outer tangential end of bucket
30 Outer side
31 First side
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-05-11
32 Second side
100 Conventional bucket
101 Pin
106 Pin opening
107 Extension
108 Abutment flange
109 First support(s) (e.g., gusset or flange)
110 Extension outer sidewall
111 Securing tab opening
112 Second support(s) (e.g., gusset or flange)
120 Teeth
121 Body
122 Front open end of bucket
123 Rear closed end of bucket
124 Inner wheel end of bucket
125 Outer tangential end of bucket
130 Outer side
131 First side
132 Second side
300 Conventional bucket wheel
301 Crossbar (flat)
302 Securing tab
400 Bucket wheel
401 Crossbar (e.g., cylindrical)
402 Receptacle (e.g., transversely- or diametrically-extending)
403 Slider key
404 Inclined surface
405 Endplate
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