GB2070542A - Conveyor system - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a belt conveyor system in a coal mining installation. The system (1) comprises a drive end and a return end (2), having a control at each end and a spaced apart series of signal/lock-out keys connected by cable (5) between the ends. The Control (6) at the return end (2) of the conveyor is mounted on a drum (4) carrying a length of cable (5) connected to the nearest key and to the return end control (6). The drum (4) is rotatably mounted on and fixable relative to the return end (2) of the conveyor. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Conveyor system This invention relates to a conveyor system, particularly a belt conveyor in a mining installation.

In a coal mine, coal is transported away from the face area by use of belt conveyors. At each end of the conveyor is a control box at which the conveyor drive, which is located at one end only of the conveyor, can be started or stopped. The two control boxes are connected to one another by cable which also connects a series of signal/iockout keys spaced along the conveyor. In an emergency the cable can act as a pull-wire and when it is pulled by an operative it causes a signal to pass to the conveyor attendant, stops the conveyor and latches out the key or keys to which it is attached.

As the face is advanced or retreated during a mining operation, the belt conveyor must be lengthened or shortened respectively. As this happens the length of cable between the return end to the conveyor and the key nearest it needs to be altered, while keeping the cable at the appropriate tension to enable it to act as a pullwire. The present invention is designed to enable this to be done easily and speedily, even in the adverse conditions obtaining in a mine environment.

According to the present invention there is provided a conveyor system comprising a driven end and a return end, having a control at each end and a spaced series of signal/lock-out keys connected by cable between the ends, wherein the control at the return end of the conveyor system is mounted on drum carrying a length of cable connected to the nearest key and to the return end control, the drum being rotatably mounted on and fixable relative to the return end of the conveyor.

In use, as the conveyor is to be extended or shortened, the drum is released so that it is free to rotate. As the return end of the conveyor is moved, the cable is reeled off or onto the drum as necessary. When the return end of the conveyor is in position the drum is wound until the tension in the cable is correct and the drum is refixed in position.

The drum should be able to accommodate enough cable to extend between two keys, so that once all the cable is-paid out, a key may be put in position and a new length of cable started.

Preferably the drum is mounted on a bracket which is boltable onto an appropriate part of the return end. Advantageously the bracket comprises a spindle on which the drum is mounted and a slotted arm mounted perpendicular to the spindle.

The drum is provided with a flange in which a series of holes which may be aligned with the slot on the arm. The drum may then be fixed by a bolt passed through the slot and one of the holes.

Preferably the spindle extends horizontally. The drum may be fixed onto the spindle for instance by use of a split pin or circlip.

The control should at least be able to start and stop the conveyor and may also include a signal.

The cable is advantageously at least four core, so that it can easily carry the necessary instruction signals, and strong enough to withstand a pull by an operative.

The conveyor is envisaged as being a belt conveyor, although it may also be a scraper-chain conveyor. It is envisaged that the conveyor will be located in a roadway in a mine, and therefore the equipment should be robust and electrically safe.

The invention is simple and easy to use and ensures that the conveyor at all times can be operated with safety. A person anywhere along the conveyor is able to stop it immediately.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a part of the return end of a conveyor system according to the invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the drum and bracket arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the drum; Figure 4 is an end view of the drum; Figure 5 is a side view of the bracket; and Figure 6 is a plan view of the bracket.

Referring now to the Figures, the conveyor system comprises a conveyor belt 1 driven from the drive end of the conveyor (not shown) and passing around a roller at the return end 2 thereof.

This part of the system is well known and needs no further description. Attached to the return end 2 of the conveyor is a bracket 3 which supports a cable drum 4. A four core cable 5 is wound onto the drum 4 and its free end passes through a hole in the drum 4 to a control box 6 which is bolted onto the drum 4. The control box 6 has controls to start 7, stop 8 and signal 9. The other end of the cable 5 is connected to a signal/lock-out key (not shown) which is the first of a series spaced apart along the length of the conveyor between the return end 2 and the drive end (not shown) of the conveyor. If any one of these keys is pulled out, the conveyor is stopped and a signal is sent to the operator.

The drum 4 comprises a hollow cylindrical member 10 to each end of which is welded a circular flange 11, 12. In one of the flanges 11, a series of evenly spaced holes 13 are drilled near the periphery. Fixing brackets 14, 1 5 are fixed onto the other flange 12, at diametrically opposite sides thereto. The fixing brackets 14, 1 5 are for locating the control box 6. There is a cable hole 1 6 in the flange 12 so that the free end of the cable 5 can be led from the drum to the control box 6.

The bracket 3 comprises a spindle 1 7 welded perpendicularly onto a plate 18. At the end of the spindle 17 away from the plate 18 is a hole 19 for receiving a split pin 20. The hollow cylindrical member 10 fits over the spindle 1 7 so that the hole 20 is clear of the drum 5. A fixing plate 21 is welded onto the top of the plate 1 8 parallel to but extending in the opposite direction to the spindle 1 7. The fixing plate has in it a series of bolt holes 22 whereby it can be fixed to the return end 2 of the conveyor.

A slotted plate 23 is welded onto the plate 18 with their faces aligned. The slot 24 in the slotted plate 23 may be aligned with any of the holes 13 in the flange 11. A bolt 25 is passed through the flange 11 and slotted plate 23 to hold the drum in a fixed position.

In use, when the conveyor is extended or shortened, the bolt 25 is removed from the slotted plate and flange 1 The return end 2 of the conveyor is moved in known manner. As it is moved, the drum 5 is rotated and cable 6 is reeled or unreeled as necessary. When the return end 2 is in its new position, the cable 6 is reeled onto the drum 5 until the cable 6 is at the appropriate tension. The bolt 25 is reinserted through the slotted plate 23 and the nearest hole on the flange 11 to retain the drum 5 in position.

Thus the conveyor system according to the invention can be used efficiently and safely at all times.

Claims (6)

1. A conveyor system comprising a drive end and a return end, having a control at each end and a spaced apart series of signal/lock-out keys connected by cable between the ends, wherein the control at the return end of the conveyor system is mounted on a drum carrying a length of cable connected to the nearest key and to the return end control, the drum being rotatably mounted on and fixable relative to the return end of the conveyor.

2. A conveyor system according to claim 1, wherein the drum is mounted on a bracket detachably secured to the return end.

3. A conveyor system according to claim 2, wherein the bracket carries a spindle.

4. A conveyor according to either of claims 2 and 3, wherein the bracket carries a slotted plate for alignment with one of a series of holes in a flange on the drum whereby the drum is fixable by a bolt passed through the slot and the hole.

5. A conveyor system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor is a belt conveyor.

6. A conveyor system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.