GB2147865A

GB2147865A - Device for transferring bulk material from the discharge end of a conveyor to the receiving end of another conveyor

Info

Publication number: GB2147865A
Application number: GB08425484A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hubert Wiesenbauer; Alfred Zitz
Original assignee: Voestalpine AG
Current assignee: Voestalpine AG
Priority date: 1983-10-11
Filing date: 1984-10-09
Publication date: 1985-05-22
Also published as: GB8425484D0; AT378758B; GB2147865B; DE3434770C2; AU3329684A; FR2553070A1; ATA362683A; SU1338782A3; ZA847351B; DE3434770A1

Abstract

In a conveying system for bulk materials comprising first and second conveyors (1 and 4) a discharge end of the first conveyor (1) overlaps the receiving end of the second conveyor (4), the system having means for facilitating transfer between said conveyors with provision for the conveyors being out of alignment by as much as 90 DEG . The system includes the following features in combination for facilitating such transfer:- (1) The receiving conveyor (4) is provided at its receiving end with a chute (3). (2) The chute (3) is semi-circular and has upstanding flexible walls (11). (3) The discharging conveyor (1) mounts by means (6) and a system of levers (7), which extend to embrace the flexible wall (11), engaging means which comprise rollers (8, 12), running on curved upper and lower tracks (9, 13) on the chute (3) at the base of the flexible wall (11). (4) The roller (12) holds down an area of the flexible upstanding wall overlapped by the discharing conveyor (1). (5) Preferably the flexible wall is formed by separate sections hinged at their lower edges to the chute, and with tension means joining their upper regions and tending to maintain them upstanding. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for transferring bulk material from the discharge end of a conveyor to the receiving end of another conveyor The invention refers to apparatus for transferring bulk material from the discharge end of a first conveyor, in particular a belt conveyor, to the receiving end, equipped with a charging chute, of a second conveyor, the apparatus permitting - as seen in a top plan view - the longitudinal axis of the first conveyor to adopt a number of angular positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the second conveyor.

It is an object of the invention to provide the possibility of almost completely transferring the bulk material, in an arrangement in which the longitudinal axis of the first conveyor can be moved and brought into different angular positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the second conveyor.

In this way the two conveyors can be swivelled relative to one another, as seen in plan, into or out of alignment by as much as 90 , with the material being conveyed correctly, possibly even during such swivelling.

For this purpose, the invention essentially consists in that a holding means for the discharge end of the first conveyor, is connected with the charging chute of the second conveyor, so as to be swivellable about an approximately vertical geometrical axis located in the centre of the charging chute, the upper edge of the charging chute being shaped along an arc of a circle having its centre located in the geometrical axis around which the holding means can be swivelled, an upstanding deformable, in particular funnel-shaped, apron being connected to the upper edge of the charging chute, a holding-down device, downwardly forcing the apron within the area of the receiving end of the second conveyor, being connected with the holding means or with the discharge end of the first conveyor.

By means of the deformable apron, the lateral boundary of the charging chute is enlarged within the areas which are not forced downwardly. On account of this apron being forced downwardly by the first conveyor assuming a particular disposition, the discharge end of the first conveyor can be arranged at a lower level above the bottom, formed of the conveyor beit or the like, of the charging chute, so that the height of fall and thus dust formation is reduced. By these measures the escape of dust is minimized.

Because that portion of the apron which is not forced down assumes a position, the height of the discharge chute can be increased at this part, thus making sure that the bulk material is completely received by the charging chute. The charging chute is shaped along an arc of a circle having its centre located in the geometrical axis around which the first conveyor can be swivelled, and hence good functional conditions are maintained, even when the conveyors are moved out of alignment by up to say 90 , (between the longitudinal axis of the first conveyor and the longitudinal axis of the second conveyor).

The apron may consist of elastically deformable material. Preferably, however, the apron is subdivided into rigid plate members, the lower ends of which are linked to the charging chute and which can be downwardly forced by the holding-down device against a force maintaining the plate members in their upright position. Such an arrangement comprising rigid plate members is more robust than an arrangement of elastic material. The plate members may be forced downwardly against spring action but the rigid plate members are, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, connected one with the other within the area of their upper ends by means of at least one tension member.On account of such a tension member, the upper edge of the funnel-shaped apron cannot be extended in length and this has a result that, if the plate members are pressed downwardly at one area of the discharge end of the first conveyor, the plate members are brought into a steeper position at adjacent areas and at the opposite side, thus providing a better shielding effect.

The holding-down device is conveniently formed of at least one roller running on the apron adjacent its bottom edge.

The holding means of the first conveyor is connected to the charging chute by means of rollers and a system of levers carried by the first conveyor. This provides the advantage that the charging chute of the second conveyor is kept clear. By roller means functioning as the holding-down device, the receiving end of the first conveyor can be supported on the charging chute of the second conveyor. It is, however, also possible to provide a separate roller supported on a running surface, extending along an arc of a circle, of the charging chute and supporting the weight of the end of the first conveyor.

In the drawing, the invention is schematically illustrated with reference to an embodiment.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view, schematically showing a first conveyor feeding a second conveyor in various relative angular positions.

Figures 2 and 3 shows in a larger scale the receiving end of the second conveyor with a charging chute, Figure 2 showing a plan view and Figure 3 showing a perspective view.

In Figure 1 a first conveyor 1, the discharge end 2 of which is located above the charging chute 3 of a second conveyor 4, is supported on the charging chute by means described below.

The longitudinal axis of the conveyor 1 can, as is indicated by the dashed lines 1' and 1", be swivelled into various angular positions relative to the second conveyor 4. The misalignment accommodated may be up to 90".

The charging chute 3 of the second conveyor 2 has the shape of an arc of a circle, the centre of this circular arc being designated by 5. A fork-like holding means 6 on conveyor 1 can be swivelled around this centre 5 and is connected with the dis charge end 2 of the first conveyor 1.

With respect to the swivelling movement of this fork-like holding means 6, the axis 5 represents only an approximate or notional position of the axis. Swivelling movement of the fork-like holding means 6 around the axis 5 is made possible by a system of levers 7 arranged beneath the conveyor 1.

The holding means 6 is supported with respect to a circular running track 9 of the charging chute 3 by means of a running roller 8 receiving the weight of the discharge end of the preceding first conveyor 1.

The bottom edges 10 of rigid plate members 11 are pivotally linked to the edge of the chute. A second roller 12 is connected with the holding means 6 runs along a lower running track indicated by reference numeral 13 adjacent the lower edges 10 of the plate members 11. The plate members 11 extend in upward direction to form a flexible wall.

By means of the roller 12 serving as a holdingdown device, the plate members 11 are forced downwardly by the roller 8 and swivel downwardly around pivot axes arranged on the lower edges 1O, of the plates 11.

The plate members are connected one with one another within the area of their upper edges 14 by means of a tension member 15 formed for example of a wire. If one or more plate members 11 are forced downwardly by the roller 8, other adjacent or opposite plate members 11 are brought into a steeper position if the length of the tension member 15 cannot be changed. These plate members 11 thus form a deformable apron which provides the possibility of arranging the holding means 6 at such a lower level that the height of fall of the transported material is reduced, thereby simultaneously increasing the height of the apron at other locations, so that the shielding effect against the bulk material falling amiss is improved.

The arrangement described permits the feed conveyor 1 to be moved out of alignment with the second conveyor by as much as 90 , with the deformable apron accommodating such misalignment and keeping spillage and the escape of dust acceptably low.

In conclusion therefore this invention relates to a conveying system for bulk materials comprising first and second conveyors (1 and 4) in which a discharge end (2) of the first conveyor (1) overlaps the receiving end of the second conveyor (4), the system having means for facilitating transfer between said conveyors with provision for the conveyors being out of alignment by as much as 90 .

The system includes the following features in combination for facilitating such transfer : (1) The receiving conveyor (4) is provided at its receiving end with a chute (3).

(2) The chute (3) is semi-circular and has upstanding flexible walls (11).

(3) The discharging conveyor (1) mounts by a system of levers (7), which extend to embrace the flexible wall (11), engaging means which comprise rollers (8, 12), running on curved upper and lower tracks (9, 13) on the chute (3) at the base of the flexible wall (11).

(4) The system of levers (7) also mounts a means (6) for holding down an area of the flexible upstanding wall overlapped by the discharging conveyor (1).

(5) Preferably the flexible wall is formed by separate sections hinged at their lower edges to the chute, and with tension means joining their upper regions and tending to maintain them upstanding.

Claims

1. Apparatus for transferring bulk masterial from the discharge end of a first conveyor, in particular a belt conveyor, to the receiving end.

equipped with a charging chute, of a second conveyor, and accommodating - as seen in a top plan view - various angular positions of the longitudinal axis of the first conveyor relative to the axis of the second conveyor, the apparatus including a holding means (6) on the discharge end (2) of the first conveyor (1), connected with the charging chute (3) of the second conveyor (4) so as to be swivellable around an approximately vertical notional axis (5) located centrally of the charging chute (3), the upper edge of the charging chute (3) being shaped along an arc of a circle having its centre located in the said notional axis (5) around which the holding means (6) can be swivelled, there being an upstanding deformable apron connected to the upper edge of the charging chute (3) and a holding-down device downwardly pressing the apron within the area of the receiving end of the second conveyor (4), said holding-down device being connected to the holding means (6) at the discharge end (2) of the first conveyor (1).

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the apron is subdivided into rigid plate members (11), the lower ends of which are linked to the charging chute (3) and which can be moved downwardly, pressed by the holding-down means on the first conveyor against a force maintaining the plate members in their upstanding position.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that the rigid plate members (11) are connected one with one other at or towards their upper ends by means of at least one tension member (15).

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the holding-down device is formed of at least one roller (12) running under the bottom edge (10) of the apron.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the holding means (6), to getherwith said holding-down device (12), is mounted on a system of guide levers (7) which are carried on the first conveyor (1) and extend beneath the charging chute.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holding means (6) includes a running roller (8), supported on a running track (9) on the chute 3 having the shape of an arc of a circle.

7. Apparatus for interconnecting two conveyors substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A conveying system for bulk materials comprising first and second conveyors (1 and 4) in which a discharge end (2) of the first conveyor (1) overlaps the receiving end of the second conveyor (4), the system having means for facilitating transfer between said conveyors with provision for the conveyors being out of alignment by as much as 90 ; the system including the following features in combination for facilitating such transfer : (1) The receiving conveyor (4) is provided at its receiving end with a chute (3).

(2) The chute (3) is semi-circular and has upstanding flexible walls (11).

(3) The discharging conveyor (1 ) mounts by a system of levers (7), which extend to embrace the flexible wall (11), engaging means which comprise rollers (8, 12), running on curved upper and lower tracks (9, 13) on the chute (3) at the base of the flexible wall (11).

9. The system of Claim 8 in which the flexible wall is formed by separate sections hinged at their lower edges to the chute, and with tension means joining their upper regions and tending to maintain them upstanding.