FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention generally relates to conveyors and mineral material processing. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to locking of a conveyor of a mineral material processing plant. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mineral material, such as stone, is retrieved to be processed from the ground either by exploding or by digging. The mineral material may also comprise natural stone, gravel and construction waste. Both mobile and fixed plants are used for processing. The material to be processed is fed with e.g. an excavator or a wheel loader into a feed hopper of the processing plant, from where the material is forwarded to be processed.

In mineral material processing, the material processed or to be processed is commonly conveyed on conveyors. Often the height of these conveyors is be adjusted in order to provide a suitable unloading or loading height, or due to transport requirements. The angle, i.e. height, of further processing apparatuses is also adjusted. This adjustment is often carried out hydraulically. The angle of processing apparatuses has previously been locked by manual insertion of suitable bolts or the like to keep the conveyor in place. However, insertion of such bolts is time consuming and might present a safety hazard.

Furthermore, during processing or movement of the processing plant, the processing apparatus experiences forces in side and longitudinal direction, the movement resulting from which has not been prevented with manual locking of the height. The objective of the invention is to provide a locking arrangement for a processing apparatus that mitigates the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a locking arrangement for a processing apparatus, comprising

a first actuator configured to raise and lower the processing apparatus;

a support element on a side of the processing apparatus comprising slots;

a locking element;

a second actuator configured to move the locking element when actuated; wherein

the locking element moved by the second actuator is configured to engage a slot so that the processing apparatus is locked at least in one direction.

The locking element may comprise a side locking element configured to engage in a form fitting manner with at least a part of the support element in order to hinder sideways movement of the processing apparatus. The first actuator may be configured to lower the processing apparatus in such a way that the locking element is supported on the lower surface of a slot in order to hinder downward movement of the processing apparatus.

The first actuator may be configured to lower the processing apparatus in such a way that the locking element is supported on a beam connected to the support element in order to hinder downward movement of the processing apparatus.

The lower surface of the slots may comprise a groove configured to engage the locking bar in a form fitting manner in order to hinder longitudinal movement of the processing apparatus.

The first actuator may be configured to hinder upward movement of the processing apparatus. The side locking element may be formed as an integral part of the locking element.

The processing apparatus may comprise a conveyor, a feeder or a screen.

The first and/or the second actuator is a hydraulic, electronic or pneumatic cylinder.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a mineral material processing plant comprising a processing apparatus and a locking arrangement according to the first aspect of the invention.

The processing apparatus may comprises a conveyor, a feeder or a screen. The mineral material processing plant may comprise a mobile plant.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of locking a processing apparatus, comprising

raising or lowering the processing apparatus with a first actuator; and

actuating a second actuator in order to engage a locking element with a slot of a support element so that the processing apparatus is locked at least in one direction.

The method may further comprise lowering the processing apparatus with the first actuator so that the locking element is supported on the lower surface of the slot.

The method may further comprise lowering the processing apparatus with the first actuator so that the locking element is supported on a beam connected to the support element.

Engaging the slot may comprise a side locking element engaging in a form fitting manner with at least a part of the support element in order to hinder sideways movement of the processing apparatus. Engaging the slot may comprises the locking element engaging a groove on the lower surface of the slot in a form fitting manner in order to hinder longitudinal movement of the processing apparatus.

The processing apparatus may comprises a conveyor, a feeder or a screen.

Different embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated or have been illustrated only in connection with some aspects of the invention. A skilled person appreciates that any embodiment of an aspect of the invention may apply to the same aspect of the invention and other aspects

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a partial schematic view of a mineral material processing plant and conveyor with a conveyor locking arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of a processing apparatus locking arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3a shows an enlarged schematic side view of a processing apparatus locking arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3b shows an enlarged schematic top view of a processing apparatus locking arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 shows a flow chart of a processing apparatus locking method according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 5 shows a mineral material processing plant according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description, like numbers denote like elements. It should be appreciated that the illustrated figures are not entirely in scale, and that the figures mainly serve the purpose of illustrating embodiments of the invention. Fig. 1 shows a partial schematic view of a mineral material processing plant and conveyor with a processing apparatus locking arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention. It is to be noted that although the embodiments of the invention have been explained with reference to a conveyor, the locking arrangement is applicable to any angle adjustable processing apparatus. Fig. 1 shows a partial view of a mineral material processing plant 500, in which the arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention is in use. The mineral material processing plant 500 comprises among others a frame 501 and a processing apparatus, e.g. a conveyor 100. The processing apparatus in question can alternatively be for example a screening device with one or several screen decks or a feeder, like a vibrating feeder, a bar screen, or a chute. In an embodiment, the conveyor comprises a belt conveyor. Fig. 1 shows the conveyor 100 as a discharge conveyor, but embodiments of the invention are used in conveyors of varying purpose and type. Fig. 1 shows a first actuator, in an embodiment a hydraulic cylinder, jack, or ram, 1 10 configured to raise and lower the conveyor, that is one end of the conveyor is attached to the frame of the mineral material processing plant in a pivotable manner and the first hydraulic ram 1 10 raises or lowers the conveyor in such a way that the free end of the conveyor rises or lowers and the angle of the conveyor changes. The frame 501 of the crusher comprises a support element 120 with the aid of which the conveyor is locked in place as explained hereinafter. In a further example embodiment, the support element 120 is attached to the conveyor. Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of a processing apparatus locking arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 shows the portion of the mineral material processing plant 500 surrounded with a dashed line in Fig. 1 . Although only one side of the mineral material processing plant is shown in the Figs, the support element 120 is in an embodiment provided on both sides of the conveyor 100.

Fig. 2 shows the support element 120 comprising slots, or indentations, 130 the surfaces of which form a type of shelves. The support element 120 comprises a plurality of slots 130 on different vertical heights configured to provide for locking at different positions of the conveyor. Fig. 2 further shows a locking element, in an embodiment a locking bar 150 configured to be movable in a slot, or an aperture, 140 actuated by a second actuator, in an embodiment a hydraulic cylinder jack, or ram, 160. The locking bar 150 in an embodiment extends from one side of the conveyor to the other side thereof and engages with the support element on both sides of the conveyor. In an embodiment, the support element 120 is attached to the conveyor 100 and the locking bar 150, the slot 140 and the hydraulic ram are formed in the frame 501 of the mineral material processing plant. The locking bar 150 in an embodiment comprises a surface against the conveyor frame in order to prevent lateral movement of the locking bar 150 with respect to the conveyor 100. The locking bar 150 is in a further embodiment shaped like a plate or a rod. In an embodiment, the hydraulic ram 160 is provided on both sides of the conveyor 100.

In an embodiment, instead of the first 1 10 and/or 160 hydraulic ram, an electrically or pneumatically actuated element is used. The hydraulic ram 160 is configured when actuated to move the locking bar 150 in the slot 140 in such away that the locking bar engages a slot 130 of the support element 120 in such a way that the movement of the conveyor 100 is prevented at least in one direction.

Fig. 3a shows an enlarged schematic side view of a processing apparatus locking arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3a shows the support element 120 with the slots 130 and the bar 150 configured to be movable in the slot 140 actuated by the hydraulic ram 160. The lower surface of the slots 130 comprises in an embodiment a recess, indentation or groove 170 configured to accommodate the bar 150 in such a way that the movement of the bar and consequently the movement of the conveyor in longitudinal direction is prevented or hindered, i.e. the bar 150 is held in place by the groove 170. The lower surface of the slot 130 is configured to support the bar 150 and therethrough the conveyor 100 in such a way that downward movement of the conveyor is prevented or hindered.

Fig. 3a further shows a side locking element 180 attached to the bar 150, or formed as an integral part thereof and configured to accommodate a part of the support element 120 in order to prevent or hinder sideways movement of the bar 150 and therethrough that of the conveyor 100 with respect to the support element 120. In a further embodiment, the support element 120 comprises a plurality of beam shaped surfaces, for example rectangular or round in shape and hollow or solid in structure, and the bar 150 has a mating surface, that creates a mating contact with the beam shaped surfaces of the support element 120 in a form fitting manner. In a still further embodiment, the support element 120 and the slots 130 are manufactured of a thick metal plate by flame cutting or laser cutting or by other suitable methods.

Fig. 3b shows an enlarged schematic top view of a processing apparatus locking arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig 3b shows the bar 150 with the side locking element 180. The side locking element 180 comprises a groove or indentation configured to accommodate a part of the support element 120, i.e. a plate element 120b at the back wall of the slot 130. The element 180 engages the support element in a form fitting manner. In an embodiment, the element 180 is formed as an integral part of the bar 150, i.e. the bar 150 comprises a groove or a bend configured to accommodate the part 120b. In a further embodiment, the support element 120 comprises the side locking element 180 and the locking bar 150 comprises an element configured to engage the side locking element 120 in a form fitting manner. In an embodiment, the locking bar 150 is a straight bar extending below the conveyor to the support element 120 on both sides. In a further example embodiment, the locking bar 150 comprises as an integral part thereof the side locking element 180, i.e. a groove, indentation or a bend is formed into the bar. In a still further embodiment, the locking bar 150 comprises a groove, indentation or a bend corresponding to the groove 170, i.e. the lower surface of the slot has an element, e.g. a protrusion, that is to be accommodated in a form fitting manner in the groove of the bar 150. Accordingly, as hereinbefore explained, the locking arrangement provides for locking of the conveyor in three directions, i.e. sideways, in longitudinal direction and in vertical direction, using form fitting engagement of the above explained elements. The upward movement of the conveyor is in an embodiment prevented with the first hydraulic ram 1 10 using a valve arrangement (not shown) configured to keep the ram in a certain position. Furthermore, the locking arrangement prevents the conveyor from twisting or bending as well.

Fig. 4 shows a flow chart of a processing apparatus locking method according to an embodiment of the invention. At 410 the conveyor is raised or lowered to the desired position by actuating the first hydraulic ram 1 10. The desired position is chosen in such away that the conveyor is at a level with a slot 130 of the support element 120. At 420 the bar 150 is actuated with the hydraulic ram 160 in such a way that the side locking element 180 engages in a form fitting engagement the part 120b of the support element 120. In an embodiment, simultaneously the bar 150 slides into the groove 170 in the lower surface of the slot 130 to form a form-fitting engagement. At 420, the first hydraulic ram 1 10 is actuated, if needed, so that the bar 150 rests at the shelf formed by the lower surface of the slot 130 of the supporting element. In order to unlock the conveyor, the steps are carried out in opposite order.

Fig. 5 shows a mobile mineral material processing plant 500 according to the invention comprising a feeder 503 for feeding material into a crusher 504, and a conveyor 100 according to an embodiment of the invention for conveying the crushed product further away from the processing plant and comprising the locking arrangement (not shown) according to an embodiment of the invention. The processing plant 500 further comprises a power source and a control centre 505. The power source may be for example a diesel or electric engine that provides energy for the process units and hydraulic circuits. The feeder, the crusher, the power source and the conveyor are attached to a frame 501 which in this embodiment further comprises a track base 502 for moving the processing plant. The processing plant may also be completely or in part wheel-based or movable on legs. Alternatively, it may be movable or towable with for example a truck or other external power source. In addition to the hereinbefore, the processing plant may also be a fixed processing plant.

Without in any way limiting the scope of protection, interpretation or possible applications of the invention, a technical advantage of different embodiments of the invention may be considered to be the provision of conveyor locking in three directions. Further, a technical advantage of different embodiments of the invention may be considered to be easier and safer locking of the conveyor. Still further, a technical advantage of different embodiments of the invention may be considered to be an increased lifetime of the conveyor as wear due to undesired movement is reduced. Still further, a technical advantage of different embodiments of the invention may be considered to be the provision of robust locking arrangement immune to dust or material fragments.

The foregoing description provides non-limiting examples of some embodiments of the invention. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to details presented, but that the invention can be implemented in other equivalent means. Some of the features of the above-disclosed embodiments may be used to advantage without the use of other features. As such, the foregoing description shall be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, and not in limitation thereof. Hence, the scope of the invention is only restricted by the appended patent claims.