Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a conveyor belt arrangement for feeding material to at least one discharge or bunker, wherein the conveyor arrangement comprises at least one belt and a guiding system for guiding the belt such that the material can be fed to the respective discharge. In particular, the present invention relates to arrangements for material processing and material transfer usually carried out by means of tripper cars. In particular, the present invention relates to conveyor belt arrangements and to methods according to the preamble of the respective independent claim.

BACKGROUND

In order to transfer and feed material (e.g. bulk solids, debris, scree material, coal, minerals) to discharges, chutes or bunkers or the like, generally, travelling tripper cars are preferably used. The material is arranged on at least one conveyor belt. Tripper cars allow for providing the material at a desired height position. In tripper cars, conveyor belts are arranged according to at least one ramp, for lifting and feeding the material to respective bunkers or chutes (difference in height). Lifting of conveyor belts usually is required in order to allow for accommodation of diverter gates, chutes or the like (for optionally diverting the material in single discharge or double discharge systems or for self-discharge for bypass). It has been found that this requirement of belt lifting (resp. material lifting) may encounter some disadvantages, especially in conjunction with the use of tripper cars, for example:

- increase of required power, especially belt conveyer power, especially in view of resistance or suboptimal energetic efficiency of tripper car arrangements;

- relatively high vertical position of bunker houses, especially in view of accommodation of tripper cars;

- quite drastic dust nuisance;

- abnormal belt positions, especially abnormal belt lifting, especially at belt entry on tripper car, especially during partial loading; - spillage of material, especially due to abnormal belt positions, especially also due to belt lifting at partial loads in case of two or three tripper cars being installed in tandem;

- quite laborious maintenance efforts, especially due to moving parts in tripper car;

- quite excessive needs for structural steel elements and components (high material costs).

In particular, it seems as if at least some of these disadvantages should be overcome, especially with respect to applications usually requiring the use of tripper cars.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide for a conveyor arrangement and method ensuring improved material processing characteristics or material transfer characteristics, especially providing for improved functionality of conveyor arrangement usually used in conjunction with tripper cars for conveying bulk material (e.g. debris, scree material, coal, minerals) to bunkers or the like.

This object is solved by a method and device according to the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are mentioned in the dependent claims.

In particular, this object is solved by a conveyor belt arrangement for feeding material to at least one of: a single discharge, a double discharge, a self-discharge for bypass, the respective discharge especially leading to at least one bunker, wherein the conveyor arrangement comprises at least one belt and a guiding system including at least one drive, wherein the at least one belt is guided by the guiding system such that the material can be fed to the respective discharge; wherein the guiding system is configured for guiding the belt in a vertical direction on at least one upper belt level, wherein the conveyor belt arrangement further comprises a movable plough device provided in an adjustable arrangement (especially vertical engaging position) which is adjustable and positionable with respect to an upper belt section on the upper belt level and for optional interaction with the fed material on the upper belt section, for optionally discharging the material to the respective discharge. This also allows for improved material processing, especially with minimum constructive effort and/or minimum energetic effort. The plough device can be positioned individually, e.g. for discharging all the material or only some parts of the material, e.g. for discharging the material in one or several directions (especially to both sides of the belt). In particular, material processing and material transfer can be carried out in a very flexible/variable manner. Effects, especially in view of classical tripper car arrangements: minimum dust, minimum spillage, minimum housekeeping resp. minimum maintenance.

In particular, according to a specific embodiment of the invention, the conveyor belt arrangement provides for a fixed belt discharge plough, optionally for single side discharge (unidirectional discharge) or double side discharge (at least bidirectional discharge), especially with minimum belt lifting.

Preferably, a single discharge is coupled to one single bunker. Preferably, a double discharge is coupled to at least one bunker. Preferably, a self-discharge for bypass is provided for bypassing any bunker or the like, especially for selecting/sorting specific kinds of material.

The guiding system may also provide for kinematics or components for transferring the material in a vertical direction. In particular, the guiding system can be supported by several supporting columns, for defining a height for the guiding system with respect to the ground level. This height may depend on the arrangement and dimensions of the discharges and bunkers. For example, the respective bunker can be arranged on ground level or within the soil, i.e. at or even below ground level; this may allow for a relatively low height of the guiding system, especially corresponding to the design of the discharge units preferred for each specific application.

Preferably, the guiding system is configured and arranged such that a difference in height between rails of the guiding system and the upper belt section is minimum, e.g. only one or two meters, or even only 50 centimeters. In particular, the guiding system may provide for a ramp for the belt, for guiding the belt and feeding the material from ground level up to the upper belt section. Optionally, the guiding system may also provide for a ramp for guiding the belt back to the ground level. The guiding system may exhibit wheels, drives, conveyor elements and/or rolls for actuating and supporting the belt and the material, respectively according to the required difference in height (which may be predefined exclusively by the discharges and bunkers and/or by the kind of material or by the kind of task/function of separating or just guiding and feeding the material), for example based on techniques already known in prior art.

According to one embodiment, the conveyor belt arrangement is configured for discharging the material unilaterally to one lateral side of the upper belt section, especially by means of the movable plough device being positioned in a respectively adjusted vertical engaging position with respect to the at least one upper belt level. This also may allow for selective discharge, for example for optionally selecting and discharging the material to one or two bunkers (simultaneously or consecutively) being arranged on both sides of the belt.

According to one embodiment, the conveyor belt arrangement is configured for discharging the material bilaterally to both lateral sides of the upper belt section, especially by means of the movable plough device being positioned in a respectively adjusted vertical engaging position with respect to the at least one upper belt level. This may also further minimize any dust or spillage effects.

In particular, the conveyor belt arrangement can be configured in such a manner that the belt is guided in a symmetric manner with respect to the movable plough device, especially symmetrically with respect to an yz-plane (extending orthogonally with respect to the belt’s longitudinal direction resp. with respect to the x-direction). In particular, the conveyor belt is guided along to ramps which are extending with respect to each other according to a geometry of an isosceles triangle (same base angle) having a plateau, especially by means of the guiding system.

In particular, the conveyor belt is guided along a first ramp having a first angle resp. inclination, is then further guided on a constant height resp. along a plateau, and is then (optionally) further guided along a second ramp having a second angle resp. inclination. Especially, the first and second inclinations can be identical and/or the first and second inclinations can have opposed orientations. In particular, the first inclination is aligned upwards and the second inclination is aligned downwards.

In particular, the conveyor belt is guided along a bilateral ramp having a plateau (plane section) for interaction with the movable plough device.

According to one embodiment, the at least one upper belt level (resp. the upper belt section) extends in one predefined height position at least along the corresponding horizontal extension of the movable plough device. This also allows for effective interaction along a quite long (surface) area. This also may improve smooth material transfer (reduced chocks, reduced reaction forces, reduced impact on the support structure).

An underside of the movable plough device can be provided in a plane manner and geometrically corresponding to the belt’s shape on the at least one upper belt level. This also allows for exact control of material transfer, especially based on a predefinable gap between the belt level and the plough.

According to one embodiment, the movable plough device exhibits at least one pivot axis, especially a pivot axis oriented in y-direction orthogonally to the belt’s longitudinal direction. This also provides for a kind of switching function, allowing for easily switching off the discharge function, for example in an arrangement exhibiting several plough devices in series, each plough device interacting with at least one bunker in at least one horizontal position. The movable plough device can exhibit translational kinematics configured for horizontally positioning the movable plough device in a direction that is orthogonal to the belt’s longitudinal direction. The translational kinematics may comprise linear actuators for a movement in at least one direction.

According to one embodiment, the movable plough device exhibits a vee plough having a V-shape, with respect to a horizontal cross section (xy). For example, the angle of vee or the opening angle is in the range of 30° to 110°. Optionally, the opening angle may increase or decrease along the plough.

According to one embodiment, the at least one drive is coupled to several wheel units, wherein the conveyor belt arrangement is configured for positioning the movable plough device in at least one horizontal direction, especially along rails of the guiding system, especially with respect to predefined horizontal positions (e.g. defined by individual bunkers or discharges or chutes), especially in parallel to the belt’s longitudinal direction. This also allows for exact adjustment of the longitudinal position.

According to one embodiment, the conveyor belt arrangement exhibits at least one lifting unit for vertically positioning the upper belt section, especially for defining a difference in height with respect to a/the reference level. This may also facilitate relative positioning of the guiding system with respect to the plough device, especially depending on the kind of material.

The conveyor belt arrangement can exhibit at least one conveyor unit for vertically guiding the belt from the upper belt level (back) to a reference level and/or from the reference level to the upper belt level. Such conveyor units may e.g. ensure appropriate guidance especially in a vertical direction, especially depending on a relative vertical position of the upper belt section (xy1 ), wherein the path of motion of the belt in the vertical direction can be adjusted individually depending on the respective application. According to one embodiment, a difference in height of the upper belt section with respect to rails (reference level) of the guiding system is adjustable. This also allows for adjusting the arrangement with respect to specific discharge units or bunkers, for example in case several bunkers arranged in series are defining different discharge heights.

According to one embodiment, the z-position in height of the movable plough device is adjustable with respect to rails (reference level) of the guiding system. This allows for further adjustment, for example taking into account the size of bulk solids material.

According to one embodiment, the conveyor arrangement is configured for horizontally positioning the movable plough device, especially in conjunction with horizontally positioning the upper belt section, such that the material is fed to at least one bunker, especially without use of any tripper car. In other words: the plough device and the upper belt section can be horizontally positioned with respect to each other, especially analogously, and depending on the relative horizontal position.

According to one embodiment, the movable plough device exhibits both pivot kinematics (especially for switching on/off the discharge function) and translational kinematics (especially for switching between unilateral or bilateral discharge effect, especially for optionally discharging in on or two bunkers).

ITEM In particular, the above mentioned object ca also be solved by a conveyor belt arrangement for feeding material to at least one of: a single discharge, a double discharge, a self-discharge for bypass, the respective discharge especially leading to at least one bunker, wherein the conveyor arrangement comprises at least one belt and a guiding system including at least one drive, wherein the at least one belt is guided by the guiding system such that the material can be fed to the respective discharge; wherein the guiding system is configured for guiding the belt in a vertical direction on at least one upper belt level, wherein the conveyor belt arrangement further comprises a movable plough device provided in an adjustable arrangement (especially vertical engaging position) which is adjustable and positionable with respect to an upper belt section on the upper belt level and for optional interaction with the fed material on the upper belt section, for optionally discharging the material to the respective discharge, wherein the conveyor belt arrangement is configured for discharging the material bilaterally to both lateral sides of the upper belt section, wherein the movable plough device exhibits at least one pivot axis, wherein the movable plough device exhibits a vee plough having a V-shape, wherein the at least one drive is coupled to several wheel units, wherein the conveyor belt arrangement is configured for positioning the movable plough device in at least one horizontal direction, especially along rails of the guiding system, wherein the conveyor belt arrangement exhibits at least one lifting unit for vertically positioning the upper belt section. This especially provides for numerous advantages mentioned above.

In particular, the above mentioned object is also solved by a method for feeding material arranged on at least one belt to at least one of: a single discharge, a double discharge, a self-discharge for bypass, the respective discharge especially leading to at least one bunker, the method especially being carried out by a conveyor belt arrangement as described above, wherein the at least one belt is guided by a guiding system such that the material is fed to the respective discharge; wherein the belt is guided in a vertical direction, especially by means of the guiding system, on at least one upper belt level, wherein optionally discharging the material to the respective discharge is carried out by arranging and positioning a movable plough device with respect to the upper belt level, for optionally interacting with the fed material on an upper belt section. This especially provides for advantages mentioned above. The upper belt section can be defined by the guiding system, for example by a plateau device resp. plateau unit.

According to one embodiment, the material is discharged unilaterally to one lateral side of the upper belt section, especially by means of the movable plough device being positioned in a respectively adjusted vertical engaging position with respect to the at least one upper belt level. Alternatively, the material can be discharged in bilateral manner to both lateral sides of the upper belt section, especially by means of the movable plough device being positioned in a respectively adjusted vertical engaging position with respect to the at least one upper belt level.

According to one embodiment, the at least one upper belt section is guided in one predefined height position at least along the corresponding horizontal extension of the movable plough device. This also allows for quite a great area of interaction (engagement) of the plough and the material. In addition, the effects of the plough and its relative arrangement with respect to the feeding direction can be adjusted in quite variable manner.

According to one embodiment, an underside of the movable plough device is positioned in a plane manner geometrically corresponding to the belt’s shape on the at least one upper belt level, especially based on a distance parameter defining an adjustable distance between the upper belt level and the plough’s underside. This also allows for even more specific control of material transfer.

According to one embodiment, for positioning the movable plough device with respect to the upper belt section, the movable plough device is pivoted around at least one pivot axis, especially a pivot axis oriented in y-direction orthogonally to the belt’s longitudinal direction. Alternatively or in addition, the plough device may also be pivoted around at least one vertical pivot axis extending in z-direction. It has been found that a pivot motion allows for favorable position adjustment, even during load (material is fed and discharged). In particular, pivot motions may allow for straightforward material processing in a continuous manner. The belt may continuously be conveyed, irrespective of any adjustment motion of the plough device.

According to one embodiment, for positioning the movable plough device with respect to at least one discharge, the movable plough device is translationally positioned in at least one horizontal direction, especially in a direction that is orthogonal to the belt’s longitudinal direction. According to one embodiment, for adjusting the discharging effect of the movable plough device, a vee plough having a V-shape is positioned with respect to the upper belt section, especially by a pivot motion and/or by at least one translational movement. A V-shape provides for several advantages especially also in view of flexibility and variability of the process.

According to one embodiment, at least one wheel unit of the guiding system is driven by a drive such that the movable plough device is positioned in at least one horizontal direction by means of the conveyor belt arrangement, especially along rails of the guiding system, especially with respect to predefined horizontal positions, especially in parallel to the belt’s longitudinal direction.

According to one embodiment, at least one lifting unit is actuated for vertically positioning the upper belt section, especially for defining a difference in height with respect to a/the reference level.

According to one embodiment, at least one conveyor unit is actuated in an active manner or is guiding the belt in a passive manner upstream and/or downstream of the upper belt section, respectively for vertically adjusting and guiding the belt from the upper belt level to a reference level and/or from the reference level to the upper belt level.

According to one embodiment, the material is fed to at least one bunker, without using any tripper car. This kind of process may overcome a plurality of disadvantages already mentioned above, especially by completely avoiding any use of tripper cars.

According to one embodiment, the movable plough device is horizontally positioned, especially in conjunction with horizontally positioning the upper belt section. This also allows for specifically discharging material to/at specific horizontal positions, i.e. to different bunkers. According to one embodiment, the movable plough device is both pivoted and translationally positioned, for defining the belt’s engagement position with respect to the upper belt level. Such a combined motion may allow for direct and fast positioning and/or quite sophisticated adjustment, especially in order to adjust the discharge effects in quite specific manner.

In particular, the above mentioned object is also solved by use of a movable plough device for discharging material from a conveyor belt to at least one discharge or bunker in at least one horizontal position, wherein the material is fed by at least one belt which is guided to an upper belt level such that the belt forms an upper belt section, especially by means of a guiding system, wherein the movable plough device is positioned with respect to the upper belt section, especially by a pivot motion and/or by at least one translational movement, in such a manner that the material is discharged unilaterally to only one lateral side of the upper belt section or in bilateral manner to both lateral sides of the upper belt section, especially in a conveyor belt arrangement as described above, especially for a method as described above, the movable plough device preferably exhibiting a vee plough having a V- shape. This especially provides for advantages mentioned above.

The present invention has been described above, by mainly referring to a conveyor belt arrangement. Nonetheless, the present invention may also be realized based on a multiple bunker arrangement, wherein the guiding system extends along at least two bunkers, and wherein material is discharged to at least two discharges feeding the material to the respective bunker.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features and advantages of the present invention are disclosed in the following description and figures referring at least one embodiment.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a conveyor belt arrangement according to one embodiment; Fig. 2, 3 respectively illustrates a kinematic concept of the present invention, referring to a side view respectively to a plan view of a conveyor belt arrangement according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For reference signs that may not explicitly be mentioned/shown in some of the figures, it is referred to the further figure(s).

For the sake of clarity and compact disclosure, the figures are now described all together in conjunction with each other. Individual features specifically shown in each of the figures are described individually, by referring to the respective figure.

The present invention refers to a conveyor belt arrangement 10 for feeding material and for guiding at least one belt 1 to an upper belt level xy1 , especially by arranging an upper belt section 1a on the upper belt level xy1 (plateau 1 a; horizontal extension of the upper belt section on the same vertical level). The material is fed to at least one chute resp. discharge 30, for being discharged to at least one bunker 2 which can be arranged on the ground 3 or which may also be integrated, at least partially, in the soil (as illustrated).

The belt 1 is guided by a guiding system 11 which exhibits rails 11 a or the like, for being moved in at least one translation direction (here: at least x-direction). One or more drives 12 are provided for driving wheel units 13, for positioning and/or adjusting the upper belt section 1a. One or more conveyor units 14, especially for bilaterally engaging the belt 1 upstream and/or downstream, as well as conveyor elements 17, especially in unilateral arrangement below the belt, respectively can be configured for optionally conveying the belt in an active or passive manner.

A movable plough device 20 exhibits at least one supporting column 21 , at least one arm 22, especially a bar or strut, at least one plough 23, especially a vee plough, as well as a pivot mechanism 24 (pivot axis 25, 26), and optionally also translational kinematics.

A support frame 15 (substantially extending horizontally) is arranged and configured for at least partially supporting and positioning the plough device 20. In particular, at least one pivot axis of the plough device 20 can be provided at/within the support frame 15. One or several lifting units 16 are arranged and configured for defining an adjustable z-position of the upper belt section 1 a. Preferably, the lifting units 16 are supported (hinged, fixed and/or adjustably mounted) at the frame 15 or with respect to the frame 15.

A mechanical coupling between the frame 15 and the discharge 30 and the bunker 2 can be ensured by one or several couplings 31 , 32, for example each comprising screw fittings or the like.

In the following, reference is made to the extensions and proportions in height direction. The reference sign xyO designates the reference level, which is defined by the guiding system 11. Depending on the shape and arrangement of the discharge 30 and the bunker 2, the guiding system 11 may predefine the height z11 of the rails with respect to ground level. For example, height adjustment of the complete arrangement can be carried out by means of supporting columns 18 optionally adjustable in height (be it adjustable in situ for example by means of hydraulic actuation or the like, be it by predefined constructive adjustment).

The upper belt level xy1 , especially the level of the upper belt section 1 a (plateau), is defined by the relative height z1 of the belt with respect to the rails. By the way: the relative height z1 can be adjusted individually, especially by means of at least one lifting unit 16.

Material can be passed and transferred between the belt section 1 a and the frame 15, due to vertical clearance zO. The support frame 15 vertically extends on an upper inspection level xy15. In other words: Manual inspection or maintenance work or adjustment of the relative position of the plough device can optionally be carried out by an operator on this upper inspection level xy15, ensuring good visibility and accessibility. In addition, cameras or any further control units monitoring the plough’s function and interaction with the material can be arranged on this upper inspection level xy15.

The support frame 15 may support the plough device 20, and the rails 11 a may support the belt 1 and the material. In other words: Any charges (forces, momentum) due to loading or the like may be transferred via the rails 11 a to the column(s) 18. Advantage: Only the forces exerted by the material on the plough device 20 have to be transferred via the frame 15.

The support frame 15 may exhibit rails or any known guiding elements for guiding the plough device 20 in at least one translational direction, especially in a plane extending in parallel to the upper belt section 1a. The conveyor belt arrangement 10 is configured for aligning the upper belt section 1a in parallel to any guiding elements for translational relative positioning of the plough device 20.

A plateau unit 19 can define the vertical position of the upper belt section 1 a, wherein the relative height of the plateau unit 19 can be adjusted by lifting units 16.

A control unit 40 is provided for controlling relative motion of each of the movable components of the arrangement. The control unit 40 can be coupled to a plurality of sensors, especially position sensors for each movable components.

The alphabetic characters x, y, z designate the belt’s longitudinal direction (x), the horizontal cross direction (y) as well as the height direction, especially exactly vertical direction (z), especially according to Cartesian coordinates.

In particular, Fig. 1 shows a guiding system 11 which is arranged on a height level xyO being defined by supporting columns 18. The height level xyO is lower than the height of the chute 30. Therefore, in this specific embodiment, the guiding system 11 provides for a difference in height z1 of the upper belt section 1 a with respect to the reference level xyO. In other words: In many applications, the reference level xyO will be defined based on the configuration of the discharge units 30 and bunkers 2, and the additional lift z1 can individually be adjusted (also during material transfer), based on specific needs for each individual process.

In Fig. 1 , only one discharge 30 and only one bunker 2 are shown. Nonetheless, the guiding system 11 may extend along a plurality of discharges and/or bunkers (as suggested by a partial illustration of a further bunker on one side/edge of Fig. 1 ).

In particular, Fig. 2 illustrates translational and rotational kinematics of both the guiding system 11 and the plough device 20. In particular, the guiding system 11 , especially a plateau unit 19, can be positioned in vertical z-direction and in horizontal x-direction (double arrows with broad hachure). In particular, the plough device 20 can be positioned in vertical z-direction and in horizontal x-direction, and can be pivoted around y-axis 25 (double arrows with narrow hachure).

In particular, Fig. 3 illustrates translational and rotational kinematics of both the guiding system 11 and the plough device 20 in a further view. In particular, the guiding system 11 , especially a plateau unit 19, can be positioned in both horizontal directions x and y (double arrows with broad hachure), for example along guide rails 11 a or respective motion paths 11a exemplarily illustrated in Fig. 3. In particular, the plough device 20, 23 exhibits translational kinematics and is configured to be positioned in both horizontal directions x and y. Further, the plough device 20, 23 can be pivoted around z-axis 26 (double arrows with narrow hachure). List of reference signs:

1 belt

1 a upper belt section (lifted belt section; plateau)

2 bunker

3 ground, soil

10 conveyor belt arrangement

11 guiding system, especially rail system

11 a rail

12 drive

13 wheel unit

14 conveyor unit, especially bilaterally engaging the belt

15 vertical support frame

16 lifting unit

17 conveyor element, especially in unilateral arrangement below belt

18 supporting column

19 plateau unit

20 movable plough device, especially movable vee plough

21 supporting column

22 arm, especially bar

23 plough, especially vee plough

24 pivot mechanism

25 pivot axis

26 pivot axis

30 chute resp. discharge

31 coupling between vertical support frame and chute

32 coupling between chute and bunker

40 control unit

xyO reference level

xy1 upper belt level

xy15 upper inspection level

zO clearance z1 height of belt with respect to guiding system

z11 height of guiding system (rails) with respect to ground level x,y,z two horizontal directions and vertical direction (z)