FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an ore processing panel, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to an ore processing panel having a wear indication cavity.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Ore processing equipment is used in the processing of mineral ore. The processing of mineral ore includes separating, sorting and screening of mineral ore. The surfaces of mineral processing equipment are subjected to wear due to contact with the mineral ore. Many mineral processing machines have replaceable parts, for example, modular screening panels which are used in the decks of mineral screening machines. Failure of such replaceable parts results in downtime and, in the case of mineral screening machines, will also result in inaccurate screening of the mineral ore.

Mines, using machines with replaceable parts desire to use a replaceable part for as long as possible without running the risk of failure of such parts. A problem in the industry is that the effect of wear on the surface of replaceable parts is currently detected by human judgment, which is inconsistent and inaccurate, or physical measurement, which is time consuming.

It is known to provide a wear indicator in tread of a vehicle tyre such as disclosed in European patent application number EP1630008 and in French patent application number FR2917668, the contents of which are incorporated herein, in their entirety, by way of reference.

EP1630008 discloses a tyre having at least one tread wear indicator. Each wear indicator is a single mark that provides continuous information to the consumer, while changing its presentation based upon the amount of tread wear. A mould blade, employed to form the wear indicator, has a series of stacked portions, each portion having a different configuration, the configuration being constant for the length of each portion.

FR2917668 discloses a tyre wherein the tread has a wear indicator formed by a cavity recessed into the tread surface. The profile of the cavity on the tread surface comprises a bearing surface and a plurality of parts connected to and projecting from the bearing surface. The profile of the cavity on the tread surface is a single closed curve. The number of projecting parts is a function of the tread wear. The geometrical shape and area of the profile of the cavity on the tread is modified as the tread wears.

A problem with the above is that it only gives an indication of the tyre surface wear. No particulate pass through the cavity and no wear occurs on the cavity's side walls. In the ore processing panel industry it is important to establish the amount of wear on the side surfaces of panels as too much wear may cause too large particulate to pass through the panel.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide an ore processing panel having a wear indicator which, at least partially, alleviates the problem associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention there is provided an ore processing panel for processing of mineral ore, comprising:

a wear indication cavity;

the cavity having a top end proximate a panel wear surface, and a wear side wall that wears during use.

The top end of the cavity opens in the panel wear surface.

The profile of the cavity when viewed in plan may increase downwardly as the panel wear surface and wear side wall wear.

A side cross sectional profile of the cavity may have a castellated top section with the castellated protrusions descending in height from a side wall of the cavity to an opposite side wall thereof.

The upper section of the wear side walls may be inwardly slanted so that each castellated protrusion becomes narrower towards its top end. The ore processing panel may be an ore screening panel.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of indicating an amount of wear on an ore processing panel comprising the steps of:

- providing an ore processing panel with a wear indication cavity; and having a cavity opening in a panel wear surface,

having a wear side wall that wear causing the profile of the cavity when viewed in plan to increase in area as the panel wear surface and wear side wall wear.

These and other features are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ore processing panel in accordance with the invention; is a cross sectional side view along line II of the ore processing panel of figure 1 and also showing an enlarged view of a wear indication cavity. is a perspective view of a partially worn ore processing panel of figures 1 and 2; is a perspective view of an ore processing panel of figures 1 , 2 and 3 having maximum wear; is an enlarged cross sectional view along line V of figure 3 of a wear indication cavity; and is an enlarged cross sectional view along line VI of figure 4 of a wear indication cavity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the drawings, in which like features are indicated by like numerals, an ore processing panel is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

The ore processing panel 10 for processing of mineral ore (not shown) has a wear indication cavity 7 which replaces an aperture 1 of the panel 10. The cavity 7 has a top end 3 proximate a panel wear surface 9. The cavity also has a wear side wall which wears during normal use of the panel 10.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the panel 10 is an ore screening panel and the top end 3 of the cavity 7 opens in the panel wear surface 9 of the panel 10 (as shown in figure 1 ). A side cross sectional profile of the cavity 7 has a castellated top section with the castellated protrusions (3, 4, 5, and 6) descending in height from a side wall 2a of the cavity to an opposite side wall 2d thereof (as shown in figure 2). The castellated protrusions (3, 4, 5, and 6) terminate incremental distances from the wear surface 9. The wear side walls (2a, 2b, 2c and 2d) include an upper section 8 which is inwardly slanted so that each castellated protrusion becomes narrower towards its top end.

In use, the screen panel 10 is installed in a screen deck and is used to sieve ore particulate. Typically the screen deck shakes and vibrates with ore on the screen deck allowing ore of a certain size to pass through the apertures 1 and opening 3 of the screen panel.

As the panel 10 undergoes wear during normal use, the wear surface 9 and side walls (2a and 2b) wear as a result of friction of the ore particulate passing through the panel 10. The apertures 1 wear in similar fashion i.e. the top surface 9 of the panel 10 as well as the sidewalls 1 a of the aperture 1 , wear. The wear causes the wear surface 9 and side walls (2a, 2b and 8) to deplete until the first and second protrusions (3 and 4) are visible in the wear surface 9 (see figures 3 and 5). As a result of the wear the upper edges 1 of the side wall and exposed protrusions become rounded 11. As wear of the panel 10 continues a third protrusion 5 also becomes visible on the wear surface 9. Wear of the panel 10 continues until all the protrusions (3, 4, 5, and 6) are visible on the wear surface 9 (see figures 4 and 6). The profile of the cavity 7 when viewed in plan increases in area downwardly as the panel wear surface 9 and wear side wall (2a, 2b, 2c and 2d) wear. Visibility of all protrusions (3, 4, 5, and 6) on the wear surface indicates maximum wear of the panel 10. Maximum wear may be when the apertures 1 have become too large causing too large particulate to pass through the panel 10. Maximum wear may also indicate imminent failure of the panel 10.

It is envisaged that the invention will provide an ore processing panel which provides an indication of wear of a surface thereof. The invention will allow users of ore processing panels to have a visual indication of the amount of wear which does not require human judgement or physical measurement. It will also allow ore processing panels to be timely replaced, thus preventing failure thereof.

The invention is not limited to the precise details as described herein and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.