TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a conveying device for feeding fragmented material to be processed to a processing unit of a processing machine. Further, the invention relates to a modular hopper structure for a conveying device and a method for adapting a conveying device for feeding fragmented material to a processing unit of a processing machine. Moreover, the invention relates to a modular hopper structure for a processing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Processing machines, in particular in the field of mining and construction, can be crushing machines with a crushing unit for crushing fragmented material or milling or screening machines with respective milling or screening units for milling or screening fragmented material, for example. In order to be flexible and movable to different areas of application, for example, in large quarries, processing machines can be mobile machines, as for example, disclosed in AT 13 349 U2 or WO 2010/063 049 A1 .

In order to feed fragmented material to be processed to a processing unit of a processing machine, typically hopper structures are applied. These usually comprise a conveying device for conveying the fragmented material and a hopper unit for receiving fragmented material, typically from some kind of loading device, as, for example, disclosed in WO 99/54049 A1 or WO 2013/01 1 065 A3. However, existing solutions are limited to specific types of hoppers and may require considerable effort when hoppers are exchanged which may include cutting and welding of metal parts. Therefore, further improvements are sought.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved conveying device for feeding fragmented material to be processed to a processing unit of a processing machine, an improved modular hopper structure and an improved method for adapting a conveying device for feeding fragmented material to a processing unit of a processing machine. It is a further object of the invention to provide a conveying device for feeding fragmented material to be processed to a processing unit of a processing machine, a modular hopper structure and a method for adapting a conveying device for feeding fragmented material to a processing unit of a processing machine, which allow for greater flexibility of use and/or increased utilization of a processing machine.

According to a first aspect of the invention, this object is solved by a conveying device for feeding fragmented material to be processed to a processing unit of a processing machine according to claim 1 . This conveying device comprises

- a conveyor for conveying fragmented material, preferably, the conveyor includes an apron feeder;

- a housing structure surrounding the conveyor, the housing structure having a supply region for receiving fragmented material; and

- a modular hopper structure arranged on the housing structure supply region, the modular hopper structure is reconfigurable such that it is suitable to form hopper units suitable for different loading methodologies and/or for different loading capacities.

This enables the conveying device to be reconfigured according to the needs or requirements of different applications and operational areas, like the employment of different loading methodologies or different loading capacities. The modular hopper structure can, for example, comprise a hopper basic structure, which can be provided with different shielding arrangements suitable for different loading methodologies and/or for different loading capacities.

A loading methodology can be understood as a way or method fragmented material is provided into a hopper. For example, a hopper may be provided with fragmented material by a shovel, for example from hydraulic or cable excavators. A hopper may further be provided with a fragmented material by dozer push, for example by earthmovers. For this loading methodology, so called natural hoppers can be employed, i.e. hoppers where at least a part of the hopper structure is formed by the ground structure and only a minimal shielding arrangement for protecting the feeding device or further parts of a processing machine is provided. A further loading methodology, for example, is truck loading, where fragmented material is provided to the hopper via trucks approaching the hopper and discharge the fragmented material into the hopper. Although loading methodologies like dozer push, shovel loading and truck loading have been explicitly mentioned herein, other loading methodologies are not excluded. Besides different loading methodologies, different loading capacities can be required by different areas of application or operational areas. For example, the hopper may be suitable to receive a certain volume of fragmented material and thus have a certain capacity for holding fragmented material. However, for natural hoppers, for example, suitable for dozer push, besides the load of the fragmented material the hopper can also be exposed to a part or the full weight of one or more of the dozers providing fragmented material to the hopper.

The modular hopper structure described herein is reconfigurable to form a hopper unit suitable for different loading requirements, i.e. different loading methodologies and/or different loading capacities. Herein, reference is made to modular hopper structures as well as to hopper units, which are formed by the modular hopper structures. Therefore, when reference is made to a hopper unit, the respective description also applies to the modular hopper structure forming the hopper unit.

This has, inter alia, the advantage that the same conveying device can be used for differ- ent loading methodologies and/or for different loading capacities and only the modular hopper structure needs to be reconfigured, for example by modifying or exchanging the shielding arrangement or parts thereof.

The conveyer for conveying fragmented material may be an apron conveyer, for example. The conveyer has a housing structure surrounding the conveyer. The conveyer may be inclined, for example for feeding fragmented material from a lower region to an upper region. For example, in the upper region of the conveyer the housing structure may largely or fully enclose the conveyer to avoid fragmented material to fall down the conveyer. However, the housing structure surrounding the conveyer does not need to fully enclose the conveyer. This housing structure has a supply region for receiving fragment- ed material, which is then to be conveyed by the conveyer. This supply region usually is arranged at an end of the conveyer or adjacent to such an end. If the conveyer is inclined, the supply region can be formed at the lower end of the housing structure, for example. Further, the supply region of the housing structure may have a substantially horizontal portion. Preferably, the conveying device is suitable to be employed with or form a part of a mobile processing machine, as for example, disclosed in AT 13 349 U2 or WO 2010/063 049 A1 . In a preferred embodiment, a first part of a connection arrangement is arranged on the housing structure supply region adapted to form a detachable connection with a second part of the connection arrangement provided on a hopper unit and wherein the conveyor together with the housing structure is adapted for a detachable connection with the modular hopper structure suitable for different loading methodologies and/or for different loading capacities. In another preferred embodiment, the first part of a connection arrangement is arranged on the housing structure supply region adapted to form a fixed connection with a second part of the connection arrangement provided on a hopper unit, for instance via spot welded method.

In this embodiment, the reconfiguration of the modular hopper structure thus can be realized by connecting different kinds of hopper units to the conveying device in a releas- able manner, for example. Preferably, the conveying device is suitable for having a hopper unit releasably connected thereto, wherein the hopper unit may be one of a large number of different hopper units, which are all suitable for being releasably connected to the conveying device. To form the detachable or releasable connection between the conveyor and a hopper unit, the first part of a connection arrangement is preferably adapted accordingly. This first part of the connection arrangement preferably engages a second part of the connection arrangement, which is provided on a hopper unit to form the preferable detachable connection between the two. For example, the first part of the connection arrangement may comprise two or more connection regions. In particular, the first part of the connection arrangement may comprise one connection region arranged either one of two sidewalls of the housing structure located on the sides of a conveyor of the conveying device.

By exchanging one hopper unit for another by releasing the connection between the conveying device and the hopper unit and creating a connection between another hopper unit and the conveying device, the conveying device can be adapted to different loading methodologies and/or different loading capacities selectively as required by the conditions of the area of application or operational area of the conveying device in an easy and advantageous way. This embodiment has, inter alia, the advantage that the same conveying device can be used for different loading methodologies and/or for different loading capacities and only the hopper unit needs to be exchanged to reconfigure the conveying device accordingly. Further, hopper units can be easily exchanged for repair or maintenance, while the conveying device remains operable with another hopper unit detachably connected thereto. A further advantage is that the conveying device according to this embodiment can be transported to a different location (for example, as part of a mobile processing machine), where one or more hopper units suitable for the conditions on this new operational area of the processing machine are already put in place and only need to be connected to the conveying device. In particular when natural hopper units are employed, this can save a considerable amount of time in relocating a processing machine and therefore increase utilization of the processing machine.

In a preferred embodiment, the conveying device is adapted such that the first part of the connection arrangement is decouplable from the second part of the connection arrangement for the purpose of load transfer of vertical forces resulting from the hopper unit, possibly also for transfer of horizontal forces coming from the hopper unit.

In this embodiment, the detachable connection can be decoupled in the sense that load transfer of vertical forces between the hopper unit and the conveying device is interrupted. This is of particular advantage when the conveying device is connected to a hopper unit suitable for dozer push. In the dozer push loading methodology using a natural hopper unit, very high vertical forces resulting/coming from the hopper unit may occur, in particular, if these vertical forces do not only result from fragmented material in the hopper unit, but also from one or more dozers placing their weight at least partly on the hopper unit. Vertical forces can be understood as substantially vertical forces resulting in particular from the hopper unit, like the weight of the hopper unit, the fragmented material provided therein and possibly at least part of the weight of loading vehicles like dozers or trucks being present, at least partly, on the hopper unit.

When such high vertical forces, in particular during feeding of the hopper unit, are to be transferred via the first and second part of the connection arrangement, damages to the first and/or second part of the connection arrangement may occur and thus make it more difficult or even impossible to release this connection. Further, damages to the hopper unit and/or the conveying device may occur. However, when according to this embodiment the conveying device is adapted such that the first part of the connection arrangement can be decoupled from the second part of the connection arrangement for a load transfer of vertical forces resulting from the hopper unit, such damage to the connection arrangement due to high vertical forces can be avoided or at least reduced. Preferably, the hopper unit is provided with a support structure adapted for transferring the vertical forces to the ground, in particular, when the connection arrangement is decoupled during feeding of the hopper unit, as will be described in more detail below, with respect to the hopper unit. According to a further embodiment, the first part of the connection arrangement is movable between a first and a second position, wherein in the first position the first part of the connection arrangement is connected to a second part of the connection arrangement provided on a hopper unit in a manner that allows load transfer of vertical forces; and in the second position the first part of the connection arrangement is decoupled from the second part of the connection arrangement for the purpose of load transfer of vertical forces.

Adapting the first part of the connection arrangement to be movable between the two positions can be achieved, for example, by moving the first part of the connection ar- rangement relative to the remainder of the conveying device, like the housing structure and/or the conveyer. A further possibility can be realized by moving the first part of the connection arrangement together with one or more further parts of the conveying device, like the housing structure and/or the conveyer.

The first position is a position where vertical forces can be transferred via the connection arrangement from the hopper to the conveying device. The second position is a position in which the connection arrangement is decoupled with respect to load transfer of vertical forces. Preferably, the conveying device is brought into the second position of the first part of the connection arrangement during feeding of fragmented material to the hopper unit, whereas the conveying device preferably is brought into the first position of the first part of the connection arrangement, when the conveying device and the hopper unit detachably connected thereto are transported from one location to the other, for example.

In a further embodiment, the conveying device or the modular hopper structure or hopper unit comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder arranged and adapted to move the first part of the connection arrangement between the first and second positions. The movability of the first part of the connection arrangement between the first and second position can be realized with at least one hydraulic cylinder, which can be arranged on the housing structure of the conveying device, for example.

It is further preferred that the first part of the connection arrangement is adapted to form a detachable connection with a second part of the connection arrangement provided on a hopper unit via friction and/or via a form fit and/or via fastening means and/or via hydraulic clamping. It is particularly preferred that the connection arrangement is adapted for a fast and easy forming and/or releasing of the connection, for example via a quick release connection. In particular, the provision of a hydraulic clamping has the advantage of a tool-free connection in the sense that no separate tools like screwing tools or the like are necessary to form and release a connection via hydraulic clamping. Further, the connection can comprise a snap-fit and/or latch connection. According to a further preferred embodiment, the first part of the connection arrangement comprises at least one load transfer surface, adapted for accommodating vertical forces via a corresponding load transfer surface on a second part of the connection arrangement provided on a hopper unit.

Providing a load transfer surface on the first part of the connection arrangement for contacting a corresponding load transfer surface on the second part of the connection arrangement provided on a hopper unit allows for a reliable load transfer of vertical forces.

The load transfer surface may be an elongated surface extending in the direction of a conveying direction of the conveyer and may be continuous or discontinuous. For exam- pie, the load transfer surface may be even or structured, wherein the structure may comprise, preferably evenly spaced projections or elevated portions or recesses. Such a structuring of the contact surfaces can also provide a form fit. Quick-release connections like latch connections or snap-on connections. However, also connections using fastening elements like bolts and/or screws or a combination of different types of connections are possible.

It is further preferred that the at least one load transfer surface is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane or a conveying plane of the conveyor.

An inclination of the load transfer surface may provide a combination of a friction connection and a form fit connection in an easy manner, for example. In particular, in case that two load transfer surfaces are provided on two sidewalls of the housing structure, an inclination of the load transfer surfaces can facilitate the forming of the connection between the first and second parts of the connection arrangement in the sense that the hopper unit is centered or otherwise placed into a desired position by bringing the load transfer surfaces on the first and second part of the connection arrangement into contact. In a further preferred embodiment, the first part of the connection arrangement comprises at least one stabilizing surface, adapted for accommodating, by means of a stabilizing arrangement in particular a cylinder, a horizontal force via a corresponding stabilizing surface on a second part of the connection arrangement provided on a hopper unit. The provision of such a stabilizing surface has the advantage for providing stabilization particularly in a horizontal direction, even if the connection arrangement is decoupled for load transfer of vertical forces. The stabilizing surface of the conveying, for example, can be a substantially vertical surface, which preferably is provided on the supply region of the housing structure. A corresponding stabilizing surface of the hopper unit may be arranged also in a substantially vertical direction to contact the stabilizing surface of the conveying device to allow transfer of substantially horizontal loads and thus provide stabilization in a horizontal direction. The stabilizing surface of the hopper unit may be moveable from a first position, where it does not contact the stabilizing surface of the conveying device to a second position, where is contacts the stabilizing surface of the conveying device. The stabilizing surface of the hopper unit may be provided on an end of a hydraulic cylinder, for example. In a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that in the first position of the conveying device the first part of the connection arrangement is located such that its load transfer surface contacts a corresponding load transfer surface of a second part of the connection arrangement provided on a hopper unit; and

- in the second position of the conveying device the first part of the connection arrangement is located such that its load transfer surface does not contact a corresponding load transfer surface of a second part of the connection arrangement provided on a hopper unit.

By providing load transfer surfaces, a decoupling with respect to vertical forces can be easily realized, for example, by providing a gap between the transfer surfaces on the first and second part of the connection arrangement, in particular a gap in a vertical direction.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it is provided a modular hopper structure for a conveying device as described above, wherein the modular hopper structure is reconfigurable such that it is suitable for different loading methodologies and/or for differ- ent loading capacities. Preferably, the modular hopper structure comprises a shielding arrangement being recon- figurable for providing a hopper structure for at least one loading methodology and/or for at least one loading capacity.

The modular hopper structure preferably comprises a shielding arrangement to make the hopper unit suitable for at least one loading methodology. This shielding arrangement can be modified or exchanged, for example, to reconfigure the hopper unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the modular hopper structure comprises

a second part of a connection arrangement adapted to form a detachable connection with a first part of the connection arrangement arranged on a housing structure supply region of a conveying device; and

a support structure adapted for transferring vertical forces to the ground, for instance when the hopper unit is used with a conveying device as described above for receiving fragmented material.

The modular hopper structure preferably comprises a second part of the connection arrangement for forming the detachable connection with the first part of the connection arrangement arranged on the housing structure's supply region of the conveying device. The second part of the connection arrangement preferably is adapted according to the embodiments described with respect to the first part of the connection arrangement to form a releasable connection therewith.

The modular hopper structure further preferably comprises a support structure, which can transfer vertical forces to the ground. The vertical forces may result from the weight of the hopper, the fragmented material provided to the hopper and possibly the weight of loading vehicles located at least partly on the hopper unit. This support structure therefore makes the upper unit independent with respect to a vertical load transfer from the conveying device when the hopper unit is decoupled with respect to load transfer of vertical forces from the conveying device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the modular hopper structure, the shielding arrangement comprises

at least two protection walls with a loading gate arranged between them adapted for dozer push loading, or

at least one sidewall and a top opening adapted for shovel loading, at least one loading platform and a top opening adapted for truck loading. For example, for dozer push loading, the shielding arrangement can comprise at least two protection walls, which are preferably substantially vertical or inclined to a vertical direction with less than 90° and have a loading gate arr anged between them through which dozers can push fragmented material. The two protection walls in particular protect the conveying device and possibly further elements of a processing from fragmented material.

An alternative modular hopper structure has a shielding arrangement with at least one sidewall and a top opening. Such a hopper unit may have a container-type shape, which is suitable for shovel loading, for example by a hydraulic or cable excavator. A further modular hopper structure has a shielding arrangement with at least one loading platform and a top opening. The loading platform preferably is substantially horizontal such that loading devices can approach the top opening by driving onto the loading platform, which makes the modular hopper structure particularly suitable for truck loading.

Further modular hopper structures, in particular further shielding arrangements, adapted for different loading methodologies can be provided.

According to a further aspect, it is provided a hopper unit carrier for moving a previously described modular hopper structure, wherein the hopper unit carrier comprises a transport unit for moving the hopper unit carrier from one location to another location; wherein the transport unit is arranged such that a modular hopper structure is movable from one location to another location by the transport unit of the hopper unit carrier.

The hopper unit carrier is preferably adapted for ground transportation of hopper units. The transport unit preferably comprises one or more crawler drives.

According to an preferred embodiment, the hopper unit carrier comprises a first part of a connection arrangement adapted to form a detachable connection with a second part of the connection arrangement provided on a modular hopper structure; wherein the first part of the connection arrangement and the transport unit are arranged such that a modular hopper structure connected to the hopper unit carrier is movable from one location to another location by the transport unit of the hopper unit carrier.

The hopper unit carrier preferably comprises a first part of a connection arrangement, which preferably has features analogous to the features of the first part of the connection arrangement arranged on the conveying device. In this way, hopper units which are suitable for fitting to the previously described conveying device will also be suitable for forming a detachable connection with the first part of the connection arrangement on the hopper unit carrier. In this way, a hopper unit carrier can be employed to transport hopper units from one location to another without having the need to move the conveying device (or possibly a complete processing machine comprising such a conveying device) from one location to another. In addition, the hopper unit carrier makes it possible to provide ground transportation for hopper units, i.e. to avoid the need for a crane, for example, or other lifting devices for moving the hopper units. According to a further aspect, a processing machine is provided, which comprises a conveying device as described above and a processing unit. In particular, the processing unit may be a crushing unit and the processing machine may be a crushing machine. According to a further aspect, a modular hopper structure or hopper unit as described above can be directly used in combination with a conveyor, not in combination with a processing unit such as a crushing unit.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it is provided a method for adapting a conveying device for feeding fragmented material to a processing unit of a processing machine to a loading methodology and/or a loading capacity, comprising providing a conveying device described above; reconfiguring the modular hopper structure such that it is suitable to form hopper units suitable for different loading methodologies and/or for different loading capacities.

A preferred embodiment of the method further comprises providing a modular hopper structure described above; forming a detachable connection between the hopper unit and the housing structure via the first and second parts of the connection arrangement. A preferred embodiment of the method further comprises decoupling the first part of the connection arrangement from the second part of the connection arrangement for the purpose of load transfer of vertical forces resulting/coming from the hopper unit.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method, the first part of the connection arrangement is moved from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position the first part of the connection arrangement is connected to a second part of the connection arrangement provided on a hopper unit in a manner that allows load transfer of vertical forces; and in the second position the first part of the connection arrangement is decou- pled from the second part of the connection arrangement for the purpose load transfer of vertical forces. The first part of the connection arrangement is moved preferably via a hydraulic cylinder.

It is further preferred that a first hopper unit is detached from the conveying device before a second hoper unit, preferably suitable for a different loading methodology and/or a different loading capacity, is detachably connected thereto. Further, it is preferred that a plurality of different hopper units is provided and one hopper unit is selected from the plurality to fit the requirements of the operational or application area of the deployment of the conveying device.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it is provided a method for feeding fragmented material to a processing unit of a processing machine, comprising

providing a previously described conveying device;

supplying fragmented material to the modular hopper structure and feeding the fragmented material supplied to the modular hopper structure with a conveyor of the conveying device.

The supplying of fragmented material to the modular hopper structure can preferably take place by different loading methodologies.

Preferably, when supplying fragmented material to hopper, a truck bridge or multiple truck bridges arranged in parallel is/are used for providing a platform for loading trucks. Further preferably, the truck bridge can be used to reconfigure a hopper structure suitable for dozer push to a hopper structure suitable for truck loading. The truck bridge preferably comprises a loading platform for loading trucks to approach an opening of the hopper structure to supply fragmented material to the hopper structure. Further, the truck bridge preferably comprises a support structure for transfer of vertical loads to the ground, in particular one, two or more support pillars. The modular hopper structure could either be attached to the conveying device as described above or to a truck bridge structure including at least one truck bridge, or a combination thereof.

A preferred embodiment of the method for feeding fragmented material to a processing unit of a processing machine further comprises providing a previously described hopper unit detachably connected to the conveying device. It shall be understood that the conveying device for feeding fragmented material to be processed to a processing unit of a processing machine of claim 1 , the hopper unit for a conveying device according to at least one of the preceding claims of claim 1 1 , the hopper unit carrier for moving a hopper unit of claim 14, the modular hopper structure of claim 16, the feeding arrangement of claim 17, the processing machine of claim 18, and the method for adapting a conveying device for feeding fragmented material to a processing unit of a processing machine to a loading methodology and/or a loading capacity of claim 19, as well as the method for feeding fragmented material to a processing unit of a processing machine of claim 22 have similar and/or identical preferred embodiments, in particular, as defined in the dependent claims.

It shall be understood that a preferred embodiment of the present invention can also be any combination of the dependent claims or above embodiments with the respective independent claim.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the following figures.

It shows:

Fig. 1 : A three dimensional depiction of a mobile processing machine with a modular hopper structure forming a hopper unit for shovel loading;

Fig. 2: A three dimensional depiction of a mobile processing machine with a modular hopper structure forming a hopper unit suitable for dozer push;

Fig. 3: A three dimensional depiction of a mobile processing machine with a modular hopper structure forming a hopper unit suitable for truck loading;

Fig. 4: A longitudinal section of a first embodiment of a mobile processing machine without a hopper unit; Fig. 5: Section A-A as indicated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6: The mobile processing machine of Fig. 4 with a first hopper unit detachably connected thereto;

Fig. 7: The section A-A as indicated in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8: The mobile processing machine of Fig. 4 with a second hopper unit detachably connected thereto;

Fig. 9: The section A-A as indicated in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10: A longitudinal section of a second embodiment of a mobile processing machine without a hopper unit;

Fig. 1 1 : Section A-A as indicated in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12: Section B-B as indicated in Fig. 10;

Fig. 13: Section C-C as indicated in Fig. 10;

Fig. 14: Section A-A as indicated in Fig. 10 with a first hopper unit;

Fig. 15: Section B-B as indicated in Fig. 10 with the first hopper unit;

Fig. 16: The longitudinal section according to Fig. 10 with the first hopper unit detachably connected thereto in a first position;

Fig. 17: The longitudinal section of Fig. 10 with the first hopper in a second position;

Fig. 18: The section A-A as indicated in Fig. 10 with a second hopper unit;

Fig. 19: The section B-B as indicated in Fig. 10 with the second hopper unit;

Fig. 20: A three dimensional depiction of a hopper unit with a truck bridge; Fig. 21 : A side view of the hopper unit with the truck bridge according to Fig. 20 and a conveying device; and

Fig. 22: A side view of the hopper unit and the conveying device according to Fig. 21 without the truck bridge. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In Figures 1 - 3, three-dimensional depictions of a mobile processing machine 1 are shown. The mobile processing machine 1 can be a mobile crushing machine, for example, for crushing fragmented material in a crushing unit 50. The mobile processing machine 1 comprises a basic frame or chassis 1 10 with crawler drives 1 1 1 , 1 12. Preferably, there are three crawler drives 1 1 1 , 1 12. The mobile processing machine 1 further comprises a conveying device 100 for feeding fragmented material to be processed to a processing unit, which can be the crushing unit 50 or a screening unit or milling unit. Processed or crushed material may then be further transported from the mobile processing machine via a discharge conveyer 60 as can be seen in Fig. 2. To reconfigure the mobile processing machine 1 for different loading methodologies, the conveying device 100 comprises a modular hopper structure M, which can be provided with different shielding arrangements to form hopper units 20, 30, 40 suitable for different loading methodologies and/or for different loading capacities. As can be seen in Fig. 1 , a hopper unit 20, suitable for shovel loading by a cable excavator 10 or a hydraulic excava- tor is provided by providing modular hopper structure M with a shielding arrangement with a sidewall 21 forming a top opening 22 forming a hopper unit 20 suitable for shovel loading. Fragmented material from the shovel of excavator 10 can enter the hopper unit 20 through top opening 22. To protect crawler drives 1 12 from spillage of fragmented material, protective shields 23 are provided. In Fig. 2, the hopper structure M of the mobile processing machine 1 is provided with a shielding arrangement to form hopper unit 30 suitable for dozer push. The shielding arrangement comprises two protection walls 31 forming a loading gate 32 between them providing a hopper unit 30 suitable for dozer push. Further, protective shields 33 are provided to protect crawler drives 1 12 from spillage of fragmented material. The hopper unit 30 suitable for dozer push as shown in Fig. 2 is a so-called natural hopper, where part of the hopper structure is formed by the ground structure. As can be seen in Fig. 2 the dozers 1 1 providing the fragmented material move over the ground and approach the loading gate 32 between the protection walls 31 . As can be seen also from the embodiments described below with respect to figures 6, 7, and 14 - 17, part of the hopper unit 30 can be buried below the ground on which dozers 1 1 are moving. Therefore, vertical forces acting on a natural hopper structure like the hopper unit 30 suitable for dozer push as shown in Fig. 2, for example, are considerably higher than vertical forces resulting from a hopper unit suitable for shovel loading as hopper unit 20 shown in Fig. 1 , which only has to carry its weight and the fragmented material contained therein, but not the weight of the loading machine. As will be described also with respect to the figures 6, 7, and 14 - 17, preferably a decoupling of load transfer of vertical forces is provided. In Fig. 3, the hopper structure M of the conveying device 100 of the mobile processing machine is provided with a shielding arrangement to form hopper unit 40 suitable for truck loading. The shielding arrangement comprises a substantially horizontal loading platform 41 forming an opening 42 providing a hopper unit 40 suitable for truck loading. Supporting this horizontal platform 41 is a support structure with support walls 43 and a support base 44 for transferring vertical loads to the ground.

As can be seen from figures 1 - 3, a modular hopper structure M is provided, which can be reconfigured to adapt to different loading methodologies and/or different loading capacities. Thus, the flexibility of a processing machine can be increased. Further, also its usability can be increased due to lower down times resulting from shorter time needed to adapt the processing machine to different loading requirements, areas of application, or operational areas.

Similar to the situation of the natural hopper shown in Fig. 2, a hopper unit like the hopper unit 40 suitable for truck loading may be exposed to considerable vertical forces due to trucks driving partly or fully over the hopper unit 40, in particular trucks entering the platform 41 to discharge fragmented material into opening 42. Therefore, in addition to the weight of the hopper unit 40 and the fragmented material contained therein, the weight of the trucks may also affect the hopper unit 40 and needs to be transferred to the ground. By providing a support structure with support walls 43 and a support base 44, and by decoupling a connection arrangement between the hopper unit 40 and the con- veying device 100, the connection arrangement and the conveying device 100 can be protected from these very high vertical forces and/or horizontal forces.

Figures 4 - 9 show an embodiment of a conveying device 100 with a reconfigurable modular hopper structure suitable to form at least two different hopper units. Figures 10 - 19 show a similar embodiment of a conveying device 100, also with a reconfigurable modular hopper structure suitable to form at least two different hopper units. Identical or similar elements are indicated with the same reference numerals. The following description applies to both conveying devices 100 shown in figures 4 - 19 and the respective hopper units unless indicated otherwise.

The conveying device 100 comprises an apron conveyer 121 supported by support rollers 126 and conveying in an endless manner around rollers 125. The apron conveyer 121 comprises several apron pans 127 for conveying the fragmented material thereon.

The conveying device 100 further comprises a housing structure 120 supporting and surrounding the apron conveyer 121 . The conveying device 100 is inclined, with a supply region 123 for receiving fragmented material forming a lower end and an upper end or discharge region 124 from where fragmented material can be discharged to a processing unit or crushing unit 50. At the upper end or discharge region 124, the housing structure 120 has higher sidewalls 128, enclosing the conveyer 121 to provide spillage of frag- mented material. At the supply region 123, the housing structure 120 has a substantially horizontal portion 122.

The apron conveyer 121 conveys fragmented material placed thereon from the supply region 123 to an upper end or discharge region 124 where the fragmented material is discharged to a processing unit, which can be a crushing unit 50, for example. The pro- cessing unit 50 and the conveying device 100 are mounted on a base frame or chassis 1 10, which is mounted on crawler drives 1 1 1 , 1 12 for moving the mobile processing machine. However, although the embodiments described with respect to the figures show mobile processing machines, the aspects of the invention are suitable also for stationary processing machines that lack the means to be self-propelled. Figures 4, 5, and 10 -13 show the conveying device 100 without a hopper unit connected thereto. Figures 6, 7, and 14 - 17 show the conveying device 100 with a hopper unit 200 suitable for providing a natural hopper structure for dozer push releasably connected thereto. Figures 8, 9, and 18 - 19 show the conveying device 100 with a hopper unit 300, 300' suitable for providing a hopper structure suitable for shovel loading releasably con- nected thereto.

For detachably or releasably connecting different hopper units thereto, the conveying device 100 comprises a first part of a connection arrangement with two load transfer surfaces 130, 130' on the top of two sidewalls of the housing structure 120 in a supply region 123. The load transfer surfaces 130, 130' are inclined with respect to a conveying plane of the conveyer 121 , as can be seen in particular in figures 5 and 1 1 . The conveying plane is the plane in which the apron pans 127 are arranged. The inclination of the load transfer surfaces 130, 130' with respect to the conveying plane of the conveyer 121 helps to center a hopper unit placed thereon. Further, the inclination of the load transfer surfaces 130, 130' provides a form fit with a respective second part of the connection arrangement of a hopper unit in addition to friction occurring at the load transfer surfaces 130, 130'. The inclination of the load transfer surfaces 130, 130' preferably is present in particular in the horizontal portion 122 of the housing structure 120 of the supply region 123. Further preferably, in a rising part of the inclined conveying device 100, the load transfer surfaces 130' may be parallel to the conveying plane, as can be seen, for example, from Fig. 12 showing section B-B through a rising portion of the inclined conveying device 100.

As can be seen in figures 6, 7, and 14 - 17, a hopper unit 200 with a shielding arrangement providing a hopper structure of a natural hopper suitable for dozer push is releasa- bly connected to the conveying device 100. The shielding arrangement comprises at least two substantially vertical protection walls 210 with a loading gate 220 arranged between them through which dozers can push fragmented material, which will then be received by the apron plates 127 of the apron conveyer 121 . Additional protective shields 212 guide the fragmented material to the apron plates 127 of the apron conveyer 121 .

Further, the hopper unit 200 comprises a second part of the connection arrangement for forming a detachable connection with the first part of the connection arrangement of conveying device 100, which comprises two load transfer surfaces 230. The load transfer surfaces 230 on the second part of the connection arrangement arranged on the hopper unit 200 preferably are inclined to match the inclined load transfer surfaces 130, 130' of the conveying device 100 in the supply region 123 of the conveying device 100. In a region of the hopper unit 200 contacting the parts of the load transfer surfaces 130, 130' on the rising portion of the conveying device 100 which are parallel to the conveying plane, preferably also the corresponding part of the load transfer surfaces 230 of the hopper unit 200 are parallel to the conveying plane, as can be seen in Fig. 15.

The hopper unit 200 further comprises a support structure 240 adapted for transferring vertical forces to the ground. As can be seen in particular from figures 6, 7, 14, 15, and 17, the support structure 240 is on the same level as the crawler devices 1 12 and there- fore makes ground contact to transfer vertical forces to the ground. Support beams 250 are provided to stabilize protection walls 210 and to facilitate the transfer of vertical forces to the support structure 240.

As can be seen in figures 6, 7, 13 - 15, and 17, a gap G, G' is present between the load transfer surfaces 130, 130' on the conveying device 100 and the load transfer surfaces 230 on the hopper unit 200. This gap G, G', decouples the detachable connection between the first and second parts of the connection arrangement for the purpose of load transfer of vertical forces resulting from the hopper unit 200. In this way, vertical forces resulting from the hopper unit 200, i.e. from its weight, the weight of the fragmented material supplied thereto and the whole or partial weight of dozers moving over the hopper unit 200, are not transferred to the conveying device 100 but rather transferred to the ground via the support structure 240 of the hopper unit 200. For this decoupling of the load transfer surfaces 130, 130', 230 with respect to the load transfer of vertical forces, the conveying device 100, in particular the first part of the connection arrangement, is arranged in a second position shown in figures 6, 7, 13 - 15, and 17, in which the gap G, G' can be seen.

In Fig. 16, the conveying device 100, in particular the first part of the connection arrangement, is shown in a first position, where the gap G, G' is closed. Thus, the load transfer surfaces 130, 130' on the conveying device 100 and the load transfer surfaces 230 on the hopper unit 200 are in contact, i.e. are not decoupled with respect to load transfer of vertical forces. In this way, load transfer of vertical forces is allowed between the hopper unit 200 and the conveying device 100. In this first position of the conveying device 100, the support structure 240 of the hopper unit 200 does not touch the ground, as can be seen in Fig. 16, but rather the hopper unit 200 can be moved together with the conveying device 100.

In order to bring the conveying device 100 and with it the first part of the connection arrangement comprising the load transfer surfaces 130, 130' from the first position shown in Fig. 16 to the second position shown in figures 6, 7, 13 - 15, and 17, the conveying device 100 comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder 1 13. This hydraulic cylinder 1 13 can be expanded to bring the conveying device 100, in particular the first part of the connection arrangement, into its first position and can be retracted to bring the conveying device 100, in particular the first part of the connection arrangement, into its second position. For horizontally stabilizing the hopper unit 200 against the conveying device 100 when the hopper unit 200 is set to the ground and decoupled from the conveying device 100 for the transfer of vertical forces, stabilizing surfaces 129 are provided on the housing structure 120. Corresponding stabilizing surfaces are provided on hydraulic cylinders 1 14, which are provided on the hopper unit 200. The hydraulic cylinders 1 14 can be in a first position shown in figure 7, where they are retracted and do not contact the stabilizing surfaces 129 provided on the housing structure 120. The hydraulic cylinders 1 14 can be also in a second position shown in figure 14, where they are expanded and the stabilizing surfaces provided on the hydraulic cylinders 1 14 contact the stabilizing surfaces 129 provided on the housing structure 120 and thus provide for stabilization of the hopper unit 200 in a horizontal direction, in particular when the hopper unit 200 is supported on the ground via support structure 240 and the load transfer surfaces 130, 130' 230 are decoupled for the purpose of transfer of vertical forces.

In figures 8, 9, 18 and 19, a different hopper unit 300 with a shielding arrangement providing a hopper structure suitable for shovel loading is detachably connected to the conveying device 100. The hopper unit 300 comprises a shielding arrangement with at least one sidewall 310, 310' forming a top opening 320, 320' adapted for shovel loading by a hydraulic or cable excavator, for example. The hopper unit 300 has a container-type form in which fragmented material discharged from a shovel can be received to be supplied to the apron panes 127 of the apron conveyor 121 . The sidewall 310, 310' is inclined to provide a conveniently large top opening 320, 320' and to provide the fragmented material at the bottom of the hopper unit 300, 300' to the apron conveyor 121 . Additional protective shields 322 guide the fragmented material to the apron plates 127 of the apron conveyer 121 . Further protective shields 321 are provided at the top opening 320.

The hopper unit 300, 300' also comprises a second part of the connection arrangement comprising a load transfer surface 330, 330', which contacts the load transfer surfaces 130, 130' of the supply region 123 of the housing structure 120 of the conveying device 100. The parts of the load transfer surfaces 330, 330' of the hopper unit 300, 300' that contact the inclined parts of the load transfer surfaces 130, 130' on the housing structure 120, are correspondingly inclined, as can be seen in particular in figures 9 and 18. Further parts of load transfer surfaces 330, 330' of the hopper unit 300, 300' are parallel to the conveying plane to match the corresponding parts of the load transfer surfaces 130, 130' of the first part of the connection arrangement of the conveying device 100 in the rising part of the inclined conveying device 100. As can be seen in figures 8, 9, 18 and 19, the hopper unit 300 is connected to the conveying device 100 detachably in a way where the load transfer surfaces 130, 130', 330, 330' contact each other and thus allow for load transfer of vertical forces also during feeding of fragmented material to the hopper unit 300, 300'. Since during shovel loading the vertical forces resulting from the hopper unit 300, 300' are usually lower than the vertical forces resulting from a hopper unit 200 suitable for forming a natural hopper for dozer push, usually there is no need to decouple the connection between the hopper unit 300, 300' suitable for shovel loading from the conveying device 100 with respect to the transfer of vertical loads. However, it may also be provided a hopper unit suitable for shovel loading which also comprises a support structure (not shown) for transferring vertical loads to the ground, in particular during feeding of the hopper unit. In case a hopper unit suitable for shovel loading is provided with such a support structure, it can also be preferred that the connection between such a hopper unit and the conveying device 100 is decoupled with respect to load transfer of vertical forces, at least during feeding of the hopper unit 300.

A hopper unit carrier (not shown) can comprise one or more crawler tracks like the crawler tracks 1 1 1 , 1 12 and a chassis or frame structure providing a first part of a connection arrangement similar to the first part of the connection arrangement shown for the conveying device 100. In particular, first part of the connection arrangement may comprise load transfer surfaces like the load transfer surfaces 130, 130' shown for the conveying device 100. Further preferably, the hopper unit carrier comprises a device like the hydraulic cylinder 1 13 shown for the conveying device 100 for bringing the first part of the connection arrangement in a first and second position for coupling or decoupling a hopper unit with respect to load transfer of vertical forces similar to the first and second position shown in figures 16 and 17. When the hopper unit carrier is in the first position, preferably a hopper unit detachably connected thereto does not touch the ground and can be moved by the hopper unit carrier. When the hopper unit carrier is in the second position, preferably the support structure of a hopper unit detachably connected thereto does touch the ground and can be then be released by the hopper unit carrier.

In Figs. 20-22 a further embodiment is shown. The conveying device 100 shown therein comprises a hopper unit 400 with protection walls 410 forming a loading gate 420 there between suitable for loading via dozers 1 1 , as shown in Fig. 22. Further, the hopper unit 400 may be used with a truck bridge 500 for providing a loading platform 510 for loading trucks 12 to approach the hopper unit 400 as shown Figs. 21 -22. Preferably, when supplying fragmented material to the hopper unit 400, the truck bridge 500 is used. The truck bridge 500 preferably comprises a support structure for transfer of vertical loads to the ground, in particular one, two or more support pillars 520.

The modular hopper structure and the inventive aspects according to the invention have the advantage that different hopper units suitable for different loading methodologies and/or different loading capacities can be selectively used and detachably connected to the same conveying device of a processing machine in an easy and quick manner.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

A single unit or device may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

REFERENCE SIGNS

G, G' gap

M Modular hopper structure

1 processing machine

10 cable excavator

1 1 dozer

12 loading truck

20 hopper unit

21 sidewall

22 top opening

23 protective shields

30 hopper unit

31 protection walls

32 loading gate

33 protective shields

40 hopper unit

41 loading platform

42 opening

43 support walls

44 support base

50 crushing unit

60 discharge conveyer

100 conveying device

1 10 basic frame or chassis

1 11 , 1 12 crawler drives

1 13 hydraulic cylinder

1 14 hydraulic cylinder with stabilizing surface

120 housing structure

121 apron conveyer

122 horizontal portion

123 supply region

124 discharge region

125 rollers

126 support rollers

127 apron pans 128 sidewalls

129 stabilizing surface

130, 130' load transfer surfaces

200 hopper unit

210 protection walls

212 protective shields

220 loading gate

230 load transfer surface

240 support structure

250 support beams

300, 300' hopper unit

310, 310' sidewall

320, 320' top opening

321 protective shields

322 protective shields

330, 330' load transfer surface

400 hopper unit

410 protection walls

420 loading gate

500 truck bridge

510 loading platform

520 support pillars