Patent ID: 6336684
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: B65G,E21C

Abstract:
A system for controlling discharge of a mined material from a mining means onto a conveyer belt via a hopper car which straddles the conveyor belt and travels along the length of the conveyor belt and has an outlet for discharging mined material onto the conveyor belt, which system comprises:(i) a sensor means for sensing the extent of lateral drift of the conveyor belt relative to a hopper car; and (ii) a control means responsive to the extent of lateral drift of the conveyor belt relative to the hopper car as determined by the sensor means for controlling the position of delivery into the hopper car of mined material from the mining means to produce discharge of the mined material from the hopper car onto the conveyor belt with minimal loss of the mined material from the conveyor belt and/or to reduce the lateral drift of the conveyor belt relative to the hopper car.