Mobile crusher

A mobile crusher (2) is provided that can be displaced on four caterpillars and that includes a supporting frame (20), a large hopper (31), an apron conveyor (32), a sizer (34) and an intermediate conveyor (36) for use in strip-mining. The material is received by the shovel (1) of a shovel excavator or a wheel loader, is fed to the crusher (2), crushed and is then transferred onto a conveyor plant via a discharge conveyor system. The crusher (2) has to follow at the same cycle in which the shovel excavator moves forward during an advance in mining. In order to obtain a good maneuverability of the crusher (2), the two front caterpillars (22) are driven and can be steered like a two-caterpillar chassis. As the crusher (2) is subject to high loads, all components have to have a robust design. For this purpose, the individual functional groups are accommodated in a stable supporting frame (20). The crushed material is transferred onto a subsequent bench conveyor via an evolving conveyor directly connected to the mobile crusher (2), a transfer conveyor or a mobile bridge. The plant can be displaced while under full useful load.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a United States National Phase application of International Application PCT/DE2010/000387 and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Patent Application DE 10 2009 016 405.7 filed Apr. 4, 2009 and German Patent Application DE 10 2010 013 154.7 filed Mar. 27, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a mobile crusher that can be displaced on four caterpillars (also known as caterpillar chassis, crawler undercarriages and continuous track chassis) and that has a supporting frame, a receiving hopper, a hopper transfer belt conveyor, a crusher (crusher unit) and an intermediate conveyor for use in strip mining. The material is received by a shovel excavator or wheel loader, fed to the crusher, crushed there and then transferred onto a downstream conveyor belt unit via a discharge conveyor system with transfer conveyor or with a mobile bridge. The term “material” is defined as material to be conveyed that is conveyed away as inorganic raw material or waste after the crushing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A mobile crusher, which can be displaced on a two-caterpillar chassis with short distance between the caterpillars and therefore needs an additional support under the receiving hopper, is known from the document AT 388 968 B. The distance between the receiving hopper and the direct transfer of the pulverized material onto the pivotable loading belt is relatively short. A continuous crusher, which is arranged directly above a chain scraper, is used as the pulverizing unit.

A mobile crusher, in which the superstructure in one embodiment cannot be displaced pivotably on two longitudinal caterpillars and is not supported under the receiving hopper, is, moreover, known from the document DE 103 14 958 A1. In another embodiment, a six-caterpillar chassis is used for the displaceability of the crusher. The pivotable superstructure is supported under the receiving hopper in the crusher operation.

A long apron conveyor, a double-roll crusher/sizer and a direct feed onto the loading belt is each provided in the two known solutions described above.

A mobile crusher that can be displaced on two caterpillars with a pivotable superstructure is known, furthermore, from the document DE 28 34 987. The receiving hopper and the apron conveyor can be raised and lowered via a hydraulic cylinder. The superstructure is additionally supported in the crusher operation to reduce the hopper forces through the impacting material.

The material is conveyed from the receiving hopper to the crusher/sizer via an apron conveyor. The crushed material is then taken over by an intermediate conveyor and transferred to a pivotable loading belt.

A mobile crusher with a pivotable superstructure, whose receiving hopper is supported at the base during the operation, in which, however, an intermediate conveyor is used between the double-roll crusher/sizer and the pivotable loading belt, is likewise disclosed in the document WO 02/092231 A1. A plurality of units of this design are in operation.

The solutions described above have either a very short overall length, which keeps the range between material pickup and material discharge short, or they have a complicated design, are heavy or cost-intensive.

Changes in the basic structure of the crusher of the solution described according to the document WO 02/092231 A1 and the embodiment of structural components in different variants are known from the comprehensive document WO 2008/032057 A2, in which are summarized seven priority-establishing individual inventions. Such structural components concern the support of the receiving hopper, the arrangement and pivotability of the rear boom, the sometimes additional use of an intermediate conveyor, the additional support of the crusher superstructure and the use of different caterpillar chassis as well as the arrangement of the individual caterpillars and their distance to one another.

In another document DE 10 2006 059 876 A1, the support under the receiving hopper of a mobile crusher is improved in a way that lateral impacts from the impact impulse are led directly into the support foot. Thus, damage in the main framework of the crusher is avoided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A basic object of the present invention is to simplify the overall system of the mobile crusher and at the same time to guarantee the continuation of the unit without interrupting the material flow. The conveying of material between the crusher and the face conveyor arranged downstream in the direction of conveying is carried out either by a relatively long pivoting belt, connected directly to the crusher unit, or by a separate bridge or a separate transfer conveyor. The crusher can be used in multistep operation by means of the bridge or the transfer conveyor.

For this, the device is to be designed such that the dead lengths at the head and rear of the mining faces are to be bridged over thoroughly.

According to the invention, a mobile crusher is provided comprising four-caterpillar chassis, a supporting frame, a receiving hopper, an apron conveyor, a crusher/sizer and an intermediate conveyor. The supporting frame of mobile crusher comprises a framework with two side panels as well as lower and upper cross-ties. Under the feed side for the material to be crushed, the supporting frame is provided with a cross-box, at which the two rear longitudinal chassis are mounted via a long caterpillar axle or two short caterpillar axles on the outside. The rear longitudinal caterpillars are not controlled and have no drives, they are equipped with four-wheel rockers and two-wheel rockers for the uniform distribution of loads on the wheels. Under the loading side, the supporting frame is supported on the front two-caterpillar chassis by means of a ball and socket joint. The front caterpillars are connected to one another by means of a triangular crossbeam, to which one caterpillar is rigidly connected and the other caterpillar is movably connected via an axle. The front caterpillars can be controlled like a two-caterpillar chassis and they can be rotated into any direction in relation to the support structure, they have powerful drives and are equipped with four-wheel rockers and two-wheel rockers for the uniform distribution of loads on the wheels. The distance between the front and rear sets of caterpillars is deliberately selected to be great to keep the load change on the caterpillars as small as possible because of the large hopper load. All four chassis of the crusher unit are dimensioned so that displacement with full load capacity can take place in the hopper, on the apron conveyor and on the intermediate conveyor. The receiving hopper and the apron conveyor are integrated firmly in the supporting frame. The sizer (crusher/sizer) is placed on the supporting frame and can be easily driven out of the working position into a service position in the direction of the discharge side. The intermediate conveyor, between crusher/sizer and the material discharge is integrated firmly in the supporting frame. The containers for the electrical systems as well as the grease lubricating system of the crusher are arranged easily accessibly next to the lower panel of the supporting frame.

The mobile crusher has a stable supporting frame, which is carried by two longitudinally arranged oscillating caterpillars under the receiving hopper and the hopper transfer belt conveyor, as well as a double caterpillar, which can be controlled like a two-caterpillar chassis, under the intermediate conveyor.

A receiving hopper, a hopper transfer belt conveyor designed as an apron conveyor, a double-roll crusher/sizer and an intermediate conveyor are arranged behind one another in the direction of conveying on the supporting frame.

The four-caterpillar chassis of the described arrangement generally makes possible a longitudinal displacement of the crusher and only needs a slight width when driving on ramps and berms. The complete rotation of the double caterpillar under the intermediate conveyor produces an optimal displaceability of the device, including turning.

The longitudinal position of the crusher unit and long length because of the intermediate conveyor is advantageous in case of material mining at the face ends.

The great distance between the rear pair of caterpillars and the front double caterpillar makes sure that the highly variable loads in the receiving hopper and on the hopper transfer belt conveyor cause only relatively small load changes in the caterpillars. The entire crusher unit is only carried by the 4 caterpillars even during operation. A displacement is consequently possible with full load capacity.

The stable supporting frame integrates a box for the caterpillar axle or the two caterpillar half axles of the two rear caterpillars. In this way, the forces from the impact of the material, which falls from the shovel of the shovel excavator, and the hopper load are led directly into the caterpillar carriers. Because of the oscillating caterpillar connection as well as the four-wheel and two-wheel rockers, the load is distributed uniformly onto all running wheels of the caterpillars. This reduces the loads of components to a minimum.

The pair of caterpillars under the intermediate conveyor is connected to the supporting framework via a universal ball joint. This leads to an optimal balance of the forces even on uneven ground and provides for as uniform wheel loads as possible together with the caterpillar axle as well as the two-wheel and four-wheel rockers used.

The supporting frame integrates the receiving hopper, hopper transfer belt conveyor and intermediate conveyor at the same time. It carries the double-roll crusher/sizer and all other functional components.

The receiving hopper, which can accommodate the contents of approx. 2½ shovels, and the hopper transfer belt conveyor are fully integrated in the supporting frame.

The hopper transfer belt conveyor may be designed as being relatively short, because the crusher/sizer is arranged in a low position on the supporting frame. This is consequently possible because the intermediate conveyor under the crusher/sizer can be arranged in a low position within the supporting frame. It lies directly above the flat connection construction between the two sets of caterpillars.

The crusher/sizer lies on the supporting framework and can be arranged both at right angles and axially parallel to the hopper transfer belt conveyor. It can be moved out for service in the direction of the loading belt under the crusher intake hood.

The intermediate conveyor conveys the crushed material from the receiving chute under the crusher/sizer to the discharge site. At the same time, it is led so high that there is enough space for transfer to the discharge conveyor system arranged downstream. As a result, it is also possible that a mobile bridge, arranged downstream, can be supported directly under the transfer.

The intermediate conveyor has a large belt width and runs at low speed. As a result, the feed stream coming from the crusher is evened out.

A rear boom, which can be both pivoted and raised and lowered, may be connected at the end of the intermediate conveyor. The eccentric torque of the rear boom is compensated by a ballast arranged above or below. This is especially important when the rear boom is relatively long in case of direct feeding onto the conveyor belt unit. Torsional loads of the supporting framework are consequently largely avoided.

For achieving a large overall mining width or for mining in multistep operation, a mobile bridge or a transfer conveyor is used between the mobile crusher unit and the conveyor belt unit arranged downstream.

The combination of a mobile crusher unit without pivoting belt and a mobile bridge is particularly advantageous. Herein, the number of conveyor belts is minimized, which keeps the operating costs low. Moreover, the mobile bridge optimally bridges over the operating ramps needed for the up and down steps.

Further details and advantages of the subject of the present invention arise from the following description and the pertinent drawings, in which a preferred exemplary embodiment is shown. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in particular, according toFIG. 1, material is fed from the shovel1of a shovel excavator to the mobile crusher2, pulverized by same to a conveyable size and then transferred to a transfer conveyor (not shown) or a mobile bridge (likewise not shown) for further conveying to the face conveyor. In this case, the mobile crusher2and the conveyor arranged downstream are moved further progressively with the mining progress of the shovel excavator.

The mobile crusher2consists of a stable supporting frame20, which is carried by the two rear longitudinal caterpillars (crawlers)21and the two front longitudinal caterpillars (crawlers)22. The supporting frame20includes two vertical support panels arranged parallel to one another, which together with lower and upper cross-ties form a stable construction.

A stable crossbeam23, which accommodates a long, continuous caterpillar axle24, is integrated in the rear, lower part of the supporting frame20. As an alternative to a long caterpillar axle24, two short caterpillar half axles may also be used. Caterpillar carriers25with four-wheel rockers26and two-wheel rockers27are placed onto the caterpillar axle24on both sides.

The rear longitudinal caterpillars21are not provided with drives.

The front part of the supporting frame20is supported on a two-caterpillar chassis29via a support ball (ball and socket joint)28. A static, defined three-point support without constraining forces is formed as a result. One of the front caterpillars22is connected to the crossbeam between the caterpillars22of the two-caterpillar chassis29, and the other caterpillar22is connected via a caterpillar axle30. As a result, a complete load distribution is also provided with this embodiment. The two front caterpillars22are each provided with a powerful drive and can be moved like a two-caterpillar chassis. The front two-caterpillar chassis29can move in any direction and can bring the mobile crusher2in any desired position. This is especially important for turning from one direction of travel into the other.

The distance between the rear caterpillars21and the front caterpillars22is deliberately selected to be long. Thus, the rear pair of caterpillars21lies far below the receiving hopper31and the apron conveyor32. The forces from the material impact and the hopper contents are led directly into the caterpillars21located under it.

Beginning from the left in the direction of conveying, the supporting frame21accommodates the receiving hopper31, the apron conveyor32with the drives33, the material pulverizer designed as a sizer34with the drives35, and the intermediate conveyor36with the drives37. From discharge of the intermediate conveyor36, the material is conveyed to the face conveyor via a transfer conveyor (not shown) or a mobile bridge (not shown).

As an alternative, the further conveying may also be done by means of a pivoting belt38shown inFIG. 3. The pivoting belt38may be used as a bridge to a transfer conveyor. However, it may also have a longer design and feed the material directly onto the face conveyor. The eccentricity of the pivoting belt38can be compensated by a counterweight39in both cases.

Basically the features described based onFIGS. 1 and 2apply to the device structure according toFIG. 3.

The receiving hopper31is dimensioned, such that it may accommodate the material quantity of 2½ contents of the shovel1of the shovel excavator.

Another crusher, e.g., a double-roll crusher may also be used instead of a sizer34.

The receiving hopper31and apron conveyor32are fully integrated in the stable construction of the supporting frame20. The apron conveyor32may be designed as relatively short, because the sizer34is arranged on the supporting frame20in a low position. This is consequently possible because the intermediate conveyor36can in turn be arranged in a low position under the sizer34within the supporting frame20. It lies directly above the lower connection construction of the supporting frame20.

Sizer34lies on the supporting frame20and can be arranged both at right angles and axially parallel to the apron conveyor32. It is arranged displaceably on rails on the supporting frame20and can be moved as needed for performing service work after loosening the rigid connection to the supporting frame20into a position freely accessible for the service work in the direction of material discharge.

The crushed material is transported by the intermediate conveyor36from the sizer34for further conveying by means of a pivoting belt38, a transfer conveyor (not shown) or a mobile conveying bridge (not shown). At the same time, it is led so high that there is enough space for the transfer to the further conveyor. The intermediate conveyor36is designed with great width and low speed and it evens out the feed stream.

Raising and re-lowering of the hopper31is not needed when displacing the crusher with the mining progress of the shovel excavator from one operating position into the next one. As a result, the time for the displacement can be minimized. This is especially important when, instead of a wide block with travel of the shovel excavator about the receiving hopper31, a plurality of narrow lateral blocks with parallel travel of the shovel excavator double-roll crusher are mined.

The displacement process can be automated by using a Global Positioning System (GPS).

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.