Patent GB-674872-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for transferring coal or other minerals from a conveyor to a vehicle
IPC: G01G19/04
Filed: 1949-02-07
Abstract: 674,872. Loading trucks; fluidpressure-actuated lifting-apparatus; endless-belt conveyers. SUTCLIFFE,Ltd.,R., and STREETS, H. Feb. 2, 1950. [Feb. 7, 1949] No. 3337/49. Classes 78 (i), 78 (ii) and 78 (iv). [Also in Group XVIII] Apparatus for transferring material from a conveyer into a vehicle comprises fluid-actuated means for moving the vehicle into and away from a loading position on a weigh table beneath a shoot into which the conveyer discharges, a fluid-actuated stop or stops for retaining the vehicle in the loading position during loading, fluid-actuated regulator means for controlling the flow of material from the shoot into the vehicle and a device operated in response to movement of the weigh table after a predetermined weight of material has been loaded into the vehicle to actuate the regulator means to stop the flow of material from the shoot, to release the stop or stops and to cause the fluidactuated means to advance the vehicle from the loading position. In the embodiment shown, a train of tubs A ... E are advanced along a track to a loading position beneath a shoot 1 fed by a belt conveyer by a ram 3a operating in a pressure cylinder 3 and provided with an extension 3b which engages an axle of a tub. In the loading position a tub rests on a weigh table 2 connected by a link to an arm 7 attached to a valve 8 which controls the How of pressure fluid to a cylinder 9 having a ram 9a connected to a master valve 4. The discharge from the shoot is regulated by a door 1a which is operated by the ram 6a of a cylinder 6 controlled by the valve 4. The tubs A. C are held against movement by star wheels 10a, 10b which engage their front axles, the wheels being controlled by cams 10c, 10d which are engaged by levers 10e, 10f connected to the rams of cylinders 11a, 11b. As the tub B is moved on to the weigh table 2 by the ram extension 3b engaging the rear axle of the tub D, a projection 3c on the ram. actuates a lever 5 to operate the valve 4 whereby the ram 3a is retracted and the ram 6a. operated to open the door 1a. When a predetermined weight of coal has been loaded into the truck B, the table 2 tilts and through the arm 7 operates the valve 8 to cause pressure fluid to enter the cylinders 9, 11a, 11b. The ram 9a moves the valve 4 so as to feed fluid to the cylinder 3 and advance the extension 3b into engagement with the rear axle of the tub E. At the same time fluid is fed to the cylinder 6 whereby its ram 6a closes the door of the shoot 1. The rams of the cylinders 11a, 11b operate to withdraw the levers 10e, 10f from the cams 10c, 10d so that as the ram 3a, advances, the whole line of tubs moves along the track. When the loaded tub B moves off the table 2 and its place is taken by the empty tub C, the table resumes its original position and so does the valve 8. The levers 10e, 10f are now moved back into engagement with the cams 10c, 10d so as to prevent forward movement of the train of tubs. Any spillage during loading falls through a grated floor below the table 2 into a hopper 16 which is emptied by a skip 17 hoisted periodically by a ram 18a in accordance with the number of tubs loaded. The ram 18a is connected to the hoist by a cable passing over pulleys 21, 22, and each time the lever 10f is actuated in one direction, a pawl 19 rotates a ratchet wheel 20 one step and when this has completed a predetermined number of revolutions, a valve controlling the cylinder 18 is operated and the skip is hoisted to a position above the shoot 1 and the spillage discharged into the shoot. Further rotation of the wheel 20 produced as subsequent tubs are advanced to the loading position, releases the pressure in the cylinder 18 and the skip returns to its original position. The shoot 1 may be fitted with a safety device responsive to the weight of material in the shoot and which operates to stop the feeding conveyer should the passage of tubs into the loading position be interrupted or should the door 1a of the shoot fail to open.