Patent Publication Number: US-6705449-B2

Title: Bulk material processing apparatus

Description:
This invention relates to a bulk material processing apparatus. 
     The type of bulk material with which the invention is concerned includes quarry stone, site clearance material, domestic and industrial waste, and the apparatus will therefore be provided with processing equipment appropriate to the material to be handled. 
     In a quarry environment, it is known to provide screening plants for processing crushed stone material, and in particular to screen the material into one or more screened size ranges e.g. sand, ballast and aggregate, in which case the processing equipment usually comprises a so-called “screen box”. It is usual to provide an input hopper for receiving the bulk material, and a conveyor e.g. an elevator, to transfer the bulk material to the screen box. One or more discharge conveyor is arranged to receive screened material from the screen box and to discharge the screened material e.g. to stockpiles. 
     Screening plants range in size from massive static installations, down to smaller self-propelled screening plants e.g. for screening material to be used in filling pipeline trenches. Very large static installations are assembled on site e.g. at a quarry, and usually will remain there until the source of raw material is exhausted. 
     However, there is a substantial demand for screening plants which are readily transportable from one site to another e.g. on a low loader, or by being towed as a trailed vehicle, and therefore it is highly desirable to design such plants in such a way that the operating components can be readily adjusted between an operative (e.g. screening) mode, and a transport mode. Evidently, in the operative or deployed position of the apparatus, it will be (a) greater in height, (b) wider and (c) longer than when in the transport position. It is therefore necessary to design the apparatus, and the assembly of the movable components, in such a way that the moving components can be easily adjusted between deployed and transport positions, and without interfering with each other. 
     The supply conveyor takes the bulk material from its input (hopper) end, and elevates the material to its upper discharge end, and from which it falls under gravity to the screen box. The screen box separates the bulk material into different size ranges, and the separated material falls onto corresponding discharge conveyors i.e. one for each size range, and which can then discharge the screened material onto separate stockpiles which are formed alongside and/or rearwardly of the apparatus. 
     Rearward discharge conveyors are usually referred to as “tail conveyors”, whereas one or more further discharge conveyor arranged to discharge the material to a respective side of the apparatus is usually referred to as a “side conveyor”. A side conveyor, when in the deployed position, extends laterally outwardly of the apparatus, and therefore does not take-up much of the space below the screen box. Furthermore, when adjusted to a transport position, a side conveyor is usually located along one side of the apparatus i.e. extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, and therefore against does not take-up any appreciable portion of the space available below the screen box. 
     However, a tail conveyor extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, when in the deployed position, and therefore occupies a large proportion of the space available below the screen box. When the apparatus is adjusted to a transport mode, it is necessary to reduce the overall height of the apparatus (so as to be able to pass with clearance below bridges), and therefore the discharge end of the supply conveyor, and also the screen box, are usually adjusted downwardly together to take-up the transport position. Therefore, the mounting of the tail conveyor in the space below the screen box must be such that (a) the tail conveyor can allow the downward movement of the screen box and (b) the tail conveyor also can be adjusted to take-up its transport position. 
     In the current state of the art, a tail conveyor usually is in two parts, of which a first part is pivotally mounted on the main frame or chassis of the apparatus, and a second part forms a prolongation of the first part when in the deployed position. However, the second part can be pivoted to an upwardly extending position to provide a transport mode of the tail conveyor. In this position, the overall length of the apparatus is reduced, but evidently the second part of the tail conveyor will be located rearwardly of the rear end of the screen box and the discharge end of the supply conveyor (after downward adjustment of the screen box and the supply conveyor). 
     Therefore, in the current state of the art, there are serious design constraints in the mounting of the screen box, the supply conveyor and the tail conveyor on the frame of the apparatus, given that all of these components must be provided with freedom of movement between the respective deployed and transport positions and without interfering with each other. 
     The present invention seeks to provide a bulk material processing plant e.g. a screening plant, and preferably a self-propelled apparatus, in which a different mode of adjustment is provided for the tail conveyor, and, in a first aspect, giving technical advantage of better utilisation of the space available and, in a second aspect, improved access to components above the tail conveyor e.g. a screen box in the case of a screening apparatus. 
     According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a bulk material processing apparatus which comprises: 
     a longitudinally extending main frame; 
     a supply conveyor mounted on, and extending lengthwise of the main frame, and operative to convey a supply of bulk material from a forward lower end of the conveyor to an upper and rearward discharge end; 
     a material processing device mounted on the main frame and arranged to receive material from the discharge end of the supply conveyor, to process the material, and to discharge processed material; 
     a discharge conveyor mounted on the main frame below the processing device so as to be able to receive processed material discharged by the processing device, and to discharge the material to a discharge point located rearwardly of the apparatus; 
     means mounting the processing device on the main frame for movement between a raised operating position to a lowered transport position; and, 
     means mounting the discharge conveyor on the main frame for movement between a raised operative position and a lowered inoperative position; 
     in which the discharge conveyor has a first part which is mounted on the main frame, and a second part which is adjustable between an operative position in which it forms a prolongation of the first part, and a folded transport position in which it extends below the first part. 
     According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a bulk material processing apparatus which comprises: 
     a longitudinally extending main frame; 
     a supply conveyor mounted on, and extending lengthwise of the main frame, and operative to convey a supply of bulk material from a forward lower end of the conveyor to an upper and rearward discharge end; 
     a material processing device mounted on the main frame and arranged to receive material from the discharge end of the supply conveyor, to process the material, and to discharge processed material; 
     a discharge conveyor mounted on the main frame below the processing device so as to be able to receive processed material discharged by the processing device, and to discharge the material to a discharge point located rearwardly of the apparatus; 
     means mounting the processing device on the main frame for movement between a raised operating position to a lowered transport position; 
     means mounting the discharge conveyor on the main frame for movement between a raised operative position and a lowered inoperative position; and, 
     means connecting the discharge conveyor to the processing device so that they are movable together between the respective operating and transport positions. 
     in which the discharge conveyor is adjustable to a lowered inoperative position in which space is defined between the discharge conveyor and the processing device, when the latter is adjusted to its transport position, to allow access to the operating components of the processing device. 
     In a preferred application of the invention, the first and second aspects are combined. 
     Preferred features of the invention comprise: 
     (a) extendable link pivotally to adjust the sub-frame of the processing device on the main frame; 
     (b) independently operated extendable link between sub-frame and discharge conveyor frame to allow discharge conveyor to take-up the lowered inoperative position; 
     (c) the processing device is a screen box; 
     (d) the screen box has two parts, one adjustable in screening angle relative to the other; 
     (e) the second part of the discharge conveyor has a toggle joint connection to the first part; 
     (f) the first part is pivotally mounted on the main frame; 
     (g) the apparatus has a wheel-set to render the apparatus towable; 
     (h) a hopper is provided at the input end of the supply conveyor; 
     (i) the supply conveyor is a two-part elevator, of which the first part is pivotally adjustable on the main frame, and the second part is adjustable between an operative position forming a prolongation of the first part, and a lower position in which the discharge end of the elevator is lowered; 
     (j) combined downward movement of the elevator and the screen box; 
     (k) the processing device is a crusher or shredder unit, or a screen box. 
     A preferred embodiment of bulk material processing apparatus according to the invention will now be described in detail by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
    
    
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a rear end of a mobile screening plant, having a tandem screen box, an elevator for conveying a supply of bulk material to the screen box assembly, and a rear or “tail” discharge conveyor arranged below the tandem screen box for discharging screened material to a stockpile located rearwardly of the apparatus, and in which the operating components of the apparatus are shown in deployed or operative positions; 
     FIG. 2 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, but showing the operating components after adjustment to a transport position, in which the tail conveyor has first and second parts folded one below the other; 
     FIG. 3 is a detail view, to an enlarged scale, showing the assembly of the elevator, tandem screen box assembly and tail conveyor when in their deployed position; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view showing the elevator and the tandem screen box assembly lowered to a transport position, but in which the tail conveyor is adjusted to a lowered position relative to the sub-frame carrying the tandem screen box assembly, so as to create space between the tail conveyor and the underside of the tandem screen box assembly, to allow access to the screen box assembly for maintenance purposes; 
     FIG. 5 is a detail view of a sub-frame assembly for a primary screen of the tandem screen box assembly, and which forms part of an adjustable support connection for the upper discharge end of the elevator; and, 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of a main sub-frame assembly for supporting primary and secondary screens of the tandem screen box assembly, and also forming mounting connections for (a) a telescopically adjustable support arrangement mounting the main sub-frame on the chassis of the apparatus and (b) a lengthwise adjustable support extending between a sub-frame of the tail conveyor and the main sub-frame of the tandem screen box. 
    
    
     Referring now to the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of bulk material processing plant according to the invention, which in the illustrated example comprises a mobile screening plant, designated generally by reference  10 , and having a main frame or chassis  11  supported by one or more wheel-set  12 . FIGS. 1,  2  and  3  show the rear end of the apparatus only, but the forward end may have an input hopper at a forward lower end of a supply conveyor, and such forward end may be supported above the ground by support legs, if required. The forward end may also be supported by a set of crawler tracks, or may have a fifth wheel coupling to allow the entire apparatus to be towed behind a transport vehicle. 
     The screening plant  10  has a tandem screen box assembly  13 , comprising primary screen box  14  and secondary screen box  15 . The assembly  13  is mounted on the main frame  11  via a main sub-frame assembly  16  (see FIG. 6) of which one end  17  is mounted on the main frame  11  via a horizontal pivot  18 . The sub-frame assembly  16  can be adjusted upwardly and downwardly about the horizontal pivot  18 , in order to adjust the assembly  13  between a raised operative or deployed position, as shown in FIG.  1  and FIG. 3, and a lowered transport position as shown in FIG.  2 . In order to lower and raise the sub-frame assembly  16 , a telescopically adjustable support link  19  is provided, which extends between a lower mounting point  20  on the chassis  11  and the upper connections  21 ,  22  with the sub-frame  16 . 
     A supply conveyor or elevator  23  can deliver a supply of bulk material to be processed to the screen box assembly  13 , such material falling under gravity from the upper discharge end  24  of the elevator  23  and onto an upper deck of the primary screen box  14 . The angle of inclination of the sub-frame  16  to the horizontal can be adjusted by operation of the telescopic link  19 , and this sets an overall screening angle for the screen box assembly  13 . However, primary screen  14  can, in addition, be adjusted to a different screening angle relative to the general screening angle of the screen box, by upward or downward adjustment pivotably by means of an adjustable link  25 . 
     The upper discharge end  24  of the elevator  23  rests on the upper end of the primary screen box  14 , as shown in FIG. 1, and therefore the elevator  23  can move upwardly and downwardly with upward and downward movement of the sub-frame  16 . Therefore, the elevator and the tandem screen box assembly  13  can move jointly between the operative position shown in FIG. 1, and a lowered transport position shown in FIG.  2 . However, there is an additional slidable connection between the sub-frame of the primary screen box  14  and the elevator frame, whereby the elevator  23  can be locked in the transport position after the elevator and the screen box assembly  13  have been lowered to the transport position. The sub-frame of the primary screen box is shown in FIG. 5, and is designated by reference  26 . Sub-frame  26  comprises an A-frame structure, and on an upper limb  27  there is provided a catcher device  28  which is movable into slidable engagement with a horizontal guide roller  29  on the underside of the discharge end  24  of the elevator  23 , and which are shown in FIG. 2 fully interengaged, in order to lock the elevator in the lowered transport position. 
     The primary and secondary screen boxes  14  and  15  are able to carry out primary and secondary screening of the bulk material, and different size ranges which are screened are discharged to side discharge conveyors  30  and  31  in known manner. 
     A rear discharge or tail conveyor  32  is pivotally mounted at an inboard end  33  on the main frame  11  of the apparatus, and is capable of moving upwardly and downwardly about a horizontal pivot  34 . Also, means ( 35 ) is provided which connects the discharge conveyor  32  to the screen boxes  14 ,  15  (processing device) so that they are movable together between the operating and transport positions. Thus, the frame of the conveyor  32  is raised and lowered between the operative position of FIG.  1  and FIG. 3, and the lowered transport position of FIG. 2, by means of a tensile link  35  which extends between a lower end  36  connected to a carrying frame of the conveyor  32 , and an upper end  37  connected to the sub-frame assembly  16  of the tandem screen box assembly  13 . Tensile link  35  is normally of fixed length, when it is desired that the conveyor  32  moves upwardly and downwardly together with the upward and downward movement of screen box assembly  13  and elevator  23 . However, if it is desired to create a space between the underside of the tandem screen box assembly  13  and the elevator  32 , whereby access can be had to the screen boxes for maintenance purposes e.g. to change a screen box mesh, the telescopic link  19  is retracted to the position shown in FIG. 4, but in addition tensile link  35  is adjusted to increase its length, whereby tail conveyor  32  takes up the downwardly inclined position shown in FIG.  4 . Clearly, access space  38  is defined between the sub-frame  16  (when in its transport position) and the discharge conveyor  32  in the adjusted position shown in FIG.  4 . Therefore, the position and angle of the link  35  allows the distance between the supporting sub-frame  16  and the conveyor  32  to be varied, depending upon the angle of elevation. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2 in particular, this shows a folded transport position of the rear discharge conveyor or tail conveyor  32 , from which it can be seen that conveyor  32  comprises a first part  32   a  pivotally mounted at its inboard end on pivot  34 , and a second part  32   b  which takes-up a folded transport position in which it extends below the first part  32   a . A toggle mechanism  39  interconnects the conveyor parts  32   a  and  32   b , and is mechanically driven e.g. by a piston/cylinder arrangement, in order to adjust second part  32   b  from its operative position as shown in FIG. 1 (in which it forms an upward and rearward prolongation of the first part  32   a ), and its folded transport position shown in FIG.  2 . 
     The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a mobile screening plant. However, it should be understood that the invention may be applied to other types of bulk material processing apparatus, including crushing plant, shredding plant etc, and in which case the “material processing device” will be appropriate to the processing operation required, and therefore screen box assembly  13  is merely one example of the bulk material processing device which may be utilised in the invention.