Abstract:
A pipeline padder comprising: a storage unit including a hopper for storing particulate material and a storage conveyor to remove particulate material from the hopper; a loading unit including a loading conveyor to load particulate material into the hopper; a discharge unit including a discharge conveyor for discharging particular material supplied by the storage conveyor; and a locomotion unit to move the storage unit.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a pipeline padder. In particular the invention relates to a pipeline padder that is able to cover pipes with sand. However it should be appreciated that the pipeline padder may be used with other particulate materials such as gravel, blue metal or other aggregates. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Pipelines are integral to most countries infrastructure. The technology surrounding the laying of pipes has increased dramatically over the years. This increase in technology has enabled pipes made of various materials to be laid very quickly. Accordingly it has been necessary to develop technology that enables pipes that have been laid to also be covered quickly and without damage. This has led to the development of pipeline padders. 
         [0003]    Pipeline padders are used to deliver particulate material to cover pipes both quickly and accurately. Some pipeline padders have been developed that screen the materials that have been excavated to form a trench in which the pipeline has been laid. This type of pipeline padder scoops up the excavated materials, then screens the excavated material removing the larger material and then delivers the screened material remaining back into the trench to cover the pipeline safely. However, in many instances, the specification of the pipeline does not allow the material that has been excavated from the trench to be redelivered on top of the pipes. Therefore these types of pipeline padders are unable to be used when specific material, such as sand, is specified to cover pipes within the pipeline. 
         [0004]    When material such as sand is required to be used to cover the pipes, the sand typically needs to be transported from a remote location to site. When the sand arrives at site, the sand is usually dumped in piles adjacent to the trench and then moved by excavators onto the pipes. This is a very time consuming process. 
         [0005]    As an alternative, trucks have been converted into pipeline padders to deliver particulate material. Unfortunately these pipeline padders are unable to transport a large amount of particular material and the conveyor systems are often too light. Further, if the particulate material is located in a remote location, a large number of vehicles are required to keep pace with the laying of pipe. This is a large capital cost that may not be able to be recuperated in subsequent operations. 
         [0006]    The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. 
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is an object of the invention to overcome and/or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In one form not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention resides in a pipeline padder comprising: 
         [0009]    a storage unit including a hopper for storing particulate material and a storage conveyor to remove particulate material from the hopper; 
         [0010]    a loading unit including a loading conveyor to load particulate material into the hopper; 
         [0011]    a discharge unit including a discharge conveyor for discharging particular material supplied by the storage conveyor; and 
         [0012]    a locomotion unit to move the storage unit. 
         [0013]    The hopper typically has a pair of sidewalls and a pair of end walls. The side walls are typically inclined. The sidewalls may be inclined at an angle between 40 to 50 degrees. Preferably the sidewalls have an inclination of 45 degrees. An exit may be located in one of the end walls. The hopper may have an open top. A catcher may be located on the hopper. 
         [0014]    One or more walkways may be located on the outside of the hopper. A control device may be located on the outside of the hopper. The control device may be accessible via a walkway. A remote control device can also be used for better accuracy of placing particulate on top of the pipes. A remote control can also provide more visibility. 
         [0015]    A vibration device may be located on the hopper. The vibration device may be operated when there is build up of particular matter on the walls of the hopper. 
         [0016]    The storage conveyor may form a base of the hopper. The storage conveyor may extend at least the length of the hopper. Typically the storage conveyor extends through the exit. 
         [0017]    The storage conveyor is normally a flat belt conveyor. However it should be appreciated that the storage conveyor may be either a V-belt or trough belt conveyor. 
         [0018]    A metering device may be associated with the exit. The metering device may be used to vary the size of the exit. Typically the metering device includes a metering wall that can be raised or lowered. 
         [0019]    The loading conveyor is typically a trough conveyor. The loading conveyor is normally angled between 25 and 35 degrees. Preferably the loading conveyor is angled at approximately 30 degrees. 
         [0020]    The loading conveyor may be supported by support wheels. The support wheels are normally located adjacent an end of the loading conveyor. 
         [0021]    The loading unit may include a delivery device that delivers sand onto the loading conveyor. The delivery device may be used to catch particular material that is delivered from trucks that carry particular material. 
         [0022]    The delivery device may include one or more delivery conveyors that deliver particular material onto the loading conveyor. Normally there are two delivery conveyors. A delivery conveyor may be mounted onto each side of the loading conveyor to move particular material toward the loading conveyor. 
         [0023]    The delivery device may include a support frame. The frame is typically used to mount the delivery conveyors. The frame may also form a crash barrier for vehicles delivering sand into the delivery device. At least one roller may be located on the frame. The roller may enable the wheels of a vehicle to spin the crash rollers if the wheels contact the delivery device. 
         [0024]    The loading unit is able to be moved between an operational position in which the loading unit is able to load particular matter into the hopper and a transport position in which the loading unit located on the hopper. 
         [0025]    The discharge conveyor may be extended transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the hopper. The discharge conveyor may be moved transversely with respect to the hopper. 
         [0026]    A discharge conveyor drive may be used to move the discharge conveyor. The discharge charge conveyor drive may include a at least one rack and at least one pinion. However, it should be appreciated that other drives known in the art would be suitable. The height of the discharged conveyor may be varied. A height adjustment mechanism may be used for this purpose. 
         [0027]    The discharge unit may include a discharge storage conveyor mount to mount the discharge conveyor. The height of the discharge storage conveyor mount maybe be varied with respect to the storage conveyor. A height adjustment mechanism that is attached to the discharge storage conveyor mount may be used for this purpose. 
         [0028]    A splitting device may be located adjacent an end of the discharge conveyor to split the particular material into different streams. The splitter device may form part of a hood that is located adjacent the end of the discharge conveyor. 
         [0029]    The discharge conveyor may be moved between an operational position in which the delivery conveyor is substantially flat to a transport position in which the discharge conveyor is folded. 
         [0030]    The locomotion unit is typically located adjacent the storage unit. The locomotion unit normally includes a pair of tracks. However it should be appreciated that any rotational device such as wheels may be utilised. 
         [0031]    A remote control unit may operate the locomotion unit, storage unit, loading unit or discharge unit. Typically the remote control unit can operate the storage unit, loading unit, discharge unit and locomotion unit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]    An embodiment of the invention, by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pipeline padder in an operation position according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  is a further perspective view of a pipeline padder according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a discharge unit according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a discharge conveyor and associated hood according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a the discharge conveyor mount in a downward position according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of a the discharge conveyor mount in a upward position according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a discharge conveyor in a transport position according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pipeline padder in a transport position according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a pipeline padder in an operation position with a catcher. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0042]      FIGS. 1 and 2  shows a pipeline padder  100  that it used to deliver fine particular materials such as sand into a trench to cover a pipeline. The pipeline padder  100  includes a storage unit  200 , a loading unit  300 , a discharge unit  400  and a locomotion unit  500 . 
         [0043]    The storage unit  200  includes a hopper  210  and a storage conveyor  220 . The hopper  210  is used to store particular material such as sand. The hopper  210  includes two end walls  211  and two side walls  212 . The two side walls  212  have a portion of the side wall  212  which is inclined. The inclination of the side wall  212  is approximately at 45 degrees. Both end walls  211  are substantially parallel to each other. The hopper has an open top  213 . An exit  214  is located in an end wall  211  of the hopper  210 . 
         [0044]    The storage conveyor  220  forms the base of the hopper  210 . Any particulate material that is located within the hopper  210  will slide down the inclined side walls  212  and sit on top of the storage conveyor  220 . The storage conveyor  220  is a flat belt conveyor. The storage conveyor  220  extends the length of the hopper through the exit  214 . 
         [0045]    A metering device  230  is located over the exit  214  in the end wall  211  of the hopper  210 . The metering device  230  is used to meter the amount of particulate material that flows from the hopper  210  dependent on the speed of the storage conveyor  220 . The metering device  230  includes a metering wall  231  which is mounted within a pair of tracks  232 . Pair of metering hydraulic rams  233  are used to move the metering device  230  to vary the size of the exit. 
         [0046]    A walk way  240  is located on each of the sides of the hopper  210 . A ladder  241  is associated with each walk way  240  so that a user is able to access the walkway. A control unit  242  is located on the side of the hopper and can be accessed via a walkway  240 . 
         [0047]    A number of vibration devices (not shown) are located on the side walls  212  of the hopper  210 . These vibration devices are used to vibrate the side walls  212  of the hopper  210  to dislodge any excess particulate material that has built up on the side walls  212  of the hopper  210 . 
         [0048]    The loading unit  300  is used to load particulate material into the hopper  210 . The loading unit  300  is located at one end of the hopper  210 . The loading unit  300  includes a loading conveyor  310  that extends from close to ground level to above the open top of the hopper  210 . The loading conveyor  310  is a trough conveyor and is angled at approximately 30 degrees. Two support wheels  311  are used to support an end of the loading conveyor. The support wheels  311  contact the ground and follow the contours of the ground as the pipeline padder  100  moves along the ground. 
         [0049]    The loading unit  300  also includes a delivery device  320  that is mounted above the loading conveyor  310 . The delivery device  320  is used to deliver particulate onto the loading conveyor  310 . The delivery device  320  includes a support frame  321  which is used to support two delivery conveyors  322 . The delivery conveyors  322  are spaced apart so that there is a delivery aperture located between the delivery conveyors  322  for the delivery of particulate material from the delivery conveyors  322  onto the loading conveyor  310 . The support frame  321  also provides a crash barrier for vehicles that are loading particulate into the delivery device  320 . Two rollers  323  are located on the support frame  321  to enable vehicle tires to touch the delivery device  320  without substantially damaging the delivery device  320 . The delivery device  320  can be removed and attached to the loading conveyor  310  as is required. 
         [0050]    The loading unit  300  also includes a lifting arm  330  which extends from adjacent a lower end of the loading conveyor  310  to a bottom of the storage unit  200 . The lifting arm  330  is pivotally connected to the storage unit  200 . A lifting ram  331  is pivotally attached to adjacent a top of the storage unit  200  and also pivotally attached to the lifting arm  330  at a position spaced away from the storage unit  200 . 
         [0051]    The discharge unit  400  is used to distribute particulate material that is discharged from the hopper  210  by the storage conveyor  220 . The discharge unit  400  is located at an opposite end of the hopper  210  to that of the loading unit  300 . The discharge unit  400  includes a discharge conveyor  410  that is located below the exit  214  of the hopper  210  when in use. The discharge conveyor  410  is a trough conveyor that it orientated transversely with respect to the storage conveyor  210 . The discharge conveyor  410  is mounted on a discharge storage conveyor mount  420 . 
         [0052]    The discharge conveyor  410  can be moved transversely with respect to the hopper  210 . That is, the discharge conveyor  410  can be moved so that particulate material can be delivered into a trench containing a pipeline that is spaced a distance away from the storage unit  200 . The discharge conveyor  410  is able to be moved to either side of the hopper  210  using a discharge charge conveyor drive  430  as shown more clearly in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0053]    The discharge charge conveyor drive  430  includes two racks  431  that are mounted on respective sides of the discharge conveyor  410 . Driven pinion wheels  432  are located on the discharge storage conveyor mount and engage the racks. Rotation of the driven pinions wheel  432  which engage respective racks  431  cause the discharge conveyor  410  to move transversely with respect to the hopper  210 . 
         [0054]    A hood  440  is located at each end of the discharge conveyor  410  shown more clearly in  FIG. 4 . The hood  440  is used to distribute particulate material that passes from the delivery conveyor  410  into the trench. The hood  440  is pivotally mounted to the discharge conveyor  410  so that the angle of the hood  440  can be varied with respect to the discharge conveyor  410 . A pivoting ram (not shown) is connected to the hood  440  and to the discharge conveyor  410  to pivot the hood with respect to the discharge conveyor  410 . 
         [0055]    A splitter device  441  forms part of each of the hoods  440 . The splitter device  441  includes a central member  442  which splits the particulate material that passes from the discharge conveyor  410  into two separate material flows on each side of the central member  442 . Two deflection members  443  located on each side of the central member  442  deflect particulate material into the trench at different angles. Each of these deflection members  443  is in the form of a U shaped channel. However, it should be appreciated that the deflection devices  443  could be of other shapes and forms. 
         [0056]    The discharge storage conveyor mount  420  is connected to the storage unit  200  via a lifting assembly  450  as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . The lifting assembly  450  is in the form of a scissor mechanism. A lifting ram  451  is centrally located within the lifting assembly  450 . An extension of the lifting ram  450  causes the lifting assembly to move the discharge storage conveyor mount  420  downwardly as shown in HG  5 A whilst retraction of the lifting ram causes  451  the lifting assembly  450  to move the discharge storage conveyor mount  420  upwardly as shown in  FIG. 5B . Accordingly, the lifting assembly  450  enables the height of the discharge conveyor  410  to be varied with respect to the exit  214 . It would be appreciated that the lifting assembly  450  maybe of a different form. 
         [0057]    The discharge conveyor  410  shown in more detail in  FIG. 6 , is split into three separate sections  411  with each section  411  being pivotally connected to an adjacent section  411 . Two pivotally rams  412  extend between each adjacent section  411 . Extension of the pivotally rams  412  enables the discharge conveyor to be substantially flat. This is the discharge conveyors  410  operational position. Retraction of each of the pivotally rams  412  causes each section to be angled with respect to each adjacent section. This is the discharge conveyors  410  transport position. 
         [0058]    The locomotion unit  500  is located adjacent the storage unit and is used to move the pipeline padder  100 . The locomotion unit  500  includes two tracks  510  that are driven by one or more associate hydraulic motors  520 . These motors  520  are also used to drive the loading conveyor  310 , storage conveyor  220  and discharge conveyor  410 . The hydraulic motors  520  are also used to drive all of the rams located on the pipeline padder  100 . The control unit  242  located on the hopper  210  is used to control the functions of the pipeline padder  100 . As an alternative, a remote control unit (not shown) can be used to control the functions of the pipeline padder  100 . 
         [0059]    In use, a vehicle carrying particulate material is located adjacent to the delivery device  320 . The vehicle unloads particulate material from the vehicle into the delivery device  320 . The delivery conveyors  322  rotate towards each other so that any particulate material that contacts them is pushed toward the delivery aperture  323 . Particulate material then passes onto the loading conveyor  310  which transports the particulate material into the hopper  210 . The storage conveyor  220  is then operated to deliver particulate material from the hopper  210  onto the discharge conveyor  410  via the exit  214  in the hopper  210 . The particulate material on the discharge conveyor  410  is pitched into one of the two hoods  440 . The particulate material is split into discrete flows by the splitter device  441  and is delivered onto different sides of a pipe located within a trench. 
         [0060]    Typically, the pipeline padder  100  is operated continuously whilst a vehicle is unloading particulate material into the delivery device. That is, the pipeline padder  100  is moving whilst unloading is occurring. The crash rollers  323  on the frame of the delivery device provide a safe guard for operators of a vehicle if they misjudge the speed of the pipeline padder  100  and the wheels of the vehicle touch the support frame  321   
         [0061]    It should be appreciated that the loading conveyor  310 , storage conveyor  220  and discharge conveyor  410  can be operated independently. For example, a vehicle can deliver particulate material into the discharge device  320  which passes onto the loading and into the hopper  210  to fill the hopper  210  with particulate whilst the storage conveyor  220  and discharge conveyor  410  are not operational. Similarly, particulate material can be discharged from the hopper  210  using the storage conveyor  220  and discharge conveyor  410  without the loading conveyor  310  needing to be operated. 
         [0062]    The discharge conveyor  410  can move from side to side to deliver particulate material to either side of the hopper  210 . This is often required if there are two trenches and two pipelines being laid simultaneously. 
         [0063]    When the pipeline padder  100  is to be moved from one location to another, it is necessary to load the pipeline padder  100  onto a transport vehicle. In most countries throughout the world, the length and width dimensions of the pipeline padder  100  do not allow the pipeline padder being transported in its operational position. Accordingly, when transportation of the pipeline padder  100  is needed, modification of the pipeline padder is required by moving the lifting loading conveyor  210  and the discharge conveyor from their operational positions to their transport positions as shown in  FIG. 7 . This modification occurs by first removing the delivery device  320  from the front of the loading conveyor  310 . The lifting ram  331  is retracted so that the loading conveyor  310  is lifted to a substantially horizontal position as well as slid forward to extend further over the hopper  210 . Once this has been completed, the loading conveyor  310  is in its transport position. The pivotally rams  412  on the discharge conveyor  410  are retracted so that each of the sections  411  are substantially perpendicular with respect to adjacent sections  411 . That is, the discharge conveyor  410  will form C-shape once the discharge conveyor is in its transport position. The pipeline padder  100  can then be loaded onto a transport vehicle to transport the pipeline padder  100 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 8  shows the pipeline padder  100  having a catcher  250  attached to the hopper  210 . The catcher  250  assists in preventing particulate material from passing over the top of the hopper  210  after it passes from the loading conveyor  310 . The catcher  250  has two catcher sides  251 , a catcher end  252  and a catcher top  252 . The catcher  250  sits on top of the hopper  210  so that the two catcher sides  251  contact the hopper side walls  212  and the catcher end  252  contacts the hopper end wall  211 . The catcher  250  is located at one end hopper  210  opposite the loading conveyor  310 . 
         [0065]    In this specification, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising” or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion such that a system, method or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed. 
         [0066]    It should be appreciated that various other changes modifications may be made to the embodiment described with that departed from the spiritual scope of the invention.