Ship loader chute bottoming prevention system, ship loader and bottoming prevention method

Abstract

The present application provides a ship loader chute anti-bottoming system, a ship loader and an anti-bottoming method, which relate to the technical field of conveying equipment and are used to prevent the chute from touching the bottom and avoid false detection by laser sensors. The ship loader chute anti-bottoming system includes a chute and a telescopic mechanism, and the telescopic mechanism includes a lifting module, a telescopic part and a trigger. The lifting module is installed on the chute, and the telescopic part is connected to the lifting module. The lifting module can drive the telescopic part to extend and retract, and the detection end of the telescopic part is located below the bottom of the chute. The trigger is connected to the connecting end of the telescopic part. When the trigger receives a first signal, the chute stops lowering and the telescopic part retracts. When the trigger receives a second signal, the telescopic part retracts to above the bottom of the chute.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of conveying equipment, and in particular to a ship loader chute bottoming prevention system, a ship loader, and a bottoming prevention method. Background Art

[0002] Ship loaders are large bulk material machines used for loading ships at docks, ports, and other locations. To prevent dust, the chute of the ship loader must be lowered close to the bottom of the ship. During this lowering process, the chute must be protected from bottoming out. Typically, laser ranging sensors installed on the chute determine the distance between the chute and the ship's bottom to prevent bottoming out. However, in this solution, laser ranging sensors are susceptible to field interference, leading to false detections. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present application provides a ship loader chute bottoming prevention system, a ship loader, and a bottoming prevention method, which are used to prevent the chute from bottoming out and avoid false detection by a laser sensor.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides a ship loader chute anti-bottoming system, comprising a chute and a telescopic mechanism;

[0005] The telescopic mechanism includes a lifting module, a telescopic member and a trigger;

[0006] The lifting module is installed on the chute, and the telescopic member is connected to the lifting module. The lifting module can drive the telescopic member to extend and retract, and the detection end of the telescopic member is located below the bottom of the chute;

[0007] The trigger is connected to the connecting end of the telescopic member. When the trigger receives a first signal, the chute stops lowering and the telescopic member retracts. When the trigger receives a second signal, the telescopic member retracts to above the bottom of the chute.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the telescopic mechanism further includes a first travel switch and a second travel switch, wherein the first travel switch is located above the trigger, and the second travel switch is located above the first travel switch;

[0009] When the trigger triggers the first travel switch, the first travel switch sends the first signal to the trigger;

[0010] When the trigger triggers the second travel switch, the second travel switch sends the second signal to the trigger.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the lifting module includes a housing, a lead screw, and a slide;

[0012] The housing is mounted on the chute, the lead screw is mounted in the housing, the slide is sleeved on the lead screw, and the telescopic member is passed through the slide.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the ship loader chute anti-bottoming system further includes a reel connected to the chute, an armored cable is wound between the reel and the chute, and the reel lowers and reclaims the chute via the armored cable.

[0014] In a possible implementation, a conductive slip ring is installed on the reel, and the armored cable has electrical wires and signal wires inside;

[0015] The electric wire is electrically connected to the conductive slip ring, the signal wire is signal-connected to the conductive slip ring, and the conductive slip ring supplies power to the armored cable and transmits signals.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the lifting module is electrically connected to the electric wire, and the lifting module and the trigger are both signal-connected to the signal line.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the ship loader chute anti-bottoming system further includes a distance measuring sensor, which is installed on the chute and is signal-connected to the armored cable.

[0018] In a possible implementation, there are multiple telescopic mechanisms, and the multiple telescopic mechanisms are arranged at equal intervals along the outer circumference of the chute.

[0019] In a second aspect, the present application provides a ship loader, comprising the ship loader chute anti-bottoming system according to any one of the above items.

[0020] In a third aspect, the present application provides a bottoming prevention method, which is applied to the ship loader chute bottoming prevention system in any of the above items, comprising the following steps:

[0021] The lifting module controls the detection end of the telescopic member to extend beyond the bottom of the chute, thereby lowering the chute;

[0022] When the telescopic member touches the bottom of the ship, the telescopic member drives the trigger to move in a direction away from the bottom of the ship;

[0023] When the trigger receives the first signal, the chute stops lowering, and the lifting module drives the telescopic member to continue moving in a direction away from the bottom of the ship;

[0024] When the trigger receives the second signal, the telescopic member retracts to above the bottom of the chute, and the telescopic member stops moving;

[0025] The chute starts loading.

[0026] The ship loader chute bottoming prevention system, ship loader, and bottoming prevention method provided in this application have the following beneficial effects:

[0027] The ship loader chute bottoming prevention system provided herein includes a chute and a telescopic mechanism, which includes a lifting module, a telescopic member, and a trigger. The telescopic member is connected to the lifting module, allowing the lifting module to drive the telescopic member toward or away from the ship's bottom. Because the detection end of the telescopic member is located below the chute bottom, the telescopic member contacts the ship's bottom before the chute during lowering, preventing the chute from bottoming out.

[0028] When the telescopic member contacts the bottom of the ship, it moves away from the bottom. Because the trigger is connected to the connecting end of the telescopic member, the telescopic member drives the trigger to move away from the bottom of the ship. When the trigger receives a first signal, the chute stops lowering, returning it to its operating position. The lifting module then continues to drive the telescopic member back toward the bottom of the ship. When the trigger receives a second signal, the telescopic member retracts above the bottom of the chute and stops moving, preventing damage to the telescopic member from material after the chute is discharged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present application.

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a ship loader chute bottoming prevention system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a telescopic mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Description of reference numerals:

[0033] 10-chute;

[0034] 20- telescopic mechanism;

[0035] 21-lifting module; 211-housing; 212-screw; 213-slide; 214-spring;

[0036] 22- telescopic member; 221- detection end; 222- connection end; 23- trigger;

[0037] 24-first travel switch; 25-second travel switch

[0038] 30-reel;

[0039] 31- conductive slip ring;

[0040] 40-armored cable.

[0041] The above drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the present application, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and the textual description are not intended to limit the scope of the present application in any way, but rather to illustrate the concepts of the present application to those skilled in the art by reference to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, with examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when referring to the drawings, identical numerals in different figures represent identical or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present application, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0043] The laser ranging sensor in the related technology has the technical problem of being easily affected by on-site interference, which leads to the problem of false detection of laser ranging. The reason for this problem is that when the ship loader is unloading, although the chute is lowered close to the bottom of the ship, dust is still inevitably generated after unloading. The dust will affect the accuracy of the laser ranging, thereby leading to the problem of false detection of laser ranging.

[0044] To address the above technical issues, embodiments of the present application provide a ship loader chute bottoming prevention system, ship loader, and bottoming prevention method. By positioning the detection end of a telescopic member below the chute bottom, the telescopic member contacts the ship bottom before the chute bottom, thereby preventing the chute from bottoming out. A trigger connected to the telescopic member controls the retraction of the telescopic member above the chute bottom after the chute bottoms out, preventing the telescopic member from being damaged by discharged material and preventing the normal operation of the ship loader.

[0045] The following specific embodiments describe in detail the technical solution of the present application and how the technical solution of the present application solves the above-mentioned technical problems. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments. The embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0046] refer to Figure 1 The present application provides a ship loader chute anti-bottoming system, which includes a chute 10 and a telescopic mechanism 20. The telescopic mechanism 20 is installed on the chute 10. For example, the telescopic mechanism 20 can be installed on the outer peripheral side wall of the chute 10.

[0047] like Figure 2As shown, the telescopic mechanism 20 includes a lifting module 21, a telescopic member 22, and a trigger 23. The lifting module 21 is the driving source of the telescopic mechanism 20, driving the telescopic member 22 toward or away from the bottom of the ship. The lifting module 21 can be a powered device such as a motor, a pneumatic cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder, and is not limited in this application.

[0048] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The lifting module 21 is installed on the chute 10. For example, the lifting module 21 is installed in the innermost layer of the chute 10. In this way, when the chute 10 is lowered step by step, the lifting module 21 can be lowered synchronously with the chute 10.

[0049] refer to Figure 2 The telescopic member 22 is connected to the lifting module 21, and the telescopic member 22 is connected to the output end of the lifting module 21 so that the lifting module 21 can drive the telescopic member 22 to move. The telescopic member 22 has a detection end 221 and a connection end 222, wherein the detection end 221 is the end close to the bottom of the ship, and the connection end 222 is the end away from the bottom of the ship. The detection end 221 is located below the bottom of the chute 10 so that the detection end contacts the bottom of the ship before the chute 10, thereby preventing the chute 10 from touching the bottom. The detection end 221 of the telescopic member 22 can be in the shape of a cylindrical rod, a square, or a circular ring, which is not limited in this application.

[0050] refer to Figure 2 The connection end 222 is connected to the trigger 23. When the trigger 23 receives the first signal, the chute 10 stops lowering to prevent the chute 10 from hitting the bottom. The telescopic member 22 is then recovered by the lifting module 21. When the trigger 23 receives the second signal, the telescopic member 22 retracts to above the bottom of the chute 10. This prevents the first and second signals from being transmitted to the trigger 23 via an external controller. The specific communication method can be wired communication or wireless communication. The telescopic member 22 is recovered to above the bottom of the chute 10 to prevent the material after unloading from damaging the telescopic member 22. The chute 10 can then be unloaded normally without affecting the normal operation of the ship loader.

[0051] The ship loader chute bottoming prevention system provided herein is connected to the lifting module 21 via a telescopic member 22. This allows the lifting module 21 to drive the telescopic member 22 toward or away from the ship's bottom. Because the detection end 221 of the telescopic member 22 is located below the bottom of the chute 10, the telescopic member 22 contacts the ship's bottom before the chute 10 during lowering, preventing the chute 10 from hitting the bottom.

[0052] When the telescopic member 22 contacts the bottom of the ship, it moves away from the bottom. Because the trigger 23 is connected to the connection end 222 of the telescopic member 22, the telescopic member 22 drives the trigger 23 to move away from the bottom of the ship. When the trigger 23 receives a first signal, the chute 10 stops lowering, returning it to its operating position. The lifting module 21 continues to retract the telescopic member 22 away from the bottom of the ship. When the trigger 22 receives a second signal, the telescopic member 22 retracts above the bottom of the chute 10 and stops moving, preventing damage to the telescopic member 22 from material after the chute 10 is discharged.

[0053] In some embodiments, reference Figure 2 The telescopic mechanism 20 further includes a first travel switch 24 and a second travel switch 25. The first travel switch 24 is located above the trigger 23, and the second travel switch 25 is located above the first travel switch 24. Both the first travel switch 24 and the second travel switch 25 can be mounted on the outer periphery of the chute.

[0054] When the telescopic member 22 drives the trigger 23 to trigger the first travel switch 24 , the first travel switch 24 sends a first signal to the trigger 23 to stop the chute 10 from lowering and drives the telescopic member 22 to retract through the lifting module 21 .

[0055] When the telescopic member 22 drives the trigger 23 to trigger the second travel switch 25 , the second travel switch 25 sends a second signal to the trigger 23 to retract the telescopic member 22 to the bottom of the chute 10 .

[0056] refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the lifting module 21 includes a housing 211, a lead screw 212, and a slide 213. The housing 211 is mounted on the chute 10, the lead screw 212 is mounted in the housing 211, the slide 213 is sleeved on the lead screw 212, and the telescopic member 22 is inserted into the slide 213, for example, the telescopic member 22 is inserted into a sliding bearing in the slide 213.

[0057] When lowering the chute 10, the lead screw 212 is rotated to move the slide 213 and the telescopic member 22 downward so that the detection end 221 of the telescopic member 22 is located below the chute 10. When the telescopic member 22 contacts the bottom of the ship, the telescopic member 22 moves upward under the action of the bottom of the ship.

[0058] It should be noted that the lifting module 21 may further include a spring 214 . The spring 214 is connected to the telescopic member 22 . During the telescopic movement of the telescopic member 22 , the spring 214 acts as a buffer.

[0059] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2In some embodiments, the ship loader chute bottoming prevention system further includes a reel 30 connected to the chute 10. An armored cable 40 is wound between the reel 30 and the chute 10. The reel 30 lowers and retrieves the chute 10 via the armored cable 40. The armored cable 40 supports the chute 10 and provides power and signal transmission to components such as the upgrade module installed on the chute 10.

[0060] refer to Figure 1 In some embodiments, a conductive slip ring 31 is mounted on the reel 30. The conductive slip ring 31 is an electric rotary connector that enables continuous signal and data transmission between two relatively rotating mechanisms. The armored cable 40 contains electrical and signal lines. The electrical lines are electrically connected to the conductive slip ring 31, while the signal lines are signal-connected to the conductive slip ring. The conductive slip ring 31 provides power to the armored cable 40 and transmits signals.

[0061] In some embodiments, the lifting module 21 is electrically connected to a wire to power the lifting module 21. The lifting module 21 and the trigger 23 are both connected to a signal line to enable signal transmission between the lifting module 21 and the trigger 23.

[0062] In some embodiments, a distance measuring sensor is also included. The distance measuring sensor is installed on the chute 10 and is connected to the armored cable 40 for signal connection. The distance measuring sensor can detect the distance between the chute 10 and the bottom of the ship. The distance measuring sensor can serve as an auxiliary anti-bottoming device to further improve the safety of anti-bottoming.

[0063] In some embodiments, there are multiple telescopic mechanisms 20, such as two, three, four, or more. The multiple telescopic mechanisms 20 are evenly spaced along the periphery of the chute 10, thereby providing bottoming protection and preventing the chute 10 from tilting to one side.

[0064] The present application also provides a ship loader, comprising the ship loader chute anti-bottoming system of any of the aforementioned embodiments. The specific structure and connection method of the ship loader chute anti-bottoming system can be found in any of the aforementioned embodiments. Since the anti-bottoming method provided by the present application includes the ship loader chute anti-bottoming system of any of the aforementioned embodiments, it at least has the beneficial effects of any of the aforementioned embodiments, and therefore will not be further detailed here.

[0065] The present application also provides an anti-bottoming method, which is applied to the anti-bottoming system for the ship loader chute in any of the above embodiments. The anti-bottoming method includes the following steps:

[0066] A. The lifting module 21 controls the detection end 221 of the telescopic member 22 to extend beyond the bottom of the chute 10, and the chute 10 is lowered.

[0067] B. When the telescopic member 22 touches the bottom of the ship, the telescopic member 22 drives the trigger 23 to move in a direction away from the bottom of the ship.

[0068] C. When the trigger 23 receives the first signal, the chute 10 stops lowering, and the lifting module 21 drives the telescopic member 22 to continue moving in a direction away from the bottom of the ship.

[0069] D. When the trigger 23 receives the second signal, the telescopic member 22 retracts to above the bottom of the chute 10 and stops moving.

[0070] E. Chute 10 starts unloading.

[0071] Since the anti-bottoming method provided in the present application is applied to the anti-bottoming system of the ship loader chute in any of the above embodiments, it has at least the beneficial effects of any of the above embodiments, and will not be described in detail here.

[0072] The various embodiments or implementation methods in this specification are described in a progressive manner. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments, and the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other.

[0073] It should be noted that phrases such as "in a specific implementation," "in some embodiments," "in this embodiment," and "exemplarily" mentioned in the specification indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to implement such a feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether explicitly described or not.

[0074] Generally speaking, terms should be understood, at least in part, based on the context in which they are used. For example, as used herein, the term "one or more" can be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in the singular sense, or can be used to describe a combination of features, structures, or characteristics in the plural sense, depending at least in part on the context. Similarly, terms such as "a," "an," or "the" can also be understood to convey either singular or plural usage, depending at least in part on the context.

[0075] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the quantity of the technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of these features.

[0076] In this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection, electrical connection; direct connection, or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two elements, or interaction between two elements, unless otherwise specified. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on specific circumstances.

[0077] It should be readily understood that “on,” “above,” and “over” in this disclosure should be interpreted in the broadest manner, such that “on” means not only “directly on something,” but also includes “on something” with intervening features or layers therebetween, and “above” or “over” includes not only the meaning of “above” or “over,” but also includes “above” or “over” with no intervening features or layers therebetween (i.e., directly on something).

[0078] Additionally, spatially relative terms, such as "below," "beneath," "beneath," "above," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to other elements or features as depicted in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0079] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A ship loader chute anti-bottoming system, characterized in that: It includes a chute and a telescopic mechanism, wherein the telescopic mechanism includes a lifting module, a telescopic member and a trigger; The lifting module is installed on the chute, and the telescopic member is connected to the lifting module. The lifting module can drive the telescopic member to extend and retract, and the detection end of the telescopic member is located below the bottom of the chute; The trigger is connected to the connection end of the telescopic member. When the lifting module controls the detection end of the telescopic member to extend beyond the bottom of the chute, the chute is lowered. When the telescopic member touches the bottom of the ship, the telescopic member drives the trigger to move away from the bottom of the ship. When the trigger receives a first signal, the chute stops lowering, and the lifting module drives the telescopic member to continue moving away from the bottom of the ship. When the trigger receives a second signal, the telescopic member retracts to above the bottom of the chute, and the telescopic member stops moving. The chute starts unloading. The telescopic mechanism further includes a first travel switch and a second travel switch, wherein the first travel switch is located above the trigger, and the second travel switch is located above the first travel switch; When the trigger triggers the first travel switch, the first travel switch sends the first signal to the trigger; When the trigger triggers the second travel switch, the second travel switch sends the second signal to the trigger; The lifting module includes a housing, a lead screw and a slide; The housing is mounted on the chute, the lead screw is mounted in the housing, the slide is sleeved on the lead screw, and the telescopic member is passed through the slide; There are multiple telescopic mechanisms, and the multiple telescopic mechanisms are arranged at equal intervals along the outer circumference of the chute.

2. The ship loader chute anti-bottoming system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a reel, which is connected to the chute, and an armored cable is wound between the reel and the chute. The reel is lowered and the chute is recovered through the armored cable.

3. The ship loader chute anti-bottoming system according to claim 2, characterized in that: A conductive slip ring is installed on the reel, and the armored cable contains electric wires and signal wires; The electric wire is electrically connected to the conductive slip ring, the signal wire is signal-connected to the conductive slip ring, and the conductive slip ring supplies power to the armored cable and transmits signals.

4. The ship loader chute anti-bottoming system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lifting module is electrically connected to the electric wire, and the lifting module and the trigger are both signal-connected to the signal line.

5. The ship loader chute anti-bottoming system according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a distance measuring sensor, which is installed on the chute and is connected to the armored cable signal.

6. A ship loader, characterized in that: It comprises the ship loader chute anti-bottoming system as described in any one of claims 1-5.

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