Vehicle body

Abstract

A vehicle body for a material transport vehicle is described. The vehicle body has an inner base (3) configured to directly engage on a chassis (7) of a material transport vehicle; an inner side wall (5) extending upwardly from the inner base so as to define, together with the inner base, an inner volume for the material to be delivered; an outer base and an outer sidewall comprising a continuous sheet disposed about the inner base and the inner sidewall. The inner base comprises a rigid porous network structure having a raised profile projecting away from the outer base, and the inner side wall comprises a porous network structure spaced apart from the outer side wall so as to define an intermediate volume (13, 14) into which material smaller than the pores in said network structure can enter in use; and the intermediate volume is provided with an outlet system from which material can be removed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a body or hopper for a material transport vehicle or similar material transport vehicles. The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such a body. The present invention relates, for example, to a material transport vehicle for moving minerals, which are the product of mining or quarrying operations, for example at, near or between work sites and / or processing sites. The present invention relates, for example, to a material transport vehicle for moving mined hard rock ore or the like, mined coal or the like. Background Art

[0002] In mining operations, such as mining hard rock ores and open pit mining of coal, large amounts of material need to be handled at the work site and moved from the work site, e.g. to a processing site. Often, large amounts of material, called overburden, must be removed and processed before the mineral of interest can be obtained. Then, the mineral of interest needs to be removed and transported.

[0003] A common mode of transport of the material resulting from such an operation is by truck. The term is used herein to include any discrete transport module capable of moving under its own power and comprising a chassis carrying suitable drive means to drive suitable ground engaging driven means, such as wheels and / or tracks, and supporting a bucket-like body into which material can be loaded for transport.

[0004] The use of trucks to load and transport materials both at the main work site and elsewhere provides a flexible option at different stages of the operation. For example, at the main work site, the body of the truck can be loaded with excavated minerals, such as using a shovel loader, and the truck can then be used to transport the excavated minerals to, for example, a large mineral processing plant located elsewhere in the mine.

[0005] A typical truck has a hopper-type body which defines a volume into which mineral or similar material may be loaded. A typical body may comprise steel plate of suitable strength and thickness, including a bottom or base and side walls extending upwardly (usually vertically or outwardly), the term including the longitudinal sides and end walls in the case of a typical rectangular base body. The hopper body, and in particular the bottom or base, requires high strength, particularly to absorb the shock loads when material is loaded. Therefore, a typical body tends to be made of solid thick steel plate. Alternative designs are also known, such as described in EP1473189A2, which additionally incorporate polymers into the structure to modify the impact and wear characteristics of the floor. Such a truck body structure is necessarily heavy.

[0006] The gross vehicle mass of a fully loaded truck loaded with minerals or similar materials is large, and the movement of a load of minerals from one location to another is energy intensive.

[0007] It is generally desirable to maximize the target mineral mass as a proportion of the total loaded truck mass. Therefore, it is particularly desirable to develop reduced weight truck hopper body structures. Weight reduction solutions will improve the overall efficiency of the truck transport system, not just by simply reducing the weight of a single body plus load combination, but also have potential compounding benefits if the weight reduction solution facilitates the introduction of alternative and more efficient drive trains, power sources (e.g., battery power), etc.

[0008] It is also often desirable to limit the mineral load to just the mineral as far as possible and to avoid transporting material that could become waste. In particular, it may be desirable to separate the mined mineral by size prior to transport to remove fines. Various solutions to the latter requirement are known, including the use of rotating drum screens, vibrating plate screens and gratings.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a hopper type body and a truck including such a body, which hopper type body defines a volume of mineral or similar material that can be loaded and provides advantages with respect to some or all of the above-mentioned operating requirements. Summary of the invention

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a body for a material transport vehicle comprises:

[0011] an inner base configured to be directly engaged to a chassis of a material transport vehicle;

[0012] an inner sidewall extending upwardly from the inner base to define, together with the inner base, a hopper body volume for material to be conveyed;

[0013] an outer base and outer sidewall comprising a continuous sheet disposed about the inner base and inner sidewall to define an outer enclosed volume;

[0014] wherein the inner base comprises a rigid porous network structure having a raised profile projecting away from and above the outer base, and the inner sidewall comprises a porous network structure spaced from the outer sidewall so as to define an intermediate volume into which, in use, material smaller than the pores in the network structure can enter;

[0015] The intermediate volume is provided with an outlet system from which material therein can be removed.

[0016] Thus, the body defines a volume into which material can be loaded and unloaded in the usual manner for transport in a truck-based transport system and method. First, material is loaded into the hopper body volume defined by the inner base and side walls.

[0017] The present invention is distinguished by specific features associated with the inner base and side walls and the provision of an outer shell, which features together confer advantages.

[0018] Firstly, the inner base is specifically configured as a rigid loading structure, adapted to carry the impact loads experienced during loading, and in use is directly joined to the vehicle chassis to transfer these impact loads. The inner base may be structured and the materials used for its construction may be selected accordingly, which may allow a reduction in structural strength in the inner side walls and thus optimise the weight of the internal hopper system.

[0019] Secondly, both the inner base and the inner sidewalls are of a porous network structure. This structure not only allows further flexibility in the choice of structure and materials, again providing the possibility of weight reduction, but by providing holes of appropriate size, it is possible in the system of the present invention to provide a capability in that material smaller than the holes in the network structure can pass through the holes from the internal hopper volume in use, for example when the vehicle is moving, to separate fines from more desirable target size materials.

[0020] This effect is exploited by providing an outer shell that works in conjunction with the internal structure. These together define an intermediate volume between them into which, in use, material smaller than the holes in the network structure can enter to separate fines from the internal hopper volume and into the intermediate volume. The fines can then be removed from the intermediate volume by a suitable outlet system, thereby reducing the inefficiency of transporting fines with the target load.

[0021] Because the shell does not directly contain the primary load, it does not require the structural strength of a conventional monocoque shell. The novel combined structure can therefore combine the potential for weight reduction of the body itself with the potential for separation and discarding of fines, thereby providing the potential for load weight reduction, these two effects combined helping to achieve the goal of reducing overall weight while maximizing the ratio of target mineral weight to total loaded truck weight, with the possible efficiencies and other advantages mentioned above.

[0022] A feature of the present invention is that the inner base and inner side walls that constitute the inner body and define the volume of the hopper include a network structure. The term is used herein in the broadest topological sense, wherein the network includes a continuous matrix extending in two dimensions to define a plurality of array holes therein. Any specific structure, shape or configuration of the continuous matrix or array should not be considered implicit in the term. In particular, the network structure according to the principles of the present invention can be extended to an interlocking array of multiple elongated rigid or flexible members, such as braided, fused, mechanically joined structures, etc., as well as structures having holes formed or manufactured in an integral matrix, and combinations thereof.

[0023] At least a major portion of the inner base and at least a major portion of each inner side wall is so apertured, thereby providing advantages in terms of the possibility of weight saving design options, and secondary advantages in terms of the passage of fines to and from the internal volume as described above.

[0024] At least the inner base comprises a rigid structure, ie is functionally rigid under the load conditions expected in use. The base is therefore designed to carry most of the load of the material to be transported, in particular shock loads when the material is loaded into the volume.

[0025] Those skilled in the art of mineral processing will be familiar with a variety of alternative rigid porous network structures which can perform the function of size separation, including rotary drum screens, vibrating plate screens and grating screens.

[0026] Typically, the rigid porous network structure of the inner base can utilize design principles that are generally familiar to those skilled in the art, and include a two-dimensional skeleton of rigid elongated rods, bars, etc. that form a rigid network, which defines holes of desired size between them to allow thinner materials to pass through. The rigid elongated rods, bars, etc. that form the rigid network can be metals, such as steel. They can be welded or mechanically joined to each other. Other materials that can be combined to form the rigid network, such as surrounding or coating rods, bars, or the like, can be used to provide further desired properties.

[0027] The structure and construction of the inner base network structure may advantageously draw upon principles known in the art of trommel screens. Trommel screens are known in the field of mineral processing as rotating drum screens for separating materials having a network structure forming a cylindrical drum that can be raised towards a feed end and lowered towards a discharge end such that undersized material is screened out and passes through the screen as the material descends along the rotating drum.

[0028] Essentially, if the inner base plate of the present invention comprises similar structure, the same principles can be applied. Movement of material at the bottom of the hopper volume on the inner base plate, such as when a vehicle moves to transport material, will tend to force finer material through the holes into the intermediate volume for subsequent discharge.

[0029] Therefore, in a preferred embodiment the inner base comprises one or more trommel screen decks of suitable shape, for example flat or arcuate.

[0030] The inner side wall may conveniently comprise a flexible network structure, and may for example comprise a flexible wire mesh structure, for example comprising interconnected wire mesh structures, such as woven, knitted or bonded wire meshes, the apertured portion comprising gaps formed by the meshes.

[0031] This flexible network structure may optionally be partially reinforced with a second network structure of rigid elongated members to increase the structural form and / or strength and / or rigidity of the inner side wall.

[0032] As is generally understood, references to rigid or flexible properties of a material, component or structure are references to be interpreted in the context of whether the material, component or structure is functionally rigid or flexible under the loading conditions expected in use and, where applicable, under the impact loading conditions experienced when the material is loaded into the body for use.

[0033] The inner base is shaped to present a generally convex profile that generally projects above the outer base to define a space including a portion of the intermediate volume between them. In this sense, the shape of the base is generally convex outwards.

[0034] In a particularly preferred case, the base may define a continuous outward profile in the longitudinal direction and a generally convex outward profile transversely to the longitudinal direction.

[0035] In one example of such an arrangement, the inner base may be an arcuate portion of a cylinder and may, for example, comprise an arcuate portion of a trommel structure. In another example of such an arrangement, a plurality of flat plates, such as perforated screen plates, are arranged in the form of polygonal arcs.

[0036] In the most preferred case, a pair of such plates are provided having a V-shaped outward profile. The resulting raised edge has been found to be particularly effective in absorbing shock loads when material is loaded into the internal volume, and may even be designed to provide the function of breaking up larger lumps of ore.

[0037] The body shell including the outer surface and outer sidewalls does not require the same structural strength as a conventional unitary body. However, it is generally preferred that the outer base and outer wall comprise a continuous and rigid sheet structure. Suitable materials for the sheet structure may include sheet metal, such as steel. However, given the smaller load requirements, the material may be much thinner than a conventional unitary panel.

[0038] All of the above-mentioned structures and material selections provide the possibility of a lighter weight for the combined double-layer body of the material transport vehicle according to the present invention.

[0039] The internal structure and the outer shell are spaced apart so as to define an intermediate volume therebetween through which material smaller than the pores in the network structure forming the internal compartments and the internal side walls can pass in use, for example when the load vibrates as the vehicle moves.

[0040] Exit holes in the housing, for example in the base or in the side facing the base, may provide an outlet system from which finer material entering the intermediate volume can be discarded. These outlet holes may include selectively operable closures. Conveniently, these outlet holes may be arranged so that the discard function is effective when used under the action of gravity, for example when a truck is moving, and the separated material is simply discarded. If such direct discarding is unacceptable, alternative disposal methods may be suitable. In either case, the discarding of material, for example mineral powders that have been separated into the intermediate volume, avoids their unnecessary transportation.

[0041] Thus, the arrangement in use may advantageously combine the potential for weight reduction of the bodywork itself with the potential for maximizing the weight of the target mineral in the load as a proportion of the total truck load weight by separating and discarding fines.

[0042] In another more complete aspect of the invention, a material transport vehicle comprises a vehicle body according to the first aspect mounted on a vehicle bed.

[0043] In particular, the vehicle chassis comprises:

[0044] a chassis on which the main body of the vehicle is mounted so as to be supported on the chassis, in particular so that the inner base engages and is directly supported on the chassis;

[0045] a ground engaging transport system mounted on the chassis to enable the vehicle to move over the ground when in use, such as including wheels, rollers, tracks or a combination thereof;

[0046] A driving system that provides driving force to the transportation system, for example, including an engine and a transmission system, wherein the engine may be, for example, an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, etc.;

[0047] The power source of the engine includes, for example, an internal combustion engine fuel supply, a battery, etc.

[0048] Therefore, according to a second aspect of the present invention, a material transport vehicle comprises:

[0049] A vehicle body according to the first aspect of the present invention;

[0050] a chassis, wherein the body is mounted on the chassis so as to be supported on the chassis, and in particular, such that the inner base engages and is directly supported on the chassis;

[0051] a ground engaging transport system mounted on the chassis to enable the vehicle to move over the ground when in use, such as including wheels, rollers, tracks or a combination thereof;

[0052] A driving system that provides driving force to the transportation system, for example, including an engine and a transmission system, wherein the engine may be, for example, an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, etc.;

[0053] The power source of the engine includes, for example, an internal combustion engine fuel supply, a battery, etc.

[0054] The advantages provided by the novel vehicle body of the first aspect of the invention relate to reduced weight whilst maintaining accommodation of the high impact loads associated with mineral transport and combining this with a fine material separation function to produce a vehicle which is well suited for the efficient and effective transport of minerals which are the product of mining or quarrying operations, for example at, near or between work sites and / or processing sites. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings Figures 1 to 4 , the present invention is described by way of example only, and the figures show exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which:

[0056] Figure 1 A top perspective view of a vehicle including a vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in a simplified schematic diagram;

[0057] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial section view of a view;

[0058] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 a side view of the vehicle;

[0059] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 End view of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] An embodiment of a vehicle according to the second aspect of the invention comprising a vehicle body according to the first aspect of the invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

[0061] The vehicle is shown in a simplified schematic diagram, a top perspective view, a top partial cross-sectional view, and a side and end view.

[0062] The body generally comprises a hopper 1 defining a volume for carrying the material to be transported, the hopper 1 having a base 3 and side walls 5 extending upwardly and outwardly in a similar manner.

[0063] In a familiar manner, the vehicle body is carried and supported on a chassis 7 which is provided with four wheels 9 to enable the vehicle to move along the ground in use. The wheels 9 are mounted in pairs on respective axles of the chassis and are provided with suitable drive means to rotate at least one driven axle under the action of a suitable power train, thereby causing the vehicle to move along the ground in use.

[0064] The vehicle is distinguished by the particular two-part structure of the body, comprising a base 3 and side walls 5 defining an internal mineral-containing volume contained within an outer shell 11 defining intermediate volumes 13, 14 between the outer shell and the internal volume.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 11 comprises a plurality of steel plates in a generally familiar manner, but because the load is carried and contained within the internal volume and therefore a different function is performed by the housing than in a monocoque housing of conventional design, the plates require less mechanical strength and can be thinner and lighter.

[0066] The internal volume containing the mineral is defined by a base structure 3 comprising a pair of planar perforated structures based on the trommel principle. These trommel structures extend longitudinally and are positioned relative to each other to project upwardly towards a central longitudinally extending contact line, forming a V-shaped profile 15 for the structure.

[0067] The purpose of this base structure 3 is to provide most of the strength to handle the mineral load in the hopper volume, especially the initial shock load when heavy mineral material falls into the hopper volume. In particular the V-shaped profile 15 and the protruding edges are very suitable for this role.

[0068] The internal hopper volume is further defined by flexible wire mesh sides 5 which extend from respective upper edges 17 of the plates forming the outer shell 11 to the base structure 3. The wire mesh plates 5 in the illustrated embodiment are diamond shaped wire mesh.

[0069] This arrangement has the effect of separating the mesh side 5 from the inner surface of the plate of the housing, creating a space 13 which, together with the space 15 below the V-shaped base structure and the flat base of the housing, forms an intermediate volume through which, during use, material small enough to pass through the holes in the base structure 3 or in the mesh forming the side 5 can pass.

[0070] This arrangement enables separation between larger lumps of target mineral, which are thereby retained within the internal volume, and fine material of a size smaller than the mesh size of the side 5 and bottom formations 3 that pass through and into the intermediate volumes 13, 14. Advantageously, agitation of the load by the movement of the vehicle can be used to cause this separation.

[0071] The separated fines can be discharged through a suitable discharge opening. Advantageously, the movement of the vehicle can be used to facilitate such discharge under the effect of gravity.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the specific combination of structural elements of the vehicle's body provides a novel and advantageous combination of high impact performance through a rigid V-shaped internal base structure, a light body through the combination of a web structure and a thin steel outer shell, and a size separation function through the holes in the web of the internal base structure and the sides. These functions work together to produce a better target mineral load / total weight ratio and a more efficient loading system for transporting mineral materials, particularly at, near and from a work site, such as a mining or quarrying site.

[0073] In a third aspect of the invention, a suitable method of operation for transporting mineral material, for example from a mining or quarrying operation, may include:

[0074] There is provided a vehicle according to a second aspect of the invention;

[0075] loading materials into its internal volume;

[0076] by agitating the loaded material, such as by moving the vehicle, so that the material enters the intermediate volume;

[0077] Optionally, discharging material entering the intermediate volume;

[0078] Move the vehicle to transport the material in the interior volume.

Claims

1. A body for a material transport vehicle, comprising: an inner base configured to be directly engaged to a chassis of a material transport vehicle; an inner sidewall extending upwardly from the inner base to define, together with the inner base, an interior volume for material to be conveyed; an outer base and outer sidewall comprising a continuous sheet disposed about the inner base and inner sidewall; wherein the inner base comprises a rigid porous network structure having a convex profile protruding away from the outer base, and the inner sidewall comprises a porous network structure spaced from the outer sidewall so as to define an intermediate volume into which, in use, material smaller than the pores in the network structure can enter; The intermediate volume is provided with an outlet system from which material therein can be removed.

2. A vehicle body according to claim 1, wherein the inner base comprises a two-dimensional skeleton of rigid elongated rods or bars or the like forming a rigid network with apertures defined therebetween.

3. A vehicle body as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rigid elongate rod or bar comprises steel.

4. A body as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the rigid elongate bars or rods are welded or mechanically joined to each other to form a rigid network.

5. A vehicle body according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the two-dimensional skeleton further comprises other material surrounding or enveloping the rod or bar.

6. A body as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the inner base comprises a trommel screen.

7. A vehicle body as claimed in claim 6 wherein the inner base comprises one or more flat or arcuate trommel screen decks.

8. A body as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the inner side wall comprises a flexible network structure.

9. A body as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inner side wall comprises a flexible wire mesh structure, optionally partially reinforced with a second network of rigid elongate members.

10. A vehicle body according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner base comprises an upwardly projecting cylindrical arcuate portion.

11. A vehicle body according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inner base comprises a pair of plates configured to define an upwardly projecting V-shaped outward profile.

12. A vehicle body according to any preceding claim, wherein: In the housing, for example in the base or in a side towards the base, an outlet aperture is provided, from which, in use, finer material entering the intermediate volume can be discharged.

13. A materials transport vehicle comprising a body according to any preceding claim mounted on a vehicle bed.

14. The material handling vehicle of claim 13, wherein the vehicle chassis comprises: a chassis on which the body is mounted so as to be supported on the chassis and in particular so that the inner base engages and is directly supported on the chassis; a ground engaging transport system mounted on the chassis to enable the vehicle to move over the ground when in use, such as including wheels, rollers, tracks or a combination thereof; A driving system that provides driving force to the transportation system, for example, including an engine and a transmission system, wherein the engine may be, for example, an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, etc.; The power source of the engine includes, for example, an internal combustion engine fuel supply, a battery, etc.

15. A method of transporting a mineral material, comprising: Providing a vehicle according to claim 13 or 14; loading materials into its internal volume; by agitating the loaded material, such as by moving the vehicle, so that the material enters the intermediate volume; Optionally, discharging material entering the intermediate volume; Move the vehicle to transport the material in the interior volume.

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