Wear measurement arrangement for impact elements in bulk material device and method thereto

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bulk material device (100) having at least one wear measurement arrangement (1) for monitoring the wear of at least one impact element (10) of the bulk material device (100), in particular chutes, liners, hoppers, baffle arrangements or the like, whereas the impact element (10) features at least one impact surface (11) facing to the area for transfer said bulk material within the bulk material device (100). According to the invention, a RADAR system (12) is arranged in conjunction with the impact element (10), whereas the RADAR system (12) is performed to direct a RADAR beam (13) into the material of the impact element (10) towards the impact surface (11), to measure the reduction in thickness of the impact element (10). The invention is also relates to a method to operate a wear measurement arrangement (1) for monitoring the wear of at least one impact element (10) of a bulk material device (100).

Description

[0001] WEAR MEASUREMENT ARRANGEMENT FOR IMPACT ELEMENTS IN BULK MATERIAL DEVICE AND METHOD

[0002] THERETO

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a wear measurement arrangement for monitoring the wear of at least one impact element of a bulk material device including a bulk material transfer, handling and / or treatment system like a chute, a rotary scrubber, a mill, an excavator, a liner, a hopper, a baffle arrangement or the like, whereas the impact element features at least one impact surface which is subject to wear by said bulk material within the bulk material device. The invention is also directed to a method to operate a wear measurement arrangement for monitoring the wear of at least one impact element of a bulk material device.

[0005] PRIOR ART

[0006] A general monitoring in bulk material devices is known in the pertinent field, in particular basing on RADAR technology, whereas the bulk material device can include a bulk material transfer, handling and / or treatment system like a chute, a rotary scrubber, a mill, an excavator, a liner, a hopper, a baffle arrangement or the like. An embodiment of a robust RADAR technology in a bulk material device is applied in the international patent application WO 2017 / 101969 A1. The monitoring device is disclosed in conjunction with a conveyer system, and the monitoring device comprises a RADAR sensor, monitoring the load of the conveyer belt. A RADAR technology for wear monitoring proposes in a bulk material device in the field of mining machinery is known from EP 3 393 667 B1. The document discloses a comminuting machine with a RADAR-assisted wear measurement function, whereas a RADAR antenna is oriented towards an associated surface which is signed for determining the wear occurring at the wear layer and / or for determining the respectively applicable extend of an active comminution gap between the wear layer and a counter surface, wherein the RADAR antenna comprises an antenna region and a wear part assigned to at least that region of the wear layer which is provided for permissible wear, said wear part becoming shorter with the wear of the wear layer. In other words, the technology bases on a sacrificial element, featuring a wear which is analog to the wear of the wear layer in the comminuting machine, in particular a gyro crusher.

[0007] US 2011 / 0085883 A1 discloses an embodiment of a bulk material device formed as a transfer system for guiding bulk material comprising a wear member as a part of an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism is connected to the wear member and is lockable in a manner that fixes the wear member in a first position relative to the flow path of the bulk material. The attachment mechanism is also selectively unlockable in a manner such that the wear member can be moved towards the flow path to a second position. Still further, the attachment mechanism is lockable in a manner that fixes the first wear member in the second position relative to the flow path. As a result, the wear device provides a wear member that can be intermittently adjusted such that its wear face can maintain generally the same relative position as the wear member wears down. Unfortunately, the wear device must be controlled by a control unit and continuously needs additional wear elements coming along with the wear device, e.g. applied in a bulk material device like a chute. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a bulk material device, which device can include a bulk material transfer, handling and / or treatment system like a chute, a rotary scrubber, a mill, an excavator, a liner, a hopper, a baffle arrangement or the like, the device having an improved wear measurement arrangement, which device has a simplified construction, and no additional wear elements should be applied.

[0009] This objective is achieved by a bulk material device as taught by claim 1 and is achieved by a method according to claim 11 of the present invention. Advantageous embodiments of the inventive device and the inventive method are defined in the related sub claims.

[0010] The bulk material device according to claim 1 comprises the technical teaching that a RADAR system is arranged in conjunction with the impact element, whereas the RADAR system is performed to direct a RADAR beam into the material of the impact element towards the impact surface, to measure the reduction in thickness of the impact element.

[0011] In the sense of the invention, the impact element as a part of a bulk material device, e.g. like a impact tile of a bulk material transfer system can be any kind of a liner, a material guiding element, an element were the material bumps towards its guiding surface, will say, in general a high load element in contact with the bulk material. The RADAR system is arranged in conjunction with said impact element, and the arrangement of the RADAR system with the impact element is performed in such a way that the RADAR system can direct a RADAR beam through the solid material or an inlay element of the impact element towards the impact surface from its inner side, which impact surface is in direct contact with the bulk material. The RADAR system according to the invention provides an inline- measurement system, which system provides a wear information of the at least one impact element in the bulk material device, which information can be supervised by a central control system and / or by a supervisor person. The RADAR system in conjunction with the impact element according to the invention solves the objective of the invention in such a way that the wear of the impact elements can be controlled and maintained while the bulk material device is running, but the RADAR system and in particular the RADAR antenna itself is not in direct contact with the bulk material.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment, the impact element features a back side, which back side is arranged opposite to the impact surface, in particular when the impact elements feature a tile format. Accordingly, the RADAR system can at least be indirect mounted or in any kind arranged to the back side of the impact element, whereas the back side forms the opposite side of the front side, defined by the impact surface. According to the invention, it is also thinkable that one RADAR system or one RADAR system having more than one RADAR antenna, features a fastening arrangement to the back side of a number of impact elements, e.g. a number of tiles, or only one the RADAR system can be transferred from impact element to impact element, in order to avoid multiple of RADAR systems which are dedicated to a high number of impact elements.

[0013] According to another advantage, only the most stressed impact elements featuring the highest wear can be equipped with a RADAR system, in particular if it is known that one or a number of identified impact elements feature(s) the highest wear.

[0014] The impact elements of bulk material devices can feature a tile form having the impact surface forming the front side and having a back side formed plane-parallel to the impact surface. The impact element can feature a hard rubber material and / or a ceramic material or a composite of these, but the impact element preferably does not feature a metallic material, because metal cannot be penetrated by the RADAR beam.

[0015] Depending on the kind of material forming the impact surface, the material can deform or can feature material eruptions during operation of the bulk material device in which the impact element is applied. The RADAR system, which is thought to measure the thickness of the impact element, in particular the thickness of the tile, both kind of wear can be measured: a deformation of the tile or material eruptions in the active surface of the tile, which active surface is in contact with the bulk material.

[0016] The bulk material device can feature a number of wall elements, in particular forming the frame work of the bulk material device, and to each of the wall elements can be applied at least one or more impact elements, whereas the RADAR system is mounted to the wall element in an adjacent situation with the impact elements. The wall element can be a solid part of the bulk material device, whereas the impact element can be exchanged and replaced by another impact element, in particular when the impact element reaches its wear limit. Accordingly, the RADAR system must not be removed and mounted again, and the impact element can be replaced without replacing the wall elements and / or the RADAR system.

[0017] As an embodiment of the invention, the impact element or the wall element features at least one magnet element, and the impact element is attached to the wall element by means of the magnet force of the magnet element. As an alternative, the wall element can feature a magnet element or can have magnetic properties or the impact element features magnetic properties, depending on which element is opposite of the magnet element. The RADAR system can feature a RADAR head having a RADAR active module, e.g. the RADAR antenna, whereas the RADAR system is arranged in such a way that the RADAR active module is facing to the back side of the impact element.

[0018] According to another embodiment the wear measurement arrangement can be provided with an energy harvesting system like a rotational pendulum, which is provided to supply electric energy to the RADAR system, in particular the rotational energy harvesting system and the RADAR system form a modular unit. The application of an energy harvesting system can be advantageously used in conjunction with rotary operating bulk material devices like rotary scrubbers, mills and the like, to which also impact elements are applied to get into contact with the bulk material to be treated. The processor unit of the measurement arrangement can communicate by a wireless interconnection between the RADAR system with the energy harvesting system, preferably formed as a modular unit, and the processor unit. This provides the advantage that the modular unit can perform the rotary movement while the processor unit is arranged in conjunction with a not moved part of the running bulk material device.

[0019] The RADAR system can be formed to emit a pulsed or a frequency modulated RADAR beam and / or the RADAR beam features a frequency of 10 to 250 GHz.

[0020] The wall element of the bulk material device like a guiding or transfer system can feature an array of multiple of impact elements, whereas at least one or more RADAR systems are arranged in conjunction with a number of impact elements located at positions exposed to a maximum impact of said bulk material. As an abstract embodiment, only one RADAR system can be arranged in conjunction with an impact element which has a maximum wear, in particular when the impact element is positioned in the maximum exposure of the impact of said bulk material. Analogue to that, a number of impact elements in the region of said maximum wear of the impact elements can be arranged in conjunction with one or a number of RADAR elements.

[0021] The RADAR system can feature a processor unit, which can be connected to a controller, which controller is responsible for operating the bulk material device. When the wear reaches a predetermined limit, the processor unit of the RADAR system and / or the controller of the bulk material device causes a signal to a superior control system or to an operating person, in particular to exchange at least one single impact element or the array of impact elements, in particular to avoid a damage of the bulk material system and in particular a damage of the wall elements of the device.

[0022] The objective of the invention is also solved by a method for operating a wear measurement arrangement for monitoring the wear of at least one impact element of a bulk material device, in particular chutes, liners, hoppers, baffle installations or the like, whereas the impact element features one impact surface facing to the area for guiding said bulk material, whereas the method features at least the following steps: arranging a RADAR system in conjunction with the impact element, emitting a RADAR beam through the impact element towards the impact surface and / or receiving back the RADAR beam by the RADAR system, determining the wear of the impact element by measuring the run time of the RADAR beam reflected at the impact surface.

[0023] In the sense of the present invention, the reflection of the RADAR beam occurs on the impact surface from the inside of the impact element, because the bulk material contacts the impact surface from the outside. The bulk material device can feature a controller for operating the bulk material device, whereas the RADAR system features a processor unit which is connected to the controller, whereas the controller and / or the processor unit generates a signal, preferred to an operator, when the impact element has reached a wear threshold, when the wear is detected by the RADAR system and evaluated by the controller and / or the processor unit.

[0024] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The bulk material device as described above and the steps of the method as described, which can be used in accordance with the device as described in the embodiments, are not subject to any special exceptions with respect to the succession of steps, size, shape, the material selection and / or the technical concepts such as the selection criteria known in the pertinent field can be applied without limitations.

[0026] Additional details, characteristics, and advantages of the object of the invention are disclosed in the sub claims and the following description in conjunction with the respective figures which show preferred embodiments of the device and the method according to the invention. It is shown in:

[0027] Fig. 1 a schematic view of a bulk material device featuring a wear measurement arrangement in the form of a RADAR system and the inner side of the bulk material device features a number of impact elements,

[0028] Fig. 2 another embodiment of a bulk material device embodied as a conveyer system, whereas impact elements are arranged to ensure the bulk material falling or resting onto or on the conveyer belt, Fig. 3 a cross section of a wall element to which an impact element is attached,

[0029] Fig. 4 a number of impact elements with a number of dedicated RADAR systems forming a wear measurement arrangement and

[0030] Fig. 5 a schematic view of a rotary operating bulk material device for bulk material treatment, whereas the impact element features a RADAR system in conjunction with an energy harvesting system.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a perspective schematic view of a bulk material device 100 embodied as a material transfer system performed as a chute suited for the material charge e.g. onto a conveyer belt, onto a truck or rail wagon, into a bunker or the like. The bulk material device 100 features an internal space for guiding the bulk material, whereas the main body of the bulk material device 100 comprises wall elements 15. At the inner surface of the wall elements 15 facing to the internal space are attached impact elements 10 forming tiles, and impact elements 10 are arranged one next to the other. The impact elements 10 feature impact surfaces 11 facing to the interior space, and bulk material, which is guided by means of the bulk material device 100 in the interior space bumps against the impact surfaces 11 of the impact elements 10, and as a result, the impact surfaces 11 of the impact elements 10 are exposed to pressure by means of the movement of the hard bulk material.

[0032] The embodiment shows a wear measurement arrangement 1 performed as a RADAR system 12, and as an example only, when the bulk material is transferred from the top side to the bottom side through the internal space of the system 100, the position of the wear measurement arrangement 1 is in conjunction with an impact element 10 at a position, and this impact element 10 in this position is maximum pressurized by the bulk material.

[0033] The RADAR system 12 is arranged in conjunction with the impact element at its position in relation to the position of the RADAR system 12, and the RADAR system 12 is performed to direct a RADAR beam through the impact element towards the impact surface. By means of the arrangement as described, the wear measurement arrangement can be operated according to the method of the present invention, for monitoring the wear of the impact element 10 of the bulk material device 100. The RADAR system 12 is arranged in conjunction with the impact element and emits a RADAR beam through the impact element towards the impact surface, and the RADAR system 12 receives back the RADAR beam and can evaluate the thickness of the impact element 10 basing on the run time of the RADAR beam. As a result, the run time enables to measure the wear of the dedicated impact element inside the position of the RADAR system 12.

[0034] Figure 2 shows a conveyer belt 21 running on rollers 22 and the conveyer system represents another embodiment of a bulk material device 100 according to the present invention in conjunction with a conveyor belt 21 . On an opposite arrangement one to another there are respective impact elements 10 laterally arranged to the center of the conveyer belt 21 , so that the impact surfaces 11 of the impact elements 10 are facing one to another. At the back side 14 of the impact elements are arranged RADAR systems 12 forming wear measurement arrangements 1 , whereas the RADAR systems 12 are qualified to measure the thickness of the impact elements 10 by means of RADAR beams, which are not shown in detail.

[0035] The RADAR systems 12 are connected to a processor unit 20, and the processor unit 20 is formed to evaluate the thickness of the impact elements 10, which decreases, when the wear of the impact surfaces 11 of the elements 10 is progressing. The processor unit 20 can provide a wear signal of the wear status of the impact elements 10 to a controller 19 of the bulk material device forming the bulk material device 100. By means of this control system comprising the controller 19 and the processor unit 20, an operator of the bulk material device 100 or of an entire plant where the bulk material device 100 only forms one link in the processing chain for material handling.

[0036] Figure 3 shows a cross section of an impact element 10 of a bulk material device 100 in detail. The impact element 10 is attached to a wall element 15, and the impact surface 11 forms a front end of the impact element 10 for the contact to the bulk material, and a back side 14 of the impact element 10 is attached to the surface of the wall element 15. In order to fasten the impact element 10 to the wall element 15, the impact element 10 features magnet elements 16, to use a magnetic force between the magnet element 16 as a part of the impact element 10 and the wall element 15, whereas the latter is preferably made of steel.

[0037] In the wall element 15 is arranged the RADAR system 12 forming a wear measurement arrangement 1 and it is fastened by means of a retaining bracket 23 at the back side 14 of the impact element 10 as an example only. The front side of the RADAR system 12 features a RADAR active module 17, which is formed to generate a RADAR beam 13 which is directed towards the impact surface 11 coming from the inner side of the impact element 10. By means of measuring the run time of the RADAR beam 13 between the RADAR active module 17 and the impact surface 11 , the RADAR system 12 enables to provide a thickness information of the impact element 10 and thus an information containing the wear status of the element 10. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a wall element 15 of a bulk material device 100 to which are arranged a number of impact elements 10, whereas the impact elements 10 form tile elements arranged one next to the other. The impact elements 10 feature impact surfaces 11 which face towards the space for passing the bulk material.

[0038] At the rear side of the wall element 15 are arranged RADAR systems 12 for measuring the thickness of the impact elements 10 forming a wear measurement arrangement 1. According to another advantage, between the impact elements 10 in the tile format are arranged rubber grooves 24, whereas in a not shown manner, between the impact elements 10 and the wall element 15 is arranged a rubber layer, forming one rubber mass with the rubber in the rubber grooves 24. In other words, the impact elements 10 are received in rubber material, and due to the presence of the rubber material the impacts onto the impact elements 10 caused by the bulk material are absorbed.

[0039] Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a rotary operating bulk material device 100 for bulk material treatment like a rotary scrubber or a mill with a rotating unit 26, whereas in the inner surface of the rotating unit 26 are applied impact elements 10. As an example and for the purpose of the depiction only one impact element 10 features RADAR system 12 in conjunction with an energy harvesting system 18. The energy harvesting system 18 supplies energy gained from the rotary movement of the rotating unit 26 to the RADAR system 12, and the RADAR system 12 can communicate with the processor unit 20 e.g. via a wireless interconnection. The RADAR system 12 to form the wear measurement arrangement 1 is arranged at the back side 14 of an impact element 10 as an example only, and multiple of wear measurement arrangements 1 can be applied at a dedicated number of impact elements 10, as well as a number of energy harvesting systems 18 can be applied at the outer side of the rotating unit 26 or at each back sides 14 of the impact elements 10 as well. It is also part of the invention to perform a wear measurement arrangement 1 or a RADAR system 12, in particular, combined with an energy harvesting systems 18, so that each of the RADAR systems 12 features an energy autarkic function.

[0040] Reference Numbers:

[0041] I wear measurement arrangement

[0042] 10 impact element

[0043] I I impact surface

[0044] 12 RADAR system

[0045] 13 RADAR beam

[0046] 14 back side

[0047] 15 wall element

[0048] 16 magnet element

[0049] 17 RADAR active module

[0050] 18 energy harvesting system

[0051] 19 controller of the bulk material device

[0052] 20 processor unit

[0053] 21 conveyor belt

[0054] 22 roller

[0055] 23 retraining bracket

[0056] 24 rubber groove

[0057] 25 rubber layer

[0058] 26 rotating unit

[0059] 100 bulk material device

Claims

Claims:

1. Wear measurement arrangement (1 ) for monitoring the wear of at least one impact element (10) of a bulk material device (100) including a bulk material transfer, handling and / or treatment system like a chute, a rotary scrubber, a mill, an excavator, a liner, a hopper, a baffle arrangement or the like, whereas the impact element (10) features at least one impact surface (11 ) which is subject to wear by said bulk material within the bulk material device (100), characterized in that a RADAR system (12) is arranged in conjunction with the impact element (10), whereas the RADAR system (12) is performed to direct a RADAR beam (13) into the material of the impact element (10) towards the impact surface (11), to measure the reduction in thickness of the impact element (10).

2. Wear measurement arrangement (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the impact element (10) features a back side (14), which back side (14) is arranged opposite to the impact surface (11), whereas the RADAR system (12) is at least indirect mounted to or adjacent to the back side (14).

3. Wear measurement arrangement (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the impact element (10) features a tile form having the impact surface (11) forming the front side and / or having the back side (14) formed plane-parallel to the impact surface (11 ).

4. Wear measurement arrangement (1 ) according to one of the claims 1 to 3,characterized in that the impact element (10) features a hard rubber material and / or a ceramic material.

5. Wear measurement arrangement (1 ) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that bulk material device (100) features at least one wall element (15), to which the at least one impact element (10) is attached, whereas the RADAR system (12) is mounted to the wall element (15) or in between the wall element (15) and the impact element (10).

6. Wear measurement arrangement (1 ) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the impact element (10) features at least one magnet element (16), and the impact element (10) is attached to the wall element (15) by means of the magnet force of the magnet element (16).

7. Wear measurement arrangement (1 ) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the RADAR system (12) features a RADAR head having a RADAR active module (17), whereas the RADAR system (12) is arranged in such a way that the RADAR active module (17) is facing to the back side (14) of the impact element (10).

8. Wear measurement arrangement (1 ) according to one of the previous claims, characterized inthat an energy harvesting system (18) is provided to supply electric energy to the RADAR system (12), in particular a rotational pendulum harvesting system, and the energy harvesting system (18) and the RADAR system (12) form a modular unit.

9. Wear measurement arrangement (1 ) according to one of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the RADAR system (12) is formed to emit a pulsed or a frequency modulated RADAR beam (13) and / or the RADAR beam (13) features a frequency of 10 to 250 GHz.

10. Wear measurement arrangement (1 ) according to one of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the wall element (15) of the bulk material device (100) features an array of multiple of impact elements (10), whereas at least one or more RADAR systems (12) are arranged in conjunction with a number of impact elements (10) located at positions exposed to a maximum impact of said bulk material.11 . Method to operate a wear measurement arrangement (1 ) for monitoring the wear of at least one impact element (10) of a bulk material device (100) including a bulk material transfer, handling and / or treatment system like a chute, a rotary scrubber, a mill, an excavator, a liner, a hopper, a baffle arrangement or the like, whereas the impact element (10) features at least one impact surface (11 ) which is subject to wear by said bulk material within the bulk material device(100), whereas the method features at least the following steps:- arranging a RADAR system (12) in conjunction with the impact element (10),- emitting a RADAR beam (13) through the material of the impact element (10) towards the impact surface (11 ) and / or receiving back the RADAR beam (13) by the RADAR system (12) and- determining the wear of the impact element (10) by measuring the run time of the RADAR beam (13) reflected at the impact surface (11 ).

12. Method to operate a wear measurement arrangement (1 ) according to claim 11 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the bulk material device (100) features a controller (19) for operating the bulk material device (100), whereas the RADAR system (12) features a processor unit (20) which is connected to the controller (19) for operating the bulk material device (100), whereas the controller (19) and / or the processor unit (20) generates a signal, preferred to an operator, when the impact element (10) has reached a wear threshold, when the wear is detected by the RADAR system (12) and evaluated by the controller (19) and / or the processor unit (20).

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