Crusher feed chute cover

Abstract

Crusher feed chute cover, comprising a first part (10) and a second part (20) attached to each other with a hinged connection and together forming a wall (10b,20b) around and a roof (10a,20a) on top of a crusher (100) feed chute; wherein the first part (10) is pivotable around a pivot point (30) into a first, a second and a third position; further comprising a biasing element (40) configured to provide a force assisting in pivoting the first part (10) from the first or third position to the second position; and to provide a force slowing down the pivoting of the first part (10) from the second position to the first or third position

Description

[0001] CRUSHER FEED CHUTE COVER

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to mineral material processing. The disclosure relates particularly, though not exclusively, to mineral material crushing. The disclosure relates particularly, though not exclusively, to crusher feeding in mineral material processing.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] This section illustrates useful background information without admission of any technique described herein representative of the state of the art.

[0006] Mineral material processing sometimes carries the risk of dust and parts of material being processed spreading into the surrounding environment, for example rocks might fly out of a crusher feed chute. To lessen the risk, some cone crusher feed chutes have been previously surrounded by a collar wall. Such a solution does not comprise a cover, i.e. a roof, that will be required in some future regulations.

[0007] Since the collar wall increases the height of the mineral material processing plant and prevents access to the feed chute, previous collar walls consist of two parts hinged together so that one part can be pivoted on top of the other for access to the feed chute and for lowering into a transport position together with the feed conveyor. As the collar wall has significant weight, pivoting the wall to the maintenance and transport position has been difficult and time consuming, even without the added weight of the roof.

[0008] The inventors have found a way with which a foldable feed chute cover having a wall and a roof can be easily and safely operated, i.e. pivoted into different positions.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of present disclosure is set out by the independent claims. The embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various example embodiments.

[0011] According to a first example aspect of the present disclosure, there is Crusher feed chute cover, comprising a first part and a second part attached to each other with a hinged connection and together forming a wall around and a roof on top of a crusher feed chute; wherein the first part is pivotable around a pivot point into a first, a second and a third position; further comprising a biasing element configured to provide a force assisting in pivoting the first part from the first or third position to the second position; and to provide a force slowing down the pivoting of the first part from the second position to the first or third position.

[0012] The biasing element may not provide any force in the second position of the first part.

[0013] The biasing element may comprise a spring.

[0014] The biasing element may comprise an extension spring connected between the first and the second part.

[0015] The crusher feed chute cover may further comprise at least one locking arrangement for preventing the pivoting of the first part.

[0016] The first position may comprise an operating position.

[0017] The third position may comprise a maintenance and transport position.

[0018] The roof may be detachable from the first part and the roof may be detachable from the second part.

[0019] According to a second example aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a mineral material processing plant, comprising the crusher feed chute cover of the first example aspect; a crusher; and a feed conveyor.

[0020] The second part may be attached to a frame of the feed conveyor.

[0021] The feed conveyor and the feed chute cover with the first part pivoted into the third position is configured to be moved away from the crusher and lowered into a transport position.

[0022] The crusher may comprise a cone or gyratory crusher.

[0023] The mineral material processing plant may comprise a mobile plant. Different non-binding example aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated in the foregoing. The embodiments in the foregoing are used merely to explain selected aspects or steps that may be utilized in different implementations. Some embodiments may be presented only with reference to certain example aspects. It should be appreciated that corresponding embodiments may apply to other example aspects as well.

[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0025] Some example embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0026] Fig. 1 schematically shows a side view of a crusher feed chute cover according to an example embodiment in a first position;

[0027] Fig. 2 schematically shows a side view of a crusher feed chute cover according to an example embodiment in a second position;

[0028] Fig. 3 schematically shows a side view of a crusher feed chute cover according to an example embodiment in a third position;

[0029] Fig. 4 schematically shows a side view of a crusher feed chute cover according to an example embodiment in a fourth position; and

[0030] Fig. 5 schematically shows a side view of a mineral material processing plant according to an example embodiment.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the following description, like reference signs denote like elements or steps.

[0033] Fig. 1 schematically shows a side view of a crusher feed chute cover according to an example embodiment in a first position. The first position shown in Fig. 1 is an operation position, i.e. a position in which the crusher feed chute cover is closed and covers the feed chute of the crusher 100. In an example embodiment, the crusher comprises a cone or a gyratory crusher. Fig. 1 further shows a feed conveyor 50 configured to feed mineral material into the feed chute of the crusher.

[0034] The feed chute cover comprises a first part 10 and a second part 20. Together, in the first position, the first part 10 and the second part 20 cover the feed chute of the crusher 100 by forming a wall 10b, 20b and a roof 10a, 20a. In an example embodiment, the roof part 10a is a detachable part of the first part 10 and the roof part 20a is a detachable part of the second part 20 and can be removed in situations in which it is not needed, for example in case direct feeding from above is needed. In an example embodiment, the shape of the feed chute cover substantially corresponds to the shape of the feed chute. In an example embodiment the wall 10 has a circular, or cylindrical form surrounding the feed chute. In an example embodiment, the first 10 and / or second 20 part of the feed chute cover are constructed of metal plate, comprising metal such as steel. In a further example embodiment, the first 10 and / or second 20 part of the feed chute cover are constructed of a material other than metal. In a still further example embodiment the first part 10 and the second part 20 comprise material different from each other. In a still further example embodiment the roof part 10a and / or the roof part 20a comprise material different from each other and / or from the material of the first 10b and / or second 20b wall part.

[0035] The first part 10 and the second part 20 of the feed chute cover are attached to each other with a hinged connection at a pivot point 30. In an example embodiment, the second part 20 is a stationary part attached to the frame of the feed conveyor 50 and the first part 10 is pivotable around the pivot point 30. i.e. the feed chute cover is foldable. In an example embodiment, the hinged connection comprises a conventional hinge arrangement, for example holes and a pin or axis at two sides of the feed chute cover.

[0036] The feed chute cover further comprises a biasing element 40 configured to assist in pivoting the first part 10, i.e. to provide a force making the raising of the first part 10 from the first position shown in Fig. 1 lighter. The biasing element 40 is further configured to slower, i.e. retard or resist, the lowering of the first part 10 into the first, or closed, position, or into a third, or maintenance position, explained hereinafter with reference to Fig. 3, by providing a force in part countering the gravity caused by the weight of the first part 10.

[0037] In an example embodiment, the biasing element 40 comprises a spring, for example an extension spring as depicted in Fig. 1 , attached between the first part 10 and the second part 20 in such a way that the spring is extended at the first position and the third position. While Fig. 1 schematically shows an extension spring, the spring in an embodiment comprises a further type of spring instead of or in addition to the extension spring. In an example embodiment, the biasing element comprises at least one torsion spring around the hinge pin or axis or a leaf spring attached to the first part 10 and the second part 20. A spring as biasing element provides functionality without external energy being used and is a lightweight element adding no significant mass to the feed chute cover.

[0038] In an example embodiment in which the biasing element 40 comprises an extension spring, the spring is extended in the first position of the first part 10.

[0039] In a still further example embodiment, the biasing element comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic element configured to provide the same functionality as the spring, i.e. to provide a force making the raising of the first part 10 from the first position shown in Fig. 1 lighter, and to slower the lowering of the first part 10 into the first, or closed, position, or into the third position.

[0040] In a still further example embodiment, the biasing element comprises a counterweight attached to the first part 10 in such a way that it is configured to provide the same functionality as the spring, i.e. to provide a force making the raising of the first part 10 from the first position shown in Fig. 1 lighter, and to slower the lowering of the first part 10 into the first, or closed, position, or into the third position. The counterweight is in such an example embodiment positioned and the weight chosen in such a way as to minimize the additional weight added to the feed chute cover.

[0041] In an example embodiment, the feed chute cover further comprises at least one locking arrangement (not shown) configured to prevent the pivoting of the first part 10 and to lock the feed chute cover into the first, a second or the third position. While alone the weight of the first part 10 safely holds it substantially stationary in the first and the third position, at least one locking arrangement is provided in an example embodiment for further safety. In an example embodiment, the locking arrangement comprises a conventional arrangement, such as linchpin or a latch.

[0042] Fig. 2 schematically shows a side view of a crusher feed chute cover according to an example embodiment in a second position. Fig. 2 shows the same elements as Fig. 1. The second position shown in Fig. 2 is a neutral position in which the biasing element 40 does not exert any force on the first part 10. In an example embodiment in which the biasing element 40 comprises a spring, the spring is at a neutral, or resting or no-load, state, for example an extension spring is not extended, in the second position of the first part 10.

[0043] The first part 10 is, in an example embodiment, lifted to the second position from the first position manually. The lifting is assisted by the force provided by the biasing element 40 thus making the operation easier and increasing safety.

[0044] Fig. 3 schematically shows a side view of a crusher feed chute cover according to an example embodiment in a third position. Fig. 3 shows the same elements as Figs. 1 and 2. The third position shown in Fig. 3 is a maintenance and transport position in which the first part 10 is pivoted on top of the second part 20. The biasing element 40 slows down the descent of the first part 10 into the third position by providing a force countering the weight of the first part 10. In an example embodiment in which the biasing element 40 comprises an extension spring, the spring is extended in the third position of the first part 10. Fig. 4 schematically shows a side view of a crusher feed chute cover according to an example embodiment in a fourth position. Fig. 4 shows the same elements as Figs. 1 to 3. The first part 10 and the second part 20 remain pivoted in the same position as in the third position. The fourth position is a transport position of the mineral material processing plant in which the feed conveyor 50 has been moved away from the crusher 100 and lowered in order to decrease the height of the mineral material processing plant. The feed chute and the feed chute cover are moved away and lowered with the feed conveyor into a transport position at the side of the crusher 100.

[0045] Fig. 5 schematically shows a side view of a mineral material processing plant according to an example embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a mobile track-mounted mineral material processing plant 500 according to an example embodiment. The mineral material processing plant 500 in an example embodiment comprises a frame, or body, 110, a track base 120, a feed conveyor 50, a feed hopper 130 and a crusher 100. In an example embodiment, the crusher comprises a cone or gyratory crusher.

[0046] The mineral material processing plant 500 further comprises a motor unit 140 for driving the crusher 100 and a conveyor 150 for conveying crushed material for example to a pile. In an example embodiment, the mobile mineral material plant 500 is movable by other means such as by wheels, skids or legs. In a further example embodiment, the mineral material processing plant 500 is stationary. It is to be noted that the mineral material processing plant 500, in an example embodiment, comprises further elements not shown in Fig. 5.

[0047] The mineral material processing plant 500 further comprises the feed chute cover described hereinbefore with respect to Figs. 1 to 4 comprising the first part 10 and the second part 20. The feed chute cover is shown in the first position, i.e. in the operational or closed position.

[0048] Without in any way limiting the scope of the appended claims, some technical effects of the feed chute cover and mineral material processing plant according to example embodiments are explained in the following.

[0049] The feed chute cover according to example embodiments of the invention is configured to enable a safe and easy operation of the cover of the crusher without the usage of additional actuators requiring power.

[0050] Accordingly, a technical effect of example embodiment of the invention is a safer operation of the crusher. A further technical effect of the example embodiments of the invention is energy saving. A still further technical effect of the example embodiments of the invention is a quicker transfer from operation state to transport state. A still further technical effect of the example embodiments of the invention is increased lifetime of the parts of the cover. Various embodiments have been presented. It should be appreciated that in this document, words comprise; include; and contain are each used as open-ended expressions with no intended exclusivity.

[0051] The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples of particular implementations and embodiments a full and informative description of the best mode presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. It is however clear to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to details of the embodiments presented in the foregoing, but that it can be implemented in other embodiments using equivalent means or in different combinations of embodiments without deviating from the characteristics of the invention.

[0052] Furthermore, some of the features of the afore-disclosed example embodiments may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description shall be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention, and not in limitation thereof. Hence, the scope of the invention is only restricted by the appended patent claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Crusher feed chute cover, comprising a first part (10) and a second part (20) attached to each other with a hinged connection and together forming a wall (10b, 20b) around and a roof (10a,20a) on top of a crusher (100) feed chute; wherein the first part (10) is pivotable around a pivot point (30) into a first, a second and a third position; characterized by comprising a biasing element (40) configured to provide a force assisting in pivoting the first part (10) from the first or third position to the second position; and to provide a force slowing down the pivoting of the first part (10) from the second position to the first or third position.

2. The crusher feed chute cover of claim 1 , wherein the biasing element (40) does not provide any force in the second position of the first part (10)3. The crusher feed chute cover of claim 1 or 2, wherein the biasing element (40) comprises a spring.

4. The crusher feed chute cover of claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the biasing element (40) comprises an extension spring connected between the first (10) and the second (20) part.

5. The crusher feed chute cover of any preceding claim, further comprising at least one locking arrangement for preventing the pivoting of the first part (10).

6. The crusher feed chute cover of any preceding claim, wherein the first position comprises an operating position.

7. The crusher feed chute cover of any preceding claim, wherein the third position comprises a maintenance and transport position.

8. The crusher feed chute cover of any preceding claim, wherein the roof (10b) is detachable from the first part (10) and the roof (20b) is detachable from the second part (20).

9. A mineral material processing plant, comprising the crusher feed chute cover of any preceding claim; a crusher (100); and a feed conveyor (50).

10. The mineral material processing plant of claim 9, wherein the second (20) part isattached to a frame of the feed conveyor (50).11 . The mineral material processing plant of claim 9 or 10, wherein the feed conveyor and the feed chute cover with the first part (10) pivoted into the third position is configured to be moved away from the crusher (100) and lowered into a transport position.

12. The mineral material processing plant of claim 9, 10 or 11 , wherein the crusher(100) comprises a cone or gyratory crusher.

13. The mineral material processing plant of any preceding claim 9 to 12, wherein the mineral material processing plant comprises a mobile plant.

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