Cement Feed Apparatus for Mining Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for feeding cement to a cement silo attached to a mining machine are cumbersome, hazardous, and inefficient, particularly in underground mines with limited space, as they require manual handling and risk occupational safety due to the need for manual lifting and direct feeding from a high location, generating dust and requiring additional working platforms.
Innovation Solution
A feed apparatus comprising a receptacle, a transfer tube, and transfer means that allows for flexible positioning of cement feeding, enabling cement to be fed from a lower and more accessible location, using a screw conveyor or ejector within the transfer tube to move cement from the receptacle to the cement silo, avoiding direct feeding above the silo and reducing space and safety concerns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cement is fed directly to the cement silo positioned on top of the mining machine, then the cement feeding function is achieved, but the operational safety deteriorates and manual handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feed apparatus is designed to be movable between a tramming position (lower, safer location) and a use position (aligned with cement silo). This spatial dimensionality change allows the system to avoid permanent high-position installation while still achieving cement feeding function, thereby improving safety without sacrificing operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer tube with transfer means (screw conveyor or ejector) is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the receptacle and the cement silo. This intermediary system automates the cement transfer process, eliminating the need for manual handling and direct high-position feeding, thus improving both safety and ease of operation
2Ease of operation
If the cement silo is positioned on top of the mining machine, then the cement feeding function is achieved, but the space requirement increases and working platform complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feed apparatus is designed as a movable dynamic structure rather than a fixed static installation. It can be positioned at lower, more accessible locations during tramming and only connected to the cement silo when needed for feeding operations. This dynamic positioning reduces the need for permanent high-position structures and separate working platforms
Solution Approach 2:
The feed apparatus serves multiple functions: it acts as a receptacle for receiving cement, provides a transfer mechanism for moving cement, and can be positioned flexibly in different locations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate working platforms and reduces overall space requirements while maintaining feeding accessibility
3Productivity
If cement is fed from a high position directly to the cement silo, then the cement feeding function is achieved, but dust generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer tube with enclosed transfer means (screw conveyor or ejector) acts as an intermediary closed system for cement transport. This enclosed mechanism prevents cement dust from escaping into the environment during transfer, eliminating the dust generation problem associated with open high-position feeding while maintaining efficient cement delivery to the silo
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a safer, more convenient, and space-efficient method for feeding cement, reducing the need for manual handling and separate working platforms, while minimizing dust and improving operational safety in confined mining environments.
Implementation Method 1
using a screw conveyor or ejector within the transfer tube to move cement from the receptacle to the cement silo
Implementation Method 2
using a screw conveyor or ejector within the transfer tube to move cement from the receptacle to the cement silo
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4b
AI summary
A feed apparatus (3) for feeding cement to a cement silo (2) of a mining machine (1) comprises a receptacle (5) for receiving cement, a transfer tube (6) connected at a first end (6a) to the receptacle (5) for guiding the cement from the receptacle (5) to the cement silo (2) connectable at a second end (6b) of the transfer tube (6) and transfer means arranged in connection with the transfer tube (6) and arranged to move cement within the transfer tube (6) from the receptacle (5) to the cement silo (2). The transfer tube (6) comprises at least one transfer tube section comprising a tube-like inner space for cement to be transferred.