Funnel Bucket Apparatus for Controlled Stemming Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stemming practices in construction and mining are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and inefficient, often resulting in material waste and increased manpower requirements, especially when manually shoveling and carrying buckets over harsh terrain.
Innovation Solution
A funnel bucket apparatus that can be mounted on typical machinery like front-end loaders, featuring a bucket and funnel cover with a hydraulic actuator system, discharge chute attachments, and a bucket vibrator, allowing for efficient and controlled deposition of stemming material into blast holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual shoveling and carrying buckets is used for stemming, then stemming material can be delivered to blast holes, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bucket and funnel into a single integrated apparatus that can be mounted on typical machinery. The bucket serves dual purposes: as a container for stemming material and as a delivery mechanism. The funnel is integrated into the bucket structure, eliminating the need for separate handling operations and enabling direct deposition of material into blast holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel bucket apparatus can be mounted on typical machinery such as front-end loaders, track hoes, and skid steer loaders, allowing these machines to perform both their standard functions and stemming operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized equipment and enables a single operator to complete stemming tasks that previously required multiple workers.
2Quantity of substance
If manual shoveling is used to fill buckets, then stemming material can be loaded, but material waste increases due to spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual shoveling process with a mechanical loading system. The bucket can be filled using typical machinery such as front end loaders, track hoes, or skid loaders, which can precisely control the loading process and minimize spillage. The hydraulic actuator system also provides controlled discharge of material, preventing waste during the deposition phase.
3Productivity
If standalone stemming apparatuses are used, then stemming efficiency improves, but equipment cost and transport difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel bucket apparatus is designed to be mounted on existing typical machinery platforms, eliminating the need for specialized standalone stemming equipment. The apparatus utilizes the mounting and maneuvering systems already present on front-end loaders, track hoes, and skid steer loaders, reducing both equipment cost and transport complexity while maintaining high stemming efficiency.
4Quantity of substance
If multiple laborers are deployed for stemming, then material can be handled, but manpower requirements and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel bucket apparatus enables a single operator to perform stemming operations that previously required three to four people. The operator controls the machinery to scoop material, transport it to blast holes, and deposit the material through the funnel. The hydraulic actuator system automatically controls the funnel cover opening and closing, reducing the need for additional laborers to manually handle material.
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 funnel bucket apparatus significantly reduces labor and time requirements, minimizes material waste, enhances workplace safety, and ensures proper stemming, leading to improved rock fragmentation and debris control during blasting operations.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator system connected to the bucket and the funnel cover is configured to move the funnel cover between open and closed positions with respect to the bucket
Implementation Method 2
embodiments of the funnel bucket described herein may include several other components for facilitating an effective rate of loading and deposition of stemming material, including a hydraulic actuator system, one or more discharge chute attachments, and a bucket vibrator
Data Source
AI summary
A funnel bucket apparatus is configured to be mountable to typical loader machinery for depositing flowable material at a deposit site. The apparatus includes a bucket and a funnel cover connected by hinges, a discharge chute attachment, a bucket vibrator, and a hydraulic actuator system. An operator controls the actuator system to move the bucket and funnel cover between open and closed positions such that the bucket retains typical loading functions while the apparatus is in the open position. When the bucket is loaded with material, the operator controls the actuator system to move the apparatus into the closed position and positions the apparatus over the deposit site. Material flows through a discharge opening in the funnel cover, through the discharge chute attachment, and down to the deposit site. Efficient and controllable flow rate of material may be facilitated by the bucket vibrator.