Mining Conveyor System With Rotatable Crawlers and Skid Pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor systems in mining applications lack flexibility and self-mobility, requiring external towing equipment for repositioning and not being able to adapt to varying heights and directions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with rotatable crawler members, a skid pad mechanism for elevation, and a discharge boom, allowing for self-mobility, self-positioning, and height adjustment, along with pivotable wing walls for material containment, enabling movement in multiple directions and heights without external assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional conveyor systems are used in mining applications, then material transport function is provided, but flexibility and self-mobility are lacking, requiring external towing equipment for repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the conveyor function with mobile platform capabilities by integrating crawler members and skid pad mechanisms directly into the conveyor system structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate towing equipment while providing self-mobility and repositioning capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system is designed to perform multiple functions: material transport, self-propulsion via crawler members, height adjustment via skid pads, and directional changes via rotatable crawlers and discharge boom. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate pieces of equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional conveyor systems are used, then material transport is achieved, but ability to adapt to varying heights and directions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic elements including rotatable crawler members that can change direction, a discharge boom that can pivot to adjust discharge direction, and skid pads that enable vertical height adjustment. These dynamic components allow the conveyor to adapt to varying operational requirements in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system performs its own repositioning and height adjustment operations without external assistance. The crawler members provide self-propulsion, the skid pads enable self-elevation, and the discharge boom allows self-directional adjustment, making the system self-sufficient in adapting to different operating conditions.
3Productivity
If external towing equipment is used for repositioning, then conveyor system can be moved, but operational efficiency is reduced due to dependency on external equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is equipped with its own propulsion and positioning mechanisms (crawler members and skid pads), enabling it to move and reposition itself without requiring external towing equipment. This self-service capability eliminates operational delays and increases productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system can change its operational parameters including position, height, and orientation through its integrated mobile mechanisms. The crawler members can rotate to change direction, the skid pads can adjust height, and the discharge boom can pivot, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor system includes a plurality of crawler members, a frame supported via the crawler members, a skid pad moveable relative to the frame to raise and lower the frame relative to a ground surface, and an intake structure supported by the frame. The intake structure includes a first conveyor. The conveyor system further includes a discharge boom supported by the frame. The discharge boom includes a second conveyor.