Mobile Conveyor Temporary Support Reduces Bridge Strain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile bridge conveyor systems are excessively heavy and costly due to the structural design required to support tripper conveyor arrangements, which necessitates heavy crawler units and increased material and shipping costs, especially when the tripper is positioned at mid-span, leading to significant strain on the bridge frame and travel support means.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating temporary support means with regulation capabilities to establish and remove ground contact, reducing the strain on the bridge frame and travel support means, allowing for a lighter and less expensive structural design by supporting the conveyor only when necessary, and using hydraulic actuated cylinders for support pads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bridge frame is designed to support the tripper conveyor arrangement at mid-span, then the structural strength and stability are sufficient, but the weight and cost of the bridge frame and crawler units increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The support system transitions from a static heavy-duty frame designed for mid-span loading to a dynamic system where temporary supports are selectively deployed only when needed. The bridge frame's load-bearing requirement changes from continuous heavy support to intermittent light support, allowing weight reduction while maintaining strength during critical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is segmented between the permanent bridge frame and the deployable temporary supports. Rather than requiring the frame to handle all load conditions continuously, the temporary supports take over specific support tasks only when the tripper is positioned at mid-span, allowing the frame to be optimized for its base requirements rather than worst-case scenarios.
2Weight of moving object
If temporary support means are deployed to reduce bridge frame weight, then the weight and cost are reduced, but the structural stability during tripper movement may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Temporary supports are deployed in advance before the tripper reaches mid-span position and withdrawn after it passes. This preliminary deployment ensures that structural stability is maintained exactly when needed (during the critical mid-span period) while allowing the bridge to operate in a lighter configuration during other phases of the tripper's movement cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary supports operate periodically rather than continuously - they are deployed when the tripper approaches mid-span, remain in place during the critical loading period, and are withdrawn afterward. This periodic activation maintains structural stability during critical moments while minimizing the time the heavier configuration is in use, effectively reducing overall system weight requirements.
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
This solution reduces the overall weight and cost of the mobile conveyor apparatus, improves mobility, and enhances viability on inadequate ground conditions by distributing the load more efficiently, allowing for a reduced mass and size of the bridge and travel support means, while maintaining operational functionality.
Implementation Method 1
using hydraulic actuated cylinders for support pads
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a mobile conveyor apparatus comprising a bridge provided with at least one transport means for conveying material in the longitudinal direction of the bridge and support means extending from the bridge to the ground whereon the mobile conveyor apparatus is positioned where at least one of the support means is a travel support means connected to the bridge and being capable of moving the bridge on the ground and a movable conveyor arrangement supported by the bridge and configured for a back and forth movement on at least a portion of the bridge and being configured for interaction with the transport means. It is characterized in that at least one of the support means is a temporary support means comprising regulation means capable of establishing and removing ground contact.