Mobile Mineral Processing Rig with Pivoting Chassis

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Solution Overview

Problem

In opencast mining, the use of static mineral processing plants leads to increased costs and inefficiencies due to the need for multiple dumper trucks and a fixed processing location, which becomes economically unsustainable as mining operations expand, and is further hindered by rising fuel costs and tyre shortages for these trucks.

Innovation Solution

A mobile mineral processing rig equipped with a feeder, mineral breaker, and discharge conveyor, supported by a primary and optional auxiliary transport carriage, allowing the rig to move and maintain continuous processing close to digging locations, reducing downtime and truck usage through pivoting and slewing capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a static mineral processing plant is used, then the processing infrastructure is simple and initial costs are lower, but the need for multiple dumper trucks increases and fuel consumption rises as mining operations expand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial processing infrastructure costVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mineral processing plant is designed as a mobile rig that can move from location to location within the mine, following the mining front. The rig includes a movable chassis with wheels and a body containing the mineral breaker and conveyor systems, allowing it to be repositioned as mining operations advance and the need for static infrastructure and multiple trucks is eliminated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile rig combines multiple functions into a single integrated system: the mineral breaker processes the mineral, the conveyor system transports it, and the entire unit can be repositioned autonomously. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate static processing plants and multiple dumper trucks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a static processing plant is located at a fixed position, then the processing location is stable, but more dumper trucks are required as shovels move further away

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing location stabilityVSAvoidnumber of dumper trucks

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The processing plant is transformed from a static fixed-location structure to a dynamic mobile rig that can move with the mining front. The rig includes a movable chassis with wheels and a body containing the mineral breaker and conveyor systems, allowing it to be repositioned as mining operations advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile rig acts as an intermediary between the shovels and the mineral processing function. By moving with the mining front, it maintains optimal positioning for receiving material from shovels while processing it, eliminating the need for multiple dumper trucks to bridge fixed distances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If dumper trucks are used to transport mineral, then mineral can be moved to a fixed processing plant, but tyre costs increase due to shortages and fuel consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemineral transport capabilityVSAvoidtyre consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile rig extracts and eliminates the dumper truck function from the system. Instead of using multiple trucks to transport mineral from shovels to a fixed plant, the rig moves directly to the shovel location and processes the mineral in-situ, removing the need for trucks and their associated tyre consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile rig is self-sufficient and autonomously positions itself at mining locations without requiring external transport vehicles. The rig includes its own movement capabilities and processing functions, allowing it to service the mining operation independently without dependency on dumper trucks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Quantity of substance

If the mobile rig is designed to move with the mining front, then truck requirements are reduced, but the rig must maintain continuous operation to minimize downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of trucks requiredVSAvoidprocessing downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile rig is designed to maintain continuous operation by moving with the mining front. The rig includes continuous conveyor systems and mineral breakers that operate without interruption as the rig repositions, ensuring uninterrupted mineral processing and eliminating downtime associated with fixed plants and truck coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS8020800B2Mobile rigs

Publication Date: 2011.09.20 MMD DESIGN & CONSULTANCY LTD

AI summary

A mobile rig for processing mineral material, comprising a feeder including a feed device for receiving mineral and a feeder conveyor arranged to convey mineral. The mobile rig includes a main chassis supporting a mineral breaker; and a discharge conveyor. The mineral breaker has an infeed region via which it receives mineral and a discharge region via which it discharges mineral after processing in the mineral breaker. The feeder conveyor is such as to convey mineral from the feed device to the infeed region of the mineral breaker and the discharge conveyor is such as to convey mineral from the discharge region of the mineral breaker. The rig includes a primary transport carriage on which the main chassis is supported.