Portable Conveyor System for Restricted Space Stemming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for stemming blast holes in construction and mining are labor-intensive and inefficient, especially in restricted spaces, as they often require manual handling or large vehicles that cannot access all areas and lack the ability for real-time material inspection.
Innovation Solution
A portable, self-loading and self-unloading material delivery apparatus with a hopper and rotating, tiltable conveyor system that allows for precise delivery and inspection of flowable materials, featuring a gas-powered vehicle with hydraulic conveyors and a vacuum system for efficient material handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If hand carrying buckets of stemming material is used, then material inspection capability is improved, but labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling (hand-carrying buckets) with an automated conveyor system that includes a feed conveyor and a main conveyor. The conveyor system mechanically transports stemming material from the hopper to the blast hole, eliminating manual labor while maintaining material inspection capability through the transparent hopper walls and controlled discharge rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed to be self-loading and self-unloading. The vehicle's vacuum system automatically loads stemming material into the hopper, and the conveyor system automatically unloads and delivers the material to blast holes. This self-service capability eliminates the need for separate loading and unloading operations, significantly improving productivity.
2Speed
If large dump trucks with conveyor systems are used, then delivery speed is improved, but adaptability to restricted spaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the material delivery function from the large vehicle platform. Instead of using a single large truck for both transport and precise delivery, the system separates these functions: the vehicle provides mobility and material storage, while the portable apparatus mounted on the vehicle provides precise material delivery to restricted spaces. This segmentation allows the system to access areas that would be unreachable by large trucks alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of portability and maneuverability by mounting the delivery apparatus on a vehicle platform rather than using ground-based large trucks. This dimensional change allows the system to operate in restricted spaces while maintaining delivery capability, as the apparatus can be positioned and oriented precisely at each blast hole location.
3Quantity of substance
If front end loaders are used for stemming, then material loading capability is improved, but material inspection capability and precision delivery deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the conveyor system as an intermediary between the hopper and the blast hole. The feed conveyor receives material from the hopper and transfers it to the main conveyor, which then delivers it precisely to the blast hole. This intermediary mechanism ensures controlled, precise delivery while maintaining the ability to load large quantities of material into the hopper using various methods including front end loaders.
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
Enables quick, convenient, and safe delivery of stemming material to blast holes in restricted spaces, allowing for real-time inspection and reducing labor and time consumption, while maintaining the effectiveness of the blasting process.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum system for receiving flowable material from the ground and moving the flowable material into the hopper
Implementation Method 2
hydraulic conveyors
Data Source
AI summary
A portable material delivery apparatus for transporting and depositing a flowable material at a deposit site, including a vehicle and a hopper mounted on the vehicle for holding the material and having a lower opening for releasing the material. First and second circulating conveyors move the material released from the hopper to the deposit site. The first conveyor is fixed beneath the hopper. The second conveyor is vertically tiltable and laterally rotatable relative to the first conveyor. The apparatus includes a control station with an operator platform and controls for controlling the conveyors. The control station is mounted to and is movable with the second conveyor as it tilts and rotates. The control station is positioned such that a single operator standing on the operator platform can operate the controls while directly observing the material moving on the second conveyor and being ejected toward the deposit site.