Radial Stacker Angle Control for Bulk Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulk material stacking conveyors face challenges in efficiently stacking materials with low friction, such as river rock and salt, at steep angles, especially in varying weather conditions and on uneven terrain. Additionally, tracked vehicles used in harsh terrains struggle with radial movement and road transport due to their design.
Innovation Solution
The development of a portable radial stacker with a linear conveyor system that includes mid-wheels and a hydraulic wheel displacement system, allowing for radial shifting and adjustable conveyor angles. This system enables the stacker to maintain a horizontal hopper position and adjust the conveyor angle for different materials, while also facilitating movement on uneven terrain and road transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the conveyor angle is increased to stack materials in high piles, then the stacking height is improved, but low-friction materials cannot be conveyed effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by making the conveyor angle adjustable rather than fixed. The system can modify the conveyor angle parameter based on material friction characteristics - using steeper angles for high-friction materials and shallower angles for low-friction materials like river rock and salt, thereby resolving the contradiction between stacking height and material conveyance reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements dynamics through the adjustable conveyor angle mechanism that can be modified during operation. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different material properties and weather conditions, maintaining reliable conveyance across varying operational requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If tracked drives are used to move equipment over harsh terrain, then mobility on uneven terrain is improved, but radial movement and road transport become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the propulsion system into separate tracked drives and radial movement mechanism. This allows the tracked drives to handle terrain mobility while the radial movement system (with its wheeled axle and pivot plate) independently handles arc-shaped material stacking, resolving the conflict between terrain adaptability and radial movement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements universality through the dual-capability propulsion system that can operate on both tracked mode for harsh terrain and wheeled mode for road transport. The system universally handles multiple operational requirements - harsh terrain navigation, radial movement for stacking, and road transport - within a single integrated design
3Reliability
If the conveyor angle is reduced to convey low-friction materials, then material conveyance is improved, but the stacking height and pile size are substantially reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter changes by allowing dynamic adjustment of the conveyor angle. For low-friction materials, the system reduces the angle to ensure reliable conveyance, while compensating by extending conveyor operation time or making multiple passes to achieve the required stacking height, thus maintaining both conveyance reliability and stacking volume
4Reliability
If special conveyor belts with friction-increasing features are used for low-friction materials, then material conveyance is improved, but belt replacement becomes necessary and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent avoids the complexity of special belts by changing the operational parameter (conveyor angle) instead. By adjusting the angle to suit low-friction materials, the system maintains reliable conveyance using the existing belt, eliminating the need for belt replacement or modification and thereby reducing device complexity
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 solution allows for efficient stacking of low-friction materials at steep angles, improved operation in various weather conditions, and enhanced mobility on uneven terrain, while also simplifying road transport by enabling the stacker to be easily folded and transported.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic wheel displacement system, allowing for radial shifting
Implementation Method 2
at least one leg mounted to the frame below the hopper, the at least one leg including a hydraulic jack for increasing and decreasing the effective length of the leg
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein include a stacker for stockpiling bulk material. The stacker may include a linear conveyor having a rear portion including a hopper, and front portion, the conveyor being designed to carry bulk material along an elevating path from a low position adjacent the rear portion to a higher position adjacent the front portion. At least one leg may be mounted to the frame below the hopper, the at least one leg may include a hydraulic jack for increasing and decreasing the effective length of the leg, thereby raising and lowering the rear portion of the conveyor to increase and decrease a degree of elevation of the path. The hopper may be pivotally mounted to the conveyor, with hydraulic cylinders mounted thereto in order to raise and lower an end of the hopper to alter a degree of inclination of the hopper. Means may also be provided for maintaining the hopper in a horizontal disposition regardless of the degree of elevation of the conveyor.