Stacker Reclaimer Center Column Support System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stacker/reclaimers require deep and expensive foundations to support the center column, which is challenging due to the need for inclined steel and concrete supports, making construction difficult and costly, especially when groundwater is present, and the deep foundation complicates earth-moving work.
Innovation Solution
A novel support system where the center column is directly supported on a thick and wide base plate at the bottom of the equalizing hopper foundation, with lateral support from the hopper walls, allowing for a simpler and lighter construction, and the center column is constructed with a circular cross-section above ground and a quadrangular shape underground, enabling a lower hopper design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the center column is supported with inclined steel and concrete supports onto an equalizing hopper foundation, then the vertical forces can be supported, but the construction becomes heavy, expensive, and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into distinct functional parts: a base plate for vertical load distribution, lateral support beams for horizontal stabilization, and wall supports for additional lateral reinforcement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall construction approach compared to monolithic inclined supports.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from three-dimensional inclined support structures to a two-dimensional planar support system using a base plate and lateral beams. By flattening the support geometry, the construction becomes simpler while maintaining load-bearing capacity through increased plate area and strategic positioning of support elements.
2Strength
If deep equalizing hopper foundation is constructed, then the center column can be supported, but earth-moving work becomes expensive and difficult, especially with groundwater present
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the foundation system by using a wide, shallow base plate instead of a deep, narrow foundation. This parameter change allows the foundation to distribute loads over a larger surface area, reducing the need for deep excavation while maintaining adequate support capacity. The base plate dimensions are specifically optimized to work with typical ground conditions without requiring excessive depth.
3Strength
If a thick and wide base plate is used to support the center column, then vertical loads can be transmitted to the ground, but the foundation size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is designed with non-uniform thickness, being thicker at the center where the column load is applied and gradually thinning toward the edges. This local quality variation allows the plate to efficiently transmit vertical loads to the ground while using less material overall. The lateral support beams are strategically positioned at specific locations rather than uniformly distributed, optimizing the use of materials while maintaining structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for stacking rolling material, such as e.g. wood chips, bark or grain into a pile (10) and reclaiming from the pile (10) to a material-discharging conveyor (20) located below the storing point, which apparatus comprises a center column (30) that supports a stacker boom (40) and a reclaimer boom (50), an equalizing hopper (60), at least one conveyor (25) located in the equalizing hopper (60) for transmitting the material being discharged to the discharging conveyor (20). A characteristic feature of the apparatus is that the center column (30) is supported directly through the equalizing hopper (60) onto the bottom of the equalizing hopper's (60) foundation.