CONVEYING A MATERIAL TO BE CONVEYED

Abstract

The invention relates to a conveying system for conveying a material to be conveyed along a conveying path. The conveying system includes a conveying chamber in which the conveying path is arranged. At least one component of a conveying mechanism for conveying the material to be conveyed is arranged outside the conveying chamber. The conveying mechanism includes a traction drive having at least one traction element by means of which carrying elements can be moved in order to convey the material to be conveyed. The carrying elements are arranged in the conveying chamber and protrude through a through-opening out of the conveying chamber. Inside the conveying chamber and/or in the region of the through-opening, the surfaces of the carrying elements are at least partially provided with a thermal insulation material.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A conveying installation for conveying a material along a conveying path, comprising: a conveying chamber through which the conveying path passes; and at least one component of a conveying mechanism for conveying the material arranged at least outside the conveying chamber; wherein the conveying mechanism has a traction mechanism drive with at least one traction mechanism by which carrier elements are movable in order to convey the material; wherein the carrier elements are arranged in the conveying chamber and protrude out of the conveying chamber through at least one passage opening; wherein at least parts of the conveying installation at least within at least one of the conveying chamber and in a region of the passage opening are at least partially provided with a thermal insulation material; wherein at least one of: surfaces of the carrier elements at least within at least one of the conveying chamber and in the region of the passage opening are at least partially provided with a thermal insulation material, and at least one container for receiving the material for conveying is arranged on at least one of the carrier elements; and wherein at least one of a surface and an inner surface of the container is at least partially provided with a thermal insulation material.

14. The conveying installation as claimed in claim 13, wherein a separating surface between a surface of the conveying chamber within the conveying chamber and at least one adjacent outer surface of the conveying chamber is at least partially provided with the thermal insulation material.

15. The conveying installation as claimed in claim 13, wherein the surfaces of the conveying chamber are at least partially provided with the thermal insulation material toward an environment.

16. The conveying installation as claimed in claim 13, wherein surfaces of the carrier elements outside the conveying chamber are not provided with a thermal insulation material.

17. The conveying installation as claimed in claim 13, wherein surfaces of the carrier elements outside the conveying chamber are at least partially provided with a thermal insulation material.

18. The conveying installation as claimed in claim 13, wherein: at least one secondary chamber is provided which is connected to the conveying chamber by the at least one passage opening; and the carrier elements protrude through the at least one passage opening into the at least one secondary chamber and the traction mechanism is arranged in at least one of the secondary chambers.

19. The conveying installation as claimed in claim 18, wherein the secondary chamber has a fluid atmosphere differing at least one of physically and chemically from a fluid atmosphere in the conveying chamber.

20. The conveying installation as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one of the conveying chamber and the secondary chamber are part of an installation housing and the installation housing has at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet and, apart from the at least one fluid inlet and the at least one fluid outlet, is designed to be fluid-tight or approximately fluid-tight.

21. The conveying installation as claimed in claim 18, wherein the carrier elements at least partially separate the conveying chamber from the secondary chamber, in which at least one traction mechanism is arranged.

22. The conveying installation as claimed in claim 18, further comprising one of a fluid infeed and a fluid circuit system, the one of the fluid infeed and the fluid circuit system comprising at least one secondary chamber configured for conducting a fluid through the at least one passage opening between the secondary chamber and the conveying chamber.

23. The conveying installation as claimed in claim 18, wherein a fluid circuit system is not provided.

24. The conveying installation as claimed in claim 13, wherein surfaces of the carrier elements are at least partially provided with the thermal insulation material on their top side and their bottom side.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] The above-described characteristics, features and advantages of this invention, and the manner in which these are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understandable in conjunction with the following description of exemplary embodiments, which will be discussed in more detail in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0078] FIG. 1 schematically shows a first exemplary embodiment of a conveying installation with a first exemplary embodiment of a fluid circuit system,

[0079] FIG. 2 schematically shows a second exemplary embodiment of a conveying installation,

[0080] FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of a third exemplary embodiment of a conveying installation,

[0081] FIG. 4 shows a sectional illustration of the conveying installation illustrated in FIG. 3,

[0082] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of a fluid circuit system of a conveying installation,

[0083] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a third exemplary embodiment of a fluid circuit system of a conveying installation,

[0084] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a fluid circuit system of a conveying installation,

[0085] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a fluid circuit system of a conveying installation,

[0086] FIG. 9 shows a sectional illustration of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a conveying installation,

[0087] FIG. 10 shows a schematic sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a conveying installation with carrier elements which are provided with a thermal insulation material within a conveying chamber and in the region of a passage opening,

[0088] FIG. 11 shows a profile of a temperature in the material of the carrier element from FIG. 10 along a main axis of the carrier element,

[0089] FIG. 12 shows a schematic sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a conveying installation with carrier elements which are provided with a thermal insulation material in the region of a passage opening and adjacent thereto, and

[0090] FIG. 13 shows a profile of a temperature in the material of the carrier element from FIG. 12 along a main axis of the carrier element.

[0091] Parts which correspond to one another are denoted by the same reference designations in all of the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0092] FIG. 1 schematically shows a first exemplary embodiment of a conveying installation 1 for conveying a material for conveying along a conveying path. The conveying installation 1 comprises an installation housing 3, which has a conveying chamber 5 and a secondary chamber 7. At least the conveying path is arranged in the conveying chamber 5. The secondary chamber 7 is arranged laterally at the conveying chamber 5 and is connected to the conveying chamber 5 by multiple passage openings 9. Furthermore, the conveying installation 1 has a fluid circuit system 11 which comprises the secondary chamber 7 and which is designed for conducting a fluid, for example an inert gas, through the passage openings 9 from the secondary chamber 7 into the conveying chamber 5. Flow directions of the fluid are indicated in FIG. 1 by arrows. Instead of multiple passage openings 9, it is also possible for one continuous slot-like passage opening 9 to be provided.

[0093] The material for conveying is for example a reactive and/or hot and/or abrasive material for conveying. In particular, harmful and/or environmentally damaging fluid may escape from the material for conveying, which fluid therefore should not escape in uncontrolled fashion into the environment. Furthermore, dust may form during the transport of the material for conveying in the conveying chamber 5.

[0094] The conveying chamber 5 and the secondary chamber 7 have fluid atmospheres which differ physically and/or chemically. In particular, the fluid atmosphere in the secondary chamber 7 has a higher fluid pressure than the fluid atmosphere in the conveying chamber 5. It is achieved in this way that fluid flows through the passage openings 9 from the secondary chamber 7 substantially into the conveying chamber 5, and not in the opposite direction from the conveying chamber 5 into the secondary chamber 7. The fluid atmosphere in the conveying chamber 5 may, in particular in the case of a hot material for conveying, have a higher temperature than the fluid atmosphere in the secondary chamber 7, and/or may contain gas that has escaped from the material for conveying and/or may contain dust that forms during the transport of the material for conveying. The relatively high fluid pressure in the secondary chamber 7 and the resulting fluid flow from the secondary chamber 7 into the conveying chamber 5 advantageously also prevent the ingress of said gas and/or dust from the conveying chamber 5 into the secondary chamber 7.

[0095] The conveying path runs in the conveying chamber 5 between a first conveying chamber end 13 and a second conveying chamber end 15. In the region of the first conveying chamber end 13, material for conveying is introduced into the conveying chamber 5. At the second conveying chamber end 15, the material for conveying is discharged from the conveying chamber 5. The first conveying chamber end 13 is for example designed to be closed or closable, whereas the second conveying chamber end 15 has a first fluid outlet 17 through which fluid flows out of the conveying chamber 5, for example together with the material for conveying. The installation housing 3 furthermore has a second fluid outlet 18 through which fluid circulating in the fluid circuit system 11 is discharged from the secondary chamber 7. Furthermore, the installation housing 3 may have further fluid outlets 19 through which fluid can be extracted from the conveying chamber 5, for example if a fluid pressure in the conveying chamber 5 overshoots a pressure threshold value (such fluid outlets 19 may for example have in each case one safety element, for example a safety valve, for example if a safety study considers this to be necessary). The installation housing 3 furthermore has a first fluid inlet 21, through which fluid circulating in the fluid circuit system 11 is fed into the secondary chamber 7. Furthermore, the installation housing 3 may have further fluid inlets 22, through which fluid can be fed to the conveying chamber 5, for example in order to influence a fluid flow in the conveying chamber 5. Aside from the fluid outlets 17 to 19 and the fluid inlets 21, 22, the installation housing 3 is of fluid-tight design. In other exemplary embodiments, the first fluid inlet 21 and/or the second fluid outlet 18 may also be arranged at locations other than the locations of the secondary chamber 7 shown in FIG. 1, for example may be interchanged with one another in relation to FIG. 1.

[0096] By means of this substantially fluid-tight design of the installation housing 3, an escape of fluid from the installation housing 3 is restricted to the fluid outlets 17 to 19, such that an only relatively small amount of fluid escapes from the installation housing 3. Furthermore, fluid that has been discharged from the second fluid outlet 18 is fed back to the secondary chamber 7 through the fluid circuit system 11 via the first fluid inlet 21. Moreover, fluid emerging from the first fluid outlet 17 and/or from at least one further fluid outlet 19 may possibly be at least partially collected, fed to the fluid circuit system 11 (possibly after cleaning, in this regard see FIG. 2 and FIG. 8) and recycled. Altogether, it is thus possible for the amount of fluid to be fed to the installation housing 3 to be kept relatively low. In this way, the consumption of fluid and the costs for the fluid are advantageously reduced.

[0097] A further advantage of the substantially fluid-tight design of the installation housing 3 and of the higher fluid pressure in the secondary chamber 7 in relation to the conveying chamber 5 is that harmful and/or environmentally damaging fluid that has escaped from the material for conveying can likewise emerge from the conveying chamber 5 only at the fluid outlets 17, 19 and be disposed of there. The same applies to dust that is situated in the conveying chamber 5.

[0098] In the secondary chamber 7, there are arranged for example components of a conveying mechanism for conveying the material for conveying.

[0099] The fluid circuit system 11 conducts fluid through the secondary chamber 7, out of the secondary chamber 7 through the second fluid outlet 18, and, for example by means of pipelines, via a turbomachine 25 and optionally via a heat exchanger 27 and back into the secondary chamber 7 through the first fluid inlet 21. Furthermore, the fluid circuit system 11 has a fluid feed 29, through which fluid can be fed to the fluid circuit system 11, in particular in order to replace fluid that is discharged from the secondary chamber 7 into the conveying chamber 5 through the passage openings 9. The turbomachine 25 is a blower or a pump, depending on whether the fluid is a gas or a liquid. The optional heat exchanger 27 serves for cooling the fluid. It is advantageous in particular in cases in which a hot material for conveying is transported in the conveying chamber 5 and components, which are to be cooled, of a conveying mechanism for conveying the material for conveying are arranged in the secondary chamber 7. In these cases, the fluid conducted into the secondary chamber 7 and cooled by means of the heat exchanger 27 can advantageously also be used for cooling the components of the conveying mechanism arranged in the secondary chamber 7. Alternatively or in addition, the conveying installation may have a separate cooling device (not illustrated) for cooling the secondary chamber 7. For example, the cooling device may have a cooling pipe which is fillable with a coolant or multiple cooling pipes, wherein at least one cooling pipe may be situated within the secondary chamber 7.

[0100] FIG. 2 schematically shows a second exemplary embodiment of a conveying installation 1. The conveying installation 1 differs from the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 substantially by a fluid recycling unit 70 for receiving fluid that emerges from the conveying chamber 5 through the fluid outlet 17. The fluid recycling unit 70 has a fluid cleaning unit 72 for cleaning the fluid that is received from the conveying chamber 5. A part of the cleaned fluid is fed back directly into the conveying chamber 5 via a fluid inlet 22. The other part of the cleaned fluid is fed back into the conveying chamber 5 indirectly by being fed to the fluid circuit system 11 via the fluid feed 29. In the ideal case, all of the fluid that emerges from the conveying chamber 5 is fed back into the conveying chamber 5, such that no further infeed of fluid into the conveying installation 1 is necessary.

[0101] Modifications of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 may provide for the fluid recycling unit 70 to alternatively or additionally receive fluid emerging from the conveying chamber 5 from another fluid outlet 19. Furthermore, provision may be made whereby fluid is alternatively or additionally fed back directly into the conveying chamber 5 through the fluid outlet 17. Further modifications of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 may provide for fluid to be fed back into the conveying chamber 5 either only indirectly via the fluid circuit system 11 or only directly. Furthermore, fluid may be fed to the fluid circuit system 11 at some other location instead of via the fluid feed 29, for example upstream of the heat exchanger 27, in order to cool the fluid. Furthermore, the fluid cleaning unit 72 may be omitted if cleaning of the fluid is not necessary.

[0102] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a third exemplary embodiment of a conveying installation 1 for conveying a material for conveying along a conveying path. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the conveying installation 1. FIG. 4 shows a sectional illustration of the conveying installation 1.

[0103] The conveying installation 1 comprises an installation housing 3, which has a conveying chamber 5, three secondary chambers 6 to 8, and two additional chambers 31, 32.

[0104] The conveying chamber 5 is of ring-shaped form with two horizontally running horizontal portions 34, 36 and two vertically running diverting portions 38, 40. A lower horizontal portion 34 runs below and is spaced apart from an upper horizontal portion 36. The diverting portions 38, 40 form oppositely situated conveying chamber ends 13, 15 of the conveying chamber 5 and each connect the two horizontal portions 34, 36 to one another. The conveying path runs in the upper horizontal portion 36 of the conveying chamber 5 between a first conveying chamber end 13 formed by a first diverting portion 38 and a second conveying chamber end 15 formed by a second diverting portion 40. In the vicinity of the first conveying chamber end 13, the installation housing 3 has a charging inlet 42 which is arranged above the upper horizontal portion 36 and through which material for conveying is introduced into the conveying chamber 5. In the region of the second conveying chamber end 15, the installation housing 3 has a discharge opening 44 which is arranged below the second diverting portion 40 and through which material for conveying is discharged out of the conveying chamber 5.

[0105] The secondary chambers 6 to 8 are in each case likewise of ring-shaped form. The conveying chamber 5 runs around a first secondary chamber 6, wherein a bottom side of the upper horizontal portion 36, a top side of the lower horizontal portion 34 and the two diverting portions 38, 40 of the conveying chamber 5 join the first secondary chamber 6. A second secondary chamber 7 and the third secondary chamber 8 are arranged at different sides of the first secondary chamber 6 and in each case adjoin an outer side of the first secondary chamber 6 along the entire ring-shaped course thereof.

[0106] The conveying chamber 5 and the first secondary chamber 6 are separated from one another by carrier elements 46, by means of which the material for conveying is transported. The material for conveying is for example transported directly by means of the carrier elements 46 or in containers arranged on the carrier elements 46. The carrier elements 46 are designed for example as carrier plates. In the first secondary chamber 6, there are arranged traction mechanisms 48, which each run in encircling fashion within the first secondary chamber 6 along the ring-shaped course thereof and are connected to the carrier elements 46. The traction mechanisms 48 are for example designed as drive chains. With the traction mechanisms 48, the carrier elements 46 are movable along a closed path, which comprises the conveying path, in the installation housing 3.

[0107] Each traction mechanism 48 runs, below the upper horizontal portion 36 and above the lower horizontal portion 34 of the conveying chamber 5, rectilinearly between two diverting regions 50, 52 which are situated in each case in the region of one conveying chamber end 13, 15 and in which the traction mechanism 48 is diverted.

[0108] The traction mechanisms 48 are each driven by means of two drive wheels 54 which are arranged in each case in a diverting region 50, 52 of the traction mechanisms 48. The traction mechanisms 48 and drive wheels 54 form a traction mechanism drive, by means of which the carrier elements 46 are moved. One of the two additional chambers 31, 32 is arranged at each diverting region 50, 52, in which additional chamber the drive wheels 54 of said diverting region 50, 52 are arranged. Each additional chamber 31, 32 adjoins the first secondary chamber 6 and has, for each of the drive wheels 54 arranged therein, connecting openings 56 to the first secondary chamber 6, through which connecting openings the drive wheel 54 projects into the first secondary chamber 6.

[0109] The second secondary chamber 7 and the third secondary chamber 8 are connected in each case by means of a passage opening 9, which for example runs in ring-shaped encircling fashion and is of slot-like form, to the conveying chamber 5 and to the first secondary chamber 6. The carrier elements 46 project through said passage openings 9 into the second secondary chamber 7 and into the third secondary chamber 8. In the second secondary chamber 7 and in the third secondary chamber 8, there are arranged, in each case, guide wheels 58 by means of which the carrier elements 46 are guided. At least one secondary chamber 6 to 8 may furthermore additionally be connected by means of at least one further passage opening 10 to the conveying chamber 5. For example, further passage openings 10 between the first secondary chamber 6 and the conveying chamber 5 may be realized by means of gaps between the carrier elements 46.

[0110] Analogously to the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the installation housing 3 has fluid outlets 17 to 19 and fluid inlets 21, 22. A first fluid outlet 17 coincides for example with the discharge opening 44. Furthermore, the second secondary chamber 7 and/or the third secondary chamber 8 may have at least one second fluid outlet 18, and/or the conveying chamber 5 may have at least one further fluid outlet 19. Furthermore, the second secondary chamber 7 and/or the third secondary chamber 8 may have at least one first fluid inlet 21, and/or the conveying chamber 5 and/or the first secondary chamber 6 and/or at least one additional chamber 31, 32 may have at least one further fluid inlet 22, wherein, for example, the charging inlet 42 may be a fluid inlet 22.

[0111] As in the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the installation housing 3 is of fluid-tight design aside from the fluid outlets 17 to 19 and the fluid inlets 21, 22, resulting in the advantages already described above with regard to a reduced fluid amount requirement and a controlled discharge and disposal of gas and dust from the conveying chamber 5.

[0112] Furthermore, the conveying chamber 5 and the secondary chambers 6 to 8 have, as in the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, fluid atmospheres which differ physically and/or chemically. In particular, the fluid atmospheres in each secondary chamber 6 to 8 connected to the conveying chamber 5 by means of at least one passage opening 9, 10 have a higher fluid pressure than the fluid atmosphere in the conveying chamber 5. It is achieved in this way that fluid, dust and gas that has escaped from the material for conveying do not flow directly out of the conveying chamber 5 into the secondary chambers 6 to 8, and flow in the conveying chamber 5 in a controlled manner to the fluid outlets 17 to 19. Furthermore, the components of the conveying mechanism that are arranged in the secondary chambers 6 to 8, in particular the traction mechanisms 48 and drive wheels 54, can be cooled by fluid that is conducted into the secondary chambers 6 to 8. The opening widths of the passage openings 9, 10 may vary along the courses of the passage openings 9, 10. For example, the slot-like passage openings 9 may be wider in the diverting regions 50, 52 of the traction mechanisms 48 than between the diverting regions 50, 52. Regions of the secondary chambers 6 to 8 with relatively narrow passage openings 9, 10 are particularly advantageously suitable for the cooling of components of the conveying mechanism that are arranged there in the secondary chambers 6 to 8, such as the traction mechanisms 48 and drive wheels 54, with fluid, because particularly high fluid flows of the fluid arise in said regions. Furthermore, regions of the secondary chambers 6 to 8 with relatively narrow passage openings 9, 10 are particularly advantageously suitable for the introduction of fluid into the secondary chambers 6 to 8, because less fluid flows from the secondary chambers 6 to 8 into the conveying chamber 5 in these regions than in regions with relatively wide passage openings 9, 10, such that the introduced fluid can be distributed over greater regions of the secondary chambers 6 to 8.

[0113] Analogously to the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may also have a fluid circuit system 11 in order to control and optimize the fluid flow. FIGS. 4 to 7 show block diagrams of different embodiments of such fluid circuit systems 11.

[0114] The exemplary embodiment of a conveying installation 1 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be modified in a variety of ways. For example, traction mechanisms 48 may be arranged below, above and/or to the side of the conveying chamber 5, and/or a different number of traction mechanisms 48 may be provided, for example only one traction mechanism 48. Furthermore, separate additional chambers 31, 32 for the drive wheels 54 may be omitted. Furthermore, the conveying path may also, instead of horizontally, run at an angle with respect to the horizontal, or may have a course which deviates from a straight course, for example a S-shaped or Z-shaped course, wherein the installation housing 3 is designed correspondingly to the course of the conveying path. Furthermore, the fluid outlet 17 may also be operated as a (further) fluid inlet.

[0115] FIG. 5 shows a fluid circuit system 11 into which the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and the additional chambers 31, 32 are integrated. The fluid circuit system 11 conducts fluid through each secondary chamber 6 to 8 and each additional chamber 31, 32, discharges fluid from the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and the additional chambers 31, 32, and conducts said fluid via a turbomachine 25 and optionally via a heat exchanger 27 back to the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and/or to the additional chambers 31, 32. Furthermore, fluid is conducted from the secondary chambers 6 to 8 through the passage openings 9, 10 into the conveying chamber 5. The fluid circuit system 11 has a fluid feed 29, through which fluid can be fed to the fluid circuit system 11, in particular in order to replace fluid that is discharged from the secondary chambers 6 to 8 through the passage openings 9, 10 into the conveying chamber 5. The first secondary chamber 6 has a higher fluid pressure than the other secondary chambers 7, 8, the additional chambers 31, 32 and the conveying chamber 5, such that fluid flows from the first secondary chamber 6 into the other secondary chambers 7, 8, the additional chambers 31, 32 and the conveying chamber 5. Furthermore, the second secondary chamber 7 and the third secondary chamber 8 have a higher fluid pressure than the conveying chamber 5, such that fluid flows from the second secondary chamber 7 and the third secondary chamber 8 into the conveying chamber 5.

[0116] FIG. 6 shows a fluid circuit system 11 which differs from the fluid circuit system 11 shown in FIG. 5 only in that the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and the additional chambers 31, 32 have an identical fluid pressure, such that fluid is exchanged between the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and the additional chambers 31, 32. The fluid pressure in the secondary chambers 6 to 8 is again higher than in the conveying chamber 5, such that fluid flows from each secondary chamber 6 to 8 into the conveying chamber 5.

[0117] FIG. 7 shows a fluid circuit system 11 which differs from the fluid circuit system 11 shown in FIG. 6 only by a closed-loop control system 80 for the closed-loop control of fluid flows between the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and the conveying chamber 5. The closed-loop control system 80 comprises pressure measuring devices 82 for detecting pressures in the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and the conveying chamber 5 and control units 84 for monitoring pressure differences between said pressures and for the closed-loop control of the fluid flows between the secondary chambers 6 to 8 and the conveying chamber 5 in a manner dependent on the pressure differences. The closed-loop control of the fluid flows is performed by means of an activation of control valves 86 of the fluid circuit system 11.

[0118] FIG. 8 shows a fluid circuit system 11, which differs from the fluid circuit system 11 shown in FIG. 7 only in that fluid emerging from the conveying chamber 5 through fluid outlets 17, 19 is partially collected, and fed back to the fluid circuit system 11, by means of a fluid recycling unit 70. The fluid recycling unit 70 may optionally have a fluid cleaning unit 72, by means of which fluid that has emerged from the conveying chamber 5 is cleaned, for example of gas that has escaped from the material for conveying and/or of dust, before being fed to the fluid circuit system 11.

[0119] FIG. 9 shows a sectional illustration of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a conveying installation 1. This exemplary embodiment differs from the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 substantially only in that the first secondary chamber 6 has been omitted and the conveying chamber 5 extends into a region which is occupied by the first secondary chamber 6 in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The traction mechanisms 48, which in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are arranged in the first secondary chamber 6, are arranged in the secondary chambers 7, 8 in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, wherein a traction mechanism 48 is arranged in each of said secondary chambers 7, 8.

[0120] Analogously to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the secondary chambers 7, 8 are each connected to the conveying chamber 5 by means of a slot-like passage opening 9 which runs in ring-shaped encircling fashion. The carrier elements 46 project through said passage openings 9 into the secondary chambers 7, 8. In the secondary chambers 7, 8, there are in each case again arranged guide wheels 58 by means of which the carrier elements 46 are guided.

[0121] Each traction mechanism 48 is, analogously to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, driven by means of two drive wheels 54, which are arranged in each case in a diverting region 50, 52 of the traction mechanism 48 and are in contact with the traction mechanism 48. At each diverting region 50, 52, there is again arranged an additional chamber 31, 32 in which the drive wheels 54 of said diverting region 50, 52 are arranged. Each additional chamber 31, 32 adjoins both secondary chambers 7, 8 and has, for each of the drive wheels 54 arranged therein, connecting openings 57 through which the drive wheel 54 projects into the respective secondary chamber 7, 8, in which the traction mechanism 48 connected to the drive wheel 54 is arranged.

[0122] By contrast to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the carrier elements 46 do not delimit the conveying chamber 5, but rather are spaced apart from a conveying chamber wall 60 of the conveying chamber 5. The conveying chamber wall 60 may have a thermal insulation layer 62.

[0123] As a result of the relocation of the traction mechanisms 48 into the secondary chambers 7, 8, the construction of the installation housing 3 is simplified in relation to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 owing to the omission of the first secondary chamber 6, which, in that exemplary embodiment, forms a separate traction mechanism chamber for the traction mechanisms 48. Furthermore, the cooling of the traction mechanisms 48 in the case of transport of hot material for conveying is simplified. Specifically, it is firstly the case that the cooling of the first secondary chamber 6 is omitted. Secondly, in the case of transport of hot material for conveying, the traction mechanisms 48 are less intensely heated, and therefore also require less intense cooling, because the traction mechanisms 48 are arranged now no longer at a central region of the carrier elements 46, which is particularly intensely heated by the material for conveying, but rather at the relatively cool edge regions of the carrier elements 46, with a considerably greater spacing to the material for conveying.

[0124] As a result of the spacing of the carrier elements 46 from the conveying chamber wall 60, it is furthermore the case that a substantially homogeneous fluid atmosphere forms above and below the carrier elements 46, whereby it is advantageously the case in particular that temperature differences and turbulent flows within the conveying chamber 5 are reduced. The spacing of the carrier elements 46 from the conveying chamber wall 60 and thermal insulation of the conveying chamber wall 60 by means of the thermal insulation layer 62 furthermore advantageously reduce the heat losses from the conveying chamber 5, such that, in the case of transport of hot material for conveying, the temperature of the material for conveying can be more effectively kept at an approximately constant level along the conveying path.

[0125] The exemplary embodiment of a conveying installation 1 shown in FIG. 9 may for example be modified such that the additional chambers 31, 32 are omitted. For example, the secondary chambers 7, 8 may be enlarged, such that each drive wheel 54 is arranged in one secondary chamber 7, 8.

[0126] Furthermore, the installation housing 3 may be designed for discharging material for conveying that falls from carrier elements 46 during the conveyance along the conveying path, in order that the conveying chamber 5 does not gradually become blocked by material for conveying that falls from carrier elements 46. For this purpose, the base of the upper region of the conveying chamber 5 is, for example as in FIG. 9, of trough-like form and inclined relative to the horizontal, such that material for conveying that falls from carrier elements 46 can slide to a disposal opening in the conveying chamber wall 60, for example in the base of the upper region of the conveying chamber 5, and can be discharged from the conveying chamber 5 through the disposal opening. Alternatively, the base of the upper region of the conveying chamber 5 may also have one continuous disposal opening, under which there are arranged, for example, fluid-tight chutes via which material for conveying that falls from carrier elements 46 is disposed of. The installation housings 3 of conveying installations 1 that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 may also be similarly designed for discharging material for conveying that falls from carrier elements 46 during the conveyance along the conveying path.

[0127] FIG. 10 shows a schematic sectional view of a conveying installation 1 which can be substantially designed as in the previously described exemplary embodiments.

[0128] Analogously to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the secondary chambers 7, 8 are each connected to the conveying chamber 5 by means of a slot-like passage opening 9 which runs in ring-shaped encircling fashion. The carrier elements 46 project through said passage openings 9 into the secondary chambers 7, 8. In the secondary chambers 7, 8, there are in each case again arranged guide wheels 58 by means of which the carrier elements 46 are guided. Furthermore, traction mechanisms 48 for driving the carrier elements 46 are provided. The material for conveying is transported, for example, directly by the carrier elements 46 or in containers 49 arranged on the carrier elements 46.

[0129] The surfaces of the carrier elements 46 within the conveying chamber 5 and in the region of the passage opening 9 are provided with a thermal insulation material 47.

[0130] As a result of the thermal insulation, a profile of a temperature T arises in the material of the carrier element 46 along a main axis x of the carrier element 46, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0131] FIG. 12 shows a schematic sectional view of a conveying installation 1 which can be substantially designed as in the previously described exemplary embodiments.

[0132] Analogously to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the secondary chambers 7, 8 are each connected to the conveying chamber 5 by means of a slot-like passage opening 9 which runs in ring-shaped encircling fashion. The carrier elements 46 project through said passage openings 9 into the secondary chambers 7, 8. In the secondary chambers 7, 8, there are in each case again arranged guide wheels 58 by means of which the carrier elements 46 are guided. Furthermore, traction mechanisms 48 are provided for driving the carrier elements 46. The material for conveying is transported, for example, directly by the carrier elements 46 or in containers 49 arranged on the carrier elements 46.

[0133] The surfaces of the carrier elements 46 in the region of the passage opening 9 and an adjoining region within the conveying chamber 5 are provided with a thermal insulation material 47, but not in such a manner that the entire surface of the carrier elements 46 within the conveying chamber 5 is provided with the thermal insulation material 47.

[0134] As a result of the thermal insulation, a profile of a temperature T arises in the material of the carrier element 46 along a main axis x of the carrier element 46, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0135] The carrier elements 46 which are shown in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 12 and are provided with a thermal insulation material 47 are useable in each of the previously described exemplary embodiments.

[0136] By means of the thermal insulation material 47 used on the surfaces of the carrier elements 46, the heat input into the carrier elements 46 from the hot material for conveying is reduced, and therefore the thermal loading of the bearings and traction mechanisms 48 is also reduced.

[0137] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in more detail on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not restricted by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived from these by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0138] Conveying installations can also be designed corresponding to the variants of conveying installations that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, but without fluid circuit systems.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

[0139] 1 Conveying installation [0140] 3 Installation housing [0141] 5 Conveying chamber [0142] 6 to 8 Secondary chamber [0143] 9, 10 Passage opening [0144] 11 Fluid circuit system [0145] 13, 15 Conveying chamber end [0146] 17 to 19 Fluid outlet [0147] 21, 22 Fluid inlet [0148] 25 Turbomachine [0149] 27 Heat exchanger [0150] 29 Fluid feed [0151] 31, 32 Additional chamber [0152] 34, 36 Horizontal portion [0153] 38, 40 Vertical portion [0154] 42 Charging inlet [0155] 44 Discharge opening [0156] 46 Carrier element [0157] 47 Thermal insulation material [0158] 48 Traction mechanism [0159] 49 Container [0160] 50, 52 Diverting region [0161] 54 Drive wheel [0162] 56, 57 Connecting opening [0163] 58 Guide wheel [0164] 60 Conveying chamber wall [0165] 62 Heat insulation layer [0166] 70 Fluid recycling unit [0167] 72 Fluid cleaning unit [0168] 80 Closed-loop control system [0169] 82 Pressure measuring device [0170] 84 Control unit [0171] 86 Control valve [0172] T Temperature x [0173] Main axis