FLEXIBLE CONVEYOR BELT ASSEMBLY WITH CHAIN TRACTION SYSTEM AND CAPACITY TO FOLLOW A CURVE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flexible conveyor belt assembly (100) with a chain traction system for moving products/raw materials in bulk, which comprises a support structure extending in a straight or curved manner (105), to which are fixed the rails (102), the toothed actuating wheel (103) and the toothed return wheel (106), which additionally comprises deflection wheels (109), a flexible conveyor belt (101), with a pleated profile, produced with metallic inserts (108), a chain (107) and pulleys (104) that move along the structure, in which traction is exerted on the chain (107).

Claims

1. Flexible conveyor belt assembly (100) with a chain traction system for moving products/raw materials in bulk, which comprises a support structure extending in a straight or curved manner (105), to which are fixed the rails (102), the toothed actuating wheel (103) and the toothed return wheel (106), characterized in that it additionally comprises deflection wheels (109), a flexible rubber conveyor belt (101), with a pleated profile, produced with metallic inserts (108), a chain (107) and pulleys (104) that move along the structure, in which traction is exerted on the chain (107).

2. Flexible conveyor belt assembly (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the chain (107) is attached to the flexible rubber conveyor belt (101) through the metallic inserts (108) and screws.

3. Flexible conveyor belt assembly (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the drive is carried out by means of the toothed actuating wheel (103).

4. Flexible conveyor belt assembly (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the flexible rubber conveyor belt (101) is designed with a pleated profile at an angle ranging from 35 to 55, wherein the metallic inserts in the belt structure are connected with the pulleys (104) and the chain (107).

5. Flexible conveyor belt assembly (100) of claim 4, characterized in that the flexible rubber conveyor belt (101) is designed with a pleated profile at an angle of 45.

6. Flexible conveyor belt assembly (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the flexible rubber conveyor belt (101) moves along the equipment by pulleys (104) attached to the belt by means of screws, wherein the flexible rubber conveyor belt (101) and the pulleys (104) run on double rails (102) along the length of the flexible conveyor belt assembly (100).

7. Flexible conveyor belt assembly (100) of claim 6, characterized in that the double rails (102) comprise the total length of the flexible conveyor belt assembly (100).

8. Flexible conveyor belt assembly (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the chain tensions (107) in the horizontal curves are supported by the deflection wheels (109).

9. Flexible conveyor belt assembly (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the rubber flexible conveyor belt modules (101) are made with metal inserts (108) in their structure, inside the belt, in overlapped assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] For a detailed description of the invention, below, reference will be made to the attached drawings, in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 shows the perspective view of the flexible conveyor belt assembly with the subassemblies highlighted.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows the enlarged perspective view to show details of the equipment's actuating wheel (hidden gearmotor).

[0021] FIGS. 3a and 3b show the enlarged/front perspective view of the wheel and the double return rails.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows the complete side view of part of the flexible conveyor belt assembly showing the rubber belt, chain, rails, return wheel and other components.

[0023] FIGS. 5a and 5b show views of the curved part of the equipment showing the rubber modules and the arrangement of the horizontal support wheels.

[0024] FIGS. 6a-6d show the view of some highlighted subassemblies in more detail.

[0025] FIGS. 7a-7c show views of the overlapping belt modules highlighting the metallic inserts of the belt and the pulleys.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Although the present application may be susceptible to different embodiments, it is shown in the drawings and in the following detailed discussion, a preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present description should be considered an example of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the present invention to what has been illustrated and described here.

[0027] The object of the present invention consists of a flexible conveyor belt assembly 100 for moving products and/or raw materials in bulk, which comprises a support structure extending in a straight or curved manner 105, to which are fixed the rails 102, a toothed actuating wheel 103 and the toothed return wheel 106, and additionally comprises deflection wheels 109, an flexible conveyor belt 101 made of elastomeric material, particularly rubber, in a pleated profile, made with metallic inserts 108, a traction chain 107 and movable pulleys 104 that move along the structure, wherein the traction is exerted on the chain 107. The chain 107 is attached to the flexible rubber belt 101 through the metallic inserts (108) and screws.

[0028] Since traction of the system is made by means of the chain, the actuation is carried out by means of toothed actuating wheels 103.

[0029] As traction is exerted on chain 107, at no time the flexible conveyor belt 101 is pulled (stretched), thus, contributing to increase the life cycle of the flexible rubber conveyor belt 101. Therefore, the function of the flexible conveyor belt 101 is exclusively to receive and transport the material.

[0030] The flexible conveyor belt 101 is supported on a metallic support structure 105, with relative movement to this structure 105. The movement of the flexible conveyor belt 101 is driven by a gearmotor (not shown) coupled to the toothed actuating wheel 103. The toothed actuating wheel 103 is responsible for converting the rotary movement to the motor, in linear movement of the belt.

[0031] The actuation made by toothed wheel is cheaper and lighter because it is leaner than the actuation drum. As the toothed wheel actuates only in the middle of the equipment, the actuation shaft is shorter, causing less vibration in the equipment. Toothed wheel and chain actuations are known for their robustness and zero slip due to toothed gearing.

[0032] The flexible conveyor belt 101 is designed with a pleated profile at an angle ranging from 35 to 55, preferably 45 (FIG. 7), and with metallic inserts 108 in the structure of the flexible rubber conveyor belt 101 so that it can deform only elastically in the curves, wherein the flexible rubber conveyor belt 101 has the capacity of elastic deformation in any direction, thus, making it possible to follow short radius curves in the horizontal plane.

[0033] This profile includes both the center and the side of the belt, allowing for deformation evenly. All the tractive effort is carried out on the chain 107 which is connected to the flexible conveyor belt 101. The flexible conveyor belt 101 moves along the equipment by pulleys 104 fixed to the belt by means of screws, the flexible rubber conveyor belt 101 and the pulleys 104 run on double rails 102 along the length of the flexible conveyor belt assembly 100, in which the transverse axis connected with the pulleys at the ends provides greater stability and robustness for the equipment and uniformity in the movement of the assembly.

[0034] The rails 102 comprise the full extension of the flexible conveyor belt assembly 100. There are two pairs of rails 102, one on the right side and one on the left side. In each pair of rails 102, each rail has a specific function. The lower rail 102 (FIGS. 2 and 4) has the function of supporting the weight of the flexible conveyor belt 101, load and pulleys 104. The function of the upper rail 102 is to keep the pulleys 104 aligned. Double rails 102 are used so that the flexible conveyor belt 101 can turn when passing through the ends of the equipment and so that horizontal curves can be made.

[0035] The shaft with the pulleys 104 at the end is fixed in a rigid element, the chain 107, avoiding traction problems of the shaft during the operation of the equipment.

[0036] When the pulleys are attached to an elastic element, such as a rubber belt, if a pulley is stuck, there is a great risk of loosening and causing the belt to tear.

[0037] The tensions (efforts) in the horizontal curves are supported by means of deflection wheels 109 and partially through the double rails.

[0038] The deflection wheels 109 or sliding guides are responsible for receiving a large part of the force components in the horizontal curves, thus preventing the warping of the double rails. In addition, the movement in the curve becomes more uniform and less abrupt. The deflection wheels 109 receive the loads due to the tensioning of the traction chain.

[0039] The flexible rubber conveyor belt modules 101 are made with metallic inserts 108 in their structure, inside the belt, in overlapping mounting. The metallic inserts 108 are plates that are vulcanized together with the rubber modules. These metallic inserts 108 are used for fastening with the chain 107. A major advantage of the flexible conveyor belt assembly 101 of the present invention is that instead of using rotary rollers fixed along the support structure 105, mobile pulleys 104 are used fixed to the flexible rubber conveyor belt 101. The support structure 105 is designed in metallic structure and receives the reinforcements and fixation of the other components.

[0040] The tension or slack adjustment of the chain 107 is done through a stretch system. The stretch system allows the adjust of the chain tension 107 for an ideal working condition and for when there is a gap in the chain 107 due to component wear.

[0041] As described above, one of the great advantages of the present invention is that a single conveyor belt is capable of carrying out the same work as two or more interconnected conventional conveyor belts. An equipment that can perform the same function as two or more equipment connected in series, has a greater operational availability as a whole. In series systems, the total availability is equal to the multiplication of the partial availability of each equipment. Therefore, when a conveyor belt can do the same job as two or more interconnected belts, the total availability increases.

[0042] Furthermore, as it is a single equipment, the number of motors, electric starter systems, actuators, transfer chutes and components are reduced, and the length can be about 15% less.

[0043] The total energy consumption considering a single flexible conveyor belt replacing the association of belts is less due to two factors, the total length of the conveyor is shorter and the energy expenditure to raise the material so that it is transferred to another conveyor belt is not necessary. This energy expenditure is quite significant, because depending on the length of the equipment, the energy required for vertical displacement is much more relevant than for horizontal transport.

[0044] Chain traction makes the equipment more robust and reliable. The chain is pulled by toothed wheels that are cheaper and more reliable than drums, as they often need to change the lining.

[0045] The belt is divided into modules, making maintenance faster. Any belt tear that occurs in a module, the screws that connect this module are removed, and it is replaced with a new module. This avoids the long time for amendment/vulcanization of current belts.

[0046] As it has the capacity to follow curves with short radii, the flexible conveyor belt of the invention allows to optimize spaces using them in the best way to make the plants lean. In many cases, the beneficiation plants are stretched because it is necessary to gain height with the belt conveyors. Using this new equipment concept, plant layouts can be optimized.

[0047] Due to the different design of the belt, it is possible to operate on slopes higher than usual under certain operating conditions. Normally for some types of ores, the maximum inclination adopted in conventional conveyor belts is around 18. For the flexible conveyor belt of the present invention, this inclination could be greater, around 45.

[0048] The flexible design of the flexible conveyor belt allows it to adapt to the layout of existing installations.

[0049] When using double rails, the pulleys remain constantly aligned. This avoids one of the main reasons that causes loss of production due to problems in the conveyor belts, that is, belt misalignment.

[0050] As it is a unique equipment, there are no intermediate transfers of the material transported along the route. Transfer points are places that require periodic maintenance due to the abrasion of the transported material.

[0051] Although only one embodiment of the present invention has been shown, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes can be made by a technician skilled in the subject-matter, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The described embodiments should be considered in all aspects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0052] It is expressly provided that all combinations of elements that perform the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Replacements of elements from one described embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated.

[0053] It is also necessary to understand that the drawings are not necessarily in scale, but that they are only of a conceptual nature. The intention is therefore to be limited, as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.