Abstract
A conveyance system (10) including: a conveyor having a frame (22) connectable to a drive unit; and a shipping container (12) having a base (16), a top wall (14), two opposing side walls (18) and two opposing end walls (20), wherein the conveyor is fixed within the shipping container (12) in an assembled state.
Claims
1. A conveyance system including: a first conveyor having a frame connectable to a drive unit; and a shipping container having a base, a top wall, two opposing side walls and two opposing end walls, wherein: the first conveyor is fixed within the shipping container in an assembled state; and the shipping container is configured to connect to an adjacent shipping container to form a continuous conveyor.
2. The conveyance system of claim 1, wherein the end walls of the shipping container are removable.
3. The conveyance system of claim 1, further including an access panel for accessing the first conveyor.
4. The conveyance system of claim 3, wherein the access panel is movable within the side wall.
5. The conveyance system of claim 4, wherein the access panel is pivotably attached at the base and configured to open outwardly until parallel with the base to form a platform.
6. The conveyance system of claim 1, further including a platform within the shipping container.
7. The conveyance system of claim 1, wherein the shipping container is one of a standard 40 ft shipping container or a standard 20 ft shipping container.
8. The conveyance system of claim 1, wherein the shipping container includes the drive unit to form a discrete first conveyor having a load receiving point and a load discharge point.
9. The conveyance system of claim 1, further including solar panels on at least one of the walls of the container.
10. The conveyance system of claim 1, wherein the first conveyor is fixed to one of the side walls of the container for transport and the container is rotatable about a longitudinal axis for orientating the first conveyor in the assembled state.
11. The conveyance system of claim 1, wherein the shipping container is adapted to be mounted on a support structure selected from a group consisting of: a footing, a rail, a floatation device, or combination(s) thereof.
12. The conveyance system of claim 1, further including a second conveyor fixed within the shipping container.
13. The conveyance system of claim 1, further including a utility service line selected from the group consisting of: a compressed air line, a fresh water line, a fire water line, a waste-water line, a compressed air hose, a fresh water hose, a fire water hose, a waste-water hose, an electric line, a communication line, and combination(s) thereof.
14. The conveyance system of claim 1, wherein the shipping container has one of: a skid plate, an adjustable leg, or a combination thereof.
15. The conveyance system of claim 1, wherein: the first conveyor comprises a load receiving portion and a load discharge portion; and one of the load receiving portion, the load discharge portion, or a combination thereof is adapted to be moved from a first position to a second position when the continuous conveyor is assembled.
16. A conveyance system including: a conveyor having a frame connectable to a drive unit; and a shipping container having a base, a top wall, two opposing side walls and two opposing end walls, wherein: the conveyor is fixed within the shipping container in an assembled state; and the conveyor is fixed on one of the sidewalls of the container for transport, and is rotatable about the base to a horizontal position in the assembled state.
17. A conveyance system including: a plurality of conveyor units, each conveyor unit comprising: a shipping container, and a conveyor fixed within the shipping container in an assembled state; wherein each conveyor unit is configured to be coupled to an adjacent conveyor unit to form a continuous conveyor.
18. The conveyance system of claim 17, wherein a conveyor of a first conveyor unit is configured to transport a load in a first direction, and a conveyor of a second conveyor unit is configured to transport the load in a second direction when the second conveyor unit is coupled to the first conveyor unit.
19. The conveyance system of claim 18, wherein the first direction is different from the second direction.
20. The conveyance system of claim 19, further comprising a conduit configured to deflect the load from the first direction to the second direction.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
(2) FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a conveyance system according to the present invention in which the conveyance system spans water;
(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the conveyor system of FIG. 1, in which the side panels have been removed to form a platform/walkway;
(4) FIG. 3 shows the conveyor system of FIG. 1 mounted on concrete or steel-type foundations secured into the ground, and wherein side panels are being used to create a walkway/platform for access to the conveyor frame;
(5) FIG. 4 shows the conveyance system of FIG. 1 on steel or concrete supporting frames;
(6) FIG. 5 shows a crane positioning the modular conveyance system of FIG. 1 adjacent to another modular conveyance system of FIG. 1 to form a continuous run;
(7) FIG. 6 shows the conveyance system of FIG. 1;
(8) FIG. 7 shows an end view of the conveyance system containing a fixed conveyor frame in an operational ready state;
(9) FIG. 8 shows the conveyance system according to an embodiment wherein access to the conveyor frame is within the container;
(10) FIG. 9 shows the conveyance system wherein one side panel is removed;
(11) FIG. 10 shows a conveyance system having removable, movable or fixed solar panels on either or all sides of the container;
(12) FIG. 11 shows a floating catamaran type buoyancy assembly connectable to the container;
(13) FIG. 12 shows a floating pontoon type buoyancy assembly;
(14) FIG. 13 shows a conveyance system according to another embodiment of the present invention mounted on a pontoon type buoyancy assembly in water;
(15) FIG. 14 shows a conveyance system according to another embodiment of the present invention mounted on a catamaran type buoyancy assembly in water;
(16) FIG. 15 shows the container and the relevant fixing, securing and lashing points;
(17) FIG. 16 shows a conveyance system according to a further embodiment having a container adapted for burial by overlain fill material;
(18) FIG. 17 shows a conveyance system according to a further embodiment having a container adapted for burial within the terrain;
(19) FIG. 18 shows a conveyance system according to a further embodiment having a container adapted for the transport of other containers, personnel, goods, equipment or other materials on rails on top of the container;
(20) FIG. 19 shows a conveyance system with an additional conveyor frame installed within the same container;
(21) FIG. 20 shows a conveyor frame installed in the container and supported by an overhead rail, allowing the conveyor system to traverse longitudinally along the container run, and a spare idler mechanism;
(22) FIG. 21 shows an elevation view of the conveyance system of FIG. 20;
(23) FIG. 22 shows a conveyance system mounted on skids suitable for mounting directly on the ground and joined to successive modules in the run;
(24) FIG. 23 shows a conveyance system that is stacked in multiples and joined for stability; and
(25) FIG. 24 shows a conveyance system that is joined along the longest side in order to create multiple conveyor runs in parallel;
(26) FIG. 25 shows a conveyance system that is fitted within a modified container size;
(27) FIG. 26 shows a conveyance system that is fitted within a modified container size;
(28) FIG. 27 shows a conveyance system that is fitted within a modified container size;
(29) FIG. 28 shows and conveyance system that is fitted within a modified container size;
(30) FIG. 29 shows a conveyance system that is fitted within a container in such a manner as to form a discreet conveyance within that single container;
(31) FIG. 30 shows a conveyance system that is fitted within a container in such a manner as to form a discreet conveyance within that single container, as outlined in FIG. 29;
(32) FIG. 31 shows multiple containers and conveyances, of the type outlined in FIGS. 29 and 30;
(33) FIG. 32 shows the tractive drive module of a conveyance system;
(34) FIG. 33 shows a conveyance system whereby the load being transported by one conveyance is being transferred to another subsequent conveyance;
(35) FIG. 34 shows a conveyance system that is installed in a container and supported in a manner that is other than the typical horizontal and parallel manner to the ground; and
(36) FIG. 35 shows a conveyance system that is fitted within a container and is able to be transported longitudinally along the length of the container run.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
(37) FIGS. 1 to 35 show various embodiments of a modular conveyance system 10 according to the present invention. The conveyance system 10 includes a container 12 having a top 14, a base 16, side walls 18 and end walls 20; and a conveyor frame 22 housed within the container 12 in an operational ready state, wherein in a first configuration the side walls 18 and end walls 20 are fixed to form an enclosure around the conveyor frame 22 for transport of the conveyance system 10, and in a second configuration the end walls 20 are removable to allow extension of the conveyor frame 22 therethrough, and at least a portion of one of the side, top or bottom walls or surfaces 18 is removable to provide access to the conveyor frame 22 during use, so that the container 12 and the conveyor frame 22 are transported and installed as a single unit.
(38) The container 12 may be a standard size (40 ft or 12 m) shipping container or any other appropriate size to accommodate the conveyor frame 22 and/or the application. The conveyor system 10 is shipped as a modular unit to an installation site. Accordingly, transport costs are limited to the shipping container which is typically not weight dependent.
(39) As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a platform/walkway 26 is provided. The container 12 may include removable panels 24 or sidewalls 18 which can be positioned adjacent the base 16 to serve as a platform/walkway 26 along the conveyor frame 22 and also for access to the conveyor frame 22.
(40) FIGS. 9 and 10 show a conveyance system 10 having a platform/walkway 26 within the container 12. In this configuration the top 14 acts as a roof from environmental conditions. Solar panels 46 may be added as a power source.
(41) As shown in FIG. 3, a side wall 18 may be removable from its transport configuration and attached to the base 16 so that it extends outwardly from and generally parallel to the base 16. This provides a platform/walkway 26 within the container 12 as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 or outside the container as best seen in FIGS. 2 to 4. Grating 42 and handrails 44 are already included or added later for safety.
(42) It is envisioned that other container widths and heights are also applicable. In this system 10, container 12 may be that of a modified high cube, having a width greater than a standard container. The larger width allows for an access platform 26 within the container 12. This negates the need for a fold-down or slide-out walkway to accommodate pedestrian traffic. The additional width also allows for more than one conveyor frame 22 to be installed across the width of the container 12. Additional height may allow for additional conveyors or other services to be installed within the container 12.
(43) As shown in FIGS. 1-10 multiple modular conveyance systems 10 may be installed to form a continuous conveyor run. The conveyance systems 10 may be installed in multiple configurations including a horizontally straight and level configuration suitable for level terrain, a vertical and/or horizontal configuration to negotiate undulating terrain or a horizontally straight and curved configuration to negotiate turns and the like. As shown in FIG. 1 successive modules 10 may be connected in a generally straight profile and span a waterway 28. The conveyance system 10 is mounted on pier-type foundations 30. It is envisaged that the containers will be appropriately affixed to the piers by mechanical fixings of either steel or another appropriate material. Pile/pier footings 30 are positioned at each end of each container 10 equating to every 40 ft (12 metres), or other distance as appropriate. If multiple containers are adjoined to form one rigid structure, the pile/pier footings 30 may be at a greater distance than 40 ft (12 metres). The container 10 is securely attached to the footings 30 with appropriate mechanisms. The footings 30 may be concrete or steel depending on terrain and application.
(44) As shown in FIG. 5, the modular conveyance systems 10 may be installed by crane or other appropriate lifting mechanism. They may also be installed over the top of one another by utilising a specialised transport sled, mounted on rails or similar on top of the container 12, and lowered into place from above.
(45) During installation the rubber belting for the conveyor frame 22 may either be pulled along as each successive module 10 is installed and joined to a free end, or may be installed in one operation after all modules 10 are in place. Pulling the rubber belting material through is usually conducted by a combination of winch, winch rope and appropriate strapping and slings.
(46) The drive unit, which provides the tractive effort for moving the rubber belting, may be installed, usually on the ground level, on a pre-prepared concrete slab or foundation. This method of installation is typically conducted by others.
(47) The drive unit, which provides the tractive effort for moving the rubber belting, may also be installed, usually on the ground level, within a container specified for the purpose.
(48) As shown in FIG. 8, the conveyance system 10 may also be installed on a supporting structure 38 formed from steel, concrete, or other suitable material.
(49) FIG. 10 also shows aerial power conductor supporting poles that are integrated into the structure of the container and are rotated into position, and extendable to adjust the overall height
(50) Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 22, the conveyance system 10 may be installed on a skid plate 32 for mounting directly onto the ground and relying on weight and joining mechanisms for stability.
(51) It is envisioned that other mounting methods are also suitable. For example, the container 12 may be mounted on pontoons 34 or catamarans 36 (see FIGS. 11-14), allowing the conveyor system 10 to be used over water. This helps to reduce Capital Expenditure costs for port construction and negates the need for costly barging of bulk solids materials across or along rivers, estuaries, open water or other waterways.
(52) FIGS. 20 and 21 show a conveyance system 10 having a conveyor frame 22 and access for idler frame removal 40 to allow the removal and replacement of an idler while the conveyor frame 22 is in motion.
(53) As shown in FIG. 23 modular conveyance systems 10 may be stacked on top of each other and secured thereto. This allows for multiple conveyor runs to be installed and run simultaneously.
(54) In use multiple conveyance systems 10 are connected in series to form a continuous run. Each container 12 includes a conveyor frame 22, or multiple conveyor frames 22, along with any associated piping, reticulated services, electrical cabling and devices, communication and lighting equipment, walkways and any other required installations which can be connected with an adjacent container 12.
(55) FIG. 25 shows a conveyance system 10 that is fitted within a modified container size, allowing a wider conveyance to be installed and used. The methodology as shown in FIG. 25 is that of a container of a taller than normal dimension. The conveyance 10 is installed on one or more sidewalls 18 of the container 12 for the purposes of transport, such that the container 12 may be transported in the normal upright position. As shown in FIG. 25, upon installation, the container 12 is rotated about its longitudinal axis such that the container 12 is in effect laying on what would otherwise be its side, and the conveyance 10 is now in the correct operating orientation. In the installed/operating position, the sidewalls of the container are now in a horizontal configuration.
(56) FIG. 26 shows a conveyance system 10 that is fitted within a modified container size, allowing a wider conveyance to be installed and used, whereby the sidewalls are utilised for the installation of the conveyance, and is then rotated into the operating position. FIG. 26 also shows, a walkway and/or roof 26 that may be pivotably, or slidably, attached to the container 12, such that upon installation the walkway and/or roof 26 is in the correct operating position.
(57) FIG. 27 shows a conveyance system 10 that is fitted within a modified container size, allowing a wider conveyance to be installed and used, whereby the sidewalls 18 are utilised for the installation of the conveyance, and is then rotated about its longitudinal axis into the operating position. In FIG. 27, multiple conveyances and/or walkways may be installed within the container.
(58) FIG. 28 shows and conveyance system 10 that is fitted within a modified container size, allowing a wider conveyance to be installed and used. The methodology as shown in FIG. 28 is that of a container of a taller than normal dimension. The conveyance 10 is installed on one or more sidewalls 18 of the container for the purposes of transport, such that the container may be transported in the normal upright position. As shown in FIG. 28, upon installation and while the container 12 remains in the normal upright position, the container sidewalls 18 may be rotated pivotably about the base 16 to a horizontal position, allowing the conveyance 10 to operate in the correct position. This may happen to one or both sides of the container 12.
(59) FIG. 29 shows a conveyance system 10 that is fitted within a container 12 in such a manner as to form a discreet conveyance 10 within that single container 12, complete with a load receiving point 52, drive mechanism 56, tensioning device 58, load transfer/discharge point 50 and supporting frames in between the two distant ends. Both the load receiving, and load discharge end of the conveyance can move length-wise along the container in order to properly receive and discharge the load being carried from one conveyance to the next.
(60) FIG. 30 shows a conveyance system 10 that is fitted within a container 12 in such a manner as to form a discreet conveyance within that single container 12, as outlined in FIG. 29, and is adjoined in series to another such container 12 and conveyance combination, such that a multiple run of conveyances 10 is formed. As shown in FIG. 30, the load discharge 50 and load receiving 52 ends of the conveyance 10 are able to move along the container 12 to facilitate loading and unloading of the load being carried, and are able to protrude beyond the external dimensions of the container 12.
(61) FIG. 31 shows multiple containers 12 and conveyances 10, of the type outlined in FIG. 29 and FIG. 30, arranged in a flexible manner such that corners, terrain or other desired installation arrangements can be employed. FIG. 31 also shows that the subsequent container 12 may be joined by an articulating joint allowing movement in any vertical, horizontal or about a longitudinal axis.
(62) FIG. 32 shows the tractive drive module 54 of a conveyance system 10 that is fitted within a container 12 in such a way to provide the necessary traction and motive force required to move the conveyance and load being carried. FIG. 32 also shows the necessary electrical controls and power management systems installed within the container 12.
(63) FIG. 33 shows a conveyance system 10 whereby the load being transported by one conveyance is being transferred to another subsequent conveyance.
(64) FIG. 34 shows a conveyance system 10 that is installed in container 12 and is supported in a manner that is other than the typical horizontal and parallel manner to the ground.
(65) FIG. 35 shows a conveyance system 10 that is fitted within a container 12 and is able to be transported longitudinally along the length of the container run. In FIG. 35, the conveyance system 10 is being loaded through the roof 14 of the containers 12 that are able to be opened and closed with pivotable doors, and onto a mobile receiving trough.
(66) Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in other forms.
