Description:FORM 2
The Patents Act, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(Section 10 and Rule 13)
Title Of The Invention
“SELF-ADJUSTING SKIRT SEALING FOR CONVEYORS”
APPLICANT
Name: TEGA INDUSTRIES LIMITED
Nationality: INDIAN
Address: GODREJ WATERSIDE, TOWER – II, OFFICE NO. 807, BLOCK DP-5, SALT LAKE, SECTOR V, BIDHANNAGAR KOLKATA 700091, WEST – BENGAL, INDIA
The following specification particularly describes the invention and
the manner in which it is to be performed
SELF-ADJUSTING SKIRT SEALING FOR CONVEYORS
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of bulk material handling systems, particularly the self-adjusting of the skirt sealing used in conveyors. More particularly, the present invention provides a mechanism that compensates for the skirt board wear and is in continuous contact for no spillage and dust escape and thereby provides real time self-adjustment of the skirt board.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the bulk material handling industry, reducing material spillage & restricting the spillage within a permissible limit is a challenging task. Conventionally, the skirt sealing are made of long strips of rubber and fixed with bolts & clamps without allowing any movement of the rubber skirt. Once fixed, the skirt sealing undergoes continuous wear & with time gaps are created between the belt surface & the skirt sealing blocks both due to skirt rubber wear-out & creation of high & low points. The skirt sealings need to be adjusted again and the cycle continues. This process leads to the vast amount of dust escaping from conveyor and the frequent adjustment of skirt sealing blocks which is a labour-intensive job.
In the prior art a PCT application WO2016116941A1 from the same applicant discloses Skirt sealing system for conveyor belt. The skirt sealing system has liners fixed with the inner wall of skirt plates by a bolt, a backing plate welded with the skirt plate, a skirt rubber block fixed over the backing plate through a guide such that a bush protrudes through a slotted groove, a serrated clamp fixed over rubber block. The rubber block has an extra rubber cushion to cover any gap between the skirt plate liner and the rubber block to eliminate entrapment of material and is shorter than conventional rubber blocks for easy adjustment.
In another prior art, a Korean Patent KR101492211B1 discloses Rotary type apparatus for sealing chute side skirt sealing unit configured to prevent the
dispersion of falling coal and dust by minimizing friction and removing a gap between a conveyer belt and a chute side skirt sealing device during the transportation of limestone, coal, or other transported objects, and comprises: a sealing curtain which is installed in the direction of a progressing conveyor belt on both sides in the widthwise direction between a chute guiding the falling of the transported objects including coal and the conveyor belt to cover a gap between the chute and the conveyer belt from the outside; and a sealing curtain rotating means preventing friction between the sealing curtain and the conveyer belt by rotating the sealing curtain in the direction opposite to the progressing conveyer belt, and covering the gap between the sealing curtain and the conveyer belt from the outside. The sealing curtain rotating means comprises posts respectively standing on both sides in the width wise direction of a skirt board formed on the bottom part of the chute; two or more sprockets supported from the post by a rotary guide shaft to be able to rotate; and a chain which is installed on the sprocket in the shape of a caterpillar track and is mounted on the sealing curtain to rotate the sealing curtain, wherein the sealing curtain rotates by being rubbed together with the rotating conveyer belt.
In another prior art, an US specification US2665795A1 discloses Skirt plate and skirt seal construction for conveyer belts. Lateral guidance means for bulk material, e.g. skirt sealing means for conveyor belts comprising in combination with a movable conveyor belt, a sealing plate of material of rubber like nature, and means supporting said seal for vertical movement with respect to the belt in freely resting relation solely by gravity over and upon the belt at a side marginal portion thereof whereby upon the application of a lifting force upon the skirt caused by the wedging of particles being carried by the belt between the belt and lower edge of the skirt, said skirt will be vertically lifted to permit the particles to be released.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Thus, it is an object of the invention to reduce the amount of spillage generated at the loading station & restrict the spillage within a permissible limit.
Another object is to create a segmented skirt sealing system that can fill in the necessary gaps created due to the rubber wear & development of high & low points at the conveyor loading zone.
Another object of the system is to develop an automatic adjustment system that can compensate for the gap created due to rubber wear & the development of high & low points.
Another object of the system is to develop an automatic adjustment system that can reduce the manual intervention for skirt adjustment.
Another object of the system is to develop a skirt sealing system that can have segmented skirt boards which will reduce the spillage and effectively use the skirt sealing by replacing only the worn-out block in high wear zones instead of scrapping entire length.
Another object of the system is to develop a skirt sealing system that can have fast & quick installation & spare/ block replacement from an array of segmented skirt sealing system.
Another object of the system is to develop a skirt sealing system to eliminate shutdown for adjustment of the skirt sealing system.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The herein disclosed product is developed to reduce material spillage and manual interventions of adjusting skirt sealing regularly, instead, the product will self-adjust and will provide a constant contact with the conveyor belt to prevent any passage for material spillage. The product consists of the mechanism of the links, spring, pins, skirt sealing, etc. and is a simple & effective way of auto-adjustment of skirt sealing.
Therefore such as herein described, there is provided a self-adjusting skirt sealing mechanism to provide an automatic adjustment of the skirt sealing to prevent material spillage, ensure a sealed and continuous contact between conveyor belt and skirt board, wherein said mechanism comprises of a Base plate (A1/B1/C1) with guiding mechanism such as slots or pins and provisions for fixing cover (A2/B2/C2), links/lever (A6/B6/C7) and springs(A5/B5/C5); at least one Cover (A2/B2/C2) fixed with the base plate (A1/B1/C1) using any fixing mechanism (A9/B9/C10) whose purpose is to limit the outward motion of skirt blocks (A4/B4/C4) when installed on a conveyor due to belt sway or material pressure and to protect mechanism from foreign materials; at least one mounting block (A3/B3/C3) with protruded pins to restrict motion in particular direction also have a provision of firmly fixing skirt block (A4/B4/C4); at least one skirt block (A4/B4/C4) having a provision of fixing with mounting block; at least one spring (A5/B5/C5); at least one link (A6/B6/C7) and/or lever (C6) which is transferring spring force to the mounting block (A3/B3/C3) to get a constant contact between conveyor belt and skirt block (A4/B4/C4) to avoid spillage; at least one locking mechanism (A8/B8/C9) consist of a pin with a lever which will operate in a
definite slot and will lock the lever to facilitate skirt board (A4/B4/C4) replacement; at least one bolt (A9/B9/C10) to fix cover (A2/B2/C2) with the base plate (A1/B1/C1); and at least one bolt (A10) and/or magnet (B10) or any other means to fix skirt board with the mounting block (A3/B3/C3).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Figure 1.0 illustrates representation of self-adjusting skirt sealing assembly on conveyor in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 1.1 illustrates the first embodiment of the self-adjusting skirt sealing assembly in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 1.2 illustrates the first embodiment of the self-adjusting skirt sealing assembly without the cover in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 1.3 illustrates the front view of the first embodiment of the self-adjusting skirt sealing assembly without cover in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2.1 illustrates the second embodiment of the self-adjusting skirt sealing assembly in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2.2 illustrates the second embodiment of the self-adjusting skirt sealing assembly without the cover in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2.3 illustrates the front view of the second embodiment of the self-adjusting skirt sealing assembly without cover in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2.4 illustrates the magnet fixing arrangement of second embodiment and third embodiment of the self-adjusting skirt sealing assembly in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2.5 illustrates the front view of the magnet fixing arrangement of second embodiment and third embodiment of the self-adjusting skirt sealing assembly in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3.1 illustrates the third embodiment of the self-adjusting skirt sealing assembly in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3.2 illustrates the third embodiment of the self-adjusting skirt sealing assembly without the cover in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3.3 illustrates the front view of the third embodiment of the self-adjusting skirt sealing assembly without cover in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3.4 illustrates the force reaction in the third embodiment of the self-adjusting skirt sealing assembly in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3.5 illustrates the polymer powered torsion spring used in the third embodiment of the self-adjusting skirt sealing assembly in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3.6 illustrates the guiding block which is used in all three embodiment of the self- adjusting skirt sealing assembly in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 4.1 illustrates the fourth embodiment of the self-adjusting skirt sealing assembly in accordance with the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention as described below, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular embodiments, drawings, methodologies and material described, as these may vary as per the person skilled in the art. It is also to be understood that terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing and particular embodiments only and it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Before the present invention is described, it is to be understood that unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Further, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the methodologies and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described, as these may vary within the specification indicated. Unless stated to the contrary, any use of the words such as "including," "containing," "comprising," "having" and the like, means "including without limitation" shall not be construed to limit any general statement that it follows to the specific or
similar items or matters immediately following it. Embodiments of the invention are not mutually exclusive but may be implemented in various combinations. The described embodiments of the invention and the disclosed examples are given for the purpose of illustration rather than limitation of the invention as set forth the appended claims. Further the terms disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary methods of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.
It is also to be understood that the terms “a”, “an”, “the” and like are words for the sake of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Moreover, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing a particular exemplary embodiment of the invention and are not limited to the invention thereto.
“Skirt sealing system”, “loading zone”, “material spillage”, skirt block”, “bulk solids”, “skirt board”, “conveyor belt”, “skirt adjustment”, “loading station”, “gap”, “segmented skirt system”, “dust leakage” are to be interpreted in the broadest sense of the respective terms and includes all similar items in the field known by other terms, as may be clear to persons skilled in the art. Restriction/limitation, if any, referred to in the specification, is solely by way of example and understanding the present invention.
To reduce the dust & material spillage at the loading zone & eliminate frequent adjustment of the skirt sealing blocks in the conveyor belts handling bulk solids, the present invention provides a simple mechanism which will help reducing significant amount of material spillage and frequent manual engagement for skirt block adjustment.
In one of the embodiments of the invention, the self-adjusting skirt sealing mechanism provides an automatic adjustment of the skirt sealing to compensate for the wear of skirt blocks against the conveyor belt movements to ensure a sealed and continuous contact between conveyor belt and skirt board.
The said fixing system comprises of: at least one skirt board (A4) with the countersunk holes to accommodate the countersunk bolts; at least one mounting block (A3) which will have a tapped holes to fix the skirt board (A4), two protruded pins of mounting block will be placed in slots of backing plate (A1) to ensure a movement in a specific direction, it will also host the links (A6); at least four links (A6) which will have the holes on both the ends and will freely rotate on a pin joint (A7); at least two torsion spring (A5) placed on the pin joint (A7) between two links (A6); at least one base plate (A1) which will have slots to accommodate mounting block (A3) and also hosting the links (A6); at least one cover (A2) with or without guiding block which is rigidly fixed with the base plate (A1) and also protects the skirt boards (A4) from outward movement when installed on a conveyor, it is also hosting a locking mechanism (A8) to lock the skirt board (A4) during installation and replacement; at least a locking mechanism (A8) consist of a pin with a lever which will operate in a definite slot and will lock the mounting block (A3) to facilitate skirt board (A4) replacement; at least one bolt (A9) to fix cover (A2) with the base plate (A1); and at least two bolt (A10) to fix skirt board (A4) with the mounting block (A3).
Typically, the link (A6) is connected to the base plate (A1) and are free to rotate, another link (A6) is connected to the free end of the earlier link (A6) by a pin joint (A7) and between these two links (A6) a torsion spring (A5) is placed in a manner it will force the links (A6) to move away. Another pair of links (A6) and spring (A5) placed on other side and the mounting block (A3) is connected to it by a pin joint (A7) which will allow links (A6) to rotate freely. The protruded pins of the mounting block (A3) are placed in the slots of backing plate (A1) and cap screws can be used to restrict their movement of popping out of slot. The Skirt board (A4) is fixed with the mounting block (A3) with the countersunk bolts (A10), the overlapping design of skirts is not allowing dust to leak through when it is placed adjacent to each other. The cover (A2) is fixed with the base plate (A1) with bolts (A9) and the cover (A2) also host the locking mechanism (A8) which will lock the mounting block (A3) to easy
installation or a skirt board (A4) change. After the end of life of skirt board (A4) the mounting block (A3) will be pressed against spring force and locked by locking pin, untighten the bolts, replace skirt (A4) and fix it again.
The mechanism is designed in a way that skirt board (A4) is always forced against the conveyor belt with an optimal force which will not allow dust leakage & excessive wearing of the skirt board and conveyor belt. The skirt boards (A4) are being fixed firmly and easily.
In another embodiment of the invention, there is a magnet (B10) provided to fix the skirt board (B4) with the mounting block (B3) which significantly eases the installation and replacement of skirt boards (B4).
In another embodiment of the invention, said fixing system comprises:
1. At least one skirt board (C4) with the countersunk holes to accommodate the countersunk bolts;
2. At least one mounting block (C3) which will have a tapped holes to fix the skirt board (C4), two protruded pins from mounting block (C3) will be inserted in slots of backing plate (C1) to ensure movement in a specific direction. It will also have a provision of connecting the links (C7);
3. At least one link (C7) which will have the holes on both the ends and will freely rotate on a pin joint (C8);
4. At least one lever (C6) whose one end will be rigidly fixed with the polymer powered torsion spring (C5) and another will have a hole to accommodate a pin joint (C8);
5. At least one polymer powered torsion spring (C5) fixed on the base plate (C1) on the other side it is rigidly connected with the lever (C6);
6. At least one base plate (C1) which will have a inclined slots to accommodate mounting block (C3) and will host the polymer powered torsion spring (C5);
7. At least one cover (C2) which will be rigidly fixed with the base plate (C1) and which protects the skirt board (C4) from outward
movement when installed on a conveyor, it also hosts a locking mechanism (C9) to lock the skirt board (C4) while installation and replacement;
8. At least a locking mechanism (C9) consist of a pin with a lever which will operate in a definite slot and will lock the lever to facilitate skirt board (C4) replacement;
9. At least two magnets (B10); and
10. At least one bolt (B9) to fix cover (C2) with the base plate (C1);
Typically, the polymer powered torsion spring (C5) is fixed with base plate (C1) and one end of a lever (C6) is fixed with the free end of the polymer spring (C5) and another end is connected to the link (C7) with a pin joint (C8). Further the mounting block (C3) will be placed by inserting protruded pins into slots of backing plate (C1). The link (C7) will be connected to the mounting block (C3) by a pin joint (C8). Magnet (B10) is used to fix the Skirt board (C4) with the mounting block (C3) which significantly eases the installation and replacement of skirt boards (C4), the overlapping design of skirt board (C4) is not allowing dust to leak when it is placed adjacent to each other. The cover (C2) is fixed with the base plate (C1) with bolts (C10) and the cover (C2) also host the locking mechanism (C9) which will lock the skirt board (C4) to ease installation or replacement of skirt board (C4). After the end of life of skirt board (C4) the mounting block (C3) to be pressed against spring force and locked by locking pin, the skirt board (C4) to be simply pulled downward against magnet pull force and replaced with the new skirt board (C4) by simply pushing to its position.
The mechanism is designed in a way that skirt board (C4) is always forced against the conveyor with an optimal force which will not allow dust leakage & excessive wearing of the skirt board and conveyor belt. The slots are made inclined to leverage the tangential drag force developed due to the friction between the conveyor belt in motion and the skirt board (C4) pressing against the conveyor belt. When the line of action kept vertical the vertical component of this tangential force is zero and it is only creating a bending moment in the
mechanism, while when the inclination angle is given the component of the tangential force is helping mechanism to slide upwards and downwards much smoothly.
In another embodiment of the present invention the tension spring (D5) is used instead of the polymer powered torsion spring. One end of the lever (D6) is connected to the link and another end with the tension spring (D5), the lever (D6) is pivoted with the base plate and transmitting the spring force to the skirt block. The mechanism is such that the tension spring (D5) is always pushing the blocks against the conveyor belt. The slots of the backing plate can be vertical or inclined, resulting in line of action of mechanism also be either vertical or inclined.
In another embodiment of the invention there is a provision for the compression spring or any other type of spring to power the mechanism.
In another embodiment of the invention there is a provision for all above stated embodiments the parts and techniques and arrangements are interchangeable and can be used in any combinations.
The foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The functionality described may be implemented in a single executable or application or may be distributed among modules that differ in number and distribution of functionality from those described herein. , Claims:1. A self-adjusting skirt sealing mechanism to provide an automatic adjustment of the skirt sealing to prevent material spillage, ensure a sealed and continuous contact between conveyor belt and skirt board, wherein said mechanism comprises:
a Base plate (A1/B1/C1) with guiding mechanism such as slots or pins and provisions for fixing cover (A2/B2/C2), links/lever (A6/B6/C7) and springs(A5/B5/C5);
at least one Cover (A2/B2/C2) fixed with the base plate (A1/B1/C1) using any fixing mechanism (A9/B9/C10) whose purpose is to limit the outward motion of skirt blocks (A4/B4/C4) when installed on a conveyor due to belt sway or material pressure and to protect mechanism from foreign materials;
at least one mounting block (A3/B3/C3) with protruded pins to restrict motion in particular direction also have a provision of firmly fixing skirt block (A4/B4/C4);
at least one skirt block (A4/B4/C4) having a provision of fixing with mounting block;
at least one spring (A5/B5/C5);
at least one link (A6/B6/C7) and/or lever (C6) which is transferring spring force to the mounting block (A3/B3/C3) to get a constant contact between conveyor belt and skirt block (A4/B4/C4) to avoid spillage;
at least one locking mechanism (A8/B8/C9) consist of a pin with a lever which will operate in a definite slot and will lock the lever to facilitate skirt board (A4/B4/C4) replacement;
at least one bolt (A9/B9/C10) to fix cover (A2/B2/C2) with the base plate (A1/B1/C1); and
at least one bolt (A10) and/or magnet (B10) or any other means to fix skirt board with the mounting block (A3/B3/C3).
2. A self-adjusting skirt sealing system claimed in claim 1, wherein said skirt blocks are segmented rubber blocks (A4/B4/C4) configured for compensating
gap created between the rubber blocks & the belt due to belt sagging or wearing out of skirt rubber blocks.
3. The self-adjusting skirt sealing mechanism claimed in claim 1, wherein the said blocks (A4/B4/C4) have a dove-tail interlocking design which allows no gap between the 2 skirt sealing blocks & ensures smooth movement of one block against another, during the process of self-adjustment.
4. The self-adjusting skirt sealing mechanism claimed in claim 1, wherein the said torsion spring (A5/B5) is placed on the pin joint (A7/B7) sandwiched between two links in a manner it will force the links (A6/B6) to move away, and one free end of link is connected to base plate by pin joint and another one is connected to the mounting block (A3/B3).
5. The self-adjusting skirt sealing mechanism claimed in claim 1, wherein the said polymer powered torsion spring (C5) is fixed with said base plate (C1) and the lever (C6) and is rigidly fixed on the free end of polymer powered torsion spring (C5); and
wherein the other end of lever (C6) is connected with the link (C7) by pin joint (C8) and free end of link (C7) is connected to mounting block (C3) by pin joint (C8).
6. The self-adjusting skirt sealing mechanism claimed in claim 1, wherein the said tension spring (D5) is fixed with lever (D6), which is connected to link, and link is connected to mounting block.
7. The self-adjusting skirt sealing mechanism claimed in claim 1, wherein the said skirt block (A4/B4/C4) is fixed with the mounting block (A3/B3/C3) by bolting (A10), by magnets (B10) or like means.
8. The self-adjusting skirt sealing mechanism claimed in claim 1, wherein the said cover (A2/B2/C2) with or without guiding blocks are employed to limit the outward motion of said skirt blocks (A4/B4/C4) occurred due to belt sway
or material pressure and to protect mechanism from foreign materials and fixed with the base plate (A1/B1/C1) by bolts (A9/B9/C10), and
wherein the said cover is equipped with the locking mechanism (A8/B8/C9) to facilitate skirt block (A4/B4/C4) replacement.
9. The self-adjusting skirt sealing mechanism claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the said skirt block (A4/B4/C4) movement is guided by slot and pin or similar means which allows movement in specific direction only, which along with spring force is helping skirt block (A4/B4/C4) to maintain contact with conveyor belt and adjust with the conveyor belt undulations or belt flapping and wear of the skirt block (A4/B4/C4).
10. The self-adjusting skirt sealing mechanism claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the said slots on the base plate (A1/B1/C1) or line of action of the skirt board can be vertical or inclined, when kept inclined (at an angle less than 90 degrees) the component of drag force is producing a upward lift force on skirt block (A4/B4/C4) which in turn avoid chances of locking of the mechanism when any conveyor belt undulations or belt flapping.
11. The self-adjusting skirt sealing mechanism claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the said skirt blocks (A4/B4/C4) are modular and free to independently self-adjust themselves based on the condition of conveyor belt and skirt block (A4/B4/C4).
12. The self-adjusting skirt sealing mechanism claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the said skirt blocks (A4/B4/C4) are configured to be replaced easily by locking the mechanism by locking mechanism also the skirt blocks (A4/B4/C4) are independently replaced without any disturbances to running system.
13. The self-adjusting skirt sealing mechanism claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the said spring is any spring which can exert the required force for the mechanism to act.
14. The self-adjusting skirt sealing mechanism claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the said parts and arrangements are interchangeable.
15. The self-adjusting skirt sealing mechanism claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the said material of construction can be metallic or polymeric.