RELATED APPLICATION(S)This application claims priority as a continuation application under 35 U.S.C. §120 to PCT/EP2012/058202, which was filed as an International Application on May 4, 2012 designating the U.S., and which claims priority to European Application 102011100890.3 filed in Europe on May 7, 2011. The content of each prior application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELDThe disclosure relates to a method for detecting and tracking the position of a movable transferring device/loading device of a bucket-wheel excavator or bucket chain excavator.
BACKGROUND INFORMATIONA known bucket-wheel excavator comprises (e.g., includes) in standard designs a pivotable superstructure having an inclinable boom with a bucket wheel fastened thereto, a track-mobile substructure, and a transferring device or loading device with loading boom inclusive of loading belt. During operation, the superstructure pivots back and forth on the track-mobile substructure within its working range. The bucket-wheel excavator transfers the masses which it has extracted in block operation (bench block or side block operation, or the conveyed material) for example coal or spoils, to a shiftable bench conveyor.
Track-mounted bucket chain excavators are equipped with a pivot mechanism for the superstructure. They can operate in upward cutting or downward cutting mode. The excavator superstructure receives perpendicular to the direction of travel the bucket ladder, the lower, movable part of which is suspended articulately from the superstructure and from a boom by means of one or more bucket ladder winches. On the bucket ladder runs an endless bucket chain. The bucket chain excavator is equipped with a transferring device.
The design of the transferring device takes into account that the angle between the loading belt of the transferring device and the bench conveyor belt axis in ground plan is adjustable. The pivot motion of the transferring device enables the unloading of the transferring device to be adapted to the distance of the shiftable bench conveyor from the excavator axis (center axis of the tracked substructure). The shiftable bench conveyor lies parallel to the direction of travel of the track-mobile substructure of the excavator (bucket chain excavator or bucket-wheel excavator) and is shifted in dependence on the rate of advance.
An interposed mobile transfer conveyor can be used, for example, to enlarge the radius of action of the bucket-wheel excavator or bucket chain excavator during mining.
A fundamental object in respect of the loading consists in the operation of a pivot mechanism/lifting gear of the loading boom inclusive of loading belt of the transferring device, including operation of a loading chute for the correct belt loading of the bench conveyor or of a mobile transfer conveyor and control of the mass stream or of the conveyed material stream. This object is fulfilled by a loading attendant.
The loading attendant conducts the operation of the pivot mechanism/lifting gear for the loading boom and the operation of the loading chute for the correct belt loading and control of the mass stream.
SUMMARYAn exemplary method for detecting and tracking a position of a movable transferring device/loading device of a bucket-wheel excavator is disclosed, the excavator includes an extraction apparatus having a pivotable superstructure with an inclinable boom, a track-mobile substructure, and a transferring device with a loading boom, the superstructure delivers conveyed material by means of a bench conveyor without an interposed mobile transfer conveyor or transfer point, wherein an open-loop or closed-loop control device establishes the pivot angle and the inclination of the loading boom of the transferring device, the method comprising: detecting, in a first sensor, current spatial coordinates of the bucket-wheel excavator; detecting, in a second sensor, current spatial coordinates of the bench conveyor; detecting, in a third sensor, current longitudinal inclination and transverse inclination of the loading boom; detecting, in a fourth sensor, a current pivot angle of the loading boom; detecting, in a fifth sensor, a current distance of the loading boom above the bench conveyor; detecting, in a sixth sensor, a current vertical positioning of the loading boom above the bench conveyor; and monitoring, in a seventh sensor, overfilling at the transfer point of the loading boom.
An exemplary method for detecting and tracking a position of a movable transferring device/loading device of a bucket-wheel excavator or bucket chain excavator is disclosed, the excavator includes an extraction apparatus having a pivotable superstructure with an inclinable boom, a track-mobile substructure, and a transferring device with a loading boom, the superstructure delivers conveyed material by means of a bench conveyor with an interposed mobile transfer conveyor or transfer point, wherein an open-loop or closed-loop control device establishes the pivot angle and the inclination of the loading boom of the transferring device, the method comprising: detecting, in a first sensor, current spatial coordinates of the bucket-wheel excavator or bucket chain excavator; detecting, in a second sensor, current spatial coordinates of the bench conveyor or of the take-up belt of the mobile transfer conveyor; detecting, in a third sensor, current longitudinal inclination and transverse inclination of the loading boom; detecting, in a fourth sensor, a current pivot angle of the loading boom; detecting, in a fifth sensor, a current distance of the loading boom above the bench conveyor or above the take-up belt of the mobile transfer conveyor; detecting, in a sixth sensor, a current vertical positioning of the loading boom above the bench conveyor or above the take-up belt of the mobile transfer conveyor, inclusive of detection of the belt middle; and monitoring, in a seventh sensor, an overfilling at the transfer point of the loading boom.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe disclosure is explained below with reference to the illustrative exemplary embodiment represented in the drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an underground mining operation including as the main components a bucket-wheel excavator or bucket chain excavator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 shows a mobile transfer conveyor provided between the bucket-wheel excavator or bucket chain excavator and the bench conveyor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONExemplary embodiments of the present disclosure specify an optimized method for detecting and tracking the position of a movable transferring device/loading device of a bucket-wheel excavator or bucket chain excavator.
Exemplary methods of the present disclosure, include an open-loop/closed-loop control device can define (e.g., establish) the pivot angle and the inclination of the loading boom of the transferring device in dependence on the signals of the following sensors: a sensor for detecting the current spatial coordinates of the bucket-wheel excavator or bucket chain excavator, a sensor for detecting the current spatial coordinates of the bench conveyor or of the take-up belt of the mobile transfer conveyor, a sensor for detecting the current longitudinal inclination and transverse inclination of the loading boom, a sensor for detecting the current pivot angle of the loading boom, a sensor for detecting the current distance of the loading boom above the bench conveyor or above the take-up belt of the mobile transfer conveyor, a sensor for detecting the current vertical positioning of the loading boom above the bench conveyor or above the take-up belt of the mobile transfer conveyor, inclusive of detection of the belt middle, a sensor for monitoring overfilling in/at the transfer point of the loading boom.
The advantages obtainable with the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein can include, for example, making an additional loading attendant obsolete, since the operation of a pivot mechanism/lifting gear of the loading boom inclusive of the loading belt of the transferring device, including operation of a loading chute for the correct belt loading of the bench conveyor or of the take-up belt of a mobile transfer conveyor and the control of the mass stream and of the conveyed material stream, can be fulfilled by the exemplary open-loop/closed-loop control device disclosed herein. In other words, the manual positioning is replaced by an automatic positioning (e.g., manless operation) of the loading boom for the transfer of conveyed material to the discharging conveyor—bench conveyor or mobile transfer conveyor with take-up belt.
The open-loop/closed-loop control device exerts a direct influence on the belt running of the bench conveyor belt or of the take-up belt of a mobile transfer conveyor, with due regard to the dirt contamination of the conveyor. The conveyed material is loaded with due regard to the belt transfers. In case of risk of a material jam in/at the transfer point (e.g., transfer chute), a signal is delivered to the bucket-wheel excavator or bucket chain excavator to adjust the conveyance.
Further applications of the disclosure are bucket-wheel excavators having a loading boom for transfer to the bench conveyor, bucket chain excavators having a loading boom for transfer to the bench conveyor, bucket-wheel excavators having a loading boom for transfer to an interposed mobile transfer conveyor, bucket chain excavators having a loading apparatus for transfer to the bench conveyor.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an underground mining operation including as the main components a bucket-wheel excavator or bucket chain excavator in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The bucket wheel conveyor or bucket chain conveyor inclusive of a movable transferring device and a bench conveyor (e.g., face conveyor) inclusive of bench conveyor belt (e.g., discharging belt) is shown, wherein the movable transferring device is constructed with a pivot mechanism/lifting gear.
The bucket-wheel excavator orbucket chain excavator1 has as the main components anextraction apparatus2 for the conveyed material, for example coal or spoils, and amovable transferring device12 for the conveyed material.
Theextraction apparatus2 includes, for example in a bucket-wheel excavator: apivotable superstructure3, withinclinable boom4 fastened thereon, inclusive of take-up belt, abucket wheel5, fastened to the end face of theboom4, for the conveyance of the conveyed material, inclusive of chute6 (e.g., conveyed material transferring device) for transfer of the conveyed material from thebucket wheel5 to the take-up belt, a crawler-mountedmobile substructure9.
InFIG. 1, both the direction oftravel10 of thesubstructure9 and the pivot direction/pivot angle8 of theboom4 are shown over the block width, wherein the block width or the pivot angle determines the working range, e.g., the removal of the conveyed material.
Thetransferring device12 includes a loading boom13 (e.g., discharge conveyor) inclusive of loading belt and loading chute14 (e.g., transfer chute), a pivot mechanism/lifting gear15 for the loading boom13 (e.g., fastened to the extraction apparatus2), a take-up chute7 (e.g., conveyed material transferring device) for transfer of the conveyed material from the take-up belt of theboom4 to thetransferring device12.
Theloading device12 has—as already mentioned—a loading chute14 (e.g., rotating chute, conveyed material transferring device, transfer chute) for transfer of the conveyed material from theloading boom13 to thebench conveyor17. Furthermore, thebench conveyor axis18 is shown, which forms the belt middle of the discharging conveyor orbench conveyor17.
FIG. 2 shows a mobile transfer conveyor provided between the bucket-wheel excavator or bucket chain excavator and the bench conveyor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. InFIG. 2 is shown an exemplary embodiment in which a mobile transfer conveyor is additionally provided between the bucket-wheel excavator or bucket chain excavator and the bench conveyor. A bucket-wheel excavator orbucket chain excavator1 having aloading boom13 fastened above the pivot mechanism/lifting gear15 can be identified, wherein theloading chute14 transfers the conveyed material to the take-up belt39 of themobile transfer conveyor37. Themobile transfer conveyor37 is moved by means of its crawler-mountedsubstructure38 that can be parallel to thebench conveyor17 and transfers the conveyed material via atransfer chute40 to the bench conveyor belt of thebench conveyor17.
For the automatic detection and tracking of the position of themovable transferring device12 or positioning of theloading boom13 for the transfer of conveyed material to thebench conveyor17 or to the take-up belt39 of themobile transfer conveyor37, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can include the following sensors: asensor21 for detecting the current spatial coordinates xB/yB/zBof the bucket-wheel excavator orbucket chain excavator1, asensor22 for detecting the current spatial coordinates xS/yS/zSof thebench conveyor axis18 of the bench conveyor17 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1) or of the take-up belt39 of the mobile transfer conveyor37 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 2), asensor23 for detecting the current longitudinal inclination and transverse inclination of theloading boom13, asensor24 for detecting the current pivot angle of theloading boom13, asensor25 for detecting the current load upon the loading belt of theloading boom13, and asensor26 for detecting the current distance of theloading boom13 to the track level or above the bench conveyor or above the bench conveyor belt of the bench conveyor17 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1) or above the take-up belt39 of the mobile transfer conveyor37 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 2).
In addition the exemplary embodiments can include asensor27 for detecting the current vertical positioning of theloading boom13 above the bench conveyor belt of the bench conveyor17 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1) or above the take-up belt39 of the mobile transfer conveyor37 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 2), inclusive of detection of the belt middle, asensor28 for detecting the current load state of the bench conveyor belt of the bench conveyor17 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1) or of the take-up belt39 of the mobile transfer conveyor37 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 2), asensor29 for detecting any current skewing of the bench conveyor belt of the bench conveyor17 (under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1) or of the take-up belt39 of the mobile transfer conveyor37 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 2), asensor30 for detecting the current angular position of theloading chute14, asensor31 for detecting the current inclination of theloading chute14, asensor32 for detecting objects within the range of pivot of the loading boom13 (e.g., impact protection), asensor33 for detecting the current belt pass-over point between the take-up belt of theboom4 and the loading belt of the loading boom13 (e.g., collision protection), and asensor34 for detecting the current belt pass-over point between the loading belt of theloading boom13 and the bench conveyor belt of the bench conveyor17 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1) or the take-up belt39 of the mobile transfer conveyor37 (collision protection, e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 2).
To an open-loop/closed-loop control device20 are relayed: the signal A of thesensor21, the signal B of thesensor22, the signal C of thesensor23, the signal D of thesensor24, the signal E of thesensor25, the signal F of thesensor26, the signal G of thesensor27, the signal H of thesensor28, the signal I of thesensor29, the signal K of thesensor30, the signal L of thesensor31, the signal M of thesensor32, the signal N of thesensor33, and the signal O of thesensor34.
The open-loop/closed-loop control device20 processes these supplied signals, links them together in a predefined manner and, in dependence on these signals and in dependence on target value presets/parameter presets35 for the above-cited sensors, drives the pivot mechanism/lifting gear15, theloading chute14 and, in another exemplary embodiment, theextraction apparatus2, see the drive signal Q for thetransferring device12, the drive signal R for theloading chute14, and the drive signal S for theextraction apparatus2.
The open-loop/closed-loop control device20 hereupon can define the pivot angle and the inclination of theloading boom13 of thetransferring device12 in the form of the drive signal Q in dependence on the signals of the following sensors: the signal A of thesensor21 for detecting the current spatial coordinates xB/yB/zBof the bucket-wheel excavator orbucket chain excavator1, the signal B of thesensor22 for detecting the current spatial coordinates xS/yS/zSof the bench conveyor17 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1) or of the take-up belt39 of the mobile transfer conveyor37 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 2), the signal C of thesensor23 for detecting the current longitudinal and transverse inclination of theloading boom13, the signal D of thesensor24 for detecting the current pivot angle of theloading boom13, the signal F of thesensor26 for detecting the current distance of theloading boom13 above the bench conveyor17 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1) or above the take-up belt39 of the mobile transfer conveyor37 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 2), the signal G of thesensor27 for detecting the current vertical positioning of theloading boom13 above the bench conveyor17 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1) or above the take-up belt39 of the mobile transfer conveyor37 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 2), inclusive of detection of the belt middle.
Furthermore, the open-loop/closed-loop control device20 can define the pivot angle and the inclination of theloading chute14 in the form of the signal R in dependence on the signals of the following sensors: the signal H of thesensor28 for detecting the current load state of the bench conveyor belt of the bench conveyor17 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1) or of the take-up belt39 of the mobile transfer conveyor37 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 2), the signal I of thesensor29 for detecting any current skewing of the bench conveyor belt of the bench conveyor17 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1) or of the take-up belt39 of the mobile transfer conveyor37 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 2), the signal K of thesensor30 for detecting the current angular position of theloading chute14, the signal L of thesensor31 for detecting the current inclination of theloading chute14.
For further improvement of the open-loop/closed-loop control system, the open-loop/closed-loop control device20 can be additionally fed the signal E of thesensor25 for detecting the current load upon the loading belt of theloading boom13. As a result, a possible material jam in theloading chute14—caused, for example, by wet masses or conveyed material—is detected and an appropriate output signal S can be transmitted to theextraction apparatus2 in order to stop the bucket-wheel excavator or bucket chain excavator and avoid overfilling of theloading chute14.
For the purpose of avoiding a collision between theloading boom13 and the bench conveyor17 (e.g., collision protection), the open-loop/closed-loop control device20 can be additionally fed the signals O of thesensor34 for detecting the current belt pass-over point between the loading belt of theloading boom13 and the bench conveyor belt of the bench conveyor17 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1) or the take-up belt39 of the mobile transfer conveyor37 (e.g., under the conditions of the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 2).
For the purpose of avoiding a collision between theloading boom13 and an object, such as an apparatus or a person, the open-loop/closed-loop control device20 can be additionally fed the signals M of thesensor32 for detecting objects within the range of pivot of the loading boom13 (e.g., collision protection).
These signals O, M are taken into account in the generation of the drive signals R and Q, where applicable also with respect to S.
The exemplary open-loop/closed-loop control system of the present disclosure produces high availability of the components to be used and, for example, high availability of the desired “manless operation” (e.g., automatic) function. As a result, of the proposed open-loop/closed-loop control system, an independence from environmental influences, such as strong solar radiation, heavy rain, snowfall, fog, frost, is obtained. Furthermore, insensitivity to steaming coal or steaming conveyed material is obtained. High accuracy with respect to the positioning and surveying of the belt edges, as well as with respect to belt running detection, is obtained. In addition, both equipment protection and personal protection are ensured under all operating conditions.
Thus, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosed exemplary embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restricted. The scope of the disclosure is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and all changes that come within the meaning and range and equivalence thereof are intended to be embraced therein.
REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST- 1 bucket-wheel excavator or bucket chain excavator
- 2 extraction apparatus of the bucket-wheel excavator or bucket chain excavator
- 3 pivotable superstructure
- 4 inclinable boom inclusive of take-up belt
- 5 bucket wheel
- 6 chute
- 7 take-up chute of theloading boom13
- 8 pivot direction/pivot angle of theboom4 across the block width
- 9 crawler-mounted substructure
- 10 direction of travel of thesubstructure9
- 12 movable transferring device of the bucket-wheel excavator or bucket chain excavator
- 13 loading excavator (discharge conveyor) inclusive of loading belt
- 14 loading chute (rotating chute, transfer chute) of the transferring device
- 15 pivot mechanism/lifting gear for loading boom
- 17 bench conveyor (face conveyor) inclusive of bench conveyor
- 18 bench conveyor axis=belt middle of thebench conveyor17
- 20 open-loop/closed-loop control device
- 21 sensor for detecting the current spatial coordinates xB/yB/zBof the bucket-wheel excavator orbucket chain excavator1→signal A
- 22 sensor for detecting the current spatial coordinates xS/yS/zSof thebench conveyor axis18 or of the take-upbelt39 of themobile transfer conveyor37→signal B
- 23 sensor for detecting the current longitudinal and transverse inclination of theloading boom13→signal C
- 24 sensor for detecting the current pivot angle of theloading boom13→signal D
- 25 sensor for detecting the current load upon the loading belt of theloading boom13→signal E
- 26 sensor for detecting the current distance of theloading boom13 to the track level or above the bench conveyor belt of thebench conveyor17 or above the take-upbelt39 of themobile transfer conveyor37→signal F
- 27 sensor for detecting the current vertical positioning of theloading boom13 above the bench conveyor belt of thebench conveyor17 or above the take-upbelt39 of themobile transfer conveyor37 inclusive of detection of the belt middle→signal G
- 28 sensor for detecting the current load state of the bench conveyor belt of thebench conveyor17 or of the take-upbelt39 of themobile transfer conveyor37,→signal H
- 29 sensor for detecting any current skewing of the bench conveyor belt of thebench conveyor17 or of the take-upbelt39 of themobile transfer conveyor37→signal I
- 30 sensor for detecting the current angular position of theloading chute14→signal K
- 31 sensor for detecting the current inclination of theloading chute14→signal L
- 32 sensor for detecting objects within the range of pivot of the loading boom13 (collision protection)→signal M
- 33 sensor for detecting the current belt pass-over point between the take-up belt of theboom4 and the loading belt of the loading boom13 (collision protection)→signal N
- 34 sensor for detecting the current belt pass-over point between the loading belt of theloading boom13 and the bench conveyor belt of thebench conveyor17 or the take-upbelt39 of the mobile transfer conveyor37 (collision protection)→signal O
- 35 target value presets/parameter presets
- 37 mobile transfer conveyor
- 38 crawler-mounted substructure
- 39 take-up belt
- 40 transfer chute