WO2012149596A1

WO2012149596A1 - A conveyor system

Info

Publication number: WO2012149596A1
Application number: PCT/AU2012/000450
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthew James MILES; Jeremy David PIESSE
Original assignee: Langkilde Engineering Services
Priority date: 2011-05-02
Filing date: 2012-04-30
Publication date: 2012-11-08
Also published as: AU2012250485A1

Abstract

Drivable moveable conveyor systems for transporting a material, one of the conveyor systems comprising a conveyor belt for conveying material from a loading location to a discharge location; a support frame comprising at least one support module for supporting the belt so that the conveyor system is flexible along at least a portion of the length of the conveyor system; a drive connected to the support frame for driving the conveyor system in a controlled way in any one or more of a forward direction, a rearward direction, and a lateral direction; and a controller for controlling the drive. There is also provided support frames for the movable conveyor systems and a method of transporting a material comprising loading the material onto the conveyor belt of the above mentioned movable conveying systems.

Description

A CONVEYOR SYSTEM

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drivable movable conveyor system for transporting a material, such as mined ore or overburden.

The present invention also relates to a support frame for a drivable movable conveyor system and for a manually moveable, i.e. shiftable, conveyor system for transporting a material, such as mined ore or overburden.

The present invention has particular, although by no means exclusive, application in the mining industry. Background

Conveyor systems are used in industry for conveying a wide range of materials. A conveyor system typically comprises one or more loading points at which materials are loaded onto an endless belt and a discharge point generally at a head of the conveyor system at which the materials are discharged from the belt.

With particular regard to mining applications, flat belt conveyors are used to convey a significant amount of material between locations at relatively high speeds. Such conveyor systems tend to be positioned to transport material in a straight trajectory since bends can, due to the speed of the belts and inertia of the material thereon, create points at which material is inadvertently discharged from the belts. Bends also result in movement of the material towards one side of a flat belt. This movement results in a greater rate of wear of one side of the belt, being the side to which the material is biased when passing around bends, when compared with the other side of the belt. An additional issue inherent in flat belt conveyors is the generation of dust resulting from air dislodging particles of the material as it is carried along the flat belt.

"Pouch" or "closed" conveyor systems have been proposed as an alternative to flat belt conveyors. The pouch belts of these conveyor systems are in an open condition during loading of material onto the belts and are in a closed condition to contain the material in a closed "pouch" whilst conveying the material to discharge ends of the systems. The present invention provides an alternative conveyor system to known systems that has particular, although by no means exclusive, applications in the mining industry that include, by way of example, transporting mined material within a mine pit and transporting mined material from a mine pit to a processing plant or a stockpile in a mine.

The above description of known conveyor systems is not to be taken to be an admission of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a drivable moveable conveyor system for transporting a material, the conveyor system comprising:

(a) a conveyor belt for conveying material from a loading location to a discharge location;

(b) a support frame comprising at least one support module . for supporting the belt so that the conveyor system is flexible along at least a portion of the length of the conveyor system; (c) a drive connected to the support frame for driving the conveyor system in a controlled way in any one or more of a forward direction, a rearward direction, and a lateral direction; and (d) a controller for controlling the drive.

The above drivable conveyor system of the present invention is (a) movable in the sense that it can move in any one or more of a forward direction, a reverse direction, and a lateral direction in a controlled way and (b) flexible in the sense that it can allow such movement, for example, while the conveyor system continues to transport material on the conveyor belt.

By way of example, the drivable conveyor system of the present invention may commence operation with the discharge location and the loading location quite close together and with the loading location moving progressively away from the discharge location as the conveyor system tracks behind an excavator (or other mining equipment) that is picking up mined material from a mine pit or removing mined material from a stockpile. In this type of operation, the conveyor system is initially set up in a curved arrangement with one or more curves to accommodate the initial closeness of the discharge and loading locations and progressively straightens out, i.e. becomes more linear, as the loading location of the conveyor belt tracks away from the discharge location of the system. This movement of the conveyor system requires flexibility in a controlled way along at least a portion of the length of the system.

The drivable conveyor system of the present invention contrasts with conveyor systems known to the applicant in which relocation is confined to either (a) manually shifting skid- or wheel-mounted conveyor systems or (b) disassembly and decommissioning of conveyor systems, relocation of the disassembled parts of the conveyor systems, and reassembly and recommissioning of the conveyor systems in the new locations. The flexibility of the conveyor system of the present invention and the controller of the drivable conveyor system of the present invention make it possible to move the conveyor system in a controlled way.

The conveyor belt may be any suitable belt.

For example, the conveyor belt may be a flat belt.

The conveyor belt may be a pouch belt in a closed or open condition. The pouch belt may be the pouch belt described in the Australian provisional application of the applicant lodged on the same date as the subject Australian provisional application. The disclosure in the patent specification of that other Australian provisional application is incorporated herein by cross-reference. The pouch belt may be any other type of pouch belt.

The drive may comprise a plurality of drive modules at spaced intervals along the length of the belt for driving the conveyor system in a controlled way in any one or more of the forward direction, the rearward direction, and the lateral direction.

Alternatively or in addition the drive may comprise a loading vehicle at the forward end of the conveyor system for driving the conveyor system in a controlled way in the forward direction and in the rearward direction.

The drive may comprise any other suitable means connected to or coupled to the support frame that is capable of driving the conveyor system in a controlled way in any one or more of the forward direction, the rearward direction, and the lateral direction.

The support frame may support the belt so that the conveyor system is flexible along the whole of the length of the conveyor system. The support frame may comprise a plurality of support modules coupled together along the length of the belt. The support modules may be coupled together to allow vertical and horizontal displacement between successive support modules so that the conveyor system can accommodate changes in the terrain over which the conveyor system travels. Each support module may allow horizontal displacement of the module along the length of the module.

Each support module may not allow displacement of the module in any direction other than horizontally.

The support frame may comprise a plurality of the support modules and a plurality of the drive modules coupled together along the length of the belt.

The drive modules and the support modules may comprise an alternating series of the drive modules and the support modules along the length of the belt.

The drive modules and the support modules may comprise any other suitable arrangement of modules. The drive modules and the support modules may be coupled together to allow vertical and horizontal displacement between the modules so that the conveyor system can accommodate changes in the terrain over which the system travels.

The controller may control the conveyor system to increase or to reduce an effective carrying distance of the conveyor system. The term "effective carrying distance" is understood herein to mean a distance in a straight line from where material is loaded onto the belt to where it is discharged from the belt. A reduction in the effective carrying distance means, in effect, that the trajectory of the conveyor system includes one or more curves that reduce the straight line distance between the loading and discharge locations. Hence, the conveyor system is a flexible conveyor system.

Where the conveyor system comprises a plurality of drive modules at spaced intervals along its length, the controller may selectively control the drive modules to form one. or more curves in the conveyor system, thereby reducing the effective carrying distance of the conveyor system.

Where the conveyor system comprises a plurality of drive modules at spaced intervals along its length, the controller may control the drive modules to form one or more straight sections in the conveyor system, thereby maximising the effective carrying distance of the conveyor between successive drive modules.

Configuring the drive modules to be controllable by the controller to both increase and to reduce the effective carrying distance of the conveyor between the drive modules can enable controlled movement of the entire conveyor system. This is particularly useful, for example, where a loader tasked to load the conveyor system breaks down, since the conveyor system can be reassigned to a different loader and move to the different loader. Each support module may comprise a segmented beam that comprises a plurality of spine segments that are coupled together.

The spine segments of each support module may be coupled together to allow the segments to pivot relative to each other in a generally horizontal plane. Typically, pivoting movement to a limited extent only is possible, whereby each support module can form a segment of a large radius curve. Each spine segment may comprise a belt support frame for mounting roller assemblies for supporting the conveyor belt.

Each support module may support a forward run and a return run of the belt in vertical spaced relationship.

Each support module may support a forward run and a return run of the belt in side-by-side spaced relationship. In more specific, although by no means limiting terms, the present invention may provide a drivable movable conveyor system that comprises:

(a) a drive in the form of a plurality of drive modules that are drivable in any one or more of a forward direction, a reverse direction, and a lateral direction and carry a conveyor belt, and

(b) a support frame comprising a plurality of support modules that also carry the belt conveyor, with each support module being in the form of a plurality of spine segments.

The drive modules and the support modules may be coupled together in alternating end-to-end relationship with the drive modules and the support modules coupled together via universal joints that allow movement of adjacent modules in horizontal and vertical planes and, therefore, form a flexible conveyor system. The drive modules may be track-mounted. Each drive module may be a powered and controllable module. The support modules and the drive modules may be coupled together to allow relative movement in horizontal and vertical planes. It can be appreciated that this arrangement of drive modules and support modules allows the conveyor system to be driven at spaced intervals along the length of the system and to accommodate variations in terrain via the couplings between adjacent drive modules and support modules. The spine segments of each support module may be a segmented beam. The spine segments of each support module may be pivotally connected together so that there is no movement of the support module in a vertical plane, no torsional movement of the support module about a longitudinal axis, and limited movement of adjacent segments in a horizontal plane. Specifically, the spine segments of each support module may be pivotally connected together so that there is limited movement of adjacent segments about vertical axes that allow the support module to bend to form a large radius curve. The present invention also provides a support frame for a movable conveyor system, the support frame comprising at least one support module in the form of a segmented beam comprising a plurality of spine segments that are coupled together. The spine segments of each support module may be coupled together to allow the segments to pivot relative to each other in a generally horizontal plane. Typically, pivoting movement to a limited extent only is possible, whereby each support module can form a segment of a large radius curve. Each spine segment may comprise a belt support frame for mounting sets of rollers for supporting the conveyor belt.

The support module may support a forward run and a return run of the belt in vertical spaced relationship.

The support module may support a forward run and a return run of the belt in side-by-side spaced relationship.

The support frame may be used in the above-described drivable movable conveyor system. The support frame may also be used in a manually movable, i.e. shiftable, conveyor system.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a movable conveyor system for transporting a material comprising:

(a) a conveyor belt for conveying material from a loading location to a discharge location; and

(b) a support frame for supporting the belt so that the conveyor system is flexible along at least a portion of the length of the conveyor system and can move laterally, the support frame comprising a plurality of support modules each in the form of a segmented beam that comprises a plurality of spine segments that are coupled together.

The conveyor system may be a drivable moveable system while the belt is operating and transporting material along the belt.

The conveyor system may be a manually movable, i.e. manually shiftable, system while the belt is not operating.

In accordance with the invention there is also provided a method of transporting a material comprising loading the material onto the conveyor belt of the above- described movable conveying system at a loading location of the system while driving the conveyor belt and transporting the material along the belt and discharging the material from a discharge location of the system.

The material may be a mined material. The material may be a mined material that has been crushed in a crusher. ln accordance with the invention there is also provided a method of mining a material comprising mining the material in a mine and transporting the mined material, in the as-mined form or a crushed form, in a mine pit or outside a mine pit to a processing plant or a stockpile of the mine on the conveyor belt of the above-described movable conveying system from a loading location of the system to a discharge location of the system.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention is now described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 shows a length of an embodiment of a drivable movable conveyor system in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a drive module of a drive of the conveyor system of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a section of a spine module of a support frame of the conveyor system of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a partial view of the spine section of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a section of the conveyor system of Figure

1 ;

Figure 6 is an exemplary top perspective view of the whole conveyor system of Figure 1 located in a mine and being used to transfer mined material to a stockpile; and

Figures 7A to 7D are perspective views that show the steps for forming stockpiles and reclaiming stockpiles using the conveyor system of Figure 6. Detailed Description

The embodiment of the drivable movable conveyor system 10 (hereinafter referred to as "conveyor 10"), as shown in Figure 1 , is suitable to convey material, such as a mined ore.

An example of the use of the conveyor 10 in a mine is shown in Figure 6. The Figure shows the conveyor 10 used to transfer mined material from a loading location 12 to a discharge location 14 positioned proximate a stockpile 68 to form the stockpile 68. This is not the only possible use of the conveyor 10 within a mine.

The conveyor 10 comprises: (a) an endless conveyor belt 16 for conveying material from the loading location 12 to the discharge location 14,

(b) a support frame 18 for supporting the belt 16, and in the present case comprising a plurality of support modules in the form of spine modules 32;

(c) a drive for driving the conveyor 10, and in the present case comprising a plurality of drive modules 20, and

(d) a controller (not shown) for controlling the drive.

The drive modules 20 and the spine modules 32 of the support frame 18 are coupled together to form a flexible conveyor 10 along the whole length of the conveyor 10. The drive modules 20 drive the conveyor 10. The conveyor 10 is a flexible conveyor in that the trajectory, i.e. the pathway of movement, of the conveyor can be selectively changed between a straight trajectory and a curved trajectory via the operation of the controller as the conveyor continues to operate to transport material on the belt 16 and the conveyor moves within the mine.

The controller controls the drive modules 20 to control an effective carrying distance of the conveyor 10. The effective carrying distance for the conveyor shown in Figure 6 is the straight line described by the letter "L".

When increasing the effective carrying distance of the conveyor 10, one of the loading locations 12 and the discharge location 14 (tail or head end of the conveyor 10) needs only be moved away from the other. If there are bends in the conveyor 10, they will straighten in a controlled way as discussed below thereby increasing the linearity of the conveyor 10 (i.e. how closely the conveyor 10 approximates a straight line).

Extending the effective carrying distance of the conveyor 10 requires that the conveyor 10 have sufficient tensile strength and structural integrity to permit movement by, for example, a tracked vehicle or a loader (not shown) during a period of continuous mining along a wall and that the conveyor 10 be constructed to be flexible and to allow controlled movement of the conveyor via the controller. Contrastingly, when reducing the effective carrying distance of the conveyor 10, the linearity of the conveyor 10 necessarily reduces and the conveyor 10 has a more curved trajectory. As above, it is important that the conveyor 10 be constructed to be flexible and to allow controlled movement of the conveyor via the controller. If this movement of the conveyor 10 is not controlled, the conveyor 10 will rearrange itself by forming bends in an uncontrolled manner. If there are material faults or weaknesses in the conveyor 10, these may form part of the path of least resistance to the bending of the conveyor 0, resulting in damage to the conveyor 10 and the belt 16 as it bends along that path. Bends in the conveyor 10 may also form in an uncontrolled way down inclines, encroach on haul roads and other areas, causing jack-knifing and placing non- design stresses on the conveyor 10. In essence, the uncontrolled movement of the conveyor 10 as the effective carrying distance reduces can lead to damage, the creation of hazards, injury and lost production.

In order to achieve control of the movement of the conveyor system 10 shown in the Figures as the discharge location 14 and the loading location 12 move closer together or further apart, the drive modules 20, one of which is shown in Figure 2, are independently controllable to move the conveyor 10 laterally and create curves in the conveyor 10.

The curves maintain a substantially stress-free operation of the conveyor 10 whilst reducing its effective carrying distance.

The control of the drive modules 20 is achieved by a controller for performing control sequences as described in relation to Figures 7A to 7D. The controller may be any suitable controller. In the described embodiment, each of the drive modules 20 is controlled for movement independently of the other modules 20. In other embodiments, the drive modules 20 may be in a master/slave relationship with one of the modules 20 being a main module and the other modules moving in response to the main module in a controlled way. In the configuration shown in Figure 6 in which mined material is being delivered to a stockpile 68, movement in general of the conveyor 10 is controlled by an operator located on the mobile stacker 66. Assuming that the loading location 12 remains fixed (for the purpose of simplifying the description), manual operation of the mobile stacker 66 at the discharge location 4 in any direction by the operator results in the controller moving the drive modules 20 in a predetermined way in response to that movement. The control signals may be sent via a wireless link or via hardwiring. In other embodiments, the conveyor 10 may be entirely remotely controlled, in which case, a wireless based control system would be used.

The drive modules 20 may take any appropriate form as necessary to support and provide mobility to the conveyor 10. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the drive module 20 includes a belt frame 22 and assemblies 24 of rollers 26 depending from the belt frame 22.

The rollers 26 support both a forward run 28 of the belt 6 and a return run 30 in vertical spaced apart relationship. The invention is not confined to this arrangement and, for example, the forward and return runs may be positioned side-by-side in the same horizontal plane.

The rollers 26 also ensure the smooth running of the belt 16 and, for pouch conveyors belts (such as belt 16 as shown), the arrays 24 also ensure the belt 16 remains in a closed pouch configuration when required. It is noted that the invention also extends to other types of belt, including flat belts. In addition, it is noted that the invention is not confined to arrangements in which the belt 16 is in an upper orientation in the return run of the belt shown in the Figures.

The drive modules 20 are provided at spaced positions along the length of the conveyor 10 and the spine modules 32 of the support frame 18 are installed between the drive modules 20. With reference to Figure 3, each spine module 32 comprises a series of spine segments 34. The spine segment 34 at each end of each spine module 32 is coupled with a drive module 20 by a coupling 36 (one part of which is shown in Figure 2). The coupling 36 allows rotation of the spine module 32, relative to the drive module 20, in a vertical plane (i.e. about a horizontal axis).

While it may be useful to provide more than one rotational degree of freedom in particular circumstances (e.g. using a universal joint) and the. present invention extends to such arrangements, the present coupling 36 is arranged as discussed below, not to allow rotation in any plane other than a vertical plane (i.e. does not allow lateral or torsional angular displacement). In order to provide one rotational degree of freedom, the coupling 36 includes a pair of plates (not shown) fixed to the belt frame 22 of the drive module 20 (e.g. via welding) and disposed in a substantially vertical plane. The spine segment 34 coupled with the drive module 20 is provided with a sleeve (not shown - similar to sleeve 58 shown in Figure 4, though rotated through 90°) through which an axle bolt 40 (not shown) extends. The sleeve, and thus the spine segment 34, rotates about the axis of the axle bolt 40 to achieve rotation in a vertical plane. This rotation allows the conveyor 10 to travel along a path that has a changing incline relative to a horizontal plane. While couplings 36 enable the conveyor 10 to adapt to changing inclines, it will be appreciated that the ground underneath each drive module 20 may have a slope in more than one direction. To ensure efficient and consistent operation of the conveyor 10, the drive modules 20 are adapted to maintain the belt frame 22 in an upright condition. An upright condition of the belt frame 22 also ensures the belt 16 travels in the rollers 26 with consistent orientation, thereby ensuring consistent wear of the belt 16 and consequently increasing its longevity.

In order to maintain the upright condition of the belt frame 22, the drive modules 20 are provided with an undercarriage (not shown) that may be moved by a pair of caterpillar tracks 44 and is pivotally mounted to a chassis 46. The belt frame 22 is also pivotally mounted to the chassis 46.

The combined effect of the pivotal mountings is that the undercarriage can be moved into a stable position on the ground while the chassis 46 remains parallel or tangential to the trajectory of the conveyor 10. The pivotal mounting between the belt frame 22 and the chassis 46 then allows the belt frame 22 to pivot to an upright condition in line with the trajectory of the conveyor 10.

The pivotal connections can be provided and controlled using any appropriate mechanism. In the present embodiment, the pivotal connection between the chassis 46 and belt frame 22 involves a set of cylindrical bearings (not shown) mounted to the chassis 46 and shaped to receive a shaft 48 mounted to the belt frame 22. The shaft 48 pivots in the bearings resulting in rotation of the belt frame 22 relative to the chassis 46.

Pivoting of the belt frame 22 is controlled by a set of hydraulic struts 50. Thus, to maintain the belt frame 22 in an upright condition, the belt frame 22 pivots about a horizontal axis relative to the chassis 46, and pivots (with the chassis 46) relative to the undercarriage about a vertical axis.

'

The drive module 20 moves by operation of the caterpillar tracks 44. The caterpillar tracks 44 are separately operable in a known manner by drive motors 51 , which drive motors 51 may be locally or remotely controlled. Since each caterpillar track 44 is provided with a separate drive motor 50, the caterpillar tracks 44 can be independently driven to move the drive module 20 forward, in reverse, laterally, or to rotate the undercarriage on the spot without affecting a change in orientation of the belt frame 22 (e.g. driving the caterpillar tracks 44 in opposite directions will cause rotation of the undercarriage in one direction, whilst pivoting the undercarriage relative to the chassis 46 in the opposite direction) at the same rate, resulting in no movement of the chassis 46.

While the drive modules 20 can be provided with a single drive motor 51 , such a configuration is not as flexible as a configuration employing two drive motors 51 , since the undercarriage and consequently the drive modules 20 can rotate on the spot. The capability to rotate on the spot serves to reduce the complexity of the control of the drive motors 50, as control algorithms need not account for a minimum turning radius when determining how to arrange the drives modules 20 to adjust the trajectory of the conveyor 10.

A spine module 32, as shown in Figure 3, comprises a series of spine segments 34 which are coupled together to form a segmented beam. Adjacent spine segments 34 can pivot relative to each other, typically to a limited degree only, in a generally horizontal plane, i.e. about a vertical axis, by pivotal connections 54 similar to couplings 36 as described above in relation to Figure 2.

Each spine segment 34 comprises a belt support frame 49, to which is mounted two sets 52 of rollers 26 for supporting the belt 16. One set 52i of rollers 26 supports the forward run 28 of the belt and the other set 52ii supports the return run 30.

It will be appreciated that the number and configuration of rollers 26 in each set 52 will depend on the nature and configuration of the belt 16. For example, the sets 52 may comprise a plurality of rollers 26, Contrastingly, if a flat belt were used instead of the pouch belt 16, the rollers 26 may be replaced with idlers or another suitable arrangement.

As can best be seen in Figure 4, in order to enable the spine segments 34 to pivot relative to one another, the spine segments 34 are connected by pivotal couplings 54 similar to couplings 36 discussed above. Each coupling 54 comprises a pair of parallel plates 56, each plate 56 being connected at one side to a spine segment 34 and is rounded at the opposite side. An adjacent spine segment 34 is provided with a sleeve 58 through which an axle bolt or pin 60 extends. The axle bolt 60 enables the sleeve 58 to pivot relative to the plates 56, thereby affecting an angular displacement between adjacent spine segments 34 in a generally horizontal plane. In order to assist in rotation of adjacent spine segments 34, the coupling 54 includes bearings 62 mounted at either end of the axle bolt 60. In addition, the couplings 54 substantially prevent any angular displacement between adjacent spine segments in any plane other than the horizontal plane. It will be appreciated that many different coupling systems may be employed and are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

The couplings 36 between spine segments 34 and drive modules 20, and the couplings 54 between adjacent spine segments 34, are designed so that the angular displacement permitted by each coupling 36, 54 is at most an angle that would achieve a minimum radius of curvature of the belt 16 in either a horizontal or vertical plane, as appropriate. The minimum radius of curvature will depend on the properties of the belt 16 (e.g. the size, speed of travel, flexibility and configurations such as a flat or pouch configuration).

The angular displacement permitted by each coupling 36, 54 can be limited by any appropriate means. For example, the drive module 20 may be shaped to come into abutment with the spine segment 34 with which it is coupled when that spine segment 34 has reached a maximum desirable angular displacement with respect to the drive module 20 (for example, it may not have a rounded side as described above). A similar arrangement may be used between adjacent spine segments 34. Alternatively, a hydraulic system (not shown) may be used to hydraulically control the degree of relative rotation of adjacent spine segments 34.

A conveyor 10, as shown in Figure 5, can be used to navigate an incline. In this embodiment, one drive module 20i is on substantially horizontal ground and a second drive module 20ii is located on the incline. The drive modules 20i, 20ii are connected via a spine module 32! This Figure demonstrates how an angular offset between spine segments 34 and drives modules 20 can result in a conveyor 10 capable of traversing variable inclines. A flexible stockpile conveyor 10, as shown in Figure 6, comprises an alternating series of drive modules 20 and spine modules 32 extending between the loading location 12 and the discharge location 14. The conveyor 10 as shown includes a bend 64, which means the effective carry distance (L) of the conveyor 10 is less than the maximum effective carrying distance (when the trajectory of the conveyor 10 is straight). The ability to form curves 64 in the conveyor 10 enables a mobile stacker 66 to form stockpiles 68 by extending the conveyor 10 to its maximum effective carrying distance to initiate the stockpile 68. As the stockpile 68 grows, the mobile stacker 66 progresses generally back towards the loading location 12 and the drive modules 20 thus adjust the trajectory of the conveyor 10 to accommodate the change in relative positions of the loading location 12 and mobile stacker 66. One example of a stockpile formation and reclamation processes are shown in Figures 7A to 7D. Equally, these Figures could describe formation and reclamation of a heap of ore in a heap leaching operation.

Referring first to Figure 7A, a stacker 66, representing the discharge location 14, is used to form a stockpile 68i and is connected via conveyor 10i to the loading location 12i.

The stacker 66 is initiating a stockpile 68i and thus the conveyor 10i is at full extension (i.e. is at the maximum effective carrying distance at which the trajectory of the conveyor 10i is substantially straight).

The stacker 66 can move laterally in an arc, as indicated by the crescent shape of the stockpile 68i. While initiating the stockpile 68i, the stacker 66 may pull one or more drive modules 20 along with it. In this circumstance, the drive modules 20 may be free-wheeling since there is substantially no change in distance between the stacker 66 and loading location 12i. However, ideally the drive modules 20 are driven at all times when repositioning the conveyor 10i, rather than being allowed to free-wheel. This assists in ensuring the drive modules 20 and the spine modules 32 therebetween do not experience non- design stresses. Also shown in Figure 7a is a reclaimer 70, representing the loading location 12, for reclaiming a stockpile 68ii. In the arrangement shown, the reclaimer 70 is linked via a conveyor 10ii to a discharge location 14, for discharging the stockpile 68ii to a train or ship loadout. The conveyor 10il is divided into multiple segments, these being: a loop 72; two parallel sides 74, 76; a length 78 extending from side 74 to discharge point 14ii; and a length 80 extending from the reclaimer 70 to side 76. As the reclaimer 70 reclaims the stockpile 68ii, it progresses away from the discharge location 14ii. In so. doing, the parallel sides 74, 76 reduce in length as the effective carrying distance of the conveyor 10ii increases (i.e. more of the conveyor 10ii is required to bridge the distance between the reclaimer 70 and the discharge location 14ii), as shown in Figure 7B.

It will be appreciated that, while the conveyors 10i, 10H may take any appropriate form to shorten the respective effective carrying distances (e.g. by incorporating two or more such loops) a single loop and two parallel sides as shown in Figures 7a to 7d affords a less complex control algorithm. In particular, the length 80 of the conveyor 10ii connected to the reclaimer 70 extends back directly towards the discharge location 14ii - in the present case length 80 extends towards the discharge location 14ii until it is a little over twice the minimum radius of curvature of the belt 10ii from the discharge location 14ii. At this point, the belt 10ii curves around an approximately 90 degree angle into side 76 and up and around the loop 72 the size of which is generally defined by the minimum radius of curvature of the belt 10ii. The conveyor 10ii then extends from the loop 72 into the side 74 and back towards the discharge location 14ii. Such an arrangement is simple since any one of the drive modules 20 in the side 74 remains stationary while the reclaimer 70 extends away from the discharge location 14ii, until such time as the effective carrying length of the conveyor 10ii requires a further drive module 20 to migrate around the loop 72. Moreover, the effective carrying distance of the conveyor 10ii can be determined knowing only its minimum radius of curvature, its length and the length of one of side 74, 76 and length 80. Advantageously, this allows the effective carrying distance of the conveyor to be controlled by determining an appropriate length of one of sides 74 and 76 or length 80, which will result in a consequential proportional adjustment to the other two of sides 74, 76 and length 80. Controlling the length of side 74 for example: since the loop 72 and length 78 require a fixed length of conveyor 10ii (based on the minimum radius of curvature of the belt 16), then adjusting the length of side 74 will result in a similar adjustment to the length of side 76 (being the same length as side 74). Thus the change in length 80 is equal to the change in length of side 74, plus the change in length of side 76. In other words, the change in length 80 is equal to twice the change in length of side 74. Since the effective carrying distance is governed by length 80, and adjusting the length of side 74 results in a known change in length 80, the effective carrying distance of the conveyor 10N can be adjusted by changing the length of side 74 resulting in a proportional change in the lengths of side 76 and length 80 accordingly.

Figure 7C shows a further iteration in the stacking and reclaiming processes, in which conveyor 10ii is nearly at its maximum effective carrying distance and, contrastingly, the effective carrying distance of the conveyor 10i has been shortened.

The final figure in the sequence, namely Figure 7D, shows stockpile 68ii entirely reclaimed and stockpile 68i being full. As shown, the reclaimer 70 is at full extension and thus the effective carrying distance of conveyor 10il is equal to its length (i.e. the maximum effective carrying distance). Contrastingly, the effective carrying distance of conveyor 101 is very short when compared with the length of that conveyor 10i.

It will be appreciated that the effective carrying distance of the conveyor 10 may also change if the loading location 12 and/or discharge location 14 are not fi,xed in position along the conveyor 10. However, such a reduction in effective carrying distance does not directly result in a change in trajectory of the conveyor 10. It will be appreciated that drive modules 20 are required where the trajectory of the conveyor 10 is required to change.

It is further to be appreciated that the entire conveyor 10 may be driveable, i.e. the entire system can be moved by driving the drive modules 20 together, or the like. It will be understood by persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made to the embodiment of the present invention described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

By way of example, whilst not described in relation to the Figures, the present invention extends to a method of mining a material comprising mining the material in a mine and transporting the mined material on the belt 16 of the conveyor 10, in the as-mined form or a crushed form, in a mine pit or outside a mine pit to a processing plant or a stockpile of the mine. It is to be appreciated that such an example can be used to transfer the mined material out of the pit using a single, continuous conveyor 10 without the use of haul trucks, or the like.

By way of further example, whilst the embodiment described in relation to the Figures is a flexible conveyor 10 along the whole length of the conveyor 10, the present invention is not so limited and extends to arrangements in which the conveyor 10 is flexible along a portion (or portions) only of the length of the conveyor 10, with the other portion (or portions) of the conveyor 10 being inflexible.

Claims

1. A drivable moveable conveyor system for transporting a material, the conveyor system comprising:

(b) a support frame comprising at least one support module for supporting the belt so that the conveyor system is flexible along at least a portion of the length of the conveyor system;

(c) a drive connected to the support frame for driving the conveyor system in a controlled way in any one or more of a forward direction, a rearward direction, and a lateral direction; and

(d) a controller for controlling the drive.

2. The system defined in claim 1 wherein the support frame comprises a plurality of support modules coupled together along the length of the belt.

3. The system defined in claim 2 wherein the support modules are coupled together to allow vertical and horizontal displacement between successive support modules so that the conveyor system can accommodate changes in the terrain over which the conveyor system travels.

4. The system defined in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein each support module allows horizontal displacement of the module along the length of the module.

5. The system defined in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein each support module does not allow displacement of the module in any direction other than horizontally.

6. The system defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the drive comprises a plurality of drive modules at spaced intervals along the length of the belt for driving the conveyor system in a controlled way in any one or more of the forward direction, the rearward direction, and the lateral direction.

7. The system defined in claim 6 wherein the support frame comprises a plurality of the support modules and a plurality of the drive modules coupled together along the length of the belt.

8. The system defined in claim 6 wherein the drive modules and the support modules comprise an alternating series of modules along the length of the belt.

9. The system defined in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the drive modules and the support modules are coupled together to allow vertical and horizontal displacement between the modules so that the conveyor system can accommodate changes in the terrain over which the system travels.

10. The system defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the controller is adapted to control the conveyor system to increase or to reduce an effective carrying distance of the conveyor system.

11. The system defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein each support module comprises a segmented beam that comprises a plurality of spine segments that are coupled together.

12. The system defined in claim 11 wherein the spine segments of each support module are coupled together to allow the segments to pivot relative to each other in a generally horizontal plane.

13. The system defined in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein each spine segment comprises a belt support frame for mounting roller assemblies for supporting the conveyor belt.

14. A drivable movable conveyor system that comprising:

15. A support frame for a movable conveyor system, the support frame comprising at least one support module in the form of a segmented beam comprising a plurality of spine segments that are coupled together.

16. The support frame defined in claim 15 wherein the spine segments of each support module are coupled together to allow the segments to pivot relative to each other in a generally horizontal plane.

17. The support frame defined in claim 15 or claim 16 wherein each spine segment comprises a belt support frame for mounting sets of rollers for supporting the conveyor belt.

18. A movable conveyor system for transporting a material comprising:

(a) a conveyor belt for conveying material from a loading location to a discharge location; and (b) a support frame for supporting the belt so that the conveyor system is flexible along at least a portion of the length of the conveyor system and can move laterally, the support frame comprising a plurality of support modules each in the form of a segmented beam that comprises a plurality of spine segments that are coupled together.

19. The system defined in claim 18 being a drivable moveable system while the belt is operating and transporting material along the belt.

20, The system defined in claim 18 being a manually movable, i.e. manually shiftable, system while the belt is not operating.

21. A method of transporting a material comprising loading the material onto the conveyor belt of the movable conveying system defined in any one of claims 1 to 14 and 18 to 20 at a loading location of the system while driving the conveyor belt and transporting the material along the belt and discharging the material from a discharge location of the system.

22. The method defined in claim 21 wherein the material is a mined material.

23. The method defined in claim 22 wherein the mined material is mined material that has been crushed in a crusher.

24. A method of mining a material comprising mining the material in a mine and transporting the mined material, in the as-mined form or a crushed form, in a mine pit or outside a mine pit to a processing plant or a stockpile of the mine on the conveyor belt of the movable conveying system defined in any one of claims 1 to 14 and 18 to 20 from a loading location of the system to a discharge location of the system

25. A drivable moveable conveyor system for transporting a material as herein described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings.

26. A support frame for a movable conveyor system as herein described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings.

27. A movable conveyor system for transporting a material as herein described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings.

28. A method of mining a material as herein described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings.