US 4,548,316 AGranted

Run-back safety mechanism for conveyor apparatus

AssigneeRingspann Albrecht Maurer K.G.

InventorRuprecht Maurer

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Abstract

To permit unloading and release of statically stored dynamic energy in a run of a loaded conveyor, e.g. a mining conveyor belt, the return stop mechanism or back-run safety mechanism is coupled to a fixed structure, such as a frame (50, 73, 89) through a releasable friction coupling which is formed by a two-part holding ring (48, 49; 71, 72; 87, 88) coupled to the frame, and having facing inwardly directed surfaces which can be clamped, by controlled friction force against facing surfaces of an outer operating ring (45, 64, 84) of a ratchet or other one-way clutch or drive to prevent back-run or a return stop for the conveyor. Upon controlled release of the frictional engagement, for example by counter-acting spring force or releasing a spring force, the friction surfaces are permitted to slip, thus permitting dissipation of stored energy in the conveyor, for example due to sudden stoppage upon malfunction or external interference, for example by rocks, boulders or the like. The two-part holding ring is preferably constructed with interengaging telescoping ring parts to provide a protective surrounding structure, requiring only minimum radial space.

Return run or run-back stop mechanism for a conveyor (1, 2;

10, 11) having
a conveyor shaft (4, 40, 60, 81) coupled to the conveyor;
a fixed frame (50, 73, 89);
a one-way clutch or coupling connection (7, 8;
25-32) between the conveyor shaft and the fixed frame to permit rotation of the conveyor shaft in one predetermined direction and prevent rotation of the conveyor shaft in reverse direction,
said one-way clutch connection having
a ring-shaped first element (45, 64, 84);
a circular second element (41, 61, 82) concentric with said first element;
and coupling means (42, 62, 83) located between said first and second elements, one (41, 61, 82) of said elements being coupled to the conveyor shaft, the other (45, 64, 84) of said elements being coupled to the fixed frame (50, 73, 89), and said coupling means (42, 62, 83) being arranged to permit free running of said conveyor shaft in said one predetermined direction, but cause engagement with the other element upon reverse direction of rotation,
said mechanism comprising, in accordance with the invention,
a rotatable friction coupling means positioned between the outer (45, 64, 84) of said coupling elements and the frame (50, 73, 89), including
a two-part holding ring (48, 49;
71, 72;
87, 88) having axial surfaces paired with and fitted to face axial surfaces of the other of said elements, at least one of said surfaces being formed as a friction surface (46, 47;
69, 70;
85, 86),
one part (48, 71, 87) of said two-part holding ring being secured to the frame and facing one axial surface of the other of said elements, the other part (49, 72, 88) being non-rotatably and axially movably secured to said first part and facing the other axial surface of the other of said elements;
and adjustable releasable axially acting pressure force means (91, 52, 76) adjustably pressing the other part axially against the other axial surface of the other of said elements for, selectively, locking the other of said elements in fixed position with respect to the frame to form a back-run stop, or frictionally controlled slipping between said elements and hence controlled back-run or return-run of the conveyor.

15 more elements

Abstract

Claims17