Steep-angle conveying installation for open-cast mining
Steep-angle conveying installations may be used to transport raw materials along a slope of an open-cast mining pit, typically from a low-level loading station at a working level of the open-cast mining pit to a high-level unloading station at a ground level. The steep-angle conveying installation may comprise a track arranged on the slope of the open-cast mining pit, as well as one or more conveying cages for moving raw materials along the track between the various levels. Each conveying cage may include an emptying flap that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A thrust carriage may be employed outside the conveying cages to move the emptying flap of the conveying cages between the open and closed positions.
1. A steep-angle conveying installation for transporting raw materials along a slope of an open-cast mining pit from a low-level loading station at a working level of the open-cast mining pit to a high-level unloading station at a ground level, the steep-angle conveying installation comprising:
a track arranged on the slope of the open-cast mining pit;
a first conveying cage and a second conveying cage movable along the track between the low-level loading station and the high-level unloading station, the first and second conveying cages configured to receive raw materials, the first and second conveying cages each having an emptying flap articulatedly disposed on a base side of the conveying cages to permit emptying of the raw materials from the first and second conveying cages, the emptying flap being articulatedly movable between an open position and a closed position; and
a thrust carriage for moving the emptying flap between the open position and the closed position, the thrust carriage positionable against the emptying flap from an outside of the first and second conveying cages by way of a movement that is independent of the movement of the first and second conveying cages.
2. The steep-angle conveying installation of claim 1 further comprising a guide track along which the thrust carriage is movable.
3. The steep-angle conveying installation of claim 2 wherein the guide track is oriented at an angle of less than 45 degrees with respect to the emptying flap in the closed position.
4. The steep-angle conveying installation of claim 2 wherein the guide track is oriented at an angle of less than 10 degrees with respect to the emptying flap in the closed position.
5. The steep-angle conveying installation of claim 2 wherein the guide track is arranged in and movable along the track on the slope of the open-cast mining pit.
6. The steep-angle conveying installation of claim 2 wherein the guide track is formed by at least one guide slot formed in the track arranged on the slope of the open-cast mining pit, wherein guide rollers of the thrust carriage roll along the at least one guide slot.
7. The steep-angle conveying installation of claim 1 further comprising at least one movement actuator for sliding the thrust carriage.
8. The steep-angle conveying installation of claim 1 wherein the thrust carriage is movable against the emptying flap and beyond a point of contact with the emptying flap.
9. The steep-angle conveying installation of claim 8 wherein the first and second conveying cages comprise a flap lock for locking the emptying flap in the closed position, wherein a force on the flap lock is relieved when the thrust carriage is moved beyond the point of contact with the emptying flap.
10. The steep-angle conveying installation of claim 1 wherein the thrust carriage includes at least one contact roller, wherein the emptying flap includes at least one raceway, wherein the at least one contact roller rolls along and contacts the raceway of the emptying flap.
11. A method of actuating an emptying flap articulatedly disposed on a base side of conveying cages of a steep-angle conveying installation for use along a slope of an open-cast mining pit, wherein the emptying flap is articulatedly movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the conveying cages are for transporting raw materials from a low-level loading station at a working level of the open-cast mining pit to a high-level unloading station at a ground level, the method comprising:
moving a conveying cage to the high-level unloading station;
moving a thrust carriage against an outer side of the emptying flap;
unlocking the emptying flap by way of a flap lock; and
articulatedly moving the emptying flap by way of a controlled longitudinal movement of the thrust carriage while maintaining contact between the emptying flap and the thrust carriage, wherein the movement of the thrust carriage is independent of the movement of the conveying cage.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising moving the thrust carriage beyond a point of contact with the emptying flap such that a flap lock that closes the emptying flap is at least partially relieved of a force.
13. The method of claim 11 further comprising using at least one movement actuator to control movement of the thrust carriage.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the at least one movement actuator controls a rate at which the emptying flap is opened.