Device For A Rock Feeder Used In Underground Applications

Abstract

A rock feeder deflector device for a rock feeder used in underground mining applications. The rock feeder has a material transport portion for transporting rock material to a conveyor. The rock feeder deflector device comprises a mounting portion configured to be connected to the rock feeder; a guiding plate movably connected to the mounting portion; and a moving mechanism arranged between the mounting portion and the guiding plate. The moving mechanism is configured to move the guiding plate relative to the mounting portion between an operative position configured to guide rock material to the material transport portion and an inoperative position.

1 . A rock feeder deflector device for a rock feeder used in underground mining applications, the rock feeder having a material transport portion for transporting rock material to a conveyor, the rock feeder deflector device comprising:
 a mounting portion configured to be connected to the rock feeder;   a guiding plate movably connected to the mounting portion; and   a moving mechanism arranged between the mounting portion and the guiding plate, the moving mechanism being configured to move the guiding plate relative to the mounting portion between an operative position configured to guide rock material to the material transport portion and an inoperative position.   
     
     
         2 . The rock feeder deflector device according to  claim 1 , wherein the moving mechanism is configured to pivot the guiding plate relative to the mounting portion. 
     
     
         3 . The rock feeder deflector device according to  claim 2 , wherein, in the operative position of the guiding plate, the guiding plate and the mounting portion are substantially perpendicular to each other and, in the inoperative position of the guiding plate, the guiding plate and the mounting portion are substantially parallel to each other, and/or
 wherein, in the operative position of the guiding plate, the guiding plate and the mounting portion form an angle of more than 90 degrees between them.   
     
     
         4 . The rock feeder deflector device according to  claim 1 , wherein the moving mechanism is operated hydraulically and includes hydraulic actuators connected to the mounting portion and the guiding plate. 
     
     
         5 . The rock feeder deflector device according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion includes a stop configured to function as an abutment for the guiding plate when the guiding plate is in the operative position. 
     
     
         6 . The rock feeder deflector device according to  claim 1 , wherein the guiding plate includes a front face for guiding the rock material, a rear face opposite the front face and side faces extending from the front face to the rear face, and the rock feeder deflector device further comprises:
 side extension plates arranged on the side faces of the guiding plate and configured to increase a width of the guiding plate.   
     
     
         7 . The rock feeder deflector device according to  claim 7 , wherein the side extension plates include flexible end members corrected to outer edges of the side extension plates, and/or
 wherein the side extension plates are pivotably mounted to the side faces, and/or   wherein the rock feeder deflector device further comprises:   
       a pivot mechanism configured to pivot the side extension plates relative to the guiding plate between a pivoted-in position in which the side extension plates are substantially perpendicular to the front face and a pivoted-out position in which the side extension plates are substantially parallel to the front face. 
     
     
         8 . The rock feeder deflector device according to  claim 7 , wherein in the pivoted-out position, the side extension plate and the front face of the guiding plate form an angle of smaller than 180 degrees between them. 
     
     
         9 . The rock feeder deflector device according to  claim 7 , wherein the pivot mechanism is operated hydraulically and includes hydraulic actuators connected to the side extension plates and the guiding plate. 
     
     
         10 . The rock feeder deflector device according to  claim 6 , wherein the side extension plates include extension parts slidably connected to the side extension plates and the rock feeder deflector device further comprises:
 a slide mechanism configured to slide the extension parts between an extended position and a retracted position.   
     
     
         11 . The rock feeder deflector device according to  claim 10 , wherein the slide mechanism is operated hydraulically and includes hydraulic actuators connected to the side extension plates and the extension parts, and/or
 wherein the extension parts include flexible end members connected to outer edges of the extension parts.   
     
     
         12 . The rock feeder deflector device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one height extension plate connected to a top side of the guiding plate and configured to increase a height of the guiding plate.   
     
     
         13 . The rock feeder deflector device according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one height extension plate includes a flexible end member connected to outer edges of the at least one height extension plate, and/or
 wherein the at least one height extension plate includes a front face configured to guide the rock material, a rear face opposite the front face and side faces extending from the front face to the rear face, and the at least one height extension plate further includes: auxiliary side extension plates arranged on the side faces and being pivotable between a pivoted-in position in which the auxiliary side extension plates are substantially perpendicular to the front face and a pivoted-out position in which the auxiliary side extension plates are substantially parallel to the front face.   
     
     
         14 . The rock feeder deflector device according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion is configured to be connected to a connection portion of the rock feeder. 
     
     
         15 . A rock feeder for use in underground mining applications, in particular continuous rock flow mining applications, the rock feeder comprising:
 a base configured to accumulate rock material falling onto the base;   a material transport portion arranged inside the base and configured to transport the rock material from the base to a conveyor;   a connection portion arranged on a top side of the base adjacent the material transport portion and remote from the conveyor; and   a rock feeder deflector device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rock feeder deflector device is connected to the connection portion via the mounting portion.