FLEXIBLE FEEDER CONVEYOR SYSTEM

摘要

A flexible feeder conveyor system for removing material from a stockpile and transporting the removed material to a fixed conveyor. The system includes an underconveyor positioned below an excavator and having a loading hopper attached to its forward end to receive material and transport it beneath the excavator a rearward end of the underconveyor. A string of trailing conveyors is towed behind the underconveyor with the last trailing conveyor having its rearward end attached to a stationary terminal support positioned at the fixed conveyor. The underconveyor, the trailing conveyors, and the terminal support are connected together using transition hoppers. Each transition hopper includes an upper hopper mounted to the raised rearward end of the forward conveyor, and a lower hopper mounted to the forward end of the next rearward conveyor. The forward end of the conveyor is rollingly supported by a pair of caster wheels. The upper and lower hoppers are connected together for rotation through both a horizontal plane and a vertical plane. The horizontal rotation is permitted by constructing the upper hopper with an annular support portion and a housing portion rotatably supported thereabove by an annular bearing. The vertical rotation is permitted by a pair of pivot pins attached to the annular support portion which are loosely received within corresponding upwardly opening slots in a housing portion of the lower hopper to permit the upper hopper to pivot with respect to the lower hopper.