BELT HEATER FOR CONVEYORS

摘要

A conveyor belt is provided for carrying granular coal or ore from a mine or a crushing station, together with a belt heater in the form of a fuel burner which turns on to melt ice which as formed on the belt at temperatures below freezing. The belt heater heats the conveyor belt surface to a temperature sufficient to melt the ice film to form water and thereby prevent the granular coal or ore from sliding to impair the conveying operation of the conveyor belt or to cause spillage from the conveyor belt. When the conveyor belt stops, the fuel burner stops and thus prevents damage to the conveyor belt. A preferred fuel burner is an oil heater. An infrared heater can also be used but a fuel burner is preferred in flame contact with the belt. The flame of the fuel burner when used in direct contact with the conveyor belt can be immediately shut off when the conveyor belt stops and thereby prevents damage to the conveyor belt. The flame temperature or air temperature reaches a value of at least about 400.degree. C, preferably about 450.degree. C to 850.degree. C. Electrical means are provided to shut down the fuel burner as soon as the conveyor belt stops. Belt heater is useful even if no ice film is formed on the conveyor belt by heating the hinge or fold area of the folding conveyor belt. An oil burner housing is provided with an air access door to permit debris dropping from the conveyor belt near the flame to be removed.