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BR-102018003507-B1 - WINCH DRUM VOLTAGE ISOLATION SYSTEM

BR102018003507B1BR 102018003507 B1BR102018003507 B1BR 102018003507B1BR-102018003507-B1

Abstract

WINCH DRUM VOLTAGE ISOLATION SYSTEM The present invention relates to a winch drum voltage isolation system including a winch drum with an outward-extending flange. The flange includes a plurality of holes spaced along the flange. The winch drum voltage isolation system also includes a locking mechanism positioned near the winch drum. The locking mechanism includes a locking element that engages with the flange, the locking element being movable between a first position in which the locking element is received in one of the first of the plurality of holes to prevent rotation of the winch drum, and a second position in which the locking element is moved away from the flange to allow rotation of the winch drum. The winch drum voltage isolation system also includes a safety release mechanism that has a release element that is selectively engageable with a second of the plurality of holes to allow removal of the locking element.

Inventors

  • BARRY T. KEY
  • William Tramutolo

Assignees

  • CONTINENTAL GLOBAL MATERIAL HANDLING LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260317
Application Date
20180222
Priority Date
20170223

Claims (12)

  1. 1. WINCH DRUM VOLTAGE ISOLATION SYSTEM, comprising: a winch drum (14, 114) including an outward-extending flange (38, 138), the flange (38, 138) including a plurality of holes (42, 142) spaced along the flange; a locking mechanism (52, 152) positioned close to the winch drum (14, 114) and including a locking element (54, 154) engageable with the flange (38, 138), the locking element (54, 154) being movable between a first position in which the locking element (54, 154) is received in a first hole of a plurality of holes (42, 142) to prevent rotation of the winch drum (14, 114), and a second position in which the locking element (54, 154) is set away from the flange (38, 138) to allow rotation of the winch drum (14, 114); and a safety release mechanism that includes a release element (186) that is selectively coupled with a second hole of the plurality of holes (42, 142) to allow removal of the locking element (54, 154), characterized in that the release element (186) includes a pin (200), and in that the safety release mechanism further includes a connector (199), in which the pin (200) is configured to extend through the second hole of the plurality of holes (42, 142) in the flange (38, 138) and into the connector (199).
  2. 2. WINCH DRUM VOLTAGE ISOLATION SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that the safety release mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder (194) coupled to the release element (186).
  3. 3. WINCH DRUM VOLTAGE ISOLATION SYSTEM, according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises a structure (126), in which the hydraulic cylinder (194) is articulatedly coupled to the structure (126).
  4. 4. WINCH DRUM VOLTAGE ISOLATION SYSTEM, according to claim 3, characterized in that the hydraulic cylinder (194) includes a first end and a second opposite end, wherein the first end is articulatedly coupled to the structure (126), and wherein the release element (186) extends from the second end.
  5. 5. WINCH DRUM VOLTAGE ISOLATION SYSTEM, according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises a winch structure (126), in which the hydraulic cylinder (194) is articulatedly coupled to the winch structure (126).
  6. 6. WINCH DRUM VOLTAGE ISOLATION SYSTEM, according to claim 2, characterized in that the safety release mechanism includes a pump (190) coupled to the hydraulic cylinder (194) through at least one hydraulic line.
  7. 7. WINCH DRUM VOLTAGE ISOLATION SYSTEM, according to claim 6, characterized in that the pump (190) is a hand pump.
  8. 8. WINCH DRUM VOLTAGE ISOLATION SYSTEM, according to claim 4, characterized in that the pin (200) is a first pin and the locking element (54, 154) includes a second pin (154).
  9. 9. WINCH DRUM VOLTAGE ISOLATION SYSTEM, according to claim 8, characterized in that the hydraulic cylinder (194) is articulatedly coupled to the structure (126) around a third pin.
  10. 10. WINCH DRUM VOLTAGE ISOLATION SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an internal transmission box (18, 118) disposed within the winch drum (14, 114).
  11. 11. WINCH DRUM VOLTAGE ISOLATION SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that the winch drum (14, 114) includes a central portion with a first diameter, and the flange (38, 138) has a second diameter larger than the first diameter.
  12. 12. WINCH DRUM VOLTAGE ISOLATION SYSTEM, according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of holes (42, 142) are spaced circumferentially around the flange (38, 138).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE WITH RELATED ORDERS [001] This application claims priority over U.S. Interim Application No. 62/462,533, filed February 23, 2017, the full content of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [002] The present invention relates to a transport system for an underground and/or above-ground mining machine, and in particular to an isolation system for the transport system. STATE OF THE ART [003] Large, heavy winches are used in the underground mining industry. These heavy winches are used to maintain tension on conveyors (e.g., belts) that transport material out of the underground mine. Winches include a winch drum (i.e., a rotating piece around which a winch rope is wound), an electric motor and gearbox to rotate the winch drum, and a parking brake. Occasionally, a conveyor must come to an emergency stop, and the parking brake is subjected to dynamic braking loads, causing overheating and seizing. The seized parking brake eventually hinders the energy stored in the conveyor, and the load cannot be released from the seized brake. This situation puts operators at risk when attempting to repair or replace the motor and gearbox or the parking brake. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [004] According to one construction, a winch drum tension isolation system includes a winch drum with a flange that extends outwards. The flange includes a plurality of holes spaced along the flange. The winch drum tension isolation system also includes a locking mechanism positioned close to the winch drum. The locking mechanism includes a locking element that engages with the flange, the locking element being movable between a first position, in which the locking element is received in a first of the plurality of holes to prevent rotation of the winch drum, and a second position, in which the locking element is moved away from the flange to allow rotation of the winch drum. The winch drum tension isolation system also includes a safety release mechanism that has a release element that is selectively engageable with a second of the plurality of holes to allow removal of the locking element. [005] According to another construction, a winch drum voltage isolation system includes a frame and a winch drum coupled to the frame. The winch drum includes a flange that extends outwards. The flange includes a plurality of holes spaced along the flange. The winch drum voltage isolation system further includes a safety release mechanism coupled to the frame that includes a pin that is selectively coupled with the plurality of holes. The safety release mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder coupled to the release element and articulated to the frame. [006] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [007] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an electric winch system. [008] FIG. 2 is a view of the end of the winch system of FIG. 1. [009] FIGS. 3 and 4 are detailed sectional views of a winch drum voltage isolation system for the winch system of FIG. 1. [010] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the winch drum voltage isolation system of FIGS. 3 and 4. [011] FIG. 6 is a side view of the transport system of FIG. 1, illustrating a ram for actuating a torque arm of the transmission box. [012] FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of a winch system according to another construction. [013] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the winch system of FIG. 7, illustrating a safety release mechanism. [014] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the winch system of FIG. 7, illustrating a different position for the safety release mechanism. [015] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the safety release mechanism. [016] Before any embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangement of the components presented in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Furthermore, it should be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be considered as limited to them. [017] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an electric winch system (10) that is used in an underground and/or non-underground mining environment and maintains the belt tension required to operate. The winch system (10) includes a winch drum (14), a motor (17) and a gearbox (18) that drives the rotation of the winch drum (14), and a parking brake (22) that provides emergency locking force to the motor (17) and gearbox (18). The winch system (10) also includes a winch frame (26) and a conveyor belt (30) that extends through the winch frame (26). The winch drum (14) is coupled to the winch frame (26). A winch cable (not shown) is wound over the winch drum (14) and is used to move a mobile carriage t