A rotable bucket wheel assembly and a method for refurbishing an associated bucket wheel reclaimer

Abstract

A bucket wheel assembly (40) includes a structural frame (42) that in use forms a structural part of the boom of a bucket wheel reclaimer. The structural frame (42) supports a bucket wheel (44) having a plurality of attached buckets (46); a ring chute (48) and an associated discharge chute (50). The bucket wheel (44) is attached to the middle of shaft (51), which is supported by two bearings (52). The drive unit is attached to the shaft (51) to provide the rotation torque, and the drive unit is also attached to the structure (42). The structural frame (42) couples to a portion of the boom and transfers the assembly load to the boom when the reclaimer is in operation.

1 . A rotable bucket wheel assembly for coupling to a boom of a bucket wheel reclaimer comprising:
 a bucket wheel;   a shaft coupled to the bucket wheel;   bearings through which the shaft extends; and   a structural frame on which the bucket wheel and shaft are supported,   wherein the structural frame is arranged for demountable attachment to an end of a boom of a bucket wheel reclaimer.   
     
     
         2 . The rotable bucket wheel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the structural frame comprises a plurality of coupling points to enable coupling to a transfer system to facilitate transferring the load of the bucket wheel assembly from the boom to the transfer system whereby the bucket wheel assembly is capable of being transported away from the boom by the transfer system. 
     
     
         3 . The rotable bucket wheel assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the coupling points are configured to facilitate coupling with the transfer system when the transfer system is disposed beneath the structural frame. 
     
     
         4 . The rotable bucket wheel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the structural frame is provided with a plurality of connecting mechanisms configured to cooperate with complementary connecting mechanisms on the boom, wherein when the structural frame is attached to the boom the connecting mechanisms on the frame engage the complementary connecting mechanisms on the boom. 
     
     
         5 . The rotable bucket wheel assembly according to  claim 4  wherein the connecting mechanisms comprise locating elements formed on the structural frame and arranged to cooperate with associated locating elements on the boom and wherein upon engagement of the locating elements remaining connecting mechanisms on the structural frame are in alignment with associated remaining connecting mechanisms on the boom. 
     
     
         6 . The rotable bucket wheel assembly according to  claim 5  wherein the locating elements comprise hooks formed on the structural frame. 
     
     
         7 . The rotable bucket wheel assembly according to  claim 5  wherein the locating elements comprise a plurality of pad eyes configured to receive coupling pins. 
     
     
         8 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A boom for a rotable bucket wheel reclaimer comprising:
 a first structural portion having a front end; and   a structural frame demountable coupled to the front end of the first structural portion wherein the structural frame is the structural frame of a rotable bucket wheel assembly according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         11 . A method of refurbishing a bucket wheel reclaimer having a boom supporting a rotable bucket wheel assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 forming the boom as a first structural portion and a demountable structural frame coupled to a front end of the first structural portion wherein the demountable structural frame is the structural frame of a rotable bucket wheel assembly;   uncoupling the structural frame from the front end of the boom; and   moving the bucket wheel assembly as a single unit to a maintenance location.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein moving the bucket wheel assembly comprises transferring the load of the bucket wheel assembly to a transfer system disposed beneath the structural frame. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  comprising locating a transfer system beneath the structural frame and engaging the coupling points of the structural frame with the transfer system wherein the transfer system carries the load of the bucket wheel assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13  comprising disconnecting the connecting mechanisms of the structural frame from associated connecting mechanisms on the boom when the load of the bucket wheel assembly is transferred to the transfer system. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein transferring the load of the bucket wheel assembly comprises operating a jack system on the transfer system. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13  comprising forming the transfer system as a transfer frame and a self-propelled modular trailer on which the transfer frame is demountable supported. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein locating the transfer system comprises driving the self-propelled modular trailer on which the transfer frame is demountable supported to a position wherein the transfer frame is below the structural frame. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein engaging the coupling points of the structural system with the transfer system comprises one or both of (a) operating the self-propelled modular trailer to lift the transfer frame into contact with the structural frame; and (b) operating a jack system on the transfer frame. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 13  comprising forming the transfer system as a transfer frame on bogie mounted on a rail system. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19  wherein locating the transfer system comprises driving the bogie on the rail system to a position wherein the transfer frame is below the structural frame. 
     
     
         21 . A transfer system when used for removing of a bucket wheel assembly from a boom of a bucket wheel reclaimer wherein the bucket wheel assembly includes a bucket wheel, a shaft coupled to the bucket wheel, bearings through which the shaft extends, and a structural frame on which the bucket wheel and shaft are supported and having a plurality of coupling points, the transfer system comprising: a transport frame configured to support the bucket wheel assembly by engagement with the structural frame from a location beneath the bucket wheel assembly, and a jack system coupled with the transport frame and located on a portion of the transfer frame wherein the when operated the jack system is able to contact the coupling points of the structural frame of the bucket wheel assembly and transfer the load of the bucket wheel assembly to the transfer frame. 
     
     
         22 . The transfer system according to  claim 21  comprising: a trailer or self-propelled modular trailer or a rail mounted bogie on which the transfer frame is supported.