Belt-type bulk-material conveyor for underground use

Abstract

A conveyor for transporting bulk material mainly underground along a closed path traversing at least one loading or unloading zone has a mainly one-level track on the path. This track has a one-level main rail following the path outside the zone and having ends at the zone, respective one-level Y-intersections at the zone each having a central leg connected to the respective rail end and right and left arms extending into the zone, and respective right and left rail branches at the zone extending from the right and left arms of the one Y-intersection to the right and left arms of the other intersection and spaced apart transversely of the path. An endless conveyor belt extends along the path and through the zone and has right and left longitudinal edges. Respective endless rows of longitudinally spaced right and left trucks alternate with one another along the path and each have a lower end attached to the respective belt edge and an upper end riding on and displaceable longitudinally in the main rail. An endless and flexible tension-transmitting drive element extends along the path and through the zone and is connected at least indirectly to the belt and trucks. A drive connected to the drive element advances the belt and trucks along the path in a transport direction. A deflector at the upstream Y-intersection forces the right trucks into its right arm and then into the right branch and forces the left trucks into its left arm and then into the left branch. The belt is closed and tubular outside the zone when its right and left trucks are all in the main rail and is open in the zone when the right trucks are in the right branch and the left trucks are spaced therefrom in the left branch.