WO2011161639A2

WO2011161639A2 - System and method for loading, transportation and unloading of bulk materials

Info

Publication number: WO2011161639A2
Application number: PCT/IB2011/052754
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy John Fleischer
Original assignee: Timothy John Fleischer
Priority date: 2010-06-23
Filing date: 2011-06-23
Publication date: 2011-12-29
Also published as: WO2011161639A3

Abstract

This invention relates to a system and method for the loading, transportation and unloading of bulk materials. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a system and method for the loading, transportation and unloading of bulk materials in a rail transportation environment. The system includes a length of railway for receiving the railway carriage; at least one platform located adjacent and substantially parallel to the length of railway, the platform being configured for ah upper surface thereof to be substantially co-planar with that of a railway carriage located on the railway; and a displacement arrangement adapted to enable the sideways displacement of a container relative to the platform towards or away from the railway.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOADING, TRANSPORTATION AND

UNLOADING OF BULK MATERIALS

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a system and method for the loading, transportation and unloading of bulk materials. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a system and method for the loading, transportation and unloading of bulk materials in a rail transportation environment.

The handling and transportation of bulk material is a process that is ubiquitous in trade and industry. A popular mode of transportation of bulk material is rail transportation. There are however a number of shortcomings that are associated with the existing rail transportation approach, in particular insofar as the transportation of bulk materials is concerned.

Bulk materials, such as coal and ore, are typically transported in purpose built railroad cars, including hopper cars and rotary car dumpers. Although these cars have been specifically designed for the handling and transportation of bulk materials, the cost of these cars may prove prohibitive in rendering rail transport economically viable if the cars are not -l- already available. Other types of cars, such as flat wagons, are often available for use, but are not adapted to carry bulk materials.

The loading and unloading of the bulk material into and out of the cars are also a factor that influences the efficiency and economic viability of rail transport of bulk materials. Typically, bulk cargo is dropped or poured into a suitable railroad car using a spout or shovel bucket. It will however be appreciated that this is effectively a batch process in which the railroad cars are loaded sequentially. This results in the process of loading the carriages being a time-consuming one, which renders the process inefficient. It also results in sub-optimal utilization of locomotives due to extended standing times. Similar problems are experienced during the unloading of the bulk loads. it is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a system and method for the loading, transportatiori and unloading of bulk materials that will, at least partially, alleviate the above disadvantages.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a new rail carriage suitable for use in the above system and method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a system for use in the loading and unloading of freight containers onto and from a railway carriage, the system including:

a length of railway for receiving the railway carriage;

at least one platform located adjacent and substantially parallel to the length of railway, the platform being configured for an upper surface thereof to be substantially co-planar with that of a railway carriage located on the railway; and

a displacement arrangement adapted to enable the sideways displacement of a container relative to the platform towards or away from the railway.

Platforms may be provided on both sides of the length of railway, the opposing platforms being substantially parallel relative to one another. Lengths of railway may also be provided on both sides of the platform in cases where containers need to be transferred from one railway to another.

There is provided for the displacement arrangement to include a plurality of rollers orientated parallel relative to the length of railway in order to enable displacement of a container along the platform in a transverse direction relative to the length of railway.

There is provided for the platform to be inclined in a direction perpendicular to the railway, in order for the container to be displaceable on the rollers under the influence of gravity. In this embodiment there is also provided for the railway to be inclined in the same direction.

Alternatively, or in addition, there is provided for the displacement arrangement to include displacement means for displacing the container relative to the rollers.

The displacement means may be in the form of external drive means, for example a winch, which can engage a container to be displaced. The displacement means may also be in the form of internal drive means configured to rotate the rollers. A further feature of the invention provides for container locking pins to be provided on a loading platform of the system, the pins being displaceable between a locking position in which at least part of each pin protrudes from the platform so as to be able to engage a container located thereon, and an unlocked position in which the pin is retracted into the platform in order not to interfere with a container located on the platform.

There still further provided for a platform on one side of the railway to be in the form of an unloading platform that includes unloading stations for use in unloading a load from a container located on a carriage on the railway. Preferably, each unloading stations is adapted for use in the unloading of a bottom discharge container having bottom opening doors.

A plurality of unloading stations are preferably provided adjacent one another along a length of the platform, in order for a plurality of containers to be unloaded contemporaneously.

There is provided for each unloading station to include:

a discharge chamber for receiving a load discharged from the container;

a displacement arrangement for displacing the container relative to the discharge chamber, the displacement arrangement being configured for the container to come to rest above the discharge chamber; and

an actuating mechanism suitable for displacing a door of the container from an open to a closed position when the container is positioned above the discharge chamber.

In a preferred embodiment the discharge chamber has an inclined floor so as to cause the discharged load automatically to be guided out of the discharge chamber. -b-

The displacement arrangement is preferably in the form of a plurality of rollers orientated parallel relative to the platform in order to enable displacement of a container along the platform in a transverse direction relative to the length of railway.

The actuating mechanism may be in the form of a piston and cylinder arrangement which is displaceable between

an extended position in which an operatively upper end of the piston and cylinder arrangement is located substantially co-planar with an operatively upper surface of the platform in order to, in use, retain a door of a bottom discharge container located thereon in a closed position; and

a retracted position in which an operatively upper end of the piston and cylinder arrangement is located below an operatively upper surface of the platform in order to, in use, allow the door of the bottom discharge container located thereon to be displaced to a closed position

There is also provided for a conveyor belt arrangement to be located adjacent the discharge chamber, in order for material discharged from the discharge chamber to fall onto the conveyor belt arrangement.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a means of transportation, suitable for use in the system for use in the loading and unloading of freight containers as described above, the means of transportation including:

a substantially planar base located on a wheeled chassis;

container engagement formations located on the base for reieasably securing containers relative to the base; and

container displacement means adapted to enable displacement of a container transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the base. There is provided for the container displacement arrangement to comprise a plurality of rollers orientated parallel relative to the longitudinal axis of the means of transportation so as to enable displacement of a container along the base in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the means of transportation.

The means of transportation may also include container locking pins being displaceable between a locking position in which at least part of each pin protrudes from the base of the means of transportation so as to be able to engage a container located thereon, and an unlocked position in which the pin is retracted into the base in order not to interfere with a container located on the means of transportation. The container engagement formations may be in the form of twist locks as is known in the art.

The means of transportation may be a railway carriage, and may also be a trailer of a truck.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of loading carnages of a train with containers containing bulk material, the method including the steps of:

locating the container on a loading platform as described above; - positioning a railway carriage as described above adjacent the container; and

- displacing the container onto the railway carriage.

The method may also include the step of unlocking locking pins provided on the loading platform so as to allow the container to be displaceable relative to the loading platform. The method may also include the steps of locking the locking pins provided on the carriage once the container has been displaced onto the carriage, and also to lock the container engagement formations provided on the carriage in order releasably to secure the container relative to the carriage.

According to a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of unloading containers containing bulk material from a carriage of a train, the method including the steps of:

- positioning the carriage of the train adjacent an unloading arrangement of a platform as described above;

- displacing the carriage from the carriage onto the unloading arrangement. The method may also inciude the steps of unlocking the container engagement formations provided oh the carriage to enable the container to be displaceabie relative to the carriage, and also to unlock the locking pins provided on the carriage. The method may also include the step of displacing the actuating mechanism of the unloading arrangement from an extended position to a retracted position once the container is located on the unloading arrangement, ih order to allow the load ih the container to be discharged into the discharging chamber of the unloading arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described by way of a non- limiting example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a carriage in accordance with one aspect of the invention, with a loaded container located on the carriage;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a system for use in loading containers onto the carriage(s) of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a system for unloading containers from the carriage(s) of Figure 1, and of an unloading arrangement in accordance with a further aspect of the invention:

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the system of Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the system of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a trailer adapted to be used with the container and methodology of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like features, a non-limiting example of a system for use in the loading, transportation and unloading of containers, and in particular but not exclusively bottom discharge containers 40 for use in transporting bulk materials, is depicted, and comprises a loading arrangement 10 and an unloading arrangement 20. A purpose designed carriage 30 is also shown, and is used to transport the containers 40 between the loading arrangement 10 and the unloading arrangement 20. Referring to figure 1 , the carriage 30 for use in the loading and unloading system comprises a planar base 31 mounted on two bogies 32, each having two wheel sets. Displacement means 33, in this embodiment in the form of a plurality of rollers, are mounted on the base 31, and more particularly are orientated with axes of rotation of the rollers parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base 31. This result in a container 40 located on the carriage 30 being displaceable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the carriage 30. It will be appreciated that, in this particular embodiment, the displacement means 33 are in the form of rollers, but any mechanism that will allow displacement of a container 40 transverse to the carriage 30 will suffice in meeting the objectives of this invention.

The carriage 30 also includes container engagement formations 34 which are adapted releasably to engage complementary securing apertures provided in the base of the container 40. These engagement formations 34, which are typically in the form of twist locks (as is well known in the art of container handling) are provided to releasably secure the container 40 to the carriage 30 during transportation. Additional locking pins 35 are furthermore provided in the base 31 , and are used to achieve controlled loading and unloading of the containers, as is described in more detail below.

Figure 2 shows a loading arrangement 10 of the system for use in the loading, transportation and unloading of containers. The loading arrangement 10 comprises a loading platform 12, an unloading platform 13, and a passage 14 defined therebetween. A railway 15 is located inside the passage 14, in order for a carriage 30 located on the railway in use to be sandwiched between the loading platform 12 and the unloading platform 13. In this embodiment the loading platform 12, unloading platform 13 and the tracks 24.1 of the railway are all inclined at the same angle, in order for upper surfaces of the loading platform 12, carriage base 31 and unloading platform 13 to form one substantially continuous inclined surface. The inclination of the tracks 24.1 is achieved by using tapering sleepers 24.2 as shown in the figure. Displacement arrangements 7 are provided on both the loading platform 12 and the unloading platform 13. As is the case for the carriage 30, the displacement arrangement in this particular embodiment is ih the form of a plurality of rollers orientated parallel to longitudinal axes of the platforms. This again allows displacement of containers located on the platforms in directions transverse to the platforms. Locking pins 16 are provided on at least the loading platform 12, and are disp!aceable between extended positions ih which it prevents movement of the containers relative to the platform 12, and retracted positions, in which displacement of the containers relative to the platforms is enabled. In the embodiment shown in figure 2, displacement of the containers 40 from the loading platform 2 to the carriage 30, and from the carriage 30 to the unloading platform 13 is caused by the inclined configuration of the platforms (12 and 13) and the railway track 15. It will however be appreciated that other displacement mechanisms can be utilized, which will negate the requirement for an inclined surface. For example, the platforms (12 and 13) and the carriage 30 may be substantially horizontal, and displacement of the containers 40 relative thereto may be achieve by using an external drive means, such as a winch, and alternatively the rollers may in itself be motorized.

In use, prior to a train arriving at the loading arrangement, containers 40 are filled with the material to be transported, and are positioned on the loading platform 12. At this time the locking pins 16 will prevent the containers 40 from being displaced relative to the loading platform 12. When the train arrives, the carriages 30 are aligned with the containers 40 waiting on the loading platform 12. If the carriages are carrying empty containers 40, the container engagement formations 34 on the carriages 30 are disabled. The locking pins 35 on the carriages 30 are subsequently remotely actuated, and retract into the base, thus allowing the empty containers to slide onto the unloading platform 13. Once the carriages 30 are empty, the locking pins 16 on the loading platform are retracted, and the loaded containers slides transversely onto the bases 31 of the carriages 30. The train is now ready to depart, and the empty containers remaining behind on the unloading platform 13 can be refilled with material to be transported. An unloading arrangement 20 forming part of the system for use in the loading, transportation and unloading of containers, is shown in figures 3, 4 and 5, and includes at least an unloading platform 22, although a storage platform {21 in figure 5) may also be provided. The unloading platform 22 may be in the form of the unloading platform 13 shown in figure 2, which will be the case where the containers containing the load are to be handled by external container handling means such as cranes or spreaders. However, the embodiment in figure 3 shows an unloading platform 22 for use in the automatic discharge of bottom discharge containers 40 having bottom doors 41. The unloading platform 22 includes displacement arrangements 25 for displacing the containers 40. As was the case for the loading arrangement 10 described above, the displacement arrangement may take many forms, but in this example is in the form of a plurality of rollers. Unloading stations 26 are provided in the unloading platform 22, and each unloading station is typically in the form of a discharge chamber 26.1 having an inclined floor 26.2. The unloading station 26 also includes actuating means 26.3 for allowing the bottom discharge doors 41 of the containers 40 to be opened under controlled conditions once the containers 40 are positioned above the discharge chambers 26.1. In use, the train with the customized carriages 30 arrives at the unloading arrangement 20, and the carriages are aligned with the unloading stations 26 in the unloading platform 22. Once in position, the container engagement formations 34 are disengaged, and the locking pins 35 are subsequently retracted to allow the container to slide from the carriages 30 onto the unloading platform 22. In the example shown in figures 3 and 4, the displacement of the containers result from the inclined configuration of the rail and platform, but other displacement mechanisms can again also be utilized. Once the containers are positioned above the unloading stations 26, the actuating mechanisms (in this example in the form of piston arid cylinder assemblies) can be displaced to a retracted position so as to allow the doors 41 of the containers to open. The load will therefore fall into the discharge chambers 26.1 , and will be guided to locations adjacent the discharge chambers as a result of the inclined floors 26.2 of the chambers 26.1. The material can now be removed in a suitable manner, depending on the particular application. In the case of stockpiling (figure 3), the material can be removed using suitable handling means. In other applications, for example at portside applications (figure 5) the load can be discharged from the discharge chamber directly onto a conveyor belt 50 of a continuous ship loader.

It is also foreseen that containers may be loaded onto truck trailers at an end destination. In this embodiment, the containers will be allowed to slide onto a specifically adapted truck trailer, in a manner similar to which the containers are initially loaded onto the train carriages. A trailer adapted to receive the containers is shown in Figure 6. The trailer 130 for use in the loading and unloading system comprises a planar base 131 mounted on a chassis 32 as is known in the art. Displacement means 133, in this embodiment in the form of a plurality of rollers, are mounted on the base 131, and more particularly are orientated with axes of rotation of the rollers parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base 131. This result in a container 40 located on the trailer 130 being displaceable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the trailer 130. It will be appreciated that, in this particular embodiment, the displacement means 133 are in the form of rollers, but any mechanism that will allow displacement of a container 40 transverse to the trailer 130 will suffice in meeting the objectives of this invention.

The trailer 130 also includes container engagement formations 134 which are adapted releasably to engage complementary securing apertures provided in the base of the container 40. These engagement formations 134, which are typically in the form of twist locks (as is well known in the art of container handling) are provided to releasably secure the container 40 to the trailer 130 during transportation. Additional locking pins 135 are furthermore provided in the base 131 , and are used to achieve controlled loading and unloading of the containers, as is described in more detail below.

The inventor believes that the above system, method of using the same, and carriage for use in the system, will render the loading, transportation and unloading of containers in general, arid bottom discharge containers for conveying bulk material in particular, much more efficient, as it will dramatically reduce the time of loading and unloading the trains. The system will also be useful in applications where containers are to be transferred from one track to another parallel track. In this case a platform with displacement arrangement will be provided between the two tracks, and will be used as a transfer arrangement. It will also be possible to allow for bi-directional transfer of containers by dividing the system lengthwise into two sections, and in which the two sections are inversely inclined (i.e. the tracks and transfer platform of one section is inclined in one direction, and the tracks and transfer platform of the second section is inclined in an opposite direction. It will be appreciated that the above is only one embodiment of the invention and that there may be many variations without departing from the spirit and/or the scope of the invention. For example, instead of securing the rollers to the rail carriage, one may provide a cassette or thin layer of rollers in a module can be twist locked onto ah existing flat wagon, and the container in turn can then be twist locked onto such cassette or module.

Claims

-1 b-

1. A system for use in the loading and unloading of freight containers onto and from a railway carriage, the system including:

a length of railway for receiving the railway carriage;

at least one platform located adjacent, and substantially parallel to, the length of railway, the platform being configured for an upper surface thereof to be substantially co-planar with that of a railway carriage located on the railway; and

2. The system of claim 1 in which platforms are provided on both sides of the length of railway, the opposing platforms being substantially parallel relative to one another.

3. The system of claim 1 in which lengths of railway are be provided oh both sides of the platform in cases where containers need to be transferred from one railway to another.

4. The system of any one of the preceding claims in which the displacement arrangement includes a plurality of rollers orientated parallel relative to the length of railway so as to enable displacement of a container along the platform in a transverse direction relative to the length of railway.

5. The system of any one of the preceding claims in which the platform is inclined in a direction perpendicular to the railway, in order for the container to be displaceable on the rollers under the influence of gravity.

6. The system of claim 5 in which the railway is inclined in the same direction and at the same angle as the platform.

7. The system of any one of the preceding claims in which the displacement arrangement includes displacement means for displacing the container relative to the rollers.

8. The system of claim 7 in which the displacement means is in the form of external drive means which can engage a container to be displaced.

9. The system of claim 7 in which the displacement means is in the form of internal drive means configured to rotate the rollers.

10. The system of any one of the preceding claims in which container locking pins are provided on a loading platform of the system, the pins being displaceable between a locking position in which at least part of each pin protrudes from the platform so as to be able to engage a container located thereon, and an unlocked position in which the pin is retracted into the platform in order not to interfere with a container located on the platform.

1 1. The system of any one of the preceding claims ih which a platform on one side of the railway is in the form of ah unloading platform that includes unloading stations for use in unloading a load frbrri a container located on a carriage on the railway.

12. The system of claim 11 in which unloading station is adapted for use in the unloading of a bottom discharge container having bottom opening doors.

13. The system of claim 12 in which each loading station includes:

a discharge chamber for receiving a load discharged from the container; a displacement arrangement for displacing the container relative to the discharge chamber, the displacement arrangement being configured for the container to come to rest above the discharge chamber; and

14. The system of claim 13 in which the discharge chamber has an inclined floor so as to cause the discharged load automatically to be guided out of the discharge chamber.

15. The system of claim 13 or claim 14 in which the displacement arrangement is in the form of a plurality of rollers orientated parallel relative to the platform in order to enable displacement of a container along the platform in a transverse direction relative to the length of railway.

16. The system of any one of claims 3 to 15 in which the actuating mechanism may be in the form of a piston and cylinder arrangement which is displaceab!e between an extended position in which an operativeiy upper end of the piston and cylinder arrangement is located substantially co-planar with an operativeiy upper surface of the platform in order to, in use, retain a door of a bottom discharge container located thereon in a closed position; and a retracted position in which an operativeiy upper end of the piston and cylinder arrangement is located below an operativeiy upper surface of the platform in order to, in use, allow the door of the bottom discharge container located thereon to be displaced to a closed position.

17. The system of claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.

18. A means of transportation suitable for Use in the system for use in the loading and unloading of freight containers as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the means of transportation including: a substantially planar base located on a wheeled chassis; container engagement formations located on the base for releasably securing containers relative to the base; and container displacement means adapted to enable displacement of a container transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the base

19. The means of transportation of claim 18 in which the container displacement arrangement comprises a plurality of rollers orientated parallel relative to the longitudinal axis of the means of transportation so as to enable displacement of a container along the base in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the means of transportation.

20. The means of transportation of claim 18 or claim 19 including container locking pins being displaceable between a locking position in which at least part of each pin protrudes from the base of the means of transportation so as to be able to engage a container located thereon, and an unlocked position in which the pin is retracted into the base in order not to interfere with a container located on the means of transportation.

21. A method of loading carriages of a train with containers containing bulk material utilizing the system of any one of claims 1 to 17, the method including the steps of:

locating the container on a loading platform;

positioning a railway carriage adjacent the container; and displacing the container onto the railway carriage.

22. The method of claim 21 including the step of unlocking locking pins provided on the loading platform so as to allow the container to be displaceable relative to the loading platform.

23. The method of claim 22 including the step of locking the locking pins provided on the carriage once the container has been displaced onto the carriage, and to lock the container engagement formations provided oh the carriage in order releasab!y to secure the container relative to the carriage.

24. A method of unloading containers containing bulk material from a carriage of a train utilizing the system of any one of claims 1 to 17, the method including the steps of:

positioning the carriage of the train adjacent an unloading arrangement of a platform as described above;

displacing the carriage from the carriage onto the unloading arrangement.

25. The method of claim 24 including the step of unlocking the container engagement formations provided on the carriage to enable the container to be displaceable relative to the carriage, and also to unlock the locking pins provided on the carriage.

26. The method of claim 25 including the step of displacing the actuating mechanism of the unloading arrangement from an extended position to a retracted position once the container is located on the unloading arrangement, in order to allow the load in the container to be discharged into the discharging chamber of the unloading arrangement.

27. The method of claim 21 or 24 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.