Fluid coupling for open pit mining belt conveyors

4th Quarter 2011 Electrical switching & drive systems & components

Open pit mining belt conveyors often transport raw materials over long distances. Voith Turbo has developed a new coupling, the TurboBelt 780 TPXL, for the drives of these belt conveyors. It has been specially designed for induction motors operating at speeds of 900 to 1200 rpm. The fluid coupling transmits twice the power previous couplings of the same size could achieve. The controlled startup with precisely dosed introduction of torque is especially easy on the belt, but also on the entire driveline. Startup times of up to several minutes can be individually set in the control system. The coupling is also designed for use under extremely harsh environmental conditions.

At the heart of the new development is the profile of the blade wheels in the coupling. Voith’s fluid engineers have optimised this profile using flow simulation techniques. The blade wheels transmit double the power with the same diameter. To be precise, the TurboBelt transfers 1100 kW at 900 rpm, 1500 kW at 1 000 rpm and 1900 kW at 1200 rpm. Power transmission is wear free, as with all hydrodynamic couplings.

Power density is further increased by the direct attachment of the TurboBelt to the motor flange, combined with two flow circuits operating in parallel. Compared with traditional couplings, the TurboBelt requires only half as much installation space and is also significantly lighter. Installation and alignment are both simple and quick. Overall, the entire drive is lighter and more compact. This can be beneficial when moving the conveyor system, for example.

The optimised, hydrodynamic power transmission with the TurboBelt offers many advantages to operators of belt conveyors. The very precise control of torque transmission protects the belt, as well as extending its service life. Longitudinal dynamic tension waves in the belt can be effectively avoided. The drive motors run under less strain, so oversizing them is not necessary. Even overloaded belt conveyors can be safely started using this coupling. Unloaded conveyors can be run at creep speed.

When combined with reliable mechanics, hydrodynamic power transmission provides extremely high system availability. The Voith TurboBelt itself offers availability of up to 99,8%. An L10 bearing service life of 80 000 hours helps to achieve this high level of availability. The maintenance required is very low. The first overhaul is only due in 10 to 15 years. The supply of spare parts is also guaranteed throughout the entire product service life.

For more information contact Roy Webster, Voith Turbo, +27 (0)11 418 4000, [email protected], www.voith.com

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