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4.2 Dynamic Idler

Our next concept took the basics of the idler profile and mounted the frame on anti-vibration mounts. The frame retained the jack down feature for easy maintenance and added a sway bar to increase the control of the sprung mass perpendicular to the belt. Kinder Australia and the client felt this was necessary as only 2 anti-vibration mounts were used, compared with 6-8 on a typical dynamic impact cradle. This would also keep the idler parallel without allowing the idler to tilt forward or backward and potentially upset tracking of the belt.

Whilst placement of the entire frame on dynamic mounts opens the possibility for large gaps between the belt and skirting, this is a compromise we felt necessary. Given the system has a large, relatively flexible lay in rubber skirt on the outside of the chute, we felt this would resist some of the potential discharge.

Fig. 27: Dynamic Impact Idler initial concept.

Another advantage of the concept is that the client was able to trial fewer units than proceeding with a complete load zone upgrade. This reduced the risk to the client should this have proved to not work.

The anti-vibration mounts selected for the application; Rosta brand ESL type, are the same type as those used in the conventional K-Dynamic Impact Belt Support System. Selecting the correctly sized mount, due to experience with the ESL type anti-vibration mount, allowed us to narrow the options down to the ESL 50, of which there are three size options (Fig. 28).

Fig. 28: Rosta ESL 50 Series Anti-Vibration Mount.

Fig. 29: ESL 50 Series Deflection Curve as shown by Rosta [7].