AERODYNAMIC HOPPER TO BE INSTALLED ON AND USED IN HIGH-TONNAGE TRUCKS, INTENDED TO TRANSPORT MINERAL OR WASTE ROCK AT OPEN PIT MINES

摘要

The aerodynamic hopper is primarily intended to transport and unload material at main mineral extraction centres, the hopper structure being installed on a high-tonnage truck (1). Owing to the complexity of this task, the hopper has been provided with aerodynamic characteristics that facilitate the transfer of the load, avoiding wind resistance, which leads to a reduction in the fuel consumption of the truck (2, 4, 13, 15). In addition, the load is uniform, with the centre of gravity being maintained stable for loading, unloading and moving. Moreover, the main structure, known as the chassis, can be easily repaired. The invention is essentially characterised by the following: the front wall is in the form of an S having a varying radius, said wall being joined to the floor and the roof projection, forming a single part (8); the side walls are straight in the upper portion thereof and curved in the lower quarter which is connected to the floor (7); and the structure is formed by multiple double I-beams which are secured to the chassis by means of intermittent welding and bolts.