The difference between a bucket elevator conveyor and a scraper conveyor

For those who are just getting acquainted with the machinery industry, they are bound to have questions about the names of many conveying machines. Some of them have different formal names and common names, while others simply don't understand. For instance, a belt conveyor is also called a belt conveyor; a screw conveyor is commonly known as a 'conveyor auger'. Those who don't understand have a typical example: the buried scraper conveyor and the scraper conveyor, only differing by one word. Is the buried scraper conveyor the full name of the scraper conveyor, or do they have a fundamental difference?

This is a question that beginners often ask. To put it simply, the buried scraper conveyor is sealed, while the scraper conveyor is not.

The buried scraper conveyor is a continuous conveying equipment that transports dusty, small particles, and small blocks of loose materials in a closed rectangular cross-section shell through the movement of a moving scraper chain. Because the scraper chain is buried in the materials during the conveying process, it is called a 'buried scraper conveyor'.

When conveying materials horizontally, the materials are pushed by the scraper chain in the direction of movement, causing them to be compressed. Internal friction is generated between the materials, and since the casing is closed, external friction is also generated between the materials and the casing, the scraper chain, and the two. When the combined force of the two types of friction is greater than the pushing force formed by the material's own weight, it prompts the materials to be transported forward or upward.

The buried scraper conveyor has a simple structure, is relatively light in weight, has a small volume, good sealing performance, and is convenient for installation and maintenance. It can convey materials horizontally, at an angle, or vertically; it can be conveyed by a single machine, or arranged in combination and connected in series; it can add materials at multiple points and also remove materials at multiple points. The process layout is relatively flexible. Due to the closed casing, it can significantly improve working conditions and prevent environmental pollution during material conveying.

A conveyor that uses scrapers fixed on the traction chain to scrape and transport loose materials in an open material trough. It consists of an open material trough, traction chain, scrapers, head drive sprocket, and tail tensioning sprocket. The traction chain forms a closed loop by passing over the head and tail sprockets. Materials can be conveyed by the upper or lower branch, or both branches simultaneously. The traction chain is mostly round ring chain. It can be connected with the scraper in the middle by one traction chain, or by two traction chains at both ends. The shape of the scraper is trapezoidal, rectangular, or long strip-shaped. The scraper conveyor has two types: fixed type and movable type.