Patents Assigned to Vale S.A.
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Patent number: 11926481Abstract: Aspects include a robotic device for inspection of components of a belt conveyor comprising a mobile platform and a robotic arm having a first end coupled to the mobile platform and a second end, the robotic arm configured to guide the second end to contact at least one of the components of the belt conveyor. Further included is a method for inspecting components of a belt conveyor using a robotic device, including: obtaining temperature and/or noise data of at least one of the components of the belt conveyor; and, if the data are outside a range, then: driving a second end a robotic arm of the robotic device for contacting at least one of the components; and obtaining vibration data from at least one of the components.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignees: VALE S.A., UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO DE JANEIRO—UFRJInventors: Gustavo Medeiros Freitas, Marcos Paulo Torre, Gabriel Carvalho Garcia, Filipe Augusto Santos Rocha, André Stanzani Franca, Felipe Ribeiro Da Fonseca, Fernando Cesar Lizarralde, Ramon Romankevicius Costa, Alex Fernandes Neves, João Carlos Espiúca Monteiro
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Patent number: 11807319Abstract: This invention refers to a flexible shoe for endless tracks of heavy machinery, disclosing a constructive configuration that guarantees greater flexibility and adaptability to the terrain in which the heavy machine circulates and allows that only worn or broken parts of the flexible shoe be replaced. This invention also refers to a flexible shoe manufacturing method, thus disclosing a low-cost simple manufacturing process, making it possible for the flexible shoe to be manufactured only by means of cutting, assembly and steel plate welding processes.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2019Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: VALE S.A.Inventors: Carlos Adriano De Lima, Bruno Sena E Silva, Cíntia Nunes Braga Regattieri
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Patent number: 11788169Abstract: This invention relates to a device for inhibiting particulate emission by cooling of displaceable hot products using a conveyor comprising a first plurality of tubular elements configured to release a first dosage of water over the products, a second plurality of tubular elements configured to release a second dosage of water over the products and wherein the first dosage released by the first plurality of tubular elements is greater than the second dosage released by the second plurality of tubular elements. This invention also relates to a process for inhibiting particulate emission by cooling displaceable hot products using a conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: VALE S.A.Inventors: Lucilio Bertoldi Ribeiro, Francisco Magalhães Fazollo
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Patent number: 11717834Abstract: This invention relates to a process of comminution of iron ore or iron ore products (pellet feed, sinter feed, etc.) at natural moisture without the need to add water or to include a drying step in the process, that is technically and economically feasible. The comminution process of this invention uses at least one piece of equipment selected from the group consisting of roller press (HPGR), vertical roller mill (VRM), roller crusher (RC) and high acceleration screen of at least 10G.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2019Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: VALE S.A.Inventors: Michelle Lacerda Sales Marques, Joaquim Donizetti Donda
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Patent number: 11473892Abstract: Described is a vehicle configured for the deposition of explosives in holes of open-pit exploration mines, wherein the vehicle is able to perform all seven steps carried out in the manual explosive deposition process, automatically, completely free of human intervention. Also described is a method of use of the aforementioned vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2017Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: VALE S.A.Inventors: Reginaldo de Andrade Santos, Emerson Sena Balbino, André Luiz da Costa Vieira, Marcelo Ribeiro Carlos, Lucas Sales Van Melis, Adriano Nogueira de Assis
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Patent number: 11453014Abstract: The present application relates to a concentration process of iron minerals from ultrafine tailings (slimes) from iron ore processing through reverse flotation with pH between 8.5 and 10.5 with the addition of amide-amine type collector, or further a mixture thereof with traditional cationic collectors (amines), in the absence of any depressant, alternatively including a step of high field magnetic concentration, which allows to obtain a concentrate with iron content higher than 66% and contents of SiO2+Al2O3 below 4%.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: VALE S.A.Inventors: Neymayer Pereira Lima, Klaydison Carlaile Silva, Maurício Curi Segato
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Patent number: 11372409Abstract: This disclosure presents a robotic device for multi-terrain inspection, composed by a robot body, a quick reconfigurable locomotion module and a mapping unit capable to model the inspected environment through a 3D colored point cloud. The robot has different locomotion mechanisms that can be quickly replaced, thereby changing the robot mobility characteristics. The device is controlled through teleoperation or autonomously. When in teleoperated mode, an operating assist module provides relevant locomotion information to the operator including a map that shows areas where the robot may not transpose or tip-over. This module also suggests to the operator other locomotion configurations to overcome obstacles presented in the map. When in autonomous mode, the navigation module provides a strategy to explore unknown environments and trace optimal locomotion path considering the traveled distance, tipping-over risk and energy consumption.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2018Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignees: VALE S.A., Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial, Departamento Regional da BahiaInventors: Gustavo Medeiros Freitas, Filipe Augusto Santos Rocha, Marcos Paulo Torre, Angelo Frederico Fontes Junior, Victória Regina Ramos, Luiz Eduardo Da Costa Nogueira, Alexandre Souza Santos, Eduardo Cota, Wilson Miola, Marco Antonio Dos Reis, Branilson Luiz Santos Costa, Luis Carlos Moreno Ledezma, Ronaldo Pereira Evangelista, Pedro Xavier Alcantara, Rebeca Tourinho Lima, Tiago Pereira De Souza, Iuri Viana Brandi, Ramon Nunes Araújo, Márcio Fernando Mansur Gomes, Gabriel Carvalho Garcia, Héctor Azpúrua
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Patent number: 11119243Abstract: The present aspects provide a tracking and spatial location system of magnetic sensors applied in extraction and transport processes in open pit mines or underground mines, allowing spatially locating one or more sensors that transmit magnetic signals through of one or more collectors that perform a reading and processing of these signals. The present aspects also to provide a tracking and location method that makes use of the magnetic sensors tracking and spatial location system, comprising the necessary steps to perform the tracking and determine the location of the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2020Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: VALE S.A.Inventors: Adoniran Judson De Barros Braga, Leonardo Aguayo, Andrè Noll Barreto, Wilson Miola, Luis Guilherme Uzeda Garcia
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Patent number: 11066258Abstract: This invention relates to a control system and method for rotary car dumpers comprising a positioning car, silos and feeders. Such control system comprises three integrated and communicating controls in closed grid, that is, the positioning car control, the silos level control and the feeder flow control. In this way, with the data of these controls, the rotary car dumpers control system is configured to maintain the level of silo at maximum, performing changes in the cycle time by controlling the positioning car to maintain the level of silos and thus achieve maximum productivity of the equipment.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: VALE S.A.Inventors: Bruno Eduardo Lopes, Celson José De Resende Neto, Waldinir Lima Castro Silva
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Publication number: 20210213461Abstract: This invention relates to a process of comminution of iron ore or iron ore products (pellet feed, sinter feed, etc.) at natural moisture without the need to add water or to include a drying step in the process, that is technically and economically feasible. The comminution process of this invention uses at least one piece of equipment selected from the group consisting of roller press (HPGR), vertical roller mill (VRM), roller crusher (RC) and high acceleration screen of at least 10G.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2019Publication date: July 15, 2021Applicants: Vale S.A., Vale S.A.Inventors: Michelle Lacerda Sales MARQUES, Joaquim Donizetti DONDA
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Patent number: 10933724Abstract: Described is a shielding installation device in large tires and a shielding installation method in large tires. The device comprises a shaft, a reducer, a motor, a base, and a frame. The shielding installation method comprises different sequential steps, configured for installation of shielding on the thread of a large tire. The device and method of use of this device can allow a safe and practical installation of shielding in large vehicles, solving the serious safety problem related to traditional techniques of installation of this element.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2017Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: VALE S.A.Inventor: Frederico Quintão de Sá
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Patent number: 10838100Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure may reduce motion noise by mounting vector component sensors on a bottom-weighted instrument platform that is supported with a spherical bearing. An apparatus for data acquisition is provided. The apparatus includes a base assembly, a spherical bearing mounted to the base assembly, and an instrument platform having at least one vector component sensor fixed thereto. The instrument platform is mounted on and supported by the spherical bearing. The spherical bearing couples the instrument platform to the base assembly and allows free angular rotation of the instrument platform, within a tilt angle range. The instrument platform is bottom weighted in that it has a center of mass disposed below its center of rotation. The apparatus may include a controller that receives and/or stores data from the at least one sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: VALE S.A.Inventors: Benjamin David Polzer, Peter Whyte Walker, Gordon Fox West, Peter Anthony Hurley, Robert Leslie Scott Hogg
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Publication number: 20200346224Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a method of mineral flotation using bioreagents extracted from Gram positive bacteria Rhodococcus opacus and Rhodococcus erythropolis. In this sense, mineral floatability was evaluated using bioreagent extracted from Gram positive bacteria to determine its potential as an alternative to synthetic reagents and also an alternative to the use of microorganisms themselves (biomass).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2018Publication date: November 5, 2020Applicant: VALE S.A.Inventors: Maurício Leonardo TOREM, Jhonatan Gerardo Soto PUELLES, Antonio Gutiérrez MERMA, Carlos Alberto Castañeda OLIVERA, Lisa Marinho do ROSÁRIO, Flávia Paulucci Cianga SILVAS
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Patent number: 10752550Abstract: The present invention refers to a new concrete composition comprising fiberglass waste and an air-entraining additive. The concrete presents a thermo-insulating performance far superior to conventionally produced concretes. The present invention is mainly intended for the construction industry, in non-structural applications for thermal insulation. The use of fiberglass waste reduces the consumption of natural aggregates and allows for the use of waste which is expense to dispose of.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignees: VALE S.A., Universidade Federal De Ouro Preto—UFOPInventors: Renata Eliane Frank Vasconcelos, Júlia Castro Mendes, Ricardo Andre Fiorotti Peixoto
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Patent number: 10744819Abstract: A wheel for a displacement truck having a wheel body and removable ribs is provided. The ribs are segmented into at least two parts to facilitate removal from the wheel body.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2017Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: VALE S.A.Inventors: José Siqueira Cestari, Marcelo Rocha Gava, André Luiz Capua De Lima
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Patent number: 10737748Abstract: This disclosure refers to a device for assisting in the loading of bulk carriers even in rainy weather. Such device comprises: a smooth hose configured to be inserted into the opening of the hatch of the storage hold cover of the ship; a folding hose placed above the smooth hose and configured to absorb the movements of the bulk carrier relative to the device; an upper flange for fastening the device to the free end of the nozzle of the ship loader; and a lower flange configured to connect the device to the hatch opening of the storage hold cover of the ship. The disclosure also includes a method of loading bulk carriers using the device.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignees: Vale S.A., Adriano Cirino SallesInventor: Adriano Cirino Salles
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Patent number: 10597754Abstract: The application relates to a process for rare earth extraction and thorium removal from monazite or bastnasite bearing ores or ore beneficiation and industrial waste containing a variable amount of rare earth elements as oxides, phosphates, carbonates or sulfates, comprising (i) controlled mixture between sulfuric acid and the material containing rare earth and (ii) water leaching under controlled conditions.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: VALE S.A.Inventors: Leandro Augusto Viana Teixeira, Ruberlan Gomes Silva
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Patent number: 10543859Abstract: It is described a system and method to monitor railway wheels, which includes obtaining images of the railway wheel by means of stereo cameras and performing a three-dimensional and two-dimensional model of the railway wheel by means of these images. This two-dimensional model is subjected to analysis of the profile of the railway wheel, comparing it with a two-dimensional model of an ideal wheel and thus measuring the effective wear of its profile. The three-dimensional model is subjected to analysis of the surface of the railway wheel, also comparing it with a three-dimensional model of an ideal wheel and thus measuring the effective wear of its surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: VALE S.A.Inventors: Ana Claudia Da Silva Gomes, Cleidson Ronald Botelho De Souza, Adan Salazar Garibay, Andres Hernandez Gutierrez
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Patent number: 10401530Abstract: A method for quality control of gamma-gamma well logging data within a borehole for mineral exploration, including receiving, at a computing device, raw well logging data; identifying and formatting data sets from the raw well logging data; applying at least one quality control process to the formatted data sets, the at least one quality control process being selected from: a linear verification process comparing linearity of density data readings between a long and a short spaced sensor in a probe; a density range verification process comparing density readings at the probe with density ranges for the borehole lithology; a diameter comparison process comparing actual diameter of the borehole at a depth with density readings at the depth; and a residual verification process for verifying a proportionality between densities measured by the long spaced sensor and short spaced sensor; compiling the results and providing an output of the compiled results.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2015Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: VALE S.A.Inventors: Wanderson Roberto Pereira, Dionisio Uendro Carlos
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Patent number: 10322884Abstract: A system and method for automated control of reclaimers includes a boom, a bucket wheel, and a translation system. This system comprises memorizing operating parameters used during a turning movement of the boom, allowing identification of positions where there was an overflow or an unsatisfactory reclaiming flow. With this memorized information, the flow controller makes changes to the boom turning speed (Vg), increasing it in positions where the reclaiming flow was low and decreasing it in positions where there was overflow.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2018Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: VALE S.A.Inventor: Bruno Eduardo Lopes