AU2004201105A1

AU2004201105A1 - A Mill Liner Handler

Info

Publication number: AU2004201105A1
Application number: AU2004201105A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Paterson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-17
Filing date: 2004-03-17
Publication date: 2005-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 2024-03-17
Also published as: AU2004201105B2

Description

Name of Applicant Actual Inventor Address for Service: Invention Title:

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Peter Paterson Peter Paterson CULLEN CO Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 239 George Street Brisbane QId 4000 Australian A Mill Liner Handler The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it, known to me: 2 A MILL LINER HANDLER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a mill liner handler for removing and installing grinding mill liners.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART A grinding mill typically comprises a large horizontally extending drum and a 1 m to 12 m diameter shell located within the drum. Bearings support the shell for rotation within the drum and about a longitudinal axis of the drum. A cap is located at each end of the drum and the cap at one end or head of the drum has a central opening through which media rocks) may be introduced into the shell. The tumbling action to which the media is subjected within the shell results in size reduction of the media.

Shells are lined with steel or rubber wear components that are referred to as mill liners. Mill liners typically range in weight from 20 to 2000 kg and are usually secured to the shell with bolts. Since mill liners wear with use, they periodically require replacement. Disadvantages of some of the current methods for replacing mill liners include that they are hazardous, labour-intensive and time-consuming.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mill liner handler that minimises at least one of the disadvantages referred to above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a mill liner handler having: a support base fixable in position to a surface external of a shell of a grinding mill; an elongate body extending from the support base and movable relative thereto, wherein an end region of the elongate body is movable into or out of the shell via an opening at a head of the grinding mill; a conveyor extending along the elongate body for conveying a mill liner into or out of the shell when the end region of the elongate body is located within the shell; and a crane having a base connected at the end region such that the crane is movable between different positions relative to the elongate body, wherein in a first said position the crane may transport a mill liner between the shell and the conveyor, and in a second said position the crane is movable through the opening.

The support base may be of any suitable size, shape and construction. The support base may be made of any suitable material or materials, such as metal. In one embodiment, the support base includes a steel frame. The support base may include a forward pair and a rearward pair of stabilizing legs that are fixable to the surface, e.g. a floor supporting the grinding mill. The support base may include a tray extending between the legs for carrying other components of the mill liner handler or other equipment.

The support base may be in the form of a carriage for transporting the mill liner handler from one location to another. In addition to having the frame and tray, the carriage may further have an axle, a pair of wheels and a towbar. The wheels may be located between the forward and rearward pairs of legs.

The support base may be fixable to the surface in any suitable way. For instance, lugs of the stabilizing legs may be chained to fixtures of the surface and the chain or chains may be tensioned with one or more turnbuckles.

The elongate body may be of any suitable size, shape and construction. The elongate body may be made of any suitable material or materials, such as metal. The elongate body may be of hollow construction such that hydraulic lines and electrical lines of the mill liner handler may extend therewithin. Preferably, the elongate body includes a top wall, a bottom wall and a pair of side walls extending between the top and bottom walls.

The elongate body may be movable relative to the support base in any suitable way. The support base may have rollers/wheels and the elongate body may roll over the rollers. Preferably, a pair of rollers is located above each pair of stabilizing legs, a channel extends along each side wall of the elongate body, and the rollers rotate within the channels.

A locking arrangement may be used to immobilise the elongate body relative to the support base. Preferably, a locking pin arrangement is mounted to the support base and a locking pin is locatable within suitably spaced openings in the bottom wall of the elongate body. The elongated body may be locked either in an extended position relative to the support base, whereby the end region is located within the shell, or a retracted position relative to the support base, whereby the end region is external of the shell.

The crane may be of any suitable construction. Preferably, the crane is hydraulically driven. The crane may have a boom extending from the base and an arm hinged to the boom, and the boom may be rotatable relative to the base. The boom may be rotatable through an arc of about 330 degrees relative to the base. A hydraulic arm cylinder may raise and lower the arm relative to the boom. The arm may be extendable, e.g. telescopic, and may have a reach of up to about 5 m. An example of a suitable crane is the Palfinger T M PC 2300 crane.

Preferably, in the first position, the boom extends upwardly relative to the elongate body, and in the second position, the arm and the boom extend substantially horizontally. In the second position, the boom and arm may, for instance, rest against the elongate body or conveyor, or the boom and arm may extend away from the elongate body. A locking arrangement one or more locking pins) may lock the base of the crane in the first or second position.

The base of the crane may be connected at the end region of the elongate body in any suitable way. Preferably, the base of the crane is pivotally connected at the end region, such as, for example, with one or more pins, such that the arm and boom may be pivoted to rest against the elongate body or conveyor.

The mill liner handler may further include a second crane connected to the support base for transporting a mill liner to or from the conveyor. Preferably, the second crane is connected to a lower region of the support base adjacent the rearward pair of legs. Preferably, the second crane has the same features as the other crane, except in that it does not have a pivotally connected base.

A mill liner may be secured to either crane in any suitable way. For instance, the crane may have a hook and a chain may be extended around a mill liner and the hook.

Any suitable type of conveyor may be used. Such a conveyor may be, for instance, a flat belt conveyor, a roller frame containing rollers, or a trolley and track arrangement. Preferably, the conveyor includes an elongate roller frame and rollers pinned to the roller frame. The conveyor may be relocatable to another location on the elongate body. Locating lugs or the like, for example, may be used to hold the conveyor in position on the elongate body. One or more ends of the roller frame may have a lifting handle or a travel stop. The lifting handle may serve as a travel stop.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a detailed side elevation view of part of a mill liner handler according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a detailed top plan view of the mill liner handler of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the mill liner handler of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of part of a support base of the mill liner handler of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a detailed end elevation view of the support base shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a detailed top plan view of the support base shown in Figure 4; Figure 7 is a detailed side elevation view of the support base shown in Figure 4; Figure 8 is a perspective view of part of an elongate body of the mill liner handler shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 is an exploded view of the elongate body shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a detailed top plan view of the elongate body shown in Figure 8; Figure 11 is a detailed side elevation view of the elongate body shown in Figure 8; Figure 12 is a detailed end elevation view of the elongate body shown in Figure Figure 13 is a detailed end elevation view of part of the support base shown in Figure 1; Figure 14 is a detailed top plan view of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a detailed side elevation view of Figure 13; Figure 16 is a detailed top plan view of part of the elongate body shown in Figure 1; Figure 17 is a detailed side elevation view of Figure 16; Figure 18 is detailed end elevation view of Figure 16; Figure 19 is a side elevation view of part of a mill liner handler according to another embodiment of the invention, showing how a crane of the mill liner handler may pivot between two positions; Figure 20 is a top plan view of part of the mill liner handler of Figure 19 showing the reach of two cranes of the mill liner handler; Figure 21 is an end elevation view of part of the mill liner handler of Figure 19 positioned for operation at a grinding mill; and Figure 22 is a top plan view of part of the mill liner handler of Figure 19 positioned for operation at a grinding mill.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In all of the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Figure 1 shows a mill liner handler 1 for removing and installing grinding mill liners. The mill liner handler 1 has a support base 2, an elongate body 3, first and second cranes 4, 5, and a conveyor 6.

Referring now to Figure 3, the support base 2 includes a steel frame 21, a tray 22, stabilizing legs 23, rollers 24 and forked roller frames 25. The frame 21, best viewed in Figures 4-7, includes a rectangular framework of beams 211 (only some of which have been labeled) and crane 5 metal mounting plates 212, and uprights 213, 214, 215 which extend from the rectangular framework 211. Four stabilising legs 23 are connected to the rectangular framework 211. A lug 26 of each stabilizing leg 23 is securable to fixtures of a floor with chains and turnbuckles (not shown). The lugs 26 are best viewed in Figures 3, 4 and 5. As seen in Figure 3, the tray 22, for carrying equipment such as a power box and a hydraulic pump, extends between uprights 213 and 214. The forked roller frames 25 are connected to uprights 213 and 214, and the rollers 24 are pinned to the frames 25, as best viewed in Figures 3 and 13-15.

If desired, the support base 2 may be in the form of a carriage for transporting the mill liner handler 1 from one location to another. The carriage may include a towbar, an axle and a pair of wheels.

Referring now to Figures 8-12, the elongate body 3 (ie. boom) extends from the support base 2 and includes a top wall 31, a bottom wall 32 and a pair of side walls 33.

The top 31 and bottom walls 32 are each made of steel plates. The bottom wall 32 has a series of cutout portions (not labeled). Each side wall 33 is a U-shaped beam having a channel extending therealong. Rollers 24 roll within these channels when the elongate body 3 moves relative to the support base 2, Other strengthening plates and beams of the elongate body 3 are shown in Figure 9 but have not been labeled.

The elongate body 3 is of hollow construction and hydraulic and electrical lines of the mill liner handler 1 extend therewithin. At end region 36 of the elongate body 3, the top wall 31 is recessed relative to the bottom wall 32 and side walls 33. A ledge 37 is provided by bottom wall 36, as seen in Figure 8.

As seen in Figures 16-18, the elongate body 3 includes a plate 44 and two arms 46 extend from the plate 44. The plate 44 rests against ledge 37 and pins (shown in Figures 1 and 2) pin the arms 46 to side walls 33. The pins 45 extend through openings 47 in side walls 33, as seen in Figure 8.

As mentioned, rollers 24 roll within the channels of the side walls 33 and enable the elongate body 3 to move relative to the support base 2. A locking arrangement, comprising a locking pin and a housing for the pin (not shown), immobilises the elongate body 3 at different positions relative to the support base 2. As seen in Figure 4, crosspiece 216 extends between uprights 214 and the housing is connected to the crosspiece 216. Referring now to Figures 10 and 11, openings 34, 35 within the bottom wall 32 receive the locking pin. The pin is extended within opening 34 when end region 36 is located within the grinding mill. The pin is extended within opening after end region 36 has been withdrawn from the grinding mill.

Referring now to Figure 3, each crane 4, 5 includes a base 41, 51, a boom 42, 52 extending from the base 41, 51, and an arm 43, 53 hinged to the boom 42, 52. The boom 42, 52 can rotate through an arc of about 330 degrees relative to the base 41, 51 (as shown in Figures 20 and 22). A hydraulic arm cylinder (not labeled) raises and lowers the arm 43, 53 relative to the boom 42, 52. The arm 43, 53 is telescopic and has a maximum reach of about 4 or 5 m. Each crane 4, 5 has a hook (not shown).

When securing a mill liner to either crane 4, 5, a chain is wound around the mill liner and over the hook (not shown). Each crane may be a Palfinger T M PC 2300 crane.

The base 41 of crane 4 is fastened to plate 44 and pivotable between different positions relative to ledge 37. End region 36 of the elongate body 3 is movable into or out of a shell 10 of a grinding mill via an opening 11 at a head of the grinding mill. This is shown in Figures 21 and 22. In a first position, the crane 4 may transport a mill liner 13 between the shell 10 and the conveyor 6, and in a second position the crane 4 may be moved through narrow opening 11.

In the first position, the boom 42 extends upwardly relative to the elongate body 3 and in the second position the arm 43 is fully extended and the boom 42 extends substantially horizontally (as seen in Figure 19). The boom 42 and arm 43 may rest against the conveyor 6, or the boom 42 and arm 43 may extend outwardly from the end region 36. Locking bolts (not shown) may be used to lock plate 44 to the ledge 37 in the first position.

The base 51 of the second crane 5 is connectable to either of the metal plates 212 of the support base 2. The second crane 5 is used to transport a mill liner to or from the conveyor 6.

Referring now to Figure 1, the conveyor 6 has an elongate roller frame 61 and rollers 62 pinned thereto. A lifting handle 63 at one end of the roller frame 61 functions as a travel stop. The conveyor 6 extends along the elongate body 3 between the cranes 4, 5 and can convey a mill liner into or out of the shell 10 when end region 36 is located within the shell The conveyor 6 is relocatable to at least one other location on the elongate body 3, distal of the first crane 4. Retaining lugs (not shown) hold the conveyor 6 in position on the elongate body 3.

Although the mill liner handler as shown in Figures 19-22 has a slightly different support base 2 and crane 5 configuration to the handler of Figures 1-18, it functions in much the same way.

In use, the mill liner handler 1 is positioned such that it is in front of an opening 11 at a head of a grinding mill. Chains and turnbuckles are used to secure the stabilizing legs 8, 9 of the support base 2 to fixtures of the floor. The legs 8, 9 may themselves be set in blocks of concrete. The conveyor 6 is placed at a location between the first and second cranes 4, 5 (if not already positioned there). So that the first crane 4 can be moved into the shell 10, the crane 4 is pivoted to the second position. The elongate body 3 is then extended into the shell 10 and locked into position, following which the first crane 4 is pivoted to the first position and locked in place with locking bolts.

The arm 43 of the first crane 4 is extended such that it is in close proximity of a worn mill liner 13. A chain is used to secure the mill liner 13 to the arm 43 and the mill liner 13 is then unbolted from the shell 10. The first crane 4 transports the worn mill liner 13 onto the conveyor 6, the mill liner 13 is detached from the arm 43 and conveyed out of the shell 10 and within reach of the arm 53 of the second crane 5. A chain is used to secure the mill liner 13 to arm 53 of the second crane 5, following which the mill liner 13 is moved from the conveyor 6 to another location. A replacement mill liner is then secured to the arm 53 of the second crane 5 and the aforementioned process is carried out in reverse.

Prior to starting the grinding mill, the first crane 4 is pivoted to the second position and end region 36 is withdrawn from the shell 10 and locked into position.

When the mill liner handler 1 needs to be moved to another location, the chains securing the legs 8, 9 are removed and the handler 1 is loaded onto a truck.

The present invention enables worn mill liners of a grinding mill to be readily and safely replaced. Advantageously, the invention enables a powerful crane 4 to be readily moved into or out of a shell of a grinding mill. Moreover, the second crane provides the advantage that a transport vehicle, such as a forklift truck, may not be required for loading or unloading the conveyor 6, and in fact, there may be insufficient clearance for such a vehicle in the vicinity of the grinding mill.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the invention, many modifications and variations may be made thereto by persons skilled in the art without departing from the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

Claims

1. A mill liner handler having: a support base fixable in position to a surface external of a shell of a grinding mill; an elongate body extending from the support base and movable relative thereto, wherein an end region of the elongate body is movable into or out of the shell via an opening at a head of the grinding mill; a conveyor extending along the elongate body for conveying a mill liner into or out of the shell when the end region of the elongate body is located within the shell; and a crane having a base connected at the end region such that the crane is movable between different positions relative to the elongate body, wherein in a first said position the crane may transport a mill liner between the shell and the conveyor, and in a second said position the crane is movable through the opening.

2. The mill liner handler of claim 1, wherein the crane has a boom extending from the base, an arm hinged to the boom and a hydraulic arm cylinder for raising and lowering the arm relative to the boom, and the boom is rotatable relative to the base.

3. The mill liner handler of claim 2, wherein in the first position the boom extends upwardly relative to the elongate body and in the second position the arm and the boom extend substantially horizontally relative to the elongate body.

4. The mill liner handler of claim 3, wherein in the operative position the boom and the arm extend away from the elongate body.

The mill liner handler of claim 3, wherein the base of the crane is pivotally connected at the end region of the elongate body.

6. The mill liner handler of claim 5, wherein in the second position the boom and the arm rest on the conveyor or the elongate body.

7. The mill liner handler of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the boom is rotatable through an arc of about 330 degrees relative to the base.

8. The mill liner handler of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the arm is telescopic.

9. The mill liner handler of any one of the preceding claims, wherein rollers of the support base enable the elongate body to move relative to the support base.

The mill liner handler of claim 9, wherein the elongate body has a top wall, a bottom wall and a pair of side walls extending between the top and bottom walls, a channel extends along each side wall, and the rollers rotate within the channels.

11. The mill liner handler of any one of the preceding claims further including a. second crane connected to the support base for transporting a mill liner to or from the conveyor.

12. The mill liner handler of claim 11, wherein the second crane has a base connected to the support base, a boom extending from the base, an arm hinged to the boom and a hydraulic arm cylinder for raising and lowering the arm relative to the boom, and the boom is rotatable relative to the second crane base.

13. The mill liner handler of claim 12, wherein the boom of the second crane is rotatable through an arc of about 330 degrees relative to the second crane base.

14. The mill liner handler of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor has an elongate roller frame and rollers pinned to the roller frame.

The mill liner handler of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor extends between the first and second cranes.

16. A mill liner handler as defined in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. DATED this 17 th day of March 2004 Peter Paterson By his Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.