AU2021287112B2

AU2021287112B2 - Crushing state determining device and crushing state determining method

Info

Publication number: AU2021287112B2
Application number: AU2021287112A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Takashi Kijima; Jun Kobayashi; Takayuki Masuda; Yoshichika Sato
Original assignee: Earthtechnica Co Ltd
Current assignee: Earthtechnica Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-06-12
Filing date: 2021-06-14
Publication date: 2024-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 2041-06-14
Also published as: AU2021287112A1; ZA202212130B; JP7473644B2; WO2021251506A1; JPWO2021251506A1

Abstract

A crushing state determination device comprises a determination unit that determines the state of an object-to-be-crushed inside a crushing chamber. The determination unit: obtains a prescribed value pertaining to a revolution orbit, relative to a central axis of a main shaft concavity; and determines the crushing state inside the crushing chamber by comparing prescribed parameters obtained from a revolution orbit estimated from the prescribed value, to a reference value.

Description

DESCRIPTION Title of Invention: CRUSHING STATE DETERMINING DEVICE AND CRUSHING STATE DETERMINING METHOD Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a crushing state determining device for, and a crushing state determining method of, determining the crushing state of a gyratory crusher.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a known gyratory crusher in which a truncated conical mantle located inside a conical-cylindrical concave is caused to make eccentric turning motion, and thereby to-be-crushed objects are caught and crushed between the concave and the mantle. There is a gap between a crushing surface of the concave and an opposite crushing surface of the mantle. This gap changes periodically. Various methods for stably controlling such a gyratory crusher have been proposed (see Patent Literature 1, for example).

Citation List Patent Literature

[0003] PTL 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. H1O-272375

Summary of Invention

[0004] Patent Literature 1 discloses a configuration in which a mantle is mounted to a main shaft, and the load current of a main motor for driving the main shaft to rotate is detected. When the load current falls out of a preset current value range, the main shaft (mantle) is lifted/lowered, and thereby the load factor is controlled to be constant.

[0005] Thus, in a conventional gyratory crusher, the load of the gyratory crusher is detectable to some extent based on state values that indicate the state of respective parts of the gyratory crusher. Examples of the state values include a hydraulic power value, a current value, and a motive power value. However, even though these state values are detected and control is performed based thereon, it is not enough to achieve a highly efficient crushing state. The "highly efficient crushing state" is not a state where raw material grains fed into a crushing chamber are crushed individually, but is a state where an entire layer formed by an aggregation of grains is continuously compressed and crushed. By performing control to continuously achieve such a state in the crushing chamber, improvements can be expected in terms of product grain size and throughput.

[0006] In order to achieve the highly efficient crushing state, it is necessary to observe the state of the inside of the crushing chamber (i.e., the state of filling of the to-be-crushed objects), and based thereon make a comprehensive determination. However, the state of the inside of the crushing chamber cannot be visually observed directly. For this reason, in the case of a conventional gyratory crusher, a proficient operator empirically makes the comprehensive determination by taking into consideration the current condition of the objects fed into the crushing chamber and the current condition of the obtained product, and based on the comprehensive determination, makes adjustments on the gyratory crusher equipment (e.g., the adjustment of the set, or the adjustment of the feeding amount).

[0007] Since, as described above, the state of the inside of the crushing chamber cannot be visually observed directly, whether or not there is non-uniformity in the distribution of the to-be crushed objects in the crushing chamber cannot be determined directly.

[0007a] It is an object of the present invention to overcome and/or alleviate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0008] The present disclosure solves the above-described problems, and an object of some embodiments of the present invention is to provide a crushing state determining device for, and a crushing state determining method of, determining the crushing state of a gyratory crusher, the device and the method making it possible to determine the state of the inside of a crushing chamber of the gyratory crusher without relying on visual observation.

[0008a] In one aspect, the invention provides a crushing state determining device for determining a state of to-be-crushed objects in a crushing chamber of a gyratory crusher, the gyratory crusher including: a main shaft; a mantle fixed to the main shaft; a frame; and a concave fixed to the frame such that the concave is located to face the mantle, the concave and the mantle forming a crushing chamber therebetween, wherein in a state where a center axis of the main shaft is tilted relative to a center axis of the concave, the main shaft rotates to make eccentric turning motion to crush the to-be-crushed objects that have been introduced into the crushing chamber formed between the concave and the mantle, the crushing state determining device including: a detector that is mounted to at least one of the main shaft or a frame-side body and that detects a predetermined value relating to a revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave, the frame-side body being supported by the frame such that the frame-side body is located at a position facing the main shaft; and a determiner that determines the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber, wherein the detector detects distances between the main shaft and the frame-side body at two or more positions, respectively, the two or more positions being different from each other in a circumferential direction, and the determiner: obtains each of the distances between the main shaft and the frame-side body at the two or more positions, respectively, as the predetermined value relating to the revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave; calculates coordinates of a center position of the main shaft from the distances between the main shaft and the frame-side body at the two or more positions, respectively; obtains, as the revolving trajectory, a trajectory of the center position of the main shaft by accumulating the coordinates of the center position of the main shaft for a predetermined period; calculates, as a trajectory diameter, a distance between two points that are farthest apart from each other on the obtained revolving trajectory; and determines the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber by comparing the calculated trajectory diameter with a reference value.

[0008b] In another aspect, the invention provides a crushing state determining device for determining a state of to-be-crushed objects in a crushing chamber of a gyratory crusher, the gyratory crusher including: a main shaft; a mantle fixed to the main shaft; a frame; and a concave fixed to the frame such that the concave is located to face the mantle, the concave and the mantle forming a crushing chamber therebetween, wherein in a state where a center axis of the main shaft is tilted relative to a center axis of the concave, the main shaft rotates to make eccentric turning motion to crush the to-be-crushed objects that have been introduced into the crushing chamber formed between the concave and the mantle, the crushing state determining device including a determiner that determines the

3a

state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber, wherein the determiner: obtains a predetermined value relating to a revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave; compares a variation width of a trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory within a predetermined period with a reference value, the variation width being estimated from the predetermined value; and determines that a filling rate of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber is low in a case where the variation width of the trajectory diameter is greater than the reference value.

[0008c] in yet another aspect, the invention provides a crushing state determining device for determining a state of to-be-crushed objects in a crushing chamber of a gyratory crusher, the gyratory crusher including: a main shaft; a mantle fixed to the main shaft; a frame; and a concave fixed to the frame such that the concave is located to face the mantle, the concave and the mantle forming a crushing chamber therebetween, wherein in a state where a center axis of the main shaft is tilted relative to a center axis of the concave, the main shaft rotates to make eccentric turning motion to crush the to-be-crushed objects that have been introduced into the crushing chamber formed between the concave and the mantle, the crushing state determining device including a determiner that determines the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber, wherein the determiner: obtains a predetermined value relating to a revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave; calculates variation widths of a trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory within a predetermined period at multiple positions on the revolving trajectory, respectively, the variation widths each being estimated from the predetermined value; and determines a condition of non-uniformity in distribution of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber based on a difference between the variation widths.

[0008d] In another aspect, the invention provides a crushing state determining method for determining a state of to-be-crushed objects in a crushing chamber of a gyratory crusher,

3b

the gyratory crusher including: a main shaft; a mantle fixed to the main shaft; a frame; and a concave fixed to the frame such that the concave is located to face the mantle, the concave and the mantle forming a crushing chamber therebetween, wherein in a state where a center axis of the main shaft is tilted relative to a center axis of the concave, the main shaft rotates to make eccentric turning motion to crush the to-be-crushed objects that have been introduced into the crushing chamber formed between the concave and the mantle, the crushing state determining method including: detecting distances between the main shaft and a frame-side body at two or more positions, respectively, the two or more positions being different from each other in a circumferential direction, the frame-side body being supported by the frame such that the frame side body is located at a position facing the main shaft; obtaining each of the distances between the main shaft and the frame-side body at the two or more positions, respectively, as a predetermined value relating to a revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave; calculating coordinates of a center position of the main shaft from the distances between the main shaft and the frame-side body at the two or more positions, respectively; obtaining, as the revolving trajectory, a trajectory of the center position of the main shaft by accumulating the coordinates of the center position of the main shaft for a predetermined period; calculating, as a trajectory diameter, a distance between two points that are farthest apart from each other on the obtained revolving trajectory; and determining the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber by comparing-the calculated trajectory diameter with a reference value.

[0008e] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a crushing state determining method for determining a state of to-be-crushed objects in a crushing chamber of a gyratory crusher, the gyratory crusher including: a main shaft; a mantle fixed to the main shaft; a frame; and a concave fixed to the frame such that the concave is located to face the mantle, the

3c

concave and the mantle forming a crushing chamber therebetween, wherein in a state where a center axis of the main shaft is tilted relative to a center axis of the concave, the main shaft rotates to make eccentric turning motion to crush the to-be-crushed objects that have been introduced into the crushing chamber formed between the concave and the mantle, the crushing state determining method including: obtaining a predetermined value relating to a revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave; comparing a variation width of a trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory within a predetermined period with a reference value, the variation width being estimated from the predetermined value; and determining that a filling rate of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber is low in a case where the variation width of the trajectory diameter is greater than the reference value.

[0008f] in a further aspect, the invention provides a crushing state determining method for determining a state of to-be-crushed objects in a crushing chamber of a gyratory crusher, the gyratory crusher including: a main shaft; a mantle fixed to the main shaft; a frame; and a concave fixed to the frame such that the concave is located to face the mantle, the concave and the mantle forming a crushing chamber therebetween, wherein in a state where a center axis of the main shaft is tilted relative to a center axis of the concave, the main shaft rotates to make eccentric turning motion to crush the to-be-crushed objects that have been introduced into the crushing chamber formed between the concave and the mantle, the crushing state determining method including: obtaining a predetermined value relating to a revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave; calculating variation widths of a trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory within a predetermined period at multiple positions on the revolving trajectory, respectively, the variation widths each being estimated from the predetermined value; and determining a condition of non-uniformity in distribution of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber based on a difference between the variation widths.

3d

[0009] A crushing state determining device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a crushing state determining device for determining a state of to-be-crushed objects in a crushing chamber of a gyratory crusher, the gyratory crusher including: a main shaft; a mantle fixed to the main shaft; a frame; and a concave fixed to the frame such that the concave is located to face the mantle, the concave and the mantle forming a crushing chamber therebetween. In a state where a center axis of the main shaft is tilted relative to a center axis of the concave, the main shaft rotates to make eccentric turning motion to crush the to-be-crushed objects that have been introduced into the crushing chamber formed between the concave and the mantle. The crushing state determining device includes a determiner that determines the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber. The determiner: obtains a predetermined value relating to a revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave; and determines the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber by comparing a predetermined parameter obtained from the revolving trajectory with a reference value, the revolving trajectory being estimated from the predetermined value.

[0010] A crushing state determining method according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a crushing state determining method for determining a state of to-be-crushed objects in a crushing chamber of a gyratory crusher, the gyratory crusher including: a main shaft; a mantle fixed to the main shaft; a frame; and a concave fixed to the frame such that the concave is located to face the mantle, the concave and the mantle forming a crushing chamber therebetween. In a state where a center axis of the main shaft is tilted relative to a center axis of the concave, the main shaft rotates to make eccentric turning motion to crush the to-be-crushed objects that have been introduced into the crushing chamber formed between the concave and the mantle. The crushing state determining method includes: obtaining a predetermined value relating to a revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave; and determining the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber by comparing a predetermined parameter obtained from the revolving trajectory with a reference value, the revolving trajectory being estimated from the predetermined value.

[0011] The present disclosure makes it possible to determine the state of the inside of a crushing chamber of a gyratory crusher without relying on visual observation.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0012] FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing an overall configuration of one example of a gyratory crusher to which a crushing state determining device according to one embodiment

3e

of the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a journal bearing mechanism to which the crushing state determining device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the journal bearing mechanism taken along line III-III of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a graph showing temporal changes in a first distance and a second distance in the present embodiment. FIG. 5A is a graph showing a revolving trajectory obtained from the graph of FIG. 4. FIG. 5B is a graph showing a revolving trajectory obtained from the graph of FIG. 4. FIG. 5C is a graph showing a revolving trajectory obtained from the graph of FIG. 4 FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of the journal bearing mechanism to which the crushing state determining device according to Variation 1 of Embodiment 1 is applied.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the journal bearing mechanism to which the crushing state determining device according to Variation 2 of Embodiment 1 is applied. FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of the journal bearing mechanism to which a crushing state determining device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the journal bearing mechanism of FIG. 8, the sectional view being taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of the journal bearing mechanism to which the crushing state determining device according to a variation of Embodiment 2 is applied. FIG. 11 shows a schematic configuration of the journal bearing mechanism to which a crushing state determining device according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view showing an overall configuration of another example of a gyratory crusher to which a crushing state determining device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is applied.

Description of Embodiments

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference signs, and repeating the same descriptions is avoided below.

[0014] [Example of Gyratory Crusher] Hereinafter, a description is given of an example of a gyratory crusher to which a crushing state determining device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing an overall configuration of one example of a gyratory crusher to which a crushing state determining device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is applied.

[0015] The gyratory crusher is a crusher for crushing rude ore (stones and rocks). The gyratory crusher is, for example, a cone crusher. Hereinafter, as one example, a hydraulic cone crusher is described. The hydraulic cone crusher is a hydraulic gyratory crusher in which: a mantle is mounted to a main shaft; the main shaft is rotatably supported by an upper bearing and a lower bearing; and the main shaft is moved upward and downward by hydraulic pressure. The present disclosure is applicable to any gyratory crusher, so long as the main shaft of the gyratory crusher makes eccentric turning motion.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a gyratory crusher (hereinafter, simply referred to as "the crusher")

100. The crusher 100 includes: a frustum-shaped tubular upper frame 101; a lower frame 102 coupled to the upper frame 101; and a main shaft 105 located at the center in an internal space that is formed by the upper frame 101 and the lower frame 102. The centeraxis 02 ofthemain shaft 105 is tilted relative to the center axis 03 of the upper frame 101. In the description herein, the upper frame 101 and the lower frame 102 are collectively referred to as a frame 131.

[0017] The lower part of the main shaft 105 has a columnar shape, and is rotatably supported by a lower bearing 115. The lower bearing 115 includes an eccentric sleeve 104 and an external cylinder 107. The eccentric sleeve 104 receives the main shaft 105. The external cylinder 107 receives the eccentric sleeve 104.

[0018] The eccentric sleeve 104 includes a main shaft fitting hole 103, in which the lower end portion of the main shaft 105 is rotatably fitted. The eccentric sleeve 104 includes an eccentric sleeve support 132, which supports the eccentric sleeve 104 at the lower part of the eccentric sleeve 104, such that the eccentric sleeve 104 is rotatable relative to the eccentric sleeve support 132. The eccentric sleeve support 132 is fixed to the lower frame 102. The outer peripheral surface of the eccentric sleeve 104 is rotatably fitted in an eccentric sleeve fitting hole 127 in the external cylinder 107 located on the lower frame 102. The upper end portion of the main shaft 105 is rotatably supported by an upper bearing 117. Anupperbearing structural body 133, which is integrated with the upper bearing 117, is supported by a spider 118 coupled to the upper frame 101. That is, the upper bearing structural body 133 is a frame-side body that is supported by the upper frame 101 via the spider 118, such that the frame-side body is located at a position facing the main shaft 105. The spider 118 forms abeam that passes through the center of the upper frame 101 and connects to the upper end portion of the upper frame 101.

[0019] Below the lower bearing 115, there is a hydraulic cylinder 130, which moves the main shaft 105 upward and downward by hydraulic pressure. There is a hydraulic pressure chamber 128 on the inner peripheral side of a cylindrical partition plate 124, which is located above the lower bearing 115. Lubricating oil is fed to a space between the lower end portion of the main shaft 105 and the inner peripheral surface of the main shaft fitting hole 103, and to a space between the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric sleeve 104 and the inner peripheral surface of the eccentric sleeve fitting hole 127 so as to form, in each of these spaces, an oil film intended for, for example, ensuring smooth sliding and preventing wear of sliding surfaces. Consequently, the eccentric sleeve 104 and the external cylinder 107 of the lower bearing 115 function as a journal bearing. In order to prevent entry of dust into the hydraulic pressure chamber 128, a dust seal 125 is mounted to the bottom surface of a mantle core 112 by using a dust seal cover 126.

[0020] The mantle core 112, which forms a truncated conical outer peripheral surface, is firmly mounted to the outer surface of the upper part of the main shaft 105 (below the upper bearing 117)by shrinkage fitting. A mantle 113, which is made of a wear-resistant material (e.g., manganese cast steel) and which forms a truncated conical outer peripheral surface, is mounted to the outer peripheral surface of the mantle core 112.

[0021] The inner surface of the upper frame 101 includes a concave 114, which is made of a wear-resistant material (e.g., manganese cast steel). The concave 114 is located to face the mantle113. The concave 114 and the mantle 113 forma substantially wedge-shaped space whose vertical cross-sectional shape is narrowed downward. The substantially wedge-shaped space serves as a crushing chamber 116.

[0022] The center axis 02 of the main shaft 105 and the center axis 03 of the upper frame 101 (the center axis of the concave 114) intersect at an intersection point P (the center of the upper bearing 117) in the upper space of the crusher 100. Ina plane including the center axis 02 of the main shaft 105 and the center axis 03 of the upper frame 101, the main shaft 105 is tilted relative to the upper frame 101. The eccentric sleeve 104 has substantially the same center axis as the center axis 03 of the upper frame 101, and is located such that the eccentric sleeve 104 is rotatable about the center axis. The main shaft fitting hole 103 in the eccentric sleeve 104 has substantially the same center axis as the center axis 02 of the main shaft 105. The eccentric sleeve fitting hole 127, to which the eccentric sleeve 104 is fitted, has substantially the same center axis as the center axis 03 of the upper frame 101.

[0023] With this configuration, via a power transmission that includes components such as pulleys 122, a horizontal shaft, and bevel gears 119 (a driving bevel gear 120 and a following bevel gear 121), the eccentric sleeve 104 coupled to the following bevel gear 121 is rotated about the center axis 03 of the upper frame 101 by an electric motor (not shown) that is located outside theframe131. Consequently, in the crushing chamber 116, the main shaft 105 makes eccentric turning motion with respect to the intersection point P serving as a fixed point in the space, i.e., makes precession motion. During the eccentric turning motion, the center axis 02 of the main shaft 105 is tilted relative to the center axis 03 of the upper frame 101 (the center axis of the concave 114). However, such behavior of the main shaft 105 is geometrically ideal behavior. In an actual apparatus, for example, while the apparatus is operating, the intersection point P varies slightly due to, for example, the bearing clearance of the upper bearing 117 and casing deformation. In accordance therewith, the behavior of the upper bearing 117 of the main shaft 105 may also vary slightly from its geometrical behavior.

[0024] As a result of the eccentric turning motion as above, in the crushing chamber 116, the distance between an arbitrary position on the inner surface of the concave 114 and the outer peripheral surface of the mantle 113 facing the arbitrary position changes with the same period as the rotation period of the main shaft 105. Specifically, when the eccentric sleeve 104 is rotated to turn the main shaft 105 in the crushing chamber 116, for example, the position of the shortest distance between the outer surface of the mantle 113 and the inner surface of the concave 114 at the vertically lowest end of the crushing chamber 116 changes in accordance with the turning of the main shaft 105.

[0025] Stones and rocks 109 to be crushed (hereinafter, referred to as "to-be-crushed objects 109") are fed from above the crusher 100 to fall into the crushing chamber 116. Inthecrushing chamber 116, the space between the concave 114 and the mantle 113 is narrowed downward, and also, the size of the space changes periodically in accordance with the turning of the main shaft 105. Accordingly, the crushing progresses while repeating the falling and compression of the to-be-crushed objects 109. The space between the concave 114 and the mantle 113 is narrowest at the lower part of the concave 114, and the to-be-crushed objects 109 that have been crushed into pieces smaller than the narrowest space are discharged downward and collected as a crushed product.

[0026] As described above, as a result of the eccentric turning motion of the entire main shaft 105, the main shaft 105 behaves in the upper bearing 117 of the crusher 100 such that the main shaft 105 revolves along the inner peripheral surface of the upper bearing 117. Acrushing state determining device 1 in the present embodiment detects the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 by detecting a change in the revolving trajectory of the main shaft 105 relative to the upper bearing structural body 133 as a change in the revolving trajectory of the main shaft 105 relative to the center axis 03 of the upper frame 101. Hereinafter, a description is focused on a journal bearing mechanism that includes the main shaft 105 and the upper bearing structural body 133, and the description below describes an example in which the crushing state determining device 1 detects the revolving trajectory of the journal bearing mechanism. In the description below, the main shaft 105 is referred to as "shaft 2"; the upper bearing 117 is referred to as "bearing 3"; and the upper bearing structural body 133 is referred to as "bearing structural body 4".

[0027] [Embodiment 1] FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a journal bearing mechanism to which the crushing state determining device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the journal bearing mechanism taken along line III-III of

FIG. 2. In the present embodiment, the crushing state determining device 1 detects the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 (i.e., detects the crushing state in the crushing chamber 116) from the revolving trajectory of the shaft 2 in the journal bearing mechanism5. The journal bearing mechanism 5 includes the shaft 2 and the bearing structural body 4. The bearing structural body 4 includes a slide bearing 3 (hereinafter, simply referred to as "bearing 3"), which supports the load on the shaft 2 in the radial direction. In the present specification and the claims, the bearing structural body 4 is defined to include the bearing 3 and a structural body 6 integrated with the bearing 3 (the structural body 6 is non-rotatable about its axis relative to the bearing 3).

[0028] The shaft 2 of the journal bearing mechanism 5, to which the crushing state determining device 1 is applied, revolves along the inner peripheral surface Si of the bearing 3. At the time, while the shaft 2 is revolving, the shaft 2 and the bearing 3 are in the state of substantially being in contact with each other. In the journal bearing mechanism 5, for which the crushing state is detectable by the crushing state determining device 1, when the shaft 2 revolves along the inner peripheral surface S Iof the bearing 3, the shaft 2 may be in the state of substantially being in contact with the inner peripheral surface Si of the bearing 3 over the entire outer edge of the revolving trajectory. However, the contact state between the shaft 2 and the bearing 3 is not limited to this example. Alternatively, when the shaft 2 revolves along the inner peripheral surface Si of the bearing 3, the shaft 2 may be in the state of substantially being in contact with the inner peripheral surface Si of the bearing 3 at two or more positions on the outer edge of the revolving trajectory in the circumferential direction.

[0029] The "state of substantially being in contact" is defined to include the following states (i) to (v): (i) a weak fluid lubrication state in which the thickness of a fluid lubrication film is not greater than several m, or not greater than 10 m, and although it is normally a fluid lubrication state, a state of being in contact without via the fluid lubrication film may occur instantaneously; (ii) a hybrid lubrication state in which a fluid lubrication state and a boundary lubrication state coexist (the boundary lubrication state is a state in which the shaft 2 and the bearing 3 are partly in contact with each other without via the fluid lubrication film); (iii) the boundary lubrication state; (iv) a state of being in contact via a solid lubricant; and (v) a solid contact state in which the shaft 2 and the bearing 3 are in direct contact with each other.

[0030] The crushing state determining device 1 includes a detector 7, a determiner 8, a storage 9, and an outputter 10. These components 7 to 10 of the crushing state determining device 1 transmit data to and receive data from each other through a bus 11. The crushing state determining device 1 may be realized by control circuitry of an apparatus or equipment (e.g., a below-described gyratory crusher) that includes the journal bearing mechanism 5, or may be realized by a computer for determining the crushing state, the computer being installed on the apparatus or equipment separately from the control circuitry, or may be realized by a computer installed separately (remotely) from the apparatus or equipment. Alternatively, part of the functions of the crushing state determining device 1 may be exerted by the control circuitry of the apparatus or equipment, while the other functions of the crushing state determining device 1 may be exerted by a computer installed at a remote location, and these computers may perform data communication with each other by, for example, wireless communication.

[0031] For example, the detector 7 may be mounted to the apparatus or equipment that includes the journal bearing mechanism 5, and the determiner 8 and the storage 9 may be included in a server, such as a cloud server. In this case, the detector 7 and the server are communicably connected to each other via a predetermined communication network. Further, the outputter 10 may be included in a computer that is communicably connected to the server via the communication network. This makes it possible to check the crushing state of the apparatus or equipment that includes the journal bearing mechanism 5 from a location away from the apparatus or equipment.

[0032] The functionality of the determiner 8 disclosed herein may be implemented using circuitry or processing circuitry which includes general purpose processors, special purpose processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), conventional circuitry and/or combinations thereof which are configured or programmed to perform the disclosed functionality. Processors are considered processing circuitry or circuitry as they include transistors and other circuitry therein. In the present specification, the circuitry, units, or means are hardware that carry out or are programmed to perform the recited functionality. The hardware may be any hardware disclosed herein or otherwise known which is programmed or configured to carry out the recited functionality. When the hardware is a processor which may be considered a type of circuitry, the circuitry, units, or means are a combination of hardware and software, the software being used to configure the hardware and/or processor.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the detector 7 is mounted to the bearing structural body 4, and detects predetermined values relating to the revolving trajectory of the shaft 2 relative to the bearing structural body 4. The detector 7 detects distances between the shaft 2 and the bearing structural body 4 at two or more positions, respectively, the two or more positions being different from each other in the circumferential direction. More specifically, the detector 7 includes a first sensor 71 and a second sensor 72. The first sensor 71 is located at a first position 41 on the bearing structural body 4, such that the first sensor 71 faces the shaft 2

(specifically, the side surface S2 of the shaft 2). The second sensor 72 is located at a second position 42 on the bearing structural body 4, the second position 42 being different from the first position 41, such that the second sensor 72 faces the shaft 2 (the side surface S2).

[0034] The first sensor 71 is configured as a displacement sensor that detects a first distance 61 between the first position 41 and the side surface S2 of the shaft 2. Similarly, the second sensor 72 is configured as a displacement sensor that detects a second distance 62 between the second position 42 and the side surface S2 of the shaft 2. These displacement sensors are not particularly limited, so long as each of these displacement sensors is a sensor that can measure the distance to the side surface S2 of the shaft 2 facing the sensor. Examples of such a sensor include a gap sensor, a laser displacement sensor, and a contact-type displacement sensor.

[0035] The storage 9 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive, and stores therein detection values from the detector 7. The storage 9 further stores therein an arithmetic operation program for performing a crushing state determination process and a predetermined value(s) (a reference value and/or a threshold value) based on a reference revolving trajectory that is used in the determination process described below. The storage 9 further includes a volatile memory such as a RAM that temporarily stores calculations performed by the determiner 8.

[0036] The determiner 8 is configured as an arithmetic operation device (i.e., a processor) that performs the crushing state determination process for the shaft 2 and the bearing 3 based on the arithmetic operation program and various information stored in the storage 9. Results of the crushing state determination process are stored in the storage 9 and outputted from the outputter 10. The configuration of the outputter 10 is not particularly limited. Forexample,the outputter 10 may be configured in any form, so long as the outputter 10 is capable of giving a notification of a result of crushing state determination (e.g., a notification that the crushing state is deteriorating). Such an outputter 10 is, for example, a monitor, a warning lamp, or an alarm speaker, installed on the apparatus or equipment.

[0037] Hereinafter, the crushing state determination process in the present embodiment is described. As described above, the detector 7 detects the first distance 61 and the second distance 62 as predetermined values relating to the revolving trajectory of the shaft 2 relative to the bearing structural body 4. While the journal bearing mechanism 5 is operating (i.e., while the gyratory crusher is in operation), the detector 7 detects the first distance 61 and the second distance 62 continuously or intermittently at predetermined timings.

[0038] In the present embodiment, a virtual first line segment LI and a virtual second line segment L2 are orthogonal to each other. The virtual first line segment Li connects between the first sensor 71 and the center position 03 of the bearing structural body 4 (i.e., the center position of the bearing 3). The virtual second line segment L2 connects between the second sensor 72 and the center position 03 of the bearing structural body 4. Hereinafter, the direction of the first line segment Li is referred to as "x direction", and the direction of the second line segment L2 is referred to as "y direction".

[0039] In FIG. 2, to facilitate the understanding of the drawing, the ratio of the gap between the side surface S2 of the shaft 2 and the inner peripheral surface Si of the bearing 3 to the radius r of the shaft 2 is shown larger than it actually is. In reality, the gap is sufficiently smaller than the radius r of the shaft 2. Accordingly, the first distance 61 and the second distance 62 detected by the respective two sensors 71 and 72 are also sufficiently shorter than the radius r of the shaft 2. In this case, the coordinates (x, y) of the center position 02 of the shaft 2 (hereinafter, referred to as "shaft center 02") in an orthogonal coordinate system fixed to the bearing structural body 4 is expressed as (x, y)~ (r + 61, r +62).

[0040] In the orthogonal coordinate system, a virtual line passing through the first position 41, at which the first sensor 71 is located, and being orthogonal to the first line segment Li is the y-axis (x = 0), and a virtual line passing through the second position 42, at which the second sensor 72 is located, and being orthogonal to the second line segment L2 is the x-axis (y = 0). An intersection point where these virtual lines intersect is an origin Oxy.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a graph showing temporal changes in the first distance 61 and the second distance 62 in the present embodiment. As previously described, in the present embodiment, the shaft 2 revolves along the inner peripheral surface Si of the bearing 3. Accordingly, regardless of the crushing state, each of the first distance 61 and the second distance 62 changes periodically.

[0042] The determiner 8 calculates the aforementioned coordinates (x, y) of the shaft center 02 from the first distance 61 and the second distance 62 detected by the detector 7, and obtains a trajectory of the shaft center 02 as a revolving trajectory by accumulating the coordinates (x, y) of the shaft center 02 for a predetermined period.

[0043] [First Mode of Determination] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C are graphs showing revolving trajectories obtained from the graphofFIG.4. The graph shown on the left side of each of FIG. 5Ato FIG. 5C is a Lissajous figure that is obtained by combining the trajectories of the first and second distances 61 and 62, which cross each other. The illustration shown on the right side of each of FIG. 5Ato FIG. 5C schematically shows the state of the crushing chamber 116, which is determined from the graph on the left side. As shown in each of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, a revolving trajectory T is obtained in the present embodiment. Normally, the revolving trajectory T is a circular trajectory.

[0044] The determiner 8 compares a predetermined parameter obtained from the revolving trajectory T with a reference value to determine the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116. In the examples of FIG. 5Ato FIG. 5C, the determiner 8 determines whether or not the variation width of the trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory T within a predetermined period is greater than a reference value. For example, the determiner 8 calculates the width of the obtained revolving trajectory T in the radial direction at a predetermined position as the variation width W of the trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory T, and compares the variation width W with a reference value Wth. In FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the variation width W of the trajectory diameter is given as a variation width at the origin position of the y-axis (e.g., the axis relating to a change in the second distance 62) as well as at a position on the positive side of the x-axis (e.g., the axis relating to a change in the first distance 61) (i.e., a difference between minimum and maximum values in the x-axis direction).

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5A, in a case where the variation width W of the trajectory diameter is less than or equal to the reference value Wth, the determiner 8 determines that the filling rate of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 is high. Ontheotherhand, as shown in FIG. 5B, in a case where the variation width W of the trajectory diameter is greater than the reference value Wth, the determiner 8 determines that the filling rate of the to-be crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 is low. For example, inconsideration of crushing efficiency, the higher the filling rate, the better. Accordingly, in a case where the variation width W of the trajectory diameter is less than or equal to the reference value Wth, the determiner 8 may determine that the filling rate is proper, and in a case where the variation width W of the trajectory diameter is greater than the reference value Wth, the determiner 8 may determine that the filling rate is improper.

[0046] Alternatively, two reference values Wth, specifically, a first reference value Wthl and a second reference value Wth2 greater than the first reference value Wthl, may be set, and in a case where the variation width W of the trajectory diameter is greater than the first reference value Wthl, but less than or equal to the second reference value Wth2, the determiner 8 may determine that the filling rate of the to-be-crushed objects is proper. Here, in a case where the variation width W of the trajectory diameter is less than or equal to the first reference value Wthl, the determiner 8 may determine that the filling rate of the to-be-crushed objects is too high and improper, and in a case where the variation width W of the trajectory diameter is greater than the second reference value Wth2, the filling rate of the to-be-crushed objects is low and improper. Further alternatively, three or more reference values Wth may be set, and phased determination of the filling rate may be performed.

[0047] Still further alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5C, the determiner 8 may calculate variation widths WI to W4 of the trajectory diameter at multiple positions, respectively, and may determine the condition of non-uniformity in the distribution of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 based on differences between the variation widths WI to W4. InFIG. C, the variation width WI of the trajectory diameter is given as a variation width at the origin position of the x-axis as well as at a position on the positive side of the y-axis. The variation width W2 of the trajectory diameter is given as a variation width at the origin position of the y axis as well as at a position on the positive side of the x-axis. The variation width W3 of the trajectory diameter is given as a variation width at the origin position of the x-axis as well as at a position on the negative side of the y-axis. The variation width W4 of the trajectory diameter is given as a variation width at the origin position of the y-axis as well as at a position on the negative side of the x-axis.

[0048] For example, the determiner 8 calculates a deviation of each of the variation widths WI to W4 from the reference value Wth. Alternatively, one of the variation widths WI to W4 may be used as a reference value, and the determiner 8 may calculate a deviation of each of the other variation widths from the reference value. In a case where the calculated deviations differ from each other (by a predetermined reference error or more), the determiner 8 determines that there is non-uniformity in the distribution of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116.

[0049] According to the above configuration, the variation width W of the revolving trajectory T within the predetermined period is estimated from a value that specifies the revolving trajectory T of the shaft 2 (the main shaft 105) relative to the bearing structural body 4 (the upper bearing structural body 133). At the time, the coordinates (x, y) of the shaft center 02 are calculated based on the distances 61 and 62, which are distances obtained between the shaft 2 and the bearing structural body 4 in two different radial directions, respectively. The variation width W of the revolving trajectory T within the predetermined period, which is calculated based on the coordinates of the shaft center 02, is compared with the reference value Wth to determine the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 (e.g., to determine the filling rate of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 or to determine whether nor not there is non-uniformity in the distribution of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116). Therefore, the crushing state determining device 1 configured as above can determine the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 while the gyratory crusher 100 is operating, without relying on visual observation.

[0050] Further, the storage 9 may store the variation width W, or the deviation of the variation width W from the reference value Wth, at every predetermined period chronologically. In this case, based on the variation widths W, or the deviations, which are stored in the storage 9 chronologically, the determiner 8 can output changes over time in the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116. For example, the determiner 8 may generate a graph showing temporal changes in the variation width W or in the deviation. This makes it possible to recognize changes over time in the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 together with determination results.

[0051] [Second Mode of Determination] In the above-described example, the variation width of the trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory T within the predetermined period is used as a parameter obtained from the revolving trajectory T, and the variation width is compared with the reference value to make determination. Alternatively, the trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory T as it is may be used as a parameter to be compared with the reference value.

[0052] For example, the determiner 8 may compare a distance L, which is the distance between two points that are farthest apart from each other on the obtained revolving trajectory T (i.e., the maximum diameter of the revolving trajectory T), with a trajectory diameter reference value Lth. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A, if the maximum diameter L is greater than or equal to the reference value Lth, the determiner 8 determines that the filling rate of the to-be crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 is high. On the otherhand, as shown in FIG. 5B, if the maximum diameter L is less than the reference value Lth, the determiner 8 determines that the filling rate of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 is low.

[0053] Depending on the configuration of the gyratory crusher 100 (e.g., the length of the main shaft 105, the detection position of the revolving trajectory T, etc.) or depending on the state of the to-be-crushed objects before the crushing (e.g., the mass median diameter of the to be-crushed objects), the behavior of the main shaft 105 may differ such that the greater the maximum diameter L of the revolving trajectory T, the lower the filling rate, and the less the maximum diameter L, the higher the filling rate. Therefore, the mode of determination performed by the determiner 8 may be preset in accordance with the shaft behavior of the gyratory crusher 100.

[0054] As described above, the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 can be readily determined by using the distance (maximum diameter) L between the two points that are farthest apart from each other on the revolving trajectory T, which is obtained based on the coordinates of the shaft center 02.

[0055] The diameter of the revolving trajectory T changes also due to wear of the shaft 2 or the bearing 3. Specifically, as the wear progresses, the diameter of the revolving trajectory T increases evenly. Therefore, by measuring the revolving trajectory T for a predetermined period or longer and comparing the diameter of the revolving trajectory T with a reference value, the degree of wear of the shaft 2 or the bearing 3 can be determined.

[0056] Further, in accordance with the degree of wear determined at the time, the determiner 8 may change the reference value Lth for determining the state of the crushing chamber116. For example, an average trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory T within a predetermined period may be set as a reference value, and the determiner 8 may compare an instantaneous value of the revolving trajectory T with the reference value to determine the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116. Still further, each time at a no-load operation (i.e., an operation performed with no to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber), wear correction of the reference value may be performed by using the revolving trajectory T.

[0057] The mode of determination performed by the determiner 8 is not limited to the above-described two determination mode examples. For example, the determiner 8 may draw a Lissajous figure similar to those shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, and perform image processing to match the Lissajous figure with another Lissajous figure that shows a reference range, thereby determining the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116.

[0058] The outputter 10 may be configured as a display device that displays a result of the determination performed by the determiner 8. In this case, the outputter 10, which is a display device, may display the determination result in any of various display modes, including: a display mode in which the outputter 10 notifies that the filling rate is proper or improper; a display mode in which when the filling rate is improper, the outputter 10 displays the level of deviation from a reference value by a numerical value; and a display mode in which the outputter displays aLissajous figure. In the case of displaying a Lissajous figure, since the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 is visualized, the feeding of the to-be-crushed objects into the gyratory crusher 100 can be adjusted without relying on the experience of a manager of the gyratory crusher 100. Alternatively, the outputter 10 may transmit data to a predetermined computer via a communication network.

[0059] Further, in accordance with the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116, which is obtained as a result of the determination performed by the determiner 8, the amount of feeding of the to-be-crushed objects into the gyratory crusher 100 may be controlled. In this case, the outputter 10 may transmit a control command to a predetermined device that is located upstream of the gyratory crusher 100.

[0060] For example, upstream of the gyratory crusher 100, there may be a conveyor that conveys the to-be-crushed objects. The conveyor may change the conveying speed in accordance with the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116. Specifically, in a case where the filling rate of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 is high, the conveyor may reduce the conveying speed, whereas in a case where the filling rate is low or there is non-uniformity in the distribution of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116, the conveyor may increase the conveying speed.

[0061] In a case where the conveyor can adjust the feeding position of the to-be-crushed objects into the gyratory crusher 100, the conveyor may adjust the feeding position of the to-be crushed objects in accordance with the condition of non-uniformity in the distribution of the to be-crushed objects.

[0062] Further, in accordance with the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116, which is obtained as a result of the determination performed by the determiner 8, the operation of the gyratory crusher 100 maybe controlled. In this case, the outputter 10 may transmit a control command to control circuitry (not shown) of the gyratory crusher 100.

[0063] For example, the control circuitry may change the gap (crushing gap) between the concave 114 and the mantle 113 in accordance with the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116. For example, the crushing gap is adjustable by changing the position of the main shaft 105 in the vertical direction (i.e., by changing the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic cylinder 130). Specifically, if the filling rate of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 is higher than expected, the control circuitry may lower the main shaft 105 to widen the crushing gap, whereas if the filling rate is lower than expected, the control circuitry may narrow the crushing gap.

[0064] Further, for example, the control circuitry may change the rotation frequency (rotation speed) of the main shaft 105 in accordance with the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116.

[0065] The determination result, obtained as described above, of the state of the to-be crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 may be used not only in the above-described various controls while the gyratory crusher 100 is in operation, but also in analyzing the performance of the gyratory crusher 100. Results of the analysis maybe used for changing the specifications of the gyratory crusher 100, or may be used for developing its succession machine. For example, a position, in the crushing chamber 116, to which of the to-be-crushed objects are fed, the shape of the crushing chamber 116 (the mantle 113 or the concave 114), the tilt (eccentric throw) of the main shaft 105, and so forth may be optimized based on the determination result data.

[0066] [Variation 1] The above embodiment describes a configuration in which the first sensor 71 and the second sensor 72 are located orthogonally to each other. However, the arrangement of the first sensor 71 and the second sensor 72 is not limited to this example. FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of the journal bearing mechanism to which the crushing state determining device according to Variation 1 of Embodiment 1 is applied. In FIG. 6, among the components of the crushing state determining device 1, those other than the detector 7 (the first sensor 71 and the second sensor 72) are not shown. In FIG. 6, the same components as those shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference signs as those used in FIG. 2, and the description of such components is omitted.

[0067] The example shown in FIG. 6 is different from the example shown in FIG. 2 in that, in FIG. 6, the positional relationship between the first sensor 71B and the second sensor 72B is such that an angle 0 formed by the first line segment LI and the second line segment L2 is a significant angle (0 # 0°) different from 90. In the present variation, the origin of an orthogonal coordinate system fixed to the bearing structural body 4 is an origin Oxy, which is an intersection point where a virtual line L3 passing through the first position 41, at which the first sensor 71 is located, and being orthogonal to the first line segment LI intersects a virtual line (the x-axis) passing through the second position 42, at which the second sensor 72 is located, and being orthogonal to the second line segment L2.

[0068] Also in the present variation, given that the first distance 61 and the second distance 62 detected by respective two sensors 71 and 72 are sufficiently smaller than the radius r of the shaft 2, the coordinates (x, y) of the shaft center 02 in the orthogonal coordinate system are expressed as (x, y) ((r + 61) / sinp + (r +62) / tans, r +62) by using an angle P (P = 180° - 0). When expressed by using the angle 0 formed by the first line segment Li and the second line segment L2, the coordinates (x, y) of the shaft center 02 in the orthogonal coordinate system are expressed as (x, y) ((r + 61) / sinG - (r + 62) / tanG, r + 62).

[0069] Accordingly, even in a case where the angle 0 formed by the first line segment LI and the second line segment L2 is not 90°, the coordinates of the shaft center 02 can be expressed in the orthogonal coordinate system fixed to the bearing structural body 4. Therefore, similar to the above-described embodiment, the trajectory of the shaft center 02 can be obtained as the revolving trajectory T.

[0070] Depending on the positional relationship between the main shaft 105 and the upper bearing structural body 133 of the gyratory crusher, there are cases where the two sensors 71 and

72 cannot be located orthogonally to each other unlike the arrangement shown in FIG. 2. Even in a case where there is such a restriction in terms of the arrangement of the sensors 71 and 72, conversion into the orthogonal coordinate system fixed to the bearing structural body 4 is achievable as described above by using a trigonometric function, and thus the present embodiment is suitably applicable.

[0071] However, in a case where the two sensors 71 and 72 can be located orthogonally to each other, such orthogonal arrangement of the two sensors 71 and 72 makes it possible to reduce the amount of operational processing to be performed, while increasing the precision in calculating the coordinates (x, y) of the shaft center 02 from the first distance 61 and the second distance 62 detected by the respective two sensors 71 and 72, and thereby the processing load on the determiner 8 can be reduced.

[0072] [Variation 2] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the journal bearing mechanism to which the crushing state determining device according to Variation 2 of Embodiment 1 is applied. In FIG. 7, among the components of the crushing state determining device 1, those other than the first sensor 71 are not shown.

[0073] In the embodiment previously described, each of the two sensors 71 and 72 is located to face the side surface S2 of the shaft 2. However, depending on the mounting positions of the two sensors 71 and 72 or the structures of the shaft 2 and the bearing 3, there may be a case where such an arrangement of the two sensors 71 and 72 that each of the two sensors 71 and 72 directly faces the side surface S2 of the shaft 2 cannot be achieved.

[0074] In such a case, as shown in FIG. 7, a columnar extension (first extension) 12, which is coaxial with the shaft 2 and whose radius r12 is sufficiently greater than 61 and 62, is mounted to an end portion of the shaft 2.

[0075] Accordingly, even in a case where the end portion of the shaft 2 does not protrude from the bearing 3, or the end portion of the shaft 2 protrudes from the bearing 3 only by a small protrusion amount, by mounting the first extension 12 to the end portion of the shaft 2, when each of the sensors 71 and 72 is mounted to the bearing structural body 4, each of the sensors 71 and 72 can be located to face the first extension 12, which integrally moves together with the shaft 2. This makes it possible to readily obtain the revolving trajectory T of the shaft 2 regardless of the shape of the shaft 2.

[0076] In a case where the end portion of the shaft 2 does not protrude from the bearing 3, instead of adopting the above-described configuration of the variation, the existing shaft may be replaced with a shaft having such a shaft length that the end portion of the shaft 2 protrudes from the bearing 3.

[0077] [Embodiment 2] Next, Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure is described. FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of the journal bearing mechanism to which a crushing state determining device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the journal bearing mechanism of FIG. 8, the sectional view being taken along line IX IX of FIG. 8. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the same components as those described in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference signs as those used in Embodiment 1, and the description of such components is omitted.

[0078] A crushing state determining device 1B according to the present embodiment is different from Embodiment 1 in that, in the crushing state determining device 1B, a first sensor 71B and a second sensor 72B included in a detector 7B are located on the shaft 2, and the crushing state determining device 1B further includes, as a sensor included in the detector 7B, a third sensor 74, which is a phase-detecting sensor. To be more specific, the detector 7B includes: the first sensor 71B located at a first position 21 on the shaft 2, thefirst position 21 being displaced from the center position 02 in the radial direction, such that the first sensor 71B is oriented in a first direction D1 facing the bearing structural body 4; the second sensor 72B located at a second position 22 on the end portion of the shaft 2, such that the second sensor 72B is oriented in a second direction D2 facing the bearing structural body 4, the second direction D2 crossing the first direction Dl; and the third sensor 74, which detects the rotational phase of the shaft 2.

[0079] The third sensor 74 is configured as, for example, a sensor that detects a rotational displacement of the shaft 2. For example, the third sensor 74 is configured as a rotary encoder or the like that detects a rotational displacement of the main shaft 105 of the gyratory crusher 100 shown in FIG. 1. For example, the rotary encoder body is mounted to the bearing 3, and the rotary encoder body and the shaft 2 are connected via a coupling that includes a flexible shaft. A value detected by the third sensor 74 is inputted to the determiner 8 via the bus 11. In the present embodiment, the bearing structural body 4 includes a cylindrical extension (second extension) 13, which extends from the bearing 3 in the axial direction.

[0080] The second extension 13 is located coaxially with the center position 03 of the bearing structural body 4. The length of the second extension 13 in the axial direction is set such that the two sensors 71B and 72B can face the inner peripheral surface S4 of the second extension 13. The first sensor 71B detects the first distance 61 between the first position 21 and the inner peripheral surface S4 of the second extension 13. The second sensor 72B detects the second distance 62 between the second position 22 and the inner peripheral surface S4 of the second extension 13. The third sensor 74 detects the rotational phase of the shaft 2. For example, the third sensor 74 detects a rotational angle p of the shaft 2 with reference to the first sensor 71B facing in the -x direction (i.e., the rotational angle p is 0° when the first sensor 71B faces in the -x direction). In this example, the rotational angle p is positive in a direction in which the phase of the first sensor 71B advances relative to the second sensor 72B (i.e., in the clockwise direction in FIG. 8).

[0081] Also in the present embodiment, the radius r of the shaft 2 is set to be sufficiently greater than the first distance 61 and the second distance 62 detected by the respective two sensors 71B and 72B.

[0082] In the present embodiment, the coordinates 02 (x, y) of the shaft center 02 of the shaft 2 in an orthogonal coordinate system fixed to the bearing structural body 4 are calculated from the distance 61 in the first direction D1, the distance 62 in the second direction D2, and the rotational angle p.

[0083] Measuring the rotational angle p makes it possible to convert a value measured in the coordinate system of the shaft 2 into a value in the coordinate system of the bearing structural body 4. As shown in FIG. 8, in a case where the radius of the inner peripheral surface S4 of the second extension 13 is R, the coordinates 02 (x, y) of the shaft center 02 of the shaft 2 relative to the center position 03 of the bearing structural body 4 in the orthogonal coordinate system fixed to the bearing structural body 4 is expressed as 02 (x, y) ~ (r + 61 - R) cosp + (r + 62 - R) sinp,- (r+61- R)sinp+(r+62- R)cosp).

[0084] In the above-described manner, an influence of the rotation of the shaft 2 on the revolving trajectory T of the shaft 2, the revolving trajectory T being obtained by detecting the first distance 61 and the second distance 62, can be canceled in advance. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to take a long detection time for detecting the first distance 61 and the second distance 62 for the purpose of canceling the influence of the rotation of the shaft 2, and this makes it possible to shorten a time for obtaining the revolving trajectory T.

[0085] Also in a case where the two sensors 71B and 72B are not located orthogonally to each other (i.e., the case previously described in Variation 1), the coordinates of the shaft center 02 can be determined in the same manner. Therefore, even in the case of mounting, as the detector 7B, the first and second sensors 71B and 72B to the shaft 2 and further mounting, as the detector 7B, the third sensor that detects the rotational phase of the shaft 2, the revolving trajectory T of the shaft 2 can be readily obtained.

[0086] Thus, also by mounting, as the detector 7B, the first and second sensors 71B and

72B to the shaft 2 and further mounting, as the detector 7B, the third sensor 74, which detects the rotational phase of the shaft 2, the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 can be determined while the gyratory crusher 100 is operating, without relying on visual observation.

[0087] The present embodiment describes, as one example, the configuration including the second extension 13, which extends from the bearing 3 in the axial direction. Alternatively, if the bearing structural body 4 (e.g., the structural body 6) is elongated in the axial direction, the second extension 13 may be eliminated. In this case, the first sensor 71B detects the first distance 61 between the first position 21 and the inner peripheral surface of the bearing structural body 4 (the structural body 6), the inner peripheral surface facing the first position 21, and the second sensor 72B detects the second distance 62 between the second position 22 and the inner peripheral surface of the bearing structural body 4, the inner peripheral surface facing the second position 22.

[0088] [Variations] The above embodiment describes the configuration including the first sensor 71B, the second sensor 72B, and the third sensor 74. However, the third sensor 74 may be eliminated. FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of the journal bearing mechanism to which the crushing state determining device according to a variation of Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure is applied.

[0089] In the present variation, the center position of the bearing structural body 4 in the coordinate system of the shaft 2 can be calculated by using an orthogonal coordinate system (x', y') fixed to the shaft center 02 of the shaft 2. By accumulating the calculated center position data, a history of changes in the center position of the bearing structural body 4 in the coordinate system of the shaft 2 (i.e., a relative revolving trajectory T' of the bearing structural body 4 as seen from the shaft 2) is obtained. From the obtained history of changes in the center position of the bearing structural body 4 in the coordinate system of the shaft 2, the diameter of the revolving trajectory T can be estimated. In a case where the radius of the inner peripheral surface S4 of the second extension 13 is R, the coordinates 03 (x', y') of the center position 03 of the bearing structural body 4 is expressed as 03 (x', y')= (r + 61 - R, r + 62 - R).

[0090] Also in a case where the two sensors 71B and 72B are not located orthogonally to each other (i.e., the case previously described in Variation 1), the coordinates of the shaft center 02 can be determined in the same manner. Therefore, even in the case of not including the third sensor 74, which detects the phase of the shaft 2 relative to the bearing structural body 4, by mounting the first sensor 71B and the second sensor 72B to the shaft 2 and performing measurement with these sensors, the diameter of the revolving trajectory T can be readily obtained from the relative revolving trajectory T' of the bearing structural body 4 as seen from the shaft 2.

[0091] [Embodiment 3] Next, Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure is described. FIG. 11 shows a schematic configuration of the journal bearing mechanism to which a crushing state determining device according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure is applied. In FIG. 11, the same components as those described in Embodiment 2 (FIG. 8) are denoted by the same reference signs as those used in FIG. 8, and the description of such components is omitted.

[0092] A crushing state determining device IC according to the present embodiment is different from Embodiment 2 in that, the crushing state determining device 1C includes a fourth sensor 73 and a fifth sensor 75 both as a detector 7C, and the fourth sensor 73, which is located on the shaft 2, detects accelerations in two different directions that are radial directions of the shaft 2, whereas the fifth sensor 75 detects the rotational phase (rotational angle) p of the shaft 2.

[0093] Specifically, the fourth sensor 73 includes an accelerometer that detects accelerations in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, which are orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft 2. The fifth sensor 75 includes a phase sensor that detects the rotational phase of the shaft 2. The fifth sensor 75 is configured as, for example, a sensor that detects a rotational displacement of the shaft 2. For example, the fifth sensor 75 is configured as a rotary encoder or the like that detects a rotational displacement of the main shaft 105 of the gyratory crusher 100 shown in FIG. 1. A value detected by the fifth sensor 75 is inputted to the determiner 8 via the bus 11.

[0094] According to the above configuration, the fourth sensor 73 detects an acceleration al in the first direction D1 and an acceleration a2 in the second direction D2. The fifth sensor 75 detects the rotational angle p relative to a predetermined position on the shaft 2 (e.g., relative to the x-axis in an orthogonal coordinate system fixed to the bearing structural body 4). That is, the detector 7C detects the accelerations and the phase of the shaft 2 as predetermined values relating to the revolving trajectory of the shaft 2 relative to the bearing structural body 4.

[0095] From the acceleration al in the first direction D1 and the rotational angle p, the determiner 8 calculates x-axis and y-axis components of the acceleration al in the orthogonal coordinate system fixed to the bearing structural body 4. Similarly, from the acceleration a2 in the second direction D2 and the rotational angle p, the determiner 8 calculates x-axis and y-axis components of the acceleration a2.

[0096] The determiner 8 adds up the x-axis component of the acceleration al in the first direction D1 and the x-axis component of the acceleration a2 in the second direction D2 to calculate an acceleration of the x-axis component of the shaft 2. Similarly, the determiner 8 adds up the y-axis component of the acceleration al in the first direction D1 and the y-axis component of the acceleration a2 in the second direction D2 to calculate an acceleration of the y axis component of the shaft 2.

[0097] Alternatively, the determiner 8 may calculate, from the acceleration al in the first direction D1 and the acceleration a2 in the second direction D2, the magnitude and direction of an acceleration in an orthogonal coordinate system fixed to the shaft 2, and convert the calculated magnitude and direction of the acceleration into those of the orthogonal coordinate system fixed to the bearing structural body 4.

[0098] The determiner 8 integrates x-axis components of the shaft 2 that have been obtained, and also integrates y-axis components of the shaft 2 that have been obtained, thereby calculating a positional displacement of the shaft 2. By accumulating such calculated positional displacements for a predetermined period, the determiner 8 obtains the trajectory of the shaft center 02 as the revolving trajectory T. Similar to Embodiment 1, the determiner 8 determines the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 by comparing the variation width of the revolving trajectory T, or the maximum diameter of the revolving trajectory T, within a predetermined period with a reference value.

[0099] As described above, also by using an accelerometer as the detector 7C, the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 can be determined while the gyratory crusher 100 is operating, without relying on visual observation.

[0100] Also in the present embodiment, preferably, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, which are acceleration-detection directions, are orthogonal to each other. However, similar to Variation 1 described above, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 need not be orthogonal to each other.

[0101] [Other Variations] Although Embodiments 1 to 3, and their variations, of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and variations, and various improvements, alterations, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, among Embodiments 1 to 3 and their variations, at least two of them may be suitably combined.

[0102] A value that specifies the revolving trajectory T to compare the revolving trajectory T, which is obtained from the detector 7, with the reference revolving trajectory is not limited to the above-described diameter. For example, the area of the revolving trajectory T, or the curvature radius of the revolving trajectory T, may be used as a value that specifies the revolving trajectory T. Also, at the time of obtaining the revolving trajectory T, the revolving trajectory T may be made approximate to a predetermined shape or a predetermined line segment. For example, such approximation of the revolving trajectory T may be performed by curve fitting that uses regression analysis such as least-squares method. Alternatively, an approximation equation that uses, as a parameter, a value detected by the detector 7 may be preset, and by substituting the value detected by the detector 7 into the approximation equation, the approximation of the revolving trajectory T may be performed.

[0103] The above embodiments have described configurations that include the two sensors 71 and 72 as the detector 7. Alternatively, there may be three or more sensors whose positions are different from each other in the circumferential direction. By thus including three or more sensors, redundancy can be achieved for predetermined values detected by the sensors. In particular, in a case where the two sensors cannot be located orthogonally to each other as in Variation 1, by including three or more sensors, the revolving trajectory T can be obtained with high precision.

[0104] The above Embodiments 2 and 3 describe configuration examples in which the sensors 71B, 72B, and 73 are located on the end portion of the shaft 2. Howeverthe arrangement of these sensors is not thus limited. For example, in a case where the middle portion of the shaft 2 is stepped, the sensors 71B, 72B, and 73 may be mounted to the stepped portion. The shaft 2 may include a stepped portion intended for mounting the sensors 71B, 72B, and 73 thereto. Further, the sensors 71B, 72B, and 73 maybe embedded in the shaft 2.

[0105] [Application of Gyratory Crusher to Crushing State Determining Device] Hereinafter, the application of the gyratory crusher 100 shown in FIG. 1 to the crushing state determining device 1 is described. The shaft 2 and the bearing 3 in the above described embodiments and variations correspond to the main shaft 5 and the upper bearing 117 of the crusher 100, respectively. Accordingly, the crushing state determining device 1 in the above-described embodiments and variations is suitably applicable to the crusher 100.

[0106] In the example of FIG. 1, similar to Variation 2 (see FIG. 7), the columnar extension (first extension) 12 is located on the upper end portion of the main shaft 105. The first extension 12 is located coaxially with the center axis (shaft center) 02 of the main shaft 105. The detector 7 includes the two sensors 71 and 72, each of which faces the side surface S3 of the first extension 12. FIG. 1 shows only the first sensor 71. The second sensor 72 is located to face in a direction that is orthogonal to the facing direction of the first sensor 71. Thetwo sensors 71 and 72 detect the first distance 61 and the second distance62, respectively. The first distance 61 is the distance from the position of the sensor 71 to the side surface S3 of the extension 12, and the second distance 62 is the distance from the position of the sensor 72 to the side surface S3 of the extension 12.

[0107] Also in this example, the radius r12 of the extension 12 (see FIG. 7) is set to be sufficiently greater than the first distance 61 and the second distance 62 detected by the respective two sensors 71 and 72. Therefore, the coordinates (x, y) of the shaft center 02 in the upper bearing structural body 133 including the upper bearing 117 is expressed as (x, y) ~ (r12

+ 61, r12 + 62).

[0108] As described above, the upper end portion of the main shaft 105 and the upper bearing 117 in the gyratory crusher 100 are the journal bearing mechanism in which the main shaft 105 revolves relative to the upper bearing 117. Therefore, by comparing the variation width W of the revolving trajectory T within a predetermined period, the variation width W being estimated from a value that specifies the revolving trajectory T of the shaft 2 (the main shaft 105) relative to the bearing structural body 4 (the upper bearing structural body 133), or comparing the maximum diameter L of the revolving trajectory T, with a reference value (Wth or Lth), the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber 116 can be determined without relying on visual observation.

[0109] The example of FIG. 1 shows Variation 2 of Embodiment 1 (i.e., the example in which the first extension 12 is used). As described above in Embodiment 1 (see FIG. 3), in a case where the upper end portion of the main shaft 105 is positioned above the upper bearing 117, the first extension 12 may be eliminated. Also in a case where the two sensors 71 and 72 are not located orthogonally to each other (i.e., the case of Variation 1 of Embodiment 1), the coordinates of the shaft center 02 can be determined in the same manner. Further, cases where the sensors 71 and 72 are located on the shaft (as in Embodiment 2 and the variation thereof) and a case where an accelerometer is used (as in Embodiment 3) are also similarly applicable to the gyratory crusher 100.

[0110] Although the example of FIG. 1 illustratively shows the gyratory crusher 100, in which the main shaft 105 is supported by the upper bearing 3, the crushing state determining device is applicable also to a gyratory crusher of an armless type that does not include the upper bearing 3.

[0111] FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view showing an overall configuration of another example of a gyratory crusher to which a crushing state determining device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. In FIG. 12, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference signs as those used in FIG. 1, and the description of such components is omitted. A gyratory crusher 200 shown in FIG. 12 is configured as an armless-type gyratory crusher in which the main shaft 105 does not include the upper bearing 3.

[0112] Also in the gyratory crusher 200 configured as above, any of the above-described crushing state determining devices is applicable. For example, in the example of FIG. 12, the crushing state determining device IC of Embodiment 3 (see FIG. 11) is applied. That is, the fourth sensor 73, which detects accelerations in two different radial directions of the main shaft 105, respectively, is located on the upper end portion of the main shaft 105. Although not shown in FIG. 12, the crushing state determining device IC includes the fifth sensor 75, which detects the rotational phase of the main shaft 105 (see FIG. 11). The fourth sensor 73 and the fifth sensor 75 function as the detector 7C.

[0113] Further, also in the gyratory crusher 200 of an armless type as shown in FIG. 12, the first sensor 71 and the second sensor 72 may be located on a frame-side body (not shown) fixed to the upper frame 101, such that each of the first sensor 71 and the second sensor 72 faces the main shaft 105 (see FIGS. 2 and 6). Alternatively, the first sensor 71 and the second sensor 72 may be located on the main shaft 105, and each of the first sensor 71 and the second sensor 72 may detect a distance to the frame-side body (see FIGS. 8 and 10). Thus, the frame-side body is not limited to the upper bearing structural body 133 shown in the example of FIG. 1, but may be, for example, a measuring support that is fixed to the upper frame 101 for detecting the first distance 61 and the second distance 62. The frame-side body may be directly supported by a frame including the upper frame 101, or may be indirectly supported by a frame including the upper frame 101 via a coupling member such as the spider 118 shown in FIG. 1.

[0114] [Summary of Present Disclosure] A crushing state determining device (1) according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a crushing state determining device (1) for determining a state of to-be-crushed objects in a crushing chamber (116) of a gyratory crusher (100, 200), the gyratory crusher (100, 200) including: a main shaft (105); a mantle (113) fixed to the main shaft (105); a frame (101); and a concave (114) fixed to the frame (101) such that the concave (114) is located to face the mantle (113), the concave (114) and the mantle (113) forming a crushing chamber (116) therebetween. Ina state where a center axis of the main shaft (105) is tilted relative to a center axis of the concave (114), the main shaft (105) rotates to make eccentric turning motion to crush the to-be-crushed objects that have been introduced into the crushing chamber (116) formed between the concave (114) and the mantle (113). The crushing state determining device (1) includes a determiner (8) that determines the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber (116). The determiner (8): obtains a predetermined value relating to a revolving trajectory of the main shaft (105) relative to the center axis of the concave (114); and determines the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber (116) by comparing a predetermined parameter obtained from the revolving trajectory with a reference value, the revolving trajectory being estimated from the predetermined value.

[0115] According to the above configuration, the revolving trajectory is estimated from a value that specifies the revolving trajectory of the main shaft (105) relative to the center axis of the concave (114). The predetermined parameter obtained from the estimated revolving trajectory is compared with the reference value to determine the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber (116) (e.g., to determine the filling rate of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber (116), or to determine whether nor not there is non-uniformity in the distribution of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber (116)). Therefore,the crushing state determining device (1) configured as above can determine the state inside the crushing chamber (116) without relying on visual observation.

[0116] The crushing state determining device (1) may include a storage (9) that stores the predetermined value relating to the revolving trajectory at every predetermined period chronologically. The determiner (8) may output a change over time in the state of the to-be crushed objects based on a plurality of the predetermined values stored chronologically. This configuration makes it possible to recognize changes over time in the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber (116) together with determination results.

[0117] The crushing state determining device (1) may include a detector (7, 7B, 7C) that is mounted to at least one of the main shaft (105) or a frame-side body (4). The frame-side body (4) is supported by the frame (101) such that the frame-side body (4) is located at a position facing the main shaft (105). The detector (7, 7B, 7C) detects the predetermined value relating to the revolving trajectory of the main shaft (101) relative to the center axis of the concave (114).

[0118] The frame-side body (4) may be an upper bearing structural body including an upper bearing (3) by which an upper end portion of the main shaft (105) is rotatably supported.

[0119] The detector (7, 7B) may detect distances between the main shaft (105) and the frame-side body (4) at two or more positions, respectively, the two or more positions being different from each other in a circumferential direction.

[0120] The detector (7) may include: a first sensor (71) located at a first position on the frame-side body (4), such that the first sensor (71) faces the main shaft (105); and a second sensor (72) located at a second position on the frame-side body (4), the second position being different from the first position, such that the second sensor (72) faces the main shaft (105).

The first sensor (71) may detect a first distance between the first position and the main shaft (105). The second sensor (72) may detect a second distance between the second position and the main shaft (105).

[0121] The detector (7B) may include: a first sensor (71B) located at a first position on the main shaft (105), such that the first sensor (71B) is oriented in a first direction facing the frame side body (4); and a second sensor (72B) located at a second position on the main shaft (105), such that the second sensor (72B) is oriented in a second direction facing the frame-side body (4), the second direction crossing the first direction. The first sensor (71B) may detect a first distance between the first position and the frame-side body (4). The second sensor (72B) may detect a second distance between the second position and the frame-side body (4).

[0122] According to the above configuration, since the distances between the main shaft (105) and the frame-side body (4) are detected in two radial directions, respectively, the center position of the frame-side body (4) as seen from the center of the main shaft (105) can be calculated, and by accumulating the calculated center position data, the diameter of the revolving trajectory can be estimated.

[0123] The detector (7B) may include a third sensor (74) that detects a rotational phase of the main shaft.

[0124] According to the above configuration, at the time of detecting the first distance and the second distance, the rotational phase of the main shaft (105) is also detected. Therefore,an influence of the rotation of the main shaft (105) on the revolving trajectory of the main shaft (105), the revolving trajectory being obtained by detecting the first distance and the second distance, can be canceled in advance. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to take a long detection time for detecting the first distance and the second distance for the purpose of canceling the influence of the rotation of the main shaft (105), and this makes it possible to shorten a time for obtaining the revolving trajectory.

[0125] The determiner (8) may: calculate coordinates of a center position of the main shaft (105) from the distances between the main shaft (105) and the frame-side body (4), the distances being detected at the two or more positions, respectively; obtain, as the revolving trajectory, a trajectory of the center position of the main shaft (105) by accumulating the coordinates of the center position of the main shaft (105) for a predetermined period; calculate, as a trajectory diameter, a distance between two points that are farthest apart from each other on the obtained revolving trajectory; and determine the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber (116) by comparing the calculated trajectory diameter with a reference value.

[0126] According to the above configuration, the coordinates of the center position of the main shaft (105) are calculated based on the distances between the main shaft (105) and the frame-side body (4), the distances being obtained in two radial directions, respectively. The distance between the two points that are farthest apart from each other on the revolving trajectory, which is obtained based on the coordinates of the center position of the main shaft (105), is used in the comparison, and thereby the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber (116) can be readily determined.

[0127] In a case where a variation width of a trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory within a predetermined period is greater than a reference value, the determiner (8) may determine that a filling rate of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber (116) is low.

[0128] According to the above configuration, the variation width of the trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory within the predetermined period is compared with the reference value. In this manner, the state that occurs continuously inside the crushing chamber (116) within the predetermined period can be determined.

[0129] The determiner (8) may calculate variation widths of a trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory within a predetermined period at multiple positions on the revolving trajectory, respectively, and may determine a condition of non-uniformity in distribution of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber (116) based on a difference between the variation widths.

[0130] According to the above configuration, the variation widths of the trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory within the predetermined period are calculated at multiple positions on the revolving trajectory, respectively, and are compared with each other, which makes it possible to determine the condition of non-uniformity in the distribution of the to-be-crushed objects over multiple positions in the crushing chamber (116).

[0131] The detector (7C) may include: a fourth sensor (73) mounted to the main shaft (105); and a fifth sensor (75) that detects a rotational phase of the main shaft (105). Thefourthsensor (73) may detect accelerations in two different radial directions of the main shaft (105), respectively.

[0132] A crushing state determining method according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a crushing state determining method for determining a state of to-be-crushed objects in a crushing chamber (116) of a gyratory crusher (100, 200), the gyratory crusher (100, 200) including: a main shaft (105); a mantle (113) fixed to the main shaft (105); a frame (101); and a concave (114) fixed to the frame (101) such that the concave (114) is located to face the mantle (113), the concave (114) and the mantle (113) forming a crushing chamber (116) therebetween. In a state where a center axis of the main shaft (105) is tilted relative to a center axis of the concave (114), the main shaft (105) rotates to make eccentric turning motion to crush the to-be crushed objects that have been introduced into the crushing chamber (116), which is formed between the concave (114) and the mantle (113). The crushing state determining method includes: obtaining a predetermined value relating to a revolving trajectory of the main shaft (105) relative to the center axis of the concave (114); and determining the state of the to-be crushed objects in the crushing chamber (116) by comparing a predetermined parameter obtained from the revolving trajectory with a reference value, the revolving trajectory being estimated from the predetermined value.

Reference Signs List

[0133] 1 crushing state determining device 2 shaft (main shaft) 3 bearing (upper bearing) 4 bearing structural body (upper bearing structural body, frame-side body) 7, 7B, 7C detector 8 determiner 71, 71B first sensor (displacement sensor) 72, 72B second sensor (displacement sensor) 73 fourth sensor (acceleration/phase sensor) 74 third sensor 75 fifth sensor 100,200 gyratory crusher 101 upper frame (frame) 105 main shaft 113 mantle 114 concave 115 lower bearing 116 crushing chamber 117 upper bearing 133 upper bearing structural body

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A crushing state determining device for determining a state of to-be-crushed objects in a crushing chamber of a gyratory crusher, the gyratory crusher including: a main shaft; a mantle fixed to the main shaft; a frame; and a concave fixed to the frame such that the concave is located to face the mantle, the concave and the mantle forming a crushing chamber therebetween, wherein in a state where a center axis of the main shaft is tilted relative to a center axis of the concave, the main shaft rotates to make eccentric turning motion to crush the to-be-crushed objects that have been introduced into the crushing chamber formed between the concave and the mantle, the crushing state determining device including: a detector that is mounted to at least one of the main shaft or a frame-side body and that detects a predetermined value relating to a revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave, the frame-side body being supported by the frame such that the frame-side body is located at a position facing the main shaft; and a determiner that determines the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber, wherein the detector detects distances between the main shaft and the frame-side body at two or more positions, respectively, the two or more positions being different from each other in a circumferential direction, and the determiner: obtains each of the distances between the main shaft and the frame-side body at the two or more positions, respectively, as the predetermined value relating to the revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave; calculates coordinates of a center position of the main shaft from the distances between the main shaft and the frame-side body at the two or more positions, respectively; obtains, as the revolving trajectory, a trajectory of the center position of the main shaft by accumulating the coordinates of the center position of the main shaft for a predetermined period; calculates, as a trajectory diameter, a distance between two points that are farthest apart from each other on the obtained revolving trajectory; and determines the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber by comparing the calculated trajectory diameter with a reference value.
2. A crushing state determining device for determining a state of to-be-crushed objects in a crushing chamber of a gyratory crusher, the gyratory crusher including: a main shaft; a mantle fixed to the main shaft; a frame; and a concave fixed to the frame such that the concave is located to face the mantle, the concave and the mantle forming a crushing chamber therebetween, wherein in a state where a center axis of the main shaft is tilted relative to a center axis of the concave, the main shaft rotates to make eccentric turning motion to crush the to-be-crushed objects that have been introduced into the crushing chamber formed between the concave and the mantle, the crushing state determining device including a determiner that determines the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber, wherein the determiner: obtains a predetermined value relating to a revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave; compares a variation width of a trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory within a predetermined period with a reference value, the variation width being estimated from the predetermined value; and determines that a filling rate of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber is low in a case where the variation width of the trajectory diameter is greater than the reference value.
3. A crushing state determining device for determining a state of to-be-crushed objects in a crushing chamber of a gyratory crusher, the gyratory crusher including: a main shaft; a mantle fixed to the main shaft; a frame; and a concave fixed to the frame such that the concave is located to face the mantle, the concave and the mantle forming a crushing chamber therebetween, wherein in a state where a center axis of the main shaft is tilted relative to a center axis of the concave, the main shaft rotates to make eccentric turning motion to crush the to-be-crushed objects that have been introduced into the crushing chamber formed between the concave and the mantle, the crushing state determining device including a determiner that determines the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber, wherein the determiner: obtains a predetermined value relating to a revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave; calculates variation widths of a trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory within a predetermined period at multiple positions on the revolving trajectory, respectively, the variation widths each being estimated from the predetermined value; and determines a condition of non-uniformity in distribution of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber based on a difference between the variation widths.
4. The crushing state determining device according to any one of claims I to 3, including a storage that stores the predetermined value relating to the revolving trajectory at every predetermined period chronologically, wherein the determiner outputs a change over time in the state of the to-be-crushed objects based on a plurality of the predetermined values stored chronologically.
5. The crushing state determining device according to claim 2 or 3, including a detector that is mounted to at least one of the main shaft or a frame-side body, wherein the frame-side body is supported by the frame such that the frame-side body is located at a position facing the main shaft, and the detector detects the predetermined value relating to the revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave.
6. The crushing state determining device according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the frame-side body is an upper bearing structural body including an upper bearing by which an upper end portion of the main shaft is rotatably supported.
7. The crushing state determining device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the detector detects distances between the main shaft and the frame-side body at two or more positions, respectively, the two or more positions being different from each other in a circumferential direction.
8. The crushing state determining device according to claim 7, wherein the detector includes: a first sensor located at a first position on the frame-side body, such that the first sensor faces the main shaft; and a second sensor located at a second position on the frame-side body, the second position being different from the first position, such that the second sensor faces the main shaft, the first sensor detects a first distance between the first position and the main shaft, and the second sensor detects a second distance between the second position and the main shaft.
9. The crushing state determining device according to claim 7, wherein the detector includes: a first sensor located at a first position on the main shaft, such that the first sensor is oriented in a first direction facing the frame-side body; and a second sensor located at a second position on the main shaft, such that the second sensor is oriented in a second direction facing the frame-side body, the second direction crossing the first direction, the first sensor detects a first distance between the first position and the frame-side body,and the second sensor detects a second distance between the second position and the frame-side body.
10. The crushing state determining device according to claim 9, wherein the detector includes a third sensor that detects a rotational phase of the main shaft.
11. The crushing state determining device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the detector includes: a fourth sensor mounted to the main shaft; and a fifth sensor that detects a rotational phase of the main shaft, and the fourth sensor detects accelerations in two different radial directions of the main shaft, respectively.
12. A crushing state determining method for determining a state of to-be-crushed objects in a crushing chamber of a gyratory crusher, the gyratory crusher including: a main shaft; a mantle fixed to the main shaft; a frame; and a concave fixed to the frame such that the concave is located to face the mantle, the concave and the mantle forming a crushing chamber therebetween, wherein in a state where a center axis of the main shaft is tilted relative to a center axis of the concave, the main shaft rotates to make eccentric turning motion to crush the to-be-crushed objects that have been introduced into the crushing chamber formed between the concave and the mantle, the crushing state determining method including: detecting distances between the main shaft and a frame-side body at two or more positions, respectively, the two or more positions being different from each other in a circumferential direction, the frame-side body being supported by the frame such that the frame side body is located at a position facing the main shaft; obtaining each of the distances between the main shaft and the frame-side body at the two or more positions, respectively, as a predetermined value relating to a revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave; calculating coordinates of a center position of the main shaft from the distances between the main shaft and the frame-side body at the two or more positions, respectively; obtaining, as the revolving trajectory, a trajectory of the center position of the main shaft by accumulating the coordinates of the center position of the main shaft for a predetermined period; calculating, as a trajectory diameter, a distance between two points that are farthest apart from each other on the obtained revolving trajectory; and determining the state of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber by comparing-the calculated trajectory diameter with a reference value.
13. A crushing state determining method for determining a state of to-be-crushed objects in a crushing chamber of a gyratory crusher, the gyratory crusher including: a main shaft; a mantle fixed to the main shaft; a frame; and a concave fixed to the frame such that the concave is located to face the mantle, the concave and the mantle forming a crushing chamber therebetween, wherein in a state where a center axis of the main shaft is tilted relative to a center axis of the concave, the main shaft rotates to make eccentric turning motion to crush the to-be-crushed objects that have been introduced into the crushing chamber formed between the concave and the mantle, the crushing state determining method including: obtaining a predetermined value relating to a revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave; comparing a variation width of a trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory within a predetermined period with a reference value, the variation width being estimated from the predetermined value; and determining that a filling rate of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber is low in a case where the variation width of the trajectory diameter is greater than the reference value.
14. A crushing state determining method for determining a state of to-be-crushed objects in a crushing chamber of a gyratory crusher, the gyratory crusher including: a main shaft; a mantle fixed to the main shaft; a frame; and a concave fixed to the frame such that the concave is located to face the mantle, the concave and the mantle forming a crushing chamber therebetween, wherein in a state where a center axis of the main shaft is tilted relative to a center axis of the concave, the main shaft rotates to make eccentric turning motion to crush the to-be-crushed objects that have been introduced into the crushing chamber formed between the concave and the mantle, the crushing state determining method including: obtaining a predetermined value relating to a revolving trajectory of the main shaft relative to the center axis of the concave; calculating variation widths of a trajectory diameter of the revolving trajectory within a predetermined period at multiple positions on the revolving trajectory, respectively, the variation widths each being estimated from the predetermined value; and determining a condition of non-uniformity in distribution of the to-be-crushed objects in the crushing chamber based on a difference between the variation widths.

Kabushiki Kaisha Earthtechnica Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON