CA1147801A - Method and machine for recovering material from consumed accumulator batteries - Google Patents
Method and machine for recovering material from consumed accumulator batteriesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1147801A CA1147801A CA000362457A CA362457A CA1147801A CA 1147801 A CA1147801 A CA 1147801A CA 000362457 A CA000362457 A CA 000362457A CA 362457 A CA362457 A CA 362457A CA 1147801 A CA1147801 A CA 1147801A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- battery
- machine
- periphery
- batteries
- casing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23D—PLANING; SLOTTING; SHEARING; BROACHING; SAWING; FILING; SCRAPING; LIKE OPERATIONS FOR WORKING METAL BY REMOVING MATERIAL, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23D19/00—Shearing machines or shearing devices cutting by rotary discs
- B23D19/04—Shearing machines or shearing devices cutting by rotary discs having rotary shearing discs arranged in co-operating pairs
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/54—Reclaiming serviceable parts of waste accumulators
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Y02W30/00—Technologies for solid waste management
- Y02W30/50—Reuse, recycling or recovery technologies
- Y02W30/84—Recycling of batteries or fuel cells
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49751—Scrap recovering or utilizing
- Y10T29/49755—Separating one material from another
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
- Y10T29/53274—Means to disassemble electrical device
- Y10T29/53278—Storage cell or battery
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Battery Electrode And Active Subsutance (AREA)
- Secondary Cells (AREA)
- Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
- Primary Cells (AREA)
- Sealing Battery Cases Or Jackets (AREA)
- Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)
Abstract
METHOD AND MACHINE FOR RECOVERING MATERIAL
FROM CONSUMED ACCUMULATOR BATTERIES
ABSTRACT
A method for recovering material from consumed accumulator batteries consists of providing a rotatable table, keeping the table under continuous rotation, continuously feeding a row of batteries tangentially to the periphery of the table in such a manner as to bring one of the side walls of the casing of each battery into contact with the table periphery such that a portion of said side wall projects below the table contour, exerting a radial thrust on that side wall of each battery casing which is opposite the wall in contact with the table periphery such as to keep said battery adhering to said table over a path corresponding to a substantial angle of rotation of the table, separating the lower horizontal wall of the respective casing from each battery by a cutting action carried out on that part of each battery which projects below the table contour while the battery is adhering to the table, so as to enable said wall to be separated from the remaining part of the battery by gravity, and then releasing the radial thrust exerted on each battery at the end of said path so as to enable the table to be separated from said remaining part of the battery by gravity.
The invention also relates to a machine for carrying out the method.
FROM CONSUMED ACCUMULATOR BATTERIES
ABSTRACT
A method for recovering material from consumed accumulator batteries consists of providing a rotatable table, keeping the table under continuous rotation, continuously feeding a row of batteries tangentially to the periphery of the table in such a manner as to bring one of the side walls of the casing of each battery into contact with the table periphery such that a portion of said side wall projects below the table contour, exerting a radial thrust on that side wall of each battery casing which is opposite the wall in contact with the table periphery such as to keep said battery adhering to said table over a path corresponding to a substantial angle of rotation of the table, separating the lower horizontal wall of the respective casing from each battery by a cutting action carried out on that part of each battery which projects below the table contour while the battery is adhering to the table, so as to enable said wall to be separated from the remaining part of the battery by gravity, and then releasing the radial thrust exerted on each battery at the end of said path so as to enable the table to be separated from said remaining part of the battery by gravity.
The invention also relates to a machine for carrying out the method.
Description
1~47~ ~
.
This invention relatcs generally to industrial material recovery processes, and in pa~ticular to those processes for producing lead from consu~ed vehicle accl~T.ulator batteries.
It is well known to experts of the art that this reco~ery can be carried out ~Qither by pyrometallurgical processes or by electro-chemical processes. In both cases it is necessary firstly to open the battery casing by removing at least one of its walls by cutting, and then drainin~ the battery electrolytic solution from the casing.
In recovery by pyrometallurgical processes it is also neces6ary to previously separate the non-metal materials from the metal compo-n¢nts of the batte~y after opening the casing.
Thc present invention provides a method for continuously recovering ~terlal from consumed accumulator batteries particularly of the type comprising a parallelepiped-shaped casing, which are intended for subsequent pyrometallurgical or electrochemical processing Yor the production o~ lead, the method being economical and easlly mechanisable to allow high production rates.
The method according to the invention comprises the followin~
sta~es:
- providing a horizontal rotatable table, - keeping said table under continuous rotation, - continuously feeding a row of battcries tan~entially to the periphery of the table ln such a manner as to bring~ one of the side ~alls of the casing of each battery into contact wlth thc table periphery such that a portion of said side wall projects below the table contour, - exerting a radial thrust on that side wall of each battery casing which is opposite the wall in contact with the table periphery such as to keep said battery adhering to said table over a path corresponding to a substantial angle of rotation of the table, - separating the lower horizontal wa]l of the respective casing from each battery by a cutting action carried Ollt on that part of each battery which projects below the table contour while said battery is adhering to the table, so as to enable said wall to be separated from the remaining part o~ the battery by gravity, - releasing the radial thrust exerted on each battery at the end of said path 50 as to enable the table to be separated from said remalnlng part of the battery by gravity.
If the batterles are to be subsequently subjected to electro-chemlcal recovery proces.ses, they are fed tangentially to the tableperlphery in thelr normal positlon of use, i.e. with the caslng cover faclng upwards. If however the batteries are to be subject-ed to treatment by pyrometallurgical ~rocesses, they are fed tangentially to the table perlphery in an inverted position relative to their normal positlon of use. In thi.s case, followlng the stage in which the lower horizontal wall of the respective casing is separated from each battery by cutting, the method further comprises vibrating the remaining part of each battery while it is adhering to the table in order to facilitate separation of the contents of the battery from the respective casing and enable said contents to be separated from the remaining part of the battery by gravity.
The ~ethod according to the invention also provides for separating not only the lower horizontal wall of the respective casing, but also and simultaneously the upper horizontal wall of said casing from each battery by cutting.
The invention also relates to a particularly simple, functional and economical machine for continuously carrying out said method.
The machine according to the invention comprises:
- a horizontal rotatable table, - means for keeping said table under continuous rotation, - feed means for continuously feeding a row of batteries tangential]y to the perlphery o~ the table in such a manner as to bring onc of the side walls of the casing of each battery i.nto contact with the table periphe~y such that a portion of said side wall projects at least below the table contour, - means for exerting a radial thrust on that side wall of each battery casing which is opposite the wall in contact with the table periphery such as to keep said battery adhering to said table over a path corresponding to a substantial angle of rotation of the table, - cutting means acting on that part of each battery which projects below the table contour while said bat-tery is adherlng to the table, so as to separate the lower horlzontal wall of the respective cas~ng from each batter~, - collection means for receiving said horizontal walls which separate by gravity from the remaining parts o~ the batteries downstream of the cutting means, and for receiving the remaining parts of said batteries which separate by gravity from the rotatable table at the end of said table path.
The machine according to the inventlon enables high production rates to be obtained while maintaining operational costs at extremely low levels.
According to the invention, the machine also comprises vibration means acting on the remaining parts of the batteries downstream of the cutting means in order to facilitate separation of tha contents of each battery from the respective casing, and collection means for receiving the battery con-tents which separate by gr~vity from the remaining parts of the batteries.
Accoxding to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the lnvention, the table periphery ls provided with support means arranged to assume a local flat configuration tangential to the 1~ table followlng contact between said slde wall of each battery casing and the table periphery, and to maintain said configuration over the c-ntire said path of the table. This characteristic ensures a correct support for the batteries on the periphery of the rotatable table during the cutting operation.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the descrlption given hereinaftcr with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of non-limitin~ examp]e a preferred embodirrlent of a machine for carrying out the method according to the invention, and in which:
Figure 1 is a partly interrupted diagrarr~atic perspective view of a machine according tG the invention, Flgure 2 is an inverted plan view of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a section on the line III-III of Fi~ure 2 to an enlarged scale, Figure 4 is a section on the line IV-IV of Figure 2 to an enlarged scale and Figure 5 is a partly inter~lpted perspective view of a detail of the machine.
~ith reference to the drawings, the reference numeral 10 indicates a parallelepiped housing in which a support framework 12 is disposed, consisting of a series of horizontal, vertical and oblique beams. By ~lay of rolling bearing~" not sho~m, the suppor-t framework 12 rotatably supports the ends of a vertical shaft 14 on which a rotatable table 16 is mounted. The rotatable table 16 is constltuted by a wheel with a hub, not shown on the clrawings, kcyed on to the shaft 14, and a rim 18 connected to the hub by a set of ~pokes, not shown on the c~awin~s. A circumferential set of radlal supports 20 project out~1ards from the rim 18, and cach carries at its respcctive outer end a pair of vertical pins 22, on the ends of each of ~Ihich there is hinged a vertical support plate 24. Each support plate 24 is arranged to m~e limited angular movement~
about the respective pin 22 until it becomes ali.gned ~ith the adjacent plate 24 tan~entially to the table 16. Eaoh support plate 24 comprlses an outer surface ~Jith a hieh coefficient of friction, for example a s~lrface faced with abrasiYe material.
The rotatable t~ble 16 is also provided wi-th a pair of opposin~ cone frusturn cowls 26 c-xtending over each of its faces from the shaft 14 -to the inner ed~e of the rim 18.
The diameter of the rotatable table 16 is preferably about 4 metres, and the length of each support plate 2~ is of the order il~O~
of about 20 cm.
The reference numeral 28 indicates an endless flexible belt which is mobile about deviation rollers of vertical axis 30 supported by the support framework 12. One of the deviation rollers 30 is rotated by an electric motox 31 and a flexible belt transmission. The endless belt 28 comprises a branch 28a disposed to present an arcuate surface surrolmding a substantial part of the periphery of the rotatable table 16. This substantial part corresponds to an angular width of about 180.
l'he endless belt 28 has a width equal to the Nidth of the support plates 24, and its longitudinal edges ~xe disposed substantially at the same level as the correspondin~ edges of sald support plates 24, as shown in ~igures 3 and 4 One of the deviation rollers for the branch 28a, indicated by 3Z, ~.s mounted on a slide 34 which is slidable on fixed guides 36 disposed externally to the housing 10. A counterweight 40 suspended from a structure 42 is connected to the slide 34 by a cable or chain 38. In this manner, a constant traction is exerted on the branch 28a of the end.less belt 2~ towards the corresponding part of the periphery of the rotatable table 16.
The endless belt 28 is of a material resistant to sulphuric acid solutions, and is preferably formed from polyester fibres coated with P.V.C
The reference numeral 44 indicates overall a feed conveyor belt comprising a part 44a of variable inclination disposed external to the casing 10, and a horizontal terminal portion 44b disposed internal to the casing 10 in a position underlying the ~4780~
initial part of the periphery of the table 16 surrounded by the brallch 28a of the endless belt 28. The terminal portion 44b of the conveyor 44, which is sho~m in detail in Figures 3 and 5, is positioned tangentially to the periphery of the rotatable table 16.
The portion 44b comprises a support base 46 carrying a horizontal frame 48 provlded with deviaLion and support rollers 50 for the belt, indicated by 52. The inner end of the frame 48 is hinged about a horizontal transverse pin 54 to the remaining part 44a of the conveyor 44. The level of the frame 48, and consequently the level o~ the conveying branch of the belt 52, can be adjusted by means of a control handwheel 56 connected to a vertical shaft 58 which lowerly carries a sprocket wheel 60. The sprocket wheel 60 drives an endless chain 62 which is deviated by a pair of sprocket uhcels 64 carried by respective vertical shafts 66, and passes over 1~ four toothed ~Iheels 68 each of which is keyed to the lo~er end of a vertical shaft 70 which at its top comprises a thr~ad 72. The thread 72 engages lowerly in a nut screw 74 rigid with the support structure 46, and upperly in a corresponding bush 76 carrlcd by the lower face of the frame 48 (see Fig. 3~. Four vertical guide pins 78 are also fi~ed to the side of -the frame 48, their lower ends slidably engaging in corresponding guide bushes 80 rigid with the support structure 46. In this manner, the level of the frame 48 can be finely adjusted by rotating the handwhcel 56.
The handwheel 56 could be replaced by an e]ectric motor controllable from outside the casing lOo A guide device 82 for thc branch 28a of the endless belt 28 is associated with the final portion 44b of the conveyor ~. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the guide device 82 is formed from two overlying spring-loaded strips ~-~ extending horizontally on opposite sides of the branch 28a. Each strip 84 is hinged at one end to the support framework 12, and is subjected at its opposite end to the action of a set of flat springs 86 carried by the framework 12 and tending to urge it in the direction of the periphery of the rotatable table 16. There is also associated with the conveying branch of the belt ~2 a spring-loaded strip 88 convergirlg towards the upper strip 84 of the guide device 82, and forming with it a channel with spring-loaded walls (see Fig. 1).
The reference numeral 90 indicates overall a cutting unlt disposed internal to the casing 10 in a position below the periphery of the rotatable table 16, do~mstream of th~ feed conveyor 44 relative to the direction of movement of the endless belt 28 indicated by the arrow F in Fi~ure 2.
As shown in detail in Fi~ure 4, the cutting unit 90 consists of a 2air of cilcular horizontal blad~s 92 which oppose each other and rotate in opposite directions, and whicll are disposed immediately below the lower edges of the endless belt 28 and the periphery of the rotatable table 16. Each circular blade 92 is carried by the upper end of a respective vertical shaft 94 rotatably supported by a support structurc 96 and rotated by an electric motor 100 by way of a flexible belt transmission 98 The support structures 96 for the .sha~ts 9l~ are hinged together about a comrnon vertlcal shaft 102 for the purpose of varying their relative distance apart. Positioning means are provided for locking eaeh of the support structures 96 in the required angular position. In this manner, it is po~sible to adapt the CUttil2g unit 90 comprising the blades 92 to different diameters. It is also possible to use only one of the vertlcal shafts 94 for controllin~ a sin~le large diameter blad~.
The circ-llar blades 92 can for example consist of cuttin~
discs with diamond-clad or prefcrably resinoid sectors.
The reference nwmcral 104 indicates a first discharge conveyor comprising an initial portion disposed in a position underlyin~ the cuttin~ unit 90~
A second discharge convcyor 106 is disposed to the side of the conveyor 104, and comprises an initial portion disposed in a position bclo1~ the periphcry of the table 16 immcdiately down-stream of the cutting unit 90. The conveyors 104 and 1061 the conveyin~ direction of whlch are indicated by the arrows H and K
in Fieure 2, pa~s to the outside of the housing 10, The reference nwmeral 108 indicates a vibrating device of conventional type, supported by the framework 12 in a position immediately overlylng the periphery of the rotatable -table 16 at the initial portion of the secolld discharc~e conveyor 106.
A collection tank 110 for receivin~ thc electrolytlc solution from the batteries and associated ~ith a pair of electrically drivcn pwnps 112, 114 is disposed below the cutting urlit 90 and the initial portions of the discharge conveyors 10l~ and loG.
.
This invention relatcs generally to industrial material recovery processes, and in pa~ticular to those processes for producing lead from consu~ed vehicle accl~T.ulator batteries.
It is well known to experts of the art that this reco~ery can be carried out ~Qither by pyrometallurgical processes or by electro-chemical processes. In both cases it is necessary firstly to open the battery casing by removing at least one of its walls by cutting, and then drainin~ the battery electrolytic solution from the casing.
In recovery by pyrometallurgical processes it is also neces6ary to previously separate the non-metal materials from the metal compo-n¢nts of the batte~y after opening the casing.
Thc present invention provides a method for continuously recovering ~terlal from consumed accumulator batteries particularly of the type comprising a parallelepiped-shaped casing, which are intended for subsequent pyrometallurgical or electrochemical processing Yor the production o~ lead, the method being economical and easlly mechanisable to allow high production rates.
The method according to the invention comprises the followin~
sta~es:
- providing a horizontal rotatable table, - keeping said table under continuous rotation, - continuously feeding a row of battcries tan~entially to the periphery of the table ln such a manner as to bring~ one of the side ~alls of the casing of each battery into contact wlth thc table periphery such that a portion of said side wall projects below the table contour, - exerting a radial thrust on that side wall of each battery casing which is opposite the wall in contact with the table periphery such as to keep said battery adhering to said table over a path corresponding to a substantial angle of rotation of the table, - separating the lower horizontal wa]l of the respective casing from each battery by a cutting action carried Ollt on that part of each battery which projects below the table contour while said battery is adhering to the table, so as to enable said wall to be separated from the remaining part o~ the battery by gravity, - releasing the radial thrust exerted on each battery at the end of said path 50 as to enable the table to be separated from said remalnlng part of the battery by gravity.
If the batterles are to be subsequently subjected to electro-chemlcal recovery proces.ses, they are fed tangentially to the tableperlphery in thelr normal positlon of use, i.e. with the caslng cover faclng upwards. If however the batteries are to be subject-ed to treatment by pyrometallurgical ~rocesses, they are fed tangentially to the table perlphery in an inverted position relative to their normal positlon of use. In thi.s case, followlng the stage in which the lower horizontal wall of the respective casing is separated from each battery by cutting, the method further comprises vibrating the remaining part of each battery while it is adhering to the table in order to facilitate separation of the contents of the battery from the respective casing and enable said contents to be separated from the remaining part of the battery by gravity.
The ~ethod according to the invention also provides for separating not only the lower horizontal wall of the respective casing, but also and simultaneously the upper horizontal wall of said casing from each battery by cutting.
The invention also relates to a particularly simple, functional and economical machine for continuously carrying out said method.
The machine according to the invention comprises:
- a horizontal rotatable table, - means for keeping said table under continuous rotation, - feed means for continuously feeding a row of batteries tangential]y to the perlphery o~ the table in such a manner as to bring onc of the side walls of the casing of each battery i.nto contact with the table periphe~y such that a portion of said side wall projects at least below the table contour, - means for exerting a radial thrust on that side wall of each battery casing which is opposite the wall in contact with the table periphery such as to keep said battery adhering to said table over a path corresponding to a substantial angle of rotation of the table, - cutting means acting on that part of each battery which projects below the table contour while said bat-tery is adherlng to the table, so as to separate the lower horlzontal wall of the respective cas~ng from each batter~, - collection means for receiving said horizontal walls which separate by gravity from the remaining parts o~ the batteries downstream of the cutting means, and for receiving the remaining parts of said batteries which separate by gravity from the rotatable table at the end of said table path.
The machine according to the inventlon enables high production rates to be obtained while maintaining operational costs at extremely low levels.
According to the invention, the machine also comprises vibration means acting on the remaining parts of the batteries downstream of the cutting means in order to facilitate separation of tha contents of each battery from the respective casing, and collection means for receiving the battery con-tents which separate by gr~vity from the remaining parts of the batteries.
Accoxding to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the lnvention, the table periphery ls provided with support means arranged to assume a local flat configuration tangential to the 1~ table followlng contact between said slde wall of each battery casing and the table periphery, and to maintain said configuration over the c-ntire said path of the table. This characteristic ensures a correct support for the batteries on the periphery of the rotatable table during the cutting operation.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the descrlption given hereinaftcr with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of non-limitin~ examp]e a preferred embodirrlent of a machine for carrying out the method according to the invention, and in which:
Figure 1 is a partly interrupted diagrarr~atic perspective view of a machine according tG the invention, Flgure 2 is an inverted plan view of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a section on the line III-III of Fi~ure 2 to an enlarged scale, Figure 4 is a section on the line IV-IV of Figure 2 to an enlarged scale and Figure 5 is a partly inter~lpted perspective view of a detail of the machine.
~ith reference to the drawings, the reference numeral 10 indicates a parallelepiped housing in which a support framework 12 is disposed, consisting of a series of horizontal, vertical and oblique beams. By ~lay of rolling bearing~" not sho~m, the suppor-t framework 12 rotatably supports the ends of a vertical shaft 14 on which a rotatable table 16 is mounted. The rotatable table 16 is constltuted by a wheel with a hub, not shown on the clrawings, kcyed on to the shaft 14, and a rim 18 connected to the hub by a set of ~pokes, not shown on the c~awin~s. A circumferential set of radlal supports 20 project out~1ards from the rim 18, and cach carries at its respcctive outer end a pair of vertical pins 22, on the ends of each of ~Ihich there is hinged a vertical support plate 24. Each support plate 24 is arranged to m~e limited angular movement~
about the respective pin 22 until it becomes ali.gned ~ith the adjacent plate 24 tan~entially to the table 16. Eaoh support plate 24 comprlses an outer surface ~Jith a hieh coefficient of friction, for example a s~lrface faced with abrasiYe material.
The rotatable t~ble 16 is also provided wi-th a pair of opposin~ cone frusturn cowls 26 c-xtending over each of its faces from the shaft 14 -to the inner ed~e of the rim 18.
The diameter of the rotatable table 16 is preferably about 4 metres, and the length of each support plate 2~ is of the order il~O~
of about 20 cm.
The reference numeral 28 indicates an endless flexible belt which is mobile about deviation rollers of vertical axis 30 supported by the support framework 12. One of the deviation rollers 30 is rotated by an electric motox 31 and a flexible belt transmission. The endless belt 28 comprises a branch 28a disposed to present an arcuate surface surrolmding a substantial part of the periphery of the rotatable table 16. This substantial part corresponds to an angular width of about 180.
l'he endless belt 28 has a width equal to the Nidth of the support plates 24, and its longitudinal edges ~xe disposed substantially at the same level as the correspondin~ edges of sald support plates 24, as shown in ~igures 3 and 4 One of the deviation rollers for the branch 28a, indicated by 3Z, ~.s mounted on a slide 34 which is slidable on fixed guides 36 disposed externally to the housing 10. A counterweight 40 suspended from a structure 42 is connected to the slide 34 by a cable or chain 38. In this manner, a constant traction is exerted on the branch 28a of the end.less belt 2~ towards the corresponding part of the periphery of the rotatable table 16.
The endless belt 28 is of a material resistant to sulphuric acid solutions, and is preferably formed from polyester fibres coated with P.V.C
The reference numeral 44 indicates overall a feed conveyor belt comprising a part 44a of variable inclination disposed external to the casing 10, and a horizontal terminal portion 44b disposed internal to the casing 10 in a position underlying the ~4780~
initial part of the periphery of the table 16 surrounded by the brallch 28a of the endless belt 28. The terminal portion 44b of the conveyor 44, which is sho~m in detail in Figures 3 and 5, is positioned tangentially to the periphery of the rotatable table 16.
The portion 44b comprises a support base 46 carrying a horizontal frame 48 provlded with deviaLion and support rollers 50 for the belt, indicated by 52. The inner end of the frame 48 is hinged about a horizontal transverse pin 54 to the remaining part 44a of the conveyor 44. The level of the frame 48, and consequently the level o~ the conveying branch of the belt 52, can be adjusted by means of a control handwheel 56 connected to a vertical shaft 58 which lowerly carries a sprocket wheel 60. The sprocket wheel 60 drives an endless chain 62 which is deviated by a pair of sprocket uhcels 64 carried by respective vertical shafts 66, and passes over 1~ four toothed ~Iheels 68 each of which is keyed to the lo~er end of a vertical shaft 70 which at its top comprises a thr~ad 72. The thread 72 engages lowerly in a nut screw 74 rigid with the support structure 46, and upperly in a corresponding bush 76 carrlcd by the lower face of the frame 48 (see Fig. 3~. Four vertical guide pins 78 are also fi~ed to the side of -the frame 48, their lower ends slidably engaging in corresponding guide bushes 80 rigid with the support structure 46. In this manner, the level of the frame 48 can be finely adjusted by rotating the handwhcel 56.
The handwheel 56 could be replaced by an e]ectric motor controllable from outside the casing lOo A guide device 82 for thc branch 28a of the endless belt 28 is associated with the final portion 44b of the conveyor ~. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the guide device 82 is formed from two overlying spring-loaded strips ~-~ extending horizontally on opposite sides of the branch 28a. Each strip 84 is hinged at one end to the support framework 12, and is subjected at its opposite end to the action of a set of flat springs 86 carried by the framework 12 and tending to urge it in the direction of the periphery of the rotatable table 16. There is also associated with the conveying branch of the belt ~2 a spring-loaded strip 88 convergirlg towards the upper strip 84 of the guide device 82, and forming with it a channel with spring-loaded walls (see Fig. 1).
The reference numeral 90 indicates overall a cutting unlt disposed internal to the casing 10 in a position below the periphery of the rotatable table 16, do~mstream of th~ feed conveyor 44 relative to the direction of movement of the endless belt 28 indicated by the arrow F in Fi~ure 2.
As shown in detail in Fi~ure 4, the cutting unit 90 consists of a 2air of cilcular horizontal blad~s 92 which oppose each other and rotate in opposite directions, and whicll are disposed immediately below the lower edges of the endless belt 28 and the periphery of the rotatable table 16. Each circular blade 92 is carried by the upper end of a respective vertical shaft 94 rotatably supported by a support structurc 96 and rotated by an electric motor 100 by way of a flexible belt transmission 98 The support structures 96 for the .sha~ts 9l~ are hinged together about a comrnon vertlcal shaft 102 for the purpose of varying their relative distance apart. Positioning means are provided for locking eaeh of the support structures 96 in the required angular position. In this manner, it is po~sible to adapt the CUttil2g unit 90 comprising the blades 92 to different diameters. It is also possible to use only one of the vertlcal shafts 94 for controllin~ a sin~le large diameter blad~.
The circ-llar blades 92 can for example consist of cuttin~
discs with diamond-clad or prefcrably resinoid sectors.
The reference nwmcral 104 indicates a first discharge conveyor comprising an initial portion disposed in a position underlyin~ the cuttin~ unit 90~
A second discharge convcyor 106 is disposed to the side of the conveyor 104, and comprises an initial portion disposed in a position bclo1~ the periphcry of the table 16 immcdiately down-stream of the cutting unit 90. The conveyors 104 and 1061 the conveyin~ direction of whlch are indicated by the arrows H and K
in Fieure 2, pa~s to the outside of the housing 10, The reference nwmeral 108 indicates a vibrating device of conventional type, supported by the framework 12 in a position immediately overlylng the periphery of the rotatable -table 16 at the initial portion of the secolld discharc~e conveyor 106.
A collection tank 110 for receivin~ thc electrolytlc solution from the batteries and associated ~ith a pair of electrically drivcn pwnps 112, 114 is disposed below the cutting urlit 90 and the initial portions of the discharge conveyors 10l~ and loG.
2~ The pwnp 112 is connected to a discharge circuit, r,ot sho-~n in the dra~ings, which connects the tar~ 110 to the outside of the housing 10. The purnp 114 feeds a hydraulic circuit terminatin~
in a series of delivery nozzles ]16 associated with the cut-ting ~78(~
unit 90, and a series of no~zles 118 disposed adjacent to the periphery of the rotatable table 16 downstrea~l of the discharee conveyors 104 and 106, and of which the function will be described hereinafter.
The reference numeral 120 indica-tes a third discharge conveyor having an initial portion disposed in a position under-lying the periphery of the xotatable table 16 in a zone diamstri-cally opposite that of the final portion 44b of the feed conveyor 44. The uppcr branch of the disch.arge oonveyor 120, which passes to the outsidc of the housing 10, i.s mobile in the direction indicated by the arrow Y in Figure 2.
The referonce numeral 12~ indicate3 two exhausters dispos~d within the housin~ 10 resp~ctlvely upstream and downstre~m of the cutting uni.t 90 with refererlcr to the direction of rotation of the rotatir~ table 16, and opening ou-tsi.de the hou~ing 10.
External to the housing 10 there are also provided an invertin~ device 124, for example an invcrting drum, and a depalletising device 126 of conventional type, these bei.ng associated with the part L~a of the Iced conveyor 44.
~'he devices for controll:ing and monitoring the machine operating cycle are grouped togcther lnto a control unit 12~
disposed eY.tsrnal to ths houGi.ng 10, 50 that the machine can bc controlled by a single op~rator who can operate under non-polluting environmcntal conditions and under maximum safety The operation of the machine according to the invention is as follows.
A series of consumed accumulator batteriss ~ each comprising 7801~
a parallelepiped casing C are deposited on the part l~a of the feed conveyor L~, If the batteries B to be fed to the machlne are grouped on pallets, the depalletising device lZ6 deposits the batteries B on to the belt 52 in an aligned state, with the major sides of the respective casings C positloned parallel to the conveying direction X of the conveyor 44.
If the batteries leaving the machine are to undergo pyrometallurgical processes for lead production, the inverting device 124 is operated in order to invert each battery B relative to its normal position of use, i.e. with its cover Cl faclng downwaras. If however the batteries B leavinG the machine are subscqucntly to undergo electrochemical recovery processes, the inverter 124 is not operated, and each battery B is fed to the machine in its normal position of use, i.e, with its base facing downwards.
In the following description of the successive operating r~ta~c~ of the m,achine, reference will be made to the former case in which the inverting device 124 is operated. }lo~ever, the machine operation is completely analogous in the case in which the inverting device 124 is not opcrated.
The batteries B aligned on the part L~a of the feed conveyor L~ are transferred to the final part 44b of said conveyor. The level of the conveying surface of the portlon L~b can be adjusted by adjusting the control hand~lheel 56 in the manner heretofore described, such that the horizontal lower ~lall Cl of each battery B is disposed at a lo~er level than the lower edges of the endless belt 28 and of the periphery of vhe rotatable table 16. During 7~0~
this stage, ths distance bet~leen any battery B and the next battery ~ along the conveyor 1~4 can have any value.
Because of the movement of the belt 52, each battery B comes successively into contact with the spring-loaded strips 84 of the guide device 82 and of the sprin~-loaded strip 88. These strips position the battery B such that it becomes disposed tangentially to the periphery of the rotatable table 16. As the battery B
continues to advance, the spring-loaded strips 84 act under the action of the flat springs 86 against the vertical wall C2 of the casing C facing it, such as -to press the opposite vertical wall C3 against the periphery of the rotatable table 16. The wall C3 thus adheres securely against one or more of the plates 24, whlch as previously stated can be positioned about the pins 22 tangentially to the periphery of the rotatable table 16, and thus parallel to the face C3. Si,multaneously, the initial por-tion of the branch 28a of the endl~ss belt 28 adheres against the face C2 of the battery B so as to hold lt against the perlphery of the rotatable table 16 and rotate said table 16 by virtue of the adherence. The effect of this rotation i3 that thc battery B
leaves the final portion 44b of the feed conveyor 44, and remains suspended bctween the branch 28a of the endless belt 2~ and the corresponding support plate 24, with its wall Cl projccting belo~l them. During thls stage, no synchronisation is necessary between the feed of the batteries along the conveyor 4L~ and the rotation of 2~ the rotatable table 16. In this respect, at ~hatever point the battery B is located relative to the periphery of the rotatable table 16, there will always be at least two support plates 24 which become aligned with each other parallel to the battery face C3, so as to ensure correct support. With this system it is also possible to feed successive batteries B having different dimensions and geometrical configurations.
The counterweight 40 acting on the endless belt 28 enables a continuous thrust to be applied to the batteries B
in order to press them radially against the periphery of the rot~table table 16. The value of the counterweight 40 must be such as to ensure secure retention of large-size batteries, but without deforming small-size batteries.
Each battery B is brought to the cutting unit 90 by virtue of the rotation of the rotatable table 16. In this position, the rotating blades 92 come into contact with that portion of the battery B which projects below the periphery of the table 16 and of the branch 28a of the endless belt 28, so as to remove the lower horizontal wall Cl of the battery B by cutting. On termination of the cutting operation9 the wall Cl 6eparates from the remaining part of the battery B by gravity, and is collected and transferred away from the casing 10 by the first discharge conveyor 104. Simultaneously, the electrolytic solution contained in the battery B drains by gravity into the collection tank 110.
During the cutting operation, the two exhausters 122, which are disposed respectively upstream and downstream of the cutting unit 90, enable the cutting zone to be kept constantly under vacuum, so ar to substantially reduce pollut-ion and noise. The spray nozzles 116 spray the blades 92 during cutting, to lubricate and cool them.
~7 As rotation of the rotatable table 16 continues, the battery B is brought to the vibrating device 108, which by acting on the upper horizontal wall of the battery B separates the contents P from the casing C of the battery B, so as to enable the contents P to be separated by gravity from the remaining part of the battery B. The second discharge conveyor 106 collects the contents P and conveys them away from the casing 10. The vibrakor 108 is not operated if the machine is used with batteries B disposed with their cover facing upwards, i.e. in the case of batteries which are to undergo electrochemical recovery processes.
As rotation of the rotatable table 16 continues, the battery B is brought to the feed nozzles 118, which spray the interior of the casing C in order to remove any slime and ~l~g.
~ hon the remaining part of the battery B reaches an an~ular position corresponding to the initia] portion of the third discharge conveyor 120, it is sepDrated from the periphery of the rotatable table 16 by virtue of the with-drawal of the surface of the branch 28~ of the endless belt28. ~n this mDnner, the rernaininG part of the battery B
is taken up by the conveyor belt 120 and convcyed away from the casing 10.
The wall Cl, the contents P and the remaining part of the casing C of each battery are fed to subsequent treatrnent and recovery stations.
It should be noted that the machine according to the invention can be used for simultaneously cutting the covsr and base of the battery B by disposing a second cutting unit sbove the periphery of the rotatable table 16 to correspond with the first cutting unit 90, and adjusting the level of the final portion 44b of the feed conveyor 44 such that esch battery B has not only a portion projecting below the table 16 and endless belt 28, but also a portion projecting above them.
Furthermore, instead of consisting of a circumferential set of positionable support plates 24, the periphery of the rotatable table 16 could consist of a soft or resiliently springy circumferential su~port eurface resistsnt to sulphuric scid solutions, and arranged to sssume a local flat configur-stion tsngential to the table 16 following contact with the side wall6 C~ of the bstteries B.
In sddition, the dr.ive action which the endless belt 28 exercises on the rotstable t~ble 16 could be provided by motorising the rotatable table 16, and using an idle endless belt 20.
From the aforegoing description i.t is apparent that the mschine according to the invention allows high production rates to be obtained and keeps operating costs at extremely low le-rols, while at the same time en~uring onvironmental working conditions free from any form of pollution.
~lithin the principle of the invention, the constructional details and embodiments can be widely varied relative to that described and illustrated~ without leaving the scope of the inventive idea.
in a series of delivery nozzles ]16 associated with the cut-ting ~78(~
unit 90, and a series of no~zles 118 disposed adjacent to the periphery of the rotatable table 16 downstrea~l of the discharee conveyors 104 and 106, and of which the function will be described hereinafter.
The reference numeral 120 indica-tes a third discharge conveyor having an initial portion disposed in a position under-lying the periphery of the xotatable table 16 in a zone diamstri-cally opposite that of the final portion 44b of the feed conveyor 44. The uppcr branch of the disch.arge oonveyor 120, which passes to the outsidc of the housing 10, i.s mobile in the direction indicated by the arrow Y in Figure 2.
The referonce numeral 12~ indicate3 two exhausters dispos~d within the housin~ 10 resp~ctlvely upstream and downstre~m of the cutting uni.t 90 with refererlcr to the direction of rotation of the rotatir~ table 16, and opening ou-tsi.de the hou~ing 10.
External to the housing 10 there are also provided an invertin~ device 124, for example an invcrting drum, and a depalletising device 126 of conventional type, these bei.ng associated with the part L~a of the Iced conveyor 44.
~'he devices for controll:ing and monitoring the machine operating cycle are grouped togcther lnto a control unit 12~
disposed eY.tsrnal to ths houGi.ng 10, 50 that the machine can bc controlled by a single op~rator who can operate under non-polluting environmcntal conditions and under maximum safety The operation of the machine according to the invention is as follows.
A series of consumed accumulator batteriss ~ each comprising 7801~
a parallelepiped casing C are deposited on the part l~a of the feed conveyor L~, If the batteries B to be fed to the machlne are grouped on pallets, the depalletising device lZ6 deposits the batteries B on to the belt 52 in an aligned state, with the major sides of the respective casings C positloned parallel to the conveying direction X of the conveyor 44.
If the batteries leaving the machine are to undergo pyrometallurgical processes for lead production, the inverting device 124 is operated in order to invert each battery B relative to its normal position of use, i.e. with its cover Cl faclng downwaras. If however the batteries B leavinG the machine are subscqucntly to undergo electrochemical recovery processes, the inverter 124 is not operated, and each battery B is fed to the machine in its normal position of use, i.e, with its base facing downwards.
In the following description of the successive operating r~ta~c~ of the m,achine, reference will be made to the former case in which the inverting device 124 is operated. }lo~ever, the machine operation is completely analogous in the case in which the inverting device 124 is not opcrated.
The batteries B aligned on the part L~a of the feed conveyor L~ are transferred to the final part 44b of said conveyor. The level of the conveying surface of the portlon L~b can be adjusted by adjusting the control hand~lheel 56 in the manner heretofore described, such that the horizontal lower ~lall Cl of each battery B is disposed at a lo~er level than the lower edges of the endless belt 28 and of the periphery of vhe rotatable table 16. During 7~0~
this stage, ths distance bet~leen any battery B and the next battery ~ along the conveyor 1~4 can have any value.
Because of the movement of the belt 52, each battery B comes successively into contact with the spring-loaded strips 84 of the guide device 82 and of the sprin~-loaded strip 88. These strips position the battery B such that it becomes disposed tangentially to the periphery of the rotatable table 16. As the battery B
continues to advance, the spring-loaded strips 84 act under the action of the flat springs 86 against the vertical wall C2 of the casing C facing it, such as -to press the opposite vertical wall C3 against the periphery of the rotatable table 16. The wall C3 thus adheres securely against one or more of the plates 24, whlch as previously stated can be positioned about the pins 22 tangentially to the periphery of the rotatable table 16, and thus parallel to the face C3. Si,multaneously, the initial por-tion of the branch 28a of the endl~ss belt 28 adheres against the face C2 of the battery B so as to hold lt against the perlphery of the rotatable table 16 and rotate said table 16 by virtue of the adherence. The effect of this rotation i3 that thc battery B
leaves the final portion 44b of the feed conveyor 44, and remains suspended bctween the branch 28a of the endless belt 2~ and the corresponding support plate 24, with its wall Cl projccting belo~l them. During thls stage, no synchronisation is necessary between the feed of the batteries along the conveyor 4L~ and the rotation of 2~ the rotatable table 16. In this respect, at ~hatever point the battery B is located relative to the periphery of the rotatable table 16, there will always be at least two support plates 24 which become aligned with each other parallel to the battery face C3, so as to ensure correct support. With this system it is also possible to feed successive batteries B having different dimensions and geometrical configurations.
The counterweight 40 acting on the endless belt 28 enables a continuous thrust to be applied to the batteries B
in order to press them radially against the periphery of the rot~table table 16. The value of the counterweight 40 must be such as to ensure secure retention of large-size batteries, but without deforming small-size batteries.
Each battery B is brought to the cutting unit 90 by virtue of the rotation of the rotatable table 16. In this position, the rotating blades 92 come into contact with that portion of the battery B which projects below the periphery of the table 16 and of the branch 28a of the endless belt 28, so as to remove the lower horizontal wall Cl of the battery B by cutting. On termination of the cutting operation9 the wall Cl 6eparates from the remaining part of the battery B by gravity, and is collected and transferred away from the casing 10 by the first discharge conveyor 104. Simultaneously, the electrolytic solution contained in the battery B drains by gravity into the collection tank 110.
During the cutting operation, the two exhausters 122, which are disposed respectively upstream and downstream of the cutting unit 90, enable the cutting zone to be kept constantly under vacuum, so ar to substantially reduce pollut-ion and noise. The spray nozzles 116 spray the blades 92 during cutting, to lubricate and cool them.
~7 As rotation of the rotatable table 16 continues, the battery B is brought to the vibrating device 108, which by acting on the upper horizontal wall of the battery B separates the contents P from the casing C of the battery B, so as to enable the contents P to be separated by gravity from the remaining part of the battery B. The second discharge conveyor 106 collects the contents P and conveys them away from the casing 10. The vibrakor 108 is not operated if the machine is used with batteries B disposed with their cover facing upwards, i.e. in the case of batteries which are to undergo electrochemical recovery processes.
As rotation of the rotatable table 16 continues, the battery B is brought to the feed nozzles 118, which spray the interior of the casing C in order to remove any slime and ~l~g.
~ hon the remaining part of the battery B reaches an an~ular position corresponding to the initia] portion of the third discharge conveyor 120, it is sepDrated from the periphery of the rotatable table 16 by virtue of the with-drawal of the surface of the branch 28~ of the endless belt28. ~n this mDnner, the rernaininG part of the battery B
is taken up by the conveyor belt 120 and convcyed away from the casing 10.
The wall Cl, the contents P and the remaining part of the casing C of each battery are fed to subsequent treatrnent and recovery stations.
It should be noted that the machine according to the invention can be used for simultaneously cutting the covsr and base of the battery B by disposing a second cutting unit sbove the periphery of the rotatable table 16 to correspond with the first cutting unit 90, and adjusting the level of the final portion 44b of the feed conveyor 44 such that esch battery B has not only a portion projecting below the table 16 and endless belt 28, but also a portion projecting above them.
Furthermore, instead of consisting of a circumferential set of positionable support plates 24, the periphery of the rotatable table 16 could consist of a soft or resiliently springy circumferential su~port eurface resistsnt to sulphuric scid solutions, and arranged to sssume a local flat configur-stion tsngential to the table 16 following contact with the side wall6 C~ of the bstteries B.
In sddition, the dr.ive action which the endless belt 28 exercises on the rotstable t~ble 16 could be provided by motorising the rotatable table 16, and using an idle endless belt 20.
From the aforegoing description i.t is apparent that the mschine according to the invention allows high production rates to be obtained and keeps operating costs at extremely low le-rols, while at the same time en~uring onvironmental working conditions free from any form of pollution.
~lithin the principle of the invention, the constructional details and embodiments can be widely varied relative to that described and illustrated~ without leaving the scope of the inventive idea.
Claims (26)
1. A method for recovering material from consumed accumulator batteries with a parallelepiped casing, comprising the following stages:
- providing a horizontal rotatable table, - keeping said table under continuous rotation, - continuously feeding a row of batteries tangentially to the periphery of the rotatable table in such a manner as to bring one of the side walls of the casing of each battery into contact with the periphery of the table, such that a portion of said side wall projects below the contour of the table, - exerting a radial thrust on that side wall of the casing of each battery which is opposite the wall in contact with the periphery of the table such as to keep said battery adhering to said table over a path corresponding to a substantial angle of rotation of the table, - separating the lower horizontal wall of the respective casing from each battery by a cutting action carried out on that part of each battery which projects below the contour of the rotatable table while said battery is adhering to the table, so as to enable said wall to be separated from the remaining part of the battery by gravity, - releasing the radial thrust exerted on each battery at the end of said path so as to enable the table to be separated from said remaining part of the battery by gravity.
- providing a horizontal rotatable table, - keeping said table under continuous rotation, - continuously feeding a row of batteries tangentially to the periphery of the rotatable table in such a manner as to bring one of the side walls of the casing of each battery into contact with the periphery of the table, such that a portion of said side wall projects below the contour of the table, - exerting a radial thrust on that side wall of the casing of each battery which is opposite the wall in contact with the periphery of the table such as to keep said battery adhering to said table over a path corresponding to a substantial angle of rotation of the table, - separating the lower horizontal wall of the respective casing from each battery by a cutting action carried out on that part of each battery which projects below the contour of the rotatable table while said battery is adhering to the table, so as to enable said wall to be separated from the remaining part of the battery by gravity, - releasing the radial thrust exerted on each battery at the end of said path so as to enable the table to be separated from said remaining part of the battery by gravity.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further com-prising, following the stage in which the lower horizontal wall of the respective casing is separated from each battery by cutting, a stage consisting of vibrating the remaining part of each battery while it is adhering to the table in order to facilitate separation of the contents of the battery from the respective casing and enable said contents to be separated from the remaining part of the battery by gravity.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stage in which a row of batteries is continuously fed tangen-tially to the periphery of the rotatable table in order to bring one of the side walls of the casing of each battery in contact with the periphery of the table is carried out such that a portion of said side wall also projects above the contour of the table, and further comprising a stage in which the upper horizontal wall of the respective casing is separated from each battery by a cutting action carried out on that part of each battery which projects above the contour of the table while said battery adheres to the table.
4. A machine for recovering material from consumed accumulator batteries with a parallelepiped casing, comprising:
- a horizontal rotatable table, - means for keeping said table under continuous rotation, - feed means for continuously feeding a row of batteries tangentially to the periphery of the table in such a manner as to bring one of the side walls of the casing of each battery into contact with the periphery of the table, such that a portion of said side wall projects at least below the contour of the table, - means for exerting a radial thrust on that side wall of the casing of each battery which is opposite the wall in contact with the periphery of the table such as to keep said battery adhering to said table over a path corresponding to a sub-stantial angle of rotation of the table, - cutting means acting on that part of each battery which projects below the contour of the table while said battery is adhering to the table, so as to separate the lower horizontal wall of the respective casing from each battery, - collection means for receiving said horizontal walls which separate by gravity from the remaining parts of the batteries downstream of the cutting means, and for receiving the remaining parts of said batteries which separate by gravity from the rotatable table at the end of said path of the table.
- a horizontal rotatable table, - means for keeping said table under continuous rotation, - feed means for continuously feeding a row of batteries tangentially to the periphery of the table in such a manner as to bring one of the side walls of the casing of each battery into contact with the periphery of the table, such that a portion of said side wall projects at least below the contour of the table, - means for exerting a radial thrust on that side wall of the casing of each battery which is opposite the wall in contact with the periphery of the table such as to keep said battery adhering to said table over a path corresponding to a sub-stantial angle of rotation of the table, - cutting means acting on that part of each battery which projects below the contour of the table while said battery is adhering to the table, so as to separate the lower horizontal wall of the respective casing from each battery, - collection means for receiving said horizontal walls which separate by gravity from the remaining parts of the batteries downstream of the cutting means, and for receiving the remaining parts of said batteries which separate by gravity from the rotatable table at the end of said path of the table.
5. A machine as claimed in claim 4, further com-prising vibration means acting on the remaining parts of the batteries downstream of the cutting means in order to facili-tate separation of the contents of each battery from the respective casing, and collection means for receiving the contents of the batteries which separate by gravity from the remaining parts of said batteries.
6. A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the periphery of the rotatable table is provided with support means arranged to assume a local flat configuration tangential to the table following contact between said side wall of the casing of each battery and the periphery of the table, and to maintain said configuration over the entire said path of the table.
7. A machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the periphery of the table is defined by a circumferential set of flat support surfaces which can be positioned tangentially to the table.
8. A machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said flat support surfaces are constituted by plates hinged about vertical pins carried by the table in such a manner as to be able to make limited angular movements to enable each plate to be aligned with the adjacent plate tangentially to the table.
9. A machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein each support plate has an outer surface with a high coefficient of friction.
10. A machine as claimed in claim 4, comprising an endless flexible belt mobile synchronously with the rotation of the table about vertical deviation rollers, and having a branch which faces the periphery of the table along said path of the table, said means for exerting a radial thrust on that side wall of the-casing of each battery opposite the wall in contact with the periphery of the table acting on said branch of the endless belt.
11. A machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means for exerting a radial thrust comprise a slide slidable on fixed guides and carrying one of the deviation rollers of said branch of the continuous belt, and a counterweight connected to the slide and tending to move said slide in a direction corresponding to the radial approach of said branch of the endless belt to the periphery of the table.
12. A machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the endless belt is motorised, and the rotatable table is idle and is rotated by the endless belt by adherence between said branch of the endless belt and those side walls of the batteries opposite the walls in contact with the periphery of the table.
13. A machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the endless belt is of an acid-resistant material.
. - 20 -
. - 20 -
14. A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means for continuously feeding a row of batteries tangentially to the periphery of the table comprise a feed conveyor belt having a final horizontal portion positioned tangentially to the periphery of the rotatable table at the initial part of said path of the rotatable table, said final portion being articulated relative to the remaining part of the feed con-veyor belt about a transverse horizontal pin, and being pro-vided with precision adjustment means for selectively adjusting the level of its conveying surface.
15. A machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein resilient guide means are associated with the final horizontal portion of the feed conveyor in order to direct and press the batteries against the periphery of the rotatable table.
16. A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cutting means comprise at least one horizontal circular blade supported and rotated by a vertical motorised shaft, and means are provided for adjusting the distance of said vertical shaft from the periphery of the table.
17. A machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein the circular blades are two in number, and are side-by-side and counter-rotating.
18. A machine as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the or each circular blade is constituted by a resin-oid cutting disc.
19. A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the collection means comprise:
- a first discharge conveyor with an initial portion disposed in a position underlying the cutting means, - a second discharge conveyor with an initial portion disposed in a position underlying the periphery of the rotatable table immediately downstream of the cutting means, and - a third discharge conveyor with an initial portion disposed in a position underlying the periphery of the rotatable table in a position corresponding with the final part of said path of the rotatable table.
- a first discharge conveyor with an initial portion disposed in a position underlying the cutting means, - a second discharge conveyor with an initial portion disposed in a position underlying the periphery of the rotatable table immediately downstream of the cutting means, and - a third discharge conveyor with an initial portion disposed in a position underlying the periphery of the rotatable table in a position corresponding with the final part of said path of the rotatable table.
20. A machine as claimed in claim 19, wherein the collection means further comprise a tank for collecting the liquid contents of the batteries, said tank extending in a position underlying the cutting means and said initial portions of the first and second discharge conveyor.
21. A machine as claimed in claim 4, further com-prising feed means for feeding a cooling-lubricating liquid under pressure to the cutting means, and feed means for feeding a wash liquid under pressure into the casings of the batteries downstream of the cutting means.
22. A machine as claimed in claims 20 and 21, wherein said feed means are fed from said collection tank.
23. A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rotatable table, said branch of the endless belt and the cutting means are housed in a closed housing.
24. A machine as claimed in claim 4, comprising an inverting device associated with the machine feed means for inverting the batteries relative to their normal position of use.
25. A machine as claimed in claim 24, further com-prising a depalletising device arranged to receive groups of palletised batteries and to transfer said batteries in an aligned condition to said machine feed means.
26. A machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein said acid-resistant material is made of P.V.C. coated polyester fibers.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT69007A/79 | 1979-10-16 | ||
| IT6900779A IT1119221B (en) | 1979-10-16 | 1979-10-16 | METHOD AND MACHINE FOR THE RECOVERY OF MATERIAL FROM BATTERIES OF EXHAUSTED ACCUMULATORS |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1147801A true CA1147801A (en) | 1983-06-07 |
Family
ID=11311140
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000362457A Expired CA1147801A (en) | 1979-10-16 | 1980-10-15 | Method and machine for recovering material from consumed accumulator batteries |
Country Status (28)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4333219A (en) |
| JP (2) | JPS5665470A (en) |
| AT (1) | AT378082B (en) |
| AU (1) | AU531548B2 (en) |
| BE (1) | BE885755A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR8006593A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1147801A (en) |
| CH (1) | CH642780A5 (en) |
| CS (1) | CS233716B2 (en) |
| DD (1) | DD154027A5 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE8027148U1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK150767C (en) |
| EG (1) | EG14928A (en) |
| ES (1) | ES496363A0 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2473795A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2060986B (en) |
| IE (1) | IE50162B1 (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1119221B (en) |
| LU (1) | LU82855A1 (en) |
| NL (1) | NL180059C (en) |
| NO (1) | NO151484C (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ195124A (en) |
| PL (1) | PL132723B1 (en) |
| RO (1) | RO82086A (en) |
| SE (1) | SE448041B (en) |
| SU (1) | SU1611220A3 (en) |
| YU (1) | YU44317B (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA806080B (en) |
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| CN109088042A (en) * | 2018-08-23 | 2018-12-25 | 惠州金源精密自动化设备有限公司 | Battery liquid-filling mechanism and its soft-package battery liquid-injection equipment |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE444746B (en) * | 1981-09-24 | 1986-04-28 | Jungner Ab Nife | PROCEDURE FOR REMOVING SCRATCHED ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATORS, SEPARATELY ALKALIC ACCUMULATORS |
| AT393761B (en) * | 1990-03-26 | 1991-12-10 | Csepel Muevek Femmueve | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RECOVERY OF THE COMPONENTS OF DRY BATTERIES, MAINLY ZINC-COAL DRY CELLS |
| US5248342A (en) * | 1991-02-22 | 1993-09-28 | Nl Industries, Inc. | Methods for processing battery waste and other lead-contaminated materials |
| US5205952A (en) * | 1991-02-22 | 1993-04-27 | Nl Industries, Inc. | Methods for controlling airborne dissemination of lead and lead-contaminated fines during the storage and processing of lead-contaminated materials |
| US5173277A (en) * | 1991-02-22 | 1992-12-22 | Nl Industries, Inc. | Methods for processing battery waste and other lead-contaminated materials |
| RU2181474C1 (en) * | 2000-10-04 | 2002-04-20 | Общевойсковая Академия Вооруженных Сил Российской Федерации | Method for repair of pole leads of tank storage batteries |
| JP5459825B2 (en) * | 2009-02-24 | 2014-04-02 | 株式会社京浜理化工業 | Storage battery cutting method |
| CN101628349B (en) * | 2009-07-22 | 2011-01-05 | 张天任 | Waste battery recovery saw machine |
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| AT308872B (en) * | 1971-09-14 | 1973-07-25 | Bleiberger Bergwerks Union Ag | Process and system for the processing of accumulator scrap |
| US4058886A (en) * | 1975-02-21 | 1977-11-22 | Alvarez Oscar E | Battery case salvage machine |
| JPS5744626Y2 (en) * | 1976-10-29 | 1982-10-01 | ||
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- 1979-10-16 IT IT6900779A patent/IT1119221B/en active
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1980
- 1980-09-30 AU AU62837/80A patent/AU531548B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1980-09-30 IE IE2042/80A patent/IE50162B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1980-10-01 ZA ZA00806080A patent/ZA806080B/en unknown
- 1980-10-02 DK DK417080A patent/DK150767C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1980-10-02 NZ NZ19512480A patent/NZ195124A/en unknown
- 1980-10-03 US US06/193,457 patent/US4333219A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1980-10-07 GB GB8032330A patent/GB2060986B/en not_active Expired
- 1980-10-09 CH CH755380A patent/CH642780A5/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1980-10-10 DE DE19808027148U patent/DE8027148U1/en not_active Expired
- 1980-10-10 AT AT504080A patent/AT378082B/en active
- 1980-10-10 BR BR8006593A patent/BR8006593A/en unknown
- 1980-10-10 DE DE3038351A patent/DE3038351C2/en not_active Expired
- 1980-10-14 DD DD80224547A patent/DD154027A5/en unknown
- 1980-10-14 NO NO803072A patent/NO151484C/en unknown
- 1980-10-14 YU YU264180A patent/YU44317B/en unknown
- 1980-10-15 RO RO80102364A patent/RO82086A/en unknown
- 1980-10-15 EG EG64780A patent/EG14928A/en active
- 1980-10-15 SU SU802994162A patent/SU1611220A3/en active
- 1980-10-15 SE SE8007223A patent/SE448041B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1980-10-15 CA CA000362457A patent/CA1147801A/en not_active Expired
- 1980-10-15 LU LU82855A patent/LU82855A1/en unknown
- 1980-10-15 FR FR8022084A patent/FR2473795A1/en active Granted
- 1980-10-16 CS CS807006A patent/CS233716B2/en unknown
- 1980-10-16 JP JP14374680A patent/JPS5665470A/en active Pending
- 1980-10-16 BE BE0/202497A patent/BE885755A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1980-10-16 NL NL8005718A patent/NL180059C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1980-10-16 ES ES496363A patent/ES496363A0/en active Granted
- 1980-10-16 PL PL1980227334A patent/PL132723B1/en unknown
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1989
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109088042A (en) * | 2018-08-23 | 2018-12-25 | 惠州金源精密自动化设备有限公司 | Battery liquid-filling mechanism and its soft-package battery liquid-injection equipment |
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