EP1129221B1 - Device for dispensing bulk materials - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for dispensing bulk materials comprising a vertical rotor (22) wherein is suspended a chute (14) so as to pivot about a substantially horizontal pin (26). A guiding device (68i, 70i) interlocked in rotation with the rotor (22), is connected between the rotor (22) and a first ring (66), so that the latter can axially slide along the rotor (22). Connecting rods (73, 73') transform a vertical sliding of the first ring (66) causing the chute (14) to pivot. A roller ring (76) connects the first ring (66) to a second ring (74), whereto are connected control means, for example a lever actuated by a hydraulic actuator (80), capable of varying the vertical position of the two rings (66, 74) and the chute (14) inclination.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for distributing materials in bulk with rotating chute with variable tilt angle.

Such devices are for example used in loading devices tank furnaces, in particular blast furnaces, in which a rotating chute with variable tilt angle ensures load distribution inside the shaft oven. They more particularly include a carcass support in which a suspension rotor is mounted so that it can be rotated about a substantially vertical axis of rotation. The chute is suspended in this rotor so as to be able to pivot around its suspension axis. Swivel mechanism allows tilting to be changed of the chute during its rotation. The rotor is axially crossed by a feed channel, so that loose material, which flows from a loading hopper lock, are discharged onto the rotary chute, which distributes them inside the shaft furnace.

Such devices for distributing bulk materials are for example described in documents WO 95/21272, US-A-5,022,806, US-A-4,941,792, US-A-4,368,813, US-A-3,814,403 and US-A-3,766,868. In these devices, the swivel mechanism includes a second rotor, which has an axis of rotation substantially coaxial with the first rotor in which the chute is suspended. This second rotor can be rotated at a speed different from that of the first rotor, which makes it possible to produce an offset variable angle between the two rotors. A mechanism, connected between the second rotor and the chute, then transforms a variation of the angular offset between the two rotors in a variation of the angle of inclination of the chute in its vertical pivot plane.

Document FR 2216350 describes a device for distributing bulk material from a blast furnace comprising two coaxial rotating tubes to support the chute. The upper end of each of these tubes is suspended in a rotating support outside the blast furnace. A death rotary supports is carried by hydraulic cylinders, so that can move one of the two tubes vertically while it is rotating. A chute is pivotally supported at the lower end of one of the two tubes and connected using a control rod at the end bottom of the other tube. By vertically moving one of the two tubes, we can thus vary the angle of inclination of the rotating chute.

Document JP 58210105 describes a device for distributing bulk material in which a chute is pivotally supported by a lower rotary table with a vertical feed channel. A table upper is movable vertically along the vertical feed channel and is connected to the chute through a control rod. The the upper table is moved vertically using a command which is locally supported on the edge of the upper table and which includes a pivoting lever driven by a rotary motor.

Document FR 2230246 discloses a material distribution device in bulk comprising an outer casing in which is supported a rotating ferrule. An oscillating chute is supported by this ferrule rotating using trunnions. The pins carry cranks which are connected by connecting rods to a first circular crown. The latter is made integral in rotation with the rotating ferrule by fingers which can slide vertically in fixed guides of the rotating shell and it is carried by a second circular crown on which it is centered and freely rests in rotation by means of bearings. The second circular crown is supported at several points by connecting rods which are connected to cylinder rods mounted on the outer casing. By adjusting therefore the vertical position of the second ring using the cylinders, we can adjust the inclination of the chute.

In general, it is important to note that the time to be transmitted to the chute to rotate it around its pivot axis horizontal can become very high, especially if the chute is of a construction very massive (as is for example the case on a blast furnace), and / or if the amplitude of the pivoting is important. It follows that significant efforts must be transmitted by the swivel mechanism of the chute.

One of the problems underlying the present invention is to provide a bulk material distribution device with angled rotating chute of variable inclination, in which a pivoting mechanism of the relatively simple chute, which however has excellent qualities in with regard to the transmission of the large forces necessary for pivoting from the chute.

This problem is solved by a device according to claim 1. Such a device comprises, in a manner known per se, a suspension rotor mounted in a support frame so that it can rotate around an axis of substantially vertical rotation. The chute is suspended from this rotor so as to be able to pivot around a substantially horizontal suspension axis. The rotor of suspension is traversed axially by a supply channel of the chute. The device includes a very simple pivoting mechanism for change the inclination of the suspended chute in the rotor. This mechanism includes first and second rings, both of which are arranged around the rotor, so that their central axis is coaxial with the axis of rotor rotation. A guide device, integral in rotation with the rotor, is connected between the rotor and the first ring, so that the latter can slide axially along the rotor. At least one connection element connects the first ring to the chute, so as to transform a sliding vertical of the first ring in a pivoting of the chute around its pivot axis. The first and second rings are connected by through a rolling ring. An annular hydraulic cylinder, which is arranged around the suspension rotor so that its central axis either coaxial with the latter's axis of rotation, is connected to the second ring to vary the vertical position of it. By changing from there, using of this annular hydraulic cylinder, the vertical position of the second ring stationary in rotation, the first ring is made to slide with the aid of the guide, vertically along the rotor, and thus produces a pivoting of the chute around its pivot axis. It will be appreciated that the mechanism formed by the annular hydraulic cylinder the two rings, the ring of bearing and the guide device constitutes a transmission chain clever and reliable for large pivoting forces.

The chute preferably comprises two lateral suspension arms and the rotor two lateral bearings, in which the suspension arms are suspended so that the chute can pivot about an axis substantially horizontal. Connecting rods can then connect the first ring to each of the suspension arms of the chute, so as to transform a vertical sliding of the first ring in a pivoting of the chute around of its pivot axis.

The guide device connected between the first ring and the rotor comprises preferably several vertical rails mounted on the rotor and rollers mounted on the first ring and guided in the rails. Excellent guidance is obtained when a pair of vertically spaced rollers is guided in each rail.

It will be appreciated that we also present simple and effective solutions to protect the elements inside the support frame in particular against heat. Thus, it is proposed for example to insert a tubular screen stationary in rotation equipped with a cooling circuit between the channel power supply and the suspension rotor. We also propose to equip the carcass support at its lower end with a fixed annular screen, which is equipped a cooling circuit and defines a circular central opening, while that the suspension rotor is fitted at its lower end with a collar which is adjusted with play in this circular central opening. A conduct gas injection is in this case advantageously arranged along the circular central opening of the fixed annular screen, so that inject cooling gas into cavities opening into the edge side of the collar.

Fig. 1:

une coupe verticale à travers une première exécution d'un dispositif de répartition de matières en vrac;

Fig. 2:

une coupe selon la ligne de coupe 2-2 de la Figure 1;

Fig. 3:

une coupe selon la ligne de coupe 3-3 de la Figure 1;

Fig. 4:

une coupe verticale à travers une deuxième exécution d'un dispositif de répartition de matières en vrac;

Fig. 5:

une coupe verticale à travers une troisième exécution d'un dispositif de répartition de matières en vrac.

Other features and characteristics of the invention will emerge from the detailed description of some advantageous embodiments presented below, by way of illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show:

Fig. 1:

a vertical section through a first execution of a device for distributing bulk materials;

Fig. 2:

a section along the section line 2-2 in Figure 1;

Fig. 3:

a section along the section line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Fig. 4:

a vertical section through a second embodiment of a device for distributing bulk materials;

Fig. 5:

a vertical section through a third embodiment of a device for distributing bulk materials.

In the Figures, the same references designate identical elements or the like.

It will be noted that the two executions of Figures 1 to 4 are executions shown as a comparative example, which are not covered by the claims appended. A performance covered by the claims in appendix is shown in Figure 5.

Figure 1 shows schematically a distribution device bulk materials 12 with a rotating chute 14 with tilt angle variable. This device is mounted on the head of a shaft furnace 10 and is part a loading facility for the latter. It is fed by a hopper lock (not shown) which opens into a central supply channel 16 of the device 12. The reference sign 18 indicates the central axis of the supply channel 16, which will usually be coaxial with the central axis of the shaft furnace 10.

In Figure 1, the chute 14 is shown in two tilt positions. In solid lines, it has an inclination so as to deflect the bulk material flowing through the supply channel 16 in the peripheral zone of the oven. In broken lines, its inclination is such that the bulk material is dumped in the central zone of the shaft furnace 10.

The bulk distribution device 12 will now be studied in more detail by referring simultaneously to Figures 1 to 3. The chute 14 is provided at its upper end with two lateral suspension arms 20, 20 '(in Figure 1, the arm 20' is hidden by the arm 20). A suspension rotor 22, suspended in a support frame 32 so that it can rotate around the axis 18, supports two suspension bearings 24, 24 '. In each one of these two suspension bearings 24, 24 ′ is mounted a suspension arm 20, 20 'of the trough 14, so that these two bearings 24, 24' define for the chute 14 a substantially horizontal pivot axis. This axis of pivoting is identified by the reference numeral 26 in Figure 2.

The rotor 22 can be likened to a tube, which surrounds the feed channel 16, carries at its lower end the bearings 24, 24 ', and has at its upper end a suspension collar 30. A large bearing diameter 28, mounted on the suspension collar 30, suspends the rotor 22 in the support frame 32, so as to define its axis of rotation 18. A motor electric or hydraulic 34 (preferably a motor with a speed of variable rotation) is used to rotate the rotor 22, and therefore also the chute 14, around the axis 18. To this end, a pinion 36 of the drive motor 34 meshes with a toothed crown 38, carried for example by the suspension collar 30.

The support carcass 32 is a sealed carcass supported itself on the head of the shaft furnace 10. It has at its upper end a plate 40, which is provided with a passage opening for a wear tube 42, which defines the supply channel 16. In a remaining annular space between the rotor 22 and the wear tube 42 is advantageously interposed a screen stationary in rotation 44 fitted with a closed cooling circuit. This screen cooling 44 is used in particular to cool the inner surface of the rotor 22.

At its lower end, the carcass 32 is provided with an annular screen 46. The latter is equipped with a cooling circuit 48 on its surface upper and thermal insulation 50 on its lower surface. He defines a central opening in which a collar 52 fitted to the end is fitted lower of the suspension rotor 22. The collar 52 comprises a plate upper 54, which is protected downwards by thermal insulation 56. Between the upper plate 54 and the thermal insulation 56 there remains a vacuum 58 accessible from the lateral edge of the collar 52. A pipe 60 is arranged on along the central opening of the fixed annular screen 46. This pipe 60 is connected to a source of cooling gas, and it is provided on all its length of outlet orifices oriented so as to be able to inject this gas cooling through the mouths 58 in the cavities of the collar 52.

It remains to be noted that the collar 52 is provided with two passage slots for the suspension arms 20, 20 'of the chute 14. Since the arms 20, 20' are delimited at the two ends of the passage slots by cylindrical surfaces 62, 64, the axes of which coincide with the pivot axis of the chute 14, the arms 20, 20 ′ provide significant sealing of the slots passage for any angle of inclination of the chute 14.

The mechanism which makes it possible to change the inclination of the chute 14 will now be described in more detail with the aid of FIGS. 1 and 3. The reference sign 66 marks a first ring arranged around the rotor 22 so that its axis central is coaxial with the axis of rotation thereof. This first ring 66 is connected to the rotor 22 by means of a guide device, which allows the first ring to slide axially along the rotor 22. In a preferred embodiment, this guide device comprises guide rails 68 ₁ ... 68 ₄ , and guide rollers 70 ₁ ... 70 ₄ . The guide rails 68 ₁ ... 68 ₄ are fixed vertically to the outer wall of the rotor 22. The guide rollers 70 ₁ ... 70 ₄ are mounted on the first ring 66 and guided vertically in the rails 68 ₁ .. 68 ₄ to center the first ring 66 relative to the rotor 22, during its vertical sliding. Excellent centering of the ring 66 in the rails 70 ₁ ... 70 ₄ is obtained when a pair of guide rollers 70 ₁ , 70 ₁ 'is associated with each guide rail 68 ₁ ... 68 ₄ (cf. Figure 1), which are mounted with vertical spacing on support arms 72, 72 'fixed to the first ring 66. A connecting rod 73, 73' connects the first ring 66 to each of the suspension arms 20, 20 'of the chute 14. These connecting rods 73, 73 ′ transform a vertical displacement of the first ring 66 into a pivoting of the chute 14 around its pivot axis 26. The reference sign 74 marks a second ring arranged around the rotor 22 so that its central axis is coaxial with the axis of rotation 18 thereof. A large-diameter rolling ring 76 connects this second ring 74 to the first ring 66. This rolling ring 76 allows relative rotation of the two rings 66, 74, while ensuring the transmission of vertical forces. It follows that motionless control means in rotation can be connected to the second ring 74, to vary the vertical position of the first ring 66 on the suspension rotor 22 in rotation.

Figures 1 and 3 show a first execution of these means of ordered. This is described by way of comparative example and is not in conformity with the claimed invention. It is a lever mechanism actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 80 installed outside the carcass of support 32. The lever mechanism comprises a lever with intermediate articulation provided with a support arm 82 and an actuating arm 84. On the Figure 3 we see that the support arm 82 has the shape of a fork, which is connected using two connecting rods 86, 86 'to the second ring 74 of two diametrically opposite points. In Figure 1 we see a front view of the connecting rod 86. The lever comprises two suspension pivots 88, 88 'housed in suspension bearings 90, 90 '. These are supported by the carcass of support 32 so as to define a substantially pivot axis for the lever horizontal 92. The actuating arm 84 is carried by the suspension pivot 88, which emerges in a sealed manner from the support carcass 32 through the bearing of suspension 90. The hydraulic cylinder 80 is connected between the actuating arm 84 and a support arm 94, which is rigidly fixed to the carcass of support 32.

In Figure 1, a shortening of the hydraulic cylinder 80 rotates the lever 82, 84 around its pivot axis 92 in the direction of the arrow 96. The support arm 82 lifts, via the connecting rods 86, 86 ', the second ring 74. The latter raises, by means of the ring of bearing 76, the first ring 66, which is in rotation with the suspension rotor 22 around the axis 18. The connecting rods 73, 73 ′ then rotate the chute 14 around its pivot axis 26 in the direction of arrow 98. Since the center of gravity of the chute is in the initial position of the chute (i.e. the position shown in solid lines) to the right of the vertical plane containing the pivot axis 26 of the chute 14, it suffices to unload the cylinder 80 to rotate the chute in the opposite direction to the arrow 98 under the effect of its own weight.

In Figure 4 we see a second execution of the control means to vary the vertical position of the second ring 74. This is also described as a comparative example and is not in compliance with the claimed invention. These are uniformly hydraulic cylinders distributed in the support frame 32 around the rotor 22. The housings 102 of these cylinders 100 are supported vertically by a fixed ring 104, which is fixed to the support frame 32 vertically above the second ring 74. The rods 106 of these cylinders 100 are connected, preferably using a spherical joint 108, to the second ring 74. A shortening hydraulic cylinders 100 raises the second ring 74. The latter 74 raises, via the rolling ring 76, the first ring 66, which is in rotation with the suspension rotor 22 around the axis 18. The connecting rods 73, 73 'then rotate the chute 14 about its pivot axis 26 in the direction of arrow 98. Note that the reference sign 110 marks a position indicator for hydraulic cylinders 100.

In Figure 5 we see an execution of the control means for varying the vertical position of the second ring 74 in accordance with the claimed invention. It is an annular hydraulic cylinder 120 arranged around the rotor so that its central axis is coaxial with the axis of rotation of it. The annular hydraulic cylinder includes an annular housing 122, which is supported vertically by a fixed ring 124, which is fixed to the support frame 32 vertically above the second ring 74. Its annular piston 126, which is locked in rotation, is fixed to the second ring 74. The reference sign 128 marks a cylinder position indicator annular hydraulic 120.

Claims (11)

1. Device for distributing materials in bulk with a rotary chute (14) having a variable angle of inclination comprising:

   a supporting cage (32);

   a chute (14) for delivering materials in bulk;

   a suspension rotor (22) mounted in said supporting cage (32) so that it can rotate about a substantially vertical rotation axis, said chute (14) being suspended from said suspension rotor (22) so that it can pivot about a substantially horizontal suspension axis;

   a driving means (34) to drive said suspension rotor (22) about its rotation axis;

   a feed channel for the chute (14) which passes through said suspension rotor (22); and

   a pivoting mechanism to make the chute (14) pivot about its suspension axis and thus to change the inclination of the chute (14);

   said pivoting mechanism for the chute (14) comprising:

   a first ring (66) located around said suspension rotor (22) so that its central axis is coaxial with the rotation axis of said rotor;

   a guidance device (68_i, 70_i) locked in rotation with said suspension rotor (22) and connected between said suspension rotor (22) and said first ring (66) so that said first ring (66) can slide axially along said suspension rotor (22);

   at least one connecting element (73, 73') connecting said first ring (66) to the chute (14) so as to convert a vertical sliding of said first ring (66) into a pivoting of the chute (14) about its suspension axis;

   a second ring (74) located around said suspension rotor (22) so that its central axis is coaxial with the rotation axis of said rotor;

   a bearing ring (76) connecting said first ring (66) to said second ring (74); and

   means of control connected to said second ring (74) for varying the vertical position of said second ring;

   characterised in that
   said means of control comprise an annular hydraulic jack (120) positioned around said suspension rotor (22) so that its central axis is coaxial with the rotation axis of said rotor.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that said chute (14) comprises two lateral suspension arms (20, 20') and said suspension rotor (22) comprises two lateral bearings (24, 24') in which said suspension arms (20, 20') are suspended so that the chute (14) can pivot about a substantially horizontal axis.
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterised in that connecting rods (73, 73') connect said first ring (66) to each of the suspension arms (20, 20') of the chute (14) so as to convert a vertical sliding of said first ring (66) into a pivoting of the chute (14) about its suspension axis.
4. Device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that said guidance device comprises several vertical rails (68_i) mounted on said suspension rotor (22) and rollers (70_i, 70_i') mounted on said first ring (66), said rollers (70_i, 70_i') being guided in said rails (68_i).
5. Device according to Claim 4, characterised in that a pair of vertically separated rollers (70_i, 70_i') are guided in each rail (68_i).
6. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said annular hydraulic jack (120) comprises an annular piston (126) which is locked in rotation with and fixed to said second ring (74).
7. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said annular hydraulic jack (120) comprises an annular casing (122), which is supported vertically by a fixed ring (124), which is fixed to the supporting cage (32) vertically above the second ring (74).
8. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised by a non-rotatable tubular screen (44) inserted between said feed channel (16) and said suspension rotor (22), said tubular screen (44) being fitted with a cooling circuit.
9. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that:

   said supporting cage (32) is provided at its lower end with a fixed annular screen (46) equipped with a cooling circuit (48) and defining a circular central opening; and

   said suspension rotor (22) is fitted at its lower end with a flange (52) which is fitted with some clearance into said circular central opening.
10. Device according to Claim 9, characterised in that a pipe for the injection of a gas (60) is located along the circular central opening of the fixed annular screen (46), so that it can inject a coolant gas into an empty space (58) of said flange (52).
11. Device according to Claim 2 and any one of Claims 9 and 10, characterised in that:

    the two suspension bearings (24, 24') are located above said flange (52);

    said flange (52) is provided with two slits for the passage of said suspension arms (20, 20') of the chute (14); and

    said suspension arms (20, 20') of the chute (14) are delimited at the level of the passage through said slits by cylindrical surfaces (62, 64) whose axes coincide with the suspension axis of the chute (14), so that said suspension arms (20, 20') almost completely block said slits independently of the angle of inclination of the chute (14).

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