EP2841627B1

EP2841627B1 - Transfer apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP2841627B1
Application number: EP13781516.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antero KIVIJÄRVI
Original assignee: Outotec Finland Oy
Current assignee: Outotec Finland Oy
Priority date: 2012-04-23
Filing date: 2013-04-19
Publication date: 2017-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 2033-04-19
Also published as: CN104246019A; FI20125439A; CN104246019B; WO2013160542A1; FI124617B; EP2841627A4; EP2841627A1

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a transfer apparatus configured to transfer, lift and lower anode plates and cathode plates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In prior art, as described e.g. in US 6,174,123 , WO 03/053839 JP H09 249986 and CN 2801740U , there are known transfer apparatuses which are configured to lift and lower anode plates and cathode plates moved to a position above an electrolytic cell, to place the anode and cathode plates into the electrolytic cell and to remove the anode and cathode plates from the electrolytic cell by lifting. Each of the anode plates has a pair of hanging lugs at the upper end corners of the anode plate.
A typical transfer apparatus comprises an overhead crane which is movable above the electrolytic cell. The overhead crane comprises a trolley. A grab device is suspended from the trolley so that the grab device is vertically movable. A plurality of cathode hooks are connected to the grab device and arranged in two parallel rows. A pair of cathode hooks is arranged to grab each cathode plate. Further, a plurality of anode hooks are connected to the grab device. A pair of anode hooks is arranged to grab each anode plate. Each anode hook comprises a vertical rotation shaft having an upper end rotatably connected to the grab device. A transversal member is attached at the lower end of the rotation shaft. A driving mechanism is arranged for turning the rotation shafts of the anode hooks between a release position and a grabbing position. In the release position the transversal members are adjacent to and in parallel with the hanging lugs of the anode plates, and in the grabbing position the transversal members are turned to extend transversally and underneath in relation to the hanging lugs to be able to support the anode plates for lifting.
The prior art apparatus is operated so that first the cathode hooks are placed in a grabbing position to grab the cathodes. Then an intermediate shifting process is performed. In the intermediate shifting process the cathodes are lifted up at a pre-determined height and thereafter shifted somewhat horizontally so that the cathode plates are moved closer to the anode plates at one side of each cathode in order to enlarge the space between each subsequent anode plate and cathode plate at the other side of the anode plates so that the anode hooks can be lowered into the said enlarged space beside the hanging lug of the anode plate in a release position, ready thereafter to be turned to a grabbing position to grab the anode plate.
The problem with the prior art transfer apparatus is that the intermediate shifting process, i.e. first lifting the cathode plates up and shifting them horizontally, and then lowering the anode hooks, takes tens of seconds of time as the cathode plates are shifted to a position to enable the anode hooks to grab the anode plates. The horizontal shifting is necessitated by the thickness of the rotation shaft of the anode hook. The rotation shaft is quite sturdy and relatively thick in order to minimize its bending as much as. The rotation shaft tends to bend laterally because the load of the anode plate is directed on the transversal member at a point which is at a distance from the central axis of the rotation shaft and the transversal member is supported at one end only by the rotation shaft.
In the industry, there is a trend to pack the anodes and cathodes closer to each other in an electrolysis cell so that more anodes and cathodes can be placed in one cell. With the prior art apparatus, it is extremely difficult to handle these because, despite the shifting process of the cathode plates, a sufficient space cannot be provided for the anode hooks to be inserted for the grabbing.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks.
A particular object of the invention is to introduce a transfer apparatus, the operation of which can be quicker due to a minimized number of movements of the anode and cathode hooks.
A further object of the invention is to introduce a transfer apparatus which enables handling of closely packed anode and cathode plates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention as claimed in claim 1, each anode hook is configured and dimensioned to be insertable into a spacing between the anode plate and the cathode plate residing in the electrolysis cell at a first side of each anode plate to be grabbed and lifted. The apparatus comprises a plurality of counterpart members which are fixedly attached to the grab device, each counterpart member being arranged in pair and in co-operation with an anode hook, and each counterpart member being formed and dimensioned to be insertable into a space between the anode plate and the cathode plate residing in the electrolysis cell at the second side of said anode plate to be grabbed and lifted so that the hanging lug of said anode plate to be grabbed and lifted is between said pair of the anode hook and the counterpart member. The counterpart member comprises a slot into which a part of the transversal member is receivable when the anode hook is turned to the grabbing position.
The advantage of the invention is that, due to the additional support for the transversal member provided by the counterpart member, the rotation shaft can be made thinner, because the load from the weight of the anode plate becomes divided between the rotation shaft and the counterpart member at both sides of the hanging lug. A thin rotation shaft fits in a narrow space between the anode and the cathode. Therefore, it is no more necessary to perform the intermediate shifting process for enlarging the spacing between the anode and the cathode, thus making the operation of the transfer apparatus quicker than before.
In an embodiment of the invention, the counterpart member comprises a mounting plate which is connected to the grab device, and a counterpart plate having an upper end fixed to the mounting plate and a free lower end, adjacent to which the slot is formed, said counterpart plate extending in a downward direction and in parallel to the anode plate, the thickness of the counterpart plate being substantially smaller than the spacing between the anode plate and the cathode plate.
In an embodiment of the invention, the lower end of the counterpart plate is chamfered.
In an embodiment of the invention, the transversal member has a chamfered lower end.
In an embodiment of the invention, the rotation shaft and the transversal member have thicknesses smaller than the spacing between the anode plate and the cathode plate.
In an embodiment of the invention, the driving mechanism for turning the rotation shafts of the anode hooks comprises a crank arm fixed to the upper end of each rotation shaft, a connecting rod to which each crank arm is pivotally connected at a distance from the rotation axis of the rotation shaft, and a transfer means for moving the connecting rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is schematic side view of one embodiment of the transfer apparatus of the invention positioned above an electrolysis cell,
Fig. 2 shows a detail of the transfer apparatus of Fig. 1 is a position wherein the cathode hooks are in a grabbing position grabbing the cathode plates and the anode hooks and counterpart members are positioned between anode and cathode plates, the anode hooks being in a release position,
Fig. 3 is a plan view seen from the direction III-III of Fig. 2,
Fig. 4 shows the detail of Fig. 2 wherein the anode hooks are turned to the grabbing position,
Fig. 5 is a plan view seen from the direction V-V of Fig. 3,
Fig. 6 shows the transfer apparatus seen from its one end as positioned to lift anode and cathode plates,
Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a detail of the transfer apparatus showing two pairs of cathode hooks positioned to grab two cathode plates and one pair of anode hooks with counterpart members to grab the hanging lugs of the anode plate which is located between said cathode plates, and
Fig. 8 shows the anode hook and its counterpart member, the anode hook being turned to a grabbing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 schematically shows a transfer apparatus 1 which is configured to lift and lower anode plates 2 and cathode plates 3. The grabbing, lifting and lowering of the anode plates can be made simultaneously with grabbing, lifting and lowering of the cathode plates. Alternatively, either the anode plates can be grabbed, lifted and lowered separately from grabbing, lifting and lowering of the cathode plates, or the cathode plates can be grabbed, lifted and lowered separately from grabbing, lifting and lowering of the anode plates.
The transfer apparatus can be positioned above an electrolytic cell 4 to place the anode plates 2 and/or cathode plates 3 into the electrolytic cell 4 and to remove the anode and/or cathode plates from the electrolytic cell 4. As shown in figure 6, the anode plates 2 each have a pair of hanging lugs 5 at the upper end corners of the anode plate. Normally, a plurality of electrolytic cells 4 are arranged in an electrolysis tank house (not shown).
The transfer apparatus comprises an overhead crane 6 which is movable above the electrolytic cells 4, one of which is schematically shown in Figure 1. The overhead crane comprises a trolley 7 and a grab device 8 which is suspended by crane ropes 25 from the trolley 7 so that the grab device is vertically movable.
A plurality of cathode hooks 9 are connected to the grab device 8 and configured to grab cathode plates 3.
As shown in figure 7, in this embodiment each cathode plate 3 comprises a hanging bar 26 extending horizontally at the upper edge of the cathode plate 3. Each cathode plate 3 comprises two openings 27 below the hanging bar 26. Cathode hooks 9 are also arranged in pairs and configured to grab the hanging bar 26 by insertion of the pair of cathode hooks 9 through the pair of openings 27. However, the invention is not limited to any special embodiment relating to the cathode hooks or the manner of how they are arranged to grab the cathode plates.
With reference to Figures 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8, the apparatus comprises a plurality of anode hooks 10. The anode hooks 10 are arranged in two parallel rows so that each pair of them may grab two hanging lugs 5 of the anode plate 2.
Each anode hook 10 comprises a vertical rotation shaft 11 having an upper end 12 rotatably connected to the grab device. A transversal member 14 is attached at the lower end.
A driving mechanism 15 as best seen in figures 3 and 5 is arranged for simultaneous turning of the rotation shafts 11 of the anode hooks 10 between a release position I (see figures 2 and 3) and a grabbing position II (see figures 4 and 5). In the release position I, the transversal members 14 are adjacent to and in parallel with the hanging lugs 5 of the anode plates as shown in figure 2. In the grabbing position II, the transversal members 14 are turned at 90 degrees from the release position I to extend transversally and underneath in relation to the hanging lugs 5 to be able to support the anode plates 2 for lifting.
Figures 3 and 4 show the driving mechanism 15 for turning the rotation shafts 11 of the anode hooks 10. The driving mechanism 15 comprises a crank arm 22 which is fixed to the upper end 12 of each rotation shaft 11. The mechanism further comprises a connecting rod 23 to which the each crank arm 22 is pivotally connected at a distance from the rotation axis of the rotation shaft. A transfer means 24 is arranged for moving the connecting rod 23 back and forth to turn the crank arms 22.
As shown in figures 2 and 4, each anode hook 10 is configured and dimensioned so thin that it is insertable into a spacing between the anode plate 2 and the cathode plate 3 residing in the electrolysis cell at a first side of each anode plate to be grabbed and lifted, without having to make any lateral shifting of the cathode plates. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of counterpart members 16 which are fixedly attached to the grab device 8. Each counterpart member 16 is arranged in pair and co-operation with an anode hook 10. Each counterpart member 16 is configured and dimensioned so thin that it is insertable into the spacing between the anode plate 2 and the cathode plate 3 residing in the electrolysis cell 4 at the second side of said anode plate to be grabbed and lifted so that the hanging lug 5 of said anode plate 2 to be grabbed and lifted is between said pair of the anode hook 10 and the counterpart member 16.
Referring also to figure 8, the counterpart member 16 comprises a slot 17 into which the free end of the transversal member 16 is receivable when the anode hook is turned to the grabbing position II as shown in figures 4 and 8. The counterpart member 16 comprises a mounting plate 18 which is connected to the grab device 8 by bolted joints. A counterpart plate 19 is fixed by its upper end 20 to the mounting plate 18. The slot 17 for supporting the transversal member 14 of the anode hook 10 is adjacent to the free lower end 21 of the counterpart plate 19. The counterpart plate 19 extends downwards and in parallel in relation to the anode plate 2 and the cathode plate 3 and its thickness is substantially smaller than the spacing between the anode plate and the cathode plate. The lower end 21 of the counterpart plate 19 is chamfered so that it may intrude into a very narrow gap between the anode and the cathode plates. Also, the transversal member 14 has a chamfered lower end for the same purpose.
It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that with the advancement of technology, the basic idea of the invention may be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not limited to the examples described above, instead they may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

A transfer apparatus (1) for transferring, lifting and lowering anode plates (2) and cathode plates (3) above, from and into an electrolytic cell, said anode plates (2) each having a pair of hanging lugs (5) at its upper end corners, the apparatus comprising
- an overhead crane (6) which is movable above the electrolytic cell, the overhead crane comprising a trolley (7),

- a grab device (8) which is suspended from the trolley (7) so that the grab device is vertically movable,

- a plurality of cathode hooks (9) connected to the grab device (8) and configured to grab the cathode plates (3),

- a plurality of anode hooks (10), each anode hook comprising a vertical rotation shaft (11) having an upper end (12) rotatably connected to the grab device and a lower end (13), and a transversal member (14) attached at the lower end (13), each anode hook (10) being configured to be insertable into a spacing between an anode plate (2) and a neighbouring cathode plate (3) residing in the electrolysis cell at a first side of each anode plate to be grabbed and lifted;

- a driving mechanism (15) for turning the rotation shafts (11) of the anode hooks (10) between a release position (I) and a grabbing position (II), in which release position (I) the transversal members (14) are adjacent to and in parallel with the hanging lugs (5) of the anode plates residing in the electrolysis cell, and in which grabbing position (II) the transversal members (14) are turned to extend transversally and underneath in relation to the hanging lugs (5) of the anode plates residing in the electrolysis cell to be able to support the anode plates for lifting, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a plurality of counterpart members (16) which are fixedly attached to the grab device (8), each counterpart member being arranged in pair and co-operation with an anode hook (10), and each counterpart member (16) being configured to be insertable into a spacing between an anode plate and neighboring cathode plate residing in the electrolysis cell at the second side of said anode plate to be grabbed and lifted so that the hanging lug of said anode plate to be grabbed and lifted is between said pair of the anode hook and the counterpart member; and that the counterpart member (16) comprises a slot (17) into which a part of the transversal member (14) is receivable when the anode hook is turned to the grabbing position (II).
The apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that the counterpart member (16) comprises
- a mounting plate (18) which is connected to the grab device (8), and

- a counterpart plate (19) having an upper end (20) fixed to the mounting plate (18) and a free lower end (21), adjacent to which the slot (17) is formed, said counterpart plate (19) extending in a downward direction and in parallel to the anode plate, the thickness of the counterpart plate being substantially smaller than the spacing between the anode plate and the cathode plate.
The apparatus of claim 2, characterized in that the lower end (21) of the counterpart plate (19) is chamfered; and/or that the transversal member (14) has a chamfered lower end.
The apparatus of any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rotation shaft (11) and the transversal member (14) have thicknesses smaller than the spacing between the anode plate and the cathode plate.
The apparatus of any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the driving mechanism (15) for turning the rotation shafts (11) of the anode hooks (10) comprises
- a crank arm (22) fixed to the upper end (12) of each rotation shaft (11),

- a connecting rod (23) to which each crank arm (22) is pivotally connected at a distance from the rotation axis of the rotation shaft, and

- a transfer means (24) for moving the connecting rod (23).