EP3728078B1

EP3728078B1 - Silo group with support structure

Info

Publication number: EP3728078B1
Application number: EP18827225.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefano LORANDI
Original assignee: Finsilos Srl
Current assignee: Finsilos Srl
Priority date: 2017-12-21
Filing date: 2018-11-22
Publication date: 2022-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-22
Also published as: WO2019123050A1; EP3728078A1

Description

The present invention refers to a silo group.
The context in which the present invention is placed is that of large silo groups specifically suitable for storing bulk material in granular or particle form. Preferably, such bulk material in granular or particle form is food grade, referring, for example, to flours, sugar, milk powder, etc. Preferably, such bulk material in granular or particle form is of the inorganic type, referring, for example, to plastic type material.
In addition, "large silo groups" refers to silo groups with a diameter of 1 to 2 meters, but also to silo groups with a diameter of 4 to 6 meters. Preferably, such silo groups are between 12 and 16 meters high, but also between 18 and 20 meters high.
In the state of the art, silo groups having the aforementioned features are known. In particular, such silo groups have a silo body that extends axially between a bottom and a top wherein the stored bulk material is recovered from said bottom. For this purpose, therefore, the silo group is positioned in an elevated position wherein the bottom is distant from the ground.
In particular, there are in effect known silo groups with legs directly engaged at the bottom of the silo body and that extend in height to engage the ground plane while maintaining said silo body elevated with the bottom distal from the ground.
The typical problem in such silo groups relates to the complex design of such legs that engage the bottom in such a way as to support the static and dynamic loads acting on the silo group both in a configuration wherein it is empty and in configurations wherein it is full or partially full of bulk material. The way in which the legs and the bottom engage is also particularly problematic. Examples of solutions of silo groups having said problems are known in documents DE10109294 , US638280 and EP3147429 .
The object of the present invention is therefore to have a silo group that fully resolves the aforesaid problem, typical of the solutions of the state of the art.
According to the present invention, such object is achieved by a silo group in accordance with claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.
The features and advantages of the aforementioned silo group will be apparent from the description given below, provided by way of non-limiting example, in accordance with the accompanying figures, wherein:

figure 1 shows schematically a silo group according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
figure 2 shows a perspective view of a support structure within the silo group object of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment;
figures 3a and 3b represent two views from the bottom and side respectively of the support structure shown in figure 2;
figures 4a and 4b illustrate the magnification of the portion indicated in figure 3b with A and the magnification of the portion indicated in figure 3b with B respectively, both showing a preferred embodiment of an attachment system comprised in the silo group object of the present invention;
figures 5' and 5" show two perspective views of the attachment system in separate parts as shown in figures 4a and 4b;
figure 6 illustrates a top view in cross section of one leg of the support structure according to the present invention;
figures 7' and 7" represent two cross-sectional views of figure 6 along a sectional plane V-V and a sectional plane VI-VI respectively.

In accordance with the accompanying figures, a silo group is indicated collectively at 900.
In particular, such silo group 900 extends in a preferential direction, which, with the silo group mounted, corresponds to the height, defining a preferred silo axis X-X. The silo group 900 comprises a silo body 950 extending around said silo axis X-X.
According to a preferred embodiment, the silo body 950 is cylindrical in shape comprising a plurality of axially stacked steel shell rings, suitable for storing granular or particle material.
In particular, the silo body 950 extends between a bottom 951 and a top 952. Preferably, the bottom 951 comprises means for unloading the stored material. Preferably, the top 952 comprises a closing cap.
According to the present invention, the silo group 900 comprises a support structure 1 that engages said bottom 951 to support the silo group 900 on a ground plane T, positioning the silo body 950 in a position elevated from said ground plane T.
In particular, in accordance with the present invention, the support structure 1 comprises an annular support element 2 suitable to engage the bottom 951.
Said annular support element 2 has a concentric circumferential extension with respect to the silo axis X-X. In other words, the annular support element 2 is suitable to engage the bottom 951 continuously along a circumference.
In particular, according to the present invention, the annular support element 2 comprises an annular support surface 20 on which rests said bottom 951.
According to the invention, the annular support surface 20 is shaped to complement the bottom 951.
In other words, the annular support surface 20 is inclined according to the inclination of the bottom 951.
According to the invention, the annular support surface 20 defines a substantially frustoconical-shaped support surface. Preferably, the annular support surface 20 is particularly suitable for supporting conical surfaces.
According to the present invention, the annular support element 2 is thus suitable to be welded at 360° on the bottom.
According to the present invention, the annular support element 2 also comprises an annular base surface 25 that has a planar extension so as to lie on an imaginary plane I substantially orthogonal to the silo axis X-X.
Preferably, therefore, the annular base surface 25 is a circular planar surface.
According to the invention, in radial section, the annular support element 2 has a substantially triangular shape. In other words, in radial section, the annular base surface 25 and the annular support surface 20 have an incident trend. In still other words, in radial section, the annular support element 2 is tapered towards the silo axis X-X.
According to the invention, the annular support element 2, in radial section, has a substantially triangular shape, preferably of the right-angle type wherein the hypotenuse is composed of the annular support surface 25 being thus inclined by an angle equal to that of the inclination of the bottom 951.
Preferably, in embodiments wherein the cone of the bottom 951 is at 45°, said triangle is of the isosceles type.
According to the present invention, the support structure 1 comprises at least three silo legs 5 that extend substantially parallel to the silo axis X-X.
Said silo legs 5 are arranged angularly equidistant from the silo axis X-X.
According to a preferred embodiment, the support structure 1 comprises four silo legs 5.
In addition, according to the present invention, each silo leg 5 is engaged to the annular base surface 25.
According to a preferred embodiment, each leg 5 comprises an upper plate 51 having a planar extension to engage the annular base surface 25 and a lower plate 52 engageable to the ground plane T.
Preferably, therefore, the upper plate 51 and the lower plate 52 extend in a substantially parallel manner. Preferably, the upper plate 51 and the lower plate 52 extend orthogonally to the axis of extension (parallel to the silo axis X-X) along which the leg 5 extends.
According to a preferred embodiment, the silo leg 5 extends in length with a box cross-section, preferably a circular cross-section, comprising reinforcing ribs in the connection with the upper plate 51 and with the lower plate 52.
According to a preferred embodiment, the support structure 1 comprises a plurality of parallel reinforcing beams 3 lying on a second imaginary plane I' substantially orthogonal to the silo axis X-X.
According to a preferred embodiment, each parallel beam 3 engages two legs 5 angularly consecutive.
Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment, each parallel beam 3 is made up of a plurality of consecutive beam elements 3',3".
According to a preferred embodiment, moreover, the support structure 1 comprises a plurality of primary inclined reinforcing beams 4.
Preferably, each primary inclined beam 4 extends between the annular base surface 25 and one leg 5.
According to a preferred embodiment, each primary inclined beam 4 defines with the annular base surface 25 a substantially 45° angle and with the leg 5 a substantially 45° angle. Preferably, in the space defined between two consecutive silo legs 5, two primary inclined beams 4 are provided, each operatively connected to a respective leg 5. Preferably, the engagement on the annular base surface 25 of the two primary inclined beams 4 is carried out substantially in the same portion, i.e. in the middle of the section of the annular base surface 25 delimited by the two legs 5.
According to a preferred embodiment, each primary inclined beam 4 is intersected by a parallel beam 3. Preferably, the parallel beam 3 divides in half the respective primary inclined beam 4. Preferably, the primary inclined beam 4 defines on the sides thereof the consecutive beam elements 3',3".
According to a preferred embodiment, moreover, the support structure 1 comprises a plurality of secondary inclined reinforcing beams 4'.
Preferably, each secondary inclined beam 4' extends from one leg 5 to one parallel beam 3.
According to a preferred embodiment, each secondary inclined beam 4' defines with the leg 5 a substantially 45° angle and with the parallel beam 3 a substantially 45° angle.
According to a preferred embodiment, the secondary inclined beam 4' engages the respective leg in a portion proximal to the upper flange 51 thereof.
According to a preferred embodiment, the secondary inclined beam 4' engages the parallel beam 3 preferably in the engagement portion with the primary inclined beam 4 thereof. Preferably, the secondary inclined beam 4' engages both the parallel beam 3 and the primary inclined beam 4.
According to a preferred embodiment, the components comprised in the support group 1 and described above, i.e. the annular support element 2, the legs 5, the parallel beams 3, the inclined beams 4, are engaged with each other by bolting and/or welding.
According to a preferred embodiment, the silo group 900 comprises an attachment system 500 suitable to allow the attachment of each leg 5 to the ground plane T. Preferably, said attachment system 500 engages the lower plate 52 of the silo leg 5.
According to a preferred embodiment, the attachment system 500 comprises a bottom plate 510, attached to the ground plane T, having substantially planar extension parallel to the ground plane T.
Preferably said bottom plate 510 also comprises stud elements in such a way as to be cementable to the ground and embeddable in the ground.
According to a preferred embodiment, the attachment system 500 comprises a plurality of centering elements 550 that extend in height from said bottom plate 510 in a manner substantially parallel to the silo axis X-X engageable by the respective leg 5, in particular by the lower plate 52.
According to a preferred embodiment, the leg 5 is therefore axially spaced from said bottom plate 510 defining with it an operating region S.
In other words, the lower plate 52 and the bottom plate 510 are mutually engaged by means of said centering elements 550.
Preferably, therefore, the centering elements 550 are suitable for keeping said two plates axially aligned with each other.
According to a preferred embodiment, there are four centering elements 550 provided in an attachment system 500.
According to a preferred embodiment, the centering elements 550 are of the screw/bolt type, passing through the lower plate 52.
Preferably, the centering elements 550 comprise a threaded portion 550' with which operate special bolt components 550" arranged on both sides of the lower plate 52. Preferably the centering elements 550 are therefore suitable to allow an axial adjustment of the position of the leg 5 by operating on the position of the lower bolt components 550".
According to a preferred embodiment, the centering elements 550 do not undergo any axial action from the leg 5, which is instead completely discharged onto the weighing device 590 described in detail below. Preferably, in effect, as shown by way of example in the accompanying figures 4a and 4b, the lower plate 52 does not rest on the bolt components 550".
According to a preferred embodiment, said centering elements 550 are positioned so as to lie on the same circumference, angularly equidistant. Preferably, the center of said circumference corresponds to the center of the respective silo leg 5, engaged with the attachment system 500.
According to a preferred embodiment, the attachment system 500 comprises a weighing device 590 that engages the bottom plate 510 and the leg 5, i.e. the lower plate 52 thereof.
Preferably, the weighing device 590 is therefore housed in the operating region S.
According to a preferred embodiment, the weighing device 590 comprises a compression load cell 591 engaging the leg 5 and suitable to gauge the thrust action received. Preferably, the weighing device 590 is thus suitable for use in compression, i.e. it is suitable to gauge the axial thrusts present on the leg 5.
According to a preferred embodiment, the compression load cell 591 is positioned in a substantially central position with respect to the leg 5. In other words, the compression load cell 591 engages the lower plate 52 of the leg 5 in a coaxial position with the center of said leg 5. Preferably, the compression load cell 591 is in a position substantially concentric to the imaginary circumference relative to which the centering elements 550 are arranged.
Preferably, the weighing device 590 is removable from the operating region S by sliding it in a substantially planar direction. Preferably, the weighing device 590 does not require any particular pressure-tight connections between the two plates. Preferably, the bottom plate 510 comprises a housing into which the weighing device 590 is insertable.
According to a preferred embodiment, the attachment system 500 comprises a torsional damping device 580 suitable to damp the torsional actions present on the leg 5.
Preferably, said torsional damping device 580 is housed in said operating region S.
According to a preferred embodiment, the torsional damping device 580 engages the bottom plate 510 and the leg 5, i.e. the lower plate 52 thereof, in such a way as to discharge a torsional action on the leg 5 to the bottom plate 510, preventing said action from acting solely on the centering elements 550.
According to a preferred embodiment the torsional damping device 580 comprises at least one damping member 580', 580". Preferably, the torsional damping device 580 comprises two damping members 580', 580" suitable to operate with torsional (counter)actions in opposite directions.
Preferably, each damping member comprises an upper pin 581 engaged to the leg 5 that extends in the axial direction. In addition, each damping member comprises a lower pin 582 extending in the axial direction engaged to the bottom plate 510. In addition, each damping member comprises a torsion rod 585 that engages the upper pin 581 and the lower pin 582, wherein said torsion rod 585 is suitable to transmit the torsional action sustained by the upper pin 581 and thus by the leg 5 to the lower pin 582 and thus to the bottom plate 510.
According to a preferred embodiment, the torsion rod 585 comprises ball joints 585' engaging respectively the upper pin 581 and the lower pin 582 and a tensioning element 585" engaged at said ball joints 585'.
According to the aforementioned embodiment, with two damping members 580', 580", the respective torsion rods 585 are arranged in such a way as to operate with torsional actions in opposite directions, for example, positioned in such a way that they are respectively incident to each other.
In further variants of the attachment system, the axial action of the weight force is not only discharged on the weighing device 590 but is also discharged on the centering elements 550; preferably, in such embodiment, the leg 5 rests on the bolt components 550" provided therein. This is also the case in a configuration wherein said weighing device 590 is not mounted.
Innovatively, the silo group, according to the present invention, achieves its intended purpose by providing a silo group in which the typical problems in the solutions of the state of the art are resolved.
Advantageously, the support structure is suitable to support the silo body in a balanced way.
Advantageously, the support structure engages the bottom of the silo body at 360°, thus balancing the action of the weight force on the respective legs.
Advantageously, due to the annular support element, the legs of the support structure receive a thrust action in the axial direction.
Advantageously, the annular support element "spreads" the action of the silo body to 360°.
Advantageously, the attachment structure avoids having areas of the bottom of the silo body more stressed than others, as happens in solutions of the state of the art in which the highest forces are concentrated at the engagement between the leg and bottom.
Advantageously, the attachment system is suitable to perform a simple attachment of each leg which is particularly suitable to support both the static and dynamic actions that act on the silo body.
Advantageously, the attachment system allows for a simple height adjustment of the respective leg.
Advantageously, the attachment system, by means of the weighing device, is suitable to evaluate the axial action acting on a leg.
Advantageously, the weighing device is suitable to receive the entire axial action of the weight force transmitted by the leg. Advantageously, the attachment system has legs "floating" on said weighing device, centered and safely maintained by the centering elements.
Advantageously, the weighing device is housed in the attachment system and is easily removable.
Advantageously, the attachment system, by means of the torsional damping device, is suitable for also dealing with elevated torsional actions on the leg.
Advantageously, the synergistic effects due to the support structure and the attachment system allow an effective operation of the weighing device.
Advantageously, the synergistic effects due to the support structure and the attachment system allow an effective operation of the torsional damping device.
It is clear that one skilled in the art, in order to satisfy contingent and specific needs, may make changes to the invention described above, all contained within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

Claims

A silo group (900) comprising a silo body (950) extending in length around a silo axis (X-X) between a bottom (951) and a top (952), wherein the silo group (900) comprises a support structure (1) which engages said bottom (951) to support the silo group (900) on a ground plane (T) positioning the silo body (950) in an elevated position from said ground plane (T), wherein the support structure (1) comprises:
- an annular support element (2) having a circumferential concentric extension with respect to the silo axis (X-X), wherein the annular support element (2) comprises an annular support surface (20) on which said base (951) rests and an annular base surface (25) having a planar extension so as to lie on an imaginary plane (I) substantially orthogonal to the silo axis (X-X);

- at least three silo legs (5), preferably four, arranged angularly equidistant with respect to the silo axis (X-X), engaged to the annular base surface (25) having longitudinal extension substantially parallel to the silo axis (X-X),
wherein the silo group (900) is characterized by the fact that the supporting annular surface (20) has a shape such as to be complementary to the bottom (951), defining a substantially frustoconical support surface,
wherein the annular support element (2) in radial section, has a substantially triangular shape, preferably of the right-angle type wherein the hypotenuse is composed of the annular support surface (25) being therefore inclined by an angle equal to that of the inclination of the bottom (951) .
Silo group (900) according to claim 1, wherein the support structure (1) comprises a plurality of parallel reinforcing beams (3), wherein each parallel beam (3) engages two legs (5) angularly consecutive lying on a second imaginary plane (I') substantially orthogonal to the silo axis (X-X).
Silo group (900) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each parallel beam (3) consists of a plurality of beam elements (3', 3") consecutive to each other.
Silo group (900) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure (1) comprises a plurality of primary inclined reinforcing beams (4), wherein each primary inclined beam (4) extends between the annular base surface (25) and a leg (5), defining a substantially 45° angle with the annular base surface (25) and a substantially 45° angle with the leg (5).
Silo group (900) according to claim 4 and to claims 2 or 3, wherein each primary inclined beam (4) is intersected by a parallel beam (3).
Silo group (900) according to claim 2, wherein the support structure (1) comprises a plurality of secondary inclined reinforcing beams (4'), wherein each secondary inclined beam (4') extends from a leg (5) to a parallel beam (3), defining a substantially 45° angle with the leg (5) and a substantially 45° angle with the parallel beam (3) .
Silo group (900) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each leg (5) comprises an upper plate (51) having a planar extension to engage the annular base surface (25) and a lower plate (52) engageable to the ground plane (T).
Silo group (900) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the components comprised in the support group (1), i.e. the annular support element (2), the legs (5), any parallel beams (3), any inclined beams (4), are engaged with each other by bolting and/or welding.
Silo group (900) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at each leg (5), an attachment system (500) suitable to allow each leg (5) to be attached to the ground plane (T), wherein the attachment system (500) comprises a bottom plate (510), attached to the ground plane (T), having a substantially planar extension parallel to the ground plane (T), and a plurality of centering elements (550), preferably four, which extend in height starting from said bottom plate (510) substantially parallel to the silo axis (X-X) engageable in an axially movable way by the respective leg (5) in such a way that the leg (5) is centered in axis and axially spaced from said bottom plate (510) defining therewith an operating region (S).
Silo group (900) according to claim 9, wherein the attachment system (500) comprises a weighing device (590), housed in said operating region (S), engaging the bottom plate (510) and the leg (5), wherein said weighing device (590) comprises a compression load cell (591) engaging the leg (5) and adapted to detect the received thrust action.
Silo group (900) according to any of the claims 9 or 10, wherein the attachment system (500) comprises a torsional damping device (580), housed in said operating region (S), engaging the bottom plate (510) and the leg (5), suitable to unload a torsional action on the leg (5) to the bottom plate (510) so as to prevent said action from acting exclusively on the centering elements (550).
Silo group (900) according to claim 11, wherein the torsional damping device (580) comprises at least one damping member (580', 580") wherein each damping member comprises an upper pin (581), engaged to the leg (5), which extends in an axial direction, a lower pin (582) which extends in an axial direction engaged to the bottom plate (510), and a torsion rod (585) which engages the upper pin (581) and the lower pin (582) suitable to transmit the torsional action sustained by the upper pin (581) and thus by the leg (5) to the lower pin (582) and thus to the bottom plate (510).
Silo group (900) according to claim 12, wherein the torsional damping device (580) comprises two damping members (580', 580") wherein the respective torsion rods (585) are arranged in such a manner as to operate with torsional actions in opposite directions.
Silo group (900) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the silo body (950) is cylindrical in shape comprising a plurality of axially stacked steel shell rings, suitable for storing granular or particulate material.