GB2047318A - Apparatus for handling refractory blocks for lining metallurgical vessels - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention provides apparatus for positioning refractory blocks in the lining of metallurgical vessels, the apparatus having two individual pushers of which the first is for bearing against one face of a block and pushing the block radially of the vessel into the lining and the second is for bearing against an adjacent lateral face of the block and adjusting the block laterally, the two pushers being moveable independently of each other for the operations of setting in the working position, displacement of the block and retraction after adjustment of the block. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for handling refractory blocks for lining metallurgical vessels The present invention concerns an apparatus for mechanically handling refractory blocks for lining metallurgical vessels or containers, e.g.

converters for refining cast iron.

Two types of movable scaffolding assembly provided with working platforms for carrying out masonry work on the linings are known in particular. The first type of scaffolding assembly extends from the base into the interior of the converter from which the bottom has previously been removed, whereas the second type of scaffolding assembly extends from the top into the converter and carries the working platform at its lower end, in contrast to the first type which carries the platform at its upper end. In principle, such scaffolding assemblies are telescopic so that they can be raised as the masonry work progresses, by control from the platform.The supply of refractory blocks to the site of operation is effected by various mechanical conveyor systems which automatically discharge the blocks onto the platform, generally onto a rolling track when extends radially to the vicinity of the masonry which is already in place, so that the blocks are supplied without manual intervention, to the vicinity of the area in which they are to be set into position.

However, these handling systems suffer from the serious disadvantage that manual action by at least one worker is required to set each block in its definitive position, that is to say, in order to produce frontal alignment and contact with the adjoining block which has already been set in place. As such blocks may weigh from 50 to 200 kg, the work of adjusting the blocks to each other is fairly arduous and the rate at which blocks are set in position is fairly slow. Moreover, manual positioning of the blocks does not always make it possible to achieve the close abutment which is required in service in order to prevent slag from infiltrating between the blocks and rapid wear at such locations.

The present invention provides apparatus for positioning refractory blocks in the lining of metallurgical vessels, the apparatus having two individual pushers of which the first is for bearing against one face of a block and pushing the block radially of the vessel into the lining and the second is for bearing against an adjacent lateral face of the block and adjusting the block laterally, the two pushers being moveable independently of each other for the operations of setting in the working position, displacement of the block and retraction after adjustment of the block.

These operations, including the supply of the blocks to their final position on the roller track, advantageously takes place in an automatic sequence.

The pushers may be moved by hydraulic means or by pheumatic means. However, in view of the greater ease of providing a supply of electrical power within a metallurgical vessel, it is generally preferred to use electric motors.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the pushers are moved into their working position and retracted after adjustment of the block by means of a suitable coupling by way of the same means, e.g. electric motors, which serve to drive the pushers in the working phase.

The invention also provides either over-load detectors or limit switches for limiting the travel movement, so that the thrust force applied to the blocks is stopped when the blocks are in contact with the permanent masonry or the wall of the converter, or are aligned in the interior for cylindrical linings. Depending on the construction of the pushers for effecting tangential (lateral) adjustment of the blocks, the thrust force applied thereby may be used to cause rotary movement of the working platform or the entire scaffolding assembly and to move it into the position for setting the following brick in place, before the tangential pusher is retracted.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, particularly when the operation involved is to provide a facing of at least two concentric rows of bricks, the invention provides a sliding plate member for the blocks. The plate member which is of approximately the same width as the blocks to be set in position is fixed to the support means of the apparatus and extends at a slightly inclined angle with respect to the horizontal over the blocks which are already in position in the row preceding the row to be set in position. The blocks supplied by the roller track slide on the sliding plate member in such a way that any irregularities in respect of height of the joints covered by the plate member do not interfere with definitive positioning of the blocks in the upper row, as could be the case without the plate member.

When a radial line of generally two to three blocks has been set in position, the plate member which is fixed to the support means of the apparatus automatically advances into the position of the next radial line.of blocks, under the effect of the thrust force applied tangentially by the pusher to the last block of a radial line.

Two embodiments of apparatus in accordance with the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of an apparatus for adjusting refractory blocks, and Figures 2a and 2b respectively show a front view and a view in cross-section of an apparatus with a different form in respect of the pushers and their operating means.

Figure 1 shows a complete row A of blocks of large dimensions. Block B is at the end of its travel movement on roller track 38, at a certain distance from block B' which is already in its definitive position, and from the wall of the converter.

When the block B moves forward on the roller track 38, pusher 11 is in the raised position.

At the beginning of the phase for positioning the block B, motor 1 is set in operation. It rotates in an anti-clockwise direction and drives towards the right chain 20 which passes over return pulleys 3, 4 and 5 and which is tensioned by tensioning pulley 2.

Wheel 14 provided with a drum and a brake 1 5 retards the translatory movement of carriage 22 until the moment that the pusher 11 is in the operative position. Therefore, as soon as the motor is set in operation, the chain 20 drives toothed wheel 7 in an anti-clockwise direction, in such a way that crank 9 is moved from stop 13 to the stop 12. By way of link member 10, the pusher 11 advances into its operative position and remains there in an arrested condition.

The wheel 7 is then locked in an anti-clockwise direction and the chain 20 drives the carriage 22 towards the right. The carriage 22 is carried by anti-friction rollers 1 6 and 1 7 and guide rollers 1 8 and 19 on fixed rail 21. In the translatory movement of the carriage 22, the pusher 11 causes the brick B to be slid onto the row of bricks A parallel to the brick B', to the end of its radial path of movement, being controlled as required, as already indicated hereinbefore, by a limit detector (not shown) or by the tensioner 2 which is coupled in an over-load detector mode.

After radial positioning of the block, the direction of rotation of the motor is reversed.

At the beginning of this phase, wheel 14 with the brake 1 5 retards translatory movement of the carriage 22 in such a way that the chain 20 drives ,the toothed wheel 7 in a clockwise direction. The crank 9 rotates until it reaches the stop 13 and, by way of the link member 10, the pusher lever 11 returns to the raised rest position.

At that moment the wheel 7 is again locked in the clockwise direction and the chain 20 drives .the carriage 22 towards the left to its starting .position which is determined by an adjustable end-of-travel limit means. The motor 1 stops until the first phase is to begin again.

Tangential adjustment of the blocks is effected by means of tangential pusher 33. In this part of the apparatus, a motor 30 is mounted floatingly on a shaft 31 which is supported for rotary movement by resilient support means 37. The motor rotates the shaft 31 which, by way of arm 32, drives the pusher 33 which is mounted with a pivot means 34.

The pusher 33 moves the brick B into a position against the brick B' which is already in place.

The resilient support means 37 which is connected to an overload detector determines the end of the travel movement of the pusher 33.

At the end of the adjustment operation, reversal of the direction of rotation of the motor 30 returns the pusher 33 to its starting rest position where the motor stops until this phase of positioning a following block is to be re-commenced.

The position of the pusher 33 is adjustab.le at least radially in such a way as to permit adaptation thereof to the position of the blocks, irrespective of the position of the lining in the vessel and irrespective of the dimensions of the blocks used.

In the apparatus shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the phase comprising radial movement of the block B begins when the pusher 11 is in the vertical working position behind the block B.

When the motor 1 is set in operation, the chain 20 drives the carriage 22 which is mounted on rollers on the substantially horizontal rolling track 21 towards the right, as far as the intended position of-the block B.

A mechanical limit means 39 for limiting the travel movement and whose position is adjusted in dependence on the final position desired for the block B causes the pusher 11 which is held under tension by means of a spring 40 to pivot about its axis of rotation 41 beyond its dead-centre point, until it comes into a position of abutment.

Frorn that moment, the motor 1 can rotate in the opposite direction and return the carriage 22 to the starting point where a mechanical limit means 39' for limiting the travel movement returns the pusher 11 into its working position behind the following block.

This block was moved to its starting position in consequence of a signal triggered by the carriage 22 at the end of the travel movement carried out with the previous block.

The blocks slide on plate member 42 which is secured to frame means 43 of the apparatus.

Tangential adjustment of the block B is effected by means of the pusher 33 which engages the block in the middle of the outer side face of the block.

The pusher 33 is pivoted so as to be able to adaptto the conicity of the block. It is actuated by a hydraulic piston 44 and is mounted resiliently on a radially adjustable support means 45.

The travel movement of the pusher 33 is such that it displaces the sliding plate member 42 together with the platform with respect to which it is fixed, into the position of the following radial line of blocks, while holding the blocks last adjusted in position.

A travel limit means (not shown) triggers retraction movement of piston 44 and commencement of the phase comprising radial translatory movement for setting the following block in position.

Claims (10)

1. Apparatus for positioning refractory blocks in the lining of metallurgical vessels, the apparatus having two individual pushers of which the first is for bearing against one face of a block and pushing the block radially of the vessel into the lining and the second is for bearing against an adjacent lateral face of the block and adjusting the block laterally, the two pushers being moveable independently of each other for the operations of setting in the working position, displacement of the block and retraction after adjustment of the block.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the pushers are set into their working position and retracted after adjustment of the block by way of a coupling by the same means by which the pushers are driven in their working phase.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 which is driven electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically.

4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the advance movement of a pusher is stopped by limit switch means for limiting the travel movement or by an over-load detector which can be adapted to the desired length of the movement.

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 to which a sliding plate member is attached so as to extend in use at a slightly inclined angle with respect to the horizontal over a row of lining blocks which is already in place.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the plate member is laterally displaceable.

7. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6 in which the radial pusher is fixed with respect to a carriage which is driven on a substantially horizontal guide rail.

8. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the lateral pusher is driven in rotation via a horizontal arm and a vertical shaft by means of a motor floating on said shaft, and held for rotary movement by a resilient support means.

9. Apparatus for positioning refractory blocks in the lining of metallurgical vessels, the apparatus being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 df the accompanying drawings.

10. Apparatus for positioning refractory blocks in the lining of metallurgical vessels, the apparatus being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 2a and 2b of the accompanying drawings.