GB2108901A

GB2108901A - Method of and apparatus for treating carbon blocks

Info

Publication number: GB2108901A
Application number: GB08231992A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Heribert Loweg; Erwin Collet; Klaus Herberg
Original assignee: Gewerkschaft Eisenhutte Westfalia GmbH
Current assignee: Gewerkschaft Eisenhutte Westfalia GmbH
Priority date: 1981-11-11
Filing date: 1982-11-09
Publication date: 1983-05-25
Also published as: FR2516099B1; FR2516099A1; GB2108901B; CH649791A5; AU555116B2; AU9034882A; DE3144785C2; DE3144785A1

Abstract

Apparatus for cleaning rectangular anodic carbon blocks 15 used in electrolylic smelting plants is composed of a framework 10 arranged in two sections 13, 14 perpendicular to one another. Opposed cutter devices 22, 23, 40, 41, 42, (43) are arranged on these sections 13, 14 to act on all the external faces of the blocks 15 as the blocks 15 are forced between these cutter devices by rams 34, 35. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method of and apparatus for treating carbon blocks The present invention relates to a method of, and apparatus for, treating or cleaning rectangular carbon blocks used as anodes in electrolytic smelting.

Carbon anode blocks of rectangular configuration are used, inter alia, in electrolytic smelting plants for processing aluminium ore.

Heavy incrustations build up on the exposed surfaces of the blocks after a period of use and it becomes necessary to clean and smooth the surfaces from time to time to prevent contact between the blocks. In one known apparatus used for cleaning anode carbon blocks, described in German patent specification 2051288, the opposite faces of the blocks are machined by cutters to clean and smooth them. The apparatus has a table on which the blocks to be treated are placed and the table moves past sets of fixed cutters disposed to clean two opposite faces of the blocks.

A general object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of, and apparatus for, treating carbon blocks.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for use in treating or cleaning rectangular carbon blocks; said apparatus comprising means for conveying said blocks along two angularly offset paths and cutting means arranged in relation to the paths to act on all six external faces of each of the blocks.

In another aspect the invention comprises a method of treating or cleaning rectangular carbon blocks; said method comprising transporting said blocks in succession along two angularly offset paths and utilizing cutting means arranged in the vicinity of said paths to act on all six external faces of each of the blocks.

Preferably the aforesaid paths are mutually perpendicular. A framework supported by legs may serve to define these paths. The framework can conveniently be L-shaped in plan view with an inlet section and an outlet section. These sections preferably have roller beds and/or slideways over which the blocks pass. Thrust-producing mechanisms, such as hydraulic rams, preferably serve to convey the blocks along the sections defining the paths. A carriage can be guided for movement along one of the sections, preferably the inlet section, and coupled to one of the rams.

Conveniently one or more pivotable levers can be supported on the carriage and can be moved to selectively engage with the blocks. The carriage can then be reciprocated along the inlet section and entrain and disengage with the blocks.

Another ram can urge the blocks directly along the outlet section in succession.

The cutting means can take a variety of forms.

Preference is given to an arrangement wherein the cutting means comprises cutter devices for acting on two opposite faces of the blocks moved along the inlet section and cutter devices for acting on the remaining faces of the blocks moved along the outlet section. Some of the cutter devices or the cutters thereof are fixed while the other of the cutter devices or the cutters thereof are displaceable. The cutter devices may include opposed sets of cutters relatively movable towards and away from one another. By adjusting the distance between at least some of the cutting devices it is possible to cope with blocks of different size.

It is desirable to align or orientate the blocks with respect to the cutting devices. For this purpose, guide rails or the like can be provided at one side of each path to contact the blocks.

Thrust-producing devices can urge the blocks against the guide rails.

The invention may be understood more readily, and various other features of the invention may become apparent, from consideration of the following description.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional side view of part of the apparatus of Figure 1, the view being taken along the line Il-Il of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a sectional side view of part of the apparatus of Figure 1 , the view being taken along the line Ill-Ill of Figure 1.

As shown in the drawings, apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention incorporates a main framework 10 of L-shaped configuration in plan view. The framework 10 incorporates upstanding support legs 11 resting on the floor 12 of an installation. The framework 10 is made up of two guide sections 13, 14 extending perpendicularly to one another. The guide sections 13, 14 employ beds of rollers 16, 21 along which anode blocks 15 are moved during their treatment in the direction indicated by arrows A and B of Figure 1. The blocks 15, which are roughly rectangular in cross-section, are initially delivered on to the roller bed 1 6 of the inlet section 13 and, after treatment, pass over the roller bed 21 of the outlet section 14. The roller beds 16, 21 only extend over part of the length of each section 13, 14. The rollers of the beds may be driven or freely rotatable.

The roller bed 1 6 of the section 13 joins a slideway 17 which extends up to a transverse guide rail 18. The rail 18 extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the section 13 and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the section 14 and is of a length to extend across the section 13 and into the section 14. The section 13 incorporates a further guide rail 19 at one side opposite the section 14.

The section 14 also has a slideway 20 which runs from the roller bed 21 across the end region of the section 13.

The section 13 incorporates cutter devices 22, 23 which act on the blocks 15 passed along the section 13. The device 22 is fixed to the framework 10, on the outside of the guide rail 1 9, whereas the cutter device 23 is displaceably mounted on a support arm 25 of the framework 10 with parallelogram-type guide linkages 24 in a position generally confronting the cutter device 22. The distance between the cutters of the devices 23 and 22 can be adjusted by moving the device 23 with the aid of a piston and cylinder unit 26 pivotably connected between the device 23 and the support arm 25.

A thrust mechanism 27 is provided to urge the blocks 15 along the section 13. This thrust mechanism 27 is composed of a carriage 28 which can be moved in the direction indicated by arrow A on rollers 29 supported on tracks 30 in the upper zone of the section 13 of the framework 10 as can be seen in Figure 2. A pair of levers 31 are mounted on the carriage 28 for swinging up and down about pivot joints 32. A piston and cylinder unit 33 is pivotably connected to the carriage 28 and serves to pivot the levers 31 about the pivot joints 32. As shown in Figure 2, the unit 33 enables the levers 31 to be swung up and down from an operating position shown in solid lines to an upper inoperative position indicated in broken lines. The carriage 28 together with the parts supported thereby can be moved along the section 13 with the aid of a ram 34 having a long stroke.The ram 34 is disposed generally centrally of the section 13 and has its cylinder supported on the section 13. The piston rod of the 34 is connected to the carriage 28.

An aligning device 37 is provided on the section 13 opposite to the guide rail 19. The device 37 takes the form of another piston and cylinder unit 39 with a guided piston rod provided with a head piece 38 for engaging with the blocks 15.

A further thrust mechanism 35 is provided on the section 14 to push the blocks 15 transversely of the section 1 3 and along the slideway 20. This thrust mechanism 35 also consists of a long stroke ram of which only the piston rod 36 is illustrated. A head piece is provided at the end of the piston rod 36 to engage with the blocks 15.

The section 14 also incorporates cutter devices 40, 41 similar to the devices 22, 23. The cutter device 41 is fixed to the framework 10 while the cutter device 40 is displaceably mounted on a support of the framework 10 with parallelogramtype guide linkages 44 in a position generally opposite the cutter device 41. The distance between the cutters of the devices 40, 41 can be adjusted by moving the device 40 with the aid of a piston and cylinder unit 45 extending perpendicularly to the unit 26. As can be seen in Figure 3, further cutters 42, 43 are provided on the section 14 to act on the upper and lower faces of the blocks 1 5. The cutters 42, 43 can be fixed in position relative to the framework on suitable carrier blocks.The displaceable cutter devices 40, 23 are adequately supported on the rigid framework 10 so as to transfer reactive force thereto without damaging the swivel joints. The fine material and dust which occurs during cleaning operations described hereinafter is preferably removed from the site, for example, by means of collection troughs 46 and screw conveyors 47 and/or suction pumps.

During operation, the individual anode blocks 1 5 are delivered on to the roller bed 1 6 of the section 13. The rollers can be driven if desired.

The blocks 15 are in any event brought into the zone of the thrust mechanism 27 in succession.

The levers 31 are initially raised by the unit 33 to permit the first block 15 to adopt the position indicated by reference numeral 15' in Figures 1 and 2. The levers 31 are then swung downwardly by the unit 33 to engage on the rear face of the block 15 as shown in Figure 2. The unit comprising the device 37 is extended to urge the block 15 against the guide rail 19 to orientate the block 15 relative to the cutter mechanisms 22, 23.

The distance between the cutter devices,22,23 is adjusted or pre-set. The ram 34 is next extended to move the carriage 28 along the section in the direction of arrow A and the levers 31 ensure the block 1 5 is forced between the cutters of the devices 22, 23. In this way the side faces 15a, 1 5b of the block 1-5 are cleaned and smoothed.

The block 1 5 then passes free of the cutter devices 22, 23 and adopts the position 15" with its front face engaging the guide rail 18 orientated for presentation to the other cutting appliances.

The ram 34 is retracted to bring the carriage 28 back to its former position and the levers 31 are raised clear of the next block 15 so that the sequence can be repeated. The block 15 in position 15" rests on the slideway 20 and is urged along the section 14 in the direction of arrow B by the thrust mechanism 35. The distance between the cutter devices 40, 41 is adjusted or pre-set and as the block 1 5 is forced between the cutters 42. 43 and the cutters of the devices 40, 41 the remaining four faces 1 Sc, 1 Sd, 1 Se and 1 5f are cleaned and smoothed. The block 15 which has all its six faces 15a--1 5f treated then passes on to the roller bed 21 to adopt position 15"' in Figure 1. The block 15 can then be discharged or removed from the apparatus.The succession of blocks 15 can be treated in the manner described.

The operation of the apparatus can be controlled by automatic control means employing limit switches for example. Thus, a first limit switch can be provided on or near the guide rail 19 and this switch can be actuated when the block 15 in question is urged against the guide rail 19 by the device 37. The actuation of this first switch can initiate the sequence whereby the levers 31 are swung down and the thrust mechanism 34 is operated to force the block 15 in the direction of arrow A.A second limit switch can be provided on or near the guide rail 18 so that this switch is actuated when the block 15 adopts the position 1 5". The actuation of this second switch can then initiate the sequence whereby the carriage 38 is drawn back along the section 13 by the mechanism 34 and the levers 31 are swung up to their inoperative position and the thrust mechanism 35 operates to force the block 15 in the direction of arrow B.

In practice, carbon anode blocks often have different lengths and widths but much the same depth. The displaceability of the cutter devices 23, 40 enables the apparatus to cope with blocks of different sizes, however. The automatic control means can be supplemented by one or more sensing devices for sensing the dimensions of the blocks 15 and setting the devices 23, 40 accordingly. One form of sensing device which can be adopted senses the distance through which the device 37 extends during the alignment operation.

Probes or feelers or optical sensors can also be provided.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in treating or cleaning rectangular carbon blocks; said apparatus comprising means for conveying said blocks along two angularly offset paths and cutting means arranged in relation to the paths to act on all six external faces of each of the blocks.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a framework defines said paths and the conveying means comprises thrust-producing mechanisms for urging the blocks along the respective paths.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said thrust-producing mechanisms comprises a carriage mounted for displacement along a section of the framework defining one of said paths, at least one lever pivotably supported by the carriage for selective engagement with the blocks and a ram for moving the carriage.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said thrust-producing mechanisms comprises-a ram which acts directly on the blocks.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said at least one thrust-producing mechanism is provided on an inlet section of the framework which initially receives the blocks and wherein a ram is provided as a thrust-producing mechanism for urging the blocks along an outlet section of the framework which extends substantially perpendicular to the inlet section.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the carriage is provided with rollers or wheels guided by tracks at the upper region of the inlet section.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the cutting means comprises cutter devices for acting on two opposite faces of the blocks moved along a first of said paths and cutter devices for acting on the remaining faces of the blocks moved along a second of said paths.

8. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cutting means comprises cutter devices for acting on two opposite faces of the blocks moved along the inlet section and cutter devices for acting on the remaining faces of the blocks moved along the outlet section.

9. Apparatus according to claims 7 or 8, wherein some of the cutter devices or the cutters thereof are fixed while the other of the cutter devices or the cutters thereof are displaceable.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the cutter devices include opposed sets of cutters relatively movable towards and away from one another.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the displaceable cutter devices are connected by parallelogram type guide linkages to support structures and piston and cylinder units are provided to move the devices.

12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and further comprising guides disposed laterally of the paths for contacting the blocks.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein at least one of said guides is operably associated with a thrust device which urges the blocks against the guide to orientate the blocks for treatment by the cutting means.

14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and further comprising means for aligning the blocks in relation to the cutting means.

15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the conveying means includes beds of rollers and/or slideways over which the blocks are moved.

16. Apparatus according any one of claims 1 to 15 and further comprising automatic control means for controlling the conveying means, said control means including one or more limit switches.

17. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described.

18. Apparatus substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

19. A method of treating or cleaning rectangular carbon blocks; said method comprising transporting said blocks in succession along two angularly offset paths and utilizing cutting means arranged in the vicinity of said paths to act on all six external faces of each of the blocks.

20. A method according to claim 19 and further comprising urging the blocks along a first path and between opposed cutting devices to clean two faces of the blocks and urging the blocks along a second path perpendicular to the first path and between further opposed cutting devices to clean the remaining faces of the blocks.

21. A method according to claim 20 and further comprising adjusting the distance between at least some of the opposed cutting devices.

22. A method according to claim 20 or 21 and further comprising aligning the blocks in relation to the cutting devices.

23. A method according to claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein the blocks are urged along the first path by reciprocal movement of a carriage supporting at least one lever which can be engaged with or disengaged from the blocks.

24. A method substantially as described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.