GB2232956A - A device magazine for holding bottom parts of a coupling device for changing working stock on the block of a hoist - Google Patents

Abstract

A device magazine holds bottom parts (57) of a coupling device, whereby working stock on a cable block of a hoist (13) provided with a rotating mechanism can readily be changed. Each coupling device has an upper part on the block and each tool or working stock item to be coupled has one of the bottom parts which can be locked in the upper part so that it is possible to change the working stock. The upper part has a hollow cylinder with a bottom flange with a central aperture (35) from which extend two radial slots. Disposed at about 90 DEG to each radial slot (37, 39) there is a locking mechanism (59). In the region of the two locking mechanisms (59) there are respective locking recesses which can accommodate horizontal support journals (55) on a head (103) of the bottom part (57) carrying the relevant item of working stock. After the support journals (55) are passed through the radial slots rotation of the upper part results in the support journals (55) moving into the locking recesses and being locked therein by the locking mechanisms. A magazine to hold the bottom parts has a frame with means by which the locking mechanisms of the upper part can be unlocked upon the upper part being lowered over the working stock item held in the frame. <IMAGE>

Description

A DEVICE MAGAZINE FOR HOLDING BOTTOM PARTS OF A COUPLING DEVICE FOR CHANGING WORKINC STOCK ON THE BLOCK OF A HOIST The invention relates to a device magazine for holding bottom parts of a coupling device for changing working stock on the cable block of a hoist.

In nuclear power installations, exchange of process components and repair work on such components are only possible by remote handling, due to the radiation hazard. Such work is carried out by mobile remote handling machines using television cameras and monitors.

Cable-operated cranes or other lifting tackle are also used by which tools, working stock and also exchange parts or entire process components can accurately be positioned.

For transporting relatively large or heavy process components, lifting tackle or hoists with load-bearing hooks are useo. On the other hand, working stock, such as for example impact screwdrivers or manipulators, are moved by hoists to the appropriate working station in screened cells intended to hold the process components. Therefore, a plurality of hoists have to be provided for the various items of working stock or alternatively changing the working stock or tool on a hoist becomes a complicated process. Changing is time-consuming and difficult since it is only possible under remote handling conditions.

German Publishea Specification 3433311 describes a tool cnanging device used in the related technical field of industrial robots and manipulators. In tnis field, in contrast to hoists, sucn as for example a crane, other handling conditions have to be observed. This tool changing device for industrial robots comprises an upper part which remains on the industrial robot. The associated bottom part is mounted on the relevant tool. When a tool has to be changed, the tool is placed in a device magazine and exchanged, together with the bottom part, for a different bottom part on which a different tool is mounted.

A linear drive unit disposed in the upper part guides a hook-shaped structure along a slide until it engages a matching member disposed in the relevant bottom part. The linear drive unit can be constructed as a compressed air cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder or an electrically operated linear drive.

For use in nuclear plants such as for example plants for reprocessing irradiated nuclear fuels which, to accommodate the process part, comprise what are referred to as 'large shielded cells' in which the process components are set up on racks or frames, such a device is unsuitable since it requires a very accurate longitudinal and nor-rotatable guidance of the upper part in relation to the bottom part. This need for accurate guidance hampers remote-handling ability.

Furthermore, in such plants, drives which operate on compressed air or hydraulics have to be avoided.

According to the invention there is provided a device magazine for holding bottom parts of a coupling device for changing working stbck on a cable block of a hoist provided with a rotating mechanism wherein: an upper part of the coupling device is mounted on the cable block and can co-operate with the bottom parts, one of which is provided on each of a plurality of tools or other items of working stock to be coupled to the cable block whereby the working stock item can be changed by changing the bottom part, the upper part is a hollow cylinder having a lower flange with a circular central aperture therein from which extend two oppositely disposed radial slots, staggered by about 900 in relation to each radial slot there is a respective locking mechanism, each bottom part includes a head with a pair of horizontal support journals projecting in diametrically opposite directions therefrom, each of the two locking mechanisms includes a locking recess to receive a respective one of the support journals, and the head of each bottom part with the support journals thereof can pass through the central aperture and the radial slots of the lower flange and, after relative rotation of the upper and lower parts, the support journals can be received in the locking recesses and locked by the locking mechanisms, and wherein the device magazine includes a frame to accommodate uncoupled bottom parts fitted with working stock items, the frame being provided with means by which the upper part of the coupling device can be unlocked upon being lowered over the working stock item which is held in the frame.

Thus various items of working stock can be quickly and safely changed on a hoist while respecting every aspect of remote handling requirements.

To receive an item of working stock which is fixed on one of the bottom parts provided with the lateral support journals, the upper part of the coupling device is moved together with the hoist to a position above the bottom part which is to be accommodated and then lowered vertically so that the two diametrically opposed support journals enter the radial slots. By reason of the rotating mechanism provided on the cable block, the upper part is, after being further lowered, rotated through 900 so that the support journals on the bottom part are above the inner locking recesses.

By raising the upper part with the hoist, the support journals are engaged in the locking recesses and can be secured by the locking mechanisms. Withdrawal or falling of the tool out of the upper part is thereafter not possible.

In order to change the working stock item for another, the tool which is coupled to the hoist can be placed in the device magazine.

The locking mechanisms are released and the rotating mechanism located on the block causes the upper part to be rotated back through 900 so that the support journals of the bottom part are situated acove the radial slots. Raising of the upper part results in the two parts of the coupling device being separated.

Advantageously Advantageously each locking mechanism comprises a locking bolt which in a locked condition extends parallel to and above the lower flange, preventing unintended withdrawal of the support journals from the locking recesses, and the locking bolts are displaceable via an outwardly projecting lever linkage. The horizontal locking bolts are displaceable above the support journals located in the locking shafts.

By means of the outwardly projecting lever linkage, the locking effect can be overcome by pulling back the locking bolts. The lever linkage can be operated by appropriately constructed ramps on the device magazine.

Preferably each locking recess is defined by two limiter blocks disposed parallel and inwardly on the lower flange, one of the two limiter blocks comprising a guide for the locking bolt. Thus the structure of the locking recesses is used as a guide for the respective locking bolt.

Advantageously one of the limiter blocks which is adjacent the respective radial slot is formed as an arcuate segment, extending from the respective radial slot to the associated locking recess and has an upper surface which slopes downwardly towards the locking recess. This facilitates the coupling process in that the support journals resting on the limiter blocks will slip into the locking recesses when the upper part is raised.

Each bottom part of the coupling device can be constructed as a crosshead and beneath the support journals on the head a shoulder flange is provided which serves as an abutment for the lower flange of the hollow cylinder. This can control the depth of penetration of the bottom part into the lowered upper part. When the lower flange of the upper part comes to rest on the shoulder flange of the bottom part, the support journals will be higher up than the lower limiter blocks which define one side of each of the locking recesses.

Preferably, in each locking mechanism, the locking bolt wnich is displaceable horizontally in relation to the lower flange is connected to a vertical lever arm of a Bell-crank lever, a horizontal lever arm of the Bell-crank lever projecting outwardly through the casing of the hollow cylinder. Pivoting of the Bell-crank lever causes horizontal displacement of the locking bolt. The free lever arm which projects outwardly through the casing of the hollow cylinder can serve as an actuating memDer for locking or unlocking.

Advantageously there is in the vertical lever arm a bore in whicn there is displaceably guided a cylindrical portion of a lever insert the bottom end of which engages in a slot in the locking bolt and is articulatingly connected thereto by a pin. Thus pivoting movement of the Bell-crank lever can be transmitted in a space-saving manner to the locking bolt.

In one embodiment, offset from the axis of rotation of the Bellcrank lever a tension spring is coupled by one end to the horizontal lever arm, the other end being attached to the lower flange of the hollow cylinder.

If the two-armed rotary lever connected to the locking bolt is so loaded by the tension spring, the locking mechanism constantly seeks to move into the locked condition. This means that once the support Journals have dropped into the locking recesses, locking occurs automatically. Therefore the locking mechanism only needs to be externally actuated for the unlocking process.

Advantageously there is in the casing of the hollow cylinder a radially displaceable inwardly spring loaded indicator pin, the longitudinal axis of which is at th level of the longitudinal axis of the support journals when they are in the locked condition. A visual indication of the secure location of the support journals in the locking recesses can thus be achieved. In the locked condition of the coupling device, the spring-loaded indicator pins must emerge outwardly from the casing, since the support journals displace them via their inner ends.

Advantageously the hollow cylinder is provided with an outer heavy casing of lead. This can ensure that the ropes or chains of the hoist are always taut.

The device magazine for vertically holding items of operating stock can be coupled to a remote handling apparatus such as is known, for example, from German Published Specification 3421452.

The invention can thus provide a remotely operable coupling device for cnanging items of working stocK on hoists, such as cable operated cranes, by which the exchange process can be carried out quickly and safely. It must be regarded as a substantial advantage that an operator working under remote handing conditions can easily carry out locking ano unlocking operations. The provision of the locking recesses can ensure secure accommodation of the relevant item of working stock.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a multiple sectional elevation through an upper part of a coupling device which can be fixed on a cable operated block; Figure 2 is a sectional plan view taken on line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partly sectional side view corresponding to Figure 1; Figure 4 shows part of a crane hook provided on a lockable bottom part of a coupling device which bottom part can be stored in a device magazine according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a modified embodiment of an upper part of a coupling device; and Figure 6 is a sectional plan view taken on line V-V of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings, an upper part 11 of a coupling device is shown in Figures 1 to 3 and comprises a rotary shaft 13 having at its upper end a screwthread (not shown) which can be screwed into a cable block of a cable operated crane, which cable block is provided with a rotating mechanism. The rotary shaft 13 is welded into the centre of an upper flange 15 which is fixed by hexagon head screws 19 in the upper end of a vertical hollow cylinder 17. The hollow cylinder 17 is closed at the lower end by a lower flange 21 secured to the hollow cylinder 17 by hexagon head screws 23. The hollow cylinder 17 thus encloses an interior space 25 which contains the remainder of the coupling.

The hollow cylinder 17 is provided with an outer lead casing 27 fastened to the hollow cylinder part 17 by hexagon head screws 29. The lead casing 27 includes cut-outs 31 and 33 for the hexagon head screws 19 and 23 which secure the upper flange 15 and the lower flange 21.

The lower flange 21 is provided with a central bore 35 from which extend two diametrically opposite radial slots 37 and 39. Adjacent one of the long sides of each radial slot 37, 39 a guide block 41, 43 is secured to the lower flange 21 by screws 45. The guide blocks 41, 43 extend upwardly for more than half the height of the interior space 25.

The other sides of the radial slots 37, 39 are free. Offset 900 in relation to each radial slot 37, 39 there is a respective locking recess 47, 49, each locking recess being defined between two limiter blocks 51 and 53 of different heights bolted to the lower flange 21.

Each radial slot 37 or 39 has its respective locking recess 47 or 49 spaced in a clockwise direction therefrom when viewed from above and the two locking recesses 47, 49 are of identical construction.

Clockwise from whichever is the free side of the respective radial slot 37, 39 is the comparatively lower limiter block 51 over which a respective support journal 55 of a lockable bottom part 57 shown in Figure 4 and described below has to pass to arrive at the locking recess 47, 49. Each higher limiter block 53 fixed by screws 58 and located opposite its respective lower limiter block 51 is provided with a locking mechanism 59. The two locking mechanisms 59 are of identical construction. Therefore, the construction of only one will be simply described.

The locking mechanism 59 has, in the higher limiter block 53 and at a spacing from the bottom flange 21, a horizontal bore 63 in which a locking bolt 67 is displaceably guided.

A slot 71 in the higher limiter block 53 allows ths locking bolt 67 to be articulated by a lever 73. The lever 73 has a tongue 75 at its lower end which fits into a groove in the locking bolt 67 and is pivotably articulated thereto by means of a pin 77. Above the tongue 75 the lever 73 has a cylindrical portion 79 guided for displacement in a bore 81 in a vertical lever arm 82 of a Bell-crank lever 83.

The Bell-crank lever 83 is pivoted by a stepped bolt 85 on a vertical bearing plate 87 which is laterally bolted on the higher limiter block 53 by bolts 88. The Bell-crank lever 83 has a horizontal lever arm 91 which projects outwardly of the cross-section of the upper part 11 through a slot 89 in the casing of the hollow cylinder 17 and the lead casing 27.

The lockable bottom part 57 shown in Figure 4 is formed as a cross head with an integral load hook 101. The load hook 101 ends at the top in a cylindrical head 103, the diameter of which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the central bore 35 in the lower flange 21 of the upper part 11. In the upper region, the cylindrical head 103 mounts the two horizontal radially outwardly projecting support journals 55 which are disposed diametrically opposite each other. The support journals 55 can pass through the radial slots 37, 39 in the upper part 11.

Beneath the support journals 55, the cylindrical head 103 has a shoulder flange 105 spaced from the support journals 55 by a predetermined height 107. The diameter of the shoulder flange 105 is greater than the diameter of the central bore 35 of the upper part 11.

The height 107 between the support journals 55 and the shoulder flange 105 is chosen to be somewhat greater than the height of the top of the lower limiter block 51 above the lower face of the lower flange 21 so that the support journals 55 can pass over the lower limiter blocks 51 when the upper part 11 is rotated.

In operation, to accommodate the bottom part 57 which is normally stored in an upright orientation in a device magazine, the upper part 11 of the coupling device is moved by the cable operated crane to a position in alignment above the lower l.art 57 so that upon subsequent vertical lowering the two diametrically opposed support journals 55 pass through the radial slots 37, 39 into the interior 25 of the upper part 11. Lowering of the upper part 11 is continued until the lower flange 21 rests lightly on the shoulder flange-105 of the bottom part 57. By means of the rotating mechanism provided on the cable block, the upper part 11 is rotated through 900 in a clockwise direction as viewed from above.When this happens, the support journals 55 move so that their side faces encounter the end faces of the locking bolts 67, pressing them rearwardly in the horizontal bores 63. The support journals 55 are by then located above the locking recesses 47, 49.

Raising of the upper part 11 by the cable operated crane causes the support journals 55 to engage in the locking recesses 47, 49 and while they are so engaged they can be secured by the locking mechanisms 59. This can be effected, for example, by the actuation of manipulators acting on the lever arms 91 projecting beyond the crosssection of the upper part 11. By suitable choice of weight distribution of the Bell-crank lever 83, however, it can occur automatically. Withdrawal or dropping of the lower part 57 out of the upper part 11 is now no longer possible during subsequent transport or working operations.

In order to exchange the load hook 101 for some other tool, the load hook 101 is returned to a device magazine. The locking mechanisms 59 are released by suitable means so that the lever arms 91 of the Bell-crank levers 83 are moved upwardly. The upper part 11 is then lowered farther until it rests lightly on the shoulder flange 105 of the crosshead 57. By reason of the rotating mechanism provided on the cable block, the upper part 11 is rotated back through 900 so that the support journals 55 of the bottom part 57 are above and aligned with the radial slots 37, 39. If the upper part 11 is then raised, the two parts of the coupling device can separate so that the upper part 11 is immediately available to accommodate some other working stock item.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the upper part 11 which remains on a cable hoist block has for each locking mechanism 59 a tension spring 111, the upper end of which is fixed to the horizontal lever arm 91 of the Bell-crank lever 83. The other end is fitted on the lower flange 21 of the upper part 11. The tension springs 111 mounted offset to the axes of rotation 85 of the Bell-crank levers 83 load the locking mechanisms 59 and bias them in the locking direction.

Once the supporting journals 55 have dropped into the locking recesses 47, 49, locking occurs automatically.

There ' are in the casing of the hollow cylinder 17 two displaceable indicator pins 113 which have their inner ends proJecting into respective ones of the locking recesses 47, 49. Each indicating pin 113 comprises a coaxial turned-down pointer extension 115 the end of which in the unladen condition lies substantially flush with the outer face of a bored threaded plug 117 screwed into the lead casing 27. Disposed about each pointer extension 115 is a compression spring 119 which bears on the inner end face of the threaded plug 117 and on an annular face 121 on the displaceable indicator pin 113. In the locked condition of the two parts 11, 57 of the coupling device, the spring loaded indicator pins 113 are forced by the support journals 55 outwardly of the casing of the device. Thus, a visual indication of the position of the support journals 55 in the locking recesses 47, 49 is obtained.

One boundary of each locking recess 47, 49 is formed by a respective guide block 123 constructed as an arcuate segment, extending from the relevant radial slot 37, 39 to the associated locking recess 47, 49. The guide blocks 123 each have an upper face which slopes downwards from the respective radial slot 37, 39 to the locking recess 7 or 49. If, when the upper part 11 is raised, the support journals 55 have not been located above the locking recesses 47, 49 but instead rest on the guide blocks 123, then as the upper part 11 is raised, the support journals 55 will slide on the upper faces of the guide blocks 123 and move into the locking recesses 47, 49.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIM

   1. A device magazine for holding bottom parts of a coupling device for changing working stock on a cable block of a hoist provided with a rotating mechanism wherein: an upper part of the coupling device is mounted on the cable block and can co-operate with the bottom parts, one of which is provided on each of a plurality of tools or other items of working stock to be coupled to the cable block whereby the working stock item can be changed by changing the bottom part, the upper part is a hollow cylinder having a lower flange with a circular central aperture therein from which extend two oppositely disposed radial slots1 staggered by about 900 in relation to each radial slot there is a respective locking mechanism, each bottom part includes a head with a pair of horizontal support journals projecting in diametrically opposite directions therefrom, each of the two locking mechanisms includes a locking recess to receive a respective one of the support journals, and the head of each bottom part with the support journals thereof can pass through the central aperture and the radial slots of the lower flange and, after relative rotation of the upper and lower parts, the support journals can be received in the locking recesses and locked by the locking mechanisms, and wherein the device magazine includes a frame to accommodate uncoupled bottom parts fitted with working stock items, the frame being provided with means by which the upper part of the coupling device can be unlocked upon being lowered over the working stock item which is held in the frame.