ITPN20080081A1 - extractor - Google Patents

Description

TITLE

EXTRACTOR

DESCRIPTION

PREFACE

The invention in question finds its application in the sector of the recovery of copper from disused artifacts.

In particular, it contributes to the recovery of copper windings from the stators of electric motors deriving from disused refrigerant compressors: this recovery operation is possible thanks to a series of specific operating phases that allow to pass from the hermetic containers of disused refrigerators (compressor block), compressor and electric motor internally, with copper as a raw material to be relocated on the market. The "EXTRACTOR" invention for which the patent is requested in this treatise is one of the operative phases. The invention is a complex machine characterized by a metal structure equipped with wheels equipped with brakes to facilitate its displacement. The invention carries out its function on the electric rotors and on the relative connected copper windings.

The invention performs its function through a specific steel clamp block whose steel branches tighten the copper windings together in four different points, allowing them to be extracted from the lamellar body of the motor.

The pressure exerted by the pincer on the copper windings is guaranteed by a closed-circuit hydraulic control unit which serves to open / close the pincer block.

The extraction of the windings is possible as the operator, once the stator has been positioned with the windings near the clamp block, activates the work cycle through an electrical control panel: the stator is held or adhered to the work surface of the machine, by means of a pneumatically operated steel piece stop which descends on the stator and the gripper block, firmly tightened on the windings, is made to move back thanks to a movable carriage with hydraulic guides thus ensuring the total extraction of the copper windings from the lamellar body.

The work cycle is characterized by a precise sequence of operations. The operator starts the working sequence by activating the automatic or manual cycle selector on the electrical panel: in the case of an automatic cycle, the PLC (programmable logic controller) runs a predetermined program and on the basis of this activates the various mechanical actuators of the machinery in order to extract the copper windings from the disused stators.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

The presence of a significant market based on the recovery of copper from disused electric motors is well known.

Specifically, we are talking about copper windings "extracted" from the cages of the electric motors of disused refrigerant compressors.

The proposer is not aware of devices similar to what he himself proposed, capable of recovering copper in an effective and efficient way.

Currently the state of the art, or how the competitors proceed, provides that this recovery is done in the following ways: copper recovery through grinding processes with hammer mills, in which both the air gap (lamellar pack of the stator) and the copper on it wrapped. This methodology has the following problems:

- surface occupied by the high grinding plant;

- high electricity consumption;

- high number of dedicated staff during the process (minimum 3 operators); - high noise;

- production of powders during the process;

- use is subject to high quantities of copper to be recovered;

- the handling of the ground must be done with specific machinery (spider or bulldozer);

- high environmental impact.

It is specified that the ground material deriving from such plants, since it is a mixture of copper and various metals, must undergo a first phase of rough subdivision of the metals by an operator and a second phase of separation of the iron by means of a magnet. The copper thus obtained is still defined as "polluted" and therefore undergoes other specific processes in subsequent refining plants, thus obtaining the copper that can be sold to the various recovery bodies.

The negative aspects of the grinding process just described are:

- the salable copper obtained is equal to 95% of the quantity of copper available at the start (as part of the materials is lost in the volatile powders and in the ground);

- salable copper undergoes a significant depreciation of the order of 2% - 4% of the market price (as it is never completely pure);

- salable copper is obtained following a considerably long and expensive process (grinding, first subdivision, separation with magnet, refining processes), with electricity consumption equal to a few thousand kW / h; - The operator who follows the grinding process is subjected to noise, dust and unfavorable microclimate;

To overcome these problems, the proponent has devised and implemented a production process, characterized by several operating phases, to optimize the recovery of copper which allows to:

- obtain 100% copper from the quantity of copper available at the start;

- sell the copper obtained without any depreciation, as it is a raw material without impurities;

production times (about 1/3 of the time less) with an electricity consumption of a few hundred kW / h;

- guarantee the optimal working conditions for the operators, in the total absence of dust and noise.

It should be emphasized that the present "extractor" invention constitutes one of the operational phases of the entire production process for the recovery of copper.

DESCRIPTION

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine that allows the extraction of the copper windings of electric motors (Table 2 - Figs. 1 and 2) deriving from decommissioned refrigerant compressors.

The invention is an integral part of a production process devised by the proponent: through four steps described below, copper is recovered from the electric motors of disused refrigerant compressors.

The complete production process will be indicated as "Draining oil and copper extraction from disused refrigeration engines".

The production process is summarized below (it is considered essential to indicate the production process in its entirety to better understand the functionality of the invention in question):

Process of "DRAINING OIL AND COPPER EXTRACTION FROM DISPOSED REFRIGERATING ENGINES". This process (production cycle) is the subject of a separate patent application.

PRODUCT OPERATION

Airtight container

containing the engine

electric and group

compressor of the

domestic refrigerators

Emptying of oil-tight containers. This operation is performed by the “Drilling” machine. The "Drilling machine" invention is the subject of a separate patent application. Airtight container

emptied of oil

here I'm

Extraction of the electric motor from the container by means of the "plasma cutting" machine. This invention is not the subject of any patent application.

Motor stator

electric with

copper windings

Sectioning of copper windings by means of the "Windings shear" machine. This invention is the subject of a separate patent application.

Copper windings

dissected in several places

Extraction of the copper from the metal cage of the stator by means of the "Extractor" machine. This invention is the subject of this patent application.

Copper windings

extracted from the cage

metal of the engine

electrical: copper

recovered

The invention in question, "Extractor", allows by means of a specific automatic pincer

extract the copper windings from the stator. In particular, it is specified that the windings are sheared in several points as a tangible result of the upstream operation carried out by means of the "Shear Windings" machine.

The particular solution allows to reduce the extraction times and allows a significant gain of copper material recovered at the end of the production process.

The machine in question finds its main application in the field of recovering copper from the windings present in the electric stators: however, it cannot be excluded that it can be used in other types of processing with similar characteristics.

The "Extractor" machine in order to function must be connected, via the electrical plug, to the electrical panel of the plant and via an air hose to the pneumatic system.

The "Extractor" invention is essentially composed of the following parts:

steel structure (Table 1 - fig. 1 and 2 - letter a))

The machine consists of steel modules welded or bolted together with wheels at the base, equipped with hay, which allow it to be moved to the place where it is intended to be used.

general electrical panel (Table 1 fig. 2 letter b)

The electrical panel is positioned on the rear area of the machine. It consists of a shockproof metal structure with an IP55 degree of protection. Inside there is a PLC (programmable logic controller) which executes a predetermined program, corresponding to the work cycle, processes it and manages the various electromechanical actuators of the machinery. The general electrical panel, in favor of safety, is equipped with a selector with key enabling as well as a general switch;

front electrical panel (Table 1 - fig. 1 and 2 - letter c))

The electrical panel is positioned near the work area. It consists of a shockproof metal structure. Equipped with "automatic / manual" selector that allows the operator to select the work cycle in automatic or manual mode. There is also an emergency stop button that allows the machinery to stop at any stage of the work cycle. Once the work cycle is set to automatic mode, the various components / parts of the machinery are operated by the PLC according to the pre-established order in order to extract the copper from the lamellar body and deposit it in the collection container. rear electrical panel (Table J - fig. 1 and 2- letter d))

It consists of a shockproof metal structure. It is positioned close to the front electrical panel. Using the controls on the rear electrical panel it is possible to act on the various functional operations of the extractor. In particular, these controls are operative with the work cycle positioned in manual mode. From this control panel the operator can raise / lower the front screen, raise / lower the piece stop, open / close the gripper block, move the gripper block carriage backwards / forwards, retract / advance the copper winding ejector, move back / forward the ejector of the stator lamellar body. There is also an emergency stop button that allows the machine to stop at any stage of the work cycle.

cycle start panel (Table 1 -fìg.l and 2 - letter e))

It is equipped with a cycle start button that activates the various operating phases of the machinery useful for extracting the copper windings. The latter, once extracted, are unloaded onto a conveyor belt which deposits them at the end of the belt in a connected container. It is specified that the start button can be operated with the work cycle positioned in automatic mode.

front screen (T avola 1 - fi g.1 - letter f))

Pneumatically operated transparent polycarbonate structure guarantees with its operation, during the extraction cycle of the copper windings, the segregation of the work area where the clamp block acts. The lowering of this screen therefore acts as a protection for the operator from possible copper filaments.

workpiece holder (stator) (Table 1 fig. 1 and 2 - letter g))

Pneumatically operated metal structure. Once the operator has positioned the stator on the gripper block (which is open at the start of the work cycle), 1 lowering the piece holder on the stator allows it to be locked on the work surface, thus facilitating the subsequent extraction phase of the windings. copper. - clamp block (T avola 1 - fig. 1 - letter h))

The caliper block is made of steel. The particular shape was designed and built by the proponent specifically for the optimization of the copper extraction phase from the lamellar body. With reference to the detailed table (Table 3 - figs. 1 and 2) it can be seen that the gripper block is formed by four internal and four external arms. The internal arms are fixed and are shaped in such a way that the operator can easily position the stator on them (the internal arms are positioned inside the stator and the copper windings). In addition, about 5 cm from the tip of the inner arms there is a 0.5 cm tooth on which the respective outer arm is clamped. The external arms are characterized by a 1 cm thick steel sheet whose end has the protruding end that collimates with the tooth of the internal arms when closing the clamp block. The external arms are operated by a hydraulic circuit. The oleodynamic circuit is a closed cycle with oleodynamic control unit arranged on the rear part of the machine (Table 1 - fig. 2 - letter i)). The pneumatic circuit through high pressure flexible pipes transmits the energy necessary to the clamp block to be able to tightly tighten the copper windings, in the closing action of the clamp block.

- gripper block carriage (Table 1 - fig. 2 - letter l)

The gripper block is integral with a carriage with hydraulic guides. The drive of the carriage, once the clamp block is tightened on the copper windings, allows the extraction of the copper itself from the lamellar body of the stator. - copper windings ejector

Steel component placed over the clamp block and integral with it. The actuation of this component, through the hydraulic circuit, allows to "free" the clamp block from the copper windings still present when the arms are opened. The released copper falls by gravity onto the conveyor belt.

- lamellar body ejector (T avola 1 - fig. 1 - letter m)

Steel component positioned near the area where the operator places the stator. The ejector of the lamellar body is activated by a pneumatic system and allows, once the copper has been extracted and the piece stop is lifted, to push the lamellar body towards the chute for unloading (Table 1 - fig. 1 and 2 - letter n)) , consisting of a steel channel, oriented towards the collection container.

- copper winding conveyor belt (Table 1 - fig. 1 and 2 - letter o)) Consisting of a steel structure on which the continuously rotating conveyor belt is inserted. It allows the transport of the copper unloaded from the extractor to the collection container.

- metal screens for moving parts

The movable metal screens guarantee the operator's safety by protecting him from the various moving parts. They are equipped with a micro that stops the machine in the chaos where the movable metal screens are opened. There are also fixed nets, always to protect the operator, which are firmly bolted to the machine structure and a specific key is required to remove them.

It is specified that the following operations are performed for the extraction of the copper windings from the lamellar body in the automatic cycle mode:

• the operator positions the stator with the copper windings, previously sheared in several points using the "winding shear" found, near the clamp block;

• the operator starts the work cycle via the cycle start panel;

• the PLC activates the descent of the piece stop to constrain the stator to the work surface; • the PLC activates the descent of the front screen to repair the operator from any copper splinters;

• the PLC tightens the clamp block on the copper windings;

• the PLC makes the gripper block carriage move back and consequently the gripper block as it is integral with the carriage. The wagon moves back to the end of its run;

• the PLC opens the gripper block;

the PLC advances the copper winding ejector so that the latter falls into the conveyor belt. The continuous movement of the conveyor belt allows the copper extracted from the stator to be discharged into the collection container placed on the machine;

• the PLC activates the lifting of the piece stop thus releasing the lamellar body without the copper windings;

• the PLC advances the lamellar body ejector, which hits the lamellar body without windings which ends its run in a special collection container. Subsequently, the PLC returns the ejector of the lamellar body to the starting position;

• the PLC moves the gripper block carriage forward until it returns to the cycle start position;

• the PLC moves the copper winding ejector back up to bring it back to the cycle start position;

• the PLC raises the front screen thus giving the operator the possibility to work a new "piece".

As previously mentioned, the operator can select the manual cycle mode via the front electrical panel. Subsequently, to extract the copper windings from the lamellar body, the operator must act on the selectors on the rear electrical panel.

Ultimately, we want to emphasize the pivotal aspect of the machinery, namely the extraction of the copper windings from the lamellar body of the electric motors by means of a clamp block whose shape has been specially designed for this function. This allows the total extraction of copper from the lamellar body: in this way pure copper is obtained, without any residue of other materials, which can be sold as "uncontaminated" raw material without any depreciation.

Claims (1)

TITLE EXTRACT CLAIMS I. The "extractor" invention allows the extraction of copper windings from disused electric motors. This machine is normally applied as a working phase of the copper recovery process from disused electric motors (see the diagram on page 5 in the description - Process of "EMPTYING OIL AND COPPER EXTRACTION FROM DISPOSED REFRIGERATING ENGINES"). The "extractor" invention contributes significantly to the increase in the efficiency of the copper recovery process, in particular to the possibility of extracting the copper windings from the rotor with minimal, if any, waste of copper raw material. II. The shape of the gripper block of the "extractor" invention was designed and built specifically for the extraction of the copper windings from the stator. Its conformation allows the operator to position the stator on the internal arms and the closing of the external arms by means of a hydraulic circuit, ensures optimal tightening on the copper windings thus ensuring the success of the extraction phase of the windings themselves. III. The locking of the electric stator, during the copper extraction action, is guaranteed by the piece stop present near the work surface, with pneumatic activation. This then descends on the stator and keeps it firmly bound to the work surface: this allows the clamp block to be able to easily extract the copper windings. IV, The front screen of the "extractor" invention, to protect the operator from copper splinters during the working cycle, guarantees a suitable degree of safety, thanks to the pneumatic actuation of the screen. V. The extractor invention allows an operator to carry out the copper extraction operation by himself, significantly reducing the number of operators required compared to traditional methods: minimum 3 operators for grinding plants.