MXPA99001936A - Rotating-translational drive mechanism for positioning devices in a melter - Google Patents

Abstract

A novel apparatus for providing three-dimensional positioning to the ends of a translating element which is normally restricted to translation along the element axis. A cartridge assembly formed from a cylindrically shaped ceramic holds the translating element at an angle to the center axis of the cylindrical ceramic. The cartridge assembly rotates within a cylindrically shaped chamber in a lid assembly. The lid assembly is mounted on the port of a chamber where the translating element is to be positioned, thereby allowing the translating element to extend into the chamber. The center axis of the cylindrical chamber of the lid assembly is at an angle to the center axis of the port of the chamber. A rotational drive unit rotates the cartridge assembly within the lid assembly. A translational drive unit longitudinally drives the translating element within the cartridge assembly.

Description

MECHANISM OF RANSLATIONAL ROTATION OPERATION TO PLACE DEVICES IN A FUNDER CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS This application claims the benefit of the provisional application U.S. number 60 / 027,851, published on 8/30/96.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to an apparatus for the placement of a roller, electrode, torch or other device to obtain a three-dimensional movement of the device. More specifically, the invention is an arrangement in addition to those inherent to the main axis of motion, e.g. ex. , an arrangement that allows the relocation of the ends of a driven component to the locations at right angles to the normal position moved.

REF .: 29612 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Translation devices have traditionally been used in many ways that include the movement of control elements. These devices are required to be mounted on a rigid support to withstand the axial load of the drive mechanism Y of the control element. Examples of applications include the placement of charges for processing, control rollers in nuclear reactors, and graphite electrodes in electric arc furnaces.

The rotational movement of the translation devices has been obtained by mounting the device on a rocker arm, which allows the device to be located in an infinite number of positions with a similar complexity in the specification of the exact location and control of the movement. The rockers in addition to the translational actuators have been used to change the position of the water-cooled plasma torch in the plasma torch melters. The relatively high temperature and large diameter of the graphite electrodes used in plasma arc melters has apparently precluded similar use. In addition, the graphite electrode arc melter has usually been used to melt metals that have good heat conduction towards the edges of the melt and do not require lateral movement of the electrode ends. With the processing of more non-metallic materials in the thermal treatment of radioactive and hazardous waste, the need to handle the graphite electrodes is more important because the low heat conductivity and the low fluidity of the slag or molten glass at temperatures Similar. The ability to move the electrodes laterally is very desirable in this case. For waste processing applications that use plasma arc melters, the size of the melter is compact and the relatively large power ports and the exhausted gas outlet ports limit the space available for cooling the electrode or torch and the three-dimensional drive mechanisms. As a result, a simple, compact mechanism was required for the movement of the torch electrode tip both laterally longitudinally.

The most common way to place a "control" element, which requires being located on an axis apart from the main translation axis, is achieved by means of a rocker In a smelter, this requires a machining of an element that equals a plug in the mountain.

The nuclear reactors use a penetration, inclined to the reaction vessel and to the center, to locate a control roller in a position not parallel to the axis of the vessel. This application is not adjustable for different radial positions.

Electric arc furnaces in general using translational electrodes axially mounted vertically on the furnace head. (This application is also adjustable for different radial positions).

These furnaces use an electrode that places the device based on a pulley and power cable or hydraulic to place a fastener device on a mast vertically. The electrode is fixed in a fastener attached to the mast to which it is attached to the busbar tubes for power connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a drive mechanism for positioning a device, whereby a lid assembly with a cylindrical chamber having a central axis maintains a cartridge assembly adapted to rotate within the cylindrical chamber of the lid assembly. The cartridge assembly is rotated by a rotational drive unit within the cylindrical chamber of the lid assembly. A translation drive unit is attached to the cartridge assembly to longitudinally drive the device to be positioned. The alternative embodiments of the present invention are adapted to position multiple devices having one or more lid assemblies and corresponding to cartridge assemblies. The devices to be placed include, but are not limited to, electrodes and torches.

In one embodiment of the present invention the device to be placed is maintained at an angle of 3.5 degrees with respect to the central axis of the lid assembly.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the cartridge assembly is comprised of a rotation plate securely attached to a refractory cylinder, the refractory cylinder is adapted to maintain the positioning device at an angle with respect to the central axis of the refractory cylinder. .

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the drive assembly for three-dimensionally placing at least one element in a smelter has a rotational controller adapted to be rotationally mounted to a smelter for rotation in substantially only one plane, and having an opening so that the element through it. A translational controller is mounted to said translational controller and an assembly connected to said translational controller is adapted to fix the element with respect to the translational controller and for the element to pass through said opening.

In another embodiment of the present invention the rotational controller includes a first rotational controller, the rotational controller comprises a first translational controller and the assembly comprises a first assembly. The drive assembly further comprising a second rotational controller adapted to be rotationally mounted to the smelter for rotation in substantially a single plane, said second rotational controller being adapted to be mounted adjacent to the first rotational controller and having an opening for passing a second element through it.

In another embodiment of the present invention the lid assembly is rotationally mounted to said rotational controller, wherein the rotational controller is mountable to a smelter via the lid assembly, such that the lid assembly is attached to the smelter and said controller rotate with respect to the cover assembly and the smelter.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the cartridge assembly within the cover assembly and rotated relative thereto, said cartridge assembly has a cartridge hole which is aligned with the opening of the rotational controller to allow the element to pass through. through the opening and the hole in the cartridge.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the cartridge assembly is fixedly mounted to the rotational controller.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention a portion of the cartridge assembly comprises a ceramic.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the cartridge assembly further comprises a seal that surrounds the cartridge orifice, the seal is adapted to prevent gases and liquids from passing between the seal and the element to which the cartridge assembly adapts to receive.

In one embodiment of the present invention at least one bearing is provided between the cartridge assembly and the cover assembly, wherein the cartridge assembly rotates at least one bearing with respect to the cover assembly.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the lid assembly comprises a chamber and a cooling jacket that surrounds the chamber.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the opening is formed at a predetermined angle to said plane and whereby it is adapted to orient the element in said plane at a predetermined angle.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the predetermined angle is a small acute angle with respect to a single perpendicular plane.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the lid assembly is mounted to the melter at a predetermined angle of the lid assembly.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the predetermined cover assembly is a small acute angle.

There are several positions of reference points or reference positions that can be conveniently programmed and identified as positions to which the device can move with a simple command, called: ignition position, and placement of the emergency closing procedure. These positions are made using traditional step motors and stepper motor controllers to move in the translational or rotational directions. The instructions for the controllers are from the master computer and the manual inputs of the operator (s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference will be made here to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers throughout all the Figures denote similar elements, and where: Figure 1 schematically depicts a plasma arc melter system, which is a preferred application for this invention, with either graphite electrodes or a plasma torch.

Figure 2 is a representation of the system apparatus in an arrangement of the elements, for a double graphite electrode drive mechanism, in a plasma arc melter. The figure shows the arrangement of the plate (and assembly), identified as the rotation plate and cover, and the retention element, identified as the cartridge assembly.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a binary actuator mechanism shown in Figure 2 with the cartridge assembly and the electrodes removed to show the lid assembly mounted on the melter port.

Figure 4 shows the potential positions of the ends of the electrodes in the double array. The arrangement shown illustrates a lid angle of 2 degrees and a cartridge angle of 3.5 degrees.

Figure 5 is a representation of the apparatus in an arrangement of the elements for a simple graphite electrode drive mechanism in a plasma arc melter.

Figure 6 is a top perspective view of a binary drive mechanism showing the electrodes and rotation plates.

Figure 7 is a side view of the binary drive mechanism with the rotational plate mounted at an angle of 2.5 degrees.

Figure 8 is an approach view of the binary drive mechanism.

The invention and its various embodiments are described in more detail in the following description DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention provides a drive mechanism for placing electrodes in a plasma arc melter. In the following description the numerous details are set forth to allow an understanding through the present invention. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the invention. The additional well-known elements, devices, process steps and the like are not set forth in detail to avoid obscuring the invention.

The present invention can be a component of a plasma arc melter system as described in U.S. Patent Application. No. 08/64525, published on 12/12/96 and claiming the benefit of the U.S. provisional patent application. No. 60/021146, published on 3/7/96, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. In such systems, graphite electrodes or plasma torches are used to apply energy to the material to be melted. The material to be melted by the plasma arc melter is fed into the furnace (4). As seen in Figure 1, the electrode (l) is mounted with the drive mechanism (2) in the impeller (3). This allows the electrode to move in the melting zone of the furnace (4) and is applied, as needed, to the vicinity of the hole in the lid (5).

A possible application modeled by the present invention is shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a binary drive mechanism arrangement showing the interrelation of the melter, the electrodes, the drive mechanism, the plates of rotation, lid assembly and cartridge assemblies. Figure 3 shows the cover assembly (10) without the cartridge or electrode assembly. The cover assembly (10) is securely attached to the outside of the wall of the casting chamber (22) in a port (21) in a wall (23) of the casting chamber as shown in Figures 1-3. The lid assembly can be attached by any means of security such as by screwing or welding. The cover assembly (10) forms two cylindrical chambers (24). The central axis (30) of the cylindrical chamber (24) of the lid assembly (10) is at an angle of approximately 2o with respect to the axis (32) of the smelter port (21). The cylindrical chambers of the lid assembly are arranged such that both of their shafts are at an angle of approximately 2 degrees with respect to the axis (32) of the smelter hole (21) and at an angle of approximately 4 degrees one to to another. This angle of the lid assembly is dependent on the size of the smelter and the electrode, in addition to the placement of the smelter port in relation to the furnace smelting zone and this will vary in other modes that use components that have different dimensions, for the use in the processing of different materials, etc. An edge (33) is formed on the cylinder end (24) adjacent the smelter port (21) to retain the cartridge assembly in the cylindrical chamber (24). A cooling jacket (25) surrounds the lid mounting chamber (24). Water or other cooling element flows through the cooling jacket (25) to provide cooling to the cover assembly (10). As this embodiment of the present invention is a binary drive mechanism arrangement, a second cylindrical chamber (24) is located adjacent to the first cylindrical chamber (24) within the cover assembly.

While Figures 2 and 3 show a double drive mechanism formed of a single lid assembly with two cylindrical chambers, other embodiments of the present invention could use the adjacent lid assemblies with only one cylindrical chamber.

A cartridge assembly formed of a ceramic element (12) holds the electrode (6) at an angle of approximately 3.5 ° with respect to the axis of the centreline of the cylindrical ceramic element (12). As the angle of the lid assembly, the angle of the cartridge assembly is dependent on the size of the melter and the electrode, in addition to the placement of the melter port in relation to the melting zone of the furnace and the material to be processed. Each cartridge assembly (11) is screwed or otherwise securely fixed to the rotation plate (9) so that the ceramic (12) with its packing seat (13), rotates with the mechanism around the centerline of the electrode. The screws (26) pass through the holes supported in the ceramic element (12) to the plate (27) adjusted to accept the holes (26). The rotational plate, with the rotational drive unit, is approximately an angle of 2 degrees from the axis of the melter port (21). The cartridge assembly rotates in the bushings (28) in the cylindrical chamber (24), also at approximately 2 degrees, located between the chamber (24) and the lid assembly (10). The bushings (28) are formed of a standard material to be insulated such as brass or the equivalent. The electrode (6) is connected in parallel to the translational drive unit (7) by means of a fastener on the carriage (8). The translational drive unit and the electrodes are rotated by the rotation plate (9) about the axis of about 2 degrees to the cover assembly (10).

Each cartridge assembly (11) is assembled with screws, tacks or other equivalent clamping mechanisms that hold the rotational plate assemblies. A retainer plate (20) holds the cartridge assembly (11) to the lid assembly (10). The ceramic (12) of the cartridge is supported by the electrode at an angle of about 3-1 / 2 degrees in the preferred embodiment. This support is against supported by a packing seal (13) that seals the mechanism of the melter but allows the translation of the electrode. Each electrode is sealed and retained in a cartridge assembly that retains the gaseous products of the smelter, allowing the electrode to be moved by the drive unit containing the ceramic element to electrically insulate the electrode from the metal parts of the assembly. front. The packaging seal may use any type of packaging seal applicable for high temperature applications such as alumina or magnesia felt. In this way, the cartridge assembly seals the smelter and provides the insulation of the smelter electrode.

A rotational drive unit is attached to the rotation plate to rotate the cartridge assembly (11) within the lid assembly. Stepper motors are used for rotational and translational drive units to allow precise movement and allow movement of the electrode. Alternatively, other types of motors could be used in combination with the position detectors to provide the feedback information on the rotational and longitudinal position of the electrode to the computer to be used in controlling the position of the electrodes.

Some of the benefits of the present invention over current translational drive mechanisms are shown in Figure 4. Current translational drive mechanisms can only move electrodes vertically and downwardly. Figure 4 illustrates the potential position of the angle of the lid angle (eg about 2 degrees) and the angle of the cartridge (eg about 3-1 / 2 degrees). The position of the ends of the electrode can be established by the initial position of the cartridge angle within the plate / cartridge assembly and, during operation, by rotation of the rotation plate. The trainer is established in the assembly. The latter, during operation, by rotation of the drive unit and the rotation plate by a drive motor. In this way the present invention allows the electrodes to be placed in different positions of the melting zone (22) of the furnace. Additionally, the equivalent rotation of each electrode allows the relative position of the torches to be controlled by rotation together or separate rotation.

As can be seen from the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the present invention is applicable to drive mechanisms that have a two or more to accommodate applications where any number of electrodes or other devices are to be used.

While the above embodiments used an electrode, the alternative embodiments of the present invention can replace the cor electrode; a plasma torch, oxygen tube, or any other diagnostic type test device. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the ceramic element can be removed to provide a blowtorch cooled with water.

While the previous embodiment uses a ceramic element in the cartridge assembly, other embodiments could use other refractory, dielectric or metallic elements.

It is thought that this illustration shows a binary actuation mechanism, in a single penetration, the apparatus is adaptable to a simple drive mechanism assembly on a single penetration as discussed below.

The application of the present invention as assembled in a single port of a plenum is illustrated in Figure 5. This is an application where a second assembly could be used in a separate port in the impeller. This arrangement uses the same elements as a binary drive mechanism but gives additional position as the mechanisms can be rotated through a larger arc without being constrained by an adjacent mechanism. The simple cover assembly (10) is simplified, having only a single lid angle with the corresponding cartridge.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show alternative views of the binary drive mechanism installed in a plasma arc melter. Figure 7 is a side view of the cartridge with the rotational drive plate mounted at an angle of 2.5 degrees.

This invention allows a second control element, e.g., an electrode, to be positioned at a number of positions perpendicular to the main axis of motion with a simple rotational apparatus that can be established for a variety of a wide range of position required for ignition , derivation and normal operation. Additionally, the compact design of the present invention allows the multiple drive mechanisms to be placed in the ports of the smelter without interfering with the exhausted gas outlet ports and power ports. The cooling provided by the water jacket and the seal of the mechanism of the casting area allows the three-dimensional movement of the end of the electrode despite the high temperature of the electrode and its relatively large diameter.

From the above description, it can be seen that the present invention provides a design that can be arranged to provide a wide range of potential positions by rearrangement and selection of the lid angle and cartridge angle. As various changes can be made to the apparatus without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims, it is intended that the entire subject matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be construed as illustrative and in no way limiting.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property.

Claims (15)

1. A drive assembly for three-dimensionally placing at least one element in a smelter, the drive assembly, characterized in that it comprises: a rotational controller adapted to rotationally mount to a smelter in an orifice of the smelter for rotation in substantially a single plane that is not perpendicular to the center axis of the smelter hole and that has an opening for the element to pass through the same, said opening is aligned along a central axis which is not parallel with the central axis of the hole of the melter and which is not perpendicular with respect to the single plane; a translational controller mounted to said rotational controller; Y an assembly connected to the translational controller and adapted to fix the element with respect to the translational controller and for the element to pass through the opening.

2. The drive assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotational controller comprises a first rotational controller, the translational controller comprises a first translational controller and the assembly comprises a first assembly, the drive assembly, characterized in that it further comprises: a second rotational controller adapted to rotationally mount to the melter for rotation in substantially a single plane, the second rotational controller is adapted to be mounted adjacent to the first rotational controller and having an opening for passing a second element therethrough; a second translational controller mounted to the second rotational controller; Y a second assembly connected to the second translational controller and adapted to fix the element with respect to the second translational controller and for the second element to pass through the opening and the second rotational controller.

3. The drive assembly of claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: a cover assembly rotationally mounted to the rotational controller, wherein the rotational controller is mounted to the smelter via the cover assembly, such that the cover assembly is attached to the smelter and the rotational controller is rotated with respect to the assembly of the cover and the smelter.

4. The drive assembly of claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises: a cartridge assembly within the cover assembly and rotated relative thereto, the cartridge assembly having a cartridge hole that aligns with the opening of the rotational controller to allow the element to pass through the opening of the cartridge orifice. cartridge.

5. The drive assembly of claim 4, characterized in that the cartridge assembly is fixedly mounted to the rotational controller.

6. The drive assembly of claim 4, characterized in that at least a portion of the cartridge assembly comprises a ceramic.

7. The drive assembly of claim 4, characterized in that the cartridge assembly further comprises a seal surrounding the cartridge orifice, the seal is adapted to prevent gases and liquids from passing through the seal and the element which assembly of cartridge is adapted to receive.

8. The drive assembly of claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises: at least one support provided between the cartridge assembly and the cover assembly, wherein the cartridge assembly rotates on at least one support with respect to the cover assembly.

9. The drive assembly of claim 3, characterized in that the lid assembly comprises a chamber and a cooling jacket surrounding the chamber.

10. The drive assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the opening is formed at a predetermined angle to the single plane and is therefore adapted to orient the element to said single plane at the predetermined angle.

11. The drive assembly of claim 10, characterized in that the predetermined angle is a small acute angle with respect to a single perpendicular plane.

12. The drive assembly of claim 3, characterized in that the cover assembly is mounted to the melter at a predetermined cover mounting angle.

13. The drive assembly of claim 12, characterized in that the angle of the predetermined cover assembly is a small acute angle.

14. The drive assembly of claim 3, characterized in that the lid assembly comprises at least one cylindrical chamber having a central axis not parallel to the melter port of the central shaft.

15. The drive assembly of claim 14, characterized in that the central axis of the cylindrical chamber is oriented at a small acute angle with respect to the central axis of the melter.