Patent Application
20210041174
Not applicable.
The present invention relates to a delivery device for delivering stock material into a blast furnace; it relates in particular to the tilting mechanism of the chute of such a device.
Stocking a blast furnace typically occurs by passing stock material through an upper opening, or inlet, of the blast furnace. The stock material generally comes from one or more supply tanks arranged above, and therefore upstream of, the upper opening of the blast furnace.
A delivery device arranged between the outlet of the supply tank and the inlet of the blast furnace is used to obtain a good delivery of the material into the blast furnace. The delivery device is provided with a central supply channel and a chute arranged downstream of the channel to deliver the stock material. The chute is arranged at the inlet of the blast furnace and can be both rotated and tilted.
The inclination of the chute is obtained by means of a tilting mechanism. Known tilting mechanisms are particularly cumbersome. Thus, the overall dimensions of the delivery device disadvantageously are affected by the dimensions of the chute tilting mechanism.
An example of known chute tilting mechanism is disclosed in document KR20030004601A.
It is an object of the present invention to make a delivery device for delivering stock material into a blast furnace, which is more compact with respect to the devices of the known art.
It is another object of the present invention to make such a device, which is more reliable with respect to the ones of the known art.
It is another object of the present invention to make such a device, which allows accurately tilting the chute.
The present invention achieves at least one of such objects and other objects which will be apparent in light of the present description, by means of a delivery device for delivering stock material into a blast furnace, the delivery device comprising:
in which the chute is connected to the two shafts;
whereby, when the second annular body translates along the first axis Y, the at least one rack rotates the at least one toothed wheel and the respective shaft about the second axis X, thus causing a change in the inclination of the chute with respect to the first axis Y.
The device of the invention, although having particularly compact dimensions, advantageously allows an accurate inclination of the chute, in particular it allows the inclination of the chute to be accurately changed.
Engagement position keeping means advantageously are provided between the at least one toothed wheel and the respective rack integrally fixed to the second annular body.
The rotation and the change in the inclination of the chute advantageously can be carried out in an independent manner from each other.
The device of the invention advantageously is built so that the components thereof, in particular some bearings, are subject to minor stresses.
Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent in light of the detailed description of exemplary, non-limiting embodiments.
The dependent claims describe particular embodiments of the invention.
Reference is made in the description of the invention to accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of a non-limiting example, in which:
The same elements, or the functionally equivalent elements, are indicated with the same numeral.
With reference to the drawings, a delivery device 1 for delivering stock material into a blast furnace is shown (the latter is not shown).
The delivery device 1 comprises:
in which chute 5 is directly or indirectly connected to the two shafts 21, 22,
whereby, when the annular body 10 translates along the axis Y, the fixed racks 11, 12 rotate the toothed wheels 31, 32 and the respective shafts 21, 22 about the axis X, thus causing a change in the inclination of chute 5 with respect to axis Y.
The two racks 11, 12 preferably are symmetrically arranged with respect to a plane Y-Z which is orthogonal to plane X-Y, defined by the axes X and Y.
Axis Y substantially is the axis along which the stock material moves through channel 3. Axis Y preferably is a central axis of the device 1.
There are provided first actuation means 9 adapted to rotate the annular body 60 about axis Y, and with this latter also the annular body 10, and second actuation means 7 adapted to translate the annular body 10 along said axis Y.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the annular body 60 has an outer side surface provided with a plurality of longitudinal protrusions 61 which are parallel to axis Y and the annular body 10 has an inner side surface provided with a plurality of longitudinal grooves, parallel to axis Y, each longitudinal groove accommodating a corresponding longitudinal protrusion 61 so that the annular body 60 can rotate the annular body 10 when actuated by the actuation means 9.
In an alternative variant, there can be provided only one rack 11, integrally fixed to the annular body 10 and parallel to axis Y, and only one respective toothed wheel 31 engaging said rack 11 and fixed to a first shaft 21 of said two shafts 21, 22, thus at only one side, along axis X, with respect to the transition channel 3.
According to this variant, when the annular body 10 translates along axis Y, the rack 11 rotates the toothed wheel 31 and the respective shaft 21 about axis X, thus causing a change in the inclination of chute 5 with respect to axis Y. The inclination of chute 5 is made possible due to the possibility of shaft 22 rotating about axis X. The rotation of the toothed wheel 31 thus also causes the rotation of shaft 22, the chute 5 being, preferably indirectly, connected at an end of both shafts 21, 22 which is proximal to the transition channel 3. Chute 5 here acts as transmission element of the rotation from shaft 21 to shaft 22.
The delivery device of the invention advantageously can be provided with engagement position keeping means configured to always keep the engagement position of the only one toothed wheel 31 on the single fixed rack 11, or the engagement position of the two toothed wheels 31, 32 on the respective fixed racks 11, 12. This guarantee of keeping the engagement position is particularly advantageous during a roto-translation of the annular body 10, thus avoiding undesired movements between toothed wheel and respective fixed rack. In particular, it is ensured that the teeth of the toothed wheel are always adequately inserted in the respective fixed rack, also when the annular body 10 rotates around axis Y. Indeed, a loss of engagement between the toothed wheels and the respective fixed racks could occur during such a rotation.
The engagement position keeping means preferably are at least partially arranged on the annular body 10.
This results in the advantage of always ensuring the correct engagement during both the rotation movement and vertical translation movement, and especially during the changes of direction in the rotation.
Said engagement position keeping means can comprise, for example, at least one abutment slider, which is integral with the annular body 10 and adapted to oppose a reaction force component, orthogonal to the fixed rack, which is generated when the annular body 10 translates along axis Y.
In a first embodiment of the device of the invention shown in
The sliders of each pair preferably are mutually symmetrically arranged with respect to plane X-Y.
First opening 15 and second opening 15′ are arranged on opposite sides with respect to plane Y-Z, which is orthogonal to plane X-Y, preferably symmetrically arranged with respect to said plane Y-Z.
Preferably, each slider 116, 116′ fixed to the annular body 10 advantageously is slidable on a respective fixed guide 115, 115′ which is integral with the annular body 60.
The two fixed guides 115 are arranged inside the first opening 15, preferably in symmetrical manner with respect to plane X-Y.
Similarly, the two fixed guides 115′ are arranged inside the second opening 15′, preferably in symmetrical manner with respect to plane X-Y.
Optionally, each pair of fixed guides 115 or 115′ is arranged in proximity of the respective toothed wheel 31, 32, i.e. at an end of the respective shaft 21, 22 which is distal from the transition channel 3.
Preferably, the first pair of fixed guides 115 is externally fixed onto a first tubular support 100 which is coaxial to and outside the shaft 21; while the second pair of fixed guides 115′ is externally fixed onto a second tubular support 100′ which is coaxial to and outside shaft 22.
The tubular supports 100, 100′ are integral with the annular body 60 and preferably symmetrically arranged with respect to plane Y-Z. The tubular supports, for example, can be integrally fixed to or an integral part of the annular body 60.
Bearings 36, e.g. two bearings, are provided between each tubular support 100, 100′ and the respective shaft 21, 22 (as shown in
With reference to
As can be deduced from
In the alternative variant (not shown) of this first embodiment which provides only one fixed rack 11 and only one toothed wheel 31, the engagement position keeping means only comprise two sliders 116, which are integral with the annular body 10 and parallel to axis Y, and arranged with respect to plane X-Y, on opposite walls 18, 19 of the first opening 15 of the annular body 10 only, said first opening being crossed by the shaft 21. The two sliders 116 preferably are mutually symmetrically arranged with respect to plane X-Y.
Each slider 116, fixed to the annular body 10, is slidable on a respective fixed guide 115 which is integral with the annular body 60.
The two fixed guides 115 are arranged inside the first opening 15, preferably in symmetrical manner with respect to plane X-Y.
Optionally, the pair of fixed guides 115 is arranged in proximity of the toothed wheel 31, i.e. at an end of the shaft 21 which is distal from the transition channel 3.
Preferably the pair of fixed guides 115 is externally fixed onto a tubular support 100 which is coaxial to and outside the shaft 21.
The tubular support 100 is integral with the annular body 60, for example is integrally fixed to or is an integral part of the annular body 60.
Bearings 36, e.g. two bearings, are provided between the tubular support 100 and the shaft 21.
In a second embodiment of the device of the invention, shown in
whereby, when the annular body 10 translates along axis Y, the first fixed rack 11 and the second rack 12 rotate the toothed wheel 31 and the toothed wheel 32, respectively, about axis X, which in turn cause the first movable rack 13 and the second movable rack 14, respectively, to slide on the respective sliders 24, 24′ in an opposite direction to the translation direction of the annular body 10.
Thus in this second embodiment, the engagement position keeping means comprise, on each side with respect to the transition channel 3 along axis X, a slider 24, 24′ directly fixed to the annular body 10 so as to be parallel to and opposite to the respective fixed rack 11, 12, and a movable rack 13, 14 arranged between the respective slider 24, 24′ and the respective toothed wheel 31, 32, and engaging the respective toothed wheel 31, 32 on a first side thereof and being slidable on a second side thereof, opposite to the first side, on the respective slider 24, 24′.
The fixed racks 11, 12 are arranged parallel and opposite to the respective movable rack 13, 14. In particular, each fixed rack 11, 12 and the respective movable rack 1314 are arranged at opposite sides with respect to plane X-Y.
Preferably, the first fixed rack 11 and the second fixed rack 12 are symmetrically arranged with respect to plane Y-Z which is orthogonal to plane X-Y, and also the first movable rack 13 and the second movable rack 14, and also the respective first slider 24 and second slider 24′, are mutually symmetrically arranged with respect to plane Y-Z.
With particular reference to
Each movable rack 13, 14 is restrained to the annular body 10 so as to slide in opposite direction with respect to body 10 when the latter translates along axis Y.
In particular, the movable rack 13 is slidingly restrained to the slider 24 which is fixed onto the wall 19 so that the rack 13 can only slide parallel to axis Y, thus preventing movements in other directions. In greater detail, the slider 24 (
When body 10 translates along axis Y, there is a relative motion between the body 10 and the movable racks 13, 14. Body 10 in particular translates in opposite direction with respect to the racks 13, 14. Advantageously, due to the movable racks 13, 14, the perfect contact is ensured between each wheel 31, 32 and the respective fixed rack 11, 12 during the rotation of chute 5 about axis Y.
For descriptive purposes, the racks 11, 12 also are defined fixed racks, in particular with respect to body 10, and the racks 13, 14 are defined movable racks, in particular with respect to body 10.
As can be deduced from
In the alternative variant (not shown) of this second embodiment which provides only one fixed rack 11 and only one toothed wheel 31, there are provided:
Thus in this alternative variant of the second embodiment, the engagement position keeping means comprise, on only one side with respect to the transition channel 3 along axis X, a slider 24 which is integrally fixed to the annular body 10 so as to be parallel to and opposite to the fixed rack 11, and a movable rack 13 arranged between the slider 24 and the toothed wheel 31, and engaging the toothed wheel 31 on a first side thereof and being slidable on a second side, opposite to the first side, on the slider 24.
The fixed rack 11 is arranged parallel and opposite to the movable rack 13. In particular, the fixed rack 11 and the movable rack 13 are arranged at opposite sides with respect to plane X-Y.
In all the embodiments described above, the annular body 10 surrounds the transition channel 3. In particular, the body 10 is substantially tubular and preferably has a substantially elliptical or circular cross section. Preferably, the body 10 comprises a peripheral flange 17 which radially extends outwards, and is connected to the actuation means 7 by means of the bearing 82 and the annular body 80 (
The body 10 is provided with two openings 15, 15′. In particular, the openings 15, 15′ substantially are recesses or cavities of the side wall 16 of the body 10. The openings 15, 15′ are opposite to each other, preferably diametrically opposite to each other, along axis X. Each opening 15, 15′ is crossed by a respective shaft 21, 22.
Preferably, the peripheral flange 17 of the body 10 is above the openings 15, 15′, i.e. the peripheral flange 17 is distal from the chute 5.
Preferably, the two walls 18, 19 and 18′, 19′ of each opening 15, 15′ (see, for example,
The walls 18, 19 and 18′, 19′ of each pair of walls are spaced apart and opposite to each other, in particular parallel to each other. Moreover, there is provided a wall 20, proximal to the peripheral flange 17, which joins the two walls 18, 19 and 18′, 19′ and extends transversely, e.g. orthogonal, to plane X-Y.
A respective toothed wheel 31, 32 is arranged between the walls 18, 19 and between the walls 18′, 19′.
The rack 11 is integral with the wall 18 of the opening 15, and more generally, it is integral with body 10. In particular, the rack 11 is fixed to the wall 18 by means of fastening means 23, for example, screws and bolts. Similarly, the rack 12 is integral with the respective wall 18′ of the opening 15′.
The arrangement of the rack 11 and of the toothed wheel 31 is such that a rotation of the toothed wheel 31 about axis X, which is perpendicular to axis Y, corresponds to a translation of the rack 11, i.e. of the body 10, along axis Y. Similarly for the rack 12 and the toothed wheel 32, if provided.
It is worth noting that during the translation of body 10, the shafts 21, 22 rotate about axis X but do not translate along axis Y.
Each toothed wheel 31, 32, or pinion, preferably, but not necessarily, is provided with a toothing along the whole periphery thereof.
In all the embodiments described above, the actuation means 7, which serve to translate body 10 along axis Y, preferably are hydraulic means, for example one or more hydraulic cylinders.
Each of the actuation means 7 defines a respective axis A (
When a plurality of actuation means 7 is provided, the arrangement thereof is such that they are angularly spaced apart from one another, in particular with respect to axis Y.
The actuation means 7 can be connected to body 10 in various manners.
With particular reference to
In all the embodiments described above, the actuation means 9 are adapted to rotate the annular bodies 60 and 10, and in particular the shafts 21, 22 and the chute 5 connected to the body 60, together about axis Y.
The actuation means 9 are, for example, one or more electric or hydraulic motors provided with a respective pinion 71. Each pinion 71 is connected to an annular flange 70, or transmission element, which is integrally fixed to the annular body 60, preferably about the body 60. Pinion 71 of the actuation means 9 engages with the periphery of the flange 70. Moreover, the flange 70 is supported by a bearing 72. Bearing 72 in turn is supported on the outer side by an annular support 73 which preferably is fixed to the housing 50 of the device 1.
Thereby, the flange 70 can rotate, by means of the actuation means 9, about axis Y and transmit such a rotation motion to the body 60, which in turn transmits the rotation motion to the body 10.
When a plurality of actuation means 9 is provided, the arrangement thereof is such that they are angularly spaced apart from one another, in particular with respect to axis Y.
Each actuation mean 9 defines a respective axis B, which is the axis about which pinion 71 rotates. Each axis B is parallel to axis Y.
Body 60 and body 10 are restrained to each other so that the body 10 can translate along axis Y with respect to the body 60, and so that, when the body 60 rotates about axis Y, the body 10 rotates together with the body 60, dragged by the latter. To this end, for example, the body 60 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 61 (
Moreover, the body 60 supports the shafts 21, 22 by means of the tubular supports 100, 100′, which are integral with the body 60.
Preferably, the actuation means 7 and the actuation means 9 are arranged radially outside the bearing 72 and the bearing 82. In particular, axis A of each actuation means 7 and axis B of each actuation means 9 are radially arranged outside both the circumference defined by the bearing 72 and the circumference defined by the bearing 82. Such circumferences preferably are the rolling pitch circles of the rolling bodies of the respective bearing. Advantageously, in light of such an arrangement of the actuation means 7 and of the actuation means 9 with respect to the bearings 72, 82, the barycenter of the delivery device 1 always is within the circumference defined by the bearing 72 and within the circumference defined by the bearing 82 for any position taken on by chute 5.
One of the advantages resulting from keeping the barycenter of the delivery device 1 always within such circumferences consists of a low stress of the components of the device, thus allowing a delivery device with a lengthy operating life to be obtained. In particular, the bearings 72, 82 are not subjected to damaging stresses and a reversal of the loads, which would trigger the pitting phenomenon of the components of device 1, is prevented.
The radially peripheral arrangement of the actuation means 7 and of the actuation means 9 advantageously allows having wide space within the housing 50.
For example, the actuation means 7 and/or the actuation means 9 can be radially separated from the housing 50. In such a case, specific side housings connected to the housing 50 can be provided for the actuation means 7 and/or the actuation means 9.
The space available inside housing 50 allows particularly performing bearings 72, 82 to be used. For example, bearings with a large diameter can be used.
The circumference defined by the bearing 72 and the circumference defined by the bearing 82 are coaxial to axis Y.
Preferably, the rolling pitch diameter of the rolling bodies of bearing 72 is greater than the rolling pitch diameter of the rolling bodies of bearing 82.
In particular, it is preferable for the outer diameter of bearing 72 to be greater than the outer diameter of bearing 82, whereby the bearing 72 is arranged radially outside the bearing 82.
As mentioned above, when two toothed wheels 31, 32 are provided, each toothed wheel 31, 32, or pinion, is fixed to a respective shaft 21, 22.
In all the embodiments described above, the device of the invention can also comprise two further shafts 27, 28, each further shaft 27, 28 being inserted into a respective shaft 21, 22 and integrally fixed thereto.
Each toothed wheel 31, 32 is integrally fixed to a respective outer shaft 21, 22, in particular to the outer surface of the respective outer shaft 21, 22.
Preferably, each wheel 31, 32 is integrally fixed, in particular keyed, to the distal end of the respective outer shaft 21, 22 with respect to the transition channel 3.
Each outer shaft 21, 22 can thus rotate together with the respective wheel 31, 32 about the rotation axis X.
For this purpose, each outer shaft 21, 22 is provided with one or more bearings 36 (
The bearings 36 are arranged between the respective outer shaft 21, 22 and the respective tubular support 100, 100′. For example, two pairs of bearings 36 are provided for each outer shaft 21, 22.
There is provided an upper or main support 33 of chute 5 which comprises two end portions 34, 35, each end portion 34, 35 being fixed to a respective shaft 21, 22. Preferably, there are provided two side supports 41, 42 of chute 5, each side support 41, 42 connecting the chute 5 to a respective further shaft 27, 28, or inner shaft. Such side supports 41, 42, which are arranged in the area between said two end portions 34, 35 of the main support 33, keep the chute 5 blocked in position with respect to the main support 33.
Each further shaft 27, 28 comprises one end which is proximal to the transition channel 3 and one end which is distal from the transition channel 3, and preferably each support 41, 42 is fixed to the proximal end of the respective inner shaft 27, 28.
Preferably, the ends of each inner shaft 27, 28 protrude from the respective outer shaft 21, 22. A respective side support 41, 42 of chute 5, for example a respective blocking arm or lever (
Preferably, the two shafts 21, 22 are mutually symmetrically arranged with respect to plane Y-Z. Also the two supports 41, 42 preferably are mutually symmetrically arranged with respect to plane Y-Z.
The two inner shafts 27, 28, when provided, are mutually symmetrically arranged with respect to plane Y-Z.
In the variant shown in
In an alternative variant shown in
The device of the invention advantageously can be made with compact dimensions and with a reduced weight. Indeed, the housing 50, i.e. the outer housing, of the device 1 can have, for example, a maximum width, parallel to axis X, which preferably is comprised between 2.5 and 5 m.
Housing 50 advantageously has a very compact height H (
Such a height H preferably is the distance between an upper surface 51 and a lower surface 52 of housing 50.
Such a height H does not comprise the height of the actuation means 7 and of the rotation means 9, which protrude, at the top, past the upper surface 51 of housing 50.
In particular, the compact height allows the delivery device 1 to be installed on existing blast furnaces without altering the existing components upstream, i.e. above, and downstream, i.e. below, the delivery device 1.
The structure of the device of the invention advantageously also allows the annular body 10 to have compact dimensions so that there is a lot of space available inside housing 50, if required.
Body 10 preferably has a maximum width, parallel to axis X, comprised between 2 and 4 m. Moreover, it is preferable for the wall thickness of the body 10, in particular of the side wall 16 thereof, to be comprised between 2 and 10 mm.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102018000004318 | Apr 2018 | IT | national |
This application claims priority to PCT International Application No. PCT/IB2019/052874 filed on Apr. 8, 2019, which application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102018000004318 filed on Apr. 9, 2018, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2019/052874 | 4/8/2019 | WO | 00 |
