Patent Application
20250207283
The present patent application is related to the field of hydrometallurgy, specifically, it refers to a device for the detachment of metal plates deposited on the surfaces of permanent cathodes, in electro-refining or electro-winning processes, when they are interconnected by a metal bridge.
In electrochemical processes, oxidation and reduction are used to build up a metal on the surface of another material. As an example, in case of electrolytic processes for producing copper, the copper metal builds up on permanent cathodes, which include of a conductive rod and a plate, typically made of stainless steel or titanium, which is suspended by the conductive rod at one end. These cathodes are placed inside copper sulfate/sulfuric acid solutions, hereinafter named as “electrolyte”, where, when a direct current circulates, metallic copper builds up on the surface of the permanent cathode plates.
Permanent cathodes are used to recover the metal in a process that involves seeding and harvesting them in electrolytic cells. When the built up metal reaches a certain thickness, the permanent cathodes are removed from the electrolytic cells to separate the deposit obtained.
Currently, the detachment of the built up metal from the permanent cathode plates is commonly performed in an automated manner, aimed to facilitate the process and to ensure the correct detachment or separation of the built up metal from the surface of the permanent cathode plates.
During electrolytic processes, metal can build up near or on the edges of the plates, thus bonding the deposits that are generated on the faces of the plate surface. This makes it difficult and hinders the detachment of the metal build up from the permanent cathode. To prevent this, wax is commonly used on the vertical edges of the plates or edge covers or edge protectors are installed on the vertical sides of the plates to inhibit metal deposition in these areas, thus preventing buildup near or on these vertical edges.
In some arrangements, permanent cathode plates may also include wax or edge covers on their bottom edge to prevent metal build up in that area so that the metal deposited on the plates faces is separated from each other. Consequently, the metal deposited on the faces of the permanent cathode plates is detached as separate and independent sheets.
Alternatively, the permanent cathode plates may not include wax or edge covers on their bottom edge so that the metal deposits on the plate faces are bonded together by a metal bridge that builds up on the bottom edge. In this case, the metal deposited on the faces of the permanent cathode plates is detached all at once, thus obtaining a V-shaped sheet, also referred to as a built up metal book. The V-shaped sheet is then separated into two sheets by breaking the metal bridge for transport and storage. Depending on the deposit built up on the bottom edge, the metal bridge may break during the detachment of the built up metal or require an additional separation step to split the V-shaped sheet. Commonly the separation of the V-shaped sheet is performed manually by an operator or by using gripping means or tongs to rotate or open and close the sheet to break the metal bridge. In some cases, breaking the metal bridge may require opening and closing the sheet multiple times, so splitting the V-shaped sheet can be time consuming and it reduces the efficiency of the process.
In the state of the art it is possible to find some apparatuses or devices that allow to detach the metal built up on permanent cathodes when no wax or edge covers are used on the bottom edge of the plates.
In this respect, reference may be made to document WO2010/088737 which describes an apparatus for detaching metal built up on a cathode plate, comprising detaching means adapted to be placed between the built up metal and the cathode plate to achieve stripping, wherein the movement of the detaching means is achieved by the movement of a robotic arm. In the case where the built up metal sheets are bonded by a metal bridge, the apparatus may further comprise one or more rollers located externally to the built up metal which allow the metal sheets to be bent for separation by breaking the metal bridge bonding them.
Another alternative that can be envisaged relates to document WO2000/079028 which describes a cathode plate comprising a groove at its lower edge designed for the built up metal on and adjacent thereto forms a brittle portion that generates a line of weakness to initiate the separation of the two sheets of built up metal.
In these disclosures, the stripping or detachment of the V-shaped sheet will be related to the fragility of the metal bridge connecting the deposits formed on the faces of the permanent cathode sheets, which does not ensure that the stripping or detachment of the sheet is performed quickly, and may require repeated opening and closing of the sheet, as noted above.
Although it is possible to verify the existence of devices and methods to favor the stripping or breaking of the metal bridge that connects the built up metal sheets when the permanent cathode does not include wax or edge covers on its lower edge, there is a need for devices or apparatuses to facilitate the division of the V-shaped sheets, thus providing a clean cut of the metal bridge.
The patent application refers to a table for breaking or stripping V-shaped sheets or books of built up metal obtained in electrowinning or electro-refining processes when permanent cathodes are used that do not include wax or edge covers on the lower edge of their plates, thus forming a metal bridge that bonds the deposits generated on each side of the plates of the permanent cathodes, which allows automating and optimizing the process of breaking or stripping the V-shaped sheet, thus reducing the time required in the process and ensuring a clean cut of the metal bridge.
Another objective of the patent application is to provide a V-shaped sheet breaking or stripping table aimed to avoid direct intervention of operators when handling/breaking/cutting V-shaped sheets, in order to reduce or avoid risks due to operating accidents, thus making this process more efficient and safer.
The V-shaped table for breaking/stripping sheets or built up metal books comprises: a support frame including of a base from which two vertical supports are projected, arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart; a first support plate and a second support plate for the reception of a V-shaped sheet, in the space between the vertical supports, being pivotally connected at one end to the upper part of the vertical supports in a centered arrangement, opposite each other, thus allowing change of their position from a receiving position to a stripping position by varying the angle of the support plates, wherein the pivoting ends of the support plates are spaced apart from each other and arranged at the same height with respect to the base of the support frame so that they form part of the same horizontal plane; at least one actuator connected to each support plate to produce a pivoting movement and vary its angle; and clamping means to fix the position of the V-shaped sheet on the support plates and prevent slippage due to the inclination of the latter or detachment once the break or cut occurs.
The pivoting connection of the support plates comprises a circular plate attached to each corner of the respective pivoting end, which are coupled to a respective shaft supported on a bearing assembly located at the top of the respective vertical support.
The breaking or stripping table may further comprise a blade system to assist in the stripping of V-shaped sheets or built up metal books. The blade system facilitates and guides cutting of the metal bridge of the V-shaped sheets or built up metal books, thus ensuring a clean cut of the metal bridge. The blade system comprises a blade base extending between the vertical supports in the space defined between the pivoting ends of the support plates, a blade projecting vertically from the blade base protruding with respect to the position of the pivoting ends, being configured to come into contact with the metal bridge, so that the metal bridge presses the blade when the support plates move from the receiving position towards the stripping position thus producing the cutting or breaking of the metal bridge to obtain two detached metal sheets.
The break/stripping table may further comprise -at least- one sensor positioned under the space between the pivoting ends of the support plates to detect the stripping of the V-shaped sheet in order to provide a signal indicating the break.
The blade system may be movably connected to the vertical supports so that it can be moved vertically to operate as a guillotine, to ensure contact between the blade and the metal bridge and to promote and facilitate the breaking or cutting of the V-shaped sheet. The vertical movement of the blade system is provided by -at least- one actuator.
The V-shaped sheet breaking or stripping table or built up metal books, according to the present patent application may constitute an automated V-shaped sheet breaking system.
The attached drawings are included to provide further understanding of the patent application, and are made part of this description and further illustrate a preferred embodiment of the patent application, wherein it is seen that:
The patent application refers to a breaking or stripping table (1) of V-shaped sheets (2) or books of built up metal obtained from electro-winning or electro-refining processes when using permanent cathodes that do not include wax or edge covers on the lower edge of their plates, thus forming a metal bridge (21) that bonds the deposits generated on each side of the plates of the permanent cathodes, which allows the automation and optimization of the stripping or detachment process of the V-shaped sheet (2), thus reducing the time required in the process and ensuring a clean cut of the metal bridge (21).
The breaking or stripping table (1) for V-shaped sheets (2) or built up metal books featuring a metal bridge (21), according to the embodiment shown in
The breaking or stripping table may further comprise a blade system (5) comprising a blade base (51) extending between the vertical supports (32) in the space defined between the pivoting ends of the support plates (4A, 4B) a blade (52) projecting vertically from the blade base (51) protruding with respect to the position of the pivoting ends, the blade (52) being configured to contact the metal bridge (21) of the V-shaped sheets (2), so that the metal bridge (21) presses the blade (52) when the support plates (4A, 4B) move from the receiving position towards the stripping position thus producing the cutting or breaking of the metal bridge (21) to obtain two separate metal sheets (2A, 2B), as schematically depicted in
The breaking or stripping table may further comprise -at least- one sensor disposed under the space between the pivoting ends of the support plates (4A, 4B) for detecting the separation of the V-shaped sheet (2) or built up metal book that generates a signal indicating the breaking. The -at least- one sensor is a motion sensor aimed to detect full stripping of the V-shaped sheet (2) or built up metal book due to the motion produced by the cutting or breaking of the metal bridge.
In one embodiment, the -at least- one sensor is arranged on the blade base (51) to detect the separation of the V-shaped sheet (2) or built up metal book by generating a signal indicating the breakage.
The support plates (4A, 4B), rectangular in shape, are located in a centered arrangement between the vertical supports (32), opposite each other and in a symmetrical configuration so as to create a shape similar to an inverted V, in the receiving position, wherein the pivoting ends do not come into contact, thus allowing to receive the V-shaped sheets (2) on an upper surface of the support plates (4A, 4B). The angle of the support plates (4A, 4B) with respect to the vertical can vary in a range between 30° to 90° (or −60° to 0°, depending on the reference). In one embodiment, the support plates (4A, 4B) are made of steel.
In one embodiment, the -at least- one actuator on each support plate (4A, 4B) is a mechanical, hydraulic or electric actuator that allows upward and downward movement of the support plates (4A, 4B) by varying their angle. In one embodiment, the -at least- one actuator connected to each support plate (4A, 4B) is a hydraulic cylinder connected, respectively, near the lower end of the respective support plate (4A, 4B) and in the central part of the base (31) of the support frame (3), by means of a pivoting connection.
In one embodiment, the pivoting connection of the support plates (4A, 4B) comprises a circular plate (7A, 7B) attached to each corner of the respective pivoting end, which are coupled to a respective shaft supported on a bearing assembly (8A, 8B) located on the upper part of the respective vertical support (32) of the support frame (3), thus allowing the movement of the support plates (4A, 4B) and varying their position.
In one embodiment, the blade system (5) may be movably connected to the vertical supports (32) of the support frame (3), wherein the blade base (51) is mounted to the vertical supports (32) by means of a sliding joint, at each of its ends allowing its movement in vertical direction, up and down, to operate as a guillotine, ensuring the contact between the blade (52) and the metal bridge (21), thus promoting and facilitating the breaking or cutting of the V-shaped sheet (2). In one embodiment, the sliding connection between the blade base (51) and the vertical supports (32) is made by means of rails arranged on the vertical supports (32) on which is located a respective sliding support or wheels arranged at each end of the blade base (51). The rails include locking means that determine the stroke of the blade system (51), limiting vertical movement. The vertical movement of the blade system (5) is provided by the -at least- one actuator. In one embodiment, the -at least- one actuator is a mechanical, hydraulic or electric actuator that allows vertical movement of the blade system (5). In one embodiment, the -at least- one actuator is an hydraulic cylinder arranged in a vertical position, being connected to the blade base (51) and the base (31) of the support frame (3).
In one embodiment, the clamping means (6A, 6B) correspond to a plurality of clamping elements arranged on each lateral edge of the support plates (4A, 4B) for retaining the V-shaped sheet (2) or the separated sheets (2A, 2B), after cutting or breaking of the metal bridge (21). The clamp elements are actuated for opening and closing, modifying their position to release or retain the V-shaped sheet (2) or separate sheets (2A, 2B), respectively. The gripper elements are pivotally connected at each lateral edge to perform the opening and closing movements. In one embodiment, the gripper elements are in the form of a semi-cylinder or cylinder section wherein one edge comprises the pivoting connection and the other edge rests on the V-shaped sheet (2) during closing. In one embodiment, the plurality of clamp elements comprise -at least- 4 clamp elements on each lateral edge of the support plates (4A. 4B).
In one embodiment, the support frame (3) is formed by an arrangement of profiles, preferably of steel, defining its structure. The base (31) may have a rectangular shape defined by two major profiles (311), which define the major sides of the rectangle, and two minor profiles (312), which define the minor sides of the rectangle. The base (31) may further comprise a transverse profile (313) positioned in the central part of the rectangle, extending between the midpoints of the major profiles (311), being parallel to the minor profiles (312), aimed to ensure the structural integrity of the base (31). The base (31) may comprise supporting transverse profiles among the minor profiles (312) and transverse profile (313) to reinforce the structural integrity. The base (31) may also comprise, a plurality of support plates under the profile junction zones (311, 312, 313) to prevent slippage during operation of the break/stripping table (1). The vertical supports (32) are made up of two vertical profiles (321) projecting from the vertices of a major side of the base (31), which are coupled, at their upper end, to a respective diagonal profile (322), which, in turn, are joined at one end to the ends of a horizontal profile (323). The vertical supports (32) may include a plurality of support profiles therein to strengthen their structural integrity. Further, the vertical supports (32) may be connected to each other by transverse profiles to ensure the verticality thereof, wherein the transverse profiles are arranged such that they do not disturb the movement of the support plates (4A, 4B). The horizontal profiles (323) may comprise a support plate on their upper side to facilitate the installation of the bearing assemblies (8A, 8B) defining the pivoting connection of the support plates (4A, 4B).
The breaking or striping table (1) further comprises a central powering system which allows the operation of each of the moving components. The central power system houses the drive cams that allow each hydraulic component to be controlled independently. It has safety valves that allow disconnecting the equipment from the hydraulic power circuit.
The breaking or stripping table (1) further comprises a control board housing the electrohydraulic command for an operator to control the movements of the breaking or stripping table (1) without intervening directly on the breaking or stripping table (1). The control board may include control means, which are connected to the actuators and the -at least- one sensor of the breaking or stripping table (1), that allow automatic operation whenever the breaking or stripping of a V-shaped sheet (2) is required.
During operation of the breaking or stripping table (1), two essential positions of the support plates (4A, 4B) are considered:
The rising or upward movement of the support plates (4A, 4B) produces the stretching of the metal bridge (21) area of the V-shaped sheet (2) and causes the metal bridge (21) to rest and press against the blade (52) of the blade system (51) thus resulting in the cutting or breaking of the metal bridge (21) obtaining the two separate metal sheets (2A, 2B).
To perform the procedure of breaking or stripping a V-shaped sheet (2), according to the present patent application, the following stages must be followed:
In one embodiment, the V-shaped sheets (2) are arranged on support plates (4A, 4B) by means of a robotic arm (9) that handles and moves the V-shaped sheets (2) from stacking or feeding bases (10).
In one embodiment, the blade system (5) moves vertically to operate as a guillotine and thus to promote contact between the blade (52) and the metal bridge (21) facilitating the breaking or cutting of the V-shaped sheet (2).
In one embodiment, removing the two separate metal sheets (2A, 2B) comprises moving the support plates (4A, 4B) downwardly and removing the clamping means (6A, 6B) so that the separate metal sheets (2A, 2B) slide to be taken up (11) on a conveyor belt and then carried to a next stage.
In one embodiment, the breaking/splitting table (1) may comprise a V-shaped sheet breaking system (2), as shown in Figure #3, comprising:
In one embodiment the removal means includes of -at least- two conveyor belts arranged on the sides of the -at least- one breaking or stripping table (1), so that they can receive the stripped metal sheets (2A, 2B) when these slide on the support plates (4A, 4B) when the clamping means (6A, 6B) of the -at least- one breaking or stripping table (1) are opened.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202303900 | Dec 2023 | CL | national |
