The present invention is related to the field of electrode removal and replacement from furnaces.
In furnaces, such as steelmaking furnaces, electrodes or the portions of the furnace located adjacent the electrodes, become worn down, broken, or the like and require removal, repair, replacement, and/or the like. The process for removing and/or replacing electrodes, and in particular bottom electrodes, from a furnace typically includes utilizing devices and systems that can push the electrodes from below and an overhead crane that can lift the electrodes from above. However, due to the weight of the electrodes and the requirements for positioning and supporting the electrodes during removal and/or replacement, improvements to the devices and systems used to remove and/or replace the electrodes are needed.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electrode adjustment device (e.g., otherwise described as an electrode removal device, an electrode push-up device, or the like) and a vehicle positioning system, as well as a process for positioning and using the electrode adjustment device. The electrode adjustment device is utilized for adjusting the electrode during maintenance of a furnace in which the electrode functions to provide heat to the contents of the furnace. Maintenance of a furnace may occur for a number of reasons, such as but not limited to, removal of the electrode for replacement or repair, repair of the refractory material in the furnace, or other like furnace or electrode repairs. Electrode adjustment devices are typically used in applications where a furnace has an electrode proximate the bottom of the furnace. The electrode adjustment device and method can, for example, be used advantageously in connection with furnaces used to melt steel, which may have one or more electrodes that extend inside the furnace from the bottom of the furnace.
When the electrode adjustment device is moved to a location adjacent (e.g., under, next two, and/or the like) the furnace, and force is applied to a bottom electrode, the connection between the bottom electrode and the furnace is broken (e.g., residual material such as steel that formed between the electrode and the furnace is broken). After the connection is broken, the bottom electrode is pushed up into the interior of the furnace by the electrode adjustment device until the electrode can be removed from the furnace, such as through the use of an overhead crane that is positioned above the open furnace and is operatively coupled to the electrode.
The vehicle positioning system is configured for operatively coupling with the electrode adjustment device in order to easily move the electrode adjustment device between storage and operation under the furnace, and to provide adjustment for allowing more exact locating of the electrode adjustment device to push and/or receive an electrode. The electrode adjustment device may weigh between 15 to 30 tons (or more or less depending on the application), and consequently the vehicle positioning system must support the weight, while also providing for fine adjustment to allow for correct and safe positioning of the electrode adjustment device. As such, not only will the vehicle positioning system be able to transport the electrode adjustment device, but will also be able to lift, rotate, angle, and/or move in multiple axes to position the electrode adjustment device as needed, as will be discussed in detail throughout this specification.
In addition to electrode removal, the electrode adjustment device and/or the vehicle positioning system may be utilized to receive an electrode from an overhead crane and position the electrode to reassemble the electrode with the furnace. After removing and/or replacing the bottom electrode, the electrode adjustment device and/or the vehicle positioning system are covered with debris (e.g., dust, material, or the like) that falls from the bottom of the furnace and/or from inside of the furnace where the electrode has been removed and/or replaced. The electrode adjustment device and/or the vehicle positioning system may be cleaned by a user in its location adjacent (e.g., under) the furnace before the electrode adjustment device is removed by the vehicle positioning system for storage.
It should be further understood that the vehicle positioning system may not only be able to transport the electrode adjustment device, but it may also be able to transport steel coils. As such, the vehicle positioning system may have dual functionality that allows the vehicle positioning system to operate more efficiently.
Embodiments of the invention comprise a vehicle positioning system for transporting an electrode adjustment device. The vehicle positioning system comprises a vehicle system, and a positioning system operatively coupled to the vehicle system. The positioning system comprises a lift system operatively coupled to a support system. The lift system comprises a lift frame having a first lift frame and a second lift frame, wherein the second lift frame is moveable with respect to the first lift frame. The lift system further comprises a lift drive operatively coupled to the first lift frame or the second lift frame for moving the second lift frame with respect to the first lift frame. The lift system also comprises one or more lift couplings, wherein the one or more lift couplings are configured for operatively coupling with the support system. Moreover, the support system is configured for operative coupling with the electrode adjustment device for positioning the electrode adjustment device for adjusting an electrode during removal or assembly with a furnace.
In further accord with embodiments of the invention, the vehicle positioning system further comprises the electrode adjustment device. The electrode adjustment device comprises an adjustment drive, an adjustment head operatively coupled to the adjustment drive, an adjustment base operatively coupled to the adjustment drive, and one or more electrode adjustment device couplings operatively coupled to the adjustment drive, the adjustment head, or the adjustment base.
In other embodiments of the invention the vehicle positioning system further comprises a support member operatively coupled to the lift system. The adjustment base comprises an aperture. Additionally, the support member is configured for entry and removal from the aperture of the adjustment base. The support system is configured to be removable from the lift system in order to allow for transport of steel coils.
In still other embodiments of the invention the support system comprises a support frame and one or more locking systems, wherein the one or more locking systems are configured for operative coupling with the electrode adjustment device. The support system further comprises one or more support couplings, wherein the one or more support couplings are configured for being operative coupling with the one or more lift couplings such that the support system may be removed and assembled.
In yet other embodiments of the invention the one or more support couplings comprise one or more upper support couplings, and one or more lower support couplings. The one more lift couplings comprise one or more upper lift couplings and one or more lower support couplings. The one or more upper support couplings are configured for operative coupling with the one or more upper lift couplings, and the one or more lower support couplings are configured for operative coupling with the one or more lower lift couplings.
In further accord with embodiments of the invention, the one or more locking systems comprise one or more locking couplings and one or more locking drives. Additionally, the electrode adjustment device comprises one or more electrode adjustment device couplings, and the one or more locking drives are configured for positioning the one or more locking couplings to assemble and disassemble the locking couplings with the one or more electrode adjustment device couplings to engage and disengage from the electrode adjustment device.
In other embodiments of the invention, the one or more locking couplings comprise one or more connectors and one or more connector drives operatively coupled to the one or more connectors. Moreover, the one or more electrode adjustment device couplings comprise an aperture, and the one or more connectors are configured for operative coupling with the one or more electrode adjustment device couplings through inserting a portion of the one or more connectors through the aperture of the one or more electrode adjustment device couplings and locking the one or more connectors with the aperture to prevent removal from the aperture.
In still other embodiments of the invention, the support system comprises one or more support members that are configured for operatively coupling with one or more electrode adjustment device couplings of the electrode adjustment device for positioning the electrode adjustment device for adjusting the electrode during removal or assembly with the furnace.
In yet other embodiments of the invention, wherein the one or more lift couplings comprise an upper lift coupling comprising at least a first upper lift coupling operatively coupled to the lift frame, and a second upper lift coupling operatively coupled to the lift frame, and a lower lift coupling. Additionally, the one or more support members comprise a first upper support member operatively coupled to the first upper lift coupling, a second upper support member operatively coupled to the second upper lift coupling, and a lower support member operatively coupled to the lower lift couplings. The first upper support member and the second upper support member are operatively coupled together and to the one or more electrode adjustment device couplings, and the lower support member is configured for operative coupling with one of the one or more couplings of the electrode adjustment device.
In further accord with embodiments of the invention, the vehicle system comprises a vehicle and a transverse drive operatively coupling the vehicle to the positioning system. The transverse drive is configured to move the positioning system a direction different from the lift drive of the lift system.
In other embodiments of the invention, the positioning system further comprises one or more vehicle couplings, and the vehicle is operatively coupled to the positioning system through the one or more vehicle couplings and the transverse drive.
In still other embodiments of the invention, the one or more vehicle couplings comprise at least one upper vehicle coupling operatively coupling the vehicle to the positioning system through the transverse drive, and a lower vehicle coupling operatively coupling the vehicle to the positioning system through a rotational connection. The transverse drive rotates the positioning system around the lower vehicle couplings.
Embodiments of the invention further comprise an electrode adjustment device. The electrode adjustment device comprises an adjustment drive, an adjustment head operatively coupled to the adjustment drive, and one or more electrode adjustment device couplings operatively coupled to the adjustment drive or the adjustment head. The one or more electrode adjustment device couplings are configured for operative coupling with a vehicle positioning system that is configured to lift the electrode adjustment device for positioning under a furnace. The adjustment drive is configured to move the adjustment head to aid in removing or assembling an electrode from or with the furnace.
In further accord with embodiments of the invention, the electrode adjustment device further comprises an adjustment base operatively coupled to the adjustment device. The one of the one or more electrode adjustment device couplings comprise a lower electrode adjustment device coupling operatively coupled to the adjustment base. The lower electrode adjustment device coupling is an aperture in the adjustment base configured to receive a lower support member from the vehicle positioning system.
Embodiments of the invention comprise a method for removing an electrode within a furnace utilizing an electrode adjustment device and a vehicle positioning system. The method comprises utilizing a vehicle positioning system to operatively couple the vehicle positioning system with the electrode adjustment device. The vehicle positioning system comprises a vehicle system and a positioning system operatively coupled to the vehicle system. The positioning system comprises a lift system and a support system comprising one or more support couplings that are used to operatively coupled the support system to the lift system. The lift system comprises a first lift frame and a second lift frame, and the second lift frame is moveable with respect to the first lift frame. The lift system further comprises a lift drive operatively coupled to the first lift frame or the second lift frame for moving the second lift frame with respect to the first lift frame. The electrode adjustment device comprises an adjustment drive, an adjustment head operatively coupled to the adjustment drive, and one or more electrode adjustment device couplings operatively coupled to the adjustment drive or the adjustment head. The one or more support couplings are operatively coupled to the one or more electrode adjustment device couplings, and the adjustment drive is configured to adjust the electrode using the adjustment head to aid in removing the electrode from the furnace.
In further accord with embodiments of the invention, the method comprises transporting the electrode adjustment device to adjacent an electrode in a furnace using the vehicle positioning system, disengaging the vehicle positioning system from the electrode removal device, and adjusting the electrode in the furnace by separating the electrode from the furnace using the electrode adjustment device.
In other embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises transporting the electrode adjustment device away from the furnace using the vehicle positioning system, and disengaging the vehicle positioning system from the electrode removal device.
In still other embodiments of the invention, utilizing the vehicle positioning system to operatively couple the vehicle positioning system with the electrode adjustment device comprises extending a locking system to a raised position. Thereafter, the locking system is moved for coupling with one or more electrode adjustment couplings of the electrode adjustment device by moving at least a portion of the positioning system or by moving the vehicle positioning system. Thereafter locking occurs by retracting the locking system to a locked position.
In yet other embodiments of the invention, the electrode adjustment device further comprises an adjustment base operatively coupled to the adjustment device, and one of the one or more electrode adjustment device couplings comprise a lower adjustment device coupling within the base. The lower adjustment device is configured to receive a lower support member of the positioning system.
In further accord with embodiments of the invention, the vehicle positioning system further comprises a transverse drive and one or more vehicle couplings operatively coupling the positioning system to the transverse drive. The one or more vehicle couplings comprise an upper vehicle coupling operatively coupling the vehicle to the positioning system through the transverse drive, and a lower vehicle coupling operatively coupling the vehicle to the positioning system through a rotational connection. The transverse drive rotates the positioning system around the lower vehicle coupling.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and the related ends, the one or more embodiments of the invention comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative features of the one or more embodiments. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of various embodiments may be employed, and this description is intended to include all such embodiments and their equivalents.
The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, in which:
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
The present invention relates to a portable electrode adjustment device 10 (e.g., an electrode removal device, a push-up electrode device, or the like) and a vehicle positioning system 100, that is used to position the electrode adjustment device 10 for operation. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The vehicle positioning system 100 may be operatively coupled to the electrode adjustment device 10 in a number of ways to position the electrode adjustment device 10, as needed. In some embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in
The electrode adjustment device 10 may have one or more adjustment device couplings 16, which are used for operative coupling with the vehicle positioning system 100 to allow the electrode adjustment device 10 to be positioned in desired positions. The one or more adjustment device couplings 16 may be operatively coupled to the electrode positioning device 10 at any location on the device 10. However, in some embodiments of the invention, the one or more adjustment device couplings 16 may include at least an upper adjustment device coupling 18 (e.g., two upper couplings), which may be located anywhere on the electrode adjustment device 10, such as anywhere on the adjustment drive 30 and/or the adjustment head 40. Moreover, in other embodiments of the invention, the one or more adjustment device couplings 16 may include at least a lower adjustment device coupling 19, which may be located on and/or in the adjustment base 20. For example, the two or more adjustment device upper couplings 18 may be located on the adjustment head 40 or the adjustment drive 30, and the lower adjustment device coupling 19 may be located on the adjustment base 20. In some embodiments of the invention the upper coupling 18 may be located on the adjustment drive 30, and the lower adjustment device coupling 19 may be located within the adjustment base 20.
The one or more adjustment couplings 16, and in particular the one or more adjustment device couplings 18 may comprise a coupling plate 50 (e.g., a tab, twist plate, or the like) with an aperture 52 (e.g., slot, hole, or the like) therein. In some embodiments, one or more coupling plates 50 may be used having one or more apertures 52. In one embodiment, the coupling plate 50 may extend around at least a portion of the electrode adjustment device 10 (or entirely around the device), and have at least two apertures 52, through which one or more locking systems 170, which are described in further detail later, may be used to couple the vehicle positioning system 100 to the electrode adjustment device 10.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The adjustment head 40 may include an adjustment head first end 42 and an adjustment head second end 44. The adjustment head first end 42 is operatively coupled to a portion of the electrode (e.g., the base of the bottom electrode, or the like) in order to push the bottom electrode from the furnace. By pushing the electrode, the electrode adjustment device 10 dislodges the electrode from the furnace (e.g., the electrode is broken free from furnace materials, such as hardened steel, or other by-products that have formed around the area of the interface between the electrode and the furnace). For example, the head first end 42 may align with the perimeter of the bottom electrode. The adjustment head 40 and/or other components, such as the adjustment derive 30 and the adjustment base 20, may include structural support members. The top surface is shaped in order to engage with the electrode. The adjustment head second end 44 is operatively coupled to the adjustment drive first end 32 as previously described. The adjustment head 40 is moved by the adjustment drive 30 in order to adjust the electrode (e.g., free the electrode from the furnace and/or support the electrode as the electrode is being reassembled to the furnace), as will be discussed with respect to
Regardless of the configuration of the electrode adjustment device 10, it may be positioned using the vehicle positioning system 100. As previously described the vehicle positioning system 100 has a vehicle system 110 and a positioning system 130. As illustrated in
The positioning system 130 of the vehicle positioning system 100 may comprise a lift system 140 with a support system 150, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
It should be understood that in some embodiments, as illustrated in
In some embodiments it should be understood that the one or more locking couplings 172 may each comprise a connector 182 (e.g., a twist lock, or the like) operatively coupled to a locking member 184 and a connector drive 186. The locking member 184 may be operatively coupled to a support member 151 (e.g., a first support member 152, a second support member 154, or the like), such as by inserting the locking member 184 into the support member 151, or vice versa. The connector 182 is connected to the aperture 52 in the plate coupling 50, for example, a twist lock may twist within the aperture 52 in order to lock the connector 182 into the plate coupling 50. The connector drive 186 may be utilized to engage and disengage the connector 182 from the aperture 52 in the plate coupling 50 of the electrode adjustment device 10.
In some embodiments of the invention the support system 150 may further comprise one or more lower support members 160 utilized to support the electrode adjustment device 10 (e.g., the adjustment base 20 of the electrode adjustment device 10, or the like). In some embodiments of the positioning system 110, the lower support member 160 may not be used, and instead is only used to allow the vehicle positioning system 100 to have duel functionality for both disassembling and/or assembling the electrode through the use of the electrode adjustment device 10, and as a steel coil transport. The duel functionality may allow for more efficient use of the vehicle position system 100. Therefore, in some embodiments of the invention the one or more lower support members 160 may be a part of the support system 150, or it may be independent of the support system 150, and thus, operatively coupled to the lift system 140 directly. Moreover, it should be understood that in some embodiments the support system 150 may be removeably operatively coupled to the lift system 140 to allow for changing the vehicle positioning system 100 between the operations of positioning the electrode adjustment device 10 and transporting coils.
In some embodiments of the invention the one or more lower support members 160 may comprise a lower support pin 162. The lower support pin 162 may be an elongated member that may extend away from the lift system 140. In some embodiments of the invention the lower support pin 162 may be located generally transverse to the lift frame (e.g., the stationary lift frame 142 and/or the moveable lift frame 144), for example between 70 to 110 degrees, or the like. In other embodiments of the invention, the lower support pin 162 may be configured in other orientations. The lower support pin 162 may be operatively coupled to the lower coupling 19 of the electrode adjustment device 10, such as the adjustment base aperture 22 in the adjustment base 20.
It should be understood that the upper support pin 356 and the lower support pin 162 may have bevels, and as such the distal ends of the pins 356, 162 may be smaller than the proximate ends of the pins 356, 162 in order to help guide the pins 356, 162 into couplings (e.g., apertures 52, 22). It should be further understood that the pins 356, 162 may be any size, such that the upper support pin 356 may be smaller, larger, or the same size as the lower support pin 162. Moreover, the pins 356, 162 may be any shape, and as such may have a cross-sectional shape that is circular, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, any polygonal shape, any non-uniform shape, or any other like shape. Moreover, the pins 356, 162 may have different cross-sectional sizes and shapes at different locations along the pins 156, 162.
It should be further understood that combinations of the support systems 150 described herein may be used with each other or may be used with other components of support systems not specifically described herein.
Regardless of how the positioning system 130 is operatively coupled to the electrode adjustment device 10, the positioning system 130 may be operatively coupled to the vehicle system 110 in a number of ways. In one example, as illustrated in
The electrode adjustment device 10 and the vehicle positioning system 100 provide improved functionally over typical apparatuses used to remove and/or replace electrodes. The typical apparatuses may include platforms, handles, ladders, rails, tie-in locations, and/or the like, which allow for positioning the apparatus under a furnace for electrode removal or replacement. In the typical process the apparatus is stored within the facility at a storage location, such that an overhead crane may be utilized to move the apparatus (e.g., apparatus including an actuator, or the like) to a location near the furnace. Typically, when the device is needed, a user climbs on the device (e.g., using one of the attached ladders) and hooks onto one of the tie-in locations on the device for safety. Thereafter, the user attaches chains (or the like) from an overhead crane to the apparatus. The overhead crane lifts the typical apparatus over the floor of the facility to a location adjacent the furnace. The overhead crane may place the apparatus on a ladle car, which is typically used to transport ladles of molten steel, and the ladle car moves the apparatus to a position under the furnace. The ladle car may move along a track to locate the apparatus in one direction, and hydraulic cylinders on the ladle car are used to move the apparatus in other directions in order to position the apparatus under the electrode. When in position, an actuator in the apparatus pushes the electrode to dislodge it from the furnace and to lift it until it can be removed from the furnace. When an electrode is being replaced, an overhead crane and/or the actuator in the apparatus are used to slowly lower the electrode into place. During removal and/or replacement of an electrode the apparatus becomes covered in debris (e.g., dust, and other byproducts) that falls from the furnace, and requires cleaning. After the electrode is removed and/or replaced, the apparatus is removed from under the furnace through the use of the ladle car. Thereafter, a user is again required to climb on the apparatus (e.g., using the attached ladders), tie-in for safety, and hook the overhead crane up to the apparatus. Once connected to the crane the apparatus is moved to another location in the facility, such as a cleaning station. After reaching the cleaning station, users climb on the apparatus covered in debris to remove the crane connections, and thereafter additional users climb on the apparatus to clean the system before it is utilized again. The apparatus is cleaned to allow for the proper coupling with the electrode during additional electrode removal/replacements, as wells as for improving safety for users climbing on the apparatus, preventing debris from the apparatus from reaching other parts of the facility, or the like. The typical apparatus cannot be cleaned under the furnace because of the size of the systems (e.g., platforms, support members, ladders, or the like), and the limited space under the furnace.
It should be further understood that the movement of the typical apparatuses are limited to the areas were the ladle cart and/or the overhead crane can reach. Additionally, moving the apparatuses requires time for users to climb on the apparatus for hooking and unhooking chains from the overhead crane. Moreover, because of the bulky size of typical apparatuses it may also be difficult and/or dangerous for a user to maneuver around the apparatus in an effort to help guide a replacement electrode into the apparatus during reassembly. Consequently, some apparatuses may present a safety issue if they are not properly used. As will be discussed in further detail, the electrode adjustment device 10 and the vehicle positioning system 100 are utilized to simplify and improve the electrode removal and/or replacement process. By using the vehicle positioning system 100 the size of the electrode adjustment device 10 may be reduced (e.g., not platforms, ladders, safety bars, or the like are needed), and the electrode adjustment device 10 may be more mobile.
In another example, an upper support pin 356 is operatively coupled (e.g., engages) with the upper aperture 52 in the coupling plate 50 and the lower support pin 162 is operatively coupled (e.g., engages) with the adjustment base aperture 22. As such, the transverse drive 126 may be rotated such that the upper support pin 356 and the lower support pin 162 can be inserted into the respective apertures on the electrode adjustment device 10, and if necessary, thereafter rotated to a generally vertical angle (e.g., between 70 to 110 degrees from the horizontal orientation) in order to position the electrode adjustment device 10 for transport to the furnace.
Block 220 of
As illustrated by block 230 in
Block 240 in
Once the electrode is removed and/or replaced, as discussed above, the electrode adjustment device 10 may be cleaned in the location under the furnace (or adjacent the furnace, such as on the ladle cart), as illustrated by block 250 in
As illustrated by block 260 of
It should be understood that the “couplings” described herein may be any type of couplings. As such, the couplings may be single couplings or combinations of couplings used to operatively couple components together. As such, the couplings may comprise, but are not limited to, apertures, pins, hooks, fasteners, screws, bolts, nuts, twist locks, cams, clamps, clips, flanges, slots, dovetails, shafts, collars, mounts, and/or any other like couplings not specifically described herein.
It should be understood that “operatively coupled,” when used herein, means that the components may be formed integrally with each other, or may be formed separately and coupled together. Furthermore, “operatively coupled” means that the components may be formed directly to each other, or to each other with one or more components located between the components that are operatively coupled together. Furthermore, “operatively coupled” may mean that the components are detachable from each other, or that they are permanently coupled together.
Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. In addition, where possible, any terms expressed in the singular form herein are meant to also include the plural form and/or vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Accordingly, the terms “a” and/or “an” shall mean “one or more.”
Specific embodiments of the invention are described herein. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments and combinations of embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. As such, it will be understood that, where possible, any of the advantages, features, functions, devices, and/or operational aspects of any of the embodiments of the present invention described and/or contemplated herein may be included in any of the other embodiments of the present invention described and/or contemplated herein, and/or vice versa.
The present application for a patent claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/360,044 entitled “ELECTRODE REMOVAL DEVICE AND VEHICLE POSITIONING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE” filed on Jul. 8, 2016 and assigned to the assignees hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62360044 | Jul 2016 | US |