Patent Application
20160114388
This disclosure relates generally to machines that transport molten material, and more particularly, to a system and method for supporting, lifting, and transporting tundish containers.
A tundish is a broad and open container that is used in steel plants to transport molten metal. For example, the tundish allows a reservoir of metal to feed a casting machine while ladles are switched, thus acting as a buffer of hot metal, as well as smoothing out flow, regulating metal feed to the molds, and cleaning the metal. Metallic remains left inside a tundish are known as tundish skulls and need to be removed, typically by mechanical means, such as scraping or cutting.
A conventional tundish carrier is a machine that can handle and support a large load, such as a tundish, and transport it to dumping locations. The tundish carrier can have carrier assemblies that are U-shaped to fit around and access the tundish. Through the use of onboard, high-lift hydraulic mechanisms, a tundish can be lifted, supported, and transported.
Many plants have an overhead crane capable of lifting and positioning a tundish such that a tundish carrier can have access. Generally, a tundish is positioned on the ground or on a pallet such that the tundish carrier must maneuver to an appropriate position to align with and lift the tundish. Current methods require a conventional tundish carrier to have the ability to maneuver in a certain way and to lift a load to a certain height. Therefore, tundish machines require significant power and agility in order to successfully lift, transport, and dump a tundish.
Another method of handling material in a tundish includes directly dumping the molten metal into a pit in the ground. As the metal hardens, it is dugout or de-skulled using mechanical devices. This method requires a defined area with certain specifications that can withstand molten metal, and it also raises safety concerns.
The foregoing background discussion is intended solely to aid the reader. It is not intended to limit the innovations described herein, nor to limit or expand the prior art discussed. Thus, the foregoing discussion should not be taken to indicate that any particular element of a prior system is unsuitable for use with the innovations described herein, nor is it intended to indicate that any element is essential in implementing the innovations described herein. The implementations and application of the innovations described herein are defined by the appended claims.
An aspect of the present disclosure includes a tundish handling system and method for lifting, transporting, and dumping a tundish. The tundish handling system includes a tundish machine for supporting the tundish. The tundish machine includes a tundish carrier, a carrier cradle, and a tilting mechanism. The tundish carrier includes a frame, or body, and wheels. The carrier cradle is operatively coupled to the tundish carrier and adapted for engaging and supporting the tundish. The tilting mechanism is coupled to the tundish carrier and to the carrier cradle and includes an actuator, at least one longitudinal main arm, and a tilt linkage assembly. The actuator is coupled to the tundish carrier. The at least one longitudinal main arm is operatively coupled to the actuator. The tilt linkage assembly is coupled to the at least one longitudinal arm and to the carrier cradle. The tilting mechanism is configured to pivot the carrier cradle about a horizontal transverse axis for emptying contents of the tundish upon actuation by the actuator.
Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a method for handling a tundish with a tundish handling system. The tundish handling system includes a tundish carrier and intermediate cradle. The method includes engaging the tundish by a tundish cradle, whereby the tundish is positioned on the intermediate cradle. The tundish cradle is operatively coupled to the tundish carrier. The method further includes lifting the tundish, by the tundish cradle, from the intermediate cradle. The intermediate cradle may include at least one collapsible pier. The at least one collapsible pier has an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position the pier supports at least a portion of the tundish such that the tundish is approximately horizontal. In the retracted position, the piers are collapsed to enhance access to the tundish by the tundish carrier, thereby aiding in the removal of the tundish from the intermediate cradle by the tundish cradle.
Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a transportable tundish carrier assembly for supporting a tundish. The transportable tundish carrier assembly includes a carrier cradle and a tilting mechanism. The carrier cradle is adapted for engaging and supporting the tundish. The tilting mechanism is coupled to the carrier cradle. The tilting mechanism includes an actuator, a forward linkage arm that is operatively coupled to the actuator, and a nonlinear linkage arm that is operatively coupled to the forward linkage arm and operatively coupled to the carrier cradle. The tilting mechanism is configured to pivot the carrier cradle about a horizontal transverse axis for emptying contents of the tundish upon actuation by the actuator.
The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may, however, 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 be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art.
The disclosure relates to a tundish handling system and method for supporting, transporting, lifting, and dumping a tundish. A conventional crane or other means may lift the tundish onto a cradle or support means. A tundish handling machine may engage the tundish and lift it from the cradle. The tundish handling machine may be wheeled so that it moves the tundish from the cradle and transports it to a dumping location. At the dumping location, the tundish may be rotated or pivoted to dump the contents of the tundish. The contents of the tundish may include molten slag, molten metal, skulls, or combinations thereof.
The tundish handling system 100 comprises a tundish handling machine 102 and a tundish cradle or support assembly 300. The tundish handling machine 102 includes a transporter or tundish carrier 104 and a carrier assembly 200. The tundish carrier 104 preferably is a self-propelled vehicle that includes a body or frame 106, tractor wheels 108, and trailer wheels 110 for lifting and moving a tundish 112 in carrier assembly 200. It will be appreciated that the tundish carrier 104 may also be referred to as a transporter. The invention is not limited to the particular style of carrier 104 or transporter shown in the figures, but rather encompasses any kind of carrier capable of lifting and transporting large loads. The frame 106 inter-operatively connects and associates various physical and structural features that enable the tundish machine 102 to function, as will be clear to persons familiar with conventional tundish transport technology. These features include an operator cab portion 114 positioned above the tractor wheels 108, from which an operator may control and direct operation of the tundish machine 102. The operator cab portion 114 may be coupled to the tundish carrier 104 at pivot point 107, such that the tundish carrier 104 may rotate about pivot point 107 with respect to the operator cab portion 114. Additionally, a steering feature (not shown) and similar controls may be located within the operator cab portion 114. To propel the tundish machine 102 over the surface S, a power system (not shown), such as an internal combustion engine, can also be mounted to the frame 106 and can generate power that is converted to physically move the tundish machine 102.
The tilting mechanism 201 includes an intermediate arm 202, a main arm 204, a second main arm 224, a cross member 206, and tilt linkage arms 208a, 208b, and 208c. The intermediate arm 202 is coupled to a hydraulic cylinder 212 by the hinge joint 216 and coupled to the tundish carrier 104 by a hinge joint 214. The cylinder 212 is coupled to the tundish carrier 104 by hinge joint 214. The cylinder 212 is configured to extend and retract and may rotate as needed about each hinge joint 214/216. The intermediate arm 202 is connected to the tundish carrier 104 by the hinge joint 218, whereby when the hydraulic cylinder 212 extends and retracts, the intermediate arm 202 rotates about the hinge joint 218. The intermediate arm 202 is operatively coupled to the main arm 204 by an intermediate connection member 230 and hinge joint 220. The intermediate connection member 230 may be coupled to the intermediate arm 202 by hinge joint 219. In an aspect, hinge joint 219 may be a rigid joint. The main arm 204 is connected to the tundish carrier 104 by the hinge joint 222, whereby the rotation of the intermediate arm 202 causes rotation of the main arm 204 about the hinge joint 222. The term “hinge joints” used herein encompasses any pivot, such as pin joints or other types of revolute joints that allow for rotation about a connection.
Referring to the aspect in
The cross member 206 is connected to the main arm 204 and to the second main arm 224. The connection between the cross member 206 and the main arm 204 and second main arm 224 preferably is a rigid connection, and a pivotable connection or not cross member at all is contemplated.
The first tilt linkage arm 208a has a first end and a second end. The first end may be coupled to the tundish carrier 104 by a hinge joint (not shown). The second tilt linkage arm 208b has a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal shaft. The first end of the second tilt linkage 208b arm may be coupled to the second end of the first tilt linkage arm 208a by hinge joint 225. The longitudinal shaft of the second tilt linkage arm 208b may be coupled to the second main arm 224 by hinge joint 226. The third tilt linkage arm 208c has a first end and a second end. The first end of the third tilt linkage arm 208c may be coupled to the second end of the second tilt linkage arm 208b by hinge joint 228. The second end of the third linkage arm 208c may be coupled to the carrier cradle 210 by hinge joint 229. The third linkage arm 208c is coupled to the carrier cradle 210 in such a way that when the arm 208c rotates about hinge joint 228 the carrier cradle 210 may be tilted. It should be appreciated that one or more sets of tilt linkage arms 208a, 208b, and 208c may be connected in such a way as to tilt the carrier cradle 210. The sets of tilt linkage arms 208a, 208b, and 208c may be referred to as the tilt linkage assembly.
The carrier cradle 210 in operation is operatively coupled to the tundish carrier 104. The carrier cradle 210 is operatively coupled to the main arms 204 and 224. The carrier cradle 210 as shown in the figures is a U-shape and configured to allow a tundish 112 to be engaged and supported therein.
The cradle 210 is configured to support and carry the tundish 112 In this regard, the tundish 112 may include two sets of tundish cradle support arms 234 and 236. The tundish cradle support arms 234 and 236 may align with support brackets 231 and 233, respectively, of the carrier cradle 210. The tundish 112 may also include two sets of tundish support arms 238 and 240. The tundish support arms 238 and 240 may be configured to support the weight of the tundish 112 and allow an overhead crane, or the like, to lift, handle, or otherwise move the tundish 112 from one location to another.
In an example of a method of operating the carrier assembly 200, an actuator provides a force to the tilting mechanism 201. Cylinder 212 may act as an actuator and provide a force to the intermediate arm 202 via hinge joint 216. When the carrier assembly 200 is in the lift or raised position (
The intermediate cradle 301 may be mounted onto the turntable 303. The intermediate cradle 301 is configured to rotate about a vertical axis from 0 to 360 degrees relative to the turntable 303. The rotation of the intermediate cradle 301 allows the tundish 112 to be rotated into a position which allows the tundish machine 102 to have easier access. In an aspect, a crane (not shown) may load the tundish 112 onto the tundish support assembly 300 whereby the length of the tundish 112 is pointed towards the tundish machine 102. In order for the tundish machine 102 to access the tundish 112, the intermediate cradle 301 may be rotated 0 to 360 degrees, allowing the carrier assembly 200 of the tundish machine 102 to receive and support the tundish 112.
The intermediate cradle 301 may also include a tundish actuator 326. The tundish actuator 326 may be positioned on the base 328 of the intermediate cradle 301. The tundish actuator 326 may be configured to control the collapsible arms 314 and 316 from an extended position to a retracted or collapsed position. When a tundish 112 is lowered onto the intermediate cradle 301, the actuator is activated and the collapsible arms 314 and 316 are controlled to an extended position. The fixed arm assemblies 302 and 304 and the collapsible arm assemblies 306 and 308 may then support the tundish 112. As the tundish 112 is raised up from the intermediate cradle 301, the tundish actuator 326 may control the collapsible piers 314 and 316 to the retracted or collapsed position, thereby allowing the tundish 112 to be easily removed.
A method for using the tundish handling system 100 may include an operator of a crane (not shown) lowering the tundish 112, filled with a molten material, onto the intermediate cradle 301 of the tundish support assembly 300. The collapsible piers 314 and 316 may extend, whereby the collapsible arm assemblies 306 and 308 and the fixed arm assemblies 302 and 304 each support at least a portion of the tundish 112. The tundish 112 may be rotated on the intermediate cradle 301 to orient the tundish 112 such that the tundish machine 102 has access to the tundish 112 and the tundish cradle 210 may engage the tundish 112. Once the tundish 112 is engaged by the tundish cradle 210, the tundish 112 may be lifted from the intermediate cradle 301 and lifted over the collapsed piers 314 and 316. In an aspect of this disclosure, the collapsed piers 314 and 316 may be rotatably fixed with respect to the tundish cradle 301, whereby the tundish 112 would be lifted above the collapsed piers 314 and 316 to remove the tundish from the tundish support assembly 300. The tundish 112 may then be transported to a dumping site and tilted by the tilting mechanism 201. The operator may control the tilting mechanism to rotate the tundish 112 up to 180 degrees so that the tundish opening (not labeled) faces in a downward direction, allowing any contents of the tundish 112 to be substantially removed. It should be appreciated that more than one operator may be required to handle the tundish 112.
After completing the dumping process, the tundish machine 102 may return the tundish 112 to the intermediate cradle 301 of the tundish support assembly 300. The intermediate cradle 301 may rotate to a position that will allow the crane to pick up the tundish 112 and begin the process over.
While the disclosure is described herein using a limited number of embodiments, these specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure as otherwise described and claimed herein. Modification and variations from the described embodiments exist. More specifically, the following examples are given as a specific illustration of embodiments of the claimed disclosure. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details set forth in the examples.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C §119(e) of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62/067,852 filed on Oct. 23, 2014, and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HANDLING A TUNDISH,” the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62067852 | Oct 2014 | US |
