EP1214259B1 - Device for dosage of loose materials - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for dosage of (10) materials, comprising first (18) and second (20) rotary registers. Shafts (24, 26) arranged on either side of the registers (18, 20) support the two registers and enable them to rotate about a common axis of rotation (25). One first (24) shaft is arranged on one side of the two registers (18, 20), and a second shaft (26) is arranged on the opposite side. A driving mechanism is connected to the shafts (24, 26) to rotate the two registers (18, 20) in opposite directions. Each rotary register (18, 20) is maintained by a first suspension arm (28, 30) and by a second suspension arm (32, 34), which extend on either side of the respective register. The first shaft (24) and the second shaft (26) are driven in opposite directions by the driving mechanism. The first suspension arm (28) of the first register (18) is removably attached to the first shaft (24) and the first suspension arm (30) of the second register (20) is removably attached to the second shaft (26). The second suspension arm (32) of the second register (20) is connected in articulation to the first suspension arm (28) of the first register (18) and the second suspension arm (34) of the first register (18) is connected in articulation to the first suspension arm (30) of the second register (20).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for dosing materials in bulk, especially for feeding a blast furnace.

Such a bulk material metering device is presented for example in patent application EP-A-0 062 770, where it is fitted to the flow orifice a storage enclosure which is mounted above a tank oven. It is arranged in the axis of the oven and comprises, inside a sealed cage, two superimposed registers in the shape of a spherical cap provided with cut-outs "V" shape. The two registers are supported on one side by the same tree pivot around which they can rotate freely. This tree of pivoting is housed in a first bearing of the sealed cage. On the side diametrically opposite to this first shaft, the upper register is integral of a shaft coaxially passing through a hollow shaft secured to the lower register. The hollow shaft is housed in a second bearing of the sealed cage. A mechanism drive, housed outside the waterproof cage, activates both coaxial trees and thus allows to move the two registers in synchronism and in opposite directions. Such a drive mechanism is for example described in patent application EP-A-0 134 918.

When the two registers are operated in synchronism and in opposite directions, the two cuts combine their effects to determine and vary the flow section, allowing symmetrical material flow around the axis of the oven. But such a metering device is bulky and the replacing registers is complex. Now in a loading facility of a shaft oven, the two registers are obviously parts wear which must be replaced from time to time. Hence the interest of facilitate their replacement.

A device according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in GB-A-2 196 931.

The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a device for dosing with easily replaceable registers. In accordance with the invention, this objective is achieved by a metering device according to claim 1.

A material metering device according to the invention comprises a first and a second rotary register. Trees arranged on either side of the registers support the two registers and allow their rotation around an axis common rotation. A first of these trees is arranged on one side of the two registers, and a second of these trees is arranged on the opposite side. A drive mechanism is connected to the shafts to rotate two registers in opposite directions. According to an important aspect of the invention, each rotary damper is supported by a first suspension arm and by a second suspension arms, which extend on either side of the damper respective. The first tree and the second tree are driven in opposite directions by the drive mechanism. The first suspension arm of the first register is detachably attached to the first tree and the first second register suspension arm is detachably attached to the second tree. The second suspension arm of the second register is hingedly connected to the first suspension arm of the first damper and the second suspension arm of the first register is connected so articulated to the first suspension arm of the second register. We thus form a unit of registers removable in block, and therefore easily replaceable. To dismantle the register unit as a whole, simply detach the arm from suspension of the first register of the first shaft and the first suspension arm from the second register of the second tree. Then you can remove the unit from registers, either up or down.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first suspension arm of the first register comprises a first fixing flange and the first shaft includes a first counter flange. The first flange is fixed so detachable, face against face, on said first counter flange. In addition, the first flange includes a first pivot projecting from the side opposite said first counter flange. The second arm of the second register is articulated on said first pivot. Similarly, the first suspension arm of the second register includes a second mounting flange and the second shaft includes a second counter flange. The second flange is fixed detachably, face against face, on said second counter flange. In addition, the second flange includes a second pivot projecting from the side opposite said second counter flange. The second arm of the first register is articulated on said second pivot. Thanks to the flanges and counter flanges, the first arms from each register are quickly removed from their respective trees. Indeed, it just detach the flanges and counter flanges, for example by unscrewing bolts, then extract the register unit up or down.

Advantageously, an axial space is provided on the first pivot between the second arm of the second register and the first arm of the first register. Respectively, an axial space is provided on the second pivot between the second arm of the first register and the first arm of the second register. then dismantling the dampers, you can push the first two suspension arms towards each other by sliding the second suspension arms onto their respective pivots. This reduces the axial space and creates a clearance between the flanges and counter flanges, which facilitates the extraction of the register unit.

In a particularly simple execution, the registers no longer have the shape of a spherical cap, but they have the shape of a cylindrical cap, which is provided with a cut of suitable shape, for example a cut "V" shaped.

The registers in the shape of a cylindrical cap are preferably associated to a drainage pipe, which they seal in a position of closing. In this closed position, the registers partially overlap and are located just below a lower edge of the tubing flow. This lower edge has a stepped cylindrical shape which matches the form of two registers partially overlapping. In the position of closure, the material cannot therefore flow from the outlet.

According to a preferred embodiment, the drive mechanism comprises a main tree and two connecting rods. The two trees each include a crank, and the connecting rods connect the main shaft to the cranks of so as to produce two opposite rotation. Using a main tree connected to the two shafts has the advantage of causing a synchronous rotation of the two trees. The rotation of the main shaft around its axis longitudinal can for example be produced by a hydraulic cylinder, which allows precise and direct control of the rotational movement, in one direction or in the other, depending on whether it lengthens or shrinks.

Fig. 1:

vue en perspective d'un dispositif de dosage à registres selon l'invention ;

Fig.2:

vue en coupe partielle de la suspension des registres du dispositif de la Fig. 1;

Fig. 3:

vue arrière du dispositif de la Fig.1 pendant le démontage ;

Fig.4:

vue arrière du dispositif de la Fig. 1, montrant un mécanisme d'entraínement des registres ;

Fig. 5:

l'ensemble de la Fig. 4 vue de gauche ;

Fig.6:

l'ensemble de la Fig. 4 vue de droite ;

Fig.7:

vue en coupe du dispositif de dosage de la Fig. 1 en position fermée ;

Fig.8:

vue en coupe du dispositif de dosage de la Fig. 1 en position ouverte.

Other features and characteristics of the invention will emerge from the detailed description of an advantageous embodiment presented below, by way of illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show:

Fig. 1:

perspective view of a register dosing device according to the invention;

Fig.2:

partial section view of the suspension of the registers of the device of FIG. 1;

Fig. 3:

rear view of the device of Fig.1 during disassembly;

Fig.4:

rear view of the device of FIG. 1, showing a mechanism for driving the registers;

Fig. 5:

the assembly of FIG. 4 left view;

Fig.6:

the assembly of FIG. 4 right view;

Fig.7:

sectional view of the metering device of FIG. 1 in the closed position;

Fig.8:

sectional view of the metering device of FIG. 1 in open position.

In the figures, the same references designate identical elements or the like.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment a dosing device 10 for bulk material according to the invention. A cone wear 12 of a storage enclosure 14 ends with a tube cylindrical flow 16 placed upstream and in the axis of a shaft furnace (not shown). The metering device 10 is arranged under the enclosure of storage 14, in a sealed cage 17 (represented by two portions of wall) located between the storage enclosure 14 and the oven. It includes, below from the lower end of the flow pipe 16, a first register or upper register 18 and a second register or lower register 20, placed in below the upper register 18 (see also Fig. 7). Two trees 24, 26, arranged on either side of the registers 18, 20, support the latter and allow their rotation around a common axis of rotation 25 (see also Fig. 3). A drive mechanism, which is not shown in FIG. 1, but which is generally identified by the reference 27 in FIGS. 4 to 6, allows to drive the two shafts 24 and 26 in synchronism and opposite directions so that two “V” cutouts 22 in registers 18, 20 determine a diamond-shaped central flow opening between the two registers 18 and 20. It will be noted that in FIG. 1, the cut 22 of the upper register 18 is covered by the lower register 20. In this position of the registers 18, 20, the metering device 10 is in a closed position, preventing completely the flow of material out of the flow pipe 16.

Each register 18, 20 is supported by a first suspension arm and a second suspension arm, which extend on either side of the damper respective. The first suspension arm 28 of the upper register 18 is fixed detachable from the first shaft 24. The first suspension arm 30 of the lower register 20 is detachably fixed to the second shaft 26. The second suspension arm 32 of the lower register 20 is articulated on the first suspension arm 28 of the upper register 18, and the second suspension arm suspension 34 of the upper register 18 is articulated on the first arm of suspension 30 of the lower register 20. The drive mechanism drives the two shafts 24 and 26 in opposite directions, which allows the opening and closing of the two registers.

Fig.2 shows a partial sectional view of the side of the second shaft 26. The first suspension arm 30 of the lower register 20 ends in a fixing flange 36 which is detachably fixed, for example bolted, on a counter-flange 38 of the second shaft 26. The flange 36 comprises a pivot 40 which projects from the side opposite the counter-flange 38 and which supports so articulated the second suspension arm 34 of the upper register 18. The flange 36 and the counter flange 38 are executed in the form of two fixed plates face to face, in a vertical plane. Pivot 40 is fixed in the center of the flange 36, in the axis of the second shaft 26. The second suspension arm 34 of the upper register 18 ends with a hanger 42 with a bore through which the pivot 40 passes, so as to be articulated on this pivot 40. A socket 44 reduces friction.

On the opposite side, that is to say at the level of the first shaft 24, the mounting is similar (see Fig. 3). The first suspension arm 28 of the upper register 18 ends with a fixing flange 46 which is fixed to a counter flange 48 of the first shaft 24. The flange 46 comprises a pivot 50 which projects on the side opposite to the counter-flange 48 and which hingedly supports the second suspension arm 32 of the lower register 20. The second suspension arm suspension 32 of lower register 20 ends with a suspension lug 52 with a bore provided with a bushing and traversed by the pivot 50.

Thus, each register 18, 20 is carried by a first suspension arm which ends with a flange and a second suspension arm which ends with a support leg. While a first arm of a register is driven by one of the trees, this same first arm supports so articulated the second arm of the other register. This montage gives an impression visual crossing between the first suspension arm of a register and the second suspension arm of the other register.

The dismantling of the registers 18, 20 of this metering device is very simple. It suffices to detach, for example unbolt, each flange 36, 46 of its respective flange 38, 48, in order to completely separate each first suspension arm 28, 30 of its respective shaft 24, 26. The suspension arms 28, 30, 32, 34 with the registers 18, 20 then form a register unit which can be extracted as it is, either from above or from the bottom of the watertight cage 17. It is not necessary to disassemble the shafts 24, 26.

In Fig. 2, there is an axial space on the pivot 40 between the flange 36 of the first suspension arm 30 of the lower register 20 and the support lug 42 of the second suspension arm 34 of the upper register 18. This space is obviously also provided on the opposite side, on the pivot 50 of the flange 46 of the first suspension arm 28 of the upper register 18. Once the flanges detached from the counter-flanges, the first suspension arms 28 are pushed and 30 towards each other to reduce the space between flanges and support legs. he Thus appears a clearance between the counter flanges of the two shafts, and the unit of registers, i.e. the suspension arms with the registers, is more easily maneuverable.

This clearance is indicated by the reference sign X in Fig. 3, which shows a rear view of Fig. 1. The wear cone 12 was removed for disassembly. A dismantling arm 54 provided with two lateral hooks 56 makes it possible to extract all of the first and second suspension arms 28, 30, 32 and 34 and registers 18, 20 from above. Only the first arms 28 and 30 were unbolted then pushed towards each other. Trees 24 and 26 are still in square. The second arms 32 resp. 34 slide on the pivots 50 resp. 40.

Fig.4 is another rear view of the metering device 10 in which is shown the drive mechanism. To facilitate the rotation of shafts 24 and 26, each of them is carried by a bearing box 58 housed in the wall of the sealed cage 17. Only the part of each shaft 24, 26 ending with the counter-flange 38, 48 opens into the sealed cage 17, the rest extends outside the cage 17. A main shaft 60, carried in bearings 62 outside the sealed cage 17, extends over the entire width of the metering device 10 and controls the rotation of the shafts 24 and 26 by through rod-crank systems. On the side of each tree 24 resp. 26, a crank 64 resp. 66 connects the respective shaft to one end of a connecting rod 68 resp. 70, see Fig. 5 and 6. The other end of the rod 68 resp. 70 is connected by a main crank 72 resp. 74 to main shaft 60. A hydraulic cylinder 76 is connected to the main shaft 60 by means of a crank controls 78 and controls the rotation of the main shaft 60 in both direction around its longitudinal axis. Obviously, you can replace the cylinder 76 by other drive means such as a rotary motor.

The drive mechanism is adjusted so that a rotation of the main shaft 60 produces a rotation of the registers 18 and 20 in opposite directions. During this rotation, the two V-shaped cutouts 22 co-operate to define a diamond-shaped central flow opening, the passage section varies gradually. Figs. 5 and 6 show a view of left, respectively a right view, of the assembly of Fig. 4. The registers 18 and 20 are in the closed position. As we can see, a elongation of the cylinder generates a rotation of the main shaft 60 in the direction clockwise, seen from the side of Fig. 5, which causes the rotation of the crank 64 and the upper register 18 clockwise, as indicated by the arrows. Viewed in Fig. 6, the main shaft 60 is rotated accordingly in the counterclockwise. The crank 66 and the lower register 20 are driven clockwise, as indicated by the arrows. Both registers 18 and 20 are therefore open in synchronism and in opposite directions.

In order to facilitate disassembly using the disassembly arm 54, the tab support 42 of the second suspension arm 34 of the upper register 18 is provided with a handling eyelet 80, as seen in Fig. 2. This carnation handling 80 is provided with a bore 82 which, in the closed position of the metering device 10, is aligned with a bore (not shown) in the flange 36. By inserting a locking rod (not shown in Fig. 2) to through these two bores, we block the relative movement of the first and second suspension arm 30 resp. 34 of the two registers 20 resp. 18. As seen in Fig. 3, the part of the locking rod located between the support tab 42 and the flange 36 can serve as an anchor point for the hook 56 of the dismantling arm 54. Such a handling eyelet will also be provided 80 on the other support leg 52, on the side of the first shaft 24. A shoulder 84 of the pivot 40 prevents the fixing lug 42 from pressing against the flange 36 when the first two arms 28 and 30 are pushed towards each other, and thus preserves an anchor point for a hook 56 of the disassembly arm 54.

It will also be noted that the entire drive mechanism is located outside of the waterproof cage 17. In fact, only the first 28, 30 and second 32, 34 suspension arms and registers 18, 20 as well as the shaft portions 24, 26 carrying the counter flanges 38, 48 are located in the sealed cage 17 and exposed the atmosphere inside the oven.

Figs. 7 and 8 show a partial section of Fig. 1 through the cone of wear 12, perpendicular to the common axis of rotation indicated by the reference sign 86. In FIG. 8, the metering device 10 is in a open position. We see that the lower edge of the tube 16 defines two cylindrical surfaces 88, 90, the axes of which coincide with the axis of common rotation 25, but which have different radii of curvature. The Ray of the first cylindrical surface 88 is slightly less than the radius of inner curvature of the cylindrical cap 18. The radius of the second surface cylindrical 90 is slightly less than the inside radius of curvature of the cylindrical cap 20. In this way the lower edge of the tube 16 perfectly matches the interior shape of the two registers 18 and 20, when these partially overlap in the closed position, as shown on Fig. 7. The material cannot therefore flow between the lower register 20 and the lower edge of the outlet pipe 16.

It will also be noted that to compensate for the difference in length between the suspension arms 30, 32 of the lower damper 20 and the suspension arms 28, 34 of the upper register 18, the common axis of rotation 86 is offset laterally relative to the central axis 92 of the flow pipe 16, on the side of the upper register 18. This has the effect of making the device more compact by open position. In this same context it will also be noted that the register lower 20 must have a greater swivel range than the damper upper pivot point 18. These different pivot amplitudes of the two registers 18, 20 are for example determined by different lengths levers 64, 66.

Claims (8)

1. A device for metering materials, comprising:

   a first (18) and a second (20) rotating gate;

   shafts (24, 26) arranged at each side of the gates (18, 20) to support the two gates (18, 20) and allow them to rotate around a common axis of rotation (25), a first (24) of said shafts being arranged at one side of the two gates (18, 20 ) and a second (26). of said shafts being arranged at the other side; and

   a drive mechanism connected to the shafts (24, 26) to turn the two gates (18, 20) in opposite directions;

   said first shaft (24) and said second shaft (26) being actuated in different directions by said drive mechanism;

   characterised in that each rotating gate (18, 20) is supported by a first suspension arm (28, 30) and by a second suspension arm (32, 34), which extend from each side of the respective gate;
   in that said first suspension arm (28) of said first gate (18) is fastened detachably to said first shaft (24);
   in that said first suspension arm (30) or said second gate (20) is fastened detachably to said second shaft (26);
   in that said second suspension arm (32) of said second gate (20) is connected to and articulated on said first suspension arm (28) of said first gate; and
   in that said second suspension arm (34) of said first gate (18) is connected to and articulated on said first suspension arm (30) of said second gate (20).
2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised: in that said first suspension arm (28) of said first gate (18) comprises a first mounting flange (46), and said first shaft (24) comprises a first counter-flange (28), said first flange (46) being fastened detachably to said counter-flange (48);
   in that said first flange (46) comprises a first trunnion (50) extending from the side opposite said first counter-flange (48), said second suspension arm (32) of said second gate (20) being articulated on said first trunnion (50).
3. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised: in that said first suspension arm (30) of said second gate (20) comprises a second mounting flange (36) and said second shaft (26) comprises a second counter-flange (38), said second flange (36) being fastened detachably to said second counter-flange (38);
   in that said second flange (36) comprises a second trunnion (40) extending from the side opposite said second counter-flange (38), said second suspension arm (34) of said first gate (18) being articulated on said second trunnion (40).
4. Device as in claim 2 or 3, characterised by an axial space on said first trunnion (50) between said second suspension arm (32) of said second gate (20) and said first suspension arm (28) of said first gate (18) respectively, by an axial space on said second trunnion (40) between said second suspension arm (34) of said first gate (18) and said first suspension arm (30) of said second gate (20).
5. Device as claimed in any of the above claims, characterised in that said gates (18, 20) are in the shape of a cylindrical segment.
6. Device as in any of the above claims, characterised: in that the drive mechanism comprises a main shaft (60) and two connecting
   rods (68, 70);
   in that the two shafts each comprise a crank (64, 66);
   said connecting rods (68, 70) connecting said main shaft (60) to said cranks (64, 66) in such a way as to produce two rotations in opposite directions.
7. Device as in claim 6, characterised in that the drive mechanism comprises a hydraulic cylinder (76) to cause the rotation of the main shaft (60) about its longitudinal axis.
8. Device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising an outlet channel (16) with a lower edge, characterised in that said gates (18, 20) have a closed position in which they partially overlap each other just below the lower edge of outlet channel (16), said lower edge having a stepped cylindrical shape which closely follows the shape of the two partially-overlapping gates.

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