DEVICE FOR INSPECTING WEAR ON THE INTERNAL SURFACE OF A ROTARY TROUGH, AND A METHOD FOR INSPECTING WEAR ON THE INTERNAL SURFACE OF A TROUGH.

Abstract

This rotary trough inner surface wear inspection device (9) is for testing the wear of a lining surface (32) attached to an inner surface of a trough (21) provided in a charging device (20) of a blast furnace (10). The rotary trough inner surface wear testing device (9) has: a non-contact distance measuring device (42) that is capable of being introduced into the blast furnace (10) and measuring a measured distance to the lining surface (32); and a wear determination unit (52) that determines the wear of the lining surface (32) based on the measured distance measured by the distance measuring device (42).a surface shape measuring device for loaded material (40), which measures the three-dimensional shape of a loaded material surface (24) loaded into the blast furnace (10) by emitting a microwave or millimeter wave measuring beam to it, can serve as the distance measuring device (42).

Description

26 DEVICE FOR INSPECTING INTERNAL SURFACE WEAR OF ROTARY TROUGH, AND METHOD FOR INSPECTING Wear of an internal surface of a gutter - Technical Field

[001] The present invention relates to a device for inspecting wear on the inner surface of a rotating trough and to a method for inspecting wear on the inner surface of a rotating trough. FUNDAMENTALS OF THE TECHNIQUE

[002] A charging device is provided at the top of a blast furnace to charge a raw material into the blast furnace. Examples of charging devices include a bell-type charging device and a rotary chute charging device, which concentrically distribute the charged material to form a conical profile of a surface of the charged material deposited in the furnace.

[003] In addition, in order to inspect whether the surface of the loaded material has a desired surface profile, an inspection device, which emits a measuring beam (e.g., microwave or millimeter wave beam), is introduced into the furnace through an opening provided near the top of the furnace to detect a three-dimensional profile of the surface of the loaded material (see Patent Literature 1).

[004] The chute is inevitably worn, because the loaded material placed by the top loading device can hit a chute inside the furnace (distributor) or friction can be caused when the loaded material is dispensed through the chute inside the furnace. To reduce distributor wear, it is proposed to coat an inner surface of the chute with linings (e.g., cast lining blocks) with ultrahard particles (see Patent Literature 2).

[005] Worn internal surface damage caused by loaded material impacting it can be avoided by covering the internal surface. Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 11 / 71 / 26 of the trough with the linings. However, even with wear-resistant linings, wear over time is inevitable. Thus, when the blast furnace is in a non-operational state, the worker(s) visually check(s) a surface of the lining through an inspection window provided near the top of the furnace to inspect the progression of wear. LIST OF CITATIONS PATENT LITERATURE(S) Patent Literature 1: JP 2019-151886 A Patent Literature 2: JP 10-46220 A SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEM(S) TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[006] The wear inspection described above can only be performed when the blast furnace is in the non-operational state, once every two or three months. Thus, the operation of the blast furnace may be affected if wear progresses rapidly during operation.

[007] Furthermore, as the inspection is carried out by visual verification of the worker(s), quantitative determination is difficult and, consequently, it is difficult to determine the need for renewal.

[008] In addition, visual inspection, which is carried out through an opening in the furnace body, requires fully adequate safety measures (e.g., measures to prevent falling into the furnace).

[009] Especially when the coating on the inner surface of the chute needs to be visually checked, the chute needs to be stopped in an orientation facing the opening in the furnace body.

[0010] In addition, heavy components for visual inspection (e.g., an inspection door on top of the furnace) require a plurality of workers and tools, resulting in expensive and large-scale work. Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 12 / 71 / 26

[0011] There is therefore a demand to enable the inspection of blast furnace internal surface wear to be carried out quantitatively and efficiently at any time.

[0012] One objective of the invention is to provide a device for inspecting the wear of the inner surface of a rotating trough and a method for inspecting the wear of the inner surface of a rotating trough capable of quantitatively and efficiently performing a wear inspection of an inner surface of a rotating trough at any time. MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM(S)

[0013] A device for inspecting the inner surface wear of a rotating chute configured to inspect the wear of an inner surface of a chute provided for a blast furnace charging device according to one aspect of the invention includes: a non-contact type distance sensor configured to be introduced into the interior of the blast furnace and configured to measure a measurement distance to the inner surface; and a wear determination section configured to determine the wear of the inner surface based on the measurement distance measured by the distance sensor.

[0014] According to the above arrangement, the wear of the inner surface of the trough can be determined based on the measurement distance to the inner surface of the trough, which is measured by the distance sensor controlled by the wear determination section to be introduced into the blast furnace and measure the measurement distance. This makes it possible to efficiently perform quantitative inspection by mechanical measurement at any time except in the non-operational state of the blast furnace.

[0015] In the device for inspecting the inner surface wear of the rotating chute according to the aspect of the invention, preferably, a surface profile measuring unit for loaded materials configured to emit a microwave or wave measuring beam. Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 13 / 71 / 26 millimeters to measure a three-dimensional profile of a surface of a material loaded in the blast furnace is used as the distance sensor.

[0016] According to the above arrangement, the existing loaded material surface profile measurement unit is also used as the distance sensor, which eliminates the need for another distance sensor, resulting in easy implementation of the operation.

[0017] In the device for inspecting the inner surface wear of the rotating trough according to the above aspect of the invention, preferably, the wear determination section is configured to control the trough to be adjusted in a predetermined measuring orientation in which the trough is facing the distance sensor.

[0018] According to the above arrangement, the trough can be adjusted to the predetermined measuring orientation under the control of the wear determination section, so that the trough can be located in a constant position relative to the distance sensor introduced into the blast furnace. The constant measurement of the measuring distance under the same conditions enhances the accuracy of the wear determination.

[0019] In order to adjust the chute to the predetermined measuring orientation, mechanisms provided for an existing loading device, a rotary mechanism to rotate the chute (around a vertical geometric axis) and a tilting mechanism to adjust a chute tilt angle (around a horizontal geometric axis), are usable.

[0020] In the predetermined measurement orientation, the trough is optionally in a rotation angle position (around the vertical geometric axis) to face the distance sensor and in a tilt angle position (around the horizontal geometric axis) in which a geometric axis in a direction of extension of the trough intersects orthogonally or nearly orthogonally with the measurement beam of the sensor. Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 14 / 71 / 26 distance.

[0021] In the device for inspecting the inner surface wear of the rotating trough according to the above aspect of the invention, preferably, the trough is rotatable around a geometric axis in a trough extension direction, and the wear determination section is configured to control the trough to be rotated in the measurement of the measurement distance.

[0022] According to the arrangement above, the trough can be rotated during the measurement distance, thus altering the position of a target measurement portion, which must be detected by the distance sensor, to traverse the inner surface of the trough. For example, when the distance sensor's measuring beam is moved in the transverse direction of the trough to scan the inner surface of the trough, the measuring beam may impinge on the inner surface at a shallow angle in areas near both ends of the trough, which may be unfavorable for wear determination. On the other hand, rotating the trough can increase the area where the measuring beam intersects the trough surface 21 at or nearly at a right angle, enhancing the accuracy of wear determination.

[0023] A rotation mechanism installed in an existing loading device may be used as appropriate to rotate the chute around the geometric axis in the direction of chute extension.

[0024] In the device for inspecting the wear of the inner surface of the rotating chute according to the above aspect of the invention, preferably, the wear determination section is configured to store a reference distance to the inner surface that is measured in advance by the distance sensor and compare the measurement distance with the reference distance to determine the wear of the inner surface.

[0025] According to the arrangement above, the distance to the inner surface of the trough after the refurbishment (for example, at the start of blast furnace operation), that is, the distance to the inner surface of the trough without being Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 15 / 71 / 26 worn, can be measured and stored in advance as the reference distance. Then, the reference distance can be compared with the measurement distance measured after a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of operation. Consequently, the wear of the inner surface of the channel caused by the operation can be adequately measured.

[0026] The reference distance can be measured after the inner surface of the trough has been refurbished (for example, after a protective lining is replaced). Specifically, the reference distance can be measured, for example, when the blast furnace is newly built, operation is started after refurbishment, or operation is restarted after a non-operational period.

[0027] In the device for inspecting the inner surface wear of the rotating trough according to the above aspect of the invention, the wear determination section can be configured to: measure the measuring distance at a plurality of points to obtain a plurality of measuring distances; select at least one of the measuring distances as a reference distance; and determine the inner surface wear based on a difference between the reference distance and each of the measuring distances other than the reference distance.

[0028] According to the above arrangement, the determination of wear can be made based, for example, on the difference between the minimum distance at or near both ends of the channel in the transverse direction, where the channel is little or almost not worn, and the measurement distance in the central portion of the channel in the transverse direction, where the channel is very worn. This eliminates, for example, an advance determination process independent of the reference distance.

[0029] A method for inspecting the wear of an internal surface of a chute provided for a loading device of a Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 16 / 71 / 26 blast furnace according to another aspect of the invention includes: introducing a non-contact type distance sensor inside the blast furnace; measuring a measurement distance to the inner surface using the distance sensor; and determining the wear of the inner surface based on the measurement distance.

[0030] According to the above aspect of the invention, the advantages described for the rotary chute inner surface wear inspection device according to the above aspect of the invention can be achieved.

[0031] In accordance with the above aspects of the invention, a device for inspecting the wear of the inner surface of the rotating trough and a method for inspecting the wear of the inner surface of the rotating trough can be provided, capable of quantitatively and efficiently performing a wear inspection of an inner surface of a rotating trough at any time. BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a general arrangement according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0033] Figure 2 is a plan view of a gutter according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0034] Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the gutter according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0035] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a distance sensor according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0036] Figure 5 schematically illustrates a measurement operation for measuring a measurement distance according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0037] Figure 6 schematically illustrates the measurement distance according to the first exemplary modality.

[0038] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a measurement process according to the first exemplary embodiment. Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, p. 17 / 71 / 26

[0039] Figure 8 is a front elevation view of a gutter according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0040] Figure 9 schematically illustrates a reference distance and a measurement distance according to the second exemplary modality.

[0041] Figure 10 is a flowchart of a measurement process according to the second exemplary modality.

[0042] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a measuring distance and a minimum distance according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0043] Figure 12 is a flowchart of a measurement process according to the third exemplary modality. DESCRIPTION OF THE MODALITY(IES) First Exemplary Modality

[0044] In Figure 1, a blast furnace 10 includes a furnace body 11, and a furnace top 12 is provided with a charging device 20.

[0045] A controller 50 is connected to blast furnace 10. The controller 50, which is in the form of a computer system, is configured to control various components of blast furnace 10, including the charging device 20, according to a predetermined program.

[0046] The charging device 20 includes a rotating chute 21 located inside the furnace body 11 and a charge feeder 22 located outside the top of the furnace 12.

[0047] A loaded material 23 fed from the loading feeder 22 falls to be received by the chute 21 and then is dispensed along the inclined chute 21 to be distributed from a distal end of the chute 21 to the interior of the furnace body 11. The loaded material 23 distributed from the chute 21 is dumped onto a surface of loaded materials 24 at different radial positions, depending on the angle of inclination of the chute 21. Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 18 / 71 / 26

[0048] As also illustrated in Figure 2, the loaded material 23 from the chute 21 is distributed concentrically by the rotation of the chute 21 and is deposited inside the furnace body 11 to form the loaded material surface 24.

[0049] As illustrated in Figure 3, a pair of support members 25 is connected to the respective base ends of the trough 21. The trough 21 is suspended and supported by the load feeder 22 through the support members 25.

[0050] The channel 21 can rotate around a vertical geometric axis A1 by means of a rotary drive mechanism (not shown in the drawings), through which a rotation operation of the channel 21 is performed.

[0051] In addition, the support members 25 connected to the channel 21 can rotate around a horizontal geometric axis A2 by a tilt drive mechanism (not shown in the drawings), through which a tilt operation is performed to adjust a tilt angle of the channel 21.

[0052] Channel 21 extends along a geometric axis A3 whose orientation varies from a substantially horizontal direction to a substantially vertical downward direction by the tilting operation of channel 21.

[0053] The rotary operation, the tilting operation and the turning operation of chute 21 are controlled by controller 50.

[0054] An inner surface of the channel 21 is lined with linings 32 (for example, cast lining blocks with ultrahard particles, hereinafter the linings are occasionally referred to collectively as a “lining”).

[0055] The coatings 32 formed on the inner surface of the trough 21 inhibit the trough 21 from being worn, which could otherwise be caused by the loaded material 23 being hit or dispensed onto it. Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 19 / 71 / 26 However, wear of the linings 32 by the loaded material 23 cannot be eliminated, and the linings 32 will be replaced when it is determined in a regular inspection that the linings 32 are worn.

[0056] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, the furnace body 11 is provided with a surface profile measurement unit for loaded materials 40.

[0057] The surface profile measuring unit for loaded materials 40 includes a measuring unit body 41 that can be introduced into the furnace through an opening 14 in the furnace body 11. A distance sensor 42 is provided at a distal end of the measuring unit body 41.

[0058] The distance sensor 42, which is an existing non-contact type distance sensor configured to irradiate a measurement target with microwave or millimeter wave measurement beams 43, 44 and detect the beams reflected from the measurement target, is capable of measuring a distance to the measurement target.

[0059] The distance sensor 42, which is normally located inside the furnace, regardless of whether the blast furnace 10 is in operation or not, retracts as needed outside the furnace, for example, when conditions inside the furnace are different from normal conditions.

[0060] The controller 50 includes a surface profile measurement section 51.

[0061] The surface profile measurement section 51 is capable of measuring a three-dimensional profile of the surface of loaded materials 24 (i.e., a shape of the surface of loaded materials) by controlling the distance sensor 42 to emit the measurement beam 43 onto the surface of loaded materials 24 and scan the surface of loaded materials 24.

[0062] The three-dimensional profile resulting from the surface of materials Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 20 / 71 / 26 loaded 24 is referenced by controller 50 in the control of the charging operation of charging device 20.

[0063] Controller 50 additionally includes a wear determination section 52.

[0064] The wear determination section 52 is capable of determining the wear of the coating surface 32 by controlling the distance sensor 42 to irradiate the inner surface of the channel 21 with the measuring beam 44 and measuring the distance to the coating surface 32.

[0065] As illustrated in Figure 4, to make the determination, the wear determination section 52 rotates the trough 21 so that the trough 21 is facing the distance sensor 42 and tilts the trough 21 so that the extension direction of the trough 21 is substantially orthogonal to the measuring beam 44, whereby the trough 21 is situated in a predetermined measuring orientation.

[0066] In the predetermined measurement orientation, the trough 21 is in a rotation angle position (around the vertical geometric axis A1) to face the distance sensor 42 and in a tilt angle position (around the horizontal geometric axis A2) in which a geometric axis A3 in an extension direction of the trough 21 intersects orthogonally or nearly orthogonally with the measurement beam 44 of the distance sensor 42.

[0067] As illustrated in Figure 5, by changing an emission angle of the measuring beam 44 and the tilt angle of the trough 21 while maintaining the predetermined measuring orientation described above, the point on the coating surface 32 to be irradiated with the measuring beam 44 can be changed by a predetermined length from a point near the base end of the trough 21 to a point near a distal end of the trough 21.

[0068] Through the measurement operation above, a distance of Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 21 / 71 / 26 measurement Dt can be measured intermittently or continuously at a plurality of points ranging from one end to the other end of the coating surface 32. The resulting measurement distances Dt are stored in the form of a measured profile Pt in a range from one end to the other end of the coating surface 32.

[0069] As illustrated in Figure 6, the measured profile Pt of the lining 32 from the area near the base end to the area near the distal end has a deep valley of the measuring distance Dt in the vicinity of the base end and an adjacent shallow area towards the area near the distal end. This occurs because the loaded material 23 fed from the loading feeder 22 falls into the area near the base end of the chute 21, where the surface of the lining 32 is heavily worn. The surface of the lining 32 is worn by the loaded material 23 received in the lining 32 and dispensed towards the distal end of the chute 21. However, the degree of wear of the lining 32 is less than in the area near the base end.

[0070] The surface of the lining 32 in the area near the base end, which receives a small amount of the loaded material 23 that has fallen, is less worn. Consequently, a minimum measurement distance Dt at this point can be defined as a reference distance Dr. Then, the differences Wt between the selected reference distance Dr and the reference distances Dr at other points recorded in the measured profile Pt (Wt = Dt - Dr) are calculated sequentially. When at least one of the resulting differences Wt exceeds a predetermined wear determination value Ws of the lining 32, it can be determined that replacement or similar of the lining is necessary due to wear.

[0071] The wear determination section 52 can thus measure the wear at the respective points by selecting the minimum of the plurality of measurement distances Dt recorded in the measured profile Pt as the distance of Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, p. 22 / 71 / 26 reference Dr and compare the reference distance Dr with the measurement distances Dt at other points to calculate the differences Wt = Dt - Dr. Then, at least one of the resulting differences Wt at the respective points is compared with the wear determination value Ws of the coating 32. When at least one of the resulting differences Wt exceeds the wear determination value Ws, it can be determined that replacement or similar is necessary due to wear.

[0072] The distance sensor 42 and the wear determination section 52 are the components of a device for inspecting the wear of the inner surface of the rotating trough 9 of the invention.

[0073] In Figure 7, the operations of this exemplary embodiment will be described below.

[0074] When blast furnace 10 is in use (including the period when the blast furnace is in operation and out of operation) (Step P1), controller 50 keeps the blast furnace in use until the time to perform the wear inspection (Step P2). Upon instruction from a user or at a scheduled inspection time, controller 50 passes control to the wear determination section 52, and the wear determination section 52 performs a wear determination operation (Steps P3 to P6).

[0075] In the wear determination operation, the wear determination section 52 adjusts the channel 21 to the predetermined measurement orientation (Step P3).

[0076] Subsequently, the wear determination section 52 alters the emission angle of the measuring beam 44 while altering the inclination angle of the trough 21. Then, with the measuring beam 44 being kept substantially orthogonal to the geometric axis A3 extending in the direction of extension of the trough 21, the wear determination section 52 measures the measuring distances Dt to the coating surface 32 at a plurality of points from the area near the base end to the area near Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 23 / 71 / 26 to the distal end of channel 21 and records the measurement distances Dt in a measured profile form Pt indicating a cross-sectional profile of the inner surface of channel 21 (Step P4).

[0077] Among the plurality of measurement distances Dt recorded in the resulting measured profile Pt, the wear determination section 52 selects the minimum of the measurement distances Dt as the reference distance Dr (Step P5).

[0078] Next, the differences Wt between the selected reference distance Dr and the measurement distances Dt at other points recorded on the measured profile Pt (Wt = Dt - Dr) are calculated sequentially. When at least one of the resulting differences Wt exceeds the predetermined wear determination value Ws of the coating 32, it is determined that replacement or similar is necessary due to wear.

[0079] After the wear determination is complete, the wear determination section 52 passes control back to the controller 50.

[0080] According to the present exemplary modality, the following advantages can be achieved.

[0081] In the present exemplary embodiment, the measuring distances Dt to the inner surface of the trough 21 are measured using the distance sensor 42 introduced into the blast furnace 10, and the wear of the lining surface 32 fixed to the inner surface of the trough 21 can be determined based on the measuring distance Dt. This makes it possible to efficiently perform quantitative inspection by mechanical measurement at any time other than the non-operating state of the blast furnace 10.

[0082] In the present exemplary embodiment, the surface profile measurement unit of loaded materials 40, which emits a microwave or millimeter wave measurement beam to measure the three-dimensional surface profile of loaded materials 24 loaded in the blast furnace 10, is also used as the distance sensor 42. This eliminates the Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 24 / 71 / 26 need for another distance sensor, resulting in easy implementation of the operation.

[0083] In the present exemplary embodiment, the trough 21 is adjusted to the predetermined measuring orientation under the control of the wear determination section 52, so that the trough 21 can be located in a constant position relative to the distance sensor 42 introduced into the blast furnace 10. Measuring the measuring distance Dt constantly under the same conditions enhances the accuracy of the wear determination.

[0084] In this exemplary embodiment, the wear determination section 52 measures the measurement distances Dt, selects the minimum of the measured measurement distances Dt as the reference distance Dr, and determines the wear of the coating surface 32 based on the difference Wt between the reference distance Dr and the other measurement distances Dt. This makes it possible to easily determine the reference distance Dr as a reference for comparison. Second Exemplary Modality

[0085] Figures 8 to 10 illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0086] The basic components of the second exemplary embodiment are the same as those of the rotary chute inner surface wear inspection device 9 of the first exemplary embodiment and, therefore, the same components will not be described and different components will only be described below.

[0087] In the first exemplary embodiment, the distance to the lining 32 is measured along the extension direction of the channel 21 (direction of the geometric axis A3) and the change in the amount of wear of the lining 32 along the extension direction is detected.

[0088] On the other hand, in the present exemplary embodiment, the distance to the coating 32 is measured along a transverse direction. Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, p. 25 / 71 / 26 of the chute 21 (geometric axis direction A2) to detect the change in the amount of wear of the coating 32 along the transverse direction.

[0089] The chute 21 of the loading device 20 of the present exemplary embodiment may rotate around the geometric axis A3 which extends in the direction of extension of the chute 21 by a chute rotation mechanism (not illustrated in the drawings). The rotation angle of the chute 21 is 360 degrees.

[0090] Furthermore, the wear determination section 52 of the present exemplary embodiment is configured to rotate the trough 21 around the geometric axis A3 in the direction of extension of the trough 21 to allow the measuring beam 44 to be emitted on both lateral areas of the coating 32 as perpendicular as possible.

[0091] In Figure 4 described above, by rotating the channel 21 around the geometric axis A3 while emitting the measuring beam 44 from the distance sensor 42, the inner surface of the coating 32 illustrated in Figure 8 can be scanned in the transverse direction (the direction of the geometric axis A2) to measure the distance to the surface of the coating 32 from the “-90 degrees” direction through the “0 degrees” direction to the “90 degrees” direction. The measured distances can be plotted on a graph of a developed view in Figure 9.

[0092] In the graph in Figure 9, the “-90 degrees” position at the left end represents one end of coating 32 on the “-90 degrees” side in Figure 8 and the “+90 degrees” position at the right end represents one end of coating 32 on the “-90 degrees” side in Figure 3.

[0093] When coating 32 is new and not worn as illustrated in Figure 9(A), the surface of coating 32 is a new surface 321. A reference distance Ds can be measured intermittently or continuously at a plurality of points from a first end to a second end of the new surface 321. Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, p. 26 / 71 / 26 rotating the trough 21 while irradiating the new surface 321 with the measuring beam 44. The resulting plurality of reference distances Ds can be recorded in the form of a reference profile Ps (i.e., a cross-sectional profile of an area from the first end to the second end of the new surface 321).

[0094] The new surface 321 is worn and deformed to be a surface 322 or 323 by the loaded material 23 placed, as illustrated in Figure 9(B). Surfaces 322 and 323 are noticeably worn in a central portion (an area in or near the 0-degree direction) of the trough 21 in the transverse direction, which is a bottom portion of the trough 21 in a normal posture. Surfaces 322 and 323 are less worn in both end portions of the trough 21 in the transverse direction (areas near or in the -90-degree direction and in the +90-degree direction), which are side portions of the trough 21 in the normal posture.

[0095] As illustrated in Figure 9(C), the measuring distance Dt can be measured intermittently or continuously at a plurality of points from a first end to a second end of the worn surface 323 by rotating the trough 21 while irradiating the worn surface 323 with the measuring beam 44. The resulting plurality of measuring distances Dt can be recorded in the form of a measured profile Pt (i.e., a cross-sectional profile of an area from the first end to the second end of the surface 323).

[0096] The wear determination section 52 selects the reference distance Ds for a point on the reference profile Ps corresponding to each of the plurality of measurement distances Dt recorded on the measured profile Pt and calculates the differences Wt = Dt - Ds to measure the wear at the respective points. The resulting differences Wt are compared with the predetermined wear determination value Ws of the coating 32. When at least one of the resulting differences Wt exceeds the value of Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 27 / 71 / 26 determination of predetermined wear Ws, it is determined that replacement or similar is necessary due to wear.

[0097] The distance sensor 42 and the wear determination section 52 are the components of a device for inspecting the wear of the inner surface of the rotating trough 9 of the invention.

[0098] In Figure 10, the operations of this exemplary modality will be described below.

[0099] During a test operation of blast furnace 10 that is newly built or refurbished (Step P10), upon receiving an external command or at a predetermined time, the controller 50 passes control to the wear determination section 52, causing the wear determination section 52 to perform a reference profile measurement operation (Steps P11 to P16).

[00100] In the reference profile measurement operation, the wear determination section 52 adjusts the channel 21 to the predetermined measurement orientation (Step P11).

[00101] Subsequently, the wear determination section 52 selects measurement points on the geometric axis A3, which is the extension direction of the channel 21 (Step P12). The measurement points are determined so that at least one of the measurement points is positioned on each of the linings 32 aligned in the channel 21.

[00102] After selecting the measurement points, the reference distance Ds to the coating surface 32 is measured by the distance sensor 42 (Step P13) and is recorded in a form of the reference profile Ps representing the cross-sectional profile of the inner surface of the channel 21 (Step P14). The reference distances Ds at the plurality of points in the cross-sectional direction of the channel 21 are stored in the reference profile Ps at each measurement point along with the position in the cross-sectional direction of the channel 21 (i.e., the angle position around the geometric axis A3). Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 28 / 71 / 26

[00103] After measuring the reference profile Ps (including a plurality of reference distances Ds) at one of the measurement points, it is determined whether there is a measurement point that has not yet been measured (Step P15). When the unmeasured measurement point is present, the next measurement point is selected (Step P12) and the same steps in Steps P13 to P15 are repeated.

[00104] When it is determined in Step P15 that the unmeasured measurement point is not present, the wear determination section 52 will pass control back to the controller 50.

[00105] When blast furnace 10 is in use (including the period when the blast furnace is in operation and out of operation) (Step P20), controller 50 keeps the blast furnace in use until the time to perform the wear inspection (Step P21). Upon a user instruction or at a scheduled inspection time, controller 50 passes control to the wear determination section 52, and the wear determination section 52 performs a wear determination operation (Steps P22 to P27).

[00106] In the wear determination operation, the wear determination section 52 adjusts the channel 21 to the predetermined measurement orientation (Step P22).

[00107] Subsequently, the wear determination section 52 selects one of the measurement points on the geometric axis A3 which is the extension direction of the channel 21 (Step P23), measures the measurement distance Dt to the surface of the lining 32 at the selected measurement point (Step P24) and records the measurement distance Dt as the reference profile Pt representing the cross-sectional profile of the inner surface of the channel 21 (Step P25). The measurement distances Dt at the plurality of points in the cross-sectional direction of the channel 21 are stored in the measured profile Pt at each measurement point along with the position in the cross-sectional direction of the channel 21 (i.e., the angle position around the geometric axis A3). Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 29 / 71 / 26

[00108] The wear determination section 52 compares the measurement distance Dt at each of the points on the resulting measured profile Pt with the reference distance Ds at the corresponding point on the pre-stored reference profile Ps to calculate a difference Wt = Dt - Ds at each of the points. When it is determined that at least one of the differences Wt is greater than the predetermined wear determination value Ws, the wear determination section 52 will determine that the coating 32 including the point is worn (Step P26).

[00109] After completing the wear inspection at a measurement point, the wear determination section 52 determines if there is a measurement point that has not yet been measured (Step P27). When the unmeasured measurement point is present, the next measurement point is selected (Step P23) and the same steps from Steps P24 to P27 are repeated.

[00110] When it is determined in Step P27 that the unmeasured measurement point is not present, the wear determination section 52 will pass control back to the controller 50.

[00111] Next, controller 50 returns to control for blast furnace operation 10 (Steps P20 to P21).

[00112] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the following advantages can be achieved in addition to the same advantages as in the first exemplary embodiment described above.

[00113] In the present exemplary embodiment, the trough 21 is rotated around the geometric axis A3 by a trough rotation mechanism 28 in measuring the measuring distance Dt, thereby altering the position of a target measurement portion, which must be detected by the distance sensor 42, to traverse the inner surface of the trough 21. For example, when the measuring beam 44 of the distance sensor 42 is moved in the transverse direction of the trough 21 to scan the inner surface of the trough 21, the measuring beam 44 Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, p. 30 / 71 / 26 may be incident on the inner surface at a shallow angle in areas near both ends of channel 21, which may be unfavorable for determining wear. On the other hand, rotating channel 21 increases the area for the measuring beam 44 to intersect the surface of channel 21 at or nearly at a right angle, increasing the accuracy of the wear determination.

[00114] The existing chute rotation mechanism 28 installed in the loading device 20 can be used to rotate the chute 21 around the geometric axis A3 in the direction of chute 21 extension, which avoids complicating the device structure.

[00115] In this exemplary embodiment, the distance to the inner surface of the trough 21 after the refurbishment of the inner surface of the trough 21 (for example, at the start of blast furnace 10 operation), i.e., the distance to the surface of a new, unworn lining 32 (new surface 321 in Figure 9), is measured and stored in advance as the reference distance Ds. Then, the reference distance Ds is compared with the measurement distance Dt measured after a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of operation. Consequently, the wear of the lining 32 caused by the operation can be appropriately measured. Third Exemplary Modality

[00116] Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a third exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[00117] The basic components of the third exemplary embodiment are the same as those of the rotary chute inner surface wear inspection device 9 of the second exemplary embodiment and, therefore, the same components will not be described and different components will only be described below.

[00118] In the second exemplary embodiment, the reference distance Ds for the unworn coating 32 is measured by emitting Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 31 / 71 / 26 the measuring beam 44 while rotating the channel 21 around the geometric axis A3, and the wear is determined based on the difference Wt between the reference distance Ds and the measuring distance Dt of the worn coating 32.

[00119] The third exemplary embodiment is the same as the second exemplary embodiment, in that the measuring beam 44 is emitted while the channel 21 is rotated around the geometric axis A3. In the third exemplary embodiment, however, the minimum of the measuring distances Dt is selected as the reference distance Dr and the wear is determined based on a difference Wt (= Dt - Dr) between any other measuring distance Dt and the reference distance Dr.

[00120] As illustrated in Figure 11(A), the new surface 321 is worn and deformed to become a surface 322 or 323 by the loaded material 23 placed (similar to Figure 9(B) in the second exemplary embodiment).

[00121] As illustrated in Figure 11(B), the measurement distance Dt can be measured intermittently or continuously at a plurality of points from a first end to a second end of the worn surface 323 by rotating the trough 21 while irradiating the worn surface 323 with the measurement beam 44. The resulting plurality of measurement distances Dt is recorded in a measured profile form Pt (similar to Figure 9(C) in the second exemplary embodiment).

[00122] Surface 323 is noticeably worn in a central portion (an area in or near the 0-degree direction) of channel 21 in the transverse direction, which is a bottom portion of channel 21 in a normal posture. The measuring distance Dt is therefore relatively large.

[00123] Surface 323 is less worn on both end portions of channel 21 in the transverse direction (areas near or in the -90 degree direction and in the +90 degree direction), which are lateral portions of channel 21 in the normal position. The measuring distance Dt is therefore small. Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 32 / 71 / 26

[00124] As illustrated in Figure 11(C), the wear determination section 52 selects, as the reference distance Dr, the minimum of the plurality of measurement distances Dt recorded on the measured profile Pt. The reference distance Dr is normally the measurement distance Dt measured on one or both end portions of the channel 21 in the transverse direction.

[00125] The differences Wt (Wt = Dt - Dr) between the selected reference distance Dr and the measurement distances Dt at other points recorded on the measured profile Pt are calculated sequentially. When at least one of the resulting differences Wt exceeds the wear determination value Ws of the coating 32, it may be determined that replacement or similar of the coating is necessary due to wear.

[00126] In Figure 12, the operations of this exemplary modality will be described below.

[00127] When blast furnace 10 is in use (including the period when the blast furnace is in operation and out of operation) (Step P30), controller 50 keeps the blast furnace in use until the time to perform the wear inspection (Step P31). Upon a user instruction or at a scheduled inspection time, controller 50 passes control to the wear determination section 52, and the wear determination section 52 performs a wear determination operation (Steps P32 to P38).

[00128] In the wear determination operation, the wear determination section 52 adjusts the channel 21 to the predetermined measurement orientation (Step P32).

[00129] Subsequently, the wear determination section 52 selects one of the measurement points on the geometric axis A3 which is the extension direction of the channel 21 (Step P33), measures the measurement distance Dt to the coating surface 32 at the selected measurement point (Step P34) and records the measurement distance Dt as the reference profile Pt Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 33 / 71 / 26 representing the cross-sectional profile of the inner surface of channel 21 (Step P35). The measurement distances Dt at the plurality of points in the transverse direction of channel 21 are stored in the measured profile Pt at each measurement point along with the position in the transverse direction of channel 21 (i.e., the angle position around the geometric axis A3).

[00130] Among the plurality of measurement distances Dt recorded in the resulting measured profile Pt, the wear determination section 52 selects the minimum of the measurement distances Dt as the reference distance Dr (Step P36).

[00131] Next, the differences Wt between the selected reference distance Dr and the measurement distances Dt at other points recorded on the measured profile Pt (Wt = Dt - Dr) are calculated sequentially. When at least one of the resulting differences Wt exceeds the predetermined wear determination value Ws of the coating 32, it is determined that replacement or similar is necessary due to wear.

[00132] After completing the wear inspection at a measurement point, the wear determination section 52 determines if there is a measurement point that has not yet been measured (Step P38). When the unmeasured measurement point is present, the next measurement point is selected (Step P33) and the same steps from Steps P34 to P37 are repeated.

[00133] When it is determined in Step P37 that the unmeasured measurement point is not present, the wear determination section 52 will pass control back to the controller 50.

[00134] Next, controller 50 returns to control for blast furnace 10 operation (Steps P30 to P31).

[00135] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the same advantages as those of the second exemplary embodiment can be achieved. Furthermore, since the minimum of the measuring distances Dt Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, p. 34 / 71 / 26 is selected as the reference distance Dr as in the first exemplary embodiment, the step of measuring and storing in advance the reference distance Ds as the reference profile Ps described in the second exemplary embodiment can be eliminated. This makes the process in the third exemplary embodiment simpler than in the second exemplary embodiment. Other Example(s)

[00136] It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, but includes modifications and the like, provided that such modifications and the like are compatible with an object of the invention.

[00137] In the exemplary embodiments above, the surface profile measuring unit of loaded materials 40 which emits the microwave or millimeter wave measuring beam 43 to measure the three-dimensional surface profile of loaded materials 24 loaded in the blast furnace 10 is also used as the distance sensor 42. However, a dedicated non-contact type distance sensor may be provided which operates on the basis of a different measuring principle.

[00138] In the exemplary embodiments, the coating 32 is provided on the inner side of the channel 21 and the surface of the coating 32 is defined as the inner surface of the channel 21. However, the coating 32 is optionally omitted and the surface of the channel 21 itself is optionally defined as the inner surface of the channel 21 for which the wear inspection is performed. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[00139] The invention is applicable to a device for inspecting wear on the inner surface of a rotating chute and to a method for inspecting wear on the inner surface of a rotating chute. EXPLANATION OF THE CODE(S) Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, p. 35 / 71 / 26

[00140] 9. rotary chute inner surface wear inspection device, 10. blast furnace, 11. furnace body, 12. furnace top, 14. opening, 20. loading device, 21. chute, 22. feeder, 23. loaded material, 24. surface of loaded materials, 32. lining, 321. new surface, 322, 323. surface, 40. loaded material surface profile measuring unit, 41. measuring unit body, 42. distance sensor, 43, 44. measuring beam, 50. controller, 51. surface profile measuring section, 52. wear determination section, A1. rotary operating geometric axis, A2. tilting operating geometric axis, A3. geometric axis in the chute extension direction, Ds, Dr. distance of reference, Dt.measurement distance, Ps.reference profile, Pt.measured profile, Ws.wear determination value, Wt.difference. Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, pp. 36 / 71

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. Rotating chute internal surface wear inspection device (9) configured to inspect wear of an internal surface of a chute (21) provided for a charging device (20) of a blast furnace (10), characterized in that the device (9) comprises: a non-contact type distance sensor (42) configured to be introduced into an interior of the blast furnace (10) and configured to measure a measuring distance to the internal surface; and a wear determination section (52) configured to determine the wear of the internal surface based on the measuring distance measured by the distance sensor (42).

2. Internal surface wear inspection device for rotary trough (9) according to claim 1, characterized in that: a surface profile measuring unit for loaded materials (40) configured to emit a microwave or millimeter wave measuring beam, to measure a three-dimensional profile of a surface (24) of a loaded material, loaded in the blast furnace (10), is used as the distance sensor (42).

3. Internal surface wear inspection device for rotating trough (9) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: the wear determination section (52) is configured to control the trough (21) to be adjusted in a predetermined measuring orientation, in which the trough (21) is facing the distance sensor (42).

4. Internal surface wear inspection device for rotating trough (9) according to claim 3, characterized in that: Petition 870260056846, dated 11 / 06 / 2026, page 37 / 71 2 / 3 the trough (21) is rotatable around a geometric axis in a direction of extension of the trough (21), and the wear determination section (52) is configured to control the trough (21) to be rotated in the measurement of the measurement distance.

5. Device for inspecting the inner surface wear of a rotary chute (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: the wear determination section (52) is configured to store a reference distance to the inner surface which is measured in advance by the distance sensor (42) and compare the measurement distance with the reference distance to determine the wear of the inner surface.

6. Internal surface wear inspection device for rotary trough (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: the wear determination section (52) is configured to: measure the measuring distance at a plurality of points to obtain a plurality of measuring distances; select at least one of the measuring distances as a reference distance; and determine the internal surface wear based on a difference between the reference distance and each of the measuring distances other than the reference distance.

7. Method for inspecting wear of an internal surface of a chute (21) provided for a charging device (20) of a blast furnace (10) using a device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the method comprises: introducing a non-contact type distance sensor (42) into an interior of the blast furnace (10); measuring a measurement distance to the internal surface using the distance sensor (42); and determining the wear of the internal surface based on the measurement distance.

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