An automatic loosening device and method for caking materials in a hopper

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of automatic feeding technology for radioactive raw materials, specifically relating to an automatic loosening device and method for caking materials in a feed hopper. The automatic loosening device for caking materials in a feed hopper includes a centering mechanism, a feeding clamping mechanism, a hydraulic lifting mechanism, and a caking material loosening mechanism. The caking material hopper is automatically centered via the centering mechanism. The bottom of the centering mechanism, feeding clamping mechanism, hydraulic lifting mechanism, and caking material loosening mechanism is a rectangular steel base. The feeding clamping mechanism includes a push-pull electric push rod. The caking material loosening mechanism includes a loosening paddle. The centering mechanism includes a V-block, an anti-movement electromagnet, two guide wheels, a universal ball bearing frame, and an inverted conical platform. This invention solves many problems in the feeding process of domestically produced uranium chemical enrichment, such as difficulty in feeding materials, material caking, incomplete feeding, and feeding hazards, thereby improving production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of automatic feeding technology for radioactive raw materials, specifically relating to an automatic loosening device and method for caking materials in a material hopper. Background Technology

[0002] The dissolution and feeding of domestically produced uranium chemical enrichments has always been done manually, which is labor-intensive, inefficient, and poses occupational health risks. These outdated operating methods and inefficient equipment are incompatible with the development requirements of modern industrial enterprises and have become key factors affecting employee occupational health, enterprise production efficiency, and production costs.

[0003] Currently, the raw materials for natural uranium production include domestically produced uranium chemical enrichments and imported materials. Imported materials, due to their superior material uniformity, low moisture content, and standardized container specifications, have had their dissolution and feeding operations automated.

[0004] Due to the diverse physical properties of domestically produced uranium chemical enrichments and the inconsistent specifications of specialized feed hoppers, manual operation has been consistently employed. Bud hopper handling and feeding / emptying rely on manpower and electric single-girder cranes. When processing lumpy or paste-like materials, tools such as crowbars and shovels are required. These shortcomings of manual feeding methods fail to meet the automation requirements of modern enterprises.

[0005] In view of the problems existing in the above-mentioned technologies, there is an urgent need to design an improved automatic loosening device and method for caking materials in a hopper. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic loosening device for caking materials in a hopper, which aims to automate the loosening operation of the hopper for feeding domestic uranium chemical concentrates, reduce the difficulty of operation and the labor intensity of personnel, improve production efficiency, realize remote control of human-machine operation, avoid direct contact between personnel and materials, and ensure operational safety and the physical and mental health of employees.

[0007] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0008] An automatic loosening device for caking materials in a hopper includes a centering mechanism, a feeding and clamping mechanism, a hydraulic lifting mechanism, and a caking material loosening mechanism; the caking material hopper is automatically centered through the centering mechanism.

[0009] The centering mechanism, feeding clamping mechanism, hydraulic lifting mechanism, and slab material loosening mechanism are all mounted on rectangular steel bases.

[0010] The feeding clamping mechanism includes a push-pull electric actuator; the caking material loosening mechanism includes a loosening paddle; the centering mechanism includes a V-block, an anti-movement electromagnet, two guide wheels, a universal ball bearing frame, and an inverted conical platform; the universal ball bearing frame is located above the center of a rectangular steel base; the inverted conical platform is movably placed above the universal ball bearing frame, and an anti-movement electromagnet is provided on the upper surface of the inverted conical platform; the two guide wheels are symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the push-pull electric actuator; the V-block is located at the rightmost end of the push-pull electric actuator; the loosening paddle is located above the right side of the universal ball bearing frame; the caking material bucket descends along the guide wheels to the inverted conical platform and is fixedly connected to the inverted conical platform through the anti-movement electromagnet; the push-pull electric actuator is horizontally positioned on the left side of the caking material bucket and pushes the caking material bucket to the right; the V-block contacts and clamps the outer walls of the caking material bucket; under the action of the two guide wheels, the caking material bucket gradually moves towards the center of the loosening paddle, thereby achieving automatic centering of the bucket.

[0011] The lower parts of the two guide wheels are each fixedly connected to a support column, which is fixedly connected to the universal ball bearing frame.

[0012] Furthermore, the centering mechanism is also equipped with an electric push rod, which is located below the inverted conical platform and connected to the anti-movement electromagnet, with the electric push rod extending out of the anti-movement electromagnet.

[0013] The feed clamping mechanism includes an electromagnet, a spring, and an adjustable-angle V-block. The electromagnet and spring are mounted on a support column, which is fixedly connected to a universal ball bearing frame. The adjustable-angle V-block is mounted on the left outer wall of the cylinder column. The opening and closing angle of the adjustable-angle V-block is adjustable.

[0014] As the slab material hopper descends along the guide wheel onto the inverted conical platform, the electromagnet attracts the platform, preventing it from slipping away. A spring acts as a buffer between the platform and the electromagnet. When the slab material hopper moves to the right, the electromagnet releases the platform.

[0015] The hydraulic lifting mechanism includes a power supply, a cylinder column, a hydraulic pump station, and a guide rod. The hydraulic pump station includes an oil inlet and an oil outlet and is connected to a power supply. The hydraulic pump station is located at the upper right side of the rectangular steel base, and the cylinder column is located to the left of the hydraulic pump station. A guide rod is installed on one side of the cylinder column to prevent rotation. The rise and fall of the hydraulic fluid level in the cylinder column controls the descent and ascent of the shovel.

[0016] The material loosening mechanism includes a motor, a drive sprocket, a chain, and a driven sprocket. The driven sprocket is coaxially mounted with the loosening paddle and connected via a shaft. The motor is connected to the drive sprocket, and the chain connects the drive sprocket and the driven sprocket.

[0017] The guide wheel has a diameter of φ200. The hydraulic pump station is 2.2k.

[0018] The rectangular steel base and the universal ball bearing frame are both made of 316L stainless steel.

[0019] The present invention also provides an automatic material loosening method using the above-mentioned automatic material loosening device for caking materials in a hopper, comprising the following steps:

[0020] 1) Adjust the opening and closing angle of the adjustable angle V-block 8 in advance according to the diameter of different material barrels;

[0021] 2) Lifting of slab material barrels: Lifting slab material barrels to the inverted conical platform on the universal ball bearing frame using a gantry crane;

[0022] 3) Automatic Centering: Centering is to ensure that the center of the caking material bucket coincides with the extension line of the loosening paddle. The gantry crane slowly lowers the caking material bucket along the guide wheels. Since the inverted conical platform is placed on the universal ball bearing frame and is movable, the inverted conical platform and the caking material bucket automatically align during the descent. After the caking material bucket is fully lowered, the electric push rod extends the anti-movement electromagnet, which attracts the bottom of the caking material bucket, making the inverted conical platform and the caking material bucket a single unit. Activating the push-pull electric push rod brings the electromagnet into contact with the inverted conical platform; pushing the electric push rod to the right pushes the caking material bucket, compressing and releasing the electromagnet; under the action of the V-block, the caking material bucket moves towards the center of the adjustable angle V-block until the adjustable angle V-block and the caking material bucket are completely clamped; thus, the bucket is automatically centered.

[0023] 4) Loosening material to prevent the hopper from moving or rotating when the caking material inside is loosened: Control the hydraulic pump station to move the liquid level of the cylinder column, and the drill bit of the material shovel will descend to the top of the caking material hopper; turn on the motor, and the motor rotation will drive the drive sprocket to transmit the torque to the driven sprocket through the chain, thereby causing the drill bit of the loosening shovel to start rotating, and then control the liquid level of the cylinder column to move the rotating loosening shovel down;

[0024] 5) Retraction: After the material is loosened, the motor reverses and controls the cylinder column to move upward and retract; push and pull the electric push rod forward, and at the same time the electromagnet is energized to attract the inverted conical platform. Push and pull the electric push rod backward, and the inverted conical platform and the slab material bucket are pulled back to the initial position together.

[0025] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0026] This device successfully solves the problems caused by the inconsistent specifications of domestically produced chemical concentrate raw material tanks, resulting in lumpy and caking materials that are difficult to completely empty, forcing manual operation as the only option. By manually dividing the loosening process into automatic centering, clamping, automatic loosening, and retraction operations, the device automates the loosening of the material tanks, improving production efficiency.

[0027] This device solves numerous problems in the feeding process of domestically produced uranium chemical concentrates, such as difficulty in feeding materials, material caking, incomplete feeding, and feeding hazards, thus improving the overall level of automation equipment in the feeding field of domestically produced uranium chemical concentrates. When processing lumpy or paste-like materials, it transforms the process from relying on manual labor with tools such as crowbars and shovels to achieving automated operation, meeting the automation requirements of modern enterprises and offering significant economic benefits. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the front structure of the automatic material loosening device for caking materials in the hopper;

[0029] Figure 2 Side view of the automatic unloading device for caking materials in the hopper;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a top view of the automatic material loosening device for caking materials in the hopper.

[0031] In the diagram: 1. Electromagnet; 2. Spring; 3. Push-pull electric actuator; 4. V-block; 5. Unloading paddle; 6. Motor; 7. Hydraulic cylinder column; 8. Adjustable angle V-block; 9. Hydraulic pump station; 10. Anti-motion electromagnet; 11. Electric actuator; 12. Guide rod; 13. Driven sprocket; 14. Chain; 15. Drive sprocket; 16. Universal ball bearing frame; 17. Guide wheel; 18. Rectangular steel base; 19. Inverted conical platform. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] like Figure 1-3 The present invention provides an automatic loosening device for caking materials in a hopper, comprising a centering mechanism, a feeding clamping mechanism, a hydraulic lifting mechanism, and a caking material loosening mechanism; the caking material hopper is automatically centered through the centering mechanism.

[0034] The bottom of the centering mechanism, the feeding clamping mechanism, the hydraulic lifting mechanism, and the slab material loosening mechanism is a rectangular steel base 18.

[0035] The feeding clamping mechanism includes a push-pull electric push rod 3; the slab material loosening mechanism includes a loosening paddle 5; the centering mechanism includes a V-block 4, an anti-motion electromagnet 10, two guide wheels 17, a universal ball bearing frame 16, and an inverted conical platform 19; the universal ball bearing frame 16 is located above the middle of the rectangular steel base 18; the inverted conical platform 19 is movably placed above the universal ball bearing frame 16, and an anti-motion electromagnet 10 is provided on the upper surface of the inverted conical platform 19; the two guide wheels 17 are symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the push-pull electric push rod 3; the V-block 4 is located on the push-pull electric push rod 3. Pull the rightmost end of the electric push rod 3; the loosening paddle 5 is set above the right side of the universal ball bearing frame 16; the caking material bucket descends along the guide wheel 17 onto the inverted conical platform 19, and is fixedly connected to the inverted conical platform 19 by the anti-movement electromagnet 10; the push-pull electric push rod 3 is horizontally set on the left side of the caking material bucket, and pushes the caking material bucket to move to the right; the V-block 4 contacts and clamps the two sides of the outer wall of the caking material bucket; under the action of the two guide wheels 17, the caking material bucket gradually moves towards the center of the loosening paddle 5, thereby realizing the automatic centering of the bucket.

[0036] The lower parts of the two guide wheels 17 are each fixedly connected to a support column, and the support column is fixedly connected to the universal ball bearing frame 16.

[0037] Furthermore, the centering mechanism is also provided with an electric push rod 11, which is located below the inverted conical platform 19 and connected to the anti-motion electromagnet 10. The electric push rod 11 extends out of the anti-motion electromagnet 10.

[0038] The feed clamping mechanism includes an electromagnet 1, a spring 2, and an adjustable-angle V-block 8. The electromagnet 1 and spring 2 are mounted on a support column, which is fixedly connected to the universal ball bearing frame 16. The adjustable-angle V-block 8 is mounted on the left outer wall of the cylinder column 7. The opening and closing angle of the adjustable-angle V-block 8 is adjustable.

[0039] As the slab material hopper descends along guide wheel 17 onto the inverted conical platform 19, electromagnet 1 attracts the inverted conical platform 19 to prevent it from slipping away. Spring 2 acts as a buffer between the inverted conical platform 19 and electromagnet 1. When the slab material hopper moves to the right, electromagnet 1 releases the inverted conical platform 19.

[0040] The hydraulic lifting mechanism includes a power supply, a cylinder column 7, a hydraulic pump station 9, and a guide rod 12. The hydraulic pump station 9 includes an oil inlet and an oil outlet and is connected to a power supply. The hydraulic pump station 9 is located at the upper right side of the rectangular steel base 18, and the cylinder column 7 is located to the left of the hydraulic pump station 9. A guide rod 12 is provided on one side of the cylinder column 7 to prevent rotation. The rise and fall of the hydraulic fluid level in the cylinder column 7 controls the rise and fall of the slack paddle 5.

[0041] The material loosening mechanism includes a motor 6, a drive sprocket 15, a chain 14, and a driven sprocket 13. The driven sprocket 13 is coaxially arranged with the loosening paddle 5 and connected by a shaft. The motor 6 is connected to the drive sprocket 15, and the chain 14 connects the drive sprocket 15 and the driven sprocket 13.

[0042] The guide wheel 17 has a diameter of φ200. The hydraulic pump station 9 is 2.2k.

[0043] The rectangular steel base 18 and the universal ball bearing cage 16 are both made of 316L stainless steel.

[0044] The present invention also provides an automatic material loosening method using the above-mentioned automatic material loosening device for caking materials in a hopper, comprising the following steps:

[0045] 1) Adjust the opening and closing angle of the adjustable angle V-block 8 in advance according to the diameter of different material barrels;

[0046] 2) Lifting of slab material barrels: Lifting the slab material barrels to the inverted conical platform 19 on the universal ball bearing frame 16 using a gantry crane;

[0047] 3) Automatic Centering: Centering is to ensure that the center of the caking material bucket coincides with the extension line of the loosening paddle. The gantry crane slowly lowers the caking material bucket along the guide wheels 17. Since the inverted conical platform 19 is placed on the universal ball bearing frame 16 and is movable, the inverted conical platform 19 and the caking material bucket automatically align during the descent. After the caking material bucket is fully lowered, the electric push rod 11 extends the anti-movement electromagnet 10, which attracts the bottom of the caking material bucket, making the inverted conical platform 19 and the caking material bucket a single unit. Activating the push-pull electric push rod 3 brings the electromagnet 1 into contact with the inverted conical platform 19. Pushing the electric push rod 3 to the right pushes the caking material bucket, compressing and releasing the electromagnet 1. Under the action of the V-block 4, the caking material bucket moves towards the center of the adjustable angle V-block 8 until the adjustable angle V-block 8 is completely clamped with the caking material bucket, thus achieving automatic centering of the bucket.

[0048] 4) Loosening material to prevent the hopper from moving or rotating when the caking material inside is loosened: Control the hydraulic pump station 9 to move the liquid level of the cylinder column 7, and the drill bit of the material paddle 5 descends to the top of the caking material hopper; turn on the motor 6, and the rotation of the motor 6 drives the drive sprocket 15 to transmit the torque to the driven sprocket 13 through the chain 14, thereby causing the drill bit of the loosening paddle 5 to start rotating, and then control the liquid level of the cylinder column 7 to move the rotating loosening paddle 5 down;

[0049] 5) Retraction: After the material is loosened, the motor 6 reverses and controls the cylinder column 7 to move upward and retract; the electric push rod 3 is pushed and pulled forward, and at the same time the electromagnet 1 is energized to attract the inverted conical platform 19. The electric push rod 3 is pushed and pulled backward, and the inverted conical platform 19 and the slab material bucket are pulled back to the initial position together.

[0050] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0051] This device successfully solves the problems caused by the inconsistent specifications of domestically produced chemical concentrate raw material tanks, resulting in lumpy and caking materials that are difficult to completely empty, forcing manual operation as the only option. By manually dividing the loosening process into automatic centering, clamping, automatic loosening, and retraction operations, the device automates the loosening of the material tanks, improving production efficiency.

[0052] This device solves numerous problems in the feeding process of domestically produced uranium chemical concentrates, such as difficulty in feeding materials, material caking, incomplete feeding, and feeding hazards, thus improving the overall level of automation equipment in the feeding field of domestically produced uranium chemical concentrates. When processing lumpy or paste-like materials, it transforms the process from relying on manual labor with tools such as crowbars and shovels to achieving automated operation, meeting the automation requirements of modern enterprises and offering significant economic benefits.

Claims

1. An automatic loosening device for caking materials in a hopper, characterized in that: It includes a centering mechanism, a feeding clamping mechanism, a hydraulic lifting mechanism, and a slab material loosening mechanism; the slab material hopper is automatically centered through the centering mechanism; the bottom of the centering mechanism, the feeding clamping mechanism, the hydraulic lifting mechanism, and the slab material loosening mechanism is a rectangular steel base (18); the feeding clamping mechanism includes a push-pull electric push rod (3); the slab material loosening mechanism includes a loosening paddle (5); the centering mechanism includes a universal ball bearing frame (16) and an inverted conical platform (19); the universal ball bearing frame (16) is set above the middle of the rectangular steel base (18); the inverted conical platform (19) is movable and placed above the universal ball bearing frame (16), and the slab material hopper and the inverted conical platform (19) are aligned. 9) Connection; the loosening paddle (5) is set on the upper right side of the universal ball bearing frame (16); the centering mechanism also includes a V-block (4), an anti-movement electromagnet (10), and two guide wheels (17); the upper surface of the inverted conical platform (19) is provided with an anti-movement electromagnet (10); the two guide wheels (17) are symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the push-pull electric push rod (3); the slab material bucket descends along the guide wheel (17) to the inverted conical platform (19) and is fixedly connected to the inverted conical platform (19) through the anti-movement electromagnet (10); the push-pull electric push rod (3) is horizontally arranged on the left side of the slab material bucket; the V-block (4) contacts and clamps the outer walls of the slab material bucket.

2. The automatic loosening device for caking materials in a hopper as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The lower part of each of the two guide wheels (17) is fixedly connected to a support column, and the support column is fixedly connected to the universal ball bearing frame (16).

3. The automatic loosening device for caking materials in a hopper as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The centering mechanism is also provided with an electric push rod (11), which is located below the inverted conical platform (19) and connected to the anti-movement electromagnet (10). The electric push rod (11) extends out of the anti-movement electromagnet (10).

4. The automatic loosening device for caking materials in a hopper as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The feed clamping mechanism includes an electromagnet (1), a spring (2), an adjustable angle V-block (8), and a support column; the electromagnet (1) and the spring (2) are mounted on the support column to attract the inverted conical platform (19), and the support column is fixedly connected to the universal ball bearing frame (16); the adjustable angle V-block (8) is mounted on the left outer wall of the cylinder column (7); the opening and closing angle of the adjustable angle V-block (8) can be adjusted.

5. The automatic loosening device for caking materials in a hopper as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The hydraulic lifting mechanism includes a power supply, a cylinder column (7), a hydraulic pump station (9), and a guide rod (12); the hydraulic pump station (9) includes an oil inlet and an oil outlet, and the hydraulic pump station (9) is connected to a power supply.

6. The automatic loosening device for caking materials in a hopper as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The hydraulic pump station (9) is located on the upper right side of the rectangular steel base (18), and the cylinder column (7) is located on the left side of the hydraulic pump station (9). A guide rod (12) is provided on one side of the cylinder column (7). The rise and fall of the liquid level in the cylinder column (7) controls the rise and fall of the loosening slurry (5).

7. The automatic loosening device for caking materials in a hopper as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The material loosening mechanism includes a motor (6), a drive sprocket (15), a chain (14), and a driven sprocket (13).

8. The automatic loosening device for caking materials in a hopper as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The driven sprocket (13) is coaxially arranged with the loosening paddle (5) and connected by a shaft; the motor (6) is connected to the driving sprocket (15), and the chain (14) connects the driving sprocket (15) and the driven sprocket (13).

9. The automatic loosening device for caking materials in a hopper as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The rectangular steel base (18) and the universal ball bearing frame (16) are both made of 316L stainless steel.

10. An automatic material loosening method using the automatic material loosening device for caking materials in a hopper as described in claim 9, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: 1) Adjust the opening and closing angle of the adjustable angle V-block (8) in advance according to the diameter of different material buckets; 2) Lifting the slab material bucket: Lift the slab material bucket to the top of the inverted conical platform (19) on the universal ball bearing frame (16) using a gantry crane; 3) Automatic centering: The gantry crane slowly lowers the slab material bucket along the guide wheel (17). Since the inverted conical platform (19) is placed on the universal ball bearing frame (16) and is movable, the inverted conical platform (19) and the slab material bucket automatically center during the descent of the slab material bucket. After the slab material bucket is completely lowered, the electric push rod (11) extends the anti-movement electromagnet (10) and attracts the bottom of the slab material bucket, making the inverted conical platform (19) and the slab material bucket a whole. The push-pull electric push rod (3) is activated, and the push-pull electric push rod (3) pushes the slab material bucket to the right. The electromagnet (1) is compressed and released. Under the action of the two V-blocks (4), the slab material bucket moves towards the center of the adjustable angle V-block (8) until the adjustable angle V-block (8) and the slab material bucket are completely clamped. Thus, the automatic centering of the bucket is achieved. 4) Loosening material: Control the hydraulic pump station (9) to move the liquid level of the cylinder column (7), and the drill bit of the loosening paddle (5) descends to the top of the caking material bucket; turn on the motor (6), the motor (6) rotates and drives the drive sprocket (15) to transmit the torque to the driven sprocket (13) through the chain (14), so that the drill bit of the loosening paddle (5) starts to rotate, and then control the liquid level of the cylinder column (7) to move, so that the rotating loosening paddle (5) descends; 5) Retraction: After the material is loosened, the motor (6) reverses and controls the cylinder column (7) to move upward and exit; push and pull the electric push rod (3) forward, and at the same time the electromagnet (1) is energized to attract the inverted conical platform (19), push and pull the electric push rod (3) backward, and the inverted conical platform (19) and the slab material bucket are pulled back to the initial position together.

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