A system for realizing automatic loading of materials and high throughput

Abstract

The application discloses a system for realizing automatic loading and high flux of materials, which comprises a shell, a heating furnace, a quartz tube, a quartz crucible table, a quartz crucible and a power unit. The heating furnace is fixedly installed on the upper portion of the inner cavity of the shell through a support and extends upward and is embedded on the top wall of the shell. The quartz tube is horizontally installed in the furnace cavity of the heating furnace. The quartz tube extends to both sides and penetrates through the two side walls of the heating furnace and extends to the outer cavity of the heating furnace. The annular side wall of the quartz tube is fixedly sleeved with a first flange at one end, and the first flange seals the pipe opening of the quartz tube. The application has the advantages of reasonable design, novel structure, greatly improved automatic process of material sintering, greatly reduced labor consumption, 24-hour uninterrupted work, ensured stability of equipment work, greatly improved equipment work efficiency, ensured material sintering quality, simultaneously ensured precise control of the sintering atmosphere of the materials, and greatly improved reliability of the material sintering experiment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of material sintering equipment technology, and in particular to a system for realizing automatic material loading and high throughput. Background Technology

[0002] Sintering of materials refers to the transformation of powdered materials into a dense body. It is a traditional process that people have long used to produce ceramics, powder metallurgy, refractory materials, ultra-high temperature materials, etc. It is also one of the important means of modern materials research. Sintering experiments require the use of a heating furnace to heat and sinter the materials.

[0003] A search revealed patent application CN202120716614.5, which discloses a material guide for sintering and a material sintering furnace containing the material guide. The material guide includes a hollow shell, the top of which allows material to disperse and fall along the perimeter of the shell. The top of the shell is either conical or curved. A first through-hole for hot gas to pass through is provided on the shell. A material sintering furnace containing the material guide includes a vertically arranged cylindrical furnace body. Inside the furnace chamber is a material guide that allows material to disperse and fall. Above the material guide is a material hopper, the smaller diameter end of which is close to the material guide. The gap between the material hopper and the furnace wall forms an auxiliary ignition zone. Below the material guide is a calcining platform, which has an umbrella-shaped structure. The area below the calcining platform forms the main ignition zone.

[0004] The above-mentioned equipment cannot efficiently meet the needs of sintering large quantities of materials, requires a lot of manpower, and cannot be used continuously for a long time. After a long period of use, it needs to be stopped for rest, otherwise the equipment is prone to failure and the equipment has poor working stability. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies, such as the inability to efficiently complete the sintering of large quantities of materials, the need for a large amount of manpower, the inability to operate continuously for extended periods, the need for shutdown and rest after prolonged use, and the poor stability of the equipment. The invention proposes a system that enables automatic material loading and high throughput.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A system for automatic material loading and high throughput includes a shell, a heating furnace, a quartz tube, a quartz crucible platform, a quartz crucible, and a power unit. The heating furnace is fixedly installed in the upper part of the inner cavity of the shell by a bracket, and extends upward and is embedded in the top wall of the shell. The quartz tube is horizontally installed in the furnace cavity of the heating furnace. The quartz tube extends to both sides, passing through the two side walls of the heating furnace and extending to the outer cavity of the heating furnace. A first flange is fixedly fitted at one end of the annular side wall of the quartz tube, and the first flange seals the opening of the quartz tube. A second flange is fixedly fitted at the other end of the annular side wall of the quartz tube. A material loading opening coaxial with the quartz tube is opened through the second flange. A flange cover for sealing the material loading opening is slidably connected to the outside of the second flange. A flange cover fixing plate extends outward from the annular side wall of the flange cover, and one side wall of the flange cover fixing plate is fixedly connected to the power unit.

[0008] The quartz crucible platform is slidably placed inside the quartz tube. Multiple crucible mounting slots are opened at the upper end of the quartz crucible platform, and each crucible mounting slot is equipped with a quartz crucible.

[0009] Preferably, the first flange and the second flange can be water-cooled flanges, and both the first flange and the second flange are provided with water-cooled chambers along their rotation direction, and both water-cooled chambers are connected to the cooling water circulation device through pipes.

[0010] Preferably, the power unit includes an electric push rod and a telescopic cylinder. Both the electric push rod and the telescopic cylinder penetrate the side wall of the housing and are horizontally fixed in the inner cavity of the housing by a bracket. Multiple electric push rods and telescopic cylinders can work independently or in cooperation with each other.

[0011] Preferably, a crucible platform support is fixedly connected to the side wall of the quartz crucible platform, and the crucible platform support extends towards the side of the second flange, passes through the material loading opening, and is fixedly connected to the side wall of the flange cover.

[0012] More preferably, the crucible platform support is also fitted with multiple quartz baffles.

[0013] Preferably, a connecting pipe is connected through the side wall of the first flange, the connecting pipe extends outward and is provided with a vacuum valve, the other side of the vacuum valve is connected to the suction end of the vacuum pump through a pipe, and an outlet regulating valve is also provided on the annular side wall of the connecting pipe.

[0014] More preferably, a pressure sensor is also provided on the annular sidewall of the connecting pipe.

[0015] Preferably, a heating furnace air inlet is connected through the side wall of the flange cover, and a pressure gauge is provided on the heating furnace air inlet. A pressure reducing pipe is connected through the quartz tube, and the pressure reducing pipe extends outward through the side wall of the shell and is provided with a pressure reducing valve, and a pressure reducing valve regulating port is connected through the pressure reducing valve.

[0016] Preferably, a thermocouple is also inserted on the side wall of the flange cover.

[0017] Preferably, a control box is provided on the front wall of the housing, the control box contains a PLC controller, and the front wall of the control box is also provided with a display screen for monitoring.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0019] In this invention, multiple quartz crucibles are installed in conjunction with a quartz crucible platform, which allows for the simultaneous heating of multiple materials. The crucible platform support facilitates the feeding and pulling out of the quartz crucible platform, greatly ensuring the efficiency of material heating.

[0020] In this invention, the quartz tube is sealed by the first flange and the second flange, which facilitates the maintenance of the atmosphere inside the quartz tube during sintering, ensures the vacuum effect or the protective gas effect inside the quartz tube, and ensures the quality of material heating and the reliability of experimental results.

[0021] In this invention, the quartz crucible is automatically fed in and taken out by an electric push rod, and the quartz tube is sealed with the first flange and the second flange, which ensures the automation of material heating and greatly ensures the heating effect of the material.

[0022] In this invention, an electric push rod and a telescopic cylinder are used together. The electric push rod is responsible for left and right movement, while the telescopic cylinder achieves automatic sealing. This avoids continuous operation of the electric push rod, prevents damage during long-term operation, ensures that the equipment can work 24 hours a day without interruption, and improves work efficiency.

[0023] This invention features a reasonable design and novel structure, which greatly improves the automation process of material sintering, significantly reduces manpower consumption, allows for 24-hour uninterrupted operation, ensures equipment stability, greatly improves equipment efficiency, guarantees the quality of material sintering, and ensures precise control of the material sintering atmosphere, thus greatly improving the reliability of material sintering experiments. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of a system for achieving automatic material loading and high throughput proposed in this invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a side view of a system for achieving automatic material loading and high throughput proposed in this invention.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a top view schematic diagram of the loading state of a system for realizing automatic material loading and high throughput proposed in this invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a top view schematic diagram of the sintering state of a system for achieving automatic material loading and high throughput proposed in this invention.

[0028] In the diagram: 1. Shell; 2. Heating furnace; 3. Quartz tube; 4. Connecting pipe; 41. Vacuum valve; 42. Outlet regulating valve; 43. Pressure sensor; 5. First flange; 6. Second flange; 61. Material loading opening; 7. Electric push rod; 8. Flange cover; 9. Flange cover fixing plate; 10. Heating furnace inlet; 11. Pressure gauge; 12. Thermocouple; 13. Telescopic cylinder; 14. Pressure reducing valve; 15. Pressure reducing valve regulating port; 16. Control box; 17. Display screen; 18. Quartz crucible platform; 19. Quartz crucible; 20. Crucible platform support; 21. Quartz baffle. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0030] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] Reference Figure 1-4A system for automatic material loading and high throughput includes a housing 1, a heating furnace 2, a quartz tube 3, a quartz crucible platform 18, a quartz crucible 19, and a power unit. The heating furnace 2 is fixedly installed in the upper part of the inner cavity of the housing 1 by a bracket, and extends upward and is embedded in the top wall of the housing 1. The heating furnace 2 can be a furnace with a temperature range of 200–1800°C. The quartz tube 3 is horizontally installed in the furnace cavity of the heating furnace 2, extending to both sides, penetrating the side walls of the heating furnace 2, and extending to the outer cavity of the heating furnace 2. A first flange 5 is fixedly fitted onto one end of the annular side wall of the quartz tube 3. Furthermore, the first flange 5 seals the opening of the quartz tube 3, and the other end of the annular sidewall of the quartz tube 3 is fixedly fitted with a second flange 6. A material loading opening 61 coaxial with the quartz tube 3 is opened through the second flange 6. A flange cover 8 for sealing the material loading opening 61 is slidably connected to the outside of the second flange 6. A flange cover fixing plate 9 extends outward from the annular sidewall of the flange cover 8, and one sidewall of the flange cover fixing plate 9 is fixedly connected to the power unit. The quartz crucible platform 18 is slidably placed in the inner cavity of the quartz tube 3. Multiple crucible mounting slots are opened at the upper end of the quartz crucible platform 18, and quartz crucibles 19 are provided in each of the crucible mounting slots.

[0033] In this embodiment, as Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the first flange 5 and the second flange 6 can be water-cooled flanges. Both the first flange 5 and the second flange 6 are provided with water-cooled chambers along their rotation direction, and both water-cooled chambers are connected to the cooling water circulation device through pipes. Both the first flange 5 and the second flange 6 are provided with O-rings to ensure the sealing effect on the quartz tube 3. During the sintering of the material, the cooling water circulation device is used to cool the first flange 5 and the second flange 6 to ensure the service life of the O-rings and the quality of the sintering of the material.

[0034] In this embodiment, as Figure 1-4 As shown, the power unit includes an electric push rod 7 and a telescopic cylinder 13. Both the electric push rod 7 and the telescopic cylinder 13 penetrate the side wall of the housing 1 and are horizontally fixed in the inner cavity of the housing 1 through a bracket. Multiple electric push rods 7 and telescopic cylinders 13 work independently or in cooperation with each other. The electric push rod 7 automatically controls the feeding and taking out of the quartz crucible platform 18, which greatly reduces the consumption of manpower and effectively ensures the automated processing of material sintering. During long-term experiments, the electric push rod 7 drives the flange cover 8 to seal the second flange 6. After the seal is completed, the electric push rod 7 stops working and the telescopic cylinder 13 is activated to maintain the sealing state of the flange cover 8, which improves the service life of the electric push rod 7 and reduces the operating pressure of the electric push rod 7. At the same time, using only the telescopic cylinder 13 cannot guarantee synchronization and cannot smoothly slide the flange cover 8.

[0035] In this embodiment, as Figure 1-4As shown, a crucible support 20 is fixedly connected to the side wall of the quartz crucible platform (18). The crucible support 20 extends into the material loading opening 61 and is fixedly connected to the side wall of the flange cover 8. The crucible support 20 can be made of quartz or corundum. The crucible support facilitates the removal of the quartz crucible platform 18.

[0036] In this embodiment, as Figure 1-4 As shown, the crucible support 20 is also fitted with multiple quartz baffles 21 to prevent the long-term high temperature during material sintering from affecting the life of the O-ring seal, thus greatly ensuring the stability of material sintering.

[0037] In this embodiment, during the use of the heating furnace, automated robotic arms and other equipment can be used for auxiliary processing to achieve unmanned operation. The electric push rod 7 pushes the flange cover fixing plate 9, which in turn moves the crucible platform support 20 to remove the quartz crucible platform 18. Multiple quartz crucibles 19 are then placed in the crucible mounting slots. The electric push rod 7 then moves the flange cover 8 back to its original position, ensuring that the flange cover 8 and the second flange 6 are tightly fitted together and sealed with an O-ring to the quartz tube 3. The flange cover 8 can be pressed down and the sealing effect ensured by using the electric push rod 7 or the telescopic cylinder 13 alone. Under normal conditions, the telescopic cylinder 13 can also be used alone to press down the flange cover 8. To improve the service life and operational stability of the electric push rod 7, when necessary, the electric push rod 7 and the telescopic cylinder 13 can be used simultaneously to seal the quartz tube 3 to improve the sealing effect. The heating furnace 2 is started to heat the quartz tube. During heating, the cooling water circulation device is used to cool the first flange 5 and the second flange 6 to ensure the cooling effect of the O-ring seal. After the material is sintered, the electric push rod 7 is started to push out the flange cover 8, which makes it easy to take out the quartz crucible 19. This greatly improves the efficiency and quality of material sintering, and also greatly reduces the manpower consumption of material sintering experiments, and greatly ensures the efficiency and stability of batch sintering.

[0038] Example 2

[0039] Reference Figure 1-4 In this embodiment, it is basically the same as in Embodiment 1, but with an optimization: a connecting pipe 4 is connected through the side wall of the first flange 5, the connecting pipe 4 extends outward and is provided with a vacuum valve 41, and the other side of the vacuum valve 41 is connected to the suction end of the vacuum pump through a pipe. An outlet regulating valve 42 is also provided on the annular side wall of the connecting pipe 4. When sintering the material, the vacuum pump is used to evacuate the quartz tube 3 according to the experimental needs, and the vacuum valve 41 is used to ensure the vacuum state of the quartz tube 3. The outlet regulating valve 42 is used to adjust the vacuum state of the quartz tube 3.

[0040] In this embodiment, as Figure 1-4As shown, a pressure sensor 43 is also provided on the annular sidewall of the connecting pipe 4 to monitor the air pressure inside the quartz tube 3 at any time, ensuring the safety of the quartz tube 3.

[0041] Example 3

[0042] Reference Figure 1-4 In this embodiment, it is basically the same as in Embodiment 1, but with an optimization: a heating furnace air inlet 10 is connected through the side wall of the flange cover 8, and a pressure gauge 11 is provided on the heating furnace air inlet 10. A pressure reducing pipe is connected through the quartz tube 3, and the pressure reducing pipe extends outward through the side wall of the housing 1 and is provided with a pressure reducing valve 14. A pressure reducing valve regulating port 15 is connected through the pressure reducing valve 14 to monitor the pressure of the heating furnace air inlet 10. The heating furnace air inlet 10 facilitates the air intake of the quartz tube 3, and protective gas can be introduced through the heating furnace air inlet 10 according to experimental requirements.

[0043] Example 4

[0044] Reference Figure 1-4 In this embodiment, it is basically the same as in embodiment one, but with the improvement that a thermocouple 12 is also inserted on the side wall of the flange cover 8 to ensure the monitoring of the temperature inside the quartz tube 3.

[0045] Example 5

[0046] Reference Figure 1 In this embodiment, it is basically the same as in Embodiment 1, but with an optimization: a control box 16 is provided on the front wall of the housing 1. The control box 16 has a built-in PLC controller, and a display screen 17 for monitoring is also provided on the front wall of the control box 16. The display screen 17 is used to monitor the experimental status, and the control box 16 is used to set and adjust the material sintering program.

[0047] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A system for automatic material loading and high throughput, comprising a shell (1), a heating furnace (2), a quartz tube (3), a quartz crucible platform (18), a quartz crucible (19), and a power unit, characterized in that, The heating furnace (2) is fixedly installed in the upper part of the inner cavity of the shell (1) by a bracket, and the heating furnace (2) extends upward and is embedded in the top wall of the shell (1). The quartz tube (3) is horizontally installed in the furnace cavity of the heating furnace (2). The quartz tube (3) extends to both sides, passing through the two side walls of the heating furnace (2) and extending to the outer cavity of the heating furnace (2). A first flange (5) is fixedly sleeved on one end of the annular side wall of the quartz tube (3), and the first flange (5) seals the opening of the quartz tube (3). A second flange (6) is fixedly sleeved on the other end of the annular side wall of the quartz tube (3). A material loading opening (61) coaxial with the quartz tube (3) is opened through the second flange (6). A flange cover (8) for sealing the material loading opening (61) is slidably connected to the outside of the second flange (6). A flange cover fixing plate (9) extends outward from the annular side wall of the flange cover (8), and one side wall of the flange cover fixing plate (9) is fixedly connected to the power unit. The quartz crucible platform (18) is slidably placed in the inner cavity of the quartz tube (3). Multiple crucible mounting slots are opened at the upper end of the quartz crucible platform (18), and quartz crucibles (19) are provided in each of the crucible mounting slots. The power unit includes an electric push rod (7) and a telescopic cylinder (13). The electric push rod (7) and the telescopic cylinder (13) both penetrate the side wall of the housing (1) and are horizontally fixed in the inner cavity of the housing (1) by a bracket. Multiple electric push rods (7) and telescopic cylinders (13) work independently or in cooperation with each other. A crucible support bracket (20) is fixedly connected to the side wall of the quartz crucible platform (18). The crucible support bracket (20) extends into the material loading opening (61) and is fixedly connected to the side wall of the flange cover (8) near the second flange (6). The crucible support (20) is also fitted with multiple quartz baffles (21).

2. The system of claim 1, wherein, The first flange (5) and the second flange (6) are water-cooled flanges. Both the first flange (5) and the second flange (6) are provided with water-cooled chambers along their rotation direction, and both water-cooled chambers are connected to the cooling water circulation device through pipes.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein, A connecting pipe (4) is connected through the side wall of the first flange (5). The connecting pipe (4) extends outward and is provided with a vacuum valve (41). The other side of the vacuum valve (41) is connected to the suction end of the vacuum pump through a pipe. An outlet regulating valve (42) is also provided on the annular side wall of the connecting pipe (4).

4. The system of claim 3, wherein, A pressure sensor (43) is also provided on the annular sidewall of the connecting pipe (4).

5. The system of claim 1, wherein, A heating furnace air inlet (10) is connected through the side wall of the flange cover (8), and a pressure gauge (11) is provided on the heating furnace air inlet (10). A pressure reducing pipe is connected through the quartz tube (3), and the pressure reducing pipe extends outward through the side wall of the housing (1) and is provided with a pressure reducing valve (14), and a pressure reducing valve regulating port (15) is connected through the pressure reducing valve (14).

6. The system for achieving automatic material loading and high throughput according to claim 1, characterized in that, Thermocouples (12) are also inserted on the side wall of the flange cover (8).

7. The system of claim 1, wherein, The front wall of the housing (1) is provided with a control box (16), which contains a PLC controller and a display screen (17) for monitoring.

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