Metallic gallium feeding device

Abstract

The invention relates to a gallium metal feeding device in the technical field of gallium metal production, and the gallium metal feeding device comprises a gallium metal storage tank, a conveyor, a grabbing manipulator, a heating chamber, a receiving hopper, a conveying pipe and a discharging pressure reducing nozzle, the gallium metal storage tank is in threaded connection with a tank cover, and the grabbing manipulator and the receiving hopper are correspondingly arranged at the discharging end of the conveyor; the heating chamber is used for heating the metal gallium storage tank placed on the conveyor, the grabbing mechanical arm is used for opening a tank cover of the heated metal gallium storage tank and pouring heated materials in the metal gallium storage tank into the material receiving hopper, a discharging port of the material receiving hopper is communicated with the conveying pipe, and a heat tracing band used for heat preservation is arranged on the conveying pipe. The discharging pressure reducing nozzle is connected to the discharging end of the conveying pipe and comprises a corrugated pipe and a double-layer pressure reducing screen arranged at the bottom of the corrugated pipe. The device is simple in structure and convenient to control, the labor intensity of workers in the metal gallium feeding operation process can be remarkably reduced, the production efficiency of metal gallium can be improved, and the safety of the metal gallium feeding operation is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of metal gallium production, and in particular relates to a metal gallium feeding device. Background Art

[0002] At present, there are two ways to produce gallium in the laboratory, namely upper discharge and lower discharge. Temperature control is used for purification. The raw material is 4N gallium, which is purified to 6N gallium and 7N gallium. The incoming materials are mainly canned materials, with a specification of 4kg / can and packed in plastic boxes. The box cover is sealed with threads. After temperature control and purification in the filter tank, it is sucked out by vacuum, enters the buffer container, and is transferred to the canning tank. The canning process is completed in the N2 packaging box. The canning specification is 1kg can, packed in a plastic box, and the error requirement is ±1g. The canning process requires heating, and the pipeline insulation temperature is controlled at 60℃. After canning, labeling and vacuum sealing are required.

[0003] In the existing gallium metal production process, the gallium metal is added manually, that is, the lid of the gallium metal storage tank is unscrewed and poured into the filter tank. Due to the high density of gallium metal, it is easy to splash. The operation process is time-consuming and laborious. When the ambient temperature is low, the gallium metal is easy to solidify and cannot be poured out, affecting the production.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need in the art to develop a metal gallium feeding device that can reduce manual labor intensity and improve production efficiency and operation safety. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to improve the automation level and production efficiency of the charging process during the production of metal gallium, while improving the safety of the operation.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A metal gallium feeding device comprises a metal gallium storage tank, a conveyor, a grabbing manipulator, a heating chamber, a receiving hopper, a conveying pipe and a discharge pressure relief nozzle, wherein the metal gallium storage tank is threadedly connected with a tank cover, the conveyor is arranged through the heating chamber, the grabbing manipulator and the receiving hopper are both arranged at the unloading end of the conveyor, the heating chamber is used to heat the metal gallium storage tank placed on the conveyor, the grabbing manipulator is used to open the tank cover of the heated metal gallium storage tank and pour the heated material in the metal gallium storage tank into the receiving hopper, the discharge port of the receiving hopper is connected with the conveying pipe, the conveying pipe is provided with a heating belt for heat preservation, the discharge pressure relief nozzle is connected to the discharge end of the conveying pipe, and the discharge pressure relief nozzle comprises a bellows and a double-layer pressure relief screen arranged at the bottom of the bellows.

[0008] Preferably, a temperature sensor and a resistance wire heater are provided in the heating chamber, and an inlet and an outlet for the metal gallium storage tank and the conveyor to pass through are respectively provided at both ends of the heating chamber, and plastic door curtains or rubber door curtains are respectively provided at the inlet and the outlet, which is conducive to reducing the heat dissipation in the heating chamber, thereby reducing energy consumption.

[0009] Preferably, the metal gallium feeding device also includes a six-degree-of-freedom robotic arm, and the grasping robot is connected to the six-degree-of-freedom robotic arm. More preferably, the grasping robot includes a lid opening robot and a material pouring robot, which facilitates the actions of lid opening, grasping, and material pouring. After the material pouring action is completed, the grasping robot can also move the empty metal gallium storage tank to a designated workstation.

[0010] Preferably, the metal gallium feeding device also includes a conveying pipe adjusting device, and the end of the conveying pipe away from the discharge pressure reducing nozzle is softly connected to the discharge port of the receiving hopper through a soft joint. The conveying pipe adjusting device can drive the conveying pipe to swing up and down around the soft joint, thereby facilitating the connection and disconnection between the discharge pressure reducing nozzle and the feed port of the filter tank.

[0011] Preferably, the conveying pipe adjustment device includes a winch and a winch mounting frame, wherein the winch is arranged above the conveying pipe through the winch mounting frame, the winch is connected to the conveying pipe through a steel wire rope, and the winch adjusts the height of the discharge end of the conveying pipe by winding and releasing the steel wire rope. The winch can adjust the discharge pressure relief nozzle on the conveying pipe downward by releasing the steel wire rope, so as to facilitate the feeding of the filter tank. Conversely, the winch can lift the discharge pressure relief nozzle on the conveying pipe upward by winding the steel wire rope, so as to make the discharge pressure relief nozzle leave the filter tank, so as to facilitate the purification operation through the filter tank.

[0012] Preferably, the double-layer decompression screen includes a first screen and a second screen, wherein the first screen is arranged above the second screen, and the first screen is a concave arc-shaped screen, and the second screen is a flat horizontal screen. The double-layer screen arrangement is further conducive to achieving decompression discharge.

[0013] Preferably, a feeding robot is provided at the feeding end of the conveyor to facilitate improving the automation level of the entire feeding system.

[0014] Preferably, the conveyor is a belt conveyor, and the belt of the belt conveyor is a high temperature resistant belt.

[0015] Preferably, the heating chamber maintains a constant temperature of 60°C, and the heating temperature of the heating belt is 60°C.

[0016] Preferably, the metal gallium feeding device further comprises a filter tank, the filter tank comprises a tank body with a water-cooling jacket, an agitator and a lifting rod, the water-cooling jacket is provided with a medium inlet and a medium outlet, the top of the tank body is provided with a feed port, the discharge pressure relief nozzle is arranged corresponding to the feed port, the lifting rod is connected to the top of the tank body through a lifting bracket, and the lifting rod can drive the agitator to insert into the feed port and drive the agitator to move up and down in the tank body, the agitator is provided with an electric heating rod, and the bottom of the tank body is provided with a discharge valve and a pressure transmitter. After the material is added to the tank body, the agitator is controlled to stir up and down continuously, and the water-cooling jacket is filled with cold water at about 22°C. By controlling the stirring speed and the heating temperature of the electric heating rod, the solidification of the metal gallium is regularly controlled, and the bottom pressure change is continuously detected to judge the volume of the liquid in the tank body. After about 5 to 6 hours, the purification is basically completed, and the purified metal gallium is discharged to the filling equipment through the discharge valve under the action of gravity, so that the filling of the purified metal gallium can be realized.

[0017] Preferably, the lifting rod is a hydraulic lifting rod, an electric lifting rod or a pneumatic lifting rod.

[0018] The present invention also includes other devices or components that enable it to be used normally, which are all conventional technical means in the field; in addition, the devices, components or steps not limited in the present invention all adopt conventional means in the field and will not be described in detail here.

[0019] The working principle of the present invention is as follows: the present invention conveys the metal gallium storage tank placed on the conveyor to the heating chamber and heats it to a predetermined temperature, and then conveys it to the material-retrieving station of the grabbing manipulator. The grabbing manipulator first performs the cover opening operation, and then moves the metal gallium storage tank after the cover opening to the top of the receiving hopper and performs the material pouring operation. The material in the receiving hopper enters the discharge pressure reducing nozzle through the conveying pipe, and after the volume expansion and pressure reduction, it is further subjected to the secondary flow equalization and pressure reduction through the double-layer pressure reducing screen, thereby achieving the purpose of preventing the material from splashing. The decompressed material finally enters the filter tank for filtration and purification. The setting of the heating belt on the conveying pipe can maintain the temperature of the material during the conveying process, which is convenient and efficient for purification.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the present invention has a simple structure and is easy to control, and can significantly reduce the labor intensity during the gallium metal charging operation, is beneficial to improving the production efficiency of gallium metal, and improves the safety of the gallium metal charging operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0022] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention in an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1A-section structure enlarged schematic diagram.

[0024] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the overall structure of the filter tank of the present invention in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention is described clearly below in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments in the embodiments of the present invention. The description herein is only used to explain the present invention, but is not intended to limit the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0026] Example

[0027] Please refer to Figures 1-2 The present invention provides a metal gallium feeding device, comprising a metal gallium storage tank 1, a conveyor 2, a filter tank 3, a grabbing manipulator 4, a heating chamber 5, a receiving hopper 6, a conveying pipe 7 and a discharge pressure relief nozzle 8, wherein the metal gallium storage tank is threadedly connected with a tank cover (not shown in the figure), the conveyor is arranged through the heating chamber, the grabbing manipulator and the receiving hopper are both correspondingly arranged at the unloading end of the conveyor, the heating chamber is used to heat the metal gallium storage tank placed on the conveyor, the grabbing manipulator is used to open the tank cover of the heated metal gallium storage tank and pour the heated material in the metal gallium storage tank into the receiving hopper, the discharge port of the receiving hopper is connected to the conveying pipe, the conveying pipe is provided with a heating belt 9 for heat preservation, the discharge pressure relief nozzle is connected to the discharge end of the conveying pipe, and the discharge pressure relief nozzle comprises a bellows 81 and a double-layer pressure relief screen arranged at the bottom of the bellows, and the discharge pressure relief nozzle is arranged correspondingly to the feed port of the filter tank.

[0028] Specifically, a temperature sensor (not shown in the figure) and a resistance wire heater (not shown in the figure) are provided in the heating chamber, and an inlet and an outlet for the metal gallium storage tank and the conveyor to pass through are respectively provided at both ends of the heating chamber, and plastic door curtains (not shown in the figure) are respectively provided at the inlet and the outlet, which are beneficial to reduce the heat dissipation in the heating chamber, thereby reducing energy consumption.

[0029] Following the above embodiment, the metal gallium feeding device further includes a six-degree-of-freedom robot 10, and the grabbing robot is connected to the six-degree-of-freedom robot. More specifically, the grabbing robot includes a cover opening robot 41 and a material pouring robot 42, which facilitates the actions of opening the cover, grabbing, pouring, etc. After the material pouring action is completed, the grabbing robot can also move the empty metal gallium storage tank to a designated station.

[0030] In this embodiment, the metal gallium feeding device also includes a conveying pipe adjusting device, and the end of the conveying pipe away from the discharge pressure reducing nozzle is softly connected to the discharge port of the receiving hopper through a soft joint 11. The conveying pipe adjusting device can drive the conveying pipe to swing up and down around the soft joint, thereby facilitating the connection and disconnection between the discharge pressure reducing nozzle and the filter tank feed port.

[0031] More specifically, the conveying pipe adjustment device includes a winch 12 and a winch mounting frame 13. The winch is arranged above the conveying pipe through the winch mounting frame. The winch is connected to the conveying pipe through a steel wire rope 14, and the winch adjusts the height of the discharge end of the conveying pipe by winding and releasing the steel wire rope. The winch can make the discharge pressure relief nozzle on the conveying pipe fall into the feed port of the filter tank by releasing the steel wire rope, which is convenient for adding materials to the filter tank. Conversely, the winch can lift the discharge pressure relief nozzle on the conveying pipe upward by winding the steel wire rope, so that the discharge pressure relief nozzle leaves the filter tank, which is convenient for purification operation through the filter tank.

[0032] Continuing with the above embodiment, the double-layer decompression screen includes a first screen 82 and a second screen 83, wherein the first screen is arranged above the second screen, and the first screen is a concave arc screen, and the second screen is a flat horizontal screen. The double-layer screen arrangement is further conducive to achieving decompression discharge.

[0033] In some other embodiments, a feeding robot (not shown in the figure) is provided at the feeding end of the conveyor to facilitate improving the degree of automation of the entire feeding system.

[0034] More specifically, the conveyor is a belt conveyor, and the belt of the belt conveyor is a high temperature resistant belt. The heating chamber is kept at a constant temperature of 60°C, and the heating temperature of the heating belt is 60°C.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 3In this embodiment, the filter tank includes a tank body 31 with a water-cooling jacket, an agitator 32 and a lifting rod 33. The water-cooling jacket is provided with a medium inlet and a medium outlet. The top of the tank body is provided with a feed port. The lifting rod is an electric lifting rod, and the lifting rod is connected to the top of the tank body through a lifting bracket 37. The lifting rod can drive the agitator to insert into the feed port and drive the agitator to move up and down in the tank body. The agitator is provided with an electric heating rod 34. The bottom of the tank body is provided with a discharge valve 35 and a pressure transmitter 36. After adding materials into the tank body, the agitator is controlled to stir up and down continuously, and the water-cooling jacket is filled with cold water at about 22°C. By controlling the stirring speed and the heating temperature of the electric heating rod, the solidification of the metal gallium is regularly controlled, and the bottom pressure change is continuously detected to judge the volume of the liquid in the tank body. After about 5 to 6 hours, the purification is basically completed. The purified metal gallium is discharged to the filling equipment (not shown in the figure) through the discharge valve under the action of gravity, and the filling of the purified metal gallium can be realized.

[0036] The working principle of the present invention is: the present invention transfers the metal gallium storage tank placed on the conveyor to the heating chamber and heats it to a predetermined temperature (60°C), and then transfers it to the material-retrieving station of the grabbing manipulator. The grabbing manipulator first performs the cover opening operation, and then moves the metal gallium storage tank after the cover is opened to the top of the receiving hopper and performs the material pouring operation. The material in the receiving hopper enters the discharge pressure relief nozzle through the conveying pipe, and after the volume expansion and pressure relief, it is then subjected to secondary flow equalization and pressure relief through the double-layer pressure relief screen, thereby achieving the purpose of preventing material splashing. The decompressed material finally enters the filter tank for filtration and purification. The setting of the heating belt on the conveying pipe can maintain the temperature of the material during the conveying process, which is convenient and efficient for purification.

[0037] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, and the above description is exemplary, not exhaustive, and is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.

Claims

1. A gallium metal feeding device, comprising a gallium metal storage tank and a conveyor, wherein a tank cover is threadedly connected to the gallium metal storage tank, characterized in that: It also includes a grabbing manipulator, a heating chamber, a receiving hopper, a conveying pipe and a discharge pressure relief nozzle. The conveyor is arranged through the heating chamber. The grabbing manipulator and the receiving hopper are both arranged at the unloading end of the conveyor. The heating chamber is used to heat the metal gallium storage tank placed on the conveyor. The grabbing manipulator is used to open the tank cover of the heated metal gallium storage tank and pour the heated material in the metal gallium storage tank into the receiving hopper. The discharge port of the receiving hopper is connected to the conveying pipe. The conveying pipe is provided with a heating belt for heat preservation. The discharge pressure relief nozzle is connected to the discharge end of the conveying pipe, and the discharge pressure relief nozzle includes a bellows and a double-layer pressure relief screen arranged at the bottom of the bellows.

2. A metal gallium feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating chamber is provided with a temperature sensor and a resistance wire heater, and both ends of the heating chamber are provided with an inlet and an outlet for the metal gallium storage tank and the conveyor to pass through, respectively, and the inlet and the outlet are provided with plastic door curtains or rubber door curtains respectively.

3. A metal gallium feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a six-degree-of-freedom mechanical arm, and the grasping manipulator is connected to the six-degree-of-freedom mechanical arm.

4. A metal gallium feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a conveying pipe adjusting device, wherein one end of the conveying pipe away from the discharge pressure reducing nozzle is softly connected to the discharge port of the receiving hopper through a soft joint, and the conveying pipe adjusting device can drive the conveying pipe to swing up and down around the soft joint.

5. A metal gallium feeding device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The conveying pipe adjustment device includes a winch and a winch mounting frame. The winch is arranged above the conveying pipe through the winch mounting frame. The winch is connected to the conveying pipe through a wire rope, and the winch adjusts the height position of the discharge end of the conveying pipe by winding and releasing the wire rope.

6. A metal gallium feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The double-layer decompression screen includes a first screen and a second screen, wherein the first screen is arranged above the second screen, and the first screen is a concave arc-shaped screen, and the second screen is a flat horizontal screen.

7. A metal gallium feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveyor is a belt conveyor, and the adhesive belt of the belt conveyor is a high temperature resistant adhesive belt.

8. The gallium metal feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating chamber is kept at a constant temperature of 60°C, and the heating temperature of the heating belt is 60°C.

9. The gallium metal feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a filter tank, which includes a tank body with a water-cooling jacket, an agitator and a lifting rod. The water-cooling jacket is provided with a medium inlet and a medium outlet. The top of the tank body is provided with a feed port. The discharge pressure relief nozzle is arranged corresponding to the feed port. The lifting rod is connected to the top of the tank body through a lifting bracket, and the lifting rod can drive the agitator to insert into the feed port and drive the agitator to move up and down in the tank body. An electric heating rod is arranged in the agitator. A discharge valve and a pressure transmitter are arranged at the bottom of the tank body.

10. A metal gallium feeding device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The lifting rod is a hydraulic lifting rod, an electric lifting rod or a pneumatic lifting rod.

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