Converter lifting equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a converter lifting device (1) for use in a steel plant in the steel industry in order to maintain converter bearings, characterized in that it comprises a weighing sensor / hydraulic jack (6), a saddle chassis (5.2) connected to a base (4), and a saddle (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a converter lifting device for maintaining converter bearings in the steel industry.

[0002] In particular, the invention allows lifting the converter bearing for maintenance work using the saddle in a shorter time and under maximum load on the converter compared to current working methods. Background Art

[0003] In the steel industry, the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) used to convert liquid pig iron into steel is called a converter. The bearings that enable the converter to rotate 360° around its journal axis are often rotated for replacement or the working surface is shifted during maintenance. To perform these operations, the converter must be moved or lifted at least 20-30 mm from its position.

[0004] In the current technology, in order to maintain the bearings in the converter, the converter is stopped and preliminary preparations are made, the converter mouth is turned downward, and a hydraulic jacking trolley is used under the converter to perform the lifting process.

[0005] After the converter was taken out of service for preliminary preparations for the process, the debricking and emptying operations took place. Upon completion of the emptying process, the converter weight was reduced to 450 tonnes.

[0006] Check the converter mouth flange. If it is deformed, repair it. Check the track and concrete under the converter. If there are any problems with the track or concrete, repair them.

[0007] Since the converter lifting operation will be carried out from the furnace mouth flange, the converter mouth is adjusted downward and the power is cut off. Wedges are driven between the converter ring and the boiler from four sides and spot welded to prevent them from falling.

[0008] Before starting work, maintain and clean the jack. Place the temporary foundation flange device on the jack table (the long side of the device must be parallel to the track axis). Place the temporary foundation flange on the foundation flange bracket in a balanced manner. Place four 2600mm box beams between the jacking trolley chassis and the temporary foundation device. To prevent the box beams from tipping over, fix them to the trolley chassis with tack welding. The temporary foundation flange should fit the box beams, and if there is a gap between them, gaskets should be nailed in between them in a balanced manner. Place the jacking trolley under the converter and adjust it so that the temporary foundation flange and the converter furnace mouth flange are centered. To prevent the jacking trolley from moving on the track, make buffers in front of the wheels to fix the trolley. Measure the distance between the temporary foundation flange and the furnace mouth flange from the four sides and adjust them so that the gap on the four sides is 270mm.

[0009] The unloaded converter will be lifted by six hydraulic cylinders, and the pressure on the bearings will be reset, allowing bearing maintenance to be performed. For this purpose, four hydraulic jacks / load cells are installed on the temporary foundation flange of the jack bracket. To evenly distribute the load, two hydraulic cylinders are placed under the reducer that rotates the converter. The reducer bottom is reinforced at an elevation of +8000 meters, and two hydraulic jacks / load cells are installed on each side of the reducer unit. Stroke (distance) sensors are also installed to synchronize the movement of a total of six hydraulic jacks / load cells, regardless of the load. The hydraulic jacks / load cells and stroke (distance) sensors are connected to a hydraulic power unit supported by a PLC.

[0010] During converter lifting, radio-controlled controls are located on both bearing sides and next to the drive unit operator. The hydraulic cylinder drive system operates, and the clearance between each hydraulic cylinder and the pressure surface is controlled and measured with an accuracy of 0.1 mm. These controls are used to lift the converter, leaving a 2-3 mm gap between the bearings on either side to prevent contact. After maintenance work on the converter bearings is complete, the converter is lowered onto the bearings in a balanced and gentle manner using hydraulic jacks / load cells. All components and accessories that could hinder converter rotation are removed. The converter is then ready for operation.

[0011] During the literature search, a patent application entitled "Steel-Converter Lifting Device" with publication number US3640503A was found.

[0012] The steel converter lifting device is used to transport the converter from the blowing station to the lining station when the converter needs to be relined during steel production.

[0013] The lifting device of the present invention ( Figure 1 7) has a frame (1) comprising two longitudinal carriages (2) and two crossbeams (3). The bogie (4) with its drive (5) is located on the longitudinal carriages (2). The number 6 represents the track.

[0014] The slider (7) is positioned on the two cross beams (3) and can move horizontally and diagonally relative to the direction of travel ( Figure 3 The slide plate (8, 9) is placed between the slider (7) and the crossbeam (3). Starting from this part, the sliding part moves up and down by the drive of the piston.

[0015] When transport is to be carried out, the steel converter hoist is moved under the converter and the legs (43) are lowered to the ground and brought into the position shown in Figure 5. Simultaneously, the converter is lowered onto the components (44) and moved into the transport position. The wheels are then lowered onto the rails and the converter hoist is ready for transport. Following the same logic, once the lining process is complete, the transport unit is placed onto the rails and the converter is transported to the workstation. Upon arrival at the converter station, the converter transport vehicle is secured and the converter assembled.

[0016] Another application encountered in the prior art patent search is a patent entitled "Converter Lifting Device" and publication number GB1325258A.

[0017] The invention Figure 1 and Figure 2 The numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 represent bogies, each of which comprises two bogies (5) with wheels (6). The wheels (6) are driven by hydraulic motors (7). Figure 3 The cab (8) contains the diesel engine (not shown) and the hydraulics and controls required to move the converter transport vehicle up and down and change its position.

[0018] Lever 9, 10, 11 and 12 are respectively connected to each bogie car 1, 2, 3, 4. These arms articulate levers 9, 10 and 11, 12 in pairs respectively via pins 13, 14, thus forming two X-shaped scissor pairs.

[0019] When dismantling the converter, the legs 32, 33, 34, and 35 are brought into contact with the ground and secured. The converter is then placed on the component 31. Afterwards, when the converter is secured to the base 31, the transport phase is initiated. During this phase, the wheels 6 are brought into contact with the ground, and the legs 32, 33, 34, and 35 are lifted upward. The operator then starts the diesel engine in the cab (8) and transports the converter to the desired location.

[0020] Technical Problems that the Present Invention Aims to Solve

[0021] The present invention relates to a converter lifting device for use in a steelworks in the steel industry for performing converter bearing maintenance.

[0022] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to complete the converter bearing maintenance process, which takes a long time due to operational reasons, in a short time.

[0023] Another problem that the present invention aims to solve is the problem of axial deflection during the lifting of the converter and the impact problems encountered during the lowering that lead to bearing damage.

[0024] Another problem that the present invention aims to solve is that, in each process of converter lifting, it is necessary to weld the support parts to the front end and the vertical structure of the base. Through the present invention, this process has been eliminated and the process has been accelerated.

[0025] Another problem the present invention aims to address is that each bearing maintenance and lifting process requires hours of lifting and welding. As is known from the prior art, after a second or third welding operation, the metal's internal structure suffers significant strength loss due to thermal fatigue. This compromises the system's reliability and can lead to workplace safety hazards. Because the converter lifting device of the present invention eliminates the welding process, it enables faster and safer lifting operations.

[0026] Another problem that the present invention aims to solve is to reduce the possibility of axial movement to zero by means of the converter lifting device of the present invention, in particular during lifting of the drive side using two saddles. This ensures a safer lifting process.

[0027] Another problem that the present invention aims to solve is to prevent the need for bearing maintenance that arises when new refractory lay-up will result in additional costs and time requirements due to additional refractory disassembly / assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 : Front view of converter lifting equipment

[0029] Figure 2 : Side view of converter lifting equipment

[0030] Figure 3 : Detailed view of the converter hoisting equipment on the converter

[0031] Figure 4 : Perspective view of the converter hoisting equipment on the converter

[0032] Description of reference numerals in the figures

[0033] 1-Converter lifting equipment

[0034] 2-Converter

[0035] 3-Bearings and bearing seats

[0036] 4-Base

[0037] 5-Saddle

[0038] 5.1-Bearing seat recess

[0039] 5.2-Saddle chassis

[0040] 6-Hydraulic jack

[0041] 7-Distance sensor

[0042] 8-Hydraulic power unit DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In the present disclosure, a converter hoisting device (1) is described only for a better understanding of the subject matter and does not have any limiting effect. The present invention relates to a converter hoisting device (1) for use in a steelworks in the steel industry for performing converter bearing maintenance.

[0044] Figure 1 shows a front view of the converter lifting device (1), and Figure 2 A side view of a converter hoisting device (1) is shown. Generally speaking, the converter hoisting device (1) is preferably designed with two to three hydraulic jacks (6) on the lower side, although the number of hydraulic jacks can vary. A saddle (5) is positioned on the upper side of the component. A bearing seat recess (5.1) is provided in the upper part of the saddle (5), depending on the shape of the bearing and the bearing seat (3).

[0045] Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the converter hoisting device (1) on the converter (2), and Figure 4 A perspective view of a converter hoisting device (1) on a converter (2) is shown. In the converter (2) area of a steelworks, the rotary movement of the BOF converter (2) is achieved by a motor-reducer unit rotating two bearings and bearing seats (3) located on the shaft journals on both sides of the converter (2). The bearings and bearing seats (3) require regular / planned maintenance. During production, if any failure of the bearings and bearing seats (3) occurs, emergency maintenance is required. While maintenance is carried out by removing the refractory lining of the converter (2) during regular / planned maintenance, during maintenance procedures requiring emergency shutdown, bearing maintenance work can be carried out without removing the refractory lining of the converter (2).

[0046] The converter lifting device (1) is used when the bearings and bearing housings (3) of the converter (2) require regular / planned maintenance or emergency maintenance. Preliminary preparations are required at the converter (2) to enable the use of the converter lifting device (1). First, a scaffold is built under the bearing on the side requiring maintenance. Then, the area between the converter (2) and the bearings and bearing housings (3) is enlarged by cutting mirror plates. The saddle chassis (5.2) is assembled by welding. The saddle (5) is assembled, the engineering calculations and design of which are based on the bearing journals. The hydraulic jack / load cell (6) and the distance sensor (7) are placed between the saddle chassis (5.2) and the saddle (5). The hydraulic jack / load cell (6) and the distance sensor (7) are connected to a PLC-controlled hydraulic power unit (8). Then, the saddle is leveled and fully supported from the bottom using the hydraulic jack / load cell (6), and the distance sensor (7) is reset at the same time. The load is lifted in a balanced manner using the base (4) as support, based on the data from the load sensor and distance sensor (7). After the load is removed from the bearing and its bearing seat (3), the bearing maintenance work is carried out. After the bearing maintenance is completed, the load is lowered to the bearing in a balanced manner based on the data from the load sensor and distance sensor (7). The assembled saddle chassis (5.2), saddle (5), hydraulic jack / load cell (6) and distance sensor (7) are removed. The mirror plate is welded back into place, the scaffolding is removed, and the converter (2) is ready for use.

[0047] The present invention is a converter lifting method for use in steel mills in the steel industry to perform converter bearing maintenance;

[0048] -Build scaffolding under the bearing to be maintained,

[0049] - By cutting the mirror plate, the space between the converter (2) and the bearing and bearing seat (3) is enlarged,

[0050] - Assemble the saddle chassis (5.2) by welding,

[0051] - Complete the assembly of the saddle (5),

[0052] - Place the hydraulic jack / load cell (6) and distance sensor (7) between the saddle chassis (5.2) and the saddle (5),

[0053] - connecting the hydraulic jack / load cell (6) and distance sensor (7) to a hydraulic power unit (8) controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC),

[0054] - Support from the bottom using hydraulic jack / load cell (6) and zero the distance sensor (7),

[0055] - Performing balanced load lifting operations based on data from load cells and distance sensors (7), supported by the base (4); and

[0056] - After the load is removed from the bearing and bearing housing (3), the bearing maintenance work is performed and after the maintenance is completed the operation is reversed and the converter is reinstalled.

[0057] Application of the invention in industry

[0058] In the steel industry, a basic oxygen furnace (BOF) used to convert liquid pig iron into steel is called a converter (2). The bearings that allow the converter (2) to rotate 360° around its journal axis are rotated during maintenance for replacement or displacement of the working surface. To perform all these operations, the converter (2) must be moved or lifted at least 20-30 mm from its position.

[0059] The converter lifting device (1) of the present invention will be used in steelmaking plants, especially in the steel industry, to realize the process.

Claims

1. A converter hoisting device (1) for a steel mill in the steel industry, characterized in that: The converter lifting device (1) comprises a weighing sensor / hydraulic jack (6), a saddle chassis (5.2) connected to a base (4), and a saddle (5).

2. The converter lifting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The converter lifting device (1) comprises a distance sensor (7).

3. The converter lifting device (1) according to claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The converter lifting device (1) comprises a hydraulic power unit (8).

4. The converter lifting device (1) according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The saddle (5) comprises a bearing seat recess (5.1).

5. A method for using a converter lifting device (1), characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: -Build scaffolding under the bearing to be maintained, - By cutting the mirror plate, the space between the converter (2) and the bearing and bearing seat (3) is enlarged, - Assemble the saddle chassis (5.2) by welding, - Complete the assembly of the saddle (5), - placing the hydraulic jack / load cell (6) and distance sensor (7) between the saddle chassis (5.2) and the saddle (5), - connecting the hydraulic jack / load cell (6) and the distance sensor (7) to a hydraulic power unit (8) controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC), - Support from the bottom using the hydraulic jack / load cell (6) and zero the distance sensor (7), - Performing a balanced load lifting operation by providing support through the base (4) based on data from the load cell and the distance sensor (7); as well as - After the load is removed from the bearing and the bearing seat (3), the bearing maintenance work is carried out, and after the maintenance is completed, the operation is reversed and the converter is reinstalled.

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