Measuring device of electrode length and automatic adjusting device of electrode distance and graphitization furnace

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of measuring device of electrode length and pole distance automatic regulating device and graphitization furnace.The measuring device includes the probe assembly integrated with ultrasonic probe, the probe assembly is under the action of elastic element and slides in a fixed guide sleeve, with its bottom end continuously abutting on the top of first electrode, and by emitting and receiving ultrasonic wave propagating along the electrode length, electrode length is directly determined.Pole distance automatic regulating device utilizes the measurement result, and position adjustment is carried out to first electrode by driver drive.The utility model solves the problem that prior art relies on indirect parameter measurement is not accurate, cannot be controlled in real time, realizes direct accurate measurement to electrode length and closed-loop automatic control of pole distance, and significantly improves the stability and automation level of production process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of graphitization furnace equipment, and more specifically, to a measuring device for determining the electrode length in a graphitization furnace online, and an automatic electrode spacing adjustment device implemented using the measuring device. Background Technology

[0002] With industrial development, market demand for graphitized products is constantly increasing, and the requirements for production efficiency and product quality are also rising. Continuous graphitization furnaces, due to their high production efficiency and relatively low energy consumption, have become the mainstream production equipment in this field. The working principle of a continuous graphitization furnace is to continuously feed carbonaceous material into the furnace body, pass a strong current between the electrodes at both ends of the furnace body, and utilize the electric arc and the material's own resistance to generate high temperatures, thus completing the graphitization transformation of the material. In this process, the electrodes are not only key components for conducting current, but their own thermal radiation is also an important heat source for heating the material.

[0003] During the operation of a continuous graphitization furnace, a persistent technical problem is the continuous consumption of the first electrode. As production progresses, the length of the first electrode gradually shortens, leading to a continuous increase in the distance between its bottom end and the second electrode at the bottom of the furnace—the electrode gap. This increased electrode gap directly affects the stability of the electric arc and the resistance within the furnace, thereby disrupting the thermal power balance and temperature distribution within the furnace chamber, adversely impacting the stability and uniformity of product quality. To maintain stable production conditions, the first electrode must be periodically moved downwards to compensate for its consumption, keeping the electrode gap within a reasonable target range.

[0004] In existing technologies, the need to adjust the position of the first electrode is typically determined indirectly. For example, operators monitor electrical parameters such as the total current and voltage of the furnace and infer the furnace's operating conditions by calculating changes in resistance. However, the factors affecting the furnace resistance are multifaceted, including fluctuations in the composition and physical state of the material inside the furnace, changes in temperature gradients, and atmospheric variations. These factors can all interfere with the judgment. Therefore, relying solely on changes in electrical parameters to infer changes in electrode spacing is often inaccurate and lagging, failing to achieve precise and real-time control of the electrode spacing. Furthermore, since the material inside the furnace covers the bottom of the furnace cavity, technicians cannot directly detect the actual physical distance between the bottom of the first electrode and the second electrode using optical or mechanical methods. Therefore, there has long been a need in the art for a technical solution that can overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies, accurately and in real-time acquire the state information of the first electrode itself, and thereby achieve automatic adjustment of the electrode spacing. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem this invention aims to solve is to provide an electrode length measuring device that overcomes the defects of existing technologies, and an automatic electrode spacing adjustment device implemented using this measuring device. This invention aims to achieve direct, accurate, and real-time online measurement of electrode length, and based on this measurement result, to perform precise automatic adjustment of the electrode spacing, thereby improving the stability, product quality, and automation level of the graphitization production process.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, one aspect of this invention provides an electrode length measuring device. The measuring device includes an ultrasonic probe for emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and a signal converter electrically connected to the ultrasonic probe. The function of the signal converter is to convert the ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic probe into a digital signal characterizing the electrode length. In this technical solution, the ultrasonic probe contacts the top of a first electrode in an abutting manner. Based on this configuration, the ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic probe can propagate along the length direction of the first electrode, and are reflected when they reach the bottom of the first electrode. The reflected ultrasonic waves are then received by the same ultrasonic probe. By analyzing the time required for the ultrasonic waves to travel from emission to reception, and combining this with the propagation speed of the ultrasonic waves in the electrode material, the signal converter can accurately calculate the current actual length of the first electrode.

[0007] In one specific implementation, the aforementioned measuring device further includes a probe assembly that integrates an ultrasonic probe and an acoustic coupling and thermal isolation component into a single unit. The acoustic coupling and thermal isolation component establishes an efficient acoustic transmission channel between the ultrasonic probe and the first electrode to reduce signal loss. Simultaneously, it effectively isolates the high temperature transmitted from the first electrode to protect the ultrasonic probe and its internal precision components.

[0008] To achieve stable contact between the ultrasonic probe and the top of the first electrode, and to accommodate the vertical movement of the first electrode during adjustment, the measuring device further includes a fixed guide sleeve and an elastic element disposed within the guide sleeve. The aforementioned probe assembly is configured to slide freely within the guide sleeve. The elastic element applies a continuous, downward elastic force to the probe assembly, ensuring that the bottom end of the probe assembly remains stably in contact with the top of the first electrode. This guarantees measurement continuity and avoids various problems associated with rigid connections.

[0009] In another aspect, this invention provides an automatic pole gap adjustment device, which includes the measuring device of any of the foregoing embodiments. Furthermore, the automatic pole gap adjustment device also includes a driver electrically connected to a signal converter in the measuring device. Upon receiving a digital signal from the signal converter characterizing the length of the first electrode or its wear variation, the driver responds to this signal by driving the first electrode to perform corresponding position adjustments, thereby dynamically maintaining the pole gap between the first and second electrodes within a stable target range.

[0010] To drive the first electrode, the actuator includes a gripper for holding the first electrode. To ensure long-term reliability of gripping under high temperature and vibration environments, the gripper includes an adjustment mechanism for applying a preload, and a spring assembly connected in series in the force transmission path of the adjustment mechanism. Through the elastic deformation of the spring assembly, minute dimensional changes caused by the thermal expansion and contraction of the electrode can be dynamically absorbed and compensated, thereby continuously maintaining a relatively constant gripping force and ensuring stable and safe gripping.

[0011] To support and guide the movement of the entire adjustment mechanism, the automatic pole pitch adjustment device also includes a sliding telescopic rod and a bracket. The bottom of the sliding telescopic rod is fixed to the top of the actuator, while its top is supported by the bracket. Driven by the actuator, the sliding telescopic rod slides and extends, thereby causing the first electrode to complete the vertical position adjustment.

[0012] To facilitate manual intervention or precise fine-tuning, the automatic pitch adjustment device also includes a manual compensation mechanism fixed to the bracket. This manual compensation mechanism is electrically connected to the sliding telescopic rod, allowing the operator to manually adjust the extension and retraction position of the rod.

[0013] To facilitate operator monitoring, the automatic electrode pitch adjustment device may also include a display, which is electrically connected to a signal converter, for digitally displaying information such as the real-time length of the first electrode or its cumulative consumption, as determined by a digital signal.

[0014] This utility model also includes a graphitization furnace, which includes a furnace body and is provided with an electrode length measuring device as described above, or an electrode pitch automatic adjustment device as described above.

[0015] To improve the graphitization efficiency of the graphitization furnace, the first electrode is a columnar positive electrode, vertically set on the central axis of the furnace body; the second electrode is a negative electrode, with 1-6 electrodes evenly distributed at the bottom of the high-temperature section of the furnace body, and the center point of the geometric shape formed by the electrodes on the bottom surface of the furnace body is set on the central axis of the furnace body. The frustum-shaped high-temperature area formed by the first electrode and the second electrode matches the area where the material falls naturally.

[0016] In addition, the graphitization furnace may also include some auxiliary equipment for the furnace body, such as a heating device installed on the outside of the furnace body using electric heating, and a furnace body insulation layer with ceramic fiber as the internal insulation material to reduce heat loss.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: First, this utility model proposes a technical solution for directly measuring the physical length of an electrode, which fundamentally breaks away from the predicament of relying on unstable electrical parameters for indirect inference in the prior art, making the measurement results accurate and reliable, and unaffected by the complex working conditions inside the furnace.

[0018] Secondly, based on accurate real-time measurement, this invention can realize closed-loop automatic control of the pitch, which greatly improves the automation and stability of the production process, helps to improve product quality, reduce energy consumption, and reduce reliance on operator experience.

[0019] Finally, the structural design of this utility model is reasonable. In particular, its elastic contact method and dynamic constant force clamping mechanism ingeniously solve practical engineering problems in online measurement and control, and have high practical value and economic benefits. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the measuring device structure in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the positive electrode pitch automatic adjustment device in Embodiment 1 of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a top view of a specific embodiment of the gripper part in this utility model.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Furnace body; 2. Display; 3. Heating device; 4. Furnace body insulation layer; 5. Second electrode; 6. First electrode; 7. Ultrasonic probe; 8. Signal converter; 9. Driver; 10. Waveguide block; 11. Gripper; 12. Sliding telescopic rod; 13. First crossbeam; 14. Bracket; 15. Manual compensation mechanism; 16. Acoustic coupling and thermal isolation assembly; 17. Guide sleeve; 18. Elastic element; 19. Adjustment mechanism; 20. Heat dissipation fins; 21. Hanger arm; 22. Spring assembly; 23. Flexible graphite paper. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0023] Example 1.

[0024] Please see Figures 1 to 3 This utility model provides an electrode length measuring device and an automatic electrode pitch adjustment device using the measuring device.

[0025] In a specific embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the automatic electrode spacing adjustment device is applied to a graphitization furnace system. This system mainly includes a furnace body 1. A second electrode 5 (negative electrode) is located at the bottom of the high-temperature section of the furnace body 1, serving as one of the electrodes. A first electrode 6 (positive electrode) is located on the central axis of the furnace body 1 and can be vertically adjusted within the furnace body 1. A heating device 3 and a furnace body insulation layer 4 can also be installed on the outside of the furnace body 1. The internal insulation material of the furnace body insulation layer 4 can be ceramic fiber to reduce heat loss. The heating device 3 primarily uses electric heating.

[0026] The present invention provides a measuring device for determining the length of a first electrode 6, the core of which lies in the direct, online measurement of the physical length of the first electrode 6 itself. The measuring device includes an ultrasonic probe 7 and a signal converter 8.

[0027] Please combine Figure 1 and Figure 2 To understand this, in this embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 7 is integrated into a probe assembly, which also includes an acoustic coupling and thermal isolation component 16. This acoustic coupling and thermal isolation component 16 is a carefully designed physical component designed to resolve the core contradiction between acoustic transmission and high-temperature isolation. Specifically, the acoustic coupling and thermal isolation component 16 can be structurally a waveguide block 10 of a specific length, made of materials such as special alloy steel. Its bottom surface, the end in contact with the top surface of the first electrode 6, is used to transmit ultrasonic signals. During installation, a layer of flexible graphite paper 23 can be placed between these contact surfaces as an acoustic coupling medium at high temperatures to fill microscopic gaps and ensure efficient sound wave transmission. Its shaft section features an integrally machined disc-shaped heat dissipation fin 20, forming a highly efficient heat dissipation structure to quickly dissipate the large amount of heat conducted from the first electrode 6 to the surrounding environment. Its top surface, the end furthest from the first electrode 6, forms a relatively cool "cold end," on which the ultrasonic probe 7 is mounted and connected. With this design, the waveguide block 10, the transmission path of the acoustic signal, is effectively separated from the heat dissipation fins 20, the main heat dissipation path, thereby ensuring the quality of the measurement signal while achieving reliable thermal isolation of the ultrasonic probe 7.

[0028] To achieve stable yet flexible contact between the measuring device and the first electrode 6, this invention employs an elastic contact structure. Specifically, the measuring device includes a fixed-position guide sleeve 17, and the aforementioned probe assembly is configured to slide freely vertically within the guide sleeve 17. Inside the guide sleeve 17, an elastic element 18, which in this embodiment is a compression spring, is also provided. This elastic element 18 applies a continuous, downward elastic force to the probe assembly, ensuring that the bottom end of the probe assembly, i.e., the bottom surface of the acoustic coupling and thermal isolation component 16, is always stably and with a certain pressure against the top surface of the first electrode 6. This design ensures the reliability of the measurement signal transmission and allows the measuring device to automatically adapt to changes in the position of the first electrode 6 during lifting and lowering adjustments, or to compensate for wear and tear on the top surface of the first electrode 6 during use.

[0029] During operation, the ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic probe 7 are transmitted into the interior of the first electrode 6 through the acoustic coupling and thermal isolation assembly 16 and propagate downwards along its length. When the ultrasonic waves reach the bottom of the first electrode 6, they are reflected due to a sudden change in the medium and return along the original path, ultimately being received by the ultrasonic probe 7. The signal converter 8 receives the electrical signal from the probe 7 and, by calculating the round-trip time of the ultrasonic waves, can accurately calculate the current total length of the first electrode 6.

[0030] Based on the aforementioned measuring device, this utility model further provides an automatic pole pitch adjustment device. This device includes a driver 9, which is electrically connected to a signal converter 8. When the signal converter 8 determines, based on the measurement results, that the first electrode 6 has shortened due to wear, it sends a command to the driver 9. The driver 9 responds to this command by driving the first crossbeam 13 downwards, thereby moving the first electrode 6 downwards to compensate for the wear and restore the pole pitch to the target range.

[0031] Please combine Figure 2 and Figure 3The first crossbeam 13 is fixedly connected to the gripper 11 via a downwardly extending boom 21. The gripper 11 is used to hold the first electrode 6. To cope with the thermal expansion and contraction and wear of the electrode under high temperature conditions, and to maintain a reliable clamping force at all times, the gripper 11 in this embodiment adopts a constant force clamping design. Specifically, the gripper 11 includes an adjustment mechanism 19 for applying and adjusting the initial clamping force. In this embodiment, it is a screw and nut mechanism, and a spring assembly 22 is connected in series on the force transmission path of the adjustment mechanism 19, that is, a compression spring is set between the nut and the tail of the gripper. During initial installation, a reasonable preload is applied to the spring assembly 22 by the adjustment mechanism 19. In subsequent operation, the small dimensional changes caused by the thermal expansion and contraction of the electrode will be absorbed and compensated by the elastic deformation of the spring assembly 22, thereby ensuring that the clamping force is always dynamically maintained at a relatively constant level. This ensures the reliability of clamping, avoids damage to the electrode due to excessive stress, and also has the effect of convenient and quick use, making it very suitable for use in small, laboratory graphitization furnaces.

[0032] It should be further explained that the guide sleeve 17 in the aforementioned measuring device is also fixed below the first crossbeam 13, thereby determining the relative position of the measuring device and the first electrode 6.

[0033] To achieve height adjustment of the entire drive assembly, the device also includes a sliding telescopic rod 12 and a bracket 14. The actuator 9 is fixed to the bottom of the sliding telescopic rod 12, which is supported and guided by a fixed bracket 14. The aforementioned first crossbeam 13 is positioned at the top of the sliding telescopic rod 12. The actuator 9, through its internal power unit, drives the sliding telescopic rod 12 to slide and extend vertically on the bracket 14, thereby achieving vertical position adjustment of the first crossbeam 13.

[0034] In addition, to facilitate manual fine-tuning or intervention in abnormal situations, the device may also include a manual compensation mechanism 15, which is fixed to the bracket 14 and electrically connected to the sliding telescopic rod 12. The operator can use it to manually control the extension and retraction of the sliding telescopic rod 12.

[0035] To facilitate real-time monitoring by operators, this device can also be equipped with a display 2, which is connected to the signal converter 8 and can digitally display key information such as the real-time length and consumption rate of the first electrode 6.

[0036] In some embodiments, the graphitization furnace system may have multiple second electrodes 5, such as six, distributed at the six vertices of a regular hexagon. The center point of the regular hexagon is set on the central axis of the furnace body 1, thereby forming a frustum-shaped high-temperature area with the first electrode 6 to match the area when the material falls naturally, so as to achieve the purpose of uniform heating of the material.

[0037] The working process of this utility model can be summarized as follows: During the production process, the measuring device continuously and in real time monitors the length of the first electrode 6 through its elastic abutment mechanism. When the first electrode 6 shortens due to consumption, its length change is captured and processed by the signal converter 8, which then sends an adjustment command to the driver 9. The driver 9 then drives the sliding telescopic rod 12 to move downwards or shorten by a distance corresponding to the consumption, thereby causing the first electrode 6 held by it to descend as a whole, completing one automatic compensation of the electrode pitch. This process repeats continuously, realizing precise closed-loop automatic control of the electrode pitch throughout the entire production process.

[0038] It should be further explained that in this embodiment, the guide sleeve 17 in the measuring device is also fixed below the first crossbeam 13, that is, when the first electrode 6 descends, the guide sleeve 17 also descends accordingly. However, this does not affect the operation of the measuring device. The measuring device always measures the length of the first electrode 6. Based on the length of the first electrode 6, that is, the distance from the upper bottom surface to the lower bottom surface of the first electrode 6, combined with the initial height of the first electrode 6, the distance from the lower bottom surface of the first electrode 6 to the bottom of the furnace body 1 or the second electrode 5 can always be calculated.

[0039] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model. In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "vertical," "upper," "lower," "horizontal," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0040] In the description of this utility model, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0041] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A device for measuring electrode length, comprising an ultrasonic probe (7) for emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, characterized in that, The measuring device further includes: A signal converter (8), which is electrically connected to the ultrasonic probe (7), is used to convert the ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic probe (7) into a digital signal characterizing the length of the first electrode (6). The ultrasonic probe (7) is configured to contact the top of the first electrode (6) in an abutting manner, so that the ultrasonic waves emitted by it propagate along the length direction of the first electrode (6), and are reflected after reaching the bottom of the first electrode (6), and then received by the ultrasonic probe (7).

2. The measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The measuring device also includes a probe assembly in which the ultrasonic probe (7) is integrated; the probe assembly also includes an acoustic coupling and thermal isolation assembly (16) for establishing acoustic coupling and thermal isolation between the ultrasonic probe (7) and the first electrode (6).

3. The measuring device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The measuring device further includes a fixed guide sleeve (17) and an elastic element (18) disposed within the guide sleeve (17); wherein the probe assembly is configured to slide within the guide sleeve (17) and is subjected to a continuous elastic force by the elastic element (18) to abut the bottom end of the probe assembly against the top of the first electrode (6).

4. An automatic pole pitch adjustment device, characterized in that, It includes a measuring device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, a second electrode (5), and a driver (9) electrically connected to the signal converter (8). The driver (9) is configured to drive the first electrode (6) to adjust its position in response to a digital signal output by the signal converter (8) that characterizes the change in length of the first electrode (6), thereby adjusting the electrode pitch between the first electrode (6) and the second electrode (5).

5. The automatic pole pitch adjustment device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The driver (9) includes a gripper (11) for clamping the first electrode (6), the gripper (11) including an adjustment mechanism (19) for applying a preload, and a spring assembly (22) connected in series in the force transmission path of the adjustment mechanism (19) to dynamically maintain the clamping force on the first electrode (6) by the elastic deformation of the spring assembly (22).

6. The automatic pole pitch adjustment device according to claim 4, characterized in that, It includes a sliding telescopic rod (12) and a bracket (14); wherein the bottom of the sliding telescopic rod (12) is fixed to the top of the driver (9), and its top is supported by the bracket (14), and the sliding telescopic rod (12) slides and extends under the drive of the driver (9).

7. The automatic pole pitch adjustment device according to claim 6, characterized in that, It includes a manual compensation mechanism (15) fixed to the bracket (14), the manual compensation mechanism (15) being electrically connected to the sliding telescopic rod (12), the sliding telescopic rod (12) sliding and extending under the adjustment of the manual compensation mechanism (15).

8. The automatic pole pitch adjustment device according to claim 4, characterized in that, Includes a display (2) electrically connected to the signal converter (8) for displaying the length of the first electrode (6) or its consumption as determined by the digital signal.

9. A graphitization furnace, comprising a furnace body (1) and a second electrode (5), characterized in that, The device includes an electrode length measuring device as described in any one of claims 1-3 or an automatic electrode spacing adjusting device as described in any one of claims 4-8.

10. The graphitization furnace according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first electrode (6) is a columnar positive electrode, which is vertically set on the central axis of the furnace body (1); the second electrode (5) is a negative electrode, and there are 1-6 of them evenly distributed at the bottom of the high temperature section of the furnace body (1). The center point of the geometric shape formed by them on the bottom surface of the furnace body (1) is set on the central axis of the furnace body (1). The frustum-shaped high temperature area formed by the first electrode (6) and the second electrode (5) matches the area where the material falls naturally.

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