Device comprising a metallurgical vessel

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) comprising a metallurgical vessel (2) pivotably mounted about a horizontal axis (a), wherein the vessel (2) has two support pins (3) extending from two opposite sides of the vessel (2), each of the two support pins (3) being received by a bearing (4), the bearing (4) being received in a bearing holder (5), and the bearing holder (5) being arranged on a stationary bearing stand (6). To significantly reduce the effort required for replacing or maintaining worn bearings, the invention provides that a lifting device (7) is arranged directly or indirectly on each bearing stand (6), the lifting device being configured to raise the support pin (3) vertically (V) from the bearing stand (6) by a stroke (h).

Description

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device comprising a metallurgical vessel which is pivotably mounted about a horizontal axis, wherein the vessel has two support pins which extend from the vessel on two opposite sides, wherein each of the two support pins is received by a bearing, wherein the bearing is received in a bearing holder and wherein the bearing holder is arranged on a stationary bearing stand or on a foundation.

[0002] Metallurgical vessels of this type include, for example, swiveling converters mounted in bearings that are subject to wear; regular maintenance is also required. If such a bearing supporting the converter becomes worn, the bearing, usually a rolling bearing (though sometimes a plain bearing is used), is opened, or more precisely, the bearing housing that holds the bearing. The converter system is then lifted with a device to release it from the bearing housings.

[0003] Sometimes, a support structure is erected in the converter pit, extending from the pit floor to the underside of the support ring or the converter itself. Hydraulic cylinders are mounted on this stand to lift the system. Additionally, a hydraulic lifting device can be positioned under the converter's gearbox to support the gearbox's slewing drive.

[0004] Storage facilities of this type, particularly for the storage of converters, are described or mentioned, for example, in DE 10 2005 012 601 B2, DE 10 2014 219 307 B3, DE 20 2007 005 054 U1, DE 66 05 434, NL 275 680 A and GB 1 038 886 A. JP S58 207309 A and US 2007 / 278722 A1 show metallurgical vessels that are lifted on support pins by means of a lifting device.

[0005] Once the system is lifted, the worn bearing is inspected, serviced, or removed and replaced with a new one, which may be split or undivided. During servicing, the bearing is often rotated to a different position on the journal.

[0006] The system is then set down again; the bearing housings are then closed again.

[0007] This approach has several disadvantages. The necessary conventional lifting device is often large and difficult to access, and its setup takes some time. Replacing the bearings therefore requires considerable effort, as the system must be lifted, which necessitates special equipment (namely supports and hydraulic cylinders). This makes replacing the bearings complex and expensive.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the objective of further developing a device of the type mentioned above in such a way that it becomes possible to significantly reduce the effort involved in replacing or maintaining worn bearings. In particular, it should be possible to carry out bearing replacement or maintenance without complex and expensive equipment. Furthermore, the time required for bearing replacement should be significantly reduced. Thus, an objective of the present invention is to simplify the replacement of a bearing in a converter. This should also provide an alternative solution for replacing or maintaining a bearing, compared to the previously known methods described above. Likewise, maintenance work or inspections should be able to be carried out more effectively, quickly, and therefore more cost-efficiently.

[0009] The solution to this problem by the invention is characterized in that a lifting device is arranged directly or indirectly on each bearing stand, which is designed to raise the support pin in a vertical direction from the bearing stand by a stroke amount for changing the bearing, and that a drive is provided for driving at least one of the support pins, which is connected to the support pin, wherein preferably a further lifting device is arranged, which is designed to raise the drive in a vertical direction by a stroke amount.

[0010] The lifting device can be housed directly in the bearing stand, making it independent of the bearing housing.

[0011] The lifting device preferably comprises a lifting shell (lifting element) which, on its side facing the support pin, has a shape congruent to the shape of the support pin. This is usually a partially cylindrical shape that corresponds to the shape of the support pin.

[0012] The lifting device preferably has at least one hydraulic piston-cylinder element for generating a lifting movement.

[0013] The lifting device is preferably designed to lift the support pin together with the bearing and bearing bracket relative to the bearing stand.

[0014] The bearing support is preferably a bearing housing.

[0015] The lifting device can be detachably arranged on the bearing stand, although a fixed arrangement can also be provided.

[0016] A further development provides for the arrangement of means that can be positioned on the drive unit to prevent or limit tilting of the drive unit around the horizontal axis. These means can comprise at least one plate attached to the bearing stand or a foundation, which allows at least one bolt arranged on the drive unit to move vertically and prevents or at least limits movement in the horizontal direction. The plate unit can preferably have at least one elongated hole in which the bolt can move vertically.

[0017] The present invention is preferably used in converter steel plants. It is based, in principle, on a bearing housing with a system lifting device.

[0018] To lift the system, a lifting and lowering console (lifting device), preferably shaped to match the bearing journal, is positioned directly next to the bearing. When replacing a bearing, sleeves and other components in the area of ​​the lifting console, as well as the bearing covers, are removed. The consoles are then raised on both the fixed and floating bearing sides. The drive (gearbox) can also be assisted by a hydraulic lifting tool. In this case, the dampers of the torque arm must be detached from the gearbox housing.

[0019] Once the support pins are sufficiently raised, the bearings can be replaced. The lowering process is carried out in reverse order.

[0020] To prevent tilting around the tilting axis, any potential moment can be absorbed. For this purpose, a guide for the gearbox (drive) can be provided in the area where the dampers of the moment support are mounted. Plates with vertically oriented elongated holes can be permanently attached to the side of the gearbox (drive). The mounting bolts of the dampers can be removed through these holes before the lifting operation. A longer bolt can be inserted in their place, extending beyond the gearbox housing into the elongated holes of the plates. Here, the plates rest against the sides, thus preventing the system from tilting. Simultaneously, the drive brakes should be engaged.

[0021] The bearing housing can be designed as a welded component. Of course, it can also be designed as a cast part.

[0022] The aforementioned stationary storage stand could also directly serve as a foundation for the system.

[0023] This advantageously results in significant savings when replacing worn bearings, as bearing replacement can be accomplished much faster and with considerably less effort. This leads to shorter downtimes, which reduce costs. The additional device elements provided according to the invention are relatively small and space-saving. The same advantages are achieved when the task involves not just replacing a bearing, but also maintaining one.

[0024] Furthermore, the proposed device is advantageously used in the maintenance, servicing and inspection of the plant.

[0025] For the purposes mentioned above, it is particularly possible to integrate the device into the system so that it is available whenever needed.

[0026] The drawing shows an embodiment of the invention. It depicts: Fig. 1 schematically shows a front view of part of a metallurgical vessel, with the bearing on one side of the vessel shown; Fig. 2 schematically shows a side view of a lifting device for raising a support pin relative to a bearing stand, with part of the support pin also shown; Fig. 3 schematically shows the metallurgical vessel in a front view, with the bearing on both sides and, in the left area of ​​the figure, a drive (gearbox) for generating a pivoting movement shown; Fig. 4a the front view and Fig. 4b the side view of the lower area of ​​the drive for generating the pivoting movement, showing a position of the drive locked against pivoting movements; and Fig. 4c the front view and Fig. 4d the side view of the lower area of ​​the drive for generating the pivoting movement, showing an operating position of the drive.Fig. 5 schematically shows a front view of part of the metallurgical vessel, showing the bearing on one side of the vessel including the drive mechanism, and Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the lower part of the drive mechanism for generating the pivoting motion.

[0027] In Figure 1 A device 1 is shown, comprising a metallurgical vessel 2 in the form of a converter. The converter 2 is pivotably arranged about a horizontal axis a. For this purpose, the converter 2 has a support pin 3 and a support ring 17 in each of two opposing side regions. Each support pin 3 is mounted in a rolling bearing 4. The rolling bearing 4, in turn, is housed in a bearing holder 5 (bearing housing), the bearing holder 5 resting on a bearing stand 6. The bearing stand 6 is arranged on a foundation 13.

[0028] The bearing housing or an independent system lifting device can also be mounted directly on a foundation.

[0029] The storage of such a metallurgical vessel is known and disclosed in the aforementioned prior art.

[0030] If the bearing 4 is worn, it must be replaced, which is done according to the present invention as follows: Instead of lifting the entire converter in the converter pit, which requires considerable equipment and time, the invention provides that a lifting device 7 is arranged on each bearing stand 6. The lifting device 7 is designed to move the support pin 3 vertically V away from the bearing stand 6 by a stroke h (see [reference]). Figure 3 to raise.

[0031] Some details about the lifting device 7 are taken from Figure 2The figure shows that the lifting device 7 comprises a lifting shell 8, which can be raised relative to a base part by means of two piston-cylinder elements 9. The lifting shell 8 has a shape F that is adapted to that of the support pin 3. This is a sectionally cylindrical shape that corresponds to the radius of the support pin 3.

[0032] Accordingly, the lifting device 7 can raise the support pin 3, and thus the entire vessel 2, vertically by a stroke h such that the bearing 4, including the bearing housing 5, lifts off the bearing stand 6 and is accessible for bearing replacement. This eliminates the need to lift the converter 2 from the converter pit, which represents a significant simplification of the apparatus, since only one lifting device 7 per side, or per support pin 3, is required to lift the vessel 2 or to make the bearing 4 accessible.

[0033] In Figure 3 It can be seen that a drive 10 (gearbox) is provided for pivoting the vessel 2, which is also raised by the aforementioned stroke h for the purpose of changing the bearings. For this purpose, a further lifting device 11 is arranged in the base area of ​​the drive 10, which raises the drive.

[0034] It is important that, after the vessel 2 is lifted by the aforementioned stroke h, no undesired tilting movement of the entire arrangement about the horizontal axis a occurs. Precautions have been taken to prevent this, as described in the Figures 4 to 6 are illustrated.

[0035] The drive 10 is prevented from moving and its movement is dampened in a manner known per se by dampers 18 in its base area. The dampers 18 are pivotally attached to the drive 10 and / or to adjacent components in the base area.

[0036] To prevent the drive 10 from tilting, means 12 are provided, comprising plates 14 that are permanently attached to the bearing stand 6 or the foundation 13 in the base area of ​​the drive 10. The plates 14 have elongated holes 16 extending in the vertical direction V.

[0037] Before lifting the vessel 2 or the drive 10, the bolts that connect the dampers 18 to the drive 10 or the plate 14, respectively, are removed. Extended bolts 15 are inserted in their place. These bolts are designed for guidance within the plates 14 and have vertical movement V within the elongated holes 16. These bolts 15 guide the lower portion of the drive 10 as it is lifted by the lifting device 11. The extended bolts 15 are in Figure 4a evident; they extend through the area of ​​the elongated holes 16 in the sheets 14.

[0038] In Figure 4a and Figure 4bThe diagram shows the state in which the described lifting movement takes place. Accordingly, the tilting (swivel) movement of the drive 10 is prevented by the extended bolts 15. However, in the Figures 4c and 4d The normal operating condition is indicated in which the (short) bolts 15 do not extend into the elongated holes 16 of the sheet metal 14 and the ends of the dampers 18 are connected to the drive 10 via the (short) bolts 15.

[0039] The described guidance of the lower part of the drive 10 can of course also be provided if a separate lifting device 11 is dispensed with and the vessel 2 is lifted exclusively with the two lifting devices 7.

[0040] Lifting the vessel 2, at least with the two lifting devices 7, and in this case also with the assistance of the lifting device 11, is thus easily accomplished, requiring only minimal technical effort. Nevertheless, the bearing 4 and the bearing housing 5 are sufficiently exposed to allow for easy bearing replacement or maintenance. Reference symbol list:

[0041] 1 Device 2 Metallurgical vessel 3 Support pin 4 Bearing 5 Bearing bracket (bearing housing) 6 Bearing stand 7 Lifting device 8 Lifting shell 9 Piston-cylinder element 10 Drive (gearbox) 11 Lifting device 12 Means to prevent tilting of the drive 13 Foundation 14 Sheet metal 15 Bolt 16 Slotted hole 17 Support ring 18 Damper ahorizontal axis Vvertical direction hStroke amount FShape of the lifting shell

Claims

1. Device (1) comprising a metallurgical vessel (2) which is mounted to be pivotable about a horizontal axis (a), wherein the metallurgical vessel (2) has two support pins (3) which extend from the metallurgical vessel (2) at two opposite sides thereof, wherein each of the two support pins (3) is received by a bearing (4), wherein the bearing (4) is received in a bearing mount (5) and wherein the bearing mount (5) is arranged on a stationary bearing stand (6) or on a foundation, characterised in that a lifting device (7) constructed to lift the support pins (3) in vertical direction (V) from the bearing stand (6) by a lifting amount (h) for the purpose of exchange of the bearing (4) is arranged directly or indirectly on each bearing stand (6), and that a drive (10) connected with the bearing pin (3) is present for driving at least one of the bearing pins (3), wherein for preference a further bearing device (11) constructed to lift the drive (10) in vertical direction (V) by a lifting amount (h) is present.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the lifting device comprises a lifting shell (8) which at its side facing the bearing pin (3) has a shape (F) congruent with the shape of the bearing pin (3).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the lifting device comprises at least one hydraulic piston-cylinder element (9) for generating a lifting movement.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the lifting device (7) is constructed to lift the bearing pin (3) together with the bearing (4) and bearing mount (5) relative to the bearing stand (6).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the bearing mount (5) is a bearing housing.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the lifting device (7) is detachably arranged on the bearing stand (6).

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that means (12) which are or can be arranged at the drive (10) in order to prevent or limit a tipping movement of the drive (10) about the horizontal axis (a) are present.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterised in that the means (12) comprise at least one plate (14) which is attached to the bearing stand (6) or to a foundation (13) and which, for at least one pin (15) arranged at the drive (10), enables displacement in vertical direction (V) and prevents or at least limits movement in horizontal direction.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterised in that the plate (14) has at least one slot (16) in which the pin (15) can move in vertical direction (V).

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