A pallet car turning device

Abstract

A pallet car turning device (1) comprising a support frame (2) and a rotary frame (3) mounted on the support frame (2) and rotatable relative to the support frame (2) about a rotation axis (5). The rotary frame (3) comprises a receiving mechanism (6) configured to receive a pallet car (4) and to hold the pallet car (4) during the rotation of the rotary frame (3), and a rotating device (7) configured to rotate the rotary frame (3) about the rotation axis (5).

Description

[0001] A PALLET CAR TURNING DEVICE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to a pallet car turning device for turning pallet cars . The invention also relates to a sintering or pelleti zing plant .

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In sintering and pelleti z ing plants the material to be treated, for example iron ore or zinc ore , is fed onto pallet cars . The pallet cars pas s through treatment zones , in which thermal treatments of the material , such as drying, firing and cooling, are performed . The plant may comprise a sintering or pelleti zing machine having a lifting wheel , a lowering wheel and guide rails arranged around the lifting wheel and the lowering wheel . The pallet cars are conveyed on the guide rails in an endless chain . The pallet car chain is moved through the treatment zones along a top portion of the guide rails . At the end of the top portion at the lowering wheel , the heat-treated material is discharged from the pallet cars by gravity, after which the pallet cars are turned upside-down and empty pallet cars are returned along a bottom portion of the guide rails to the lifting wheel .

[0006] Since the pallet cars with their components are subj ect to high thermal and mechanical loads during the production, they must be refurbished after a certain degree of wear or damage . The pallet cars are typically removed from the bottom portion of the sintering or pelleti zing machine in an upside-down position . After removal , the pallet car must be turned to its operational position to enable the proper maintenance . Since the pallet cars are heavy, the plant operators must turn the pallet cars manually using auxiliary devices , such as hoists , overhead cranes or forklifts , which may be unsafe , time- consuming and cause damage to the pallet cars . In case forklift is used for lifting and turning the pallet car, the forklift may become shaky and unstable if load gravity center is incorrect . Moreover, the working area around the forklift is not protected, which may cause dangerous situations .

[0007] Similar problems also exist in workshops of sintering and pelleti zing plants when pallet cars need to be turned .

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] An obj ect of the present invention is to provide a pallet car turning device by which the above-mentioned drawbacks can be reduced .

[0010] The obj ect of the invention can be achieved by a pallet car turning device according to claim 1 .

[0011] The pallet car turning device according to the invention comprises a support frame and a rotary frame mounted on the support frame and rotatable relative to the support frame about a rotation axis . The rotary frame comprises a receiving mechanism configured to receive a pallet car and to hold the pallet car during the rotation of the rotary frame . The pallet car turning device further comprises a rotating device configured to rotate the rotary frame about the rotation axis .

[0012] Significant advantages can be achieved by the means of the invention .

[0013] The pallet car turning device according to the invention does not require a crane or other lifting devices for the turning operation . Moreover, the pallet car turning device can be made fully automatic or semiautomatic . Thus , the turning of the pallet cars may be substantially facilitated, speeded up and made safer by using the turning device according to the invention .

[0014] In an embodiment of the invention a first side and a second s ide of the pallet car compri se wheels on which the pallet car is movable along pallet car rails , and the receiving mechanism comprises a first receiving arrangement configured to receive at least one wheel on the first side of the pallet car, and the second receiving arrangement configured to receive at least one wheel on the second side of the pallet car .

[0015] In an embodiment of the invention the first receiving arrangement comprises a first pair of vertically spaced rails , between which the wheels on the first side of the pallet car are arranged to be inserted, and the second receiving arrangement comprises a second pair of vertically spaced rails between which the wheels on the second side of the pallet car are arranged to be inserted .

[0016] In an embodiment of the invention the pallet car turning device further comprises a locking mechanism configured to lock the wheels of the pallet car during the rotation of rotary frame .

[0017] In an embodiment of the invention the locking mechanism comprises two locking members , e . g . locking bars , arranged at both ends of the rotary frame , the locking members being movable between successive wheels and configured to engage the wheels on the first side and the second side of the pallet car .

[0018] In an embodiment of the invention the rotary frame is rotatable by 180 ° or at least 180 ° about the rotation axis . In an embodiment of the invention the rotating device is attached to the support frame .

[0019] In an embodiment of the invention the rotary frame comprises two shafts at the opposite ends of the rotary frame , the shafts being rotatably mounted on the support frame , and wherein the drive device is connected to one of the shafts .

[0020] In an embodiment of the invention the pallet car turning device further comprises a pair of pallet car rails along which the pallet cars are movable to the rotary frame and / or removable from the rotary frame , and a pallet car moving arrangement configured to move the pallet cars along the pallet car rails to the rotary frame and / or remove pallet cars from the rotary frame .

[0021] In an embodiment of the invention the pallet car moving arrangement comprises at least one rail , a moving mechanism movable in opposite directions along the rail and configured to engage the pallet car for moving the pallet car along the pallet car rails , and a drive device for moving the moving mechanism along said at least one rail .

[0022] The sintering or pelleti zing plant according to the invention is characteri zed in that the plant comprises at least one above-described pallet car turning device .

[0023] In an embodiment of the invention the plant comprises a sintering / pelleti zing machine comprising a removal point via which the pallet cars are arranged to be removed from the sintering / pelleti zing machine in an upside-down position, and the pallet car turning device is arranged in connection with the removal point . In another embodiment of the invention the sinter- ing / pelleti zing machine comprises a lifting wheel , a lowering wheel and guide rails arranged around the lifting wheel and the lowering wheel , and in which device pallet cars are arranged to be conveyed on the guide rails in an endless chain, and the removal point is arranged in a lower part of the sintering / pelleti zing machine , wherein the pallet cars are conveyed upsidedown .

[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In the following the invention will be described in detail by means of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings , in which

[0026] Fig . 1 shows a pallet car turning device according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0027] Fig . 2 shows the pallet car turning device of fig . 1 comprising a pallet car moving arrangement , and

[0028] Fig . 3 is a schematic view of a sintering or pelleti zing plant according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0029] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Figs . 1 and 2 show a pallet car turning device 1 , which is configured to turn a pallet car 4 from an upsidedown position to an operating position, and / or vice versa .

[0031] The pallet car 4 comprises a frame 30 and a grate 31 attached to the frame 30 . The pallet car 4 comprises two side walls 32 extending upwards from the opposite sides of the frame 30 . The frame 30 further comprises a front wall 33 and a back wall 34 . The grate 31 is surrounded by side walls 32 , the front wall 33 and the back wall 34 . The frame 30 further comprises a center part extending between and connected to the sides of the frame 30 . The center part i s located under the grate 31 . The sides of the pallet car 4 are provided with wheels 8 on which the pallet car 4 is movable along pallet car rails 24 . Each side of the pallet car 4 comprises two wheels 8 . The wheels 8 are rotatably mounted on the frame 30 of the pallet car 4 . The weight of an empty pallet car 4 is typically 6500 kg to 10000 kg .

[0032] The pallet car turning device 1 comprises a support frame 2 and a rotary frame 3 mounted on the support frame 2 . The support frame 2 is placed on the mounting surface of the pallet car turning device 1 , for example on the floor of the sintering or pelleti zing plant . The support frame 2 may comprises a support structure at each end of the support frame 2 . The support structure 35 may comprise two vertical bars 35 . 1 connected to a hori zontal bar 35 . 2 .

[0033] The rotary frame 3 is rotatable relative to the support frame 2 about a rotation axis 5 . The rotation axis 5 may be hori zontal . The rotary frame 3 may be rotatable 180 ° or at least 180 ° about the rotation axis 5 . The rotary frame 3 comprises a receiving mechanism 6 configured to receive the pallet car 4 and to hold the pallet car 4 during the rotation of the rotary frame 3 .

[0034] According to an embodiment of the invention, the receiving mechanism 6 comprises a first receiving arrangement 9 . 1 configured to receive at least one wheel 8 on the first side of the pallet car 4 , and a second receiving arrangement 9 . 2 configured to receive at least one wheel 8 on the second side of the pallet car 4 . The rotary frame 3 may comprise a transverse member 10 , such as one or two transverse beams , to which the first receiving arrangement 9 . 1 and the second receiving arrangement 9.2 are connected. The first receiving arrangement 9.1 and the second receiving arrangement 9.2 are arranged at the opposite ends of the rotary frame 3.

[0035] The first receiving arrangement 9.1 may comprise a first pair of vertically spaced rails 11.1, between which the wheels 8 on the first side of the pallet car 4 are arranged to be inserted. The second receiving arrangement 9.2 may comprise a second pair of vertically spaced rails 11.2 between which the wheels 8 on the second side of the pallet car 4 are arranged to be inserted.

[0036] The pallet car turning device 1 comprises a rotating device 7 configured to rotate the rotary frame 3 about the rotation axis 5. The rotating device 7 may be electric, hydraulic, or manually operated. The rotating device 7 is typically attached to the support frame 2.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the invention, the rotary frame 3 comprises two shafts 13 at the opposite ends of the rotary frame 3. The shafts 13 are rotatably mounted, e.g. mounted on bearings, on the support frame 2. The rotating device 7 is connected to one of the shafts 13.

[0038] The pallet car turning device 1, e.g. the rotary frame 3, may further comprise a locking mechanism 12 configured to lock the wheels 8 of the pallet car 4 during the rotation of rotary frame 3. The locking mechanism 12 may comprise two movable locking members, e.g. locking bars, arranged at both ends of the rotary frame 3. The locking members are movable between successive wheels 8 and arranged to engage the wheels 8 on the first and second sides of the pallet car 4.

[0039] The pallet car turning device 1 may further comprise a pair of pallet car rails 24 along which the pallet cars 4 are movable to the rotary frame 3 and / or removable from the rotary frame 3. Since the pallet cars do not have their own drive, the pallet car turning device 1 may be provided with pallet car moving arrangement 23 configured to move the pallet cars 4 along the pallet car rails 24 to and / or away from the rotary frame 3.

[0040] The pallet car moving arrangement 23 may comprise at least one rail 14, typically two or more rails 14, and a moving mechanism 15 movable in opposite directions along the rail (s) 14. The moving mechanism 15 is configured to engage the pallet car 4 for moving the pallet car 4 along the pallet car rails 24. The rail or rails 14 are arranged between the pallet car rails 24, typically at a lower level than the pallet car rails 24. The pallet car rails 24 are parallel with the rail (s) 14.

[0041] The moving mechanism 15 may comprise at least one or two arms 16 configured to engage the pallet car 4 to be moved. The arms 16 are configured to engage the center part and / or a front surface and / or rear surface of the pallet car 4. The arm(s) 16 are retractable and / or swivelable to a position wherein the arm 16 or arms 16 are arranged to pass the pallet car 4 on the pallet car rails 24 when the moving mechanism 15 is moved along the rail (s) 14. The moving mechanism 15 is provided with an actuator 36, such as a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder or an electrical actuator, by which the arm(s) 16 can be retracted and / or swivelled.

[0042] The moving mechanism 15 may comprise a moving table 17 which is movable in opposite directions along the rail (s) 14. The arms 16 are mounted on the moving table 17.

[0043] The pallet car moving arrangement 23 further comprises a drive device 18 for moving the moving mechanism 15 along rail (s) 14. The drive device 18 may be electric or hydraulic motor, or manually operated drive device. The drive device 18 may be mounted on the rail 14, on the moving mechanism 15 or on another structure, such as a support attached to the floor of the plant.

[0044] The pallet car moving arrangement 23 may further comprise two chain wheels 19 and an endless chain 20 arranged in connection with each rail 14. The chain wheels 19 are arranged at a distance from each other in a direction of movement of the moving mechanism 15 and / or in the longitudinal direction of the rail (s) 14. The rail 14 may be arranged between the chain wheels 19. The endless chain 20 is arranged around the chain wheels 19. The endless chain 20 has an upper portion 20.1 and a lower portion 20.2. The moving mechanism 15 is connected to the upper portion 20.1 of the endless chain 20. The upper portion 20.1 of the endless chain 20 is supported by the rail 14, e.g. the upper portion 20.1 may be arranged against the upper surface of the rail 14. The drive device 18 is configured to rotate one of the chain wheels 19. The other chain wheel 19 may be freely rotatable. When the chain wheel 19 is rotated, the endless chain 20 rotates around the chain wheels 19 and thus moves the moving mechanism 15 along the rail (s) 14.

[0045] In case the pallet car moving arrangement 23 comprises two or more parallel rails 14, the parallel chain wheels 19 may be connected to connecting shafts 21, and the drive device 18 is configured to rotate one of the connecting shafts 21.

[0046] The pallet car moving arrangement 23 may be provided with position sensors monitoring the position of the pallet cars 4 on the pallet car rails 24 and / or the position of the moving mechanism 15 on the rail (s) 14, and a control unit configured to receive data from the position sensors and to operate the drive device 18 and / or the arm ( s ) 16 based on said data .

[0047] The pal let car turning device 1 described above may be operated as follows . The pallet car 4 is moved along pallet car rails 24 toward the pallet car turning device 1 . The pallet car 4 is received by the receiving mechanism 6 of the rotary frame 3 . The wheels 8 of the pallet car 4 are locked by the locking mechanism 12 . The locking members of the locking mechanism 12 are moved between and engaged the wheels 8 on both sides of the pallet car 4 . Thereafter, the rotary frame 3 and the pal let car 3 are rotated about the rotation axis 5 . After the rotation of the rotary frame 3 and the pallet car 4 , the locking mechanism 12 is released . Then, the pal let car is removed from the rotary frame 3 . The pallet car 4 is moved away from the pallet car turning device 1 along the pallet car rails 24 .

[0048] As shown in fig . 3 , the pallet car turning device 1 may be used in a sintering or pelleti zing plant 22 . The sintering / pelleti zing plant 22 may comprise a sintering or pelleti zing machine 25 having a removal point 26 via which the pallet cars 4 are removed from the sintering / pelleti zing machine 25 in an upside-down position, and the pallet car turning device 1 is arranged in connection with the removal point 26 . The sintering / pelleti zing machine 25 may comprise a lifting wheel 27 , a lowering wheel 28 and guide rails 29 arranged around the lifting wheel 27 and the lowering wheel 28 . The pallet cars 4 are arranged to be conveyed on the guide rails 29 in an endless chain, and the removal point 26 is arranged in a lower part of the sintering / pelleti zing machine 25 , where the pallet cars 4 are conveyed in the upside-down position . The sintering / pelleti zing machine 25 also comprises a feeding point , via which pallet cars are inserted into the sin- tering / pelleti zing machine 25 .

[0049] In case the pallet car turning device 1 comprises the pallet car moving arrangement 23 , the pallet car moving arrangement 23 may be configured to move the pallet cars 4 from the removal point 26 to the rotary frame 3 .

[0050] The pallet car turning device 1 may also be used in other applications in which pallet cars 1 need be turned, such as in a workshop of the sintering or pelleti zing plant 22 .

[0051] It is obvious to a person ski lled in the art that with the advancement of technology, the basic idea of the invention may be implemented in various ways . The invention and its embodiments are thus not limited to the examples described above , instead they may vary within the scope of the claims .

[0052] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS :

[0053] 1 pallet car turning device

[0054] 2 support frame

[0055] 3 rotary frame

[0056] 4 pallet car

[0057] 5 rotation axis

[0058] 6 receiving mechanism

[0059] 7 rotating device

[0060] 8 wheel

[0061] 9 . 1 first receiving arrangement

[0062] 9 . 2 second receiving arrangement

[0063] 10 transverse member

[0064] 11 . 1 first pair of vertically spaced rails

[0065] 11 . 2 second pair of vertically spaced rails

[0066] 12 locking mechanism

[0067] 13 shaft

[0068] 14 rail

[0069] 15 moving mechanism

[0070] 16 arm

[0071] 17 moving table

[0072] 18 drive device

[0073] 19 chain wheel

[0074] 20 endless chain

[0075] 20 . 1 upper portion of the endless chain

[0076] 20 . 2 lower portion of the endless chain

[0077] 21 connecting shaft

[0078] 22 pelleti zing plant

[0079] 23 pallet car moving arrangement

[0080] 24 pallet car rail

[0081] 25 sintering / pelleti zing machine

[0082] 26 removal point

[0083] 27 lifting wheel

[0084] 28 lowering wheel

[0085] 29 guide rail

[0086] 30 frame

[0087] 31 grate 32 side wall

[0088] 33 front wall

[0089] 34 back wall

[0090] 35 support structure 35.1 vertical bar

[0091] 35.2 horizontal bar

[0092] 36 actuator

Claims

CLAIMS1. A pallet car turning device (1) comprising a support frame (2) , characterized in that the pallet car turning device (1) further comprises- a rotary frame (3) mounted on the support frame (2) and rotatable relative to the support frame (2) about a rotation axis (5) , the rotary frame (3) comprising a receiving mechanism (6) configured to receive a pallet car (4) and to hold the pallet car (4) during the rotation of the rotary frame (3) , and- a rotating device (7) configured to rotate the rotary frame (3) about the rotation axis (5) .

2. The pallet car turning device (1) according to claim1, characterized in that a first and a second sides of the pallet car (4) comprise wheels (8) on which the pallet car (4) is movable along pallet car rails (24) , and the receiving mechanism (6) comprises a first receiving arrangement (9.1) configured to receive at least one wheel (8) on the first side of the pallet car (4) , and a second receiving arrangement (9.2) configured to receive at least one wheel (8) on the second side of the pallet car ( 4 ) .

3. The pallet car turning device (1) according to claim2, characterized in that the first receiving arrangement(9.1) comprises a first pair of vertically spaced rails(11.1) , between which the wheels (8) on the first side of the pallet car (4) are arranged to be inserted, and the second receiving arrangement (9.2) comprises a second pair of vertically spaced rails (11.2) between which the wheels (8) on the second side of the pallet car (4) are arranged to be inserted.

4. The pallet car turning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pallet car turning device (1) further comprises a locking mechanism (12) configured to lock the wheels (8) of the pallet car (4) during the rotation of rotary frame (3) .

5. The pallet car turning device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking mechanism (12) comprises two locking members, e.g. locking bars, arranged at both ends of the rotary frame (3) , the locking members being movable between successive wheels (8) and configured to engage the wheels (8) on the first side and the second side of the pallet car (3) .

6. The pallet car turning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary frame (3) is rotatable by 180° or at least 180° about the rotation axis (5) .

7. The pallet car turning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating device (7) is attached to the support frame (2) .

8. The pallet car turning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary frame (3) comprises two shafts (13) at the opposite ends of the rotary frame (3) , the shafts (13) being rotatably mounted on the support frame (2) , and wherein the drive device (7) is connected to one of the shafts (13) .

9. The pallet car turning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pallet car turning device (1) further comprises a pair of pallet car rails (24) along which the pallet cars (4) are movable to the rotary frame (3) and / or removable from the rotary frame (3) , and a pallet car movingarrangement (23) configured to move the pallet cars (4) along the pallet car rails (24) to the rotary frame and / or remove pallet cars (4) from the rotary frame (3) .

10. The pallet car turning device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the pallet car moving arrangement (23) comprises at least one rail (14) , a moving mechanism (15) movable in opposite directions along the at least one rail (14) and configured to engage the pallet car (2) for moving the pallet car (2) along the pallet car rails (24) , and a drive device (18) for moving the moving mechanism (15) along said at least one rail (14) .

11. A sintering or pelletizing plant (22) , characterized in that the plant (22) comprises at least one pallet car turning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims .

12. The sintering or pelletizing plant (22) according to claim 11, characterized in that the plant (22) comprises a sintering / pelletizing machine (25) comprising a removal point (26) via which the pallet cars (4) are arranged to be removed from the sintering / pelletizing machine (25) in an upside-down position, and the pallet car turning device (1) is arranged in connection with the removal point (26) .

13. The sintering or pelletizing plant (22) according to claim 12, characterized in that the sintering / pelletizing machine (25) comprises a lifting wheel (27) , a lowering wheel (28) and guide rails (29) arranged around the lifting wheel (27) and the lowering wheel (28) , and in which device pallet cars (4) are arranged to be conveyed on the guide rails (29) in an endless chain, and the removal point (26) is arranged in a lower part of the sintering / pelletizing machine(25) , wherein the pallet cars (4) are conveyed upsidedown .

14. The sintering or pelletizing plant (22) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the plant (22) comprises a pallet car turning device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, and the pallet car moving arrangement (23) is configured to move the pallet cars (4) from the removal point (26) to the rotary frame (3) .

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