Ingot preheater and melting and holding furnace

Abstract

To provide an ingot preheater which enables reduction of energy consumption.SOLUTION: An ingot preheater according to an embodiment includes: a housing; a lower sprocket provided at a lower part in the housing; an upper sprocket provided at an upper part in the housing; a chain provided in the housing and combined with the lower sprocket and the upper sprocket; a plurality of ingot holding parts which are fixed to the chain and on each of which an ingot may be placed; a rotation mechanism which rotates the lower sprocket or the upper sprocket; a heater configured to heat the ingots placed on the ingot holding parts; an ingot carry-in port which is provided on a side surface of the lower part of the housing and enables the ingots to be carried into a first area in the housing where the chain moves up; and an ingot carry-out port which is provided on a bottom surface of the housing and enables the preheated ingots to be carried out from a second area in the housing where the chain moves down.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ingot preheating device and a melting and holding furnace for preheating ingots before melting them. [Background technology]

[0002] Die-casting machines manufacture die-cast products by filling the cavity of a mold clamped by a mold clamping device with molten metal obtained by melting an ingot using an injection device. The processes of melting the ingot and holding the molten metal are considered to be the most energy-intensive in the manufacture of die-cast products. Therefore, in today's society striving for carbon neutrality, it is desirable to reduce the energy consumption in the processes of melting the ingot and holding the molten metal.

[0003] For example, by preheating the ingots before melting them, it is possible to reduce the capacity of the melting furnace or holding furnace that melts the ingots, which reduces the amount of energy consumed to melt the ingots and hold the molten metal.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes an ingot preheating device that heats an ingot with heaters provided above and below the ingot when the ingot is transported horizontally. For example, the ingot preheating device described in Patent Document 1 does not necessarily have high heating efficiency, and there is a risk that the amount of energy consumed when preheating the ingot will be large. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-208107 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ingot preheating device and a melting and holding furnace that reduce energy consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An ingot preheating device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing, a lower sprocket provided in the lower part of the housing, an upper sprocket provided in the upper part of the housing, a chain provided in the housing and combined with the lower sprocket and the upper sprocket, a plurality of ingot holding sections fixed to the chain and each capable of placing an ingot, a rotation mechanism for rotating the lower sprocket or the upper sprocket, a heater for heating the ingots placed on the plurality of ingot holding sections, an ingot loading port provided on a side of the lower part of the housing and capable of loading ingots into a first area inside the housing from which the chain ascends, and an ingot unloading port provided on the bottom of the housing and capable of unloading preheated ingots from a second area inside the housing from which the chain descends.

[0008] In the ingot preheating device of the above aspect, it is preferable that the device further comprises an inclined plate that is provided at the bottom of the second area, receives the preheated ingot that falls from one of the multiple ingot holding parts, and then tilts after receiving the preheated ingot to carry out the preheated ingot from the ingot discharge port.

[0009] In the ingot preheating apparatus of the above aspect, it is preferable that the inclined plate be inclined by the weight of the preheated ingot.

[0010] In the ingot preheating device of the above aspect, it is preferable that the ingot preheating device further comprises: a partition plate provided inside the chain and dividing the device into the first area and the second area; a first heater provided on the first area side of the partition plate and being part of the heater; a second heater provided on the second area side of the partition plate and being part of the heater and being controllable independently of the first heater; and an air circulation mechanism provided in an upper part of the housing, having an air inlet provided above the first area and an air outlet provided above the second area, for circulating air within the housing.

[0011] In the ingot preheating device of the above aspect, the first heater is preferably an electromagnetic induction heater or a near-infrared heater.

[0012] In the ingot preheating apparatus of the above aspect, the second heater is preferably a resistance heater.

[0013] In the ingot preheating apparatus of the above aspect, the distance between the lower sprocket and the upper sprocket is preferably greater than the diameter of the lower sprocket.

[0014] In the ingot preheating apparatus of the above aspect, it is preferable that the air outlet blows air from an upper portion of the second region toward a lower portion of the second region.

[0015] The ingot preheating apparatus of the above aspect preferably further comprises a thermometer that measures the temperature of the lower part of the second region.

[0016] The ingot preheating device of the above aspect preferably further includes a control circuit, which controls the power supplied to the second heater based on the measurement result by the thermometer.

[0017] In the ingot preheating apparatus of the above aspect, it is preferable that the lower sprockets include a first lower sprocket fixed to the lower rotating shaft and a second lower sprocket fixed to the lower rotating shaft, the upper sprockets include a first upper sprocket fixed to the upper rotating shaft and a second upper sprocket fixed to the upper rotating shaft, and the chains include a first chain combined with the first lower sprocket and the first upper sprocket, and a second chain combined with the second lower sprocket and the second upper sprocket.

[0018] In the ingot preheating apparatus of the above aspect, it is preferable that the partition plate has a first opening at the top through which the ingot holding part can pass from the first area to the second area, and that the partition plate has a second opening at the bottom through which the ingot holding part can pass from the second area to the first area.

[0019] A melting and holding furnace according to one aspect of the present invention includes the ingot preheating device according to the above aspect and a furnace for melting the preheated ingots.

[0020] In the melting and holding furnace of the above aspect, the furnace preferably includes a furnace body and a surface cover provided on the upper part of the furnace body and having an ingot supply port, and the ingot discharge port is preferably provided directly above the ingot supply port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ingot preheating device and a melting and holding furnace that reduce energy consumption. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ingot preheating device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a side view of an ingot preheating device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ingot preheating device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ingot preheating device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ingot preheating device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the ingot preheating device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the ingot preheating device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the ingot preheating device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the ingot preheating device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the ingot preheating device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the ingot preheating device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the ingot preheating device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the ingot preheating device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the ingot preheating device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the ingot preheating device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 16] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the ingot preheating device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a melting and holding furnace according to a second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the melting and holding furnace of the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation of the melting and holding furnace of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] (First embodiment) The ingot preheating device of the first embodiment comprises a housing, a lower sprocket provided in the lower part of the housing, an upper sprocket provided in the upper part of the housing, a chain provided in the housing and combined with the lower sprocket and the upper sprocket, a plurality of ingot holding parts fixed to the chain and each capable of placing an ingot, a rotation mechanism for rotating the lower sprocket or the upper sprocket, a heater for heating the ingots placed on the plurality of ingot holding parts, an ingot loading port provided on the side of the lower part of the housing and capable of loading ingots into a first area inside the housing from which the chain rises, and an ingot unloading port provided on the bottom of the housing and capable of unloading preheated ingots from a second area inside the housing from which the chain descends.

[0025] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ingot preheating apparatus of the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a side view of the ingot preheating apparatus of the first embodiment. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are schematic cross-sectional views of the ingot preheating apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0026] Fig. 1 is a DD' cross section of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is an AA' cross section of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a BB' cross section of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 5 is a CC' cross section of Figs. 1 and 2.

[0027] The ingot preheating device of the first embodiment is an ingot preheating device 100. The ingot preheating device 100 has a function of heating an ingot to a predetermined temperature before melting the ingot in a melting and holding furnace to produce molten metal. The ingot preheating device 100 has a function of preheating an ingot before melting the ingot in a melting and holding furnace to produce molten metal.

[0028] The ingot preheating device 100 includes a housing 10, a lower sprocket 12, an upper sprocket 14, a lower rotating shaft 16, an upper rotating shaft 18, a chain 20, an ingot holding section 22, a rotating mechanism 24, a partition plate 26, a first heater 28 (heater), a second heater 30 (heater), an air circulation mechanism 32, an ingot loading entrance 34, a first opening / closing shutter 38, an ingot loading mechanism 42, an ingot unloading exit 43, an inclined plate 44, a thermometer 46, and a control circuit 48.

[0029] The inside of the housing 10 is divided into a first area 10a and a second area 10b.

[0030] The lower sprocket 12 includes a first lower sprocket 12a and a second lower sprocket 12b. The upper sprocket 14 includes a first upper sprocket 14a and a second upper sprocket 14b. The chain 20 includes a first chain 20a and a second chain 20b. The air circulation mechanism 32 includes an air inlet 32a, an air outlet 32b, and a fan 32c.

[0031] The ingot carrying mechanism 42 includes a support table 42a, a cylinder 42b, and a push rod 42c.

[0032] The ingot preheating device 100 preheats the ingot 50. The ingot 50 is, for example, an aluminum alloy.

[0033] The housing 10 encloses the lower sprocket 12, the upper sprocket 14, the chain 20, the ingot holder 22, the partition plate 26, the first heater 28, the second heater 30, and the air circulation mechanism 32. The housing 10 has a function of isolating the lower sprocket 12, the upper sprocket 14, the chain 20, the ingot holder 22, the partition plate 26, the first heater 28, the second heater 30, and the air circulation mechanism 32 from the external environment. The housing 10 has a function of insulating the atmosphere inside the housing 10 from the atmosphere outside the housing 10, for example. The housing 10 is formed of, for example, metal. The housing 10 includes, for example, a heat insulating material.

[0034] The lower sprocket 12 is provided in the lower part of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 3 , the lower sprocket 12 includes, for example, a first lower sprocket 12a fixed to the lower rotating shaft 16 and a second lower sprocket 12b fixed to the lower rotating shaft 16. The lower sprocket 12 transmits the rotation of the lower rotating shaft 16 to the chain 20, for example.

[0035] The upper sprocket 14 is provided at the upper part of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 3 , the upper sprocket 14 includes, for example, a first upper sprocket 14a fixed to the upper rotating shaft 18 and a second upper sprocket 14b fixed to the upper rotating shaft 18. The upper sprocket 14 transmits the rotation of the upper rotating shaft 18 to the chain 20, for example.

[0036] The distance between the lower sprocket 12 and the upper sprocket 14 is, for example, larger than the diameter of the lower sprocket 12. The distance between the lower sprocket 12 and the upper sprocket 14 is, for example, 3 to 20 times the diameter of the lower sprocket 12.

[0037] The chain 20 is combined with the lower sprocket 12 and the upper sprocket 14. The chain 20 causes the lower sprocket 12 and the upper sprocket 14 to rotate in unison.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the chain 20 includes, for example, a first chain 20a combined with the first lower sprocket 12a and the first upper sprocket 14a, and a second chain 20b combined with the second lower sprocket 12b and the second upper sprocket 14b.

[0039] A plurality of ingot holders 22 are fixed to the chain 20. Each ingot holder 22 is capable of placing one ingot thereon.

[0040] The ingot preheating device 100 includes a rotation mechanism 24 that rotates at least one of the lower sprocket 12 and the upper sprocket 14. The ingot preheating device 100 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the rotation mechanism 24 that is fixed to the upper rotation shaft 18 and rotates the upper sprocket 14.

[0041] The rotation mechanism 24 is, for example, a motor. The rotation mechanism 24 rotates the upper rotating shaft 18, which in turn rotates the upper sprocket 14 fixed to the upper rotating shaft 18. The rotation of the upper sprocket 14 is transmitted to the lower sprocket 12 by the chain 20, causing the lower sprocket 12 to rotate.

[0042] The rotation mechanism 24 may be, for example, a mechanism that is fixed to the lower rotation shaft 16 and rotates the lower sprocket 12.

[0043] At least a portion of the partition plate 26 is provided inside the chain 20 as shown in Fig. 1. At least a portion of the partition plate 26 is provided between the lower rotating shaft 16 and the upper rotating shaft 18 as shown in Fig. 3, for example.

[0044] The partition plate 26 divides the interior of the housing 10 into a first area 10a and a second area 10b. The first area 10a is an area where the chain 20 ascends during operation of the ingot preheating device 100. The second area 10b is an area where the chain 20 descends during operation of the ingot preheating device 100.

[0045] The first region 10a is a region where the ingot holding part 22 rises during operation of the ingot preheating apparatus 100. The second region 10b is a region where the ingot holding part 22 falls during operation of the ingot preheating apparatus 100.

[0046] Partition plate 26 has a first opening 26a at its upper portion, through which ingot holding part 22 can pass from first region 10a to second region 10b, and a second opening 26b at its lower portion, through which ingot holding part 22 can pass from second region 10b to first region 10a.

[0047] The first heater 28 is provided on the first region 10a side of the partition plate 26. The first heater 28 is provided, for example, on both sides of the chain 20 and the multiple ingot holders 22. The first heater 28 has a function of heating the ingots 50.

[0048] The first heater 28 is, for example, an electromagnetic induction heater or a near-infrared heater. By using the first heater 28 as, for example, an electromagnetic induction heater or a near-infrared heater, it becomes possible to heat the ingot 50 from the inside. The first heater 28 may also be, for example, a resistance heater.

[0049] The first heater 28 may be provided, for example, on only one side of the chain 20 and the plurality of ingot holders 22.

[0050] The second heater 30 is provided on the second region 10b side of the partition plate 26. The second heater 30 is provided, for example, on both sides of the chain 20 and the multiple ingot holders 22. The second heater 30 has, for example, a function of heating the air in the second region 10b. The second heater 30 has a function of adjusting the temperature of the heated ingots 50. The second heater 30 can be controlled independently of the first heater 28.

[0051] The second heater 30 is, for example, a resistance heater.

[0052] The air circulation mechanism 32 is provided in the upper part of the housing 10. The air circulation mechanism 32 has a function of circulating air inside the housing 10.

[0053] The air suction port 32a of the air circulation mechanism 32 is provided above the first area 10a, and the air outlet 32b of the air circulation mechanism 32 is provided above the second area 10b.

[0054] The fan 32c of the air circulation mechanism 32 is provided between the air inlet 32a and the air outlet 32b. Using the fan 32c, air in the first area 10a is sucked in through the air inlet 32a and then blown out through the air outlet 32b to the second area 10b. The air outlet 32b blows out air from the upper part of the second area 10b toward the lower part of the second area 10b. The fan 32c is, for example, an electric axial fan.

[0055] The air circulation mechanism 32 causes the air inside the housing 10 to circulate within the housing 10 by moving from the first area 10a to the second area 10b at the top of the housing 10, and from the second area 10b to the first area 10a at the bottom of the housing 10.

[0056] In particular, in the second region 10b, the temperature of the ingot 50 is adjusted and maintained by hot air blown into the second region 10b from the air blowing outlet 32b.

[0057] The thermometer 46 is fixed to, for example, the lower part of the housing 10. The thermometer 46 has a function of measuring the temperature of the lower part of the second area 10b. The thermometer 46 is, for example, a thermometer using a thermocouple.

[0058] The control circuit 48 controls, for example, the power supplied to the second heater 30. The control circuit 48 controls the power supplied to the second heater 30 based on, for example, the measurement results of the thermometer 46. By controlling the power supplied to the second heater 30, the control circuit 48 controls the temperature of the ingot 50 in the second region 10b to a desired temperature.

[0059] The control circuit 48 is configured, for example, by a combination of hardware and software, and includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a semiconductor memory, and a control program stored in the semiconductor memory.

[0060] The ingot carrying-in opening 34 is provided on the side surface of the lower part of the housing 10. An ingot 50 can be carried in from outside the housing 10 to the first area 10a through the ingot carrying-in opening 34.

[0061] The first opening / closing shutter 38 is provided on the side surface of the lower part of the housing 10. The first opening / closing shutter 38 has the function of opening and closing the ingot carry-in opening 34.

[0062] The ingot carry-in mechanism 42 is provided outside the housing 10. The ingot carry-in mechanism 42 has a function of carrying ingots 50 into the housing 10 through the ingot carry-in opening 34.

[0063] The support table 42a is capable of placing an ingot 50. The ingot 50 at room temperature before preheating is placed on the support table 42a.

[0064] The cylinder 42b is provided, for example, below the support base 42a. The cylinder 42b has a function of moving the push rod 42c in the horizontal direction. The cylinder 42b is, for example, an air cylinder.

[0065] The push rod 42c has the function of pushing the ingot 50 into the housing 10 and placing it on the ingot holder 22 in the first area 10a.

[0066] The ingot discharge port 43 is provided on the bottom surface of the housing 10. The ingot 50 can be discharged from the second area 10b to the outside of the housing 10 through the ingot discharge port 43.

[0067] The inclined plate 44 is provided at the bottom of the second region 10b in the housing 10. The inclined plate 44 has a function of receiving the preheated ingot 50 that drops from one of the multiple ingot holders 22. The inclined plate 44 has a function of receiving the preheated ingot 50 and then tilting to discharge the preheated ingot 50 from the ingot discharge port 43. The inclined plate 44 drops the preheated ingot 50 downward through the ingot discharge port 43, thereby discharging the preheated ingot 50 out of the housing 10.

[0068] The inclined plate 44 has a function of tilting due to, for example, the weight of the preheated ingot 50. For example, the inclined plate 44 is supported by an elastic body. The elastic body is deformed by the weight of the preheated ingot 50, causing the inclined plate 44 to tilt. The elastic body is, for example, a spring.

[0069] Next, the operation of the ingot preheating apparatus 100 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0070] Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are schematic cross-sectional views showing the operation of the ingot preheating apparatus of the first embodiment. Figures 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 16 correspond to Figure 1. Figures 7, 8, and 9 correspond to Figure 4. Figures 14 and 15 correspond to Figure 5.

[0071] 6 is a diagram showing the ingot preheating apparatus 100 before it starts preheating the ingot 50. Electric power is supplied to the first heater 28 and the second heater 30.

[0072] The power supplied to the second heater 30 is controlled by a control circuit 48. The power supplied to the second heater 30 is controlled, for example, so that the temperature of the second region 10b of the casing 10 measured by a thermometer 46 becomes the temperature to which the ingot 50 is to be preheated. The temperature to which the ingot 50 is to be preheated is, for example, 500°C.

[0073] 6, air is circulated inside the housing 10 using an air circulation mechanism 32. The air inside the housing 10 moves from a first region 10a to a second region 10b in the upper part of the housing 10, and moves from the second region 10b to the first region 10a in the lower part of the housing 10.

[0074] Next, the ingot 50 is loaded into the housing 10 using the ingot loading mechanism 42 .

[0075] 7, an ingot 50 at room temperature before preheating is placed on a support table 42a of an ingot carry-in mechanism 42. The ingot 50 is placed on the support table 42a by, for example, a robot arm (not shown).

[0076] Next, as shown in Figure 8, the first open / close shutter 38 is opened, and the ingot 50 is carried into the housing 10 through the ingot carry-in opening 34. The ingot 50 on the support stand 42a is pushed into the housing 10 using the push rod 42c. The push rod 42c is moved by the cylinder 42b. The ingot 50 is placed on the lowest ingot holder 22 in the first area 10a.

[0077] Next, the push rod 42c is pulled back by the cylinder 42b as shown in Figure 9. The first opening / closing shutter 38 is closed.

[0078] When the ingot 50 is carried into the housing 10, the ingot 50 is present only in the ingot holder 22 located at the bottom in the first area 10a, as shown in FIG.

[0079] Next, as shown in Figure 11, the lower sprocket 12 and the upper sprocket 14 are rotated. For example, the upper sprocket 14 is rotated by the rotation mechanism 24, and the rotation of the upper sprocket 14 is transmitted by the chain 20 to rotate the lower sprocket 12.

[0080] The ingot holder 22 in the first region 10a fixed to the chain 20 rises, and the ingot holder 22 in the second region 10b fixed to the chain 20 falls.

[0081] By rotating the lower sprocket 12 and the upper sprocket 14, the ingot 50 placed on the ingot holder 22 is raised as shown in FIG.

[0082] By repeating the operations shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, ingots 50 are placed on all of the ingot holders 22 as shown in FIG.

[0083] In the first region 10a, the ingot 50 is heated from room temperature to a predetermined temperature, which is, for example, 500° C., the same as the intended preheating temperature.

[0084] The temperature of the ingot 50 is adjusted and maintained in the second region 10b so that the temperature of the ingot 50 heated to a predetermined temperature in the first region 10a becomes the preheating temperature. For example, the temperature of the ingot 50 is adjusted to 500°C in the second region 10b.

[0085] In the second region 10b, the temperature of the ingot 50 is adjusted and maintained mainly by hot air flowing from top to bottom.

[0086] Next, the ingot 50 is carried out from the housing 10 through the ingot carrying-out port 43 .

[0087] As shown in Figure 13, the lower sprocket 12 and the upper sprocket 14 are further rotated. The preheated ingot 50 placed on the lowest ingot holder 22 in the second region 10b falls onto the inclined plate 44. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the inclined plate 44 receives the preheated ingot 50.

[0088] 15, the inclined plate 44 is inclined after receiving the preheated ingot 50. The inclined plate 44 is inclined due to, for example, the weight of the preheated ingot 50 itself.

[0089] 15, the inclined plate 44 is tilted, causing the preheated ingot 50 to slide down from the inclined plate. The preheated ingot 50 falls and is carried out of the housing 10 through the ingot carrying-out port 43.

[0090] For example, a furnace in which molten metal is stored is provided directly below the ingot discharge port 43. The preheated ingot 50 is dropped into the molten metal and melted, for example.

[0091] The preheated ingot 50 is carried out of the housing 10, and as shown in FIG. 16, the ingot 50 is no longer present in the ingot holder 22 located at the bottom in the first area 10a.

[0092] Next, the ingot 50 is loaded into the housing 10 using the ingot loading mechanism 42. The ingot 50 is placed on the lowest ingot holder 22 in the first area 10a using the ingot loading mechanism 42.

[0093] By repeating the operations shown in FIGS. 7 to 16, it is possible to preheat a plurality of ingots 50.

[0094] Next, the operation and effects of the ingot preheating device of the first embodiment will be described.

[0095] Die-casting machines manufacture die-cast products by filling the cavity of a mold clamped by a mold clamping device with molten metal obtained by melting an ingot using an injection device. The processes of melting the ingot and holding the molten metal are considered to be the most energy-intensive in the manufacture of die-cast products. Therefore, in today's society striving for carbon neutrality, it is desirable to reduce the energy consumption in the processes of melting the ingot and holding the molten metal.

[0096] For example, by preheating the ingots before melting them, it is possible to reduce the capacity of the melting furnace or holding furnace that melts the ingots, which reduces the amount of energy consumed to melt the ingots and hold the molten metal.

[0097] From the viewpoint of further reducing the amount of energy consumed in the process of melting ingots and holding the molten metal, it is desirable to reduce the energy loss in the ingot preheating device.

[0098] The ingot preheating device 100 of the first embodiment has an ingot discharge port 43 provided on the bottom surface of the housing 10. Preheated ingots 50 are dropped through the ingot discharge port 43 and can be directly supplied into, for example, a furnace provided directly below the ingot discharge port 43 and storing molten metal.

[0099] By directly supplying the preheated ingot 50 into the furnace, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the preheated ingot 50 from decreasing, for example, during transportation to the furnace. Therefore, it is not necessary to heat the ingot 50 while taking into consideration the temperature decrease that occurs during transportation. This makes it possible to reduce the energy consumption of the ingot preheating device 100.

[0100] The ingot preheating device 100 of the first embodiment has a first area 10a and a second area 10b separated by a partition plate 26 inside a housing 10. In the first area 10a, an ingot 50 ascending inside the housing 10 is heated from room temperature to a predetermined temperature using a first heater 28. In the second area 10b, the temperature of the ingot 50 descending inside the housing 10 is adjusted and maintained by a second heater 30 and hot air blown out from an air outlet 32b.

[0101] The ingot preheating device 100 divides the interior of the housing 10 into a first area 10a for heating the ingot 50 and a second area 10b for adjusting and maintaining the temperature of the ingot 50. The first heater 28 and the second heater 30 are controlled independently. This improves energy efficiency when preheating the ingot 50, and reduces energy consumption by the ingot preheating device 100.

[0102] In the second region 10b, the temperature of the ingot 50 is adjusted and maintained by hot air blown from the air outlet 32b and heated by the second heater 30. By using hot air, for example, it is possible to suppress deviations in the temperature distribution of the ingot 50 relative to the shape of the ingot 50, and improve the temperature uniformity of the ingot 50. By improving the temperature uniformity of the ingot 50, for example, it is possible to reduce energy consumption in a furnace that melts the ingot 50 and holds the ingot 50.

[0103] From the viewpoint of reducing the energy consumption of the ingot preheating apparatus 100, the first heater 28 is preferably an electromagnetic induction heater or a near-infrared heater. By using an electromagnetic induction heater or a near-infrared heater as the first heater 28, it becomes possible to heat the ingot 50 from the inside. Therefore, the energy efficiency when raising the temperature of the ingot 50 from room temperature to a predetermined temperature in the first region 10a is improved, and the energy consumption of the ingot preheating apparatus 100 can be further reduced.

[0104] Furthermore, by using an electromagnetic induction heater or a near-infrared heater as the first heater 28 to heat the ingot 50 from the inside, it becomes possible to raise the temperature of the ingot 50 in a short time.

[0105] From the viewpoint of reducing the energy consumption of the ingot preheating apparatus 100, the second heater 30 is preferably a resistance heater. By using a resistance heater as the second heater 30, the temperature of the air in the second region 10b can be efficiently adjusted. Therefore, the temperature of the hot air flowing through the second region 10b can be efficiently adjusted. Therefore, the energy efficiency when adjusting and maintaining the temperature of the ingot 50 in the second region 10b is improved, and the energy consumption of the ingot preheating apparatus 100 can be further reduced.

[0106] It is preferable that the ingot preheating device 100 includes a thermometer 46 and a control circuit 48, and the power supplied to the second heater 30 is controlled by the control circuit 48 based on the measurement results of the thermometer 46. With the above configuration, the temperature of the ingot 50 can be stably controlled to the planned preheating temperature.

[0107] The ingot preheating device 100 includes a lower sprocket 12, an upper sprocket 14, a chain 20, and an ingot holder 22. The lower sprocket 12, the upper sprocket 14, and the chain 20 rotate, causing the ingot holder 22 fixed to the chain 20 to rotate. The ingot preheating device 100 is equipped with a so-called Ferris wheel mechanism.

[0108] The ingot preheating device 100 is provided with a so-called Ferris wheel mechanism, which allows the housing 10 of the ingot preheating device 100 to have a vertically long shape. For example, when the number of ingots 50 held in the housing 10 is increased, this can be accommodated by increasing the vertical length of the housing 10.

[0109] This reduces the size of the planar space required to install the ingot preheating apparatus 100. In other words, the ingot preheating apparatus 100 can achieve space saving.

[0110] From the viewpoint of realizing space saving, it is preferable that the distance between the lower sprocket 12 and the upper sprocket 14 be greater than the diameter of the lower sprocket 12. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of realizing space saving, it is more preferable that the distance between the lower sprocket 12 and the upper sprocket 14 be three times or more the diameter of the lower sprocket 12, and even more preferably five times or more.

[0111] (First Modification) The ingot preheating apparatus of the first variant of the first embodiment differs from the ingot preheating apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, for example, in that the inclined plate 44 is not tilted by the weight of the ingot 50 itself, but is tilted using an inclined plate tilting mechanism.

[0112] For example, the tilt plate 44 is tilted using a tilt plate tilting mechanism (not shown) whose tilt timing is controlled by the control circuit 48 .

[0113] (Second Modification) The ingot preheating apparatus of the second modified example of the first embodiment differs from the ingot preheating apparatus 100 of the first embodiment in that it does not include the inclined plate 44.

[0114] The ingot preheating device of the second modified example does not include the inclined plate 44 , so that the preheated ingot 50 falls from the ingot holding part 22 directly toward the ingot discharge port 43 .

[0115] As described above, according to the first embodiment and the modified example, an ingot preheating device that reduces energy consumption can be realized.

[0116] (Second embodiment) The melting and holding furnace of the second embodiment is a melting and holding furnace equipped with the ingot preheating device of the first embodiment and a furnace for melting the preheated ingots. Hereinafter, some of the description overlapping with the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0117] 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a melting and holding furnace according to the second embodiment. The melting and holding furnace according to the second embodiment is a melting and holding furnace 200. The melting and holding furnace 200 has the functions of preheating ingots, melting the preheated ingots to form molten metal, and maintaining the molten metal at a predetermined temperature.

[0118] The melting and holding furnace 200 includes an ingot preheating device 100 and a furnace 150 that stores the molten metal 60. The furnace 150 has the function of melting the ingots 50 preheated by the ingot preheating device 100 to form the molten metal 60, and the function of maintaining the molten metal 60 at a predetermined temperature.

[0119] The furnace 150 includes a furnace body 62, a surface cover 64, an immersion heater 66, and a second open / close shutter 68. The surface cover 64 has an ingot supply port 64a and a molten metal discharge port 64b.

[0120] The furnace body 62 stores the molten metal 60. The furnace body 62 is made of, for example, a heat-resistant material.

[0121] The surface cover 64 is provided on the upper part of the furnace body 62. The surface cover 64 covers the surface of the molten metal 60 in the furnace body 62. The surface cover 64 is formed of, for example, metal.

[0122] The ingot supply port 64a is provided, for example, directly below the ingot discharge port 43 of the ingot preheating device 100. The ingot preheating device 100 is provided directly above the ingot supply port 64a.

[0123] The molten metal pumping port 64b is used to pump the molten metal 60 in the furnace body 62 out of the furnace 150. The molten metal 60 is pumped out using, for example, a ladle (not shown).

[0124] The immersion heater 66 has a function of heating the molten metal 60. However, the means for heating the molten metal 60 is not necessarily limited to an immersion heater.

[0125] The second opening / closing shutter 68 is provided on the surface cover 64. The second opening / closing shutter 68 has the function of opening and closing the molten metal pumping port 64b.

[0126] 18 and 19 are schematic cross-sectional views showing the operation of the melting and holding furnace of the second embodiment, and correspond to FIG.

[0127] 18, the lower sprocket 12 and the upper sprocket 14 are rotated to drop the preheated ingot 50 placed on the lowest ingot holder 22 in the second region 10b. The preheated ingot 50 drops onto the inclined plate 44. The inclined plate 44 receives the preheated ingot 50.

[0128] 19, the inclined plate 44 is inclined after receiving the preheated ingot 50. The inclined plate 44 is inclined due to, for example, the weight of the preheated ingot 50 itself.

[0129] As the inclined plate 44 is tilted, the preheated ingot 50 slides down from the inclined plate 44. The preheated ingot 50 passes through the ingot discharge port 43 and the ingot supply port 64a and falls into the molten metal 60, where it is melted.

[0130] According to the melting and holding furnace 200 of the second embodiment, by including the ingot preheating device 100 of the first embodiment, energy efficiency is improved and the amount of energy consumed for melting and holding the ingots 50 can be reduced.

[0131] The melting and holding furnace 200 allows the ingots 50 preheated by the ingot preheating device 100 to drop through the ingot discharge port 43 and be directly supplied into the furnace 150 storing the molten metal 60. By directly supplying the preheated ingots 50 into the furnace, a decrease in the temperature of the preheated ingots 50 can be prevented. Therefore, the amount of energy consumed to melt the ingots 50 and hold the ingots 50 can be reduced.

[0132] Furthermore, in the melting and holding furnace 200, the ingot preheating device 100 and the furnace 150 are directly connected. Therefore, the preheated ingots 50 can be supplied to the molten metal 60 without being exposed to the external environment. This prevents oxidation of the preheated ingots 50, allowing for the production of a high-quality molten metal 60.

[0133] In the melting and holding furnace 200, exhaust heat generated by the molten metal 60 stored in the furnace 150 is supplied from the ingot supply port 64a through the ingot discharge port 43 into the housing 10 of the ingot preheating device 100. By supplying the exhaust heat generated by the molten metal 60 to the housing 10 of the ingot preheating device 100, the energy required to heat the ingots 50 in the ingot preheating device 100 can be reduced. Therefore, the amount of energy consumed to melt the ingots 50 and hold the ingots 50 can be further reduced.

[0134] As described above, according to the second embodiment, a melting and holding furnace that reduces energy consumption can be realized.

[0135] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific examples. In the embodiments, parts of an ingot preheating apparatus, a melting and holding furnace, etc. that are not directly necessary for the explanation of the present invention have been omitted, but necessary elements related to an ingot preheating apparatus, a melting and holding furnace, etc. can be appropriately selected and used.

[0136] In addition, all ingot preheating devices and melting and holding furnaces that incorporate the elements of the present invention and that can be appropriately modified by those skilled in the art are encompassed within the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0137] 10. Cabinet 10a First Area 10b Second Region 12 Lower Sprocket 12a First lower sprocket 12b Second lower sprocket 14 Upper sprocket 14a First upper sprocket 14b Second upper sprocket 16 Lower rotating shaft 18 Upper rotation axis 20 Chain 20a First Chain 20b Second Chain 22 Ingot holder 24 Rotation mechanism 26 Partition 26a First opening 26b Second opening 28 First heater (heater) 30 Second heater (heater) 32 Air circulation mechanism 32a Air intake 32b Air outlet 32c fan 34 Ingot Entrance 38 First opening / closing shutter 42 Ingot loading mechanism 42a Support stand 42b cylinder 42c Push stick 43 Ingot carrying-out exit 44 Inclined plate 46 Thermometer 48 Control Circuit 50 ingots 60 molten metal 62 Furnace body 64 Surface cover 64a Ingot supply port 64b Molten metal outlet 66 Immersion heater 68 Second opening / closing shutter 100 Ingot preheater 150 furnace 200 Melting and holding furnace

Claims

1. The housing and a lower sprocket provided in a lower portion of the housing; an upper sprocket provided in an upper portion of the housing; a chain disposed within the housing and mated with the lower sprocket and the upper sprocket; a plurality of ingot holders fixed to the chain, each capable of holding an ingot; a rotation mechanism that rotates the lower sprocket or the upper sprocket; a heater for heating the ingots placed on the plurality of ingot holders; an ingot loading port provided on a side surface of a lower portion of the housing, through which ingots can be loaded into a first region in the housing where the chain moves upward; an ingot discharge port provided on the bottom surface of the housing and capable of discharging the preheated ingot from a second region in the housing through which the chain descends; An ingot preheating device comprising:

2. 2. The ingot preheating device according to claim 1, further comprising an inclined plate provided below the second area, which receives the preheated ingot dropping from one of the plurality of ingot holding portions, and then tilts after receiving the preheated ingot to discharge the preheated ingot from the ingot discharge port.

3. 3. The ingot preheating device according to claim 2, wherein the inclined plate is inclined by the weight of the preheated ingot.

4. a partition plate provided inside the chain and dividing the chain into the first area and the second area; a first heater provided on the partition plate on the side of the first region and constituting a part of the heater; a second heater provided on the second region side of the partition plate, which is part of the heater and can be controlled independently of the first heater; an air circulation mechanism provided in an upper portion of the housing, the air circulation mechanism having an air intake port provided in an upper portion of the first region and an air outlet provided in an upper portion of the second region, and circulating air within the housing; 2. The ingot preheating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

5. 5. The ingot preheating device according to claim 4, wherein the first heater is an electromagnetic induction heater or a near-infrared heater.

6. 6. The ingot preheating device according to claim 5, wherein the second heater is a resistance heater.

7. 2. The ingot preheating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distance between the lower sprocket and the upper sprocket is greater than the diameter of the lower sprocket.

8. 5. The ingot preheating device according to claim 4, wherein the air outlet blows air from an upper portion of the second region toward a lower portion of the second region.

9. 5. The ingot preheating apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a thermometer for measuring the temperature of the lower portion of the second region.

10. 10. The ingot preheating device according to claim 9, further comprising a control circuit, the control circuit controlling the power supplied to the second heater based on the measurement result by the thermometer.

11. the lower sprockets include a first lower sprocket fixed to the lower rotating shaft and a second lower sprocket fixed to the lower rotating shaft; the upper sprockets include a first upper sprocket fixed to the upper rotating shaft and a second upper sprocket fixed to the upper rotating shaft; 2. The ingot preheating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chains include a first chain mated with the first lower sprocket and the first upper sprocket, and a second chain mated with the second lower sprocket and the second upper sprocket.

12. the partition plate has a first opening at an upper portion through which the ingot holder can pass from the first region toward the second region; 5. The ingot preheating device according to claim 4, wherein the partition plate has a second opening at a lower portion thereof through which the ingot holder can pass from the second area toward the first area.

13. The ingot preheating device according to claim 1; a furnace for melting the preheated ingot; A melting and holding furnace comprising:

14. The furnace includes a furnace body and a surface cover provided on an upper portion of the furnace body and having an ingot supply port; 14. The melting and holding furnace according to claim 13, wherein the ingot discharge port is provided directly above the ingot supply port.

Images