Device and method for locking a metallurgical vessel

Abstract

The present invention describes a tiltable metallurgical vessel. The metallurgical vessel has brackets comprising pins, wherein the pins protrude from the brackets, wherein the support ring has receiving openings which are suitable for receiving the pins, wherein locking devices are present on the support ring, which devices are suitable for securing the pins against falling out or being pulled out of the receiving opening. The pins are mounted in the brackets via spring elements such that the pins can be pulled out of the brackets when a first tensile force is exceeded, wherein a spring deflection is limited by a mechanical stop. The invention also describes a method for inserting the metallurgical vessel into the support ring.

Description

[0001] 202400202

[0002] 1

[0003] Description

[0004] Title of the invention

[0005] Device and method for locking a metallurgical vessel

[0006] field of technology

[0007] The present invention is in the field of steelmaking technology and describes a tiltable metallurgical vessel with a round cross-section, which is at least partially surrounded by a support ring.

[0008] The support ring is radially spaced from the metallurgical vessel, which has at least three brackets, each with at least one pin. The pins project from the brackets and are aligned along a vertical axis of the metallurgical vessel. The support ring has at least three receiving openings suitable for accommodating the pins, and the support ring, preferably located inside it, has floating locking devices suitable for securing the pins against falling out or being pulled out of the receiving opening.

[0009] Furthermore, a spring element is described, wherein the spring element is designed in a ring shape, and the spring element has an inner diameter, an outer diameter and a height.

[0010] Furthermore, a locking device for a metallurgical vessel, comprising a wedge, is described.

[0011] Furthermore, a method for inserting a metallurgical vessel into a support ring is described.

[0012] State of the art

[0013] EP3502282 describes a metallurgical vessel fixed to a support ring. A method for fixing and releasing the vessel is described, which avoids constraint forces. The metallurgical vessel has at least three brackets, each with a pin. The support ring has receiving openings that accommodate the pins. These receiving openings allow the pins to be moved radially. Floating locking devices located inside the support ring secure the pins against falling out of the receiving opening and the bracket. 202400202

[0014] 2

[0015] It has been found that thermally induced deformations of the metallurgical vessel, such as a converter, can lead to high mechanical stresses in the locking device. This can result in significantly higher forces being required to release the lock than to close it. In an unfavorable case, the lock can no longer be released using the designated actuator.

[0016] Summary of the invention

[0017] The present invention relates to a tiltable metallurgical vessel with a round cross-section, which is at least partially surrounded by a support ring. The support ring is radially spaced from the metallurgical vessel, and the metallurgical vessel has at least three brackets, each with at least one pin. The pins are oriented along a vertical axis of the metallurgical vessel and project from the brackets. The support ring has at least three receiving openings suitable for receiving the pins, wherein the support ring, preferably located inside the support ring, has floating locking devices suitable for securing the pins against falling out or being pulled out of the receiving opening.

[0018] According to the invention, the problem is solved by mounting the pins in the brackets via spring elements, wherein the pins can be pulled out of the brackets when a first tensile force is exceeded, wherein a spring travel of the spring elements is limited by a mechanical stop, and the mechanical stop is reached when the tensile force of the pins exceeds a second tensile force.

[0019] The pins are spring-mounted, meaning they are flexible, in the brackets. Since the spring elements are pre-tensioned, the pins are only pulled out of the brackets – towards the support ring – when a certain initial tensile force is exceeded. This occurs when the pins lock into the support ring. Even when fully locked, some spring travel remains in the brackets. The spring constant of the spring elements, their pre-tension, and the length by which the pins are pulled out of the bracket result in a tensile force in the pins, or mechanical stresses in the device for locking the metallurgical vessel.

[0020] Since the stiffness of the spring elements is chosen to be significantly lower than the stiffness of the seat of the locking device, mechanical stresses are limited despite thermally induced component deformations.

[0021] If tensile forces occur in the pins that exceed a second tensile force, the spring elements reach a mechanical stop. This mechanical stop is 202400202.

[0022] 3 ensures that the distance by which the pins are pulled out of the consoles is limited.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the tiltable metallurgical vessel has at least three insertion brackets, and the support ring has an equal number of receiving elements suitable for receiving the insertion brackets. This allows for pre-centering between the metallurgical vessel and the support ring. Consequently, the pins protruding from the brackets of the metallurgical vessel engage with the receiving openings of the support ring.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment, the spring elements are ring-shaped, and each spring element has an inner diameter, an outer diameter and a height.

[0025] The spring elements are designed to be compressible in the direction of their height by applying a force such that their height is a first height if the force is less than a first force, their height lies between the first height and a second height if the force lies between the first force and a second force, and their height is the second height if the force is greater than the second force.

[0026] Such a spring element is designed in the form of a ring, which can be mounted similarly to a washer. These spring elements are located in the brackets and are mounted on the pins in such a way that they are compressed when a tensile force acts on the pins. The spring elements are pre-tensioned. This means they are only compressed when the compressive force acting on them exceeds a certain threshold. If the compressive force is less than this threshold, they remain undeformed.

[0027] Furthermore, the spring elements have a stop. This ensures they are only compressed to a certain minimum thickness. They reach this minimum thickness when the compressive force exceeds a second force.

[0028] In another preferred embodiment, the inner diameters and / or outer diameters and / or heights of at least two spring elements are different. This allows for the consideration of potentially different forces acting on different brackets of the locking device.

[0029] In another preferred embodiment, the spring element comprises pre-tensioned disc springs. Disc springs can exert large forces relative to their size. The spring elements can also include other types of springs. In addition to the preferred embodiment, the use of coil springs, conical springs, spring washers, spring rings, or other types of springs is also conceivable. 202400202

[0030] 4

[0031] In a further preferred embodiment, the disc springs are arranged in several disc spring assemblies, preferably with their arrangement in different disc spring assemblies being different, and / or the height of different disc spring assemblies being different.

[0032] The disc springs in a first disc spring assembly can therefore be arranged differently than the disc springs in a second disc spring assembly. The arrangement can be, for example, parallel (i.e., in the same direction) or serial (i.e., alternating directions).

[0033] Arranging disc springs in the same direction increases the spring stiffness of a disc spring assembly. Arranging disc springs in opposite directions decreases the spring stiffness. Combining spring assemblies with disc springs arranged in the same direction and spring assemblies with springs arranged in opposite directions allows for the creation of various spring characteristics, including non-linear spring characteristics.

[0034] In a further preferred embodiment, the locking device for the metallurgical vessel comprises a wedge, wherein the wedge can be inserted laterally into at least one recess of the pin and is suitable to prevent the pin from being pulled out of the receiving opening.

[0035] The wedge and the recess of the pin are thus designed in such a way that the pin cannot be pulled out of the receiving opening by positive locking as long as the wedge is in a locking position.

[0036] By appropriately selecting the wedge's pitch, the locking device can be designed to be self-locking. This is advantageous because no holding force needs to be applied to the wedge, even when the locking device is under load.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the wedge has a wedge angle of less than 25°, preferably less than 20°, and particularly preferably less than 15°. The wedge angle is selected such that, when the locking device is loaded, self-locking occurs with respect to the wedge being pushed out of the locked position. The decisive factor is the coefficient of friction between the flank of the wedge and the surface on which it rests.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the wedge is connected to a hydraulic cylinder via a tension / compression element. 202400202

[0039] 5

[0040] However, in addition to or instead of the preferred embodiment, other types of actuators, such as electromechanical actuators, can also be used.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic cylinder is a differential cylinder. In a differential cylinder, the piston surface on the side facing the piston rod is annular. The outer diameter corresponds to the piston diameter, and the inner diameter corresponds to the rod diameter. The piston surface on the side facing away from the piston rod is circular with a diameter that corresponds to the piston diameter. Differential cylinders are relatively simple in design, robust, and have proven their worth in demanding environments.

[0042] In a further preferred embodiment, the differential cylinder is connected to the wedge in such a way that when a ring surface of a piston is pressurized, the wedge can be moved into a locking position, and when a circular surface of the piston is pressurized, the wedge can be moved out of the locking position.

[0043] Due to the larger surface area of ​​the side of the piston facing away from the piston rod, the hydraulic cylinder achieves greater forces when the piston rod is extended than when the piston rod is retracted, provided the same hydraulic pressures are available for both movements.

[0044] If the locking mechanism is moved out of the locking position when the piston rod extends, or into the locking position when the piston rod retracts, it can be ensured that the force the hydraulic cylinder can apply to open the lock exceeds the force it can apply to close it. This guarantees that the locking device can be released during operation. In an emergency situation, such as when the drive force is insufficient to open the lock due to wear, a weak point is provided on a spacer sleeve. This allows the spacer sleeve to be removed, for example, using a cutting torch, without damaging other machine components.

[0045] Another emergency situation would be a hydraulic system failure. In this case, too, the clamping force on the wedge can be restored by removing the spacer sleeve. Once the clamping force is released, the wedge can be removed from the locking position without hydraulic pressure.

[0046] In the event of a hydraulic system failure, a clamping mechanism is provided to ensure that the wedges remain in the locked position for a certain period of time. This mechanism, for example, is activated by manually tightening a clamping screw to prevent the wedges from leaving the locked position. 202400202

[0047] 6

[0048] In another preferred embodiment, a volume bounded by the circular area is connected to a volume bounded by the annular area via a hydraulic valve, preferably a pressure relief valve mounted on the cylinder, and / or via a throttle or orifice. This allows hydraulic fluid to circulate in the corresponding connecting lines even when the hydraulic cylinder is in an end position. This can occur, for example, during specific time intervals when the supply pressure to the hydraulic cylinder exceeds the setpoint of the pressure relief valve. Alternatively, a continuous flow of hydraulic fluid can be achieved by using a throttle or orifice as soon as a differential pressure is present at the hydraulic cylinder.This circulation of hydraulic fluid prevents, for example, subsets of the hydraulic fluid from being exposed to particularly high temperatures for extended periods and thus degrading more quickly.

[0049] In a further preferred embodiment, the support ring has an electrical position detection system suitable for detecting whether and to what extent the wedge is inserted into the recess of the pin. This provides, for example, a control system with the information as to whether the metallurgical vessel is securely connected to the support ring, which is a prerequisite for pivoting the vessel.

[0050] In a further preferred embodiment, the support ring has a mechanical position detection system capable of detecting whether and to what extent the wedge is inserted into the recess of the pin and visually displaying this information by means of a pointer on the support ring. The pointer can, for example, be mounted on the outside of the support ring. Such a mechanical position detection system is characterized by its particular simplicity and is independent of a power supply. The pointer display allows an operator to recognize, for example, that the metallurgical vessel is not fully locked to the support ring and to take appropriate action. In combination with an electrical position detection system, redundant monitoring of the locking device is achieved.

[0051] In a further preferred embodiment, the locking device with mechanical position detection system comprises cables for controlling the pointers. A further aspect of the invention is a method for inserting a metallurgical vessel into a support ring, comprising the steps of: placing the metallurgical vessel over the support ring 202400202

[0052] 7

[0053] -Lowering the metallurgical vessel towards the support ring, whereby the metallurgical vessel can be centered relative to the support ring by means of contact between insertion brackets on the metallurgical vessel and receiving elements on the support ring,

[0054] -Locking of pins connected to the metallurgical vessel in receiving openings on the support ring by inserting wedges into openings of the pins, wherein the wedges are driven by actuators, preferably hydraulic cylinders, and the position of the wedges is monitored.

[0055] The centering of the metallurgical vessel relative to the support ring is achieved with regard to displacements as well as rotation.

[0056] The position of the wedges is monitored redundantly in two different ways, with the first being a mechanical pointer on the support ring and the second generating an electrical signal for further processing.

[0057] Brief description of the drawings

[0058] The properties, features, and advantages of this invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more readily understandable in connection with the following description of an exemplary embodiment, which will be explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. The schematic and exemplary figures illustrate this.

[0059] Fig. 1 shows the state of the art of a metallurgical vessel with a locking device in the form of a side view and a top view,

[0060] Fig. 1a shows a preferred embodiment of a metallurgical vessel with a locking device in the form of a side view and a top view.

[0061] Fig. 2 shows the state of the art of a locking device for a metallurgical vessel,

[0062] Fig. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a locking device for a metallurgical vessel,

[0063] Fig. 4 shows another preferred embodiment of a locking device for a metallurgical vessel,

[0064] Fig. 5 shows a top view and a half-section or half-view of a spring element in the form of a ring, 202400202

[0065] 8

[0066] Fig. 6 shows a force / displacement diagram of the spring element.

[0067] Description of the embodiments

[0068] Fig. 1 shows a prior art metallurgical vessel 1 and a support ring 2. The metallurgical vessel 1 has three brackets 12 and is connected to the support ring 2, which has three receiving openings 14, by three pins 10. The pins 10 are each secured against falling out of the bracket and the receiving opening 14 of the support ring by a floating locking device 20. The floating locking device 20 has a cylinder 22 and a wedge 21. The pin 10 is fixed by the wedge 21.

[0069] Fig. 1a shows a preferred embodiment of a metallurgical vessel 1 and a support ring 2. The metallurgical vessel 1 has four brackets 12 and is connected to the support ring 2, which has four receiving openings 14, by four pins 10. The pins 10 are each secured against falling out of the bracket and the receiving opening 14 of the support ring by a floating locking device 20. The floating locking device 20 has a cylinder 22 and a wedge 21. The pin 10 is fixed by the wedge 21. Indicators 27 are mounted on the support ring, which show whether and to what extent the wedges 21 are inserted into the recess of the pin. The tiltable metallurgical vessel 1 has three insertion brackets 16, and the support ring 2 has the same number of receiving elements 17. These receive the insertion brackets 16 and cause pre-centering between the metallurgical vessel 1 and the support ring 2.

[0070] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of the prior art connection between a pin 10 and the floating locking device 20. The cylinder 22 is mounted on a base body 23. The cylinder 22 is directly connected to a wedge 21. This base body 23 has a base body opening 24, which has an end position limit 25; an end position limit 29 is also shown. The pin has a wedge pressing surface 11, which serves to press the pin 10 firmly onto the wedge 21 and thereby fix the connection between the support ring 2 and the metallurgical vessel 1. The pin 10 has insertion ramps 15. The insertion ramps 15 serve to center the floating locking devices 20 when the pin 10 is inserted. The insertion ramps 15 represent only one possibility; it is also conceivable that other insertion aids could be used.If the wedge 21 does not press on the wedge pressure surfaces 1 1, the floating locking device 202400202 will not engage.

[0071] 9

[0072] 20 are held in position by holding devices 26. For example, it is also conceivable that the holding device 26, as shown, is a encompassing guide 26 and simultaneously acts as an end position limiter.

[0073] Fig. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a locking device for a metallurgical vessel 1. The spring element 30 is located between the pin 10 and the spacer sleeve 13. The pin 10 has a wedge-shaped pressing surface 11, which serves to press the pin 10 over the wedge 21 and thereby secure the connection between the support ring 2 and the metallurgical vessel 1. In this process, the spring element 30 is compressed, thus limiting the force on the wedge-shaped pressing surface.

[0074] Fig. 4 shows another preferred embodiment of a locking device for a metallurgical vessel 1. Due to the larger circular area 41 on the side of the piston facing away from the piston rod, compared to the smaller annular area 42 on the side of the piston facing the piston rod, the hydraulic cylinder achieves greater forces when extending the piston rod than when retracting the piston rod, provided the same hydraulic pressures are supplied for both movements.

[0075] The hydraulic cylinder 22 transmits the force to actuate the locking device through the pull / push element 45 to the wedge 21 .

[0076] This ensures that the wedge 21 is moved into the locking position when the piston rod is retracted and out of the locking position when the piston rod is extended. This guarantees that the force that the hydraulic cylinder 22 can apply to open the lock exceeds the force that it can apply to close the lock.

[0077] Fig. 5 shows a top view and a half-section or half-view of the embodiment of a spring element 30, which is designed to be compressible in the direction of its height h by applying a force. Due to the preload of the disc springs 31, its height h is a first height hi if the force is less than a first force Fi. Due to a mechanical stop, its height h is a second height h2 if the force is greater than a second force F2. If the force is between the first force Fi and the second force F2, its height h is between the first height hi and a second height h2.

[0078] The spring element shown has the shape of a ring, which can be mounted similarly to a washer.

[0079] Fig. 6 shows a displacement / force diagram of the spring element. The height / i of the spring element is a first height hi when the force compressing it is less than a first force Fi. Due to a mechanical stop, its height is a second height h2 when the 202400202

[0080] 10

[0081] The force lies above a second force F2. If the force lies between the first force Fi and the second force F2, its height is between the first height hi and a second height h2. A linear curve 51 and a progressive curve 52 of a spring characteristic are shown as examples.

[0082] Although the invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of protection of the invention.

[0083] 202400202

[0084] Reference symbol list

[0085] 1 Metallurgical Vessel

[0086] 2 support ring

[0087] 10 cones

[0088] 11 Wedge pressing surface

[0089] 12 console

[0090] 13 Spacer sleeve

[0091] 14 Intake opening

[0092] 15 Inset ramp

[0093] 16 Insertion console

[0094] 17 Recording element

[0095] 20 floating locking devices

[0096] 21 wedge

[0097] 22 hydraulic cylinders

[0098] 23 Basic shapes

[0099] 24 Base body opening

[0100] 25 End position limitation

[0101] 26 Holding device

[0102] 27 hands

[0103] 29 End position limit for solving

[0104] 30 spring element

[0105] 31 disc springs

[0106] 41 Circular area

[0107] 42 ring area

[0108] 45 Tension / compression element

[0109] 51 linear progression

[0110] 52 progressive course h height hi first height h2 second height

[0111] F force

[0112] First force

[0113] F2 Second Force

Claims

202400202 12 Claims 1. Tiltable metallurgical vessel (1) with a round cross-section, wherein the metallurgical vessel (1) is at least partially surrounded by a support ring (2) and the support ring (2) has a radial distance from the metallurgical vessel (1), wherein the metallurgical vessel (1) has at least three brackets (12) each with at least one pin (10), wherein the pins (10) are oriented in the direction of a vertical axis of the metallurgical vessel and the pins (10) project from the brackets (12), wherein the support ring (2) has at least three receiving openings (14) suitable for receiving the pins (10), wherein floating locking devices (20) are provided on the support ring (2), preferably inside the support ring (2), which are suitable for securing the pins (10) against falling out or being pulled out of the receiving opening (14), characterized in that the pins (10) are held in place by spring elements (30) in the consoles (12) are stored,wherein the pins (10) can be pulled out of the brackets (12) when a first tensile force is exceeded, wherein a spring travel of the spring elements (30) is limited by a mechanical stop, and the mechanical stop is reached when the tensile force of the pins (10) exceeds a second tensile force.

2. Tiltable metallurgical vessel (1) according to claim 1, wherein the metallurgical vessel (1) has at least three insertion brackets (16), and the support ring (2) has an equal number of receiving elements (17) which are suitable for receiving the insertion brackets (16). 202400202 13 3. Tiltable metallurgical vessel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring elements (30) are annular in shape, and the spring elements (30) have an inner diameter, an outer diameter and a height, wherein the spring elements (30) are designed to be compressible in the direction of their height by applying a force such that their height is a first height if the force is less than a first force, their height is between the first height and a second height if the force is between the first force and a second force, and their height is the second height if the force is greater than the second force.

4. Tiltable metallurgical vessel (1 ) according to claim 3, wherein the inner diameters and / or outer diameters and / or heights of at least two spring elements (30) are different.

5. Tiltable metallurgical vessel (1 ) according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the spring elements (30) comprise pre-tensioned disc springs (31 ).

6. Tiltable metallurgical vessel (1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the disc springs (31 ) are arranged in several disc spring assemblies, preferably their arrangement in different disc spring assemblies being different, and / or the height of different disc spring assemblies being different.

7. Tiltable metallurgical vessel (1 ) according to one of claims 1 - 6, wherein the locking devices (20) each comprise a wedge (21 ), wherein the wedge (21 ) can be inserted laterally into at least one recess of the pin (10) and is suitable to prevent the pin (10) from being pulled out of the receiving opening (14).

8. Tiltable metallurgical vessel (1 ) according to claim 7, wherein the wedge (21 ) has a wedge angle of less than 25°, preferably less than 20°, particularly preferably less than 15°.

9. Tiltable metallurgical vessel (1 ) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the wedge (21 ) is connected to a hydraulic cylinder (22) via a tension / compression element (45). 202400202 14 10. Tiltable metallurgical vessel (1 ) according to claim 9, wherein the hydraulic cylinder (22) is a differential cylinder.

11. Tiltable metallurgical vessel (1) according to claim 10, wherein the differential cylinder is connected to the wedge (21) in such a way that when an annular surface of a piston is pressurized, the wedge (21) can be moved into a locking position and when a circular surface of a piston is pressurized, the wedge (21) can be moved out of the locking position.

12. Tiltable metallurgical vessel (1 ) according to claim 1 1 , wherein a volume bounded by the circular area is connected to a volume bounded by the annular area via a hydraulic valve, preferably a pressure relief valve mounted on the cylinder and / or via a throttle or an orifice.

13. Tiltable metallurgical vessel (1 ) according to one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the support ring (2) has an electrical position detection system which is suitable for detecting whether and how far the wedge (21 ) is inserted into the recess of the pin (10).

14. Tiltable metallurgical vessel (1 ) according to one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the support ring (2) has a mechanical position detection system which is suitable for detecting whether and how far the wedge is inserted into the recess of the pin and visually represents this information by means of a pointer (27) on the support ring (2).

15. Tiltable metallurgical vessel (1 ) with mechanical position detection system according to claim 14, wherein a control of the pointers (27) comprises cable pulls.

16. Method for inserting a metallurgical vessel (1) into a support ring (2), comprising the steps - Placing the metallurgical vessel (1) over the support ring (2) - Lowering the metallurgical vessel (1 ) towards the support ring (2), wherein the metallurgical vessel (1 ) can be centered relative to the support ring by means of contact between insertion brackets (16) on the metallurgical vessel (1 ) and receiving elements (17) on the support ring, 202400202 15 - Locking of pins (10) connected to the metallurgical vessel (1) in receiving openings (14) on the support ring (2) by inserting wedges (21) into openings of the pins (10), wherein the wedges are driven by actuators, preferably hydraulic cylinders (22) and the position of the wedges (21) is monitored, wherein the monitoring of the position of the wedges (21) is redundantly carried out in 2 different ways, wherein a first way is a mechanical pointer (27) on the support ring and a second way generates an electrical signal for further processing.

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