Metallurgical Flushing Plug Handling Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flushing plug handling devices in metallurgical vessels require human labor for installation and removal, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage to the perforated brick due to imprecise manual handling.
Innovation Solution
A flushing plug handling device utilizing a hollow spindle with a worm drive and spindle nut, coupled with a drive worm, allows for automated translational movement of the spindle, enabling the device to transmit tensile and compressive forces, and can be integrated with an industrial robot for fully automated plug exchange, using a bayonet lock for secure vessel attachment and a coupling element for force transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling methods are used for flushing plug installation and removal, then human labor is required which reduces efficiency, but the device complexity remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated mechanical system consisting of a pulling element, coupling element, and translatory movement mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for human labor while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure, thereby improving productivity without excessively increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flushing plug handling device is designed to perform the extraction and reinsertion operations autonomously through automated translational movement of the pulling element. The system serves itself by automatically positioning and manipulating the flushing plug without requiring external human intervention, thus improving efficiency while keeping the device structure manageable.
2Productivity
If rough ejection method with long mandrel is used, then the flushing plug can be removed, but the perforated brick is damaged requiring rework
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling element as an intermediary between the pulling element and the flushing plug. This coupling element enables controlled force transmission during extraction, preventing direct rough contact that would damage the perforated brick. The intermediary mechanism allows efficient removal while preserving the integrity of the surrounding structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pulling element is designed to move in controlled translatory motion rather than static rough ejection. This dynamic, controlled movement allows the flushing plug to be extracted smoothly without applying excessive or uncontrolled forces to the perforated brick, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving efficient removal.
3Ease of operation
If heavy flushing plugs are balanced into perforated plugs manually, then installation can be completed, but precise positioning cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual balancing operations with an automated translational movement system. The pulling element moves in precisely controlled linear motion to position the flushing plug accurately within the perforated brick. This mechanical substitution eliminates the imprecision of manual handling while keeping the operation simple and automated.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element is designed to engage with the flushing plug before the translational movement begins. This preliminary coupling ensures that the flushing plug is securely held and guided during the positioning process, enabling precise placement without requiring complex manual balancing operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables fully automated installation and removal of flushing plugs, reducing manual labor and minimizing damage to the perforated brick, with precise control and efficient handling of the plugs through translational movement and robotic assistance.
Implementation Method 1
a worm wheel (7) which is engaged with a drive worm (4)
Implementation Method 2
the hollow spindle (5) can be moved in translation and is mounted in a spindle nut (6) which is arranged within a worm wheel (7) so as to be rotatable with the latter
Implementation Method 3
capable of transmitting tensile and compressive forces
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The sink-handling device externally coupled to a bottom vessel (9) of a metallurgical vessel (10) in a region of a sink (12) arranged into the vessel and with a coupling element (13), which is capable of transmitting tension- and compressive force to the sink, arranged on a tensile member, is claimed. The tensile member is a translationally movable hollow spindle (5), which is stored in a spindle nut, which is rotatably arranged within a worm wheel in rotational manner with the worm wheel, where the worm wheel stands with a drive screw in intervention. The sink-handling device externally coupled to a bottom vessel (9) of a metallurgical vessel (10) in a region of a sink (12) arranged into the vessel and with a coupling element (13), which is capable of transmitting tension- and compressive force to the sink, arranged on a tensile member, is claimed. The tensile member is a translationally movable hollow spindle (5), which is stored in a spindle nut, which is rotatably arranged within a worm wheel in rotational manner with the worm wheel, where the worm wheel stands with a drive screw in intervention. The worm wheel and the drive screw are arranged in a gearbox, which is fixed by locking means standing in operational connection at the bottom vessel. The locking means is part of a bayonet fixing formed at the bottom vessel. The sink-handling device protrudes at the sink with a glass flushing pipe protruding in the coupling position into the hollow spindle. The head of the hollow spindle comprises a coupling element applied into the coupling position of the sink-handling device to the sink tension- and pressure force transmission capability to a flange of the glass flushing tube. The coupling element adjoins in area-wise manner on both sides under embracing the flange borders at the flange, and comprises projections co-operating with assigned recesses of the flange, where the projections are guided by the side facing towards at the sink of the flange through the recesses and after subsequent relative rotation of the gas flushing pipe and the sink-handling device are positioned to each other on the side facing towards the sink of the flange. The locking means is aligned with the bottom vessel in the operational connection and the coupling element is arranged with the flange in the operational connection in such a way that the relative rotation of the sink and the sink-handling device are formed to each other on both simultaneously into its respective coupling position.