Hydraulic Socket Removal System for Gyrational Crusher Main Shaft

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The current method for removing a socket from the main shaft of a cone crusher is labor-intensive and time-consuming, requiring heating and the use of jack screws, which can damage the components and necessitate experienced personnel, due to the thermal expansion and scoring of contact surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic separation system utilizing pressurized hydraulic fluid and hydraulic grooves, along with tapered contact surfaces, to create separation between the socket and the main shaft, facilitating quicker and safer disassembly during maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heating and jack screws are used to remove the socket, then the socket can be separated from the main shaft, but the process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesocket separationVSAvoiddisassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical removal system (heating equipment and jack screws) with a hydraulic system. Hydraulic cylinders with pistons are positioned between the socket and main shaft, and hydraulic fluid pressure directly pushes the socket off the main shaft, eliminating the need for thermal expansion and manual jacking operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hydraulic removal system that uses hydraulic fluid under pressure to generate the force needed for socket separation. Hydraulic cylinders convert fluid pressure into linear motion of pistons, which push the socket away from the main shaft in a controlled and rapid manner, significantly reducing disassembly time and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If heating is applied to create clearance, then the socket expands and separation becomes possible, but heat transfers to the main shaft causing expansion and loss of clearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclearance creationVSAvoidmain shaft temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the heating process entirely by replacing it with a direct hydraulic pushing mechanism. Hydraulic cylinders generate sufficient force to push the socket off the main shaft without thermal expansion, preventing heat transfer to the main shaft and avoiding the problem of thermal expansion causing loss of clearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If jack screws are used to push the socket off, then separation is achieved, but the contact surface becomes scored decreasing component life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesocket separationVSAvoidcontact surface scoring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the jack screw mechanism with hydraulic cylinders that have large surface area contact between the piston and the socket. This distributed contact prevents scoring of the contact surface, as the hydraulic piston applies force over a broad area rather than through a small screw contact point, thereby preserving component life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If the socket removal process is delayed, then heat transfers to the main shaft, but repeating the process increases time and labor requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesocket separationVSAvoidtotal removal time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic removal system achieves socket separation in a single, rapid operation without the need for repeated heating and jacking cycles. The hydraulic cylinders can quickly generate the necessary force to push the socket off the main shaft, eliminating the iterative process required by traditional methods and significantly reducing total removal time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3102330B1System and method for hydraulically removing a socket from a mainshaft of a gyrational crusher
Publication Date: 2017.12.27 METSO MINERALS INDUSTRIES INC
  • EP3102330B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3102330B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3102330B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hydraulic separation system for use in a gyrational crusher to separate a socket (50) of the crusher from a main shaft (34). The hydraulic separation system includes one or more hydraulic grooves (64,66) formed at the interference contact area between the socket and the main shaft Each hydraulic groove is fed with a supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid to aid in separation of the socket from the main shaft. An inner contact surface (78) of the socket is tapered and engages a tapered outer surface (92) of the main shaft. The mating tapered surfaces further aid in separation of the socket from the main shaft upon application of the pressurized hydraulic fluid.