Ladle Lifting Apparatus with Segmented Crossbars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ladle lifting systems for treating liquid metal in RH plants are heavy and inflexible, requiring powerful and costly lifting cylinders, and are difficult to maintain, leading to high energy consumption and maintenance expenses.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising vertically aligned metal braces, horizontally aligned cross braces, and independently movable crossbars with positioning elements and guide rails, allowing for reduced weight lifting and easy maintenance, with the option of using hydraulic cylinders or cable pull systems for movement, and remote-controlled fastening of treatment devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If heavy frame constructions are used for lifting the ladle, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the energy requirements and cost of lifting cylinders increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device is divided into separate functional components: a stationary support structure and a movable lifting mechanism with crossbars and positioning elements. This segmentation allows the heavy ladle weight to be supported by the fixed structure while only the lighter lifting mechanism needs to be moved, reducing energy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The crossbars and positioning elements act as intermediaries between the lifting cylinders and the ladle. Instead of directly lifting the entire ladle with heavy cylinders, the system uses these intermediate components to distribute and manage the lifting forces, reducing the energy and size requirements of the lifting cylinders.
2Stability of the object's composition
If heavy frame constructions are used for lifting the ladle, then the structural stability is improved, but the flexibility and ease of maintenance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device is divided into separate functional components: a stationary support structure and a movable lifting mechanism with crossbars and positioning elements. This segmentation allows the heavy ladle weight to be supported by the fixed structure while only the lighter lifting mechanism needs to be moved, reducing energy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The crossbars are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be adjusted and removed as needed. This dynamic design maintains structural stability during operation while enabling easy access to the positioning elements and treatment device for maintenance and replacement.
3Power
If powerful lifting cylinders are used to lift the heavy ladle and frame construction, then the lifting capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device is divided into separate functional components: a stationary support structure and a movable lifting mechanism with crossbars and positioning elements. This segmentation allows the heavy ladle weight to be supported by the fixed structure while only the lighter lifting mechanism needs to be moved, reducing energy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment device is extracted as a separate, detachable component from the lifting mechanism. This allows the treatment device to be removed and replaced independently without affecting the lifting system, reducing overall device complexity and maintenance requirements.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the treatment device is fixed to the lifting mechanism, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of replacement and maintenance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment device is extracted as a separate, detachable component from the lifting mechanism. This allows the treatment device to be removed and replaced independently without affecting the lifting system, reducing overall device complexity and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The crossbars are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be adjusted and removed as needed. This dynamic design maintains structural stability during operation while enabling easy access to the positioning elements and treatment device for maintenance and replacement.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for lifting, and setting down again, a ladle (9) for handling liquid metal (8) in the ladle (9) by means of a handling device (3), wherein the apparatus (1) comprises: – at least three vertically oriented metal struts (2), – at least two horizontally oriented transverse struts (2a), wherein each transverse strut (2a) connects two of the metal struts (2) together and is fastened thereto, – two transverse beams (5), wherein each transverse beam (5) is connected to one of the transverse struts (2a) in a movable manner in the vertical direction, – at least one positioning element (4) for moving in each case one transverse beam (5), wherein each positioning element (4) is connected on one side to one of the transverse struts (2a) and on the other side to one of the transverse beams (5) such that the transverse beams (5) are movable independently of one another, – in each case one ladle pick-up element (7) which is connected to each particular transverse beam (5) and by means of which the ladle (9) is able to be picked up, and – at least one positioning means (4') for orienting a position of each particular ladle pick-up element (7).