Magnetic Moil Guide for Liner Bolt Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

The removal of liner bolts from mill casings is challenging due to corrosion and compacted clearances, requiring manual hammering, which is dangerous and time-consuming, and existing tools are cumbersome and require assistance for alignment, posing risks to workers.

Innovation Solution

A moil guide with a magnetic attachment device, comprising a mechanically or electronically activated magnet, allows secure attachment to metal surfaces, enabling precise alignment and operation of a hammer moil for efficient bolt removal without manual assistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hydraulic or pneumatic liner bolt removal tools are used, then repetitive impacts can be delivered for bolt removal, but the tools are difficult to handle and align due to their size and weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebolt removal efficiencyVSAvoidtool handling and alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the bolt removal system into two separate components: a handheld guide device that provides alignment and a separate hammer tool that delivers impacts. The guide device includes a guide aperture and positioning features that can be manually positioned on the bolt, while the hammer tool is used by the operator to strike the bolt through the guide. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the guide for precision and the hammer for impact delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide device acts as an intermediary between the operator and the bolt. It provides a stable reference frame with guide apertures that define the precise strike location, allowing the operator to align the hammer without directly manipulating the hammer near the bolt head. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for the operator to manually position and hold alignment tools near the work area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a workman manually aligns the moil with the liner bolt using a hand-held moil guide, then alignment is achieved, but the workman is placed at risk of injury due to proximity to the working end

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidworker injury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device serves as a safe intermediary that remains stationary on the bolt while the operator performs the hazardous striking action from a safer position. The guide apertures and positioning features establish precise alignment without requiring the operator's hands or body to be in the danger zone near the bolt head during impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment function is extracted from the hammer tool and placed into a separate guide device that remains on the bolt. This allows the operator to use the guide for alignment while maintaining distance from the impact zone, separating the alignment task from the hazardous striking task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If large sledge-hammers are used for manual bolt removal, then bolt freeing is achieved, but the process is difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact forceVSAvoidbolt removal time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the traditional manual sledgehammer technique with a more efficient system combining a guided percussive tool and a specialized moil. The guide device ensures precise alignment on the first attempt, eliminating repeated misaligned strikes that waste time. The moil geometry is optimized for effective bolt engagement and removal.

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

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

The moil guide reduces worker risk by eliminating the need for manual alignment and assistance, speeds up the bolt removal process, and prevents washer loss during removal.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic attachment device attached to the sleeve, the magnetic attachment device being operable to selectively generate a magnetic field to removably attach the moil guide to a metal surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP2475500B1A moil guide
Publication Date: 2019.04.24 RUSSELL MINERAL EQUIPMENT PTY LTD
  • EP2475500B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2475500B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2475500B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A moil guide having a sleeve that has an opening adapted to receive at least a portion of a linerbolt. The moil guide also has a magnetic attachment device attached to the sleeve. The magnetic attachment device is operable to selectively generate a magnetic field. The magnetic attachment device is operable to selectively generate the magnetic field to removably attach the moil guide to a metal surface.