Grinding Mill Fullness Measurement via Bolt-Mounted Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the degree of fullness in large grinding mill drums are unreliable and lack sufficient measurement accuracy, making it challenging to control grinding efficiency and energy consumption effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus using force transducers and accelerometers attached to lifting bar bolts to measure reactions and angles, allowing for direct calculation of the degree of fullness, with data processing and transmission units for wireless data acquisition and processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If weighing equipment is used to measure the degree of fullness, then measurement data can be obtained, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedegree of fullness measurementVSAvoidweighing equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical weighing equipment with a sensor-based measurement system. Force transducers and accelerometers are mounted on lifting bar bolts to measure reactions and calculate the degree of fullness through signal processing, eliminating the need for complex mechanical weighing devices while achieving reliable measurement.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces force transducers and accelerometers as intermediary sensors that indirectly measure the degree of fullness by detecting reactions on the lifting bar bolts. These sensors convert mechanical reactions into electrical signals that are processed to determine the charge volume, providing a less complex alternative to direct weighing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If complex calibration processes are implemented, then measurement accuracy improves, but the ease of operation and time consumption worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidcalibration process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system is designed to automatically calculate the degree of fullness based on signals from the force transducers and accelerometers. The system processes the sensor data through defined calculation steps without requiring manual calibration interventions, making the operation simpler and faster while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If force transducers and accelerometers are used, then measurement reliability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidsensor arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The force transducers and accelerometers are mounted on the lifting bar bolts, which are existing components of the grinding mill. This approach utilizes the existing structural elements for dual purposes: mechanical support and sensor mounting, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving reliable measurements through the sensor arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Provides reliable and sensitive measurements of the degree of fullness, enabling precise control of grinding mill operations and reducing the need for costly weighing equipment and complex calibration processes.

Implementation Method 1

measuring force measurement data from reactions caused by the grinding material, said reactions subjected to an at least one lifting bar and to an at least one lifting bar bolt of the grinding mill, using at least one force transducer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce measurement: Force

Implementation Method 2

also position/angle measurement data on the position and/or the angle or rotation of the at least one lifting bar bolt of the grinding mill, using at least one accelerometer) and/or inclinometer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration measurement: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP3137218B1A method and an arrangement for determining a degree of fullness of a large grinding mill drum, and a large grinding mill drum
Publication Date: 2018.06.13 OUTOTEC FINDLAND OY
  • EP3137218B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3137218B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3137218B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to the field of mineral and metallurgical processes, to disintegrating in general and to disintegrating by tumbling mills, and more particularly to a method and arrangement for determining a degree of fullness of a large grinding mill drum, and to a large grinding mill drum. An arrangement for determining a degree of fullness of a large grinding mill drum according to the present invention has a sensor arrangement (13), (18), (28), (29), (30) attached to at least one lifting bar bolt (7) of an at least one lifting bar (5) of the grinding mill, said sensor arrangement (13), (18), (28), (29), (30) having an at least one force transducer (9), (25) attached to said at least one lifting bar bolt (7). With the help of the measurement arrangement according to the present invention more reliable measurement data can be provided for the determination of the degree of fullness of a large grinding mill drum.