Mill Liner Lifting Structure for Autonomous Mounting and Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for mounting and demounting liner elements in mills require trained personnel and dedicated lifting points, which are often destroyed during operation, making the process inefficient and requiring manual assistance.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising liner lifting elements and fastening bolts that allow mill reline machines to autonomously mount and demount liner elements by engaging with lifting tools, eliminating the need for internal personnel and dedicated lifting points, using protrusions and recesses for better grip and guide portions for precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If dedicated lifting points are used for mounting liner elements, then the liner elements can be installed using a mill reline machine grapple, but these lifting points are destroyed during mill operation requiring additional personnel and traditional lifting techniques for removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of liner installationVSAvoidcomplexity of removal process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liner element is designed with a single integrated structure that serves both mounting and removal functions. The back side with through-holes and fastening mechanism enables secure attachment during operation, while the same structure allows the grapple to engage and remove the liner when spent, eliminating the need for separate lifting points and simplifying the removal process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The liner element's back side structure is designed to be self-sufficient for both installation and removal operations. The through-holes and fastening mechanism allow the liner to be securely mounted without external assistance, and the same features enable the grapple to directly engage and remove the liner without requiring additional lifting equipment or personnel inside the mill

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If traditional lifting techniques are used to remove spent liners, then liners can be removed from the mill, but trained personnel must work alongside the mill reline machine to install lifting equipment and guide the load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliner removal capabilityVSAvoidneed for personnel assistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The grapple is designed to perform both mounting and removal functions using the same engagement mechanism. The back side structure of the liner element provides a universal interface that the grapple can engage for both placing new liners and removing spent liners, eliminating the need for separate lifting techniques and personnel assistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The back side structure with through-holes and fastening mechanism acts as an intermediary interface between the grapple and the liner element. This intermediate structure allows the grapple to directly engage and manipulate the liner element for both installation and removal operations without requiring additional lifting equipment or personnel inside the mill

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If fastening bolts are inserted from outside the mill shell, then the fastening process is simplified and can be performed without personnel inside the mill, but the bolts must threadedly engage with the liner element through-holes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of fastening operationVSAvoidcomplexity of fastening mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of inserting fastening bolts from inside the mill shell as in traditional methods, the invention inverts the approach by inserting bolts from outside the mill shell. The back side of the liner element is designed with through-holes that receive bolts from the external side, allowing fastening operations to be performed without personnel inside the mill while maintaining a relatively simple fastening mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4108336A1System and methods for mounting and demounting a liner element to a mill shell of a mill

Publication Date: 2022.12.28 METSO OUTOTEC FINLAND OY

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Figure 7A~8B

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a system for mounting and/or demounting a liner element (10) to a mill shell (2) of a mill, wherein the system comprises: one or more liner lifting elements (110) each structured and arranged to be fastened in a respective liner element through-hole (16) such that said one or more liner lifting elements protrude out from the front side of the liner element to define associated lifting portions for allowing an engagement with a lifting tool; and one or more fastening bolts (130) for fastening the liner element to the mill shell. The disclosure further relates to methods for mounting and demounting a liner element to a mill shell of a mill.