Mill Liner Torque Tool With Axial-Radial Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for installing and extracting fastening elements for mill liners in the mining industry are inefficient, risky, and time-consuming, requiring manual intervention and multiple tools, leading to errors and unscheduled shutdowns.

Innovation Solution

An automated, robotically-actuated electric torque device with a large torque capacity and controlled speed, equipped with powertrain, axial and radial compensation means, grip elements, and communication and control systems, allowing for remote operation and compensation of positional deviations during installation and extraction of fastening elements like washers, nuts, and bolts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual tools are used for installing and extracting fastening elements, then the process requires direct personnel intervention in the replacement area, but this increases safety risks for personnel and extends maintenance time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonnel intervention requirementVSAvoidsafety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical tools with an automated robotic system equipped with a torque device. The robot can remotely perform installation and extraction of fastening elements without personnel needing to enter the hazardous replacement area, thereby eliminating safety risks while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the hazardous environment. The operator controls the robot remotely, allowing the robot to serve as a mediator that performs dangerous tasks in the replacement area without exposing personnel to safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple manual tools are used for different tasks in liner replacement, then various tasks can be performed, but this increases the time required for maintenance operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system is designed with multi-functionality to perform various tasks including loosening and removing nuts and bolts, removing washers, pushing bolts into the mill, and removing liners. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single robotic platform, the system eliminates the time required to switch between different manual tools while maintaining full task capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple separate manual tools and operations into a single integrated robotic system. The robot combines the functions of impact tools, torque tools, and manual handling equipment into one unified platform, thereby reducing maintenance time while preserving the ability to perform all necessary tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If manual cleaning and lubrication of fixing means is performed, then extraction and insertion are facilitated, but this increases maintenance time and exposes personnel to adverse environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction facilitationVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system replaces manual cleaning and lubrication operations with automated mechanisms. The robot can apply cleaning agents and lubricants through integrated delivery systems, eliminating the need for personnel to manually handle fixing means in adverse environments while reducing the time required for these preparatory operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If impact tools are used for pre-tightening followed by torque tools for final tightening, then proper fastening is achieved, but this multi-step process increases maintenance time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening accuracyVSAvoidtightening time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system merges the pre-tightening and final tightening operations into a single automated sequence. The robot integrates both impact tool capability and torque tool capability, performing multi-stage tightening in one continuous operation without requiring manual intervention or tool changes, thereby maintaining fastening accuracy while reducing overall tightening time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250312874A1An automated torque device for installing and extracting fastening elements for mill liners

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 MI ROBOTIC SOLUTIONS MIRS

AI summary

The present invention relates to an automated torque device or tool for the installation and extraction of fastening elements for mill liners, such as nuts and washers, with a high torque capacity and controlled speed for the installation and/or extraction of the fastening elements of mill liners, comprising at least one powertrain means (2), at least one axial compensation means (3), at least one radial compensation means (4), at least one grip element (5), at least one tool exchanging means (6), at least one chassis (7), and at least one communication and control means (8) which allows generating the necessary information and providing feedback to the system for operating the tool by means of different sensors arranged in the different components of the tool.