Radiused Interface for Grinding Mill Ring Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grinding mills face issues with the vertical drop of the grinding ring relative to the support ring due to weight, vibrations, and thermal expansion, leading to misalignment and binding, making it difficult to remove the grinding ring.

Innovation Solution

A base and ring assembly with a radially inward facing convex surface on the support ring and a radially outward facing concave surface on the grinding ring, forming an anti-binding and drop mitigation feature, which limits vertical displacement and allows the grinding ring to return to its initial position after thermal cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a straight conical interface is used between the grinding ring and support ring, then the grinding ring can be easily installed, but the grinding ring experiences vertical drop and binding during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidvertical position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by replacing the straight conical interface with a radiused interface. The grinding ring has a radiused outer surface and the support ring has a radiused inner surface that complement each other. This curved interface prevents the grinding ring from binding and dropping vertically during operation, while still allowing for easy installation. The radiused surfaces allow thermal expansion and contraction without causing binding, resolving the contradiction between ease of installation and vertical position stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If the grinding ring is wedged into the support ring for secure fitting, then the grinding ring remains fixed, but it becomes very difficult to remove

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure fittingVSAvoidease of removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The radiused interface design allows the grinding ring to be securely fitted during operation while enabling easy removal when needed. The curved surfaces provide sufficient friction and mechanical interlocking for secure operation, but the smooth radiused transition allows the ring to be pulled off without binding or excessive force. This resolves the contradiction between secure fitting and ease of removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Device complexity

If a straight conical interface is used, then the structure is simple, but thermal expansion causes the grinding ring to drop vertically and become wedged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface structure simplicityVSAvoidthermal expansion effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The radiused interface design accounts for thermal expansion by using curved surfaces that allow the grinding ring to expand and contract radially without causing vertical drop. The radiused geometry provides a gradual transition that accommodates dimensional changes due to temperature variations, preventing the ring from becoming wedged. This resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and resistance to thermal expansion effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 solution prevents binding and vertical drop of the grinding ring, ensuring proper alignment and easy removal, even after heating and cooling cycles, by using a complementary radiused interface that maintains the grinding ring's initial vertical position relative to the support ring.

Implementation Method 1

The grinding-ring has a radially outward facing concave surface that extends from a grinding-ring lower axial end to a grinding-ring upper axial end. The radially outward facing concave surface is complementary in shape to and engages the radially inward facing convex surface.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGeometric constraint: Geometry

Implementation Method 2

engagement of the radially outward facing concave surface with the radially inward facing convex surface is configured to mitigate binding of the grinding-ring with the support-ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction resistance: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11701666B2Support-ring and grinding-ring with a radiused interface

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 COPERION PROCESS SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A base and ring assembly for a grinding mill includes a base structure with a support plate, an annular support-ring fixedly secured to and positioned above the support plate. The support-ring has a radially inward facing convex surface that extends from a support-ring lower axial end to a support-ring upper axial end. The assembly includes an annular grinding-ring that has a radially outward facing concave surface which extends from a grinding-ring lower axial end to a grinding-ring upper axial end. The grinding ring has a radially inward facing grinding surface. The radially outward facing concave surface is complementary in shape to and engages the radially inward facing convex surface.