Sliding Closure Discharge Sleeve Replacement With Defined Clamping Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for automatically replacing the spout sleeve of sliding closures in metallurgical vessels fail to ensure perfect functional reliability due to dimensional tolerances and impurities, requiring manual intervention and complex conveyor systems.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with a gripping ring and a retractable gripping lance with pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically controlled gripper packs allows independent manipulation and precise installation/removal of the spout sleeve and support ring, enabling separate transportation and replacement within a maintenance station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the entire sliding closure is disassembled and transported by conveyor belt to an assembly station, then the robot can perform maintenance tasks, but the process becomes complex and requires manual intervention due to dimensional tolerances and impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the spout sleeve replacement process into independent stages: removing the old spout sleeve, preparing the support ring, and installing the new spout sleeve. The robot manipulates the spout sleeve and support ring independently, allowing separate transportation and processing within the maintenance station without requiring complex conveyor systems for entire assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot performs all maintenance tasks autonomously within the maintenance station, including selecting tools from the tool magazine, retrieving spare parts from the spare parts warehouse, and executing the replacement sequence without manual intervention. The system serves itself by automatically handling components and adjusting for dimensional variations.
2Reliability
If manual intervention is used to compensate for dimensional tolerances and impurities, then functional reliability improves, but productivity decreases and automation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The robot can adjust critical parameters such as the position of the support ring, the orientation of the spout sleeve, and the application of mortar to compensate for dimensional tolerances and impurities. By dynamically modifying these parameters during the replacement process, the system ensures reliable installation while maintaining high speed and full automation.
3Ease of operation
If the spout sleeve and support ring are manipulated as a single unit, then the process is simpler, but precise control of clamping forces and torques is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the manipulation process into separate steps for the spout sleeve and support ring. The robot first removes the old spout sleeve, then processes the support ring independently (cleaning, mortaring), and finally installs the new spout sleeve. This segmentation allows precise control of clamping forces and torques at each stage while maintaining operational simplicity through automated sequencing.
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
Ensures reliable and efficient automatic replacement of the spout sleeve, optimizing robotic operations by allowing independent handling of components and compensating for dimensional variations and impurities, ensuring consistent clamping forces and torques.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic rotary cylinder for rotating the gripping ring. The precisely controllable rotary cylinder ensures that, during the changeover process, the gripping ring snaps can rotate the support ring with a precisely defined torque.
Implementation Method 2
means for inserting or removing the spout sleeve in the form of a retractable gripping lance with pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically retractable grippers
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for automatic replacement of the discharge shell on a sliding closure (3) by means of a robot (2) for manipulating the sliding closure with a suitable device, wherein the discharge shell can be clamped against the slide plate of the sliding closure by means of a carrier ring that can be detached by rotation. According to the invention, the carrier ring is rotated with a defined torque during the replacement process, whereby the new discharge shell is clamped against the slide plate with a likewise defined clamping force. Thereby the operational reliability of the sliding closure is guaranteed, regardless of any tolerances or other deviations. The device for performing the method includes a gripping lance (26) having clamping jaws (29) for manipulating the discharge shell, and a gripping ring (12) having snap elements (20) for manipulating the carrier ring. The gripping ring (12) can be operated by a hydraulic rotation cylinder (14). A pneumatic cylinder (31) is used for operating the gripping lance (26).