Stepped Grate Ram Structure for Faster Bar Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combustion oven grids face challenges in efficient maintenance and disassembly due to the complexity of accessing individual bars, which can lead to increased downtime and reduced availability during operations.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a hydraulic cylinder with two independent chambers and pistons allows for controlled movement of mobile bars between combustion and disassembly positions, enabling easier access and replacement of bars during maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If a single-chamber hydraulic cylinder is used for normal combustion operations, then the device complexity is low, but the maintenance access and bar replacement efficiency are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebar replacement efficiencyVSAvoidhydraulic cylinder structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic cylinder is divided into two independent chambers (first chamber and second chamber) that can be controlled separately. The first chamber handles normal combustion operations while the second chamber enables extended stroke for maintenance mode, allowing bar extraction. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing specialized functionality for each operational phase without requiring completely separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dual-chamber hydraulic cylinder serves multiple functions: normal combustion operation (first chamber), maintenance mode with extended stroke (second chamber), and can be controlled independently for different operational requirements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate hydraulic systems for different operational modes, improving ease of repair while managing device complexity.

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

2Ease of operation

If the hydraulic cylinder stroke is extended for maintenance mode, then the bar extraction capability is improved, but the control precision and stroke consistency during combustion are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebar extraction capabilityVSAvoidstroke control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic control system is segmented into two independent chambers with separate control. The first chamber maintains precise, consistent stroke control for combustion operations, while the second chamber provides additional stroke extension solely for maintenance and bar extraction. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different operational modes by activating different chambers. During combustion, only the first chamber is active with precise stroke control. During maintenance, the second chamber is activated to provide extended stroke capability. This dynamic operation allows the system to adapt its characteristics to the current operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of time

If the movable bars are completely freed for maintenance access, then the maintenance time is reduced, but the risk of bar mispositioning and equipment damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance timeVSAvoidequipment safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares for maintenance by first retracting the movable bars to the extended position using the first chamber, then activating the second chamber to provide additional extraction stroke. This preliminary action sequence ensures that bars are systematically freed in a controlled manner, reducing maintenance time while maintaining safety through predetermined operational steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic control system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor the position and movement of movable bars during extraction. This feedback ensures that bars are freed to the appropriate extent for maintenance while preventing excessive movement that could cause mispositioning or equipment damage, thus reducing maintenance time while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This solution enhances maintenance efficiency by allowing for quick disassembly and replacement of bars, reducing maintenance time and increasing the operational availability of the grid.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic cylinder comprising two independent chambers 60 and 61 arranged on either side of the cylinder, each chamber comprising a piston 600 and 610

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP4542116A1Stepped grate with improved ram
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 VINCI CONSTR GRANDS PROJETAB
  • EP4542116A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4542116A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4542116A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

One aspect of the invention relates to a stepped grid (11) comprising a frame (112) and movable bars (3) connected to a drive carriage (5) actuated by at least one hydraulic cylinder (6), characterized in that the hydraulic cylinder (6) comprises two independent chambers (60, 61) each having a piston (600, 610) and arranged on either side of the hydraulic cylinder (6), a first piston (600, 610) being connected to the drive carriage and a second piston (610, 600) being connected to the frame (112) of the stepped grid (11) and that each chamber (60, 61) is supplied independently of each other.