CA2228854C - A crust breaking device - Google Patents
A crust breaking device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2228854C CA2228854C CA002228854A CA2228854A CA2228854C CA 2228854 C CA2228854 C CA 2228854C CA 002228854 A CA002228854 A CA 002228854A CA 2228854 A CA2228854 A CA 2228854A CA 2228854 C CA2228854 C CA 2228854C
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- Prior art keywords
- supply
- rod
- crust breaking
- set forth
- breaking device
- Prior art date
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25C—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25C3/00—Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts
- C25C3/06—Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of aluminium
- C25C3/14—Devices for feeding or crust breaking
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
- Y02P10/25—Process efficiency
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Treatment Of Steel In Its Molten State (AREA)
- Disintegrating Or Milling (AREA)
Abstract
A crust breaking device for metallic melts comprises a crust breaking cylinder with a striker rod and furthermore supply means for the supply of an additive into the metallic melt rendered accessible by breaking of the crust. The supply means comprise at least one supply duct formed in the striker rod and through which the additive is supplied into the metallic melt.
Description
--A CRUST BREAKING DEVICE--Bi~CKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a crust breaking device for metallic melts and more particularly for aluminum melts, compri~;ing a fluid operated crust breaking cylinder, adapted to move a striker rod thereof between a retracted home position and an extended breaking position for acting by means of a hammer head on the crust to be broken of the metallic melt, and supply means f:or the supply of a more particularly pulverulent additive material to the metallic melt made accessible through the broken crust.
T13E PRIOR ART .
For the production and/or processing of aluminum material or other metallic material the material is frequently converted into a molten, liquid state, it then being termed a metallic melt. It is necessary for additives, usually with a pulverulent consistence, to be mixed with such metallic melts from time to time. The supply of each respective additive however meets with difficulties in as far as in the case of aluminum melts a layer of solids, termed a crust or dross, is formed on the surface and covers over the liquid melt. A so-called crust breaker is utilized in order to break the crust from time to time and to strew on or pour in the additive, using a separate supply means, on the metallic melt which has been uncovered. A crust breaking cylinder is normally a cylinder driven by pneumatic or hydraulic power which is so installed over the metallic melt that the rod of its piston extended to act as a ram whose free end constitutes a hammer head. In the retracted home position said hammer head is at a distance above the metallic melt or, respectively, the crust thereof. To break up the crust the power cylinder is acted upon by pressure medium so that the hammer head is extended downward as far as the crust to break up same. A crust breaker cylinder of this type is disclosed in the German patent publication 2,943,294 A1.
Crust breaker devices so far proposed suffer from having a relatively involved and expensive design. Owing to the supply device arranged adjacent to the crust breaker cylinder for the additive the crust breaker device has a relatively large overall size. Furthermore, elaborate screening measures must be taken to protect components in the vicinity of the metallic meltagainst the great heat.
SHORT SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the invention is to create a crust breaker device of the type initially mentioned which while possessing a simpler and less expensive design needs less space.
:Cn order to achieve these and/or other objects appearing from th.e present specification, claims and drawings, in the present. invention the supply means comprise at least one supply duct formed in the striker rod of the crust breaker cylinder for the supply therethrough of the additive material to the metallic melt.
The result of this design is that the crust breaker device has it~~ crust breaker cylinder and the main components of the supply means in a single compact assembly. The introduction of the additive into the metallic melt is now carried out using the crust breaker cylinder itself, which accordingly performs a dual function. The additive is supplied via the supply duct through the striker rod into the metallic melt. Dependent on the de~;ign and the manner of operation the supply of the additive may take place practically synchronously with the breaking of the crust or if required with a small delay thereafter, a direct injection being possible while the striker rod is still plunged into the metallic melt or the additive may be strewn or poured in after the breaking of the crust t , following complete or partial withdrawal of the striker rod again. Since it is merely the striker rod or, respectively, the crust breaker cylinder belonging thereto which has to be made resistant to the high temperatures, t:he structure is less complex and ensures more economic production coupled with a longer working life.
It is convenient for the crust breaker cylinder to _ comprise a piston rod extending axially right the way through the cylinder housing, the portion of the piston rod extending from the piston downward constituting the striker rod and whose portiow extending upward from the piston <:onstituting a supply rod, the supply duct extending through both rods. In this .
respect in the striker rod the supply duct: may have a delivery opening and in the supply rod an intake opening so that the additive may be supplied via the intake opening into the interior of the piston rod in order after running through the supply duct to be discharged through the outlet opening to the metallic melt.
In order to ensure that no components of the metallic melt block up the supply duct, it is preferred to provide a shut-off valve member for the supply duct, such valve member being more especially located in the hammer head of the striker rod. In accordance with a preferred design it may even be manufactured integrally with the hammer head or be con:>tituted by same.
Moreover the shut off valve member may be employed to meter out an exact quantity of additive, if a larger quantity of additive is to be fed into the supply duct than is to be released into the metallic melt in each delivery step. However it is certainly possible for the supply duct to be loaded portionwise so that when the passage through the supply duct is free the full portion of the additive is discharged through the supply duct, xenewed loading of a portion taking place following renewed closing of the supply duct.
In order to further accelerate the supply operation and/or in order to prevent blockage of the supply duct, .the supply means preferably comprises a pneumatic expulsion means rendering possible blowing through the supply duct toward the delivery opening. When such blowing takes place any deposits of material from the metallic melt will be removed as well so that the crust breaker device only has to be serviced or, respectively, cleaned after long intervals.
Further advantageous developments and convenient forms of the invention will be understood from the following detailed descriptive disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
LIST OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE FIGURES.
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one possible design of the crust breaker device in a longitudinal section, the striker rod being in its home position.
Figure 2 shows the crust breaker device of figure 1 with the striker rod located in the extended breaking position thereof.
Figure 3 illustrates the crust breaker device of figures 1 and 2 with the striker rod partly retracted again at the instant of the supply of an additive with the passage through the supply duct clear.
Figure 4 shows a cross section taken through the crust breaker device on the section line IV - IV in the pneumatic expulsion means.
Figure 5 is a cross section taken through the crust breaker device taken on the section line V - V adjacent in the cylinder housing of the crust breaker cylinder.
DETAILED ACCOUNT OF WORKING EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION.
The invention relates to a crust breaking device for metallic melts and more particularly for aluminum melts, compri~;ing a fluid operated crust breaking cylinder, adapted to move a striker rod thereof between a retracted home position and an extended breaking position for acting by means of a hammer head on the crust to be broken of the metallic melt, and supply means f:or the supply of a more particularly pulverulent additive material to the metallic melt made accessible through the broken crust.
T13E PRIOR ART .
For the production and/or processing of aluminum material or other metallic material the material is frequently converted into a molten, liquid state, it then being termed a metallic melt. It is necessary for additives, usually with a pulverulent consistence, to be mixed with such metallic melts from time to time. The supply of each respective additive however meets with difficulties in as far as in the case of aluminum melts a layer of solids, termed a crust or dross, is formed on the surface and covers over the liquid melt. A so-called crust breaker is utilized in order to break the crust from time to time and to strew on or pour in the additive, using a separate supply means, on the metallic melt which has been uncovered. A crust breaking cylinder is normally a cylinder driven by pneumatic or hydraulic power which is so installed over the metallic melt that the rod of its piston extended to act as a ram whose free end constitutes a hammer head. In the retracted home position said hammer head is at a distance above the metallic melt or, respectively, the crust thereof. To break up the crust the power cylinder is acted upon by pressure medium so that the hammer head is extended downward as far as the crust to break up same. A crust breaker cylinder of this type is disclosed in the German patent publication 2,943,294 A1.
Crust breaker devices so far proposed suffer from having a relatively involved and expensive design. Owing to the supply device arranged adjacent to the crust breaker cylinder for the additive the crust breaker device has a relatively large overall size. Furthermore, elaborate screening measures must be taken to protect components in the vicinity of the metallic meltagainst the great heat.
SHORT SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the invention is to create a crust breaker device of the type initially mentioned which while possessing a simpler and less expensive design needs less space.
:Cn order to achieve these and/or other objects appearing from th.e present specification, claims and drawings, in the present. invention the supply means comprise at least one supply duct formed in the striker rod of the crust breaker cylinder for the supply therethrough of the additive material to the metallic melt.
The result of this design is that the crust breaker device has it~~ crust breaker cylinder and the main components of the supply means in a single compact assembly. The introduction of the additive into the metallic melt is now carried out using the crust breaker cylinder itself, which accordingly performs a dual function. The additive is supplied via the supply duct through the striker rod into the metallic melt. Dependent on the de~;ign and the manner of operation the supply of the additive may take place practically synchronously with the breaking of the crust or if required with a small delay thereafter, a direct injection being possible while the striker rod is still plunged into the metallic melt or the additive may be strewn or poured in after the breaking of the crust t , following complete or partial withdrawal of the striker rod again. Since it is merely the striker rod or, respectively, the crust breaker cylinder belonging thereto which has to be made resistant to the high temperatures, t:he structure is less complex and ensures more economic production coupled with a longer working life.
It is convenient for the crust breaker cylinder to _ comprise a piston rod extending axially right the way through the cylinder housing, the portion of the piston rod extending from the piston downward constituting the striker rod and whose portiow extending upward from the piston <:onstituting a supply rod, the supply duct extending through both rods. In this .
respect in the striker rod the supply duct: may have a delivery opening and in the supply rod an intake opening so that the additive may be supplied via the intake opening into the interior of the piston rod in order after running through the supply duct to be discharged through the outlet opening to the metallic melt.
In order to ensure that no components of the metallic melt block up the supply duct, it is preferred to provide a shut-off valve member for the supply duct, such valve member being more especially located in the hammer head of the striker rod. In accordance with a preferred design it may even be manufactured integrally with the hammer head or be con:>tituted by same.
Moreover the shut off valve member may be employed to meter out an exact quantity of additive, if a larger quantity of additive is to be fed into the supply duct than is to be released into the metallic melt in each delivery step. However it is certainly possible for the supply duct to be loaded portionwise so that when the passage through the supply duct is free the full portion of the additive is discharged through the supply duct, xenewed loading of a portion taking place following renewed closing of the supply duct.
In order to further accelerate the supply operation and/or in order to prevent blockage of the supply duct, .the supply means preferably comprises a pneumatic expulsion means rendering possible blowing through the supply duct toward the delivery opening. When such blowing takes place any deposits of material from the metallic melt will be removed as well so that the crust breaker device only has to be serviced or, respectively, cleaned after long intervals.
Further advantageous developments and convenient forms of the invention will be understood from the following detailed descriptive disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
LIST OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE FIGURES.
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one possible design of the crust breaker device in a longitudinal section, the striker rod being in its home position.
Figure 2 shows the crust breaker device of figure 1 with the striker rod located in the extended breaking position thereof.
Figure 3 illustrates the crust breaker device of figures 1 and 2 with the striker rod partly retracted again at the instant of the supply of an additive with the passage through the supply duct clear.
Figure 4 shows a cross section taken through the crust breaker device on the section line IV - IV in the pneumatic expulsion means.
Figure 5 is a cross section taken through the crust breaker device taken on the section line V - V adjacent in the cylinder housing of the crust breaker cylinder.
DETAILED ACCOUNT OF WORKING EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION.
Figures 1 through 3 show a crust breaker device generally referenced 1, which is installed over a container, in which molten aluminum generally referenced 2 is located. The major part of the molten aluminum 2 is liquid, the liquid part being referenced 3. A layer of material which has already solidified is indicated in figure 1 over such liquid part and constitutes a crust 4.
The crust 4 must be broken away from time to time so that the material which has already solidified reverts to the liquid form. Furthermore the molten aluminum 2 has to have at least one additive 5, such as aluminum powder, added to it from time to time, this only being possible when the crust is broken open. The crust breaker device 1 performs both the work of breaking open the crust 4 and also the supply of the additive 5 to the molten part 3 of the molten aluminum 2.
The crust breaker device 1 possesses a fluid power drive cylinder, which is termed a crust breaker cylinder 6. Same is so installed that its longitudinal axis 7 is vertically aligned.
The crust breaker cylinder 6 is provided with a cylinder housing 8, wherein a piston 12 is arranged for axial reciprocating motion, it dividing the interior of the housing into two working spaces 13 and 14. A port 15 is directed into each working space for the supply and venting of drive fluid, more particularly compressed air. Pressure medium lines connected with the ports 15 are indicated at 16 and lead to control valves, not illustrated. By suitably supplying and/or venting' pressure medium the piston 12 may be shifted along the longitudinal axis 7 as indicated by the double arrow 12 and if required may be caused to dwell at any desired axial position.
For positioning it is also possible to utilize any other suitable positioning means.
The piston 12 is permanently connected with a coaxially arranged piston 17. The latter is designed in the form of a rod extending right through, that is to say completely extending through the cylinder housing 8 in the longitudinal S
direction and projecting both at the bottom and also at the top end of the cylinder housing 8.
It is possible for the piston rod 17 to be in one or more parts. In any case the section of the piston rod 17 extending downward from the piston 12 toward the molten aluminum 2 constitutes a striker rod 18. The section of the piston rod 17 which extends from the piston 12 upward and through the cylinder housing 8 constitutes a supply rod 19. These two rods 18 and 19 are, as mentioned, combined in the present embodiment of the invention as a single continuous piston rod 17 extending right t:he way through.
If the piston 12 is moved as indicated by the double arrow 11, the piston rod 17 will move accordingly. On the free end of the striker rod 18 adjacent to the molten aluminum 2 a hammer head 22 made of a material able to resist high temperatures is provided.
The cylinder housing 8 of the crust breaker cylinder 6 is secured to a bearer structure 23. The latter can for example be secured stationarily on a foundation or a wall 24.
Figure 1 shows the crust breaker cylinder 6 with the striker rod 18 retracted into its home position. In this case the piston 12 has been moved into the top terminal position so that the striker rod 18 is for a major part thereof within the cylinder housing 8 and the hammer head 22 is arranged at a maximurn distance from the crust 4.
The striker rod 18 may be moved at a high speed from this home position out of the cylinder housing 8 by suitable action of pressure on the piston 12. The striker rod 18 then forces the harnmer head 22 against the crust 4 sharply which is thereby cracked and breached to produce an opening as is shown in figure 2. The extended position depicted in figure 2 of the striker rod 18 will be termed the breaking position. The liquid part 3 of the molten aluminum 2 will be now accessible again until, after a certain time, the crust 4 forms again.
The container 2 for the molten aluminum may have one or more crust breaker devices associated with it.
TIZe crust breaker device 1 renders possible not only the breaking of the crust 4 but also the supply when necessary of one or more additives 5, usually in a pulverulent form, of the above mentioned type. Accordingly the crust breaker device 1 is additionally fitted with supply means 24 rendering possible the supply of the additive 5.
A:n important feature of the supply means 24 is a supply duct 25 which in the present example extends both through the striker rod 18 and also the supply rod 19 in the longitudinal direction. Such supply duct can be very simply provided for by the use of a piston rod 17 which is hollow for at least part of its length, the cavity forming the supply duct 25. The supply duct 2.'~ makes it possible to feed the additive through the strike. rod 18 to the molten aluminum 2. The supply is conveniently performed in the intermediate setting, indicated in figure 3, of the striker rod 18, in which the rod, after breaking of the crust 4, is retracted back out from the breaking position some distance so that the hammer head 22 is located a slight distance above the liquid melt part 3. The supply operation can be carried out with the striker rod 18 stationary or furthermore during the return motion into the home setting.
A.t the free end, adjacent to the molten aluminum 2, of the striker rod 18 the supply duct 25 possesses a delivery opening 26. T:he opposite end of the supply duct 25 is, in the present case, short of the free end of the supply rod 19 and communicates with one or more charging openings 27. In the working example two such charging openings 27 are present, which as illustrated in figure 4 are, as related to the longitudinal axis 7 of the supply rod, diametrally opposite and are constituted by openings in the wall of the tubular piston rod 17.
The additive 5 to be introduced into the molten aluminum can be fed into the supply duct 25 via the charging openings 27 and pass from the duct 25 via the delivery opening 26 to the molten aluminum 2.
To prevent damage to the delivery opening 26 on impact of the striker rod 18 on the crust 4 or blocking of the opening with molten material, a closing guard member 28 is provided, which closes or opens in accordance with the passage through the supply duct 25.
For protection of the delivery opening 26 the closing member 28 is arranged adjacent to the delivery opening 26 in the working example. It is therefore in the vicinity of the free en.d of the striker rod 18, it being, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, fashioned integrally with the hammer head 22.
The operation of the closing member 28 for shutting off and uncovering the delivery opening 26 as required is, in the working example, carried out with the aid of the actuating rod 32 acting on the closing member 28. This actuating rod 32 is permanently connected with the closing member 28 and extends from the latter in the longitudinal direction of the piston rod 17 within the supply duct 25. It extends through both the striker' rod 18 and also the supply rod 19.
T:he cross section of the actuating rod 32 is smaller along the length of the supply duct 25 than the cross section of the same. This means that in the supply duct 25 there is an annular- space 33 delimited on the outside by the wall, which in cross section is annular, of the piston rod 17 and on the inside by the actuating rod 32, such annular space 33 also being <:learly indicated in figures 4 and 6. This annular space 33 is available for passage of the additive 5 therethrough.
.Above the charging openings 27 the actuating rod 32 has a portion 34 with a larger cross section, same being equal to the internal cross section of the hollow piston rod 17. The rod portion 34 is guided in the terminal portion of the piston rod 17 and,, respectively, the supply rod 19 for sliding motion and projeci~s beyond the supply rod 19 in an upward direction. The terminal portion 35 here of the actuating rod 32 is operatively connect=ed via a drive means 36 which in the in the working example' is fluid operated, with the associated top terminal portion 37 of the supply rod 19. In the example the two terminal portions 35 and 37 are provided with flange plates, set at an axial distance apart, between which the drive means 36 is ~;eated, which in the example may comprise one or more pneumatically worked power cylinders.
The position of switching of the closing member 28 may accordingly be preset by operation of the drive means 36.
Switching over between the closed setting indicated in figures 1 and 2 and the open setting illustrated in figure 3 is performed by shifting the closing member 28 in parallelism to the longitudinal axis 7 in relation to the supply rod 19 and to the delivery opening 26 provided in same. The closing and uncovering operation is therefore carried out by a relative axial :shifting movement between the striker rod 18 and the supply rod 19 on the one hand and, on the other hand, of the actuating rod 32 and the closing member 28 on it. The drive means 36 is moved with the piston rod 17 so that it can be actuated in any desired setting of the hammer head 22. This means that the position, at which the delivery opening 26 is to be opened and additive 5 is to be delivered, may be set incrementally as desired.
In the embodiment of the invention there is an exactly metered feed of the additive 5 to the molten aluminum 2 because the supply duct 25 is charged with additive 5 in portions.
Such charging takes place as indicated by arrows 38 through the charging openings 27, when same are located within a receiving space X32, which is defined in the present embodiment by a funnel--shaped receiving container 43 of a filling means 44.
The receiving container 43 is arranged concentrically in the peripheral part of the supply rod 19 and may be filled using a filling means, not illustrated in detail, as indicated by the arrow 45 with a predetermined quantity of the additive 5 as indicat=ed by the arrow 45.. The receiving container 43 is, like tile cylinder housing 8, secured to a support structure 23 so that. the supply rod 19 performs a movement in relation to the receiving container 43 and its receiving space 42 during the reciprocating motion. The arrangement is such that the charging openings 27 are, in the home position of the striker rod 18, within the receiving space 42 so that the portion of additive 5 gotten ready in the receiving space 42 will flow automatically as indicated by the arrows 38 into the supply duct 25, when the striker rod 18 is moved into the home position. The additive 5 will then collect in the outlet part of the supply duct 25 following the delivery opening 26 as will be seen from figures 1 and 2.
Ii. the striker rod 18 is moved toward the breaking position, the delivery openings 27 will be shifted downward out from the receiving space 42 so that the receiving space 42 is shut off and can be filled with the next portion of additive 5.
I1~ would be naturally also possible to hold ready any desires: amount of additive 5 in the receiving space 42 and to provide a controlled closure device for the charging openings 47 so that during the time in which the charging openings 27 are open the amount of additive 5 to be charged may be set.
A further component of the supply means 24 is a pneumatic expelling means 46. It renders it possible to expel additive 5, when the delivery opening 26 is open, with the aid of pressure out of the duct 25. The supply operation is consequently substantially accelerated and it is furthermore possible to ensure that all the additive 5 finds its way into the molten aluminum 2. Furthermore, the supply duct 25 is then automatically cleaned and it is possible to prevent material from the molten aluminum 2 from sticking to the supply duct 25 or in t:he part, which is to be sealed, between the delivery opening 26 or respectively, the sealing seat formed by same, and the closing member 28. The expelling means 46 is, in the embodiment, provided with two expulsion ducts 52, which are more particularly connected in common with a source of compre:>sed air 48 via a control means 47, which in figure 3 is only indicated generally. The expulsion ducts 52 are either connected all the time with the supply duct 25 for fluid flow or, as in the example, connected therewith in a manner dependent on certain stroke settings of the supply rod 19. In the present embodiment one or more injection or expulsion openings 53, extending through the tubular wall of the supply rod 19, are present in such rod, such openings 53 being if desired formed by the charging openings 27 for the sake of having a simple design as indicated. Therefore during inward and outward motion of the striker rod 18 they are shifted in position in relation to the associated openings 54 of the expulsion ducts. The expulsion ducts 52 themselves are arranged stationarily in relation to the cylinder housing 8 and the receiving container 43, and are set in the embodiment of the invention on the receiving container 43.
If following the breaking action as indicated in figure 2, the striker rod 18 assumes the partly retracted supply position illustrated in figure 3, the expulsion openings 53 will be in a position aligned with the openings 54 of the expulsion ducts 52. Now the drive means 36 is actuated so that the actuating rod 32 is moved downward in relation to the supply rod 19 and the striker rod 18 and thus removes the closing member 28 from the delivery opening 26 so that the latter is cleared. At this point _Ln time or even previously suitable actuation of the control valve means 47 leads to compressed air from the source 48 of compressed air being fed into the expulsion ducts 52 and thence via the expulsion openings 53 into the supply duct 25.
The compressed air acts downward on the additive 5 forcing same through the delivery opening 26 as indicated by the arrows 55 to the outside. The emerging additive 5 will fall into the melt and will mix with the same in the desired fashion.
It would be possible as well to inject the additive direct:Ly into the molten aluminum 2. For this purpose it would merely be necessary for the closing member 28 to be opened while 'the front end of the striker rod 18 is dipping into the molten aluminum 2 and then for the member 28 to be thrust in the liquid part of the aluminum 2 by pressure acting via the expulsion means 46. When this is being done it is convenient for th~~ expulsion means to be operated, while the closing member 28 is open, until the striker rod 18 is lifted out of the mo.Lten aluminum 2 again so that aluminum material is prevented from finding its way in the supply duct 25. In the embodiment the drive means 36 comprises two fluid power cylindE:rs. As an alternative it would also be possible to provide only a single power cylinder which would be more especially arranged centrally. Furthermore, instead of the funnel--shaped receiving container 43, the filling means 44 could comprise a body coaxially surrounding the supply rod in the manner of a cuff such body having a filling port for entry of the additive.
The crust 4 must be broken away from time to time so that the material which has already solidified reverts to the liquid form. Furthermore the molten aluminum 2 has to have at least one additive 5, such as aluminum powder, added to it from time to time, this only being possible when the crust is broken open. The crust breaker device 1 performs both the work of breaking open the crust 4 and also the supply of the additive 5 to the molten part 3 of the molten aluminum 2.
The crust breaker device 1 possesses a fluid power drive cylinder, which is termed a crust breaker cylinder 6. Same is so installed that its longitudinal axis 7 is vertically aligned.
The crust breaker cylinder 6 is provided with a cylinder housing 8, wherein a piston 12 is arranged for axial reciprocating motion, it dividing the interior of the housing into two working spaces 13 and 14. A port 15 is directed into each working space for the supply and venting of drive fluid, more particularly compressed air. Pressure medium lines connected with the ports 15 are indicated at 16 and lead to control valves, not illustrated. By suitably supplying and/or venting' pressure medium the piston 12 may be shifted along the longitudinal axis 7 as indicated by the double arrow 12 and if required may be caused to dwell at any desired axial position.
For positioning it is also possible to utilize any other suitable positioning means.
The piston 12 is permanently connected with a coaxially arranged piston 17. The latter is designed in the form of a rod extending right through, that is to say completely extending through the cylinder housing 8 in the longitudinal S
direction and projecting both at the bottom and also at the top end of the cylinder housing 8.
It is possible for the piston rod 17 to be in one or more parts. In any case the section of the piston rod 17 extending downward from the piston 12 toward the molten aluminum 2 constitutes a striker rod 18. The section of the piston rod 17 which extends from the piston 12 upward and through the cylinder housing 8 constitutes a supply rod 19. These two rods 18 and 19 are, as mentioned, combined in the present embodiment of the invention as a single continuous piston rod 17 extending right t:he way through.
If the piston 12 is moved as indicated by the double arrow 11, the piston rod 17 will move accordingly. On the free end of the striker rod 18 adjacent to the molten aluminum 2 a hammer head 22 made of a material able to resist high temperatures is provided.
The cylinder housing 8 of the crust breaker cylinder 6 is secured to a bearer structure 23. The latter can for example be secured stationarily on a foundation or a wall 24.
Figure 1 shows the crust breaker cylinder 6 with the striker rod 18 retracted into its home position. In this case the piston 12 has been moved into the top terminal position so that the striker rod 18 is for a major part thereof within the cylinder housing 8 and the hammer head 22 is arranged at a maximurn distance from the crust 4.
The striker rod 18 may be moved at a high speed from this home position out of the cylinder housing 8 by suitable action of pressure on the piston 12. The striker rod 18 then forces the harnmer head 22 against the crust 4 sharply which is thereby cracked and breached to produce an opening as is shown in figure 2. The extended position depicted in figure 2 of the striker rod 18 will be termed the breaking position. The liquid part 3 of the molten aluminum 2 will be now accessible again until, after a certain time, the crust 4 forms again.
The container 2 for the molten aluminum may have one or more crust breaker devices associated with it.
TIZe crust breaker device 1 renders possible not only the breaking of the crust 4 but also the supply when necessary of one or more additives 5, usually in a pulverulent form, of the above mentioned type. Accordingly the crust breaker device 1 is additionally fitted with supply means 24 rendering possible the supply of the additive 5.
A:n important feature of the supply means 24 is a supply duct 25 which in the present example extends both through the striker rod 18 and also the supply rod 19 in the longitudinal direction. Such supply duct can be very simply provided for by the use of a piston rod 17 which is hollow for at least part of its length, the cavity forming the supply duct 25. The supply duct 2.'~ makes it possible to feed the additive through the strike. rod 18 to the molten aluminum 2. The supply is conveniently performed in the intermediate setting, indicated in figure 3, of the striker rod 18, in which the rod, after breaking of the crust 4, is retracted back out from the breaking position some distance so that the hammer head 22 is located a slight distance above the liquid melt part 3. The supply operation can be carried out with the striker rod 18 stationary or furthermore during the return motion into the home setting.
A.t the free end, adjacent to the molten aluminum 2, of the striker rod 18 the supply duct 25 possesses a delivery opening 26. T:he opposite end of the supply duct 25 is, in the present case, short of the free end of the supply rod 19 and communicates with one or more charging openings 27. In the working example two such charging openings 27 are present, which as illustrated in figure 4 are, as related to the longitudinal axis 7 of the supply rod, diametrally opposite and are constituted by openings in the wall of the tubular piston rod 17.
The additive 5 to be introduced into the molten aluminum can be fed into the supply duct 25 via the charging openings 27 and pass from the duct 25 via the delivery opening 26 to the molten aluminum 2.
To prevent damage to the delivery opening 26 on impact of the striker rod 18 on the crust 4 or blocking of the opening with molten material, a closing guard member 28 is provided, which closes or opens in accordance with the passage through the supply duct 25.
For protection of the delivery opening 26 the closing member 28 is arranged adjacent to the delivery opening 26 in the working example. It is therefore in the vicinity of the free en.d of the striker rod 18, it being, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, fashioned integrally with the hammer head 22.
The operation of the closing member 28 for shutting off and uncovering the delivery opening 26 as required is, in the working example, carried out with the aid of the actuating rod 32 acting on the closing member 28. This actuating rod 32 is permanently connected with the closing member 28 and extends from the latter in the longitudinal direction of the piston rod 17 within the supply duct 25. It extends through both the striker' rod 18 and also the supply rod 19.
T:he cross section of the actuating rod 32 is smaller along the length of the supply duct 25 than the cross section of the same. This means that in the supply duct 25 there is an annular- space 33 delimited on the outside by the wall, which in cross section is annular, of the piston rod 17 and on the inside by the actuating rod 32, such annular space 33 also being <:learly indicated in figures 4 and 6. This annular space 33 is available for passage of the additive 5 therethrough.
.Above the charging openings 27 the actuating rod 32 has a portion 34 with a larger cross section, same being equal to the internal cross section of the hollow piston rod 17. The rod portion 34 is guided in the terminal portion of the piston rod 17 and,, respectively, the supply rod 19 for sliding motion and projeci~s beyond the supply rod 19 in an upward direction. The terminal portion 35 here of the actuating rod 32 is operatively connect=ed via a drive means 36 which in the in the working example' is fluid operated, with the associated top terminal portion 37 of the supply rod 19. In the example the two terminal portions 35 and 37 are provided with flange plates, set at an axial distance apart, between which the drive means 36 is ~;eated, which in the example may comprise one or more pneumatically worked power cylinders.
The position of switching of the closing member 28 may accordingly be preset by operation of the drive means 36.
Switching over between the closed setting indicated in figures 1 and 2 and the open setting illustrated in figure 3 is performed by shifting the closing member 28 in parallelism to the longitudinal axis 7 in relation to the supply rod 19 and to the delivery opening 26 provided in same. The closing and uncovering operation is therefore carried out by a relative axial :shifting movement between the striker rod 18 and the supply rod 19 on the one hand and, on the other hand, of the actuating rod 32 and the closing member 28 on it. The drive means 36 is moved with the piston rod 17 so that it can be actuated in any desired setting of the hammer head 22. This means that the position, at which the delivery opening 26 is to be opened and additive 5 is to be delivered, may be set incrementally as desired.
In the embodiment of the invention there is an exactly metered feed of the additive 5 to the molten aluminum 2 because the supply duct 25 is charged with additive 5 in portions.
Such charging takes place as indicated by arrows 38 through the charging openings 27, when same are located within a receiving space X32, which is defined in the present embodiment by a funnel--shaped receiving container 43 of a filling means 44.
The receiving container 43 is arranged concentrically in the peripheral part of the supply rod 19 and may be filled using a filling means, not illustrated in detail, as indicated by the arrow 45 with a predetermined quantity of the additive 5 as indicat=ed by the arrow 45.. The receiving container 43 is, like tile cylinder housing 8, secured to a support structure 23 so that. the supply rod 19 performs a movement in relation to the receiving container 43 and its receiving space 42 during the reciprocating motion. The arrangement is such that the charging openings 27 are, in the home position of the striker rod 18, within the receiving space 42 so that the portion of additive 5 gotten ready in the receiving space 42 will flow automatically as indicated by the arrows 38 into the supply duct 25, when the striker rod 18 is moved into the home position. The additive 5 will then collect in the outlet part of the supply duct 25 following the delivery opening 26 as will be seen from figures 1 and 2.
Ii. the striker rod 18 is moved toward the breaking position, the delivery openings 27 will be shifted downward out from the receiving space 42 so that the receiving space 42 is shut off and can be filled with the next portion of additive 5.
I1~ would be naturally also possible to hold ready any desires: amount of additive 5 in the receiving space 42 and to provide a controlled closure device for the charging openings 47 so that during the time in which the charging openings 27 are open the amount of additive 5 to be charged may be set.
A further component of the supply means 24 is a pneumatic expelling means 46. It renders it possible to expel additive 5, when the delivery opening 26 is open, with the aid of pressure out of the duct 25. The supply operation is consequently substantially accelerated and it is furthermore possible to ensure that all the additive 5 finds its way into the molten aluminum 2. Furthermore, the supply duct 25 is then automatically cleaned and it is possible to prevent material from the molten aluminum 2 from sticking to the supply duct 25 or in t:he part, which is to be sealed, between the delivery opening 26 or respectively, the sealing seat formed by same, and the closing member 28. The expelling means 46 is, in the embodiment, provided with two expulsion ducts 52, which are more particularly connected in common with a source of compre:>sed air 48 via a control means 47, which in figure 3 is only indicated generally. The expulsion ducts 52 are either connected all the time with the supply duct 25 for fluid flow or, as in the example, connected therewith in a manner dependent on certain stroke settings of the supply rod 19. In the present embodiment one or more injection or expulsion openings 53, extending through the tubular wall of the supply rod 19, are present in such rod, such openings 53 being if desired formed by the charging openings 27 for the sake of having a simple design as indicated. Therefore during inward and outward motion of the striker rod 18 they are shifted in position in relation to the associated openings 54 of the expulsion ducts. The expulsion ducts 52 themselves are arranged stationarily in relation to the cylinder housing 8 and the receiving container 43, and are set in the embodiment of the invention on the receiving container 43.
If following the breaking action as indicated in figure 2, the striker rod 18 assumes the partly retracted supply position illustrated in figure 3, the expulsion openings 53 will be in a position aligned with the openings 54 of the expulsion ducts 52. Now the drive means 36 is actuated so that the actuating rod 32 is moved downward in relation to the supply rod 19 and the striker rod 18 and thus removes the closing member 28 from the delivery opening 26 so that the latter is cleared. At this point _Ln time or even previously suitable actuation of the control valve means 47 leads to compressed air from the source 48 of compressed air being fed into the expulsion ducts 52 and thence via the expulsion openings 53 into the supply duct 25.
The compressed air acts downward on the additive 5 forcing same through the delivery opening 26 as indicated by the arrows 55 to the outside. The emerging additive 5 will fall into the melt and will mix with the same in the desired fashion.
It would be possible as well to inject the additive direct:Ly into the molten aluminum 2. For this purpose it would merely be necessary for the closing member 28 to be opened while 'the front end of the striker rod 18 is dipping into the molten aluminum 2 and then for the member 28 to be thrust in the liquid part of the aluminum 2 by pressure acting via the expulsion means 46. When this is being done it is convenient for th~~ expulsion means to be operated, while the closing member 28 is open, until the striker rod 18 is lifted out of the mo.Lten aluminum 2 again so that aluminum material is prevented from finding its way in the supply duct 25. In the embodiment the drive means 36 comprises two fluid power cylindE:rs. As an alternative it would also be possible to provide only a single power cylinder which would be more especially arranged centrally. Furthermore, instead of the funnel--shaped receiving container 43, the filling means 44 could comprise a body coaxially surrounding the supply rod in the manner of a cuff such body having a filling port for entry of the additive.
Claims (21)
1. A crust breaking device for metallic melts comprising a fluid operated crust breaking cylinder, adapted to move a striker rod thereof between a retracted home position and an extended breaking position for acting by means of a hammer head on the crust to be broken of the metallic melt, and supply means for the supply of an additive material to the metallic melt made accessible through the broken crust, wherein the supply means comprise at least one supply duct formed in the striker rod of the crust breaking cylinder and through which the said additive may be fed to the metallic melt.
2. The crust breaking device as set forth in claim 1, furthermore comprising a supply rod arranged as an extension of the striker rod and fixedly connected with same, said supply rod projecting from the housing of the crust breaking cylinder at the axial end opposite to the striker rod, said at least one supply duct extending in both rods and being arranged to be charged with the additive to be supplied from the supply rod end.
3. The crust breaking device as set forth in claim 2, comprising a piston rod having two portions, arranged in tandem axially, constituting the striker rod and the supply rod, said piston rod extending through the cylinder housing axially and extending at either end out from the cylinder housing.
4. The crust breaking device as set forth in any one of claims 1 through 3, comprising a closing member associated with the supply duct, such closing member being adapted to close or clear the passage through the supply duct, dependent on said member's position.
5. The crust breaking device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said supply duct has at least one delivery opening in the striker rod, said opening being associated with the closing member.
6. The crust breaking device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the at least one delivery opening and the associated closing member are arranged in the vicinity of the hammer head on the striker rod.
7. The crust breaking device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the closing member is made integrally with the hammer head.
8. The crust breaking device as set forth in any one of claims 4 through 7, comprising an actuating rod provided on the closing member and extending through the striker rod, the closing and clearing of the supply duct being performed by a relative axial shifting in position between the striker rod and the actuating rod.
9. The crust breaking device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the actuating rod extends coaxially within the supply duct so that an annular duct remains for the supply of the additive.
10. The crust breaking device as set forth in claim 8 or claim 9, further comprising a drive means for setting the switching position of the closing member said drive means being adapted to operate between supply rod and the actuating rod.
11. The crust breaking device as set forth in any one of claims 2 through 10, wherein the at least one charging opening provided in the supply rod, of the supply duct is provided with a filling means, from which the additive may be introduced into the supply duct via the charging opening more particularly in portions or in a metered fashion.
12. The crust breaking device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the filling means comprises a receiving space adapted to be filled with a desired amount of additive, said receiving space and the supply rod being able to be shifted in relation to one another so that the charging opening is able to be positioned alternatively inside and outside the receiving space.
13. The crust breaking device as set forth in claim 12, comprising means for the positioning of the charging opening in relation to the receiving means by the inward and outward working movement of the striker rod.
14. The crust breaking device as set forth in any one of the claims 1 through 13, wherein the supply means comprise a pneumatic expulsion means adapted to let compressed air into the supply duct in order to blow the additive out of the supply into the metallic melt.
15. The crust breaking device as :yet forth in claim 14, wherein the air pressure expulsion means comprises at least one expulsion duct which is connected with the source of pressure medium and is or may be connected with the supply duct.
16. The crust breaking device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the supply rod comprises at least one expulsion opening which is connected with the supply duct and which during the inward and outward working movement of the striker rod is shifted in position in relation to the expulsion duct and is positioned opposite to the expulsion duct for expulsion of the additive.
17. A crust breaking device as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the supply means is adapted for the supply of a pulverulent added material.
18. The crust breaking device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said hammer head is provided on the end of the striker rod.
19. The crust breaking device as set forth in claim 8 as dependent upon claim 2 wherein said actuating rod extends through said supply rod.
20. The crust breaking device as set forth in claim 10, wherein said drive means is a fluid power drive means.
21. The crust breaking devices as set forth in claim 16, wherein said at least one expulsion opening is constituted by the at least one charging opening.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19709648.4 | 1997-03-10 | ||
| DE19709648A DE19709648C2 (en) | 1997-03-10 | 1997-03-10 | Crust breaker device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2228854A1 CA2228854A1 (en) | 1998-09-10 |
| CA2228854C true CA2228854C (en) | 2002-08-27 |
Family
ID=7822742
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002228854A Expired - Fee Related CA2228854C (en) | 1997-03-10 | 1998-02-05 | A crust breaking device |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU5738298A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9800855A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2228854C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE19709648C2 (en) |
| NL (1) | NL1008516C2 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO980984L (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE29900349U1 (en) | 1999-01-12 | 1999-04-01 | Festo AG & Co, 73734 Esslingen | Working device |
| US7892319B2 (en) * | 2008-06-13 | 2011-02-22 | Trol-Mation, Inc. | Crust breaker and ore dispenser |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2633865A1 (en) * | 1976-07-28 | 1978-02-02 | Foseco Trading Ag | CARRIER BODY FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF TREATMENT PRODUCTS IN LIQUID METALS |
| SE441212C (en) * | 1977-12-23 | 1987-02-02 | Asea Ab | DEVICE FOR INJECTING POWDER IN A METAL MELT |
| SE443445B (en) * | 1978-08-22 | 1986-02-24 | Asea Ab | DEVICE FOR INJECTING POWDER IN METAL MELT |
| DE2943294C2 (en) * | 1979-09-10 | 1982-02-04 | Schweizerische Aluminium AG, 3965 Chippis | Pressure cylinder system of a wrapping device |
| DE3935954A1 (en) * | 1989-10-27 | 1991-05-02 | Minkon Sampler Technik Gmbh Pr | DIVING BELL TO TREAT MELT |
| NO176553C (en) * | 1993-04-14 | 1995-04-26 | Norsk Hydro As | injection equipment |
-
1997
- 1997-03-10 DE DE19709648A patent/DE19709648C2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1998
- 1998-02-05 CA CA002228854A patent/CA2228854C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-03-05 AU AU57382/98A patent/AU5738298A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-03-06 NO NO980984A patent/NO980984L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1998-03-06 NL NL1008516A patent/NL1008516C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-03-09 BR BR9800855-2A patent/BR9800855A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NL1008516A1 (en) | 1998-09-14 |
| AU5738298A (en) | 1998-09-10 |
| NO980984L (en) | 1998-09-11 |
| BR9800855A (en) | 1999-11-23 |
| NO980984D0 (en) | 1998-03-06 |
| NL1008516C2 (en) | 1999-01-12 |
| DE19709648C2 (en) | 2001-05-23 |
| CA2228854A1 (en) | 1998-09-10 |
| DE19709648A1 (en) | 1998-09-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |