Device for Capturing and Removing Magnetic Material From a Flow of Material

Abstract

Device for capturing and removing magnetic material from a flow of material, wherein the device includes a plurality of magnet rod assemblies for capturing magnetic material in a flow of material passing the magnet rod assemblies and where the magnet rod assemblies are removably arranged to an installation plate assembly of the device, where each magnet rod assembly includes a magnet rod comprising at least two magnet segments encapsulated in a non-magnetic material, wherein the magnet rod assemblies comprise a combined attachment and wiper assembly adapted for being received and accommodated in a slot in the installation plate assembly and detachable attachment to a locking groove in the extensions of the slot.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A device (100) for capturing and removing magnetic material from a flow of material, comprising a plurality of magnet rod assemblies (10) for capturing magnetic material in a flow of material passing the magnet rod assemblies (10), the magnet rod assemblies (10) being removably arranged to an installation plate assembly (30) of the device (100), each magnet rod assembly (10) including a magnet rod (11) comprising at least two magnet segments (11a) encapsulated in a non-magnetic material, wherein the magnet rod assemblies (10) comprise a combined attachment and wiper assembly (20) configured to be received and accommodated in a slot (32) in the installation plate assembly (30) and to be detachably attached to a locking groove (33) in the extensions of the slot (32).

18. The device (100) according to claim 17, wherein the combined attachment and wiper assembly (20) is arranged movable in a longitudinal and circumferential direction of the magnet rod (11) of the magnet rod assembly (10).

19. The device (100) according to claim 18, wherein the combined attachment and wiper assembly (20) is provided with a circumferentially extending recess (27) for engagement with the slot (32) of the installation plate assembly (30).

20. The device (100) according to claim 17, wherein the combined attachment and wiper assembly (20) is provided with a circumferentially extending recess (27) for engagement with the slot (32) of the installation plate assembly (30).

21. The device (100) according to claim 17, wherein the combined attachment and wiper assembly (20) is provided with a fixation element (28) at one end for engagement with the locking groove (33).

22. The device (100) according to claim 17, wherein the installation plate assembly (30) comprises an installation plate (31) provided with numerous slots (32) at longitudinal sides terminating in T-shaped locking grooves (33).

23. The device (100) according to claim 18, wherein the installation plate assembly (30) comprises an installation plate (31) provided with numerous slots (32) at longitudinal sides terminating in T-shaped locking grooves (33).

24. The device (100) according to claim 23, wherein the slots (32) and T-shaped locking grooves (33) are arranged a predefined distance apart both diagonally and transverse of the installation plate (31).

25. The device (100) according to claim 22, wherein the slots (32) and T-shaped locking grooves (33) are arranged a predefined distance apart both diagonally and transverse of the installation plate (31).

26. The device (100) according to claim 25, wherein the slots (32) are arranged to provide a calculated predefined pattern with given distances between slots (32) for obtaining desired placement of the magnet rod assemblies (10) for a defined magnetic density flux grid in cross-section of the device (100).

27. The device (100) according to claim 24, wherein the slots (32) are arranged to provide a calculated predefined pattern with given distances between slots (32) for obtaining desired placement of the magnet rod assemblies (10) for a defined magnetic density flux grid in cross-section of the device (100).

28. The device (100) according to claim 17, wherein the combined attachment and wiper assembly (20) is provided with a handle (29) at one end.

29. The device (100) according to claim 17, wherein the combined attachment and wiper assembly (20) is provided with at least two non-magnetic metal wiper (25a-b).

30. The device (100) according to claim 17, wherein the combined attachment and wiper assembly (20) comprises upper (17) and lower (18) wiper stop elements arranged at upper and lower ends of the magnet rod (11), respectively.

31. The device (100) according to claim 17, wherein the device (100) includes at least two rows of magnet rod assemblies (10) for continuous capture of magnetic material, wherein the at least two magnet rod assemblies (10) are arranged displaced both in longitudinal direction and transversal direction in relation to each other and in relation to a flow direction of the material, thereby creating a cross web of magnetic field on both the horizontal and vertical section between magnet rod assemblies (10) of the device (100).

32. The device (100) according to claim 22, wherein the installation plate assembly (30) comprises fixation means (34) adapted for flexible adjustment and fixation of the installation plate (31) transverse of the flow direction regardless of a width dimension of a structure (40) in which material is flowing at an installation site.

33. The device (100) according to claim 17, wherein, when attached to the installation plate assembly (30), the magnet rod (11) of the magnet rod assemblies (10) is adjustable in a longitudinal direction to obtain full magnet rod (11) contact between fluid and magnetic surface in full height of the cross-section at a structure (40) in which material is flowing at an installation site.

34. The device according to claim 17, wherein the magnet rods (11) include non-magnetic end areas (12, 13).

35. The device according to claim 17, wherein the magnet rods (11) include permanent magnets, controllable magnets or electromagnets.

36. The device according to claim 17, wherein the magnet rod assemblies (10) comprise a magnet handle device (14) attached to an upper end (12) of the magnet rod (11).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] The present invention will below be described in further detail with reference to the attached drawings, where:

[0057] FIG. 1 is a principle drawings of magnet rod assembly according to the present invention,

[0058] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the magnet rod assembly in FIG. 1,

[0059] FIG. 3 is a principle drawing of a installation plate assembly according to the present invention for a plurality of the magnet assemblies in FIG. 1,

[0060] FIG. 4 is a principle drawing of a complete device according to the present invention arranged to a structure wherein material flow, and

[0061] FIGS. 5A-5C are principle drawings of magnet rods containing magnet segments, as well as showing magnetic field created thereby.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2 showing principle drawings of a magnet rod assembly 10 for a device 100 according to the present invention, where FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing further details. The magnet rod assembly 10 comprises a magnet rod 11 according to the example of the present invention includes at least two magnet segments 11a (FIGS. 5A and 5B) in the form of permanent magnets, enclosed in a non-magnetic sleeve or material, and where upper 12 and lower 13 ends thereof do not contain magnets. Even if permanent magnet rods 11 hereafter will be used as the example, this does not limit the invention as also other magnet segments or magnetic field generators can be used, such as controllable magnet rods or electromagnetic rods.

[0063] The permanent magnet rod assembly 10 are at upper end provided with a magnet handle device 14 formed by a handle 15 attached to the upper end 12 of the magnet rod 11 by means of a threaded bolt 16 and threaded holes in the upper end of the magnet rod 111 and in lower end of the handle 15.

[0064] The permanent magnet assembly 10 is further at upper and lower ends provided with upper 17 and lower 18 wiper stop elements arranged to the ends of the magnet rod 11. In the shown embodiment the upper wiper stop element 17 is formed by a disc provided with a centrally through hole, arranged and fixed between the handle 15 and the upper end 12 of the magnet rod 11, and the lower wiper stop element 18 is formed by a disc-shaped end knob arranged at lower end of the magnet rod 11 and fixed thereto by means of a threaded bolt 19 and a threaded hole in the lower end 13 of the magnet rod 11. The upper 17 and lower 18 wiper stop element will be of a suitable non-magnetic material and have a larger exterior diameter than the magnet rod 11. In an alternative embodiment the upper wiper stop element 17 is integrated with the handle 15.

[0065] The upper wiper stop element 17 may further be arranged to provide identification for the magnet rod assembly 10 either by visual identification means, such that an identification number is engraved into the disc 17, or by communicating identification means, such as an RFID-chip integrated into the disc 17. The upper wiper stop element 17 may further be provided with hazard information for the magnet rod assembly 10.

[0066] The magnet rod assembly 10 is further provided with a combined attachment and wiper assembly 20 arranged for detachable arrangement of the magnet rod assemblies to an installation plate assembly 30 (FIG. 3) for easy mounting, cleaning, carrying and handling. The combined attachment and wiper assembly 20 is formed by a main body 21 enclosing the magnet rod 11, which combined attachment and wiper assembly is movably arranged to the magnet rod 11, in longitudinal direction of the magnet rod 11 between the upper 17 and lower 18 wiper stop element, as well as in circumferential direction of the magnet rod 11 for detachable attachment to the installation plate assembly 30.

[0067] The main body 21, in the shown embodiment, has a mainly elliptic shape, but are not restricted to an elliptic shape (may be rectangular, circular, quadratic, etc.) and is provided with circumferentially extending recess 22 at one side thereof, adapted the thickness of the installation plate assembly 30, further described below. The upper and lower surface of the main body 21 is further provided with threaded through holes 23a-b for accommodating and fixation of upper 24a and lower 24b threaded sleeves, respectively.

[0068] According to the present invention the combined attachment and wiper assembly 20 comprises at least one metal wiper 25a-b. In the shown embodiment there are arranged two non-magnetic metal wipers 25a-b. The threaded sleeves 24a-b are adapted for accommodating and fixation of upper 25a and lower 25b metal wipers of non-magnetic material, which metal wipers 25a-b having a central opening adapted to outer surface of the permanent magnet rods 11. The upper 25a and lower 25b metal wipers are spaced apart in longitudinal direction of the magnet rods 11 and thus in the main body 21 by means of a sliding bearing 26 of non-magnetic material with an interior diameter adapted the exterior diameter of the permanent magnet rods 11 and an exterior diameter adapted the through holes 23a-b of the main body 21 and interior diameter of the threaded sleeves 24a-b. The sliding bearing 26 and metal wipers 25a-b are locked in place to the main body 21 by the threaded sleeves 24a-b being provided with a restriction such that when the threaded sleeves 24a-b are attached to the main body 21 the sliding bearing 26 and metal wipers 25a-b are locked in relation to the main body 21.

[0069] The main body 21 is further at the end with the circumferentially extending recess 22 provided with through holes 27 adapted for accommodation and fixation of a fixation element 28, such as a spring pin, bolt or similar, extending over the circumferentially extending recess between the through holes 27, which fixation element 28 will be used for guiding and locking of the magnet rod assembly 10 into detachable attachment with dedicated position slots 32 of the installation plate assembly 30, further described below.

[0070] The main body 21 is further at the opposite end of the fixation element 28 provided with a handle 29 for movement of the combined attachment and wiper assembly 20 in longitudinal direction of the magnet rod 11 for cleaning and in circumferential direction of the magnet rod 11 for detachable attachment to the installation plate assembly 30.

[0071] Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which is a principle drawing of an installation plate assembly 30 for the magnet rod assemblies 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The installation plate assembly 30 is formed by installation plate 31 with machined slots 32 at longitudinal sides thereof adapted for receiving and accommodating the combined attachment and wiper assembly 20 of the magnet rod assemblies 10, wherein the machined slots 32 end in T-shaped locking grooves 33 adapted for receiving and accommodating the fixation element 28 of the combined attachment and wiper assembly 20 of the magnet rod assemblies 10. As shown in the figure it will preferable that the T-shaped locking groves 33 are curved to achieve a secure locking of the combined attachment and wiper assembly 20.

[0072] The slots 32 and T-shaped locking grooves 33 are arranged with a predefined distance apart both diagonally and transverse of the installation plate 31 to achieve a desired magnetic grid, further explained below.

[0073] The length of the installation plate 31 may be delivered in standard lengths further to be cut to the width of the installation area by customer if necessary. The installation plate assembly 30 further comprises fixation means 34, in the shown embodiment in the form of two clamps, for fixation of the installation plate assembly 30 to a structure 40 wherein a flow of material is flowing. An example of such a structure is shown in FIG. 4, where the structure 40 is formed by a flow channel 41 provided with longitudinally extending flanges 42, to which longitudinally extending flanges 42 the installation plate assembly 30 is attached by means of the fixation means 34. By e.g. using bolts or similar the installation plate assembly 30 is fixed to the structure 40.

[0074] According to a further embodiment of the present invention the fixation means 34 are preferably arranged for transverse adjustment of the installation plate 31 in relation to width of the structure 40 by allowing the installation plate 31 to pass through the fixation means 34, as well as being provided with longitudinally extending slots for adapted arrangement of bolts or similar. This will make the installation plate assembly 30 easily adjustable according to various installation places.

[0075] Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which is a principle drawing of a complete device 100 according to the present invention arranged to a structure 40 for capturing and removing magnetic material from a flow of material in the structure 40. In the shown example, there are shown seven magnet rod assemblies 10, but the number of magnet rod assemblies 10 may be from at least one per row and upwards, depending on the width of the structure 40.

[0076] As can be seen in FIG. 4, due to the magnet rod 11 of the magnet rod assemblies 10 are movable in longitudinal direction in relation to the installation plate assembly 30, each magnet rod 11 is vertically adjustable to fit the shape of the structure 40/installation site. As shown in FIG. 4, the structure 40 has a curved bottom, requiring that the magnet rods 11 are vertically adjusted at the sides compared to the center of the structure 40.

[0077] In FIGS. 5A-5C there are shown five neighbouring magnet rod assemblies 10 arranged in two rows, wherein the magnet rod assemblies 10 are spaced apart in transversal direction and longitudinal direction the flow direction in relation to the other magnet rod assemblies 10. In this way, the mentioned magnet rod assemblies 10 form a magnetic grid with an extension both in the horizontal and vertical plane. As can be seen from the magnetic field lines in the figures the magnet rod assemblies 10 create magnetic fields therebetween.

[0078] By the device according to the present invention it is provided a device 100 being easily scalable both vertically and transversal, which can be adapted and arranged in a material flow line where material flows where it is desired to remove unwanted magnetic metal material from the flow of material.

[0079] The device according to the present invention provides a solution that is flexible in relation to the geometry of the installation area in both height and width.

[0080] By that the device 100 according to the present invention preferably includes at least two rows of magnet rod assemblies 10, as seen in FIG. 4, where there are three magnet rod assemblies 10 in the first row and four magnet rod assemblies 10 in the second row, is achieved a solution where the operation can be continued, i.e. the flow of material do not need to be stopped during cleaning/removing of magnetic material from the magnet rod assemblies 10 as the first row can be cleaned while the second row continues to capture unwanted magnetic metal material.

[0081] It is further achieved a device 100 where the magnet rod assemblies are easily insertable and removable from the installation plate assembly 30 by means of the guiding of the combined attachment and wiper assembly 20 in the machined slots 32/T-shaped locking recesses 33 of the installation plate assembly 30 which ensures correct insertion and removing of the magnet rod assemblies 10. When the combined attachment and wiper assembly 20 are rotated in any direction the fixation element 28 of the combined attachment and wiper assembly 20 will lock into the installation plate assembly 30, securely attaching the magnet rod assemblies 10 to the installation plate assembly 30.

[0082] It is further achieved a device 100 where the magnet rod assemblies 10 are easy handable due to the light weight, low height and limited number of magnet rods which make them handable for a single person. By this, the low weight requirements according to HES (Health, Environment and Safety) are fulfilled. It is further an advantage that the magnet rod assemblies 10 are provided with two handles 15 and 29, making them easy handable.

[0083] By that the permanent magnet assemblies 10 are provided with a wiper assembly, the captured unwanted magnetic metal material can easily be removed from the magnet rod assemblies 10 by a single person moving the combined attachment and wiper assembly 20 in longitudinal direction of the magnet rods 11.

[0084] The present invention is especially suitable for capturing and removing metal cuttings from an oil well drilling fluid stream onshore or offshore, magnetic metal material in a flow of raw material, process lines in food industry (animal, fish and human food) and also recovery or recycling plants, etc.