Movable attachment for roller presses and a method for removing certain parts thereof

Abstract

A roller press includes a frame assembly and a force generation device. The force generation device is configured to move so that it is removable when top members of the frame assembly are connected to the side members of the frame assembly and fixed in a closed horizontal position. The connection device for attaching the force generation device to the frame assembly includes a mounting plate and a hinge or sliding device.

Claims

1. A roller press (1) comprising: a movable bearing housing (10); a grinding roller (13); a frame assembly comprising one or more of a plurality of top members (2) selectively separable from one or more of a plurality of side members (3) selectively separable from one or more of a plurality of bottom members (4); the one or more of a plurality of side members (3) extending in a z-axis (z) direction; the one or more of a plurality of top members (2) and the one or more of a plurality of bottom members (4) extending in a y-axis (y) direction which is perpendicular to the z-axis (z) direction; and a force generation device (5) configured to apply force to the movable bearing housing (10) and being movably attached at one end of its two ends to the one or more of a plurality of said side members (3) by a mounting plate (6) and a connection device (7), and the other end of the two ends is a free end for sliding in relative to the movable bearing housing in an x-axis (x) direction; wherein said force generation device (5) is configured to rotate or slide with respect to the frame assembly in the x-axis (x) direction which is perpendicular to both the z-axis (z) and the y-axis (y) directions so that said force generation device (5) is removable from the frame assembly when said plurality of top members (3) are connected to said side members (3) and fixed in a closed horizontal position; wherein said connection device (7) comprises a hinge (8) that is rotatable about the y-axis (y) or rotatable about the z-axis (z), or wherein said connection device (7) comprises a sliding device that is slidable in an x-z plane (12) defined by the x-axis (x) and z-axis (z) directions.

2. A method for performing maintenance on a force generation device (5), wherein said force generation device (5) is configured to apply force to a movable bearing housing (10) of a roller press (1), the method comprising the steps of: moving a force generation device (5), such that the force generation device (5) slides with respect to a frame assembly of the roller press (1), in an x-z plane (12) defined by an x-axis (x) and z-axis (z) which are perpendicular to a y-axis (y); said force generation device (5) being movably attached at one end of its two ends to one or more of a plurality of side members (3) of the frame assembly of said roller press (1) by a mounting plate (6) and a connection device (7), and the other end of the two ends is a free end for sliding in relative to the movable bearing housing in an x-axis (x) direction; the force generation device (5) moving in the x-axis (x) direction as it slides relative to the frame assembly of the roller press (1); removing said force generation device (5) from said roller press (1) when a plurality of top members (2) are connected to the side members (3) and fixed in a closed horizontal position; wherein said connection device comprises a sliding device (9); wherein the top members (2) extend in a y-axis (y) direction; and, wherein the side members (3) extend in a z-axis (z) direction.

3. A method for performing maintenance on a force generation device (5), wherein said force generation device (5) is configured to apply force to a movable bearing housing (10) of a roller press (1), the method comprising the steps of: moving a force generation device (5), such that the force generation device (5) rotates with respect to a frame assembly of the roller press (1), about a y-axis (y) or about a z-axis (z) which are perpendicular to each other and which are each perpendicular to an x-axis (x); said force generation device (5) being movably attached at one end of its two ends to one or more of a plurality of side members (3) of the frame assembly of said roller press (1) by a mounting plate (6) and a connection device (7), and the other end of the two ends is a free end for sliding in relative to the movable bearing housing in an x-axis (x) direction; the force generation device (5) moving in the x-axis (x) direction as it rotates relative to the frame assembly of the roller press (1); removing said force generation device (5) from said roller press (1) when a plurality of top members (2) are connected to the side members (3) and fixed in a closed horizontal position; wherein said connection device comprises a hinge (8); wherein the top members (2) extend in a y-axis (y) direction; and, wherein the side members (3) extend in a z-axis (z) direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be described below, with reference to the enclosed drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first present embodiment of a roller press according to an embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a second present embodiment of a roller press according to an embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a third present embodiment of a roller press according to an embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is a planar view of a Cartesian 3-dimensional coordinate system.

(6) FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the moveable bearing housings and the grinding rollers of a roller press according to an embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 6 represents FLSmidth's HPGR frame design wherein the top member of the frame assembly hinders access to the force generation device(s).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(8) Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a roller press (1) is comprised of a frame assembly comprising one or more of a plurality of top members (2) selectively separable from one or more of a plurality of side members (3) selectively separable from one or more of a plurality of bottom members (4). The top, bottom and side members can be attached to one another using, for example, pins and bushings, bolted connections, and other similar means of mechanical fastening. The roller press (1) is also comprised of one or more of a plurality of force generation devices (5). The force generation device (5) is movably attached to one or more of a plurality of the side members (3), meaning for example, that the force generation device (5) is configured to move so that the force generation device (5) is removable when the plurality of top members (2) are connected to the side members (3) and fixed in a closed horizontal position. When the plurality of side members (3) are connected to the plurality of top members (2) and are fixed in a closed horizontal position the frame assembly together with the pins and bushings are in place.

(9) Force generation devices (5) may be any devices capable of applying force to the moveable bearing housings (10) (i.e.the housings which contain the grinding rollers (13)) or to the grinding rollers (13) in order to widen or narrow a nip. (See e.g. FIG. 5). The force generation devices (5) may further be capable of absorbing forces from the grinding rollers (13) and may be configured to help maintain a resultant width of the nip between the grinding rollers (13) when comminuting crushable material. For example, force generation devices (5) may be devices such as hydraulic cylinders or rams, springs and the like. A specific object of the present invention is that the force generation device (5) can be configured to move so that the force generation device (5) is removable when the plurality of top members (3) are connected to the side members (3) and fixed in a closed horizontal position. Such an arrangement, as opposed to the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, permits the force generation device (5) to be more easily accessed for replacement or repair without removing or rotating the entire overhead frame, resulting in less operational downtime, higher throughput, safer maintenance conditions and a smaller footprint during such a process, without limitation.

(10) As further shown in FIGS. 1-3, a force generation device (5) can be movably attached to one or more of a plurality of said side members (3) with a mounting plate (6) and a connection device (7). The mounting plate (6) may be an integral part of the force generation device (5), or may be attached to it by mechanical fastening means. In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting plate (6) is integral to the force generation device (5) and the mounting plate (6) is bolted to the side members (3). In other exemplary embodiments, the mounting plate (6) is bolted, welded or pinned to the force generation device (5) and to the side members (3).

(11) As further shown in FIG. 1, the connection device (7) can be comprised of a hinge (8). The hinge can be made of metal, or like material and can be fastened to the mounting plate (6) by for example, screws, pins or bolts or other similar means of mechanical fastening. The hinge (8) may be rotatable about the z-axis (z), as shown in FIG. 1, or may be rotatable about the y-axis (y), as shown in FIG. 2. Such rotation allows the force generation device (5) to be removed or accessed when the plurality of top members (2) are still connected to side members (3) and fixed in a closed horizontal position. In other embodiments, the hinge (8) can be directly connected to the force generation device (5).

(12) As shown in FIG. 3, the connection device (7) can be comprised of a sliding device (9). The sliding device (9) operates so that the mounting plate (6) holding the force generation device (5) slides so that the force generation device (5) is removable without opening the top member (2) of the frame assembly. For example, the mounting plate (6) can slide in a tongue and groove arrangement or on tracks. As shown in FIG. 3, the sliding device can be slidable in the x-z plane (12).

(13) In other embodiments, the sliding device (9) can be directly connected to the force generation device (5). In some embodiments, the mounting plate (6) can slide on a table-like surface (i.e.one that is attached to the ground or the side of the machine that is approximately the full length of the force generation device (6)).

(14) Another object of the invention is a connection device (7) for attaching a force generation device (5) to the frame of a roller press comprising a mounting plate (6) and a hinge (8), the force generation device (5) being disposed on the mounting plate (6), the hinge (8) being disposed on the mounting plate (6) and being movably attached to the frame (3); wherein the hinge (8) is rotatable so that the force generation device (5) is removable when a plurality of top members (3) are connected to side members (3) and fixed in a closed horizontal position. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the hinge (8) may be rotatable about the z-axis (z) and about the y-axis (y). In another embodiment, the hinge (8) can be directly connected to the force generation device (5).

(15) Yet another object of the invention is a connection device (7) for attaching a force generation device (5) to the frame of a roller press comprising: a mounting plate (6) and a sliding device (9), the force generation device (5) being disposed on the mounting plate (6), the sliding device (9) being disposed on the mounting plate (6) and being movably attached to the frame (3); wherein the sliding device (9) is slidable so that the force generation device (5) is removable when a plurality of top members (3) are connected to side members (3) and fixed in a closed horizontal position. As shown in FIG. 3, the sliding device (9) can be slid in the x-z plane (12). In another embodiment, the sliding device (9) can be directly connected to the force generation device (5).

(16) Also provided is a method for performing maintenance on a force generation device (5) of a roller press (1) comprising the steps of: moving a force generation device (5) movably attached to one or more of a plurality of side members (3) of a frame assembly of a roller press, in the x-z plane (12) or about the y-axis (y) or z-axis; removing the force generation device (5) from the roller press (1) when a plurality of top members (3) are connected to side members (3) and fixed in a closed horizontal position. In some embodiments, the force generation device (5) is movably attached to one or more of a plurality of side members (3) of a frame assembly of a roller press by a mounting plate (6) and a connection device (7). In an exemplary embodiment the connection device is comprised of a hinge (8). In another exemplary embodiment the connection device is comprises of a sliding device (9).

(17) While certain present exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and certain embodiments of methods of practicing the same have been shown and described, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

(18) TABLE-US-00001 LIST OF REFERENCE IDENTIFIERS 1 roller press 2 top member 3 side member 4 bottom member 5 force generation device 6 mounting plate 7 connection device 8 hinge 9 sliding device 10 moveable bearing housing 11 x-y plane 12 x-z plane 13 grinding roller y y-axis z z-axis