Distributor plate

Abstract

A rotor for a comminution apparatus. The rotor includes a frame including an upper plate, a lower plate and wall elements. The rotor further includes an inlet opening in the upper plate and one or more outlets located between the upper plate and the lower plate. A distributor plate is arranged at an upper surface of the lower plate below the inlet opening and is arranged to launch the material towards a contact surface. The distributor plate includes a cavity being open at a lower surface of the distributor plate. The rotor further includes attachment means for maintaining the distributor plate at the upper surface of the lower plate. The attachment means are arranged to frictionally engage with a corresponding surface of the cavity and the attachment means enable the distributor plate to be repositioned into different wear positions.

Claims

1. A rotor for a comminution apparatus, the rotor being arranged to launch material to be comminuted towards a contact surface, the rotor comprising: a frame including an upper plate, a lower plate and wall elements extending between the upper plate and the lower plate; an inlet opening in the upper plate and one or more outlets located between the upper plate and the lower plate, wherein the inlet opening is arranged to receive the material and wherein the material is launched through the one or more outlets towards the contact surface; and a distributor plate arranged at an upper surface of the lower plate below said inlet opening wherein the distributor plate is arranged to launch the material towards the contact surface, wherein the distributor plate comprises a cavity being open at a lower surface of the distributor plate, wherein the rotor further comprises attachment means for maintaining the distributor plate at the upper surface of the lower plate, wherein said attachment means are arranged to frictionally engage with a corresponding surface of the cavity and wherein the attachment means enable the distributor plate to be repositioned into different wear positions.

2. The rotor according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is closed towards an upper surface of the distributor plate.

3. The rotor according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises a shaft having a first end and a second end, a hub provided at the second end and a friction enhancing means arranged at the hub.

4. The rotor according to claim 1, wherein the distributor plate comprises a base plate and a top plate, wherein the cavity comprises a base recess in the base plate which is arranged to receive the attachment means.

5. The rotor according to claim 1, wherein the distributor plate further comprises a middle plate and wherein the cavity comprises a middle recess in the middle plate which is arranged to receive the attachment means.

6. The rotor according to claim 5, wherein the middle plate is provided with circumferentially protrusions.

7. The rotor according to claim 3, wherein the friction enhancing means is made of a metal material or a polymer material.

8. The rotor according to claim 1, wherein the top plate is made of wear resistant material.

9. A comminution apparatus comprising a rotor in accordance with claim 1.

10. The comminution apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein the comminution apparatus is a vertical shaft impactor.

11. The rotor according to claim 7 wherein the metal material is steel.

12. The rotor according to claim 7 wherein the polymer material is rubber.

13. The rotor according to claim 8 wherein the wear resistant material is tungsten.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The disclosure will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended [schematic] drawings, which show presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a comminution apparatus.

(3) FIG. 2 shows an interior of a rotor comprised in the comminution apparatus of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3A shows a mounting plate of the rotor of FIG. 2 and attachment means according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(5) FIG. 3B shows a more detailed view of the attachment means of FIG. 3A.

(6) FIG. 4a shows a distributor plate comprised in the comminution apparatus of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(7) FIG. 4b shows a cross section of parts of the distributor plate of FIG. 4b.

(8) FIG. 4c shows a distributor plate comprised in the comminution apparatus of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(9) FIG. 5 shows a more detailed view of the interior of the rotor comprised in the comminution apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person.

(11) FIG. 1 illustrates a comminution apparatus 100 for crushing or grinding rock, ore, cement clinker and other hard materials or softer materials by way of example. The comminution apparatus 100 is configured to crush the materials by pushing them by force against metal but also by using the materials fed into the comminution apparatus 100 to crush itself by launching the material against an autogenous layer of crushed material. The comminution apparatus 100 may be a vertical shaft impact crusher.

(12) The comminution apparatus 100 comprises a roof 102 and a chamber 104. The chamber 104 is arranged on a support of a base 106 of the comminution arrangement 100. The roof 102 is arranged on top of the chamber 104.

(13) The comminution apparatus 100 further comprises a hopper (not shown). The hopper is arranged inside the roof 102. The hopper may comprise a centrally arranged opening in an upper part of the hopper. The hopper may be configured to receive materials to be crushed through the centrally arranged opening. The hopper is further configured to feed the material to the chamber 104.

(14) The comminution arrangement 100 further comprises a rotor 108. The rotor 108 is arranged inside the chamber 104. The rotor 108 is configured to rotate around an axis during operation when the rotor 108 receives the material. The rotor 108 is arranged to launch material to be comminuted towards a surface. The surface may be arranged within the chamber 104 but outside the rotor 108. Thus, the rotor 108 is the main working component of the comminution apparatus 100. The rotor 108 will be further discussed in connection with FIGS. 2 and 5.

(15) FIG. 2 illustrates the rotor 108 introduced in connection with FIG. 1 in further detail. The rotor 108 comprises a frame 202, sometimes also called weldment. The frame 202 includes an upper plate 204, a lower plate 206 and wall elements 208. The wall elements 208 may extend between the upper plate 204 and the lower plate 206.

(16) The rotor 108 comprises an inlet opening 210 arranged in the upper plate 204 and one or more outlets 212 located between the upper plate 204 and the lower plate 206. The material is arranged to be launched through the one or more outlets 212 towards an outer crushing surface, such an autogenous surface of crushed material.

(17) The rotor 108 comprises a distributor plate 214. The distributor plate 214 is arranged at an upper surface 216 of the lower plate 206. The upper surface 216 of the lower plate 206 is arranged below the inlet opening 210. In use, the distributor plate 214 of the rotating rotor is arranged to receive the material received through the inlet opening 210 in a generally vertical direction and to divert the material in a generally horizontal direction and launch it towards the outer crushing surface through the one or more outlets 212. The distributor plate 214 comprises a cavity 218. The cavity 218 is open at a lower surface of the distributor plate 214 and is closed towards an upper surface of the distributor plate 214.

(18) The distributor plate 214 is discussed in further detail in connection with FIG. 4.

(19) FIG. 3A illustrates the mounting plate 302. The mounting plate 302 may be attached to the upper surface of a rotor boss arranged below the rotor 108 to which the lower plate 206 of the rotor 108 is also attached. The mounting plate 302 may be attached to the rotor boss by a plurality of bolts 304. The mounting plate 302 comprises a central recess in which attachment means 306 is configured to be installed. The attachment means 306 may be arranged to attach the distributor plate 214 to the rotor 108. The attachment means 306 may be arranged to maintain the distributor plate 108 at the mounting plate 302 and thereby, maintain the distributor plate 214 in the rotor 108. The attachment means 306 may be arranged to enable the distributor plate 108 to be repositioned into different wear positions by rotating it relative to the mounting plate and the lower plate 206 of the rotor 108. The attachment means 306 are arranged to frictionally and possibly also mechanically engage with a corresponding surface of the cavity 218 of the distributor plate 214.

(20) FIG. 3B illustrates the attachment means 306 in further detail. The attachment means 306 comprises a shaft 308 having a first end 308a and a second end 308b. The attachment means 306 may be attached to the mounting plate 302 by installing the first end 308a of the attachment means 306 into the center recess of the mounting plate 302 by means of e.g. a threaded connection, welding, or other suitable fastening means. The attachment means 306 further comprise a hub 310 arranged at the second end 308b. The attachment means 306 further comprise a friction enhancing means 312 arranged at the hub 310. The friction enhancing means 312 may be arranged along the entire circumference of the hub 310 or at parts thereof.

(21) The attachment means 306 is configured to receive the distributor plate 214 such that the attachment means 306 is interacting with a corresponding inside surface in the distributor plate 214. The attachment means 306 are arranged to frictionally and possibly also mechanically engage with a corresponding surface of the cavity 218. Thereby, the distributor plate 214 is kept in place by the attachment means 306.

(22) FIG. 4a illustrates the distributor plate 214 according to one embodiment. The distributor plate 214 comprises a top plate 402, a middle plate 404 and a base plate 406.

(23) The base plate 406 comprises a base recess 408. The middle plate 404 comprises a middle recess 410. The base recess 408 and the middle recess 410 are comprised in the cavity 218. The base recess 408 and the middle recess 410 are centered in the middle and base plates. In this embodiment, the cavity 218 is closed towards the upper surface of the distributor plate 214 by means of top plate 402. It is, however, possible to create a blind hole in either the base plate 406 or in middle plate 404, the latter in combination with a through hole in the base plate 406. Thereby, the top plate 402 can have a substantially continuous surface without bolt holes or similar that increase wear.

(24) The middle plate 404 and the top plate 402 are attached to each other by adhesive means or the like. A collar 412 is configured to be installed in the middle recess 410 of the middle plate 404. The collar 412 may be welded to the middle plate 404. The collar 412 may be made of steel. The collar 412 may have a similar outer diameter to the inner diameter of the base recess 408 of the base plate 406 such that it may pass through. The collar 412 extends downwardly outside the middle plate 404. The middle plate 404 and the top plate 402 may be installed on top of the base plate 406, wherein part of the collar 412 extending outside the middle plate 404 may be received by the center recess 408 of the base plate 406.

(25) The base plate, middle plate 404 and top plate 402 may all be provided as circular discs and may all have the same or at least substantially the same diameter The middle plate 404 comprises circumferentially protrusions 414 and recesses 415 arranged to alleviate rotation of the distributor plate 214.

(26) The distributor plate 214 may be installed on the upper surface of a rotor boss extending through by means of mounting plate 302 with the attachment means 306, as discussed above. The base plate 406 may be attached to the upper surface of the mounting plate 302 with the attachment means 306 inside the rotor 108 in a first step. The attachment means 306 may be installed through the center recess 408 of the base plate 406. In a second step, the middle plate 404 and the top plate 402 may be attached to the attachment means 306, on top of the base plate 406. The attachment means 306 may be inserted into the collar 412 attached to the middle plate 404. Thus, the second end 308b of the attachment means 306 may be facing a lower surface 416 of the top plate 402. In order to completely attach the distributor plate 214 to the attachment means 306, the distributor plate 214 may be pushed in place.

(27) The attachment means 306 are arranged to frictionally engage with the corresponding surface of the cavity 218. The friction enhancing means 312 of the attachment means 306 may be arranged to frictionally engage with the corresponding surface of the cavity 218. The friction enhancing means 312 may be arranged to frictionally engage with an inside surface of the collar 412. By pushing the distributor plate 214 in place, the friction enhancing means 312 may be arranged such that a friction or a holding force may be applied to the collar 412, and thereby to the distributor plate 214. The force may be applied in a radial direction. The friction enhancing means 312 may be a spring, wherein the force may be a spring force in the radial direction. This arrangement provides for that the distributor plate 214 may be kept in place. This arrangement provides for that the attachment means 306 and the distributor plate 214 are attached to each other in a reliable and stable way. In addition, this arrangement provides for that there is no need for a bolt, or the like, going through the entire distributor plate 214 in order to keep the distributor plate 214 in place.

(28) As can be seen in FIG. 4b, the cavity 218 arranged within collar 412 may have a slightly funnel-shaped region 430 at a lower part thereof. This simplifies the procedure of mounting the distributor plate 214 onto the attachment means 306. Preferably, the lowermost part of the collar 412 has an inner diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the friction enhancing means 312. The inner diameter of the collar 412 is then gradually reduced such that the friction enhancing means 312 is radially compressed with an increased friction between the friction enhancing means 312 and the inner surface of the collar 412 as a consequence.

(29) As can also be seen in FIG. 4b, the cavity 218 has a recess 440 in the inner side wall. This recess 440 has a shape which at least partly matches that of the friction enhancing means 312. In this embodiment, the recess 440 has a part torus shaped cross section and extends along a circumference of the inner side wall of the cavity 218. The corresponding shapes of the recess 440 and the friction enhancing means 312 create a mechanical holding force in addition to the friction force created between the outer surface of the friction enhancing means 312 and the inner side wall of the cavity 218. This increases the holding force that prevents the distributor plate 214 from lifting upwardly. This is especially advantageous since such lifting could cause dirt and debris to get under the distributor plate 214 which could cause imbalance and other problems. It is clear that instead of a part torus shaped recess, having a cross section comprising a circular segment with an arc defining the side wall in the cavity, the cross section of the recess could have many other shapes. For example, triangular, part elliptical, etc. As long it creates a recess in which the friction enhancing means, in addition to the friction holding force, can expand partly into creating a mechanical holding force against a lifting of the distributor plate, any shape is conceivable.

(30) FIG. 4c shows an alternative embodiment of the distributor plate 214. Here, the entire distributor plate 214 is provided as a one-piece part. Thus, instead of being realized by means of a plurality of plates, the distributor plate 214 is made from a single piece. The cavity 218, possibly having a recess in the sidewall as defined above, may therefore be realized directly in the distributor plate 214. However, it is also possible to provide a collar that is inserted into the distributor plate 214. The upper surface of the distributor plate 214 may be provided with wear resistant elements or the entire distributor plate 214 may be manufactured from a wear resistant material. Similar to previous embodiments, the distributor plate 214 is provided with protrusions 414 and recesses 415 to alleviate rotation of the distributor plate 214.

(31) FIG. 5 illustrates the rotor 108 comprising the distributor plate 214 as discussed in connection with FIG. 4. In addition to what have been discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1-4, it is further illustrated a rod 502. The rod 502 is placed between the base plate 402 and the top plate 406 in the recess between two adjacent protrusions 414 of the middle plate 404. An operator may be able to reposition the distributor plate 214 into different wear positions by using the rod 502. The operator may rotate the distributor plate 214 from an outside of the rotor 108. There is no need to loosen any bolts, or the like, or to lift the distributor plate 214 in order to reposition the distributor plate 214.

(32) Thus, when the distributor plate 214 being repositioned, the friction enhancing means 312 is arranged to keep the distributor plate 214 in place, i.e. avoiding that the distributor plate 214 is lifted. This is possible because of the friction enhancing means 312 which applies forces to the distributor plate 214 as discussed in connection with FIG. 4a-4c. Thus, the attachment means 306 provides for that the distributor plate 214 is kept down both during operation of the rotor 108 but also and repositioning thereof, while still allowing such rotational repositioning. As discussed earlier, the inner wall of the cavity 218 may be provided with a shape that matches that of the friction enhancing means 312, thereby adding mechanical holding force to the friction holding force.

(33) The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the distributor plate has been exemplified herein as being made up of one, two or more parts. The skilled person realizes that this could be done in many ways. For example, it could be made from as many discs or similar as deemed necessary within the scope of the present invention. Further, the shape of the upper surface of the distributor plate can be substantially flat but also convex or concave. Also, the mounting plate has been defined as being attached to the rotor boss to which also the lower plate of the rotor is attached. However, it is also possible to attach the mounting plate to the lower plate directly. Also, the mounting plate may be a part of the distributor plate.

(34) Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.