Injection Lance Assembly

Abstract

The system and method for preventing air leakage from the process side to the bearing side of a mill. The system includes a labyrinth seal ring comprising a series of knives defining first and second labyrinth paths from an air inlet to the process side and the bearing side of the system, respectively. The differences in the two paths such as provided by the number of knives used in each path creates a differential pressure drop which biases air from the air inlet to the process side. The labyrinth seal thus provides a reliable and superior method for reducing the potential for particulate in the process side of the mill from damaging the bearing system.

Claims

1. An injection lance assembly which can be inserted into a port in ductwork, the lance assembly comprising; a) A tube for providing particulate flow into a fluid stream within the ductwork; b) At least one wing which is deployable within the ductwork and may be inserted through the port with the tube; and c) Means for actuating the wing into a deployed position; whereby the lance assembly when deployed in the ductwork has a larger diameter than the port.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the means for displacing comprises a cable actuator.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the tube further comprises a tip region, the tip region providing the means for displacing the wing.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the means for displacing comprises a punch rod.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one wing comprises a pair of wings.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the wings pivot radially relative to the tube.

7. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the wings deploy rotationally relative to the tube.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the wings are attached to the tube.

9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a shroud defining a channel with the tube displaceable therethrough, the wing being attached to the shroud.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the tube comprises a plurality of tubes.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the tube includes a plurality of apertures along the length of the tube.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of apertures is at an axial location corresponding to the wing.

13. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a means for retracting the wing through the port.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the means for retracting uses the same structure as the means for displacing.

15. An injection lance assembly which can be inserted into first and second ports, the assembly comprising; a) A tube for providing particulate flow into a fluid stream within the ductwork, the tube being through the first port; b) A blade being displaced through the second port, the blade having first and second portions, the first portion providing a barrier to blunt passage of airflow therethrough, and the second portion including a curvature to encourage the rotation of the blade; whereby the blade when deployed has a rotation diameter greater than the diameter of the second port.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIGS. 1a and 1b shows sides views of the closed and open positions, respectively, of a first preferred embodiment of the invention using a pair of wings and a tip configuration.

[0025] FIGS. 2a and 2b shows side views of the closed and open positions, respectively, of a second preferred embodiment of the invention using a pair of wings and a push rod configuration.

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the invention using a rotating wings configuration.

[0027] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention using a downstream propeller blade configuration.

[0028] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention using an upstream propeller blade configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Set forth below is a description of what is currently believed to be the preferred embodiment or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to this preferred embodiment are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure or in result are intended to be covered by the claims in this patent.

[0030] FIGS. 1a and 1b show a first preferred embodiment of a lance injection assembly 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention in closed and open positions, respectively. The lance injection assembly 10 includes a tube 11 or hollow shaft for receiving solid particulate therethrough, and further preferably includes a seating member 14 or collar for resting upon a shroud 16 when inserted into the ductwork 18. The shroud 16 of this embodiment has attached thereto a pair of wings 22, 24 by a hinged arrangement. The wings 22, 24 when retracted fold at least partially within the shroud 16 via slits or openings (not shown) and/or (alternatively) the wings 22, 24 will fold over one another and hang below the opening of the shroud 16 within the ductwork 18. Thus, in this first retracted or closed position, the wings 22, 24 reduce their surface area as exposed to the fluid stream flowing through the ductwork 18, and thus improving the pressure drop of such barriers versus permanent baffles known in the art. The second open or deployed position of this lance injection assembly 10 is enabled as the tube 11 is pushed through the shroud 16. As the insertion occurs, the tip 19 of tube 11 pushes the wings 22, 24 to unfold outward, thus creating a much broader surface area across the flow direction of the fluid stream than the shroud 16 or port through which the tube 11 is inserted. In this embodiment, if the tube is removed, e.g., if particulate does not need to be inserted at that particular access point, then the removal of the tube 11 and its tip 19 in combination with the force of gravity will cause the wings 22, 24 to fold back inwards to their retracted position.

[0031] As those of skill will understand given the teachings of this embodiment, this embodiment of the invention can be practiced either through the case where the shroud 16 and wings 22, 24 are removable through the ductwork (when the wings are retracted or closed), or alternatively the shroud 16 may be permanently fixed to the ductwork 18, with only the tube 11 being inserted or removed as operational circumstances dictate.

[0032] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a second preferred embodiment of a lance injection assembly 20 constructed in accordance with the present invention in closed and open positions, respectively. This second preferred embodiment is in relevant part similar to the first preferred embodiment in its use of wings 22, 24. However, in this second preferred embodiment, the wings may be attached directly to the tube 21 such that the entire assembly 20 may be inserted through the port of the ductwork 18. Since the wings 22, 24 of this embodiment are attached directly to the tube 21 instead of a shroud or some other, separate structure, this embodiment requires a push rod 29 to urge the wings into a deployed position. Thus, this embodiment teaches the ability to insert and remove the entire lance injection assembly 20 through a port in the ductwork 18 such that the wings 22, 24, when opened or deployed have a larger diameter than the port of the ductwork through which it was inserted.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a third preferred embodiment for deploying wings in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In this embodiment, the lance assembly 30 includes wings 42, 44 which rotate radially outward to fold away from the shroud 36 to which it is attached in a hinged relationship. In this preferred embodiment, the entirety of this assembly (i.e., both the tube 31 and shroud 36 including wings 42, 44) may be inserted and removed through the port of the ductwork 18. By contrast with the first and second embodiments, however, the process of retracting the wings does not rely upon gravity, and thus this embodiment relies upon a control cable 47 or similar actuator to be used by an operator to open and close the wings 42, 44 as needed.

[0034] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a fourth preferred embodiment of a lance injection assembly 50 for deploying a propeller 52 on a support shaft 53, with the propeller comprising blades 54, 55. Each blade 54, 55 includes a flat portion 56 which is substantially perpendicular to the fluid flow, and disrupts the fluid flow and creates a zone of turbulence. Likewise, each blade 54, 55 of this embodiment includes an angled portion 57 which enables the rotation of the propeller 52 based upon the force of the fluid flow. In this embodiment the tube 51 may be deployed downstream (as in FIG. 4) or upstream of the propeller. In either configuration, this embodiment preferably may be inserted through two ports in the ductwork 58, 59 which are separate from one another but sufficiently proximate such that the propeller 52 creates a zone of turbulence near the tube 51 such that a greater dispersion of particulate passing into the fluid stream may result. The propeller 52 preferably has a greater diameter than the port in the ductwork 59 through which it is inserted. The propeller, however, may nonetheless be removed through its port 59 by aligning the propeller 52 and the support shaft 53 by a hook or similar mechanism (not shown).

[0035] The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claims that define the invention. Rather, it is contemplated that future modifications in structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims. For instance, the numbers of wings 22, 24 used in the preferred embodiments of present invention is for illustrative purposes with reference to the example drawings only. Similarly, while the wings of certain preferred embodiments of the present invention are focused upon their attachment to shroud 16, those of skill will understand the applicability of the present invention to configurations whereby such attached directed to the tube for deployment upon insertion, either through a spring bias mechanism or other suitable mechanical adjustment. Likewise, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, additions, omissions, and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the following claims.