US3025548A - Furnace cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

March 20, 1962 W. BENKENSTEIN FURNACE CLEANlNG DEVICE Filed June 5, 1959 Tua-1- 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 20, 1962 W. BENKENSTEIN FURNACE CLEANING DEVICE Filed June 3, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ,I4/fura@ .EEN/ENSTF/N ATTORNEYS 3,025,548 Patented Mar. 20, 1962 3,025,548 FURNACE CLEANiNG DEVICE Walter Benkenstein, Hettstedt, Sndharz, Germany, assignor to VEB Mansfeld Hutten-Kombinat Wilhelm Pieck, Eisleben, Germany Filed June 3, 1959, Ser. No. 817,808 Claims priority, application Germany Nov. 7, 1958 7 Claims. (Cl. 15--14.16)

This invention relates in general to furnace cleaning devices and in particular to a new and useful automatically controlled device for mechanically removing solid deposits or incrustations from the interiors of furnaces such as revolving cylindrical furnaces.

The present invention is particularly directed to a device for cleaning revolving type cylindrical furnaces. ln such furnaces the operator faces the task of removing deposits which are formed when metallurgical operations` are carried out, for example. Devices employed heretofore include so-called industrial guns which remove deposits by tiring solid materials into the furnaces and the usually manually controlled devices such as scrubbers, brushes, Scrapers, rollers and the like. The manually operated devices are not suitable for the revolving cylindrical type of furnaces since the manual operation is long and involved and access to the furnace cannot be had when it is in an operating heated condition. Heretofore, it was necessary to shut down the furnace and allow it to cool before the cleaning operation could be accomplished. Since the furnaces maintain their high temperatures for long periods after use, the working conditions within the furnaces when they are cleaned manually are insuierable.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided amechanically operated device which can be employed while the furnace is in operation. The invention includes an elongated tube operated through a drive mechanism by means of a compressed air control. The tube is provided at its furnace cleaning end with a starshaped ram head which acts as a scraper for the removal of the deposits within the furnace. Since the tube is extensible it can be inserted into the furnace without the operator coming into contact with the high temperatures therein. The device is mounted on a movable undercarriage frame which carries a mechanical device for changing the elevation of the tube in order to position the cleaning end at the proper location inside the furnace.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an automatic furnace cleaning tool for rotary cylindrical furnaces and the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide a furnace cleaning mechanism including `an elongated cleaning tube which is continuously supplied with cooling water which is circulated therethrough and which includes means for automatically controlling the position of the cleaning end within a furnace to be cleaned.

A further object of this invention is to provide a furnace cleaning device which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operative advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a furnace cleaning device constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan of the cleaning device illustrated in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 4 is an end elevation of the star-shaped cleaning head.

Referring to the drawings in particular. the invention as embodied therein includes a wheeled carnage 10 ar ranged to run over a track structure 12. The carriage includes a forward mounting bracket 14 holding a yoke frame member 16 which slidably supports a central impact or cleaning tube generally designated 18.

The impact or cleaning tube 18 is slidably supported at its forward end on rollers 20 of a laterally movable wheeled vehicle 22 which is positioned to align the forward end of the tube 18 Within a rotary furnace 24. The end of the tube 18 is provided with a substantially starshaped ram head 26 which is forcibly scraped along the walls of the furnace in order to remove the incrustations therefrom. The head 26 is shown on an enlarged scale in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The opposite end of the impact tube 18 is supported on rollers 28 of a portable stand 30 which is moved into position to support the tube at the proper angular disposition. The angle of inclination of the tube 18 with respect to the horizontal is changed by adjusting the position of an elevating link 32 which is pivotally connected at one end to the yoke frame 16 and includes a pin 33 which rides in a slot 34 of the carriage 10. The pin 33 is moved along the slot 34 under the control of a hand crank and screw mechanism 36. y

In accordance with the invention the impact cleaning ram 26 is scraped along the walls of the furnace by moving the tube 18 axially therealong. To accomplish controlled movement of the impact tube 18 there is provided a pair of compressed air cylinders 38 and 40 mounted in the yoke bracket 16 on each side of the tube 18. Each of the cylinders 38 and.40 contains a sliding-piston 42 which is connected on opposite sides to piston rods- 44 and 46, respectively. The outer ends of the piston `rods 44 and 4'6 of each of the cylinders 38 and 49 are connected to sliding yokes or cross members 48 and Si), respectively. The cross members 48 and 5i) are connected to toggle clamp or so called dutch clamp members '52 and 54, respectively. The dutch clamp members or clamping pincers 52 and 54 operate in a known manner to grip the tube 18 Whenever the associated cross members `48 or S0 are pulled in a direction away from the clamp. Therefore, when it is desired to move the impact tube 18 further into the furnace the cylinders 38 and 40 are supplied with compressed air to force the piston 42 to the left and effect movement of the cross member 50 to the' left, effect gripping movement of its associated dutch clamp S4 on the tube 18. The tube 18 is gripped tightly by the clamp 54 and it is advanced further into the furnace in accordance with movement of the pistons 42.

The clamping pincers 52 and 54 include outer collar portions 52a and 54a, respectively, which are freely slidable on the tube 18. The collar members 52a and 54a are connected to their associated yoke members 48 and 50, respectively, by pivotally connected link members 52b, I52C `and 5412, 54C, respectively. The link members are pivotally connected to each other and the inner member link members 52C and 54C are pivotally connected to their associated cross ` heads 48 and 50, respectively. Movement of the cross head members 48 or 50 toward r the yoke frame 16 causes the respective link SZb or 54b to pivot on its associated collar 52a and 54a to cause complementary semi-annular gripping portions 52d and 54d, respectively, to engage the tube 18 to cause it to move therewith.

Control of the movement of the pistons 42 is effected by means of compressed air under a manual valve setting cylinder 56 which includes a handle portion 58 to position the valve on either end ofthe cylinder 56 in order to connectcompressed air through one of either of tube 60 or tube 62, to one end or the other of the cylinders 38 and 40.

The impact tube 18 andy the ram member 26 are continuously cooled by water which is circulated through an inlet tube -64 and circulated completely along the length of the tube to the ram head 26 and backwardly through an outlet tube 66.

When the device is properly positioned in relation to the furnace on the track structure 12, it may be advantageously anchored in position by known securing means, such as indicated at 68.

Thus, the invention provides a very simply operated device for cleaning apparatus such as slowly revolving cylindrical furnaces while the latter are still in operation. The device is simply controlled as to position and angle of disposition in relation to the furnace.

While a specic embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for mechanically removing solid deposits from a furnace, comprising a main frame, separate from said furnace, an elongated tubular member axially slidable on said main frame, vfurnace cleaning means at one endof saidtubular member, means for circulating cooling fluid through said tubular member tosaid furnace cleaning means, and-means for shifting vthe position` ofl said tubular member axially, said last-named means comprising a cylinder, a piston slidable in said cylinder, and a clamp'connected to saidpistonand engageable with said tubular membery upon-movement ofsaid piston in one directionbut` releasable therefrom upon the movement of said piston inthe opposite. direction.

2. AA device formechanicallyv removing solidl deposits from revolving cylindricalE furnaces, comprising a main frame, an-impacttube supporting yoke pivotally mounted on said main frame, an impact tube axially movably mounted-on saidsupporting yoke, and meansl for moving said impact tube axially comprising-a cylindrical'member oneach side of saidfimpact tube,I adoubl'e acting piston slidable within-each of' saidcyli'ndricalmembers, piston rodsextending outwardly-from opposite sides of said pistons, al cross membery connecting saidi'piston rodson the common side ofl eachof= said' cylindricall members', and'clamping'means connecting each of: said crossmembers andslidable on saidfimpact tube, said clamping means being eifectiveto grip said impact tube andtmove it axiallyvlwhenthe-adjacentcross' member is-movinglin a direction away from said clamping/means'.r

3; AV deviceV for' mechanicallyremoving solid depositsv from cylindrical furnacesy according to claim 2, further including means for cooling? said impact tube.

4. A`- device forr mechanically removing solid deposits from cylindrical furnaces according to claim 2, wherein said impact tube is provided at its one end with a ram head of substantially star-shaped configuration.

i. A device for mechanically removing solid deposits yfrom cylindrical furnaces according to claim 2, further including means for changing the angle of elevation of said supporting yoke.

6. A device for mechanically removing solid deposits from revolving cylindrical furnaces and the like, comprising a wheeled support adapted t-o be moved into position adjacent said furnace, an elongated integral tubular member slidably mounted on said wheeled support, means on said wheeled support for changing the angle of elevation of said tubular member, said tubular member including furnace cleaning means at one end, and means for moving said tubular member axially on and relatively to said wheeled support, said last-named means comprising at least one cylinder, a piston slidable in each of said cylinders, and a clamp connected to each of said pistons and alternately engageable with said tubular member upon movement of said pistons in one direction but alternately releasable therefrom upon movement of said pistons in the opposite direction, whereby said cleaning means may be reciprocated in said furnace.

7. A device for mechanically removing solid deposits from revolving cylindrical furnaces and the like, comprising a mounting platform separate from Said furnace, a yoke member pivotally mounted on said mounting platform, an elongated integral tubular member slidably mounted on said yoke member, means on said mounting platform for changing the angle of elevation of one end of said yoke member, said? tubular member including furnace cleaning means at one end,I and means for moving said tubular member axially,- saidlast-named means comprising a cylindricalmember on each side of said tubular member, a double acting piston reciprocable within each ofy saldicylindrical-members, piston rods extending from opposite sides ofi said pistons, a cross memberl connecting saidi piston` rods on the-same extremities of saidy cylindrical members, and clamping means connecting each of said cross members and slidable on said tubular member, said clamping meansV being effective to grip said tubular member and move it axially when the adjacent one of said cross membersy is moving in a direction awayy from said clamping means, whereby said'cleaning means may be reciprocatedtin said'furnace.

References Cited in the le ofl this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 582,953 Robeson et al. May 18, 1897 2,126,933 Stone et al; Aug. 16, 1938 2,174,415 Curtis Sept. 26, 1939 2,176,238 Anderson Oct. 17, 1939 2,274,431 Rennerl Feb. 24, 1942 2,310,471 SteckeLet'al. Feb. 9, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 514,261 Italy -s g Feb, 9, 1955

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