FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention in general relates to cyclone separators which are
prevalent in a wide range of industries like mineral processing, coal washing
and chemical industry including petroleum and petrochemical 5 industries and
many more. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cyclone
separator which provides easy assembly of various section/parts of the
cyclone separator and hydro-cyclone and to a fixing arrangement having
protrusion on one body and counter L/curve shaped slot/ annular groove on
10 the other part. The body with protrusions is designed to either slide when
inserted in the L shaped/curved slot of other part and get locked tightly when
rotated or to fit tightly when pressed on the another part with annular groove.
The sizes of protrusions are such that they fit tightly into the respective slots
or grooves. An O-ring is used between connecting faces of two bodies for
15 making it leak proof.
A method of assembling the parts of the cyclone separator is also disclosed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
20
Cyclones and hydro-cyclones are devices which are used in various Industries
to separate different sized particles that are fed as a mixture into a cyclone
inlet. In ore processing industries, cyclones are in circuit with grinding mills
and are usually assembled in a circular “cluster” over a circular “tub”, the
25 coarser particles coming out from the cyclone as underflow discharge are fed
back into the grinding mill. The fine particles, which are separated due to the
functioning of the cyclone, come out as overflow discharge and are fed into
the main circuit. Cyclones and Hydro-cyclone utilise simple centrifugal and
drag forces for the separation of particles that differ in size and density. The
30 units are versatile and perform multiple tasks like classification, de-sliming,
thickening, de-gritting, washing beneficiation etc. Hydro-cyclone consists of
various parts/sections which are assembled together for its full functioning.
However, despite its popularity, some inherent problems associated with its
35 operation remain unresolved for years. One of the vital problems is that the
cyclones and hydro-cyclones need regular maintenance for its proper
3
functioning with the desired efficiency. Presently the parts are assembled
using clamps and or nuts and bolts. It is well known that over a period of use,
the parts of the cyclone get damaged or their functional efficiency gets
impaired. This requires stopping the operation or interrupting the classification
and beneficiation tasks to remove the impaired cyclone parts 5 for replacement
/repair as deemed necessary. The operation of replacement/repair is time
consuming due to the fact that the damaged parts have to be freed from all
sides by removing the fastening arrangements like bolts, clamps etc. and
replaced again by the corresponding repaired/new parts. The plant shutdown
10 required for this replacement/repair, incurs huge production loss.
Apart from such replacement being time consuming and labour-intensive,
careful monitoring is required for proper alignment. Moreover, every
replacement means the fixing means are also to be taken out and re-fixed.
15 Sometimes, the damaged ones are to be replaced. All this results in the
increase of the inventory also.
To the applicants’ knowledge, there is no fixing means available, in the prior art
by which one can easily remove any chosen damaged part of the cyclone
20 separator for repair or replacement.
Thus, there is a large need for a fixing arrangement or fastening arrangement
of the assembled parts of the cyclone separator so that the replacement
process is simple, requires less human intervention and also is less time
25 consuming, thus reducing the downtime of the plant. It should also allow
attending to only the selected parts without dismantling the entire arrangement
of a cyclone separator.
The present invention meets the aforesaid long felt need and other needs
30 associated therewith.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and easy locking
35 arrangement for various parts/sections of the cyclones and hydro-cyclone for
4
fixing and removing the assembled parts to/from their place of attachment in
a cyclone separator.
A further object of the invention is to achieve reduction in stoppage of
operation of the material handling system, thereby reducing 5 production loss.
Another object of the invention is to provide a fixing arrangement that
enables fixing or removal of individual assembled parts without disturbing
other parts of the cyclone separator.
10
A further object of the invention is to provide a fixing arrangement with snapor
press-fitting provision for fitting or removal of different parts of the cyclone
separator.
15 Yet another object of the invention is to eliminate expert manpower for fixing
or removal of assembled parts of a cyclone separator.
A still further object of the invention is to reduce spares inventory.
20 Another object of the present invention is to provide cyclone separator which
ensures that there is substantial reduction in overall operating costs,
maintenance costs and downstream operating costs.
A further object of the invention is to provide a cyclone separator and hydro
25 cyclones which are cost-effective, light weight and easy to maintain.
A further object of the invention is to provide a fixing arrangement having
protrusion on one body and counter L shaped/curved shaped slot/annular
groove on the other part. The body with protrusions either slides when
30 inserted in the L shaped/curve shaped slot of other part and thereby gets
locked tightly when rotated or it fits tightly when pressed on the another part
with annular groove. The sizes of protrusions are such that they ensure a tight
fit within the respective slots or grooves. An O-ring is used between
connecting faces for making it leakage proof.
35
5
How the foregoing objects are achieved will be clear from the following
description. In this context it is clarified that the description provided is nonlimiting
and is only by way of explanation.
SUMMARY 5 OF THE INVENTION
A cyclone separator provides easy assembly of various section/parts. It
comprises of a vortex finder body, a conical section and a spigot. The vortex
finder body is provided with L shaped/curved slots and annular groove for
10 seating arrangement of the conical section. The conical section is provided
with a plurality of cubical/elliptical protrusions on the outer circumference at
its upper end and annular protrusion at its bottom end. The spigot is provided
with a counter annular groove in the inner circumference in its top portion for
snap fixing with the annular protrusion provided at the bottom of conical
15 portion.
The vortex finder body and the conical portion are made of Polyurethane,
Rubber, Mild steel, Stainless steel, Acrylic or PVC Pipe. The spigot is made of
Polyurethane, Rubber, Acrylic or PVC Pipe.
20
The number of the protrusions and their sizes depend on the size of the
cyclone separator and hydro-cyclone and the strength required.
An O-ring is positioned in the semi-circular groove provided in said conical
25 body between the connecting faces of the conical body and the vortex finder
for making the system leakage free.
The cubical/elliptical protrusions are equidistant from each other and
dimensioned to exactly fit into the counter grooves/slots of vortex finder
30 body.
A method of assembling the parts of the cyclone separator as described above
comprises of the steps of:
- positioning the O-ring in the groove provided on the conical
35 portion;
6
- sliding the L shaped/curved slots of the vortex finder body along
the seating of the topmost portion above the protrusions of the
conical section in the annular groove;
5
- pushing the O-ring into an annular groove of the vortex finder
during assembly, thereby flattening the O-ring due to pressure of
the assembly and deforming the O-ring in size, thereby making the
system leak proof;
10
- rotating the conical portion to lock the arrangement, thereby
assembling the conical portion with the vortex finder body;
- pushing spigot onto the conical body from bottom for assembly;
15
- fitting the protrusion provided on the conical body into the counter
groove on the spigot, thereby assembling the spigot and the
conical body; and
20 - fitting a metallic ring on the outer circumference of the spigot to
tighten it.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPNYING DRAWINGS
25
The nature and scope of the present invention will be better understood from
the accompanying drawings, which are by way of illustration of a preferred
embodiment and not by way of any sort of limitation. In the accompanying
drawings:-
30 Figure 1 is an elevation view of a cyclone separator according to the present
invention.
Figure 2A is an elevation view of the vortex finder body of the cyclone
separator which is shown in figure 1.
35
Figure 2B is an elevation view of the conical portion of the cyclone separator
which is shown in figure 1.
Figure 2C is an elevation view of the spigot of the cyclone separator which is
40 shown in figure 1.
7
Figure 3A is a cross sectional view of the vortex finder body along the line X-X
in figure 2A.
Figure 3B is a top view of vortex finder body along the line 5 A-A in figure 2A.
Figure 4 is a top view of an ‘O’ ring.
Figure 5 is the top view of the conical portion along the line B-B in figure 2B.
10 Figure 6 is the top view of the spigot along the line C-C in figure 2C.
Figure 7 is the cross sectional view of the vortex finder along the line D-D in
Figure 3B.
15 Figure 8 is the cross sectional view of ‘O’ ring along the line E-E in Figure 4.
Figure 9 is the cross sectional view of conical portion along the line F-F in
Figure 5.
20 Figure 10 is the cross sectional view of spigot along the line G-G in Figure 6.
Figure 11 is the enlarged view of cloud Y as marked in figure 9.
Figure 12 is the cross sectional view of different components (vortex finder
25 body, conical portion and spigot) of the cyclone separator in assembled
condition.
Figure 13 is the isometric view of all the components (vortex finder body,
conical portion and spigot) of the cyclone separator in knock down condition
30 along the line of assembly.
Figure 14 is the enlarged view of cloud S as marked in figure 13.
Figure 15 is the enlarged view of cloud T as marked in figure 13.
35
8
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Having described the main features of the invention above, a more detailed
and non-limiting description of a preferred embodiment will 5 be given in the
following paragraphs with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In all the figures, like reference numerals represent like features. Further, the
shape, size and number of the devices shown are by way of example only and
10 it is within the scope of the present invention to change their shape, size and
number without departing from the basic principle of the invention.
Further, when in the following it is referred to “top”, “bottom”, “upward”,
“downward”, “above” or “below” , “right hand side”, “left hand side” and
15 similar terms , this is strictly referring to an orientation with reference to the
apparatus , where the base of the apparatus is horizontal and is at the bottom
portion of the figures. The number of components shown is exemplary and not
restrictive and it is within the scope of the invention to vary the shape and
size of the apparatus as well as the number of its components, without
20 departing from the principle of the present invention.
All through the specification including the claims, the words “Hydro-cyclone”,
“cyclone separator”, “vortex finder body”, ”Conical Section”, “Spigot”, “Oring”,
“L/curve slots”, “annular groove”, “protrusion” are to be interpreted in
25 the broadest sense and include similar terminologies as known to persons
skilled in the art. Further, the shape shown in different views are exemplary
and not restrictive.
Accordingly, the present invention provides simple and easy locking
30 arrangement of various parts/sections of cyclone separator and hydrocyclone.
For achieving this, some cubical/elliptical protrusions are provided in
one part, here the conical section, at one end. Number of protrusions and
their sizes depend on the size of cyclone separator and hydro-cyclone and the
strength required. The conical section also contains annular protrusions at the
35 other end and counter L shaped/curved slots are provided on the other body,
here the vortex finder, which is a part of the cyclone separator and hydro9
cyclone. The size and depth of the slot depends on the strength and size of
cyclone. An annular groove is provided on the other body, here the spigot,
another part of the cyclone separator and hydro-cyclone. If an extension of
the body part is required to be attached to the cyclone separator and hydrocyclone,
a similar concept is used for extension of the 5 conical body for
assembling it. An O-ring is placed between the connecting faces of two bodies
for making the joint leak proof. The present invention leads to simple and
easy locking of various parts/sections of cyclone separator and hydro-cyclone
which also requires less maintenance and has a long life.
10
Figure 1 is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the cyclone
separator (100) according to the present invention. It shows the overall
cyclone separator and hydro-cyclone assembly of the present invention
consisting of various parts/section of it. It shows vortex finder body (10),
15 conical section (20) and spigot (30).
Figure 2A is an elevation view of said vortex finder body (10) of the cyclone
separator (100) which is shown in figure 1. In this view, hidden lines showing
the L shaped/curved slots (1B, 1C) and annular groove (3B) for the seating
20 arrangement of the other part/section, i.e. the conical section (20), are
shown. The protrusions (1A) in the conical section are adapted to slide in
these L shaped/curved slots (1B, 1C) along the seating of the topmost portion
(3A) above the protrusions of the conical section in the annular groove (3B).
The other part (20) is to be now rotated to lock the arrangement. The vortex
25 finder body (10) is made of Polyurethane, Rubber, Mild steel, Stainless steel,
Acrylic, PVC Pipe etc.
Figure 2B is an elevation view of conical portion (20) of the cyclone separator
of figure 1. It shows a plurality of cubical/elliptical protrusions (1A) on the
30 outer circumference at the upper end, which is adapted to slide and be
rotated in the counter L shaped/curved slots (1B, 1C) in the vortex finder
body (10) for assembly. The size of protrusions and slot is dependent on sizes
of the hydro-cyclone. The topmost portion (3A) above the protrusion is meant
to slide into the annular groove (3B) in the vortex body (10). An annular
35 protrusion (2A) is present on the outer wall, at the bottom end of the body of
10
the conical portion which is snap-fixed with a counter annular groove (2B)
present in spigot (30), best shown in figure 2C. Ceramic liners can be used in
the conical section in abrasive environment/application. The outer surface of
the conical body is given a rough finish for increasing friction to enhance
gripping during assembly. It makes the assembly easier 5 too, as for smooth
outer surface there is a chance of slipping during its assembly, best shown in
figure 13. The conical portion is made of Polyurethane, Rubber, Mild steel,
Stainless steel, Acrylic, PVC Pipe etc.
10 Figure 2C is an elevation view of spigot (30) of the cyclone separator shown in
figure 1. It shows that the spigot part has a counter annular groove (2B) in
the inner circumference provided in its top portion, into which the annular
protrusion (2A), present at the bottom of conical portion (20), is snap fixed.
During assembly the spigot is pushed along the vertical axis into the conical
15 portion from bottom for snap fitment and locking. A metallic ring is used on
the outer circumference of the spigot to tighten it. The spigot is made up of
Polyurethane, Rubber, Acrylic , PVC Pipe etc.
Figure 3A is a cross sectional view of vortex finder body (10) along the line X20
X in figure 2A. In this view of vortex finder body the two L/curved slots (1B,
1C) and annular groove (3B) are shown. The protrusion in the conical portion
is to be pushed into these slots and rotated circumferentially to lock the two
portions.
25 Figure 3B is a top view of vortex finder body (10) along the line A-A in figure
2A. In this view, the inlet and the flange for overflow discharge are shown.
This flange is used for assembly of hydro-cyclone to the system.
Figure 4 is a top view of ‘O’ ring (4). This O-ring is positioned in the semi30
circular groove (5) of the conical body (20), best shown in figure 5. The Oring
is used between the connecting faces of conical body and vortex finder
(10) for making the system leakage free.
Figure 5 is the top view of the conical portion (20) along the line B-B in figure
35 2B. This shows the cubical/elliptical protrusions (1A) and the semi-circular
11
groove (5) for seating the O-ring. These cubical/elliptical protrusions (1A) are
equidistant from each other. They are dimensioned to exactly fit into the
counter grooves/slots of vortex finder body (10).
Figure 6 is the top view of the spigot (30) along the line C-5 C in figure 2C. The
spigot (30) is fitted on the cyclone portion (20) of the system.
Figure 7 is the cross sectional view of the vortex finder (10) along the line DD
in Figure 3B. In this view, the L shaped/curved slots (1B, 1C) and annular
10 groove (3B) are shown. The L shaped/curved slots are clearly shown where
the protrusions (1A) on the conical portion are fitted during assembly of the
cyclone separator and hydro-cyclone.
Figure 8 is the cross sectional view of the ‘O’ ring (4) along the line E-E in
15 Figure 4. The O-ring (4) is positioned in groove (5) provided on the conical
portion (20), which, when pushed into annular groove (3B) of the vortex
finder (10) during assembly, flattens the O-ring (4) due to pressure of the
assembly. This deformation of the O-ring (4) in size during the assembly
makes the system leak proof.
20
Figure 9 is the cross sectional view of the conical portion (20) along the line FF
in Figure 5. In this view, the cross section of protrusion (1A) and
semicircular groove (5) for O-ring are shown. In this view the cross section of
annular protrusion (2A) provided on the lower end for spigot fitment, is also
25 shown.
Figure 10 is the cross sectional view of the spigot (30) along the line G-G in
figure 6. This shows the counter groove (2B) on spigot (30) provided for the
protrusion (2A) provided on the conical body (20). The spigot (30) is pushed
30 onto the conical body (20) from bottom for assembly and a metallic ring is
fitted on the outer circumference of the spigot (30) to tighten it.
Figure 11 is the enlarged view of cloud Y as marked in figure 9. In this
enlarged view of conical body (20), cross sectional view of semicircular groove
12
(5) for O-ring and cross sectional view of one of the protrusions (1A) is shown
for better understanding of the invention.
Figure 12 is the cross sectional view of all the different components, i.e.
vortex finder body (10), conical portion (20) and spigot (5 30) of the cyclone
separator in assembled condition. This shows the final assembly of cyclone
separator and hydro-cyclone which shows all the parts of the system. It shows
the assembly of vortex finder (10), O-ring (4), conical body (20) and spigot
(30). It can be clearly seen how the protrusion on the conical body is fitted
10 into the counter slots in the vortex finder, how the O-ring is placed between
the connection faces of vortex finder and the conical body and how the spigot
is fitted with the conical body.
Figure 13 is an isometric view of all the components, i.e. vortex finder body
15 (10), conical portion (20) and spigot (30), of the cyclone separator in knocked
down condition along the line of assembly. The present invention can be
clearly seen in this exploded view. In the top portion of the figure, the
L/curved (1B, 1C) slots of the vortex finder are clearly visible, where the
cubical/elliptical protrusion (1A) on conical body shown in the mid-section of
20 the image is to slide in and then be rotated for final assembly. In this figure,
the placement of the O-ring (4) in the groove (5) present in the conical body
is also clearly visible. This shows clearly how the O-ring is placed in the
groove and then the conical body is rotated in the L/curved slots in the vortex
finder body for final assembly. It ensures tight fixing of the conical body with
25 the vortex body. The ‘O’ ring helps the fixing to be leak proof. Spigot (30) is
pushed onto the conical body (20) and the protrusion (2A) present in the
conical section gets fitted into the counter groove present in the spigot (30).
Figure 14 is the enlarged view of cloud “S” as marked in figure 13. In this
30 exploded view the assembly of vortex finder (10) and conical body (20) is
shown. The cubical/elliptical protrusion (1A) on the conical body is pushed into
the vortex finder body (10) along the slot (1B) which is shown by line PQ.
Then it is rotated inside the vortex finder body along the curved line QR for
the final assembly. It also shows how the O-ring (4) is placed in the grove (5)
35 before final assembly.
13
Figure 15 is the enlarged view of cloud “T” as marked in figure 13. In this
exploded view, the assembly of the conical body (20) and the spigot (30) is
shown. When the spigot (30) is pushed into the conical body (20), the
protrusion (2A) of the conical body (20) gets snap fitted and 5 locked into the
annular groove (2B) of the spigot. A metallic ring is fitted on the outer
circumference of the spigot to tighten it.
Alternatively, L shaped/curved slots may be provided in the spigot instead of
10 counter groove/annular groove arrangement for the seating arrangement of
the protrusions of the conical section, or the conical section may be provided
with a plurality of cubical/elliptical protrusions on the outer circumference at
its lower end. It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that other types of
locking mechanism are also possible, and are part of the present invention, as
15 long as they allow easy assembly of various parts/sections of a cyclone
separator without making any compromise on the strength of the assembled
joints.
The present invention has been described with reference to some drawings
20 and a preferred embodiment purely for the sake of understanding and not by
way of any limitation and the present invention includes all legitimate
developments within the scope of what has been described herein before and
claimed in the appended claims.
25
30
14
We claim:
1. A cyclone separator (100) providing easy assembly of various
sections/parts comprises of a vortex finder body (10), a conical section
(20) and a spigot (30), wherein said vortex finder 5 body (10) is
provided with L shaped/curved slots (1B, 1C) and annular groove (3B)
for the seating arrangement of the conical section (20), said conical
section (20) is provided with a plurality of cubical/elliptical protrusions
(1A) on the outer circumference at its upper end and annular
10 protrusion (2A) at its bottom end and said spigot (30) is provided with
a counter annular groove (2B) in the inner circumference in its top
portion for snap fixing with said annular protrusion (2A) provided at
the bottom of conical portion (20).
15 2. The cyclone separator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vortex
finder body (10) and said conical portion (20) are made of
Polyurethane, Rubber, Mild steel, Stainless steel, Acrylic or PVC Pipe.
3. The cyclone separator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spigot
20 (30) is made of Polyurethane, Rubber, Acrylic or PVC Pipe.
4. The cyclone separator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number
of said protrusions (1A) and their sizes depend on the size of the
cyclone separator and hydro-cyclone and the strength required.
25
5. The cyclone separator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an O-ring
(4) is positioned in the semi-circular groove (5) provided in said conical
body (2) between the connecting faces of conical body (20) and vortex
finder (10) for making the system leakage free.
6. The cyclone separator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
cubical/elliptical protrusions (1A) are equidistant from each other and
dimensioned to exactly fit into the counter grooves/slots of vortex
finder body (10).

7. A method of assembling the parts of the cyclone separator (100) as
claimed in claims 1-6 comprises of the steps of:
- positioning O-ring (4) in groove (5) provided on the conical portion
40 (20);
- sliding said L shaped/curved slots (1B, 1C) of vortex finder body
(10) along the seating of the topmost portion (3A) above the
protrusions (1A) of the conical section (20) in the annular groove
45 (3B);
- pushing the O-ring (4) into annular groove (3B) of the vortex finder
(10) during assembly, thereby flattening the O-ring (4) due to
pressure of the assembly and deforming the O-ring (4) in size,
thereby making the 5 system leak proof;
- rotating the conical portion (20) to lock the arrangement, thereby
assembling the conical portion (20) with the vortex finder body
(10);
pushing spigot (30) onto the conical body (20) from bottom for
assembly;
fitting the protrusion (2A) provided on the conical body (20) into
the counter groove (2B) on spigot (30), thereby assembling the
spigot and the conical body; and
- fitting a metallic ring on the outer circumference of the spigot (30)
to tighten it.