Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[SEE SECTION 10, RULE 13]

A HANDLING SYSTEM FOR A BLOW PIPE;
BY

STEEL AUTHORITY OF INDIA LIMITED, A GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ENTERPRISE, HAVING ITS ADDRESS AT RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CENTRE FOR IRON & STEEL, DORANDA, RANCHI-834002,
STATE OF JHARKHAND, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present invention relates to a handling system for a blow pipe in a blast furnace.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, in blast furnaces, handling of a blow pipe becomes imperative during maintenance of tuyeres and replacement of chocked or damaged blow pipe. Conventionally, in the blast furnace with a smaller tuyere platform, the handling of blow pipes is generally performed by manual labour. The handling of blow pipes into and out of their operating position is performed using chain pulley blocks at a position where it forms hot blast connections between a tuyere and blast ring main header. In such conventional blast furnaces, due to paucity of manoeuvring space and approach to the small tuyere platform, use of forklift for handling the blow pipe is impossible and therefore, the handling is predominantly performed by manual labour. The entire manual process of removal of blow pipes and fixing after repair is a labour intensive and a time-consuming process as the blow pipes are heavy and hot. Another limitation is that the safety of the personnel during the handling of hot and heavy blow pipe and working around the blast furnace is also a serious concern. In addition, the time required for removing and replacing the blow pipes reduce the furnace production since the draft must be cutback while removing and replacing the blow pipes are being performed.
[003] Therefore, there is a need to provide a handling system for blow pipes to overcome one or more of the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY
[004] Accordingly, an exemplary aspect of the present invention discloses a handling system for a blow pipe, said handling system comprising: a primary frame member having a plurality of front wheels and a plurality of rear wheels coupled at a front end and a rear end of said handling system; a rear support structure having: a secondary lower support frame member mounted on said primary frame member and a secondary upper support frame member mounted on said lower support frame member at said rear end of the handling system, forward to said plurality of rear wheels; a plurality of inner and outer scissor lift linkages, each having a first end, a second end and an outwardly extending intermediate surface, pivotably coupled at a proximal end and a distal end of said lower and upper support frame member; and a plurality of first hydraulic cylinders configured to translate said plurality of inner and outer scissor lift linkages and said lower and upper support frame member, about a longitudinal central axis of said plurality of inner and outer scissor lift linkages, in an upward and a downward translational degree of freedom; a supporting bed mounted on a third support frame member coupled to said upper support frame member, said supporting bed having: a removable mounting support fixture for supporting the blow pipe; a plurality of second hydraulic cylinders configured to couple and initiate a controlled swivel motion to said supporting bed; a slew ring bearing for translating said supporting bed in at least a 360 degree of freedom, when the plurality of second hydraulic cylinders coupled to said supporting bed are disengaged; and a control housing in communication with a plurality of variable voltage variable frequency enabled geared motor wheel drives configured to switch translation of said support structure, said plurality of inner and outer scissor lift linkages and said supporting bed via said plurality of first and second hydraulic cylinders, from a retracted position to an extended translated position while assisting controlled linear manoeuvre and left-right turning of said handling system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[005] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:
[006] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a handling system for a blow pipe in a blast furnace, according to an exemplary aspect of the invention; and
[007] Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the handling system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[008] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figure are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to the other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference signs are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[009] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiment illustrated. Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawing, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention. Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing. Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to a person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth relating to specific components to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
[010] In general, the present invention claims, a handling system for a blow pipe having a Z-shaped primary frame member, a support structure having a secondary lower and upper support frame member, a plurality of inner and outer scissor lift linkages, a plurality of first hydraulic cylinders, a supporting bed mounted on a third support frame member coupled to said upper support frame member, having a removable mounting support fixture, a slew ring bearing and a control housing in communication with a plurality of variable voltage variable frequency enabled geared motor wheel drives for translating and assisting controlled linear manoeuvre and left-right turning of said handling system.
[011] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the designed and developed mechanized equipment of handling system is complete with the motorized wheel drives for the travels required for handling blow pipe, a scissor mechanism with removable / interchangeable blow pipe supporting/mounting fixture for lifting up and lowering down, a slewing mechanism of a supporting bed for rotating the removable / interchangeable fixture and optionally a sliding mechanism for translating to right and left of the supporting bed to facilitate ease of handling. In the present invention, both the scissor mechanism and the slewing mechanism are hydraulically operated. The handling system is also provided with push button based in operator control panel, hydraulic power pack for lifting up and lowering down and slewing and rotating the removable / interchangeable fixture and optionally sliding right and left motion of the supporting bed along with the respective fixtures. Wheel drives are provided with geared motor with VVVF drive to facilitate turning left and right of the handling system.
[012] According to the present invention, the handling of blast furnace blow pipes with the teachings of handling system of the present invention is a safe and efficient as it reduces the manpower required when compared to manual handling by conventional manual method using chain pulley blocks. The handling system of the present invention may be employed not limited to a blast furnace having a smaller tuyere platform where any other mechanized means are difficult to implement or in other blast furnaces with larger tuyere platform with the teachings of handling blow pipes with removable / interchangeable mounting fixtures as it is both safe and efficient in comparison to the conventional manual method of removal and fixing of blow pipes using chain pulley blocks. The handling system of the present invention may also be employed in any other handling application in any industry.
[013] The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises,”“comprising,”“including,” “made of” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated elements, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[014] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. The skilled person will be able to devise various elements of the handling system having various structures, shapes that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present invention. All the terms and expressions in the description are only for the purpose of the understanding and nowhere limit the invention. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Terms plurality, top, bottom, front end, rear end, first, second, parallel, inner, outer, perpendicular, primary, secondary, coaxial, collinearand the like are used to differentiate between objects having the same terminology and are in no way intended to represent a chronological order, unless where explicitly stated otherwise. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. Thus, while particular type of structure, configuration, shape, material, angle, heights, lengths, widths, diameters, thickness, distances, type of primary support members, secondary support members, third support members, blow pipe support structure, first and second hydraulic cylinders, inner and outer scissor lift linkages, blow pipe supporting bed, blow pipe mounting support fixture, housing, coupling, interconnecting means have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that the embodiments may be manufactured with other design parameters and configurations as well and are not limited to those described herein above may be as per operational requirements and nowhere limits the scope of the invention and are provided only for reference and for understating purpose of the invention.
[015] Referring Figure 1 discloses a handling system (100), a primary frame member (105), a plurality of front wheels (108a), a plurality of rear wheels (108b), a rear support structure (110), a secondary lower support frame member (112a), a secondary upper support frame member (112b), a plurality of inner scissor lift linkages (114a), a plurality of outer scissor lift linkages (114b), a plurality of first hydraulic cylinders (115), a third support frame member (116), a supporting bed (118), a removable mounting support fixture (120), at least a slew ring bearing (125), a plurality of second hydraulic cylinders (130), a wheel drive geared motor (135), a hydraulic power pack pump-motor set (140), an instrument panel (150), a plurality of front drive wheels (160), a hydraulic tank (170), an electrical panel (180), a control housing (190), a longitudinal central axis (AA), an axial feed axis (AF), a first axis (CC), a second axis (BB), a forward off set (X) and a rearward off set (Y).
[016] According to an exemplary aspect, the present invention Referring Figure 1, discloses a handling system (100) for handling a blow pipe in a blast furnace. The handling system (100) comprises a primary frame member (105) having a plurality of front wheels (108a) and a plurality of rear wheels (108b) coupled at a front end and a rear end of said handling system (100).
[017] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the handling system (100) includes a rear support structure (110) having a secondary lower support frame member (112a) mounted on said primary frame member (105) and a secondary upper support frame member (112b) mounted on said lower support frame member (112a) at said rear end of the handling system (100), forward to said plurality of rear wheels (108b). The rear support structure (110) has a plurality of inner and outer scissor lift linkages (114a, 114b), each having a first end, a second end and an outwardly extending intermediate surface, pivotably coupled at a proximal end and a distal end of said lower and upper support frame member (112a, 112b).
[018] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rear support structure (110) has a plurality of first hydraulic cylinders (115) configured to translate said plurality of inner and outer scissor lift linkages (114a, 114b) and said lower and upper support frame member (112a, 112b), about a longitudinal central axis (AA) of said plurality of inner and outer scissor lift linkages (114a, 114b), in an upward and a downward translational degree of freedom. According to the embodiment, each said plurality of first hydraulic cylinders (115) have a bottom end coupled to said inner scissor lift linkage (114a) and said lower support frame member (112a) and a top end coupled to said outwardly extending intermediate surface of said outer scissor lift linkage (114b) and said upper support frame member (112b). According to the exemplary embodiment, not limited but thereto four numbers of hydraulic cylinders each of 1T capacity each with 63mm bore, 75mm stroke and 80 bar pressure are employed in the present invention.
[019] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the handling system (100) includes a supporting bed (116) mounted on a third support frame member (118) coupled to said upper support frame member (112b). The supporting bed (116) has a removable mounting support fixture (120) for handling said blow pipe. The interchangeable or removable mounting support fixture (120) has a flexibility to accommodate, support and fix a lower leg or an upper leg of the blow pipe as per requirement. The supporting bed (116) includes a plurality of second hydraulic cylinders (130) configured to couple and initiate a controlled swivel motion to said supporting bed (116). The supporting bed (116) includes a slew ring bearing (125) for translating said supporting bed (116) in at least a 360 degree of freedom, when a plurality of second hydraulic cylinders (130) are disengaged and optionally the supporting bed (116) includes a sliding mechanism for translating said blow pipe supporting bed (116) about an axial feed axis (AF) perpendicular to said longitudinal central axis (AA), in a forward and a rearward translational degree of freedom via a plurality of second hydraulic cylinders (130). According to the exemplary embodiment, not limited but thereto the removable mounting support fixture (120) translates in at least a ± 30 degree of freedom, when said plurality of second hydraulic cylinders (130) are disengaged. According to the present invention, not limited but thereto one number of slew ring bearing and two numbers of hydraulic cylinders of 1T capacity each with 63mm bore, 140 mm stroke and 80 bar pressure are employed in the present invention.
[020] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the handling system (100) includes a control housing (190) having an electrical panel (180), and a hydraulic tank (170), in communication with an instrument control panel (150), a hydraulic power pack pump-motor set (140) and a plurality of variable voltage variable frequency (VVVF) enabled geared motor (135) wheel drives is configured to switch translation of said rear support structure (110), said plurality of inner and outer scissor lift linkages (114a, 114b) and said supporting bed (116) via said plurality of first and second hydraulic cylinders (115, 130), from a retracted position to an extended translated position while assisting controlled linear manoeuvre and left-right turning of said handling system (100).
[021] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the primary frame member (105) includes but is not limited to a z-shaped member.
[022] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the top end of each said plurality of first hydraulic cylinders (115) is angularly coupled to an upper side of said outwardly extending intermediate surface of said outer scissor lift linkage (114b) and a lower side of said upper support frame member (112b) in a region co-axial to a first axis (CC) at a forward off set (Y) to said longitudinal central axis (AA).
[023] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of second hydraulic cylinders (130) are located within a guideway of said third support frame member (118) equidistant to a second axis (BB), said second axis (BB) is located at a rearward off set (X) to said longitudinal central axis (AA).
[024] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a center of gravity of the handling system (100) is located on said longitudinal central axis (AA).
[025] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least said second hydraulic cylinder (130) coincides with said longitudinal central axis (AA).
[026] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, said removable mounting support fixture (120) is located rearward to said second axis (BB) mounted within said supporting bed (116).
[027] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the supporting bed (116) is three-fourthly located rearward to said longitudinal central axis (AA).
[028] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of variable voltage variable frequency (VVVF) enabled geared motor (135) is located forward to said blow pipe support structure (110) and is coupled to a plurality of front drive wheels (160) and said plurality of rear wheels (108b) via a chain and sprocket arrangement. According to the exemplary embodiment, not limited but thereto two numbers of VVVFD controlled and electrically operated geared motor wheel drives mounted on front wheel shafts. Both the rare wheels are connected with front drive wheels by chain and sprocket mechanism to reduce the turning radius while turning in the present invention.
[029] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control housing (190) having electrical panel (180), and said hydraulic tank (170), are mounted on said primary frame member (105) at said front end of handling system (100) and said instrument control panel (150), and said hydraulic power pack pump-motor set (140) for powering said plurality of first hydraulic cylinders (115) and said plurality of second hydraulic cylinders (130) are mounted on said control housing (190).
[030] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of fasteners couple and interconnect support members, mounting members of said handling system (100).
[031] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic power pack includes but not limited to one number of oil tank of 75 litre volumetric capacity, one number of 5 kW power capacity pump-motor set, suction filter, manifold block with DC valve, return filter & indicator, pressure gauge, gauge isolator, level gauge, etc.
[032] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electrical panel includes but not limited to two numbers of VVVF drives for travel drive, MCBs, I/O cards, contactors, control transformer, ammeter, voltmeter, louvers, cooling fan, and indication lamp.
[033] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the instrument panel includes but not limited to emergency switch, push button switches for forward, reverse, turning motion of handling system and push button switches for lifting, lowering, slewing of fixture.
[034] There have been described and illustrated herein several embodiments of exemplary indicative implementation of a handling system (100) for handling a blow pipe in a blast furnace. It will be also apparent to a skilled person that the embodiments described above are specific examples of a single broader invention, which may have greater scope than any of the singular descriptions taught. There may be many alterations made in the description without departing from the scope of the invention. The present invention is simple in construction and design, integrated, cost effective and easy to manufacture and assembly. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited said configuration disclosed thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewisenot restrictive to the terminology described herein above. Any discussion of embodiments included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. A handling system (100) for a blow pipe, said handling system (100) comprising:
a primary frame member (105) having a plurality of front wheels (108a) and a plurality of rear wheels (108b) coupled at a front end and a rear end of said handling system (100);
a rear support structure (110) having:
a secondary lower support frame member (112a) mounted on said primary frame member (105) and a secondary upper support frame member (112b) mounted on said lower support frame member (112a) at said rear end of the handling system (100), forward to said plurality of rear wheels (108b);
a plurality of inner and outer scissor lift linkages (114a, 114b), each having a first end, a second end and an outwardly extending intermediate surface, pivotably coupled at a proximal end and a distal end of said lower and upper support frame member (112a, 112b); and
a plurality of first hydraulic cylinders (115) configured to translate said plurality of inner and outer scissor lift linkages (114a, 114b) and said lower and upper support frame member (112a, 112b), about a longitudinal central axis (AA) of said plurality of inner and outer scissor lift linkages (114a, 114b), in an upward and a downward translational degree of freedom;
a supporting bed (116) mounted on a third support frame member (118) coupled to said upper support frame member (112b), said supporting bed (116) having:
a removable mounting support fixture (120) for supporting and fixing the blow pipe;
a plurality of second hydraulic cylinders (130) configured to couple and initiate a controlled swivel motion to said supporting bed (116);
a slew ring bearing (125) for translating said supporting bed (116) in at least a 360 degree of freedom, when the plurality of second hydraulic cylinders (130) coupled to said supporting bed (116) are disengaged; and
a control housing (190) in communication with a plurality of variable voltage variable frequency (VVVF) enabled geared motor (135) wheel drives configured to switch translation of said rear support structure (110), said plurality of inner and outer scissor lift linkages (114a, 114b) and said supporting bed (116) via said plurality of first and second hydraulic cylinders (115, 130), from a retracted position to an extended translated position while assisting controlled linear manoeuvre and left-right turning of said handling system (100).

2. The handling system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein removable mounting support fixture (120) translates in at least a ± 30 degree of freedom, when said plurality of second hydraulic cylinders (130) are disengaged.

3. The handling system (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said top end of each said plurality of first hydraulic cylinders (115) is angularly coupled to an upper side of said outwardly extending intermediate surface of said outer scissor lift linkage (114b) and a lower side of said upper support frame member (112b) in a region co-axial to a first axis (CC) at a forward off set (Y) to said longitudinal central axis (AA).

4. The handling system (100) as claimed in any one of preceding claims 1-3, wherein the primary frame member (105) is a z-shaped member.

5. The handling system (100) as claimed in any one of preceding claims 1-4, wherein a center of gravity of the handling system (100) is located on said longitudinal central axis (AA).

6. The handling system (100) as claimed in any one of preceding claims 1-5, wherein each said plurality of first hydraulic cylinders (115) have a bottom end coupled to said inner scissor lift linkage (114a) and said lower support frame member (112a) and a top end coupled to said outwardly extending intermediate surface of said outer scissor lift linkage (114b) and said upper support frame member (112b).

7. The handling system (100) as claimed in any one of preceding claims 1-6, wherein said plurality of second hydraulic cylinders (130) are located within a guideway of said third support frame member (118) equidistant to a second axis (BB), said second axis (BB) is located at a rearward off set (X) to said longitudinal central axis (AA) and at least said second hydraulic cylinder (130) coincides with said longitudinal central axis (AA).

8. The handling system (100) as claimed in any one of preceding claims 1-8, wherein said removable mounting support fixture (120) is located rearward to said second axis (BB) mounted within said supporting bed (116) and said supporting bed (116) is three-fourthly located rearward to said longitudinal central axis (AA).

9. The handling system (100) as claimed in any one of preceding claims 1-8, wherein said plurality of variable voltage variable frequency (VVVF) enabled geared motor (135) is located forward to said support structure (110) and is coupled to a plurality of front drive wheels (160) and said plurality of rear wheels (108b) via a chain and sprocket arrangement.

10. The handling system (100) as claimed in any one of preceding claims 1-9, wherein said control housing (190) has an electrical panel (180), and a hydraulic tank (170), mounted on said primary frame member (105) at said front end of handling system (100) and an instrument control panel (150), and a hydraulic power pack pump-motor set (140) for powering said plurality of first hydraulic cylinders (115) and said plurality of second hydraulic cylinders (130) are mounted on said control housing (190).

Dated this day of February 2023

FOR STEEL AUTHORITY OF INDIA LIMITED
By their Agent

(GIRISH VIJAYANAND SHETH) (IN/PA-1022)
KRISHNA & SAURASTRI ASSOCIATES LLP