FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to a mechanized carriage for tool cylinder
change, and more particularly to a carriage for tool cylinder fitment and removal in
debricking machines in a fully mechanized performance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The refractory vessels used in the iron and steel industry for making, carrying,
holding and pouring of molten metal, such as blast furnaces, metallurgical ladles,
soaking pits, cupolas and the like are exposed to evaluated temperatures over a
long period of time of use. This results in deterioration of the interior refractory
surface. Consequently, the surface must be either periodically replaced or repaired.
The interior surface of a refractory vessel is repaired first by removing as much of
the scale and loose debris from the surface of the vessel before the vessel is relined
so that the material spray will securely adhere to the interior surface.
Conventionally, the refractory relining operation requires equipment separate from
the equipment used to clean the interior walls of the vessel.
Steel Mill Mobile equipment employs debricking machines for cleaning of the
vessels in hot condition prior to debricking through controlled application of the
tool attachments on the refractory vessels. The non-availability of these debricking
machines (such as the ones manufactured by TML Technik cause) primarily due to
down time of hydraulic systems is undesirable delay in steel making process and
adversely affects the production. One of the major reasons for the down time of
hydraulic systems of the debricking machines and hence the non-availability of the
debricking machines (Fig. 6a) can be attributed to manual changing (fitment and
removal) of tool cylinder which has an attachment (ripper attachment) for cleaning
the refractory vessel. The total time for changing the tool cylinder takes about 565
minutes (Fig. 5a) which means that the debricking machine would not be available
at all times during the steel making process.
The tool cylinder needs to be changed for repair since the tool cylinder continuously
operates in a high temperature zone also due to said operational requirement the
tool cylinder develops multiple operational challenges. Moreover, manual fitment

and removal of the tool cylinder may well damage the tool cylinder and more
particularly the tool cylinder eye. Further, since the tool cylinder is in themselves
heavy tonnage parts (upto 500 kgs) which may be hazardous for workers replacing
the tool cylinder manually. In addition to manual replacement of the tool cylinder,
different other solutions have been used, ranging from cranes, forklifts, to jack
trolleys for the purpose of fitting /removing the tool cylinder inside/from an inner
boom of the debricking machine. The drawbacks associated with the conventional
techniques is summarized below:

Any of the above solutions, irrespective of their more or less structural complexity,
presents the fundamental problem that it is impossible to establish a mechanized
system for changing tool cylinders which can ensure safe and proper fitment and
removal of the tool cylinder when the inner boom of the debricking machine is in an
inclined position. Thus, the work process calls for the development of a mechanized
carriage for replacing tool cylinder by overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned and other
drawbacks existing in prior systems related to tool cylinder replacement.
Primary object of the present invention is to propose a carriage for tool cylinder
fitment and removal in debricking machines.
Yet another object of the present invention is to propose a carriage which permits
the tool cylinder replacement in a fully mechanized way.
Still another object of the present invention is to propose a mecahnized carriage
aimed at substantially reducing the tool cylinder replacement time.
Still further object of the present invention is to propose a mechanized carriage
aimed at removing the safety hazards associated with manual handling of heavy
tool cylinder.
Yet another object of the present invention is to propose a mechanized carriage
aimed at consequently reducing the costs.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent
to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a
preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present application discloses a carriage 1 for facilitating fitting and removal
of a tool cylinder 13 inside an inner boom 14 of a debricking machine. In an
aspect, the carriage 1 includes a tool cylinder holding element 11 for receiving an
end of the tool cylinder 13 opposite to an end first entering the inner boom 14.
Further, the carriage 1 includes a tilting handle 6 configured to impart angular
movement to the tool cylinder 13 by tilting of the tool cylinder holding element 11.
Furthermore, the carriage 1 includes a hoist winch 5 configured to guide the tool
cylinder 13 for hoist movement. Moreover, the carriage 1 has a cross-sliding

handle 8 configured to cross-slide the carriage 1, thereby imparting lateral
movement to the tool cylinder 13. Further, the carriage 10 includes a hook block
12 configured to lift the inner boom 14.
The above and additional advantages of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages,
of the present invention can be fully appreciated by reference to the following
detailed description. These features of the present invention will become more
apparent upon reference to the drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1: Illustrates a mecahnized carriage for facilitating tool cylinder fitment and
removal in debricking machines according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 2a: Illustrates a mecahnized carriage holding a tool cylinder according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2b: Illustrates a mecahnized carriage holding a tool cylinder in a lifted
position according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3: Illustrates multiple capabilities of the mechanized carriage for handling
tool cylinder replacement.
Fig. 4a: Illustrates manual changing of the tool cylinder.
Fig. 4b: Illustrates changing of tool cylinder using the mechanized carriage
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5a: Illustrates process flow diagram for time taken (565 mins) for manual
changing of tool cylinder.

Fig. 5b: Illustrates process flow diagram for time taken (240 mins) for changing of
tool cylinder using the mechanized carriage/special tool according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 6a: Illustrates areas wise down time of a debricking machine evidencing that
hydraulic system downtime contributes around 71% of the total downtime.
Fig. 6b: Illustrates a comparative chart evidencing reduction in hydralulic
cylinder down time (Hrs.) from manual to implementing mechanized carriage for
changing tool cylinder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the
art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely
exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While
the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed
without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without specific details of the well known components
and techniques. Further specific numeric references should not be interpreted as
a literal sequential order. Thus, the specific details set forth are merely
exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be
within the scope of the present invention. The features discussed in an
embodiment may be implemented in another embodiment.
Moreover, occasional references to the conventional techniques for changing of
tool cylinder 13 is made in order to better distinguish the present inventive
disclosure discussed later in greater detail. Few of the details pertaining to said
techniques are well known in the art and therefore, are described herein only in
the detail required to fully disclose the present invention without unnecessarily
obscuring it.

Improving upon and addressing the problems discussed at length above
(background), the present disclosure along with the accompanying figures clearly
makes the proposed mechanized carriage 1 for use in tool cylinder 13 changing
advantageous over the existing relevant techniques as would also become clearer
to the knowledgeable in the art with the particulars of the aforesaid unique
carriage 1 being described below in greater detail. The present invention will be
described in detail below with reference to embodiments as shown in the
drawings.
Turning now to figures, Figs. 1, 2a-2b show a mecahnized carriage 1 for
facilitating tool cylinder 13 fitment and removal in debricking machines. The
different elements of the carriage 1 facilitating safe, cost-effective and time
efficient fitment and removal of the tool cylinder 13 are detailed below:
Carriage 1: Equipped with elements for facilitating fitting and removal of a tool
cylinder 13 inside an inner boom 14 of a debricking machine.
Tool cylinder holding element 11: Receives an end of the tool cylinder 13 which
is opposite to an end first entering the inner boom 14.
Tilting handle 6: Configured to impart angular movement to the tool cylinder 13
by tilting the tool cylinder holding element 11.
Hoist winch 5: Configured to guide the tool cylinder 13 for hoist movement.
Cross-sliding handle 8: Configured to cross-slide the carriage 1, thereby
imparting lateral movement to the tool cylinder 13.
Carriage Guide rollers 2: The carriage guide rollers 2 in an embodiment are 4 in
nos. and its function is to guide carriage assembly during vertical movement.
Carriage hoist winch 10: Facilitates vertical up and down movement of the
carriage 1.

Fillet piece 15: The Fillet piece 15 is provided for smooth angular motion of
cylinder holding device. It is welded with backside of cylinder holding device. Its
purpose is to provide contour surface for smooth operation during angular
movement of cylinder holding device 11.
Hook block 12: Hook block 12 is for loading of hydraulic cylinder on this tool.
Boom hoist 4: Boom hoist 4 is for holding and supporting hook block.
Vertical mast cum carriage guide 3: Vertical mast cum carriage guide 3 is for
holding carriage and for providing vertical path during lifting and lowering
cylinder.
Trolley 16 provided with wheels 7: Facilitates shop floor easy movement
facility.
In particular, Fig. 2a-2b shows positioning of the tool cylinder 13 after
implementing the mechanized carriage 1 for lifting the tool cylinder 13.
Further, Fig. 3 illustrates multiple capabilities of the mechanized carriage 1 for
handling tool cylinder 13 replacement. The specific portions of the novel carriage
1 offers different facilities to perform tool cylinder 13 replacement which are
enumerated as under:
A. Provides self-lifting facility.
B. Provides up & down movement facility.
C. Provides angular movement facility.
D. Provides Cross wise movement facility.
E. Provides shop floor easy movement facility.

Fig. 4a illustrates manual changing of the tool cylinder 13 while Fig. 4b shows
changing of tool cylinder 13 using the mechanized carriage 1 according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5a shows the Illustrates process flow diagram for time taken (565 mins) for
manual changing of tool cylinder 13 while Fig. 5b shows process flow diagram for
time taken (240 mins) for changing of tool cylinder 13 using the mechanized
carriage 1/special tool according to an embodiment of the present invention, thus
clearly cutting down on the time when the present carriage 1 is used for replacing
the tool cylinder 13.
Advantages:
(i) Bringing the total time required to change the tool cylinder 13 to 240 mins
after implementing the carriage 1 (Fig. 5b).
(ii) Reducing the down time of hydraulic systems and hence increasing the
availability of the debricking machines (Fig.6a-6b).
(iii) Removal of the safety hazards associated with manual handling of heavy
tool cylinder 13.
(iv) Implemented the mechanized carriage 1 consequently reduces the costs, an
exemplary analysis of which is produced below:
A. To change tool cylinder 13 required – 5 man power
Before implementation – (244 X 5) man hour = 1220 man hour annually,
After implementation To change Tool cylinder 13 required – 3 man power
After implementation, we need – (60 X 3) man hour = 180 man hour annually,
B. Saving = (Before Implementation – After implementation) man hour
= (1220 – 180) man hour
= 1040 man hour. i.e. 1040/8 = 130 Shift.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to
those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred
embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing
from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

We claim:
1. A carriage (1) for facilitating fitting and removal of a tool cylinder (13) inside
an inner boom (14) of a debricking machine, the carriage (1) comprising:
a tool cylinder holding element (11) for receiving an end of the
tool cylinder (13) opposite to an end first entering the inner boom
(14);
a tilting handle (6) configured to impart angular movement to
the tool cylinder (13) by tilting of the tool cylinder holding element
(11);
a hoist winch (5) configured to guide the tool cylinder (13) for
hoist movement;
a cross-sliding handle (8) configured to cross-slide the carriage
(1), thereby imparting lateral movement to the tool cylinder (13);
a hook block (12) configured to lift the inner boom (14);
2. The carriage (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carriage (1) being
coupled to a trolley (16) provided with wheels (7) for shop floor easy
movement.
3. The carriage (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein rod of the tool cylinder (13)
is cushioned by a nylon pad (9) defined adjacent to the tool cylinder holding
element (11).
4. The carriage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carriage (1) is moved in a
vertical up and down movement using a carriage hoist winch (10).
5. The carriage (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner boom (14) is at
least one of telescopic or rotating type.

6. The carriage (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fillet piece (15);
which is welded with backside of cylinder holding device. Its purpose is to
provide contour surface for smooth operation during angular movement of
cylinder holding device (11).
7. The carriage (1) as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein the nylon pad (9) is a
V shaped block.