JPS6134609B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for changing a measuring and/or sampling probe for steel hot water.

The aforementioned measuring sonde is used to intermittently detect the temperature of the steel hot water, and the sampling sonde is used to detect the composition of the steel hot water. By combining both sondes, it is possible to measure the temperature of the steel bath and collect samples at the same time. Each sonde has a cardboard sleeve that can be fitted over a holding tube with electrical contacts at the lower end. The measuring head at the end of the cardboard sleeve has corresponding contacts on the inside of the cardboard sleeve.

It is attached to the lower end of a support pipe with a length of 20 m or more. In its upper section, the support tube is nailed onto a vertically movable carriage or carriage. The carriage or carriage can usually be moved up and down along a vertical guide by means of a winch. In this way, the measuring and sampling probe can be immersed from above, for example into a converter. In this case, it is therefore no longer necessary to tilt the converter, which results in significant time savings and an extended service life of the refractory lining compared to conventional methods.

When the sonde is withdrawn from the steel bath, at a replacement position above the steel bath, the used sonde is first withdrawn from the holding tube and usually dropped into the steel bath or container. However, when taking a sample, the test head of the probe together with the sample contained therein is previously separated and fed to the test stand with a suitable conveyor. To separate the test head, a separating disk is used which can be pivoted from the side into the support tube and thus into the path of movement of the probe.

New sondes are received from the preparation magazine.
Such a preparation magazine has a transport member for transporting each sonde towards the end side of the magazine. When replacing the sonde, after removing the used sonde from the holding tube, the holding tube is lifted until the lower end of the holding tube is positioned above the magazine.
The magazine is then moved into the movement path of the support tube, the support tube is lowered, and the holding tube is driven into the probe sleeve until it abuts on a predetermined stop. In this case, the electrical contacts are closed in the probe sleeve. After this, the support tube is moved upwards again until the holding tube together with the probe is located above the magazine. The magazine is again moved out of the movement path of the support tube.

In another type of magazine configuration, the probes are stocked horizontally. From this magazine, the sonde first reaches a tilting device by which it is moved into a vertical position. In this state, the sonde is coupled to the holding tube in substantially the manner described above.

Furthermore, it is known in connection with the above-mentioned methods and devices to program the individual method steps in advance so that the entire exchange process takes place under follow-up control.

A disadvantage of the known method and device is the large number of mechanical devices required for the exchange process, which must be movable or pivotable and whose movement courses must be coordinated with each other and partially locked. It is a must. The control and regulating devices used for this purpose are therefore complex, require monitoring and are expensive. Furthermore, this device is extremely prone to failure.

Another disadvantage of the known method and device arises when, after lifting the support tube into the exchange position, one attempts to withdraw the used probe or insert a new probe received from the magazine into the holding tube. Particularly when inserting a sonde, it is difficult to accurately position the holding tube and the new sonde. In other words, since the length of the support tube is large and its fixation takes place mainly in the upper end section, the free lower end of the support tube is rarely located precisely axially with respect to the prepared sonde. . Since the length of the support tube is long and the temperature fluctuates relatively slightly, this support tube,
In particular, it is sufficient to bend thin holding tubes relative to this support tube. Furthermore, the support tube, and thus also the holding tube, are subject to vibrations caused by adjacent machinery and equipment, for example a moving crane. It is therefore very difficult to fit a new probe onto the holding tube.

In order to at least partially avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages when connecting a new probe with a holding tube, conventionally a hopper-like introduction opening with centering function is provided on the upper side of the preparation magazine or the exchange device assigned thereto. It was getting worse. However, when introducing the holding tube into such a hopper, significant lateral loads are placed on the holding tube. This load has an adverse effect on the holding tube, the more the holding tube is designed to be relatively narrow relative to the support tube. Due to the respective deviations in the position of the holding tube with respect to the position of the prepared probe, the holding tube is exposed to large bending forces. This bending force damages the electrical contacts located at the end of the holding tube, making the measuring process no longer possible.
Furthermore, in connection with the bending of the holding tube, it is difficult to fit the probe sleeve on without additional measures. Replacement of the holding tube is unavoidable. Therefore, the treatment process of steel hot water must be extended in time.
Economic production declines.

Furthermore, when removing a used probe from the holding tube, the probe gripping mechanism also creates lateral loads on the probe and thus on the holding tube, which is considerably thinner than the support tube. The sonde gripping mechanism is normally aligned in the path of movement of the support tube, so that if the holding tube is deflected from the ideal line of this path due to length, temperature or vibration, the sonde gripping mechanism will be deviated from the center. the measuring sensor, and a corresponding lateral force is generated on the holding tube. Furthermore, the accumulating slag and spatter can also cause the sonde gripping mechanism to engage the sonde off-center, which in turn causes lateral loads on the holding tube.

It is therefore an object of the invention to make it possible to exchange a used sonde with a new one in an exchange position without putting too much stress on the sensitive holding tube.
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for exchanging a steel measuring and/or sampling sonde in which the structure and operation of the mechanical equipment necessary for exchanging the sonde is significantly simplified.

This problem is addressed in the first claim regarding the method.
The problem was solved by the features described in section.

An important aspect of the invention is that in the exchange position the support tube,
In turn, it is necessary to accept the position of the holding tube or the measurement and/or sampling probe fitted over it as given, and to keep the relatively heavy and difficult-to-manipulate parts of the device in this position. .
In the present invention, a detection mechanism operating in the horizontal plane is brought close to the holding tube or the probe from a predetermined zero position, thereby detecting its position coordinates in the horizontal plane. These position coordinates are used to control the probe gripping mechanism, which is brought together with the probe or without the probe in each case in the axial extension of the holding tube. An important advantage of this method is that the sonde, which is significantly lighter and easier to handle than the support tube, can be adapted to the respective position of the holding tube, which replaces the conventional holding tube placed at the lower end of the heavy support tube. , instead of being forced into a hopper-like opening of a changing device that is at least indirectly assigned to the preparation magazine. The holding tube is therefore not subjected to any lateral loads. The detection mechanism allows a very good adjustment of the probe gripping mechanism to the holding tube. As a result, in the exchange position, the used sonde is first accurately held by the gripping mechanism and pulled out from the holding tube, and then, when the new sonde is fitted over the holding tube, the sonde gripping mechanism holds the new sonde. Together they are brought under the holding tube exactly as well. The probe sleeve can therefore be fitted onto the holding tube without any lateral loads.

The method of the invention can be carried out by first detecting the position coordinates of the probe or holding tube with a detection mechanism and, based on this ascertained value, bringing the probe gripping mechanism into axial extension. However, on the other hand, if the detection mechanism is functionally coupled to the sonde gripping mechanism, the stop pulse emitted at the time of detecting the position coordinates is guided along with the sonde gripping mechanism brought into the operating position. It is also possible to stop the movement.

Furthermore, in this case, in addition to the advantage that the probe gripping mechanism can be adapted perfectly to the holding tube, the probe gripping mechanism is also spatially adjustable due to its spatial adjustment. It has the advantage of being controlled so that it can be brought close to the equipment. This means not only that the mechanical equipment required for changing the sonde becomes substantially stationary, but also that additional moving or pivoting devices as well as relative control pulses and locking devices are no longer required.
The device of the invention therefore requires the use of mechanical devices that are simple in construction and simple to operate. Furthermore, the adjustment and control engineering costs required for carrying out program-controlled sonde exchanges are significantly reduced.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the lower end section of the support tube is fixed in place in the exchange position. In order to adapt the probe gripping mechanism to the position of the holding tube, the prerequisite is therefore that the lower end of the support tube can also be secured. As a result, the support tube is fixed at both the upper and lower ends, and the holding tube is not exposed to lateral deflection. There is therefore no need for further adjustments to suitably follow-up the sensor gripping mechanism on the basis of the vibrations of the holding tube. Furthermore, any slugs or spatter adhering to the ends of the support tube will no longer have a detrimental effect on the fixation of the support tube.

The object of the invention is achieved with respect to the device by the features of claim 3.

With the support tube lifted to the replacement position, the overhanging member with the detectors is moved from a predetermined zero position by a linear motion, a pivoting motion, or a combination of linear and pivoting motions until one of the detectors is carbonized. The probe is moved until it touches the probe sleeve. When the detector comes into contact with the carbonized sonde, a pulse is sent to the control device of the outrigger, which stops the movement of the detector. The movement of the other detector is continued until it hits the sonde sleeve, thereby detecting the second position coordinate of the sonde sleeve. When this position coordinate is detected, this movement is also stopped. The tong-like open sonde gripping mechanism is now located exactly on the axial extension of the support tube. Due to the closing of the probe gripping mechanism, the probe gripping mechanism concentrically grips the probe sleeve, so that lateral loads are exerted on the retaining tube, possibly damaging the retaining tube and the contacts located inside. will disappear.

The support tube is then subsequently moved upwards, during which the holding tube is pulled out of the probe sleeve.
Depending on whether the sonde is a measuring sonde, a sampling sonde, or a combination of both, the used sonde is placed in a steel bath or a container based on a predetermined program control of the outrigger. The separated sonde end is either dropped into the test stand or fed to a separating device provided in place, where the separated sonde end is fed to a test stand together with the sample contained therein.

The flange member then receives a new sonde with the gripper from the preparation magazine, which is also provided in place, and brings this sonde to the previously programmed zero position. In this zero position, the lower end of the holding tube is located within the height range of the detector. With a suitable linear or pivoting movement of the extension, the position coordinates of the holding tube are detected via a detector, and the functional association of the detector and the probe gripping mechanism ensures that the new probe is aligned with the axis of the holding tube. It is automatically brought to an extension of the direction. The support tube is then lowered and the new sonde is connected to the holding tube without difficulty. After the electrical contacts between the holding tube and the sonde have been established, the gripping tongs are released from the sonde. The sonde is then prepared for the next working process.

For an outrigger member that is movable linearly in the horizontal plane, pivotable and movable vertically,
The movement course of the flange can be programmed in advance without any particular difficulty with respect to the detection element and the probe gripping mechanism arranged at the end of the flange. This makes the flange the only part of the device that moves during the sonde exchange process. In this case, the preparation magazine is placed in place and does not have to be moved from an inactive position into the movement path of the holding tube and then again out of it, as is known. The construction of the preparation magazine is therefore considerably simplified. Furthermore, in this case the sample separation device can also be placed in a fixed position. This is because the outrigger member can easily be programmed to transport the used sampling sonde to the separation device.

The configuration of the invention therefore includes the removal of the sonde from the preparation magazine, the detection of the exact position coordinates of the holding tube or the sonde, the alignment of the position of the sonde with respect to the position of the holding tube, the transfer of the sonde to the holding tube, the measurement and/or Or, all work processes associated with measurement and/or sample collection sonde exchange, such as receiving the sonde from the holding tube after sample collection, transporting the sonde to the sample separation point and/or sonde drop point, etc., can be controlled by a single program. This allows the extended overhang member to be used as an operating member. This not only shortens the time required to change the sonde, but also makes it possible to use a structurally simple mechanical device for changing the sonde. Furthermore, the coupling or decoupling of the probe and the holding tube can be carried out in a highly advantageous manner without damaging the unstable holding tube.

In one advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the detectors are arranged at right angles to each other, one of the detectors extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flange. In this embodiment, the zero position of the detector is programmed on the one hand at the diameter of the probe sleeve and on the other hand at the outer diameter of the used probe.
By pivoting the flange, a detector parallel to the longitudinal axis is first brought close to the holding tube or the probe and, when it comes into contact with it, emits a pulse that stops the pivoting movement. A linear movement of the flange is then carried out until the second detector abuts the holding tube or probe. This abutment generates a pulse that stops the linear motion. As a result, the position coordinates of the holding tube or the probe are detected. In this case, since the sound gripping mechanism is functionally connected to the detector, the position of the sound gripping mechanism is also fixed.

Of course, it is also possible to detect the position coordinates of the holding tube or the probe sleeve using detectors that do not extend at right angles to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flange. Furthermore, the approach of the extension member or the detector can also be carried out in a manner other than first pivoting and then linear movement. For example, it is possible to first make a linear movement and then make a pivoting motion, or to make a combination of a pivoting motion and a linear motion.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the detector is pivotable by means of a pneumatically loaded pusher piston unit. This push piston pivots the detector into or out of a previously programmed zero position so that the detector does not engage in the path of movement of the support tube during its up-and-down movement. Of course, it is also possible, on the other hand, to swivel the detector by means of a hydraulically loaded push piston unit or to move it by means of an electric swivel device.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to carry out the vertical displacement and linear movement of the flap as well as the actuation of the gripping tongs by pneumatically loaded push pistons. The pivoting of the outrigger can be effected by means of a transmission connected to the electric motor shaft. However, it is also possible to use pneumatic or hydraulic swivel devices.

Furthermore, according to a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, it is provided that the lower end section of the support tube is fixed in position in the exchange position by means of a tightening device provided on the upper side of the flange. The tightening device can likewise be constructed as a pneumatically loaded gripping tong. This clamping device secures the lower end of the support tube, so that the support tube is clamped at both ends, and the reliable detection of the position coordinates of the holding tube or probe is not influenced by vibrations of the support tube.

The invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 designates a converter located under a discharge hood 2. Reference numeral 3 indicates an opening in the exhaust hood which is offset laterally from the central axis 4 of the converter. This opening can also be closed by a lid, which is not shown.

Along the central axis 5 of the opening of the exhaust hood, an inner water-cooled support tube 6 is movable in the vertical direction. The support tube is fixed in its upper section by means of a winch (not shown) to a carriage 7 which can be moved along a vertical guide 8. At the lower end of the support tube, a holding tube 9 is arranged in its axial extension. This holding tube 9 holds an electrical contact (not shown) at its end.

On the lower side of the holding tube 9, an extension of the vertical axis of the holding tube,
There is a measuring probe 10 which serves to detect the temperature of the steel hot water located in the converter 1 . The measuring probe has a cardboard sleeve 11 which is fitted over the holding tube with a slight play. Corresponding contacts, not shown, are arranged in the inner end section of the probe sleeve. This corresponding contact is connected to an electrical contact provided at the end of the holding tube when the probe is fitted onto the holding tube.

In the state shown in FIG.
0 is retained. . The pivoting of the gripping tongs 12 is effected by means of a pneumatically loaded push piston unit located inside the flange, which is not shown. The beam-shaped outrigger is mounted in a guide casing 15 via rollers 16 so as to be movable longitudinally in a horizontal plane. This longitudinal movement is effected by a pneumatically loaded push piston unit 17 located at the end of the guide casing. The guide casing is the workbench 19 of the converter equipment.
It is supported by a bracket 18 on top of the bracket. The guide casing can be moved vertically relative to the bracket 18 and can also be pivoted through 360 DEG about a vertical axis 20. The vertical movement is effected by a pneumatically loadable push piston unit, which is not shown. For the purpose of swiveling, an electric swiveling unit (also not shown) is used.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, above the gripping tongs 12 at the free end of the overhanging member 13, rod-shaped or strip-shaped detectors 21 and 22 are arranged along the vertical axis 2.
It is arranged so that it can rotate around 3. This pivoting is effected by a pneumatically loaded push piston unit 24. This push piston unit 2
4 is a holder 2 which is pivotally connected to the detector by a piston rod 25 and fixed to the side of the overhanging member by a cylinder 26;
It is pivoted to 7. In this embodiment the detectors are arranged at right angles to each other. In this case, the detector 21 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis 28 of the outrigger.

The supply lines for air as working medium as well as the electrical connection lines of the detectors 21, 22 are omitted in the drawing.

FIG. 2 shows the detectors 21, 22 in an operating state in which the overhanging member 13 is in the zero position and the longitudinal axis of the holding tube 9 does not coincide with the longitudinal axis of the sonde 10 held by the gripping tongs 12. ing. The inner edge of the detector extends tangentially to the circumference of the aperture 29 of the sonde. With respect to the course of its movement, the outrigger first moves from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the axis 20.
It is pre-programmed to pivot around . When the detector 21 comes into contact with the holding tube 9, a pulse is thereby emitted which stops the pivoting of the flange. Subsequently, under program control, the overhanging member moves the detector 21 to the holding tube 9.
The detector 22 is also moved linearly until it comes into contact with the holding tube 9 while being kept in constant contact with the holding tube 9. In this case as well, a pulse is generated to stop the linear movement of the extension member.

The extension member 13 is brought to a position where the axis of the measuring probe 10 and the axis of the holding tube 9 coincide in the axial direction. This position is shown in FIG. At this position, the support tube 6 is lowered. However, before that it is necessary to swivel the detectors 21 and 22 out of the zero position of FIGS. 2 and 3. For this purpose, the push piston unit 24 is loaded accordingly. At the end of the pivoting movement, the detector assumes a position outside the path of movement of the support tube 6, as shown in FIG. The support tube 6 can now be lowered without difficulty. In this case, the holding tube 9 is pushed into the interior of the measuring probe 10, which is held by the gripping tongs 12, until it comes into contact with a stop. This closes the electrical contacts.
The gripping tongs are then opened and the outriggers are returned to their inactive position.

As can be further seen in FIG.
is provided. This clamping device 30 can be constructed in the same way as the gripping tongs 12 of the measuring probe 10. Advantageously, this tightening device 30 is arranged on the workbench 19 or on the vertical guide 8.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the device for changing the measuring and/or sampling sonde on the upper side of the converter; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the changing device shown in FIG. 3 shows the exchange device shown in FIG. 2 after the position of the outrigger has been adjusted; FIG. 4 shows the exchange device shown in FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the exchange device shown in FIGS. and 3; FIG. 1... Converter, 2... Discharge hood, 3... Opening, 4... Center axis, 5... Center axis, 6... Support pipe, 7... Cart,
8...Vertical guide, 9...Holding tube, 10...Measuring sonde,
11... Cardboard sleeve, 12... Grasping tongs, 13...
Overhang member, 14... Vertical axis, 15... Guide casing, 16... Roller, 17... Push piston unit, 18... Bracket, 19... Workbench, 20... Axis, 21, 22... Detector, 23... Vertical axis, 24
...Push piston unit, 25...Viston rod, 2
6...Cylinder, 27...Holding body, 28...Vertical axis line, 2
9...hole, 30...tightening device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A method for replacing a measuring and/or sampling sonde for steel hot water, which can be fitted over a holding tube disposed at the lower end of a vertically movable support tube, the method comprising: After the sonde immersed in the hot water is lifted to the replacement position above the steel hot water, the used sonde is pulled out from the holding tube, and a new sonde is then received from the preparation magazine and placed on top of the holding tube. In the case of the type that is fitted over until reaching the working position, at the replacement position of the measuring and/or sampling sonde, the horizontal position coordinates of the sonde 10 or holding tube 9 are guided in a horizontal plane from a predetermined zero position. The sensor gripping mechanism 12 is controlled to follow in relation to the detected position coordinates to bring it onto the axial extension line of the support tube 6, and then the holding tube 9 and the sensor 10 are A method for exchanging measuring and/or sampling probes for steel hot water, characterized by coupling or uncoupling between them. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of the support tube 6 is fixed in position at the replacement position. 3. In a device for replacing a measuring and/or sampling sonde for steel hot water, which can be fitted over a holding tube placed at the lower end of a vertically movable support tube, At the end of the movable and pivotable extension member 13, which is movable in the vertical direction, there are provided two parts, which can be pivoted independently of each other about a vertical axis 23 and whose position can be adjusted by program control. The detectors 21 and 22 are
A device for replacing a probe for measuring and/or sampling a steel hot water, characterized in that it is arranged above a tong-shaped probe gripping mechanism 12 forming a component of an overhanging member 13. 4. The detectors 21 and 22 are arranged at right angles to each other,
One detector 21 is connected to the longitudinal axis 28 of the overhang member 13.
Claim 3 extending parallel to
Apparatus described in section. 5 the detectors 21, 22 are pivotable by means of a pneumatically loadable push piston unit 24;
An apparatus according to claim 3. 6. Device according to claim 3, in which the detectors 21, 22 are pivotable by means of a hydraulically loadable push piston unit or movable by means of an electric pivoting device. 7. Device according to claim 3, in which the lower end section of the support tube 6 is fixed in position in the exchange position by a tightening device 30 provided on the upper side of the flange 13.