Processing Systems And Methods For Steel-Making Co-Products
AssigneePhoenix Services LLC
InventorBryan Osborne
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for handling slag in a slag pit includes an equilibrium or balance crane equipped with a quick connect coupling. A drop-ball fixture and drop-ball reduces the size of the slag, as needed, then the boom assembly of the crane releases the drop-ball fixture and engages an excavating tool, such as a clamshell bucket, a bucket, or a grapple. An elevated control station provides an operator with improved line-of-sight visibility.
Claims19
A system for handling and processing slag and/or/or scrap from steel-making, comprising:
- a cableless crane assembly;
- end tools including a drop-ball tool and at least one tool that is adapted for digging slag from the slag pit and/or grasping the scrap;
- and
- a quick-connect device adapted for selectively interchanging the end tools with the crane assembly;
- whereby the crane assembly and quick connect device are adapted for reducing capital equipment, enhancing environmental advantages, and improving operator safety compared with prior art systems for system for handling and processing slag and/or scrap from steel-making.
A system for handling and processing steel slag and/or steel scrap comprising:
- a support base;
- an equilibrium-type crane assembly supported by the support base, the crane assembly including:
- a boom that is supported by and pivotable on a main support pivot, the boom including a first pivot at a proximal end thereof and a second pivot at a distal end thereof;
- an upper linkage arm including a third pivot at a proximal end thereof and a fourth pivot at a distal end thereof;
- a stick that is connected to the upper linkage arm at the fourth pivot at a proximal end of the stick and is connected to the distal end of the boom at the second pivot;
- a proximal linkage arm that is connected to the boom at the first pivot and that is connected to the upper linkage arm at the third pivot;
- the stick, the upper linkage arm, the proximal linkage arm, and a portion of the boom forming a four-bar linkage;
- and
- an actuator system adapted for manipulating the four bar linkage in response to control signals.
- a quick-connect adapter located at a distal end of the crane assembly, and
- end-tools including at least a drop-ball tool and an other end tool that is adapted for at least one of digging slag from a slag pit and grasping scrap;
A method of handling co-products of steel-making, including slag and/or scrap, comprising the steps of:
- a. positioning a cableless crane assembly proximate a slag pit;
- b. actuating an end-tool and thereby digging slag from the slag pit;
- c. after the steps of actuating the end-tool and the step (b) of digging the slag, depositing the slag at a desired location;
- d. lifting a drop-ball coupled by the crane assembly and positioning the drop-ball over scrap;
- e. after the step (d) of lifting the drop-ball, releasing the drop-ball from the crane assembly from a drop position such that the drop-ball falls onto the scrap to produce a reduced-size portion of the scrap;
- and
- f. after the step (e) of releasing the drop-ball, moving the crane assembly to re-engage the drop-ball with the crane assembly and lifting the drop-ball.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.