US 6,382,107 B1 · Rail-mounted transporting device for ultra-heavy loads

Abstract

A rail-mounted transport device for ultra-heavy loads, in particular for changing steel mill converters includes a vehicle which accepts the load independently and is guided on tracks to a delivery station via a turning station where the transport direction is changed, in particular by 90°. The vehicle frame has an annular component for accepting the load, at least three turning wheels provided at the periphery of the annular component, and transport wheels arranged on the vehicle frame, wherein the transport wheels and/or the turning wheels are adjustable in height by means of adjusting elements. The adjusting elements are connected to actuators which can be brought into a position above the vehicle frame in which the transport wheels are raised from the rails during turning. Motors drive the turning wheels to rotate the vehicle frame from the previous transport direction into the desired transport direction.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method for transporting heavy loads, comprising the following steps

a) providing a transport vehicle for transporting the load, said transport vehicle comprising a vehicle frame, transport wheels carried by said frame, and turning wheels carried by said frame,
b) guiding said transport vehicle on a first parallel rail track by means of said transport wheels until said vehicle is centered over a second parallel rail track which intersects said first parallel rail track, and a circular track which is intersected by said first and second parallel rail tracks,
c) bringing said turning wheels into contact with said circular track,
d) raising said transport wheels vertically from said parallel rail track,
e) moving said vehicle on said circular track until said transport wheels are aligned with said second parallel rail track,
f) bringing said transport wheels into contact with said second parallel rail track,
g) raising said turning wheels from said circular track, and
h) guiding said transport vehicle on said second parallel rail track by means of said transport wheels.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Rail-mounted transporting device for ultra-heavy loads

Life of this patent

Rail-mounted transporting device for ultra-heavy loads

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11