Rotation system for press head

Details Rotation system for press head Rotation system for press head

1997-07-14

1999-05-25

Kastler, Scott

Metallurgical apparatus

Means for melting or vaporizing metal or treating liquefied...

Means to melt and separate metal from mass of diverse...

266227, C22B 704

Patent

active

059067900

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to press heads and more particularly to a rotating system for a press head for pressing aluminium dross.


BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In any aluminium furnace system a substantial amount of dross is produced and this dross can contain a large amounts of pure aluminium which is trapped in the dross. This aluminium can be released by mechanical action on the dross.
A system for mechanically pressing dross comprises a press head which is raised and lowered and acts on dross contained in a skim box the aluminium thus released being drained through a hole in the floor of the skim box into a press sow mould.
The press head generally comprises a semispherical shape which has a plurality of ridges thereon to increase pressure on the dross as the head is raised and lowered onto the dross.
It is advantageous to be able to incrementally rotate the head during processing since this will alter the position at which the ridges press on to the dross. Since the ridges exert greater localised pressure on the dross the rotation will incrementally change the positions at which such additional pressure is exerted on the dross.
The environment within the cabinet in which the dross processing is carried out is extremely hazardous. The dross is at a high temperature and emits fumes which are contained within the cabinet or exhausted to an afterburner or fume treatment plant. The machinery within the cabinet therefore gets extremely hot.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,104 discloses rotation of a dross press head using application of hydraulic pressure.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an incremental rotating system for an aluminium dross processing head which is extremely robust and which is economical in operation.
The present invention provides an incremental rotation system for an aluminium dross processing head including mechanical lever means for engaging with the head as the head moves up and down said means causing the head to rotate by a defined amount.
Preferably the mechanical lever means comprises of one lever or two opposed levers each opposed lever having a pivot and an actuating end the actuating end being shaped to engage with the head to cause the head to rotate as the head moves upwardly.
Preferably the levers are attached directly or indirectly to opposite sides of a cabinet within which the dross processing apparatus is contained.
Preferably the head is provided with a plurality of circumferentially arranged bosses which are engaged by the actuating end of each lever to cause the incremental rotation. The length of the levers and the spacing between each boss is selected to cause each lever to engage successively with adjacent bosses to cause continuous incremental rotation of the head.
Preferably the levers are made sufficiently heavy to return to a lowest position by their own weight. Alternatively they can be spring loaded to return to their lowest position.
Preferably the bosses on the head are provided by collars mounted onto studs or bolts, the studs or bolts serving to attach a cast semi-spherical operational portion of the head to a circular support plate.
In a particular embodiment twenty four bosses are provided.
In a preferred embodiment, a first thermal gasket means is inserted between the circular support plate and the cast portion.
A second thermal gasket means may also be provided between the circular support plate and an actuating rod for the press.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows schematically in front elevation a press for aluminium dross;
FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically in front elevation a rotational system for incrementally rotating the dross press head of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 shows diagrammatically the system of FIG. 2 in plan view,
FIG. 4 shows in elevation a preferred design of press head; and
FIG. 5 shows the head of FIG. 4 in botton plan view.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TH

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