Spreading device for bulk material on a circular surface and method for operating the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9393616-B2
Application number	US-201314648407-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 11, 2013
Priority date	Nov 29, 2012
Publication date	Jul 19, 2016
Grant date	Jul 19, 2016

Abstract

A spreading device ( 10 ) for the spreading of bulk material on a circular surface comprises a distribution plate ( 12 ) mounted about a central shaft ( 14 ); at least one radially extending slit ( 16 ) arranged in the distribution plate ( 12 ); and a scraper device ( 24 ) for spreading the bulk material over the length of the slit ( 16 ). The bulk material is preferably granular or powdered covering material to be deposited as an insulation layer on the top layer of a casting mold containing molten steel or metal. According to the present invention, a rectangular distribution trough ( 22 ) mounted on the distribution plate ( 12 ), the slit ( 16 ) being arranged within the distribution trough ( 22 ). Furthermore, a feed pipe ( 30 ) is arranged so as to feed bulk material into the distribution trough ( 22 ) onto an area corresponding to the rotational center ( 18 ) of the distribution plate. The slit ( 16 ) extends from the rotational center ( 18 ) of the distribution plate ( 12 ) to the edge ( 20 ) thereof. Finally, the scraper device ( 24 ) comprises at least one linearly displaceable scraper ( 28 ) arranged within the distribution trough ( 22 ) so as to feed the bulk material through the distribution trough ( 22 ) radially outwards from the rotational center ( 18 ) of the distribution plate ( 12 ). The invention also relates to a method for applying a homogeneous layer of material onto a circular surface by using such a spreading device ( 10 ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A spreading device for spreading of a bulk material on a circular surface, said spreading device comprising:
a distribution plate rotatably mounted about a central shaft;
at least one radially extending slit arranged in said distribution plate;
a scraper device for spreading said bulk material over a length of said slit;
a rectangular distribution trough mounted on said distribution plate, said slit being arranged within said distribution trough;
a feed pipe arranged so as to feed bulk material into said distribution trough onto an area corresponding to a rotational center of said distribution plate;
wherein said slit extends from the rotational center of said distribution plate to the edge thereof; and
wherein said scraper device comprises at least one linearly displaceable scraper arranged within said distribution trough so as to feed said bulk material through said distribution trough radially outwards from said area corresponding to the rotational center of said distribution plate.

2. The spreading device according to claim 1 , wherein said scraper device comprises a linear conveyor with a plurality of scrapers mounted thereon.

3. The spreading device according to claim 2 , wherein said linear conveyor comprises
a lower portion wherein said scrapers move in a direction towards a distal wall of said distribution trough, said distal wall being arranged proximal an edge of said distribution plate;
an upper portion wherein said scrapers move in a direction away from said distal wall;
a deflector plate arranged between said lower portion and said upper portion in an area underneath said feed pipe, said deflector plate being arranged so as to receive bulk material thereon and such that bulk material received on said deflector plate is entrained by said scrapers in said upper portion in a direction away from said distal wall;
wherein said deflector plate comprises a front edge allowing bulk material to be transferred from said deflector plate onto said distribution plate, wherein said scrapers in said lower portion are arranged such that bulk material received on said distribution plate is entrained by said scrapers in said lower portion in a direction towards said distal wall.

4. The spreading device according to claim 1 , wherein said slit widens towards the edge of said distribution plate.

5. The spreading device according to claim 4 , wherein said slit has parabolic shape.

6. The spreading device according to claim 4 , wherein said slit is Y-shaped.

7. The spreading device according to claim 1 , wherein a first motor is provided for imparting a rotational movement to said distribution plate.

8. The spreading device according to claim 7 , wherein said first motor is arranged for rotating said central shaft and said distribution plate with respect to said spreading device.

9. The spreading device according to claim 7 , wherein said first motor is arranged between said central shaft and said distribution plate for rotating said distribution plate with respect to said central shaft.

10. The spreading device according to claim 7 , wherein a second motor is provided for imparting a linear movement to said at least one scraper of said scraper device.

11. The spreading device according to claim 7 , wherein a gearbox is provided for imparting a linear movement to said at least one scraper of said scraper device based on said rotational movement of said distribution plate.

12. The spreading device according to claim 1 , wherein said feed pipe is arranged within said central shaft.

13. The spreading device according to claim 1 , wherein a heat shield is arranged underneath said distribution plate.

14. A method for spreading a bulk material on a circular surface, said method comprising:
providing a spreading device as claimed in claim 1 ;
feeding bulk material onto a central area of said distribution plate within said distribution trough,
while simultaneously imparting a rotational movement to said distribution plate and imparting a linear movement to said at least one scraper.

15. The method according to claim 14 , comprising the further step of regulating rotational speed of said distribution plate and linear speed of said at least one scraper.

Assignees

• Wurth Paul Sa

Inventors

• Tockert Paul
• Lonardi Emile
• Devillet Serge
• Schons Stefan

Classifications

• F27D3/0033

  charging of particulate material · CPC title

• C21C7/0006

  Adding metallic additives · CPC title

• B22D11/108

  Feeding additives, powders, or the like · CPC title

• B22D11/111 Primary

  by using protecting powders · CPC title

• C21C7/0075

  Treating in a ladle furnace, e.g. up-/reheating of molten steel within the ladle · CPC title