WO2024251822A1 - Cleaning machine and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning machine (10) and a method for cleaning at least one blowpipe (11) of a plurality of blowpipes of a converter, for example a Peirce-Smith converter, wherein the blowpipes are arranged in a preferably horizontally aligned row laterally on a container of the converter, wherein a gas, in particular oxygen, can be blown into the melt through the blowpipes below a level of a melt that can be received in the container, wherein the cleaning machine is designed to be movable on a path (15), preferably in the form of a rail guide, running along the row of blowpipes, wherein the cleaning machine comprises a punching system, wherein the punching system comprises a punching device with at least one puncher (19) and a drive device with at least one linear actuator, wherein the puncher and the blowpipe can be brought into alignment with one another, wherein, when the puncher is aligned with the blowpipe, using the drive device, the punching device can be driven to carry out a forward movement of the punching device, in which the puncher can be transferred from a retracted position of the puncher into a forward position of the puncher, and a backward movement of the punching device, in which the puncher can be transferred from the forward position into the retracted position, wherein the puncher can be inserted into the blowpipe through an opening of the blowpipe during the transfer from the retracted position to the forward position in order to clean the blowpipe and can subsequently be guided out of the blowpipe during the transfer from the forward position into the retracted position, wherein the cleaning machine comprises a measuring system (22) for detecting a position of the blowpipe, wherein the puncher and the blowpipe can be brought into alignment with one another based on the detected position of the blowpipe.

Description

cleaning machine and process

The invention relates to a cleaning machine and a method for cleaning at least one blowpipe of a plurality of blowpipes of a converter, for example a Peirce-Smith converter, by means of a cleaning machine, wherein the blowpipes are arranged in a preferably horizontally aligned row on the side of a container of the converter, wherein a gas, in particular oxygen, can be blown into the melt through the blowpipes below a level of a melt that can be received in the container, wherein the cleaning machine is designed to be movable on a path, preferably designed as a rail guide, running along the row of blowpipes, wherein the cleaning machine comprises an impact system, wherein the impact system comprises an impact device with at least one plunger and a drive device with at least one linear actuator, wherein the plunger and the blowpipe can be brought into alignment with one another, wherein, when the plunger is aligned with the blowpipe, the drive device causes the impact device to carry out a forward movement of the impact device, in which the plunger is moved from a retracted position of the plunger in a feed position of the ram is transferable, and a backward movement of the impact device, in which the ram is transferable from the feed position to the retraction position, wherein the ram can be inserted into the blowpipe through an opening in the blowpipe during the transfer from the retraction position to the feed position in order to pierce the blowpipe in order to clean the blowpipe and can subsequently be guided out of the blowpipe during the transfer from the feed position to the retraction position.

When extracting metal, particularly copper, a converter, for example a Peirce-Smith converter, is used for the smelting-metallurgical refinement of a metal-containing intermediate product, particularly copper matte. In the converter, the metal-containing intermediate product is blown into another metal-containing intermediate product, particularly raw copper, in order to remove impurities. In this process, a gas, particularly oxygen, is blown from the metal-containing intermediate product into the melt through blowpipes of the converter, which are also referred to as "tuyeres" and are arranged in a typically horizontally aligned row on the side of a container of the converter, below a level of a melt received in the container. The container is usually designed as a cylindrical drum and can be rotated about a horizontally aligned longitudinal axis of the container. Since the blowpipes are located below the surface, deposits or crusts regularly form in the blowpipes, so that the blowpipes must be cleaned of these deposits or crusts from time to time in order to avoid or eliminate blockages in the blowpipes. The blowpipes are cleaned using a cleaning machine of the type described above. In this case, at least one ram of a ram unit is moved, in particular by moving the cleaning machine on a track, usually designed as a rail guide, running along the row of blowpipes and, if necessary, by rotating the container. direction of a ram system of the cleaning machine and a blowpipe to be cleaned are brought into alignment with one another, wherein, when the ram is aligned with the blowpipe, the ram is driven by means of a drive device of the ram system having at least one linear actuator, such that the blowpipe is pierced by means of the ram in order to clean the blowpipe. The piercing is also referred to as "punching". After cleaning the blowpipe, the cleaning machine can, if necessary, be moved to another blowpipe to be cleaned, so that the other blowpipe can be cleaned. In this way, all of the blowpipes to be cleaned of the plurality of blowpipes can be cleaned one after the other. Such a converter and such a cleaning machine are known, for example, from DE 1 483 157 A.

In a cleaning machine known from the prior art, the horizontal positions of the blowpipes, which are known due to the design or measured using a measuring device designed separately from the cleaning machine and which can be used to bring the ram horizontally into alignment with the blowpipe by moving the cleaning machine on the track, are regularly stored once in a storage device of the cleaning machine before the cleaning machine is put into operation and are used for a subsequent cleaning operation of the cleaning machine, during which the blowpipe is cleaned. Since the converter is exposed to high mechanical and thermal loads, the horizontal positions of the blowpipes change over time and are therefore usually not identical to the horizontal positions of the blowpipes stored in the storage device. For the same reason, the vertical positions of the blowpipes also change over time. In addition, the vertical positions of the blowpipes also change regularly over time as a result of the container rotating, with the change in the vertical positions leading to a vertical offset or vertical offsets of the blowpipes to the ram. By rotating the container, the blowpipe can be brought into vertical alignment with the ram, which in practice is done by a converter operator by eye. Due to the above circumstances, the ram and the blowpipe are often not exactly horizontally or vertically aligned after the ram and the blowpipe have been aligned relative to one another by moving the cleaning machine on the track based on the stored horizontal position of the blowpipe or by rotating the container by the operator by eye when piercing the blowpipe. This leads to increased wear on the blowpipes.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a cleaning machine and a method for cleaning at least one blowpipe of a converter, which enables a less wear-intensive cleaning of the blowpipe.

This object is achieved by a cleaning machine having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 10.

The cleaning machine according to the invention for cleaning at least one blowpipe of a plurality of blowpipes of a converter, for example a Peirce-Smith converter, wherein the blowpipes are arranged in a preferably horizontally aligned row on the side of a container of the converter, wherein a gas, preferably oxygen, can be blown into the melt through the blowpipes below a level of a melt that can be received in the container, is designed to be movable on a path, preferably designed as a rail guide, running along the row of blowpipes, wherein the cleaning machine comprises an impact system, wherein the impact system comprises an impact device with at least one plunger and a drive device with at least one linear actuator, wherein the plunger and the blowpipe can be brought into alignment with one another, wherein, when the plunger is aligned with the blowpipe, the impact device for carrying out a forward movement of the impact device, in which the plunger can be transferred from a retracted position of the plunger to an advancing position of the plunger, and a backward movement of the impact device, in which the plunger can be transferred from the advancing position to the retracted position, wherein the plunger can be inserted into the blowpipe through an opening in the blowpipe during the transfer from the retracted position to the advancing position in order to pierce the blowpipe in order to clean the blowpipe and can subsequently be guided out of the blowpipe during the transfer from the advancing position to the retracted position, wherein the cleaning machine comprises a measuring system for detecting a position of the blowpipe, wherein the plunger and the blowpipe can be brought into alignment with one another on the basis of the detected position of the blowpipe.

Accordingly, the cleaning machine comprises a measuring system for detecting a position or location of the blowpipe, in particular the opening, or positions or locations of the blowpipes, in particular the openings, by means of which the plunger and the blowpipe can be brought into alignment with one another. This means that piercing can always take place with the plunger precisely aligned with the blowpipe based on the detected position of the blowpipe. The cleaning machine therefore enables cleaning of the blowpipe with less wear.

The measuring system can detect the position of the blowpipe or the positions of the blowpipes using a structure, in particular a hole pattern, formed on the converter, in particular the blowpipes. In particular, the measuring system can detect the position of the blowpipe or the positions of the blowpipes using the preferably circular opening of the blowpipe or openings of the blowpipes provided for inserting the plunger. The blowpipes can each have a through hole leading into the container, whereby the through hole can have the respective opening. The through holes can can form a hole pattern. The position can be a horizontal position of the blowpipe and/or a vertical position of the blowpipe. A “horizontal position of the blowpipe” is to be understood as a position or orientation of the blowpipe viewed along a horizontal, in particular viewed along the path. The measuring system can detect or determine the horizontal position of the blowpipe as a position of the cleaning machine on the path at which the plunger and the blowpipe are horizontally aligned. A “vertical position of the blowpipe” is to be understood as a position or orientation of the blowpipe viewed along a vertical. The measuring system can detect a vertical offset of the blowpipe to the plunger. The measuring system can detect or determine the vertical position of the blowpipe as the vertical offset of the blowpipe to the plunger. If the row of blowpipes is aligned horizontally, all of the blowpipes can have substantially the same vertical position or the same vertical offset. When the plunger and the blowpipe are brought into alignment with one another, the plunger and the blowpipe can be positioned relative to one another such that the plunger is positioned centrally to or in front of the opening. The plunger and the blowpipe can be positioned horizontally relative to one another based on the detected horizontal position of the blowpipe. The cleaning machine can be moved to a position of the cleaning machine on the track that corresponds to the detected horizontal position of the blowpipe so that the plunger is positioned horizontally centrally to or in front of the opening. The plunger and the blowpipe can be positioned vertically relative to one another based on the detected vertical position or the detected vertical offset of the blowpipe to the plunger. The container can be rotated around a horizontally aligned longitudinal axis of the container by changing the vertical position of the blowpipe or compensating the vertical offset of the blowpipe to the plunger in such a way that the vertical position of the blowpipe or the blowpipes corresponds to a vertical position of the plunger, so that the plunger is vertically centered to or in front of the opening. Alternatively or additionally, the vertical offset of the blowpipe to the plunger can also be compensated by adjusting the vertical position of the plunger. The impact system can comprise an adjustment device by means of which the impact device or the plunger can be adjusted along the vertical or can be adjusted in height.

The converter can be a Peirce-Smith converter, a Noranda converter or another converter.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the cleaning machine can comprise a, preferably electric, drive motor for moving the cleaning machine on the track. The drive motor can also be a pneumatic motor or hydraulic motor. The cleaning machine can also comprise wheels for moving the cleaning machine on the track.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the measuring system can comprise a first measuring device for determining a distance of the cleaning machine or the first measuring device from the converter or the blowpipe or blowpipes. The measuring device can comprise at least one distance sensor. When the cleaning machine moves on the track, the distance can be determined as a function of a position of the cleaning machine on the track. When the cleaning machine moves on the track, the first measuring device can scan the converter at a height of the row of blowpipes. Since the distance increases when the openings or through holes are scanned, the positions, in particular horizontal positions, of the blowpipes or openings can be detected based on the distance. The positions of the blowpipes can therefore be detected based on peaks in a course of the function. The first measuring device can be designed as a laser measuring device. At least one laser beam emitted by the laser measuring device can then scan the converter at a height of the row of blowpipes. The measuring system can also be designed as an optical measuring system. The optical measuring system can then be designed as a camera device. The measuring system can also include a camera device, for example to detect a reflected laser beam.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the first measuring device can comprise at least one, preferably two, laser sensors. The laser sensor can be a lidar sensor, ToF sensor or a laser scanner. If the first measuring device comprises two laser sensors, the position of the blowpipe can be detected independently of one another using the two laser sensors. The respective two detected positions can be compared with one another. This comparison enables self-diagnosis of the measuring system or the first measuring device. In particular, it can be determined whether one of the laser sensors has moved due to force impulses acting on the cleaning machine when the blowpipes are pierced, which can lead to incorrect alignment of the respective laser sensor, which in turn can result in incorrect alignment of the cleaning machine or the ram when pierced.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the laser sensor can operate according to a time-of-flight principle or a triangulation principle.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the laser sensor can be designed as a point sensor or as a line sensor. Using the point sensor, the distance for a point can be determined for a given position of the cleaning machine on the track. When the cleaning machine is moving, the Point sensor or a point beam of the point sensor scans a horizontally running chord of a circle described by the opening. The point sensor can be arranged on the cleaning machine in such a way that the point sensor or point beam can scan a reference chord of the circle that runs horizontally above or below a center point of the circle without the presence of a vertical offset of the blowpipe to the ram. As a result of a vertical offset of the blowpipe to the ram, the point sensor or point beam can scan the chord rather than the reference chord. A length of the chord can be determined. The length of the chord can be determined based on a width of a peak describing the blowpipe in the course of the function of the distance as a function of the position of the cleaning machine on the track. From the determined length of the chord, a reference length of the reference chord and a diameter of the circle or the opening, a vertical offset of the blowpipe to the ram can be determined as a distance of the chord from the reference chord. The reference length and the diameter can be known. In addition, depending on whether the length is greater or smaller than the reference length, it can be determined whether the blowpipe is offset upwards or downwards or upwards or downwards in relation to the ram. Accordingly, a direction of the vertical offset of the blowpipe to the ram can be determined. If the point sensor is arranged on the cleaning machine in such a way that the point sensor or point beam scans a reference chord running horizontally through the center of the circle without the presence of a vertical offset of the blowpipe to the ram, a size of the vertical offset can be determined, but not a direction of the vertical offset. In this case, a length of the reference chord is equal to the diameter of the circle. The size of the vertical offset can be determined as a distance of the chord from the reference chord using a relation -^/diameter ² - length ^2. Using the line sensor, for a given position of the cleaning machine on the track, the distance over a line, preferably one running vertically, can be determined. When the cleaning machine is moving, the line sensor or a line beam of the point sensor can scan a section of the circle delimited by two chords of the circle. If a length of the line beam is at least as large as a diameter of the circle, the circle or a geometry of the opening can be completely scanned by the line sensor or line beam. By determining a center point of the circle, the position of the blowpipe can be detected. In particular, by determining the center point and a vertical distance of the center point from a horizontal reference line, a vertical offset of the blowpipe to the plunger can be determined. In addition, depending on whether the center point is above or below the reference line, it can be determined whether the blowpipe is offset upwards or downwards in relation to the plunger. Accordingly, a direction of the vertical offset of the blowpipe to the plunger can be determined. Compared to the point sensor, the line sensor enables optimized detection of the position of the blowpipe, in particular the vertical offset of the blowpipe to the plunger.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the laser sensor can be arranged laterally offset to the plunger on the cleaning machine. If the first laser device comprises two laser sensors, a first laser sensor can be arranged laterally offset to the plunger with respect to a first side of the plunger and a second laser sensor can be arranged laterally offset to the plunger with respect to a second side of the plunger. If the plunger device comprises a plurality of plungers arranged in a row, the first laser sensor can be arranged laterally offset outwards to a first outer plunger in the row of the plungers and the second laser sensor can be arranged laterally offset outwards to a second outer plunger in the row of the plungers. Preferably, an optical axis of the laser sensor and a Longitudinal axis of the plunger in a common horizontal plane. A horizontal distance between the plunger and the laser sensor or the respective laser sensor or between the first outer plunger or second outer plunger and the respective laser sensor can be as large, preferably twice as large, as a horizontal distance between two adjacent blowpipes in the row of blowpipes. The laser sensor can be arranged at the rear of the cleaning machine, i.e. on a part of the cleaning machine facing away from the converter when the cleaning machine is in use, in particular offset to the rear of the impact device, on the cleaning machine in order to protect the laser sensor from the effects of heat and dust.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the measuring system can comprise a second measuring device for determining a position of the cleaning machine on the track. Each position or position value determined by means of the second measuring device can then be assigned a distance or distance value determined by means of the first measuring device.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the second measuring device can comprise at least one position sensor, preferably a rotary encoder. The rotary encoder can determine an angle of rotation of a shaft of the drive motor or of a shaft of the cleaning machine that can be driven by the drive motor and, based on the determined angle of rotation, determine a distance covered by the cleaning machine on the track, which in turn can be used to determine the position of the cleaning machine on the track. The distance can be measured starting from a parking position of the cleaning machine on the track, in which the cleaning machine can be parked when the cleaning machine is not in use. In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the cleaning machine can comprise a camera device. A cleaning process can be recorded using the camera device. Video recordings and/or images can be taken of the cleaning of each individual blowpipe. The video recordings and/or images of the cleaning of those blowpipes that were inadequately cleaned can be stored using a storage device in the cleaning machine.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the linear actuator can be designed as a preferably rodless, preferably pneumatic, double-acting cylinder. The impact system can comprise at least one compressed air generator, preferably a compressor, and at least one, preferably two, compressed air tanks for storing compressed air. The compressed air tank can be part of the compressed air generator. The impact system can also comprise at least one pressure sensor and/or at least one flow sensor. The impact system can also comprise a valve device fluidically connected to the cylinder for controlling the cylinder. The valve device can comprise four 2/2-way valves. The cylinder can also be a hydraulic cylinder.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the impact device can comprise a plurality of, preferably three, tappets and/or the drive device can comprise a plurality of, preferably two, linear actuators. By means of the plurality of tappets, several blowpipes can be cleaned simultaneously. Preferably, the tappets can be arranged in a, preferably horizontally aligned, row. The tappets can then run in a, preferably horizontally aligned, common plane. Furthermore, the tappets in the row can be arranged at equal distances from one another. A horizontal distance between two adjacent tappets in the row of the The distance between the plungers can correspond to a horizontal distance between two adjacent blowpipes in the row of blowpipes. Furthermore, the impact device can comprise a carrier on which the plungers can be arranged. The positioning of the impact device with the plurality of plungers and the plurality of blowpipes relative to one another can be such that a predominant part of the plungers, preferably all of the plungers, are positioned substantially centrally to or in front of an opening of the respective blowpipe. An impact force can be increased by means of a plurality of linear actuators. The linear actuators can drive the carrier together with the plungers arranged on the carrier.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the cleaning machine can comprise a frame on which all components of the cleaning machine can be arranged.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the cleaning machine can comprise a detection device for detecting a number of plungers arranged on the plunger device.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the detection device can comprise at least one inductive sensor.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the cleaning machine can comprise a guide device, wherein the guide device can comprise at least one guide device for guiding the plunger, wherein the guide device can comprise a first guide part having a guide bush guiding the plunger and a second guide part at least partially, preferably completely, surrounding the first guide part, wherein the first guide part can be movable along a first axis relative to the second guide part, wherein the guide device has first spring elements can comprise, wherein by means of the first spring elements the first guide part can be centered relative to the second guide part along the first axis. If the first guide part is centered relative to the second guide part, the second guide part can at least partially, preferably completely, coaxially surround the first guide part. The guide device can comprise first guide elements connecting the first guide part to the second guide part, on each of which a first spring element can be guided. The first axis can be aligned horizontally or vertically. If, despite the alignment of the plunger and the blowpipe relative to one another based on the detected position of the blowpipe, the plunger and the blowpipe are not precisely aligned along the first axis, the plunger can perform a compensating movement when inserted through the opening due to a flexibility of the first spring elements along the first axis and can thereby be aligned along the first axis centrally to the opening.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the guide device can comprise at least one, preferably two, third guide parts that at least partially surround the second guide part, wherein the second guide part can be moved relative to the third guide part along a second axis that preferably runs transversely to the first axis, wherein the guide device can comprise second spring elements, wherein the second guide part can be centered relative to the third guide part along the second axis by means of the second spring elements. When the second guide part is centered relative to the third guide part, the third guide part can at least partially surround the second guide part coaxially. The guide device can comprise second guide elements that connect the second guide part to the third guide part, on each of which a second spring element can be guided. The second Axis can be aligned horizontally or vertically. If, despite the alignment of the plunger and the blowpipe relative to each other based on the detected position of the blowpipe, the plunger and the blowpipe are not aligned precisely along the second axis, the plunger can perform a compensating movement along the second axis when inserted into the opening due to the flexibility of the second spring elements and can thus be aligned along the second axis in the middle of the opening. The third guide part can be fixed to the cleaning machine.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, a drilling device for cleaning the blowpipe by drilling through the blowpipe can be arranged on the cleaning machine, wherein the drilling device can comprise at least one drilling rod and a drilling mechanism for driving the drilling rod. The impact device can be removable from the cleaning machine, so that the drilling device can be arranged on the cleaning machine instead of the impact device. A longitudinal axis of the drilling rod, when the drilling device is arranged on the cleaning machine, can be aligned with a longitudinal axis of a central ram, when an odd number of rams, preferably three, is provided, when the impact device is arranged on the cleaning machine.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning machine, the cleaning machine can comprise a control device for controlling the cleaning machine. The control device can control the cleaning machine depending on the position of the blowpipe detected by means of the measuring system. The control device can control the cleaning machine in such a way that the cleaning machine is moved to a position of the cleaning machine on the track corresponding to the detected horizontal position of the blowpipe, subsequently control the impact system in such a way that the blowpipe is pierced and subsequently, if necessary, control the cleaning machine in such a way that the cleaning machine is moved to a position of the cleaning machine on the track corresponding to a detected horizontal position of another blowpipe, in order to subsequently pierce this. The blowpipes to be cleaned can be cleaned one after the other in this way. The control device can adapt a cleaning sequence of the blowpipes depending on the number of plungers detected by the detection device. The cleaning machine can also comprise an operating device for operating the cleaning machine by an operator. The blowpipes to be cleaned can be selectable by the operator using the operating device. The control device can control the cleaning machine depending on the selected blowpipes. Furthermore, the control device can calculate an optimal cleaning sequence depending on the number of plungers detected by the detection device and the selected blowpipes. Furthermore, the cleaning machine can comprise a display device. A status of the blowpipes can be displayed by means of the display device. In particular, the display device can be used to indicate whether the cleaning of a blowpipe was successful or unsuccessful and/or which blowpipe cannot be cleaned during a cleaning process due to the number of plungers.

Further advantageous embodiments of the cleaning machine emerge from the feature descriptions of the subclaims referring back to method claim 10.

The arrangement according to the invention comprises a converter, for example a Peirce-Smith converter, with a plurality of blowpipes, wherein the blowpipes are arranged in a preferably horizontally aligned row on the side of a container of the converter, wherein a gas, preferably oxygen, can be blown into the melt through the blowpipes below a level of a melt that can be received in the container, wherein the arrangement comprises a cleaning machine according to the invention The arrangement can comprise a track on which the cleaning machine can be moved. The converter can comprise at least two blow pipes. The container can be designed as a cylindrical drum. Furthermore, the container can be rotatable about a preferably horizontally oriented longitudinal axis of the container.

In the method according to the invention for cleaning at least one blowpipe of a plurality of blowpipes of a converter, for example a Peirce-Smith converter, by means of a cleaning machine, wherein the blowpipes are arranged in a preferably horizontally aligned row on the side of a container of the converter, wherein a gas, preferably oxygen, can be blown into the melt through the blowpipes below a level of a melt that can be received in the container, the cleaning machine is moved on a path, preferably designed as a rail guide, running along the row of blowpipes, wherein the cleaning machine comprises an impact system, wherein the impact system comprises an impact device with at least one plunger and a drive device with at least one linear actuator, wherein the plunger and the blowpipe are brought into alignment with one another, wherein, when the plunger is aligned with the blowpipe, the drive device causes the impact device to carry out a forward movement of the impact device, in which the plunger moves from a retracted position of the plunger to an advance position of the plunger. and a backward movement of the impact device, in which the ram is transferred from the advance position to the retracted position, wherein the ram is introduced into the blowpipe through an opening of the blowpipe during the transfer from the retracted position to the advance position for piercing the blowpipe in order to clean the blowpipe and is subsequently led out of the blowpipe during the transfer from the advance position to the retracted position, wherein a position of the blowpipe is detected by means of a measuring system of the cleaning machine, wherein based on the detected position of the blowpipe, the plunger and the blowpipe are aligned with each other.

For the advantageous effects of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the description of the advantages of the cleaning machine according to the invention.

Blowpipes that need to be cleaned can be cleaned one after the other.

The detected position of the blowpipe can be stored in a storage device of the cleaning machine. The detected position of the blowpipe can be compared with a position of the blowpipe already stored in the storage device, which may have resulted from a previous detection of the position of the blowpipe. In the event of a deviation between the position of the blowpipe already stored in the storage device and the detected position of the blowpipe, the position of the blowpipe already stored in the storage device can be overwritten by the detected position of the blowpipe. The position of the blowpipe already stored in the storage device can also remain in the storage device, in particular to monitor wear of the blowpipe. In this case, it can be provided that the position already stored in the storage device is no longer used to bring the plunger and the blowpipe into alignment with one another for the purpose of cleaning the blowpipe.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the position of the blowpipe can be detected by means of the measuring system based on the opening. The position of the blowpipe can be a horizontal position of the blowpipe and/or a vertical position of the blowpipe. Based on the detected horizontal position of the blowpipe, the plunger and the blowpipe can be aligned horizontally with each other by moving the cleaning machine on the track and/or based on the detected vertical position of the blowpipe, the plunger and the blowpipe can be aligned vertically with each other by rotating the container about a preferably horizontally aligned longitudinal axis of the container.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the measuring system can be used to determine a distance of the cleaning machine from the converter or blowpipe or blowpipes as a function of a position of the cleaning machine on the web. This can be done by means of the first measuring device and the second measuring device.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the position of the blowpipe or the positions of the blowpipes can be detected by means of the measuring system based on a peak or peaks in a course of the function. This can be done using the point sensor. Based on an abscissa value or abscissa values of a center or centers of the peak or peaks describing the blowpipe or blowpipes, the horizontal position of the blowpipe or the horizontal positions of the blowpipes or a position or positions of the cleaning machine on the track corresponding to the horizontal position of the blowpipe or horizontal positions of the blowpipes can be determined. Based on a width of the peak or widths of the peaks, a vertical offset or vertical offsets between the plunger and the blowpipe or blowpipes can be determined.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the measuring system can be used to determine a A vertical offset of the blowpipe to the plunger can be determined by determining the distance of a horizontally running chord of a circle described by the opening from a horizontally running reference chord of the circle or by determining the distance of a center point of the circle from a horizontally running reference line. This can be done using the point sensor or line sensor.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the position of the blowpipe can be detected in a combination operation of the cleaning machine, in which both the position of the blowpipe can be detected and the blowpipe can be cleaned, or in a detection operation of the cleaning machine, in which only the position of the blowpipe can be detected. The positions of all blowpipes are preferably detected in the detection operation. The cleaning machine can be moved over an entire length of the track. The detected positions can be stored in the storage device. The detection operation can be used to calibrate the cleaning machine. Following the detection operation, the blowpipe can be cleaned in a cleaning operation. Furthermore, following the detection operation, the blowpipe can also be cleaned in the combination operation. In detection mode, the cleaning machine can be moved comparatively slower and more evenly than in combination mode in order to increase the efficiency and precision of the detection of the position of the blowpipe(s).

Further advantageous embodiments of the method emerge from the feature descriptions of the subclaims referring back to device claim 1.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a cleaning machine;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cleaning machine;

Fig. 3 is a perspective side view of the cleaning machine;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the cleaning machine with rams of a ramming device of a ramming system of the cleaning machine inserted into blow pipes of a row of blow pipes;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the cleaning machine with the plungers inserted into the blowpipes;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the cleaning machine with the rams inserted into the blowpipes;

Fig. 7 is a partial front view of the row of blowpipes;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of curves of functions of a distance of the cleaning machine from a part of the blowpipes shown in Fig. 7 as a function of a position of the cleaning machine on a path running along the row of blowpipes, determined using two laser sensors of a first measuring device of a measuring system of the cleaning machine;

Fig. 9 is a partial front view of a row of blowpipes; Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of a course of a function of a distance of the cleaning machine from the blowpipes shown in Fig. 9, determined by means of a laser sensor of a first measuring device of a measuring system of a cleaning machine, as a function of a position of the cleaning machine on a path running along the row of blowpipes;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of a portion of a circle described by an opening of the first of the blowpipes shown in Fig. 9 and a chord of the circle scanned by the laser sensor;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic representation of a course of a function of a vertical offset of the blowpipe to a ram of an impact device of an impact system of the cleaning machine as a function of a length of a chord of the circle scanned by the laser sensor;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a guide device of a guide apparatus.

For the sake of simplicity, objects that are structurally identical or functionally identical are sometimes referred to with the same reference symbol below.

A summary of Figs. 1 to 6 shows a cleaning machine 10 for cleaning blowpipes 11 of a converter (not shown here), wherein the blowpipes 11 are arranged in a horizontally aligned row. The blowpipes 11 are usually arranged on the side of a container of the converter. The blowpipes 11 can be embedded in a fireproof lining of a wall of the container. Each blowpipe 11 has a through hole, not shown here. Each blowpipe 11 or through hole has an opening 12 and a further opening 13. Furthermore, each blowpipe 11 has a closure element, not shown here, in particular a ball valve or flap valve, which closes the respective opening 12. Furthermore, each blowpipe 11 has a further opening 14, which opens into the respective through hole. When viewed with the blowpipes 11 arranged on the container, the openings 12 and the further openings 14 are outside the container and the further openings 13 are inside the container. A gas, in particular oxygen, can be blown into the melt through the further openings 14 below a level of a melt that can be accommodated in the container. The closure elements prevent the gas from escaping via the openings 12. Since the blowpipes 11 are located below the level, deposits or crusts regularly form in the blowpipes 11, that is to say in particular in the through holes, but also in an area around the other openings 13 within the container. The blowpipes 11 must therefore be cleaned of the deposits or crusts from time to time in order to prevent or eliminate blockages in the blowpipes 11. This is done by means of the cleaning machine 10.

The cleaning machine 10 is designed to be movable on a track 15 designed as a rail guide and running along the row of blowpipes 11, wherein the cleaning machine 10 comprises a pushing system 16, wherein the pushing system 16 comprises a pushing device 17 with three rod-like tappets 19 arranged on a carrier 18 of the pushing device 17 and a drive device 20 with two linear actuators 21, which are designed as rodless, pneumatic, double-acting cylinders, wherein the tappets 19 and three of the blowpipes 11 can be brought into alignment with one another, wherein, when the tappets 19 are aligned with the three respective blowpipes 11, by means of the drive device 20, the impact device 17 can be driven to carry out a forward movement of the impact device 17, in which the plungers 19 can be transferred from a retracted position of the plungers 19 into an advancing position of the plungers 19, and a backward movement of the impact device 17, in which the plungers 19 can be transferred from the advancing position into the retracted position, wherein the plungers 19 can be inserted through the three respective openings 12 into the three respective blowpipes 11 during the transfer from the retracted position to the advancing position for cleaning the respective three blowpipes 11 while opening or lifting the respective three closure elements and subsequently during the transfer from the advancing position to the retracted position through the three respective openings 12 from the three respective blowpipes 1 1 can be led out.

The cleaning machine 10 comprises a measuring system 22 for detecting positions of the blowpipes 11, wherein the plungers 19 and the three respective blowpipes 11 can be brought into alignment with one another based on the detected positions of the blowpipes 11. The measuring system 22 comprises a first measuring device 23 for determining a distance of the cleaning machine 10 or the first measuring device 23 from the converter or the blowpipes 11, wherein the first measuring device 23 comprises two laser sensors 24 arranged laterally outwardly towards the pusher device 17 or the plungers 19 and offset rearwardly towards the pusher device 17 or the plungers 19 on the cleaning machine 10, wherein the measuring system 22 comprises a second measuring device 25 for determining a position of the cleaning machine 10 on the track 15, wherein the second measuring device 25 comprises a rotary encoder 26. By means of the rotary encoder 26, a rotation angle of a shaft (not shown here) of an electric drive motor (not shown here) of the cleaning machine 10, which serves to move the cleaning machine 10 on the track 15, is determined, wherein on the basis of the determined rotation angle, a distance covered by the cleaning machine 10 on the track 15 is determined, based on which in turn the position of the cleaning machine 10 on the track 15 is determined. By means of the measuring system 22, the positions of the blowpipes 1 1 are detected based on the openings 12, wherein as the cleaning machine 10 moves on the track 15, the laser sensors 24 or laser beams (not shown here) emitted by means of the laser sensors 24 scan the converter at a height of the blowpipes 1 1 or openings 12, wherein by means of the measuring system 22 a distance of the cleaning machine 10 or the laser sensors 24 from the converter or the blowpipes 1 1 is determined as a function of the position of the cleaning machine 10 on the track 15.

The cleaning machine 10 further comprises a stop device 27, wherein the stop device 27 comprises two first stop elements 28 for limiting the forward movement of the impact device 17 and the impact device 17 comprises two first counter-stop elements 29 for stopping on the first stop elements 28 and the stop device 27 comprises two second stop elements 30 for limiting the backward movement of the impact device 17 and the impact device 17 comprises two second counter-stop elements 31 for stopping on the second stop elements 30, wherein the cleaning machine 10 comprises a hydraulic adjustment device 33 comprising a hydraulic cylinder 32 for adjusting a position of the first stop elements 28. The first counter-impact elements 29 and the second counter-stop elements 31 are arranged on the carrier 18. The first stop elements 28 are arranged on a carrier 66 of the stop device 27, which is guided in a guide means of the stop device 27, not shown here, designed as a guide rail.

Fig. 7 shows a partial view of the row of blowpipes 1 1 from the front. Fig. 8 shows a diagrammatic representation of curves 34, 35 of functions of the distance of the cleaning machine 10 or the laser sensors 24 of three of the blowpipes 11 shown in Fig. 7, plotted on an ordinate 36 in mm, as a function of the position of the cleaning machine 10 on the path 15 running along the row of blowpipes 11, plotted on an abscissa 37 in mm, determined using laser sensors 24 designed as point sensors. Since the distance increases when scanning the blowpipes 11 or openings 12 or through holes, the blowpipes 11 or openings 12 or through holes are visible in the curves 34, 35 as peaks 38, 39, 40, 41. Horizontal positions of the blowpipes 11 are detected as positions of the cleaning machine 10 on the track 15 corresponding to the horizontal positions. The horizontal positions can be determined using the centers of the peaks 38, 39, 40, 41 or abscissa values of the centers (not shown here). When the cleaning machine 10 moves on the track 15, the position of each blowpipe 11 can be detected one after the other using the two laser sensors 24. In the present case, only the middle of the three blowpipes 11 has already been scanned using the two laser sensors 24, so that the peaks 39, 40 overlap. By comparing the courses 34, 35, incorrect alignment of the laser sensors 24 can be detected. In the present case, the curves 34, 35 essentially coincide in a region of the middle peaks 39, 40, so that there is no misalignment of the laser sensors 24.

Fig. 9 shows a partial view of a row of blowpipes 42 from the front.

Fig. 10 shows a diagrammatic representation of a curve 43 of a function of a point sensor, determined using a laser sensor designed as a point sensor of a first measuring device of a measuring system of a cleaning machine (not shown here), of a Ordinate 44 shows the distance of the cleaning machine from the converter or the blowpipes 42, plotted in mm on the ordinate 44, as a function of a position of the cleaning machine on a path not shown here that runs along the row of blowpipes 42, plotted in mm on the abscissa 45. Since the distance increases when the laser sensor scans openings 46 or through holes in the blowpipes 42, the blowpipes 42 or openings 46 or through holes are visible in the path 43 as peaks 47, 48, 49. Horizontal positions of the blowpipes 42 are detected as positions of the cleaning machine on the path that correspond to the horizontal positions. The horizontal positions of the blowpipes 42 can be determined using the centers of the peaks 47, 48, 49 or the abscissa values of the centers (not shown here). Vertical lines 50 running through the peaks 47, 48, 49 and the openings 46 illustrate horizontal positions of the blowpipes 42 that are stored in a storage device of the cleaning machine and have resulted from a previous detection of the positions of the blowpipes 42. In the case of the middle blowpipe 42, there is a deviation between the detected horizontal position and the stored horizontal position. The cleaning machine can be the cleaning machine 10.

Fig. 11 shows a diagrammatic representation of a part of a circle 51 described by the opening 46 of the first blowpipe 42 shown in Fig. 9 and a horizontally running chord 52 of the circle 51 scanned by a point beam of the laser sensor when the cleaning machine moves on the track. A vertical height in mm is plotted over a horizontal width in mm. The point sensor is arranged on the cleaning machine in such a way that the point sensor or point beam, viewed without the presence of a vertical offset of the blowpipe 42 to a plunger of a pushing device of a pushing system of the cleaning machine, forms a reference chord 54 running horizontally through a center point 53 of the circle 51. would scan, wherein a length of the reference chord 54 is equal to a diameter of the circle 51. Due to the vertical offset of the blowpipe 42 to the plunger, the point sensor or point beam does not scan the reference chord 53, but rather the chord 52. A size of a vertical offset of the blowpipe 42 is determined as a distance of the chord 52 from the reference chord 53 by means of a relation -^/diameter ² - length ² from the diameter of the circle 51 or the opening 46 and the length of the chord 52. The length of the chord 52 results from a width 67 of the peak 47.

Fig. 12 shows a diagrammatic representation of a course 55 of a function of a vertical offset of the blowpipe 42 to the plunger, plotted in mm, as a function of a length of a chord of the circle 51 scanned by the laser sensor, plotted in mm. A point 56 marks the size of the vertical offset of the blowpipe 42 determined based on the length of the chord 52.

Fig. 13 shows a guide device 57 of a guide device (not shown here) for guiding a plunger (not shown here) of a plunger device of a plunger system of a cleaning machine, wherein the guide device 57 comprises a first guide part 59 having a guide bush 58 guiding the plunger and a second guide part 60 completely surrounding the first guide part 59, wherein the first guide part 59 is horizontally movable relative to the second guide part 60, wherein the guide device 57 comprises first spring elements 61, wherein the first spring elements 61 can be used to horizontally center the first guide part 59 relative to the second guide part 60. The guide device 57 further comprises first guide elements 62 connecting the first guide part 59 to the second guide part 60, on each of which a first spring element 61 is guided. The guide device 57 further comprises two second Third guide parts 63 partially surrounding the guide part, namely at the top and bottom, the second guide part 60 being vertically movable relative to the third guide parts 63, the guide device 57 comprising second spring elements 64, the second guide part 60 being vertically centerable relative to the third guide parts 63 by means of the second spring elements 64. The guide device 57 also comprises second guide elements 65 connecting the second guide part 60 to the third guide parts 63, on each of which a second spring element 64 is guided. The first guide part 59 is block-shaped, the second guide part 60 is rectangular in shape, and the third guide parts 63 are angular. The first guide elements 61 and the second guide elements 65 are designed as guide rods. The cleaning machine 10 can have the guide device, which can comprise three guide devices 57.

Claims

patent claims 1. Cleaning machine (10) for cleaning at least one blowpipe (11, 42) of a plurality of blowpipes of a converter, for example a Peirce-Smith converter, wherein the blowpipes are arranged in a preferably horizontally aligned row on the side of a container of the converter, wherein a gas, in particular oxygen, can be blown into the melt through the blowpipes below a level of a melt that can be received in the container, wherein the cleaning machine is designed to be movable on a track (15), preferably designed as a rail guide, running along the row of blowpipes, wherein the cleaning machine comprises an impact system (16), wherein the impact system comprises an impact device (17) with at least one plunger (19) and a drive device (20) with at least one linear actuator (21), wherein the plunger and the blowpipe can be brought into alignment with one another, wherein when the plunger is in contact with the Blowpipe is aligned, by means of the drive device the impact device to carry out a forward movement of the impact device, in which the ram can be transferred from a retracted position of the ram to an advancing position of the ram, and a backward movement of the impact device, in which the plunger can be transferred from the advance position to the retraction position, is drivable, wherein the plunger can be inserted into the blowpipe through an opening (12, 46) of the blowpipe during the transfer from the retraction position to the advance position for piercing the blowpipe in order to clean the blowpipe and can subsequently be guided out of the blowpipe during the transfer from the advance position to the retraction position, characterized in that the cleaning machine comprises a measuring system (22) for detecting a position of the blowpipe, wherein the plunger and the blowpipe can be brought into alignment with one another on the basis of the detected position of the blowpipe. 2. Cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring system (22) comprises a first measuring device (23) for determining a distance of the cleaning machine (10) from the blowpipe (11, 42). 3. Cleaning machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the first measuring device (23) comprises at least one, preferably two, laser sensors (24). 4. Cleaning machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the laser sensor (24) operates according to a time-of-flight principle or a triangulation principle. 5. Cleaning machine according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that that the laser sensor (24) is designed as a point sensor or as a line sensor. 6. Cleaning machine according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the laser sensor (24) is arranged laterally offset to the plunger (19) on the cleaning machine (10). 7. Cleaning machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring system (22) comprises a second measuring device (23) for determining a position of the cleaning machine (10) on the track (15). 8. Cleaning machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the second measuring device (23) comprises at least one position sensor, preferably a rotary encoder (26). 9. Arrangement comprising a converter, for example a Peirce-Smith converter, with a plurality of blowpipes (11, 42), the blowpipes being arranged in a preferably horizontally aligned row on the side of a container of the converter, a gas, preferably oxygen, being able to be blown into the melt through the blowpipes below a level of a melt that can be received in the container, the arrangement comprising a cleaning machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims. 10. Method for cleaning at least one blowpipe (11, 42) of a plurality of blowpipes of a converter, for example a Peirce-Smith converter, by means of a cleaning machine (10), wherein the Blowpipes are arranged in a preferably horizontally aligned row on the side of a container of the converter, wherein a gas, in particular oxygen, can be blown into the melt through the blowpipes below a level of a melt that can be received in the container, wherein the cleaning machine is moved on a track (15), preferably designed as a rail guide, running along the row of blowpipes, wherein the cleaning machine comprises an impact system (16), wherein the impact system comprises an impact device (17) with at least one plunger (19) and a drive device (20) with at least one linear actuator (21), wherein the plunger and the blowpipe are brought into alignment with one another, wherein, when the plunger is aligned with the blowpipe, the drive device causes the impact device to carry out a forward movement of the impact device, in which the plunger is transferred from a retracted position of the plunger to an advancing position of the plunger, and a backward movement of the impact device, in which the The plunger is driven from the advance position to the retracted position, the plunger being introduced into the blowpipe through an opening (12, 46) of the blowpipe during the transfer from the retracted position to the advance position for piercing the blowpipe to clean the blowpipe and is subsequently led out of the blowpipe during the transfer from the advance position to the retracted position, characterized in that a position of the blowpipe is detected by means of a measuring system (22) of the cleaning machine, the plunger and the blowpipe being brought into alignment with one another based on the detected position of the blowpipe. 1. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that that the position of the blowpipe (11, 42) is detected by means of the measuring system (22) based on the opening (12, 46). 12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that by means of the measuring system (22) a distance of the cleaning machine (10) from the blowpipe (11, 42) is determined as a function of a position of the cleaning machine on the track (15). 13. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the position of the blowpipe (11, 42) is detected by means of the measuring system (22) on the basis of a peak (38, 39, 40, 41, 47, 48, 49) in a course (34, 35, 43) of the function. 14. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that a vertical offset of the blowpipe (11, 42) to the plunger (19) is determined by means of the measuring system (22) based on a determination of a distance of a horizontally running chord (52) of a circle (51) described by the opening (12, 46) from a horizontally running reference chord (54) of the circle or based on a determination of a distance of a center point (53) of the circle from a horizontally running reference line. 15. Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the detection of the position of the blowpipe (11, 42) in a combination operation of the cleaning machine (10), in which both the detection of the position of the blowpipe and the cleaning of the blowpipe, or in a detection mode of the cleaning machine in which only the position of the blowpipe is detected.