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KR-20260066769-A - Loading of granular metal units into railway vehicles, and associated systems, devices, and methods

KR20260066769AKR 20260066769 AKR20260066769 AKR 20260066769AKR-20260066769-A

Abstract

Loading granular metal units (GMUs) into a railway vehicle, and associated systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the device for loading GMUs into a railway vehicle comprises a housing unit, a weighing bin, a weighing bin gate, a hopper, and an articulated chute. GMUs in the weighing bin are discharged by gravity through the weighing bin gate when the weighing bin gate is opened. The hopper is configured to guide the GMUs received from the weighing bin into the articulated chute. The articulated chute is rotatable and inclined about the axis of the hopper such that, upon rotation, the end of the chute is closer to the floor of the railway vehicle. In some embodiments, the chute comprises telescoping segments.

Inventors

  • 리처드슨 존 마이클
  • 멀라키 패트릭 제임스
  • 슈웨이크 데이비드 제임스
  • 부토 앤드류 마이클
  • 퍼킨스 조나단 헤일
  • 콴시 존 프랜시스
  • 최 춘와이

Assignees

  • 선코크 테크놀러지 앤드 디벨로프먼트 엘엘씨

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20240911
Priority Date
20230911

Claims (20)

  1. A method for loading a granulated metallic unit (GMU) onto a railway vehicle, wherein the method comprises: Step of filling the metering bin with GMU; A step of determining the weight of the GMU in the above weighing bin; A step of opening a weighing bin gate located in the outlet section of the above-mentioned weighing bin; A step of receiving the GMU in an articulating chute located below the weighing bin gate—the articulating chute is inclined and rotatable with respect to the weighing bin about an axis, said axis is located over an end section of said articulating chute; and Step of guiding the GMU to the railway vehicle through the above joint suit A method including
  2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of rotating the joint chute from a first position to a second position, wherein the end section is at a first height relative to the floor of the railway vehicle when the joint chute is at the first position and at a second height when the joint chute is at the second position, and the second height is closer to the floor of the railway vehicle than the first height.
  3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving the GMU from the metering bin in a hopper located above the joint chute.
  4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of rotating the joint chute with respect to the metering bin.
  5. The method of claim 1, wherein the joint suit further comprises one or more baffle elements extending inward from the inner surface of the joint suit, and the method further comprises the step of slowing down at least a portion of the GMU guided through the joint suit through the one or more baffle elements.
  6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the joint chute further comprises a telescoping segment, and the method further comprises the step of extending the telescoping segment from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, and the end section of the joint chute is positioned closer to the bottom of the railway vehicle when the telescoping segment is in the extended configuration.
  7. In claim 6, the telescoping segment is a first telescoping segment, and the joint suit further comprises a second telescoping segment distal to the first telescoping segment, and the method further comprises the step of extending the second telescoping segment distal to the first telescoping segment.
  8. In paragraph 1, A step of transferring the GMU to a surge bin located above the weighing bin via a conveyor mechanism - the conveyor mechanism is configured to reduce loss of industrial products through one or more catch trays compared to conventional conveyor mechanisms -; A step of supplying the GMU to the metering bin through the surge bin; and A method further comprising the step of closing the surge bin gate of the surge bin based on the target weight of the weighing bin.
  9. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of guiding the GMU into the railway vehicle through the joint suit while repositioning the railway vehicle relative to the suit.
  10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of determining the target weight of the GMU based at least partially on the total weight limit of the railway line and/or the railway vehicle, and the step of opening the weighing bin gate based at least partially on the GMU meeting the target weight.
  11. A device for loading granular metal units (GMUs) onto a railway vehicle, wherein the device comprises: A housing unit forming the structure of the above device; A metering bin coupled within the above housing - the metering bin includes a metering bin gate located at the outlet of the metering bin, and the metering bin gate is capable of moving from a closed position in which the GMU within the metering bin is maintained within the metering bin to an open position in which the GMU is discharged through the metering bin gate via gravity -; A hopper located below the metering bin gate and configured to receive the GMU discharged by the metering bin gate—the hopper comprises an inlet having a first diameter and an outlet having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, wherein the outlet is located below the inlet—; and An articulated chute coupled to the hopper and positioned to receive a GMU from the hopper—the articulated chute is configured to guide the GMU from a first height to a second height closer to the floor of the railway vehicle than the first height and is inclined— A device including
  12. In paragraph 11, the above-mentioned joint suit is a device rotatable about an axis with respect to the hopper.
  13. In paragraph 11, the joint suit is (i) rotatable with respect to the hopper and (ii) extendable from a retractable position to an extended position.
  14. A device according to claim 11, wherein rotation of the joint suit in a first direction around an axis positions the end approximately from the first height to the second height, and rotation of the joint suit in a second direction around the axis positions the end approximately from the second height to the first height.
  15. A device according to claim 11, wherein the joint suit comprises one or more baffle elements located within the interior of the joint suit, and the baffle elements are configured to partially restrict the flow of GMU through the joint suit.
  16. In claim 11, the joint suit has a first outer surface portion and a second outer surface portion distal to the first outer surface portion, and the second outer surface portion is inclined to the first outer surface portion, the device.
  17. The apparatus according to claim 11 further comprises a surge bin coupled to the housing and located within the housing, wherein the surge bin comprises a surge bin gate located above the metering bin and located at the outlet of the surge bin, wherein the surge bin gate is movable from a closed position in which a GMU is maintained within the surge bin to an open position in which the GMU is discharged by gravity through the surge bin gate, and the metering bin is configured to receive the GMU from the surge bin.
  18. As a device for loading a GMU onto a railway vehicle, the device is, A housing unit forming the structure of the above device; A metering bin coupled to the above housing and located within the housing - the metering bin includes a metering bin gate located at the outlet of the metering bin, and the metering bin gate is capable of moving from a closed position in which the GMU within the metering bin is maintained within the metering bin to an open position in which the GMU is discharged through the metering bin gate via gravity -; and A telescoping chute positioned to accommodate the GMU from the above-mentioned metering bin—the telescoping chute comprises one or more telescoping segments configured to extend from a first position to a second position and retract from the second position to the first position, wherein when the telescoping segment extends to the second position, the end of the telescoping chute is positioned closer to the floor of the railway vehicle, and The telescoping chute is inclined based on the seating angle of the GMU, and the telescoping chute is configured to guide the GMU from a first height to a second height, wherein the second height is closer to the bottom of the railway vehicle than the first height. Device including.
  19. In paragraph 18, the device further comprises a hopper located below the metering bin gate and configured to receive the GMU discharged by the metering bin gate.
  20. In claim 19, the device comprises a hopper having a first cross-sectional dimension and an outlet having a second cross-sectional dimension smaller than the first cross-sectional dimension.

Description

Loading of granular metal units into railway vehicles, and associated systems, devices, and methods Cross-reference regarding related applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/581,946, filed September 11, 2023, titled “System and method for continuous granulation of pig iron (GPI) production,” the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This application also claims the benefit of the following applications: U.S. Patent Application No. [Agent Case Management No. 084553.8072.US00], filed September 11, 2024, titled “Railway vehicle for transporting granulated metal units, and associated system, device and method”; and U.S. Patent Application No. [Agent Case Management No. 084553.8072.US00], filed September 11, 2024, titled “Low-sulfur granulated metal units, and associated system, device and method”; U.S. Patent Application No. [Agent Case Management No. 084553.8075.US00] filed on September 11, 2024, titled "Production of Continuous Granulated Metal Units, and Associated System, Device and Method"; U.S. Patent Application No. [Agent Case Management No. 084553.8076.US00] filed on September 11, 2024, titled "Use of Basic Oxygen Furnace for Producing Granulated Metal Units, and Associated System, Device and Method"; U.S. Patent Application No. [Agent Case Management No. 084553.8077.US00] filed on September 11, 2024, titled "Low-Carbon Granulated Metal Units and Associated System, Device and Method"; U.S. Patent Application No. [Agent Case Management No. 084553.8078.US00] filed on September 11, 2024, titled "Torpedo car used in production of granular metal unit, and associated system, device and method"; U.S. Patent Application No. [Agent Case Management No. 084553.8079.US00] filed on September 11, 2024, titled "Treatment of cooling water in an iron production facility, and associated system, device and method"; U.S. Patent Application No. [Agent Case Management No. 084553.8079.US00] filed on September 11, 2024, titled "Use of residual iron in a granular metal unit production facility, and associated system, device and method"; This relates to U.S. Patent Application No. [Agent Case Management No. 084553.8081.US00] filed on September 11, 2024, titled “Processing granular metal unit in electric arc furnace, and associated system and method,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technology field The present technology relates to a system, device, and method for loading granular metal units into a railway vehicle. Granulated pig iron (GPI) is a form of pig iron that is granulated into small, uniform particles, making it easier to handle, transport, and use in different metallurgical processes compared to conventional pig iron. The demand for GPI is steadily increasing due to its diverse applications in various industries, including automotive, construction, and manufacturing. The growing popularity of GPI can be attributed to its high purity, consistent quality, and the efficiency it brings to the production of steel and other iron-based products. Granulated pig iron is produced by rapidly cooling molten pig iron with water, resulting in the formation of granules. This process, known as granulation, is typically carried out after processing in a blast furnace. However, current production methods are often characterized by intermittent production cycles due to various operational constraints, such as the need for periodic maintenance, fluctuations in raw material supply, and energy consumption issues. These interruptions not only affect overall efficiency but also lead to increased production costs and variability in product quality. Therefore, an improved production process is required to ensure continuous and stable granulation of pig iron, thereby enhancing productivity and reducing operating costs. The features, embodiments, and advantages of the technology disclosed herein can be better understood in conjunction with the following drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a continuous granulated metallic unit (GMU) production system configured according to embodiments of the present technology. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the continuous GMU production system of FIG. 1 configured according to embodiments of the present technology. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the continuous GMU production system of Figure 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a system for loading GMUs onto one or more railway vehicles configured according to embodiments of the present technology. FIG. 5 is a partial schematic diagram of a system for loading GMUs onto one or more railway vehicles configured according to embodiments of the present technology. FIG. 6 is a partial schematic side view of an articulated device configured according to embodiments of the present technology. FIG. 7 is a partial schematic side view of an articulated device configured according to additional embodiments of the present technology. FIG. 8a is a partial