Field of the invention

The invention relates to a supporting arrangement for supporting a cylindrical furnace body of a furnace rotatable with respect to a support of the furnace as defined in the preamble of independent claim 1.

The furnace is preferably, but not necessarily, a metallurgical furnace or a cement furnace. The invention can however be implemented in furnaces for other purposes having a cylindrical furnace body rotatable supported with respect to a support of the furnace.

Especially rotating furnaces for processing of molten metal, anode furnaces, and converters get mantle temperatures that vary along the furnace and around the perimeter depending on the furnace content, process, brick quality and wear of bricks. Furnaces for processing of molten metal are normally supported with two riding rings that center the furnace vessel. To save the brick costs, the time between relining should be as long as possible without brick collapsing into the furnace. The riding ring should retain its circular shape while the furnace shell may freely expand due to the temperature and brick expansion. When the furnace is cooled down for a new brick lining, the riding ring and shell should regain its original form. The riding ring support must be stiff enough to handle its own weight from steel, brick and melt or other content.

Objective of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a supporting arrangement for supporting a cylindrical furnace body of a furnace rotatable with respect to a support of the furnace which the temperature of the mantle has a small impact on the riding ring.

Short description of the invention

The supporting arrangement for supporting a cylindrical furnace body of a furnace rotatable with respect to a support of the furnace is characterized by the definitions of independent claim 1.

Preferred embodiments of the supporting arrangement are defined in the dependent claims.

List of figures

In the following the invention will described in more detail by referring to the figures, which

Figure 1 is a side view of a furnace according to a first embodiment, Figure 2 shows the furnace shown in figure 1 as cut along line B-B in figure 1,

Figure 3 shows the furnace shown in figure 1 as cut along line E-E in figure 2,

Figure 4 shows in cut view detail C of the furnace shown in figure 1,

Figure 5 shows in cut view detail C of the furnace shown in figure 1 and shows parts attached to the riding ring and to the gear ring in dashed lines and parts attached to the cylindrical furnace body in solid lines,

Figure 6 shows detail C of the furnace shown in figure 1 and showing parts attached to the cylindrical furnace body,

Figure 7 shows detail C of the furnace shown in figure 1 and shows parts attached to the riding ring and to the gear ring in solid lines,

Figure 8 shows detail C of the furnace shown in figure 1 and showing parts attached to the riding ring and to the gear ring,

Figure 9 shows in cut view detail D of the furnace shown in figure 1,

Figure 10 shows detail D of the furnace shown in figure 1 and shows parts attached to the riding ring in dashed lines and parts attached to the cylindrical furnace body in solid lines,

Figure 11 shows detail D of the furnace shown in figure 1 and showing parts attached to the cylindrical furnace body,

Figure 12 shows detail D of the furnace shown in figure 1 and shows parts attached to the riding ring in solid lines and parts attached to the cylindrical furnace body in dashed lines,

Figure 13 shows detail D of the furnace shown in figure 1 and showing parts attached to the riding ring,

Figure 14 is a detail cut view of an alternative configuration of detail C and detail D of the furnace shown in figure 1,

Figure 15 shows parts attached to the riding ring in dashed lines and parts attached to the cylindrical furnace body in solid lines of the alternative configuration shown in figure 14,

Figure 16 shows parts attached to the cylindrical furnace body of the alternative configuration shown in figure 14,

Figure 17 shows parts attached to the riding ring in solid lines and parts attached to the cylindrical furnace body in dashed lines of the alternative configuration shown in figure 14, and

Figure 18 shows parts attached to the riding ring of the alternative configuration shown in figure 14.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention relates to a supporting arrangement for supporting a cylindrical furnace body 1 of a furnace 2 rotatable with respect to a support 3 of the furnace 2.

The arrangement comprising a riding ring 4 arranged concentrically with the cylindrical furnace body 1 around a first outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1.

The riding ring 4 is supported on rollers 6 arranged at the support 3 so that the cylindrical furnace body 1 of the furnace 2 is capable of rotating about a geometric long axis A of the cylindrical furnace body 1.

The riding ring 4 comprises a first circumferential flange 7 surrounding the first outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1.

The first circumferential flange 7 may be integrally formed at the riding ring 4 or a separate part that is releasable or fixedly fastened to the riding ring 4.

The supporting arrangement comprises a first shell ring arrangement 8 arranged concentrically with the cylindrical furnace body 1 around the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1. The first shell ring arrangement 8 has a second circumferential flange 9.

The second circumferential flange 9 of the first shell ring arrangement 8 is preferably, but not necessarily, being shrink-fitted inside the riding ring 4 so that the first shell ring arrangement 8 is prevented from rotating with respect to the riding ring 4. Thermal expansion of the first shell ring arrangement 8 expands the second circumferential flange 9 and presses the second circumferential flange 9 tighter against the riding ring 4. This is especially advantageous if a gear ring 35, which is functionally connected to a power means (not shown in the drawings) for rotating the cylindrical furnace body 1 of the furnace 2 by means of the power means, is fastened to the riding ring 4, as shown in figures 1 and 4 to 8.

As an alternative to the second circumferential flange 9 of the first shell ring arrangement 8 being shrink-fitted inside the riding ring 4, a circumferential gap (not shown in the figures) may be provided between the second circumferential flange 9 of the first shell ring arrangement 8 and the riding ring 4 so that thermal expansion of the first shell ring arrangement 8 expands the second circumferential flange 9 and presses the second circumferential flange 9 against the riding ring 4 resulting in the first shell ring arrangement 8 being prevented from rotating with respect to the riding ring 4. This is especially advantageous if a gear ring 35, which is functionally connected to a power means (not shown in the drawings) for rotating the cylindrical furnace body 1 of the furnace 2 by means of the power means, is fastened to the riding ring 4, as shown in figures 1 and 4 to 8.

The second circumferential flange 9 may be integrally formed at the first shell ring arrangement 8 or a separate part that is releasable or fixedly fastened to the first shell ring arrangement 8.

The supporting arrangement comprises first holes 10 in the first circumferential flange 7 of the riding ring 4 and second holes 11 in the second circumferential flange 9 of the first shell ring arrangement 8.

The first holes 10 have a first diameter and the second holes 11 have a second diameter. The pattern of the first holes 10 corresponds to the pattern of the second holes 11.

The first holes 10 and the second holes 11 are aligned to provide aligned holes (not marked with a reference numeral). The second circumferential flange 9 of the first shell ring arrangement 8 is fastened to the first circumferential flange 7 of the riding ring 4 by an at least partly threaded fastening member 12 such as a bolt or threaded rod in each aligned hole and by at least one nut 13 threaded on each at least partly threaded fastening member 12.

The supporting arrangement comprises a first wedge arrangement 16 between the first shell ring arrangement 8 and the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1 to lock the first shell ring arrangement 8 to the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1.

A purpose of the first shell ring arrangement 8 is to enable relative movement between the riding ring 4 and the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1 by taking up or absorbing thermal expansion in the first shell ring arrangement 8. Another purpose of the first shell ring arrangement 8 is to create a long path for thermal conduction between the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1 and the riding ring 4, which means that a small amount of thermal energy is conducted from the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1 to the riding ring 4.

The first inner diameter of the first holes 10 in the first circumferential flange 7 of the riding ring 4 may be selected with respect to a first outer diameter of a first section 14, which is arranged in the first hole 10, of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12 in the first hole

10 so that the first inner diameter is larger than said first outer diameter so that the riding ring 4 is capable of moving with respect to the first section 14 of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12, because the first section 14 of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12 can move inside the first hole 10 in the first circumferential flange 7 of the riding ring 4. This enhances the ability of relative movement between the riding ring 4 and the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1.

Alternatively, said first inner diameter may be selected so that said first inner diameter essentially corresponds to said first outer diameter.

The second inner diameter of the second holes 11 in the second circumferential flange 9 of the first shell ring arrangement 8 may be selected with respect to a second outer diameter of a second section 15, which is arranged in the second holes 11, of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12 in the second hole 11 so that the second inner diameter is larger than said second outer diameter so that the first shell ring arrangement 8 is capable of moving with respect to the second section 15 of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12, because the second section 15 of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12 can move inside the second hole

11 in the second circumferential flange 9 of the first shell ring arrangement 8. This enhances the ability of relative movement between the riding ring 4 and the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1.

Alternatively, said second inner diameter may be selected so that said second inner diameter essentially corresponds to said first outer diameter. In the supporting arrangement, the first circumferential flange 7 may project transversely to the geometric long axis A of the cylindrical furnace body 1.

In the supporting arrangement, the second circumferential flange 9 may project transversely to the geometric long axis A of the cylindrical furnace body 1.

The first shell ring arrangement 8 may comprise a first tubular section 17 between the second circumferential flange 9 and the first wedge arrangement 16. A purpose of the first tubular section 17 is to create a longer path for thermal conduction between the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1 and the riding ring 4. In such case, a thermal shield 40 may be provided between the first tubular section 17 of the first shell ring arrangement 8 and the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1. A purpose of the thermal shield 40 is to prevent at last in part radiation of thermal energy from the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1 to the first shell ring arrangement 8.

The supporting arrangement may comprise a tubular sleeve 18 arranged on the at least partly threaded fastening member 12 between a nut 13 or a head of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12 and the first shell ring arrangement 8, wherein the tubular sleeve 18 having an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12 so that the tubular sleeve 18 is capable of moving with respect to the at least partly threaded fastening member 12. This enhances the ability of relative movement between the riding ring 4 and the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1, because the tubular sleeve 18 enables using of a longer at least partly threaded fastening member 12 and because a longer at least partly threaded fastening member 12 can bend more than a shorter at least partly threaded fastening member 12.

The embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 13 comprises in addition to a first shell ring arrangement 8 a second shell ring arrangement 19 concentrically with the cylindrical furnace body 1 around the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1.

The second shell ring arrangement 19 has a third circumferential flange 20.

The third circumferential flange 20 may be integrally formed at the second shell ring arrangement 19 or a separate part that is releasable or fixedly fastened to the second shell ring arrangement 19.

The third circumferential flange 20 of the second shell ring arrangement 19 may be shrink- fitted inside the riding ring 4 so that the second shell ring arrangement 19 is prevented from rotating with respect to the riding ring 4. Thermal expansion of the second shell ring arrangement 19 expands the third circumferential flange 20 and presses the third circumferential flange 20 tighter against the riding ring 4. This is especially advantageous if a gear ring 35, which is functionally connected to a power means (not shown in the drawings) for rotating the cylindrical furnace body 1 of the furnace 2 by means of the power means, is fastened to the riding ring 4. As an alternative to the third circumferential flange 20 of the second shell ring arrangement 19 being shrink- fitted inside the riding ring 4, a circumferential gap (not shown in the figures) may be provided between the third circumferential flange 20 of the second shell ring arrangement 19 and the riding ring 4 so that thermal expansion of the second shell ring arrangement 19 expands the third circumferential flange 20 and presses the third circumferential flange 20 against the riding ring 4 resulting in the second shell ring arrangement 19 being prevented from rotating with respect to the riding ring 4. This is especially advantageous if a gear ring 35, which is functionally connected to a power means (not shown in the drawings) for rotating the cylindrical furnace body 1 of the furnace 2 by means of the power means, is fastened to the riding ring 4, as shown in figures 1 and 4 to 8.

Third holes 21 are provided in the third circumferential flange 20 of the second shell ring arrangement 19. The third holes 21 have a third inner diameter and by the pattern of the third holes 21 correspond to the pattern of the second holes 11.

The third holes 21 are aligned with the first holes 10 and second holes 11, and the third circumferential flange 20 of the second shell ring arrangement 19 is fastened to the first circumferential flange 7 of the riding ring 4 by the at least partly threaded fastening members 12 and said at least one nut 13 threaded on each at least partly threaded fastening member 12.

The third inner diameter of the third holes 21 in the third circumferential flange 20 of the second shell ring arrangement 19 are selected with respect to a third outer diameter of a third section 22, which is arranged in the third holes 21, of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12 in the third hole 21 so that the third inner diameter is larger than said third outer diameter so that the second shell ring arrangement 19 is capable of moving with respect to the third section 22 of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12, because the third section 22 of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12 can move inside the third hole 21 in the third circumferential flange 20 of the second shell ring arrangement 19.

Alternatively, said third inner diameter may be selected so that said third inner diameter essentially corresponds to said first outer diameter.

In the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 13, a second wedge arrangement 23 is provided between the second shell ring arrangement 19 and the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1 to lock the second shell ring arrangement 19 to the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1.

If the supporting arrangement comprises a first shell ring arrangement 8 and a second shell ring arrangement 19, as illustrated in figures 1 to 13, the third circumferential flange 20 may project transversely to the geometric long axis A of the cylindrical furnace body 1

If the supporting arrangement comprises a first shell ring arrangement 8 and a second shell ring arrangement 19, as illustrated in figures 1 to 13, the second shell ring arrangement 19 comprising a second tubular section 24 between the third circumferential flange 20 and the second wedge arrangement 23. A purpose of the second tubular section 24 is to create a longer path for thermal conduction between the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1 and the riding ring 4. In such case a thermal shield 40 may be provided between the second tubular section 24 of the second shell ring arrangement 19 and the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1. A purpose of the thermal shield 40 is to prevent at last in part radiation of thermal energy from the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1 to the second shell ring arrangement 19.

If the supporting arrangement comprises a first shell ring arrangement 8 and a second shell ring arrangement 19, as illustrated in figures 1 to 13, a tubular sleeve 18 may be arranged on the at least partly threaded fastening member 12 between a nut 13 or a head of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12 and the second shell ring arrangement 19, wherein the tubular sleeve 18 having an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12 so that the tubular sleeve 18 is capable of moving with respect to the at least partly threaded fastening member 12. This enhances the ability of relative movement between the riding ring 4 and the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1.

In the embodiment illustrated in figures 14 to 18, the first shell ring arrangement 8 comprises a first shell ring section 25 and a second shell ring section 26.

The second circumferential flange 9 is arranged at the first shell ring section 25 and the first wedge arrangement 16 is arranged between the second shell ring section 26 and the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1.

The first shell ring section 25 comprising a fourth circumferential flange 27 surrounding the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1 and the second shell ring section 26 comprising a fifth circumferential flange 28 surrounding the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1.

Fourth holes 29 are provided in the fourth circumferential flange 27 of the first shell ring section 25 and fifth holes 30 are provided in the fifth circumferential flange 28 of the second shell ring section 26. The fourth holes 29 have a fourth inner diameter and by the fifth holes 30 have a fifth inner diameter. The pattern of the fourth holes 29 corresponds to the pattern of the fifth holes 30.

The fourth holes 29 are aligned with the fifth holes 30 to provide second aligned holes and the fourth circumferential flange 27 of the first shell ring section 25 are fastened to the fifth circumferential flange 28 of the second shell ring section 26 by an at least partly threaded fastening member 12 such as a bolt or a threaded rod in each second aligned hole and by at least one nut 13 threaded on each at least partly threaded fastening member 12.

A purpose of the first shell ring section 25 and the second shell ring section 26 is to create a longer path for thermal conduction between the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1 and the riding ring 4.

If the supporting arrangement comprises a first shell ring section 25 and a second shell ring section 26, as described, the fourth inner diameter of the fourth holes 29 in the fourth circumferential flange 27 of the first shell ring section 25 may be selected with respect to a fourth outer diameter of a fourth section 31, which is arranged in the fourth holes 29, of the second at least partly threaded fastening members 12 in the fourth hole 29 so that the fourth inner diameter is larger than the fourth outer diameter so that the first shell ring section 25 is capable of moving with respect to the fourth section 31 of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12.

If the supporting arrangement comprises a first shell ring section 25 and a second shell ring section 26, as described, the fifth inner diameter of the fifth holes 30 in the fifth circumferential flange 28 of the second shell ring section 26 may be selected with respect to a fifth outer diameter of a fifth section 32, which is arranged in the fifth holes 30, of the second at least partly threaded fastening members 12 in the fifth hole 30 so that the fifth inner diameter is larger than the fifth outer diameter so that the second shell ring section 26 is capable of moving with respect to fifth section 32 of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12.

If the first shell ring arrangement 8 comprises a first shell ring section 25 and a second shell ring section 26, as illustrated in figures 14 to 18, the fourth circumferential flange 27 and the fifth circumferential flange 28 may project transversely to the geometric long axis A of the cylindrical furnace body 1.

If the first shell ring arrangement 8 comprises a first shell ring section 25 and a second shell ring section 26, as illustrated in figures 14 to 18, the first shell ring section 25 may comprise a third tubular section 33 between the second circumferential flange 9 and the fourth circumferential flange 27, and the second shell ring section 26 comprising a fourth tubular section 34 between the fifth circumferential flange 28 and the first wedge arrangement 16 of the arrangement. The third tubular section 33 of the first shell ring section 25 and the fourth tubular section 34 of the second shell ring section 26 are preferably, but not necessarily, arranged at least partly concentrically, as illustrated in figures 14 to 18. A thermal shield 40 may be arranged between the third tubular section 33 of the first shell ring section 25 and the fourth tubular section 34 of the second shell ring section 26.

If the first shell ring arrangement 8 comprises a first shell ring section 25 and a second shell ring section 26, as illustrated in figures 14 to 18, a may be tubular sleeve 18 arranged on the at least partly threaded fastening member 12 between a nut 13 or a head of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12 and the second shell ring arrangement 19, wherein the tubular sleeve 18 having an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the at least partly threaded fastening member 12 so that the tubular sleeve 18 is capable of moving with respect to the at least partly threaded fastening member 12. This enhances the ability of relative movement between the riding ring 4 and the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1, because the tubular sleeve 18 enables using of a longer at least partly threaded fastening member 12 and because a longer at least partly threaded fastening member 12 can bend more than a shorter at least partly threaded fastening member 12.

In the embodiment illustrated in figures 3 to 8, a circumferential patterned plate 36 is fastened to the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1 between the first wedge arrangement 16 and the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1. The circumferential patterned plate 36 surrounds the outer circumferential surface 5 of the cylindrical furnace body 1. First openings 37 in the circumferential patterned plate 36 are aligned with second openings 38 in the first shell ring arrangement 8 to form aligned openings. Pins 39 or the like are provided in the aligned openings for preventing excess axial movement and rotation of the first shell ring arrangement 8 with respect to the circumferential patterned plate 36 and for allowing radial movement of the first shell ring arrangement 8 with respect to the circumferential patterned plate 36.

It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that as technology advanced, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are therefore not restricted to the above examples, but they may vary within the scope of the claims.