GB2040725A

GB2040725A - Improvements in or relating to methods of and apparatuses for disintegrating materials

Info

Publication number: GB2040725A
Application number: GB7902487A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: G SOJUZ Z MEK I KHIM OCHISTKE
Current assignee: G SOJUZ Z MEK I KHIM OCHISTKE
Priority date: 1979-01-24
Filing date: 1979-01-24
Publication date: 1980-09-03
Also published as: GB2040725B

Abstract

A method of disintegrating a material comprises acting on the material to be disintegrated with shock waves produced upon applying individual electromagnetic field pulses to a current-conducting element 12 arranged in close proximity to the material to be disintegrated 22, Figure 4. An apparatus for disintegrating a material comprises a unit 1 Figure 1 for forming electromagnetic field pulses connected to a current source 3 via switches in the form of thyristors 2 and arranged in close proximity to the current- conducting element 12. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to methods of and apparatuses for disintegrating materials The invention relates to the art of disintegrating materials by crushing, and more specifically to methods of and apparatuses for disintegrating materials.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of disintegrating a material, comprising acting on the material with shock waves produced by deforming a current-conducting eie- ment arranged in close proximity to the surface of the material to be disintegrated by applying electromagnetic field pulses to the current-conducting element.

The current-conducting element is preferably deformed by aplying thereto at least one train of individual electromagnetic field pulses.

The length of electromagnetic field pulse is preferably between 10-5 and 10 2 seconds, and the ratio of the pause between successive electromagnetic field pulses to the length of electromagnetic field pulse is preferably between 10 and 10000.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for performing a method according to the invention, comprising at least one unitforforming electromagnetic field pulses connected, via a switch, to a current source having an electric energy storage means, the unit being arranged in close proximity to the currentconducting element.

At least two adjacent units for forming electromagnetic field pulses are preferably connected in series to form a group connected to the current source via the switch.

At least one group of units for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element may be arranged on a wall of a container for the material to be disintegrated.

At least one unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element may be arranged on the inner side of the working surface of a working member of an excavating machine.

At least one group of units for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element may be arranged on the inner side of the working surface of a working member of an excavating machine.

One unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element may be arranged on the exposed surface of the material to be disintegrated.

At least one group of units for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element are preferably arranged on the exposed surface of the material to be disintegrated.

At least one unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element may be arranged on a movable jaw of a crusher.

At least one group of units for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element are preferably arranged on a movable jaw of a crusher.

At least one unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element may by arranged on a work bit which is movable relative to the unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses and to the current-conducting element.

At least one group of units for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element are preferably arranged on a work tip which is movable relative to the group of units for forming electromagnetic field pulses and to the currentconducting element.

An arm for mounting the unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses is preferably made of a dielectrical material.

The unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses preferably comprises an inductance coil arranged in a di-electrical casing accommodating a currentsupply member for feeding currentto the inductance coil.

Preferably, the or each switch comprises a thyristor having a control electrode connected to a switching circuit.

The current-supply member preferably comprises a rod having one end connected to the inductance coil and accommodated in the dielectrical casing, the other end of the rod being provided with nuts.

The invention enables a considerable reduction of average input by accumulating energy in the energy storage means during pauses between successive pulses.

Power N1 of a pulse is determined as follows: t+T N1 = N2 rl wherein N2 is the power capacity of energy source, rl is the efficiency of the apparatus.

t is the pulse length T is the pause between successive pulses, and preferably 10 S T/t 10000.

Thus, with a pulse length ofeg. 110-3 (second), a pause between successive pulses 1 s, and an efficiency of 90%, the average input is 900 times smaller than the pulse power.

Furthermore, the efficiency of disintegration of a material may be improved and high productivity may be achieved.

The invention will be further described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an electric circuit of a preferred apparatus for disintegrating a material, for providing independent drive of units forming electromagnetic field pulses; Figure 2 shows a structural embodiment of a unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses; Figure 3 shows an electric circuit of a preferred apparatus for disintegrating a material, for providing simultaneous drive of units forming electromagnetic field pulses, united into groups; Figure 4 is a partial longitudinal section of a container with the material being disintegrated, showing unitsforforming electromagneticfield pulses with current-conducting elements;; Figure 5 is a partial longitudinal section showing a wall of a container and a unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses and a current-conducting element; Figure 6 is a longitudinal section showing a wall of a container and a unitforforming electromagnetic field pulses with a current-conducting element; Figure 7 is a longitudinal section showing a working member of an excavating machine and unitsforforming electromagnetic field pulses with a current-conducting element; Figure 8 is a view taken along arrow A in Figure 7 of a working member of an excavating machine and units for forming electromagnetic field pulses; Figure 9 is a longitudinal section schematically showing the material being disintegrated having an exposed surface, and a unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses with a current-conducting element;; Figure 10 is a longitudinal section showing a crusher having movable and stationary jaws, and a unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses with a current-conducting element; Figure 11 is a longitudinal section showing a crusher with two movable jaws and units for forming electromagnetic field pulses with current-conducting elements; Figure 12 is a longitudinal section showing an excavating machine with a work bit, and a unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses with a currentconducting element; and Figure 13 is a longitudinal section showing a portable tool with a work bit and a unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses with a currentconducting element.

An apparatus for disintegrating a material comprises units 1 (Figure 1) for forming electromagnetic field pulses connected via switches, for example in the form of thyristors 2, to a current source 3 having an electric energy storage means 4. The current source also has a rectifier converter 5 connected between the electric energy storage means 4 and a step-up transformer 6 having a primary winding connected to supply voltage terminals 7. Control electrodes of the thyristors 2 are connected to a switching circuit 8.

The switching circuit 8 comprises a series circuit including a pulse generator 9, a ring shift register 10 and a pulse amplifier 11.

The units 1 are arranged in close proximity to a current-conducting element 12 which is preferably made of a highly electrically conductive material, such as aluminium or copper.

The unit 1 comprises an inductance coil 13 (Figure 2) arranged in a dielectrical casing 14 having a current-supply member 15 for feeding current to the coil 13.

The casing 14 comprises a frame 16, on which the coil 13 is wound, and an envelope 17. The currentsupply member 15 comprises a rod 18 one end of which is press-fitted in the frame 16 and connected to the coil 13, the other end of the rod being provided with nuts 19. Aterminal 20 mounted between the nuts 19 is used to supply the inductance coil 13 with current. The rod 18 and nuts 19 are used for mounting the unit 1.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the apparatus wherein each three adjacent units 1 are connected in series and form a group connected to the current source 3 via the corresponding thyristor 2.

Various possible applications of the apparatus for disintegrating a material will be described below.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the apparatus for disintegrating a material confined within in a closed space.

The unit 1 for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element 12 are arranged on a wall 21 of a container for a material 22 to be disintegrated.

The container may be in the form of a railway open car or a hopper containing frozen together or caked granular material.

The unit 1 is secured to the wall 21 by means of an arm 23 made of a dielectrical material.

The current-conducting element 12 may be secured to the wall 21 (Figure 5) of the container by means ofthe arm 23 (Figure 6) or may be arranged between the wall 21 (Figure 4) and the unit 1 without any fastening. In the latter case, the currentconducting element 12 is held againstthewall 21 owing to the arm 23 pressing the unit 1 against the wall 21.

If the wall 21 of the container is made of an electrically conducting material, the currentconducting element 12 may be dispensed with.

Figure 7 shows two units 1 and the currentconducting elements 12 arranged on the inner side of the working surface 24 of the working member 25 of an excavating machine. The units 1 are secured to the working surface 24 as described above.

Figure 8 shows a view of the working member 25 of an excavating machine taken along arrow A. The units 1 are united into groups extending in parallel with one another in the direction at right angle to the direction of movement of the working member 25.

The direction of movement of the working member 25 is shown by arrow B in Figure 8.

The units 1 of one group are staggered relative to the units of the other group.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the apparatus in an application for soil disintegration. The unit 1 and the current-conducting element 12 are arranged on the exposed surface 26 of the material 22 to be disintegrated. The unit 1 and the current-conducting element 12 are held against the exposed surface 26 by means of a mounting member 27.

For manual disintegration of a material, only one unit 1 is preferably used, so that a light-weight portable tool for disintegrating a material may be provided.

Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the apparatus used in a jaw crusher for disintegrating a material.

The unit 1 and the current-conducting element 12 are secured to a rigid support 28 and arranged on a movable jaw 29 of the crusher, which jaw 29 is movable relative to the unit 1, and a stationary jaw 29' of the crusher.

To prevent the jaw 29 and the current-conducting element 12 from hitting one another, there is provided a stop 30 limiting the displacement of the jaw 28.

If the apparatus is used in a crusher having two movable jaws, the unit 1 and the current-conducting element 12 are arranged on both jaws 29 of the crusher (Figure 11).

In an application where the mounting member 27 is secured to a vehicle, a group of units 1 is preferably used.

Figure 12 shows an embodiment of the apparatus as applied to an excavating machine having a work bit.

The unit 1 and the current-conducting element 12 are-arranged on a work bit 31 which is movable relative to the unit 1 and to the current-conducting element 12.

The unit 1 is secured by means of an arm 23 to the inner side of the working surface 24 of the working member 25 of an excavating machine, and the current-conducting element 12 is arranged between the unit 1 and a piston 32 of a piston rod 33 connected to the work bit 31. A spring 34 is installed between the wall of the working member 25 and the piston 32. To prevent the piston 32 from causing impacts on the unit 1, a shock absorber 35 made of an elastic material, such as rubber, is provided between the arm 23 and the piston rod 33.

When the working member 25 has a plurality of the work bits 31, the above-described elements are used for each work bit. To synchronize operation of the work bits, the units 1 are preferably connected into respective groups.

Figure 13 shows an embodiment of the apparatus having a work bit, which can be used as a portable tool.

The unit 1 is secured by means of the arm 23 in a casing 36 and is arranged in close proximity to the work bit 31 secured to the arm 23 by means of an elastic suspension, such as a spring 34 so that the work bit 31 may move relative to the unit 1.

The current-conducting element 12 is arranged between the unit 1 and the work bit 31.

If the work bit 31 is made of an electrically conducting material, the current-conducting element 12 may be dispensed with. In application where the apparatus for disintegrating a material is used on excavating machines, the current source 3 (Figure 3) is preferably installed on the machine.

When the apparatus for disintegrating a material is used as a portable tool, the current source 3 is preferably a stationary current source, or it may be installed on an auxiliary vehicle.

The apparatus for disintegrating a material functions in the following manner.

When a supply voltage is connected the current source 3 at the terminals 7 (Figure 1), the electric energy storage means 4 is charged through the step-up transformer 6 and the rectifier converter 5.

When a signal is supplied from the switching circuit 8 to the control electrode of one of the thyristors 2, the thyristor becomes conductive, and the storage means 4 is discharged into the unit 1 connected to the one thyristor 2. The discharge current pulse flowing in the unit 1 comprising the inductance coil 13 (Figure 2) generates an electromagnetic field pulse which induces in the current-conducting element 12 (Figure 1) a secondary pulse current. When the discharge current pulse flowing in the unit 1 interacts with the induced pulse current in the current-conducting element 12, the latter is deformed and abruptly repelled from the unit 1. As a result, individual shock waves are emitted into the depth of the material to be disintegrated to cause the appearance of ultimate stresses in the material.To enlarge the zone of impact action, several units 1 are used. In this example, six units are used to form electromagnetic field pulses, which are connected to the current source 3 in a sequence set-up by the switching circuit 8.

For simultaneous drive of several units 1 (Figure 3), the units are arranged in groups each controlled by a respective one thyristor 2 so that the zone of simultaneously applied ultimate stresses is enlarged. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the apparatus for disintegrating a material using two groups each containing three units 1, and the current-conducting element 12 consists of three parts each being arrange in close proximity to a respective unit 1. The switching circuit 8 (Figure 1) controls the drive of the units 1 in a pre-set sequence. A pulse generator 9 produces a continuous sequence of voltage pulses fed to the ring shift register 10 and then amplified in the amplifier 11.

Before starting operation, a logic one is stored in the first place of the ring shift register 10. Logic zeros appear in all remaining places, and the thyristor 2 associated with the first place of the shift register 10 becomes conductive. Upon receiving a first pulse from the pulse generator 9, the logic one is transferred to the second place, so that, upon receiving the second pulse from the generator 9, the thyristor 2 associated with the second place of the shift registor 10 becomes conductive, and the logic one is transferred to the next place.

The electromagnetic field pulse length ranges from 10-5 to 10-2 (seconds) so that a large range of conditions for efficient disintegration of materials is ensured. Amplitude of the impulse action depends on the electromagnetic field pulse length and increases with reduction of the pulse length. With the pulse length above 10-2 s, the efficiency of disintegration of the material abruptly decreases.

With the pulse length below 10-5 technical difficulties associated with the production and application of such a pulse arise.

The ratio of the pause between successive electromagnetic field pulses to the pulse length ranges from 10 to 10000 and is optimal for high efficiency of disintegration and reduction of power requirements.

The ratio above 1000 results in an unwarranted increase in the time needed for final disintegration of the material. Reduction of the ratio below 10 results in an increase in the power requirements as the storage means 4 would have to be charged for a short time to its rated value.

The operation of the apparatus for disintegrating a material will be described for various applications.

The apparatus installed on the wall 21 (Figure 4) of the container with the material 22 being disintegrated functions in the following manner.

Upon interaction of the discharge current pulse flowing in the unit 1 with the induced pulse current in the current conducting element 12, the currentconducting element 12 is abruptly repelled together with the wall 21. The zone of the wall 21 in contact with the current-conducting element 12 is elastically deformed and acts with the shock wave on the material 22 to be disintegrated. The process of disintegration of the material confined in a closed space is intensified owing to the appearance of opposite reflected waves due to the interference of the waves.

When a group of simultaneously driven units 1 is used to disintegrate the material in the container, the effect of disintegration of the material due to the interference of waves becomes stronger.

The apparatus arranged on the inner side of the working surface 24 of the working member 25 (Figure 7) of an excavating machine functions in such a manner as to transmit through the working surface 24 of the working member of the excavating machine an impact action provided owing to the interaction of the discharge current pulse flowing in the unit 1 with the induced pulse current in the current-conducting element 12.

Operation of the apparatus arranged on the exposed surface of the material being disintegrated resides in creating ultimate stresses on the surface 26 (Figure 9) of the material 22 being disintegrated as a result of action of shock waves appearing upon interaction of the discharge current pulse flowing in the unit 1 with the induced pulse current in the current-conducting element 12.

When the apparatus for disintegrating a material is used in a jaw crusher, a shock wave provided as a result of interaction of the discharge current pulse flowing in the unit 1 with the induced pulse current in the current-conducting element 12 is transmitted to the movable jaw 29 (Figure 10) of the crusher which is abruptly repelled from the unit 1 secured to the rigid support 28, the material between the movable jaw 29 and stationary jaw 29' of the crusher being disintegrated.

To make the effect of disintegration of material stronger, both jaws 29 of the crusher are made movable (Figure 11), and each jaw has a unit 1 and a current-conducting element 12. Impact actions are applied to both jaws simultaneously towards one another.

Operation of the apparatus for disintegrating a material when used in an excavating machine having a work bit is as follows.

During interaction of the discharge current pulse flowing in the unit 1 (Figure 12) with the induced pulse current in the current-conducting element 12, the current-conducting element 12 is abruptly repelled from the unit 1. As a result, an impact action is produced which is transmitted through the piston 32 and piston rod 33 to the work bit 31. The work bit 31 is displaced to penetrate the material 22 being disintegrated. The work bit 31 is returned back by means ofthe spring 34.

When the apparatus for disintegrating the material is used in a portable tool (Figure 13), the operation is as described for an excavating machine having a work bit.

Preferred embodiments of the invention enable a considerable reduction of average input since, during the pauses between successive pulses of electromagnetic field which pauses have a length 10-1000 times greater than the pulse length, electric energy is accumulated in the storage means 4 and is then consumed for the next pulse. Also improved efficien cy of the process of disi ntegration of a material and high productivity can be obtained.

Preferred methods of and apparatuses for disintegrating a material are simple and do not require considerable capital investments, while a minimum number of movable components in the apparatus provides for high reliability.

Claims

1. A method of disintegrating a material, comprising acting on the material with shock waves produced by deforming a current-conducting element arranged in close proximity to the surface of the material to be disintegrated by applying electromagnetic field pulses to the current-conducting element.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the current-conducting element is deformed by synchronously applying thereto at least a train of individual electromagnetic field pulses.

3. A method as claimed in Claims 1 or 2, wherein the length of each electromagnetic field pulse is between 10-5 and 1 of2 seconds, and the ratio of the pause between successive electromagnetic field pulses to the length of the electromagnetic field pulses is between 10 and 10000.

4. An apparatus for performing a method as claimed in Claim 1, comprising at least one unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses connected, via a switch, to a current source having an electric energy storage means, the unit being arranged in close proximity to the current-conducting element.

5. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein at least two adjacent units for forming electromagnetic field pulses are connected in series to form a group connected to the current source via the switch.

6. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein at least one unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element are arranged on a wall of a container for the material to be disintegrated.

7. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wheren at least one group of units for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element are arranged on a wall of a container for the material to be disintegrated.

8. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein at least one unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element are arranged on the inner side of the working surface of a working member of an excavating machine.

9. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 wherein at least one group of units for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element are arranged on the inner side of the working surface of a working member of an excavating machine.

10. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein at least one unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element are arranged on the exposed surface of the material to be disintegrated.

11. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein at least one group of units for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element are arranged on the exposed surface of the material to be disintegrated.

12. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein at least one unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element are arranged on a movable jaw of a crusher.

13. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein at least one group of units for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element are arranged on a movable jaw of a crusher.

14. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein at least one unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element are arranged to a work bit which is movable relative to the unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses and to the current-conducting element.

15. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein at least one group of units for forming electromagnetic field pulses and the current-conducting element are arranged on a work bit which is movable relative to the group of units for forming electromagnetic field pulses and to the current-conducting element.

16. An apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 10, wherein an arm for mounting the unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses is made of a dielectrical material.

17. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the unit for forming electromagnetic field pulses comprises an inductance coil arranged in a dielectrical casing having a current-supply member for feeding current to the inductance coil.

18. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the current-supply member comprises a rod having one end connected to the inductance coil and arranged in the dielectrical casing, the other end of the rod being provided with nuts.

19. An apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 4to 18, in which the or each and which comprises a thyristor having a control electrode connected to a switch circuit.

20. A method of disintegrating a material, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. An apparatus for disintegrating a material, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.