Patent Description:
The invention also relates to a method for transferring a blower of a pulp dryer from the pulp dryer by means of the hoisting accessory.

Pulp dryers are for example known from <CIT>.

Pulp drying on the pulp dryer employs a large number of circulating air blowers. The circulating air blower of a pulp dryer consists of the blower section (impeller, body and motor) and guide vanes. The circulating air blowers are in blower towers one upon the other in the pulp dryer. If the impeller or motor of a circulating air blower - which is referred to as blower hereunder - needs to be changed, the blower section must be fully removed from the pulp dryer and guide vanes. The removal takes place by means of a hoisting accessory specifically made for this purpose, with the hoisting accessory fastened to an overhead crane, I-beam crane or mobile crane. The hoisting accessory must be fastened to the circulating air blower, which is why the hoisting accessory is brought into contact with the blower by means of a crane.

In practice, the consequence of this is often that structures of the pulp dryer must be dismantled to make way for the hoisting accessory so that the hoisting accessory can be brought into contact with the blower. Especially on the drive side, the hoisting accessory can be fastened to only a few circulating air blowers so that no service platforms, ducts, steam pipes or central vacuum cleaning system pipes need to be dismantled to make way for the hoisting accessory. As an example, if a blower located close to the floor of the facility needs to be removed, all overhead service platforms, stairs and duct parts must be dismantled first for the replacement, and installed back into place later. This represents a very significant undertaking relative to the removal of the blower.

On the other hand, a pulp dryer is often placed so that there is not much space available on its sides, which further complicates the removal of the blower.

The object of the present invention is to accomplish a hoisting accessory for a blower of a pulp dryer and a method for transferring a blower by means of the hoisting accessory, which enable an easier removal and transfer of a blower than prior art accessories and methods. The characteristic features of the invention with regard to the accessory will be more fully understood from claim <NUM> and with regard to the method from claim <NUM>.

The object of the hoisting accessory according to the present invention will be achieved by means of the hoisting accessory for a blower of a pulp dryer, which hoisting accessory includes a hoisting element for fastening the hoisting accessory to the blower to be hoisted, first fastening devices for locking the hoisting element to the blower for the duration of hoisting, a guideway comprising a first end and a second end as well as a carriage adapted on the guideway for transferring the blower on the guideway while said hoisting element is suspended from the carriage. Moreover, the hoisting accessory includes a support device connected to the guideway for suspending the hoisting accessory from a second blower so that the guideway is supported essentially in the horizontal direction by means of the support device.

When referring to the removal of a blower in this context, what is meant is the removal of the blower section of a circulating air blower from the guide vanes, which remain in place in the pulp dryer.

By means of the hoisting accessory according to the present invention, the removal of a blower from a pulp dryer can be carried out in a much faster and easier manner than with prior art hoisting accessories, because the use of the hoisting accessory according to the invention requires much less dismantling of service platforms or other structures of the pulp dryer before removing a blower. This can be achieved by using in the transfer a guideway and a carriage movable on it, from which carriage the blower to be removed is suspended. By means of the carriage, it is possible to transfer the blower outwards from the pulp dryer past service platforms, whereby the final hoist can be carried out by means of an overhead crane or the winch of the hoisting accessory, for example.

The hoisting accessory advantageously also includes a support element adapted to a first end of the guideway to support the guideway advantageously to another blower above. By means of the support element, the hoisting accessory can be fastened to another blower from at least two points, which guarantees sturdy fastening.

According to one embodiment, the hoisting accessory includes quick fastening devices, advantageously bolt fastenings, for fastening the hoisting element, support device and guideway to each other in a detachable manner. In this way, the hoisting accessory can be carried manually in parts to a service platform and assembled there prior to use. In this case, the hoisting accessory does not need to be hoisted by a crane, which would require the dismantling of service platforms and railings.

The guideway advantageously includes a removable travel stop at one end. The travel stop is removable so that the carriage can be removed from the guideway for the duration of the transfer of the hoisting accessory. The purpose of the travel stop is to prevent the falling off of the carriage from the guideway when the blower is hoisted and transferred outside a service platform.

The hoisting element advantageously includes a vertical arm comprising two ends, one end of which is connected to the carriage, and a hoisting support connected to the vertical arm and a second hoisting support connected to the other end of the vertical arm for fastening the hoisting element to the blower. In this way, the blower is connected to the carriage by means of the hoisting element. In a hoisting situation, the second hoisting support forms a horizontal support for the blower, which is supported to the side of the blower by means of the hoisting support.

The hoisting support is advantageously a hoisting beam. Applicable perforation may be formed in the hoisting beam for first fastening devices.

Between the carriage and vertical arm, there is advantageously a joint equipped with an axis of rotation that is perpendicular relative to the guideway, enabling the turning of the vertical arm around its longitudinal axis, at least partly. By means of the joint, it is possible to reduce the length required of the guideway for transferring a blower outside a service platform. The blower attaches to the hoisting accessory from one of its edges, and the blower has length in the direction of the guideway. Because of this, if no joint was used, the guideway would have to continue much beyond the edge of a service platform to transfer a blower completely outside the service platform. By means of the joint, the carriage can be transferred on the guideway past the service platform, and after this the vertical arm and the blower fastened to it by means of the support element can be turned <NUM> degrees relative to the vertical axis, whereby the entire length of the blower is transferred outside the service platform. Outside the service platform, the final hoist can be carried out by means of an overhead crane, for example.

According to one embodiment, the hoisting accessory can include a winch attached in a detachable manner to one end of the guideway, by means of which winch the blower can be lowered on the floor with the hoisting support. In this case, the replacement work can be carried out completely without a separate overhead crane.

The support device is advantageously adapted at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the guideway, and the support device is telescopic, comprising at least two parts that are at least partially inside each other in order to support the guideway in an essentially horizontal direction. By means of the telescopic support device, the length of the support device can be adapted to be suitable also for the removal of blowers which are at a different distance from one another, so that the guideway is always essentially horizontal. The position of the guideway may differ a little relative to the horizontal, but the basic principle is that the carriage and blower could be transferred even by pushing by hand.

Alternatively, the carriage can include an electric motor for driving the carriage to the guideway.

The length of the carriage is advantageously <NUM>-<NUM>, advantageously <NUM>-<NUM>, so that the wheels advantageously included in the carriage are located at a sufficient distance from the joint that connects the vertical arm to the carriage. The centre of gravity of the blower is located at a distance from the fastening of the blower to the hoisting element, which tends to turn the blower and the hoisting element relative to the carriage. A sufficient length of the carriage is important so that the carriage does not exert a very point-like load on the guideway due to the torque caused by the blower, but instead, the load is distributed over a wider area of the guideway.

According to one embodiment, at least the support device, and advantageously also the second support element, include form-locked second fastening devices for fastening the support device, and advantageously also the second support element, around the edge belonging to the blower. By means of the form-locked second fastening devices, the fastening of the support device and advantageously also of the second support element to a blower directly above the blower to be hoisted takes place quickly and reliably. The form-locked second fastening devices can be, for example, hook-shaped elements.

The form-locked second fastening devices can be claw-like locking elements.

The second fastening devices advantageously also include bolt fastenings for locking. By means of the bolt fastenings, the form-locked second fastening devices can be locked securely and reliably into contact with the blower in all directions of movement. This ensures the safety of the transfer.

The hoisting element, support element and support device are advantageously of steel tube or steel profile. In this way, the parts of the hoisting accessory are of reasonably light weight as individual parts and can be lifted and transported by the user to the place of use. On the other hand, profile and tube structures are also sufficiently strong and rigid to withstand the transfer of a blower weighing less than a tonne.

The length of the guideway is advantageously <NUM>-<NUM> greater than the width of the service platforms. According to an embodiment, the length of the guideway can be <NUM>-<NUM>, advantageously <NUM>-<NUM>. In this case, the guideway is sufficiently long so that the carriage and the blower to be suspended from it can be transferred outside the service platforms.

The support device can be fastened on the guideway at a point where the distance from the other end of the guideway is <NUM>-<NUM>%, advantageously <NUM>-<NUM>% of the length of the guideway. In this case, the support device accomplishes reliable support for the guideway, and the blower cannot move significantly on the guideway past the support point created by the support device for the guideway.

The guideway advantageously consists of two adjacent and separate rails that are fastened to each other. This makes the structure of the guideway lighter.

The purpose of the method according to the invention is achieved by means of a method for transferring a blower of a pulp dryer from the pulp dryer by means of a hoisting accessory, which method includes the following stages, where the railing of the pulp dryer service platform or a part of the service platform is removed, the hoisting accessory is brought up to the blower, the hoisting accessory is suspended advantageously from a second blower above, and a guideway belonging to the hoisting accessory is supported to the second blower essentially horizontally. Furthermore in the method, the hoisting accessory is fastened to the blower, the blower is removed from the pulp dryer and the blower is transferred horizontally by means of a carriage on the guideway out of the pulp dryer outside the service platform while the blower is suspended from the carriage.

In the method according to the invention, only one upper part of the service platform is removed instead of all overhead structures, when the blower can be transferred outside the service platform by means of the carriage and guideway of the hoisting accessory to lower it down or lift it up. In this way, the transfer can be carried out quickly and effortlessly. This is particularly important, because the number of blowers in a pulp dryer can be between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The hoisting accessory is advantageously brought as separate parts up to the blower, and before suspension, the hoisting accessory is assembled from the parts. In this way, an overhead crane, for example, is not needed to hoist the hoisting accessory itself to the place of use, but the hoisting accessory can be transported by hand to the place of use and assembled ready for use.

According to one embodiment, the blower is hoisted by means of the hoisting accessory after the hoisting accessory is fastened to the blower and removed from the pulp dryer, but before the blower is transferred on the guideway of the hoisting accessory.

According to one embodiment, the blower is turned by means of the hoisting element <NUM>°-<NUM>°, advantageously <NUM>°-<NUM>° relative to the carriage around the joint when the carriage reaches one end of the guideway. In this way, the guideway can be a little shorter, when the structure of the blower can be turned around the joint to the other side, whereby the entire blower is outside the service platforms.

With the hoisting accessory and method according to the invention, the blower can be removed and replaced without a crane at any point of the pulp dryer. Moreover, the blower can be removed and replaced so that there is no need to dismantle service platforms, ducts, steam pipes, vacuum cleaner pipes, electric cables of the blower, or stairs. The replacement of the blower takes place significantly more quickly, in particular in those applications where there are many above-mentioned structures hampering the replacement work. As a result of the above-mentioned advantages, occupational safety and user-friendliness are improved, and the blower can be maintained or replaced more easily.

The invention, which is not restricted to the embodiments presented below, is described in more detail by making reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:.

The figures refer to different parts of the invention using the following reference numbers:.

<FIG> shows pulp dryer <NUM> depicted from a side. Pulp dryer <NUM> includes a great number, usually <NUM> to <NUM> blowers <NUM>, which are fastened to blower towers <NUM>, which are side by side. Individual blower tower <NUM> contains several blowers <NUM> one upon the other, with the blowers being essentially structurally similar. So that blowers <NUM> and pulp dryer <NUM> can be serviced in the first place, there are service platforms <NUM> on the sides of pulp dryer <NUM>, which service platforms <NUM> prevent the hoisting of blower <NUM> directly out of pulp dryer <NUM> by means of an overhead crane.

<FIG> show one advantageous embodiment of hoisting accessory <NUM> according to the invention. Hoisting accessory <NUM> comprises the following basic parts to be fastened to each other in a detachable manner: hoisting element <NUM>, first fastening devices <NUM> for fastening hoisting element <NUM> to blower <NUM> in accordance with <FIG> and <FIG>, guideway <NUM> and carriage <NUM> adaptable on it as well as support element <NUM> and support device <NUM> for supporting guideway <NUM> to second blower <NUM>, which is above blower <NUM> to be transferred, in accordance with <FIG> and <FIG>. In the embodiments of <FIG>, guideway <NUM> consists of two separate rails <NUM> (<FIG>), but it is to be understood that the guideway may also be an individual elongated structure in the shape of the letter C opening downwards. Support device <NUM> is advantageously a support arm shown in the Figures, but alternatively a cable wire, chain, rope or similar can also be used as the support device.

The above-mentioned parts are fastened to each other by means of quick fastening devices <NUM>, which are advantageously bolt fasteners <NUM>. In practice, the parts of the hoisting accessory are carried up to the blower to be transferred by using service platforms or pulled by means of, for example, a small cart which can be hoisted by an overhead crane onto a service platform at the edge area of the pulp dryer. The hoisting accessory is assembled ready for use in connection with a blower. So that the carrying could be carried out ergonomically, said parts are advantageously of steel tube or steel profile, in which case the maximum weight of an individual part is <NUM>. Tube or profile structures are rigid relative to their weight and hence applicable to their purpose of use.

Hoisting element <NUM> advantageously includes vertical arm <NUM> in accordance with <FIG>, which vertical arm <NUM> is fastened by its first end <NUM> to carriage <NUM>, and hoisting support <NUM> adapted in connection with first end <NUM> of vertical arm <NUM> and second hoisting support <NUM> adapted in connection with second end <NUM> of vertical arm <NUM> in order to fasten blower <NUM> to hoisting element <NUM>. Hoisting support <NUM> is advantageously a hoisting beam, the width of which is advantageously <NUM>-<NUM>% of the width of blower <NUM> and is an hollow or lightened steel tube or steel profile. The fastening of the hoisting beam to blower <NUM> takes place in accordance with <FIG> through openings formed in blower <NUM> by using first fastening devices <NUM>, which are advantageously bolt fastenings. So that the structure of blower <NUM> in terms of the openings endures the loading caused by the mass of the blower on it during hoisting, flat bar irons or similar are advantageously used in the fastening on the back side, through which flat bar irons or similar the first fastening devices extend. The flat bar irons or similar distribute the loading over a larger area at the edges of the blower.

In accordance with <FIG>, second hoisting support <NUM> can be, for example, a steel profile that supports vertical support <NUM> against the blower and receives the loading that impacts eccentrically relative to the suspension point of hoisting support <NUM>. The second hoisting support advantageously comprises support part <NUM> in the lateral direction of the blower and arm <NUM> that attaches to this transversely and that is equipped with threads. A counter thread can be adapted inside arm <NUM>, and support part <NUM> connects to arm <NUM> by means of bolt <NUM>. In this way, the distance of support part <NUM> relative to vertical arm <NUM> can be adjustable by turning bolt <NUM>. By means of this adjustment, the position of a blower fastened to hoisting support <NUM> can be changed.

Joint <NUM> equipped with an axle that is perpendicular relative to the guideway is advantageously formed between first end <NUM> of vertical arm <NUM> and carriage <NUM>, which joint <NUM> enables the turning of hoisting support <NUM> relative to carriage <NUM>. Joint <NUM> is advantageously formed, in accordance with <FIG>, by axle <NUM>, to which vertical arm <NUM> attaches, and joint sleeve <NUM>, inside which there are bearings for locking axle <NUM> to joint sleeve <NUM> and for enabling the mutual rotational movement between these. Joint sleeve <NUM> is advantageously welded by means of support triangles <NUM> to carriage <NUM>, whereby the loads exerted on joint <NUM> are distributed evenly to the structures of carriage <NUM>.

Support device <NUM>, by means of which guideway <NUM> and carriage <NUM> adapted on it are advantageously suspended from second blower <NUM> directly above blower <NUM> to be transferred in accordance with <FIG> and <FIG>, is advantageously telescopic, consisting of two telescope parts <NUM> that are adapted partially inside each other. In order to lock the parts to each other in the operation position, parts <NUM> can include series of holes, through which a locking pin is adapted after the correct dimension of the support device has been found. The correct dimension is determined by the position of the guideway, which must be essentially horizontal. Support device <NUM> is advantageously fastened to upper edge <NUM> of second blower <NUM> directly above blower <NUM> to be hoisted, in accordance with <FIG> and <FIG>.

Support element <NUM> is fastened to first end <NUM> of guideway <NUM>, which support element <NUM> can be a support beam, which is supported against the blower, advantageously to bottom edge <NUM> of second blower <NUM> above blower <NUM> to be hoisted, in accordance with <FIG>. The support element can alternatively be fastened, if necessary, for example from the side of the blower or by means of rods also suspended from the upper edge of the blower. Both support device <NUM> and support element <NUM> advantageously include form-locked second fastening devices <NUM>, where the form locking can be carried out by means of claw-like arms <NUM> that extend around the edge of the blower, advantageously around the upper or bottom edge <NUM>, <NUM>. Advantageously, form-locked second fastening devices <NUM> also include locking bolts <NUM>, which press the edge of <NUM>, <NUM> of second blower <NUM> tightly against second fastening devices <NUM>.

Travel stop <NUM> shown in <FIG> is advantageously fastened in a detachable manner to second end <NUM> of guideway <NUM>. One purpose of travel stop <NUM> is to prevent carriage <NUM> placed on guideway <NUM> from falling off from guideway <NUM>, but on the other hand it also enables the installation of the carriage on the guideway from the end of guideway <NUM> in connection with the assembly of the hoisting accessory. A further purpose of the travel stop is to combine two rails <NUM> shown in <FIG>, which belong advantageously to guideway <NUM> and which are at a distance from each other, into guideways <NUM> at their one end <NUM>. At the first end of guideway <NUM>, support element <NUM> fulfils the same function. In this embodiment, guideway <NUM> includes, in addition to ends <NUM> and <NUM> of guideway <NUM>, advantageously also at least one intermediate support <NUM>, which ties parallel rails <NUM> to a constant distance from each other. In accordance with <FIG>, there are advantageously at least two intermediate supports <NUM>. The intermediate support can be a so-called c-clamp retaining plate.

Rails <NUM> advantageously have a cross-sectional shape of so-called C-rails in accordance with <FIG>, where wheels <NUM> advantageously included in carriage <NUM> are inside the C-shape of rail <NUM>, where they can only move in the longitudinal direction of guideway <NUM>, with the C-shape preventing lateral movement. In this way, carriage <NUM> effectively transmits the forces exerted on it by the mass of the blower via wheels <NUM> to guideway <NUM> and via it further to support device <NUM> and support element <NUM> and further to second blower <NUM> above.

Carriage <NUM> includes body <NUM>, to which wheels <NUM> are advantageously fastened to the corners, and said joint <NUM> attaches between these. Axle <NUM> of joint <NUM> advantageously includes an adjustment option, by means of which, by rotating axle <NUM>, vertical arm <NUM> can be adjusted <NUM>-<NUM>, advantageously <NUM>-<NUM> in the vertical direction. For rotation, the axle can include adjustment bolt <NUM> that goes through body <NUM> of carriage <NUM>. Body <NUM> of carriage <NUM> can also include support iron <NUM>, which is adapted on top of body <NUM> to strengthen body <NUM>.

The length of the guideway of the lifting accessory according to the invention can be <NUM>-<NUM>, advantageously <NUM>-<NUM>, and the height of the entire lifting accessory from the second fastening devices of support device <NUM> to the bottom end of the vertical arm of the hoisting element is <NUM>-<NUM>, advantageously <NUM>-<NUM>. The width of the hoisting support can be <NUM>-<NUM>, advantageously <NUM>-<NUM>. The length of the carriage in the longitudinal direction of the guideway can be <NUM>-<NUM>, advantageously <NUM>-<NUM>. The material used in the hoisting accessory can be, for example, materials in accordance with standards EN <NUM>-<NUM> or EN <NUM>-<NUM>, with a yield strength of Re/Rp0. <NUM> of the level <NUM>-<NUM> Mpa, tensile strength Rm <NUM>-<NUM> Mpa and elongation at break A <NUM>-<NUM>%. The hoisting accessory can advantageously be made lighter by means of lightening openings, as, for example, vertical support <NUM> has been made lighter in <FIG>. A corresponding lightening can also be in the second support element and in the hoisting support. The weight of the blower to be hoisted is generally less than <NUM>, while the weight of the hoisting accessory can be less than <NUM>.

<FIG> shows stages of the method according to the invention as a block diagram in one embodiment. The hoisting accessory is advantageously installed on a blower located above the blower to be replaced or, in the case of the topmost blower, on a wall section. For the removal of the blower, a covering strip and insulation must advantageously be removed from between blowers so that the top and bottom edge of the blower can be exposed and be used by the second fastening devices. In stage <NUM>, the guideway and support device are fastened to the lugs in the blower above by means of ball lock pins that advantageously form the second fastening devices, and tightened with the bolts of the bolt fastenings against the wall of the blower above, as shown in <FIG>. In stage <NUM>, the support device is locked to the guideway, and the long fastening hole advantageously belonging to it enables the adjustment of the guideway to a horizontal position before tightening. When fastened to a wall section, the support device is adjusted to the longer position of its telescopic parts and can be locked with two pins delivered with the hoisting accessory.

In stage <NUM>, the carriage is adapted on the guideway by turning the travel stop away to give way to the carriage so that the carriage and intermediate support can be adapted on the guideway. In stage <NUM>, the travel stop is tightened back into place for the duration of the replacement, using bolts, for example.

In stage <NUM>, the hoisting element is fastened to holes on the sides of the blower to be replaced, by using, for example, bolts and fastening plates delivered with the support element belonging to the hoisting element. When replacing the topmost blower, the blower can be fastened by the upper holes in the end plate belonging to the support element, but in other cases by the lower holes in the end plate. In stage <NUM>, the support element can be fastened to the vertical arm of the hoisting element by means of a ball lock pin.

In stage <NUM>, the vertical location of the hoisting element can be adjusted by the bolt above the carriage. The bolt in the second support element of the vertical arm can be used for adjusting the position of the blower.

When the hoisting accessory is fastened firmly to the blower to be removed and supported to an overhead blower, the blower to be removed can be removed for hoisting from the part of the blower that remains in the pulp dryer.

When the hoisting accessory and hoisting element are fastened to the blower to be transferred in accordance with stages <NUM>-<NUM>, blower <NUM> to be replaced can be removed from the pulp dryer to the suspension of the replacement device in accordance with stages <NUM>-<NUM> and by making reference to <FIG>. In stage <NUM>, the screw above carriage <NUM> is used for adjusting the height of the hoisting element, in other words vertical location, and blower <NUM> is suspended from hoisting accessory <NUM>. If necessary, the position of blower <NUM> is adjusted in stage <NUM> by adjusting second hoisting support <NUM> by a screw. In stage <NUM>, blower <NUM> suspended from hoisting accessory <NUM> is transferred by means of carriage <NUM> from the position in accordance with <FIG> from first end <NUM> of guideway <NUM> to second end <NUM> in accordance with <FIG>. In stage <NUM>, blower <NUM> is turned <NUM>° around joint <NUM> of hoisting element <NUM> to the reach of an overhead crane in accordance with <FIG>. In stage <NUM>, the centre of gravity of the blower is attached to the overhead crane, after which the hoisting accessory can be detached from the blower in stage <NUM>. The carriage can include a separate hoisting lug, by which the blower to be removed can be attached to the overhead crane. A new blower can be installed by repeating stages <NUM>-<NUM> in reverse order.

If the blower to be removed is the topmost blower in a blower tower, it is possible to form separate hoisting counter plates in the blower tower for the use of the hoisting accessory, with the counter plates used for supporting the hoisting accessory.

Claim 1:
A hoisting accessory (<NUM>) for a blower (<NUM>) of a pulp dryer (<NUM>), which hoisting accessory (<NUM>) includes:
- a hoisting element (<NUM>) for fastening the hoisting accessory (<NUM>) to the blower (<NUM>) to be hoisted, and
- first fastening devices (<NUM>) for locking the hoisting element (<NUM>) to the blower (<NUM>) for the duration of hoisting, wherein the hoisting accessory (<NUM>) also includes
- a guideway (<NUM>) comprising a first end (<NUM>) and second end (<NUM>),
- a carriage (<NUM>) adapted on the guideway (<NUM>) for transferring a blower (<NUM>) on the guideway (<NUM>) while said hoisting element (<NUM>) is suspended from said carriage (<NUM>),
- a support device (<NUM>) connected to said guideway (<NUM>) for suspending the hoisting accessory (<NUM>) from a second blower (<NUM>) so that said guideway (<NUM>) is supported essentially in the horizontal direction by means of the support device (<NUM>).