GB1038108A - Gate mechanism for a coke wharf - Google Patents

Abstract

1,038,108. Discharge from hoppers. ALLIED CHEMICAL CORPORATION. June 11, 1964 [June 25, 1963], No. 24306/64. Heading B8S. A gate mechanism for a coke wharf 12 comprises a series of gates 13 arranged along the lower edge of the wharf and being movable between open and closed positions, piston and cylinder actuating means 25 associated with the gates and control means adapted to operate the actuating means 25 in a predetermined sequence. Coke tipped into the wharf 12 from cars 10 on rails 11 is controllably discharged on to an endless belt conveyer 14 by the gate mechanism. The gate comprises a plate 13 which is secured at each end to a framework 15, 16, 17 which is pivotally mounted at 20 to a structure 22 on the opposite side of the conveyer 14 from the wharf. Counterbalance arms 32 extend from the members 15 rearward of the pivot points 20. Each fluid operated piston and cylinder device 25 is actuated by a solenoid valve 43 and is attached at its upper end to an extension 23 of the structure 22 and at its lower end to the mid-point of a cross member interconnecting the ends of the arms 32 of a particular gate. An aperture 59<SP>1</SP> in the plate 13 of the gate receives an actuation plate 58 for sensing the presence of coke adjacent the gate. The plate 58 is pivotally mounted to the gate framework 15 and through a series of linkages 62, 64, 67, 70, 73, is coupled to a plunger 75 mounted on the extension support 23. The plate 58 is biased by spring 68 into a position of protrusion from the front of the gate 13 and when coke is present adjacent the gate the plate 58 is pushed back to the gate 13 causing the plunger 73 to rise whereupon a flange 77 thereon engages and raises a spring-loaded sleeve 76. A cam 81 on the sleeve 76 then operates a limiter switch 83 to commence a coke discharging cycle. Pressurized fluid supplied from a tank 33 via a pump 36 and pressure relief valve 38 is passed to either end of the cylinders 25, as controlled by an associated spring returned solenoid valve 43. The operation of each solenoid valve is controlled by a rotating contact 52 of a sequencing device 51, the rotation of the contact 52 by a motor 53 being controlled by a timer 86 actuated by any of the limit switches 83. The opening of a gate 13 causes the cam 81 to be disconnected from the limit switch 83 due to the lowering of the counterbalance arms 32 and the plunger 73 associated therewith. Once the timer 86 is started, the contact 52 rotates at a predetermined rate engaging fixed contacts 50 to energize the solenoid valves 43. The contact 52 may be wide enough to engage any number of fixed contacts for simultaneous operation of several gates 13 and as the contact rotates the gates are opened in sequence down the length of the wharf until the cycle is completed whereupon the timer is stopped and the system deenergized. If however there is still coke in the wharf, a switch 83 will be still closed and this will cause a re-cycle of the operation. The timer may alternatively be started by a manual switch. In a modification, Fig. 8 (not shown) gates and non-opening stops are spaced alternately along the discharge edge of the wharf. In a further modification, Fig. 10 (not shown) the gates are again spaced to incorporate the stops and adjacent pairs of gates are pivotally connected such that a single cylinder and piston device is used to operate one or the other of the pair of gates. In the modification of Fig. 9 (not shown) adjacent pairs of gates are coupled to a single cylinder and piston device for operation together.