Pallet construction for traveling grate machines

Abstract

A pallet construction for use in a circular traveling grate machine of the type having rotatable inner and outer side frames which move with the pallets on either side thereof. Various restraining and float means associated with the pallet hanger brackets and their respective axles, as well as with one of the pallet wheels and its respective axle, restrain and permit relative movement of the pallet axles in given radial and circumferential directions, whereby forces and moments are transmitted by the pallets as they mechanically couple the inner and outer side frames. The aforesaid restraining and float means also accommodate the differentials in thermal expansion and contraction between the pallets and the cooler side frames of the traveling grate. The first axles and hanger brackets include spherical antifriction means which permits the pallets to rotatably tilt during the burden discharge operation in situations where the first axles are axially misaligned due to thermal sagging. Further included are spring-loaded sealing pads which accommodate for thermal expansion and seal off the lateral gaps between adjacent pallets so as to reduce the leakage of gas from the pallet wheel tunnels therebetween. A compact lubrication system is also provided for sequentially lubricating and flushing the hanger bracket antifriction means and the pallet wheel bearings.