Abstract: A control system for the axes of movement of handling machines with linear drives and/or pivoting drives for transporting and for positioning workpieces relative to and in a target point, particularly relative to and on processing machines. The control system combines a speed adjustment or speed control of the axes of movement of the handling machine for moving a workpiece into the area of a target point, on the one hand, and a position control of the axes of movement for the precise positioning of the workpiece in the target point, on the other hand.

Abstract: In machines for opening of a tapping hole, for example in tapping hole boring machines, carriage holder (4) with boring bar and boring machine is swung up via four-bar linkage (5) by a lifting cylinder (10) out of an optionally obliquely sloped working or boring position into a neutral position out of the area of a runner. The boring angle is adjustable on connecting rod (7) of four-bar linkage (5). To securely keep the lifting device for automatic changing of the boring bar always in the horizontal neutral position, piston rod (11) of lifting cylinder (10) is linked to the free end of angle lever (13) which is pivoted around axis (16) located stationary on lifting frame (8). The angle lever is hinged via link plate (14) to upper short lever arm (15) of lifting arm (6). Link plate (14) with short lever arm (15) and angle lever (13) in the horizontal neutral position of the lifting device forms self-locking knee link (18).

Abstract: A measuring probe for taking gas samples and/or making temperature measurements in furnace charges that are hot and/or have gas flowing through them, for example in blast furnaces, comprises a measuring head axially movable in a water-cooled sampling tube and having a thermocouple in a gas inlet opening, said head consisting at least in part of an alloy containing at least 90% molybdenum and characterized by a long service life.

Abstract: To open a furnace taphole that is closed by a body of plugging material and a tapping rod the tapping rod is driven into the interior of the furnace. Because the tapping rod is driven in and not withdrawn, it is not necessary to provide a second hammer striking blows in the opposite direction, but the hammer used to drive the tapping rod into the body of plugging material is again employed.

Abstract: In closing furnace tapholes a plugging material is forced into the taphole through the nozzle of a notch gun and simultaneously a tapping rod, which remains in the taphole until the furnace is filled, is introduced into the plugging material. Opening of the taphole by itself is thus avoided.

Abstract: Mechanically operated tongs for gripping round objects comprise a pair of uniformly swivelable tong arms the forward ends of which have gripping surfaces adapted to engage the round objects. The gripping surfaces of each tong are comprised by two surfaces disposed at an obtuse angle to each other. The surface farthest from the pivot point of the tong is concave and the surface closest to the pivot point of the tong is convex, with such a configuration that the distance from a line interconnecting the contact points of the two concave surfaces to the center of the round object is substantially equal to the distance from the center of the object to a line interconnecting the contact points of the two convex surfaces, over a wide range of different diameters of round objects. The convex and concave surfaces can be smoothly curved or else comprised of a plurality of short linear portions.

Abstract: To remove burden samples from a furnace shaft, a tubular lance containing a sampler displaceable relative to the lance, is inserted into the shaft so that the inner end of the lance is spaced at a maximum distance inwardly from the inside surface of the shaft. The lance is withdrawn from the shaft relative to the sampler and the sampler takes samples representative of a cross-section of the furnace burden between the point of maximum distance inwardly from the shaft to the inside surface of the shaft.

Abstract: The bore in the shaft wall of a blast furnace through which a furnace probe is inserted is formed with a valve mechanism for shutting the probe bore when the probe is removed and with a sealing assembly located outwardly of the valve mechanism to prevent outburst of heat from the furnace while the probe is removed. A hose seal which bears against the blast furnace probe is connected to the sealing assembly on the side thereof opposite the valve mechanism.

Abstract: A taphole plugging device has an extension arm which can be swiveled about a fixed axis by a drive train operated by a motor. At its end remote from its pivot, the extension arm carries the plugging gun. The drive train and motor for the extension arm are all carried by the extension arm and act between the point on the extension arm spaced from the pivot of the extension arm, on the one hand, and a fixed support on which the extension arm is swingable, on the other hand.

Abstract: An improved device for distributing and stirring the contents of a furnace having a plurality of vertically disposed electrodes, said improved device including a circular track disposed adjacent the upper periphery of said furnace, a first transport carriage, motor means for moving said first transport carriage, an elongated non-circular trackway supported by said first transport carriage, a second transport carriage, a non-circular trackway, means to move said second transport carriage back and forth, a furnace contents working device connected to said second transport carriage, and means to vary the angular disposition of said furnace contents working device.

Abstract: A taphole boring or plugging machine having a simple and compact design affording rotation of the tool arm in several planes is provided which comprises: a pivotably supported connection at the free end of the machine tool arm and with a universal joint supported therein, and support bracket which is pivotably supported by the horizontal axle of the universal joint.

Abstract: In a taphole gun for use in closing tapholes in blast furnaces and the like, a tamping piston is axially displaceable through a cylinder for forcing tamping material into the taphole. An annular recess is formed in the circumferential periphery of the tamping piston and a piston ring is fitted into the annular recess. The piston ring is dimensioned relative to the recess so that tamping material enters the recess and exerts pressure on the piston ring forcing it radially outwardly against the inner surface of the cylinder and axially against the tamping piston.