Abstract: A closure and/or regulation apparatus for controlling the outflow of melt from a metallurgical vessel includes a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator. Additional responsive control of outflow is provided by a chamber that is part of or is connected to an outflow channel that can be connected to a vacuum generator.

Abstract: An immersion nozzle includes an immersion zone inserted into a long-thin mold cavity of a mold. A discharge channel extends through the nozzle for discharging molten metal into the mold cavity. The discharge channel includes an inlet region, an outlet region including a portion passing through the immersion zone, and a pool-forming chamber between the inlet region and the outlet region at a location adjacent the immersion zone. The portion of the outlet region of the discharge channel that extends through the immersion zone is widened and has a configuration to approximate the cross-sectional configuration of the mold cavity. The outlet region has, extending from the chamber in a direction of material flow, a configure approximately corresponding to the configuration of the portion of the outlet region through the immersion zone.

Abstract: A regulating device for regulating the flow of molten metal from metallurgical vessel includes an inner tubular part which is fixed to the metallurgical vessel and defines at least one through-hole, and a movable outer tubular part rotatably and/or slidably mounted to the metallurgical vessel and extending around the tubular inner part. The tubular outer part terminates at a bottom edge constituted by a contiguous land extending around the tubular inner part. The tubular outer part can be slid and/or rotated between open and closed positions at which the through-hole of the tubular inner part is opened and closed, respectively. To prevent plugs of molten metal from hardening in the at least one through-hole of the tubular inner part, the bottom edge of the tubular outer part is designed so that a portion of the land thereof passes across the at least one through-hole when the tubular outer part is moved between the open and closed position.

Abstract: An elongated nozzle assembly for closing and/or regulating the discharge from a metallurgical vessel of molten metal in the form of a wide strip includes refractory tubular stator and rotor members each having extending through a tubular wall thereof a discharge opening in the form of a slot elongated in the direction of coincident longitudinal axes thereof. The stator and rotor members are assembled with one member fitting in a sealing manner within the other member, thus forming inner and outer members. The inner member has therein a cavity elongated in the direction of the axes of the members and into which opens the discharge opening of the inner member. A first longitudinal end of the cavity is closed by an end wall of the inner member. A second longitudinal end of the cavity is opened axially through an inlet opening in the respective longitudinal end of the inner member. The inlet opening communicates via the cavity with the discharge opening of the inner member.

Abstract: An elongated nozzle assembly for closing and/or regulating the discharge from a metallurgical vessel of molten metal in the form of a wide strip includes refractory tubular stator and rotor members each having extending through a tubular wall thereof a discharge opening in the form of a slot elongated in the direction of coincident longitudinal axes thereof. The stator and rotor members are assembled with one member fitting in a sealing manner within the other member, thus forming inner and outer members. The inner member has therein a cavity elongated in the direction of the axes of the members and into which opens the discharge opening of the inner member. A first longitudinal end of the cavity is closed by an end wall of the inner member. A second longitudinal end of the cavity is opened axially through an inlet opening in the respective longitudinal end of the inner member. The inlet opening communicates via the cavity with the discharge opening of the inner member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closing member, for use in a slide gate for a molten metal container. The closing member can be formed as a ceramic block having flow channels formed therethrough and opening through different external surfaces thereof such that each flow channel has its own working surface and can be brought into operative position by rotating and/or sliding the closing member relative to the molten metal container. Alternatively, the closing member can be formed as a metal cage having recesses formed therethrough in which refractory plates can be inserted. The refractory plates each have an opening therethrough which aligns with a refractory sleeve extending through the cage. Each refractory sleeve, together with the opening through the corresponding refractory plate, forms a flow channel. Again, the different flow channels are arranged so that they can be brought into operative position by rotating and/or sliding the closing member relative to the molten metal container.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a regulating device of a metallurgical vessel for regulating the flow of molten metal from the vessel. The device includes a fixed refractory part defining a first cylindrical peripheral surface of the device and a movable refractory part that is rotatable and/or slidable relative to the fixed refractory part and defines a second cylindrical peripheral surface sealingly engaged with the first cylindrical peripheral surface. An actuating device is connected to the movable refractory part for rotating and/or sliding the movable refractory part relative to the fixed refractory part. The cylindrical peripheral surfaces of the refractory parts are spaced apart from one another so as to define an annular gap therebetween.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the discharge of molten metal in a substantially downward direction from a metallurgical vessel has an outer valve part defining an inlet of the valve and an outlet port of the valve, and a refractory inner valve part disposed within the outer valve part in a sealing relationship therewith. The inner valve part has a groove extending therein at the outer peripheral surface which is communicable with the inlet and the outlet port of the outer valve part when the valve is in an open position. The provision of the groove at the outer peripheral surface of the inner valve part does not result in any significant reduction in strength of the inner valve part.

Abstract: A rotary and/or axial slide plate valve for controlling the discharge of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a refractory fixed valve part and a refractory movable valve part at least partially disposed within the fixed valve part, the valve parts having respective peripheral surfaces which establish a seal therebetween. An electromagnetic drive is provided for moving the movable valve part between open and closed positions of the valve. The electromagnetic drive may facilitate rotary and/or axial movement of the movable valve part.