Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for automatically connecting a gas supply to a vessel employed to contain molten metal whereby gas, such as argon, is injected into the molten metal in a selected interior portion of the vessel, such as a ladle.The ladle is positioned on a tilting structure so that it can be tipped to flow out slag on the top on the molten metal, the slag and other impurities in the metal being directed to the top thereof by the upwardly flowing argon gas.The apparatus comprising an upstanding male connection mounted on the tilting structure so as to be engageable in a downwardly facing female connection mounted on the ladle. The connections are shaped to insure a substantially gas tight connection whereby gas in a desired volume at a desired pressure are introduced into the ladle.

Abstract: Apparatus for introducing stirring and refining agents into molten metal in a vessel using a lance having a refractory body and a tube extending inwardly of a first end of the refractory body and terminating inwardly of a second end thereof. A plurality of relatively smaller tubes positioned within the refractory body and communicating with said tube and extending therefrom to the exterior of said refractory body, at least a portion of each of said smaller tubes being formed in a narrow slot-like passageway whereby gas, such as argon, introduced through the tubes and delivered to the exterior of the refractory body will bubble upwardly through the molten metal in a stirring and mixing action including an annular column around the refractory body acting to protect the same from rapid erosion.

Abstract: A device for introducing stirring gas into a mass of molten metal in a container by way of an opening in the container and a pocket block having a plurality of metered passageways extending therethrough, the pocket block forming a portion of a refractory lining in said container, the plurality of passageways being defined by a plurality of metal tubes arranged in a spiral configuration in circumferentially spaced relation to one another in fixed position in the pocket block which is formed of a suitable refractory, preferably vitrified. The plurality of metal tubes communicate with the single tube which extends through the bottom of the container and communicates with a supply of gas, such as argon.

Abstract: A liner for a molten metal receiving tundish in the form of appropriately sized and shaped inserts formed of insulating and/or exothermic containing materials is assembled on a supporting frame which may be reusable or expendible and positioned in the tundish where the liner acts to fully protect the tundish interior from molten metal contact or penetration.

Abstract: A lance for treating molten metals useful for either inert gas stirring or injection of oxygen has an elongated refractory body formed in and around a metal tube in a portion of which a plurality of spirally wound metal tubes are positioned in side by side relation engaging the metal tube, the spirally wound tubes being mechanically locked into a refractory forming a core therein. The spirally wound metal tubes terminate at one end of the lance in a circular pattern to provide a tangential flow of gas flowing therefrom when gas such as argon is directed therethrough. The metal tubes communicate at their opposite ends with a secondary metal tube which in turn communicates with a fitting externally of the refractory body of the lance by which the lance may be supported and through which the desirable gas is supplied.

Abstract: A tuyere for treating molten metal in a vessel in which bottom stirring gas blowing is desired has a tubular body member having a mounting flange inwardly of one end thereof by which the tuyere is positioned in the vessel through an opening in a side wall thereof with the inner end of the tuyere spaced with respect to the side wall to effectively direct gas introduced therethrough in a stirring action in the molten metal. A plurality of spirally wound metal tubes are positioned in side by side relation engaging the tubular body member and the plurality of spirally wound metal tubes are partially flattened to create desirable configurations so that a tuyere so formed can match any desired discharge of gas into the molten metal. Additionally, the partially flattened configuration of the smaller tubes enables them to provide relatively large surface areas engageable against the inner surface of the tubular body member which imparts a cooling effect thereto.

Abstract: Refractory erosion detection devices are positioned in the refractory lining of metallurgical vessels, such as ladles and refractory stirring plugs incorporated in such vessels through which stirring gas is directed, comprise metal rods positioned in the upper or outer portions of the refractory bodies with their inner ends spaced from the opposite surfaces of the refractory body so that molten metal introduced into the metallurgical vessels erodes the refractory bodies and the metal rod to a point where the complete erosion and absence of the metal rods visually indicates the pre-determined thickness of the remaining refractory bodies indicating the need of replacement of the same.

Abstract: A solid non-permeable refractory plug of an inverted frusto-conical shape has a spaced metal jacket and is located in an inverted frusto-conical shaped cavity in a pocket block incorporated in the normal refractory lining of a ladle to provide a structure through which gas can be introduced into the molten metal in an unusually large annular stream. A tubular body member is attached to the smaller lower end of the refractory plug and metal jacket and extends downwardly through the refractory lining of the ladle and an opening in the bottom of the ladle to which it is secured by a fastener and through which gas is introduced into the ladle. The large annular stream of gas formed by the device results in an improved stirring action in the molten metal and displaces molten metal that would otherwise tend to flow into the device and close the gas passageway. The device is inserted into the pocket block by moving it downwardly through the ladle and the pocket block.

Abstract: Slag retention devices for use in a tapping converter, such as used in the steel industry, are positioned by an improved apparatus positioned substantially above the charging floor in front of the tapping converter and movable horizontally with respect to an overhead support and vertically with respect to the charging floor and the converter. A tiltable drive mechanism telescopically supports an elongated boom, the outer end portion of which is arranged to releasably carry a slag retaining device and move into the tapping converter and position the slag retaining device in the tap hole thereof.

Abstract: A swinging device pivotally suspended from an overhead support adjacent a tapping converter telescopically positions a boom for relative vertical tilting and swinging motion toward and away from said converter on an arcuate path on a vertical plane. The boom supports a boom extension and jaws on the boom extension releaseably hold a slag retaining device so that the same can be moved into the converter and positioned in the tap hole thereof.

Abstract: A device for the separation of slag and its retention in a tapping converter, such as used in the steel industry, consists of a closure having a specific gravity lower than that of the steel produced in the converter, but higher than that of the slag, provided with an elongated guide member depending from the closure, the tip portion of the guide member having a configuration including pockets for the molten steel and an exterior shape against which the molten steel flowing into the tap hole of the converter engages to accelerate and align the guide member and the closure into registry with the tap hole.

Abstract: An elevated device suspended from an overhead support adjacent a converter adjustably positions a boom for relative vertical tilting and side to side motion. A carriage movable along the boom supports a boom extension and jaws on the boom extension releaseably hold a slag retaining device so that the same can be moved into a converter and positioned in the tap hole thereof.

Abstract: The combination of an electric furnace and a slag retaining pouring spout thereon in registry with a modified tap hole is disclosed. The tap hole located in one end of the electric furnace communicates with the interior thereof and the slag retaining pouring spout is positioned on the electric furnace and in communication with the tap hole. The slag retaining pouring spout is angled upwardly and outwardly with respect to the tap hole and positioned above of the molten metal and slag in the operating electric furnace and receives molten metal from the electric furance when the same is tilted to pour the molten metal through the tap hole. The slag retaining pouring spout has a secondary tap hole therein normally closed with a consumable plug during the operation of the electric furnace and the early tap of the molten metal therefrom into the slag retaining pouring spout.

Abstract: A corner wedging consumable hot top for ingot molds is formed of four side board sections and four corner wedges made of a combustible consumable material capable of being wedged in opposed relation within an ingot mold so that the hot top formed thereby conforms with the cavity shape in the ingot mold and when ignited by the molten metal poured therein supplies heat to maintain a pool of molten metal as necessary for filling cracks and pipes in the cooling ingot.

Abstract: An expandable hot top for use in ingot moulds has six panels hinged to one another, two pairs of which are arranged to be folded inward with accordion-like folds for simplified placement and registry within the ingot mould and to form a compact flat form for shipping.

Abstract: The use of hot tops on ingot and similar molds in which steel, steel alloys and other molten metal are teemed and cooled to a solid state is avoided and the use of topping compounds in such operations eliminated or substantially reduced by the provision of a removable and reusable cover covering the top of the mold cavity wherein the cover comprises elements combined into a single unit arranged to be set atop the mold and completely cover the metal, at least one of said elements having a heat-reflecting surface over the undersurface thereof for reflecting heat downwardly onto the metal in the mold to retard the cooling of the metal while the space or spaces between the elements provide insulation.