Abstract: In order to resist alteration of the spring forces utilized for applying seal pressure between the valve bodies in sliding gate valves for molten metal pouring, particularly those of the manually operated type, the valve support plate and the mounting plate are arranged to form a narrow slot that receives the valve actuator and presents insufficient clearance to permit excessive relative displacement between the valve members. The valve further incorporates releasable attachments, two of which serve as hinge connections for the support plate while the other serves as a latching member. Each of the attachments comprise clevis-mounted eyebolts in which the clevises have predetermined dimensions to establish a fixed, pre-set distance between the plates upon reassembly of the valve after opening and thus insure repeatability of the spatial relationships between the valve bodies and, concomitantly, of the seal pressure between the members.

Abstract: Metal flow from furnace taphole to a pouring trough is controlled by a valve interposed therebetween, the valve having a stationary orificed valve plate and a companion slide plate for closing or opening the orifice to flow. An actuating beam member forming part of a parallel motion linkage extends upwardly and obliquely from the slide plate, the actuating member being thrust against the slide plate by a swinging spring strut of the linkage. A ram connected to the linkage via a crank, a shaft and a pivoted lever displaces the linkage when extended or contracted and this moves the actuating member along a predetermined path, its oblique attitude being preserved, to open or shut the valve.

Abstract: A slide gate valve for use with a molten metal teeming vessel is provided with elongated resilient supports that may be in the form of leaf springs, or the like, and are operative to resiliently bias the slide plate of the valve against the head plate thereof. The resilient supports are releasably secured to the vessel by linkages that facilitate disassembly of the valve elements for servicing.