Abstract: The present invention concerns a one-piece stopper rod whose gas tightness is improved. In particular, the stopper rod of the present invention has a body of refractory material comprised at least partially of a refractory material relatively impermeable to gases.

Abstract: The invention concerns a transfer element for transferring molten steel between an upstream container such as a tundish and a downstream vessel such as a continuous casting mold. this element is comprised of a body (4) that delimits a steel entrance zone, a channel (6) and a steel exit zone (9). It has at least one divider (16) in its exit zone (9) for dividing the steel flux into at least two jets. The divider is comprised of two parts of complementary form (19) solid with the body (4), located opposite each other and separated by an interstice (18).

Abstract: A guidance system for guiding a missile to a target including an array of photosensitive elements arranged orthogonally to the axis of the missile, a scanning arrangement for enabling scanning of the array of photosensitive elements by means of an optical system, and a target detecting arrangement for controlling the field and the pace of scanning executed by the scanning arrangement so that the field of scanning is smaller and the pace of scanning is greater after detecting a target than before target detection.

Abstract: The stopper rod for regulating the flow of a liquid has a body traversed by an axial channel and having at one end a porous nose fed with gas from the channel. The nose has a free space in the form of a hemisphere-shaped slot or lattice network communicating with the channel for delivery of gas thereto. Preferably, a plurality of spaced-apart bridges of solid material connect the two faces of the free space in order to increase the strength of the porous nose.

Abstract: A one-piece refractory stopper rod has an axial bore formed therein for the introduction of inert gas into molten steel within a tundish. A metal bushing insert is copressed into the refractory stopper rod and has a threaded bore which is positioned coaxially with the bore of the stopper rod body. A metal attachment rod having an axial bore therethrough and a threaded lower shank portion is secured within the threaded bore of the metal bushing insert. The metal attachment rod has an upper threaded shank which is adapted to be secured to a stopper rod lifting mechanism associated with the tundish. The metal rod further includes a flanged portion intermediate the upper and lower shank portions which carries an annular chamfered surface. The annular chamfered surface faces a like annular chamfered surface formed in the bore of the stopper rod to define a gas-tight seal at a sealing interface therebetween.

Abstract: A one-piece refractory stopper rod has an axial bore formed therein for the introduction of inert gas into molten steel within a tundish. A metal bushing insert is compressed into the refractory stopper rod and has a threaded bore which is positioned coaxially with the bore of the stopper rod body. A metal attachment rod having an axial bore therethrough and a threaded lower shank portion is secured within the threaded bore of the metal bushing insert. The metal attachment rod has an upper threaded shank which is adapted to be secured to a stopper rod lifting mechanism associated with the tundish. The metal rod further includes a flanged portion intermediate the upper and lower shank portions which carries an annular chamfered surface. The annular chamfered surface faces a like annular chamfered surface formed in the bore of the stopper rod to define a gas-tight seal at a sealing interface therebetween.