Abstract: A method of providing a cantilever spring or a beam which is attached to the frame of a sliding gate valve is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a cantilever spring which is essentially flat and rectangular. A spring mount is provided to anchor the head end of the spring to permit the other end to flex against a load application member or the underneath side of the lower refractory member such as a tube holder and tube. The spring itself has a heel portion and a cantilever portion. At one end of the spring provision is made for a working face which engages the underneath portion of the lower refractory plate.

Abstract: A sliding nozzle device comprises a metallic case having an opening in the center thereof, a refractory plate secured to the metallic case and having a discharge hole formed in the center thereof for discharging molten metal, a metallic hoop located around the refractory plate, an immersion nozzle projected from the opening of the metallic case and attached to the refractory plate, projecting plates located around the refractory plate, and bolts and nuts used for securing the projecting plates to the metallic case.

Abstract: A three plate non-reversible sliding gate system and tube holder where the plates and tube holder include modified corner configurations so as to preclude reverse loading of the system.

Abstract: A slide unit for use in a sliding closure unit includes two partial movable refractory plates having respective planar surfaces. Each partial plate is surrounded circumferentially by a respective metal band. The two plates are assembled together in a frame to abut along a butt joint so that the two partial plates can be moved together with the planar surfaces thereof contacting a stationary refractory plate of a sliding closure unit. The metal bands at the area of the butt joint between the two partial plates is spanned by a refractory shoulder extending integrally from at least one of the partial plates. Such shoulder thereby extends the planar surfaces of the two plates to the butt joint so that the two planar surfaces form a continuous sealing surface.

Abstract: A rigid carbon steel band may be used in a stationary top plate for a sliding gate valve and in the manufacture thereof. The refractory material in a stationary top plate may be compressibly held by a steel band having sufficient rigidity and size to prevent cracking of the refractory material during handling and use, and having sufficient length to allow the band's distal ends to be welded end-to-end. The welded band may be heat processed to set the size of the band and maintain the desired amount of refractory compression. The thickness of the plate of refractory material may be the same adjacent the aperture for the teeming metal and at the periphery of the plate.

Abstract: A slide valve for the spout of metallurgical pouring vessels may exhibit a closure plate fixedly mounted on the vessel and a slide plate of a refractory material. Each plate is provided with a passage bore for the metallurgical melt. The slide plate is guided by guide rails on spring supported contact rails in a displaceable manner. The plates slide with their facing closure surfaces on each other. The closure plate passage bore and the sliding plate passage bores may be aligned to open the valve. The contact rails are held freely on a spring supported axle against the contact pressure direction and extend transversely to the center line of the closure plate passage bore. Each slide plate guide rails has a curvature or apex directed against a contact rail.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading a gate into a valve mechanism with a gate safety arrangement for physically preventing the gate from being loaded into the valve mechanism unless the gate has a prescribed orientation with respect to the loading path into the valve mechanism.

Abstract: A slide gate assembly for use with a metal-working vessel comprising at least one stationary refractory plate and at least one sliding refractory plate slidably engaged with said stationary plate, said refractory plates each having at least one passage therethrough and spaced in relation to each other such that said sliding refractory plate can be moved to bring its passage into and out of alignment with the passage of said at least one stationary plate to effect discharge or retention of molten metal in said metal-working vessel; at least a portion of each of said refractory plates consisting essentially of an unburned high-strength carbon-bonded magnesite refractory containing at least about 5% by weight carbon and at least about 74% by weight magnesite.

Abstract: A molten metal slide gate valve for use on a ladle or tundish. The slide gate valve uses a stationary upper plate having a groove formed in its lower face around the periphery of the plate. The groove is connected to a source of a nonoxidizing gas under pressure to provide a gas seal around the molten metal orifices in the slide gate valve and prevent the aspiration of air into the molten metal orifices during discharge of the molten metal from the ladle or tundish.

Abstract: The invention refers to a slide-gate shut-off device made of refractory material, of the type having a fixed holed refractory plate (30), a sliding holed refractory plate (40) and underneath the latter solidly joined to it (50), above the fixed refractory plate (30) a fixed refractory sleeve (20), also known as the internal pouring appliance, around which a pouring-appliance holder (11-12) is arranged.According to the invention, these refractory plates (30, 40) are holed in the center and have a double symmetry; furthermore, said internal pouring appliance (20) becomes gradually thinner towards the top, and at its lower base has a radial thickness approximately double that of the lower sliding refractory sleeve (50), known as the external pouring appliance, the radial thickness of which is approximately equal to the radius R of the casting holes in the refractory plates (30, 40).

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: A band-like plate is bent until both ends of the plate meet with each other, and then both ends of the plate are joined by welding so as to make a loop. A pair of first and second inner dies are placed inside the loop while a pair of first and second outer dies are placed outside the loop. The loop is held by the inner and outer dies. At the same time or after that, the loop is pressed by the inner dies when the first and/or second dies move in a given direction.

Abstract: An assembly of refractory plates for a three-plate sliding closure unit includes an inlet stationary refractory plate having therethrough an outlet opening, an outlet stationary refractory plate having therethrough an outlet opening, and a movable refractory plate mounted between the inlet and outlet stationary plates and having an outlet opening. The movable plate is slidable relative to the stationary plates between closed, open and throttled positions. The axis of the outlet opening in the outlet stationary plate is offset in a closing direction of movement of the movable plate from the axis of the outlet opening in the inlet stationary plate. The inlet end of the outlet opening in the outlet stationary plate is widened.

Abstract: This invention refers to a slide-gate pouring appliance for ladles and similar devices. The slide-gate pouring appliance according to the invention is of the type having:a first fixed metal frame, solid with the bottom of a ladle, to which a first holed refractory plate is secured,a second metal frame, removable and tilting, hanging with a clearance from said fixed frame and supporting by means of suitable guides:a third metal frame (to which a second refractory plate, called the mobile plate, holed, is secured) capable of sliding between a first working position in which the holes in the fixed and mobile refractory plates are aligned and a second working position in which the holes in the fixed and mobile refractory plates are on different axes and do not coincide with one another.This type of slide-gate pouring appliance necessarily has a locking device to press the two refractory plates, one fixed and one mobile, into contact with one another and hold them there.

Abstract: A refractory plate assembly for use in a sliding closure unit includes a sheet metal shell including a base portion and an integral peripheral portion. A refractory plate member having a sliding surface is positioned within the shell. Positioning or support structure locates the plate member within the interior of the shell, and fiber or granular thermal insulation material is positioned within the shell between the base portion thereof and the refractory plate member.

Abstract: An insulative coating for the thermal protection of ceramic refractory bodies, such as submerged pouring nozzles, and like pieces used in continuous casting of molten steel and other metals. The coating is prepared as a slurry having a preferred composition comprising (by weight %) fused silica grains (30-85%); ceramic fibers (0-10%); binders (0-7%); frits (0-40%); and water (15-30%). A refractory body, which preferably has a previously applied anti-oxidation glaze thereon, is employed at either ambient temperature or preheated to a temperature within the range of about 70.degree.-120.degree. C., and dipped into the slurry composition for a controlled time period of between 5 to 60 seconds to achieve a desired coating thickness of between about 1 to 6 mm. The coated refractory body is then dried and ready for service. Pouring nozzles coated with the insulative compositon may be used in a cold start-up continuous casting mode without the need for preheating.

Abstract: A refractory assembly includes a refractory outer member having therein an opening defined by an inner surface and a refractory inner member having an outer surface. The dimension of the outer surface of the inner member is greater than the dimension of the inner surface of the outer member by an amount of from 0.05 to 0.15 mm. The outer member is heated to at least 1000.degree. C. to thereby increase the dimension of the inner surface. The inner member then is inserted into the opening in the outer member, and the outer member then is cooled to room temperature. As a result, the inner surface of the outer member shrinks against the outer surface of the inner member to thereby form an interference shrink fit joint between the members.

Abstract: A spout-filling mass for casting ladles has a particulate filling mass for filling the pouring spout which consists essentially of 50 to 70% by weight of chromium ore sand, 0.03 to 0.2% by weight iron oxide and the balance quartz sand intimately mixed together.

Abstract: A housing assembly of a sliding closure unit for controlling the discharge of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a housing member mounted on the metallurgical vessel adjacent an outlet thereof, and a cover member mounted on the housing member by joints to enable the cover member to pivot with respect to the housing member and to be removable therefrom. The joints include joint bases on at least four sides of each of the housing and cover members and including, for each of the housing and cover members, first and second oppositely spaced sides with the joint bases thereof defining parallel first and second joint axes, respectively, and third and fourth oppositely spaced sides with the joint bases thereof defining parallel third and fourth axes, respectively. The joint bases on each side of the cover member face joint bases of a respective side of the housing member.

Abstract: Erosion or corrosion that has been caused during pouring a molten steel through a sliding gate nozzle for continuous casting becomes very serious when a specially treated molten steel such as deoxidized steel with a Ca alloy is applied for continuous casting. Such erosion can be eliminated by partially arranging a zirconia base refractory material on a portion of the inner surface of the nozzle hole. The zirconia base refractory material is composed of more than 53% by weight of partially stabilized zirconia base refractory material having less than 10 mesh grain size, 1 to 7% by weight of metallic silicon powder having less than 100 mesh grain size and 3 to 10% by weight of carbon powder.

Abstract: An opening element for an insert nozzle of a slide gate valve apparatus, wherein a dead weight having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the melt passage opening of the slide gate valve apparatus is connected to a refractory cap by means of a steel wire, or by a refractory or metallic coupling rod and a method of opening said slide gate valve apparatus wherein said opening element is set in said respective passage openings of the insert nozzle and of a bottom plate connected to the nozzle, and said opening element is opened by the impact load exerted when said dead weight falls down due to the opening of the slide gate valve apparatus.

Abstract: A movable refractory plate assembly for use in a sliding closure unit for controlling the discharge of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a movable refractory plate having therein at least one aperture and having a sliding surface. A replaceable refractory erosion unit, which may be integral or which may include a separate erosion insert and a separate discharge nozzle, is positioned within the aperture of the movable refractor plate. The erosion unit has therethrough a discharge opening and has a sliding surface aligned with a sliding surface of the movable refractory plate. A frame supports the movable refractory plate for movement, and a support coupling removably mounts the erosion unit with respect to the movable refractory plate.

Abstract: For injecting gas into a liquid, more particularly a molten metal, a nozzle body (24) is installed in the wall of a liquid containment vessel, the body (24) having a nozzle passage (25) therethrough. Liquid and gas tightly fitted in a downstream end of the passage is solid, gas porous plug (18) having capillary gas passage (20). Upstream of the plug (18) the passage has a gas-porous and liquid-impermeable cartridge (10) closely fitted therein which prevents liquid which may conceivably pass through the plug (18) from leaking out of the passage (25). The cartridge (10) has a gas impermeable metal sleeve (11) containing a particulate material (16) such as sand which is retained in the sleeve (11) by wads (14, 15) of fibrous material at the ends of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling the pouring spout of a tundish for molten metals, including a slide valve composed of a valve member mounted for movement between a head plate disposed on the underside of the tundish and a discharge member. For preventing in a particularly effective way any freezing of the molten metal and for avoiding any static shadow corners the valve member and/or the head plate or both in the closed and/or open or part-open position thereof are moved in such a way that a two-dimensional relative movement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pouring spout is generated between the valve member and the head plate.

Abstract: A shroud or submerged pour tube which has a sealing cup of an essentially frustoconical configuration at its upper end is disclosed. The sealing cup matingly engages a bullet-shaped nose on the lower portion of the collector nozzle extending downwardly from the valve. The combination of the collector nozzle and the shroud and the joint are held in compressive and oriented relationship by a shroud support assembly. The shroud support assembly has adjustable length arms to permit tilting the shroud axis for alignment at the lower end of the shroud. This urges a line contact at the joint at the upper end of the shroud where it engages the bullet nose of the collector nozzle. The support assembly also may be mounted with flexibility for moving on the XY axis where the Z axis is the axis of the pour tube or shroud in those two plate situations where the collector nozzle shifts laterally during the on and off condition and also during throttling.

Abstract: Stationary and sliding refractory valve bodies of a sliding closure unit, for use in controlling the discharge of molten material from a vessel, are mounted on respective support frames to be precisely centered with respect thereto and to prevent the application to the refractory valve bodies of stresses due to such mounting during operation of the unit. At least one bore hole and at least one elongated groove are formed in the refractory valve body. First and second rods are fixed to the respective support frame and extend therefrom into the bore hole and the groove, respectively. The bore hole is centered on a longitudinal axis of the groove extending in the direction of elongation thereof.

Abstract: The slide gate valve (20) has a damper unit (30) that can be adjusted by a drive unit and that can be moved to a position (A) lying outside of the closed position. In this position (A), the damper unit (30) is swingably held in a bearing (29) and guideways (21c) are lowered by a height (h) which releases the spring means (50) with respect to guideways (21a) along the remaining panel length. In this way, this damper unit can be swung out of the housing (24) in very simple fashion for the replacement of the eroded plates (22, 32), which is required very frequently and, after replacement of the plates, can be brought in the operating state again.

Abstract: A ladle for casting molten metal comprising an inner nozzle forming a casting channel and a ladle closing device comprising a fixed element and a moving element, the inner nozzle being surrounded by an annular cooling chamber along part of its length. The annular chamber (3) contains an annular ring (5), the interior of which communicates with a duct (6) supplying a cooling fluid, the hollow ring (5) extending into the annular chamber so as to surround the inner nozzle (12), and the wall of the ring (5) being formed with a number of orifices (7) distributed all along the ring so as to direct jets of cooling fluid on to the fixed plate (12) of the ladle cooling device around the casting hole in the plate (22).

Abstract: A composite refractory member includes at least one insert formed of an oxide ceramic material having a high resistance to molten material. The insert defines a discharge opening or other molten material contacting surface. A base structure encloses and supports the insert and is formed by molding a chemically setting refractory concrete including a refractory granulate of low-iron sintered magnesia with a MgO content of over 80 weight percent. Mold cores extend into the refractory concrete during molding such that the molded structure has expansion joints which later are filled with mortar.

Abstract: A clamping and fixing apparatus of a refractory-made plate 7 for a slide gate valve for controlling a molten steel flow comprising:providing plate-clamping fixtures 12, 12 rotatably in its plane direction and in contact with the inner side of a casing 13 and a guide piece 11, at both the ends at the plate side, of the guide piece 11 being supported by at least one guide 16 provided within the longer edge sides of the casing 13 which houses the refractory-made plate 7;inserting idly a nut 10 into a dovetail groove recess 11a provided in the other area of said guide piece 11;mounting to said nut 10 a bolt 9 which is rotatable passing through said casing 13; andproviding said fixtures 12, 12 with respective surfaces of contacting the plate 7.

Abstract: A movable refractory plate assembly for use with a sliding closure unit for controlling the discharge of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a movable refractory plate having therethrough a discharge opening and a movable frame for supporting the movable refractory plate in planar abutting contact with the stationary refractory plate of the sliding closure unit and movable between open and closed positions. A refractory control member is mounted for sliding movement relative to the movable refractory plate between selected positions restricting the cross section of the movable refractory plate discharge opening. An actuator slides the control member relative to the movable refractory plate between the selected positions. The control member and actuator are accessible from the exterior of the sliding closure unit. Thus, when the sliding closure unit is in the open position, only the control member need be actuated to achieve throttling of the size of the discharge opening.

Abstract: A worn and damaged refractory plate having a planar sealing surface with a sealing area at a first portion of the plate and a discharge opening extending through the plate at a second area is repaired or renewed by providing the damaged plate with a new discharge opening at the sealing area. The damaged, first-mentioned discharge opening and the wear area therearound are filled with refractory material to a level flush with the sealing surface, thereby forming a new sealing area.

Abstract: An elongated steel tube, adapted to be filled with a high fusion temperature sand is positioned in a stationary refractory nozzle and its supporting refractory bore of a steel pouring ladle bottom nozzle before molten steel is first poured from a steel making furnace into a refractory-lined pouring ladle and then subsequently poured through said nozzle under the control of a slide gate or a stopper valve either directly into a steel ingot mold or through an intermediate tundish into a continuous caster. The steel tube includes centering means, such as fingers, secured to the outside of the tube to substantially center the tube in the refractory nozzle and permit additional sand to be placed in the annular space between the nozzle bore and the sand tube. In this way, upon opening the bottom valve, the hydrostatic head of molten metal assures quick, full flow of molten metal, such as finished steel through the nozzle insert.

Abstract: A sliding gate valve and more specifically one in which bilateral symmetry is preserved in both the stationary plate and the slide gate. More specifically, the slide gate is provided with a metallic frame which retains a monolithic refractory into which errosion resistant refractory inserts or preformed members are cast. Means are desirably provided to remove the spent refractory for remanufacture thereby reclaiming the casting. Both the stationary plate and the slide gate casting have spring pad back up reinforcements. The stationary plate desirably has means for securing a well nozzle to it.

Abstract: A metallurgical vessel such as a tundish fitted with a slide gate at its underside for discharging its contents has the slide gate controlled by a drive that can be removed to another vessel when required. The drive comprises a hydraulic cylinder with a drive rod projecting from it and carrying a coupling releasably engageable with the slide gate. The cylinder and drive rod are clamped non-rotatably in use but when attaching or removing the drive they can be rotated about a common longitudinal axis to alternative angular positions in which the slide gate is coupled or uncoupled thereto. Changeover of the drive can be made quickly thereby. A double-ended drive constructed in this manner can be used with vessels having two controllable outflow devices and provides for an equally quick changeover.

Abstract: A refractory plate-frame assembly for use in a sliding closure unit includes a frame having therein a recess and a refractory plate positioned within the recess. A flexible band is mounted within the recess about the periphery of the refractory plate. A tightening device is mounted in the frame and is selectively operable from the exterior thereof to tighten the band about the periphery of the plate and thereby securely mount the plate within the recess, and alternatively for loosening the band from the periphery of the plate, whereby the plate may be removed from the band and the frame.

Abstract: For a slide closure 10 attached to a pouring vessel 2 which has a movable slide part 14 disposed between a bottom plate 12 and a discharge part 16, there is, in addition to a cylinder piston unit 24 acting on the slide part, which unit is dominant by way of a servocontrol block 26 by regulating arrangement 32, a vibrator 36 which is controlled by an oscillator 34. The vibrator 36 is switched into the connection between the cylinder-piston unit 24 and the movable slide part 14, and is in a position to oscillatingly drive the latter both in its closing position as well as in other positions and, indeed, in the same direction as the cylinder piston unit. A position generator 44 starts the oscillator 34 forcibly in the closed position.

Abstract: A pair of refractory plates includes a stationary bottom plate having a discharge opening and a movable plate having two discharge openings. The movable plate is mounted for sliding movement with respect to the bottom plate about a center of rotation between a center closed position and opposite open positions. The discharge openings of the movable and bottom plates are centered on a common circular arc centered about the center of rotation, and the discharge openings of the movable plate are positioned symmetrically on opposite sides of the discharge opening of the bottom plate in the closed position. The bottom plate has a second discharge opening at a position between the circular arc and the center of rotation. The discharge openings of the bottom plate are centered on a radial line extending from the center of rotation and intersecting the circular arc, such radial line corresponding to a radial center line between the discharge openings of the movable plate in the closed position.

Abstract: A slide unit for use in a sliding closure unit includes two partial movable refractory plates having respective planar surfaces. Each partial plate is surrounded circumferentially by a respective metal band. The two plates are assembled together in a frame to abut along a butt joint so that the two partial plates can be moved together with the planar surfaces thereof contacting a stationary refractory plate of a sliding closure unit. The metal bands at the area of the butt joint between the two partial plates is spanned by a refractory shoulder extending integrally from at least one of the partial plates. Such shoulder thereby extends the planar surfaces of the two plates to the butt joint so that the two planar surfaces form a continuous sealing surface.

Abstract: A sliding closure unit for controlling the discharge of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a stationary refractory plate, a stationary housing assembly for mounting the stationary refractory plate on the metallurgical vessel, a movable refractory plate, the stationary and movable refractory plates having complementary, abutting relative sliding surfaces, and a movable frame mounting the movable refractory plate for movement with respect to the stationary refractory plate. The movable frame and movable refractory plate are urged toward the stationary refractory plate by levers mounted in the housing assembly for pivotal movement about axles fixed to the housing assembly and extending transverse to the direction of movement of the movable frame and movable refractory plate. Springs are mounted in the housing assembly to urge the levers to pivot about the respective axles toward the movable frame to thereby urge the movable frame and movable refractory plate toward the stationary refractory plate.

Abstract: A refractory plate assembly includes a refractory plate having therethrough at least one discharge opening and a sheath tightly fitted around the periphery of the plate. The plate is formed of separate plate portions separated along planar surfaces extending outwardly from the discharge opening at positions where cracks would be formed during use of the plate if the plate were of unitary construction. The planar surfaces are separated by compressible refractory packing material, thereby forming expansion joints. The sheath compresses the packing material of the expansion joints.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the foundry industry and solves the problem of extended service life of valve closure gate assemblies for foundry ladles. The valve closure gate assembly of the present invention comprises two mutually slidable heat-resistant gates furnished with a protecting layer of an oxide refractory material and having flow-through rings made from an oxide refractory material disposed in the openings of the gates. The respective upper and lower surfaces of the rings are coated with a layer of refractory material.

Abstract: A discharge structure includes a refractory plate, a mounting frame supporting the refractory plate, an exchangeable refractory nozzle, a mounting sleeve surrounding and supporting the nozzle, a lock between the sleeve and frame for locking the sleeve and the nozzle to the frame in a position with an inner end face of the nozzle urged toward a confronting surface of the refractory plate, and a refractory joint forming a seal between the end face and surface. An abutment extends from the frame and abuts an inner end of the nozzle, thus forming an axial support for the nozzle upon the lock urging the nozzle toward the plate, thus ensuring spacing between the end face and the surface by a predetermined distance and the resultant formation of the joint at a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A pivot assembly for pivoting a cover member to a housing of a sliding closure unit includes a pivot shaft supported by the housing and connected to the cover member with play therebetween, such that upon pressing the cover member toward refractory plates of the sliding closure unit, respective sliding surfaces of the refractory plates are free of binding and are maintained substantially in uniform surface-to-surface contact. An auxiliary pivot is formed on the cover member to define a pivot axis parallel to the axis of the pivot shaft. Control members connect the pivot shaft to the auxiliary pivot to maintain a constant spacing between the pivot axis and the axis of the pivot shaft in directions parallel to the direction of movement of a movable refractory plate of the sliding closure unit. As a result, displacement of the cover member relative to the housing due to friction between the sliding surfaces of the refractory plates is prevented.

Abstract: A value for controlling the flow of molten metal which includes a tubular conduit through which the metal flows and apparatus for applying a force against the exterior of the conduit to vary the size of the cross-sectional area of the opening through the conduit and thereby control the volume of metal flowing through the conduit.

Abstract: A refractory plate assembly includes a refractory base structure having therein a recess and a refractory wear and erosion resistant insert positioned within the recess. A frame surrounds the outer periphery of the base structure. The insert and the base structure together define a planar sliding surface. The base structure is formed of at least two components divided along at least one joint extending transverse to the planar sliding surface, each such component defining a respective portion of the recess and surrounding a respective portion of the circumference insert. The insert is elastically clamped within the base structure and may be removed from the base structure for replacement.

Abstract: In casting thin metal strip or foil by dynamic casting in which molten metal is teemed from a crucible 13 onto a moving belt or wheel, the invention provides an outlet orifice control assembly arranged to define a slot of controlled width through which the metal flows from the crucible outlet 20. The assembly comprises opposed shut-off plates 28,29 extending between edge strips 26,27, and underlying these are opposed slot plates 32,33 extending between second edge strips 30,31 with opposed support strips 34,35 extending beneath the strips 30,31 and supporting the edges of the slot plates 32,33. The sets of plates are aligned and arranged so that one plate 29 and 33 is movable relative to the other respective plate 28 and 32 between closed and open positions for controlled flow of metal through a sized slot defined between the slot plates 32,33.

Abstract: A refractory plate used as a stationary and/or as a movable closure plate in a sliding closure unit for discharging molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a refractory plate body having parallel opposite planar surfaces. A first discharge opening extends through the body between the parallel surfaces and is used for initial operation. At least one other discharge opening extends through the body between the parallel surfaces and is sealingly closed by a stopper plug of refractory material. Upon erosion damage to the first discharge opening, such damaged opening may be closed by a stopper plug of refractory material, the stopper plug may be removed from the other discharge opening, and the plate may be reversed such that the other discharge opening then is employed for further operation of the plate.

Abstract: A sliding closure unit includes a stationary refractory plate to be mounted on a metallurgical vessel, a movable refractory plate, a slide frame supporting the movable refractory plate and movable in a direction of movement between an open position with discharge openings in the movable and stationary refractory plates in alignment and a closed position with the discharge openings out of alignment, and tensioning devices on opposite sides of the movable refractory plates for pressing the movable refractory plate against the stationary refractory plate. The force of the tensioning structures is distributed evenly along the opposite sides of the movable refractory plate by strip members mounted in the slide frame for movement relative in the direction of the thickness thereof. A respective strip member is positioned on each opposite side of the movable refractory plate and is positioned between the tensioning structure on such side and the bottom surface of the movable refractory plate on such side.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing casting nozzles such as immersion nozzles easily, quickly, and reliably.