Abstract: A telescopic hood seals the coupling between the top of an oxygen converter and the stack during the melting and refining of iron in the converter.

Abstract: An arresting device for preventing a steel making converter which is carried by a trunnion for moving itself during the blowing operation includes a rotatable bearing support for the trunnion or trunnion parts which extend from each side of the bessimer converter which carries a braking disc which is secured to at least one of the trunnion parts. The disc is advantageously mounted so as to be perpendicular to the axis of the trunnion. The trunnion is rotable on bearings carried on bearing supports on each side of the trunnion and a compresser mechanism including two braking jaws engage the disc from respective sides in braking contact therewith.

Abstract: An arrangement for cleaning a lance head of a lance introducible into a metallurgical vessel includes a cleaning head being in contact with the lance head during the cleaning procedure and surrounding the lance head. The cleaning head and the lance are relatively movable in the direction of the axis of the lance. In order to be able to carefully clean the lance head on its side facing the melt bath present in the metallurgical vessel by preventing the penetration of slag during the measuring procedure between the measuring and/or sampling probe and the end face of the lance, the cleaning head and the lance are placeable into an aligned position by an adjustment device. The cleaning head is settable into a rotational movement reciprocating about the axis of the lance by an oscillation device.

Abstract: A refractory plate assembly for use as a stationary or a movable refractory plate in a sliding closure unit includes a refractory supporting body and a refractory disc-shaped member forming a sliding sealing surface of the assembly. The disc-shaped member is loosely and removably mounted to the supporting body in a manner to prevent the disc-shaped member from working loose from and moving relative to the supporting body.

Abstract: A tuyere stock removal device is presented which is particularly well suited for use in conjunction with those types of shaft furnaces having a hot air, closed circuit pipe line which runs a circular course around the bosh. The tuyere stock removal device is suspended by means of rollers on rails and forms an integrated mechanical unit with the hot air, closed circuit pipe line. The present invention will perform all of the handling operations necessary for the dismantling and reinstallation of the blast nozzle and pipe bend as well as the tuyere and any slanting down pipe associated therewith.

Abstract: A light weight insulator blanket capable of repetitive use of extended duration as a cover, gasket, or the like for a vessel or conduit used in transporting, storing or processing molten or non-molten metal, particularly iron or steel, and in similar applications, including a principal insulator layer of a light weight, flexible, fibrous ceramic material having one or both surfaces covered by a thick protective layer of a light weight, flexible fibrous metallic material such as high-temperature stainless steel wool, monel metal wool, or a multi-layer knitted or woven material; the layers are securely bound to each other by metallic fastening means such as high temperature stainless steel wire stitching, staples, or rivets.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the heat treatment of a workpiece, particularly an outer race member of a universal joint, having a cavity formed therein. The apparatus includes a horizontally disposed base and at least one elongated vertically disposed post extending upwardly therefrom with a passage extending at least partially longitudinally therethrough. The workpiece is mounted on the elongated vertically disposed post by insertion of the upper end of the elongated vertically disposed post into the cavity, the passage providing a venting of the cavity during the heat treatment operation.

Abstract: There is disclosed an installation with a refractorily lined metallurgical vessel. The vessel, on its upper end, is provided with a mouth that is connectable to a chimney arranged at a distance above the mouth, by a hood insertable between the mouth and the chimney. In order to provide an installation with which the lining team is not jeopardized and by which it is possible to introduce the lining material into the metallurgical vessel in a simple and time-saving manner, a container is introduceable into the space present between the mouth and the chimney after the removal of the hood. The container covers the chimney downwardly and includes at least one closeable bottom opening. The carrying means for introducing the container is equipped with at least one hoist displaceable from laterally beside the mouth of the vessel to above the mouth of the vessel.

Abstract: A safety device for protecting a cover used for closing a vessel in which molten metal undergoes metallurgical treatments is presented. The device is used in conjunction with the type of cover which rests on or hangs over the edge of the vessel. The device comprises a plurality of segments which preferably form a substantially cylindrical or funnel-shaped space. These segments may have any variety of configurations and/or shapes so long as they effectively eliminate the splashing and frothing of molten metal and slag.

Abstract: A deslagging rake includes a boom having a first section and a second section mounted on one end of the first section for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. A blade is mounted at the other end of the second section for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis. The boom may also include a support which engages the boom adjacent its other end and is mounted for pivotal movement about a second generally vertical axis.

Abstract: A hot metal car is used for the transport of molten pig iron from a blast furnace to a steel making plant, the car having an opening through which it is filled and emptied. To restrict heat loss from the car, the opening is closed during at least one of (a) the journey from the blast furnace station to the steel making plant and (b) the journey from the steel making plant back to the blast furnace by a disposable cover which is at least partly lost into the molten iron during the course of the emptying or filling of the car at the end of the journey concerned.

Abstract: A ladle scraper mechanism 20 comprises an outer frame 44 which supports and guides a carrier assembly 58 for up and down movement to move scraper legs 57, with scraper blades 72 at their lower ends, down along the lining of a ladle 22 containing a bath 40 of molten metal while vibrators 70 on the top of the legs vibrate them and pneumatic actuators 68 on the carrier assembly force the legs to swing radially outwardly against the ladle walls.

Abstract: The invention resides in a fastening means for a closure plate on a sliding shutter for the outlet of a vessel containing molten metal, whereby the closure plate can be fixed within a supporting frame by the action of releasable gripping means which are provided on the supporting frame and which act on a metal sheath which at least encircles the periphery of the closure plate. The closure plate's external periphery is provided with at least one recess into which the sheath is pressed as a result of the deformation produced by the gripping means. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the sheath encircles the exterior periphery of the closure plate as a narrow tension band and is provided with at least one tightener. The desired pretensioning of the sheath and the fixing of the closure plate and sheath to the supporting frame is effected in combination with the tightener.

Abstract: To support and guide a sub-lance for a metallurgical furnace, a sub-lance carriage 3 and sub-lance guide 4 run on a track 1. The guide 4 is below the carriage and moves in dependence on the carriage movement for part of the carriage travel. To provide a simple means for control of the movement of the guide, the guide is suspended by a support 6, such as a cable, the top end of which engages the carriage but is caught by fixed stops 8 when the carriage moves below a certain point. The cable 6 is housed within a tubular guide 5 over part of its length.

Abstract: Apparatus for tapping a wall of a metallurgical vessel wherein a drilling machine is carried by a mounting means for reversible displacement therealong on a track. The mounting means is suspended from a laterally extending boom which swings on a stationary support, and the boom is swung by a mechanism for selectively displacing the mounting means with its drill into an operative position for drilling a tap hole in a metallurgical vessel and an inoperative position. In one embodiment of the invention, the mounting means together with its guide track for carrying the drilling machine is pivotally connected to the boom and guide means are provided to guide the pivotal swinging of the mounting means relative to the boom to guide the mounting means over a predetermined path of movement when the boom is swinging.

Abstract: A device for the manipulation of immersion lances (5) for metallurgical furnaces (9) with the aid of a freely movable vehicle, for example a charging machine (2), comprises a lance mounting (3) which can be suspended at the head of the supporting arm (1) of a charging machine (2) or the like, the mounting being supported to be rotatable about two swivel and tilting axes (4--4, 6--6) extending at right angles to each other, separate hydraulic drive mechanisms for the swiveling and tiling motions of the immersion lance (5) being arranged in the charging machine (2) or the like and being connected to the lance mounting (3) by way of linkages (13, 17). Reversing valves correspondingly coupled with one another take care of deactivating and blocking the drive mechanisms of the machine not required for the movement of the lance (5).

Abstract: A taphole apparatus for a steel-making converter, which is comprised of a series of refractory blocks each defining a bore and the bores being aligned to define respective and successive sections of the taphole, the bore of a first one of the refractory blocks at a hot inlet end of the taphole being funnel-shaped and the bore of a last one of the refractory blocks at a cold outlet end of the tap hole having a smaller diameter than the funnel-shaped bore at the hot inlet end.

Abstract: A drapable, consumable, heat retention shield for hot metal cars has a fibrous refractory sheet disposed between two metallic lattices, the lattices connected by fastening means to retain the sheet to form a panel having a bottom wall, upstanding side walls and a flange extending outwardly from the side walls. In one embodiment the metallic lattices substantially cover the fibrous refractory sheet, while in another embodiment cross strips of metallic lattices are used with a combustible supporting frame provided about the periphery of the fibrous refractory sheet to support the same.

Abstract: A consumable heat retention shield for retaining the heat of the interior lining of a hot metal car includes a combustible framework having a bottom wall, upstanding walls and a flange, with the surface thereof that is to be directly exposed to the hot metal car covered with a layer of refractory material, with the shield being manually positioned on the hot metal car by workmen, and the shield consumable upon pouring of molten metal upon the shield and through the mouth of the hot metal car. Preferably, the shield has a metallic filler material in a cavity thereof to provide additional weight to the shield, which metallic filler material is compatable with the molten metal charged to the hot metal car.

Abstract: This invention provides a spacer for vertically separating coils in an annealing furnace. The spacer includes a lower segmental plate and an upper segmental plate, and ribs between the segmental plates and affixed thereto. A porous medium is disposed between the segmental plates, so that the porous medium can be heated by hot gas passing through it, and can then radiate heat to the inside surfaces of the segmental plates.

Abstract: A hot metal gate for use in prefabricated hot metal runners takes the form of a prefabricated largely refractory unit that may be partially consumable and/or disintegratable when in contact with molten metal. The density of the material helps determine the known life of the hot metal gate when the same is exposed to molten metal in the hot metal runners. The gate is movably positioned by attachment to a lifting device.

Abstract: A sliding gate valve slide plate in a can has an integral collector nozzle and is formed as two conjoined refractory concrete mouldings with a cup or trough shaped metal foil lying in the joint therebetween. The foil is oxidisable in service to form a bond between the concretes. The concretes may be of different formulations, and the moulding with which molten metal makes contact is preferably the more resistant to the rigorous environment presented by flowing molten metal.The slide plate is cast in two steps using the shaped foil and the can as respective lost mould members which coact with a planar polished surface to produce a cast slide plate needing effectively no finish grinding before installation in a valve.

Abstract: A flexible thermal insulating cover member is positioned over the opening of a hot metal containment of a conveying or mixing vessel to reduce the temperature loss from the containment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing used refractory lining or slag or both from the inner wall of an elongated vessel. The apparatus includes a cutting disc movably mounted on a guide mechanism which may be fixably located within the vessel. In accordance with the inventive technique, one or more recesses is formed within the lining extending from the surface thereof to the wall of the vessel.

Abstract: The radial cold trap comprises a housing having a plurality of mesh bands disposed therein. The mesh bands comprise concentrically arranged bands of mesh with the mesh specific surface area of each band increasing from the outermost mesh band to the innermost mesh band. An inlet nozzle is attached to the outside section of the housing while an outlet nozzle is attached to the inner portion of the housing so as to be concentrically connected to the innermost mesh band. An inlet baffle having orifices therein may be disposed around the outermost mesh band and within the housing for directing the flow of the fluid from the inlet nozzle to the outermost mesh band in a uniform manner. The flow of fluid passes through each consecutive mesh band and into the outlet nozzle. The circular pattern of the symmetrically arranged mesh packing allows for better utilization of the entire cold trap volume.

Abstract: A centerplate wear liner for hot metal mixer cars includes a split ring side wear liner having a shroud on its outer surface. The shroud fits within an annular groove machined into the socket which receives the centerplate. A disc wear liner is placed within the ring wear liner and serves both as a wear liner and as a locking device to prevent the shroud of the side wear liner ring from escaping from the groove.

Abstract: A water cooled material additive chute for introducing fluxing material into a steel furnace includes water cooled inlet and outlet chambers meeting at a tip or nose portion which includes deflectors adapted to increase the cooling efficiency of the water coolant and includes a pipe structure which accommodates thermal expansion.

Abstract: An apparatus for deskulling tundishes comprises a support for holding a tundish to be deskulled in upright or inverted position and an impact hammer mounted on a carriage and movable longitudinally and transversely relative to the tundish whereby the latter can be deskulled. The tundish, when deskulled, is tilted to tip the skull bricks into a pit.

Abstract: A shrouding apparatus, suspended from a bottom pour vessel carries a vertical shroud tube at one end for surrounding a molten metal pouring stream and a counterweight at its other end to force the shroud tube against the bottom of the pouring vessel. The apparatus includes means for introducing a protective atmosphere to the interior of the shroud.

Abstract: A device for mitigating the splashing of droplets of molten metal during the pouring of same into a mould comprises a strip or strips of material which form a system of polygonal cells. The device is for vertical location with the strips edgewise in the base of a mould and fulfills the function of either a splash-guard when casting direct or a float when bottom-casting.

Abstract: A device for installing a taphole is comprised of a vertical wall with laterally extending base wings which conform specifically to the configuration and contours of refractory blocks and a neck with laterally extending wings which conform specifically to the interior and exterior dimensions of refractory sleeves which are attached to the blocks and form a part of the taphole.

Abstract: Method and apparatus defining a combustion and fluidized heating system for the heating of ladles of the type commonly used in the foundry and steel industry is described whereby fluidized-bed technology is employed to achieve greatly improved fuel efficiency. In the method, the particles forming the substance of the bed are placed directly into the ladle. The same may be drawn from a prior heated ladle. In practice, the initial heating medium be it gas or liquid or solid or electric may be replaced in final heating by the direct introduction into the bed of solid or fluid fuel to achieve combustion within the bed itself. Alternatively the bed may be heated electrically as by immersion of an electric resistance heater in the bed. Control of the combustion and the fluidizing medium is inherent in operative characteristics of the invention.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for cleaning metallurgical vessels such as slag pots, ladles and the like by inducing vibration into such vessel from a housing clamped to said vessel and containing a vibratory means such as rotating eccentric weights.

Abstract: The invention involves a device for obtaining a sample of molten metal for analysis. The device comprises wall structure which is constructed from powdered metal or material to define what may be termed a chamber or cavity for receiving a sample of molten metal. This wall structure is porous and the primary objective of the subject invention is to condition or treat the wall structure in such a way that the porosity of the structure is materially reduced, the purpose of which is to prevent the sample obtained from sticking or becoming cohesive with the inner surfaces of the structure defining the chamber.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for heating ladles of the type commonly used in the foundry and steel industry is described whereby fluidized bed technology is employed to achieve greatly improved fuel efficiency. In the method, the particles forming the substance of the bed are drawn directly into the ladle from a mother fluidized bed unit wherein a flow balancing is effected to establish a relatively steady state, simultaneously as the flow to various ladles under treatment may be changed. The invention is particularly adapted to the use of coal as a fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing and replacing blast furnace tuyeres. The apparatus is indexed with the centerline of the tuyere and downcomer from the bustle pipe to permit removal and replacement of the blowpipe-elbow, tuyere and tuyere cooler.

Abstract: A device for exchanging the down spout and repairing a seating brick in a steel ladle, comprising a vertically movable cage, a hoist system therefore and a carriage for transferring the ladle along a fixed track. The carriage is adapted to hold the ladle with the radial direction of the bottom of the ladle towards the down spout at an acute angle to the direction of transfer. Above the path of the upper rim of the ladle, a platform is provided, and further a tower construction is displaceable on the platform in the radial direction towards the down spout. The cage is hoistable inside the tower construction by means of hoisting means connected to the tower construction. In a preferred embodiment the cage consists of a substantially cylindrical insulated wall and of a bottom cooled by flushing with air. A ventilation system, a travelling crab, an operating hatch in the cage wall and a special recessed shape of the cage may facilitate operation.

Abstract: An open topped vessel for converting molten ferrous metal to steel is pivotal about a horizontal axis and has bottom tuyeres for blowing oxygen or other gases upwardly through molten metal contained therein. An enclosure at least partially surrounds the vessel and cooperates with a smoke hood to prevent the escape of pollutants when the vessel is in a generally vertical gas blowing position. The vessel is pivotable about a horizontal axis to position its open top adjacent an access door in the enclosure whereby the vessel may be charged with hot metal from a ladle or with scrap from a charging chute. A pair of bumpers are positioned adjacent the access door support beams to prevent damage thereto by the charging apparatus.

Abstract: A process for quenching molten residue discharged from a furnace hearth, through a non-submerged taphole, including the steps of: (a) providing a vertical slag duct in sealed communication at the top with the taphole and sealed at the bottom by being immersed a substantial distance into water in a quench tank, (b) flowing the molten residue from the hearth by gravity down the central axis of said slag duct and quenching it in the water contained in the submerged portion of the slag duct, said water being at a temperature sufficiently high to prevent slag explosions, wherein the improvement comprises:Substantially reducing cooling of the tap and hearth areas of said furnace by removing hot fluid from said duct and replacing same with cooler fluid, thereby substantially preventing steam generated by quenching of said molten residue in the water contained in the submerged portion of said duct from entering said tap and hearth areas.

Abstract: A preheater for uniformly heating the refractory lining of a ladle, ingot mold or the like. A concave, refractory lined cover is provided with one or more flues for exhausting noxious fumes and products of combustion. There is also provided an axially extending burner for projecting a flame onto the walls of the ladle refractory lining. Fluid operated means are provided for vertically tilting the boom which pivotally supports the ladle cover to enable the cover to be laid, with a tight fit, on the mouth portion of the ladle, - also to enable lifting of the cover and lateral swinging thereof from the closed position. A modification, particularly suitable for large ladles, is to provide a plurality of burners which emit flames substantially tangentially inwardly of the cover to uniformly heat the ladle lining.

Abstract: The electric induction heating in situ of a selected portion of an underground deposit of hydrocarbons (such as petroleum, especially petroleum entrapped within a sand formation or the like, or lignite), for the purpose of facilitating extraction of hydrocarbons from the deposit. The heating is conveniently effected by passing alternating current through a conductor encompassing the selected portion. The conductive path is preferably a toroid, helix, or simulated toroid or helix, created by drilling and passing one or more conductors through the drill holes.

Abstract: An air-cooled refractory guide tube for insertion in the wall of a metallurgical furnace to permit reciprocal movement of an elongated rod-shaped member into and out of the interior of the furnace through a central orifice extending through the tube. The guide tube consists of a metal part and a refractory part, with the metal part including means for directing compressed air through the central orifice of the refractory part and for independently directing air through a series of cooling orifices extending through the ceramic part. Upon the ceramic part being consumed in use, the metal part can be reused. By controlling the rate of flow of cooling air through the ceramic part, its melting rate can be kept equal to that of the furnace wall.

Abstract: A gas carburizing furnace wherein the liquid organic composition is introduced into the furnace through a perforated container contained therein. The perforated container comprises a thermal plate at the bottom and perforated walls made from a catalytic material. Therefore, the liquid organic composition entering the container through the dropping port is vaporized when it comes in contact with the hot thermal plate and is cracked while passing through the perforations in the catalytic material.