Abstract: A method and a device for charging a plurality of reduced iron raw materials into a traveling hearth reduction-melting furnace and treating the raw materials, allowing sufficient input of heat to the reduced iron raw materials on a hearth covering material to improve treatment efficiency are provided. The reduced iron raw materials are released downward from the lower surface of a ceiling of the reduction-melting furnace to be set on a hearth covering material on a hearth and reduced on the hearth covering material. The falling reduced iron raw materials are given a horizontal velocity having a direction equal to the travel direction of the hearth and being greater than the travel speed of the hearth to enable the reduced iron raw materials to roll in the same direction as the travel direction of the hearth after landing on the hearth covering material.

Abstract: A hydrostatic tower whose lower part communicates with a liquid phase space within a flash vessel, and whose upper part communicates with a gas phase space within the flash vessel is provided. A rising liquid level within the hydrostatic tower is detected by at least one maximum liquid level sensor provided at a position at the same level as a predetermined maximum liquid level within the liquid phase space. A dropping liquid level within the hydrostatic tower is detected by at least one minimum liquid level sensor provided at a position at the same level as a predetermined minimum liquid level within the liquid phase space.

Abstract: An anti-collision device for a plasma vertical cutting gun including a lifting frame of a plasma cutting machine; a connection mechanism; a fixing plate of a cutting gun fixed on the connection mechanism; a concave support plate connected with the lifting frame of the plasma cutting machine; and a proximity switch mounted on the concave support plate. The connection mechanism is mounted between the lifting frame of the plasma cutting machine and the fixing plate of the cutting gun. A contact surface between the connection mechanism and the concave support plate matches. One side of a joint plane between the connection mechanism and the concave support plate is of ferromagnetic materials and the other side is provided with a magnet, thereby attracting each other to realize a magnetic connection. The anti-collision device has comprehensive functions, convenient installation, reasonable structure, and short response time in case of impact.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for monitoring the level of a feed material layer in a metallurgical furnace are described. At least one non-contact sensor is used to sense a distance between the feed layer and a reference position. A process controller linked to the sensor provides a control signal based upon the sensed distance. The control signal may be used to control various factors in the operation of the metallurgical furnace.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the ore content and for further treatment of the ore, the ore content of the crushed ore being monitored in the method on-line and the information on the ore content being utilized in the further treatment of the ore.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the ore content and for further treatment of the ore, the ore content of the crushed ore being monitored in said method on-line and the information on the ore content being utilized in the further treatment of the ore.

Abstract: The present invention is directed a method for adjusting the height of a lance with respect to a bath surface of any selected heat manufactured in a metallurgical vessel during a continuing series of heats.

Abstract: Rotation of a plate cam arranged at almost the center position of a semi-open coil is performed by a motor, and induction heating of the periphery of the plate cam is performed by the semi-open coil during the rotation. The process results in uniform heating of the periphery of a workpiece of distorted shape. A detector of an angle of rotation to detect an angle of rotation of the plate cam and an electric power control part to control the electric power to be supplied to the semi-open coil according to the detection results of the detector of an angle of rotation, are provided so that the most outer end at the farthest position from the center of the plate cam is not excessively heated. A process is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an oxygen lance crane assembly that includes a measuring device positioned to take measurements to a target area within a BOF vessel. The measuring device includes an optical head for receiving and directing an energy beam to the target area within an associated metallurgical vessel, and for receiving and directing a reflected energy beam to a processor that converts the reflected energy beam into a distance measurement. A drive means, provided within a housing fastened to the lance crane assembly, is attached to the optical head so that when the drive means is operated the optical head is either extended through an opening in the housing to a remote measuring position at a line of sight to the target area within the metallurgical vessel, or retracted back through the opening to a stored position within the housing.

Abstract: An aluminum bloom more than 99.95% pure is obtained by segregation of aluminum from an impure parent liquor. Heat supplied to the parent liquor during growth of the bloom is adjusted as a function of the height of the bloom.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for continuously sintering a web material with a sintering furnace. An input refractory drive unrolls a refractory material from an input refractory roll and feeds the refractory material upon a furnace conveyor of the furnace. An output refractory drive removes the refractory material from the furnace and rolls the refractory material onto an output refractory roll. An input media drive unrolls the media material from an input media roll and feeds the media material onto the refractory material. An output media drive removes the media material from the refractory material and rolls the media material onto an output media roll. A hanging sensor senses the catenary hang of the media material from the input media roll.

Abstract: A device for direct observation of the charging process inside a shaft furnace during its operation, in particular a blast furnace, with a measuring lance, which is arranged above the charge column in the shaft furnace in such a way that it is exposed to the charge material falling from a charging device during the charging process, and sensor means which detect the position of the falling charge material in relation to the measuring lance.

Abstract: An apparatus for keeping an optimal penetration depth formed at the front end of an oxygen tuyere in the producing facilities of molten pig iron utilizing non-coking coal and a method for keeping the same. A sensor for measuring distance using a laser for continuously measuring the penetration depth, is provided. Comprised is a process computer for continuously receiving the measured penetration depth from the sensor and comparing the received penetration depth with a predetermined optimal penetration depth to obtain a difference between them, and for obtaining a changing amount of a pressure in a melter gasifier through a mutual relation between a predetermined changing amount of a pressure in the melter gasifier with that of the penetration depth using the difference between the actual penetration depth with the optimal penetration depth.

Abstract: Apparatus for inductively heating and hardening diesel cam shaft lobes includes a table supporting an inductor for radial displacement relative to the lobe of a workpiece to be hardened and a master component having a lobe identical to that of the workpiece to be hardened and supported for rotation about an axis parallel to and laterally spaced from that of the workpiece. The master component and workpiece are rotated in synchronism, and a follower roll on the table engages the lobe of the master component to accurately maintain a desired air gap between the inductor and lobe of the workpiece during the hardening operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing direct reduced iron from dry compacts composed of iron oxide and carbonaceous material by feeding compacts no more than two layers deep onto a hearth and removing all the volatiles and metallizing the compacts by exposing said compacts to a radiant heat source at a temperature of from about 2400.degree. to about 2600.degree. F. (1316.degree.-1427.degree. C.) for a total time period of about four to ten minutes and partially cooling the compacts while discharging them from the hearth.

Abstract: A process and device are disclosed for regulating the annealing power in at least one annealing section of a continuous annealing and processing line for continuously cast metal products. The speed of the cast products (D) passing through the continuous annealing device is detected, as well as the voltage currently applied to the annealing section, which is converted into an effective value (U.sub.c) by means of a control device (50). The voltage supplied to the annealing section is modified by a control signal derived from the determined effective value of the voltage, in order to achieve a predetermined annealing power value dependent on the measured speed. At least the current flowing in one annealing section is also detected and converted into an effective value. The annealing power actually supplied to the annealing section is calculated from said effective values. The voltage value is modified by a control device until a predetermined value of the annealing power is reached.

Abstract: In the furnace a plurality of floaters are arranged in series in a direction in which the metal strip is transferred. The strip is fed through the furnace, floated by these floaters. A test floater is installed along the strip transfer pathway. The height of the strip floated by the test floater is detected by a float sensor. The gas pressure of the test floater detected when the test floater floats the strip to an appropriate height is reflected on the gas pressures of the in-furnace floaters. As a result, the in-furnace floaters float the strip to the appropriate height.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling drive or operation of a quenching car and/or a bucket car for a coke oven and a method therefor, capable of effectively accomplishing the automatic control of the operation of the quenching car/bucket car. A quenching car/bucket car is adapted to travel on a track due to traction by a wire rope through a winch structure, to thereby reduce the load of the quenching car/bucket car applied to the track surface to prevent positional variations on the track surface. This results in the relative positional relationship of the track surface to a quenching tower, a coke wharf/CDQ and the like being ensured.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are provided for selective heating a portion of a workpiece to achieve improved ausforming and isoforming processes when the workpiece is plastically deformed by mechanical working above the M.sub.s temperature. The process and apparatus includes a preheating step where a larger portion of the workpiece is preheated to less than the austenitic critical temperature while the final heating step conducted at a temperature higher than the austenitic critical temperature heats a smaller portion of the workpiece which is subsequently subjected to plastic deformation.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a spray of atomized metal droplets includes providing an apparatus that forms a spray of molten metal droplets, the apparatus including a metal source and a metal stream atomizer, producing a stream of liquid metal from the metal source, and atomizing the stream of liquid metal with the metal stream atomizer to form the spray of molten metal droplets. A controlled spray of atomized metal droplets is achieved by selectively varying the temperature of the droplets in the spray of molten metal droplets, the step of selectively varying including the step of varying the flow rate of metal produced by the metal source, responsive to a command signal, and sensing the operation of the apparatus and generating the command signal indicative of the operation of the apparatus. The step of atomizing may be accomplished by directing a flow of an atomizing gas at the stream of liquid metal, and then selectively controlling the flow rate of the atomizing gas.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for performing thermomechanical processing of gears in which precise control of the thermal, metallurgical and mechanical action during the forming process is maintained. The apparatus comprises an induction heating system which reaustenitizes the surface of the gear with minimum decarburization, a material transfer system which provides timely operations on the work piece, tooling and fixture adjustments which provide accurate initial conditions for forming, and a process control architecture that provides the precise sequence and timing necessary to achieve metallurgically sound and dimensionally accurate gears. Using this invention the induction heating cycle can be controlled from the peak, average or minimum gear surface temperature detected with a high response optical pyrometer. An inert environment is maintained around the workpiece during the induction heating and transfer to quenching above the M.sub.s temperature.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a spray of atomized metal droplets includes providing an apparatus that forms a spray of molten metal droplets, the apparatus including a metal source and a metal stream atomizer, producing a stream of liquid metal from the metal source, and atomizing the stream of liquid metal with the metal stream atomizer to form the spray of molten metal droplets. A controlled spray of atomized metal droplets is achieved by selectively varying the temperature of the droplets in the spray of molten metal droplets, the step of selectively varying including the step of varying the flow rate of metal produced by the metal source, responsive to a command signal, and sensing the operation of the apparatus and generating the command signal indicative of the operation of the apparatus. The step of atomizing may be accomplished by directing a flow of an atomizing gas at the stream of liquid metal, and then selectively controlling the flow rate of the atomizing gas.

Abstract: An automatic dross removal apparatus (10) is disclosed for removing dross from the surface of a solder bath (22) in an automated electric component handling system. A rotatable wiper blade (14) is positioned adjacent the solder bath (22) which skims the dross off of the surface prior to the dipping of a robot conveyed component into the bath. An electronic control circuit (34) causes a motor (32) to rotate the wiper arm (14) one full rotational cycle each time a pulse is received from a robot controller (44) as a component approaches the solder bath (22).

Abstract: A radar probe including several individual scanning antennas is mounted in the wall of the furnace above the loading surface and performs a two-dimensional scanning of the entire loading surface.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are provided for selective heating a portion of a workpiece to achieve improved ausforming and isoforming processes when the workpiece is plastically deformed by mechanical working above the M.sub.s temperature. The process and apparatus includes a preheating step where a larger portion of the workpiece is preheated to less than the austenitic critical temperature while the final heating step conducted at a temperature higher than the austenitic critical temperature heats a smaller portion of the workpiece which is subsequently subjected to plastic deformation.

Abstract: A method for operating a shaft furnace is performed by charging different ore/coke ratio mixture in radially different positions in the furnace. The ore/coke mixture ratio may be determined according to desired heat distribution in radial direction. For this, at least two mutually independently determined ore/coke mixture ratio mixtures are provided in each charge cycle of the burden. The mixture to be charged in the central portion of the furnace may have a higher coke content or a lower ore content for better permeability to the heating gas.

Abstract: Device for determining the charge profile in a shaft furnace. In order to be able to scan the entire burden surface at least over a right-angle graticule, a radar unit is arranged at the front end of a tubular lance, which latter can be radially introduced into the furnace, the beam direction of this radar unit being pivotable about the longitudinal axis of the tubular lance bilaterally over a predetermined angle, as well as about a transverse axis extending perpendicularly thereto, approximately by the same angle in the forward direction. The device is suitable for scanning the entire burden surface in a graticule mode as well as line-by-line, and the scanning results of the device can be made visible and can also be used as input data for the automatic control of the shaft furnace.

Abstract: A process for determining the arrangement of the layered charges in a blast furnace prior to smelting. Positioned in the layered charges in the blast furnace are a plurality of upright tubes in each of which an eddy current probe is moved up and down. The layered charges are composed of alternate layers of coke and sintered iron ore. A first set of data indicating the position of the probe is obtained through an encoder, a position counter and a recorder. A second set of data indicating the content of the sintered iron ores in the charges at any level is obtained through an eddy current tester and the recorder due to the fact the sintered iron ores and the cokes are of different magnetic permeabilities. By contrasting the first set of data with the second set of data, the distribution of the sintered iron ores in the charges is detected.

Abstract: There is provided a device for controlling the vertical operating gap between the lower end of a cutting head, such as a frame cutting torch, and a generally flat workpiece positioned below the cutting head as the head and workpiece are moved relative to each other for cutting the workpiece along a preselected cutting path wherein the device includes a plurality of elongated feelers dangling vertically downwardly from the cutting head toward the workpiece with each of the feelers having an upper end and a lower terminal end, means for supporting the feelers at the upper end at positions spaced angularly around the cutting head with the terminal, lower ends at the same vertical height with respect to the lower end of the cutting head, means for allowing free upward movement of the lower ends upon engagement of the lower ends with the workpiece, such as allowed by downwardly hanging chains or loosely held rigid rods, feedback means for driving the motor in a first direction moving the head upwardly from the wor

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for pouring molten metal, that is applied when molten metal is poured into a vessel or a mold from a pouring apparatus provided with a nozzle having a sliding portion adjustable of an extent of opening, such as a sliding nozzle. The extent of opening of the nozzle is changed periodically with a preset extent of opening as the center of the change. The method enables to prevent that molten metal gets into and solidifies in a gap of the sliding portion of the nozzle, and always to control a pouring amount of molten metal with a stable accuracy. Also, the sliding resistance of the sliding portion of the nozzle is detected, and the extent of opening of nozzle is changed with a vibration width corresponding to the resistance. The method enables to drop off the molten metal adhering and solidifying around the sliding portion of the nozzle, or to maintain a stable control accuracy even when the heat of molten metal causes distortion at the nozzle to change the sliding resistance.

Abstract: A continuous annealing apparatus for metal strips comprises cylindrical rolls each arranged at a location immediately before the metal strip passes about a hearth roll in a high temperature heat-treatment region of the apparatus. An axis of the cylindrical roll is finely tilted relative to the hearth roll within 0.15 degree in directions compensating for shifted distances of the metal strip on the hearth roll in response to every 50 mm shift of the strip, thereby preventing meandering and buckling of the metal strip caused by the hearth rolls.

Abstract: An induction heating apparatus particularly adapted for precisely positioning the inductor relative to the workpiece before initiating the heating process. The inductor is mounted on the end of an inductor shaft that is carried by a slide. The end of the shaft opposite the inductor is connected to a coupling that couples the shaft to a stepping motor. The slide moves the inductor into engagement with the workpiece and the stepping motor is then energized to move the inductor away from the workpiece the required amount to obtain the desired spacing.

Abstract: A simultaneous multiple points sounding apparatus, comprising a plurality of weights to be suspended on burden charged in a furnace, a plurality of wire ropes attached to the weights with their one ends and extending at their other ends outside of the furnace, and a plurality of wire drums installed outside of the furnace on which the wire ropes are coiled, and a single driving device on which a plurality of wire drums are communicated, wherein the plurality of wire ropes are disposed on pulleys which travel downward when the respective weights reach the burden, thereby lessening the tension on the respective wire rope, and detectors are disposed for detecting the downward movement of the respective pulleys.

Abstract: A desired number of cables are drawn, along with the falling charge, into a blast furnace from its top and the forward ends of the cables are melted upon reaching the melting zone in the furnace. The length of each of the cables to its melted end is measured in accordance with the result of a voltage pulse response measurement utilizing the distributed constant circuit characteristics of the cable, and the height level of the melting zone inside the furnace is measured from the cable length by correcting it for the amount of deflection of the cable within the furnace. By measuring the cable length at each of a plurality of radial locations of the furnace, it is possible to estimate the three-dimensional shape of the upper boundary of the melting zone with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling the nozzle damper (slide valve) of a vessel for the metallurgical casting, in response of the variation of the molten metal level of the volume of molten metal tapped from said vessel the nozzle opening is stepwise controlled in response to, the value of the vertical level of the molten metal above said nozzle damper at the respective tapping time or after the respective tapping period with the molten metal volume calculated from the time integral of the respective previous actual damper opening areas.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus lights the surface of a moving hot steel material with lamps, locates any flaw with a video camera or the like, scarfs the surface of the steel material adjacent the flaw with a scarfing torch, measures the depth of the flaw with an eddy current detecting probe or the like, estimates accurately the loss of length due to conditioning size and depth of the flaw with a computer, and cuts the steel material in a predetermined length plus the accurately estimated length corresponding to the loss of length due to conditioning.

Abstract: A non-contacting surface contour measurement device includes movable member which can selectively be actuated to form a hermetic enclosure about a transmit and/or receive antenna. The measurement device, when employed in a blast furnace, need be exposed to the furnace environment only during measuring modes which constitute a small portion of the furnace operating cycle.

Abstract: A heated ladle provides a reserve of molten metal. Vertical closing rods release desired quantities into pouring troughs. These are indexed into alignment with the mold casting orifices. The system includes a chassis movable parallel to the step-by-step movable casting line, a mobile cart carried by the chassis and also movable parallel to the line, and trough-bearing means movable perpendicularly to the line and also providing pivotal movement capability for the troughs. Reference marks on the molds or inter-mold spaces cooperate with position sensors to control the indexing. Redescent and resulting closing of the closing rods is automatic.

Abstract: A furnace operation system, comprising, a plurality of hollow tubes arranged in place at a position lower than the raw material charging level in the furnace, and running through the body of the furnace, said hollow tubes being arranged in place into a multi-stage shape; a plurality of magnetic sensors arranged for each and every one of a designated number of measuring points selected in a manner of corresponding to the hollow tubes in the vertical direction, within the interior of the plurality of hollow tubes; and a means electrically connected with the plurality of magnetic sensors, which conducts processing of said signals from the said magnetic sensors which are obtained in correspondence to the downward movement of the charge fed into the furnace.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor housed in a cooling device has an inner core body for measuring the behavior of a charge put in a shaft furnace, an inner casing for accommodating the inner core body therein, and an outer casing for accommodating the inner casing with a space for a circulating path of cooling medium therebetween. The inner core body consists of an exciter for exciting the charge put in the furnace, a magnetic field sensing member arranged in front of the exciter for detecting the exciting magnetic field generated from the exciter and a driving circuit arranged at the rear of the exciter for driving the sensing member.

Abstract: A system of detecting a change in the charge put in a metallurgical furnace or the like wherein an magnetic field generator and a magnetic sensing section of a magnetometer arranged along the central axis of the exciting magnetic field of the said magnetic field generator are fitted in place on and/or inserted into a hole of the wall of such a vessel, including a metallurgical furnace or the like, as is enclosed with the said wall, such a change in the exciting magnetic flux passing through the said magnetic sensing section as is given birth by the movement of the charge is picked up in the form of electrical signals, and, the movement, the velocity, the rate of travel, the thickness of the layer, fluctuations in the shape of the layer, the circumferential distribution, the classification, and so forth, of the said charge are enabled to be properly detected in an optional manner through corresponding changes in the said electrical signals.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for the precipitation of cement copper from a copper solution mixed with pieces of iron. The cement copper depositing on the iron pieces is loosened therefrom by means of constant movement of such pieces and then is separated and collected from the decopperized solution.

Abstract: The surface contour of material deposited on the hearth of a furnace is sensed by measuring the height of the material on the furnace axis and at a plurality of points about the periphery of the furnace. The height on the furnace axis is measured with an instrument mounted on the axis of a furnace having an internally mounted steerable material distribution chute with the instrument being positioned vertically above the chute and the feed channel through which charge material is delivered to the chute.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for continuously measuring the annealing level on wires or strips, a wire or strip is passed, in a continuous feed, over a pulley of small diameter, at a tension less than that corresponding to the elastic limit of the material of which the wire or strip is made, so as to produce permanent elongation of 0.1 to 1%, this elongation being taken as a measurement of the annealing level, and utilized to control the annealing level.

Abstract: A water spray quench process and apparatus for the hardening of steel agricultural discs and like articles with minimum warpage and maximum exposure to the quenching water. A steel article heated in a furnace to a temperature above its austenitizing temperature is moved horizontally into a quenching station, supported on several support pins below the article with a positioning member above the article, and sprayed with water from a series of nozzles both above and below the article to rapidly and effectively quench the article to a minimum temperature. Once the article has been cooled by the quenching water, it is expelled from the quench station.