Abstract: A removable cover for encasing freight having an oversized portion of freight positioned on a bed of a freight car is shown including an interior insulated space for encasing the freight, openings through which the oversized portion of freight extends, and sidewalls having pockets of insulation shaped to receive the oversized portion of the freight. The sidewalls are movably attached to the removable cover and positioned to be moved to a closed position that covers the openings and encases the oversized portion of freight extending through said openings within the pockets of insulation. The removable cover further includes a seal that extends between the bed of the freight car and the removable cover, and the seal includes a granular insulation material in which the removable cover is imbedded.

Abstract: A post plating or post coating method for improving formability and weldability properties in sheet steel product having a protective zinc or zinc alloy layer formed on at least one surface thereof. The steps of the method comprise immersing the sheet steel product into a bath containing at least zinc to apply the protective layer, removing the sheet steel product from the bath, the sheet steel product having a protective zinc or zinc alloy layer formed on at least one surface thereof, and applying an alkaline solution to the protective layer to form a zinc oxide layer thereon, the alkaline solution being applied at a location outside the bath.

Abstract: A guide roll having means to expand or contract independent of its support bearings to prevent bearing failures when used under elevated temperature conditions.

Abstract: Flanged structural products are rolled directly from rectangular slabs using only a universal mill having web rolls of fixed width corresponding to a selected finished web depth of the finished product. Original slab width is dependent upon the area ratio of the web and flanges in the intended finished product.Flanged structural products are rolled directly from rectangular slabs using only a universal mill having web rolls of fixed width corresponding to a selected finished web depth of the finished product. Original slab width is dependent upon the area ratio of the web and flanges in the intended finished product. As the slab thickness is reduced between web rolls, flange rolls simultaneously apply pressure to the longitudinal edge surfaces of the slab, moving material toward the slab's center. The edge surfaces of the slab become upset in each pass so that the slab thickness at the edges exceeds the original slab thickness.

Abstract: A sensor dropper for storing, shielding and dropping sensors into a BOF vessel. The sensor dropper includes a support frame to move the stored sensors toward or away from a sensor drop path leading into said BOF vessel, a dropper assembly supported on the support frame for storing and releasing sensors into the sensor drop path to the BOF, and a shield gate to protect the sensor dropper and stored sensors from BOF fume. The dropper assembly includes a plurality of storage and release mechanisms and corresponding shear mechanisms. Each storage and release mechanism includes a threaded sensor support shaft from which a stored sensor is suspended and dropped into the sensor drop path when the threads of the sensor support shaft are rotated in an outward direction, and each shear mechanism includes a shear blade housed within a tubular cutter having outer shear blades to sever an electrical sensor cable when the inner shear blade is rotated past the outer shear blades.

Abstract: Flow control apparatus for enhancing inclusion float out in a continuous caster tundish comprising a dam positioned downstream from an impact pad and an energy source positioned between the dam and the exit nozzle of the tundish. The dam receives an incoming flood of molten metal released from the impact pad and redirects the flood of molten metal into multiple sub-flow currents which carry entrained inclusions toward a slag cover on the surface of the molten metal bath to enhance inclusion float out. The energy source provides means to restore kinetic energy to the sub-flow currents and increase the number of passes below the slag cover, thereby further enhancing inclusion float out.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a nozzle into the discharge bore of a steelmaking vessel including a carriage and a clamp means for demountably attaching the nozzle to the carriage. The apparatus further includes means to move the carriage toward or away from the steelmaking vessel while at the same time rotating the nozzle about its longitudinal axis as it is pressed into the discharge bore.

Abstract: A method of continuously casting a variable flange beam blank for direct rolling as-cast into any finished beam within a beam family without the need for altering the as-cast geometry in a breakdown stand, roughing stand, or the like, prior to the direct finish rolling. The method includes a consideration of the cross-sectional areas of both the flange and the web of the beam.

Abstract: A process for consuming oily sludge waste product in steel making operations includes spraying a waste slurry onto the moving porous bed of a sinter strand. A burner hood is spaced above a portion of the moving bed. The bed carries a sinter mix which is ignited in the ignition zone of the burner hood and the slurry is sprayed onto the ignited sinter mix immediately downstream of the ignition zone. A vacuum system draws the slurry through the ignited sinter mix ensuring substantially complete combustion of the slurry.

Abstract: A nozzle extraction tool for removing a worn nozzle insert from a steelmaking vessel. The nozzle extraction tool including a support frame, a gripper assembly, and a drive piston for applying a force to the gripper assembly. The gripper assembly includes pivotal gripper arms and a rod assembly for pivoting and rotating the gripper assembly 360.degree. about the longitudinal axis of the worn nozzle insert. The rod assembly enables the gripper arms to be securely seated against the uneven surfaces of the worn discharge bore extending through the nozzle insert.

Abstract: A two piece nozzle insert for use in a steelmaking ladle comprising a nozzle segment and a lock ring segment. The nozzle segment includes a prefired refractory block suited for insertion into the discharge bore of a ladle well block, and the lock ring segment includes a fastening means for removeably attaching the lock ring segment within the discharge bore of a ladle mounting plate. The nozzle segment and lock ring segment include cooperating tapered surfaces to provide a slip plane for compressing and extruding bonding material from between mortar joints of the two piece nozzle insert.

Abstract: A centering tool for coaxially aligning a well block with a discharge bore of a steelmaking vessel, the centering tool comprising a support frame and a cluster of pivotable centering arms. Each centering arm includes a wedge shaped portion having a first edge adapted to engage a drive means, and a second edge having a first surface adapted to engage the wall of a bore extending through the well block, and a second surface adapted to engage the wall of the discharge bore of the steelmaking vessel. The drive means includes an expansion plug for engaging and pivoting centering arms positioned within the bore of the well block.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a metal sheet having a full-hard central portion extending between at least two softer side edge portions of the sheet. The method comprises the step of heating the side edge portions of the sheet portions of the sheet to a higher temperature than the central portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring lap to lap variations between windings of a coiled sheet product comprising a light source, a light measuring cell, and a light directing chamber located between the light source and the light measuring cell. The light directing chamber includes a cavity adapted to receive a shutter, and a light directing duct having a slot communicating with the cavity of the light directing chamber. The slot is adapted to provide an opening for inserting the shutter into the interior portion of the light directing duct.

Abstract: An adjustable switch point guard rail assembly for use adjacent the switch point of a railway switch. The adjustable guard rail assembly is comprised of a plurality of support chairs and an adjustable guard rail. The sdjustable guard rail includes a surface for engaging and laterally urging the wheels of rolling stock in a direction toward the centerline of the trackwork. Also disclosed is an apparatus for laterally adjusting and fastening the wheel engaging surface of the adjustable guard rail to a variety of positions toward or away from the switch point within a given range of lateral movement.

Abstract: An impact pad for eliminating surface turbulence in a continuous caster tundish, the impact pad having a base for receiving an incoming ladle stream, and one or more sidewalls extending in an upward direction along the periphery of the base. Each upward extending sidewall includes an inner surface having an undercut portion facing the incoming ladle stream. And, each undercut portion extends along the length of the inner surface, and comprises a shaped surface for receiving and reversing the direction of a fluid flow generated by the incoming ladle stream.

Abstract: A shield comprising a refractory material resistant to pentration by a continuous stream of molten steel and a retaining means to hold the refractory material contiguous to a heat absorption surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for retrieving a sample of slag from the surface of molten steel contained in a ladle. A hoist positioned above the ladle lowers and raises an elongated metal rod which has cardboard and metal sleeves surrounding the lower portion of the elongated metal rod. A clean sample of molten slag tightly adheres to the metal sleeve as it is raised from the molten slag layer. The metal sleeve and slag sample are easily removed from the elongated metal rod for analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing a new bull gear onto a trunnion shaft of a BOF, the apparatus comprising a first stop removably attached to the end face of a turnnion shaft, a gear press shaft extending through an aperture within the first stop means, the gear press shaft having a first end portion with an enlarged segment inserted into a recess provided within the trunnion shaft, a second stop adjustably attached to a second end portion of the gear press shaft, a gear press plate removably attached to the gear and encircling the gear press shaft between the first and second stops and a jack means located between the gear press plate and the second stop.

Abstract: An adjustable switch point guard rail assembly for use adjacent the switch point of a railway switch. The adjustable guard rail assembly is comprised of a plurality of support chairs and an adjustable guard rail. The adjustable guard rail includes a surface for engaging and laterally urging the wheels of rolling stock in a direction toward the centerline of the trackwork. Also disclosed is an apparatus for laterally adjusting and fastening the wheel engaging surface of the adjustable guard rail to a variety of positions toward or away from the switch point within a given range of lateral movement.