Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic coupling for coupling lances used in steel production to a coupling head of a lance carrier, the required materials and cooling liquids being supplied to the lance through the coupling head.Coupling takes place by means of coupling hooks (4) which are provided on the coupling head (6), mounted by means of eccentrics (12), and vertically movable by actuation of these eccentrics (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for charging a shaft furnace. The apparatus includes a rotary and pivoting distributor chute suspended on the head of the furnace, a device for driving this chute, which consists of a first and second running ring designed respectively for rotating the chute about the vertical axis of the furnace and for changing its inclination relative to this axis as a result of a pivoting about its horizontal suspension axis, and a device for actuating the two running rings independently of one another, a central charging lock equipped with upper and lower sealing flaps and with a metering and closing valve for adjusting the flow of material from the lock on to the distributor chute, and a device for filling the lock.

Abstract: Automated installation for the laying for masonry on a wall, especially of a converter, comprising an operating station with a work plateform movable vertically inside the enclosure and capable of rotating about the vertical axis of the latter, areas for the simultaneous storage of two pallets of bricks on the platform, a robot for handling and laying the bricks, a monitoring and control station, retractable props for stabilizing the operating station and a device for raising and lowering pallets of bricks. The entire operating station is supported by a telescopic mast mounted on a turntable of a movable floor which is located outside the enclosure and with which the operating station forms a retractable self-propelled or towable unit.

Abstract: The device is composed of several separate elements consisting of at least one central tubular element connected, on one side, by means of a first ball-and-socket joint and a first compensator to a first connector supplying preheated air and on the opposite side, by means of a second ball-and-socket joint and a second compensator to a second connector. In order to reduce the length of the device, the second joint is oriented in the opposite direction to the said first joint, its center of curvature being located on the axis of the said second connector on the inside of the latter.

Abstract: A shutter for sealing a flow-off orifice of charging lock for charging a shaft furnace is disclosed. The shutter includes a soft peripheral gasket and is movable between a closed position, in which the gasket is laid against an annular seal surrounding a passage orifice, and an open position in which the gasket is set apart from the passage orifice. In order to reduce the thermal stresses on the gasket, the seat has an internal channel connected to a circuit of a temperature regulating fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a handling device for a distribution chute of a shaft furnace, the said distribution chute being suspended pivotably on a rotary cage mounted by means of bearings in a housing installed in the head of the furnace and containing drive means for rotating the said cage about the vertical axis of the furnace and drive means for pivoting the chute about its horizontal suspension axis. The invention also relates to a mechanism for driving the chute which is suitable for this device.

Abstract: The device is composed of several tubular elements equipped with an inner refractory lining and connected, on one side, to the wall of the furnace by means of a downpipe, an elbow, a tuyere and a nozzle and, on the other side, to a main circular pipeline arranged round the furnace and fed with preheated air. Cooling coils are embedded in the mass of refractory lining and are fed with cooling air circulating through the coils in the same direction as the preheated air. The outlet of the coils opens into the inner conduit conveying the preheated air.

Abstract: The device comprises an inclined rotating chute with adjustable angle of inclination, having an elongated flat sliding surface with a rectilinear longitudinal side provided with a retaining edge, the opposite longitudinal side being the pouring side and having overall the shape of an elongated "S" extending, without interruption and without corners, along the bottom end of the sliding surface as far as the bottom end of the rectilinear side.

Abstract: An apparatus for lining the inside wall of a vessel with bricks is presented. The apparatus includes a work platform, a handling robot and telescopic hoists. The telescopic hoists have carriages for receiving a stack of bricks of the same type. At the platform level, a vertical conveyor is associated with the hoists. The vertical conveyor transfers the stack of bricks from the carriages and raise the bricks to the platform level. The installation of this invention is particularly useful for laying a refractory lining on the inside wall of a metallurgical converter.

Abstract: An automatic lance changeover device is presented wherein a radially guided ring is axially vertically displaceable by two lifting spindle systems provided on each side of the ring and bears pivotable hooks for receiving the lance and for pressing the latter axially against a sealing surface on the coupling head. The hooks are connected to the stationary coupling head via pivotable connecting rods whose length is alterable, these connecting rods being eccentrically articulated on the support pin of the hooks with the bearing bore at the coupling head end of the connecting rods having a larger diameter than the associated wrist pin. When the ring is axially displaced, the hooks, which have swung out, in a first phase, initially surround the supporting pins on the upper part of the lance as the ring is displaced further, the hooks, without executing any further pivoting movement, pull the lance head into sealing contact with the coupling head.

Abstract: A device which allows for the easy mounting of a gripper for coupling a piercing rod to a working tool mounted on a sliding carriage of a piercing machine, and in which the gripper has a female thread designed to be screwed onto a threaded end piece of the working tool is presented. The device essentially comprises a supporting cage which is fixed to the carriage and which ensures the vertical and lateral support of the gripper and allows it to slide longitudinally.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a hydraulic unit mounted directly on the wall of the bottom of a rotary hopper and supplying hydraulic fluid to each of the jacks mounted on the hopper wall. This hydraulic unit is connected to an energy source on a fixed bracket located in the region of the bottom of the hopper, but which is independent therefrom. As the rotary hopper rotates, the hydraulic unit retains its connection with the energy source. The energy source activates the hydraulic unit, which subsequently opens the hopper.

Abstract: A driving apparatus for an oscillating spout is presented which includes a control mechanism which directs a control arm to perform the movement required by the spout and a transmission device which acts to transmit the control arm movement and reproduce it as spout movement. The control mechanism consists of a driving rod pivotally connected to an intermediate lever arm and a novel universal joint connecting the lever arm to the control arm. The universal joint enables the spout to be moved in and out of a vertical orientation by prohibiting the components of the control mechanism from becoming axially locked in a 180.degree. angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving an oscillating spout capable of pivoting about two orthogonal axes under the action of a pivoting control arm having the same degrees of liberties as the spout is presented. The driving apparatus includes a control mechanism which directs the control arm to perform the movement required by the spout and a transmission device which acts to transmit the control arm movement to the spout to reproduce it as spout movement, and vice versa. The apparatus further includes a rotary internal housing supported on a support frame via a bearing member and enclosed by an outer housing or cowl. The rotary housing is associated with a toothed rim which is actuated by a first motor fixed to or adjacent to the support frame. A control mechanism is also provided which includes a driving rod which is coaxial with the rotary internal housing and which is capable of sliding in the axial direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling a metallurgical ladle to a gas supply is presented wherein gas is used for the treatment of molten metal contained in the ladle. The gas is injected through the bottom of the ladle into the liquid metal. The ladle rests on a support located at a treatment station. The apparatus comprises a base mounted on the bottom of the ladle support in a manner as to be slidable in two directions at right angles to one another against the action of springs. The apparatus is provided with a male connection head which has an axial through passage that communicates with the gas supply. This apparatus also includes a foot fixed on the ladle which is provided with a female connection member for engagement on the connection head when the ladle is placed in its support.

Abstract: The process is intended to compensate for the random movements and inclinations of a loading installation of a shaft furnace having a storage lock chamber which is carried by a framework independent of the shaft furnace and which is connected to the shaft furnace by use of a compensator. In accordance with this process, the lateral shifts of the head of the furnace in relation to the lock chamber are detected, and the storage lock chamber is inclined until the axis of the falling path of the charge material corresponds to the shifted central axis (0') of the furnace.

Abstract: A discharge control device is presented which includes a variable opening formed between two cylinders with parallel axes. The cylinders are mounted between two symmetrical support blocks having bores and are spaced at a distance equal to the sum of their radii. At least one of the cylinders has an external cut-out which, upon rotation of the two cylinders, defines the variable opening. The cylinders are in the form of discs with an axial thickness wherein the cut-out extends over the whole thickness. The discharge control device controls the flow of molten materials.

Abstract: The loading installation comprises a device for introducing and distributing charge material into a shaft furnace, this device being surmounted in ascending order, and in alignment with the central axis of the furnace, by a compensator, a valve housing, a lock chamber having a weighing system and a stand-by hopper. The lock chamber and the valve housing are suspended by means of several balances on a circular or polygonal horizontal supporting beam with the stand-by hopper resting on this beam. In turn, the supporting beam is carried by several vertical pillars with the pillars being carried by the head of the furnace.

Abstract: A valve actuating device for a hopper is comprised of two spherical shaped shutters or registers which pivot about common suspension axles. Each of the registers is carried by two pairs of arms located on either side of the bottom of the hopper and is capable of pivoting about two axles mounted respectively on brackets fastened to the bottom on either side of the hopper. The supporting arms of one of the registers are connected respectively to the piston rods of two hydraulic jacks mounted pivotally on the brackets; and the first pair of supporting arms experiencing the action of the hydraulic jacks are connected respectively to the second pair of supporting arms by use of a linkage articulated on the bracket.

Abstract: A brick-laying apparatus comprises a work platform vertically movable within a vessel and capable of rotating about the vertical axis of the vessel; and a robot for manipulating and laying bricks along the brick lining of the wall. The robot is mounted on a support capable of pivoting about a first vertical axis. To increase the effective radius of the robot, the support is mounted on an extension piece pivotable about a second vertical axis. The brick-laying apparatus is particularly well suited for repairing the refractory covering of a metallurgical converter.