Abstract: A metering valve comprised of two rotary registers are each provided with cutouts which are symmetrical in relation to the axis of the central opening defined by the movement of the registers. In accordance with the present invention, a mechanism for operating the registers synchronously and in opposite directions is composed of levers and connecting rods acting on the axis of suspension and rotation of the registers through the action of, for example, hydraulic jacks. In order to avoid the offsetting of the flow because of the difference between the radii of curvature of the registers, the entire mechanism is adapted to pivot as a whole about the pivot axis of the registers.

Abstract: An installation for charging a shaft furnace equipped with a distribution spout, several storage containers, a sluicing system and a valve cage is presented. The containers are arranged next to each other and are horizontally displaceable between a first position aligned on the vertical axis of the shaft furnace, where the material is unloaded; and a second position laterally separated from the vertical axis of the shaft furnace, where the containers are filled.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a distribution spout and a hopper which has two containers mounted thereabove provided with sealing valves and a metering member. In order to simplify the weighing system, the hopper is independent of the mouth of the furnace and is located inside a sealed chamber. The hopper is suspended by a device which enables it to be coupled to the container which is being emptied and to be uncoupled from the container which is being filled.

Abstract: A metering valve comprised of two rotary registers are each provided with cutouts which are symmetrical in relation to the axis of the central opening defined by the movement of the registers. In accordance with the present invention, a mechanism for operating the registers synchronously and in opposite directions is composed of levers and connecting rods acting on the axis of suspension and rotation of the registers through the action of, for example, hydraulic jacks. In order to avoid the offsetting of the flow because of the difference between the radii of curvature of the registers, one of the connecting rods acting on the axis of the registers is adjustable in length.

Abstract: The rolling track comprises a series of rollers which are supported by a fixed reinforcement and on which travels the circular pedestal of the hopper. This circular pedestal is equipped with a toothed ring in order to be driven in rotary movement about its vertical axis. The rollers are grouped in pairs, and each pair of rollers is carried by an axle pivotable about a radial axis; with each of the rollers being carried in its axle by floating bearings mounted on springs.

Abstract: The hopper comprises a cylindrical side wall supported by an annular rolling ring so as to be rotatable about its vertical axis, and a funnel shaped bottom with a central outflow orifice controlled by a valve. To allow rapid removal of the rolling ring, the bottom is separated from the side wall and rests freely on an inner edge of the latter. An apparatus is provided for raising the bottom within the wall and for lifting the side wall slightly from the rolling ring.

Abstract: A suspension and anchoring device for a rail mounted plugging and drilling machine for use in conjunction with metallurgical furnaces is presented. The suspension and anchoring device comprises a cradle mounted on rails which is movable by means of a parallelogram shaped guide bar system actuated by an operating cylinder which shifts the plugging and drilling device between a work position and a travel position.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an operating station with a rotary work platform, a non-rotary supporting stage supporting the work platform by means of a first bearing, a robot for laying the bricks, a monitoring booth, a device for raising and lowering brick pallets and at least one automatic brick-depalletizing mechanism for transferring the bricks from the pallets towards a stand-by station. This stand-by station comprises a turret which can contain a reserve of bricks of different types and which is supported by the stage by means of a second bearing, so as to be rotatable independently of the stage and the platform about the vertical axis of the vessel. The apparatus is particularly well suited for repairing metallurgical converters.

Abstract: An installation for evacuating emanations in the taphole region of a shaft furnace (e.g. blast furnace) of the type having a blast connection arrangement around the furnace bosh, together with a blast connection stage or platform for the inspection and servicing of the blast connections, and in which the molten metal is periodically tapped with the aid of tapping means and run off through a main tapping runner or spout includes the feature wherein a portion of the blast connection platform is adapted to be tilted away in the upward direction. This tiltable platform portion, when in its untilted position forms, together with vertical side walls which extend from the two side ends of the platform portion, a flue-like exhaust duct for the emanations produced directly in the taphole region. The present invention further comprises a movable exhaust hood connected to a stationary suction line and a mobile tapping spout hood having at the top an exhaust opening situated under the exhaust hood.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention utilizes a bricklaying robot which comprises an automatic brick-handling or grabbing device fastened to the end of a main arm which is carried by a frame mounted on a work platform; and which is radially movable relative to the platform. Circular movement of the arm and of the grabbing device relative to the vertical axis of the work platform is generated as result of a rotation of the platform about this vertical axis. The present invention also utilizes a storage table which is mounted underneath the main arm of the robot, so as to be movable along a vertical axis and rotatable about the axis. The present invention further includes an automatic depalletizing mechanism comprising a pivoting arm, of which one of the ends is equipped with a brick-grasping device and the other end is mounted pivotally on a support sliding parallel to the main arm of the robot between two rails of the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a work platform movable inside a vessel and associated with a handling robot for handling and laying bricks is presented. The present invention includes at least two hoists placed next to one another, each hoist comprising several telescopic sections. Carriages move along the hoists in order to raise the bricks individually from a depalletizing station located at the foot of the hoist up to platform level. A depalletizing robot, the action of which is coordinated with that of the handling robot, transfers the bricks from a reserve of several brick pallets onto the carriages of the hoist.

Abstract: A grabbing device intended to be mounted on the end of the arm of a robot and comprising a plate equipped with a pair of claws mounted in facing relation on the plate, with one claw being slidably mounted on the plate and the other claw being pivotably mounted thereon. The fastening between the robot arm and the plate comprises first and second mutually parallel pivot axes (Y.sub.1, Y.sub.2), the pivot axes being perpendicular to the surface of the plate. The grabbing device of the present invention also includes a mechanism for pivoting the plate about at least one of the axes, a mechanism for blocking or releasing the plate relative to the other of the axes, and a sensor for measuring the pivoting angle of the plate about each of the axes (Y.sub.1, Y.sub.2). The grabbing device is particularly well suited for handling refractory bricks in a robotized apparatus for repairing a metallurigical convertor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device comprising a sealing valve carried by a control arm inside a vessel and cooperating with a seat around an opening. The mechanism for operating the valve comprises a hollow rotary support housed about its axis of rotation X in a leaktight bearing on the wall of the vessel and connected to the other end of the control arm by means of a device permitting axial displacement of the valve in relation to its seat. In order to reduce the space required for the movements of the valve, the support of the valve operating mechanism is mounted in such a manner that its axis of rotation X forms an acute angle with the vertical axis of the opening of the vessel.

Abstract: A handling device for the distribution spout of a shaft furnace is presented. The handling device comprises a front axle and a rear axle with each axle being mounted on movable rollers. The axles are positioned on two rails which are opposite an access aperture in the head of the furnace. The rails are suspended underneath a working platform positioned around the furnace head with a tilting frame mounted on the front axle. A supporting cradle for the spout is freely suspended at the front end of the frame and subjected to the action of a counterweight and a supporting cable. The rear end of the frame is articulated to the front ends of two arms mounted on the rear axle. Finally, a jack is pivotably mounted between the ends of levers, the levers being affixed to the rear axle and to the rear end of the frame respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing charge material to a shaft furnace is presented which effectively reduces the segregation of the particles in a storage housing positioned above the shaft furnace. In the present invention, the storage hopper and the distribution device are movable about the vertical axis of the shaft furnace and are mounted inside a sealed chamber. Above the chamber are arranged at least two locks which are each provided with upper and lower sealing flaps. Preferably, the storage hopper and the bottom of each of the locks are in the configuration of tapered funnels, the conical wall of which forms an angle of less than or equal to about 30.degree. with respect to the vertical axis of the furnace. The storage hopper is preferably supported by support and guide rollers which move on a circular rail integral with the wall of the sealed chamber and is subjected to the action of a drive mechanism for rotation about the vertical axis of the furnace.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a work platform vertically movable within a vessel and capable of rotating about the vertical axis of the vessel. The work platform is provided with two storage areas for pallets of bricks, and an automatic device for manipulating and laying the bricks. The apparatus also includes a palletholder housing comprising at least two compartments for respectively receiving a full pallet and an empty pallet, a basket for carrying the housing, and lifting devices for raising and lowering the basket, together with the pallet-holder housing to the level of the platform and for releasing the pallet-holder housing from the basket. The apparatus is particularly well suited for repairing the refractory lining of a metallurigical convertor.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for lining the inner wall of a vessel with bricks is presented. This apparatus comprises an operating station which has at least two levels for storing pallets (having bricks thereon) above one another. An automatic device consisting of at least one automatic depalletizing mechanism for transferring the bricks from each of the superimposed pallets onto at least one standby track is provided along with at least one robot equipped with a gripping device for picking up bricks located on the stand-by tracks and for depositing the bricks at the intended location. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operating station has two automatic depalletizing mechanisms associated respectively with each of the two superimposed pallets.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented for the pneumatic injection of pulverulent materials into a pressurized vessel, comprising a storage silo, a distribution silo, a series of metering devices for extracting the pulverulent materials from the distribution silo, pneumatic conveying pipes connecting each of the metering devices to the vessel, and also a device for the automatic transfer of the pulverulent material from the storage silo (which is under substantially atmospheric pressure) to the distribution silo in which a pressure higher than that in vessel prevails. An important feature of the present invention is the presence of two intermediate silos each connected via automatic valves, upstream to the storage silo and, downstream, to the distribution silo; and by a pressurizing circuit connecting a source of inert gas under pressure through automatic valves to each of the intermediate silos.

Abstract: A pneumatic mixture which has a relatively high content of pulverulent materials in the propulsion air is formed in a single metering means. This mixture is propelled through a common primary pipe to a distribution head in which the mixture is divided into secondary currents which are delivered respectively to each of the injection points. A supercritical speed is imparted to the mixture in the distribution head.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically laying the refractory lining along the inner wall of a vessel (i.e., a metallurgical converter) which permits automatic repair of the vessel lining. This refractory brick laying apparatus comprises an operational center capable of being lowered and raised inside the vessel and comprising a lower table, an upper table and a rotary cage arranged between the upper table and the lower table and connected to each of these by a runway block. The upper table or lower table has a sufficiently large orifice to allow a pallet of refractory bricks to pass inside the rotary cage. Arranged on the rotary cage is a robot which has at least three degrees of freedom, such that it can reach all points of the working range. The end of the robot is equipped with a gripping device for automatically picking up, handling and laying the bricks intended for forming the refractory lining.