Patents Assigned to Paul Wurth, S.A.
  • Patent number: 9546819
    Abstract: A rotary charging device for a shaft furnace comprises a stationary housing (16) for mounting on the throat (12) of the shaft furnace and a suspension rotor (22) supported therein so that it can rotate about a substantially vertical axis (A), said suspension rotor (22) and stationary housing (16) cooperating to delimit an annular chamber forming the main casing (36) of said rotary charging device. A charge distributor (28) is pivotally suspended to the suspension rotor (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Guy Thillen, Christian Benoit Thix, Lionel Hausemer
  • Patent number: 9506122
    Abstract: A blast furnace installation includes a blast furnace and a chute transmission gearbox; the blast furnace having a top cone with a top cone ring arranged thereon for receiving a connection flange of the chute transmission gearbox. The connection flange is directly fixed onto the top cone ring by fixing means for establishing a firm connection between the top cone ring and the connection flange. According to an aspect of the present invention, the connection flange is fixed to the top cone ring in three separated fixation regions (30, 30?, 30?), each fixation region including one or more fixing means. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the blast furnace installation also includes a flexible sealing element arranged around the perimeter of the connection between the top cone ring and the chute transmission gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Emile Lonardi, Dominique Rocchi, Guy Thillen, Lionel Hausemer, Christian De Gruiter, Jeff Vandivinit
  • Publication number: 20160341476
    Abstract: A stave cooler for a metallurgical furnace includes a panel-like body having a front face for facing the interior of the metallurgical furnace, an opposite rear face, an upper face, an opposite lower face, and two side faces. At least one internal coolant passage is arranged within the panel-like body. The panel-like body is provided with a ledge on its front face extending between the side faces for being arranged in a horizontal plane. At least one protection element is provided for covering at least part of an upper face of the ledge. The protection element includes a first lateral portion, a second lateral portion, and a central portion. The said first and second lateral portions each include a widened front section and a narrow connection section. The panel-like body is provided with at least one through hole arranged for passing each of the lateral portions and the central portion of therethrough in turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas MAGGIOLI, Nicolas MOUSEL, Christian DE GRUITER
  • Patent number: 9393616
    Abstract: A spreading device (10) for the spreading of bulk material on a circular surface comprises a distribution plate (12) mounted about a central shaft (14); at least one radially extending slit (16) arranged in the distribution plate (12); and a scraper device (24) for spreading the bulk material over the length of the slit (16). The bulk material is preferably granular or powdered covering material to be deposited as an insulation layer on the top layer of a casting mold containing molten steel or metal. According to the present invention, a rectangular distribution trough (22) mounted on the distribution plate (12), the slit (16) being arranged within the distribution trough (22). Furthermore, a feed pipe (30) is arranged so as to feed bulk material into the distribution trough (22) onto an area corresponding to the rotational center (18) of the distribution plate. The slit (16) extends from the rotational center (18) of the distribution plate (12) to the edge (20) thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Paul Tockert, Emile Lonardi, Serge Devillet, Stefan Schons
  • Patent number: 9389019
    Abstract: A rotary charging device for a shaft furnace comprising: a stationary housing (16) and a suspension rotor (22) that is supported so that it can rotate about a substantially vertical axis (A), a charge distributor (28) being pivotally suspended to the suspension rotor (22). Rotary drive means are provided for rotating the suspension rotor about its axis (A) and tilting drive means for pivoting the charge distributor (28) about a substantially horizontal pivoting axis (B), independently from said rotary drive means. The tilting drive means are mounted onto the suspension rotor (22) and rotate therewith; they comprise: an electric tilting motor (MB) is installed inside the main casing (36) and having a substantially horizontal output shaft (52); a tilting input gear (54) driven by the tilting motor output shaft; and a tilting output gear (56) rotationally integral with a suspension arm (34) of said chute distributor (28), said tilting input gear meshing with said tilting output gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Guy Thillen, Christian Benoit Thix, Lionel Hausemer
  • Patent number: 9371571
    Abstract: A process for granulation of hot liquid slag wherein the hot liquid slag is mixed with solid metallic particles so as to form a solidified, vitrified slag cake mixed with said metallic particles and said slag cake is discharged in a water bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Solvi, Bob Greiveldinger, Mathias Hoffmann, Claudine Friederici, Daniel Michels
  • Publication number: 20160169583
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a granulation installation (10) for granulating molten material produced in a metallurgical plant. The installation comprises a.o. a steam condensation tower (30) with a steam condensing system and an evacuation device (60) for selectively evacuating gas and steam from said tower, condensing excessive steam and evacuating gas to the atmosphere, said evacuation device (60) having an inlet (62) arranged to communicate with said upper zone (44) of said condensation tower (30) above the water-spraying device (40) and an outlet arranged to evacuate and condensate steam and evacuate gas from said condensation tower (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Horst KAPPES, Marc SCHWEITZER, Tommy MATHIEU
  • Patent number: 9217606
    Abstract: A hatch and valve arrangement for a charging installation for a shaft furnace, such as a blast furnace, said arrangement comprising a housing (1), inside which is located at least one hatch (21) and/or a valve (31), caused to pivot by an actuator (25, 35) located outside the housing and connected to the hatch or valve by a linking shaft guided in a bearing that is fixed with respect to the housing. The bearing (24, 34) and the actuator (25, 35) are mounted on a detachable door (26, 36) that seals an opening (13, 15) made in the wall of the housing (1) and whose dimensions are determined such that the hatch or the valve can be withdrawn transversely to the axis of the housing through said opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Stefan Schons, Frederic Parasch, Paul Tockert
  • Patent number: 9200346
    Abstract: A process for dry granulation of hot liquid slag wherein the hot liquid slag is mixed with solid metallic particles so as to form a solidified, vitrified slag cake mixed with the metallic particles, the slag cake is crushed so as to form hot slag particles and heated solid particles, said particles are cooled and said solid metallic particles are recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Solvi, Bob Greiveldinger, Claudine Friederici, Daniel Michels, Mathias Hoffmann, Horst Kappes
  • Patent number: 9169525
    Abstract: The sealed connection system between a tuyere of a shaft furnace, such as a steelmaking blast furnace, and an air blast pipe, in which a tip of the blast pipe is pressed towards a rear end of the tuyere, being centered thereon while still retaining freedom of pivoting movement relative thereto, including an added annular blast pipe seat, placed between the tip of the blast pipe and tuyere and immobile relative to the tuyere, the blast pipe tip resting against a rear face of the seat and an immobile gasket being placed between the seat and the tuyere such that the seat rests in sealed manner against a rear face of the tuyere, and a sleeve arranged around the contact zone between the blast pipe tip and the seat, is connected in sealed manner to the seat and to the blast pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Paul Tockert, Emile Lonardi, Benoît Jung
  • Patent number: 9144843
    Abstract: Dust emissions can be reduced in a metal or slag casting apparatus by providing an endless conveyor having a plurality of casting molds with upper open tops wherein the conveyor is arranged to move the casting molds in a first section from a casting station to a discharge station and in a second section back to the casting station. The method for reducing dust emissions includes (a) providing a casing forming a bottomless box over at least part of the first section of the conveyor, (b) injecting within the casing a gas on the surface of the mold with an angle configured to blow off loose, solid particles, formed at the surface of the metal, during early stages of the cooling down and to start the solidification of a superficial layer of metal or slag, and (c) extracting the gas and the solid particles by suction from within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Hans Juergen Lessmann, Ingo Both, Michel Houbart, Klaus Peter Kinzel, Gilles Nouaille-Degorce
  • Patent number: 9146057
    Abstract: Annular swivel joint including an annular fixed part and an annular rotary part and having an annular trough that defines an annular volume, via which the circuits portions communicate, a stationary forward connection for receiving cooling fluid from the stationary circuit portion; a rotary forward connection for supplying cooling fluid to the rotary circuit portion; a rotary return connection for receiving cooling fluid from the rotary circuit portion; and a stationary return connection for returning cooling fluid to the stationary circuit portion; a partition dividing the annular volume into an annular external cavity and an annular internal cavity so that the forward connections are coupled via one of the external and internal cavities and the return connections are coupled via the other cavity, so that the internal cavity is at least partially surrounded by the external cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Guy Thillen, Jean-Joseph Stumper, Lionel Hausemer, Claude Thinnes
  • Patent number: 9133529
    Abstract: A distribution device for distributing bulk material with a distribution spout on a cardan suspension that has a first and a second gimbal member pivotable about two perpendicular suspension axes where a drive arrangement has a first and a second transmission mechanism for controlling pivotal motion of the distribution spout about the suspension axes, and the drive arrangement has a further cardan joint, with a first part pivotable about a third axis and a second part pivotable about a fourth axis, and a rotary motor for driving a rotary drive shaft that is connected to the cardan joint by means of an articulated connecting arm such that the rotational position and the axial position of the drive shaft determine the pivotal position of the second part about the third and fourth axes respectively, where the transmission mechanisms transmit torque about the third and fourth axes from the cardan joint to the cardan suspension for pivoting the distribution spout about the first and second axes respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Guy Thillen, Emile Lonardi, Jean-Joseph Stumper, Harald Lang, Klaus Mutschler
  • Publication number: 20150204608
    Abstract: A rotary charging device for a shaft furnace comprises a stationary housing (16) for mounting on the throat (12) of the shaft furnace and a suspension rotor (22) supported therein so that it can rotate about a substantially vertical axis (A), said suspension rotor (22) and stationary housing (16) cooperating to delimit an annular chamber forming the main casing (36) of said rotary charging device. A charge distributor (28) is pivotally suspended to the suspension rotor (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Guy Thillen, Christian Benoit Thix, Lionel Hausemer
  • Patent number: 9085809
    Abstract: A granulation installation for a melt produced in a metallurgical plant having a water injection device for quenching and granulating the melt and a granulation tank for collecting water and granulates. The installation includes a steam condensation tower located above the granulation tank for collecting steam generated therein, where the tower has a steam condensing system. The system includes a water-spraying device disposed above a water-collecting device. The tower further includes a stack extending into the tower and configured for selectively evacuating excessive steam to the atmosphere. The stack has an inlet communicating with the lower zone of the tower and an outlet arranged to evacuate steam to the atmosphere above the tower. The stack is equipped with an obturator device for selective evacuation of steam through the stack. The installation may process an increase of 60% of slag without any risk of steam backflow in the granulation area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventor: Bob Greiveldinger
  • Patent number: 9073693
    Abstract: A distribution chute for a charging device, a charging device having the same, and a methods for mounting and dismounting such chute, the chute including an upstream mounting head and a chute body, at least two lateral suspensions on the mounting head for mounting the chute to two corresponding support flanges pivotable about a pivoting axis for raising an outlet to a charging position and for lowering the outlet to a charging position, where the suspensions define a first and a second tilt point about which a weight of the chute exerts torque onto the support flanges of the charging device when the chute is mounted to the charging device, where the ratio of the distance between each of the tilt points and the pivoting axis to the distance between the first and second tilt points amounts to 0.25 at most, the suspensions being arranged so that an oriented acute angle from the longitudinal axis to a plane through the tilt points and the center of gravity has an angular measure in the range from ?5° to 15°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Guy Thillen, Claude Thinnes, Emile Lonardi, Serge Devillet
  • Patent number: 9058033
    Abstract: The invention relates to computer-implemented charging of a blast furnace equipped with an automated top-charging installation and stockhouse for batchwise charging. It proposes: obtaining a nominal charge dataset reflecting a nominal blast furnace charge and comprising plural charge material records, each charge material record comprising a material type and an associated nominal charge quantity; generating a graphical user interface comprising batch data fields for entering and displaying plural batch datasets for pre-configuring batches, each batch dataset comprising at least one batching record, each batching record comprising a material type and an associated batching proportion. According to the invention, the batching proportion associated to a material type in a batching record is used for predefining a ratio between the material quantity that is to be contained in a batch and the nominal charge quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Paul Tockert, Damien Meyer, Fabrice Hansen
  • Patent number: 9039959
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a gap-filler insert (20) for use with cooling plates (12, 12?) for a metallurgical furnace, the cooling plates (12, 12?) having a front face (14, 14?) directed towards the interior of the furnace, an opposite rear face (16, 16?) directed towards a furnace wall (10) of the furnace and four edge faces (18, 18?). In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the gap-filler insert (20) comprises a metal front plate (24) with a front side (24) facing the interior of the furnace and anchoring means (28, 28?, 30, 30?, 32, 34) for mounting the front plate (24) between two neighboring cooling plates (12, 12?) in such a way that the front plate (24) extends between the edge faces (18, 18?) of both cooling plates (12, 12?), and that the front side (26) of the front plate (24) is flush with the front faces (14, 14?) of both cooling plates (12, 12?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Maggioli, Paul Tockert, Nicolas Mousel, Claude Pleimelding
  • Patent number: 9028743
    Abstract: There is provided a bustle pipe arrangement of a shaft furnace, in particular for feeding hot gas into the shaft furnace such as e.g. a blast furnace, wherein the bustle pipe arrangement comprises a circumferential bustle pipe arranged along the outer casing of the shaft furnace, at a certain distance therefrom. The arrangement further comprises a plurality of first support arms connecting the bustle pipe to the outer casing of the shaft furnace on a first level; and a plurality of second support arms connecting the bustle pipe to the outer casing of the shaft furnace on a second level, the first level being separate from the second level. The first and second support arms are configured to support the circumferential bustle pipe. First blow channels are arranged through the first support arms for fluidly connecting the bustle pipe to the interior of the shaft furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: Paul Wurth Refractory & Engineering GmbH, Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Simoes, Lionel Hausemer, Manfred Moller, Paul Tockert, Rudolf Hebel
  • Patent number: 9031704
    Abstract: In a charging process of a shaft furnace, in particular of a blast furnace, batches of charge material are typically discharged in cyclical sequence into the furnace from a top hopper using a flow control valve. A method and system is proposed for adjusting the flow rate of charge material in such a process. Pre-determined valve characteristics for certain types of material are provided, each indicating the relation between flow rate and valve setting for one type of material. According to the invention, a specific valve characteristic is stored for each batch of charge material, each specific valve characteristic being bijectively associated to one batch and indicating the relation between flow rate and valve setting of the flow control valve specifically for the associated batch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Paul Tockert, Emile Breden, Emile Lonardi, Damien Meyer