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 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: 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: 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 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: 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 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: 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.

Abstract: A device for introducing dosed quantities of pulverized solid materials into a carrier gas stream is presented. The device is particularly suitable for injecting solid fuels into a shaft furnace during metal refining. The device comprises a housing which defines a flow chamber in the axial direction for the flow of pressurized fluid or carrier gas. The housing also has a side aperture therethrough. The side aperture is connected to a container holding pulverized materials. Coaxial inner and outer sleeves, at least one of which is capable of rotation, are located within the housing. The outer sleeve communicates with the aperture while the inner sleeve has an axial bore which provides a passage for the carrier gas. Upon rotation of a sleeve, slots provided on each sleeve will align and overlap with each other and with the aperture to define a variable sized passage between the container and axial bore whereby the pulverized material is delivered therethrough to the carrier gas stream.

Abstract: A device for introducing dosed quantities of pulverized solid materials into a carrier gas stream is presented. The device is particularly suitable for injecting solid fuels into a shaft furnace during metal refining. The device comprises a housing having oppositely disposed inlet and outlet radial apertures therethrough. The inlet radial aperture is connected to a container holding pulverized materials. Coaxial inner and outer sleeves, at least one of which is capable of rotation, are located within the housing. Upon rotation of a sleeve, pairs of oppositely disposed slots provided on each sleeve will align and overlap with each other and with the pair of oppositely disposed apertures to define variable sized passages. A cheek positioned on one end of the housing has a cylindrical extension portion which extends axially into the inner sleeve and extends across the inlet and outlet apertures.

Abstract: A device for introducing dosed or proportioned quantities of pulverized solid materials into a carrier gas stream is presented. The device comprises a housing which defines a flow chamber in the axial direction for the flow of pressurized fluid or carrier gas. The housing also has a side aperture therethrough. The side aperture is connected to a container holding pulverized materials. Coaxial inner and outer sleeves, at least one of which is capable of rotation, are located within the housing. The outer sleeve communicates with the aperture while the inner sleeve has an axial bore which provides a passage for the carrier gas. Upon rotation of a sleeve, slots provided on each sleeve will align and overlap with each other and with the aperture to define a variable sized passage between the container and axial bore whereby the pulverized material is delivered therethrough to the carrier gas stream.

Abstract: A device for introducing dosed or proportioned quantities of pulverized solid materials into a carrier gas stream is presented. The device comprises a housing which defines a flow chamber in the axial direction for the flow of pressurized fluid or carrier gas. The housing also has a side aperture therethrough. The side aperture is connected to a container holding pulverized materials. Coaxial inner and outer sleeves, at least one of which is capable of rotation, are located within the housing. The outer sleeve communicates with the aperture while the inner sleeve has an axial bore which provides a passage for the carrier gas. Upon rotation of a sleeve, slots provided on each sleeve will align and overlap with each other and with the aperture to define a variable sized passage between the container and axial bore whereby the pulverized material is delivered therethrough to the carrier gas stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the movement of an oscillating spout is presented wherein uneven distribution of spout discharge material is eliminated or at least substantially reduced by a compensating action of varying the angular speed of rotation of the spout in accordance with the angular position of the spout. The present invention is particularly suited for use in conjunction with a charging installation of a shaft furnace, particularly those charging devices having a spout with a cardan suspension system.

Abstract: A drive means 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 universal joint connecting the lever arm to the control arm. A novel movable torque means is associated with the universal joint and enables the spout to be moved in and out of a vertical orientation by overcoming the tendency of the components of the control mechanism to become axially locked in a 180.degree. angle. The movable torque means accomplishes this result by reducing the angle between the intermediate lever and control arm when that angle reaches 180.degree..

Abstract: The position of the discharge end of a tubular member, supported from its first end so as to be rotatable about a first axis and pivotal about a second axis which intersects and is transverse to the first axis, is controlled from a remote location. The controllable tubular member may be the distribution spout of a shaft furnace charging installation which is mounted between the branches of a suspension fork which is rotatable about its own longitudinal axis. A motion transmission mechanism extends through the suspension fork and, in cooperation with the movements of the fork itself, transmits the movements imparted to a control device, which is caused to undergo precisely the same movements as it is desired to have the spout perform, to the spout.

Abstract: A water cooling apparatus is presented for use in conjunction with a charging device of a shaft furnace, particularly a shaft furnace having a bell-less top charging apparatus. The cooling apparatus essentially comprises an annular feed vat which is attached to the upper portion of a rotary shell and is movable with the rotary shell. The vat is provided with at least one opening whereby water is gravity fed from the vat through plural cooling coils positioned about a rotary jacket. An annular collecting conduit receives the water flowing from the coils. The rotary jacket supports the suspension mechanism of a distribution spout and also acts as the separating structure between the furnace interior and the component parts of the charging device.

Abstract: The position of the discharge end of a tubular member, supported from its first end so as to be rotatable about a first axis and pivotal about a second axis which intersects and is transverse to the first axis, is controlled from a remote location. The controllable tubular member may be the distribution spout of a shaft furnace charging installation which is mounted between the branches of a suspension fork which is rotatable about its own longitudinal axis. A motion transmission mechanism extends through the suspension fork and, in cooperation with the movements of the fork itself, transmits the movements imparted to a control device, which is caused to undergo precisely the same movements as it is desired to have the spout perform, to the spout.

Abstract: The delivery of charge material to the hearth of a pressurized blast furnace under the influence of gravity is accomplished without the necessity of changing the direction of material flow at a point exterior of the furnace. The rate of flow of the charge material, which moves in a vertical stream, is controlled by a metering device including a pair of overlapping register elements which define a variable size aperture which remains generally symmetrical with respect to the stream axis.

Abstract: The movements of an oscillatory member, for example the charge distribution spout of a furnace charging system, are caused to follow the movements of a remotely located control device which may be in the form of an elongated arm. The spout and arm are rotatable about respective pairs of orthogonal axes and any angular deviations between the orientation of the control device arm and spout axis are sensed. Control signals commensurate with the angular deviations are delivered to fluidic actuators which reposition the spout.

Abstract: A method of producing molten iron in which iron oxide is fed together with carbon to an oxygen-top-blown melt from below through blocks whose pores permit the particles to be entrained into the melt in a carrier gas, the pores preventing penetration of the molten metal.