Abstract: A steel treatment system includes a ladle having a cover, a heating electrode mounted to extend through an opening in the cover, a casing surrounding the electrode and including lower, intermediate and upper sections, and a seal mounted at the cover about the opening for forming a seal with the lower section of the casing. A clamp device is mounted on the intermediate section of the casing and extends therethrough for clamping the electrode and for fixing the relative axial position of the electrod with respect to the casing. An actuator is fixedly supported at a level above the clamp device and is operatively connected to the casing to move the casing and the electrode downwardly. First guide rollers act on the lower section of the casing, and second guide rollers act on the upper section of the casing for ensuring axial movement of the casing and electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for reheating molten steel in a ladle under a shielded gaseous atmosphere comprises a vertically movable electrode housing, a lower portion of which extends through a tight passage formed in the ladle cover or in the cover of a ladle-containing vessel. This passage comprises a hollow water-cooled jacket or belt assembly surrounding the housing and provided with recesses for scraper rings and a packing and connected, through a flexible and vacuum-tight coupling, to a flanged collar rigid with the cover. Stacked refractory rings of insulating material are interposed between the belt and the flanged collar. The packing may be replaced by an inflated flexible tubular torus. A conduit is provided for supplying lubricant to the surfaces in mutual sliding contact.

Abstract: In an electroslag remelting plant including at least one electrode arranged in a pivotable electrode car and in which each electrode car is connectable by an electrically conducting connection to a source of electric current, the electrically conducting connection is composed of two parts separable and connectable at the height of the pivotable electrode car by a pivotal movement of the same.

Abstract: Consumable electrodes are transferred to and from an operative position in an underlying melting bath by means of a pair of lifts that are vertically movable on masts located on opposite sides of the mold axis. One of the lifts has a fixed portion extending transversely through the axis and toward the other lift, and has a recess aligned with the mold axis and with the path of oscillation of an electrode-transferring arm carried by the other lift. When an electrode is transferred into the recess, a collar on the electrode is clamped to the upper surface of the fixed portion, whereupon the first lift is moved downwardly to position the inserted electrode into the mold. Consumed electrodes are removed by raising the first lift, and engaging a lifting collar on the upper end of the residual portion of the electrode by an arm that is carried for vertical movement and oscillation by the first lift.