Abstract: The invention relates to a device for distributing a material in a molten state, said device comprising a swinging chute (16) supported so as to be capable of swinging about a substantially horizontal swinging axis (25), and a driving group (40). The latter comprises gear motor group (42), a drum winch (44) driven by the gear motor group (42), and at least one cable segment (50, 50?) that can be both wound on or unwound from said drum. One end of the cable segment (46, 50, 50?) is attached to the swinging chute (16) at a distance L from the swinging axis (25) thereof so as to apply a swinging momentum to said swinging chute (16).

Abstract: A charging device for a shaft furnace, which includes at least one charging hopper having a discharge orifice arranged in a position off-centre with respect to the central axis of the shaft furnace, and a material distribution device arranged below this hopper. The material distribution device includes a feed channel coaxial with the central axis of the furnace and a rotatable, pivotable chute, which is arranged below the feed channel for distributing a charge in the shaft furnace. The charging device also includes a connecting box in the shape of a funnel, arranged between the material distribution device and the charging hopper. The connecting box possesses a lower central outlet communicating with the charging hopper and at least one upper inlet which is arranged off-centre with respect to the central axis of the furnace and communicates with the discharge orifice of the hopper.

Abstract: A device (10), for moving a runner (12) of a shaft furnace between an upper tapping floor level (42), where the runner is in an operational position in front of a taphole of the furnace, and a lower service level (40), where the runner is accessible for replacement. The device (10) comprises a first support (28) and a second support (34) forming a base member (38), a carrier member (20) for bearing the runner, the carrier member having a first and a second longitudinal portion, a first lifting member (22) connected via a first articulation (26) to the first longitudinal portion and via a second articulation (30) to the first support, and a second lifting member (24) connected via a third articulation (32) to the second longitudinal portion and via a fourth articulation (36) to the second support. The base member (38), the carrier member (20) and the first and second lifting members (22, 24) together with the four articulations (26, 30, 32, 36) form a four-bar equivalent mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for distributing a material in a molten state, said device comprising a swinging chute (16) supported so as to be capable of swinging about a substantially horizontal swinging axis (25), and a driving group (40). The latter comprises gear motor group (42), a drum winch (44) driven by the gear motor group (42), and at least one cable segment (50, 50?) that can be both wound on or unwound from said drum. One end of the cable segment (46, 50, 50?) is attached to the swinging chute (16) at a distance L from the swinging axis (25) thereof so as to apply a swinging momentum to said swinging chute (16).

Abstract: A charging device for a shaft furnace, which includes at least one charging hopper having a discharge orifice arranged in a position off-centre with respect to the central axis of the shaft furnace, and a material distribution device arranged below this hopper. The material distribution device includes a feed channel coaxial with the central axis of the furnace and a rotatable, pivotable chute, which is arranged below the feed channel for distributing a charge in the shaft furnace. The charging device also includes a connecting box in the shape of a funnel, arranged between the material distribution device and the charging hopper. The connecting box possesses a lower central outlet communicating with the charging hopper and at least one upper inlet which is arranged off-centre with respect to the central axis of the furnace and communicates with the discharge orifice of the hopper.

Abstract: A device for distributing loose materials, arranged in a curtain of loose material tipped out from a means of conveying loose material includes a box with a top opening, at least one wall which extends transverse to the curtain of material inside the box to subdivide the box into at least two compartments, and at least two tipping-out means, one of the tipping-out means being associated with each of the compartments of the box, the tipping-out means being directed in such a way as to deflect the material received in the respective compartments into a distinct region of the hopper. The method for loading a hopper includes tipping loose material out in the form of a curtain of material over the hopper and splitting the curtain into at least two partial streams so as to deflect each of the partial streams towards a distinct region of the hopper.

Abstract: A device (10), for moving a runner (12) of a shaft furnace between an upper tapping floor level (42), where the runner is in an operational position in front of a taphole of the furnace, and a lower service level (40), where the runner is accessible for replacement. The device (10) comprises a first support (28) and a second support (34) forming a base member (38), a carrier member (20) for bearing the runner, the carrier member having a first and a second longitudinal portion, a first lifting member (22) connected via a first articulation (26) to the first longitudinal portion and via a second articulation (30) to the first support, and a second lifting member (24) connected via a third articulation (32) to the second longitudinal portion and via a fourth articulation (36) to the second support. The base member (38), the carrier member (20) and the first and second lifting members (22, 24) together with the four articulations (26, 30, 32, 36) form a four-bar equivalent mechanism.

Abstract: A device for distributing loose materials, arranged in a curtain of loose material tipped out from a means of conveying loose material includes a box with a top opening, at least one wall which extends transverse to the curtain of material inside the box to subdivide the box into at least two compartments, and at least two tipping-out means, one of the tipping-out means being associated with each of the compartments of the box, the tipping-out means being directed in such a way as to deflect the material received in the respective compartments into a distinct region of the hopper. The method for loading a hopper includes tipping loose material out in the form of a curtain of material over the hopper and splitting the curtain into at least two partial streams so as to deflect each of the partial streams towards a distinct region of the hopper.

Abstract: A device for distributing bulk materials includes a suspension rotor is mounted in a support frame which is capable of rotating about a substantially vertical axis of rotation. A chute is suspended to the suspension rotor and is tiltable about a substantially horizontal tilt axis. A first motor is capable of rotating the suspension rotor about its axis of rotation in a first direction, and a tilt controlling motor mounted in the support frame is capable of rotating about a substantially vertical axis of rotation. A tilting mechanism is also connected between the chute and the tilt controlling rotor, while a first braking device exerts a braking moment on the tilt controlling motor. A first control device controls the angle of inclination of the chute by controlled braking of the tilt controlling rotor.

Abstract: A device for distributing materials in bulk includes a suspension rotor and a chute located below the suspension rotor. The chute is provided with two lateral suspension arms which are connected to the suspension rotor. A driving mechanism produces a pivoting torque capable of pivoting the chute, while a cylindrical suspension pin is associated with each suspension arm for pivotably connecting it to the suspension rotor. A control lever is connected to the suspension rotor, the driving mechanism being connected to the control lever so as to transmit to the latter the pivoting torque. A stop on the control lever and a counterstop on a suspension arm engage with each other to transmit the pivoting torque to the suspension arm. The stop and the counterstop are disengagable by a translation movement of the two suspension arms after withdrawal of the cylindrical suspension pins for removal of the chute.

Abstract: A loading device for a shaft furnace comprises a chute supported by a suspension rotor (28) in a fixed housing. The rotor (28) is fitted with a cooling circuit, supplied with liquid coolant via a rotating annular joint (44). The latter comprises a fixed ring (60) and a rotating ring (62), and is fitted in an annular leak collecting tank (46) formed by the suspension rotor (28). Fixed ring (60) is supported by the housing (12). Rotating ring (62) is supported entirely by fixed ring (60) via a bearing (64). Selective coupling means (65, 66) connect the rotating ring (62) to the suspension rotor (28) in such a way as to transmit a rotary moment of rotor (28) to rotating ring (62) selectively, while at the same time preventing other forces from rotor (28) being transmitted to rotating ring (62).

Abstract: A loading device for a shaft furnace comprises a chute supported by a suspension rotor (28) in a fixed housing. The rotor (28) is fitted with a cooling circuit, supplied with liquid coolant via a rotating annular joint (44). The latter comprises a fixed ring (60) and a rotating ring (62), and is fitted in an annular leak collecting tank (46) formed by the suspension rotor (28). Fixed ring (60) is supported by the housing (12). Rotating ring (62) is supported entirely by fixed ring (60) via a bearing (64). Selective coupling means (65, 66) connect the rotating ring (62) to the suspension rotor (28) in such a way as to transmit a rotary moment of rotor (28) to rotating ring (62) selectively, while at the same time preventing other forces from rotor (28) being transmitted to rotating ring (62).

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for distributing bilk material comprising: a tilting chute (32) suspended to a suspension rotor (18) driven in rotation by a motor (60); a tilt controlling rotor (28) and a tilting mechanism (36, 36′), which transforms a differential rotation of the two rotors (18, 28) into a tilting motion of the chute (32). A first braking mechanism (80) is associated with the tilt controlling rotor (28) and a first control device (102, 106) controls the variation of the angle of inclination of the chute 832) by controlled braking of the tilt controlling rotor (28).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for cooling a shaft furnace loading device, said loading device being equipped with a ring-shaped rotary joint (40), provided with a fixed ring-shaped part (56) and a rotating ring-shaped part (46), for supplying cooling liquid to a rotating cooling circuit (36, 38). The invention is characterized in that it consists in feeding the joint (40) fixed part (56) with cooling liquid such that a leakage flow passes in a separating ring-shaped slot (58, 60) between the fixed part (56) and the rotating part (46) of the joint (40), to form therein a liquid joint. Said leakage flow is then collected and drained without passing through the cooling circuit (36, 38).

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for dispensing bulk materials through a rotary chute with variable angle of inclination comprising an underslung rotor mounted in a supporting frame so as to rotate about a substantially vertical axis of rotation. The chute is suspended from the rotor so as to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis of suspension. A mechanism for pivoting the chute comprises a hydraulic motor mounted on the underslung rotor. A hydraulic connecting device comprises a sleeve fixed in rotation and a rotary sleeve driven in rotation by the rotor. The sleeves co-operate to connect the hydraulic motor to a control hydraulic circuit fixed in rotation. A duct feeding the chute passes through the two sleeves. The device can advantageously equip a shaft furnace.

Abstract: A device for distributing materials in bulk comprises a first rotor (20) and a second rotor (30). The first rotor (20) carries two suspension bearings (44, 46) in which a distribution chute (42) is suspended so that it can pivot about a substantially horizontal axis. A gear transmission (52), carried by the first rotor (20), includes an input shaft (54) and an output shaft (60). The input shaft is provided with a pinion (56) which meshes with an annular gear (58) of the second rotor (30). The output shaft of the transmission is parallel to the pivoting axis of the chute (42) and incorporates two cranks (64, 66). The chute (42) is provided with a pivoting lever (48, 50) at the level of each of its two suspension bearings (44, 46). Each of these two pivoting levers (48, 50) is symmetrically connected to one of the two cranks (64, 66) of the gear transmission (52) by a connecting rod (68, 70).

Abstract: A suspension device for a heavy body, such as a rotating hopper for a shaft furnace, is presented. The suspension device has an annular running surface, a number (n) of rollers greater than three, and an elastically compressible component to permit elastic deformations sufficient substantially to correct an unequal distribution of weight of the heavy body over the rollers resulting from slight defects in the coplanarity of the rollers.

Abstract: A gastight isolation valve for solid materials is presented. The body of the valve has a lower edge which, defines, in the leaktight closed position, an air seal. The air seal is surrounded by a projecting element of the closure member which comprises, on the outer side, an outer peripheral flank having a first gradient. A peripheral sealing surface extends the outer peripheral flank. The sealing surface interacts with a sealing seat of the valve body to provide gastightness.

Abstract: A sealing ring of relatively large diameter made from an elastomer material, particularly for fitting into a gastight valve is presented for the purpose of preventing and/or alleviating stresses that cause tearings in and on the surface of the sealing ring. This is accomplished by modifying the cross-section of the sealing ring relative to the cross-section of a receiving channel such that the cross-section of the sealing ring forms a central foot which lies in bearing contact with a base surface of the receiving channel and is radially limited by two concave indentations. The two concave indentations are dimensioned so they form, with the corresponding boundary surfaces of the channel, a respective cavity, into which a substantial part of the elastomer material can yield whenever a surface load is applied to the exposed sealing surface without substantially altering the concave configuration of the indentations.

Abstract: A distributor chute for bulk material, in particular for use in a bell-less blast furnace top charging device, has several inclined transverse plates in the region of its impact zone. The transverse plates create retaining pockets between their inner faces and the surface of the distributor chute. Two adjacent transverse plates limit between the outer face of the first transverse plate and the inner face or the second transverse plate a retaining chamber. If the inclination of the chute is reduced, the bulk material moves from the retaining pocket to the retaining chamber.