Abstract: A system for moving metallurgical vessels includes a hydraulic vessel lifting apparatus designed to raise the vessel out of supporting contact with a horseshoe-shaped trunnion ring and for lowering it onto a specially designed transfer car. The car moves the vessel to relining or bottom exchange stations where the vessel is removed by a similar hydraulic lifting apparatus from the car. The car is then used to move a second vessel to the operating station and position it on the trunnion ring. The melt shop layout includes a turntable for permitting the vessel transfer car to be selectively directed to desired locations.

Abstract: A hot metal mixer has an elongate hollow vessel mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis adjacent each end on a cradle, each of which is supported on pairs of parallel trucks disposed on separate sets of rails. Each cradle extends transversely between the trucks of each pair and is coupled to one truck by a spherical bearing and to the other by spherical and roller bearings to permit thermal expansion and contraction, slight track misalignment and travel around curves. A pair of spouts for receiving or pouring metal are disposed in the upper side portion of the vessel and in spaced relation from the top center.

Abstract: A molten metal processing vessel is surrounded by a trunnion ring. A plurality of flat beam members are affixed at one end to the trunnion ring and their other ends are each apertured for pivotally engaging one of a plurality of pins extending fixedly from the vessel.

Abstract: An open topped, refractory lined metallurgical converter vessel has a metallic shell. A cooling jacket is affixed to the frusto-conical nose portion of the shell and comprises a plurality of right angle members affixed to the shell in a side-by-side relation and extending generally in the axial direction. The members have their edges affixed to the shell surface to form a flow passage therewith. A manifold pipe extends partially around the vessel and is connected to all of the flow passages except for those above and adjacent to the tap nozzle which are connected to a drain manifold. Plate sections are affixed to the upper end of the angle members and to the shell to define a nose cooling ring which is connected to the upper end of each angle section to define a return flow path for cooling water. Baffles are disposed in the nose cooling ring adjacent the margins of the angle members which are connected to the drain manifold to insure filling of the system.

Abstract: An open-topped, refractory lined converter vessel has a plurality of tap openings and is supported on a trunnion ring by means of an adapter which is coupled to the vessel mounting brackets. A plurality of retention members are supported in the trunnion ring for vertical movement into and out of equispaced openings in the trunnion ring top flange and the adapter. A plurality of releasably engagable key members are adapted to engage the adapter and the pins for securing the adapter to the trunnion ring. A plurality of bottom brackets are slidably mounted on the trunnion ring for movement into and out of engagement with the vessel for additional support when the latter is tilted. A lift mechanism is provided for elevating the vessel and rotating the same to an alternate position whereupon after reconnection, a different one of the tap openings is positioned to have molten metal poured therefrom.

Abstract: An existing basic oxygen type top-blown steel converter vessel is transformed into a bottom-blown type where gases and finely divided materials may be blown into the vessel through tuyeres in its side wall and in its bottom. The existing trunnion shafts on which the existing vessel is supported for tilting are bored at the installation site to provide a plurality of passageways for conducting finely divided materials, gases and cooling water to the various tuyeres and to the trunnion ring which supports the vessel, respectively. Special multipurpose rotary joints are used to connect the tiltable vessel to sources of the gases and finely divided materials.

Abstract: A concrete press has an upper movable platen and a lower fixed platen. Hydraulic cylinders are interposed between the upper platen and frames of the press which extend horizontally over this platen. A mold shaped as a concrete building panel is filled with high water-to-cement ratio concrete and is introduced between the platens for pressing. The mold has collapsible interleaving sides. Lateral hydrostatic pressure on the short ends of the molds is resisted with hydraulic rams. Hydrostatic pressure against the long sides of the molds is resisted by hydraulically positioned wedges which are interposed between the mold sides and the frames which contain the platens and cylinders. Means which are responsive to the cylinder positions are provided for maintaining all parts of the movable platen level during the compacting process. The mold sections are prevented from collapsing inadvertently with magnet means.

Abstract: A converter vessel bottom handling device having a frame adapted to be supported on a car and which in turn supports a bilaterally movable support table. Four double acting hydraulic lift cylinders are mounted on the support table for vertically moving a lift table upon which is mounted a tilt table adapted to engage and support a converter vessel bottom. A first and second plurality of hydraulic cylinders are coupled to the tilt table for tilting the same relative to the horizontal plane and for rotating said table about a central vertical axis. A set of lugs affixed to the tilt table are provided to be keyed to mating lugs on the vessel bottom for exerting a downward breakaway force on the vessel bottom through the use of the lift cylinders when removal of the bottom becomes necessary.In an alternate embodiment, a plurality of jacks are provided on the vessel bottom for exerting a breakaway force between the vessel and vessel bottom assembly.