Abstract: A sliding gate valve of a metallurgic vessel comprises a carriage. The carriage comprises a plate frame for supporting a first refractory plate and the plate frame is slideably mounted on a carriage support structure for sliding along a first axis. The carriage comprises a selecting device for selecting between a first stroke ?X1 and a second stroke ?X2 by moving a blocking member between a blocking and a non-blocking position. When the blocking member is located in the blocking position a first bumper portion of the plate frame is bumping into the blocking member if the plate frame is to slide beyond a nominal end-position. When the blocking member is located in the non-blocking position the first bumper portion is not bumping into the blocking member if the plate frame is to slide beyond a nominal end-position, thereby allowing the plate frame to slide beyond the nominal end-position to a service end-position.

Abstract: Slide closure for a vessel that operatively contains molten metal, comprising: a slide housing including a recess receiving a first refractory closure plate; a slide unit including an opening receiving a second refractory closure plate; wherein at least one clamping mechanism is arranged to start the clamping of the corresponding refractory closure plate via an actuation of the at least one clamping mechanism when the slide unit is displaced relative to the slide housing and the first and the second refractory closure plates are distant apart from each other, essentially before the first and the second faces of the respective first and the second refractory closure plates are in contact under pressure.

Abstract: Slide closure for a vessel that operatively contains molten metal, comprising: a slide housing including a recess receiving a first refractory closure plate; a slide unit including an opening receiving a second refractory closure plate; wherein at least one clamping mechanism is arranged to start the clamping of the corresponding refractory closure plate via an actuation of the at least one clamping mechanism when the slide unit is displaced relative to the slide housing and the first and the second refractory closure plates are distant apart from each other, essentially before the first and the second faces of the respective first and the second refractory closure plates are in contact under pressure.

Abstract: A sliding gate valve of a metallurgic vessel comprises a carriage. The carriage comprises a plate frame for supporting a first refractory plate and the plate frame is slideably mounted on a carriage support structure for sliding along a first axis. The carriage comprises a selecting device for selecting between a first stroke ?X1 and a second stroke ?X2 by moving a blocking member between a blocking and a non-blocking position. When the blocking member is located in the blocking position a first bumper portion of the plate frame is bumping into the blocking member if the plate frame is to slide beyond a nominal end-position. When the blocking member is located in the non-blocking position the first bumper portion is not bumping into the blocking member if the plate frame is to slide beyond a nominal end-position, thereby allowing the plate frame to slide beyond the nominal end-position to a service end-position.

Abstract: A device for driving a regulation valve for casting liquid metal contains a main rod controlling the opening and closing of the valve, and a coupler linking the main rod and the valve. The device also contains a coupler controller able to activate and deactivate the coupler, enabling linkage and detachment of the main rod and the valve.

Abstract: A manipulation device for a shroud for casting liquid metal comprises holding means for the shroud, downstream of a metal flow control valve, this valve being able to assume an open configuration and a closed configuration under the action of drive means. The manipulation device comprises fixing means affixed to the drive means for the valve. A ladle shroud for the flow of liquid metal from a casting ladle to a metal tundish has a longitudinal axis and comprises a shroud gripping head at one end. The gripping head is fusiform.

Abstract: A device for driving a regulation valve for casting liquid metal contains a main rod controlling the opening and closing of the valve, and a coupler linking the main rod and the valve. The device also contains a coupler controller able to activate and deactivate the coupler, enabling linkage and detachment of the main rod and the valve.

Abstract: A manipulation device for a shroud for casting liquid metal comprises holding means for the shroud, downstream of a metal flow control valve, this valve being able to assume an open configuration and a closed configuration under the action of drive means. The manipulation device comprises fixing means affixed to the drive means for the valve. A ladle shroud for the flow of liquid metal from a casting ladle to a metal tundish has a longitudinal axis and comprises a shroud gripping head at one end. The gripping head is fusiform.