Abstract: A sliding gate valve comprising a chamber (22), a stationary mounted plate (2) and a sliding plate (1) that is movable in relation to said stationary plate, and sliding plate being supported within a slide frame (20) that is movable in relation to the chamber (22), and of spring elements (10) which press the sliding plate against the stationary plate (2). The slide frame (20) has a shape in the form of a trough, of which the upper longitudinal edges (17) protrude laterally outwardly and form slide surfaces (18) that correspond to the slide surfaces (19) of the chamber during operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlled adjustment of a stopper of a distributor channel or metallurgical vessel in a continuous casting plant (for billets or ingots), the stopper being connected to a crosstie or stopper rod disposed above the distributor channel or metallurgical vessel, and the crosstie or stopper rod itself being connected to a support bar which is movable up and down in a vertical guide means. The vertical guide means of the support bar is a roller guide means comprising support rollers or support balls which are clamped without clearance between the support bar and an outer housing.

Abstract: A closing apparatus for the bottom pouring hole of a casting ladle, comprising a mounting plate mounted on the bottom of the ladle with a head plate resting against it, in which head plate a port is formed to pour out the melt, and further comprising a slide plate supported for pivoting movement about two axes and adapted to be pressed resiliently against the head plate. The slide plate is supported for reciprocating movement inside a housing. The housing is supported by a housing carrier structure, especially between the legs of carrier bracket for the housing, for pivoting movement about a first pivot axis, while the carrier bracket for the housing is supported by the mounting plate for pivoting about a second pivot axis. The first and second pivot axes extend parallel to each other and to the sealing face between the head and slide plates.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for automatically filling a continuous casting mold with (steel) melt which is poured in controlled fashion into the continuous casting mold through a bottom hold adapted to be closed by an automatically operated stopper in a distributor channel or intermediate vessel. The stopper carries out predeterined up and down movements, especially in response to the melt level in the continuous casting mold against the action of a force urging the stopper into closing position, while the mold is being filled. The up and down movement of the stopper is realized by an adjustment unit acting directly at the top end of the stopper. The force which urges the stopper into closing position is obtained either from a constant mass or an elastic member attempting to urge the stopper increasingly into closing position as the temperature rises.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling the pouring spout of a tundish for molten metals, including a slide valve composed of a valve member mounted for movement between a head plate disposed on the underside of the tundish and a discharge member. For preventing in a particularly effective way any freezing of the molten metal and for avoiding any static shadow corners the valve member and/or the head plate or both in the closed and/or open or part-open position thereof are moved in such a way that a two-dimensional relative movement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pouring spout is generated between the valve member and the head plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for the exact position feedback of a double-acting power piston in a hydraulic power cylinder subjected to extreme environmental conditions, especially high temperatures, comprising a double-acting detecting (measuring), or follower cylinder, having a volume corresponding to that of said power cylinder and including a detecting piston the position of which is sensed by an electrical detector, wherein a pair of working spaces of power and detecting cylinders are in fluid communication with each other via a connecting pipe, while the respective other working spaces are adapted to be connected to a (pressursized) fluid pump or a reservoir through a control valve.

Abstract: In a horizontal continuous casting plant having a horizontally oriented discharge duct for conveying molten metal from a container to the casting mold, a closure assembly for selectively blocking the flow of molten metal is provided in the duct. The closure assembly comprises a stationary headplate and a vertically disposed slider plate, the latter movable across the headplate between positions blocking and unblocking the flow of metal. To prevent solidification of metal around the closure when in the blocked position, gas supply means are provided in the headplate and slider plate to create a flow of gas at the closure that inhibits solidification and keeps the molten metal from penetrating between the fixed and movable parts of the closure assembly. The gas supply means comprises a plurality of nozzle openings in either the headplate or slider plate or both, connected with a source of gaseous media, and oriented substantially tangentially of and at an angle to the juncture of the headplate and slider plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the exact position feedback of a double-acting power piston in a hydraulic power cylinder subjected to extreme environmental conditions, especially high temperatures, comprising a likewise double-acting detecting (measuring) or follower cylinder having a volume equivalent to that of said power cylinder and including a detecting piston the position of which can be sensed by electric means, wherein a pair of working spaces of power and detecting cylinders are in fluid communication with each other via a connecting pipe, while the respective other working spaces are adapted to be connected to a (pressurized) fluid pump or a reservoir through a control valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling the nozzle damper (slide valve) of a vessel for the metallurgical casting, in response of the variation of the molten metal level of the volume of molten metal tapped from said vessel the nozzle opening is stepwise controlled in response to, the value of the vertical level of the molten metal above said nozzle damper at the respective tapping time or after the respective tapping period with the molten metal volume calculated from the time integral of the respective previous actual damper opening areas.

Abstract: A sliding gate valve assembly for pouring liquid metal is described in which the frame that mounts the sliding plate is attached directly to oppositely spaced motor apparatus of particular design. Thus, in addition to imparting motion to the slide frame, the motor apparatus also serve to slidably mount the frame thereby eliminating the need for a housing enclosure about the slide frame. According to one aspect of the invention, the frame is movable longitudinally by motor apparatus on two opposed sides of the frame. According to another aspect of the invention, the frame is movable both longitudinally and transversely by pairs of motor apparatus rectangularly disposed about the four sides of the frame. Motor apparatus that is mechanically, electrically or fluid operated can be employed.

Abstract: A closing apparatus for the bottom pouring hole of a casting ladle, comprising a mounting plate mounted on the bottom of the ladle with a head plate resting against it, in which head plate a port is formed to pour out the melt, and further comprising a slide plate supported for pivoting movement about two axes and adapted to be pressed resiliently against the head plate. The slide plate is supported for reciprocating movement inside a housing. The housing is supported by a housing carrier structure, especially between the legs of carrier bracket for the housing, for pivoting movement about a first pivot axis, while the carrier bracket for the housing is supported by the mounting plate for pivoting about a second pivot axis. The first and second pivot axes extend parallel to each other and to the sealing face between the head and slide plates.