Abstract: A drill clamp comprising a clamp mechanism and a hole-locating pin. The clamp mechanism has a first clamp portion and a second clamp portion. The second clamp portion includes a drill-receiving opening sized for receiving a drill bit. The hole-locating pin is operatively connected to the first clamp portion. The clamp mechanism is adapted and configured for movement of the first and second clamp portions relative to each other between clamped and unclamped positions. The hole-locating pin is farther from the drill-receiving opening when the clamp mechanism is in the unclamped position than when the clamp mechanism is in the clamped position. The hole-locating pin and the drill-receiving opening are aligned with one another when the clamp mechanism is in the clamped position.

Abstract: The invention provides a gas injector (50) for a molten metal vessel, comprising: a gas inlet chamber (51) having an inlet port and at least one outlet port (54), each said outlet port (54) having secured gas-tightly thereto an extruded rod (60) which extends to a gas discharge end (59) of the injector, the extruded rod (60) being formed of a substantially gas-impermeable e refractory material and having at least one axially-extending gas passage therealong, the passage communicating with the gas inlet chamber (51), and being of such small dimensions that in use, melt is substantially unable to intrude into the or each passage, the rod and compression gland connector being embedded in a refractory body of the injector save for the discharge end of the rod.

Abstract: Apparatus and related method for taking a sample of molten metal from a vessel comprising a refractory block installed in a wall of the vessel before the vessel is filled with molten metal. The block is traversed by at least one passage having a closure element to initially block the passage. A rigid elongated pipe is movable lengthwise in the passage and a sample mould is operatively associated with the pipe. There is means activatable to advance the pipe forcibly in a forward direction to cause a forward end of the pipe to engage the closure element for unblocking the passage whereby molten metal gains access to the pipe and flows along the pipe to enter the mould.

Abstract: An injection apparatus for use in injecting substances into molten metal contained in a vessel including a nozzle block having at least one initially closed injection passage and a lance movable in the passage and advanceable to open the passage for injection to commence. Sealing means is provided to establish a seal in a space between the lance pipe and the passage when the pipe is advanced to its injection position. The sealing means can include a compressible fibrous refractory sleeve fastened to the pipe adjacent an inlet end thereof. The sealing means can also comprise an array of compressible seal rings made of a compliant graphite material mounted on the pipe adjacent an inlet end of the pipe.

Abstract: Gas injection into a metal melt, accompanied if desired by powdered or solid treatment substances, is by way of a nozzle inserted into the wall of a melt-containing vessel. The nozzle bore initially has a stopper at its inner end and a delivery pipe smaller than the bore is movable therein. Before injection, the pipe and bore adjacent the stopper are cooled by gas. By thrusting the pipe against the stopper while sufficient gas flow and pressure is maintained, the stopper is dislodged and the gas will enter the melt as a jet which leaves the pipe at a injection cooling, then when injection is completed allowing the melt to enter and rapidly freeze locking the pipe safely in the bore.

Abstract: For injecting substances into a liquid e.g. molten metal, a nozzle block is mounted in the wall of a vessel containing the liquid. Initially, an injection passage extending through the block is closed by a plug to prevent ingress of liquid, and only when injection is to commence is the plug thrust aside by a delivery pipe movable in the passage, the pipe forming part of an injection lance assembly. The positions of the lance assembly before and after injection are determined by a safety stop arrangement for example comprising a detent in the form of a spring-loaded plunger housed in a fixed part of the apparatus; the plunger coacts with front and rear ramps of an abutment which is fast with part of the lance assembly, to govern the positions of the lance assembly before and after injection.

Abstract: An injection nozzle (10) is installed in the wall (13) of a liquid containment vessel (14) and comprises an assembly of refractory component bodies (18, 19, 20): injection passages (22) for receiving longitudinally movable lances (11) are provided in the nozzle and before injection commences, the passages are closed by cup-shaped refractory shells (30) embedded in one of the component bodies (18) adjacent a discharge end of the nozzle. Each shell has its base (31) united through a frangible shell portion (34) with the sidewall (32) and when injection is to commence, an associated lance (11) is forcibly driven at the base (31) to detach it by fracture of the shell portion (34) and from an opening through which an injectant can exit into the liquid. A push-out bung (26) may be incorporated in the nozzle body (18) between the base of the shell (30) and the discharge end of the nozzle (10).

Abstract: A cartridge-type injection device (20) is removably seated in a passage (18) through the wall of a ladle (10) and comprises a refractory nozzle tip (21) fitted to one end of a tubular body (30), and a delivery pipe (35) for gas or a mixture of gas and a particulate material, the pipe (35) entering an outer end of the body (30) and extending therethrough into the nozzle tip (21). An insulating packing is contained by the body around the pipe (35). The pipe is movable in the bore (22) of the tip (21) for dislodging a melt-obstructing plug in the bore (22) into the melt, whereupon the device is enabled to eject the gas or mixture from the pipe into the melt.

Abstract: For introducing gases, wires and powders to metal melts, a multi-ducted refractory body (11) is installed in the wall (14) of a vessel (15) for the melt. The body has passage closing elements (24, 34, 35) preventing melt entering the passages (A, B, C). Two passages (A and C) serve respectively for introducing gas, and fluidized powders, to the melt: each has a movable pipe (36.91) (for gas or fluidized powder). Upon moving gas pipe (36) towards the melt, it dislodges closing element (24) whereby gas from the pipe can enter the melt via capillary bores (25). Similarly, by moving pipe (91), closing element: when it reaches the closing element (34) the wire can itself dislodge this element to gain access to the melt. A method of introducing substances to liquid related to uses of this apparatus is disclosed, as well as metallurgical processes involving the method.

Abstract: For the introducing gases, wires and powders to metal melts, a multi-ducted refractory body is installed in the wall of a vessel for the melt. The body has passage closing elements preventing melt entering the passages (A, B, C). Two passages (A and C) serve respectively for introducing gas, and fluidized powders, to the melt; each has a movable pipe (for gas or fluidized powder). Upon moving the gas pipe towards the melt, it dislodges closing element whereby gas from the pipe can enter the melt via capillar bores. Wire is fed along passage (B) to the melt: when it reaches the closing element the wire can itself dislodge this element to gain access to the melt. A method of introducing substances to liquid related to use of this apparatus is disclosed, as well as metallurgical process involving the method.

Abstract: In order to resist alteration of the spring forces utilized for applying seal pressure between the valve bodies in sliding gate valves for molten metal pouring, particularly those of the manually operated type, the valve support plate and the mounting plate are arranged to form a narrow slot that receives the valve actuator and presents insufficient clearance to permit excessive relative displacement between the valve members. The valve further incorporates releasable attachments, two of which serve as hinge connections for the support plate while the other serves as a latching member. Each of the attachments comprise clevis-mounted eyebolts in which the clevises have predetermined dimensions to establish a fixed, pre-set distance between the plates upon reassembly of the valve after opening and thus insure repeatability of the spatial relationships between the valve bodies and, concomitantly, of the seal pressure between the members.

Abstract: Metal flow from furnace taphole to a pouring trough is controlled by a valve interposed therebetween, the valve having a stationary orificed valve plate and a companion slide plate for closing or opening the orifice to flow. An actuating beam member forming part of a parallel motion linkage extends upwardly and obliquely from the slide plate, the actuating member being thrust against the slide plate by a swinging spring strut of the linkage. A ram connected to the linkage via a crank, a shaft and a pivoted lever displaces the linkage when extended or contracted and this moves the actuating member along a predetermined path, its oblique attitude being preserved, to open or shut the valve.

Abstract: For the introducing gases, wires and powders to metal melts, a multi-ducted refractory body is installed in the wall of a vessel for the melt. The body has passage closing elements preventing melt entering the passages (A, B, C). Two passages (A and C) serve respectively for introducing gas, and fluidized powders, to the melt; each has a movable pipe (for gas or fluidized powder). Upon moving the gas pipe towards the melt, it dislodges closing element whereby gas from the pipe can enter the melt via capillar bores. Wire is fed along passage (B) to the melt: when it reaches the closing element the wire can itself dislodge this element to gain access to the melt. A method of introducing substances to liquid related to use of this apparatus is disclosed, as well as metallurgical process involving the method.