Abstract: An improved valve plate assembly is provided for use in a slide gate valve. The valve plate assembly includes a refractory valve plate having an orifice positioned along its longitudinal centerline, and truncated corners for optimizing the clamping forces to reduce and/or contain cracking caused by thermal expansion. The size and shape of the plate is defined by the design maximum design orifice diameter and the service the plate is designed to address.

Abstract: An exchangeable valve plate assembly is provided for use in a slide gate valve. The exchangeable valve plate assembly includes a refractory exchangeable plate that may be replaced in the assembly without removing the slide gate valve from service. The exchangeable plate includes a concave cylindrical load surface(s) that is configured to be engaged by a cylindrical bar tip of a rocker arm to distribute load across a plate sealing surface and maintain a more constant load condition as the height of the plate stack changes. The rocker arms that load the plate also has the ability to float in its lateral relationship to the a pouring orifice centerline so as to further minimize changes in load force distribution to the exchangeable plate as the thickness of the plate stack changes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sound barrier system 10 including a sound barrier panel 20 having a face skin panel 30 held in spaced relation from a back skin panel 40 by a filler material 50. Each sound barrier panel 20 is provided with a tongue and groove design that permits panels 20 to be stacked in an interlocking fashion without fastening hardware.

Abstract: An improved beaver-tail tube assembly is provided that is easily exchanged in place over a thin-slab casting mold by means of a conventional tube changer. The tube assembly includes a rectangular plate, and a tube body having a circular upper end that is mounted to an orifice in the plate for receiving molten metal, and a lower end that is elongated along its width for discharging molten metal into the elongated opening of a thin-slab casting mold. In the tube assembly of the invention, the upper end of the tube body is mounted to the opening in the plate so that the longitudinal axis of the elongated bottom end of the tube body is oriented at an angle of between about 25.degree. and 55.degree. with respect to a line orthogonal to the parallel sides of the plate.

Abstract: A crack resistant valve plate assembly is provided for use in a slide gate valve. The valve plate assembly includes a refractory valve plate having an orifice positioned along its longitudinal center line, and truncated corners for focusing a clamping force toward the center line in the vicinity of the orifice to prevent the formation and spreading of cracks. The angular orientation of each of the truncated corners varies with respect to the position of the orifice along the longitudinal center line. Specifically, each of the truncated corners are orthogonal to a line extending from a point tangent with the orifice, across the center line, and through an intersection lines drawn parallel to the converging lengthwise and widthwise plate edges that is spaced from the edges a distance equal to one-half of the maximum diameter of orifice that the plate can effectively operate with.

Abstract: A sliding gate valve having a frame, a sliding carrier within the frame, means for securing the carrier in reciprocating relationship to the frame, a stationary plate secured at the upper portion of the valve, and a slide gate secured at the lower portion of the valve is disclosed. In one embodiment a spring plate is provided with beam springs cantileverly mounted on its under side having their end portions oriented in surrounding relationship to the teeming opening of the valve, and in addition, providing a cluster of such springs at the shut-off portion of the slide gate which underlies the teeming opening to the vessel in the shut-off position. As to the spring plate, the springs extend downwardly to engage a spring pressure raceway ring formed in the interior portion of the carrier throughout its length and width and partially surrounding the teeming opening of the valve. In addition, a spider-like cluster of springs is provided underneath the shut-off portion to load it when in the shut-off position.

Abstract: A non-reversible plate having a depending tube structure with a discharge opening at the bottom in which there is a plate at the upper portion, rectangular in configuration, and which has an irregular anti-reversal collar beneath the plate portion is disclosed. Desirably the collar is elliptical in configuration and has a major axis at least seven millimeters longer than the minor axis. The longer axis is parallel with the length dimension. Another aspect of the invention is the utilization of a toggle actuated plate changing device which swings in and out of position and can only be actuated when the plate and tube intended for insertion presents the length for insertion into the valve structure. Suitable microswitch or related device is provided to permit actuation of the change actuator, but only when the plate is properly oriented for insertion.

Abstract: A slide gate having an offset teeming orifice for use in a sequential sliding gate valve having asymmetrical means for inserting said gate along a direction of loading in which the slide plate has asymmetrical means for engaging the asymmetrical means for loading and thereby insure proper orientation of the gate when loading.

Abstract: A method of providing a cantilever spring or a beam which is attached to the frame of a sliding gate valve is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a cantilever spring which is essentially flat and rectangular. A spring mount is provided to anchor the head end of the spring to permit the other end to flex against a load application member or the underneath side of the lower refractory member such as a tube holder and tube. The spring itself has a heel portion and a cantilever portion. At one end of the spring provision is made for a working face which engages the underneath portion of the lower refractory plate.

Abstract: A three plate non-reversible sliding gate system and tube holder where the plates and tube holder include modified corner configurations so as to preclude reverse loading of the system.

Abstract: An injection block of an injection valve intended for bottom injection but optionally operable on the side of a teeming vessel for side injection is disclosed. The invention is directed specifically to a multi-passageway multi-orifice injection block in which the injection passages may be parallel, radially disposed around a frustoconical locus, or angled in a tangential fashion within the injection block. The thrust of the invention, however, is to stage the permeable elements in progressively more buried relationship to the hot face of the injection block sequenced in the order in which the particular passageways which are plugged by the porous plug are programmed for use. In this manner, progressive erosion of the wet or hot face of the injection block will progressively expose the upper portion of the permeable plug in accordance with the timed usage intended for the same.

Abstract: A sliding gate valve assembly which has a stationary refractory plate mounted to a mounting plate and secured there by the force pressed against it exerted by another refractory is disclosed. A clamp ring is provided which has extending ears, each of which is bored to ride on a clamp spring assembly. Yieldable means, preferably a coil spring, surrounds the shank of the clamp spring assembly guide shank and engages the underside of the ear and rides in the main frame. When the main frame is closed, pressure is urged on the spring which, in turn, transmits the force to the clamp, the tapered inner edge of which engages the tapered outer edge of the stationary plate. The method of the present invention depends upon utilizing the clamping force of a valve assembly having a main frame and in which yieldable means are provided between the main frame and the mounting plate to urge a continuous clamp ring into engagement with the bandless stationary plate having tapered sidewalls.

Abstract: An injection block of an injection valve is disclosed which is normally intended for installation in a metallurgical vessel or holding vessel containing ferrous metal. Other metals can be similarly treated by injection metallurgy, but the maximum utility is believed to be involved in the processing and metallurgical finishing of ferrous metals. The injection block is provided with orifice passages terminating in orifices through which the injections are gas driven, wire fed or in pellet form inserted into the molten metal in the vessel. The orifice passages are angled in one of two directions or a combination of the two directions, radially relative to the axis of the injection block and/or tangentially away from an element that is parallel to the axis of the injection block so as to circumvolve the axis of the injection block.

Abstract: The configuration of a thickened tube holder which flares outwardly at its downstream portion leaving an undercut which is engaged by a rocker arm spring loaded assembly. The pour tube is provided with a collar at its upstream portion, and an undercut mount immediately beneath the collar. Means are provided to induce a vertical force component on the undercut mount in the form of a clamping member which secures the pour tube holder to a depending pour tube mount. In all of the embodiments, compression is induced in the pour tube holder and at the interface between the pour tube and the pour tube holder to inhibit aspiration. Quick disconnect is also provided, and quick makeup for changing pour tubes and pour tube holders.

Abstract: A multiple orifice injection valve having a stationary block which communicates between the vessel and a sliding plate. The sliding plate is provided with at least one injection port and drive means for rotatably indexing the same in and out of register with the various orifices in the stationary block. Both the stationary block and sliding plate may have special wear features. The sliding plate is held by means of a carrier, and the same urged by a plurality of spring-loaded rockers into pressure face-to-face relationhip with the stationary block. The valve can be open by a toggle latch and toggle hinge assembly thereby permitting removal of the sliding plate and/or the stationary block. Injection is provided by a quick disconnect coupling having two injection ports. The one port receives wire or other metallic material in wire form, and the second port injects gas, powdered metals, or other fluid-like materials.

Abstract: A shroud or submerged pour tube which has a sealing cup of an essentially frustoconical configuration at its upper end is disclosed. The sealing cup matingly engages a bullet-shaped nose on the lower portion of the collector nozzle extending downwardly from the valve. The combination of the collector nozzle and the shroud and the joint are held in compressive and oriented relationship by a shroud support assembly. The shroud support assembly has adjustable length arms to permit tilting the shroud axis for alignment at the lower end of the shroud. This urges a line contact at the joint at the upper end of the shroud where it engages the bullet nose of the collector nozzle. The support assembly also may be mounted with flexibility for moving on the XY axis where the Z axis is the axis of the pour tube or shroud in those two plate situations where the collector nozzle shifts laterally during the on and off condition and also during throttling.

Abstract: An injection valve which is positioned on the underneath portion of a teeming vessel is disclosed. The valve itself includes a mounting plate, and a well block nozzle which is in open communication with the metal being teemed in the vessel. Beneath the sliding injection plate a sliding plate carrier is positioned which is engaged by spring loaded rocker arms in order to maintain a compressive relationship between the sliding plate carrier, the sliding injection gate, and the stationary plate. Optionally the injection valve is fed by a plurality of injectants supplied which are adjusted by means of a control valve. In addition, wire may also be injected simultaneously with gas, or other additives. In addition, power means are provided for replacing the sliding plate carrier, and also the sliding plate. Alternatively means are provided for disengaging the rockers, and manually replacing the same.

Abstract: An injection valve which is positioned on the underneath portion of a teeming vessel is disclosed. It may be positioned under a ladle, or under a tundish. The valve itself includes a mounting plate, and a well block nozzle which is in open communication with the metal being teemed in the vessel. Beneath the well block nozzle is a stationary plate, therebeneath a sliding plate which may be imperforate, perforate, or have an opening containing a porous plug or ceramic sieve depending upon the type of injection. Beneath the sliding injection plate a sliding plate carrier is positioned which is engaged by spring loaded rocker arms in order to maintain a compressive relationship between the sliding plate carrier, the sliding injection plate, and the stationary plate. Centrally of the sliding plate carrier is a coupler which, in turn, is connected to a further coupler, an injection hose, and an injection supply for delivering additives to the vessel through the injection valve.

Abstract: A sliding gate valve and more specifically one in which bilateral symmetry is preserved in both the stationary plate and the slide gate. More specifically, the slide gate is provided with a metallic frame which retains a monolithic refractory into which errosion resistant refractory inserts or preformed members are cast. Means are desirably provided to remove the spent refractory for remanufacture thereby reclaiming the casting. Both the stationary plate and the slide gate casting have spring pad back up reinforcements. The stationary plate desirably has means for securing a well nozzle to it.

Abstract: A multiple orifice injection valve having a stationary block which communicates between the vessel and a sliding plate. The sliding plate is provided with at least one injection port and drive means for rotatably indexing the same in and out of register with the various orifices in the stationary block. Both the stationary block and sliding plate may have special wear features. The sliding plate is held by means of a carrier, and the same urged by a plurality of spring-loaded rockers into pressure face-to-face relationship with the stationary block. The valve can be open by a toggle latch and toggle hinge assembly thereby permitting removal of the sliding plate and/or the stationary block. Injection is provided by a quick disconnect coupling having two injection ports. The one port receives wire or other metallic material in wire form, and the second port injects gas, powdered metals, or other fluid-like materials.