Abstract: The invention relates to a manipulator (10) for pivoting an object of manipulation, the manipulator (10) having a frame comprising a pivot base which can be pivoted in a horizontal plane about a vertical pivot axis (11) relative to the frame by means of a drive (26), the pivot base having a boom (20) comprising a load carrier (15) which is disposed at a free end of the boom (20) and serves to be connected to the object of manipulation, the load carrier (15) having a pivot device for pivoting the object of manipulation in the horizontal plane, wherein, in order to produce a pivoting four-bar linkage formed in the horizontal plane and comprising the boom (20), a control bar (24) extending from the frame to the pivot device is provided, one end of the control bar (24) being articulated to the pivot device of the load carrier (15) and the other end being articulated to the frame via a control gear mechanism in such a manner that in the event of a base pivoting movement of the pivot base, a load carrier pivoting m

Abstract: The invention relates to a manipulator (10) for pivoting an object of manipulation, the manipulator (10) having a frame comprising a pivot base which can be pivoted in a horizontal plane about a vertical pivot axis (11) relative to the frame by means of a drive (26), the pivot base having a boom (20) comprising a load carrier (15) which is disposed at a free end of the boom (20) and serves to be connected to the object of manipulation, the load carrier (15) having a pivot device for pivoting the object of manipulation in the horizontal plane, wherein, in order to produce a pivoting four-bar linkage formed in the horizontal plane and comprising the boom (20), a control bar (24) extending from the frame to the pivot device is provided, one end of the control bar (24) being articulated to the pivot device of the load carrier (15) and the other end being articulated to the frame via a control gear mechanism in such a manner that in the event of a base pivoting movement of the pivot base, a load carrier pivoting m

Abstract: The invention relates to a tapping channel (1) for draining iron and metal melts and liquid slags from metallurgical containers such as blast furnaces (2) and melt furnaces. The tapping channel (1) is formed by an outer pipe (3) and an inner pipe (4) disposed therein in an axially displaceable manner, wherein the outer pipe (3) is rigidly connected to the refractory lining (5) of the furnace (2) and wherein both pipes (3, 4) comprise a highly refractory material.

Abstract: A device for rotating a work element is disclosed. The device has a support structure, an arm mounted in the support structure in such a way that it can rotate, a rotation drive for rotating the arm around a rotation pin, the rotation drive being located between the arm and the support structure, and a lifting drive. The support structure represents the frame and the arm represents a driven member of a gear. The lifting drive closes the gear between the support structure and the arm. A coupling device is connected in series with the lifting drive in such a way that the lifting drive can be uncoupled from the gear. The coupling device may have a rotating arm and a locking device, for example. The device can be used as a compact rotating device for carrying a blast furnace gun.

Abstract: A device for swiveling a working unit between a rest position and a work position is disclosed. The unit has an arm and a support structure, one end of the arm being arranged in the support structure in such a way that it can swivel. A swivel arm with an actuating drive is positioned with one end arranged in the support structure in such a way that it can swivel. The other end of the swivel arm has an articulated connection with a lift drive, the second end of the lift drive has an articulated connection with the arm. The swiveling axis of the swivel arm is positioned at a set distance from the swiveling axis of the arm so that the lever arm can be raised. This allows the lift drive to transmit its power to the arm in a working position. This eccentric position of the swivel arm also allows the actuating drive of the swivel arm to switch largely without power when the arm is in the working position. The swiveling device is adapted for use for tap hole plugging machines.

Abstract: Device for plugging a tap hole comprising an expulsion piston fitted in a plugging chamber, a first double-acting hydraulic actuator positioned behind the piston and a first channel passing through the piston for the passage of a piercing rod, and the first actuator. The device further comprises a second double-acting hydraulic actuator positioned behind the first actuator, equipped with a second channel for the passage of a rod, a control means for imposing a to-and-fro movement on the second actuator, and a first gripping means movable by the second actuator. This first gripping means makes it possible to grip and release a rod in order to push it, by successive travels, through the two channels in the direction of the plugging nose-piece.

Abstract: A machine is provided for piercing a taphole for a shaft furnace for applying the piercing rod method. The machine comprises a mounting (20), a drive means (42, 44), a clamp (34) for coupling the drive means to the rod (26) during its extraction. It is characterised by a push-member (34) transmitting the said thrust force to the rear end of the rod (26) during the insertion of the rod (26) into the taphole clay and by intermediate guides (55i) surrounding the rod (26) at several places during the insertion of the rod (26) into the taphole clay. The said guides (55i) being successively placed in a position in which they do not hinder the advance of the said push-member (34, 78) on the mounting (20).

Abstract: A machine for piercing a taphole for a shaft furnace in the so called "lost rod" method is presented. After the taphole is blocked with a taphole clay but before the taphole clay has fully hardened, a piercing rod is driven into the taphole clay by this machine so that at the desired time the taphole can be opened by extracting the piercing rod by this same machine. This piercing machine comprises a mounting, a first carriage which can be displaced along the mounting, a drive mechanism for this first carriage, guide mechanism to guide the piercing rod and finger mechanism capable of exerting axial thrust upon the piercing rod. The guide means define a guide channel for the piercing rod, which guide mechanism also has a longitudinal opening that gives access to the inside of the guide mechanism, the guide channel being perpendicular to the axis of the longitudinal opening.

Abstract: A machine and method is provided for piercing a taphole for a shaft furnace. The machine comprises a mounting, with a support installed on the mounting so as to support a rod at the front of the mounting, a rear support which can move on the mounting and is provided with means for being coupled to the rear end of the rod and a clamp mounted in a sliding manner on the mounting and designed to grip the rod at any place between the front support and the rear support. A powerful rotary motor installed at the rear of the mounting drives an endless chain installed axially in the mounting. A clamp attached to the endless chain moves during the insertion of the rod into the taphole clay by reversal of the direction of rotation of the motor in a to-and-fro motion between a position (B) at the front of the mounting and a position (A) which is located at a distance L from the position (B).

Abstract: A machine for boring a tap hole of a shaft furnace is presented for use in conjunction with a lost-rod process. In this process, a metal rod is driven into a botting mass, before it has completely hardened, and is removed later for opening a tap hole. Driving-in of the rod is performed with the aid of a to-and-fro movement of a clamp which can move over a mount through action of a first jack. Removal is performed with the aid of a continuous reverse movement of the clamp through the action of the first jack and of a powerful drive means, for example a second jack, driving the first jack towards the rear of the mount.

Abstract: A machine is provided for piercing a taphole for a shaft furnace for applying the piercing rod method. The machine comprises a mounting, with a support for supporting the rod at the front of the mounting, a sliding support for supporting the rod at the rear of the mounting and a clamp, mounted in a sliding manner on the mounting and designed for gripping the rod at any place between the front support and the rear support. A travel multiplier is connected between a jack and the clamp so that the clamp may be moved. Means for controlling the jack make it possible to move the clamp in a to-and-fro motion between a position (B) at the front of the mounting and a position (A) which is located at a distance L from the position (B).