Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for charging a shaft furnace. The apparatus includes a rotary and pivoting distributor chute suspended on the head of the furnace, a device for driving this chute, which consists of a first and second running ring designed respectively for rotating the chute about the vertical axis of the furnace and for changing its inclination relative to this axis as a result of a pivoting about its horizontal suspension axis, and a device for actuating the two running rings independently of one another, a central charging lock equipped with upper and lower sealing flaps and with a metering and closing valve for adjusting the flow of material from the lock on to the distributor chute, and a device for filling the lock.

Abstract: The device is composed of several separate elements consisting of at least one central tubular element connected, on one side, by means of a first ball-and-socket joint and a first compensator to a first connector supplying preheated air and on the opposite side, by means of a second ball-and-socket joint and a second compensator to a second connector. In order to reduce the length of the device, the second joint is oriented in the opposite direction to the said first joint, its center of curvature being located on the axis of the said second connector on the inside of the latter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a handling device for a distribution chute of a shaft furnace, the said distribution chute being suspended pivotably on a rotary cage mounted by means of bearings in a housing installed in the head of the furnace and containing drive means for rotating the said cage about the vertical axis of the furnace and drive means for pivoting the chute about its horizontal suspension axis. The invention also relates to a mechanism for driving the chute which is suitable for this device.

Abstract: A device which allows for the easy mounting of a gripper for coupling a piercing rod to a working tool mounted on a sliding carriage of a piercing machine, and in which the gripper has a female thread designed to be screwed onto a threaded end piece of the working tool is presented. The device essentially comprises a supporting cage which is fixed to the carriage and which ensures the vertical and lateral support of the gripper and allows it to slide longitudinally.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving an oscillating spout capable of pivoting about two orthogonal axes under the action of a pivoting control arm having the same degrees of liberties as the spout is presented. The driving apparatus includes a control mechanism which directs the control arm to perform the movement required by the spout and a transmission device which acts to transmit the control arm movement to the spout to reproduce it as spout movement, and vice versa. The apparatus further includes a rotary internal housing supported on a support frame via a bearing member and enclosed by an outer housing or cowl. The rotary housing is associated with a toothed rim which is actuated by a first motor fixed to or adjacent to the support frame. A control mechanism is also provided which includes a driving rod which is coaxial with the rotary internal housing and which is capable of sliding in the axial direction.

Abstract: The loading installation comprises a device for introducing and distributing charge material into a shaft furnace, this device being surmounted in ascending order, and in alignment with the central axis of the furnace, by a compensator, a valve housing, a lock chamber having a weighing system and a stand-by hopper. The lock chamber and the valve housing are suspended by means of several balances on a circular or polygonal horizontal supporting beam with the stand-by hopper resting on this beam. In turn, the supporting beam is carried by several vertical pillars with the pillars being carried by the head of the furnace.

Abstract: A valve actuating device for a hopper is comprised of two spherical shaped shutters or registers which pivot about common suspension axles. Each of the registers is carried by two pairs of arms located on either side of the bottom of the hopper and is capable of pivoting about two axles mounted respectively on brackets fastened to the bottom on either side of the hopper. The supporting arms of one of the registers are connected respectively to the piston rods of two hydraulic jacks mounted pivotally on the brackets; and the first pair of supporting arms experiencing the action of the hydraulic jacks are connected respectively to the second pair of supporting arms by use of a linkage articulated on the bracket.

Abstract: The rolling track comprises a series of rollers which are supported by a fixed reinforcement and on which travels the circular pedestal of the hopper. This circular pedestal is equipped with a toothed ring in order to be driven in rotary movement about its vertical axis. The rollers are grouped in pairs, and each pair of rollers is carried by an axle pivotable about a radial axis; with each of the rollers being carried in its axle by floating bearings mounted on springs.

Abstract: A suspension and anchoring device for a rail mounted plugging and drilling machine for use in conjunction with metallurgical furnaces is presented. The suspension and anchoring device comprises a cradle mounted on rails which is movable by means of a parallelogram shaped guide bar system actuated by an operating cylinder which shifts the plugging and drilling device between a work position and a travel position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device comprising a sealing valve carried by a control arm inside a vessel and cooperating with a seat around an opening. The mechanism for operating the valve comprises a hollow rotary support housed about its axis of rotation X in a leaktight bearing on the wall of the vessel and connected to the other end of the control arm by means of a device permitting axial displacement of the valve in relation to its seat. In order to reduce the space required for the movements of the valve, the support of the valve operating mechanism is mounted in such a manner that its axis of rotation X forms an acute angle with the vertical axis of the opening of the vessel.

Abstract: A furnace probe is introduced transversely into a furnace through a support block and a sealing packing. In order to reduce the influence of distortions on the packing and support elements, a carriage is slidably mounted along a frame and is provided with at least one stirrup mounted thereon so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis at right angles to the direction of a device for gripping the probe and driving it in the probe insertion direction when the carriage is moved in the direction of the furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing charge material to a shaft furnace is presented which effectively reduces the segregation of the particles in a storage housing positioned above the shaft furnace. In the present invention, the storage hopper and the distribution device are movable about the vertical axis of the shaft furnace and are mounted inside a sealed chamber. Above the chamber are arranged at least two locks which are each provided with upper and lower sealing flaps. Preferably, the storage hopper and the bottom of each of the locks are in the configuration of tapered funnels, the conical wall of which forms an angle of less than or equal to about 30.degree. with respect to the vertical axis of the furnace. The storage hopper is preferably supported by support and guide rollers which move on a circular rail integral with the wall of the sealed chamber and is subjected to the action of a drive mechanism for rotation about the vertical axis of the furnace.

Abstract: A device for introducing dosed quantities of pulverized solid materials into a carrier gas stream is presented. The device is particularly suitable for injecting solid fuels into a shaft furnace during metal refining. The device comprises a housing which defines a flow chamber in the axial direction for the flow of pressurized fluid or carrier gas. The housing also has a side aperture therethrough. The side aperture is connected to a container holding pulverized materials. Coaxial inner and outer sleeves, at least one of which is capable of rotation, are located within the housing. The outer sleeve communicates with the aperture while the inner sleeve has an axial bore which provides a passage for the carrier gas. Upon rotation of a sleeve, slots provided on each sleeve will align and overlap with each other and with the aperture to define a variable sized passage between the container and axial bore whereby the pulverized material is delivered therethrough to the carrier gas stream.

Abstract: A device for introducing dosed quantities of pulverized solid materials into a carrier gas stream is presented. The device is particularly suitable for injecting solid fuels into a shaft furnace during metal refining. The device comprises a housing having oppositely disposed inlet and outlet radial apertures therethrough. The inlet radial aperture is connected to a container holding pulverized materials. Coaxial inner and outer sleeves, at least one of which is capable of rotation, are located within the housing. Upon rotation of a sleeve, pairs of oppositely disposed slots provided on each sleeve will align and overlap with each other and with the pair of oppositely disposed apertures to define variable sized passages. A cheek positioned on one end of the housing has a cylindrical extension portion which extends axially into the inner sleeve and extends across the inlet and outlet apertures.

Abstract: A taphole drilling device for shaft furnaces is presented which is controlled by hydraulic fluid means. The taphole drilling device is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with a drilling process wherein the opening and closing of the taphole comprises the positioning and extraction of a drill rod which is left inside the taphole between successive tappings. One embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises a bar, a uni-directional percussion instrument which slides along the bar under the action of a motor, a device for coupling the drill rod to the percussion instrument and a means provided at the front end of the bar for guiding and supporting the drill rod. It will be appreciated that the motor used to drive the percussion instrument is preferably a hydraulic motor.

Abstract: A device for introducing dosed or proportioned quantities of pulverized solid materials into a carrier gas stream is presented. The device comprises a housing which defines a flow chamber in the axial direction for the flow of pressurized fluid or carrier gas. The housing also has a side aperture therethrough. The side aperture is connected to a container holding pulverized materials. Coaxial inner and outer sleeves, at least one of which is capable of rotation, are located within the housing. The outer sleeve communicates with the aperture while the inner sleeve has an axial bore which provides a passage for the carrier gas. Upon rotation of a sleeve, slots provided on each sleeve will align and overlap with each other and with the aperture to define a variable sized passage between the container and axial bore whereby the pulverized material is delivered therethrough to the carrier gas stream.

Abstract: A device for introducing dosed or proportioned quantities of pulverized solid materials into a carrier gas stream is presented. The device comprises a housing which defines a flow chamber in the axial direction for the flow of pressurized fluid or carrier gas. The housing also has a side aperture therethrough. The side aperture is connected to a container holding pulverized materials. Coaxial inner and outer sleeves, at least one of which is capable of rotation, are located within the housing. The outer sleeve communicates with the aperture while the inner sleeve has an axial bore which provides a passage for the carrier gas. Upon rotation of a sleeve, slots provided on each sleeve will align and overlap with each other and with the aperture to define a variable sized passage between the container and axial bore whereby the pulverized material is delivered therethrough to the carrier gas stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the feed or delivery of hot air in the tuyere stock of a shaft furnace, and a tuyere stock which incorporates such a regulating apparatus is presented. The regulating apparatus may be used in conjunction with a tuyere stock for a shaft furnace (the structure of which is well known) and consists of an articulated pipe connecting a large circular conduit to a nozzle and which is fitted internally with a refractory lining having an internal channel therethrough for the passage of air. The regulating apparatus of the present invention comprises a valve substantially in the form of a disc which is adapted to operate in a spherical portion of the internal channel described above. The disc is removably mounted on the end of a rod, the rod being rotatably and hermetically mounted in a tubular support integral with the wall of the tuyere stock and connected on the outside thereof to a mechanism which serves to pivot both the rod and the valve about the longitudinal axis 0 of the rod.

Abstract: A tuyere stock removal device is presented which is particularly well suited for use in conjunction with those types of shaft furnaces having a hot air, closed circuit pipe line which runs a circular course around the bosh. The tuyere stock removal device is suspended by means of rollers on rails and forms an integrated mechanical unit with the hot air, closed circuit pipe line. The present invention will perform all of the handling operations necessary for the dismantling and reinstallation of the blast nozzle and pipe bend as well as the tuyere and any slanting down pipe associated therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the charging profile on the charging surface of a shaft furnace is presented. The apparatus consists of a plurality of level probes, each probe including a weight which is suspended vertically above the charging surface on the first end of a cable which projects from a supporting arm. The second end of each of these cables, in turn, is connected outside the furnace to respective winding drums, each drum being controlled by a driving device which raises or lowers the probe connected to the drum. This invention also consists of a monitoring device for measuring the unwinding of the cable from the drum and the descent of the probe onto the charging surface as well as a method of replacing an individual probe and its cable from outside the shaft furnace.