Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a downcomer conduit through which crude blast furnace gas is delivered to a dust catcher. A frame is provided which is completely integrated with the upper part of the dust catcher enclosure and which is a prolongation of the walls of the enclosure. The frame provides a fluid-tight compartment which allows for hermetic sealing of the valve from the environment external to the conduit.

Abstract: A mechanism for guiding and positioning a workpiece of a machine for drilling or plugging a tap hole of a shaft furnace, the mechanism comprising a main pivot, a support arm which is rotatably mounted at one end on the main pivot, an intermediate arm having one end thereof pivotally fitted by an auxiliary pivot to the free end of the support arm, the auxiliary pivot being inclined with respect to the main pivot, a workpiece holding bar rotatably and adjustably mounted to the other end of the intermediate arm, said workpiece holding bar capable of having a workpiece mounted thereon, a guide rod pivotally mounted at one end to the intermediate arm and pivotally mounted at the other end to a fixed point in the vicinity of the main pivot, and a drive mechanism serving to pivot the workpiece and the support arm about the main pivot from a retracted position to an operational position, the workpiece being in angular adjustment with respect to the tap hole, the adjustment being performed by rotating the workpiece ho

Abstract: A blast furnace taphole drilling apparatus is mounted so as to be movable, between the taphole drilling and retracted positions, in an inclined plane. The mounting means for the drilling apparatus permits the vertical and/or angular adjustment of the drill bit and the drill is held in the operative position solely under the influence of hydraulic pressure. Motive fluid for the drill of the taphole drilling apparatus is delivered to the drill, which is mounted for movement along a support beam, either by a rigid conduit system or via flexible conduits which are played out from and rewound on a reel.

Abstract: A rotatable and angularly adjustable charging and distribution device for shaft furnaces, particularly blast furnaces, is presented. A cylindrical or frustoconical distribution spout is suspended at three points which define a plane. The three points of suspension are caused to move longitudinally (i.e. substantially vertically) and synchronously whereby the lateral surface of the distribution spout may be caused to move in a path which is virtually conical without rotating the suspension points about the vertical axis of the furnace. The suspension points may be moved either by delivering a driving force to them or by applying a traction force to them.

Abstract: A hermetic expansion joint employing an external bellows and means positioned within the bellows for limiting the relative axial displacements of the conduits being joined in both compression and tension. The expansion joint device has, located within the annular chamber defined by the bellows, a layer of compressible refractory material which bridges the joint between the conduits and a shielding tube which envelopes the compressible refractory material. The expansion joint device is further provided, on oppositely disposed fittings which connect the bellows to the conduits, with means for limiting the axial width of the joint.