Abstract: A ceramic part to be used in a high temperature environment and that is preheated prior to use is manufactured by a process including shaping the part and subjecting the part to a heat treatment operation. The heat treatment operation is performed at least partially on location at a position of use of the part in the high temperature environment by a heating device that also is operated to perform the preheating of the part.

Abstract: A shutoff and/or control assembly for use in regulating the discharge from a metallurgical vessel includes a refractory ceramic rotor member to be coupled to a stator to be rotated relative thereto to control discharge. A drive rod has an inner end extending into the rotor member and engaging therewith such that rotation of the drive rod causes rotation of the rotor member. At least an inner end portion of the drive rod is formed of a ceramic material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for inserting a pouring pipe into a mold of a continuous casting machine. The pouring pipe is mounted in a truck, and the truck and pouring pipe combination are then mounted on a conveyor mechanism such that the pouring pipe is set in a substantially horizontal starting position. From this substantially horizontal starting position, the pouring pipe is guided along a pair of guide rails of the conveyor mechanism such that is pivots into a substantially vertical position and is moved into a waiting position wherein its lower end is inserted into the mold. In this waiting position, the pouring pipe is offset laterally from but aligned with a casting opening in the bottom wall of the metallurgical vessel. From this waiting position, the pouring pipe can be forced by a pusher mechanism into a pouring position beneath the casting opening of the metallurgical vessel, such that molten metal can be poured from the metallurgical vessel into the mold via a pouring pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for use in replacing a worn pouring pipe by moving a pouring pipe from a waiting position to a pouring position beneath a discharge opening of a metallurgical vessel, and for use in adjusting flow of molten metal from the metallurgical vessel through the discharge opening. For this purpose, slide rails are provided beneath the metallurgical vessel for supporting head plates of pouring pipe in the waiting position, the pouring position and a discharge position. Also, a linear actuator is provided for pushing the pouring pipe from the waiting position to the pouring position, and can be detachably coupled to the head plate of the pouring pipe so that it can move the pouring pipe in opposing direction to adjust the flow of molten metal through the discharge opening between zero flow and full flow.

Abstract: A composite assembly includes a ceramic inner member and an outer shell member fit around the inner member. The outer shell member is heated and expanded, the two members then are mutually located at predetermined positions relative to each other, and the members are cooled such that the outer shell member shrinks onto the inner member. Heating of the outer shell member is achieved by an inductive heater to result in the predetermined temperature, after which the inner member is moved to the predetermined position thereof relative to the outer shell member, while the outer shell member is maintained at such predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A shut-off and control valve is used in regulating the discharge of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel into a continuous casting plant for continuous casting of a sheet, strip or slab having a relatively wide width dimension with respect to thickness dimension. The valve includes an elongated refractory stator having therein an elongated recess defined by a cylindrical inner surface. The stator has therethrough an elongated slot-like discharge channel, and the stator is mounted adjacent an elongated outlet opening of a metallurgical vessel. An elongated refractory rotor is rotated about a longitudinal axis and has a cylindrical peripheral outer surface arranged symmetrically about such axis and complementary to the inner surface of the stator. The rotor has therethrough an elongated slot-like flow channel.

Abstract: A shut-off and control valve is used in regulating the discharge of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel into a continuous casting plant for continuous casting of a sheet, strip or slab having a relatively wide width dimension with respect to thickness dimension. The valve includes an elongated refractory stator having therein an elongated recess defined by a cylindrical inner surface. The stator has therethrough an elongated slot-like discharge channel, and the stator is mounted adjacent an elongated outlet opening of a metallurgical vessel. An elongated refractory rotor is rotated about a longitudinal axis and has a cylindrical peripheral outer surface arranged symmetrically about such axis and complementary to the inner surface of the stator. The rotor has therethrough an elongated slot-like flow channel.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to sealing structure for use in guiding molten metal from a metallurgical vessel and the seal thereof. The sealing structure includes first and second generally tubular refractory components one of which extends coaxially within the other with a clearance established therebetween. One of the components also has an annular groove therein confronting the other component at a sealing location. An open-ended elastically deformable spring ring is disposed in the annular groove and is self-biased into sealing engagement with a surface of the component that the annular groove confronts. The spring ring has a semi-annular main body and overlapped end portions extending from the main body.

Abstract: A rotary valve for controlling the discharge of molten metal in a substantially downward direction from a metallurgical vessel includes a refractory rotor rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis. The rotor has an outer peripheral surface, either conical or cylindrical, arranged symmetrically about the axis, and the rotor has therethrough a flow channel having inlet and outer ports, at least the outlet port opening onto the outer surface. A refractory stator has therein a recess defined by an inner surface, either conical or cylindrical, complementary to the outer surface of the rotor, the stator having therethrough a discharge channel. The rotor fits within the recess in the stator, with the outer and inner surfaces thereof being complementarily positioned symmetrically about the axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a gas washing sink in a centered manner within an opening through a perforated brick in a wall of a metallurgical vessel and for removing the sink from the perforated brick includes a support assembly to be fixedly mounted on the exterior of the wall of the metallurgical vessel adjacent the opening in the perforated brick. A fastening assembly supports the sink and is mounted with respect to the support assembly for movement relative thereto between an operating position, whereat the sink is pressed into the opening throgh the perforated brick in a centered manner, and a maintenance position, whereat the sink is withdrawn from the opening through the perforated brick. Structure moves the fastening assembly relative to the support assembly to the operating position. A withdrawal apparatus moves the fastening assembly relative to the support assembly from the operating position to the maintenance position.

Abstract: A refractory member has therethrough a flow channel for the passage of molten metal. At least an inner wall portion of the refractory member defining the flow channel is at least partially formed of a material that at least partially includes a ceramic material having the properties of being capable of being heated inductively and to being electrically conductive at a temperature at least equal to the liquidus temperature of the molten metal. A primary induction coil, preferably formed of an electrically conductive ceramic material, surrounds the flow channel and inductively heats the material of the inner wall portion to prevent freezing of molten metal within the flow channel and the formation of deposits therein.

Abstract: A refractory member has therethrough a flow channel for the passage of molten metal. At least an inner wall portion of the refractory member defining the flow channel is at least partially formed of a material that at least partially includes a ceramic material having the properties of being capable of being heated inductively and to being electrically conductive at a temperature at least equal to the liquidus temperature of the molten metal. A primary induction coil, preferably formed of an electrically conductive ceramic material, surrounds the flow channel and inductively heats the material of the inner wall portion to prevent freezing of molten metal within the flow channel and the formation of deposits therein.

Abstract: A flexible member capable of withstanding a high temperature environment and/or a corrosive atmosphere or media is formed of a component in a desired shape and of a ceramic material having a modulus of elasticity of 150,000 to 200,000 MPa and a flexural strength of more than 400 MPa. The component is provided with at least one reduced thickness portion to impart to the component a desired degree of flexibility and/or elasticity.

Abstract: A rotary valve for controlling the discharge of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a refractory rotor having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface and fitted within a recess defined by a cylindrical inner surface in a refractory stator and complementary to the outer surface. The rotor may be rotated about either a horizontal or a vertical axis relative to the stator and may be axially moved within the recess therein. The rotary valve may be mounted on the exterior of a bottom wall of a metallurgical vessel or alternatively may be mounted within a refractory lining of the metallurgical vessel, particularly in a transition area between a side wall and a bottom wall of the metallurigcal vessel. Further alternatively, the rotary valve may be mounted within the refractory lining of the bottom wall of the metallurgical vessel, with the rotor extending through the bottom wall and being actuated for movement from below the bottom wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a gas washing sink in a centered manner within an opening through a perforated brick in a wall of a metallurgical vessel and for removing the sink from the perforated brick includes a support assembly to be fixedly mounted on the exterior of the wall of the metallurgical vessel adjacent the opening in the perforated brick. A fastening assembly supports the sink and is mounted with respect to the support assembly for movement relative thereto between an operating position, whereat the sink is pressed into the opening through the perforated brick in a centered manner, and a maintenance position, whereat the sink is withdrawn from the opening through the perforated brick. Structures moves the fastening assembly relative to the support assembly to the operating position. A withdrawal apparatus moves the fastening assembly relative to the support assembly from the operating position to the maintenance position.

Abstract: A tap spout, particularly for allowing molten metal to be discharged from oxygen-steel converters, includes a replaceable unit including a tubular wear lining and a jointing layer secured thereto. An inner lining of the tap spout may thus be repaired with relatively simple maintenance work by removing the inner lining and subsequently inserting the replaceable unit into an outer lining of the tap spout to form a new inner lining of the tap spout. The replaceable unit is adapted to facilitate either a press fit, and in particular, a fit ensured by axial compression of the jointing layer, or an expansion fit with the outer lining to secure the replaceable unit therein.

Abstract: A gas washing sink for use in introducing gas through a metallurgical vessel into molten metal therein includes a gas permeable refractory inner brick portion and a gas impermeable refractory outer brick portion surrounding the inner brick portion. The inner and outer brick portions define a first sink end to be exposed to the molten metal. The outer brick portion has an end face defining a second sink end to be directed away from the molten metal. A gas distribution chamber has a first end open to the inner brick portion and a second end opening onto the end face of the outer brick portion and defined thereat by an opening. A sealing surface extending concentrically of the opening has pressed thereagainst, at a pressure sufficient to achieve a seal therebetween, a closure member for closing the second end of the gas distribution chamber and having a gas inlet connection for introducing gas into the gas distribution chamber.

Abstract: A safety-type gas washing sink for use in introducing gas through a metallurgical vessel and molten metal therein includes a refractory wearable brick portion defining a first sink end to be exposed to the molten metal and becoming worn during use, such wearable brick portion having therethrough gas flow paths for the passage of gas into the molten metal, and a refractory safety brick portion defining a second sink end to be directed away from the molten metal and through which the gas can be delivered to the gas flow paths in the wearable sink portion. The safety brick portion has a higher thermal conductivity than the wearable brick portion, and the gas flow paths continue into the safety brick portion. Thus, any molten metal that breaks through the wearable brick portion to the safety brick portion will be caused to solidify at the safety brick portion due to rapid dissipation of heat thereby.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a regulating device of a metallurgical vessel for regulating the flow of molten metal from the vessel. The device includes a fixed refractory part defining a first cylindrical peripheral surface of the device and a movable refractory part that is rotatable and/or slidable relative to the fixed refractory part and defines a second cylindrical peripheral surface sealingly engaged with the first cylindrical peripheral surface. An actuating device is connected to the movable refractory part for rotating and/or sliding the movable refractory part relative to the fixed refractory part. The cylindrical peripheral surfaces of the refractory parts are spaced apart from one another so as to define an annular gap therebetween.

Abstract: A rotary valve for controlling the discharge of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a refractory rotor having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface and fitted within a recess defined by a cylindrical inner surface in a refractory stator and complementary to the outer surface. The rotor may be rotated about either a horizontal or a vertical axis relative to the stator and may be axially moved within the recess therein. The rotary valve may be mounted on the exterior of a bottom wall of a metallurgical vessel or alternatively may be mounted within a refractory lining of the metallurgical vessel, particularly in a transition area between a side wall and a bottom wall of the metallurgical vessel. Further alternatively, the rotary valve may be mounted within the refractory lining of the bottom wall of the metallurgical vessel, with the rotor extending through the bottom wall and being actuated for movement from below the bottom wall.