Abstract: A molten metal processing vessel is supported on a trunnion support by a plurality of upper and lower link members each having a pair of legs. One pair of link member legs are coupled to and are disposed between three hinge members affixed to the vessel. The other legs of the upper members are also pivotally connected to and disposed between three hinge members mounted atop the trunnion support and the other legs of the lower members are pivotally connected to and disposed between three hinge members mounted on an auxiliary ring disposed adjacent the lower end of the trunnion support. The gap between the legs which are coupled to the vessel is greater than those coupled to the trunnion support. The trunnion support includes a plurality of spring washers disposed between an auxiliary ring and a trunnion and are prestressed by a spring seat and tapered spring adjustment members.

Abstract: A metallurgical vessel includes a plurality of tuyeres for respectively delivering process materials to molten metal contained within the vessel. A first plurality of axial passages are provided in at least one vessel trunnion pin for conducting fluids to and from the vessel and a second plurality of radial passages are also formed in the trunnion pin and each respectively intersects one of the axial passages. An adapter sealingly engages the outer end of each radial passage and is retained in position by a common cover plate. The outer end of each adapter extends through the cover plate and is constructed and arranged for being coupled to one end of a conduit, the other end of which is connected to one of said tuyeres.

Abstract: A molten metal processing vessel is supported on a trunnion ring by a plurality of triangular members and adjustable links. Each triangular member is pivotally connected to the vessel to a clamp ring which engages the upper trunnion ring flange. The links are pivotally connected to the vessel and to a second clamp ring which engages the lower trunnion ring flange. A plurality of disk springs are disposed between the second clamp ring and the trunnion ring.

Abstract: A metallurgical vessel supported on a trunnion ring includes a plurality of bracket assemblies, each having a bracket plate which slidably engages a shoe for movement during vessel expansion and contraction. A replaceable wear shim is interposed between the sliding shoe and the upper surface of the vessel trunnion ring. A gib assembly is mounted adjacent the lateral ends of each sliding shoe. Each gib assembly includes a gib block secured to the trunnion ring for clamping engagement with the wear shim, the sliding shoe, and the bracket plate. Tapered spacers are interposed between each gib block, bracket plate and sliding shoe to accommodate relative movement of the block and the bracket plate during vessel expansion and contraction. The vessel may also include a second plurality of bracket assemblies disposed adjacent the lower surface of the trunnion ring and engaging a lower sliding shoe.

Abstract: A metallurgical vessel includes first and second tuyeres for respectively delivering process materials above and below the level of molten metal contained within the vessel. Coupled to one of the trunnion pins which support the vessel for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis is a rotary joint which defines a plurality of concentric flow paths for transporting cooling liquid to the vessel and process fluids to the first and second tuyeres. The passages are provided by a first plurality of coaxially spaced apart annular fixed members and a second plurality coaxially spaced apart annular members mounted on the trunnion pin and rotatable therewith. At least some of the plurality of members have portions which define lateral flow paths interconnecting one of the concentric flow paths.

Abstract: A metallurgical vessel has upper and lower brackets which engage a trunnion ring for support along inclined surfaces whose total vertical angle has a tangent equal to the growth of the vessel radially in the region of its said brackets to the elongation of that portion of the vessel between the brackets.

Abstract: A molten metal processing vessel is supported on a trunnion ring by a plurality of triangular members and adjustable links. Each triangular member is pivotally connected to the vessel to a clamp ring which engages the upper trunnion ring flange. The connection at the apex of the triangular member includes a ball and socket for universal pivotal movement. The links are pivotally connected to the vessel and to a second clamp ring which engages the lower trunnion ring flange. A plurality of disk springs are disposed between the second clamp ring and the trunnion ring.

Abstract: A centerplate wear liner for hot metal mixer cars includes a split ring side wear liner having a shroud on its outer surface. The shroud fits within an annular groove machined into the socket which receives the centerplate. A disc wear liner is placed within the ring wear liner and serves both as a wear liner and as a locking device to prevent the shroud of the side wear liner ring from escaping from the groove.

Abstract: A refractory lined vessel has an open top and a plurality of brackets for engaging a trunnion ring to which it is coupled by bracket retainer assemblies. Each bracket retainer assembly includes pairs of gib plates affixed to the trunnion ring adjacent the opposite sides of the brackets and end members having feet which extend into openings in the plates for being retained in position by suitable shims and having aligned bores for receiving the end of a shaft which also extends to each of the bracket gusset plates.

Abstract: A system for moving metallurgical vessels includes a hydraulic vessel lifting apparatus designed to raise the vessel out of supporting contact with a horseshoe-shaped trunnion ring and for lowering it onto a specially designed transfer car. The car moves the vessel to relining or bottom exchange stations where the vessel is removed by a similar hydraulic lifting apparatus from the car. The car is then used to move a second vessel to the operating station and position it on the trunnion ring. The melt shop layout includes a turntable for permitting the vessel transfer car to be selectively directed to desired locations.

Abstract: A metallurgical vessel includes a plurality of brackets which engage the upper surface of a trunnion ring for support. A gib assembly is mounted adjacent the lateral sides of each bracket. Each gib assembly includes a first member secured to the trunnion ring and a second member removably and slidably mounted on the first member for movement into and out of the clamping engagement with the side of its associated bracket. The vessel may also include a second plurality of brackets engaging the lower surface of the trunnion ring and shim blocks mounted on the trunnion ring and adjacent the lateral side of each bottom bracket for movement into wedging engagement therewith.

Abstract: An open-topped vessel for converting molten ferrous metal to steel is pivotal about a horizontal axis and has bottom tuyeres for blowing oxygen or other gases upwardly through molten metal. An enclosure at least partially surrounds the vessel and cooperates with a smoke hood to prevent the escape of pollutants when the vessel is in its vertical position. A pair of access doors are provided for closing an opening provided in the enclosure laterally of the vessel tilt axis and are mounted for movement in opposite directions. An auxiliary smoke hood is mounted in the enclosure above the opening for capturing pollutants when the vessel is tilted toward said opening for being charged. The inner surface of the doors are formed of a plurality of tubular members which extend generally vertically and are connected to inlet and outlet headers at their opposite ends. The doors may be provided with a removable section in the region most directly impacted by materials discharging from the vessel when the vessel is tilted.

Abstract: A hot metal mixer has an elongate hollow vessel mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis adjacent each end on a cradle, each of which is supported on pairs of parallel trucks disposed on separate sets of rails. Each cradle extends transversely between the trucks of each pair and is coupled to one truck by a spherical bearing and to the other by spherical and roller bearings to permit thermal expansion and contraction, slight track misalignment and travel around curves. A pair of spouts for receiving or pouring metal are disposed in the upper side portion of the vessel and in spaced relation from the top center.

Abstract: An open topped, refractory lined metallurgical converter vessel has a metallic shell. A cooling jacket is affixed to the frusto-conical nose portion of the shell and comprises a plurality of right angle members affixed to the shell in a side-by-side relation and extending generally in the axial direction. The members have their edges respectively affixed to the shell surface and to the side of the next adjacent member such that one leg of each member is perpendicular and the other is parallel to the vessel surface. An opening is formed in the perpendicular leg of each angle member with the opening in adjacent members located at opposite ends to define a serpentine water flow path therethrough. Plate sections are affixed to the upper end of the angle members and to the shell to define a nose cooling ring and return flow path for cooling water. Further arcuate plate sections which at least partially surround the vessel at the lower ends of the angle members define water inlet and return flow paths.

Abstract: A molten metal processing vessel is surrounded by a trunnion ring. A plurality of flat beam members are affixed at one end to the trunnion ring and their other ends are each apertured for pivotally engaging one of a plurality of pins extending fixedly from the vessel.

Abstract: A water cooled, off-gas collecting hood is adapted to be disposed above the open end of a metallurgical vessel into which oxygen and a hydrocarbon shielding fluid are blown through submerged tuyeres. The hood includes an elbow section at its upper end for being coupled to an obliquely downwardly extending conduit communicating with the inlet of a gas cleaning system. A water cooled flow divider is disposed across the elbow and between the upper end of the vessel and the top of the elbow for dividing into upper and lower flow paths the gases discharging from the vessel and which are redirected in the elbow laterally to the conduit.