Abstract: A refractory plate for a sliding gate valve at the outlet of a vessel containing molten metal has a polygonal external shape and has a longitudinal axis, on both sides of which at least two side surfaces, disposed at an obtuse angel (.gamma.) to one another, extend and serve as clamping surfaces of the plate in a metallic frame (11) or the like. The shorter side surfaces are arranged to extend at an angle (.alpha.) of between 20.degree. and 50.degree. to the longitudinal axis while the longer side surfaces are arranged to extend at an angle (.beta.) of between 10.degree. and 30.degree. to the longitudinal axis. The refractory plate can thus be optimally clamped and an increased service life is thus consequently achieved.

Abstract: A coupling is used to couple a linear actuator with a slider valve unit in a sliding gate valve for a molten metal vessel. The slider valve unit is slidably mounted in a slider housing for movement in a longitudinal direction, and has a push rod for this purpose. A linear actuator mounting is provided on the slider housing, and the linear actuator is mounted in the linear actuator mounting. The linear actuator has a drive rod movable in a longitudinal direction when the linear actuator is mounted in the linear actuator mounting. The coupling has a structure such that when the linear actuator is mounted in the linear actuator mounting, and the drive rod is moved toward the slider valve unit, the coupling automatically couples the drive rod with the push rod. Furthermore, when the linear actuator is removed from the linear actuator mounting, the coupling automatically uncouples the drive rod from the push rod.

Abstract: A discharge assembly for controlling the discharge of molten metal from a vessel includes a stator member mounted to extend through the vessel and a rotor member coupled to the stator member to be rotatable relative thereto. A lateral opening in the rotor member is brought into and out of alignment with a lateral opening in the stator member, thereby opening communication to a longitudinal discharge passage through the stator member. One of the members has a projection fitting into a recess in the other member, with complementary sliding sealing surfaces therebetween. The projection comprises an insert formed separately from the respectively member and fixed thereto to be non-rotatable relative thereto.

Abstract: A shut off plate assembly for use in a slide gate includes a refractory plate having on respective opposite sides thereof a planar surface defining a slide plane of the slide gate and a recess. A discharge opening extends through the refractory plate and at opposite ends thereof opens onto the planar surface and into the recess. The recess thus expands outwardly the discharge opening. An insert is formed of a highly refractory material and has therethrough a discharge opening. The insert is positioned in the recess with the discharge openings of the plate member and the insert in alignment and defining a discharge passage through the assembly. The insert and the plate member have respective confronting surfaces that define a joint that opens into the discharge passage. Thus, a gas may be injected through the joint into the discharge passage.

Abstract: A regulating device for regulating the flow of molten metal from metallurgical vessel includes an inner tubular part which is fixed to the metallurgical vessel and defines at least one through-hole, and a movable outer tubular part rotatably and/or slidably mounted to the metallurgical vessel and extending around the tubular inner part. The tubular outer part terminates at a bottom edge constituted by a contiguous land extending around the tubular inner part. The tubular outer part can be slid and/or rotated between open and closed positions at which the through-hole of the tubular inner part is opened and closed, respectively. To prevent plugs of molten metal from hardening in the at least one through-hole of the tubular inner part, the bottom edge of the tubular outer part is designed so that a portion of the land thereof passes across the at least one through-hole when the tubular outer part is moved between the open and closed position.

Abstract: A flow starting tube for initiating the discharge flow of molten material in a vessel through a bottom discharge opening thereof extends upwardly from a lower end fitted to the discharge opening to thereby block access of the molten material to the discharge opening. The flow starting tube has a configuration such that it is broken away at a predetermined breaking position when the level of molten material in the vessel reaches a suitable level. Such breaking away at the predetermined breaking position is achieved under the influence of the molten material burning through the flow starting tube at the predetermined breaking position and/or the influence of the buoyancy in the molten material of a portion of the flow starting tube above the predetermined breaking position.

Abstract: A refractory shutoff assembly for controlling the discharge of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a refractory tubular stator to be mounted in a wall of a metallurgical vessel. The stator has an axial opening, inner and outer surfaces, and at least one transverse opening extending between the inner and outer surfaces. The assembly also includes a refractory rotor including inner and outer tubular sections arranged concentrically relative to each other. At least one of the inner and outer tubular sections has therethrough at least one transverse opening. The rotor is arranged with an outer surface of the inner tubular section sealing with the inner surface of the stator and with an inner surface of the outer tubular section sealing with the outer surface of the stator.

Abstract: A unit for controlling the discharge of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a valve having a refractory stator fixed to refractory material of the unit constituting lining of the vessel and a refractory rotor disposed in the stator and movable relative to the stator between open and closed positions of the valve. The stator and the rotor have flow control passageways extending therein which can place the interior of the metallurgical vessel in communication with a discharge opening of the valve. A seal is established between the stator and the rotor over a portion thereof that surrounds the flow control passageways such that molten metal may not pass from the flow control passageways into an area between the stator and the rotor.

Abstract: For the procedure a gas, heated to at least 1000 degrees Celsius, preferably even beyond the liquid temperature of the melt, is blown into the discharge opening (26). In this manner freezing problems and deposits in the discharge opening can be largely prevented. The pouring sleeve (20) according to the invention has a gas supply line (21), leading into a gas permeable insert (23) surrounding the opening (26), which is led for a certain length along the upper range of the sleeve (20) which is in contact with the melt, for the purpose of heating the gas.

Abstract: A discharge nozzle assembly for discharging molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a refractory nozzle brick having therethrough a discharge passage. An annular member formed of a refractory gas-permeable material is embedded in the nozzle brick and has an inner surface defining a discharge passage aligned with the discharge passage of the nozzle brick. A processing gas is supplied to the annular, gas-permeable member which supplies such gas to the discharge passage. The annular member is encased in metal, except for the inner surface thereof, to prevent leakage of the gas.

Abstract: An apparatus, for use with a metallurgical vessel for the continuous casting of molten metal through a discharge opening thereof, prevents solidification of the first charge of molten metal in the discharge opening. A first overflow pipe is mounted above the discharge opening, and a second overflow pipe is mounted about the first overflow pipe and defines therewith an annular recess. Within the recess is provided a material capable of effecting the flow characteristics of the first portion of the molten material to be discharged.