Abstract: A sliding gate valve (20) for a container containing molten metal has a housing portion (14) securable to the container and a slider unit (30) which is longitudinally movable with respect to the container. Respective refractory valve plates (22, 23) are insertable into the housing portion, and may be pressed against one another by spring elements (26). The refractory valve plates serve to open and close the valve (20). The slider unit (30) is mounted so as to be longitudinally movable on the housing portion by a plurality of mounting components (40) aligned perpendicular to the slider unit 30. The mounting components (40) are each secured to the housing portion (14) and on an opposite end have a guide which slides on a guide track (36) constructed on the slider unit (30). The mounting components (40) have a respective peg-shaped connecting element (25), a spring element (26) acting on the connecting element in the axial direction, and the guide supported on the connecting element (25).

Abstract: A valve plate for a sliding gate valve has a refractory plate and a metal shell surrounding it. Associated with the plate is a centering device which is preferably constituted by two abutment surfaces, which are arranged at a defined spacing from one another and which rise up substantially and at least partially perpendicular towards a plate support constituted by a metal shell and have a thickness substantially equal to the metal shell thickness. These abutment surfaces are so arranged that, in an inserted and centered state of the plate, they engage correspondingly shaped abutment surfaces on a metal frame. The plate may, thus, be manufactured simply and economically.

Abstract: A sliding gate valve arrangement is provided with a molten metal vessel having an outlet and guide tracks secured to the vessel extending transverse to the outlet. The housing frame is slidably mountable on the guide tracks. The housing frame has a refractory base plate and a slider unit therein and a plurality of spring elements. The slider unit includes a refractory sliding plate that can be sealingly pressed into engagement with the refractory base plate with the spring elements. A drive element is connectable with the slider unit for moving the slider unit back and forth. The guide tracks are of a predetermined length such that the housing frame, when disposed on the guide tracks, is slidable over a predetermined distance between a first position in which the housing frame positions the refractory base plate and the slider unit below the outlet of the molten metal vessel and a second position in which the housing frame is released from the guide tracks and the molten metal vessel.

Abstract: A metallurgical vessel has a refractory head piece and a vessel outlet at the refractory head piece. A sliding gate valve for this metallurgical vessel includes a housing frame that is mounted to the vessel at the outlet so as to be removable therefrom. A slider unit is mounted in the housing frame having a sliding plate therein. A refractory base plate is also mounted in the housing frame, and has an upper side with a plane sliding surface that is engaged with the refractory head piece and a lower side having a lower sliding surface that is parallel to the plane sliding surface. The sliding plate is pressed against the lower sliding surface of the refractory base plate. The refractory base plate is fixed in the housing frame in a direction parallel to the sliding surfaces of the refractory base plate, but is movable in the housing frame in a direction perpendicular to the sliding surface of the refractory base plate.

Abstract: A slide gate nozzle for controlling the discharge of molten metal from a spout of a converter vessel includes a refractory bottom plate to be positioned stationarily with a discharge opening thereof aligned with an opening of the spout. A refractory slide valve plate is mounted for sliding movement relative to the bottom plate such that a discharge opening of the slide valve plate is brought into and out of alignment with the discharge opening of the bottom plate. A plurality of refractory shut-off plates are positioned sealingly between the bottom plate and the slide valve plate. A coupling mechanism is operably mounted to the shut-off plates to sequentially connect the shut-off plates rigidly either to the bottom plate or to the slide valve plate. As a result, the shut-off plates may be used sequentially to replace the slide valve plate.

Abstract: A refractory assembly for use in a sliding closure unit to control the discharge of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a refractory plate having therethrough a discharge opening and having a sliding surface. A metal sheath is mounted exteriorly of the refractory plate. The sheath includes a protruding collar surrounding the discharge opening and extending in a direction away from the sliding surface beyond a portion of the refractory plate that confronts a refractory sleeve of the sliding closure unit to define therewith a joint. The protruding collar encloses the joint outwardly and thereby prevents molten metal breakthrough at the joint.