With Means Pivotally Mounting Vessel Patents (Class 266/245)
  • Patent number: 11624407
    Abstract: A rolling bearing assembly includes an inner ring supported by a shaft or formed by a surface of the shaft, an outer ring supported in a housing or formed by a surface of the housing, a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and at least one distance sensor configured to measure a distance between the shaft and the housing in order to detect wear of the rolling bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Mathias Seuberling
  • Patent number: 11286193
    Abstract: A submerged combustion melting system includes a submerged combustion melter having a housing that defines a melting chamber and one or more vibration damping devices operatively coupled to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Steven James Mighton, William Wyatt Toth, Alvin Lee Miller, Bruno Andre Purnode
  • Patent number: 10370278
    Abstract: A submerged combustion melting system (90) includes a submerged combustion melter (100) having a housing (102) that defines a melting chamber (104) and one or more vibration damping devices (340) operatively coupled to the housing (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: OCV Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Steven James Mighton, William Wyatt Toth, Alvin Lee Miller, Bruno Andre Purnode
  • Patent number: 9822813
    Abstract: A self-adjusting instrumented rolling bearing providing an outer ring and an inner ring delimiting a rolling chamber and at least one row of rolling elements disposed therein, and a detection device including a target integral with the outer ring and a sensor integral with the inner ring, configured to detect a relative rotation between the outer ring and the inner ring around a central axis. The outer ring has an inner surface in the form of a spherical portion centered about a tilting center of the bearing and forming a rolling surface for the rolling elements. The radius of the inner surface of the outer ring is greater than a distance defined between the tilting center of the bearing and a specific position of the sensor that is the farthest from the tilting center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Francois Niarfeix
  • Patent number: 9568054
    Abstract: An actuating device has an actuating member (2) pivotable in a first operating state about an axis (1). The actuating member (2) is connected in a torsion-proof manner with a toothed member (3). The toothed member (3), in a second operating state, prevents pivoting movement of the actuating member (2). The toothed member is coupled, in a lockable manner, with a detent member (4). The detent member 4 is movably mounted with respect to the axis (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: DE-STA-CO Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Schuh, Detlev Ulle
  • Patent number: 8007711
    Abstract: In a method for operating a converter (1), in which the converter (1) is mounted in a carrying ring (3) by means of carrying journals (2), a gear mechanism (4) is mounted in a floating manner on the carrying journals (2), the converter (1) is configured, as a result, such that it can tilt about its horizontal axis and the gear mechanism (4) is connected rigidly to a pedestal (6) by a torque support (5), the torque support (5) connects the gear mechanism (4) to the pedestal (6) during the tilting operation of the converter (1), and the torque support (5) is released from the pedestal (6) or from the gear mechanism (4) or from both during operation of the converter (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: SMSDEMAG Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Imiela, Stephan Schulze, Stephan Six, Christoph Sundermann, Joerg Hertel, Rolf Best
  • Patent number: 7871560
    Abstract: A metallurgical vessel having support brackets mounted on a vessel wall. The support brackets are mounted by a mounting system on a support body that does not completely surround the circumference of the vessel. The mounting system includes clamps that act on the support brackets. A coupling device is provided, which has, a first coupling component designed as a male part mounted on the support body and a second coupling component designed as a female part mounted on the vessel wall. The first and second coupling components are configured and arranged so as to automatically engage when the clamps are in the engaged position and to automatically disengage when the clamps are not in the engaged position. The coupling device has sealing elements and a coupling mechanism of the first coupling component relative to the second coupling component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rolf Best, Wilhelm Köper, Telita Moreira Köper, legal representative, Marcel Fasswald, Lutz Rose
  • Patent number: 6544471
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing steels with predominantly high Cr content and/or ferro-alloys, wherein the metal charge is melted in a melting crucible, is alloyed, refined and reduced, and wherein process gases are simultaneously supplied through bottom nozzles. A melting crucible is used with a specific reaction volume of 0.4 to 1.5 m3/t steel and the injection rates of the process gases are controlled in the range of 0.1 to 3.0 N m3/t/min. The solid charge material is melted by an electric arc and air/nitrogen are injected simultaneously and, after forming a liquid sump, a gas mixture of oxygen and inert gas is injected. After adding slag-forming constituents and alloying agents, the oxygen throughput is increased and the power of the electric arc is reduced accordingly. The oxygen throughput is reduced in relation to the inert gas during refining and decarburization takes place as a result of increasing the electric arc with low chromium slag formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wei-Ping Wu, Karl-Heinz Deppner, Karl-Josef Schneider
  • Patent number: 6299829
    Abstract: A device for immobilizing an element (1) of a kinematic system comprising a member (11) having on its periphery upstanding parts and recessed parts of complementary profile to upstanding and recessed parts of the element to be immobilized and mounted at the end of an arm (14), a unit for moving the member (11) between a passive position disengaged from the element (1) to be immobilized and an position in which the respective upstanding and recessed parts of the element (1) and the member interpenetrate to immobilize the element (1) for placing the upstanding parts opposite the recessed parts of the element (1) and the member (11), respectively, and a device for detecting the position of the arm (14) carrying the member (11). The invention applies to immobilizing a toothed ring of a steelmaking converter ladle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Compagnie Engrenages et Reducteurs-Messian-Durand
    Inventors: Laurent Chichery, Louis Faure, Claude Liszczynski
  • Patent number: 6290901
    Abstract: A converter including a tiltable body, a mantle ring spaced from the converter body, supportable in support lugs and having a rectangular cross-section with upper and lower flanges, and lamella suspensions and body guides for connecting the mantle ring with the converter body, with the lamella suspension including a lamella pair having one of its opposite ends releasably secured to a first attachment bracket connected to the lower flange of the mantle ring, and having another of its opposite ends releasably secured to the second attachment bracket connected with the converter body, and with the body guide including two walls secured to the mantle ring, and a guide element displaceable backlash-free between the two guide walls in a circumferential direction and releasably connected to a third attachment bracket secured to the converter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag AG
    Inventor: Winfried Laubach
  • Patent number: 6228320
    Abstract: A converter is provided having a converter vessel carried on a trunnion ring by a mounting system. The mounting system has six mounting elements including a plurality of mounting elements incorporating pendulum rods and one mounting element incorporating a stabilizer device. Each pendulum rod is connected at one end to the trunnion ring and at the other end to the converter vessel. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mounting system includes three longitudinal mounting devices each having a longitudinal pendulum rod; two transverse mounting devices each having a transverse pendulum rod; and a stabilizer device having a pair of spaced stabilizer blocks connected to the trunnion ring and a pair of stabilizer elements connected to the converter vessel. The longitudinal mounting devices and the stabilizer device are located below the trunnion ring and the transverse mounting devices are located above the trunnion ring when the converter vessel is in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Rashed Nagati, Bernhard Enkner, Rudolf Gruber, Guenther Staudinger, Thomas Daum
  • Patent number: 5738823
    Abstract: To improve operation, particularly to allow more universal use, in which both liquid and solid crude metal, especially iron can be refined in only one reactor vessel, a reactor vessel (1) is of converter-like design with a relatively large space above a melt (7) and with slag (8) lying above said melt. For the removal of slag (8) via a closable slag channel (18'), the meltdown apparatus can be rotated about a center of rotation (20) through .+-.8.degree.. For the complete removal of the melt (7) via a closable melt channel (17') in the bottom region of the meltdown apparatus, the latter can be rotated about a center of rotation (19) through .+-.30.sup.. A magnetic coil (16) fed with direct current and arranged around the meltdown apparatus (1) serves for the magnetic damping of movements of melt (7) and/or slag (8) inside the meltdown apparatus. In the converter mode, a graphite electrode (5) used in the arc mode is replaced by a gas supply conduit, through which oxygen is then supplied under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Goran Grimfjard, Erik Alfred Lassander, Gerhard Lempa, Sven-Einar Stenkvist
  • Patent number: 5452881
    Abstract: An inexpensive crucible capable of obtaining a high analytical accuracy is provided. A circular projection is formed in a portion above a portion having an intermediate height on an inner circumferential surface of the graphite crucible to prevent contamination of the sample gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Horiba Ltd.
    Inventor: Morinobu Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5364079
    Abstract: A tiltable converter arrangement is disclosed in which a converter vessel is supported by a carrying ring surrounding and spaced from the converter. The carrying ring includes two diametrically oppositely arranged carrying trunnions. The converter is supported within the carrying ring by a plurality of guide rods, the converter being movable in the upright position. Each of the guide rods is designed as a pendulum rod each have a first end and a second end in which the first end is connected to the carrying ring by means of a spherical bearing and the second end connected to the converter vessel also by means of a spherical bearing, such as to provide an articulate universal joint between the carrying ring and the converter vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Gruber, Rupert Berger, Bernhard Enkner, Gerhard Losbichler
  • Patent number: 5222096
    Abstract: An induction furnace (1) for melting and casting purposes has a closed crucible pot (2) with a pot bottom (3) and a cover (4), a crucible (6) housed in the crucible pot and surrounded by an induction coil (7), and an ascending tube (9) reaching into the crucible, through which the crucible can be emptied into a casting apparatus by means of gas pressure. To permit continuous operation and measurements and analyses during operation, the ascending tube (9) is fastened exclusively to the pot bottom (3) and connected with a horizontal delivery tube (11) which is brought through a side wall of the pot bottom (3). Furthermore, above a separation seam (24) between pot bottom (3) and cover (4) a turret (39) with a vertical axis of rotation is disposed, which has a charging air lock (26) for charging the crucible (6) with melt material (27) and a measuring chamber (36). The charging air lock and measuring chamber can be connected alternately with an air lock valve (25) which is disposed on the top of the cover (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Leybold Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wolfgang Reuter
  • Patent number: 5143683
    Abstract: A shield comprising a refractory material resistant to pentration by a continuous stream of molten steel and a retaining means to hold the refractory material contiguous to a heat absorption surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Bethlehem Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Barry S. Glassman, Philip D. Stelts, Joseph W. Hlinka, Charles R. Beechan, Lester A. Foster, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5003835
    Abstract: A torque support for drives riding on trunnions, in particular for converter tilt drives, including a gear housing mounted on the trunnion which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, a drive motor attached by a flange or bolting to a step-down gearing which engages, via pinion, with a larger gear wheel fixed for rotation on the trunnion. The torque support includes a pair of guide rods located symmetrically to the axis of rotation of the trunnion, each guide rod includes a first and second oppositely positioned part, the first and second rod part have an upper and lower end and a respective free end opposite thereto; the upper ends are pivotally mounted on the gear housing and the lower ends are connected to each other via either a compression-tension bar or torsion shaft, upon which the lower ends are pivotally mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilhelm Ackermann, Karlheinz Langlitz, Gunter Schmitz
  • Patent number: 4946141
    Abstract: The invention relates to a converter comprising a vessel (1) resting on two supports (2) by means of two rotational bearing members (3) located diametrically opposite to each other and centered on the same tilting axis (15).According to the invention, the two bearing members of the vessel (1) consist respectively of two collars (3, 3') with a fairly large diameter, which bear against rollers (5) and which form an integral part of the vessel (1), each collar (3, 3') being fixed directly onto the side wall of the vessel along its internal edge (31); the diameter of the collar (3) being determined so that a connection over a sufficient length is ensured.The invention relates especially to the manufacture of steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: CLECIM
    Inventor: Robert Vatant
  • Patent number: 4817919
    Abstract: A casting device in particular a converter for pouring and/or treating of molten metal is provided with a tilting mechanism. A tilting arm with two turn- or tilting axles at least is provided for. A guiding segment allied to the tilting arm show--according to the relation to the tilting axle--different arc radii. The segment is motor-driven and spanned by one chain at least.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: George Fischer Limited
    Inventors: Hermann Mutschlechner, Herbert Platzer, Rudolf Pavlovsky
  • Patent number: 4799651
    Abstract: A mechanism and flow conduits for introducing and transporting a set of separated fluids and a stream of solid fines through passageway in a rotating metallurgical converter for introducing such fluids and solid fines into a liquid metal contained in the converter.Stationary conduits from flow sources connect to a non rotative sleeve which forms the external portion of a rotary joint able to introduce a set of separated fluids into the rotating converter passageways. Each separated stationary fluid conduit connects to port holes in the fixed sleeve to lead the flow to the interior of the sleeve, and connects a circumferential channel formed in rotating rings located between a rotating shaft affixed to the converter vessel trunnion pin and the static sleeve with a seal between each adjacent ring and corresponding channel. A port hole is located in each rotating channel ring for leading the fluid through internal flow paths inside and along the axis of the shaft body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Inventors: Arturo Lazcano-Navarro, Miguel A. Alcantara, Jose E. Hernandez-Ruiz
  • Patent number: 4606531
    Abstract: This invention relates to a rotary joint for introducing a plurality of different separated fluids from a first static system, to a second system that is rotating with respect to the first, namely for passing fluids and solid fines carried in fluids into a rotatable iron converter through rotary trunnion couplings. The separated different fluids are passed simultaneously through a stationary cylindrical sleeve surrounding a rotating core shaft coupled to the trunnion. Conduits housed in such stationary sleeve pass the fluids to separate circumferential channels axially located along the rotating shaft from which a set of independent lines transporting fluids axially through the trunnion which is rotating with respect to the receiving static sleeve. Between the separate channels in the rotating shaft there are seals that do not permit the passage of a fluid from a given channel conduit into any other. This makes the conduction of fluids in the lines and/or channels independent of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Instituto Mexicano de Investigaciones Siderurgicas
    Inventors: Arturo Lazcano-Navarro, Miguel A. Alcantara
  • Patent number: 4516757
    Abstract: A tiltable metallurgical vessel is rotatable about pivot pins which are supported in bearings. At least one of the pivot pins is hollow so that a material carrying conduit can pass through the pivot pin desired materials from a remote source to a desired operational site of the furnace. In addition, other material carrying conduits are provided to the operational sites of the furnace. These latter conduits are connected, at one end, to stationary tapping points and, at the other end, to the operational sites of the vessel. The conduits are guided around (by being coiled by at least one full turn) an enlarged cylindrical portion of the hollow pivot pins.In one embodiment of the invention, the enlarged cylindrical portion of the hollow pins are winding drums which are themselves constructed of symmetrical cylinder halves. In this manner, the winding drum can be easily retrofitted onto a preexisting vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karlheinz Langlitz, Gunter Schmitz
  • Patent number: 4478102
    Abstract: A tilt drive is provided for a metallurgical vessel which is mounted on a large sprocket wheel driven by two or more reduction gears. The reduction gears are joined by a torque equalizing apparatus which transmits torque from the pinion of one gear to the pinion of the other, thus acting as a forced synchronizer. The torque equalizing apparatus is effective in both the dynamic and static operations of the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilhelm Ackermann, Karlheinz Langlitz
  • Patent number: 4436291
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: Pennsylvania Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Rashed N. Nagati
  • Patent number: 4406666
    Abstract: A device for the gasification of carbon containing material to obtain the continuous production of gas, essentially a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, by using the molten metal bath process is provided. The carbon material, oxidizing agents, and slag-forming additives as needed are introduced into a reactor below the surface of a molten metal bath. The reactor is provided with outlets for the slag, gases, and molten metal. The reactor is also provided with the ability to tilt, swivel, or rotate about a horizontal axis. This rotational movement causes the molten metal bath to alter its location within the reactor, allowing for replacement of the input apparatus of the raw materials, which are normally below the surface, without the necessity of draining the molten metal bath from the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Assignee: Klockner-Humboldt-Deutz AG
    Inventors: Peter Paschen, Chatty Rao, Alfred Kryczun, Roland Pfeiffer, Heinz-Dieter Waldhecker, Rolf Pufal
  • Patent number: 4344608
    Abstract: A crucible of a converter is mounted to a pair of supports and releasably coupled to a tilt drive. Secured to each of the supports is a bearing assembly within which a crucible trunnion is journalled. A slidable coupling shaft interconnects an internally toothed output gear of the tilt drive and an internally toothed gear fixed to one of the trunnions. The coupling shaft includes a spur gear adjacent each of its ends. One coupling gear engages the trunnion internal gear while the other engages the tilt drive internal gear. The peripheral surface of each coupling gear comprises a spherical segment to provide an articulated connection for accommodating axial misalignment between the trunnion and the tilt drive internal gears. To disconnect the crucible from the tilt drive, the coupling shaft is displaced axially away from the trunnion until the spherical segment gear disengages the trunnion gear. The coupling shaft includes a spindle coaxially mounted to its tilt drive end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Assignee: Zahnraderfabrik Renk A.G.
    Inventor: Erwin Mayr
  • Patent number: 4325540
    Abstract: An apparatus for supplying fluids to a converter has a rotary joint coupled to a trunnion shaft, one end of the rotary joint being connected to fluid supply pipes and the other end to fluid conduits communicating with tuyeres at the bottom of the converter. The rotary joint comprises a fixed casing and a rotary assembly, that is sealedly and rotatably fitted in the casing and connected to the trunnion shaft. The rotary assembly has a cylindrical member fitting in the casing. A plurality of axially spaced, circular communication grooves are provided in at least one of the internal surface of the casing and the external surface of the cylindrical member. The cylindrical member is provided with a passageway which opens into the communication grooves at one end and into the atmosphere where the cylindrical member emerges outside the casing at the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Seki, Yukito Io
  • Patent number: 4280688
    Abstract: A tiltable converter vessel is supported on a carrying body arranged about its shell by means of lug pairs accommodating bearing forces, the lugs of each lug pair being arranged opposite each other on both sides of the carrying body. At least one lug of each lug pair is supported on the carrying body by at least one piston-cylinder unit whose piston is hydraulically adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the converter vessel. At least one further piston-cylinder unit is arranged parallel to the extension of the carrying ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Enkner, Rupert Berger, Manfred Eysn, Hermann Haslehner, Helmut Smejkal, Michael Sattler
  • Patent number: 4275871
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1981
    Assignee: Pennsylvania Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Rashed N. Nagati
  • Patent number: 4265136
    Abstract: In a torque support arrangement for a gear mounted so as to be movable about a pivot axis, wherein the gear is supported against the base on both sides of the pivot axis by an elastic supporting arrangement, the supporting arrangement includes a pressure-medium piston-cylinder to which pressure gas is admitted and whose position relative to the base is adjustable by means of an adjustment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ernst Riegler, Manfred Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4239190
    Abstract: A hood-like chamber over a converter vessel for refining pig iron, affords the collection of exhaust gases from the vessel and the direction of the gases into an exhaust gas line. The chamber is formed by a top wall containing an opening into the exhaust gas line, and side walls extend downwardly from the top wall. The lower ends of the side walls are located above the bottom of the vessel. A flange extends inwardly from the lower end of the side walls into contact with a collar extending radially outwardly from a support ring encircling the vessel. A seal can be provided between the flange and the collar to prevent the passage of air between them into the chamber. Alternatively, a gap can be left between the flange and the collar to admit a certain amount of secondary air into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: Verfahrenstechnik Dr. Ing. Kurt Baum
    Inventor: Jorg P. Baum
  • Patent number: 4224836
    Abstract: A tilting drive arrangement for a converter has a spur gear wheel fastened to a tilting trunnion of the converter and engaging with at least two pinions driven by a common motor. At least one shaft is provided for a common rotation of the pinions. The pinions are mounted in a carrying gear casing that is overmounted on the trunnion in a position outside the horizontal plane extending through the tilting axis of the converter. A torsionally elastic shaft between the pinions or a pivotally mounted reduction gear on each pinion are provided to produce a uniform torque distribution to the pinions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ernst Riegler, Manfred Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4218049
    Abstract: A metallurgical vessel has releasably coupled, semicylindrical upper and lower sections arranged such that the axis of revolution of one section lies in a plane normal relative to the rotational axis of the other. The dimension of each section in the axial direction being the same as the dimension of the other section in the direction normal to the axis. The vessel is mounted for rotation about the axis of the lower section and an elongate charging mouth is formed in the upper section and is arranged with its major axis parallel to the axis of the lower section. A plurality of tuyeres extend through the lower section of the vessel and each tuyere includes a first tuyere pipe for injecting oxygen beneath the level of molten metal within the vessel, a second tuyere pipe disposed in surrounding relation to the oxygen pipe for injecting powdered materials entrained in a nonoxidizing gas and a third pipe surrounding the second pipe for injecting a hydrocarbon shielding fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Assignee: Pennsylvania Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Eberhard G. Schempp
  • Patent number: 4215852
    Abstract: The invention refers to an apparatus for locking a converter tilting gear during a blasting operation, which apparatus is provided with a supplementary gear arrangement to facilitate counterrotation of pinions arranged in pairs versus the pivot pin gear wheel, so that the pinions may be locked and loosened by means of arresting brakes.The arrangement is such that the gear trains for the individual drive pinions can pivot in relation to the position of the pivot pin gear wheel in synchronized fashion to accommodate play between the cooperating gear teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: DEMAG, Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilhelm Ackermann, Karlheinz Langlitz, Gunter Schmitz
  • Patent number: 4215854
    Abstract: A melt process apparatus having a melt receptacle held on the distal end of a cantilever supported beam. The support for the beam is elevatable and is pivotable about a vertical axis so that the receptacle can be raised, lowered, swung and tilted to facilitate loading, insertion of additives and pouring without transfer vessels and temperature loss. The support for the beam includes a weighing device for monitoring the quantity of melt placed therein. Various embodiments are shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Lustenberger
  • Patent number: 4192491
    Abstract: A rotatable or tiltable metallurgical vessel, in particular a pig iron mixer, is mounted in a fixed bearing and an expansion bearing. A toothed element is arranged on the vessel jacket between the two bearings and a driven counter-element engages the toothed element. The expansion bearing and the fixed bearing are designed as slide bearings that include raceways fastened to the vessel jacket at a distance from each other, and arcuate slideways formed of slide plates that accommodate the raceways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ernst Riegler, Manfred Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4177975
    Abstract: The exhaust hood above a metallurgical furnace, where the furnace has an open top and is supported to move in a vertical arc beneath the hood from an upright position to tilt in one direction to a charging position and in the other direction to a tapping position, terminates in an opening which is usually circular and of a diameter such that it may receive gases and dust from the open top of the furnace when the furnace is tilted to one side or the other, as well as when it is vertical. A frame structure supported above the opening in the hood and arranged to be shifted horizontally relative to the hood has a panel suspended therefrom with operating means on the frame for swinging the panel in a vertical arc from a storage position where it is removed from the space between the top of the furnace and the hood downwardly to a level below the open end of the hood and then upwardly against the bottom of the hood to close the greater portion of the bottom of the hood and leave but a segment of the bottom open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: Louis A. Grant, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo J. Meyers, Louis A. Grant
  • Patent number: 4138097
    Abstract: A metallurgical vessel, particularly for use as a converter, includes a receptacle tiltably mounted on supporting journals fitted into bushings. Media for treating the contents of the receptacle and/or for cooling the outside walls of the receptacle is fed to the receptacle by feed and delivery pipes connected at one end to a distributor and at the other end to at least one of the bushings. A plurality of bores axially extending through the bushing and connected to the delivery pipes is provided as means for communicating the media to the receptacle. The bores extend parallel to the axis of the supporting journal and are disposed in a circumferential arrangement around and coaxial with the axis of the supporting journals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1979
    Assignee: Gutehoffnungshutte Sterkrade Aktiengesellshaft
    Inventor: Hans Farber
  • Patent number: 4136857
    Abstract: Flux is injected into the oxygen stream being fed to the tuyeres of a steel-refining converter, such as a Q-BOP converter or the like, and the rate of injection is controlled by varying the size of the outlet orifice of the flux-containing tank. The tank is pressurized to the same pressure as the oxygen stream into which the flux is being injected. The weight of flux in the tank is continuously measured and the actual weight is compared with a preset reference weight for each point in time. The difference between the two weights is used to drive a motor in either the forward or reverse direction to open or close the variable-orifice flux tank outlet valve an amount sufficient to adjust the actual injection rate to match the reference weight for a given time.The current weight of flux remaining in the tank is compared with an initial weight; when the difference between the two exceeds a preset total, a signal is generated which causes the motor to close the variable orifice valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1979
    Assignee: United States Steel Corporation
    Inventor: William A. Kolb
  • Patent number: 4124200
    Abstract: A converter for refining a liquid metal bath using simultaneous heating and blowing in comprises a metal vessel internally lined with refractory material, having an upwardly open mouth and having a generally cylindrofrustoconical shape which is a body of revolution about an axis, the vessel being mounted on, and rotatable about, its axis of revolution relative to a pivotable cradle, the vessel having a pouring spout and a set of tuyeres extending through a wall thereof, and a separate frustoconical cap connected to a gas collection hood for surmounting the vessel and provided with an opening through which a heating device can extend into the vessel, the arrangement being such that in the `normal` position of the vessel, for simultaneous blowing in and heating, the axis of revolution of the vessel is at an angle between 35.degree. and 55.degree. to the vertical, the pouring spout is upwardly directed, the tuyeres extend upwardly from the bottom of the vessel and the vessel is surmounted by the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Assignees: Creusot-Loire Enterprises, Clesid S.A.
    Inventors: Lucien Antoine, Andre Maubon, Gerard Largeron
  • Patent number: 4106758
    Abstract: A converter for the refinement of liquid metal comprising a generally cylindrical body having closed ends and an opening in the circumference thereof, the body being arranged with its axis horizontal and being rotatable thereabout, a refractory arch with a heating unit movable into one part of the opening in the "normal" position of the body in which the opening is in an upper part thereof, a gas collection system aligned with the other part of the opening in the "normal" position of the body, and blast pipes extending into the body through a lower part of the body in the "normal" position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Creusot-Loire Enterprises
    Inventors: Pierre Leroy, Andre Maubon, Jean Saleil
  • Patent number: 4098497
    Abstract: A medium-conduit-system for use in a tiltable-metallurgical-vessel-arrangement of the type including a carrying ring for the vessel, tilting trunnions on the carrying ring and base-supported bearings for the tilting trunnions, wherein at least one of the tilting trunnions is hollow, has a first pipe in the hollow trunnion and a second pipe extending through the carrying ring changing the direction and connected by a flange connection with screws to the first pipe, the screws having extensions projecting to the outside of the vessel-arrangement, and a supply system is connected to the second pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Assignee: Vereinigte Osterreichische Eisen- und Stahlwerke - Alpine Montan Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinz Weihbold
  • Patent number: 4093192
    Abstract: A tilting drive arrangement for a converter comprises a gear arranged on a tilting trunnion, a torque support for supporting the gear on the base, and a measuring device for measuring the tilting moment, which measuring device is arranged in the torque support between the base and the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Assignee: Vereinigte Osterreichische Eisen-und Stahlwerke - Alpine Montan Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ernst Riegler, Manfred Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4092053
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement for a tilting trunnion of a metallurgical vessel, in particular a converter in a steel making plant, has an inner race, an outer race, bearing bodies arranged therebetween, and at least one sensor device with a sensor pin. The sensor device penetrates the outer race and contacts the inner race forming a sensing point. Also, the sensor device has a fixed point with the sensor pin being movable relative to the fixed point and the distance between the sensing point and the fixed point being measurable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Assignee: Vereinigte Osterreichische Eisen- und Stahlwerke-Alpine Montan Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ernst Riegler, Manfred Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4072302
    Abstract: A tiltable metallurgical vessel arrangement, in particular a converter for a steel making plant, has carrying trunnions, a fixed bearing, an expansion bearing, bearing housings for the bearings, and force measuring means resting on a supporting construction with bearing housings resting on the force measuring means. Vertical sliding faces provided on each bearing housing and on the supporting construction at both sides of the carrying trunnion axes form guides and counter-guides that engage each other so as to prevent horizontal motion of the bearing housings in the direction of the axes of the carrying trunnions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1978
    Assignee: Vereinigte Osterreichische Eisen- und Stahlwerke Alpine Montan Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ernst Riegler, Manfred Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4070009
    Abstract: A tiltable metallurgical vessel arrangement, in particular a steel making plant converter, has carrying trunnions arranged in bearings, one of the bearings being a fixed bearing and one being an expansion bearing, and bearing housings for the bearings; the bearing housings have supporting faces which rest on counter-supporting faces of a base-supported supporting construction; at least one of the bearing housings has two supporting faces arranged at a distance from each other and a strain measuring means connected to the bearing housing between the supporting faces thereof to indicate a sagging of said bearing housing under load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1978
    Assignee: Vereinigte Osterreichische Eisen- und Stahlwerke - Alpine Montan Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ernst Riegler, Manfred Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4055335
    Abstract: An existing basic oxygen type top-blown steel converter vessel is transformed into a bottom-blown type where gases and finely divided materials may be blown into the vessel through tuyeres in its side wall and in its bottom. The existing trunnion shafts on which the existing vessel is supported for tilting are bored at the installation site to provide a plurality of passageways for conducting finely divided materials, gases and cooling water to the various tuyeres and to the trunnion ring which supports the vessel, respectively. Special multipurpose rotary joints are used to connect the tiltable vessel to sources of the gases and finely divided materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1974
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1977
    Assignee: Pennsylvania Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Howard M. Fisher
  • Patent number: 4047707
    Abstract: An improvement in the refining of molten metals in a converter by means of oxygen introduced into the metal through tuyeres which include two concentric pipes, oxygen being passed into the melt through the central pipe and a protective fluid being passed into the melt as a sheath or screen around the oxygen, through the clearance space between the two pipes. In the present invention two tuyeres, disposed horizontally and each passing through the convertor sidewall permit refining to be accomplished without any slopping or splashing of the melt and with only minor wear of the convertor lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Assignee: Eisenwerk-Gesellschaft Maximilianshutte mbH
    Inventors: Helmut Knuppel, Karl Brotzmann, Hans Georg Fassbinder
  • Patent number: 4023785
    Abstract: A tiltable metallurgical converter arrangement, with a fixed bearing and an expansion bearing for the carrying trunnions, has bearing housings arranged on load cells that rest on a supporting construction designed as a sole plate. The bearing housings are secured relative to the supporting construction by adapted to accommodate tensile forces and connecting means arranged in a horizontal plane opposite each other. Thus a strictly vertical force impact on the load cells is guaranteed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: Vereinigte Osterreichische Eisen- und Stahlwerke-Alpine Montan Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ernst Riegler, Manfred Schmidt
  • Patent number: 3998440
    Abstract: A furnace vessel is supported by way of a pair of trunnion pins rotatably mounted in bearings on pedestal structures. To allow vibrations set up in the vessel in the direction parallel to the common axis of the trunnion pins to be absorbed, the pedestal structures are pivotably mounted on fixed supports so as to be pivotable about a pair of parallel axes spaced from and normal to the common axis of the trunnion pins, and at least one of the structures has damping means associated therewith by which movement of the structure and hence of the vessel can be absorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1976
    Assignee: Davy Ashmore International Limited
    Inventor: Donald Alan Atkinson