Abstract: Device for plugging a tap hole comprising an expulsion piston fitted in a plugging chamber, a first double-acting hydraulic actuator positioned behind the piston and a first channel passing through the piston for the passage of a piercing rod, and the first actuator. The device further comprises a second double-acting hydraulic actuator positioned behind the first actuator, equipped with a second channel for the passage of a rod, a control means for imposing a to-and-fro movement on the second actuator, and a first gripping means movable by the second actuator. This first gripping means makes it possible to grip and release a rod in order to push it, by successive travels, through the two channels in the direction of the plugging nose-piece.

Abstract: A device is presented which equips an opening made in a pressurized container, in particular a blast furnace, for the axial insertion of a lance. This device comprises an axial sealing member, a casing, a first fixed seat, a second axially movable seat and a closure element. The closure element is fitted with a separation spring which produces an axial clearance with respect to the first seat. Closure springs apply the second seat onto the closure element and the closure element onto the first seat. Active opening members, for examples jacks, act against the closure springs. In a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a spacer element which is identical to the closure element except that it is provided with a through opening for the lance.

Abstract: A machine is provided for piercing a taphole for a shaft furnace for applying the piercing rod method. The machine comprises a mounting (20), a drive means (42, 44), a clamp (34) for coupling the drive means to the rod (26) during its extraction. It is characterised by a push-member (34) transmitting the said thrust force to the rear end of the rod (26) during the insertion of the rod (26) into the taphole clay and by intermediate guides (55i) surrounding the rod (26) at several places during the insertion of the rod (26) into the taphole clay. The said guides (55i) being successively placed in a position in which they do not hinder the advance of the said push-member (34, 78) on the mounting (20).

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a cover from a transport car is mounted to the car and has a swing member connected to the cover of the car. The swing member is pulled away, with the cover, by rolling down a pair of guide members to a termination point. A winch is used to pull the swing member back into position to block the opening of the transport car with the cover. The apparatus allows manual removal or placement of the cover on the transport car in environments where the space over the car is restricted.

Abstract: A combined machine for opening a taphole in a shaft furnace and for plugging the taphole with a plugging mass is presented. The machine comprises a mount, a suspension structure for the mount, drive means on the mount and a plugging device. The plugging device portion of the machine comprises a plugging chamber, plugging snout and a piston for expelling the plugging mass. For the plugging operation, the plugging device is supported on the mount in the extension of the axis of the taphole and the expulsion piston is coupled to the drive means already present on the mount for opening the taphole with a piercing rod or a drill bit.

Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating the introduction of a piercing rod into a taphole previously closed by a taphole clay. The rod is gripped by a clamp which imparts to the rod a powerful axial force and an oscillatory movement about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A machine for piercing a taphole for a shaft furnace in the so called "lost rod" method is presented. After the taphole is blocked with a taphole clay but before the taphole clay has fully hardened, a piercing rod is driven into the taphole clay by this machine so that at the desired time the taphole can be opened by extracting the piercing rod by this same machine. This piercing machine comprises a mounting, a first carriage which can be displaced along the mounting, a drive mechanism for this first carriage, guide mechanism to guide the piercing rod and finger mechanism capable of exerting axial thrust upon the piercing rod. The guide means define a guide channel for the piercing rod, which guide mechanism also has a longitudinal opening that gives access to the inside of the guide mechanism, the guide channel being perpendicular to the axis of the longitudinal opening.

Abstract: A universal chuck is presented which has the ability to either transmit a tensile or pulling force to the end of a piercing rod or transmit a rotational moment or force to a drill bit on a piercing machine for piercing a tap hole of a shaft furnace. The universal chuck of this invention comprises a rotary body mounted on the drive spindle of a working member slidably mounted on a piercing machine. A suitable support structure integral with the working member forms a guide cage around the rotary body. Structure for transmitting the tensile or pulling force to the end of a piercing rod and a rotational moment or force to a drill bit along with structure for adequately controlling operating and cooling fluids to a drill bit are arranged about a front cavity in the rotary body.

Abstract: A machine and method is provided for piercing a taphole for a shaft furnace. The machine comprises a mounting, with a support installed on the mounting so as to support a rod at the front of the mounting, a rear support which can move on the mounting and is provided with means for being coupled to the rear end of the rod and a clamp mounted in a sliding manner on the mounting and designed to grip the rod at any place between the front support and the rear support. A powerful rotary motor installed at the rear of the mounting drives an endless chain installed axially in the mounting. A clamp attached to the endless chain moves during the insertion of the rod into the taphole clay by reversal of the direction of rotation of the motor in a to-and-fro motion between a position (B) at the front of the mounting and a position (A) which is located at a distance L from the position (B).

Abstract: A machine for boring a tap hole of a shaft furnace is presented for use in conjunction with a lost-rod process. In this process, a metal rod is driven into a botting mass, before it has completely hardened, and is removed later for opening a tap hole. Driving-in of the rod is performed with the aid of a to-and-fro movement of a clamp which can move over a mount through action of a first jack. Removal is performed with the aid of a continuous reverse movement of the clamp through the action of the first jack and of a powerful drive means, for example a second jack, driving the first jack towards the rear of the mount.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device for installing and removing gas purging plugs (17) for metallurgical vessels, comprising a guide (7) for axially displacing the gas purging plug (17). On the one hand, movement exactly in the axial direction can be achieved during introduction, and, on the other hand, the extracted gas purging plug can be brought into an ejection position by providing hinges (6, 11), which permit at least two independent pivoting movements of the gas purging plug (17) around different axes (6a, 11a).

Abstract: A process for renewing the refractory lining of a ladle for casting steel and of similar metallurgical vessels. While the ladle (10) is still hot, the slag (S) still adhering to the inner surface (26) is melted off from the remaining lining (2) with the aid of a high-temperature burner (9) operating under reducing conditions and allowed to run out of the ladle (10) in the molten condition. After cooling, the glassy surface of the remaining lining (2) is roughened. The new refractory lining (30) is then applied by casting, with the aid of a template.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a gas tight lance closing device at a cooling chimney hood for steel converters. An opening is provided in the cooling chimney for a jetting lance, which latter can be raised and lowered. The diameter of the opening is dimensioned in such a way that an annular gap remains between the inner edge of the opening and the outer circumference of the jetting lance. In order to close the chimney opening toward the lance so as to be gas tight and to enable operation at an internal overpressure of more than 0.

Abstract: A machine is provided for piercing a taphole for a shaft furnace for applying the piercing rod method. The machine comprises a mounting, with a support for supporting the rod at the front of the mounting, a sliding support for supporting the rod at the rear of the mounting and a clamp, mounted in a sliding manner on the mounting and designed for gripping the rod at any place between the front support and the rear support. A travel multiplier is connected between a jack and the clamp so that the clamp may be moved. Means for controlling the jack make it possible to move the clamp in a to-and-fro motion between a position (B) at the front of the mounting and a position (A) which is located at a distance L from the position (B).

Abstract: A refractory ceramic stopper has therein a recess including an annular outwardly enlarged portion defining a stop surface. A stopper rod inserted into the recess in the stopper has a support surface. A plurality of spreadable members having opposite ends are positioned about the stopper rod and are inserted therewith into the recess in the stopper. The spreadable members are spread outwardly such that they enter the enlarged portion of the recess in the stopper with first ends of the spreadable members confronting the stop surface of the stopper and with second ends of the spreadable members confronting the support surface of the stopper rod. Thereby the spreadable members lock the stopper onto the stopper rod.

Abstract: Erosion resistant stopper rod for steel casting having an elongated body of a first refractory material and a sleeve of a second refractory material having elevated erosion resistance characteristics. The sleeve may be copressed with the stopper rod body or separately formed and cemented thereto. The sleeve is positioned around the stopper rod in the region where contact with the slagline occurs. The erosion resistant material of the sleeve is selected from the group consisting of zirconia, magnesia, zirconia-graphite and magnesia-graphite.

Abstract: A water-cooled plasma torch specially designed to drill into a refractory material is used in a method for opening a tap hole closed by a plug in a wall of a furnace. This method which is particularly well adapted for robotization, includes the step of melting and breaking up the plug closing the tap hole by means of a jet of swirling gas of high speed and high temperature, generated by the plasma torch. The main advantage of this method is that the stream of plasma gas leaving the torch has a well defined outline ensuring precise and reproducible tapping of the plug and, as a result, efficient closing of the tap hole with a new plug after the furnace has been emptied.

Abstract: An annular space is formed between the opening of a refractory lining in a metallurgical vessel and a shaped element to be joined to the refractory lining in the opening. A joint packing is provided to be packed in the annular space. The joint packing is an annular, deformable, prefabricated packing adapted to the volume or the shape of the annular space. The joint packing is fixable in position in either the opening of the refractory lining or on the shaped piece when the joint arrangement is assembled. Preferably, the joint packing comprises a packing compound provided in a sleeve.

Abstract: A method is provided for botting a tap hole of a shaft furnace using a botting gun fitted with a first hydraulic actuating cylinder holding the botting gun in bearing contact against the wall of the furnace, while a second actuating cylinder actuates a piston which injects the botting mass into the tap hole. In order to limit the contact pressures between the tip of the botting gun and the wall of the furnace, the supply pressure P.sub.1 of the first actuating cylinder is modulated as a function of the supply pressure P.sub.2 of the second actuating cylinder.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for opening and closing a taphole of a metallurgical furnace includes stationary pedestal sections carrying an upper boom and a lower boom which booms can be slewed by driving means independently from each other with one of their ends around the pedestal. To one of the booms a drilling machine is connected and to the other a taphole-plugging machine. The swing paths of the booms are inclined relative to each other, such that the two machines can be swung into parked positions, at heights suitable for operations and maintenance, and each into its servicing position in front of the taphole. Preferably, the drilling machine is connected to the upper boom. Also preferably, the connection between each boom and the pedestal is accomplished by two vertically separated large diameter slewing bearings, and by driving means consisting of two hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: A method for opening the taphole of a shaft furnace by withdrawing a rod, held in the hardened sealing compound of the taphole, includes engaging a coupling device onto the end of the rod, gripping the rod using a clamp longitudinally displaceable by a hydraulic jack, pulling out the rod by a length corresponding to the stroke of the jack and repeating this operation until the rod is completely withdrawn from the taphole.

Abstract: A dart-assembly for piercing open a blockage in the opening of a ladle for holding and transporting molten steel is mounted in the outlet bore of a slide-gate associated with the ladle opening. The assembly has an outer steel housing; mounted within the housing is a dart-member having an elongated rod, which rod has a lower threaded end for receiving a threaded nut. The upper end of the rod is provided with a dart-like head-portion which actually contacts and pierces through the blockage in the opening of the ladle when the dart-member is fired. A compression spring is telescopingly mounted about most of the length of the elongated rod of the dart-member, between the enlarged dart-like head-portion and the upper, flat-surface of a stop member.

Abstract: A device for opening and closing a vessel containing a metal in the liquid state. The device comprises a frustoconical sealing stopper extended by a guide rod, and a means for maneuvering the sealing stopper including two arms of different lengths, which are parallel to each other in the position for closing the device, a first, movable connecting element to which the arms are rotatably joined at one end thereof, the first connecting element being fixed to the guide rod, and a second connecting element fixed to the lateral wall of the vessel, to which the arms are rotatably joined at the other end. The arms are arranged such that the shorter of the two arms is the further from the vessel while the apparatus is in the closed position.

Abstract: A device for removing worn nozzle bricks or nozzle linings from the tap holes of metallurgical vessels including a spreading device, which can be introduced into the nozzle brick or tap hole, and a drive for extracting the nozzle brick or lining by means of the spreading device. The spreading device is arranged on a tool holder which can be displaced axially on a support, in particular a carriage. The tool holder can be connected to at least one drive. The tool holder advantageously includes an axial cavity in which a toothed shaft is rotatably mounted. The toothed shaft meshes with the toothing of at least two, and preferably three, spreading jaws which slide radially in the tool holder.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a hydraulic ram mounted on a movable support designed to be placed in line with the axis of the tuyere or tymp so as to bear on the furnace wall and to act on a gripper composed of two telescopic members respectively displaceable relative to one another in the axial direction of the tuyere or of the tymp in order to ensure the support of the latter, said gripper being axially displaceable through the action of said ram. The hydraulic ram is a double piston ram comprising a traction piston acting on a pulled member of the gripper and a thrust piston acting on a propelled member of the gripper, and is consequently suitable for all forms of tuyeres and tymps.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlled adjustment of a stopper of a distributor channel or metallurgical vessel in a continuous casting plant (for billets or ingots), the stopper being connected to a crosstie or stopper rod disposed above the distributor channel or metallurgical vessel, and the crosstie or stopper rod itself being connected to a support bar which is movable up and down in a vertical guide means. The vertical guide means of the support bar is a roller guide means comprising support rollers or support balls which are clamped without clearance between the support bar and an outer housing.

Abstract: To permit placement of a stopper element, preferably including a cylindrical alignment plug (13) accurately with respect to an outflow pipe (3, 3', 3") of a metallurgical vessel adapted to contain a melt, an operating rod (5) vertically projecting from the stopper (6) is surrounded by a refractory sleeve (10), and secured to a support arm (23), which support arm is vertically movable and capable of transmitting rotation to the operating rod, the operating rod is connected to the support arm by a coupling link (48) which extends radially from the operating rod and is clamped by a clamping connection (46) to the support arm. The clamping connection (46) permits longitudinal adjustment of the upper end portion of the operating rod (5) as well as angular adjustment with respect to the support arm.

Abstract: A blast furnace tap hole drill is provided having an elongated feedshell which supports a percussion drill, drill rod assembly, and a centralizing drill rod support disposed between the percussion drill and a stationary forward end drill rod support, and a drive means for advancing the percussion drill and centralizing drill rod support in unison along the length of the feedshell such that the advancing motion of the centralizing drill rod support ceases as it nears the forward drill rod support without stopping the advancing motion of the percussion drill.

Abstract: In the manufacture of pig-iron in a shaft furnace, a taphole is closed with hardened plugging compound during making of the iron and is opened for the tapping of the iron and then resealed. The resealing of the taphole comprises inserting hardenable plugging compound into the taphole and, before hardening thereof, driving a hollow tube into the plugging compound. The hollow tube has an open front end. The tube is pulled out at the next tapping. The use of a tube avoids disturbance of the plugging compound and creates a smoother taphole, leading to improved flow of liquid iron.

Abstract: The device includes a chuck designed to be secured to a working tool and which has a front cavity for receiving an end of a drilling rod and a gripping device for fastening the end of the rod in this cavity. The gripping device is actuated by pneumatic or hydraulic pistons, sliding in a cylindrical chamber closed at the rear by a plug. In order to avoid rapid wear of this plug, a spring is arranged between the said plug and the adjacent face of the piston, the spring being strong enough to keep the piston away from the plug.

Abstract: A tiltable arc furnace vessel is provided with a projecting, bay-like extension having a discharge opening closable from the outside only by a pivotable plate; the bay-like extension has a bottom substantially in the same level as the bottom of the remainder of the vessel. The vessel as a whole is titable by a hydraulic drive over a relatively small angle.

Abstract: A slide unit for use in a sliding closure unit includes two partial movable refractory plates having respective planar surfaces. Each partial plate is surrounded circumferentially by a respective metal band. The two plates are assembled together in a frame to abut along a butt joint so that the two partial plates can be moved together with the planar surfaces thereof contacting a stationary refractory plate of a sliding closure unit. The metal bands at the area of the butt joint between the two partial plates is spanned by a refractory shoulder extending integrally from at least one of the partial plates. Such shoulder thereby extends the planar surfaces of the two plates to the butt joint so that the two planar surfaces form a continuous sealing surface.

Abstract: A machine for opening tapholes has a conical guide and support head which is slidably mounted on a mount and which includes at least one hook equipped with two mutally opposite catching slots. The catching slots allow the hook to occupy two catching positions. In the first catching position, the head is secured to a sliding frame displacable by use of a sliding carriage. In the second catching position, the head is secured to the front end of the mount.

Abstract: A one-piece refractory stopper rod has an axial bore formed therein for the introduction of inert gas into molten steel within a tundish. A metal bushing insert is copressed into the refractory stopper rod and has a threaded bore which is positioned coaxially with the bore of the stopper rod body. A metal attachment rod having an axial bore therethrough and a threaded lower shank portion is secured within the threaded bore of the metal bushing insert. The metal attachment rod has an upper threaded shank which is adapted to be secured to a stopper rod lifting mechanism associated with the tundish. The metal rod further includes a flanged portion intermediate the upper and lower shank portions which carries an annular chamfered surface. The annular chamfered surface faces a like annular chamfered surface formed in the bore of the stopper rod to define a gas-tight seal at a sealing interface therebetween.

Abstract: A hot metal transfer car has a pouring mouth and integral apparatus for removably covering the pouring mouth.A track has a first section which is supported by the transfer car at one end and extends upwardly toward its second end. A second section of the track extends downwardly away from the second end toward the pouring mouth. A carriage driven by means of a motor and a chain drive moves on the track. A pouring mouth cover having a handling arm slideably connected with the carriage is moved over the track by the carriage.

Abstract: The component parts of a drill rod assembly on a blast furnace tap hole drill are joined together by providing a coupling having at least one extension with frusto-conical side walls adapted to mate with a socket having frusto-conical side walls within the drill rod component to be connected thereto, or in the alternative, incorporating such a coupling as a portion of one of the component parts.

Abstract: A preformed taphole for a steelmaking vessel such as a BOF furnace or a ladle is made by forming refractory material about a steel pipe, the refractory comprising refractory aggregate, a water soluble binder, metal fibers such as stainless steel fibers, and graphite, preferably flake graphite.

Abstract: An improved extension bar for a drill rod assembly on a blast furnace tap hole drill having an increased diameter sufficient to occupy a significant portion of tap hole drilled so as to minimize the volume of blast furnace hot metal that can emerge from the blast furnace before the striking bas assembly can be removed, and having a protective sleeve portion at the rearward end thereof to shield and protect the interface between the drill rod and extension bar to prevent such interface from being exposed the hot metal and thereby avoid the possibility that they could become welded together.

Abstract: A stopper (6), secured to the lower end of a stopper rod, carries a plug (13) having a radial throttle aperture (14) above which a frustoconical shut-off surface (16) is located. The frustoconical surface fits against a valve seat surface 18 of an outlet tube (3) from a vessel, to form a first seal. A further seal is provided by an annular surface (19) of the plug (13) engaging in the outlet passage. The stopper (6) is rotatable so that the direction of flow of the molten metal from the vessel (1) and, passing through the stopper--when raised--can be influenced, if desired continuously during flow of the melt. This provides flow control and a safe shutoff of metal flow. The formation of vortices in the molten metal is largely prevented, thus avoiding the carrying along of slag.

Abstract: A method and device for forming a modifiable closed volume (16) by means of an extensible and retractable tubular element (16) fixed around the orifice of a sleeve (3) closed by a valve (5) on the upstream side of the valve, and detachably fixed around the nose (12) of the torch (4), and balancing the pressure in the volume (16) on the upstream side of the valve with the pressure prevailing on the downstream side of the valve by a device (20, S), opening the valve and reducing the volume (16) by advancing to the mounted position the nose (12) of the torch and locking the torch (4) on a sealing element (7) of the sleeve.

Abstract: A one-piece refractory stopper rod has an axial bore formed therein for the introduction of inert gas into molten steel within a tundish. A metal bushing insert is compressed into the refractory stopper rod and has a threaded bore which is positioned coaxially with the bore of the stopper rod body. A metal attachment rod having an axial bore therethrough and a threaded lower shank portion is secured within the threaded bore of the metal bushing insert. The metal attachment rod has an upper threaded shank which is adapted to be secured to a stopper rod lifting mechanism associated with the tundish. The metal rod further includes a flanged portion intermediate the upper and lower shank portions which carries an annular chamfered surface. The annular chamfered surface faces a like annular chamfered surface formed in the bore of the stopper rod to define a gas-tight seal at a sealing interface therebetween.

Abstract: An opening element for an insert nozzle of a slide gate valve apparatus, wherein a dead weight having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the melt passage opening of the slide gate valve apparatus is connected to a refractory cap by means of a steel wire, or by a refractory or metallic coupling rod and a method of opening said slide gate valve apparatus wherein said opening element is set in said respective passage openings of the insert nozzle and of a bottom plate connected to the nozzle, and said opening element is opened by the impact load exerted when said dead weight falls down due to the opening of the slide gate valve apparatus.

Abstract: In closing furnace tapholes a plugging material is forced into the taphole through the nozzle of a notch gun and simultaneously a tapping rod, which remains in the taphole until the furnace is filled, is introduced into the plugging material. Opening of the taphole by itself is thus avoided.

Abstract: A drill shaft assembly for a blast furnace taphole-opening system includes a drill shaft adapted for receipt of a drill bit at its forward end and for coupling with a hollow drill tool piece at its rearward end. The drill shaft has a solid cross-section along substantially its entire length and is provided, beginning at its rearward end, with an air channel which is in communication with a source of pressurized air for clearing dust from the taphole as it is being drilled. A coupling means is provided so that the drill shaft may be detachably attached to the drill tool piece shaft so that it is readily replaceable.

Abstract: A device which allows for the easy mounting of a gripper for coupling a piercing rod to a working tool mounted on a sliding carriage of a piercing machine, and in which the gripper has a female thread designed to be screwed onto a threaded end piece of the working tool is presented. The device essentially comprises a supporting cage which is fixed to the carriage and which ensures the vertical and lateral support of the gripper and allows it to slide longitudinally.

Abstract: An apparatus for unplugging a vessel discharge port, for example, in a refractory lined ladle or tundish used in the casting of molten steel. The unplugging apparatus is adapted to be placed directly below the plugged discharge port within an axial bore of a refractory pouring tube such as a ladle shroud or like pouring nozzle. The apparatus includes a tubular housing having an axially displaceable tube disposed within the interior of the tube having an upper end disposed above the housing and an open lower end disposed within the housing. A conduit communicates with the interior of the tube at one end and is adapted to communicate with a source of pressurized gas, such as oxygen at the other end. In use, the pressurized gas raises the axially displaceable tube to emit the gas and cause burning in the vicinity of the plugged discharge port.

Abstract: An expandable tap hole plug includes a plug comprising a cylindrical member having a circular nose and an outwardly extending flexible sidewall forming a variable obtuse angle with respect to the nose. The plug is adatepd to be oriented within a tap hole of a metallurgical vessel with the nose directed towards the interior of the vessel. An expander, in the form of a truncated cone, has a base and spokes extending outwardly from the base forming a variable obtuse angle with respect to the base. The expander is inverted relative to the plug and is attached to the plug with the spokes of the expander engaging the sidewall of the plug. The angle between the side section and base of the expander is varied so as to vary the angle of the sidewall of the plug relative to the nose thereof to block the tap hole.

Abstract: An injection valve which is positioned on the underneath portion of a teeming vessel is disclosed. It may be positioned under a ladle, or under a tundish. The valve itself includes a mounting plate, and a well block nozzle which is in open communication with the metal being teemed in the vessel. Beneath the well block nozzle is a stationary plate, therebeneath a sliding plate which may be imperforate, perforate, or have an opening containing a porous plug or ceramic sieve depending upon the type of injection. Beneath the sliding injection plate a sliding plate carrier is positioned which is engaged by spring loaded rocker arms in order to maintain a compressive relationship between the sliding plate carrier, the sliding injection plate, and the stationary plate. Centrally of the sliding plate carrier is a coupler which, in turn, is connected to a further coupler, an injection hose, and an injection supply for delivering additives to the vessel through the injection valve.

Abstract: A suspension and anchoring device for a rail mounted plugging and drilling machine for use in conjunction with metallurgical furnaces is presented. The suspension and anchoring device comprises a cradle mounted on rails which is movable by means of a parallelogram shaped guide bar system actuated by an operating cylinder which shifts the plugging and drilling device between a work position and a travel position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tapping a metal refining furnace which is tiltable about a horizontal axis, including an externally mounted chamber or "hot spout" at the side of the furnace communicating with the interior of the furnace, a nozzle situated in the bottom wall of the chamber, stopper rod or sliding gate means associated with the chamber for closing the nozzle opening, and heating means in the chamber for maintaining a high temperature within the chamber. An associated receiving vessel is capable of monitoring the amount of molten metal in the vessel and generating a signal to stop the pouring operation.