Abstract: An apparatus for charging chambers of a coke oven has a horizontal screw conveyor with a downwardly open outlet and a telescopic charging chute below the outlet having an upper intake funnel and a telescopic lower part alignable with the charging ports by horizontal and longitudinal displacement. A support frame carries the intake funnel and a lifter for vertically displacing the telescopic lower part. A traveling frame in which the support frame moves transversely can also move longitudinally on rails. A seal on a top side of the support frame surrounds the intake funnel of the telescopic charging chute, works together with a horizontal lower flange surface on the outlet of the horizontal screw conveyor, and permits horizontal movement of the intake funnel relative to the outlet of the horizontal screw conveyor.

Abstract: A sealing valve arrangement for a shaft furnace charging installation includes a shutter-actuating device for moving a shutter between a closed position in sealing contact with a valve seat and an open position remote from the valve seat. The shutter-actuating device is of the dual-motion type and includes a primary tilting arm on a first tilting shaft defining the first axis and is equipped with bearings supporting the primary tilting arm. A secondary tilting arm carries the shutter is connected to a second tilting shaft that defines a second substantially parallel axis and has bearings that support the secondary tilting arm on the primary tilting arm. The shutter-actuating device has a mechanism configured to tilt the secondary tilting arm when the primary tilting arm is tilted. The first tilting shaft is configured as hollow sleeve shaft and the shutter-actuating device includes a reference rod extending through the first tilting shaft.

Abstract: A composite continuous feeder is arranged above a growth furnace and comprises a primary feeder and a secondary feeder. The primary feeder includes a feeding chamber, a first material holder holding a plurality of material bits and an elevator mechanism. The elevator mechanism is coupled to the feeding chamber and first material holder, and used to lift or lower the first material holder in the feeding chamber. The secondary feeder includes a second material holder also holding a plurality of material bits, a buffering discharger and a material discharging guide tube. The buffering discharger is arranged at the outlet of the second material holder to receive the material bits output therefrom. The material discharging guide tube discharges the material bits into the growth furnace. By using the primary and secondary feeders, the invention can apply to mono-crystal and poly-crystal growth furnaces and effectively control material feeding amount and speed.

Abstract: A composite continuous feeder is arranged above a growth furnace and comprises a primary feeder and a secondary feeder. The primary feeder includes a feeding chamber, a first material holder holding a plurality of material bits and an elevator mechanism. The elevator mechanism is coupled to the feeding chamber and first material holder, and used to lift or lower the first material holder in the feeding chamber. The secondary feeder includes a second material holder also holding a plurality of material bits, a buffering discharger and a material discharging guide tube. The buffering discharger is arranged at the outlet of the second material holder to receive the material bits output therefrom. The material discharging guide tube discharges the material bits into the growth furnace. By using the primary and secondary feeders, the invention can apply to mono-crystal and poly-crystal growth furnaces and effectively control material feeding amount and speed.

Abstract: A hydraulic distributor for safely and efficiently top charging a bell-less blast furnace. The hydraulic distributor includes a main housing, an inner ring, a trunnion, and an actuator ring, which act together to lift and rotate the distributor chute. Hydraulic tilt cylinders operatively coupled to the inner ring act to lift the distributor chute to change tilt. Rotational Drives operatively coupled to the trunnion act to rotate the distributor chute. The hydraulic distributor provides improved repeatability and precision control of the distributor chute, and hence the placement of burden materials within the blast furnace resulting in improved productivity and operation of the furnace. The hydraulic distributor provides a less complex design and construction resulting in reduced costs for manufacturing and maintenance.

Abstract: A three hopper charging installation for a shaft furnace includes a rotary distribution device for distributing bulk material in the furnace by rotating a distribution member about the furnace central axis and a first, a second and a third hopper arranged in parallel above the rotary distribution device and offset from the central axis. A sealing valve housing is arranged between the hoppers and the distribution device. It has a top part with a first, a second and a third inlet respectively communicating with the first, the second and the third hopper. A first, a second and a third sealing valve are provided in the top part. Each sealing valve includes a flap which is pivotable between a closed sealing position and an open parking position. The sealing valve housing also has a funnel shaped bottom part with an outlet communicating with the distribution device.

Abstract: A device (10) for distributing charge material into a shaft furnace comprises a main housing (12), a distribution chute, a suspension rotor (18) and an adjustment rotor (26), which are rotatable about a substantially vertical axis. The chute (32) is suspended to the suspension rotor (18) to rotate therewith for circumferential distribution of charge material and adjustable in orientation through the adjustment rotor (26) for radial distribution of charge material. A differential gear (86) interconnects the suspension rotor (18) and the adjustment rotor (26) and is configured to transmit to the adjustment rotor the same speed of rotation that is imparted to the suspension rotor by a main rotation drive (60) unless an adjustment drive (96) imparts, through the differential gear, a differential rotation to the adjustment rotor.

Abstract: In a charging process of a shaft furnace, in particular of a blast furnace, batches of charge material are typically discharged in cyclical sequence into the furnace from a top hopper using a flow control valve. A method and system is proposed for adjusting the flow rate of charge material in such a process. According to the invention, a respective set of plural valve settings is stored for each batch, each valve setting of a set being associated to a different stage in the discharge of the batch. The method and system are configured to discharge a given batch so that, at each stage in the discharge of the given batch, the flow control valve operates at a constant valve opening according to the valve setting associated to that stage and so that an actual average flow rate at which charge material is discharged is determined for that stage.

Abstract: The invention relates to the iron and steel industry, in particular to batch charging into shaft, mainly blast furnaces. The inventive rotary batch distributor for shaft furnaces comprises an axle platform (1) and blades (2) which are equally spaced around the platform and are fixed thereto by means of brackets (3). The surface of each blade is embodied in the form of an involute of a truncated cone and consists of trapezoidal sections (4). The tilting angles of the trapezoidal sections with respect to the rotary batch distributor axis and to a horizontal plane are defined by the involutes (5) of truncated cone which are focused at the same point of the rotary batch distributor axis. The surface area of each blade is defined by the sector angle value ranging from 90 to 120° and by the radius of the describe circle of the rotary batch distributor. The end part (6) of the blade whose surface area is equal to 0.05-0.

Abstract: A lower sealing valve assembly for a shaft furnace charging installation including a lower sealing valve housing with a lower outlet through which charge material can freely drop onto a distribution device, the housing has at least one upper inlet for communicating with an outlet of a hopper arranged above the housing, where each inlet has an associated valve seat that is arranged inside the lower sealing valve housing and turned towards the interior of the housing, a shutter is further operatively connected to an actuation mechanism for moving the shutter into and out of sealing contact with the valve seat, the valve actuation mechanism includes a turn-slide cylindric joint having a typically vertical joint axis for swiveling the shutter in a plane perpendicular to the joint axis inside the lower sealing valve housing and for translating the shutter up and down along the joint axis such that the cylindric joint includes a shaft that is axially fixed and rotatably in a hollow sleeve, which in turn is axially

Abstract: The invention concerns a charging installation for a shaft furnace, in particular for a blast furnace, and especially the lower sealing valve assembly thereof, the installation including at least two hoppers acting as lock hoppers for intermediate storage of charge material to be charged into the furnace, the lower sealing valve includes a lower sealing valve housing arranged below the hoppers, the lower sealing valve housing has at least two inlets respectively communicating with one of the hoppers and an outlet for passing charge material into the furnace, each inlet has a respective associated valve seat providing gas-tight sealing of the hoppers downstream, the lower sealing valve assembly further includes a sealing valve mechanism for sealing the inlets, more specifically for closing the seats in technically gas-tight manner, where the sealing valve mechanism includes a one-sided shutter having a single sealing face that cooperates with both of the at least two valve seats, by virtue of the sealing valve

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for introducing solid particles into a vessel, in particular into a chemical reactor which comprises a pipe, preferably flexible and cylindrical, through which said particles flow from the top downward and is characterised in that it also comprises at least one helicoidal ramp (2) which is placed inside the pipe, wound around a central axis (2) and whose width is such that a distance between the external edge (4) of the ramp (2) and the pipe (1) is less than the size of introducible solid particles. A method using the inventive device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Particulate filling devices and methods are disclosed that utilize a swivel connector, a mounting surface connected to the swiveling connector, and several obstacles mounted on the mounting surface. The obstacles are positioned consecutively to form a helix-pattern.

Abstract: A rotary charging device (10) for a shaft furnace commonly comprises a rotary distribution means (12) for distributing charge material on a charging surface in the shaft furnace. A rotatable structure supports (16) the rotary distribution means and a stationary support (18) rotatably supports the rotatable structure. According to the invention, the charging device (10) is equipped with an inductive coupling device (30) including a stationary inductor (34) fixed to the stationary support and a rotary inductor (36) fixed to the rotatable structure. The stationary inductor (34) and the rotary inductor (36) are separated by a radial gap and configured as rotary transformer for achieving contact-less electric energy transfer from the stationary support (18) to the rotatable structure (16) by means of magnetic coupling trough the radial gap for powering an electric load arranged on the rotatable structure (16) and connected to said rotary inductor (36).

Abstract: A charging device (10; 10?; 10?) for a shaft furnace comprises a distribution chute (20; 20?; 20?; 20??), which is supported rotatable about an essentially vertical axis of rotation (A), and a variable-speed drive (26) connected to the distribution chute. The variable-speed drive is configured to rotate the distribution chute for circumferential distribution of bulk material on a charging surface of the shaft furnace. According to the invention, the distribution chute comprises multiple chute sections (32, 34, 36, 38) that are interlinked by articulations so as to be capable of forming a curved channel for radial distribution of bulk material on the charging surface, the degree of curvature of said channel being variable in function of the speed of rotation (?) of the distribution chute.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a process for distributing a lumpy bulk material, in particular iron ore which has been at least partially prereduced, onto an extensive surface, in particular onto a fixed bed, this surface extending within a reactor or vessel used in physical or chemical process technology, in particular in a reactor used in a metallurgical plant to produce pig iron or primary steel products, and the lumpy bulk material being charged via at least one charging apparatus, which has at least two, in particular rotationally symmetrical, chutes, which are preferably arranged at the same distance from the vertical longitudinal axis of the reactor.

Abstract: A device for distributing materials in bulk includes a suspension rotor and a chute located below the suspension rotor. The chute is provided with two lateral suspension arms which are connected to the suspension rotor. A driving mechanism produces a pivoting torque capable of pivoting the chute, while a cylindrical suspension pin is associated with each suspension arm for pivotably connecting it to the suspension rotor. A control lever is connected to the suspension rotor, the driving mechanism being connected to the control lever so as to transmit to the latter the pivoting torque. A stop on the control lever and a counterstop on a suspension arm engage with each other to transmit the pivoting torque to the suspension arm. The stop and the counterstop are disengagable by a translation movement of the two suspension arms after withdrawal of the cylindrical suspension pins for removal of the chute.

Abstract: A bulk particulate handling apparatus and method for transferring material between a first and second site which utilizes a stream of gas to remove material from the flow path. Contamination of the flow-path is thereby reduced by providing the stream of gas for the removal of material before and after flow of material. A method embodied by the invention is directed toward the use of a bulk particulate handling apparatus.

Abstract: A material moving system is disclosed for use in a plant such as a metal foundry. There is an overhead gantry for moving a main hook and auxiliary hook. The main hook carries a container such as a scrap charge bucket. The auxiliary hook carries a multi-function auxiliary tool such as a magnet with a tool hook affixed to the magnet. The scrap charge bucket carries a target member on a saddle on the outside of the bucket. The bucket also has a hold out stand that positions the target member for easy accessibility. The target member is attached to actuator cables that are attached to clam shell bottom members of the scrap charge bucket. The auxiliary tool may be used to lift and pull the target member to open the clam shell members without removing the magnet from the auxiliary hook, saving time. The hook on the magnet is positioned so that the hook does not damage the scrap metal bins or electric arc furnaces when the magnet is used for its usual purposes.

Abstract: A tire conveyor and lift apparatus for conveying, lifting and orienting fuel tires for injection into a rotating cement kiln by force or by gravity. The apparatus brings tires from a tire source by a variable speed conveyor belt to a gate or alternatively vertical guiding rollers that regulate the flow of tires to the lift. Hooked lift arms engage the tire through the central hole and move vertically along a guide. The linear lift arms are mounted to an endless chain which is supported by upper and lower sprockets which are driven by a motor. The top of the guide is curved and has the curvature that approximates the circumference of the top sprocket. The tire is brought along the guide and released to output rollers connected to a feed chute which is aligned with a rotating kiln.

Abstract: A coal charging car for a coke-oven battery has a screw-type feeder beneath the coal hopper shiftable on the chassis of the car to allow positioning of the outlet of that feeder over the hole communicating with the coking chamber without moving the car.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a continuous method for charging and discharging carbonization furnaces (15) moving in a circle, in which method the charging and the discharging are effected in a closed process mainly simultaneously at the opposite ends of the furnace, and the gases are collected and cleaned. Another object of the invention is an apparatus for implementing the method. The equipment comprises carbonization furnaces (15) moving in a circle, a charging device (11, 14, 32), and a discharging device (18, 19), and at least one gas duct for each furnace, the duct being connected at the one end thereof to the furnace and at the other end to a gas collector. According to the invention, the charging device is docked in a gastight manner to the one end of the furnace by means of a docking device (35), and the discharging device is attached in a gas-tight manner to the other end of the furnace for charging and discharging mainly at the same time.

Abstract: A pyrolysis gasifier includes a first auger (26) which moves carbon from a carbon collection tank (24) through an air lock valve (30) to a carbon holding tank (28). The gasifier includes an inner cylindrical sleeve (80) which is configured such that there is a small air gap between it and an interior wall of the gasifier (16). The air lock valve (30) includes an inlet member (96) which connects the housing to a connecting tube from the first auger (26). A plate (100) within the housing is mounted such that in a closed position, the plate is sealingly positioned against a lower edge of the inlet member (96), while in an open position, the plate is away from the inlet member, permitting carbon to move into the carbon holding tank. A fuel spreader apparatus 53 is positioned at the top portion of the gasifier. It includes a stirring rod (44) and two opposed fuel paddle assemblies (67, 69) at the lower end thereof to spread the fuel over the cross-sectional area of the gasifier.

Abstract: An apparatus for infeeding batched material to an inlet opening of a material processing apparatus includes a lift mechanism disposed alongside the material processing apparatus and being operable to lift the batched material at least to the elevation of the inlet opening of the material processing apparatus, a delivery conveyor disposed alongside the material processing apparatus and adjacent to the lift mechanism and being operable to deliver the batched material to the lift mechanism, a transfer enclosure spaced from the lift mechanism and disposed above the inlet opening of the material processing apparatus, the transfer enclosure having a side entrance for receiving batched material from the lift mechanism and a bottom exit for subsequent discharge of the batched material into the material processing apparatus through the inlet opening thereof, a tilt assembly disposed between the lift mechanism and the transfer enclosure and being operable to either block or complete a path for transfer of the batched m

Abstract: A flexible connector assembly comprising a flexible material which is substantially resistant to temperature and acid/solvent fumes, and a telescopic assembly comprising first and second upper end flanges, and first and second lower end flanges, wherein an inner sleeve is connected to the first upper end flange, a first outer sleeve is connected to the second upper end flange, and a second outer sleeve is connected to the second lower end flange, wherein the flexible material is disposed between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeves.

Abstract: A device is provided for charging a pressurized enclosure, particularly a blast furnace. The device comprises a closing off bell which is movable inside a hopper and is used to close off a discharge opening. A lower sealing member encompasses a closing off element set out below the bell and is capable of moving axially with respect to the latter, and a seat is mounted below the discharge opening. The closing off element is equipped with an inflatable seal, and its seat is equipped with a first peripheral sealing surface which is substantially vertical or points downwardly. The inflatable seal interacts with the first sealing surface in order to ensure sealing of the pressurized enclosure with respect to the hopper.

Abstract: An arrangement for filling coal in oven chambers of a coke oven battery has a telescopable filling tube mountable on a filling car and having a lower end which is lowerable to a filling hole frame of a filling hole of a coke oven battery, an upper sealing ring arranged on an outer side of the upper end of a lower tubular piece and a lower sealing ring arranged on an outer side of the lower end of the lower tubular piece of the filling tube, and each having the shape of a portion of a sphere and being provided with upwardly and downwardly directed circular segment-shaped outer surfaces, an additional sealing ring arranged on an inner side of the lower end of an upper tubular piece of the filling tube and having an outer surface which is inclined upwardly, a contact ring loosely located on the lower sealing ring and corresponding to the latter, a filling hole frame sealing ring extending in a funnel-shaped manner into the filling hole opening and has a sealing surface with a spherical cross-section, elastic sea

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for charging combustible solids through a port in the wall of a rotating kiln into a heated zone of the kiln. The apparatus includes a port closure comprising inner and outer portions which cooperate to define a passage for closure-cooling air flow when the closure is in a port-closed position. A transfer assembly is mounted on the kiln wall in alignment with the port. During kiln rotation combustible solids are loaded from a staging assembly onto the transfer assembly for alignment with the port and delivery into the kiln.

Abstract: A hopper containing fuel pellets for a stove opens downward into a feed trough which extends generally horizontally toward the firebox of the stove. A feed plate is positioned such that pellets from the hopper are supported on the feed plate. The feed plate is reciprocated between a rearward position adjacent to the hopper and a forward position adjacent to the firebox so as to advance pellets toward the firebox. A gate member is mounted adjacent to the end of the feed trough remote from the hopper. The gate member is positioned to be engaged by the feed plate when the feed plate is in its forward position so as to close the feed trough and hopper from the firebox. The mechanism for reciprocating the feed plate normally maintains it in its forward position in which the feed trough and hopper are isolated from the firebox.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for charging combustible solids through a port in the wall of a rotating kiln into a heated zone of the kiln. The apparatus includes a port closure comprising inner and outer portions which cooperate to define a passage for closure-cooling air flow when the closure is in a port-closed position. A transfer assembly is mounted on the kiln wall in alignment with the port. During kiln rotation combustible solids are loaded from a staging assembly onto the transfer assembly for alignment with the port and delivery into the kiln.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for quantitatively analyzing a gaseous mixture for its components. A predetermined volume of a gaseous mixture of combustion products component is collected in a gas mixer up to a preselected pressure. A portion of the mixture is discharged successively through the tubular column and a sample chamber for a predetermined time period with the mixture being initially at the preselected pressure in the volume means. Detection of delayed output of gas constitutents from the column provides an analysis of constituents. The apparatus further comprises a furnace, a magazine for holding the plurality of test samples, a transfer device connected to the furnace for sequentially transferring a successive sample from the magazine to the furnace, and a furnace seal integral with the transfer device for temporal sealing of the furnace from ambient atmosphere after the sample is transferred to the furnace until subsequent transferral.

Abstract: A filling car for filling coal in oven chambers of a coke oven battery comprises a telescopable filling pipe having an upper part and a lower part and a lower end to be lowerable to a filling frame of a filling opening of a coke oven battery, a supporting ring in which the lower part of the filling pipe is supported for turning about a horizontal axis, a liftable and lowerable supporting bracket in which the supporting ring is held, a mechanism for suspending the lower part of the filling pipe in the supporting ring and including two oppositely located hinge arms, and a mechanism for holding the supporting ring on the supporting bracket and including two oppositely located pivot pins arranged so that the supporting ring is turnable about a horizontal axis relative to the supporting bracket, the hinge arms and the pivot pins being offset relative to one another by 90.degree..

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for charging containerized fuel, particularly combustible hazardous waste homogenates, through a wall of a rotating kiln with minimal perturbation of mineral processing conditions. During kiln rotation fuel modules are loaded into the apparatus and charged into the kiln through a port in the kiln cylinder wall and onto the contained mineral bed. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus includes a device for actuating a port closure and a drop tube extending from the port into the kiln cylinder and positioned so that in-process mineral material does not contact the port closure during rotation of the kiln cylinder.

Abstract: Chip gates are provided adjacent the lower end of an inlet chute to a presteaming vessel for a digester in a pulp production system. The chip gates are operated to maintain a level of chips within the inlet chute sufficient such that the chips preclude egress of noxious odorous gas from the presteaming vessel, while simulataneously the chips are discharged into the vessel.

Abstract: The process is intended to compensate for the random movements and inclinations of a loading installation of a shaft furnace having a storage lock chamber which is carried by a framework independent of the shaft furnace and which is connected to the shaft furnace by use of a compensator. In accordance with this process, the lateral shifts of the head of the furnace in relation to the lock chamber are detected, and the storage lock chamber is inclined until the axis of the falling path of the charge material corresponds to the shifted central axis (0') of the furnace.

Abstract: An installation for charging a shaft furnace equipped with a distribution spout, several storage containers, a sluicing system and a valve cage is presented. The containers are arranged next to each other and are horizontally displaceable between a first position aligned on the vertical axis of the shaft furnace, where the material is unloaded; and a second position laterally separated from the vertical axis of the shaft furnace, where the containers are filled.

Abstract: The rolling track comprises a series of rollers which are supported by a fixed reinforcement and on which travels the circular pedestal of the hopper. This circular pedestal is equipped with a toothed ring in order to be driven in rotary movement about its vertical axis. The rollers are grouped in pairs, and each pair of rollers is carried by an axle pivotable about a radial axis; with each of the rollers being carried in its axle by floating bearings mounted on springs.

Abstract: The hopper comprises a cylindrical side wall supported by an annular rolling ring so as to be rotatable about its vertical axis, and a funnel shaped bottom with a central outflow orifice controlled by a valve. To allow rapid removal of the rolling ring, the bottom is separated from the side wall and rests freely on an inner edge of the latter. An apparatus is provided for raising the bottom within the wall and for lifting the side wall slightly from the rolling ring.

Abstract: Active form coke is made from coal by passing the coal granulate downwardly through a preheating and pyrolysis zone, a heating zone, an aftertreatment zone and a cooling zone by moving respective grate bars of grates in each zone so that a bed of granules on one grate trickles uniformly onto the next lower grate. In the preheating, heating and aftertreatment zone CO.sub.2 or steam are passed through the beds by laterally introducing the gas at one side and withdrawing the gas on the opposite side of a respective bed.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for melting radioactive waste contained in a metal transport vessel and in which the transport vessel is introduced into a container which is closed by a laterally retractable cover and then inverted by rotation through 180.degree. about a horizontal axis to lie above the mouth of a furnace. The mouth of the furnace is provided with a horizontally retractable slider and the cover and the slider are independently retracted to allow discharge of the transport vessel and the radioactive waste contents thereof into the furnace for melting therein. The container and its cover thus form part of the gate allowing transfer of the radioactive waste into the furnace without a hot or radioactive cell shielding the entire unit from vagabond or wayward radioactivity.

Abstract: A transfer system for controlling and initiating the flow of metered amounts of materials which may be radioactive ash, radioactive calcined salts, cement, flour, or pharmaceuticals comprising a vertical non-converging conduit which acts as a storage hopper; a stationary platform located at the downward end of the conduit to allow the radial outward flow of the material; a translatable hollow piston that acts externally but coaxially to the conduit and platform to interrupt the radial flow of material; a hopper located below the platform for accepting the material; and a housing that encloses and supports the hopper and platform and provides a dust tight seal around the apparatus of this invention.

Abstract: A raw materials charging device for a preheating furnace including a bucket having a main body, an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder inserted coaxially with the main body in the outer cylinder for vertical movement independently of each other, and a bottom plate split into a plurality of bottom plate sections for movement outwardly from a central portion of the bottom plate to open and close the same.

Abstract: A feeder container for arc furnaces is disclosed having fold-down bottom segments which are prevented from swinging outward by a ring disposed underneath the container proper to prevent the segments from hitting the furnace wall. The segments are constructed as double-arms levers, with a shorter radially outwardly oriented lever arm in each instance, held down by a bottom ring of an outer jacket, the jacket being provided with windows and the up and down movement of the outer jacket in conjunction with the lever action is used to control the discharge or retention of material kept in an annular space between the container proper and the outer jacket.

Abstract: A rotary kiln is charged with pneumatic tires by a lock chamber which carries two gates adapted to be opened in alternation. To ensure a desirable charging operation, the lock chamber provides a runway downwardly inclined towards the kiln inlet and having a length which is at least twice the tire diameter. The gate at the receiving end of the lock chamber is provided with a tire holder for holding each tire in a position for rolling on the runway. The tire holder comprises a gripping device having two gripping jaws operable to move in mutually opposite directions and engageable with the side wall of a pneumatic tire. The gripping jaws are mounted to be adjustable in a direction parallel to the runway and transversely to the direction of travel of the tire on the runway.

Abstract: In charging electrothermic smelting furnaces the charge is fed batchwise to the furnace pot through annular charging units arranged more or less concentrically around each electrode. The charge is supplied to each annular charging unit which surrounds each electrode and consists of a rotatable chamber which comprises at least one bottom member and two substantially vertical side walls. The bottom member and the walls are rotated together for supply of charge to the chamber, then the bottom of the chamber is rotated separately from the walls whereby the charge contained between the walls of the chamber is allowed to fall into the furnace pot through at least one closable opening in said bottom member.

Abstract: Feed apparatus for a uniflow regenerative shaft furnace for the calcining of limestone and similar raw materials is formed with a feed container installed above each of the shafts of the furnace, each of the feed containers being arranged concentrically with the shaft axis of the respective shaft over which it is installed and constructed to be maintained in rotation during filling thereof of the material to be calcined.

Abstract: A sample loading mechanism includes a hopper mounted to a base for positioning the hopper with respect to a furnace for releasably holding a relatively small sample in relation to a crucible used with the furnace. The hopper includes a floor with a movable element for alternately closing the floor for holding the sample and opening the floor permitting the sample to drop into the crucible. A plate is slideably mounted to the base above the hopper and includes an aperture which aligns with the hopper in a first position for admitting a sample to the hopper and is slideable to a second position for selectively sealing the upper end of the hopper. An actuator is provided for selectively controlling the movable element of the hopper for dropping the sample into a crucible aligned below the hopper.

Abstract: A method of charging coke ovens with coal through charging holes and simultaneously withdrawing gases evolving from the coal charge through the middle charging holes thereof, holding the coal charge over a period of time sufficient for a coal-charging machine to deliver a next batch of said coal charge for charging the next successive coke oven, completely charging said coke oven while simultaneously charging the next successive coke oven through its extreme charging holes, and withdrawing through said middle charging holes of said coke oven being completely charged, said coke-oven gases and introducing a gas inert to said coke-oven gas in an amount of 15-20% of the total amount of the coke-oven gas being withdrawn.

Abstract: The gas-tight closure comprises a thin walled tubular piece projecting from a feeding duct into a filling space, a thin walled conical jacket having its larger bottom base provided with a rigid seal reinforcing member cooperating with the lower rim of the intake tubular piece. The outer periphery of the reinforcing member is slanted about a small angle to snugly fit into the tubular piece and adjust the form thereof when upward pull is exerted upon the conical jacket by means of an actuation rod passing outwardly through the wall of the feeding duct. The actuation rod has preferably the form of a hollow shaft which accommodates the manipulation rod of a scraper projecting radially below the reinforcing member into the filling space. The outside portion of the actuation rod is provided with a control device in the form of clamping plates cooperating with abutment plates resting on the guiding sleeve for the actuation rod. The clamping plates are manipulated by means of separate levers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for filling bins with bulk material and, in particular, for filling a cooling bin with hot coke include engaging the material containing vessel with hoisting apparatus, lifting the hoisting apparatus upwardly in a vertical fixed guide and at the end of the upward movement introducing the hoisting apparatus into a vertical guide assembly, moving the vertical guide assembly and hoisting apparatus in a transverse direction over rails until the hoisting apparatus and the vessel are located vertically over the inlet opening of the bin. The hoisting apparatus and vessel are lowered until the latter is mounted on a stationary support so that upon the vessel discharge opening being opened, the contents of the vessel will be transferred to the bin.