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

Abstract: A system for monitoring railroad cars comprising a hatch cover assembly including a cover body, a sensor, a wireless transmitter for transmitting data received from the sensor, a wireless receiver for receiving the data from the wireless transmitter, and a satellite transmitter for transmitting the data to a satellite. The wireless receiver and the satellite transmitter are attached to the hatch cover assembly. In one embodiment, the sensor is a pressure sensor having a sensing unit situated in the plenum of a vented hatch cover. In another embodiment, the sensor is an air flow sensor having a sensing unit situated in the plenum of a vented hatch cover. In another embodiment, the sensor is a chain tension sensor attached to a handbrake chain. In another embodiment, the sensor is a hatch cover position attached to the hatch cover assembly.

Abstract: A charging device for a shaft furnace comprises a distribution chute for bulk material and a drive mechanism for the distribution chute. The distribution chute has a trough-shaped main part with an open impact section and an outlet section. The main part provides a sliding channel between the impact section and the outlet section. The drive mechanism for the distribution chute is capable of rotating the distribution chute about an essentially vertical axis and pivoting the distribution chute about an essentially horizontal axis so as to allow distribution of bulk material on a charging surface of the shaft furnace. According to the present invention, the distribution chute comprises a circumferentially closed funnel portion which tapers in the direction of flow and is arranged downstream of the impact section and with its outlet at the downstream end of said trough-shaped main part.

Abstract: A charging device for being mounted above the top opening of a blast furnace body. The charging device includes a stationary hopper with a closable lower opening, and a rotary hopper with a closable lower opening with the rotary hopper being arranged below the stationary hopper. The device further includes a rotary cover for covering the top opening of the blast furnace body, with the rotary cover being supported and rotated by the rotary hopper. An annular gas sealing device co-operates with the rotary cover so as to provide a gas-tight seal of the top opening of the blast furnace body, and a rotary chute is supported and rotated by the rotary hopper. The rotary chute points downward into the blast furnace body and is pivotable about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: A top closing device for shaft furnaces, particularly blast furnaces, including an inlet hopper with inlet pipe, a rotating, vertically non-adjustable chute carrier with rotary drive, a pivotable chute in the furnace interior with external drive means, and sealing members between the rotating and stationary components. The rotating chute carrier is mounted with a gear ring attached to a flange in a ball bearing slewing rim arranged on a catch basket. The rotary movement of the rotating chute carrier is effected outside of the furnace space by an electric motor drive with pinion. The catch basket is arranged on the furnace support ring of the gas seal hood. The pivoting or tilting movement of the chute relative to the furnace axis within the rotating chute carrier is effected by a hydraulic or electromechanical drive outside of the furnace space. An annular sealing member for sealing relative to the rotating chute carrier is mounted on the furnace support ring next to the flange of the catch basket.

Abstract: A charging device for a shaft furnace with a lower bell comprises lower means of blockage allowing an upper hopper to be isolated in a sealed manner from a lower hopper and allowing the retention of the charging material. In their open position, these lower means of blockage are positioned so that they unblock a free central passage for the flux of material. This flux is established in the form of a compact and focused flux. Means for moving the lower bell are positioned so as not to disturb the focusing of this flux. Positioned above the lower bell is a deflecting surface, which causes the focused flux to diverge with axial symmetry. Inter alia, a better symmetry in the filling of the lower hopper is obtained.

Abstract: The installation comprises a chute for distributing the charging material, a skip transport system, a closed casing containing a device for the controlled sluicing of the charging material between the discharge by the skips and the distribution chute, a lower sealing valve and a proportioning valve opening symmetrically about a central axis, and a funnel-shaped hopper suspended rotatably within a sealed casing. A closing and material-deflecting plate is located in the hopper, this plate being movable vertically and axially within the hopper. A valve is associated with each of the skips in order to regulate the flow of material from the skips towards the hopper.

Abstract: In a throat stopper for shaft furnaces, in particular blast furnaces with two hoppers of which an upper hopper is rotatable through a drive device, the upper hopper is designed, by a stationary hood equipped with charging flap valves, as a sluice chamber to be closed pressureproof. For sealing the stationary hood relative to the rotatable upper hopper, there is disposed, at the hood, a peripheral flexible inflatable bellows. The bellows can be pressed against the wall of the upper hopper pneumatically or hydraulically. While material is being charged in the upper hopper, one of the charging valves is open and the bellows is pressureless. During, or shortly after, the charging, the uppr hopper is rotated. For filling the lower hopper, the valves of the upper hopper are closed, bellows is inflated, and the upper sluice chamber is pressurized.

Abstract: In a throat stopper for shaft furnaces, in particular blast furnaces with two hoppers of which an upper hopper is rotatable through a drive device, the upper hopper is designed, by means of a stationary hood equipped with charging flap valves, as a sluice chamber to be closed pressureproof. For sealing the stationary hood relative to the rotatable upper hopper, there is disposed, at the hood, a peripheral flexible inflatable bellows. The bellows can be pressed against the wall of the upper hopper pneumatically or hydraulically. While material is being charged in the upper hopper, one of the charging valves is open and the bellows is pressureless. During, or shortly thereafter, the charging, the upper hopper is rotated. For during the lower hopper, the valves of the upper hopper are closed, bellows is inflated, and the upper hopper is hopper are closed, bellows is inflated, and the upper sluice chamber is pressurized.