System for vessel exchange
AssigneePennsylvania Engineering Corporation
InventorsHoward M. Fisher, Rashed N. Nagati
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for moving metallurgical vessels includes a hydraulic vessel lifting apparatus designed to raise the vessel out of supporting contact with a horseshoe-shaped trunnion ring and for lowering it onto a specially designed transfer car. The car moves the vessel to relining or bottom exchange stations where the vessel is removed by a similar hydraulic lifting apparatus from the car. The car is then used to move a second vessel to the operating station and position it on the trunnion ring. The melt shop layout includes a turntable for permitting the vessel transfer car to be selectively directed to desired locations.
Claims20
A metallurgical vessel handling apparatus comprising:
- a metallurgical vessel;
- trunnion means for partially surrounding and supporting said vessel at a first height;
- lift means adjacent said vessel for engaging said vessel and vertically lifting same relative to said trunnion means to a second height;
- transfer means for being movably positioned beneath said vessel when said vessel is at said second height, said transfer means including vessel support means for engaging and supporting said vessel when said vessel is at a third height intermediate said first and second heights;
- power means for said lift means;
- and
- means for driving said transfer means.
A metallurgical vessel exchange apparatus comprising:
- a first station, said first station including a generally horseshoe-shaped trunnion ring for supporting a metallurgical vessel and jack means adjacent said vessel for engaging a vessel supported by said trunnion ring and lifting same vertically out of engagement with said trunnion ring;
- transfer car means adapted for being positioned beneath said vessel when it is in its elevated position and including support means for engaging said vessel when the vessel is lowered by said jack means;
- at least one additional station also including said trunnion ring and jack means;
- means for moving said car means between said stations.
A metallurgical vessel exchange apparatus comprising:
- a metallurgical vessel, said vessel having an annular support ring, a plurality of generally horizontal and coplanar lifting plate means attached to the exterior of said vessel below said ring, said vessel also including a plurality of generally horizontal and coplanar support plate means being attached to the exterior thereof, said lifting plate means being above and circumferentially displaced from said support plate means;
- a generally horseshoe-shaped trunnion ring means for supporting said vessel and for permitting said vessel to be horizontally displaced through the opening in said trunnion ring means;
- jack means mounted adjacent said vessel and including piston means for engaging said lift plate means and raising said vessel out of supporting contact with said trunnion ring means;
- power means for said jack means;
- transfer car means for being positioned beneath said vessel when same has been raised by said jack means, said car means including support post means for engaging said support plate means when said vessel is lowered by said jack means, the height of said post means being selected so that said vessel rests on said post means before said annular support ring contacts said trunnion ring means;
- and
- means for moving said car means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.