US 5,083,689 A · Outlet and flow control device for metallurgical vessels

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. Preferably, a part-spherical joint (50) couples the upper end portion of the operating arm (5) to the coupling link, and a part-spherical lower joint (11, 1311) with spherical surfaces formed on different materials connect the plug and/or adjacent portion of the sleeve (10) to the operating rod.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An outlet valve structure to control flow of a metallic melt, adapted for installation in the bottom (2) of a vessel (1) containing the melt, said valve structure comprising

an essentially vertically positioned outlet pipe (3, 3', 3") having a vertical bore (7) therethrough;
stopper means (6) dimensioned and shaped to fit against said outlet pipe;
an operating rod (5) extending in vertical direction within and outside of said vessel (1);
a hollow sleeve or stem (10) extending from said stopper means (6) and surrounding said operating rod with radial play or clearance;
and
a stopper support arm (23, 123) extending laterally of the operating rod (5) and above the level (H) of the melt in the vessel,
and further comprising,
a coupling link (48) radially extending from the operating rod (5), said coupling link being coupled to said operating rod;
means (46) for connecting said coupling link (48) to said support arm (23, 123), said connecting means (46) comprising
a releasable and adjustable clamping arrangement (46) which permits change in position of the coupling link (48) with respect to the support arm in a longitudinal direction of the support arm as well as with respect to angular orientation of the coupling link relative to the support arm.

7 more elements

An outlet valve structure to control flow of a metallic melt, adapted for installation in the bottom (2) of a vessel (1) containing the melt, said valve structure comprising

an essentially vertically positioned outlet pipe (3, 3', 3") having a vertical bore (7) therethrough;
stopper means (6) dimensioned and shaped to fit against said outlet pipe;
an operating rod (5) extending in vertical direction within and outside of said vessel (1);
a hollow sleeve or stem (10) extending from said stopper means (6) and surrounding said operating rod with radial play or clearance;
and
a stopper support arm (23, 123) extending laterally of the operating rod (5) and above the level (H) of the melt in the vessel,
and further comprising,
a floating connecting joint (11) between said operating rod (5) and said stopper means (6), said floating connecting joint comprising
means for defining a first part-spherical surface (80) with a first radius (R1) located at a lower end of the operating rod;
means for defining a second part-spherical surface (84) having a second radius (R2) upwardly of said first part-spherical surface and facing in the opposite direction thereof;
a first counter surface (82) formed in the stopper means (6) and cooperatively positioned for cooperation with said first part-spherical surface (80);
a second counter surface (86) on said stopper means (6) and cooperatively positioned for cooperation with said second part-spherical surface;
said first part-spherical surface (80) and said counter surface (82) being positioned with respect to each other with play or a gap (S) therebetween;
wherein the centers of the radii (R1, R2) are located on the longitudinal axis (M) of the operating rod;
and
wherein at least said first part-spherical surface (80) and said first counter surface (82) are formed of different materials.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Outlet and flow control device for metallurgical vessels

Life of this patent

Outlet and flow control device for metallurgical vessels

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20