Slag control shape release apparatus for molten metal vessels

A slag control shape release apparatus for a molten metal receptacle having an open top, side and bottom walls, an interior cavity containing a layer of slag covering a layer of molten metal, a discharge nozzle formed in the bottom wall, a cover removably closing the open top end of the receptacle, the cover having an aperture extending therethrough and a slag control shape insertable into the receptacle, the apparatus comprising:

• a bore formed in and extending through the cover, the bore substantially aligned with the discharge nozzle in the molten metal receptacle when the cover is mounted on the top of the molten metal receptacle;
• a pivotal member pivotally mounted on the cover and extending across at least a portion of the bore in the cover;
• a pin slidably mounted on the pivotal member;
• biasing means, coupled to the pin, for normally urging the pin to a first, extending position in which the pin engages a hanger extending from the slag control shape through the bore in the cover and an aperture formed in the pivotal member for supporting the slag control shape in the bore of the cover;
• and
• actuating means, connected to the pin, for moving the pin to a second, retracted position in which the pin disengages form the hanger allowing the slag control shape to freely drop for the cover into the molten metal receptacle, the actuating means being operable from a location remote from the cover mounted on the top end of the molten metal receptacle.

A molten metal ladle containing a layer of slag covering a layer of molten metal, the ladle having an open top end, side and bottom walls and a discharge nozzle formed in the bottom wall, the molten metal ladle comprising:

• a cover for removably closing the open top end of the ladle;
• an aperture formed in the cover;
• a slag control shape having a specific gravity to buoyantly float at a slag layer - molten metal layer interface in the ladle;
• a hanger extending from the slag control shape, the hanger insertable through and outward from the aperture in the cover;
• means, mounted on the over, for releasably mounting the slag control shape with respect to the cover;
• and
• means, connected to the mounting means, for actuating the mounting means to release the slag control shape from the mounting means and to allow the free descent of the slag control shape into the ladle, the actuating means being operable from a location remote from the cover mounted on the ladle.