AU2022410367A1 - Sliding closure for a metallurgical vessel, and an exchangeable spout - Google Patents

Abstract

A sliding closure (1) for a metallurgical vessel is provided with a slider unit (7), a refractory closing plate (3) which can be inserted therein, a refractory exchangeable spout (4) which can be sealingly connected to the closing plate (3) and has a top face (15) and an outlet opening (24), and a fastening means (8). By means of said fastening means (8), the exchangeable spout (4) can be pressed against a stop (9) in the slider unit (7). Said stop (9) in the slider unit (7) and the exchangeable spout (4) are each designed with a stop surface (16, 17) conically tapering toward the closing plate (3) such that, when assembled, they are correspondingly pressed against one another with a refractory sealing material between the exchangeable spout (4) and the slider unit (7). Improved axial and lateral fixation between these components is therefore achieved, thereby reducing the risk of breaching.

Description

PA4867 PCT

Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co. KG, A-1100 Vienna

Sliding Closure for a Metallurgical Vessel and an Exchangeable Nozzle

The invention relates to a sliding closure for a metallurgical vessel, which is provided with a slider unit or a mechanical part, a refractory closure plate which can be inserted therein, a refractory exchangeable nozzle which can be connected tight to the closure plate or to a refractory sleeve, with an upper face side and with an outlet opening and a securing means, through which the exchangeable nozzle can be pressed against a stop element in the slider unit or in the mechanical part, thus in accordance with the preamble to claim 1.

A device for a sliding closure of the generic type referred to in the preamble is disclosed in the printed specification DE 34 23 191 C1, wherein the refractory exchangeable nozzle is held in a securing sleeve, which is guided in the connection base of the slider frame, and, when the exchangeable nozzle is secured to the slider plate, is pressed against a metallic stop element arranged in the connection base on the face side. Disadvantageous with this configuration of the stop element is the fact that exchangeable nozzle is insufficiently fixed in the upper region in a lateral direction, and therefore is insufficiently stable in retention in the event of possible lateral forces. As a result, secure centring of the exchangeable nozzle in relation to the slider frame is not guaranteed. It is also disadvantageous that, with regard to the device with the stop element used therein, the tolerances of the refractory exchangeable nozzle can only be partially eliminated.

It is also known that refractory exchangeable nozzles are usually pressed directly onto the closure plate, with mortar on their upper face sides. As a result, these too may likewise not be adequately secured against lateral forces taking effect on the exchangeable nozzle, as well as the fact that indeterminate shearing forces can take effect on the closure plate and mortar joint, which can be disadvantageous.

The object of the invention is to avoid these disadvantages and to provide a sliding closure of the generic type referred to in the preamble which, with simple means, allows for its secure axial and lateral fixing, and also compensates for the refractory tolerances, in particular of the exchangeable nozzle.

This object is solved according to the invention by the features of the characterization section of claim 1.

With this solution according to the invention, of forming the stop element in the slider unit or in the mechanical part, and forming the exchangeable nozzle in each case with a contact surface which tapers conically towards the closure plate or the sleeve, which in the installed state, with a refractory sealing material, preferably a mortar layer, between the exchangeable nozzle and the slider plate or sleeve and between the exchangeable nozzle and the slider unit or the corresponding mechanical part, are pressed against one another, on the one hand a fixing arrangement of the exchangeable nozzle is achieved which takes effect both axially as well as radially, wherein a form of wedging is achieved. This reduces the risk of breakthrough between the closure plate and the exchangeable nozzle, and, in addition, what is referred to as an open check of the slide closure can be carried out, wherein a check on the state of the slider plates takes place with the slide closure opened and the slider unit pivoted outwards, without the need for the exchangeable nozzle to be dismantled.

The securing means therefore presses the exchangeable nozzle against a stop in the slide unit or in the mechanical part. The stop in the slider unit or in the mechanical one has a stop surface that tapers conically towards the slide plate or the sleeve. The exchangeable nozzle also has a stop surface that tapers conically towards the slide plate or the sleeve. These stop surfaces are designed in such a way that in the assembled state they are correspondingly pressed against each other with a refractory sealing material, preferably a layer of mortar, in between.

This additional axial fixing of the exchangeable nozzle in the connecting region with the plate results in it being better centred. In addition, as a result of this corresponding arrangement of the exchangeable nozzle with the stop element, the influence of the refractory tolerances can be compensated, such that the sliding closure can, if appropriate, also function without a face-side sealing material, such as a mortar joint, between the slider plate and the exchangeable nozzle, and needs only the sealing material between the lateral contact surfaces.

To the purpose, the conically tapering contact surfaces of the stop element and the exchangeable nozzle are dimensioned, in relation to the axial direction of the outlet opening, in each case with an angle, preferably between 50 and 45°. Optimally, these angles amount in each cast to between ° and 20°. The angles at the exchangeable nozzle and at the mechanical stop element can in each case be configured as identical. In order to guarantee the function, the angles of the conically tapering contact surfaces can be between 50 and 450, wherein a better lateral fixing is achieved with a small angle, while with an increasing angle the axial fixing of the exchangeable nozzle is improved.

The invention advantageously makes provision that, in the installed state, the joint thickness of the refractory sealing material between the conically tapering contact surfaces and/or the slider plate and the exchangeable nozzle on its upper face side is preferably less than 0.5 mm. As a result, it is possible for the face-side mortar joint to be connected to the joint between the contact surfaces.

Preferably, the conically tapering contact surface of the stop element extends from an upper end of the slider unit and the conically tapering contact surface of the exchangeable nozzle on its upper face side, such that an advantageous sealing connection is established between this upper face side and the contact surfaces.

Advantageously, the conically tapering contact surfaces are configured in such a way that, in the installed state, a joint is formed between them by the refractory sealing material, the joint thickness of which preferably amounts to less than 0.5 mm. As a result, it is possible, with a small amount of sealing material, such as mortar, for an optimum seal to be formed in this connection zone. Accordingly, in this context provision is made for the slider plate or the sleeve and the exchangeable nozzle to be configured in such a way that, in the installed state, a joint is formed by the refractory sealing material between the slider plate or the sleeve and the face side of the exchangeable nozzle, the joint thickness of which is likewise preferably less than 0.5 mm.

Due to the tolerances, it may occur that, in the installed state, no layer of sealing material is present between the face side of the exchangeable nozzle and the closure plate or the sleeve, since, when the exchangeable nozzle is pressed against the plate or the sleeve, as a dependency of the tolerances, the mortar may be pressed outwards and into the outlet opening.

With the selection of the smallest possible joint, ideally a joint without sealing material in it, the risk of breakthrough between the exchangeable nozzle and the slider plate or the contact surface in the mechanical part, in the critical deflection region of the flow. In the event of an erosion of the sealing material occurring despite this, then, due to the very small gap thickness between the exchangeable nozzle and the slider plate, and the resulting small amount of flowing metal melt, the melt will rapidly solidify and therefore bring about a new sealing effect, as a result of which a further outflow of metallic melts through this gap will be prevented.

Preferably, the exchangeable nozzle is provided beneath the contact surface with an external support shoulder, which lies on a corresponding tensioning surface of the securing means. This therefore causes the exchangeable nozzle to be optimally tensioned with the contact surface.

Advantageously, an installation device which can be located onto the exchangeable nozzle, which is designed, the sealing material will be applied in a defined manner onto the upper face side and the lateral contact surface of the exchangeable nozzle, while the exchangeable nozzle is in the detached, non-installed state. Next, the exchangeable nozzle, with the sealing material, is pressed into the slider unit of the sliding closure, and is pressed by these securing means against the contact surface of the slider unit and tensioned. As a result, a defined connection is established between the exchangeable nozzle, the sealing material, the contact surface, and the slider plate, such that a very secure sealing effect is achieved, by means of which the risk of breakthrough can be reduced in a simple manner.

The refractory exchangeable nozzle according to the invention is configured with a contact surface which extends conically, connecting to its upper face side, which serves to achieve a wedging fixing effect in the sliding closure. Preferably, the external support shoulder is configured as extending inwards beneath the conically extending contact surface, preferably in a truncated cone shape, such that a resulting tensioning force is incurred in the axial direction of the outlet opening against the closure plate, and therefore this reliable securing of the exchangeable nozzle in the sliding closure is guaranteed.

It is advantageous if the exchangeable nozzle comprises a refractory sleeve and, on its outer jacket, a surrounding casing extending approximately from its lower face side at least as far as to above the support shoulder, preferably a sheet metal casing, wherein the casing preferably extends as far as the upper face side of the exchangeable nozzle.

By means of this casing, the refractory sleeve is protected against pressure point forces when the exchangeable nozzle is tensioned, and it can be cast into this casing. In addition, by means of the casing an optimum sealing effect can be achieved against harmful air aspiration through the porous refractory material, in particular if negative pressure prevails in the outlet opening when the sliding closure is choked.

The exchangeable nozzle can be configured in a different form. For example, in each case a flat, cambered, spherical, or other form of face surface can be provided at the upper and/or lower face side. In this case, the contact surface would then connect to the outer circumference of the face side. It is also possible for another configuration to be arranged, such as a tongue-and groove system.

The invention and further advantages are explained in greater detail hereinafter on the basis of exemplary embodiments and making reference to the drawings. The Figures show:

Fig. 1 A longitudinal section through a partially represented sliding closure on a metallurgical vessel; Fig. 2 an enlarged part section of the sliding closure according to Fig. 1, with a variant of a securing means; and Fig. 3 a longitudinal section through a gauge for the application of a sealing means in the upper region of a refractory exchangeable nozzle.

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show in sections a sliding closure 1, secured to a metallurgical vessel 30, for respectively opening and closing an outlet opening 24 from the vessel 30, of which only the outer metal jacket 31 and a refractory perforated nozzle block 32 are indicated. The metallurgical vessel is usually a steel casting ladle in a continuous casting plant for the continuous delivery of steel melts into a mould or the like. In principle, however, this could be another vessel rather than a steel casting ladle, such as a tundish ladle, a converter, an electric furnace, or also a metallurgical vessel in the non-ferrous metal sector.

The sliding closure 1 is provided with an upper fixed base plate 2 in a housing 36 and a slider plate 3 in a slider unit 7, wherein the latter is guided in a longitudinally adjustable manner in the housing 36, and allows for the opening and closing of the outlet opening 24 in a known manner. Above the base plate 2, configured as a refractory closure plate, is a refractory inlet sleeve 33, projecting into the vessel 30, and connected beneath the slider plate 3 is an exchangeable nozzle 4, likewise made of refractory material. The inlet sleeve 33 is mortared into the perforated block 32, and positioned on the under side of centring means 38 in the housing 36.

The exchangeable nozzle 4 can in turn be tensioned by a securing means 8 into a receiver part 6 of the slider unit 7. To the purpose, a sleeve-shaped bayonet ring 5 is provided, which can be screwed into the receiver part 6, as a detachable closure element, wherein this can be a bayonet closure element, a threaded closure element, or another securing means. Of this securing means 8, the mutually opposed thread-shaped tensioning elements ', 6' can be seen, in the tensioned state. Indicated at the lower end, at the exchangeable nozzle, is a connecting sleeve 35, such as, for example, a shrouding tube.

According to the invention, the stop element 9 in the slider unit 7 and the exchangeable nozzle 4 are each configured with a contact surface 16, 17, tapering conically towards the slider plate 3, which in the installed state shown are pressed against one another and overlapping, with a corresponding refractory sealing material, preferable a mortar layer, between them. The stop element has a contact surface 16, and the exchangeable nozzle a contact surface 17.

The contact surfaces 16, 17 of the stop element 9 and of the exchangeable nozzle 4 are dimensioned in relation to the axial direction of the outlet opening 24 preferably with an angle of between 50 and 450, and particularly advantageously between 10° and 20°. The two angles can be identical or also different. In the exemplary embodiment shown, both angles are each 15°. These angles can vary, depending on the dimensional relationships of the exchangeable nozzle. Smaller angles are more advantageous for more compact exchangeable nozzles.

These conically tapering contact surfaces 16, 17 each exhibit the shape of a truncated cone, and advantageously extend from the upper end of the receiver part 6 and, respectively, from the upper face side 15 of the exchangeable nozzle 4, and preferably extend over a height of 10 to 50 millimetres. In principle, these contact surfaces 16, 17 can be arranged somewhat offset downwards, and at the top a ring surface or similar would be provided.

The exchangeable nozzle 4 is advantageously provided beneath its contact surface 17 with an external support shoulder 11, which lies on the corresponding tensioning surface of the bayonet ring 5 of the securing means. This support shoulder 11 is preferably configured in the shape of a truncated cone or another shape extending inwards, and causes a resulting tensioning force in the axial direction of the outlet opening 24 towards the closure plate 3.

Advantageously, the exchangeable nozzle 4 comprises a single-part or multipart refractory sleeve 4', and a casing extending approximately from its face side 12 as far as the outer edge 13 above the supporting shoulder 11, preferably a sheet metal casing 14, which, if appropriate, can also comprise the region as far as the upper face side 15 of the exchangeable nozzle 4. Accordingly, if made of refractory material, such as concrete, this can be cast directly into the sheet metal casing 14.

As referred to heretofore, the stop element 9 according to the invention in the slider unit 7 provides the substantial advantage of a better lateral and axial fixing of the exchangeable nozzle 4 in the installed state. As a result of this rigid wedge-shaped connection, a secure centring can be ensured, even if lateral forces are incurred transverse to the axial direction. In addition to this, what is referred to as an open check is made possible, i.e. a check of the slider plates 2, 3, with the slider unit 7 pivoted outwards, and therefore with the closure element opened, wherein the exchangeable nozzle 4 remains in the installed state, without there being any risk of the mortar layer 19 between the exchangeable nozzle 4 and the closure plate 3 or the stop element 9 ceasing to be tightly sealed due to breaking or cracking.

According to Fig. 3, the sealing material is applied by means of an installation device 20, which can be located onto the exchangeable nozzle 4 and with a defined form, onto the upper face side 15 and the lateral contact surface 17 of the exchangeable nozzle 4. The exchangeable nozzle is in this situation in the non-installed detached state outside the sliding closure 1.

The installation device 20, which can be inserted into the detached exchangeable nozzle 4, preferably comprises a retaining ring 21 surrounding the contact surface 17, with an approximately cylindrical borehole 21', which is dimensioned approximately with a diameter such as the exchangeable nozzle 4 has beneath the tapering contact surface 17. A centring element 23 is provided, connected to the retaining ring 21 by radial webs 22, which can be positioned, approximately free of play before the application of the mortar, in the outlet opening 24 of the exchangeable nozzle 4. The centring element could also be configured in such a way that, for example, it could be positioned on the outside at the exchangeable nozzle. As a result, an opening 19' V-shaped in cross-section is formed between the contact surface 17 and the retaining ring 21, into which the sealing material is pressed all around. Before installation, the installation device 20 is drawn out of the exchangeable nozzle 4, and the sealing material adheres on the outside to the contact surface 17 and forms a cylindrical outer side.

This installation device 20 could of course be configured differently. For example, instead of webs 22, only one connecting element could be provided. Attention should preferably be paid to the fact that the opening 19' and the upper face side 15 are easily accessible for the mortaring.

When the exchangeable nozzle 4 is connected to the slider plate 3, the mortar of the stop element 9, which can still be shaped, can be pressed into the intermediate space between the exchangeable nozzle 4 and the receiver part 6, and there is transformed into a largely uniformly thick mortar joint between the contact surface 16, 17 of the contact element 9 and the exchangeable nozzle 4, which is preferably reduced from a thickness of 3 to mm to a thickness of less than 0.5 mm.

In principle, the exchangeable nozzle 4 could be tensioned in a mechanical part instead of in the adjustable slider unit 7, this part being not movable, and which could, for example, be formed as a cover unit with a three-plate sliding closure, with a lower fixed closure plate received in it. Likewise, it could be pressed against a refractory sleeve or the like, which would be arranged, for example, beneath the closure plate, together with this as a unit or independently from it. Furthermore, the exchangeable nozzle could be configured as two-part, with a lower and an upper sleeve.

Instead of this mortar layer 19 as the sealing material, a prefabricated ring shaped sealing film could also be laid onto the exchangeable nozzle 4 before installation, which in the installed state would then likewise dry out at the casting of the melts and the subsequent heating, and would adhesively bond to the refractory sleeve and the closure plate.

The exchangeable nozzle could be configured differently in form. Instead of the upper and/or lower flat face surface arranged on the upper and/or lower face side 15, as represented in the Figures, there could be provided in each case a cambered, spherical, or other shape. On the outer circumference, the extending contact surface would then connect to the upper face side of the exchangeable nozzle. In addition, another shape arrangement could then be provided on the face side 15, such as an inherently known tongue-and-groove connection, with corresponding ring-shaped projections and grooves between the exchangeable nozzle and the closure plate or, respectively, underneath between the exchangeable nozzle and the connecting sleeve.

Claims (15)

PA4867 PCT CLAIMS

1. Sliding closure for a metallurgical vessel, which is provided with a slider unit (7) or a mechanical part, a refractory closure plate (3) which can be inserted into this, a refractory exchangeable nozzle (4) which can be connected tight to the closure plate (3) or to a refractory sleeve, with an upper face side (15) and an outlet opening (24) and a securing means (8), by means of which the exchangeable nozzle (4) can be pressed against a stop element (9) in the slider unit (7) or in the mechanical part, characterized in that the stop element (9) in the slider unit (7) or in the mechanical part, with a contact surface (17) tapering conically towards the slider plate (3) or the sleeve, and the exchangeable nozzle (4) is provided with a contact surface (16), which tapers conically towards the slider plate (3) or the sleeve, whereby the stop element (9) being in the slide unit (7) or in the mechanical part and the exchangeable nozzle (4) are configured in such a way that the contact surface (16) of the exchangeable nozzle (4) and the contact surface (17) of the stop element (9) in the slider unit (7) or in the mechanical part in the installed state, with a refractory sealing material, preferably a mortar layer between these contact surfaces (16, 17) are pressed correspondingly against one another.

2. Sliding closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the conically tapering contact surfaces (16, 17) of the stop element (9) and of the exchangeable nozzle (4) are dimensioned in relation to the axial direction of the outlet opening (24) in each case with an angle of preferably between 50 and 450.

3. Sliding closure according to claim 2, characterized in that these angles amount in case to between 10° and 20°, and preferably the same or approximately the same.

4. Sliding closure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the conically tapering contact surface (16) of the stop element (9) extends from an upper end of the slider unit (7) and the conically tapering contact surface (17) of the exchangeable nozzle (4) extends from its upper face side (15), which connect to the closure plate (3) or to the refractory sleeve.

5. Sliding closure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the conically tapering contact surfaces (16, 17) are configured in such a way that, in the mounted state, a joint is formed between them by the refractory sealing material, the joint thickness of which is preferably less than 1 mm, and for particular preference less than 0.5 mm.

6. Sliding closure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sliding plate (3) or the sleeve and the exchangeable nozzle (4) are configured in such a way that, in the installed state, a joint is formed between the slider plate (3) or the sleeve, and the face side (15) of the exchangeable nozzle (4), by the refractory sealing material, the joint thickness of which is preferably less than 0.5 mm.

7. Sliding closure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in the installed state, no layer of sealing material is present between the face side (15) of the exchangeable nozzle (4) and the closure plate (3) or the refractory sleeve.

8. Sliding closure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the exchangeable nozzle (4) is provided beneath the contact surface (17) with an external support shoulder (11), which lies on a corresponding tensioning surface of the securing means (8).

9. Installation device (20) for the installation of a sliding closure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the installation device (20), which can be located on the exchangeable nozzle (4), is designed in such a way that the sealing material can be applied in a defined form onto the upper face side (15) and the lateral contact surface (17) of the exchangeable nozzle (4), while the exchangeable nozzle (4) is in a non-installed detached state.

10. Installation device (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that the installation device (20) which can be located onto the non-installed exchangeable nozzle (4) comprises a retaining ring (21) which surrounds the contact surface (17), with a cylindrical or approximately cylindrical borehole (21'), and comprises centrally a centring element, (23) which is connected to the retaining ring by means of radial webs (22) or the like, and which can be positioned approximately free of play in the outlet opening (24) of the exchangeable nozzle (4).

11. Refractory exchangeable nozzle for a sliding closure according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, which is provided with an upper face side (15) and an outside support shoulder (11) for securing in the slider unit (7) or in the mechanical part in the sliding closure (1), characterized in that the exchangeable nozzle (4) is configured with a conically extending contact surface (17) connecting to its upper face side (15), which serves for its fixing in the sliding closure.

12. Exchangeable nozzle according to claim 11, characterized in that the outside support shoulder (11) is formed beneath the conically extending contact surface (17) such that it extends inwards, preferably in the form of a truncated cone or other form, such that a resulting tension force is incurred in the axial direction of the outlet opening (24) against the closure plate (3).

13. Exchangeable nozzle according to any one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the exchangeable nozzle (4) comprises a refractory sleeve (4') and a casing, preferably a sheet metal jacket (14), extending approximately from its lower face side (12) at least as far as above the support shoulder (11), wherein the casing preferably extends as far as the upper face side (15) of the exchangeable nozzle.

14. Exchangeable nozzle according to claims 11, 12, or 13, characterized in that the exchangeable nozzle comprises on the upper face side (15) an upper face surface which is flat or cambered, spherical, or any other shape.

15. Exchangeable nozzle according to claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the exchangeable nozzle comprises on the lower face side (12) a lower face surface which is flat or cambered, spherical, or any other shape.

Fig. 1

38 32 33 24 2 3

30 31 mean 36

1 7 9

5'

8

6 6' 5 4' 14 4 35 12

Fig. 2

3 16 15 19 17

9

13 7

11

6 4

14

5 24 4'

Fig. 3

23

22 22

20

19

21' 19'

17 21

15

4