CA1209801A - Expandable consumable stopper plug for steel making and handling vessels - Google Patents
Expandable consumable stopper plug for steel making and handling vesselsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1209801A CA1209801A CA000437048A CA437048A CA1209801A CA 1209801 A CA1209801 A CA 1209801A CA 000437048 A CA000437048 A CA 000437048A CA 437048 A CA437048 A CA 437048A CA 1209801 A CA1209801 A CA 1209801A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- conical shape
- stopper plug
- tap hole
- plug
- hollow
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An improved stopper plug for sealing a tap hole in a molten metal receptacle comprising a radially expandable hollow elongated conical shape and a circular disc member positioned thereon for expanding said conical shape within said tap hole when said circular disc member is moved inwardly thereof, a rod having an enlarged portion arranged to engage said circular disc member and move the same inwardly of the conical shape so as to expand said conical shape into sealing engagement with said tap hole.
An improved stopper plug for sealing a tap hole in a molten metal receptacle comprising a radially expandable hollow elongated conical shape and a circular disc member positioned thereon for expanding said conical shape within said tap hole when said circular disc member is moved inwardly thereof, a rod having an enlarged portion arranged to engage said circular disc member and move the same inwardly of the conical shape so as to expand said conical shape into sealing engagement with said tap hole.
Description
~L20~
~XPANDABLE, CONSUMABLE STOPP~R PLUG FOR ST~EL.
~AKING AND HANDLING VESS~LS
Background of the Invention (1) Field of the Inventi.on:
This invention relates to p-lugs for sealing the flow of metal from molten metal receptacles such as steel making -furnaces, ladles, and the like.
~XPANDABLE, CONSUMABLE STOPP~R PLUG FOR ST~EL.
~AKING AND HANDLING VESS~LS
Background of the Invention (1) Field of the Inventi.on:
This invention relates to p-lugs for sealing the flow of metal from molten metal receptacles such as steel making -furnaces, ladles, and the like.
(2) Description o:f the Prior Art:
Prior art devices oI this type have relied on a number of different plugs or stoppers. See for example U.S. Patents
Prior art devices oI this type have relied on a number of different plugs or stoppers. See for example U.S. Patents
3,540,627, 4,010,936 and 4,030,709.
In Patent 3,540,627, a conical metal plug is attached to the end of a supporting rod and has a conical pad positioned there-over, the conical pad being formed of a layer of refractory fibers, such as alumina silica fibers, and a layer of glass fibers, the metal plug and its conical pad being insertable in the passageway defined by a tap hole in a molten metal receptacle.
Patent 4,010,936 discloses a stopper plug in a shape corres-ponding exactly to the shape of the tap hole and formed of non-porous refractory material, organic fibrous substance, andinorganic fibrous substance together with a.combustible substance, the material forming a porous molding which is elastic and capable of shrinking and deformation so that it will remain in the tap hole of the vessel under nominal pressure of the molten metal and will deform and be extruded from the tap hole by the increas-ing pressure of the molten metal when the vessel is tilted.
Patent 4,030,709 discloses the use of a ceramic plug in the 2~ shape of a hollow cone over a solid backing plug which is main-taine~ in place un-til the mo]ten me-tal solidi:Eies against the plug to seal oE-~ the tap hole.
The present invention discloses a novel, expandable, hollow cone-shaped stopper plug and a wedge-shaped member movab~e therein to expand the same in the tap hole of a molten m~tal receptacle so as to ef:Eectively seal -the tap hole for a predetermined -time.
Summary of the Invention ~ n expandable, consumab]e stopper plug for steel making and handling vessels wherein a blunt nosed hollow refrac-tory plug is formed o~ fibrous refractory materials, clay-like refractory materials, consumable materials and a suitable binder -to form an expandable, stretchable and deformable plug having means for expanding and deforming the same movably arranged therein.
Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a cross sectional side elevation of the stopper plug;
Figure 2 is an exploded side elevation wi-th parts in cross section and parts broken away showing the stopper plug and a tool for expanding the same;
Figure 3 is a cross sectional side elevation of the e~pandable stopper plug and the tool for expanding the same wi-th broken lines showing the plug and tool in non~expanded relation and solid lines showing the plug and tool in expanded relation; and Figure ~ is a section through a wall of a molten metal receptacle and a -tap hole therein showing the stopper plug therein.
Description of the Pre~erred Embodiment 28 Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, a portion of a ~209~8~
molten melal receptacle 10 may be seen having a tapping block 11 therein definillg a cylindrical oriEice 12 ~n expandable consumable stopper plug 13 is shown ln expan~ed position ln tl~e cy].indrical oririce 12.
The stopper plug may be seen in Figure 1 o~ the draw-lngs to comprise a blunt nosed, hollow, conical body member 13, -tl~e nose portion 1~ Or whicll is relatlvely thicker than the wall portions extending -therefrom. ~ steel cap insert 15 is posi-tioned in the cavity 1.6 d~fined by the hollow body memben~l3.and immediately inwardly of and in con~act wi-th the material of the.-blunt nose porti.on 14 of the s-topper~plug. ~ round tapered member 17 havillg a central aperture 18 therethrough is positioned inwardly of tlle open end of the hollow body member of the s-topper plug and is movable into the cavity 16 t~oward the steel cap 15 so as to e~palld and eplarge the hollow body member 13 deforming the wall porti.ons thereo~ in an action which will securely position -the stopper plug in the cylindrica.l oriLice 12 in -the molten metal receptacle 10 hereinbe:~ore described.
In order that the hollow body member ~3 iorming the stopper plug may be qulckly and e-fliciently expanded in sealing relation to a tap hole or the like, an applicator rod 19 is provided as best seen in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, the applicator rod t9 having a metal. disc ~0 transversely positionecl thereon inwardly of an encl 21 o~ the rod 19, the other end oi the rod 19 being preerably provided with a suitable hanclle coniiguration 22.
The len~th of the rod 19 between the meta]. disc 20 ancl the end 21 is predetermined so that upon the end 21 of the rod 19 being posj.tioned through the central oriiic 13 in the round ~ '' ~o~
tapered member 17 and moved toward the s-teel cap lS, the metal disc 20 will engage the round tapered member 17 and move i-t inwardly of the hollow body rnember 13 to the posi-tlon shown ln solid lines in Figure 3 of the drawings so as to dls-tort and expand the hollow body member 13 until the end 21 of the appli-ca-tor rod 19 reaches -the steel cap 15 whereupon any further movement impar-te~ the applicator rod 19 will distor-t the material of the blunt nose 14 of the hollow body member 13 and limit the movement of the round tapered member 17 and the 10 expansion and distortion of the hollow ~ody member 13.
It will thus be seen that -the expandable, consumable stopper plug is moved into the tap hole and distorted and expanded by the wedging action imparted to the hollow body membe* of the plug by the round tapered member 17 as it is moved by the applicator rod 19 which is then removed.
In order that the hollow body member 13 of the stopper plug will retain its desirable consistency and hot metal stopping properties ~or a predetermined period of time, it is preferably formed of material comprising a mixture of 2~ fibrous refractory material such as FIBERFRAX*as described in U.S. Patent No. 3,124,854, or CERAFELT ~,k a product of Johns-Manville,Company, in a range of approximately 8% by weight to approximately 25% by weight. These are alumina-silica ~ibers, dolomite in a range of approximately 32%
to approximately 64% by weight, sodium silicate in a range of approximately 8~o by weight to 16% by weight, and sawdust in a range o~ approximately 18% by weight to 27% by weight.
28 The material ~rom which the stopper plug is :Eormed is ~Trademarks -6-'~
~L2~
com~letely mixed to a uniform consistency which is essential in the expanding and distortion of the material when the plug is inserted in -the tap hole and expanded as herein-before described.
In addition to the materials above mentioned, rnineral wool, such as blast furnace slag fibers may be incorporated and silica, quartz, magnesia, olivine, mullite, aluminum oxide, chamo-tte, magnesite or perlite may be incorporated with the dolomite or in place of the same. Resin binders, such as phenol-formaldehyde resins,urea-formaldehyde resins, and furan resins may be used in place of the sodium silicate, all in substantially the same proportions. Other combustible substances such as paper pulp and wood flour may be used in addition to the sawdust and/or in place of same, again in substantially the same proportions. It is essential that the proportions of the dolomite or its alternate substances be sufficlent in any of the mixtures to insure the desirable consistency of the material from which the hollow body member 13 of the stopper plug is formed so as to enable it to be deformed and expanded as hereinbefore described.
It will be recogized that the proportions of combustible and/or disintegrable materials are such that the life of the stopper plug when subjected to molten metal can be readily predetermined. The consistency and/or density of the material also comprises a factor in determining the life expentancy of the plug when subjected to molten metal.
As disclosed herein the stopper plug is formed of the 28 hereinbefore disclosed materials so as to have a predetermined 12~80~
li~e whereupon the co~sumable and/or disintegrable or combustible materials incorporated therein will react and/or oxidize -to weaken or change including disintegration of the material o-f the plug so as to open the tap hole which has been sealed thereby.
It will occur to those skilled in the ar-t that tap holes in molten metal receptacles become enlarged by beingworn away to irregular configurations by molten metal flowing therethrough. The expandible consumable stopper plug disclosed herein easily accommodates such irregular shaped tap holes as the construction, materials and arrangement of the walls and nose of the plug body distort and expand outwardly as a result of forward pressure applied to the plug in the tap hole as hereinbefore described. The expansion and distortion of the plug thus fills any cavity limited only by the initial diameter measure of the plug itself with the filled tap hole remaining filled for the desired predetermined time whereupon the consumable and/or disintegrable characteristics of the material of the plug act to open the tap hole.
In a typical metal receptacle the tap hole will be found to Yary from two to four inches in its initial diameter and the self-expanding consumable stopper plug of this invention is acco~dingly preferably formed so tha-t the blunt nose is approximately three inches in diameter,the opposite open end of the conical body member thereof being from eight to ten inches in diameter and the walls of the conical body member being approximately two inches 2~ thick and the overall length of the expandable, consumable 1;~C1 98~l stopper plug being between twenty five and thirty inches.
Those skilled in the art wiil recognize that these dimensions may be very considerable withou-t affecting the utility, time factor and deformable expandable properties of the stopper plug.
A typical and satisfactory analysis O:e the refractory materials of which the stopper plug is formed may comprise silican dioxide in an amount between 31% and 36% by weight, calcium dioxide in an amount between 21% and 26% by weight, aluminum 1~) oxide in an amount be-tween 11~ and 15C,' by weight, magnesium oxide in an amount between 3% and 6% by weight with the amounts of the several ingredients being sufficient to provide for an ignition loss of from 25% to 28% and wherein the density, pounds per cubic inch, is between .0075 lbs. and .0105 lbs.
Having thus described my invention what I claim is:
_g_
In Patent 3,540,627, a conical metal plug is attached to the end of a supporting rod and has a conical pad positioned there-over, the conical pad being formed of a layer of refractory fibers, such as alumina silica fibers, and a layer of glass fibers, the metal plug and its conical pad being insertable in the passageway defined by a tap hole in a molten metal receptacle.
Patent 4,010,936 discloses a stopper plug in a shape corres-ponding exactly to the shape of the tap hole and formed of non-porous refractory material, organic fibrous substance, andinorganic fibrous substance together with a.combustible substance, the material forming a porous molding which is elastic and capable of shrinking and deformation so that it will remain in the tap hole of the vessel under nominal pressure of the molten metal and will deform and be extruded from the tap hole by the increas-ing pressure of the molten metal when the vessel is tilted.
Patent 4,030,709 discloses the use of a ceramic plug in the 2~ shape of a hollow cone over a solid backing plug which is main-taine~ in place un-til the mo]ten me-tal solidi:Eies against the plug to seal oE-~ the tap hole.
The present invention discloses a novel, expandable, hollow cone-shaped stopper plug and a wedge-shaped member movab~e therein to expand the same in the tap hole of a molten m~tal receptacle so as to ef:Eectively seal -the tap hole for a predetermined -time.
Summary of the Invention ~ n expandable, consumab]e stopper plug for steel making and handling vessels wherein a blunt nosed hollow refrac-tory plug is formed o~ fibrous refractory materials, clay-like refractory materials, consumable materials and a suitable binder -to form an expandable, stretchable and deformable plug having means for expanding and deforming the same movably arranged therein.
Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a cross sectional side elevation of the stopper plug;
Figure 2 is an exploded side elevation wi-th parts in cross section and parts broken away showing the stopper plug and a tool for expanding the same;
Figure 3 is a cross sectional side elevation of the e~pandable stopper plug and the tool for expanding the same wi-th broken lines showing the plug and tool in non~expanded relation and solid lines showing the plug and tool in expanded relation; and Figure ~ is a section through a wall of a molten metal receptacle and a -tap hole therein showing the stopper plug therein.
Description of the Pre~erred Embodiment 28 Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, a portion of a ~209~8~
molten melal receptacle 10 may be seen having a tapping block 11 therein definillg a cylindrical oriEice 12 ~n expandable consumable stopper plug 13 is shown ln expan~ed position ln tl~e cy].indrical oririce 12.
The stopper plug may be seen in Figure 1 o~ the draw-lngs to comprise a blunt nosed, hollow, conical body member 13, -tl~e nose portion 1~ Or whicll is relatlvely thicker than the wall portions extending -therefrom. ~ steel cap insert 15 is posi-tioned in the cavity 1.6 d~fined by the hollow body memben~l3.and immediately inwardly of and in con~act wi-th the material of the.-blunt nose porti.on 14 of the s-topper~plug. ~ round tapered member 17 havillg a central aperture 18 therethrough is positioned inwardly of tlle open end of the hollow body member of the s-topper plug and is movable into the cavity 16 t~oward the steel cap 15 so as to e~palld and eplarge the hollow body member 13 deforming the wall porti.ons thereo~ in an action which will securely position -the stopper plug in the cylindrica.l oriLice 12 in -the molten metal receptacle 10 hereinbe:~ore described.
In order that the hollow body member ~3 iorming the stopper plug may be qulckly and e-fliciently expanded in sealing relation to a tap hole or the like, an applicator rod 19 is provided as best seen in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, the applicator rod t9 having a metal. disc ~0 transversely positionecl thereon inwardly of an encl 21 o~ the rod 19, the other end oi the rod 19 being preerably provided with a suitable hanclle coniiguration 22.
The len~th of the rod 19 between the meta]. disc 20 ancl the end 21 is predetermined so that upon the end 21 of the rod 19 being posj.tioned through the central oriiic 13 in the round ~ '' ~o~
tapered member 17 and moved toward the s-teel cap lS, the metal disc 20 will engage the round tapered member 17 and move i-t inwardly of the hollow body rnember 13 to the posi-tlon shown ln solid lines in Figure 3 of the drawings so as to dls-tort and expand the hollow body member 13 until the end 21 of the appli-ca-tor rod 19 reaches -the steel cap 15 whereupon any further movement impar-te~ the applicator rod 19 will distor-t the material of the blunt nose 14 of the hollow body member 13 and limit the movement of the round tapered member 17 and the 10 expansion and distortion of the hollow ~ody member 13.
It will thus be seen that -the expandable, consumable stopper plug is moved into the tap hole and distorted and expanded by the wedging action imparted to the hollow body membe* of the plug by the round tapered member 17 as it is moved by the applicator rod 19 which is then removed.
In order that the hollow body member 13 of the stopper plug will retain its desirable consistency and hot metal stopping properties ~or a predetermined period of time, it is preferably formed of material comprising a mixture of 2~ fibrous refractory material such as FIBERFRAX*as described in U.S. Patent No. 3,124,854, or CERAFELT ~,k a product of Johns-Manville,Company, in a range of approximately 8% by weight to approximately 25% by weight. These are alumina-silica ~ibers, dolomite in a range of approximately 32%
to approximately 64% by weight, sodium silicate in a range of approximately 8~o by weight to 16% by weight, and sawdust in a range o~ approximately 18% by weight to 27% by weight.
28 The material ~rom which the stopper plug is :Eormed is ~Trademarks -6-'~
~L2~
com~letely mixed to a uniform consistency which is essential in the expanding and distortion of the material when the plug is inserted in -the tap hole and expanded as herein-before described.
In addition to the materials above mentioned, rnineral wool, such as blast furnace slag fibers may be incorporated and silica, quartz, magnesia, olivine, mullite, aluminum oxide, chamo-tte, magnesite or perlite may be incorporated with the dolomite or in place of the same. Resin binders, such as phenol-formaldehyde resins,urea-formaldehyde resins, and furan resins may be used in place of the sodium silicate, all in substantially the same proportions. Other combustible substances such as paper pulp and wood flour may be used in addition to the sawdust and/or in place of same, again in substantially the same proportions. It is essential that the proportions of the dolomite or its alternate substances be sufficlent in any of the mixtures to insure the desirable consistency of the material from which the hollow body member 13 of the stopper plug is formed so as to enable it to be deformed and expanded as hereinbefore described.
It will be recogized that the proportions of combustible and/or disintegrable materials are such that the life of the stopper plug when subjected to molten metal can be readily predetermined. The consistency and/or density of the material also comprises a factor in determining the life expentancy of the plug when subjected to molten metal.
As disclosed herein the stopper plug is formed of the 28 hereinbefore disclosed materials so as to have a predetermined 12~80~
li~e whereupon the co~sumable and/or disintegrable or combustible materials incorporated therein will react and/or oxidize -to weaken or change including disintegration of the material o-f the plug so as to open the tap hole which has been sealed thereby.
It will occur to those skilled in the ar-t that tap holes in molten metal receptacles become enlarged by beingworn away to irregular configurations by molten metal flowing therethrough. The expandible consumable stopper plug disclosed herein easily accommodates such irregular shaped tap holes as the construction, materials and arrangement of the walls and nose of the plug body distort and expand outwardly as a result of forward pressure applied to the plug in the tap hole as hereinbefore described. The expansion and distortion of the plug thus fills any cavity limited only by the initial diameter measure of the plug itself with the filled tap hole remaining filled for the desired predetermined time whereupon the consumable and/or disintegrable characteristics of the material of the plug act to open the tap hole.
In a typical metal receptacle the tap hole will be found to Yary from two to four inches in its initial diameter and the self-expanding consumable stopper plug of this invention is acco~dingly preferably formed so tha-t the blunt nose is approximately three inches in diameter,the opposite open end of the conical body member thereof being from eight to ten inches in diameter and the walls of the conical body member being approximately two inches 2~ thick and the overall length of the expandable, consumable 1;~C1 98~l stopper plug being between twenty five and thirty inches.
Those skilled in the art wiil recognize that these dimensions may be very considerable withou-t affecting the utility, time factor and deformable expandable properties of the stopper plug.
A typical and satisfactory analysis O:e the refractory materials of which the stopper plug is formed may comprise silican dioxide in an amount between 31% and 36% by weight, calcium dioxide in an amount between 21% and 26% by weight, aluminum 1~) oxide in an amount be-tween 11~ and 15C,' by weight, magnesium oxide in an amount between 3% and 6% by weight with the amounts of the several ingredients being sufficient to provide for an ignition loss of from 25% to 28% and wherein the density, pounds per cubic inch, is between .0075 lbs. and .0105 lbs.
Having thus described my invention what I claim is:
_g_
Claims (6)
1. An improvement in a stopper plug for sealing a tap hole in a molten metal receptacle for a predetermined time, the improvement comprising forming said plug in a hollow elongated conical shape and means for expanding said conical shape within said tap hole, said hollow elongated conical shape formed of a mixture including a refractory material, a fibrous substance, a combustable substance, and a binder, said means for expanding said conical shape comprising a cross sectionally circular member positioned in said hollow elongated conical shape, a rod having a disc positioned trans-versely thereon, said disc arranged to engage said cross sectionally circular member whereby movement of said rod in one direction moves said cross sectionally circular member inwardly of said hollow conical shape and the disc on said rod holds said cross sectionally circular member in transverse relation to said hollow conical shape so as to expand said hollow conical shape into sealing engagement with said tap hole.
2. The stopper plug set forth in clailm 1 and wherein the refractory material is at least one of silica, quartz, magnesia, olivine, mullite, aluminum oxide, chamotte, dolo-miote, magnesite or perlite.
3. The stopper plug set forth in claim 1 and wherein the fibrous substance is at least one of inorganic fibrous substances selected from the group consisting of aluminum silicate, rock wool, and slag wool.
4. The stopper plug set forth in claim 1 and wherein said combustible substance comprises at least one of a group consisting of paper, sawdust and wood flour.
5. The stopper plug set forth in claim 1 and wherein the binder is at least one of a group consisting of phenol-formaldehyde resin, a urea-formaldehyde resin, a furan resin and sodium silicate.
6. The improvement in a stopper plug for sealing a tap hole in a molten metal receptacle set forth in claim 1 and wherein a metal member is positioned in said hollow conical shape adjacent the closed end thereof so as to limit the inward movement of said rod and disc thereon and said cross sectionally circular member with respect to said closed end of said hollow conical shape.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000437048A CA1209801A (en) | 1983-09-19 | 1983-09-19 | Expandable consumable stopper plug for steel making and handling vessels |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000437048A CA1209801A (en) | 1983-09-19 | 1983-09-19 | Expandable consumable stopper plug for steel making and handling vessels |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1209801A true CA1209801A (en) | 1986-08-19 |
Family
ID=4126109
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000437048A Expired CA1209801A (en) | 1983-09-19 | 1983-09-19 | Expandable consumable stopper plug for steel making and handling vessels |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1209801A (en) |
-
1983
- 1983-09-19 CA CA000437048A patent/CA1209801A/en not_active Expired
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4471950A (en) | Expandable, consumable stopper plug for steel making and handling vessels | |
| US4135538A (en) | Thermocouple protecting tube | |
| ES2396113T3 (en) | Crack resistant refractory composition | |
| US3917110A (en) | Stopper rod having fibrous protective sleeve | |
| JPH08511730A (en) | Metal casting mold, metal casting method and refractory material composition used therefor | |
| US3539667A (en) | Method of making oriented permeable refractories containing passages | |
| GB1575601A (en) | Refractory structures for outlet valves for metallurgical vessels | |
| CA1247861A (en) | Gas permeable element of a refractory material | |
| AU629962B2 (en) | Filters and their use in the casting of molten iron in a mould | |
| US4010936A (en) | Process for tapping a steel-making converter | |
| US4776502A (en) | Ceramic spout | |
| CA1209801A (en) | Expandable consumable stopper plug for steel making and handling vessels | |
| US4682718A (en) | Nozzle for continuous casting of molten steel | |
| GB2041182A (en) | Method for blowing gas from below into a molten steel in refining vessel | |
| GB2096504A (en) | Blind feeder sleeves | |
| CA1140725A (en) | Tundish for the continuous casting of steel | |
| US4365731A (en) | Refractory structures | |
| CA1128255A (en) | Production of metal castings | |
| CA1154250A (en) | Prefabricated multiple density blast furnace runner | |
| US4555094A (en) | Process for the repair of slide plates | |
| GB2147091A (en) | Expandable, consumable stopper plug for steel making and handling vessels | |
| GB2114559A (en) | Permeable refractory shapes | |
| CA2073811C (en) | Plug for molten metal refining vessel | |
| US5849245A (en) | Well brick of vessel for molten metal | |
| CA2315570C (en) | Gas blowing plug and manufacturing method therefor |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |