EP0430740A1 - Plattenkühler für Hochöfen und eine aus solchen Kühlelementen zusammengesetzte Einrichtung - Google Patents

Plattenkühler für Hochöfen und eine aus solchen Kühlelementen zusammengesetzte Einrichtung Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0430740A1
EP0430740A1 EP90403169A EP90403169A EP0430740A1 EP 0430740 A1 EP0430740 A1 EP 0430740A1 EP 90403169 A EP90403169 A EP 90403169A EP 90403169 A EP90403169 A EP 90403169A EP 0430740 A1 EP0430740 A1 EP 0430740A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cooling
plates
cooling plate
plate according
blast furnace
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP90403169A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0430740B1 (de
Inventor
Pierre Rollot
Alain Dufour
Lucien Delaitre
Bernard Thiel
François Graffeuille
Raymond Capelani
Hubert Dosda
Jean-Michel Dardart
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Forcast International
Original Assignee
Forcast International
Chavanne Ketin SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Forcast International, Chavanne Ketin SA filed Critical Forcast International
Publication of EP0430740A1 publication Critical patent/EP0430740A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0430740B1 publication Critical patent/EP0430740B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21BMANUFACTURE OF IRON OR STEEL
    • C21B7/00Blast furnaces
    • C21B7/10Cooling; Devices therefor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cooling plate used in metallurgical units whose walls are subjected to high heat fluxes such as for blast furnaces, but which can be used for ovens or equipment which it is desired, either to collect the heat flux emitted by the oven, or heat the walls in a controlled manner using this same type of plate.
  • the present invention also relates to a cooling installation using this type of plate.
  • Modern blast furnaces are increasingly being operated at speeds and pressure levels. such that the heat fluxes emitted can be, globally, locally and randomly important, and that it is necessary to collect them and ensure their transfer, in particular in the areas of displays, belly, bottom of tank, mid - tank and top of tank.
  • the shield does not reach temperature levels or does not undergo temperature variations with the formation of thermomechanical stresses, which can jeopardize its resistance to mechanical resistance.
  • the heat fluxes emitted in the different zones of the blast furnace must be captured by a heterogeneous system formed by the refractory lining, the cooling element, ie the cooling plate, the shielding, such that the cooling element fills a dual function of energetic cooling of the refractory and of screen for the passage of fluxes towards the shielding.
  • the cooling plates can be brought and maintained at a certain temperature to fulfill functions of heating or keeping in temperature of body in any granulometric form in order to evacuate their water content or to wear them at a temperature necessary for their use.
  • the cooling plates consist of cast iron elements traversed in their mass by a network of tubes in which circulates a cooling flow which is generally water.
  • These cooling tubes open on one face of the cooling plates and pass through the shield, outside of which they are connected either to each other, or to cooling tubes of an adjacent upper or lower plate.
  • the tubes thus connected determine lines of circulation of the fluid rising in a substantially vertical plane along the wall of the blast furnace, these lines being connected to an external circuit for circulation and cooling of the fluid.
  • the cooling plates must be designed in such a way that they ensure good heat exchange with the cooling fluid and with the refractory lining, while creating a screen for the thermal flow propagating from the oven to the shielding.
  • thermomechanical deformations and stresses resulting from high heat fluxes resist abrasion when the refractory lining has partially or completely disappeared and they must be able to be easily changed without having to enter the enclosure of the upper furnace.
  • Cooling installations are known, in particular blast furnaces, the cooling plates of which consist of a cast iron element of substantially parallelepiped shape, in which are embedded longitudinal tubes arranged parallel to each other, these tubes opening on the same main face, respectively in the upper and lower part of the cooling plate, in a protective sheath, one of the original characteristics of which is the embossed shape from the face opposite to that where the cooling tubes open.
  • the cooling plates are lined with their refractory lining element directly on the steel site during the construction or repair of a blast furnace, which does not allow this operation to be carried out with all the care and quality controls. required.
  • the present invention seeks to remedy these drawbacks by proposing to provide a cooling installation having greater reliability, still ensuring a uniform and effective role as a screen for the passage of flows from the furnace to the shielding and allowing a setting in place the refractory lining element directly in the workshop.
  • the present invention thus relates to a cooling plate in particular of a blast furnace in which a cooling fluid circulates by means of internal tubes, characterized in that it has the shape of a "C" whose branches define two continuous horizontal copings between which a covering element of refractory material is inserted.
  • - at least one of the copings has an undercut blocking the covering element made of refractory material.
  • the covering element in refractory material is composed of shaped refractory bricks
  • - the covering element in refractory material is monolithic, produced by pouring refractory concrete in the space delimited by the copings
  • - the brick resting on the undercut is a brick unlocking all the bricks of the covering element made of refractory material
  • - the undercut is a retaining notch for the monolithic covering element.
  • a coping with the undercut a coping with the undercut.
  • each coping has a horizontal sheet of at least one cooling tube depending on its location in the blast furnace, - each coping has on its hot face an insert with a profile suitable for strengthening said hot face, - the insert is made of silicon carbide.
  • the present invention also relates to a cooling installation in particular of a blast furnace using cooling plates defined above, said cooling plates being arranged in successive rings superimposed along the internal wall of the shielding of the blast furnace and being traversed by internal tubes in which a cooling fluid circulates, the inlets and outlets of said internal tubes being located at different levels, the internal tubes of two adjacent plates in a plane vertical being connected together so as to define a network of vertical circulation lines of the fluid, connected to an external circuit, characterized in that the plates of each crown are, relative to the plates of the adjacent crown, offset in a horizontal plane at least one cooling tube so as to form over the major part of the surface of said plates lines of identical length.
  • the installation shown in FIG. 1 comprises a blast furnace 1, against the internal wall of which are placed cooling plates of which only the internal conduits have been shown tees connected to each other, designated by the general reference 2.
  • the cooling plates indeed have internal tubes which open at different levels to the upper and lower parts of the latter, and are connected to the adjacent plate immediately above and to the adjacent plate immediately lower in a vertical plane, to define a circulation line formed by all the internal tubes connected to each other.
  • a circular supply line 3, surrounding the blast furnace at its bottom, comprises a set of individual supply lines 4 which are respectively connected. at the inputs 5 of the circulation lines 2.
  • a circular return line 6, surrounding the blast furnace at a higher level, also comprises a set of individual return lines 7 connected to the outputs 8 of the circulation lines.
  • This set of vertical circulation lines constitutes a network placed along the shield of the blast furnace which is connected respectively at its bottom part to the supply circular 3 and at the top part to the return circular 6.
  • This network of circulation lines is connected at each of its ends by means of the supply circulars 3 and return 6 to an external circuit, not shown.
  • Fig.1 there is shown, for the sake of simplification, only a supply circular and a return circular for a circulation line of the refrigerant.
  • the cooling fluid which in the following description will be considered without limitation as being water, is introduced at different levels in the same vertical plane in different rows of the cooling plates.
  • each cooling plate 20 consists of a cast iron element of substantially parallelepiped shape having the shape of a "C" whose central part constitutes the body 21 of the plate and whose two branches define in the upper and lower part a curb 22 and 23 respectively horizontal and continuous.
  • the inputs 25a, 25b, 25c ... and the outputs 26a, 26b, 26c ... are distributed over three levels so as to define in the body 21 an alternation of short tubes 24a, 24c and 24e and long tubes 24b and 24d.
  • Each coping 22 and 23 is cooled for example by two transverse tubes respectively 27a, 27b and 28a, 28b arranged horizontally, the inlets 270a, 270b and 280a, 280b and the outlets 271a, 271b and 281a, 281b open onto the rear face of the cooling plate.
  • the horizontal tubes 25a, 27b and 28a and 28b make it possible to cool the angles of the cooling plate 20 more intensely, and provide, with all of the longitudinal tubes, homogeneously, the role of a screen in the passage of heat flows, by effective cooling of each of the cooling plates 20 and of all the plates which are adjoining them.
  • the number of horizontal tubes is a function of the position of the cooling plate 20 in the blast furnace.
  • the section of the horizontal tubes 27a, 27b, 28a and 28b is such that it is possible, by sufficient circulation speeds, greater than 2 m / s, to capture the flows emitted without requiring large flow rates, or to generate abnormally high pressure losses .
  • the speed of circulation of the cooling fluid in the vertical tubes 24a, 24b, 24c ... can be adjusted according to a cooling module.
  • the front face of the plate 20 located between the copings 22 and 23 has an embossing 30 (Fig. 2), the waves of which are filled with a refractory product 31 which is a good conductor of small particle size.
  • the thickness of the coping 22 and 23 is of the order of 200 mm.
  • the brick 32a resting on the undercut 22a is a key brick blocking all of the refractory bricks.
  • the bricks 32 can be mounted directly in the workshop during the manufacturing of the plates with all the care and quality controls required, which cannot be perfectly applied during the usual period of construction or repair of the refractory walls of blast furnaces on the steel site.
  • the refractory lining element can be monolithic, for example made of refractory concrete poured between the coping 22 and 23 and in this case the undercut 22a forms a notch for holding said element on the plate 20.
  • this new generation of cooling plates makes it possible to obtain better contact between the cast iron and the refractory, a quality assurance of the implementation of the refractories and. saving time during construction or refurbishment of blast furnaces.
  • Each coping 22 and 23 has on its hot face an insert 33, for example made of silicon carbide, in particular of trapezoidal cross section with dovetail, for reinforcing said hot face (FIG. 2).
  • cooling plates 20 are arranged in successive rings A, B, C ... superimposed along the internal wall of the shield of the blast furnace and the internal tubes 24 of two adjacent plates in a vertical plane are interconnected so as to define a network of vertical circulation lines of the fluid, connected to the external circuit.
  • the plates 20 of a crown on two are offset in a horizontal plane, relative to the plates 20 of the adjacent upper ring A and C, of a cooling fluid circulation tube so as to form over the major part of the surface determined by said cooling plates lines 40 of identical lengths.
  • This definition makes it possible to obtain a uniform distribution of the cooling fluid.
  • Each plate 20 is fixed to the shield 41 using, on the one hand, a fixed point 42 for example in the lower part under controlled pressure on continuous seals 43 made of elastomer and products. filling insulators 44 and, on the other hand, a movable point 45 with sealing compensators 46 for example in the upper part of said plate 20 under controlled pressure on discontinuous seals 47 made of elastomer and filling insulating products 44.
  • Welded washers 48 are provided between the inlets 25 of the tubes 24 and the shield 41 at the fixed points 42, while sliding washers 49 are provided between the outlets 26 of the tubes 24 at the movable points 45.
  • seals 50 which are mounted after placing said plates on the shield 41.
  • These seals 50 are constituted by example of a fibrous putty.
  • the installation according to the present invention makes it possible to have, for certain sensitive areas of the blast furnace, an even more efficient screen for the passage of the heat flux, to irrigate the angular areas of the plates more intensely and to avoid the creation of 'more or less wide interfaces detrimental to heat transfer and conduction phenomenon through the assembly formed by the plates and the refractory wall.
  • cooling plates avoids the separation of the refractory lining from its support on the hot face, which makes it possible to fully benefit from the physicochemical qualities of the refractories.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Blast Furnaces (AREA)
  • Furnace Housings, Linings, Walls, And Ceilings (AREA)
  • Vertical, Hearth, Or Arc Furnaces (AREA)
EP90403169A 1989-11-14 1990-11-07 Plattenkühler für Hochöfen und eine aus solchen Kühlelementen zusammengesetzte Einrichtung Expired - Lifetime EP0430740B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8914936A FR2654438B1 (fr) 1989-11-14 1989-11-14 Plaques de refroidissement pour hauts-fourneaux et installation de refroidissement mettant en óoeuvre ce type de plaques.
FR8914936 1989-11-14

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0430740A1 true EP0430740A1 (de) 1991-06-05
EP0430740B1 EP0430740B1 (de) 1994-07-13

Family

ID=9387393

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90403169A Expired - Lifetime EP0430740B1 (de) 1989-11-14 1990-11-07 Plattenkühler für Hochöfen und eine aus solchen Kühlelementen zusammengesetzte Einrichtung

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US5295666A (de)
EP (1) EP0430740B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH03183708A (de)
AT (1) ATE108492T1 (de)
CA (1) CA2029737A1 (de)
DE (1) DE69010639T2 (de)
FR (1) FR2654438B1 (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0705906A1 (de) * 1994-10-07 1996-04-10 MAN Gutehoffnungshütte Aktiengesellschaft Kühlplatte für Schachtöfen
EP0741190A1 (de) * 1995-05-05 1996-11-06 MAN Gutehoffnungshütte Aktiengesellschaft Kühlplatten für Schachtöfen
WO2009097832A1 (de) * 2008-02-08 2009-08-13 Sms Siemag Ag Kühlelement zur kühlung der feuerfesten auskleidung eines metallurgischen ofens (ac, dc)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19503912C2 (de) * 1995-02-07 1997-02-06 Gutehoffnungshuette Man Kühlplatte für Schachtöfen, insbesondere Hochöfen
CA3024498C (en) * 2016-05-17 2021-05-25 Berry Metal Company Furnace stave
CN113957190B (zh) * 2020-07-21 2022-10-21 宝山钢铁股份有限公司 一种高炉用冷却板及其维护方法
WO2022058773A1 (en) * 2020-09-15 2022-03-24 Arcelormittal Blast furnace for ironmaking production

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1371906A (en) * 1918-04-03 1921-03-15 Blaw Knox Co Water-cooler for furnaces
US1376617A (en) * 1919-11-24 1921-05-03 John O Griggs Portable back wall for open-hearth furnaces
EP0021919A1 (de) * 1979-06-06 1981-01-07 Technilor Vorrichtung zum Befestigen und Abdichten von Kühlplatten am Hochofen
FR2526928A1 (fr) * 1982-05-14 1983-11-18 Inst Proekt Metallu Dispositif de refroidissement de la paroi d'un four metallurgique
EP0337271A1 (de) * 1988-04-13 1989-10-18 Sidmar N.V. Plattenkühler für Schachtöfen

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB496289A (en) * 1937-04-23 1938-11-23 Brassert & Co Improvements in and relating to refractory linings for shaft furnaces
JPS505125B1 (de) * 1968-10-22 1975-02-28
JPS5231282B2 (de) * 1973-11-19 1977-08-13
US4026352A (en) * 1974-09-04 1977-05-31 Sergei Mikhailovich Andoniev Device for evaporative cooling of metallurgical units
SU590068A1 (ru) * 1976-03-23 1978-01-30 Каширский Литейный Завод "Центролит" Плакированна смесь дл изготовлени литейных оболочковых форм и стержней,отверждаемых при контракте с гор чей оснасткой
JPS6335708A (ja) * 1986-07-31 1988-02-16 Nippon Steel Corp 高炉炉体保護壁
JPH0663012B2 (ja) * 1988-08-10 1994-08-17 川崎製鉄株式会社 高炉炉体保護壁

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1371906A (en) * 1918-04-03 1921-03-15 Blaw Knox Co Water-cooler for furnaces
US1376617A (en) * 1919-11-24 1921-05-03 John O Griggs Portable back wall for open-hearth furnaces
EP0021919A1 (de) * 1979-06-06 1981-01-07 Technilor Vorrichtung zum Befestigen und Abdichten von Kühlplatten am Hochofen
FR2526928A1 (fr) * 1982-05-14 1983-11-18 Inst Proekt Metallu Dispositif de refroidissement de la paroi d'un four metallurgique
EP0337271A1 (de) * 1988-04-13 1989-10-18 Sidmar N.V. Plattenkühler für Schachtöfen

Non-Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 10, no. 194 (C-358)[2250], 8 juillet 1986; & JP-A-61-037 904 (NIPPON STEEL CORP.) 22-02-1986 *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 12, no. 248 (C-511)[3095], 13 juillet 1988; & JP-A-63-035 708 (NIPPON STEEL CORP.) 16-02-1988 *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 12, no. 248 (C-511)[3095], 13 juillet 1988; & JP-A-63-035 709 (NIPPON STEEL CORP.) 16-02-1988 *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 13, no. 372 (C-627)[3720], 17 août 1989; & JP-A-1-127 610 (NIPPON STEEL CORP.) 19-05-1989 *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, vol. 14, no. 211 (C-715)[4154], 2 mai 1990; & JP-A-2-047 211 (KAWASAKI STEEL CORP.) 16-02-1990 *
SOVIET INVENTIONS ILLUSTRATED, semaine 84/20, 27 juin 1984, abrégé no. 84-125381/20, Derwent Publications Ltd, Londres, GB; & SU-A-590 068 (FERR METAL EFFL PURIF) 15-08-1983 *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0705906A1 (de) * 1994-10-07 1996-04-10 MAN Gutehoffnungshütte Aktiengesellschaft Kühlplatte für Schachtöfen
EP0741190A1 (de) * 1995-05-05 1996-11-06 MAN Gutehoffnungshütte Aktiengesellschaft Kühlplatten für Schachtöfen
WO2009097832A1 (de) * 2008-02-08 2009-08-13 Sms Siemag Ag Kühlelement zur kühlung der feuerfesten auskleidung eines metallurgischen ofens (ac, dc)
CN102089608A (zh) * 2008-02-08 2011-06-08 Sms西马克股份公司 用于对冶金炉(ac、dc)的耐火内衬进行冷却的冷却元件

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0430740B1 (de) 1994-07-13
ATE108492T1 (de) 1994-07-15
DE69010639T2 (de) 1995-03-16
CA2029737A1 (fr) 1991-05-15
FR2654438B1 (fr) 1994-04-01
JPH03183708A (ja) 1991-08-09
FR2654438A1 (fr) 1991-05-17
DE69010639D1 (de) 1994-08-18
US5295666A (en) 1994-03-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0616982B1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Schmelzen von Glas
FR2493871A1 (fr) Plaques de refroidissement pour hauts fourneaux
EP0430740B1 (de) Plattenkühler für Hochöfen und eine aus solchen Kühlelementen zusammengesetzte Einrichtung
EP0228918A1 (de) Verfahren zur Herstellung feuerfest zugestellter Wände für Öfen und Brennkammern und Stein dafür
FR2543353A1 (fr) Conteneur pour le stockage d'elements radio-actifs
JP6691328B2 (ja) 炉体保護用ステーブ
EP0090761B1 (de) Rinne für eine Metallschmelze
EP0618301A1 (de) Vorrichtung zum Einblasen vorgewärmter Luft in einen Schachtofen
EP2751051B1 (de) Stopfmasse für die feuerfeste auskleidung eines metallurgischen gefässes, metallurgisches gefäss, beispielsweise ein hochofen, das eine auskleidung umfasst, die die genannte stopfmasse verwendet
FR2488685A1 (fr) Dispositif et procede pour l'exploitation d'un four a chambres ouvertes pour la fabrication de pieces moulees en carbone
EP0012132A1 (de) Metallische Kühlelemente für Industrieöfen
FR2488277A1 (fr) Four pour le chauffage de metal et en particulier de profiles intermediaires avant leur laminage
FR2526928A1 (fr) Dispositif de refroidissement de la paroi d'un four metallurgique
LU87198A1 (fr) Panneau de refroidissement pour four a cuve
LU100107B1 (en) Cooling Panel for Metallurgical Furnace
US2290014A (en) Refractory lining of furnaces having tubular walls
WO2024089054A1 (fr) Four verrier
CN114657298B (zh) 一种高炉炉体防护墙
FR2521702A1 (fr) Dispositif de refroidissement de la paroi conique d'un four a cuve
FR2458775A1 (fr) Revetement pour des tubes situes dans des espaces de chauffe de fours industriels
BE1008400A6 (fr) Garnissage de protection en briques refractaires pour un caisson de refroidissement d'un four industriel.
EP0015351B2 (de) Verbindungsrohr zwischen dem Inneren und dem Äusseren eines Ofens
CN202688369U (zh) Rh真空精炼炉浸渍管装置
RU2251648C1 (ru) Свод печи
FR2533306A1 (fr) Plaque de refroidissement pour fours metallurgiques

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19910402

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19930322

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: FORCAST INTERNATIONAL

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Effective date: 19940713

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19940713

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: THE PATENT HAS BEEN ANNULLED BY A DECISION OF A NATIONAL AUTHORITY

Effective date: 19940713

Ref country code: DK

Effective date: 19940713

Ref country code: AT

Effective date: 19940713

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 108492

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19940715

Kind code of ref document: T

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 19940712

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69010639

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19940818

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19941013

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19941130

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20041015

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Payment date: 20041018

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20041022

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20041109

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20041116

Year of fee payment: 15

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20041208

Year of fee payment: 15

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20051107

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20051107

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20051130

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20051130

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20051130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060601

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20051107

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060731

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20060731

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: *FORCAST INTERNATIONAL

Effective date: 20051130