EP0666324B1 - Installation for coupling a movable metallurgical vessel to a flexible gas conduit - Google Patents

Abstract

A device is claimed for coupling a metallurgical carriage (10) with a flexible shaft (20), comprising a first half coupling (22) mounted on the metallurgical carriage (10) and a second half coupling (24) connected to one end of the flexible shaft (20). A coupling station (26) is located close to the predefined coupling position of the metallurgical carriage (10). This coupling station (26) incorporates a support block designed to receive and support the second half coupling (24), a drive mechanism for displacing the support block from a parking position in the direction of the first half-coupling (22) and vice versa. The second half-coupling (24) is fitted with a locking device that is activated by a control device on the coupling station (26). This locking device facilitates the locking, in a first position, of the second half-coupling (24) to the first half-coupling (22) and, in a second position, the second half-coupling (24) on to its support on the coupling station (26).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for coupling a metallurgical carriage to a pipe flexible.

It is known to treat the steel contained in a pocket metallurgical by gas injection, when this pocket is transported on a metallurgical trolley, for example to a continuous casting installation. To this end the pocket metallurgical is provided with porous bricks, which are integrated into its bottom and permanently connected to gas lines installed on the pocket. These lines of gas attached to the pocket are connected so disconnectable to gas distribution lines installed on the metallurgical carriage.

From US-A-4,883,259 there is known a device which allows automatic connection of the gases attached to the metallurgical ladle to the pipes gases attached to the metallurgical carriage, when the pocket metallurgical is placed on the metallurgical trolley. This device has the advantage of making any human intervention on the metallurgical cart for connect the metallurgical ladle to the gas pipes integral with the metallurgical carriage.

Gas lines attached to the carriage metallurgical are themselves connected to a circuit stationary gas supply via a flexible pipe of considerable length. During the moving along its raceway, the carriage metallurgical accordingly draws its flexible pipe behind him. In other words, the flexible pipe constitutes a kind of umbilical cord which links the movable metallurgical carriage to fixed installations.

To avoid having to connect the flexible pipe to the metallurgical trolley when the pocket is filled with steel, which would expose a worker to major risks, we have today tend to leave this pipe connected supply hose permanently to the trolley metallurgical.

However, this way of proceeding implies that the metallurgical cart must train its conduct flexible supply even when gas supply pocket is not required. This notably results in disadvantages that flexible driving is unnecessarily exposed to wear and a risk of accidental breakage, and that its length must be far greater than the length actually required to supply the trolley metallurgical gas on a partial section of said path rolling.

It will therefore be appreciated that the present invention offers a device for coupling a carriage metallurgical to at least one flexible pipe which does not requires for the coupling operation and uncoupling of the metallurgical carriage to this pipe flexible no human intervention in the immediate vicinity of the metallurgical carriage.

un premier demi-accouplement monté sur le chariot métallurgique,

un deuxième demi-accouplement connecté à une extrémité d'au moins une conduite flexible et conçu de façon à pouvoir être reçu sur le premier demi-accouplement,

   et qui est caractérisé
   en ce que une station d'accouplement est localisée près d'une position d'accouplement prédéfinie pour le chariot métallurgique, cette station d'accouplement comprenant

un bloc de support conçu pour recevoir et supporter ledit deuxième demi-accouplement,

des moyens pour déplacer le bloc de support d'une position de garage en direction du premier demi-accouplement et vice versa, lorsque le chariot métallurgique se trouve dans sa position d'accouplement prédéfinie, et

un dispositif de commande, et

en ce que le deuxième demi-accouplement est muni d'un dispositif de verrouillage qui est actionnable par ledit dispositif de commande et qui définit une première position de verrouillage, dans laquelle il coopère avec au moins un élément du premier demi-accouplement demi-accouplement de façon à verrouiller le deuxième demi-accouplement, en position accouplée sur le premier et une deuxième position de verrouillage, dans laquelle il coopère avec au moins un élément dudit support de façon à verrouiller le deuxième demi-accouplement sur son support sur la station d'accouplement.

This objective is achieved by a device which includes

a first coupling half mounted on the metallurgical carriage,

a second coupling half connected to one end of at least one flexible pipe and designed so that it can be received on the first coupling half,

and which is characterized
in that a coupling station is located near a predefined coupling position for the metallurgical carriage, this coupling station comprising

a support block designed to receive and support said second coupling half,

means for moving the support block from a garage position in the direction of the first coupling half and vice versa, when the metallurgical carriage is in its predefined coupling position, and

a control device, and

in that the second coupling half is provided with a locking device which can be actuated by said control device and which defines a first locking position, in which it cooperates with at least one element of the first coupling half coupling so as to lock the second coupling half, in the coupled position on the first and a second locking position, in which it cooperates with at least one element of said support so as to lock the second coupling half on its support on the station 'coupling.

To connect the flexible line to the carriage mobile metallurgy, the latter is stopped in a predefined mating position on its way to rolling. Close to this mating position is finds the mating station. Its support block is in its garage position and supports the second half coupling. The locking device of the second coupling half is in its second position of interlock, in which it cooperates with at least one element of said support block so as to lock the second coupling half on the support block. This last one is then moved with the second coupling half from its garage position towards the first coupling half, and the second coupling half is axially received on the first coupling half. Then the station control device coupling is actuated to impose on the device locking the second coupling half its first locking position, in which it cooperates with minus one element of the first half coupling so that lock the second coupling half in position coupled on the first coupling half. Stay at move the empty support block to its garage position to complete the cart connection operation metallurgical flexible pipe. Carriage metallurgical can now continue its course in driving flexible driving.

To disconnect the flexible line from the carriage mobile metallurgy, the latter is again arrested in a predefined mating position on its way to rolling. Close to this mating position is finds the coupling station with its support block empty in its garage position. The support block is then moved from its garage position towards the second half coupling. Then the control of the coupling station is activated for impose on the locking device of the second coupling half its second locking position, in which it cooperates with at least one element of the block of support so as to lock the second coupling half on the station support block coupling. It remains to move the support block with the second coupling half in its garage position for complete the pipe disconnection operation flexible. The metallurgical cart can now continue running without having to drive flexible.

It will be appreciated that the proposed device is particularly simple and requires no energy auxiliary on the metallurgical carriage to realize mating.

According to the state of the art the metallurgical trolley was fitted with a fixing and guiding structure for flexible driving. In a preferred execution of the present invention, it is the second half coupling which forms a unit with a fixing structure and guide for flexible pipe. So guidance optimal flexible driving is guaranteed in a way simple but clever, both on the cart metallurgical than at the coupling station.

To couple the second coupling half to the block support, the latter advantageously comprises a first pair of pins that can be engaged parallel to the axis coupling in a first pair of bores in the second half coupling. To mate the second half coupling to the first half coupling, the latter advantageously includes a second pair of pins can be engaged parallel to the coupling axis in a second pair of bores of the second half coupling. This execution mode is a simple and robust solution which allows efficient centering of the second coupling half on the support block and on the first coupling half. In order to increase the centering efficiency, the pins of a pair are advantageously symmetrical with respect to the coupling axis.

The locking device then comprises advantageously a locking plate which is movable between a first position and a second position, so that in the first position it engages in notches of the first pair of pins to lock the second coupling half on the block of the coupling station, and that in the second position it engages in notches in the second pair of pins to lock the second coupling half on the first coupling half.

To activate this locking plate, it is advantageously provided with an actuating lever. The control device then comprises two cylinders symmetrical control with respect to the actuation lever. It is, in a harsh environment, a device simple and reliable to control the locking of the second half coupling, or on the first half coupling, either on the support block of the coupling device. It will also be appreciated that the auxiliary energy required to operate the control device must only be available at the coupling station.

The first coupling half is advantageously mounted on the metallurgical carriage so as to have a degree of freedom in a first direction perpendicular to the coupling pin, and the support block is mounted on the coupling station so as to have a degree of freedom according to a second direction which is perpendicular to the coupling axis and perpendicular to said first direction. The degree of freedom of the block support is advantageously a horizontal degree of freedom defined symmetrically around a central position by elastic elements. The degree of freedom of the first half coupling is advantageously a degree of freedom vertical defined against elastic elements producing an upward elastic force. In this way the first half coupling and support block can self-align along the coupling axis, while maintaining the rigidity and robustness necessary in this environment.

One of the two half couplings advantageously comprises a male half coupling which cooperates with a half coupling female from the other half mating. The half male connector is then advantageously slidable axially against the action of a spring so as to create, during the coupling of the two coupling halves, a pressure of contact between the two half-fittings. It's about a execution which guarantees sufficient contact pressure between the two half-fittings without risking their destruction by an excessive axial coupling force.

Flexible pipe usually includes at least one flexible gas pipe.

• la Figure 1 représente, dans une vue en plan, un chariot métallurgique dans différentes positions;
• la Figure 2 représente une élévation du chariot métallurgique de la Figure 1;
• la Figure 3 représente une coupe à travers un demi-accouplement monté sur le chariot de la Figure 1;
• la Figure 4 montre une vue de face du demi-accouplement de la Figure 3;
• la Figure 5 montre une coupe à travers un deuxième demi-accouplement qui peut être accouplé sur le premier demi-accouplement de la Figure 3;
• la Figure 6 montre une vue de face du deuxième demi-accouplement de la Figure 5;
• la Figure 7 montre une station d'accouplement recevant le demi-accouplement de la Figure 5;
• la Figure 8 montre une vue en plan de la station d'accouplement de la Figure 7;
• la Figure 9 montre une deuxième position de la station d'accouplement de la Figure 7.

Other advantages and particularities will emerge from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, on the basis of the appended figures, in which:

• Figure 1 shows, in a plan view, a metallurgical carriage in different positions;
• Figure 2 shows an elevation of the metallurgical carriage of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 shows a section through a half coupling mounted on the carriage of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 shows a front view of the coupling half of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 shows a section through a second coupling half which can be coupled to the first coupling half of Figure 3;
• Figure 6 shows a front view of the second coupling half of Figure 5;
• Figure 7 shows a coupling station receiving the coupling half of Figure 5;
• Figure 8 shows a plan view of the coupling station of Figure 7;
• Figure 9 shows a second position of the coupling station of Figure 7.

Figure 1 shows in a plan view a carriage metallurgical 10 which is movable along a path of bearing 12 from position A to the right of the drawing towards a position C to the left of the drawing. It is a cart from type used in steel mills to carry a pocket metallurgical 14, for example to the casting plant keep on going.

In position A, which is most often located outside of the building containing the steelworks proper, the carriage 10 receives an empty metallurgical pocket 14. The carriage 10 then transports the metallurgical ladle 14 into position B, where it is filled with steel. In position C the pocket 14 is removed from the carriage 10 to pour the steel for example in the "tundish" (not shown) of a continuous casting installation.

Between position B and position C the steel in the pocket 14 is subjected to "bubbling" by injection of a gas through the bottom of the bag 14. A this end the pocket 14 is connected, when it is placed in the carriage 10, to a distribution circuit 16 for a or more process gases. This circuit of distribution 16 is integral with the metallurgical carriage 10. We have seen that the connection of pocket 14 to circuit 16 can for example be done automatically using of a device 18 of the kind described in the patent US-A-4,883,259.

In the prior art, the gas distribution circuit 16 was permanently connected to a flexible supply line that the carriage 10 drove behind it, from position A to position C and vice versa. This flexible supply pipe therefore had to have a minimum length L _MIN = AC / 2 where AC represents the distance from A to C. The coupling device according to the present invention, which will be described below, allows however to reduce this minimum length of the flexible pipe to BC / 2, where BC represents the distance from B to C. Indeed, thanks to the device according to the invention, the flexible pipe 20 can be automatically connected to, respectively disconnected from the distribution circuit 16 of the carriage 10, in at least one defined coupling position in close proximity to position B. As position B is a danger zone, it is important to emphasize that the device according to the invention makes it possible to couple, respectively the uncoupling of the flexible pipe 20 without human intervention in this danger zone.

a) un premier demi-accouplement 22 monté sur le chariot 10 et raccordé au circuit 16 du chariot 10;

b) un deuxième demi-accouplement 24 connecté à une extrémité libre d'au moins une conduite flexible 20;

c) une station d'accouplement 26 localisée à côté de la position d'accouplement prédéfinie, dans la position B, pour le chariot métallurgique 10 sur son chemin de roulement 12.

A device for coupling according to the invention comprises at least three separate units (see Figure 1):

a) a first coupling half 22 mounted on the carriage 10 and connected to the circuit 16 of the carriage 10;

b) a second coupling half 24 connected to a free end of at least one flexible pipe 20;

c) a coupling station 26 located next to the predefined coupling position, in position B, for the metallurgical carriage 10 on its raceway 12.

The first coupling half 22 mounted on the carriage 10 will be described using Figures 3 and 4. In Figure 4 we sees that it is a half coupling supporting a female part (or female half-connector) 28 which forms with a corresponding male part (or male half-connector) 30 of the second coupling half 24 (see Figure 5) a fitting for gas. In the execution of Figure 3 it is more particularly a connection for two different gases. he could also be a connection for a single gases, respectively for more than two gases. The reference 32 indicates in Figure 3 a fixed part connection female 28 to a pipe 16 'forming part of the circuit 16 on the carriage 10. It will also be noted that the part female 28 defines a kind of bowl in which the male part 30 can center itself automatically when penetration.

The female part 28 is integral with a chassis 34, which is itself mounted on a fixed support plate 36 laterally on the carriage 10. It will be appreciated that the half coupling 28 which is part of the first coupling half 22 does not include any protruding parts which could be damaged on carriage 10. In Figure 2 we see in more detail the location of the first half coupling 22 on the carriage 10. It will be noted that the axis center of female part 28 defines an axis coupling 38 which is preferably horizontal and perpendicular to the raceway 12. The mounting of the frame 34 on the support plate 36 is carried out preferably using four rods 40 in which the frame 34 can slide perpendicular to axis 38. Compression springs 42 then push the frame 34 against the support plate 36. In this way the first half coupling has the freedom to lift, in the axis rods 40, its support plate 36 against the action springs 42. The chassis 34 is still provided with a pair 44 'and 44' 'pins whose axes are parallel to the coupling pin 38. In addition, these two pins 44 ' and 44 '' are preferably symmetrical about the axis 38. The references 46 'and 46' 'indicate a pair of bores receiving a second pair of pins described later.

The second coupling half 24, which is connected to the free end of the flexible pipe 20 will be described in using Figures 5 and 6. The male part 30, which forms the gas connection in cooperation with the female part 28, is mounted in a chassis 50. This assembly is carried out preferably so that the male part 30, which protrudes relative to the chassis 50 is axially movable in the frame 50 against the action of a spring 52. The latter surrounds the male part 30 and is axially supported by a side on the male part 30 and on the other side on the chassis 50. A rear shoulder 54 and a shoulder before 56 which are both attached to the part male 30 cooperate with support surfaces integral with the chassis 50 to limit the axial travel of the part male 30 in two opposite directions. It will be noted that when coupling the second half coupling to first coupling half, it is the spring 52 which establishes the contact pressure between the male part 30 and the part female 28. In this context it will be as appreciated as when the second coupling half is coupled to the first coupling half the two chassis 34 and 50 effectively protect the two half-fittings 28 and 30.

The chassis 50 of the second coupling half comprises another first pair of 58 'and 58' 'bore and one second pair of 60 'and 60' 'bores. The first pair 58 'and 58' 'bore is arranged to receive the pair of pins 44 'and 44' 'of the first coupling half 22. The second pair of 60 'and 60' 'bores is arranged so as to receive a pair of pins 62 'and 62' ', which is symmetrical to the pair of pins 44 'and 44' ', but which is supported by the coupling station 26. All of these pins 44 ', 44' ', 62' and 62 '' are cylindrical parts with pointed ends which easily engage in corresponding bores 58 'and 58' ', 60' and 60 '', but which also provide fairly precise guidance of the second coupling half along the coupling axis. Each pin 44 ', 44 '', 62 'and 62' 'also includes a notch 64 whose function will be described below in relation to the locking of the second coupling half on the first coupling half 22, respectively on the station coupling 26.

1) que dans une première position elle pénètre avec son bord périphérique dans les encoches 64 des deux broches 62' et 62'' introduites à travers les alésages 60' et 60'', tout en laissant entièrement libre le passage à travers la paire d'alésage 58' et 58'' recevant les broches 44' et 44'';

2) que dans une deuxième position elle pénètre avec son bord périphérique dans les encoches 64 des deux broches 44' et 44'' introduites à travers les alésages 58 et 58'' tout en laissant entièrement libre le passage à travers la paire d'alésages 60' et 60''.

In the chassis 50 of the second coupling half (Figures 5 and 6) is integrated a locking plate 66. The latter is for example an annular plate which is housed in the chassis 50 so as to be able to rotate around the male part 30. A lever 68 extends it outside the chassis 50 and allows it to be actuated. In Figure 6 we see that the shape of the plate 66 is designed so:

1) that in a first position it penetrates with its peripheral edge into the notches 64 of the two pins 62 'and 62''introduced through the bores 60' and 60 '', while leaving entirely free the passage through the pair of 'bore 58' and 58 '' receiving pins 44 'and 44'';

2) that in a second position it penetrates with its peripheral edge into the notches 64 of the two pins 44 'and 44''introduced through the bores 58 and 58''while leaving entirely free the passage through the pair of bores 60 'and 60''.

In the first position of the locking plate the support frame 50 of the second coupling half is therefore axially lockable on both pins 62 'and 62' 'integral with the station of coupling 26. In the second position of the plate lock 66 the second coupling half is by lockable axially on the two pins 44 ' and 44 '' which are integral with the first coupling half. The lever 68 makes it possible to pivot the locking plate 66 of said first in said second position and vice vice versa.

In Figures 5 and 6 we can still see that the second coupling half 24 is integral with a structure of guide and fixing 70 of the flexible pipe 20. This structure 70 includes a support plate 72 and two guide surfaces 74 and 76 which are perpendicular to the support plate 72. The guide surface 74 defines a minimum bending radius of the flexible pipe 20 in a first direction of movement of the carriage 10; the guide surface 76 defines a minimum bending radius in the opposite direction. The end of the pipe flexible 20 is mechanically fixed using a flange 78 to the support plate 72.

The third unit of the device, i.e. the coupling station 26, is described using the Figures 7, 8 and 9. It includes a carriage coupling 80 displaceable using rollers 81 on guide rails 82 (see Figure 8). These guide rails 82 are supported by a support structure (not shown) so that the carriage 80 can be moved along these guide rails 82 from a garage position, located laterally next to the raceway 12, towards of the first coupling half 22 parallel to the axis 38 of the latter, if the carriage metallurgical 10 is in its coupling position predefined. The drive means of this cart coupling 80 is for example a hydraulic cylinder or tire 84 which produces a displacement of travel C of the coupling carriage 80 (see Figure 9). Of course we could also use any other device drive capable of producing a rectilinear movement to go back from race C.

The carriage 80 supports itself at its front end a support block 86 which is designed to receive and support in the coupling axis 38 the second coupling half 24. To this end it includes the pair of pins 62 'and 62' 'which was described above. He will be note that the support block 86 is not rigidly fixed on the coupling carriage 80, but that it is supported so that it can slide perpendicular to axis 38, for example in a pair of rods 88 mounted at the front end of the carriage 80. These rods 88 are advantageously oriented in one direction perpendicular to the direction defined by the rods 40 of the first half coupling. In the figures the rods 40 are for example vertical, while the rods 88 are horizontal. Springs 90 then define elastically a central position of the support block 86 on the pair of rods 88.

The coupling carriage 80 still supports a control device 92 of the lever 68 of the plate lock 66 of the second coupling half 24. This control device 92 comprises for example two cylinders 94 and 96 which are arranged on arms 98 ' and 98 '' from the coupling carriage 80 so that they lie in the pivoting plane of the plate locking 66, on both sides of the lever 68, when pins 62 'and 62' 'are fully engaged in the 60 'and 60' 'bores of the second coupling half. In this context it will be noted that pins 62 'and 62' 'are each provided with a shoulder 100 which cooperates with bearing surfaces on the second coupling half so to define an axial arrangement of the second coupling half on pins 62 'and 62' 'for which the plate lock 66 can penetrate into the notches 64.

To explain the operation of the device described above, we refer to Figure 1 by consulting simultaneously all the other figures with regard to the details.

From position A to position B the carriage 10, supporting the empty bag 14, is not connected to the flexible pipe 20. In position B the carriage 10 is stopped on its raceway 12 in a position predefined coupling. The second coupling half 24 is supported and locked on the support block 86 of the coupling station 26. To this end, the lock 66 penetrates into the notches 64 of the pins 62 'and 62' 'of the coupling carriage 80. This the latter is in its garage position.

Now the cylinder 84 is actuated to move the coupling carriage 80 parallel to the axis coupling 38 towards the first coupling half on the metallurgical carriage 10. Pins 44 'and 44' 'of the first coupling half penetrate through the 58 'and 58' 'bores of the second coupling half and the male part 30 enters the female part 28 to connect the gas lines 20 and 16. If there is horizontal misalignment between the two coupling halves 22 and 24, the second half coupling slides in its rods 88. If there is a misalignment vertical between the two half-couplings 22 and 24, the first coupling half slides in its rods 40. In this context it will be noted that the first half mating is generally lower than the second half coupling, mating because the relative position of the two is adjusted for carriage 10 without the pocket 14. The movement of the jack 84 is stopped by a limit switch 102 mounted on the second coupling half. This limit switch is by example actuated by the male part 30 during its retraction axial or by one of the two pins 44 'and 44' '. The second coupling 24 is now engaged on the pins 44 'and 44' 'of the first coupling half so that the locking plate 66 can penetrate into the notches 64 of these. In this position the part male 30 is pressed into the female part 28 with a sufficient contact pressure by spring 52.

Then the control device 92 is actuated to push the locking plate 66 of its second position in its first position. Pins 62 'and 62' ' are thus released and the second coupling half 24 is locked on the first coupling half 22. The operation for connecting flexible pipe 20 to the carriage metallurgical 10 is complete and the carriage coupling 80 is removed in its garage position. The metallurgical carriage 10, which now supports the second coupling half 24 connected to the pipe flexible 20, can advance from position B in the position C. It will be noted that during this race the flexible pipe 20 is preferably wound / unwound automatically by a reel 110 placed between the position B and position C, more exactly at a distance of position B and position C.

When the metallurgical carriage 10, which is always connected to flexible pipe 20, returns from the position C towards position B, it stops in its position predefined coupling. The coupling carriage 80 is advanced from its garage position towards the carriage 10 to penetrate with its pins 62 'and 62' 'in the bores 60 'and 60' 'of the second coupling half 24 coupled to the first coupling half. Then the device 92 is actuated to move the plate lock 66 from its first position into its second position. In other words, the second half mating 24 is unlocked with respect to the first coupling half 22 and is locked relative to the carriage coupling 80. Then the coupling carriage 80 is removed to its garage position. Carriage metallurgical 10 can now continue its course of the position B in position A, without having to drive the flexible pipe 20.

It will be appreciated that neither the mating operation nor the uncoupling operation of the metallurgical carriage 10 to flexible pipe 20 does require intervention human on the cart 10.

In the execution described above the conduct flexible 20 basically includes flexible hoses for process gases. It is however obvious that this flexible pipe 20 could also include hoses for compressed air and liquids as well as cables for the transfer of electrical energy or signals; provided that the first coupling half is fitted and the second half coupling with half fittings adequate.

Claims (12)

1. Device for coupling a metallurgical carriage (10) to a flexible pipe (20) comprising

   a first half-coupling (22) mounted on the metallurgical carriage (10),

   a second half-coupling (24) connected to one end of at least one flexible pipe (20) and designed so as to be capable of being received on the first half-coupling (22),

      characterised

   in that a coupling station (26) is located near a predefined coupling position for the metallurgical carriage (10), this coupling station (26) comprising

   a supporting block (86) designed to receive and support the said second half-coupling (24),

   means of driving for moving the supporting block (86) from a parked position in the direction of the first half-coupling (22) and vice versa, when the metallurgical carriage (10) is in its predefined coupling position, and

   a control device (92), and

   in that the second half-coupling (24) is equipped with a locking device which can be actuated by the said control device and which defines

   a first locking position, in which it co-operates with at least one element of the first half-coupling (22) so as to lock the second half-coupling (24) in a position coupled to the first half-coupling (22), and

   a second locking position, in which it co-operates with at least one element of the said support so as to lock the second half-coupling (24) to its support on the coupling station (26).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the second half-coupling (24) forms a unit with a structure (70) for fixing and guiding the flexible pipe (20).
3. Device according to Claim 1, characterised

   in that the supporting block (86) incorporates a first pair of pins (62 , 62 ) which are capable of becoming engaged in a first pair of drilled holes (60 , 60 ) in the second half-coupling (24) and

   in that the first half-coupling (22) has a second pair of pins (44 , 44 ) which are capable of becoming engaged in a second pair of drilled holes (58 , 58 ) in the second half-coupling (24).
4. Device according to Claim 3, characterised in that the pins of a pair are symmetrical with respect to the coupling axis (38).
5. Device according to Claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the locking device comprises a locking plate (66) which is movable between a first position and a second position, so that in the first position it becomes engaged in recesses (64) in the first pair of pins (62 , 62 ) in order to lock the second half-coupling (24) to the supporting block (86) of the coupling station (26), and so that in the second position it becomes engaged in recesses (64) in the second pair of pins (44 , 44 ) in order to lock the second half-coupling (24) to the first half-coupling (22).
6. Device according to Claim 5, characterised in that the locking plate (66) incorporates an actuating lever (68) and in that the control device (92) includes two control actuators (94, 96) symmetrical with respect to the actuating lever (68).
7. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised

   in that the first half-coupling (22) is mounted on the metallurgical carriage (10) so as to have one degree of freedom along a first direction perpendicular to the coupling axis (38), and

   in that the supporting block (86) is mounted on the coupling station (26) so as to have one degree of freedom along a second direction which is perpendicular to the coupling axis (38) and perpendicular to the said first direction.
8. Device according to Claim 7, characterised in that the degree of freedom of the supporting block (86) is defined along a horizontal direction by elastic elements (88, 90) symmetrically about a central position.
9. Device according to Claim 7 or 8, characterised in that in that the degree of freedom of the first half-coupling (22) is a vertical degree of freedom defined against elastic elements (42) producing an upward elastic force.
10. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that one of the two half-couplings (24) incorporates a male half-connector (30) which co-operates with a female half-connector (28) on the other half-coupling (22).
11. Device according to Claim 10, characterised in that the male half-connector (30) is capable of sliding axially against the action of a spring (52).
12. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the flexible pipe (20) comprises at least one flexible gas pipe.

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