EP1196258B1 - Dispositif de purification d'acier fondu - Google Patents

Dispositif de purification d'acier fondu Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1196258B1
EP1196258B1 EP00936718A EP00936718A EP1196258B1 EP 1196258 B1 EP1196258 B1 EP 1196258B1 EP 00936718 A EP00936718 A EP 00936718A EP 00936718 A EP00936718 A EP 00936718A EP 1196258 B1 EP1196258 B1 EP 1196258B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chamber
pouring
inert gas
steel
melt
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP00936718A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1196258A1 (fr
Inventor
Horst Grothe
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.)
SMS Siemag AG
Original Assignee
SMS Demag AG
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 SMS Demag AG filed Critical SMS Demag AG
Publication of EP1196258A1 publication Critical patent/EP1196258A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1196258B1 publication Critical patent/EP1196258B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D11/00—Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths
    • B22D11/10—Supplying or treating molten metal
    • B22D11/11—Treating the molten metal
    • B22D11/111—Treating the molten metal by using protecting powders

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for cleaning Melting steel, especially in continuous casting plants, with one Intermediate container (tundish) used to load a mold serves with molten steel from a ladle, the Intermediate tank internals to equalize the flow which has molten steel.
  • Oxidation of the aluminum forms alumina (Al 2 O 3 ), which accounts for the majority (> 90%) of the impurities in the steel.
  • the total alumina content must be low for steel grades with high purity requirements.
  • individual large alumina particles macroscopic inclusions from 50 to over 500 ⁇ m in diameter
  • the endogenous oxides generated during deoxidation in the steel mill can be minimized through process control and purity treatment, with outlier melting occurring again and again.
  • exogenous oxides can only be used in the intermediate container effective separation technology can be used because that Separation of alumina particles in the mold or in the strand is only in depending on the casting process, solidification time and throughput possible to a small extent.
  • the oxide content (essentially Al 2 O 3 ) must be reduced overall.
  • One way to achieve this is to make the flow in the intermediate container more uniform and thus to calm it down, which enables the alumina particles to rise and be molded into an alumina-receiving top slag.
  • An intermediate container is described in WO 95 06534 A, which is formed by transverse walls is divided into a pouring, a middle and a casting chamber.
  • the Middle chamber is a narrow one in the middle with a distance to the transverse walls Bottom wall with openings in the middle for the introduction of inert gas to the Cleaning the molten steel to flush impurities upwards.
  • the object is solved by the features of claim 1 Compared to the state of the art, twice the number of installations in the area a calming effect between the inflow and outflow point of the molten steel the turbulent flow prevailing in the inflow chamber in the middle and casting chamber. To do this, the first and second transverse wall and the targeted arranged openings of the same and the bottom wall of the middle chamber.
  • the middle chamber has a cover plate.
  • the cover plate creates the possibility of gassing the melting level of the middle chamber.
  • Their bottom wall offers space for the adjustable inert gas supply and the inert gas spray bars. This means that the steel melt is purged in stages with insrfgas possible, whereby all alumina particles> 50 ⁇ m are flushed up and in the Pot slag can be separated. The latter is due to the inert gas in the formation protected by exogenous oxides.
  • the pouring chamber is a cylindrical pouring sleeve with a lid, in the middle of an opening for a shadow pipe of the ladle is provided, which Shadow tube opposite the cover sealing play and opposite the Pouring sleeve has a distance.
  • the opposite of that Pouring sleeve sealed with a shade tube allows fumigation the melting level of the same via an inert gas supply and thereby dispensing with masking compounds within the Injection sleeve. This means that when changing the ladle with under the shadow tube lowered melting level no slag or masking compound through the free Schaelzstrahl in the Melt can be flushed in.
  • the advantage is that the casting chamber at its bottom, preferably in the end region of the intermediate container, a pouring tube for filling the mold, that of a stopper is mastered.
  • the pouring tube lies in an area of the Casting chamber where the flow calms down and the steel melt is tempered.
  • the insulating top slag prevents the formation of exogenous oxides and absorbs alumina residues.
  • An advantageous solution is also that before Filling the intermediate container with molten steel on the bottom a starting aid in the pouring chamber below the pouring sleeve and another starting aid made of sheet metal or in front of the floor opening fireproof material are provided.
  • the jump start made of sheet metal delays the flow of liquid steel from the Pouring chamber into the middle chamber while the sheet is still has not melted. If the melting level is above the Bottom opening of the first transverse wall, the floats Jump start made of fireproof material.
  • FIG. 1 an intermediate container 1 is shown through a first transverse wall 2 in a pouring chamber 3 and through a second transverse wall 4 into a central chamber 5 and a casting chamber 6 is divided.
  • a ladle 7 has a shadow pipe 8, that opens into the pouring chamber 3.
  • the middle chamber 5 has a bottom wall 9 in which controllable inert gas feeds 10 are arranged, which Inert gas spray bars 11 with the central chamber 5 in Flow connection.
  • the middle chamber 5 a cover plate 12.
  • first transverse wall 2 there are one in the area of the floor wall 9 Bottom opening 13 and another in the second transverse wall 4 Bottom opening 14 and further openings 15 are provided.
  • the casting chamber 6 has at its bottom in the end region of the Intermediate container 1, a pouring tube 16 for filling the mold on, which is controlled by a plug 17.
  • the intermediate container 1 is filled with a molten steel 18, whose mirror is covered by a masking compound 19. This is different for the individual chambers 3, 5, 6.
  • the Cover layer of the pouring chamber 3 takes floating large Particle that is the cover layer of the middle chamber 5 thin and takes all those blown up by inert gas Particles on, while the covering of the casting chamber 6 den Seals the melting level against the ingress of air.
  • Figure 2 differs from Figure 1 by, among other things a cylindrical pouring sleeve 20 which has a cover 21st has, in the middle of which there is an opening for a shadow pipe 8 is provided, the 21 seal play against the lid and has a distance from the pouring sleeve 20.
  • the Melting level within the pouring sleeve 20 does not carry any Masking compound 19, but is through an inert gas inflow 22nd fumigated.
  • the melting level inside the middle chamber 5 is also gassed by an inert gas inflow 22 and with a top slag with a reducing effect. Besides, that is Steel melt 18 of the middle chamber 5 by an electrical Heating element 23 heated.
  • a starting aid 24 and in front of the bottom opening 13 another jump starter 25 is provided which is made of sheet metal or fireproof material. These starting aids delay the Flow from the pouring chamber 3 into the middle chamber 5 at Filling the intermediate container 1.
  • the molten steel 18 is from the ladle 7 on the Shadow tube 8 filled in the intermediate container 1. This serves as a buffer to avoid the casting process when changing pans To be able to continue the interruption. He also offers the Possibility of further cleaning the molten steel 18.
  • the intermediate container 1 in the pouring chamber 3 has a pouring sleeve 20 which Shadow tube 8 seals with its cover 21 and the together with the shadow pipe 8 in the molten steel 18th dips.
  • the other starting aid 25 consists of sheet metal that melts or made of refractory material that floats in the melt and so the meltdown clears the way into the middle chamber 5.
  • the intermediate container 1 When the intermediate container 1 is filled, it develops in and under the pouring sleeve 20 through the from the shadow pipe 8th escaping pouring stream a short shot flow 26 leading to Deposition of large particles of slag and alumina results. This get into the covering compound 19 of the melt level Inflow chamber and are recorded there.
  • the melting level is free of Masking compound 19.
  • the inert gas inflow 22 Fumigation of the upper part of the pouring sleeve 20 instead, whereby there is no oxide formation at this point.
  • Inert gas bubbles usually made of argon or nitrogen, get into the molten steel 18, but this is completely uncritical is.
  • the pre-cleaned emerging from the pouring chamber 3 Steel melt 18 passes through the bottom opening 13 in the Middle chamber 5 and further through the other bottom opening 14 as well as the further openings 15 into the casting chamber 6.
  • inert gas emerges from the Inert gas spray strips 11 and pearls in the molten steel 18 high. Depending on the inert gas pressure, they are of different sizes Alumina particles in the area above 50 ⁇ m are flushed up and into the Masking compound 19, a reducing top slag, added.
  • the inert gas collects under the cover plate 12 and can there are supplemented by an inert gas inflow 22.
  • On Electric heating element 23 is used to set the optimum casting temperature in the casting chamber 6.
  • the molten steel 18 of the casting chamber 6 has a covering compound 19 made of insulating top slag. Occurs in the casting chamber 6 a calming of the flow and moderation of the Steel melt 18, so that through the pouring tube 16 of the Stopper 17 controls a cleaned, homogeneous steel melt 18 flows into the mold and there to a quality steel stiffens.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Casting Support Devices, Ladles, And Melt Control Thereby (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
  • Continuous Casting (AREA)
  • Coating With Molten Metal (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Steel In Its Molten State (AREA)

Claims (9)

  1. Dispositif pour la purification de masses fondues d'acier, en particulier dans le cas d'installations de coulée continue, présentant un récipient intermédiaire (1), qui sert au revêtement d'une lingotière d'une masse fondue d'acier (18) à partir d'une poche de coulée (7) et qui est réparti, pour l'uniformisation de l'écoulement de la masse fondue d'acier (18), en une chambre d'introduction de coulée (3), une chambre médiane (5) et une chambre de coulée (6) séparées par deux parois transversales (2, 4) qui présentent des ouvertures inférieures (13, 14), la chambre médiane (5) présentant une paroi de fond (9) avec des ouvertures pour faire passer un gaz dans la masse fondue d'acier (18), caractérisé
    en ce que la paroi de fond (9) est dimensionnée de telle manière qu'elle s'étend sur toute la longueur de la chambre médiane (5) jusque sous les parois transversales (2, 4) et qu'elle est exécutée avec plusieurs barres (11) de pulvérisation de gaz inerte disposées l'une à côté de l'autre,
    en ce que la paroi transversale (4) séparant la chambre médiane (5) de la chambre de coulée (6) présente des ouvertures latérales (15),
    en ce que la chambre médiane (5) présente une plaque de recouvrement (12).
  2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'on a prévu dans la paroi de fond (9) des alimentations de gaz (10) réglables, qui sont reliées par écoulement via des barres (11) de pulvérisation de gaz inerte avec la chambre médiane (5).
  3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que la masse fondue dans la chambre médiane (5) peut de préférence être chauffée électriquement.
  4. Dispositif selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que la chambre d'introduction de coulée (5) présente un manchon d'introduction de coulée (20) cylindrique avec un couvercle (21) au centre duquel on a prévu une ouverture pour une busette (8) de la poche de coulée (7).
  5. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que la busette (8) a un jeu étanche par rapport au couvercle (21) et présente une certaine distance par rapport au manchon d'introduction de coulée (20).
  6. Dispositif selon la revendication 4 ou 5, caractérisé en ce que les espaces entre le niveau de la masse fondue et le couvercle (21) ou la plaque de recouvrement (12) présentent une alimentation en gaz inerte (22).
  7. Dispositif selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que la chambre de coulée (6) présente, au niveau de son fond, de préférence dans la zone d'extrémité du récipient intermédiaire (1), un tube de coulée (16) pour le remplissage de la lingotière, qui est géré par un bouchon (17).
  8. Dispositif selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 4 à 7, caractérisé en ce qu'avant le remplissage du récipient intermédiaire (1) avec une masse fondue d'acier (18), on a prévu sur le fond de la chambre d'introduction de coulée (3), sous le manchon d'introduction de coulée (20), une aide au démarrage (24) et devant l'ouverture du fond une autre aide au démarrage (25) constituée de tôle ou de matériau réfractaire.
  9. Procédé pour la purification de masses fondues d'acier dans un récipient intermédiaire (1) qui sert au revêtement d'une lingotière avec une masse fondue d'acier (18) à partir d'une poche de coulée (7), en particulier dans le cas d'installations de coulée continue, selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 8 précédentes, caractérisé en ce que, dans la chambre médiane (5), on réalise un rinçage étagé de la masse fondue d'acier avec un gaz inerte à l'aide des alimentations de gaz inerte réglables (10) et des barres de pulvérisation (11) de gaz inerte, qui repousse les particules d'alumine de différentes grosseurs dans la plage > 50 µ vers le haut et qui sont absorbées dans les scories surnageantes (19) réductrices recouvrant le haut de la masse fondue d'acier (18), suite à quoi le gaz inerte se rassemble dans l'espace entre la plaque de recouvrement (12) et les scories surnageantes (19), complété par une alimentation de gaz inerte (22) qui protège les scories (19) d'une formation d'oxydes exogènes.
EP00936718A 1999-05-19 2000-05-06 Dispositif de purification d'acier fondu Expired - Lifetime EP1196258B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19922829 1999-05-19
DE19922829A DE19922829A1 (de) 1999-05-19 1999-05-19 Vorrichtung zur Reinigung von Stahlschmelzen
PCT/EP2000/004074 WO2000071283A1 (fr) 1999-05-19 2000-05-06 Dispositif de purification d'acier fondu

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1196258A1 EP1196258A1 (fr) 2002-04-17
EP1196258B1 true EP1196258B1 (fr) 2003-01-02

Family

ID=7908429

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00936718A Expired - Lifetime EP1196258B1 (fr) 1999-05-19 2000-05-06 Dispositif de purification d'acier fondu

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1196258B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE230317T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU5211600A (fr)
DE (2) DE19922829A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2000071283A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT413196B (de) * 2003-12-02 2005-12-15 Voest Alpine Ind Anlagen Verfahren zur herstellung eines gegossenen metallstranges hoher reinheit
KR101949698B1 (ko) 2017-07-14 2019-02-19 주식회사 포스코 용융물 처리 장치
CN109954851B (zh) * 2017-12-14 2023-05-16 鞍钢股份有限公司 一种中间包钢液渣洗净化与升温的装置及使用方法

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1543798A (en) * 1976-12-17 1979-04-04 N Proizv Ob Tulatschermet Horizontal continuous casting of metal
JPS5827020B2 (ja) * 1978-08-31 1983-06-07 川崎製鉄株式会社 連続鋳造用タンデイツシユにおける溶鋼の清浄化方法
JPS5626662A (en) * 1979-08-07 1981-03-14 Kobe Steel Ltd Method for preventing entry of inclusion in continuous casting of steel
JPS5717357A (en) * 1980-07-04 1982-01-29 Sumitomo Metal Ind Ltd Manufacturing lead free-cutting steel
JPH01107950A (ja) * 1987-10-21 1989-04-25 Nkk Corp 水平連続鋳造用タンデイッシュ
JPH03151144A (ja) * 1989-11-08 1991-06-27 Sumitomo Metal Ind Ltd 連続鋳造用タンディッシュ内溶鋼の精錬方法
EP0714330A1 (fr) * 1993-08-28 1996-06-05 Foseco International Limited Purification de metal fondu

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2000071283A1 (fr) 2000-11-30
DE50001022D1 (de) 2003-02-06
EP1196258A1 (fr) 2002-04-17
AU5211600A (en) 2000-12-12
DE19922829A1 (de) 2000-11-23
ATE230317T1 (de) 2003-01-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE2756112C3 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum horizontalen Stranggießen
EP0043987B1 (fr) Installation pour la coulée continue de métal dans un système fermé d'alimentation du moule
DE69004054T2 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum kontinuierlichen Abstechen von Metall und Schlacke im geschmolzenem Zustand.
EP0786531B1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif pour la refusion de métaux sous forme de barres
EP0107068A1 (fr) Procédé pour la coulée continue horizontale de métaux, en particulier de l'acier
US4372542A (en) Copper slag trap
EP1196258B1 (fr) Dispositif de purification d'acier fondu
DE3049053A1 (de) Verfahren und vorrichtung zur abtrennung von schlacke und zum ausgiessen einer stahlschmelze aus einem behaelter
EP1301642A1 (fr) Procede et dispositif pour reduire la teneur en oxygene d'un bain de cuivre
EP0005820B1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif pour la coulée continue des métaux selon une ou plusieurs lignes de coulée
DE2527606A1 (de) Verfahren zum kontinuierlichen stranggiessen von unberuhigtem oder halbberuhigtem stahl
DE3211861A1 (de) Verfahren und vorrichtung zur herstellung von hochreinen keramikfreien metallpulvern
EP0137315B1 (fr) Procédé et installation pour la fabrication d'alliages de haute pureté
US4167963A (en) Method and apparatus for feeding molten metal to an ingot during solidification
DE1960283A1 (de) Vakuumentgasungsvorrichtung fuer die Verwendung beim Stranggiessen von Metallen und Verfahren zum Stranggiessen von schmelzfluessigem Metall,waehrend es einer Vakuumentgasung unterworfen ist
EP0009803B1 (fr) Procédé de coulée continue d'acier
DE3441324A1 (de) Verfahren und vorrichtung zum vermeiden einer wirbelbildung in einem giessbehaelter mit stopfenausguss
DE3143563C2 (de) Tauchrohr für das Blockgießen und ein Verfahren zum Betrieb dieses Tauchrohres
DE2001256B2 (de) Vorrichtung zur herstellung von bloecken
DE2147548B2 (de) Verfahren und Durchführungsanordnung zum Feinen und Gießen von Stahl
DE2501603C3 (fr)
DE60113231T2 (de) Vorrichtung und verfahren für kontinuierliches oder halbkontinuierliches giessen von aluminium
DE2062114A1 (en) Pure, killed steel mfr - for deep-drawn quality sheet steel
DE3883207T2 (de) Verfahren zur Zugabe von flüssigen Legierungsmitteln zu geschmolzenem Stahl.
EP3473733A1 (fr) Récipient intermediaire pour la séparation de laitier

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: 20010914

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

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

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

Ref country code: NL

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: 20030102

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;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: 20030102

Ref country code: IE

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: 20030102

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: 20030102

Ref country code: GB

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: 20030102

Ref country code: FR

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: 20030102

Ref country code: FI

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: 20030102

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 230317

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 20030115

Kind code of ref document: T

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: 20030102:NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: SCHMAUDER & PARTNER AG PATENTANWALTSBUERO

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: GERMAN

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 50001022

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20030206

Kind code of ref document: P

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

Ref country code: PT

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: 20030402

Ref country code: DK

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: 20030402

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: 20030506

Ref country code: CY

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: 20030506

Ref country code: AT

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

Effective date: 20030506

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

Ref country code: SE

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

Effective date: 20030507

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

Ref country code: MC

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

Effective date: 20030531

Ref country code: BE

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

Effective date: 20030531

LTIE Lt: invalidation of european patent or patent extension

Effective date: 20030102

GBV Gb: ep patent (uk) treated as always having been void in accordance with gb section 77(7)/1977 [no translation filed]

Effective date: 20030102

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

Ref country code: ES

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: 20030730

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

Ref document number: 1196258E

Country of ref document: IE

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

EN Fr: translation not filed
BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: *SMS DEMAG A.G.

Effective date: 20030531

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: 20031202

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20031003

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
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: 20040531

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20040531

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL