GB544332A - Improvements in or relating to hydraulic tilting gear for bessemer converters and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

544,332. Hydraulic presses. NEILSON, D. H., and DAVY & UNITED ENGINEERING CO., Ltd. July 14, 1941, No. 8894. [Class 69 (ii)] Hydraulic tilting gear for a Bessemer converter a, or like device, in which the operating rack b is actuated by rams d, e, is actuated by a valve g, Fig. 2, which controls the supply of liquid from the pressure pipe f to pipes h, j leading to the rams, and according to the invention isolating valves m, n are arranged between the valve g and the rams and the isolating valves are under the control of an electrically-operated relay valve o, Fig. 2, so that in an emergency due to failure of supply pressure or breakage of a pressure pipe, the isolating valves close and lock the converter or the like against tilting. The valve g comprises operating levers 16, 17 for shafts 12, 13 respectively, and levers 14 on shaft 12 control quick-operating valves 18, 19, 20, 21, and the levers 15 control valves 22, 23, 24, 25 for fine adjustment. The valves 18... 21 are fitted with subsidiary valves 26 which open prior to the main valves to relieve pressure. The relay valve o comprises a valve 37, which is held open by a lever 39 when an electromagnet 41 is energized and liquid from a pressure pipe p acts upon plungers 32 to hold open valves 28 to permit passage of operating-liquid to the rams d, e. Upon de-energization of the magnet 41 a weight 42 actuates lever 39 to close valve 37 and open a valve 38 to exhaust thus permitting closure of the valves 28 and holding of the converter in position. The magnet 41 may be deenergized automatically by contacts arranged in connection with a pressure-gauge, or by a handoperated switch. Locking-devices for securing the operating-rack b may also be provided, and as shown in Fig. 3 comprise plungers 53 with heads 55 formed with dog teeth for engaging similar teeth on the sides of the rack b. The plungers are arranged in cylinders 54 and are spring-pressed towards engagement with the rack. The supply of operating-fluid to the cylinders is controlled by an electromagnet 50 adapted to govern valves 51, 52 in such a way that when the solenoid 50 is de-energized the valve 52 is opened and valve 51 closed and hydraulic pressure acts on both sides of the plungers 53 and the springs cause the plungers to lock the rack. When the solenoid is energized the outer ends of the cylinders 54 are connected to exhaust via valve 51 and the permanent liquid pressure on the inner ends of the cylinders overcomes the spring pressure on the plungers and the rack is free. The effective areas of the plungers 53 may be greater at their outer ends, and the locking may be effected by the greater load on the outer end. In order to tilt the converter after the safety device has been operated an auxiliary supply of pressure is used and connected to the rams d, e by pipes 58, 59 under control of a double acting valve 60. Pressure from the pipes 58, 59 may be used to force back the plungers 53 to free the rack b.