US1757000A - Hot-metal car - Google Patents

Description

y 6, 1930. c. P: ASTROM 1,757,000

HOT METAL CAR Original Filed March 8, 1928 5 Shee ts-Sheet l y 6, 1930. c. P. AS.TROM- 1,757,000

' HOT METAL CAR I Original Filed March 8, 1928 '3 Sheets- Sheet 2 y 1930- c. P. ASTROM 1,757,000

HOT METAL CAR Original Filed March 8, 19 28 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 mum/J lhtent ed May 6, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE cam. r. asrnom, or EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, nsszenca To 1!. n. comramr, 1110., on NEW YORK, N. Y., A ooaronarron or NEW YORK.

HOT-METAL CAB Original application filed March 8, 1828; Serial No. 260,141. Divided and this application filed Ian I 25, 1929. Serial No. 385,012.

The present invention relates to hot metal cars such as are used in steel works and iron foundries for receiving molten iron from blast furnaces and transporting the same to various points of discharge.

This application is a division of my Patent No. 1,708,007 of April 9,, 1929.

As set forth in that patent it is highly desirable to minimize the radiation of cat from the metal carried within the heat insulated container of a hot metal car to the outside air so as to render it possible to store the metal in a molten condition for considerable periods of time. The more complete the envelopment of the metal by the Walls of the metal receptacle of the car, the less the heat loss by radiation and the longer the metal will remain in a fluid state. Wherever, therefore, it is desired that the rate of loss of heat be reduced to an absolute minimum, any opening formed in the metal receptacle for the purpose of charging and discharging the same should be provided with a closure by means of which it can be closed or blocked at all times except when hot metal is actually being charged into or discharged from such receptacle. Where such closures are not employed, the loss of heat from the metal adjacent, the uncovered charging and pouring opening is rapid as compared with the heat loss at other points, and as a consequence, the metal near these openings has sometimes become solidified, when cars have been allowed to stand for considerable periods of time, thus forming skulls.

- It is important to provide heat retaining closures for the pouring openings of hot metal car ladles of all types. In my first filed application the invention is broadly claimed, and claimed specifically in combination with a ladle or metal container which is substantially circular in each cross sectional plane, and as a whole is formed as a solid of revo-v lution. and which is revoluble about its longitudinal axis. With other types of ladles, howi ever. such as those of square, rectangular, el-

lipsoidal, etc., cross section, or with vertical ladles of conical, cylindrical or other wellknown forms the same difficulties referred to have been experienced. I

The invention contemplates in every instance the employment of a heat retaining" canopy or cover for a ladle which comprises a portion of the permanent equipment of a of a heat retaining canopy which will efi'ectively decrease heat losses without, at the same time, rendering it appreciably more diflicult' to charge and discharge the ladle. Such ladles are mounted so as to rotate about hor-. izontal axes. Many hot metal cars of this type are'now in use but can be employed only for transporting molten metal for short distances on account of the rapid loss of heat by radiation through the uncovered top of the ladle.

. The invention may obviously assume various forms or embodiments to provide for different requirements, and it will be understood that the forms hereinafter specificall described, and which are illustrated in the drawings, are set forth by way of example i In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows in side elevation a' hot metal car of common type but having'one form of my improved cover positioned to normally pover the large and otherwise unprotected Figure 2 isan end elevation of the same showing in dotted lines the positions which the ladle and cover assume in a pouring operation; Y

Figures 3 and 4 are side and end elevations respectively of a hot metal car which is generally similar in construction to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 but in which the ladle is supported so as to tilt about a single central axis so that it is unnecessary to partially v lift the cover to'charge or discharge the same;

Figures 5 and 6 are side and end elevations respectively of a ladle of the three trunnion type and adapted to be carried by a car such as that illustrated in Figures and 2,

this type of ladle having large pouring lips; an

Figure 7 is an end view of a portion of a hot metal car, with a ladle of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2 mounted thereon, special link members being provided, however. for automatically lifting the cover when the ladle is tilted.

The hot metal car shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings is of a well-known type. comprising essentially a frame indicated generally at 10, mounted on wheeled trucks 11 and carrying a ladle 12 mounted 011 trunnions. The drawing illustrates what is known as the three trunnion type of car, but five trunnions may be employed at each end Without departure from its principle of operation. It may be tilted to the right about the axis of aligned trunnions 13, 13 (Figure 2) or to the left about the axis of aligned trunnions 14, 14. In tilting, a chain is used, this chain being hooked to one or other of the chain lugs, one of which is indicated at 15. The canopy or cover is indicated at 16 and comprisesa built up steel frame which supports refractory material, such as fire bricks. silica bricks or material which may be poured into place while in plastic condition.

This cover is square as viewed in plan but arched in transverse section to conform to the curvature of the upper edge of the ladle. Projecting from each corner, in directions parallel to the trunnion axes is a pin 17, the two pins on each side of the car being axially aligned. Each pin normally rests in an open bearing 18 and such bearing is mounted on the top of a post or pedestal 19. The lower ends of these posts are supported in sockets which may conveniently be made integral with the trunnion supports. Diagonal braces for each corner post are indicated at 20 and 21, braces 20 extending to the car frame, and braces 21 to the trunnion supports. The corner posts and canopy are thus held against lateral movement.

Inasmuch as the ladle is not tilted about a single central axis to be charged or discharged, but on the other hand is tilted about an axis to one side of the center it is obvious that its upper edge would strike the canopy in tilting unless the latter is lifted slightly as a preliminary step. To facilitate lifting of the canopy by means of a chain 22, for instance, it is provided with two curved bars 23 positioned. respectively, adjacent its opposite edges. the ends of these bars being secured in channel members 24 extending transversely of the canopy and secured to the frame thereof. By fastening a chain to either such bar and exerting a pull thereon by means of a crane or the like the canopy may be tilted about the axis of the aligned pins 17 on its opposite edge. The positions occupied by the ladle and cover at the completion of a pouring operation are shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. The pouring lips of this ladle are indicated at 25.

The hot metal car illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 has its frame and canopy formed substantially in the same manner as in the case of the car shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the ladle also is practically the same except in that it is supported upon the frame by means ofa single pair of centrally arranged trunnions 26, one at each end. All points along the upper edge of the ladle are equidistant from the axis of rotation and the lower face of the canopy is likewise curved about this axis, this relationship being shown as at 27, Figure 4. The ladle may be tilted about its axis therefor in either direction of rotation without necessitating movement of the canopy. However, the canopy 16 is provided with lifting bars 23, as it is found desirable to lift it off of the car occasionally to replace or patch the refractory material.

The upper edges of certain ladles are not curved about their axes of rotation, as in the case of that form just described, and in some instances are not even curved about axes parallel to the axes of rotation. Thus the upper edge of the three trunnion ladle shown in Figures 5 and 6 is curved about an axis transverse to its two axes of rotation, principally for the purpose of providing large pouring lips, such as indicated at 28. The canopy is of course correspondingly curved. Naturally, when the ladle is tilted about one or the other of its axes of rotation the canopy must be likewise tilted, or rather tilted in the opposite direction as in the case of the canopy shown in Figure 2, so that the edge of the ladle will clear its undersurface. In some instances the canopy may be lifted vertically rather than tilted, and in the drawings the links 29 fastened to the canopy top to facilitate convenient attachment of a lifting chain are designed more with the end in view of vertical lifting" than of tilting.

The final embodiment of the invention selected for disclosure by way of example is shown in Figure 7. The ladle there illustrated is of the three trunnion type and the details of the car are omitted. save for the trunnion supporting member. The canopy 30 is of the same type as that shown in Figures 1 and 2 and is supported by a similar framework. Means is added however whereby the canopy is automatically tilted when the ladle itself is tilted, thus obviating the necessity of tilting or lifting the canopy to avoid interference between the ladle edge and the canopy undersurface. This means includes links 31 (only one of which is shown) the lower ends of which are pivotally connected to trunnions 32 and the upper ends of which are pivotally connected to pins 33 of the canopy. Rotation of the ladle about the axis of trunnions 34 causes links 31 to thrust pins 33 upwardly and the canopy to t1lt about the axis of pins 35 into the position shown in dotted lines. Return of the ladle to normal position results in lowering of the viously be provided with lifting links 29 to facilitate raising the canopy clear of the supporting frame.

All forms of canopies utilized are readily removable from their supporting frameworks. This permits them to be lowered to the ground or floor for the purpose of repair, in which position such repairs may easily be made and without the necessity of waiting for the ladle to cool to permit workmen to go inside. Also an entirely new or different canopy can be substituted for one found defective in a few minutes. Where metal is to remain in the ladles for considerable lengths of time, as for instance where cars are to be transported for long distances, say ten or fifteen miles, the narrow joints between the edges of the pouring openings and the canopies may be filled with mud or the like, thus preventing splashing out of the metal and entirely preventing the direct loss of heat. These mud seals are easily broken at the point of discharge.

While I have illustrated and described my improved heat retaining canopy or cover as applied to several types of hotmetal cars, it will be understood that it is well adapted for use ,with ladles which vary widely in shape, construction and methods of mounting upon car frames. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the problem of minimizing the heat losses from mobile metal containers is a general one and that the present invention provides a solution of general applicability.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with the wheeled frame of a hot metal car, of vertical supporting members rigidly mounted thereon, a canopy supported on said members, a ladle tiltably supported on the frame beneath the canopy, the canopy normally covering the charging and discharging opening of the ladle, the vertical supporting members being provided with open bearing supports for the reception of portions of the canopy whereby the canopy may be readily removed.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the canopy is provided with two aligned pins or trunnions on each side thereof, and in which the vertical supporting members are positioned to receive said pins,

whereby the canopy ma betilted about the axis of either pair of a 'gned pins or lifted from said bearings, for the purpose described.

3. The combination with the wheeled frame of a hot metal car, of vertical supporting members rigidly mounted thereon, a canopy supported on said members, a ladle supported on the frame beneath the canopy so as to permit tilting of the ladle about an axis to one side of its center, the said canopy normally covering the charging and discharging opening of the ladle, and means for connecting the ladle and canopy so that the canopy is automatically raised when the ladle is tilted..

4. The combination with the wheeled frame of a hot metal car, of vertical supporting members rigidly mounted thereon, a canopy supported on said members, a ladle tiltably supported on the frame beneath the canopy, the said canopy normally coverin the charging and discharging opening 0 the ladle, and means fastened to the canopy for attachment of a lifting device, whereby the canopy may be tilted or removed.

5. A hot metal car including in combination, a car frame, a. tiltable ladle supported therein and having an opening through which molten metal is adapted to be poured when the container is rotated from normal position, a canopy supported by said frame and normally covering said opening, and means to raise said canopy coincident with the tilting of said ladle.

6. A hot metal car including in combina-- tion, a car frame, a ladle supported thereby and mounted to tilt about an oif-centeraxis, a canopy tiltably mounted on and supported by said frame and normally covering said ladle in a substantially close-fittin relation, the axes on which said'canopy and ladle are tiltablymounted being so disposed that when the canopy is tilted the ladle may be tilted without engaging therewith.

7. In a hot metal car including in combination, acar frame, a ladle rotatable about a horizontal axis mounted therein, a ladle canopy normally covering the ladle pivotally mounted on said frame on an axis parallel to and at one side of the vertical plane pass ing through theaxis of rotation of the ladle, the axes of the ladle and canopy being so located that the ladle can be rotated without engaging the canopy when the latter is moved upwardly on its axis.

8. In a hot metal car including in combination, a car frame, a ladle rotatable about a horizontal axis mounted therein, a ladle canopy, normally covering the ladle, pivotally mounted on said frame on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the ladle, and means to raise said canopy coincident with the rotation of the ladle.

9. In a hot metal car including in combination, a car frame, a ladle rotatable about "an ...n.

a horizontal axis mounted therein, a ladle canopy, normally covering the ladle, pivotally mounted on said frame on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the ladle, and 5 means comprising a link connection between the ladle and the canopyto raise said canopy coincident with the rotation of the ladle.

10. In a hot metal car including in combination, a car frame, a ladle rotatable about a horizontal axis mounted therein and tiltable in either of two directions, a canopy covering said ladle when the latter is in its normal position, said canop supported by said frame on a plurality of orizontal axes, 5 whereby the canopy may be tilted in either of two directions to permit tilting of the ladle in an opposite direction.

11. In a hot metal car including incombination, a car frame, a ladle supported by Said frame on a plurality of horizontal axes and adapted to be tilted about either of said axes, a canopy'covering said ladle when the latter is in its normal position, said canopy supported by said frame on a plurality of horizontal axes, whereby the canopy may be tilted in either of two directions to permit tilting of the ladle about one of its horizontal supporting axe's.

12. In a hot metal car, including in combination, a car frame, including a plurality of pairs of trunnion bearings, a ladle having a plurality of pairs of aligned supportin trunnions adapted to be received by San? trunnion bearings, the ladle may be tilted in one direction about the axis of one pair of aligned trunnions or tilted in the opposite direction about the axis of another pair of aligned trunnions, a plurality of pairs of hearings on said car frame, a canopy covering said ladle in its normal position, said cano y including a plurality 0 pairs of aligne projections adapted to be received by said bearings, and means to tilt said canopy about the axis of either pair of aligned projections.

13. In a hot metal car including in combi-- nation, a car frame, a ladle rotatable about a horizontal axis mounted therein and tiltable in either of two directions to discharge molten material therefrom, supports on said 59 frame having open ended bearings and a removable canopy having projecting members mounted in said bearings, said canopy being adapted to cover said ladle when the ladle is in its normal position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

CARL P. A STROM.

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