Patent ID: 11867462
Assignee: DANIELI & C. OFFICINE MECCANICHE S.P.A.
Field: Thermal processes and apparatus (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  C  Y | IPC C  F

Claim 3:
4. A method to feed and preheat a metal charge to a melting furnace of a melting plant, said method comprising:
Providing an apparatus comprising: at least one conveyor channel for said metal charge defining a support and advance surface; at least one hood disposed above said at least one conveyor channel at a hood height, defining with it a tunnel along which a flow of fumes is able to pass in order to heat said metal charge; scrap detection means able to identify a profile of said metal charge entering said at least one conveyor channel; and adjustment means associated with said at least one hood in order to move the at least one hood vertically away from/toward said support and advance surface of the at least one conveyor channel in order to vary said hood height as a function of the profile of said metal charge; a plurality of hoods disposed and attached in succession by means of respective flexible mechanical joints, with each of said hoods there being associated with a respective plurality of adjustment means configured to move the respective hood independently from the others;
detecting continuously, or at pre-established intervals, the profile of the metal charge as it is gradually supplied,
making said metal charge available on said at least one conveyor channel which moves said metal charge toward the furnace,
providing, in cooperation with said at least one conveyor channel, said at least one hood at said hood height with respect to said support and advance surface of said at least one conveyor channel, and
providing to vertically move, by means of the adjustment means, said at least one hood away from/toward said support and advance surface in order to vary said hood height at least as a function of the profile of said metal charge.