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 0:
1. 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 the metal charge entering said 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; and a plurality of hoods disposed and attached in succession by respective rigid mechanical joints and vertically movable in a coordinated manner;
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 the support and advance surface of said 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.