Patent ID: 6495093
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: C21C

Abstract:
A device for closing a tap hole of a metallurgical vessel comprising:a supporting frame that is releasably connectable to a metallurgical vessel, the supporting frame including a first connecting portion that is engageable with a complementary second connecting portion on the metallurgical vessel when the frame and the metallurgical vessel are connected; a releasable latching mechanism that is operative to connect the metallurgical vessel and the frame; a releasable conduit coupler including a first coupling part on the first connecting portion that is sealingly engageable with a second coupling part on the second connecting portion; a pneumatic closure element for the tap hole mounted on the supporting frame, the closure element being movable relative to the supporting frame, when the supporting frame and the metallurgical vessel are connected, between a position outside the tap hole and a position in the tap hole, leaving an annular gap relative to the margin of the tap hole; the closure element having an outlet for delivering pressurized gas into the annular gap; a pressurized-gas conduit mounted on the supporting frame, the pressurized-gas conduit having a first end attached to the first coupling part, and a second end attached to the closure element so that pressurized gas deliverable through the second coupling part can flow through the pressurized-gas conduit to the outlet in the closure element; the supporting frame being removably mountable on a carriage that is transportable to and away from the metallurgical vessel, the supporting frame being movable relative to the carriage between a first position at which the frame is not in connectable with the metallurgical vessel, and a second position at which the frame is connectable to the metallurgical vessel.