Apparatus for mounting a gas washing sink in a centered manner in perforated brick

An apparatus for mounting a gas washing sink in a centered manner within an opening through a perforated brick in a wall of a metallurgical vessel and for removing the sink from the perforated brick includes a support assembly to be fixedly mounted on the exterior of the wall of the metallurgical vessel adjacent the opening in the perforated brick. A fastening assembly supports the sink and is mounted with respect to the support assembly for movement relative thereto between an operating position, whereat the sink is pressed into the opening through the perforated brick in a centered manner, and a maintenance position, whereat the sink is withdrawn from the opening through the perforated brick. Structures moves the fastening assembly relative to the support assembly to the operating position. A withdrawal apparatus moves the fastening assembly relative to the support assembly from the operating position to the maintenance position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an apparatus for mounting a gas purging, 
flushing or washing stone or sink in a centered manner within an opening 
through a perforated brick in a wall of a metallurgical vessel, to enable 
gas to be introduced through the sink into molten metal within the 
metallurgical vessel, during which gas introduction operation the sink 
becomes worn and eroded, and for removing the worn or eroded sink from the 
perforated brick. More particularly, the present invention is directed to 
such an apparatus including a support assembly to be mounted on the 
exterior of the outer wall of the metallurgical vessel and a fastening 
assembly movable with respect to the support assembly to push against or 
urge the sink inwardly into the opening in the perforated brick. 
A device of this general type is disclosed in the prospectus "DIDIER, 
Gasspulsysteme, Betriebsanleitung, 3.84, pages 5 to 7". In this known 
arrangement the fastening-supporting assembly basically is formed by a 
bayonet connection and lock that, via shims, holds the gas washing sink 
within the perforated brick. The fastening device does not operate to 
center the gas washing sink within the perforated brick. To withdraw a 
worn sink from the perforated brick, a withdrawal device separate from the 
fastening-supporting assembly is used. Such withdrawal device is attached 
to a gas inlet connection for leading gas to the gas washing sink after 
the bayonet connection or lock has been opened. A withdrawal device of 
this general type is disclosed in European EP 0 137 961. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
With the above discussion in mind, it is an object of the present invention 
to provide an improved apparatus for mounting a gas washing sink in a 
perforated brick in a wall of a metallurgical vessel and for removing the 
sink from the perforated brick, whereby it is possible to overcome 
disadvantages or the above and other known arrangements. 
It is further object of the present invention to provide such an whereby 
the apparatus itself ensures centering of the gas washing sink within the 
opening of the perforated brick. 
It is further, more specific object of the present invention to provide 
such an apparatus which is operable not only for mounting the gas washing 
sink within the perforated brick, but also is operable for removing or 
withdrawing the gas washing sink from the perforated brick. 
These objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by the 
provision of an apparatus including a support assembly to be fixedly 
mounted on the exterior of the wall of the metallurgical vessel adjacent 
the opening in the perforated brick, and fastening means for supporting 
the sink and mounted with respect to the support assembly for movement 
relative thereto between an operating position, whereat the sink is 
pressed into the opening through the perforated brick in a centered manner 
and a maintenance or open position, whereat the sink is withdrawn from the 
opening through the perforated brick and is positioned outwardly thereof. 
Means, operable between the support assembly and the fastening means, 
moves the fastening means relative to the support assembly to the 
operating position. Withdrawal means, operable between the support 
assembly and the fastening means, moves the fastening means relative to 
the support assembly from the operating position to the maintenance 
position. The apparatus of the present invention having the above 
construction provides the advantageous feature that the mounting, 
centering and removal or withdrawal functions all are achieved by a single 
assembly or integrated apparatus. As a result, installation and 
dismantling of the gas washing sink is simplified, and this simplification 
facilitates and accelerates maintenance operations involving the 
metallurgical vessel. 
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the 
fastening means includes a closure member to be positioned in a sealed 
manner against the gas washing sink and having a gas inlet connection for 
delivery of gas into the gas washing sink. As a result, the function of 
delivery of gas to the gas washing sink also is integrated into the 
apparatus of the present invention. However, the apparatus of the present 
invention has the significant advantage that the gas inlet connection, 
contrary to the prior art, is not permanently connected to or part of the 
gas washing sink, but rather is connected to the fastening means or 
assembly of the apparatus of the present invention. During use of the 
apparatus of the present invention and introduction of gas into the gas 
washing sink, the closure member achieves the function of sealing of the 
outward end of a gas distribution chamber provided in the gas washing 
sink. As a result, it is not necessary to provide the gas washing sink 
with a conventional metal sheath or casing, and such metal sheath 
therefore can be simplified or completely eliminated by use of the 
apparatus of the present invention. 
When the gas washing sink is in the maintenance position, it need only be 
removed from the closure member and replaced by a new gas washing sink. 
The gas inlet connection and the member that closes the outward end of the 
gas distribution chamber of the gas washing sink, i.e. the closure member, 
can be reused as a component of the fastening assembly of the apparatus of 
the present invention and does not have to be replaced with the gas 
washing sink. This provides a significant economical advantage over known 
arrangements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
A metallurgical vessel to contain molten metal includes a floor 1. FIGS. 1, 
3 and 5 indicate the metallurgical vessel being in a tilted position in 
which floor 1 is approximately vertical. The floor or wall 1 includes a 
perforated brick 2 having therethrough an opening, for example conical as 
illustrated. Positioned within the opening in perforated brick 2 is a gas 
washing sink 3 having a conical exterior. In the illustrated arrangement, 
gas washing sink 3 includes a gas impermeable refractory outer portion 4 
and a gas permeable refractory inner portion 5, and a cylindrical gas 
distribution chamber 6 open to inner portion 5 and to an outer end of 
outer portion 4. This illustrated gas washing sink in and of itself does 
not form the present invention, but rather is the invention disclosed in a 
concurrently filed application entitled "GAS WASHING SINK WITHOUT INTEGRAL 
CLOSURE MEMBER", assigned to the assignee of the present application (Ref: 
59/799), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
It is to be understood that the apparatus of the present invention also is 
applicable to other types of gas washing sinks, for example previously 
known gas washing sinks. 
Gas washing sink 3 is mounted within perforated brick 2, centered therein 
and withdrawn therefrom by means of an apparatus in accordance with the 
present invention. 
More particularly, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus 
includes a support assembly 13 to be fixedly mounted on the exterior of 
the wall of the metallurgical vessel adjacent the opening in perforated 
brick 2. Support assembly 13 includes four rods or columns 14-17 (FIG. 2) 
fixed to the exterior of the wall of the vessel and extending therefrom in 
parallel directions. Stops 18, only one of which is visible in FIG. 1, are 
positioned adjacent the columns. Columns 14-17 have extending therethrough 
cross-slots 19 of equal size for receipt therein of wedges 20, to be 
discussed in more detail below. 
The apparatus of the present invention further includes fastening means 7 
for supporting sink 3 and mounted with respect to support assembly 13 for 
movement relative thereto between an operating position (shown in FIG. 1), 
whereat the sink is pressed into the opening through perforated brick 2 in 
a centered manner, and a maintenance position (not shown in FIG. 1) 
whereat sink 3 is withdrawn from and positioned outwardly of the opening 
in perforated brick 2. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, fastening means 
7 includes a cross member 21 having at opposite ends thereof bores 23 
extending therethrough, with columns 16 and 17 extending through bores 23, 
such that cross member 21 is slidable along columns 16 and 17 in opposite 
directions. Cross member 21 supports a closure member 8 having a sealing 
ring 9 abutting sealing surface 10 on the outer end of gas washing sink 3. 
A projection 11 of closure member 8 projects into gas distribution chamber 
6. In place of sealing ring 9, a sealing sleeve could be inserted into the 
gas distribution chamber 6 and squeezed by a projection 11 to form a seal. 
Connected to closure member 8 is a gas inlet connection pipe 12 that 
supplies gas through projection 11 into gas distribution chamber 6. Cross 
member 21 is provided with handles 22. 
Fastening means 7 further includes a centering ring 24 having a contact 
surface 25 complementary to the outer conical periphery of sink 3. 
Centering ring 24 has brackets 28 having therethrough bores 27 through 
which extend columns 14 and 15, such that centering ring 24 is slidable 
along columns 14, 15 in opposite directions. Centering ring 24 is provided 
with handles 29. FIG. 1 illustrates contact surface 25 in direct contact 
with the refractory material of the sink 3. However, this portion of the 
outer periphery of sink 3 could be provided with a metal jacket to absorb 
forces exerted on sink 3 by surface 25 in a manner that will be apparent 
from the discussion below. 
Columns 14-17 and the connection of closure member 8 to cross member 21, as 
well as the connection of centering ring 24 are provided at locations such 
that the sink 3 held by centering ring 24 is centered with respect to the 
opening through perforated brick 2. One skilled in the art readily would 
understand how to so position these elements to achieve centering, from 
the disclosure herein. 
The apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 operates in the following manner. Thus, the 
apparatus is illustrated therein in the operating position. Wedges 20 are 
driven into cross slots 19 of pins 16 and 17. Thus, cross member 21 and 
closure member 8 are forced tightly toward surface 10 of sink 3, thereby 
creating a seal by means of seal ring 9. Movement of sink 3 inwardly moves 
centering ring 24 inwardly, but this movement is limited by abutment of 
projections 26 of centering ring 24 with stops 18 of the support assembly 
13. Thus, the outer periphery of sink 3 is pressed tightly against contact 
surface 25. Gas then can be introduced into sink 3 by gas inlet connection 
pipe 12. 
During the gas inlet operation, the inner end of sink 3 becomes worn and 
eroded and thus periodically must be replaced. When this is to be 
achieved, wedges 20 are driven out of slots 19 of columns 16, 17. The 
operator then can remove cross member 21, closure member 8 and gas inlet 
connection pipe 12 by means of handles 22. Then, wedges 20 are driven into 
cross-slots 19 of pins 14 and 15. This is shown in the upper portion of 
FIG. 1 and is shown by dashed lines in FIG. 2. Centering ring 24 thereby 
is moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1, and contact of surface 25 
with the outer surface of sink 3 pulls sink 3 out of the perforated brick 
2. Centering ring 24 and sink 3 then can be pulled off of columns 14, 15 
by means of handles 29. The worn sink 3 then can be removed from centering 
ring 24 and a new sink 3 installed therein. Mounting of centering ring 24 
over columns 14 and 15 then centers the new sink 3 within the opening in 
perforated brick 2. Before sink 3 is pushed into brick 2 the exterior 
surface of sink 3 may have applied thereto a layer of refractory mortar, 
and this mortar will not become stripped off since the sink 3 enters the 
opening in brick 2 in a completely centered manner. Thereafter, cross 
member 21 and closure member 8 are mounted over columns 16 and 17, and 
projection 11 enters chamber 6 of the new sink 3. Alternatively, cross 
member 21 may be mounted on columns 16 and 17 simultaneously with the 
mounting of centering ring 24 on columns 14 and 15. Thus, cross member 21 
and centering ring 24 can be detachably connected to be manipulated 
together via a connection, not shown. In any case, wedges 20 then are 
driven into cross-slots 19 of columns 16 and 17 to return to the operating 
position illustrated in FIG. 1. 
In the above arrangement, wedges 20 operate between support assembly 13 and 
fastening means 7 to move fastening means 7 relative to support assembly 
13 to the operating position shown in FIG. 1, wedges 20 then being driven 
into cross-slots 19 of columns 16 and 17. Wedges 20 also operate as 
withdrawal means, operable between support assembly 13 and fastening means 
7 for moving fastening means 7 relative to support assembly 13 from the 
operating position shown in FIG. 1 to the maintenance position. Thus, when 
wedges 20 are driven into cross-slots 19 in columns 14 and 15, the 
fastening means 7 is moved outwardly relative to support assembly 13. 
In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 the support assembly includes two 
columns 30, 31 and also a pivot axis 35 on a bracket or brackets 36. The 
support assembly also includes another pivot axis on a bracket or brackets 
45, as well as a stop 37, to be discussed in more detail below. 
The fastening means 7 of the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 includes a lever 
assembly pivotable about axis 35 and including a pair of lever arms 38 
each of which is pivoted at a first end thereof about axis 35. The other 
end of each of levers 35 has a substantially U-shaped member 39 that 
embraces and is movable relative to a respective column 30 or 31. A handle 
40 is connected to levers 38, and also connected thereto is a member 
supporting an adjustable abutment member 41 for contacting stop 37 to 
limit the extent of pivoting of levers 38 about axis 35, as shown in 
dashed lines in FIG. 3. 
A tubular member 42 is connected to levers 38 and supports closure member 8 
with projection 11 thereof extending into chamber 6 of sink 3. In this 
embodiment closure member 8 is connected to sink 3, for example by means 
of removable bolt assemblies 43. Seal ring 9 of closure member 8 thus is 
tightly sealed against surface 10 of sink 3. The lever assembly also 
includes levers 44 pivotable about the other axis on bracket or brackets 
45 and connected to tubular member 42. The construction of the lever 
assembly including levers 38, 44 is constructed in a quadrangular or 
kinomatic manner, as readily would be understood by one skilled in the art 
from the present disclosure, to achieve a particular pattern of movement 
from the operating position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 3) to the 
maintenance position (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3). Thus, the movement 
from the operating position to the maintenance position of sink 3 is 
achieved firstly in a direction essentially vertically to the plane of the 
opening in perforated brick 2, and the movement of sink 3 then is 
pivotable over a curved path at an angle of approximately 90.degree. to 
the maintenance position. Columns 30, 31 each have formed therein a pair 
of axially spaced slots 32, 33. 
The embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 operates in the following manner. Thus, in 
the operating position shown in solid lines in FIG. 3, wedges 34 are 
driven into slots 32 in columns 30 and 31. Wedges 34 operate in this 
capacity as the moving means of the present invention. Sink 3, centered on 
closure member 8, is thus supported and pressed into the opening in 
perforated brick 2 in a centered manner. When sink 3 has become worn, 
wedges 34 are removed from cross-slots 32 and then are driven into 
cross-slots 33 in the columns 30 and 31. In this manner, the lever 
assembly, closure member 8 and sink 3 are moved outwardly such that sink 3 
is detached from perforated brick 2. By means of handle 40, the lever 
assembly then is moved from the solid line operating position to the 
dashed line maintenance position shown in FIG. 3 during which sink 3 first 
moves in a substantially or essentially linear path vertically of the 
plane of the opening in the perforated brick and then in a curved path 
until member 41 abuts stop 37. Wedges 34 thus operate as the withdrawal 
means of the present invention. In the maintenance position shown by 
dashed lines in FIG. 3 the brick 3 readily is accessible and can be 
removed from closure member 8. A new sink 3 then is mounted on closure 
member 8, and the assembly then is pivoted from the maintenance position 
to the operating position whereby the new sink will be precisely centered 
in the opening in perforated brick 2. Wedges 34 then again are driven into 
cross-slots 32 of columns 30 and 31, such that the sink 3 is pressed into 
the perforated brick 2 in a centered manner. 
FIG. 5 illustrates a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4. The 
pivoting movement of the fastening means 7 is the same. However, sink 3 is 
not connected to closure member 8 by means of the bolt assemblies 43 of 
FIG. 3, but rather is connected thereto by means of a centering ring 46 
that is connected to closure member 8. Centering ring 46 of FIG. 5 is 
different from the centering ring 24 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in that 
centering ring 46 is not itself fastened to the support assembly 13. 
Rather, centering ring 46 includes a shoulder 47 that encloses closure 
member 8, and shoulder 47 and closure member 8 are designed to be 
connected by a rotary motion, for example in a manner as would be achieved 
by a conventional bayonet fastener, well known in the art. More 
particularly, centering ring 46 is rotated relative to closure member 8 
about the longitudinal axis of sink 3 and thus is connected to closure 
member 8, with contact surface 25 of centering ring 46 holding the sink 3 
against closure member 8 in a centered manner. Pivoting movement from the 
maintenance position (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 5) to the operating 
position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 5) thereby will ensure centering of 
sink 3 within the opening in the perforated brick. Thus, in this 
embodiment the contact surface 25 of centering ring 46 maintains sink 3 
centered at its conical perimeter and fastened at such centered 
orientation to closure member 8. 
In the illustration of FIG. 5 a commercially available or conventional sink 
3 is shown. Such sink includes an outer jacket or shell 48 and a gas 
supply pipe 49 connected to the sink. Pipe 49 projects through tubular 
member 42. In such an arrangement a seal between the closure member 8 and 
sink 3 would not be necessary. It is to be understood however that the 
embodiment of FIG. 5 equally is applicable to the type of sink illustrated 
in FIGS. 1 and 3. If the embodiment of FIG. 5 were employed with a sink 
such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, then tubular member 42 would have at the 
outer end thereof a flap-type closure member or valve 57 (see FIG. 6) 
having a gas inlet connection 12 attached thereto. When the sink of FIG. 5 
is used, then flap 57 would be opened to allow pipe 49 to extend 
therethrough. When a sink as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is used, flap 12 would 
be closed to allow gas to be supplied through gas inlet connection 12. 
If the sink 3 is provided, at least at the portion thereof contacted by 
contact surface 25 of centering ring 24 of 46, with a metal jacket or 
shell, then it also would be possible to provide that such shell perform 
the function of centering ring 24 or 46, as would be understood by one 
skilled in the art. 
FIG. 6 illustrates a further use that might be made of the apparatus of the 
present invention. Thus, during use, eventually the inner end of the 
perforated brick 2 also becomes eroded or worn, as shown in FIG. 6. When 
such erosion occurs, then it generally is necessary to repair the 
perforated brick 2, since replacement is extremely difficult and 
expensive. The apparatus of the present invention can be employed with a 
repair apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6 to achieve this operation. The 
repair apparatus in and of itself does not form the present invention, but 
rather is the invention of a concurrently filed application entitled 
"APATUS FOR REPAIRING A PERFORATED BRICK IN A METALLURGICAL VESSEL", 
assigned to the assignee of the present application (Ref: 59/811), the 
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIG. 6 
illustrates only a portion of the apparatus of the present invention 
adapted to such repair apparatus, and specifically a portion of the 
embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 5. More particularly, FIG. 6 shows only closure 
member 8, tubular member 42, flap 57 and gas inlet connection 12. The 
other elements of the apparatus of the present invention are not 
illustrated in FIG. 6, since they are not essential for understanding of 
the manner of use of the present invention with the repair apparatus shown 
in FIG. 6. 
Thus, the repair apparatus includes a casing 51 having a bottom 50 
removably attached to closure member 8, for example by bolts 52. Casing 51 
has an outer contour corresponding to the outer contour of the sink 3, and 
when casing 51 thus is inserted into the worn perforated brick 2, in a 
centered manner by the apparatus of the present invention, the outer 
contour of casing 31 forms a template defining the contour of the opening 
in the worn portion of perforated brick 2. A repair material supply pipe 
55 extends through tubular member 42 and is guided by a sleeve 54 of 
casing 51. An inner end of pipe 55 has a spray or distribution head 56 
that directs repair material toward the worn area of the perforated brick 
2. A plate 58 having a skirt 59 is attached to pipe 55 to protect against 
repair material entering the interior of casing 51. Pipe 55 can be rotated 
about the axis of sleeve 54 and also moved along such axis, and during 
such movement repair material that is supplied through pipe 55 and head 56 
repairs the worn area of the brick 2. 
This aspect of the present invention is operated in the following manner. 
Thus, when a worn sink 3 is removed from the worn perforated brick 2, for 
example by operation of the apparatus of the present invention in the 
manners described above, then casing 51 is attached to closure member 8, 
and the apparatus of the present invention is operated in the above 
described manner to insert casing 51 in a centered manner into the opening 
in the worn perforated brick 2. The pipe 55 extends through the casing, 
and repair material (and possibly also compressed air) are supplied 
through pipe 55 and head 56 to repair the perforated brick. When the 
repair material has set, then the casing 51 is removed from the opening in 
the repaired perforated brick 2, by operation of the apparatus of the 
present invention in the above described manners. The casing 51 is removed 
from closure member 8, a new sink 3 is connected thereto, and then the 
apparatus of the present invention is operated to insert such new sink 3 
into the opening in the repaired perforated brick 2. 
The apparatus of the present invention also can employ the repair structure 
shown in FIG. 6 for not only selected repair of a worn perforated brick 2, 
but also for constructing the refractory brick lining of the metallurgical 
vessel to ensure that the perforated brick is correctly positioned 
therein. In such case, before the vessel is lined, casing 51, without pipe 
55, is fastened to closure member 8 and pivoted by the apparatus of the 
present invention into the vessel. A new perforated brick 2 then is 
positioned over casing 51. It thus is possible to guarantee from the 
beginning of the construction of the lining of the vessel that the 
perforated brick 2 is correctly aligned with respect to support assembly 
13 arranged on the exterior of the wall of the vessel. Casing 15 does not 
have to be reusable but rather can be designed as a disposable element. 
As will be apparent from the above description, the apparatus of the 
present invention ensures centered installation of a perforated brick, 
centered insertion of a gas washing sink into a perforated brick, and 
centered repair of a worn perforated brick. 
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with 
respect to preferred features thereof, it is to be understood that various 
changes and modifications may be made to the specifically described and 
illustrated features without departing from the scope of the present 
invention.