Patent ID: 7128247

Claim:
A refractory ceramic component with the following characteristics: 1.1 a base, 1.2 at least two walls, 1.3 the walls extend from opposing sections of the base such that at least segments of their inner surfaces are oppositely inclined by an angle of >0 and <90 degrees referred to a plane that extends perpendicular to the base, 1.4 an opening is arranged between the free ends of the walls, 1.5 between the base and the opening, there is at least one section in which the distance between the walls is smaller than in the adjacent regions towards the opening and towards the base, and 1.6 wherein a flow of molten metal introduced downwardly into the component deflects according to said inclined inner surfaces of said component producing at least one turbulent flow that reduces kinetic energy of said downward flow of molten metal.