GB2296210A - Sliding gate valve - Google Patents
Sliding gate valve Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2296210A GB2296210A GB9426164A GB9426164A GB2296210A GB 2296210 A GB2296210 A GB 2296210A GB 9426164 A GB9426164 A GB 9426164A GB 9426164 A GB9426164 A GB 9426164A GB 2296210 A GB2296210 A GB 2296210A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- plates
- plate
- vessel
- molten metal
- clamped
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
- B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
- B22D41/00—Casting melt-holding vessels, e.g. ladles, tundishes, cups or the like
- B22D41/14—Closures
- B22D41/22—Closures sliding-gate type, i.e. having a fixed plate and a movable plate in sliding contact with each other for selective registry of their openings
- B22D41/24—Closures sliding-gate type, i.e. having a fixed plate and a movable plate in sliding contact with each other for selective registry of their openings characterised by a rectilinearly movable plate
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Casting Support Devices, Ladles, And Melt Control Thereby (AREA)
Abstract
A sliding gate valve 1 for controlling a flow of molten metal from a vessel comprises a fixed top plate 3, an intermediate plate 6 and a bottom plate 8, each having teeming ports 4, 7, 11. The valve has means 12 for clamping the plates 3, 6, 8 into two sets of clamped plates, one set being slidable relative to the other into port-aligned and port-nonaligned configurations on a single slide plate interface to open and close the valve and control flow thereby. In a first configuration the intermediate plate 6 is clamped in alignment to the fixed plate 3 and the bottom plate 8 is slid on a slide plate interface defined by opposed surfaces of the intermediate and bottom plates 6, 8 to control flow. In a second configuration the intermediate plate 6 is clamped in alignment to the bottom plate 8; and the clamped plates 6, 8 are slid on a slide plate interface defined by opposed surfaces of the intermediate and top plates 6, 3 to control flow. <IMAGE>
Description
IMPROVED SLIDING GATE VALVE
The present invention relates to sliding gate valves for controlling the flow of molten metal through the tap hole of a vessel, and in particular to sliding gate valves having three or more refractory plates.
Sliding gate valves are well known and widely used in the steel industry. They typically include a refractory sliding gate plate having at least one teeming port biased upwardly against a refractory top plate containing a port which communicates via a taphole with the interior of a vessel to which it is fixed.
Molten metal flow from the vessel is controlled by sliding the sliding gate plate against the top plate, usually by means of a reciprocating ram. The port in the fixed top plate which communicates with the interior of the vessel cooperates with the teeming port of the sliding gate plate when the two ports are slid into alignment. In this configuration (the aligned position) fluid communication between the interior of the vessel and the teeming port in the sliding gate plate is established allowing molten metal to flow out of the vessel. The sliding gate plate typically bears a collector nozzle (or bushings for the attachment of a collector nozzle) to permit controlled pouring of molten metal in a compact stream.
When the sliding gate plate is slid out of alignment with the fixed top plate, the interface between the plates (hereinafter referred to as a slide plate interface) is such that molten metal cannot flow between them, and in this configuration (the nonaligned position) fluid communication between the taphole and the teeming port is broken by the seal produced at the slide plate interface.
Metal flow can therefore be turned on or off by sliding the sliding gate plate in or out of alignment with the top plate, respectively.
In steel manufacture, a significant proportion of the cost arises from time spent in maintaining and/or replacing refractory sliding gate valve components, since these are sunject to rapid wear from the severe conditions involved in the flow of molten steel. This consideration has limited the applicability of valves of this type: for example, they are considered unsuitable for applications such as basic oxygen furnaces (BOFs), where the rapid operation requires that down time be kept to a minimum.
It is therefore desirable to maximize the number of heats which sliding gate valves can accommodate while minimizing down time. An important problem faced by workers in this field is to accommodate or limit abrasion and wear at the interface between the sliding refractory plates.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sliding gate valve with a relatively long working life which is suitable for applications (e.g. BOFs) where down time must be minimized.
According to the present invention there is provided a sliding gate valve for controlling a flow of molten metal from a vessel comprising; (a) a fixed top plate, (b) at least one intermediate plate and (c) a bottom sliding gate plate.
The valve of the invention therefore comprises at least three refractory plates, which can therefore provide at least two distinct slide plate interfaces.
The valve may preferably further comprise means for sliding the plates as two independent slidable sets of one or more plates into aligned and nonaligned configurations on a single slide plate interface.
The sliding means may conveniently comprise means for clamping the plates into two sets of clamped plates, one set being slidable relative to the other into aligned and nonaligned configurations on a single slide plate interface.
In a preferred embodiment, the valve has a single intermediate plate, and in this embodiment the means for clamping the plates permits clamping in a first configuration where the intermediate plate is clamped in alignment to the fixed plate such that in use the bottom plate slides on a slide plate interface defined by opposed surfaces of the intermediate and bottom plates, and a second configuration where the intermediate plate is clamped in alignment to the bottom plate such that in use the intermediate and bottom plates slide coordinately on a slide plate interface defined by opposed surfaces of the intermediate and top plates.
The bottom sliding gate plate is usually fitted with a collector nozzle, or bushings therefor. This permits molten metal to be poured in a controlled and compact stream.
The invention also embraces vessels (e.g. tundishes or ladles) or furnaces (e.g. BOF furnaces) comprising the sliding gate valve of the invention.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for controlling a flow of molten metal from a vessel comprising the steps of: (a) providing a sliding gate valve comprising; (i) a fixed top plate, (ii) at least one intermediate plate, (iii) a bottom sliding gate plate; (b) sliding a first set of one or more plates relative to a second set of one or more plates on a single first slide plate interface between an aligned position in which molten metal flows from the vessel and a non-aligned position in which molten metal is prevented from flowing from the vessel by a seal provided by the slide plate interface; and (c) sliding a third set of one or more plates relative to a fourth set of one or more plates on a single second slide plate interface between an aligned position in which molten metal flows from the vessel and a non-aligned position in which molten metal is prevented from flowing from the vessel by a seal provided by the slide plate interface.
Preferably, in step (b) of the above described aspect the plates are first clamped into a first and second set of one or more plates, provided that where two or more plates are clamped together they are clamped in alignment, and once so clamped the first set is slid relative to the second set on a single first slide plate interface between an aligned position in which molten metal flows from the vessel and a non-aligned position in which molten metal is prevented from flowing from the vessel by a seal provided by the slide plate interface, and similarly in step (c) the clamping of the plates is first altered to form a third and fourth set of one or more plates, provided that where two or more plates are clamped together they are clamped in alignment, and once so clamped the third set is slid relative to the fourth set on a second slide plate interface between an aligned position in which molten metal flows from the vessel and a non-aligned position in which molten metal is prevented from flowing from the vessel by a seal provided by the slide plate interface.
One particularly preferred embodiment of the method of the invention comprises the steps of: (a) providing a sliding gate valve comprising; (i) a fixed top plate, (ii) a single intermediate plate, (iii) a bottom sliding gate plate; (b) clamping the plates into a first configuration where the intermediate plate is clamped in alignment to the fixed top plate; (c) sliding the bottom plate on a slide plate interface defined by opposed surfaces of the intermediate and bottom plates between an aligned position in which molten metal flows from the vessel and a non-aligned position in which molten metal is prevented from flowing from the vessel by a seal provided by the slide plate interface; (d) altering the clamping the plates to form a second configuration where the intermediate plate is clamped in alignment to the bottom plate; and (e) sliding the clamped intermediate and bottom plates on a slide plate interface defined by opposed surfaces of the intermediate and top plates between an aligned position in which molten metal flows from the vessel and a non-aligned position in which molten metal is prevented from flowing from the vessel by a seal provided by the slide plate interface.
The invention also comprehends gate plates for use in the sliding gate valve of the invention, as well as gate plates for use in the method of the invention.
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1A is a section through a sliding gate valve
according to one embodiment of the invention in a
first configuration and aligned to permit flow;
Figure 1B shows the valve of Figure 1A in a
nonaligned position to prevent flow;
Figure 2A is a section through a sliding gate valve
according to one embodiment of the invention in a
second configuration and aligned to permit flow;
Figure 2B shows the valve of Figure 2A in a
nonaligned position to prevent flow.
The following description is presented by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting in any way.
Referring now to Figure 1A, the sliding gate valve 1 comprises three refractory plates: a stationary top plate 2 fixed to a vessel wall 3 having a port 4 communicating with the interior 5 of the vessel (not shown), a single centre sliding gate plate 6 having a port 7 and a bottom sliding gate plate 8 fitted with collector nozzle 10 and having a teeming port 11.
The plates 2, 6 and 8 may be clamped by clamping means 12 into a first configuration shown in Figures 1A and 1B. In this configuration the plates are clamped into two independently and coordinately slidable sets, the first set being the stationary top plate 2 on the one hand, and the second set being the clamped centre and bottom sliding gate plates 6 and 8 on the other.
In this configuration, the two sets of plates can be slid on slide plate interface 14 into an aligned position (shown in Figure 1A), where the ports 4, 7 and 11 in each of the plates line up to permit elf flux of molten metal from the interior 5 of the vessel.
They can also be slid out of alignment into a nonaligned position shown in Figure 1B. When nonaligned, the fluid communication between the interior 5 of the vessel and the teeming port 11 is broken by the seal produced at the slide plate interface 14.
Metal flow can therefore be turned on or off by sliding the first and second sets in or out of alignment along slide plate interface 14.
After repeated sliding operations, the seal provided by the slide plate interface 14 deteriorates as the refractory components on the surfaces of the top plate 2 and centre plate 6 contributing to the interface 14 become abraded.
At this stage, the clamping pattern is altered to produce a second configuration shown in Figures 2A and 2B. The numbering of Figure 1A and 1B is retained in Figures 2A and 2B.
In the second clamping configuration, clamping means 12 now clamps the top plate 2 to the centre plate 6 to produce a third and fourth set of plates, the third set being the clamped top plate 2 and centre plate 6 on the one hand, and the fourth set being the bottom sliding gate plate 8 on the other.
In this configuration, the two sets of plates can be slid on a second, fresh slide plate interface 16 into an aligned position (shown in Figure 2A), where the ports 4, 7 and 11 in each of the plates line up to permit elf flux of molten metal from the interior 5 of the vessel.
They can also be slid out of alignment into a nonaligned position shown in Figure 2B. When nonaligned, the fluid communication between the interior 5 of the vessel and the teeming port 11 is broken by the seal produced at the slide plate interface 16.
Metal flow can therefore be turned on or off by sliding the third and fourth sets in or out of alignment along a fresh slide plate interface 16.
In this way, two distinct sliding surfaces provided by the three refractory plates are used in turn to increase the working lifetime of the sliding gate valve and to decrease the down time in casting operations.
It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials and arrangement of parts which have been herein described and illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
Claims (13)
1. A sliding gate valve for controlling a flow of molten metal from a vessel comprising; (a) a fixed top plate, (b) an intermediate plate settable between two conditions in one of which it acts as a sliding gate plate and in the other of which it acts as a fixed top plate and (c) a bottom sliding gate plate.
2. A sliding gate valve according to claim 1 further comprising means for sliding the gate plates as two independent slidable sets of one or more plates into aligned and nonaligned configurations on a single slide plate interface.
3. A sliding gate valve according to claim 2 wherein the means for sliding the plates comprises means for clamping the plates into two sets of clamped plates, one set being slidable relative to the other into aligned and nonaligned configurations on a single slide plate interface.
4. A sliding gate valve according to any one of the preceding claims having a single intermediate plate.
5. A sliding gate valve according to claim 4 wherein the means for clamping the plates permits clamping in a first configuration where the intermediate plate is clamped in alignment to the fixed top plate such that in use the bottom plate slides on a slide plate interface defined by opposed surfaces of the intermediate and bottom plates, and a second configuration where the intermediate plate is clamped in alignment to the bottom plate such that in use the intermediate and bottom plates slide coordinately on a slide plate interface defined by opposed surfaces of the intermediate and top plates.
6. A sliding gate valve according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bottom sliding gate plate has a collector nozzle (or bushings therefor).
7. A vessel (e.g. a tundish or ladle) or furnace (e.g. a
BOF furnace) comprising the sliding gate valve according to any one of the preceding claims.
8. A method for controlling a flow of molten metal from a vessel comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a sliding gate valve comprising; (i) a
fixed top plate, (ii) at least one intermediate
plate, (iii) a bottom sliding gate plate;
(b) sliding a first set of one or more plates
relative to a second set of one or more plates on a
single first slide plate interface between an
aligned position in which molten metal flows from
the vessel and a non-aligned position in which
molten metal is prevented from flowing from the
vessel by a seal provided by the slide plate
interface; and
(c) sliding a third set of one or more plates
relative to a fourth set of one or more plates on a
single second slide plate interface between an
aligned position in which molten metal flows from
the vessel and a non-aligned position in which
molten metal is prevented from flowing from the
vessel by a seal provided by the slide plate
interface.
9. A method according to claim 8 wherein in step (b) the plates are first clamped into a first and second set of one or more plates, provided that where two or more plates are clamped together they are clamped in alignment, and once so clamped the first set is slid relative to the second set on a single first slide plate interface between an aligned position in which molten metal flows from the vessel and a non-aligned position in which molten metal is prevented from flowing from the vessel by a seal provided by the slide plate interface, and wherein in step (c) the clamping of the plates is first altered to form a third and fourth set of one or more plates, provided that where two or more plates are clamped together they are clamped in alignment, and once so clamped the third set is slid relative to the fourth set on a second slide plate interface between an aligned position in which molten metal flows from the vessel and a non-aligned position in which molten metal is prevented from flowing from the vessel by a seal provided by the slide plate interface.
10. A method for controlling the flow of molten metal from a vessel according to claim 9 comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a sliding gate valve comprising; (i) a
fixed top plate, (ii) a single intermediate plate,
(iii) a bottom sliding gate plate;
(b) clamping the plates into a first configuration
where the intermediate plate is clamped in alignment
to the fixed plate;
(c) sliding the bottom plate on a slide plate
interface defined by opposed surfaces of the
intermediate and bottom plates between an aligned
position in which molten metal flows from the vessel
and a non-aligned position in which molten metal is
prevented from flowing from the vessel by a seal
provided by the slide plate interface;
(d) altering the clamping the plates to form a
second configuration where the intermediate plate is
clamped in alignment to the bottom plate; and
(e) sliding the clamped intermediate and bottom
plates on a slide plate interface defined by opposed
surfaces of the intermediate and top plates between
an aligned position in which molten metal flows from
the vessel and a non-aligned position in which
molten metal is prevented from flowing from the
vessel by a seal provided by the slide plate
interface.
11. A gate plate for use in the sliding gate valve according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or for use in the method of any one of claims 8 to 10.
12. A sliding gate valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. A method for controlling the flow of molten metal from a vessel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9426164A GB2296210A (en) | 1994-12-23 | 1994-12-23 | Sliding gate valve |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9426164A GB2296210A (en) | 1994-12-23 | 1994-12-23 | Sliding gate valve |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9426164D0 GB9426164D0 (en) | 1995-02-22 |
| GB2296210A true GB2296210A (en) | 1996-06-26 |
Family
ID=10766549
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9426164A Withdrawn GB2296210A (en) | 1994-12-23 | 1994-12-23 | Sliding gate valve |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2296210A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107385143A (en) * | 2017-06-23 | 2017-11-24 | 钢铁研究总院 | A kind of converter tapping protection device and method |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1459511A (en) * | 1973-02-12 | 1976-12-22 | Nippon Kokan Kk | Nozzle assembly for a metallurgical vessel |
| GB2036938A (en) * | 1978-10-25 | 1980-07-02 | Sanac Spa | Sliding discharge gate |
| US4260081A (en) * | 1978-08-07 | 1981-04-07 | Pol Detalle | Slide-valve output regulating throttle |
| GB2249978A (en) * | 1990-11-26 | 1992-05-27 | Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind | Tundish flow control |
| US5429342A (en) * | 1992-11-25 | 1995-07-04 | Stopinc Aktiengesellschaft | Slide gate nozzle including sequentially replaceable refractory sliding plates and refractory plate assembly employable therein |
-
1994
- 1994-12-23 GB GB9426164A patent/GB2296210A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1459511A (en) * | 1973-02-12 | 1976-12-22 | Nippon Kokan Kk | Nozzle assembly for a metallurgical vessel |
| US4260081A (en) * | 1978-08-07 | 1981-04-07 | Pol Detalle | Slide-valve output regulating throttle |
| GB2036938A (en) * | 1978-10-25 | 1980-07-02 | Sanac Spa | Sliding discharge gate |
| US4256291A (en) * | 1978-10-25 | 1981-03-17 | Enrico Dellepiane | Three-positions sliding gate valve |
| GB2249978A (en) * | 1990-11-26 | 1992-05-27 | Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind | Tundish flow control |
| US5429342A (en) * | 1992-11-25 | 1995-07-04 | Stopinc Aktiengesellschaft | Slide gate nozzle including sequentially replaceable refractory sliding plates and refractory plate assembly employable therein |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107385143A (en) * | 2017-06-23 | 2017-11-24 | 钢铁研究总院 | A kind of converter tapping protection device and method |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9426164D0 (en) | 1995-02-22 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |