With Means To Cool Treating Means Patents (Class 266/241)
  • Patent number: 11602787
    Abstract: Taper plate assemblies are disclosed that may be installed on the top of steel casting ladles to restrain and maintain refractory lining materials in compression during casting operations. The taper plate assemblies include a generally conical taper plate supported by a ring-shaped support flange and a support collar. The taper plate is located at least partially above a refractory top ring that may comprise a castable refractory material, and is designed to maintain the refractory top ring in compression during multiple casting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: United States Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Rakesh K. Dhaka, Mathew T. Mathew, David J. Radakovic
  • Patent number: 10621730
    Abstract: An object segmentation system that includes a first type of sensor, a second type of sensor and a control circuitry. The first-type of sensor captures a sequence of color image frames of a scene. The second-type of sensor captures a depth image for each corresponding color image frame of the sequence of color image frames. The control circuitry generates a point cloud for an input color image frame. The control circuitry segments a foreground human object from a background of the input color image frame. The control circuitry detects a ground plane for the scene captured in the input color image frame. The control circuitry recovers a feet region in a defined region from a level of the detected ground plane. The control circuitry extracts the foreground human object with the recovered feet region from the background of the input color image frame, based on the detection of ground plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takeda, Mohammad Gharavi-Alkhansari
  • Patent number: 10428188
    Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, a method for producing a masterbatch in which the dispersibility of microfibrillated plant fibers is further increased to obtain excellent processability and improved rubber properties such as fuel economy, tensile strength, and elongation at break. The present invention relates to a method for producing a masterbatch, the method including step (I) of mixing a rubber latex with microfibrillated plant fibers oxidized with an N-oxyl compound to obtain a mixture, and coagulating the mixture by adjusting its pH to 2 to 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignees: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD., NIPPON PAPER INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sumiko Miyazaki, Takahiro Mabuchi, Takafumi Kawasaki, Takeshi Nakayama, Takeshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 9039959
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a gap-filler insert (20) for use with cooling plates (12, 12?) for a metallurgical furnace, the cooling plates (12, 12?) having a front face (14, 14?) directed towards the interior of the furnace, an opposite rear face (16, 16?) directed towards a furnace wall (10) of the furnace and four edge faces (18, 18?). In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the gap-filler insert (20) comprises a metal front plate (24) with a front side (24) facing the interior of the furnace and anchoring means (28, 28?, 30, 30?, 32, 34) for mounting the front plate (24) between two neighboring cooling plates (12, 12?) in such a way that the front plate (24) extends between the edge faces (18, 18?) of both cooling plates (12, 12?), and that the front side (26) of the front plate (24) is flush with the front faces (14, 14?) of both cooling plates (12, 12?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Maggioli, Paul Tockert, Nicolas Mousel, Claude Pleimelding
  • Publication number: 20150115511
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling element for a pyrometallurgical furnace such as for a flash smelting furnace or for a flash converting furnace or for a suspension smelting furnace. The invention relates also to a method for manufacturing a cooling element for a pyrometallurgical furnace such as for a flash smelting furnace or for a flash converting furnace or for a suspension smelting furnace. The cooling element (2) has a fire surface (2) to be in contact with an interior of the metallurgical furnace. The cooling element comprises a base element (4) containing copper and a coating (5) at least partly covering the base element (4). The coating (4) forms the fire surface (2) of the cooling element (1). The coating (5) is at least partly applied by a laser coating process such as laser deposition, and the coating (5) contains a Ni based alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Mari Lindgren, Peter Björklund, Mikael Jåfs, Lauri P. Pesonen
  • Publication number: 20150084246
    Abstract: A metallurgical furnace system having a furnace body at least partially defined by a refractory wall and configured for holding a molten metal therein. The system further including one or more cooling elements, each including a working fluid contained therein and defining a heat absorption section and a heat rejection section. The heat absorption section configured for disposing within the refractory wall to absorb heat from the refractory wall. The heat rejection section configured to reside outside the refractory wall to reject heat absorbed by the heat absorption section. The working fluid generating a vapor flow within the one or more cooling elements in response to absorbed heat. The cooling system further including a coolant flow in contact with an exterior surface of the one or more cooling elements for dissipating heat from the heat rejection section. A cooling system for a metallurgical furnace and method of cooling are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ching Jen Tang, Joo Han Kim
  • Publication number: 20150069680
    Abstract: A electromagnetic pump is configured that a housing includes therein an outer cylinder made of stainless steel, an inner cylinder made of stainless steel and arranged inside the outer cylinder, and an electromagnetic coil arranged around the outer cylinder. The outer cylinder is configured as a conical frustum having a large diameter in the inlet side and a small diameter in the outlet side. Similarly, the inner cylinder has a large diameter in the inlet side and a small diameter in the outlet side. A duct is formed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. The radial cross sectional area of the duct is large in the inlet side and small in the outlet side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicants: OSAKA UNIVERSITY, MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES MECHATRONICS SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Shuhei Kuri, Izuru Matsushita, Hiroshi Horiike, Isao Murata, Eiji Hoashi, Sachiko Doi, Itsuro Kato
  • Publication number: 20150041025
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for forming a metallic component by additive layer manufacturing are provided. The method includes the steps of using a heat source such as a laser to melt the surface of a work piece and form a weld pool; adding wire or powdered metallic material to the weld pool and moving the heat source relative to the work piece so as to progressively form a new layer of metallic material on the work piece; applying forced cooling to the formed layer; stress relieving the cooled layer by applying a peening step, for example with a pulsed laser, and repeating the above steps as required to form the component layer by layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS PLC
    Inventors: Andrew David Wescott, Jagjit Sidhu
  • Patent number: 8936749
    Abstract: An apparatus for injecting gas into a vessel is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a gas flow duct from which to discharge gas from the duct, an elongate central structure extending within the gas flow duct from its rear end to its forward end, and a plurality of flow directing vanes disposed about the central structure adjacent the forward end of the duct. The forward end of the central structure and the vanes are water cooled by separate supply passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Technological Resources Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Barry Alan Cady
  • Patent number: 8920709
    Abstract: A cooling plate (10) for a metallurgical furnace comprises a body (12) with a front face (14) and an opposite rear face (16), as well as coolants channel (18) therein; a plurality of lamellar ribs (24) on its front face, two consecutive ribs (24) being spaced by a groove (22); and inserts (26) fixed in the grooves (22) and projecting from the front face (14). The inserts (26) have an upper side projecting from the bottom edge of the rib directly above, which is configured so as to form a collecting surface (28) on which, in use, furnace burden material accumulates up to the top edge (32) of the rib (24) directly above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Maggioli, Dallas Garratt
  • Patent number: 8889059
    Abstract: A burner for a flash smelting furnace. The burner includes an injector having a sleeve for delivering pulverous feed material to the furnace and having a central lance within the sleeve to supply compressed air for dispersing the pulverous feed material in the reaction shaft of the furnace. The central lance has an annular slot at its tip for creating a substantially continuous air curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Victor Gonzalez, George Franks, Alan Mallory, Thomas W. Gonzales, Robert Veenstra
  • Patent number: 8865058
    Abstract: A furnace heats through both infrared radiation and convective air utilizing an infrared/purge gas design that enables improved temperature control to enable more uniform treatment of workpieces. The furnace utilizes lamps, the electrical end connections of which are located in an enclosure outside the furnace chamber, with the lamps extending into the furnace chamber through openings in the wall of the chamber. The enclosure is purged with gas, which gas flows from the enclosure into the furnace chamber via the openings in the wall of the chamber so that the gas flows above and around the lamps and is heated to form a convective mechanism in heating parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC
    Inventors: Roland D. Seals, Jeffrey G. Parrott, Paul D. DeMint, Kevin R. Finney, Charles T. Blue
  • Patent number: 8858868
    Abstract: Disclosed is a temperature regulated vessel, and method for using the same, having a body configured to melt meltable material received therein, and one or more temperature regulating lines within the body configured to flow a liquid therein for regulating a temperature of the meltable material received in the melting portion. The vessel has a poor or low thermally conductive material on one or more of its parts, such as on the melting portion, on exterior surfaces of the body, and/or surrounding the temperature regulating lines to increase melt temperature of the material. The melting portion can also have indentations in its surface, and low thermally conductive material can be provided in the indentations. The vessel can be used to melt amorphous alloys, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC
    Inventors: John Kang, Quoc Tran Pham, Theodore Andrew Waniuk, Sean Timothy O'Keeffe, Joseph W. Stevick
  • Patent number: 8858867
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a ladle metallurgy furnace having an improved roof structure. The improved roof may comprise an internal surface structure having a substantially smooth exterior surface, an external surface structure spaced apart from the internal surface structure, a plurality of channels that are defined intermediate the internal and external surface structures, a supply port in fluid communication with at least one channel through the second surface structure and in further fluid communication with a supply line, and a return port in fluid communication with at least one channel through the external surface structure and in further fluid communication with a return line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Superior Machine Co. of South Carolina, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Carraway
  • Publication number: 20140265067
    Abstract: A burner and/or injector panel includes at least two cooling circuits that may be connected in series with a flexible hose or rigid pipe connected to the circuits behind a rear face of the panel or connected in parallel to a source of cooling water by independently connecting each cooling circuit to the cooling water source without connecting the flexible hose or rigid pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Air Liquide Advanced Technologies U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Yury EYFA
  • Patent number: 8808615
    Abstract: A tuyere for an iron making furnace, including a body unit having a blast passage passing through a central axis thereof, wherein the body unit includes: a frusto-conical body having a main body cooling passage; and a protruding part protruding from the body, wherein the tuyere further includes: a cover unit combined with the protruding part and defining a tip body cooling passage between the cover unit and the outer circumferential surface of the protruding part; and an outer unit combined with the cover unit while surrounding the cover unit and defining an outer cooling passage therein. When the outer unit is partially damaged, although the cooling water supply to the damaged part is cut off, the function of the tuyere can be continuously performed both by the remaining part of the outer unit and by the body unit, thereby providing a tuyere having a lengthened life span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Seoul Engineering Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hae-Yang Lee
  • Patent number: 8728385
    Abstract: Metallurgical reactors having cooling capability and electrode feed capability are disclosed. The reactors may include a shell having a sidewall and a bottom, where the shell is adapted to contain a molten material. The reactors may include at least one consumable electrode protruding through an opening of the shell and into the molten material. The reactors may include a current contact clamp configured to conduct operating current to the electrode, where the current clamp is in contact with the electrode, and where the current clamp comprises at least one internal channel, wherein the internal channel is configured to circulate a cooling medium. The reactors may include an electric isolation ring disposed between the electrode and the opening of the shell, wherein the electric isolation ring is configured to sealingly engage the electrode and the opening so as to restrict flow of the molten material out of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Olaf-Trygve Vegge, Harald Haaland, Jon Brinch, Jarle Erland Herstad, Constantin Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 8696978
    Abstract: An elastically interconnected cooler compressed hearth comprises a concave dished bottom lined with a sub-layer and a working layer of hearth bricks. Cylindrical walls that rise up from the rim of the concave dished bottom are constructed with one or more tiers of coolers shaped into arc segment blocks that are joined together by their flanges to form complete rings. The outer perimeter of the hearth brick within the ringed tiers is inwardly compressed toward the center to disallow any leaks from forming between the separate bricks. The coolers are elastically interconnected at their flanges by fasteners and springs. Each spring can be individually adjusted to obtain optimal working pressures on the whole of the core wall and hearth floor bricks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Allan MacRae
  • Publication number: 20140090796
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of melting a bulk metallic glass (BMG) feedstock, comprising: feeding the BMG feedstock into a crucible; melting a first portion of the BMG feedstock to form molten BMG, while maintaining a second portion of the BMG feedstock solid; wherein the second portion and the crucible hold the molten BMG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Theodore A. WANIUK, Joseph STEVICK, Sean O'KEEFFE, Dermot J. STRATTON, Joseph C. POOLE, Matthew S. SCOTT, Christopher D. PREST
  • Publication number: 20140083250
    Abstract: A semi-liquid metal processing apparatus and method are presented in which a semi-liquid metal and/or semi-solid metal is introduced into a crucible and his electromagnetically stirred at a first frequency while cooling, and thereafter sidewalls of a metal charge formed of the semi-liquid metal and/or semi-solid metal are partially melted prior to tilting the crucible for removal of the metal charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: AJAX TOCCO MAGNETHERMIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ronald R. Akers, Alan Koch
  • Publication number: 20140035209
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a ladle metallurgy furnace having an improved roof structure. The improved roof may comprise an internal surface structure having a substantially smooth exterior surface, an external surface structure spaced apart from the internal surface structure, a plurality of channels that are defined intermediate the internal and external surface structures, a supply port in fluid communication with at least one channel through the second surface structure and in further fluid communication with a supply line, and a return port in fluid communication with at least one channel through the external surface structure and in further fluid communication with a return line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Superior Machine Co. of South Carolina, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. CARRAWAY
  • Patent number: 8623271
    Abstract: Apparatus for inducing flow in a molten material comprises a refractory lined vessel (10) for containing a molten material with an aperture (35, FIG. 3) in the refractory lining. A mounting plate (40, FIG. 4) of non-magnetic material is removably mounted to the vessel over the aperture and an electromagnetic induction unit (14) is mounted adjacent an exterior face of the mounting plate. A cooling system is provided for cooling the mounting plate. The mounting plate may have vanes (72, FIG. 6) on an outer surface to define cooling channels (74, FIG. 6) through which a cooling fluid can flow. The vanes may follow a non-linear path and the cooling fluid may be air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Solios Thermal Limited
    Inventor: Graham John Guest
  • Patent number: 8617458
    Abstract: Embodiments of an aluminum dross cooling head are disclosed. The cooling cooperates with a material container encapsulate dross and reduce thermiting of the dross. In one embodiment, the cooling head also serves as a compression head when forced into the dross by a cooperating dross press assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Altek, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James Herbert, Jorge Fernandez, Andy Gibbs
  • Patent number: 8603387
    Abstract: A water-cooled cover for a treatment vessel for metal melts, wherein the preferably refractorily lined treatment vessel serves in particular for the treatment of liquid metal, in particular of steel, by blowing in solids or gases, or inductive stirring at atmosphere or in vacuum. The cover is formed dome-like, wherein the ratio of inner clear height (h) to inner clear diameter (D) of a flange of the cover is at least 0.2. On the side facing the metal melt, an inner wall of the cover is formed substantially smooth and free of grooves and gaps. Cooling channels arranged on the outer side of the inner wall so that the surface temperature of the inner wall is maintained at a temperature of maximum 350° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Inteco Special Melting Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Holzgruber, Michael Luven, Christian Buchmaier, Johannes Obitz
  • Patent number: 8557174
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the separation and recovery of non-ferrous metals from zinc-bearing residues, in particular from residues produced by the zinc manufacturing industry. The process comprises the steps of:—subjecting the residue to a flash or agitated bath fuming step, thereby producing an Fe bearing slag and Zn- and Pb-bearing fumes; and—extracting the Zn- and Pb-bearing fumes and valorizing Zn and Pb; characterized in that CaO, SiO2 and MgO are added as a flux before or during the fuming step so as to obtain a final slag composition with: formula (I) all concentrations being expressed in wt %. The invention also relates to a single-chamber reactor for Zn-fuming equipped with one or more submerged plasma torches as heat and gas sources. [ Fe ] [ SiO 2 ] + [ CaO ] [ SiO 2 ] + [ Mg ? O ] 3 > 3.5 ; ? ? 0.1 < [ CaO ] [ SiO 2 ] < 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Umicore
    Inventors: Maurits Van Camp, Jonathan Aerts, Benedict Janssens, Sven Santen
  • Patent number: 8520714
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in metal melting, refining and/or other processing, such as, for example, steel making in an electric arc furnace (EAF), and more particularly, to improved burner/injector panels and related methods for the introduction of various energy sources, such as, for example, chemical energy, oxygen and particulates into an EAF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Air Liquide Advanced Technologies U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Christopher K. Higgins
  • Patent number: 8480947
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cooling element for a metallurgical furnace, wherein there is arranged a frame element mainly made of copper and provided with water cooling channels; in the frame element, there are arranged fastening elements for connecting refractory bricks to the frame element; and refractory bricks are connected to the frame element by using fastening elements; and wherein the fastening elements are at least partly formed of elongate steel fastening strips; the method comprising fastening the elongate fastening steel strips to the frame element so that the elongate fastening steel strips together form in between them an open interspace, which is narrowed in a direction pointed away from the bottom of the open interspace; and arranging refractory bricks in the open interspace so that the refractory bricks are located at least partly in the open interspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Risto Saarinen, Eero Hugg, Mikael Jafs
  • Publication number: 20130145902
    Abstract: An apparatus for condensing metal vapors has at least one inlet conduit that is cooled to cause a portion of the metal vapor to condense to liquid. The apparatus also has a holding tank that is connected to the inlet conduit that collects condensed liquid metal. The apparatus also has at least one outlet conduit connected to the holding tank that is cooled to cause a portion of the remaining metal vapor to condense to solid metal. The apparatus also has at least one heater that heats the at least one outlet conduit to cause the solid metal to melt to liquid metal and subsequently flow in to the holding tank. The apparatus also has at least one sealing mechanism located at a distal end of the at least one outlet conduit for preventing metal vapor and carrier gas from exiting the outlet conduit during heating of the outlet conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: METAL OXYGEN SEPARATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Adam Clayton POWELL, Soobhankar PATI, Jason DOUGLAS, Stephen J. DEREZINSKI, III, Luciano SPIRIDIGLIOZZI, Michael BUCHMAN, Thomas EAGAR
  • Patent number: 8454888
    Abstract: An apparatus for injecting particulate and/or gaseous material into a metallurgical vessel for use in a metallurgical process includes a duct to inject the material. The duct includes a duct wall of concentric annular passages for inflow of cooling water from a rear end to a forward end of the duct along a first of the annular passages and for outflow of cooling water from the forward end to the rear end of the duct wall along a second of the annular passages. The concentric annular passages are provided by concentric sleeves that consist of an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve, and an intermediate sleeve. The apparatus also includes a duct tip at a forward end of the duct joining at least the inner and outer sleeves so as to provide a water flow connection between the first and second water flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Technological Resources Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Eric Tierney, George Cingle, III, Todd Smith
  • Publication number: 20130099430
    Abstract: An elastically interconnected cooler compressed hearth comprises a concave dished bottom lined with a sub-layer and a working layer of hearth bricks. Cylindrical walls that rise up from the rim of the concave dished bottom are constructed with one or more tiers of coolers shaped into arc segment blocks that are joined together by their flanges to form complete rings. The outer perimeter of the hearth brick within the ringed tiers is inwardly compressed toward the center to disallow any leaks from forming between the separate bricks. The coolers are elastically interconnected at their flanges by fasteners and springs. Each spring can be individually adjusted to obtain optimal working pressures on the whole of the core wall and hearth floor bricks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Allan MacRae
  • Patent number: 8388888
    Abstract: An apparatus for injecting gas into a metallurgical vessel is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a gas flow duct, an elongate central tubular structure extending within the gas flow duct, a plurality of flow directing swirl vanes, inflow and outflow cooling water passages within the central structure, and a nose portion provided with one or more water cooling passages. The flow directing vanes are provided with internal water cooling vane passages. In use, water flow is communicated through the vane passages from the water inflow passage in the central structure to the water flow passage in the nose portion of the central structure such that at least some of the inflowing water will pass successively through the vane passages and the nose passage or passages and thence to the outflow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Technological Resources Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Derek Dengel, George Cingle, III, Todd Smith
  • Publication number: 20130032978
    Abstract: A burner enclosure for use in locating a burner in an a wall of an electric arc furnace, the burner enclosure includes a plurality of walls wherein each wall includes a serpentine cooling path therein and an inlet located proximal a first edge of each wall and an outlet located proximal a second edge of each wall and wherein the walls are assembled into the burner enclosure so an inlet of one wall can be connected by an elbow to an outlet of an adjoining wall to create a cooling fluid flow path through the entire burner enclosure to improve the performance of the burner in the burner enclosure and to improve the overall efficiency of the electric arc furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: NU-CORE, INC.
    Inventor: Joshua W. Glass
  • Publication number: 20120280437
    Abstract: A burner for a flash smelting furnace. The burner includes an injector having a sleeve for delivering pulverous feed material to the furnace and having a central lance within the sleeve to supply compressed air for dispersing the pulverous feed material in the reaction shaft of the furnace. The central lance has an annular slot at its tip for creating a substantially continuous air curtain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: HATCH LTD.
    Inventors: Victor Gonzalez, George Franks, Alan Mallory, Thomas W. Gonzales, Robert Veenstra
  • Patent number: 8221675
    Abstract: A direct smelting vessel and a hearth cooler element are disclosed. The vessel includes a refractory lined hearth. An inner surface of an upper part of the hearth extends upwardly and outwardly to side walls of the vessel. The upper part of the hearth incorporates a hearth cooler disposed outwardly behind the refractory lining of that part of the hearth and below the cooling panels on the side walls of the vessel. The hearth cooler comprises a plurality of cooler elements. Each cooler element has a hollow open-backed shell structure having base, top and side walls formed integrally in a cast structure and incorporating coolant flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Technological Resources Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Hector Medina
  • Patent number: 8202476
    Abstract: A heat exchanger system is disclosed. The heat exchanger system may be comprised of a front plate and a base plate, wherein piping is fitted with spray nozzles that direct a spray of the cooling fluid on a backside of the front plate. The front plate is preferably fabricated out of aluminum bronze alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: AmeriFab, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Manasek, David P. Kincheloe
  • Patent number: 8142711
    Abstract: A forged copper burner enclosure capable of being mounted within the side wall of a steel melting furnace for the purpose of providing an improved cooling characteristic to a burner lance. The burner enclosure is provided with a central passage adapted to receive a burner lance for injecting oxygen into the batch of molten metal of an electric arc furnace. The forged burner enclosure is positioned such that only a solid forged copper face is on the furnace side when installed. The burner enclosure has an optional through hole which can be used for the purpose of treating the metal melt with particulate supply ranging from slag forming materials to metallurgical materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nu-Core, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua W. Glass
  • Publication number: 20120056361
    Abstract: A cooling plate (10) for a metallurgical furnace comprises a body (12) with a front face (14) and an opposite rear face (16), as well as coolants channel (18) therein; a plurality of lamellar ribs (24) on its front face, two consecutive ribs (24) being spaced by a groove (22); and inserts (26) fixed in the grooves (22) and projecting from the front face (14). The inserts (26) have an upper side projecting from the bottom edge of the rib directly above, which is configured so as to form a collecting surface (28) on which, in use, furnace burden material accumulates up to the top edge (32) of the rib (24) directly above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Maggioli, Dallas Garratt
  • Publication number: 20110283833
    Abstract: Embodiments of an aluminum dross cooling head are disclosed. The cooling cooperates with a material container encapsulate dross and reduce thermiting of the dross. In one embodiment, the cooling head also serves as a compression head when forced into the dross by a cooperating dross press assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: James Herbert, Jorge Fernandez, Andy Gibbs
  • Patent number: 8038932
    Abstract: Cooling panels (31) are attached to the shell (11) of a metallurgical vessel to form an internal lining of the shell. Each panel (31) comprises a coolant flow tube (36) bent to form inner and outer panel sections (37, 38) of zig-zag formation. Panel mounting pins (43) connected to the outer panel section (38) by connector straps project laterally outwardly from the panel through openings (45) in the shell and tubular shell protrusions (46) surrounding the openings (45). The ends of pins (43) are connected to the outer ends of protrusions (46) by welding metal discs (47) thus forming connections exteriorly of the shell in a way which seals the openings (45). Coolant inlet and outlet connectors (42) for the panel project outwardly through openings (48) in the shell and surrounding tubular protrusions (49) and connections are made by welding discs (51) between the connectors (42) and protrusions (49).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Technological Resources Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Stephan Heinz Josef Victor Weber
  • Patent number: 8021603
    Abstract: A rotary charging device for a shaft furnace, in particular a blast furnace, is disclosed. The charging device is equipped with a cooling system. The rotary charging device includes a rotatable support for rotary distribution means as well as a stationary housing for the rotatable support. The cooling system includes a rotary cooling circuit fixed in rotation with the rotatable support as well as a stationary cooling circuit on the stationary housing. A heat transfer device is provided which includes a stationary heat transfer element configured to be cooled by a cooling fluid flowing through the stationary cooling circuit and which includes a rotary heat transfer element configured to be heated by a separate cooling fluid circulated in the rotary cooling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Guy Thillen, Jeannot Loutsch, Patrick Hutmacher, Emile Lonardi, Paul Tockert
  • Patent number: 8017068
    Abstract: An apparatus for injecting gas into a metallurgical vessel supporting a metallurgical process is disclosed. The apparatus includes a gas flow duct, an elongate central structure extending within the gas flow duct, and a plurality of flow directing swirl vanes disposed about the central tubular structure adjacent the forward end of the duct. The flow directing vanes are formed with internal water flow passages for flow of cooling water internally along each vane. The elongate central structure is formed with a cooling water supply passage for supply of cooling water to the internal water flow passages in the vanes and a water return passage for outflow of cooling water which has passed through the internal water flow passages in the vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Technological Resources Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Derek Dengel, George Cingle, III, Todd Smith
  • Publication number: 20110210484
    Abstract: A cooling plate for a metallurgical furnace includes a body with a front face, an opposite rear face (16), four side edges and at least one coolant channel extending from the region of one side edge to the region of the opposite side edge, where a bent connection pipe connects at least one extremity of each coolant channel for coolant fluid feed or return, and the bent connection pipe is sealingly connected with the extremity of the associated coolant channel within a respective recess in the body that is opened toward the rear side, where the coolant channel opens in the recess in a connection surface beveled towards the rear side; and the bent connection pipe does not extend laterally beyond the corresponding side edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Emile Lonardi, Nicolas Mousel, Claude Pleimelding, Nicolas Maggioli
  • Patent number: 8003044
    Abstract: A metallurgical lance (27a) to extend through an opening in the wall of a smelting vessel barrel (16) and into the interior space of the vessel. Lance (27a) includes a central core tube (31) through which to pass solid particulate material into the vessel and an annular cooling jacket (32) surrounding the central core tube (31) throughout a substantial part of its length. Lance (27a) has a mounting structure (61) comprising an outer annular part (60) extended about cooling jacket (32) and about twice the diameter of the cooling jacket. The outer annular part (60) fits within a tubular lance mounting bracket (62) welded to the shell (16a) of vessel barrel (16) to extend outwardly from the vessel. The lance is held within mounting bracket (62) by clamping bolts acting between flanges (63,65) on the outer annular part (60) and mounting bracket (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Technological Resources Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Trevor Williams, Barry Alan Cady
  • Publication number: 20110171490
    Abstract: A method for producing composite metal semi-finished products wherein an electrode composed of a second metal or a second metal alloy is introduced into a main body designed as a crucible and composed of a first metal or a first metal alloy, and the electrode is fused off inside the main body while current is supplied, such that the first metal or the first metal alloy of the main body is melted over a defined cross-section, wherein the two metals or the two metal alloys after solidification thereof form a slag-free mixed zone composed of the two metals or the two metal alloys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: ThyssenKrupp VDM GmbH
    Inventors: Cihangir Demirci, Jutta Kloewer
  • Patent number: 7951325
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to apparatuses and methods for use in metal melting, refining and/or other processing, such as, for example, steel making in an electric arc furnace (EAF), and more particularly, to improved burner panels and related methods for the introduction of various energy sources, such as, for example, chemical energy and particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Air Liquide Advanced Technologies U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Christopher K. Higgins, Serban Cantacuzene, Yury Eyfa
  • Patent number: 7947217
    Abstract: Metallurgical processing installation comprising a metallurgical vessel lined internally with water cooled panels. A vessel access tower (61) fits around vessel (11) and supports a coolant flow system (62) to provide for flow of cooling water to and from the cooling panels within the vessel through water inlet and outlet connections (42,43) distributed around the exterior of the vessel. Coolant flow system (62) includes large diameter water supply and return pipes (66,67) mounted on an upper part of the tower (61) to extend around the upper end of vessel (11), a first series of vertical dropper pipes (68) of relatively small diameter connected to the main water supply pipe 66 and extending downwardly to connections with the water inlet connectors for respecting cooling panels of the vessel and a second series of smaller diameter vertical pipes (69) connected at their upper ends to the main return pipe (67) and at their lower ends to undivided outlet connectors for the cooling panels in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Technological Resources Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Neil John Goodman, Philip James Ions, Ian William Beaumont, Stephen Prendergast
  • Patent number: 7943082
    Abstract: A water-cooling jacket structure 10 for an inspection hole of a flash furnace 1 is arranged at the periphery of a concentrate burner 7 to inspect and clean the inside of the furnace and the concentrate burner 7, and formed in a cylindrical shape by combining a plurality of jacket plates 11, 12, 13, 14 cast internally with cooling tubes 21, 22, 23, 24 for circulating cooling-water, and configured to adjust its cooling capacity and amount of cooling-water by circulating cooling-water to a single or multiple systems of the respective cooling-water systems of each jacket 11, 12, 13, 14 depending on the heat-load of the flash furnace 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Pan Pacific Copper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Arakane, Yoshiaki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20110074071
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a gap-filler insert (20) for use with cooling plates (12, 12?) for a metallurgical furnace, the cooling plates (12, 12?) having a front face (14, 14?) directed towards the interior of the furnace, an opposite rear face (16, 16?) directed towards a furnace wall (10) of the furnace and four edge faces (18, 18?). In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the gap-filler insert (20) comprises a metal front plate (24) with a front side (24) facing the interior of the furnace and anchoring means (28, 28?, 30, 30?, 32, 34) for mounting the front plate (24) between two neighboring cooling plates (12, 12?) in such a way that the front plate (24) extends between the edge faces (18, 18?) of both cooling plates (12, 12?), and that the front side (26) of the front plate (24) is flush with the front faces (14, 14?) of both cooling plates (12, 12?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Maggioli, Paul Tockert, Nicolas Mousel, Claude Pleimelding
  • Patent number: 7913884
    Abstract: Various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein relate to nozzle assemblies for conveying molten material, the nozzle assemblies comprising a body, which may be formed from a material having a melting temperature greater than the melting temperature of the molten material to be conveyed, and having a molten material passageway extending therethrough. The molten material passageway comprises an interior surface and a protective layer is adjacent at least a portion of the interior surface of the passageway. The protective layer may comprise a material that is essentially non-reactive with the molten material to be conveyed. Further, the nozzle assemblies according to various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein may be heated, and may be self-inspecting. Methods and apparatus for conveying molten materials and/or atomizing molten materials using the nozzle assemblies disclosed herein are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7901617
    Abstract: A heat exchanger 10 includes a conduit 12 for conveying cooling fluid relative to a body to be cooled. A heat transfer arrangement 62 is arranged in communication with an interior of the conduit 12, the heat transfer arrangement 62 and the conduit 12 together defining an assembly that is mountable adjacent the body to be cooled, convective heat exchange occurring, in use, due to movement of the cooling fluid relative to the body and the heat transfer arrangement 62 of the assembly and radiant heat exchange occurring between the body and at least part of the heat transfer arrangement 62 of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Auckland Uniservices Limited
    Inventors: Mark P. Taylor, John J J Chen, Mohamed Farid, Robert John Wallace