US2708108A - Hot metal mixer with movable cover - Google Patents

Description

y 0, 1955 H. L. MCFEATERS 2,708,108

HOT METAL- MIXER WITH MOVABLE COVER Filed Dec. 4, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 o o J INVENTOR. Harry L. McFeafers BY WWW Hi5 A TTORNEYS May 10, 1955 H. MCFEATERS HOT METAL MIXER WITH MOVABLE COVER 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 4, 1952 mm 5 m \mn on INVENTOR. Harry L. McFeafers HIS ATTORNE Y5 May 10, 1955 H. L. M FEATERS HOT METAL MIXER WITH MOVABLE COVER '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 4. 1952 INVENTOR. Harry L McFeafers n l f, In

Hi5 ATTORNEYS y 10, 1955 H. MCFEATERS 7 2,708,108

HOT METAL MIXER WITH MOVABLE COVER Filed Dec. 4, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 10, 1955 H. MCFEATERS HOT METAL MIXER wm-r MOVABLE COVER 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 4 1952 INVENTOR. rry L. Mal-e ale/s 3 j mm ni m kWh HIS A r TOR/VE rs y 0, 1955 H. M FEATERS 2,708,108

HOT METAL MIXER WITH MOVABLE COVER Filed Dec. 4, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 KIT-1 llllllllllllllllllllIHIIIUHIIIIIIIIl lIH United States P HoT METAL MIXER WITH MovABLE COVER Harry L. McFeaters, New Castle, Pa., assignor to Pennsylvania Engineering Corporation, New Castle, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 4, 1952, Serial No. 324,099

17 Claims. (Cl. 266-39) This invention relates to hot metal mixers and more particularly to the covers or roofs of such mixers.

Hot metal mixers as now generally constructed are arranged to be tilted about a horizontal axis toward and from pouring position. They are provided with a pouring spout and with one or more openings through which the molten metal is charged into the same. These charging openings are usually on the opposite side of the center line from the pouring spout.

These mixers serve as equalizers and storing reservoirs for molten pig iron on its way from the blast furnaces or cupolas to the furnaces (converters, open hearths or electric furnaces) where the molten iron is converted into steel.

These hot metal mixers are lined with refractories and of necessity this refractory lining has to be repaired or replaced from time to time. Since they are maintained at a high temperature, they are slow to cool when emptied, and an object of this invention is to produce a hot metal mixer a substantial portion of the cover of which can be moved to expose the interior of the mixer in order to hasten cooling of the same to a temperature low enough to allow workmen to enter the mixer through such opening for the purpose of making repairs.

'Another object is to produce a hot metal mixer a sub stantial portion of the cover or roof of which can be lifted and moved toward and from position by means mounted on and carried by such cover or roof.

I A further object is to produce a hot metal mixer having the major portion of its top between its rockers open except for a cover or roof which can be moved to provide a relatively large opening either on the same side as the pouring spout or on the side opposite the pouring spout for the purpose of exposing the interior of the mixer in order to hasten the cooling of the same when emptied or for the purpose of providing differently located charging openings therein.

These and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled in this particular art, I attain by means of the structure described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of this application.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a hot metal mixer embodying this invention. In this view, one pair of hold-downs for the support rolls are omitted for the purpose of clarity;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line IIIIIl of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line IVIV of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line V-V of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the stop mechanism shown in Figs. 4 and 5;

' Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line VII-VII of Fig. 1;

Fig.8 is a sectional -view taken on line VlIlVIIl of Fig.- 1;

. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the right-hand end portion of Fig. 2 with the cover in its down position, the hold-down for the right-hand supporting roll of Fig. 2 being omitted;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the right-hand end of Fig. 2 with the cover in its raised position, the hold-down for the right-hand supporting roll of Fig. 3 being omitted;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line Xl-Xl of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line XIIXII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. l, but shows the outline in plan of the metal mixer; with the cover in open position moved toward the pouring spout side; and

'Fig. 14 is a sectional view in elevation showing the cover moved to the open position shown in Fig. 13 and with the material handling basket suspended in position above the opening in the top of the mixer.

In the example of this invention shown in the drawings, the mixer body is provided with a pair of spaced rockers 21. To the upper ends of each of these rockers is secured a box-like girder 22 (Fig. 2 and 3) which has its upper member 22a extended inwardly toward the mixer center and is braced by brackets 23.

Each girder-like member 22 forms the support for one rail of a track comprising rails 24 and 25'. Rail 24 is provided with an upstanding longitudinally extending bead 24a while rail 25 is plain. Racks 26 are also supported by girder-like members 22 and lie alongside of track rails 24 and 25.

The mixer body is provided with a pouring spout 27 which projects from one side thereof, preferably midway between its ends.

The top of the mixer between rockers 21 and its ends is covered with permanent end covers or root portions 28. The major part of the mixer body between the rockers is open but is adapted to be covered by the movable roof of this invention, which is rectangular and of sufiicient size to cover this opening in the mixer body.

The cover comprises a circumscribing frame formed of'I-beams 29, a bottom sealing member 30 which is preferably formed of cast steel sections secured to the lower flanges of I-beams 29 and laterally extending smaller I-beams 31 which have their ends secured to side I-beams 29 preferably by welding. l-beams 31 form 1 supports for the refractory roof body 32 which is preferably made up of interlocking refractory tile which fill the rectangular space bounded by sealing member 30. As pointed out above, these tile are preferably suspended from I-beams 31 by suitable means not shown but now common in suspended roof structures.

The roof structure of this invention when in normal position, that is, when closing the opening which embraces the major part of the area between rockers 21 has its sealing member 30 resting on the upper surface 33 of the upwardly extending mouth wall 34 surrounding such opening. The upwardly extending wall 34 along with the body 20 forms the container for the molten metal.

The roof or cover structure is supported on four wheels 35, 36, 37 and 38. Wheels 35 and 37 are keyed to opposite ends of a shaft 39, while wheels 36 and 38 are keyed to opposite ends of a similar shaft 40. The opposite end portions of shafts 39 and 40 are journaled in pillow blocks 41 which are mounted for sliding vertical movement in a rectangular frame or yoke 42 secured to the side I-beams 29 comprised in the circumscribing frame of the movable cover or roof structure. Each of wheels 37 and 38 is provided with a circumferentially extending groove which in the case of wheel 37 is numbered 37a and in the case of wheel 33 is numbered 38a. These grooves co-operate with longitudinally extending bead \3 24:: on the track rail 24 for preventing lateral movement of the cover or roof structure.

Track rail 25 upon which wheels and 36 are adapted to bear is plain. Mounted alongside of each track rail 24 and 25 is a rack 26. Wheels 36 and 38 are formed or provided with concentric pinions 4444 which mesh with such racks and are utilized in propelling the roof or cover structure to and from normal position.

Before moving the cover with relation to the opening in the mixer top located between the rockers, it is necessary to lift sealing member 30 of the cover structure out of contact with the top 33 of upstanding wall 34 that surrounds the top opening.

Cover lifting mechanism Two shafts 45 preferably located directly above shafts 39 and are journaled in bearings secured within pillow blocks 4646. These pillow blocks are secured to cross I-beams 31 by means of bracket members 47-47.

Each shaft at its opposite ends is provided with what in effect is a stub shaft 45a which is eccentric to the main part of the shaft (best seen in Figures 9 and 10) which is journaled within pillow blocks 46. Each of these eccentric stub ends is journaled within an antifriction bearing 48 which is mounted within a pillow block 49 (Fig. 12), which rests on a bronze bearing plate 50 which is secured to the top of pillow block 41. Pillow block 49 has side or lateral as well as vertical clearance within yoke or rectangular frame 42.

Anti-friction bearings 48 for the eccentric stub ends 45a of shafts 45 are in vertical alignment with the bearings 51 in pillow blocks 41 and since the pillow blocks 41 for shafts 39 and 49 and pillow blocks 49 within which the anti-friction bearings 48 are mounted are always in contact with bronze bearing plate 53 therebetween, the center lines of stub shafts 45a (eccentric) and the center lines of shafts 39 and 40 will remain fixed at all times. In one example of the structure of this invention, the eccentricity of stub shaft 45a with relation to shafts 45 is :4; of an inch, therefore, the center of the upper surfaces of shafts 4-5 when the eccentric stub shaft ends are in lower position as shown in Fig. 10 will be 1 /2 inches higher than when said stub shafts 450 are in their upper position shown in Fig. 9.

The bearings for shafts 39 and 40 are laterally offset with relation to the bearings for the shafts 45 within pillovt blocks 46. Both shafts 45 have keyed thereto sprocket wheels 52 for double roller chains 53 and 54 which mesh with sprocket wheels on shaft 55 of a gear reducer 56 which is driven by an electric motor 57 equipped with a braking device 58.

When the cover or roof is in closed or down position (Figs. 9 and It) with sealing member 30 in contact with the upper surface 33 of the surrounding wall 34, the roof or cover will have to be lifted before it can be moved in either direction either toward or from the pouring spout side of the mixer. When the cover is in closed position, the stub shaft ends 450 are in raised position (Figs. 9 and 11) and when the roof or cover is in raised position (Figs. 10 and 12) the stub shafts 45a are in down position.

From the above, it will be seen that shafts 45 when rotated by gear reducer 56 through the chains and sprockets driven thereby, rotate about the center lines or axes of the eccentric stub ends 4511 and not about the U centers or axes of shafts 45. Shafts 45 serve as cams during their rotation and lift the movable portion of the roof structure with relation to the mixer body and the fixed portion of the roof structure such as its support wheels, the shafts 39 and 4t and their bearings and the anti-friction bearings for the stub ends 45a.

Reduction gear 56 as well as motor 57 are mounted on a platform 59 secured to the tops of certain of the cross I-beams 31 (Fig. 7).

Shaft 40 which carries pinions 4444 which mesh with racks 26-26 is provided with a double roller sprocket 60 driven from a sprocket 61 keyed to the low speed shaft of a speed reducer 62 by means of a double roller chain 63. This speed reducer is driven by an electric motor 64 equipped with a brake 65. Sprocket chains 63 are provided with a weighted chain tightener 66 made necessary because of the decrease in distance between the sprockets 60 and 61 when the roof or cover is in lowered position. Speed reducer 62 and motor 64 are mounted on a support member 67 secured to the tops of certain cross I-beams 31.

Hold-downs 68 (see Figure 3) extend over the support wheels 35 and 37 and act as brakes or stops when the cover is in closed position. These hold-downs are secured to the top member 22a of box-like girders 22 as at 69.

A removable hopper 70 is supported on the tops of two of the cross I-beams 31 (see Fig. 14). A cover for hopper 70 as well as a cover for pouring spout 27 as is now common may be utilized. Hot metal pour flows down the downwardly and inwardly converging sides of the hopper 70 into and through a charging opening defined by the throat of an outwardly and upwardly turned refractory mouth wall 76 of the refractory roof or cover, see Figure 14.

In Fig. 14, a basket 71 is shown suspended above the opening in the top of the mixer occasioned by moving the cover along the track rails to the limit of its travel toward the pouring spout side of the mixer.

Each end of the track rails is provided with a stop 72 (Figs. 4 and 14). An auxiliary stop for preventing movement of the cover toward the spout side of the mixer while the mixer is being tilted to pouring position is disclosed in detail in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. This auxiliary stop comprises a pin 73, movable vertically through an opening in one of the track rails and member 22a of member 22. This auxiliary stop is operated by an air or hydraulic cylinder 74 and a link and lever mechanism 75.

In certain cases, it may be desirable to omit the charging opening on shaped charging mouth wall 76 and utilize the movable cover or roof for providing an opening or openings on opposite sides of the mixer in order to reduce wear or erosion of the mixer lining occasioned by the movement of the metal within the mixer during charging operations.

It will be apparent that moving the cover to the limit of its travel toward the pouring spout side of the mixer or toward the opposite side thereof will provide a large opening which not only facilitates the cooling of the lining when it is necessary or desirable to repair or replace the same, but permits accessibility to the interior of the mixer by the workman and also permits boxes or baskets of material to be lowered through such opening when repairs to the lining are to be made.

What I claim is:

1 1. A movable cover structure to be mounted over an open mouth portion of a tiltable hot metal mixer comprising, a frame, a refractory body supported by said frame adapted to substantially cover the mouth portion U of the hot metal mixer, and said refractory body having a mouth wall shaped to define a hot metal charging opening therethrough.

2. A movable cover structure to be mounted over an open mouth portion of a tiltable hot metal mixer comprising, a rigid frame, a refractory body supported by said frame adapted to substantially cover the hot metal mixer, said refractory body having an outwardly-upwardly turned mouth wall shaped to define a hot metal charging opening therethrough, and a hopper removably mounted on said rigid frame in a co-operating position above said mouth wall to direct a hot metal charge into the charging opening.

3. In a tiltable hot metal mixer having a tiltably-supported open-mouth container provided with a discharge spout on one side thereof, a movable cover structure for the mouth of the container that tilts therewith and comprises a frame, a refractory body supported by said frame and substantially covering the open mouth of the container, and said refractory body having a mouth wall shaped to define a hot metal charge opening therethrough.

4. In a tiltable hot metal mixer having a tiltably-supported open-mouth container provided with a discharge spout on one side thereof, a movable cover structure for the container that tilts therewith and comprises, a r1g1d frame, a refractory body supported by said frame and substantially covering the mouth of the container, said refractory body having a mouth wall shaped to define a hot metal charging opening therethrough, and a downwardly-converging hopper removably mounted on sa d rigid frame in substantial alignment with and above said mouth wall to direct a charge into the charging opemng.

5. In a tiltable hot metal mixer having a tiltably-supported open-mouth container provided with a discharge spout on one side thereof, a movable cover structure for the container that tilts therewith and comprises, a frame, a refractory body supported by said frame to substantially cover the mouth of the container, said refractory body having a month wall shaped to define a hot metal charging opennig therethrough, and means to prevent displacement of said movable cover structure toward the discharge spout side of the container when the container is tilted in a pouring direction.

6. In a tiltable hot metal mixer having a tiltably-supported open-mouth container provided with a discharge spout on one side thereof, a movable cover structure for the container that tilts therewith and comprises, a frame, a refractory body supported by said frame to substantially cover the mouth of the container, said refractory body having a mouth wall shaped to define a hot metal charging opening therethrough, power operated means supported on said cover structure for raising and lowering the same with relation to the container, and separate power operated means also supported on said cover structure for moving said cover to and from an uncovering position above the container.

7. In a tiltable hot metal mixer having a tiltably-supported open-mouth container provided with a discharge spout on one side thereof, and having a track mounted on the container, a movable coverstructure for the container that tilts therewith and comprises, a frame, a refractory body supported by said frame and substantially covering the mouth of the container, said refractory body having a mouth wall shaped to define a hot metal charging opening, rollers carried by said frame in operative engagement with the track, power operated means supported on said cover structure for raising and lowering said cover structure with relation to the mouth of the container, and separate power means also supported on said cover structure for moving the same along the track to and from an uncovering position above the container.

8. In a tiltable hot metal mixer having a tiltably-supported open-mouth container provided with a discharge spout on one side thereof, and having a track mounted on the container, a movable cover structure for the container that tilts therewith and comprises, a frame, a refractory body supported by said frame to substantially cover the container, said refractory body being shaped to define a hot metal charging opening, rollers carried by said frame in operative engagement with the track, power operated means supported on said cover structure for raising and lowering the same with relation to the container, and separate power means also supported on said cover structure for moving the same along the track to and from an uncovering position above the container, and means to limit movement of said roof structure longitudinally along said track beyond a preselected position in either direction.

9. In a tiltable hot metal mixer having a tiltably-supported open-mouth container provided with a discharge spout on one side thereof, and having a track mounted on the container, a movable cover structure for the container that tilts therewith and comprises, a frame,,a refractory body supported by said frame to substantially cover the container, said refractory body being shaped to define a hot metal charging opening, rollers carried by said frame in operative engagement with the track, power operated means supported on said cover structure for raising and lowering the same with relation to the container, separate power means also supported on said cover structure for moving the same along the track to and from an uncovering position above the container, and means for preventing displacement of said cover structure toward the discharge spout side of the container when the container is tilted in a pouring direction.

10. In a tiltable hot metal mixer having a tiltablysnpported open-mouth container provided with a discharge spout on one side thereof and having a track mounted on said container, a movable cover structurefor the container that tilts therewith and comprises, a frame, a refractory body supported by said frame to substan tially cover the container, said refractory body being shaped to define a hot metal charging opening, rollers carried by said frame in operative engagement with the track, power operated means supported on said cover structure for raising and lowering the same with relation to the container, and separate power means also supported on said cover structure for moving the same along the track to and from an uncovering position above the container, and means for limiting lateral movement of said cover structure with respect to the tracks.

11. In a tiltable hot metal mixer having a tiltablysupported open-mouth container provided with a discharge spout on one side thereof and having a track mounted on the container, a movable cover structure for the container that tilts therewith and comprises, a frame, a refractory body supported by said frame and substantially covering the container, said refractory body being shaped to define a hot metal charging opening, rollers carried by said frame in operative engagement with the track, power operated means supported on said cover structure for raising and lowering the same with relation to the container, separate power means also supported on said cover structure for moving the same along said track to and from position above the container, means to limit movement of said cover structure longitudinally along the track beyond a preselected position in either direction, and means for preventing displacement of said cover structure toward the discharge spout side of the container when the container is tilted in a pouring direction.

12. In a tiltable hot metal mixer, having a tiltably-. supported open mouth container provided with a-discharge spout on one side thereof, and having a track mounted on the container, a movable cover structure for the container that tilts therewith and comprises, a'frame, a refractory body supported by said frame to substantially cover the container, said refractory body being shaped to define a hot metal charging opening, rollers connected to said frame in operative engagement with the track, power operated means supported on said cover structure for raising and lowering the same with relation to the container, separate power means also supported on said cover structure for moving the same along the track to and from an uncovering position above the container, means to limit movement of said cover structure longitudinally along the track beyond a preselected position in either direction, and means for preventing lateral movement of said cover structure with respect to the tracks.

13. In a tiltable hot metal mixer, having a tiltably supported open mouth container provided with a dis charge spout on one side thereof, and having a track mounted on the container, a movable cover structure for the container that tilts therewith and comprises, a frame, a refractory body supported by the frame to substantially cover the container, said refractory body being shaped to define a hot metal charging opening, rollers carried by said frame in operative engagement with the track, power operated means supported on said cover structure for raising and lowering the same with relation to the container, separate power means also supported on said cover structure for moving the same along the track to and from an uncovering position above the container, means to limit movement of said cover structure longitudially along the track beyond a preselected position in either direction, means for preventing displacement of said cover structure toward the discharge spout side of the container when the container is tilted in a pouring direction, and means for preventing lateral movement of said cover structure with respect to the tracks.

14. In a tiltable hot metal mixer, having a tiltably' supported open-mouth container provided with a discharge spout on one side thereof, and having a track mounted on the container, and a movable cover structure for the container that tilts therewith and comprises, a frame, a refractory body supported by said frame to substantially cover the container, said refractory body being shaped to dcfine a hot metal charging opening, at least two individually supporting shafts rotatably coupled with said frame, rollers at opposite ends of said support ing shafts in operative engagement with the track, pinions fixed to the rollers of at least one of said supporting shafts, racks fixed parallel to the track in position to be engaged by said pinions, power operated means on said cover structure for raising and lowering the same with relation to the container, separate power operated means also supported on said cover structure to rotate at least the supporting shaft associated with said pinions to move said cover structure along the track to and from an uncovering position above the container.

15. In a tiltable hot metal mixer, having a tiltablysupported open-mouth container provided with a discharge spout on one side thereof, and having a track mounted on the container, and a movable cover structure for the container that tilts therewith and comprises, a frame, a refractory body supported by said frame to substantially cover the container, said refractory body being shaped to define a hot metal charging opening, at least two individually supporting shafts rotatably coupled with said frame, rollers at opposite ends of said supporting shafts in operative engagement with the track, pinions fixed to the rollers of at least one of said supporting shafts, racks fixed parallel to the tracks in position to be engaged by said pinions, separate power operated means also supported on said cover structure to rotate at least the supporting shaft associated with said pinions to move said cover structure along the track to and from an uncovering position above the container, an individual lifting shaft for each corresponding individual supporting shaft to rotatably support said cover structure, each said lifting shaft having its longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of an associated supporting shaft, individual stub shafts fixed at the ends of said lifting shafts and having their longitudinal axes parallel to and eccentric with respect to the axes of their associated lifting shafts, bearing means for said stub shafts mounted in load exchange relationship with associated individual supporting shafts, power operated means on said cover structure to rotate said lifting shafts and raise and lower said cover structure with relation to the container, and separate power-operated means also supported on said cover structure to rotate at least the supporting shaft associated with said pinions to move said cover structure along the track to and from an uncovering position above the container.

16. In a tiltable hot metal mixer, having a tiltablysupported open-mouth container provided with a discharge spout on one side thereof and having a track mounted on the container, and a movable cover structure for said container that tilts therewith and comprises, a frame, a refractory body supported by said frame to substantially cover the container, said refractory body being shaped to define a hot metal charging opening, rollers carried by said frame in operative engagement with the track, power-operated means supported on said cover structure for raising and lowering the same with relation to said container, separate power means also supported on said cover structure for moving the same along the track to and from an uncovering position above the container, means for preventing displacement of said cover structure toward the discharge spout side of the container when the container is tilted in a pouring direction, and means for preventing lateral movement of said cover structure with respect to the tracks.

17. In a tiltable hot metal mixer, having a tiltablysupported open-mouth container provided with a discharge spout on one side thereof, and having a movable cover structure for said container that tilts therewith and comprises, a frame, and a refractory body supported by said frame to substantially cover the container, said refractory body being shaped to define a hot metal charging opening therethrough, power-operated means supported on said cover structure for raising and lowering the same with relation to the container, separate power operated means also supported on said cover structure for moving the same to and from an uncovering position above the container, and means to limit movement of said cover structure to and from an uncovering position above the container when said cover structure is in its lowered position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 721,048 Kennedy Feb. 17, 1903 1,708,007 Astrom Apr. 9, 1929 2,137,813 Schramm Nov. 22, 1938 2,138,886 Schramm Dec. 6, 1938 2,155,540 Goldberg Apr. 25, 1939 2,341,054 McFeaters Feb. 8, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS 321,368 France Sept. 9, 1902 216,664 Great Britain June 5, 1924

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