US2268482A - Ladle nozzle construction - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 30, 1941. R- H, HARVEY 2,268,482

LADLE NOZZLE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 4, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 30, 1941. R. H. HARVEY LADLE NOZZLE CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 4, 1940 @ase/er Memo ineke-r.

Patented Dec. 30, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LADLE NOZZLE CONSTRUCTION Robert Harold Harvey, Chicago, Ill.

Application May 4, 1940, Serial No. 333,331

8 Claims.

I'his invention relates to improvements in a ladle nozzle construction, and more particularly to a nozzle and valve control construction for use in connection with ladles from which molten metal is poured, the invention being highly desirable for use in connection with ladles of relatively large size such as those capable of holding a number of tons of molten metal, although the invention will have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

Heretofore, it has been customary in the pouring of molten metal from ladies, to utilize a ladle having a nozzle in the bottom thereof which does not project any material distance out of the ladle and the pouring through the nozzle was controlled by a stopper in the nature of a tapering plug disposed inside the ladle. This stopper was in turn controlled by lever and linkage arrangements, one rod of which extended entirely down through the ladle and its contents to the stopper, and the remainder of which was on the outer side of the ladle in position to be operated to remove and replace the inside stopper. With large ladles especially, it is not feasible to have molten metal contact metallic parts, and consequently it was necessary to cover the stopper rod inside the ladle with refractory sleeves, which sleeves, as well as the nozzle, and in most instances the stopper had to be replaced after each pouring operation from the ladle. Such replacement not only of the above-mentioned elements, but also of a portion of the bottom lining of the ladle was objectionably expensive. In addition, extreme difculty was had in properly controlling the out flow of molten metal through the nozzle if the stopper did not seat properly, or entered the nozzle and fused, it was practically impossible to stop the flow of metal when desired. Difficulty may further be appreciated when it is remembered that from a large ladle, molten metal is poured at varying speeds during the single operation so that it is necessary to have the nozzle only partially open at some times, fully open at others, and completely closed when desired. If the stopper stuck or became otherwise out of line, such as being burned by the molten metal in the ladle, the pouring operation was manifestly dangerous to the workmen from leaking and splashing molten metal.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a nozzle and valve construction for a ladle wherein the nozzle projects well without the ladle, and all the valve parts are disposed outside kof the ladle in positions to be readily accessible, easily and accurately operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel construction for a ladle, in which the nozzle is especially designed to prevent splashing of molten metal, and with which nozzle accurate stopper valve means are associated capable of cleanly and instantly controlling or varying the ow of metal.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a ladle nozzle construction in which a valve of substantially permanent character is utilized, the valve having a refractory lining which need be replaced only after a number of repeated pourings, while the remainder of the valve construction need not be replaced except as a result of ordinary wear of the parts.

It is also a feature of the invention to provide a ladle nozzle construction equipped with a stopper valve having a knife edge cut-off arrangement so that the flow of molten metal through the nozzle may be accurately and readily controlled.

Still a further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a novel nozzle construction for a ladle from which molten metal is poured, which nozzle may be preformed and is provided with a refractory lining of higher heat-resisting characteristics than the refractory body portion of the nozzle, so that while it may be necessary to remove and reset the nozzle after pouring, it is not necessary in all instances to replace the nozzle with a new one, but repeated operations may be had with the same nozzle as long as it remains in satisfactory condition.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a ladle nozzle and valve construction, wherein the stopper valve is automatically cleansed of' molten metal during its operation, so that there will be no accumulation of molten metal at any time affecting the accurate operation of the stopper valve and its accurate association with the pouring end of the nozzle.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a ladle nozzle having a substantially spherical pouring head or a pouring head of arcuate contour, with a stopper valve complementally shaped and which accurately seats against the pouring head at all times to provide a correct and proper control of the outflow of molten metal through the nozzle.

Still another feature of the invention is th provision of an extremely economical and accurately functioning nozzle and valve control for moltenvmetal ladles, the invention needing few replacements, being highly durable, and economical in use.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational View of a ladle equipped with a nozzle and valve construction embodying principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View taken substantially as indicated by the section line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the structure seen in Figure 1; Y

Figure 4 is a fragmentary central vertical sec.- tional view, with parts in elevation, taken through the bottom portion of the ladle and the nozzle and valve construction, showing the stopper valve in closed position; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional View of the same character as Figure 4, but showing the stopper valve in fully open position.

As shown on the drawings:

The illustrated embodiment of the present invention is shown in connection with a foundry ladle I which, as seen best in Figures 2, 4 and 5, includes an outer metallic wall 2, and an inner refractory lining 3 of fire brick, re clay, or equivalent material. Inside the ladle, a lining section 4 is provided around my novel nozzle 5 the inner end of which may be formed concave as indicated at 6 to facilitate ilow of metal through the nozzle. Of course, the floor lining of the ladle slopes gently in all directions towards the nozzle.

The nozzle 5 is provided with a bore or opening I therethrough dened by a lining 8 which is of a higher heat-resisting character than the refractory body portion of the nozzle. This lining 8 may be of a graphite compound or equivalent material and is preferably baked in the nozzle when the refractory body portion is hardened.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5 it will be seen that the upper portion of the nozzle is tapered somewhat as indicated at 9 so as to have a locking fit within the ladle liner section 4. A goodly portion of the nozzle projects without the ladle, this projecting portion including a neck I0 of a greater taper than the part 9, which terminates in a pouring head II, preferably spherical as illustrated or of an arcuate contour. It will be noted that the lining 8 covers a portion of the pouring head II at the mouth of the nozzle, as indicated at I2 to thereby prolong the life of the nozzle. The pouring head II is preferably of less diameter than the upper portion 9 of the nozzle, so that the nozzle may readily be seated in position in the liner part 4 and through the opening in the outer Wall of the ladle. The nozzle is preferably manufactured just as illustrated, and is then inserted in a ladle when desired.

In order to insure accurate retention of the nozzle in proper position, a removable metallic collar I3 is applied around the neck portion I0, this collar being preferably formed in two halfportions which may be held together by removable bolts I4 as illustrated in Figure 2, or equivalent-means permitting ready attachment and removal. The collar is shaped complementally to the neck portion IU so as to intimately surround it and the upper portion of the collar is provided with a flan-ge socket I5 for interlocking engagement over the horizontal leg of an angle support I6 attached to the outside of the ladle. This angle support I6 may, if so desired, be in the nature of a ring, or in the nature of a plurality of segmental brackets as may be deemed most feasible. With the placing of the collar I3 in position, and with the interlocked engagement with the supporting member I6, the nozzle will be firmly maintained in position.

Also attached to the outside of the ladle I is a frame I1 having an outstanding pair of ears or lugs I8-I8 at one end, and another pair of ears or lugs I9-I9 at the other end. To the lugs I8--I8, a stopper valve 20 is pivotally connected as indicated at 2 I.

This stopper valve 20 is shaped complementally to the pouring head II so as to intimately seat against the pouring head. The stopper valve is also provided with a lining 22 of a high heat-resisting character and which may be of the same material as the lining 8 in the nozzle. The lining for the stopper valve 20 may be preformed and readily inserted in the stopper valve, being retained therein in proper position by any suitable means. Both the stopper valve and its lining are provided with substantially a knife edge 23 on that side nearest the opening through the nozzle. With reference more particularly to vFigure 5 it will be seen that the edge 23 will function as a knife edge in cutting off a flow of molten metal, and it will further be noted that when the stopper is moved so as to provide a fractional opening through the nozzle, the edge 23 will be in keeping with the walls of the nozzle opening so as to cause no splashing of molten metal. On the opposite side thereof, the stopper valve and its lining are provided with an edge surface 24 complemental to the aforesaid collar I3 so that this edge Will intimately abut the collar as seen in Figure 5 when the stopper valve is moved to fully open position.

'I'he stopper valve may .be moved by mechanism to be later described from the fully closed position seen in Figure 4 to the fully opened position seen in Figure 5. During all of this movement, the stopper valve nestles closely over the arcuate pouring head II of the nozzle, and the cup-like shape of the stopper valve effectively prevents leakage or the flow of metal through the stopper to an undesired extent.

Of course, molten metal has a tendency to accumulate upon whatever relatively cold surface it may contact, and consequently there would be a tendency for an accumulation of molten metal to form in somewhat of a band of the width of the nozzle opening inside the stopper valve. To prevent such occurrence, a scraper member 25 is provided. This member is in the nature of a iiat tapering finger depending from the aforesaid collar I3 and intimately engaging the surface of the pouring head I I. With reference to Figure 4, it will be seen that the scraper finger 25 gradually decreases in thickness from the point of attachment to the collar to its termination in a very ne edge near the opening through the nozzle. The thickness of the scraper 25 is not suicient to impede the closing of the nozzle by the stopper valve. Each movement of the stopper valve to open position effects a scraping of the lining of the valve so that any molten metal tending to adhere to this lining will be scraped ofi and dropped into the same mold or other container being lled from the nozzle.

Actuating means for the stopper valve include a lug 26 depending from the bottom of the valve with which one end of a dual link 21 is pivotally connected as at 28. The other end of this dual link is pivotally connected as at 29 to a control disc or wheel 30 which is journalled between the aforesaid lugs IS-IS outstanding from the frame Il, on shaft 3|. Another link or lever 32 is pivoted at 33 to another point on the control disc 30. This lever 32 may also be in the nature of a dual link as seen in Figure 3. rIhe other end of the dual link 32 is pivoted as at 34 to one end of an actuating handle 35, an intermediate point of which handle is fulcrumed as at 36 between a pair of outstanding ears or lugs 31-31 attached to the ladle I. It will be noted that the pivotal connections 29 and 33 to the control disc 30 are not disposed at diametrically opposite points but are disposed less than 180 apart, so as to prevent the actuating mechanism for the stopper valve from ever becoming in a dead center position.

In operation, the present invention is extremely simple and positive. It is simply necessary to attach the lugs 37-31, the frame Il, and the supporting member I6 to the ladle, and either before or after such attachment connect the various operating parts as above outlined. These attached parts together with the stopper valve and its actuating mechanism may be left substantially permanently associated with the ladle. The nozzle may readily be inserted in the ladle as above explained, and the collar I3 ltogether with the scraper linger attached around the neck portion of the nozzle in interlocked engagement with the supporting member I6 on the ladle. When it is desired to pour molten metal from the ladle, it is a simple expedient to manually actuate the handle and swing the stopper valve from the position seen in Figure 4 to a partially open position, or to a fully open position as seen in Figure 5. In any position, there will be a clean flow of metal through the nozzle, free of splash, and the amount of metal flowing may be accurately controlled, since the stopper valve is always in intimate contact with the pouring head of the nozzle and is automatically cleansed or kept free of accumulated metal at all times.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided a novel nozzle and valve construction for association with a foundry ladle or the like. It will be noted that the stopper valve is of substantially permanent construction, only requiring a change of lining at infrequent intervals. It will also be noted that the nozzle itself may be used repeatedly under most conditions, and need not be replaced by a new nozzle after every pouring operation. It is further apparent that with my invention, accuracy in pouring is provided, the safety to the workmen is at a very high degree owing to the elimination of leaking or splashing molten metal and the establishment of absolute control over the ow of metal through the nozzle, that the invention may be economically manufactured and used and is extremely durable.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a ladle nozzle construction, a nozzle insertable in a ladle so as to project materially below the ladle, said nozzle being hollow and lined with a graphite compound which lining extends over the lower portion of the exposed end of the nozzle, said nozzle having a tapering exposed neck portion terminating in a ball-like pouring end, a collar around said neck portion and engageable with the bottom of the ladle, a tapering scraper carried by said collar and extending intimately over the ball-like end to a point adjacent the nozzle opening, said scraper being of a width not less than the diameter of the hollow through the nozzle, a stopper valve curved complementally to the ball-like end and carrying a graphite compound lining, said stopper valve being movable around the ball-like end over the nozzle opening and away therefrom over said scraper, said stopper valve having a knife edge on the side next the nozzle opening and the other side being beveled to seat against said collar when the valve is moved to fully open position, and lever means to swing said valve to open and closed positions.

2. In a nozzle construction for a ladle, a hollow nozzle for insertion in a ladle for molten metal, said nozzle having a ball-like pouring end, and a stopper valve curved to t said ball-like end and swingable over and away from the opening in the nozzle.

3. In a nozzle construction for a ladle, a hollow nozzle for insertion in a ladle for molten metal, and a stopper valve slidable over the pouring end of said nozzle over and away from the nozzle opening, and scraper means positioned for slidable contact against the stopper valve to clean molten metal off said stopper valve as the valve is moved to open position.

4. In a nozzle construction for a ladle for molten metal, a hollow nozzle for insertion in a ladle, a curvature pouring head on said nozzle outside the ladle, and a stopper valve shaped complementally to said curvate pouring head for slidable contact therewith over and away from the pouring opening in said head, said valve having an edge sloping so as to substantially parallel the axis of the pouring opening when in partially open position.

5. In a nozzle construction for a ladle for molten metal, a hollow unitary-nozzle insertable as a single piece from the inside of a ladle to extend through the ladle wall, and a stopper valve outside the ladle and movable over and away from the pouring opening in said nozzle and arranged to leave the pouring opening plainly visible below the plane thereof when the valve is moved away therefrom.

6. In a nozzle construction for a ladle for molten metal, a hollow nozzle for insertion in a ladle to extend through a wall of the ladle, a ball-like pouring head on said nozzle, a scraper overlying a part of said pouring head to one side of the pouring opening, and a curvate cup-like stopper valve shaped to intimately iit over said pouring head and scraper and movable over the scraper to open and close the pouring opening.

7. In a nozzle construction for a ladle, a holloW nozzle for insertion in a ladle to extend through a wall of the ladle, a sloping neck portion on said nozzle outside the ladle, a complementally shaped removable collar around said neck portion to hold the nozzle in place, said nozzle having a pouring head beyond the neck portion, a scraper carried by said collar and extending over said pouring head, and a stopper valve movable over said scraper to open and close the pouring opening in said head.

8. In a pouring nozzle construction for a ladle, a hollow nozzle for insertion in a ladle for molten metal, said nozzle being of heat resisting material and having a lining of material of even greater heat resisting quality, and a stopper valve also having a heat resisting lining movable over the pouring end of said nozzle to open and close the pouring mouth of the nozzle.

ROBERT HAROLD HARVEY.

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