Slide closure for a container containing molten metal includes a housing part that can be fastened to the container and a slider unit that can be displaced longitudinally relative to it, into which a fireproof plate can respectively be inserted. The slider unit is held by holding units fastened to the housing part perpendicular to the slider unit such that it can be displaced longitudinally. The holding units are individually fastened releaseably to the housing part such that in the braced state of the slide closure, they can be released from the housing part in almost every position of the slider unit. In addition, the housing part has walls running close to the plate in the longitudinal direction and projections that protrude to the side, in which walls bearings of the individual holding units can be accommodated.

Slide closure for a container containing molten metal includes a housing part that can be fastened to the container and a slider unit that can be displaced longitudinally relative to it, into which a fireproof plate can respectively be inserted. The slider unit is held by holding units fastened to the housing part perpendicular to the slider unit such that it can be displaced longitudinally. The holding units are individually fastened releaseably to the housing part such that in the braced state of the slide closure, they can be released from the housing part in almost every position of the slider unit. In addition, the housing part has walls running close to the plate in the longitudinal direction and projections that protrude to the side, in which walls bearings of the individual holding units can be accommodated.

In a sliding nozzle comprising three plates consisting of an upper plate, an intermediate plate capable of a sliding movement, and a lower plate, it is intended to suppress adhesion and deposition of metal oxides and others on wall surfaces of inner bores of the three plates. The intermediate plate has: a first inclined portion whose surface defines a slidingly closing directional leading-side wall surface of an inner bore thereof and extends obliquely downwardly in a diametrically contracting direction; a second inclined portion whose surface defines an upper part of a slidingly closing directional trailing-side wall surface of the inner bore thereof and extends obliquely downwardly in a diametrically contracting direction, and a third inclined portion whose surface defines a lower part of the slidingly closing directional trailing-side wall surface of the inner bore thereof and extends obliquely downwardly in a diametrically expanding direction.

In a sliding nozzle comprising three plates consisting of an upper plate, an intermediate plate capable of a sliding movement, and a lower plate, it is intended to suppress adhesion and deposition of metal oxides and others on wall surfaces of inner bores of the three plates. The intermediate plate has: a first inclined portion whose surface defines a slidingly closing directional leading-side wall surface of an inner bore thereof and extends obliquely downwardly in a diametrically contracting direction; a second inclined portion whose surface defines an upper part of a slidingly closing directional trailing-side wall surface of the inner bore thereof and extends obliquely downwardly in a diametrically contracting direction, and a third inclined portion whose surface defines a lower part of the slidingly closing directional trailing-side wall surface of the inner bore thereof and extends obliquely downwardly in a diametrically expanding direction.

The invention relates to a sliding closure (10) for a metallurgical vessel comprising a tapping hole (1) for draining metal melt or slag, said sliding closure being provided with a slider housing (3) that can be secured to the vessel (2) and a closure plate (6) that can move therein for opening and closing the tapping hole (1). The sliding closure (10) also has only this moveable closure plate (6), without a stationary closure plate, which is can be moved directly on a sliding surface (7), extending around the tapping hole, preferably of a casing block (9) in the vessel (2) and can be pressed by pretensioning elements. In this way, this sliding closure (10) provides a constructionally simpler structure and user-friendly handling.

The invention relates to a sliding closure (10) for a metallurgical vessel comprising a tapping hole (1) for draining metal melt or slag, said sliding closure being provided with a slider housing (3) that can be secured to the vessel (2) and a closure plate (6) that can move therein for opening and closing the tapping hole (1). The sliding closure (10) also has only this moveable closure plate (6), without a stationary closure plate, which is can be moved directly on a sliding surface (7), extending around the tapping hole, preferably of a casing block (9) in the vessel (2) and can be pressed by pretensioning elements. In this way, this sliding closure (10) provides a constructionally simpler structure and user-friendly handling.

Provided are a plate holding device, a plate detaching apparatus, a plate attaching apparatus and a plate attaching-detaching apparatus which are capable of reliably attaching and/or detaching a plate with respect to a plate-receiving metal frame. The plate holding device comprises: a plurality of holding members for holding a plate for a sliding nozzle device; widening and narrowing mechanisms to selectively widen and narrow a distance between the holding members; a pressing unit for pressing a central region of the plate when the plate is held by the holding members; and a force sensor for detecting a force received by the holding members and/or the pressing unit from the held plate. The plate holding device is configured to be mounted to a distal end of a robot arm.

A sliding nozzle device capable of allowing a maintenance robot to reliably and accurately recognize the position thereof. The sliding nozzle device includes: a fixed metal frame; and a sliding metal frame slidably provided to the fixed metal frame. The fixed metal frame is provided with a mark block for allowing a maintenance robot to recognize the position thereof. More specifically, the mark block is provided to protrude from a side surface or bottom surface of the fixed metal frame toward the sliding metal frame, at a position free from interference with the sliding metal frame during sliding.

A metal casting installation is provided that includes a loading platform, a tundish, a first ladle and a second ladle, each of the first and second ladle has a floor provided with an opening, a collector nozzle and a ladle shroud. The installation also includes a ladle sliding gate configured for moving the collector nozzle and the ladle shroud between a sealed position, a casting position, and an unclogging position. A turret is provided for holding the first and second ladles, configured for moving and holding in place the first and second ladles between a loading station and a casting station over the tundish. A robot is also provided and configured for loading a new ladle shroud onto the ladle slide gate, and coupling a driving device to the ladle slide gate.

A metal casting installation is provided that includes a loading platform, a tundish, a first ladle and a second ladle, each of the first and second ladle has a floor provided with an opening, a collector nozzle and a ladle shroud. The installation also includes a ladle sliding gate configured for moving the collector nozzle and the ladle shroud between a sealed position, a casting position, and an unclogging position. A turret is provided for holding the first and second ladles, configured for moving and holding in place the first and second ladles between a loading station and a casting station over the tundish. A robot is also provided and configured for loading a new ladle shroud onto the ladle slide gate, and coupling a driving device to the ladle slide gate.