A simplified and downsized coupling position switching mechanism capable of transmitting reliably and smoothly the driving force of the drive unit to the slide metal frame to switchably change a coupling position between the slide metal frame and the drive unit in the sliding nozzle apparatus. A coupling portion in the slide metal frame protrudes on the side of the drive unit and allows a rod head of the drive unit to be coupled thereto, and the coupling portion has a coupling space allows the rod head to be disposed movably in a sliding direction of the slide metal frame. A separator is inserted into the coupling space to divide the coupling space into first and second coupling chambers in the sliding direction of the slide metal frame. The coupling portion has a fitting section for allowing the separator to be fitted thereinto when it is inserted into the coupling space.

A simplified and downsized coupling position switching mechanism capable of transmitting reliably and smoothly the driving force of the drive unit to the slide metal frame to switchably change a coupling position between the slide metal frame and the drive unit in the sliding nozzle apparatus. A coupling portion in the slide metal frame protrudes on the side of the drive unit and allows a rod head of the drive unit to be coupled thereto, and the coupling portion has a coupling space allows the rod head to be disposed movably in a sliding direction of the slide metal frame. A separator is inserted into the coupling space to divide the coupling space into first and second coupling chambers in the sliding direction of the slide metal frame. The coupling portion has a fitting section for allowing the separator to be fitted thereinto when it is inserted into the coupling space.

The present invention concerns a metal casting installation comprising, (a) a loading platform (20), (b) a tundish (1), (c) a first ladle (11) and a second ladle (12), each of the first and second ladle comprising, a floor provided with an opening (11o, 12o), a collector nozzle (14) and a ladle shroud (13a-13c), a ladle sliding gate (15) configured for moving the collector nozzle and the ladle shroud between a sealed position wherein the opening is sealed, a casting position wherein the opening faces the ladle shroud (13a-13c), and an unclogging position wherein the opening faces the collector nozzle (14), (d) a turret (30) for holding the first and second ladles, configured for moving and holding in place the first and second ladles (11,12) between a loading station and a casting station, over the tundish (1), Characterized in that, the metal casting installation comprises a robot (21) configured for carrying out the following operations on the first or second ladle which is held in the loading station, loading a new ladle shroud (13b) onto the ladle slide gate (15), and coupling a driving device (17) to the ladle slide gate (15).

The present invention concerns a metal casting installation comprising, (a) a loading platform (20), (b) a tundish (1), (c) a first ladle (11) and a second ladle (12), each of the first and second ladle comprising, a floor provided with an opening (11o, 12o), a collector nozzle (14) and a ladle shroud (13a-13c), a ladle sliding gate (15) configured for moving the collector nozzle and the ladle shroud between a sealed position wherein the opening is sealed, a casting position wherein the opening faces the ladle shroud (13a-13c), and an unclogging position wherein the opening faces the collector nozzle (14), (d) a turret (30) for holding the first and second ladles, configured for moving and holding in place the first and second ladles (11,12) between a loading station and a casting station, over the tundish (1), Characterized in that, the metal casting installation comprises a robot (21) configured for carrying out the following operations on the first or second ladle which is held in the loading station, loading a new ladle shroud (13b) onto the ladle slide gate (15), and coupling a driving device (17) to the ladle slide gate (15).

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.

Casting plates constructed for facing the casting orifice of a metallurgical vessel are provided with a metallic casing. The casting plates and metallic casing are provided with a protrusion configured to interact with a detector. The casing has a main surface with an opening, and two substantially longitudinal bearing surfaces. The protrusion extends from the casing in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal bearing surfaces. The protrusion is formed by a ramp having an inclined portion.

Casting plates constructed for facing the casting orifice of a metallurgical vessel are provided with a metallic casing. The casting plates and metallic casing are provided with a protrusion configured to interact with a detector. The casing has a main surface with an opening, and two substantially longitudinal bearing surfaces. The protrusion extends from the casing in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal bearing surfaces. The protrusion is formed by a ramp having an inclined portion.

Slide closure for a vessel containing molten metal includes a slide housing and a slide unit that can be displaced longitudinally towards the slide housing, at least one refractory closure plate can respectively be inserted into the slide housing. The closure plates can be pressed against one another by the slide unit being braced against the slide housing. The closure plates can respectively be fixed or centered therein by a placement device having a displaceable positioning element. These placement devices are respectively designed such that upon bracing the slide unit against the slide housing, placing of the positioning element and clamping or centering of the respective closure plate is brought about therein. Therefore, despite easier operation, increased operating reliability is guaranteed because the closure plates are clamped and centered mechanically.

Slide closure for a vessel containing molten metal includes a slide housing and a slide unit that can be displaced longitudinally towards the slide housing, at least one refractory closure plate can respectively be inserted into the slide housing. The closure plates can be pressed against one another by the slide unit being braced against the slide housing. The closure plates can respectively be fixed or centered therein by a placement device having a displaceable positioning element. These placement devices are respectively designed such that upon bracing the slide unit against the slide housing, placing of the positioning element and clamping or centering of the respective closure plate is brought about therein. Therefore, despite easier operation, increased operating reliability is guaranteed because the closure plates are clamped and centered mechanically.

A robotized system for fixing a sliding gate valve plate to a sliding gate valve or removing a sliding gate valve plate from a sliding gate valve comprises a sliding gate valve plate, a metallurgic vessel provided with a sliding gate valve comprising a plate support frame comprising a receiving cradle suitable for receiving and locking the sliding gate valve plate, and a robot comprising a handling interface provided with gripping clamps for gripping the sliding gate valve plate. The sliding gate valve plate comprises gripping holds mating the gripping clamps of the robot, such that the robot can securely hold and handle the sliding gate valve plate.