Abstract
An impact pad for metallurgical processes is formed from refractory material, and contains a base having an impact surface facing upwardly against a stream of molten metal entering a vessel containing the impact pad. A wall having a plurality of adjacent wall portions extends upwardly from the base. The impact surface contains at least one nonhorizontal facet extending inwardly from a wall portion; all lines in the facet extending perpendicularly to the wall portion have an inclination or declination with respect to the horizontal plane.
Claims
1. An impact pad comprising refractory material, the impact pad comprising: (a) a base having a shape selected from the group consisting of rectangular and trapezoid, having a larger horizontal dimension, and having an impact surface facing upwardly; (b) a wall extending upwardly from the base around the entire periphery of the base, wherein the wall comprises a plurality of adjacent wall portions meeting at a nonzero angle; wherein the wall comprises two larger opposing longitudinal wall portions and two smaller opposing latitudinal wall portions; wherein the impact surface comprises a longitudinal center line equidistant from the two larger opposing wall portions; wherein the longitudinal center line declines from a first opposing latitudinal wall portion to a second opposing latitudinal wall portion at an impact surface lower end; wherein the impact surface contains a facet extending from a wall portion towards the longitudinal center line; wherein the surface facet is in contact with at least two wall portions, and is inclining or declining with respect to at least two of the wall portions with which it is in contact; wherein the surface facet comprises an end proximal to a first wall portion and an end distal to the first wall portion, and the end distal to the first wall portion terminates in a line parallel to the longitudinal center line; wherein angles of declination or inclination, with respect to the horizontal plane, of surface facets as measured from the wall towards the longitudinal center line of the impact pad have a value from and including 1 degree to and including 15 degrees; wherein the angle of declination or inclination, with respect to the horizontal plane, of the longitudinal center line has a value from and including 1 degree to and including 15 degrees; wherein the base is symmetrically configured with respect to the longitudinal center line; wherein two impact surface facets extend towards each other and downwardly from opposing longitudinal wall portions; wherein the two impact surface facets meet at the longitudinal center line; and; wherein the wall of the impact pad is provided with an overhang.
2. An impact pad according to claim 1, wherein the impact surface consists of two facets.
3. An impact pad according to claim 2, wherein each facet has an angle of declination as it extends from a larger opposing longitudinal wall portion.
4. An impact pad according to claim 1, wherein a latitudinal wall portion of has a minimum height at the center of the latitudinal portion of the wall.
5. An impact pad according to claim 1, wherein the portions of the wall intersect at vertices; wherein a first smaller opposing wall portion comprises a front wall; wherein a second smaller opposing wall portion comprises a back wall; wherein a pair of impact surface facets meet at a central vertical plane extending in a larger horizontal dimension of the impact pad; wherein each impact surface facet extends from the front wall to the back wall; wherein a wall portion has nonuniform height between vertices; and wherein the impact pad is rectangular in the horizontal plane.
6. An impact pad according to claim 1, wherein the impact pad base is trapezoidal; wherein a pair of impact surface facets meets at a central vertical plane of the impact surface extending in the larger horizontal dimension of the impact pad; wherein the wall comprises a front wall portion and a back wall portion; wherein the back wall portion has a shorter length than the front wall portion; wherein the front wall portion and the back wall portion are parallel; wherein each of two facets is in communication with the front wall portion and the back wall portion; and wherein ports extend from the interior of the wall to the exterior of the wall.
7. An impact pad according to claim 6, wherein the ports are provided at the lower end of the impact surface.
8. Method for reducing the effects of misalignment of an impinging stream of molten steel entering a refractory vessel, comprising: (a) placing an impact pad according to claim 1 within a refractory vessel and arranging it so as to receive a flow of molten metal; and (b) directing the flow of metal into the interior of the impact pad.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
(2) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a tundish, showing an impact pad according to the present invention on the bottom thereof;
(3) FIG. 2 is a plan view, from above, of an impact pad of the present invention;
(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective plan view of an impact pad of the present invention;
(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective plan view of an impact pad of the present invention;
(6) FIG. 5 is a plan view, from above, of an impact pad of the present invention;
(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective drawing of an impact pad of the present invention;
(8) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an impact pad of the present invention;
(9) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an impact pad of the present invention;
(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective drawing of an impact pad of the present invention;
(11) FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an impact pad of the present invention;
(12) FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an impact pad of the present invention;
(13) FIG. 12 is a perspective drawing of an impact pad of the present invention;
(14) FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an impact pad of the present invention;
(15) FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an impact pad of the present invention;
(16) FIG. 15 is a perspective drawing of an impact pad of the present invention;
(17) FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an impact pad of the present invention;
(18) FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an impact pad of the present invention;
(19) FIG. 18 is a perspective drawing of an impact pad of the present invention;
(20) FIG. 19 is a perspective drawing of an impact pad of the present invention;
(21) FIG. 20 is a perspective drawing of an impact pad of the present invention;
(22) FIG. 21 is a perspective drawing of an impact pad of the present invention;
(23) FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of an impact pad of the present invention;
(24) FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of an impact pad of the present invention;
(25) FIG. 24 is a perspective drawing of an impact pad of the present invention;
(26) FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of an impact pad of the present invention;
(27) FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of an impact pad of the present invention;
(28) FIG. 27 is a perspective drawing of an impact pad of the present invention;
(29) FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a section of an impact pad of the present invention;
(30) FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of an impact pad of the present invention; and
(31) FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of an impact pad of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(32) FIG. 1 shows a conventional tundish 10 for use in a steel making process. Tundish 10 has an outer metallic shell 12 and an inner refractory lining 14. A ladle shroud 16 is positioned above tundish 10 to direct a stream 18 of molten metal from a ladle (not shown) into an impact pad 30 in tundish 10 to form a molten metal bath 20. Tundish 10 includes a pair of well blocks 24 to allow molten metal from bath 20 to enter molds (not shown).
(33) FIG. 2 shows a plan view of an impact pad 30 of the present invention. Base 31 has an impact surface 32; wall 34 extends upwardly from the impact surface 32. First wall portion 36 and second wall portion 38 are adjoining portions of wall 34; in this embodiment they meet at a right angle, but may meet at other nonzero angles in other embodiments. Centerline 40 is a line on impact surface 32 that is equidistant from each of a pair of opposing wall portions. Facet 42 is a planar portion of impact surface 32 that extends inwardly from first wall portion 36 towards centerline 40 between facet end 44 proximal to first wall portion 36 and facet end 46 distal to first wall portion 36, and extends inwardly from second wall portion 38 between facet side 48 proximal to second wall portion 38, and facet side 50 distal to second wall portion 38. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, base 31 is rectangular in horizontal section, and wall 34 comprises two larger opposing wall portions 52 from which centerline 40 is equidistant, and two smaller opposing wall portions 54.
(34) FIG. 3 shows a perspective plan view of an impact pad 30 of the present invention. Impact surface 32 is the upper face of impact pad 30. A cutaway portion of first wall portion 36 is shown extending upwardly from impact surface 32. Second wall portion 38, adjacent to first wall portion 36, is shown extending upwardly from impact surface 32. Facet 42 extends inwardly from first wall portion 36 towards centerline 40; facet side 50 distal to second wall portion 38 forms an angle of latitudinal elevation 62 with the horizontal plane. Facet 42 extends inwardly from second wall portion 38; facet side 46 distal to first wall portion 36 forms an angle of longitudinal elevation 66 with the horizontal plane.
(35) FIG. 4 shows a perspective plan view of an impact pad 30 of the present invention. Impact surface 32 is the upper face of impact pad 30. Wall 34, extending upwardly from impact surface 32, comprises two opposing longitudinal wall portions 52 and two opposing latitudinal wall portions 54. In this embodiment, impact surface 32 is divided, along centerline 40, into two facets 42, each extending inwardly and downwardly from a respective longitudinal wall portion 52 and each extending from a first opposing latitudinal wall portion 54 to a second opposing latitudinal wall portion 54. Centerline 40 extends downwardly from upper end of centerline 76 at wall 54 to lower end of centerline 78 at wall 34. Each facet 42 has an upper end adjacent to longitudinal centerline upper end 76 and a lower end adjacent to longitudinal centerline lower end 78.
(36) FIG. 5 provides a top plan view of an impact pad 30 of the invention. Impact surface 32 is the upper face of impact pad 30. Wall 34 extends upwardly from, and surrounds, impact surface 32. Impact surface 32 is divided longitudinally by longitudinal centerline 40, and latitudinally by transverse centerline 90. Section A-A views are views across the length of the impact pad; section B-B views are views across the width of the impact pad.
(37) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first envisionment of an impact pad 30 of the invention. Impact surface 32 is the upper face of impact pad 30. Impact surface 32 is divided into four facets 42. Wall 34 extends upwardly from impact surface 32. Overhang 84 extends inwardly from wall 34.
(38) FIG. 7 is a sectional view, along section line A-A, of the impact pad 30 of FIG. 6. In this section, impact surface 32 contains a central peak.
(39) FIG. 8 is a sectional view, along section line B-B, of the impact pad 30 of FIG. 6. In this section, impact surface 32 contains a central minimum and peaks at the intersections with the wall.
(40) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second envisionment of an impact pad 30 of the invention. Impact surface 32 is the upper face of impact pad 30. Impact surface 32 is divided into four facets 42. Wall 34 extends upwardly from impact surface 32. Overhang 84 extends inwardly from wall 34.
(41) FIG. 10 is a sectional view, along section line A-A, of the impact pad 30 of FIG. 9. In this section, impact surface 32 contains a central minimum and peaks at the intersections with the walls.
(42) FIG. 11 is a sectional view, along section line B-B, of the impact pad 30 of FIG. 9. In this section, impact surface 32 contains a central minimum and peaks at the intersections with the walls.
(43) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a third envisionment of an impact pad 30 of the invention. Impact surface 32 is the upper face of impact pad 30. Impact surface 32 is divided into four facets 42. Wall 34 extends upwardly from impact surface 32. Overhang 84 extends inwardly from wall 34.
(44) FIG. 13 is a sectional view, along section line A-A, of the impact pad 30 of FIG. 12. In this section, impact surface 32 contains a central maximum and minima at the intersections with the walls.
(45) FIG. 14 is a sectional view, along section line B-B, of the impact pad 30 of FIG. 12. In this section, impact surface 32 contains a central maximum and minima at the intersections with the walls.
(46) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a fourth envisionment of an impact pad 30 of the invention. Impact surface 32 is the upper face of impact pad 30. Impact surface 32 is divided into four facets 42. Wall 34 extends upwardly from impact surface 32. Overhang 84 extends inwardly from wall 34.
(47) FIG. 16 is a sectional view, along section line A-A, of the impact pad 30 of FIG. 15. In this section, impact surface 32 contains a central maximum and minima at the intersections with the walls.
(48) FIG. 17 is a sectional view, along section line B-B, of the impact pad 30 of FIG. 15. In this section, impact surface 32 contains a central minimum and maxima at the intersections with the walls.
(49) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a variation of the fourth envisionment of an impact pad 30 of the invention. Impact surface 32 is the upper face of impact pad 30. Impact surface 32 is divided into four facets 42. Wall 34 extends upwardly from impact surface 32. Overhang 84 extends inwardly from wall 34. Wall 34 has a central minimum height in the latitudinal direction. The portions of overhang 84 extending inwardly from adjacent portions of wall 34 meet at an angle equivalent to the angle of intersection of the adjacent portions of wall 34 from which they extend.
(50) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a variation of the fourth envisionment of an impact pad 30 of the invention. Impact surface 32 is the upper face of impact pad 30. Impact surface 32 is divided into four facets 42. Wall 34 extends upwardly from impact surface 32. Overhang 84 extends inwardly from wall 54. Wall 34 has a central minimum height in the latitudinal direction. The portions of overhang 84 extending inwardly from adjacent portions of wall 54 have intersections characterized by corner radii 92.
(51) FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a variation of the fourth envisionment of an impact pad 30 of the invention. Impact surface 32 is the upper face of impact pad 30. Impact surface 32 is divided into four facets 42. Wall 34 extends upwardly from impact surface 32. Overhang 84 extends inwardly from wall 34. Wall 34 has a central minimum height in the latitudinal direction. The portions of overhang 84 extending inwardly from adjacent portions of wall 34 have intersections characterized by corner chamfers 94.
(52) FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a fifth envisionment of an impact pad 30 of the invention. Impact surface 32 is the upper face of impact pad 30. Impact surface 32 is divided into two facets 42, intersecting at longitudinal centerline 40. Wall 34 extends upwardly from impact surface 32. Overhang 84 extends inwardly from wall 34. The portions of overhang 84 extending inwardly from adjacent portions of wall 34 have intersections characterized by corner chamfers 94.
(53) FIG. 22 is a sectional view, along section line A-A, of the impact pad 30 of FIG. 21. In this section, impact surface 32 exhibits a slope between the interior of a front wall and the interior of a back wall.
(54) FIG. 23 is a sectional view, along section line B-B, of the impact pad 30 of FIG. 21. In this section, impact surface 32 contains a central minimum and maxima at the intersections with the walls.
(55) FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a sixth envisionment of an impact pad 30 of the invention. The base of impact pad 30 is in the shape of a trapezoid. Impact surface 32 is the upper face of impact pad 30. Impact surface 32 is divided into two facets 42, intersecting at longitudinal centerline 40. Wall 34 extends upwardly from impact surface 32. Overhang 84 extends inwardly from wall 34. Two of the portions of overhang 84 extending inwardly from adjacent portions of wall 34 have intersections characterized by corner chamfers 94. Each of facets 42 is in communication with a front wall portion 96 and a back wall portion 98. Each of two facets 42 extends at an angle inclined with respect to the horizontal from a front wall portion 96 to a back wall portion 98; the intersection of each of facets 42 with back wall portion 98 is elevated with respect to the intersection each of facets 42 with respect to front wall portion 96. Front wall portion 96 is the longer of the two parallel wall portions of impact pad 30; back wall portion 98 is the shorter of the two parallel wall portions of impact pad 30. Ports 100 extend from the interior of wall 34 to the exterior of wall 34; each extends through a wall portion adjacent to front wall portion 96 at a location in the wall portion adjacent to front wall portion 96. Transverse latitudinal lines in impact surface 32 have terminal peaks.
(56) FIG. 25 is a sectional view, along section line A-A, of the impact pad 30 of FIG. 24. In this section, impact surface 32 exhibits an incline between the interior of front wall 96 and back wall 98. Port 100 passes through a portion of wall 34 at its intersection with front wall 96. The bottom of port 100 is coplanar with the portion of impact surface 32 with which it is in communication.
(57) FIG. 26 is a sectional view, along section line B-B, of the impact pad 30 of FIG. 24. In this section, impact surface 32 contains a central minimum and maxima at the intersections with the walls.
(58) FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a seventh envisionment of an impact pad 30 of the invention. Impact surface 32 is the upper face of impact pad 30. Impact surface 32 is divided into six facets 42. Two pairs of facets extend inwardly towards the longitudinal center line; each facet of a pair of facets extends from one of two longitudinal opposing wall portions 52, and each facet of another pair of facets extends from the other of two longitudinal opposing wall portions 52. Each of a third pair of facets extends inwardly towards the other facet; each facet extends inwardly from one of a pair of latitudinal opposing wall portions 54 along the longitudinal center line. Wall 34 extends upwardly from impact surface 32. Overhang 84 extends inwardly from wall 54.
(59) FIG. 28 is a perspective cutaway view, along A-A, of the envisionment of the impact pad 30 of the invention shown in FIG. 27. Impact surface 32 is the upper face of impact pad 30. Wall 34 extends upwardly from impact surface 32. Each of two latitudinally level, longitudinally inclined facets 102 extends inwardly from each of two latitudinally opposing wall portions 54. Facets 104 that are both latitudinally and longitudinally inclined extend inwardly from each of two longitudinally opposing wall portions 52. Overhang 84 extends inwardly from wall 34 over the interior of impact pad 30.
(60) FIG. 29 is a sectional view, along section line A-A, of the impact pad 30 of FIG. 27. In this section, impact surface 32 contains a central maximum and minima at the intersections with the walls. The central maximum along longitudinal center line 40 has a lower elevation than the maximum of the intersection of latitudinally and longitudinally inclined facets 104 with longitudinally opposed wall portions 52
(61) FIG. 30 is a sectional view, along section line B-B, of the impact pad 30 of FIG. 27. In this section, impact surface 32 contains a central minimum and maxima at the intersections with the walls.
(62) Also contemplated is the use of an impact pad according to the invention, comprising (a) placing an impact pad according to the invention within a refractory vessel and arranging it so as to receive a flow of molten metal, and (b) directing the flow of molten metal into the interior of the impact pad. A method for reducing the effects of misalignment of an impinging stream of molten steel entering a refractory vessel comprises (a) placing an impact pad according to the invention within a refractory vessel and arranging it so as to receive a flow of molten metal, and (b) directing the flow of molten metal into the interior of the impact pad.
(63) Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the following claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
ELEMENTS
(64) 10. Tundish or refractory vessel 12. Outer metallic shell 14. Inner refractory lining 16. Ladle shroud 18. Molten metal 20. Molten metal bath 24. Well block 30. Impact pad 31. Impact pad base 32. Impact surface 34. Wall 36. First wall portion 38. Second wall portion 40. Longitudinal center line 42. Facet 44. Facet end proximal to first wall portion 46. Facet end distal to first wall portion 48. Facet side proximal to second wall portion 50. Facet side distal to second wall portion 52. Longitudinal opposing wall portions 54. Latitudinal opposing wall portions 62. Angle with horizontal plane of extent from first wall portion 66. Angle with horizontal plane of extent from second wall portion 76. Upper end of longitudinal center line 78. Lower end of longitudinal center line 84. Overhang 90. Transverse center line 92. Corner radius 94. Chamfer 96. Front wall 98. Back wall 100. Port 102. Latitudinally level, longitudinally inclined facet 104. Latitudinally and longitudinally inclined facet
