Melt Transport Equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a melt transport device 1 comprising a melt-receiving vessel 3 in which a melt-receiving chamber 4 is formed and a spout 5 connected to the melt-receiving vessel 3, the spout 5 having a pouring opening 6 fluidly connected to the melt-receiving chamber 4. Furthermore, a gas valve 7 is formed, which is fluidly connected to the melt-receiving chamber 4 and is designed to regulate the input of gas into the melt-receiving chamber 4.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a melt transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] DE 10 2007 011 253 A1 discloses a casting device with a melt-receiving vessel for metallic material. An injector is arranged on the underside of the melt-receiving vessel, which has an opening for discharging the melt. Furthermore, a closing device is designed, which serves to close the opening.

[0003] The pouring apparatus known from DE 10 200 03 133 has the disadvantage that the closing device can become soiled, which means that after some time of use, the tightness of the closing device can no longer be guaranteed. The casting apparatus or casting process also has the disadvantage that the described design of the closing device means that the flow behavior or the flow rate of the melt during casting can only be poorly controlled. The casting apparatus or casting process also has the disadvantage that the positioning of the closing device above the lance means that the melt has a high impact height on the casting mould, which can cause damage to the casting mould. Furthermore, the high drop height can cause turbulence and thus oxide inclusions in the casting. All this leads to a deterioration of the production of the cast workpiece. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] DE 102007011253 A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to provide an improved apparatus and method capable of producing cast workpieces. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This object is achieved by an apparatus and a method as claimed.

[0007] The present invention relates to a melt transport device comprising a melt-containing vessel having a melt-containing chamber formed therein and a spout coupled to the melt-containing vessel, the spout having a pouring opening fluidly connected to the melt-containing chamber, and further comprising a gas valve fluidly connected to the melt-containing chamber and designed to regulate the input of gas into the melt-containing chamber.

[0008] Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the melt-receiving vessel has an airtight outer casing, the melt-receiving vessel is arranged in the airtight outer casing, the melt-receiving vessel is made of a first material, and the airtight outer casing is at least partially made of a second material, the first material and the second material having different material properties. The structural separation of the airtight outer casing and the melt-receiving vessel has the advantage that the airtight outer casing and the melt-receiving vessel can have different mechanical properties. The melt-receiving vessel can thus be made of a material designed for high temperatures or for containing a liquid melt. The melt-receiving vessel only needs to absorb small mechanical forces. In particular, the mechanical forces can be absorbed or transferred to the airtight outer casing. Furthermore, the airtight outer casing can be made of a material that is easy to weld, so that the individual components can be welded in an airtight manner.

[0009] In particular, the airtight outer cylinder can serve to accommodate the melt-containing container, the melt-containing container being arranged within the airtight outer cylinder so that the weight of the melt-containing container acts on the airtight outer cylinder in the form of a tensile force.

[0010] Furthermore, the second material of the outer casing can comprise a metallic material, in particular a steel material, and / or the first material of the melt-receiving vessel can comprise a fiber-reinforced material, in particular a glass-fiber-reinforced material. This has the advantage that the steel material has good weldability. Also, the steel material is suitable for absorbing tensile forces. The glass-fiber-reinforced material can have high heat resistance and thus be well suited for absorbing the melt, provided that it has sufficient strength.

[0011] Furthermore, the glass fiber reinforcement material of the melt-receiving vessel can comprise calcium silicate, quartz glass, silicon carbide or zirconium silicate, in particular the glass fibers can be embedded in a base material made of calcium silicate, quartz glass, silicon carbide or zirconium silicate.

[0012] Furthermore, it can be provided that the gas-tight outer cylinder comprises a casing and a bottom flange, the casing being in particular connected to the bottom flange, in particular by welding, which has the advantage that further components can be connected using the bottom flange.

[0013] In particular, the casing can be made of steel sheet, which can be rolled into a thin-walled hollow cylinder, and in particular, the hollow cylinder can have an axial welded seam, with a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of the rolled steel sheet being welded together.

[0014] It is also advantageous to design the barrel with a bottom cover which is removably connected to the bottom flange by fastening means, so that the inside of the gas-tight barrel can be easily accessed by loosening and removing the bottom cover. This allows for an easy replacement of the melt-receiving vessel or for easy access to the melt-receiving vessel, if necessary. Furthermore, this ensures that the melt-receiving vessel can be supported on the bottom cover or that the bottom cover can be used to receive and hold the melt-receiving vessel.

[0015] Furthermore, a seal can be arranged between the bottom cover and the bottom flange, in particular the seal can be designed in the form of a graphite seal.

[0016] The seals of the outer cylinder can be designed in the form of an all-graphite seal.

[0017] According to a further development, the spout can be designed as a lance, which is securely accommodated in a central recess of the bottom cover, which has the advantage that the lance can be easily exchanged and placed or connected on the melt-receiving vessel.

[0018] Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the lance has a connecting element and the melt-receiving vessel has a contact surface, the connecting element being pressed against the contact surface by the bottom cover, thereby allowing a simple coupling or connection of the lance to the melt-receiving vessel.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be provided that a seal is arranged between the connecting element and the contact surface, in particular that the seal is designed in the form of a graphite seal.

[0020] Furthermore, the melt-receiving vessel can be preloaded in the direction of the bottom cover by a number of spring elements. This has the advantage that it can be ensured that the contact surface of the melt-receiving vessel is pressed against the connection element of the lance with a certain pretension, whereby a tight connection between the connection element of the lance and the contact surface of the melt-receiving vessel can be achieved. It can also be ensured that the melt-receiving vessel is securely held in the barrel. Furthermore, the use of spring elements can compensate for different thermal expansions of the melt-receiving vessel and the barrel in order to avoid damage to the melt-receiving vessel when receiving the melt.

[0021] A spring element within the meaning of this specification may for example be a steel spring, or more generally a spring material. A spring element within the meaning of this specification may also be a pneumatic spring.

[0022] As an alternative to using a spring element, it is also conceivable that an actuator, for example a pneumatic cylinder, serves to pretension the melt-receiving vessel.

[0023] Furthermore, the gas-tight outer cylinder can comprise a head unit, which is in particular connected to the casing by welding. In particular, the head unit can serve to accommodate essential components such as gas valves etc. Furthermore, the head unit can serve to connect the melt-receiving vessel to a handling device, such as a handling robot.

[0024] According to a special design, the spring element can be mounted on the head unit.

[0025] According to an advantageous further development, a plug is provided which is designed to be displaceable in the plug axis direction on the melt-receiving vessel and serves to close the spout. This has the advantage that the plug can be used to close the spout or to regulate the amount of melt that flows out. In particular, the plug can be arranged in the receiving chamber of the melt-receiving vessel and can interact with an opening of the melt-receiving vessel.

[0026] In alternative design variations, the plug may also interact with a constriction or another component within the lance.

[0027] It is particularly advantageous if the plug is movably attached to the head unit by means of an actuator. This has the advantage that when the melt-receiving vessel is replaced, the plug can remain on the head unit of the barrel. This ensures that the melt-receiving vessel is structurally as simple as possible and easy to replace.

[0028] Furthermore, the plug can be provided with a heating element arranged therein, which has the advantage that freezing of the melt on the plug can be prevented as much as possible.

[0029] Furthermore, the plug can have an outer wall in which an embedding powder, in particular magnesium oxide powder, is accommodated, and in which the heating element is embedded. Such a design has the advantage that by these means the heating element can be accommodated in the stopper, so that high temperature fluctuations during the casting process do not lead to damage to the heating element.

[0030] Also advantageous is a design in which the heating element is connected to a power cable, the power cable being able to be freely guided between the head unit and the plug so as to allow a relative movement of the plug with respect to the head unit, which has the advantage that the power required for the operation of the heating element can be transported to the heating element.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment, a sliding contact for current transfer may be provided between the head unit and the plug.

[0032] Additionally, the power cable may be covered with heat resistant electrical insulation designed for a maximum temperature of 900°C to 250°C.

[0033] The connecting element in the sense of this specification is preferably a flange, but can also be designed as a cone-shaped element. The sealing force required to ensure the tightness of the lance on the melt-receiving vessel is applied via the connecting element. Furthermore, the connecting element can define the geometrical position of the outlet opening relative to the plug of the melt transport device, the coaxiality, etc. This allows the melt transport device to be easily exchanged.

[0034] For a better understanding of the invention, a more detailed explanation will now be made with reference to the following figures.

[0035] They are shown in a highly simplified schematic representation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a melt transport device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a plug according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the plug taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottom cover of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the connection of the lance to the melt-containing vessel. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a melt transport device with two lances. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a melt transport device with two lances and two separate hermetically sealed chambers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the various described embodiments, identical components are given the same reference numbers or the same component designations, whereby the disclosure contained in the entire description can be applied mutatis mutandis to identical components having the same reference numbers or the same component designations. Also, selected position information in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refers directly to the described and depicted figures, and in case of position changes, these position details should be transferred accordingly to the new positions.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a melt transport device 1 serving to transport a melt 2 according to a first embodiment.

[0039] The melt transport device 1 has a melt receiving vessel 3 in which a melt receiving chamber 4 serving to receive the melt 2 is formed.

[0040] Furthermore, the melt transport device 1 may comprise a spout 5 connected to the melt storage vessel 3. The spout 5 can be designed as an integral part of the melt storage vessel 3. It is further conceivable that the spout 5 is designed as a separate component connected to the melt storage vessel 3. The spout 5 has a pouring opening 6, through which the melt 2 contained in the melt storage vessel 3 can flow out of the melt transport device 1 into the casting mold.

[0041] Furthermore, a gas valve 7 can be provided which is fluidly connected to the melt-receiving chamber 4 and is designed to regulate the gas ingress into the melt-receiving chamber 4. The gas valve 7 is arranged above a maximum filling level 8 such that the melt 2 cannot flow into the gas valve 7. The maximum filling level is selected such that when the melt-receiving vessel 3 is filled with the melt 2 up to the maximum filling level 8, a gas-filled space remains in the melt-receiving chamber 4, in which a pressure can be set by the gas valve 7.

[0042] Furthermore, a pressure sensing means 9 can be provided, by means of which the internal pressure in the melt-receiving chamber 4 can be sensed. Thereby, the gas pressure in the melt-receiving chamber 4 can be specifically regulated by the gas valve 7.

[0043] Furthermore, it is also possible to form a suction tube 10 which can be connected to a vacuum pump 11. The gas valve 7 can also be arranged in the region of the suction tube 10 or can be designed in such a way that the suction tube 10 allows the gas to flow into the melt-receiving chamber 4 in a targeted manner.

[0044] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the melt transport device 1 may comprise a siphon 12 .

[0045] A siphon 12 may be disposed between the melt-receiving chamber 4 and the pouring opening 6 .

[0046] As can be seen from figure 1, the spout 5 can be designed in the form of a lance 13. The siphon 12 can be arranged at the bottom of the lance 13.

[0047] As can be seen from Fig. 1, the melt-receiving vessel 3 may have an airtight outer casing 14. A melt-receiving vessel 15 may be arranged in the airtight outer casing 14 and may serve to accommodate the melt 2. In particular, the melt-receiving vessel 15 may be designed in the form of a crucible, such that the melt-receiving chamber 4 is defined or limited by the melt-receiving vessel 15. Furthermore, the melt-receiving vessel 15 may have an outlet opening 16, which may be arranged in a lower region of the melt-receiving vessel 15. In particular, the outlet opening 16 may be designed as a central opening of the melt-receiving vessel 15.

[0048] In particular, a vacuum can be created within the outer barrel 14 so that the melt 2 can be caused to flow out of the melt receiving chamber 4 in a controlled manner or so that the melt 2 can be sucked into the melt receiving chamber 4.

[0049] As can be seen particularly well in Figure 1, the outlet opening 16 can be formed in a bottom 17 of the melt-receiving vessel 15. The bottom 17 of the melt-receiving vessel 15 can be conically shaped so that the melt 2 is directed to the outlet opening 16 as the melt level drops.

[0050] As can be seen in Fig. 1, the melt-receiving vessel 15 can be open at the top. In an embodiment not shown, a splash guard can be formed on the upper side of the melt-receiving vessel 15.

[0051] Further, the outer cylinder 14 may have a casing 18. The casing 18 may be connected to a head unit 19. In particular, the casing 18 may be welded to the head unit 19. In a first embodiment, the casing 18 may be rolled from a flat metal sheet into a hollow cylinder, such that opposing ends of the rolled metal sheet may be welded together by a weld seam.

[0052] Furthermore, a bottom flange 20 may be formed which is welded to the casing 18. In particular, the bottom flange 20 may be designed to receive a bottom cover 21. In particular, the bottom cover 21 may be connected to the bottom flange 20 by means of fastening means 22. Such fastening means 22 may be designed, for example, in the form of screws. In particular, both the bottom flange 20 and the bottom cover 21 may be formed with a hole pattern in the form of through holes 23 serving for the insertion of the fastening means 22.

[0053] Furthermore, a central recess 24 may be formed in the bottom cover 21, through which the melt 2 may pass. In particular, the lance 13 may correspond to the central recess 24. Furthermore, the lance 13 may have a connection element 25 which may be received in a recess 26 of the central recess 24. The connection element 25 may rest on a contact surface 27 of the melt-receiving vessel 15.

[0054] Furthermore, spring elements 29 can be arranged between the head unit 19 and the top 28 of the melt-receiving vessel 15. In particular, several spring elements 29 can be arranged distributed around the circumference between the head unit 19 and the melt-receiving vessel 15. The spring elements 29 serve to press the melt-receiving vessel 15 against the bottom cover 21.

[0055] As can be seen from Figure 1, a plug 30 can be formed which serves to close the outlet opening 16. In particular, it can be designed that the plug 30 is displaceable in a plug axis direction 31 relative to the melt-receiving vessel 15. The plug 30 is displaceable in the plug axis direction 31 by an actuator 32.

[0056] Additionally, a heating element 33 designed to heat the plug 30 may be disposed within the plug 30. In particular, the heating element 33 may be coupled to a power cable 34, which serves to transmit electrical energy for heating the heating element 33. The power cable 34 may be disposed on the head unit 19.

[0057] As can be further seen in Fig. 1, a vessel holder 47 can be arranged under the barrel 14. The vessel holder 47 can serve to receive or hold the melt-receiving vessel 15 when the bottom cover 21 is removed from the barrel 14 and replaced by the lance 13. In particular, the vessel holder 47 can be formed parallel to the bottom cover 21.

[0058] Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the plug 30 according to one embodiment. Fig. 3 shows a corresponding cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2.

[0059] In the illustrations of FIGS. 2 and 3, the plug 30 is shown in its closed position, so that it projects into the outlet opening 16 .

[0060] 3, the plug 30 may have an outer wall 35, which may be hollow cylindrical. The rod-shaped heating element 33 may be housed within the outer wall 35. Furthermore, embedded powder 36 may be formed between the outer wall 35 and the rod-shaped heating element 33. The embedded powder 36 may be used to compensate for temperature-related thermal expansion between the outer wall 35 and the heating element 33.

[0061] As can be seen particularly well in Figure 3, the plug 30 can have an outer diameter 37. The outlet opening 16 can have an inner diameter 38. In particular, the outer diameter 37 of the plug 30 can be smaller than the inner diameter 38 of the outlet opening 16, thereby forming an annular gap 39 between the plug 30 and the inner wall of the outlet opening 16. The provision of the annular gap 39 allows the plug 30 to be inserted into the outlet opening 16 or to be closed without contacting the melt-receiving vessel 15.

[0062] Figure 4 shows the bottom cover 21 of the first embodiment. As can be seen from Figure 4, the bottom cover 21 can have a recess 40 in the area of ​​the central recess 24. The recess 40 can be designed in such a way that the connecting element 25 of the lance 13 can be received therein in a form-fitting manner. In particular, in the installed state of the bottom cover 21, it can be provided that the recess 40 is formed above or facing the melt-receiving chamber 4.

[0063] Furthermore, a tab 41 may be provided in which the through hole 23 is arranged. The tab 41 may be designed to protrude radially outwards.

[0064] As can be seen in Fig. 4, a corresponding step 42 can be formed in the bottom flange 20. The step 42 allows the bottom cover 21 to be centered on the bottom flange 20. In particular, a first sealing groove 43 can be formed in the area of ​​the step 42. The first sealing groove 43 can be formed in the axial end face of the step 42 and serves to accommodate an axial seal.

[0065] Additionally, a second sealing groove 44 may be formed in the stepped portion 42. The second sealing groove 44 may be disposed on a circumferential surface of the stepped portion 42 and may serve to accommodate a radial seal.

[0066] 4, recesses 45 may be formed in the bottom cover 21. The recesses 45 may serve to reduce the weight of the bottom cover 21. In particular, webs 46 may be formed between the recesses 45.

[0067] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a detail for connecting the lance 13 to the melt-containing vessel 15, in which the same reference numbers or component designations are used for the same components as in Figures 1 to 4, and reference is made to the detailed description of Figures 1 to 4 in order to avoid undue repetition.

[0068] As can be seen from Fig. 5, the fastening socket 48 of the melt-receiving vessel 15 can protrude through the bottom cover 21. In this case, the melt-receiving vessel 15 can be provided with a step corresponding to the step 42 in the bottom cover 21, which can serve together with the step 42 for the axial positioning of the melt-receiving vessel 15. Furthermore, the fastening socket 48 can be provided with an external thread which serves to interact with a union nut 49, which can be used to hold the lance 13 on the melt-receiving vessel 15.

[0069] In particular, the union nut 49 can have a retaining ring 50 which positively engages in a form-fitting manner with the connecting element 25, whereby the connecting element 25 is pressed by the union nut 49 against the contact surface 27. In particular, a first seal 51 can be arranged between the connecting element 25 and the contact surface 27. Furthermore, a second seal 52 can be arranged between the retaining ring 50 of the union nut 49 and the connecting element 25 of the lance 13. Furthermore, a third seal 53 can be arranged between the union nut 49 and the bottom cover 21.

[0070] In particular, when the union nut 49 is screwed in or the lance 13 is fastened, a seal can be achieved between the lance 13 and the melt-receiving vessel 15, between the lance 13 and the union nut 49, and between the union nut 49 and the bottom cover 21. Thus, on the one hand, a melt-tight connection between the lance 13 and the melt-receiving vessel 15 can be achieved. On the other hand, this allows a gas-tight connection of the outer casing 14 to be achieved. This allows a negative pressure to be generated in the melt-receiving chamber 4.

[0071] Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of a melt transport device 1, where again the same reference numbers or component designations are used for the same components as in Figures 1 to 5. In order to avoid undue repetition, reference is made to the detailed description of Figures 1 to 5.

[0072] As can be seen from Fig. 6, a first lance 13a and a second lance 13b may be formed. Furthermore, a first melt-containing vessel 15a and a second melt-containing vessel 15b may be formed. The two melt-containing vessels 15a and 15b may both be disposed within the outer casing 14.

[0073] Furthermore, each of the lances 13a, 13b can be cranked and can rotate about a vertical axis relative to the outer casing 14. The vertical axis can be located in the middle of the connection of the lances 13a, 13b to the melt-receiving vessels 15a, 15b, making it possible to adjust the distance between the two pouring openings 6a, 6b of the two lances 13a, 13b relative to each other.

[0074] Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of a melt transport device 1, where again the same reference numbers or component designations are used for the same components as in Figures 1 to 6. In order to avoid undue repetition, reference is made to the detailed description of Figures 1 to 6.

[0075] As can be seen from FIG. 7, a first lance 13a and a second lance 13b can be formed. Furthermore, a first melt-containing vessel 15a and a second melt-containing vessel 15b can be formed, and the lances 13a and 13b can be assigned to the associated melt-containing vessels 15a and 15b, respectively. Both of the two melt-containing vessels 15a and 15b can be arranged in the outer casing 14. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the first melt-containing vessel 15a and the second melt-containing vessel 15b can be accommodated in separate chambers. This allows the first melt-containing vessel 15a and the second melt-containing vessel 15b to be subjected to different negative pressures and the casting process to be controlled differently. In particular, different melts can be accommodated in the first melt-containing vessel 15a and the second melt-containing vessel 15b.

[0076] As can be seen in FIG. 7, the pouring openings 6a, 6b of the two lances 13a, 13b can be arranged at different heights.

[0077] The embodiments show possible embodiment variations, whereby in this respect the invention is not limited to the specifically exemplified embodiment variations, but rather the individual embodiment variations can also be combined with one another in various ways, the possibilities of which are within the scope of the person skilled in the art by the teaching of the technical acts of the objective invention.

[0078] The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and the drawings must be used to interpret the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the different embodiments shown and described can represent independent inventive solutions. The problem underlying the independent inventive solution can be taken from the description.

[0079] All information regarding ranges of values ​​in this description is to be understood as including any and all subranges thereof, for example an indication of 1 to 10 is understood to include all subranges beginning with a lower limit of 1 and an upper limit of 10, i.e. all subranges beginning with a lower limit of 1 or more and ending with an upper limit of 10 or less, for example 1 to 1.7, 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

[0080] Finally, it should be noted that for clarity and to better understand the structure, some elements are not shown to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1. Melt transport device 2. Melt 3 Melt container 4 Melt Containment Chamber 5. Spout 6 pouring opening 7 Gas Valve 8 Maximum filling level 9. Pressure detection means 10 Suction tube 11 Vacuum Pump 12. Siphon 13. Lance 14 External cylinder 15 Melt container 16 Outlet opening 17 Bottom melt container 18 Casing 19 Head Unit 20 Bottom flange 21 Bottom cover 22 Fastening means 23 Through hole 24 Central recess 25 Connection Elements 26 Recess 27 Contact surface 28 Top of melt container 29 Spring elements 30 Plug 31 Plug axial direction 32 Actuator 33 Heating element 34 Power Cable 35 Exterior Wall 36 Embedding Powder 37 Plug outer diameter 38 Inside diameter of outlet opening 39 Annular gap 40 Depression 41 Tabs 42 Step 43 First sealing groove 44 Second sealing groove 45 Recess 46 Web 47 Container Holder 48 Fastening socket 49 Union nut 50 retaining ring 51 First Seal 52 Second Seal 53 Third Seal

Claims

1. A melt transport device (1) comprising a melt-containing vessel (3) having a melt-containing chamber (4) formed therein, and a spout (5) connected to the melt-containing vessel (3), the spout (5) having a pouring opening (6) fluidly connected to the melt-containing chamber (4), a gas valve (7) fluidly connected to the melt receiving chamber (4) and designed to regulate the input of gas into the melt receiving chamber (4).

2. The melt transport device (1) of claim 1, characterized in that the melt container (3) has an airtight outer cylinder (14), a melt container (15) is arranged in the airtight outer cylinder (14), the melt container (15) is formed from a first material and the airtight outer cylinder (14) is at least partially formed from a second material, and the first material and the second material have different material properties from each other.

3. The melt transport device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the second material of the gas-tight outer cylinder (14) comprises a metal material, in particular a steel material, and / or the first material of the melt storage vessel (15) comprises a fiber-reinforced material, in particular a glass-fiber-reinforced material.

4. The melt transport device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the gas-tight outer cylinder (14) comprises a casing (18) and a bottom flange (20), the casing (18) being connected to the bottom flange (20), in particular by welding.

5. 5. The melt transport device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the gas-tight outer cylinder (14) comprises a bottom cover (21) which is detachably connected to the bottom flange (20) by fastening means (22).

6. 6. The melt transport device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the spout (5) is designed as a lance (13), which is received in a form-fitting manner in a central recess (24) of the bottom cover (21).

7. The melt transport device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the lance (13) has a connecting element (25), the melt storage vessel (15) has a contact surface (27), and the connecting element (25) is pressed against the contact surface (27) by the bottom cover (21).

8. 8. The melt transport device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the melt-receiving vessel (15) is preloaded towards the bottom cover (21) by a number of spring elements (29).

9. The melt transport device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the airtight outer cylinder (14) is provided with a head unit (19), which is connected to the casing (18), particularly by welding.

10. The melt transport device (1) according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the spring elements (29) are supported on the head unit (19).

11. The melt transport device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a plug (30) is formed, which is designed to be displaceable in a plug axis direction (31) on the melt storage vessel (3) and serves to close the spout (5).

12. Melt transport device (1) according to claims 9 and 11, characterized in that the plug (30) is displaceably attached to the head unit (19) by an actuator (32).

13. The melt transport device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the plug (30) comprises a heating element (33) disposed within the plug (30).

14. The melt transport device (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the plug (30) has an outer wall (35), an embedding powder (36), in particular magnesium oxide powder, is contained within the outer wall (35), and the heating element (33) is embedded within the embedding powder (36).

15. The melt transport device (1) according to claim 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that the heating element (33) is connected to a plurality of power cables (34), the power cables (34) being freely guided between the head unit (19) and the plug (30) so as to enable relative movement of the plug (30) with respect to the head unit (19).

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