Ceramic Slide Plate with Variable Spout Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide plate systems for controlling molten metal flow in metallurgical vessels face challenges in optimizing flow rates and reducing wear and corrosion, especially when opening and closing, due to uniform flow openings that lead to increased erosion and air infiltration.
Innovation Solution
The design of slide plates with at least two spout openings of different cross-sectional areas, where the shortest distance between adjacent openings is less than the greatest chord, allowing for adjustable flow by aligning or partially overlapping openings to create multiple flow paths, reducing wear and optimizing flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform flow openings are used in slide plate systems, then manufacturing is simplified, but erosion and corrosion increase during opening and closing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing at least one flow opening with a smaller cross-sectional area among multiple flow openings. This creates non-uniform local characteristics in the flow distribution, allowing different regions to handle flow differently - the smaller opening reduces erosion during critical operations while other openings maintain adequate flow capacity.
2Productivity
If multiple flow openings of different sizes are used, then flow control is optimized and wear is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the flow control function into multiple separate flow openings with different cross-sectional areas. Instead of using a single complex adjustable opening, the system segments the flow paths into multiple fixed openings of varying sizes, allowing optimized flow control through selective alignment during operation.
3Productivity
If the shortest distance between adjacent spouts is less than the greatest chord, then multiple flow paths are created for fine flow adjustment, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the slide plate to move relative to the fixed plate, dynamically changing which flow openings align and how much they overlap. This relative motion allows continuous adjustment of the effective flow area by varying the degree of alignment between corresponding openings on different plates, providing fine flow control without requiring extremely precise fixed positioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a refractory ceramic slide plate and an associated slide plate set.