Impact Pot Vertical Barriers for Symmetrical Metal Melt Flow

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing impact pots struggle with misalignment of ladle shrouds, leading to asymmetrical flow patterns and increased turbulence during metal melt pouring, which affects product quality.

Innovation Solution

The impact pot design incorporates a plurality of vertical barriers with a vertical dimension at least 10% larger than their horizontal dimension, positioned below adjacent horizontal barriers, creating vertical channels that promote symmetrical flow by diffusing and homogenizing the metal melt, even under misalignment conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If horizontal barriers are used to reduce turbulence, then turbulence reduction is improved, but flow symmetry deteriorates under misalignment conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveturbulenceVSAvoidflow symmetry

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The impact pot is segmented into multiple vertical channels by providing a plurality of vertical barriers (at least three) that divide the internal space. This segmentation allows the flow to be distributed symmetrically across multiple channels, preventing asymmetrical flow patterns even when the ladle shroud is misaligned. Each vertical barrier creates a defined flow path that contributes to overall flow symmetry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the impact pot are given different functional qualities through the strategic placement of vertical barriers at specific locations (front wall, side walls, rear wall). The vertical barriers have specific dimensions (vertical dimension at least 10% larger than horizontal dimension) and positions that are optimized for their local flow control function, creating symmetrical flow patterns throughout the entire pot.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If ladle shroud alignment is not controlled, then operational flexibility is improved, but flow pattern stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepouring flexibilityVSAvoidflow pattern stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The vertical barriers are designed with asymmetric dimensions (vertical dimension at least 10% larger than horizontal dimension) and asymmetric positioning throughout the impact pot. This intentional asymmetry in the barrier configuration creates a flow distribution system that compensates for asymmetric pouring conditions, maintaining stable and symmetrical flow patterns regardless of ladle shroud alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The vertical barriers are pre-positioned within the impact pot to anticipate and correct for potential misalignment issues before pouring occurs. The barriers create predetermined flow paths and vertical channels that guide the metal flow into symmetrical patterns, preventing asymmetrical flow development from the outset rather than correcting it afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If vertical barriers with large vertical dimension are used, then flow homogenization is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow homogeneityVSAvoidbarrier configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vertical barriers extend primarily in the vertical dimension (at least 10% larger than their horizontal dimension), utilizing the vertical space within the impact pot to create flow homogenization. By emphasizing the vertical dimension rather than horizontal expansion, the design achieves effective flow control without excessively increasing the overall footprint or complexity of the barrier configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The vertical barriers serve multiple functions simultaneously: they create vertical channels for flow distribution, define vertical boundaries for flow paths, and contribute to overall flow symmetry. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving flow homogenization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4561773B1Impact pot with vertical and horizontal barriers

Publication Date: 2026.04.08 REFRACTORY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b

AI summary

To improves flow properties of metal melts poured into an impact pot (1), in particular for off-centered and/or angled pouring of the melt, the impact pot (1) comprises a bottom (10) having an impact surface (10s), a wall (12) having an inner surface (12i), the wall (12) extending from said bottom (10) upwardly to an upper end (14) of the impact pot (11), the inner surface (12i) of the wall (12) and the impact surface (10s) defining an inner space (16), wherein a number of horizontal barriers (2) is provided, the number of horizontal barriers (2) projecting in a protrusion direction (p) from the inner surface (12i) of the wall (12) into the inner space (16), the impact pot (1) further comprising a plurality of vertical barriers (3) projecting in protrusion direction (p) from the inner surface (12i) of the wall (12) into the inner space (16), wherein the plurality of vertical barriers (3) is arranged below the number of horizontal barriers (2) which is adjacent to the respective vertical barrier.