Metallurgical Slide Gate Bracing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding closures for metallurgic containers face challenges in ensuring uniform bracing and tight sealing of closing plates, particularly after multiple operational uses, due to the need for individual adjustment and specific torque requirements of clamping screws.

Innovation Solution

A bracing mechanism featuring pivotably housed clamping levers and supports with adjustable contact surfaces, actuated by a laterally displaceable adjusting member, ensures uniform bracing and sealing by engaging clamping levers with supports to maintain optimal contact between closing plates and the housing or cover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If clamping screws are used to fasten the cover to the housing, then the closing plates can be pressed together, but the screws require individual adjustment and specific torque to function faultlessly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefaultless function of closing platesVSAvoidadjustment and tightening of clamping screws

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping levers are designed to automatically adjust and maintain optimal clamping force on the closing plates through their pivotable movement, eliminating the need for manual torque adjustment and individual screw tightening while ensuring reliable sealing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The bracing mechanism allows the clamping force parameter to be dynamically adjusted through the pivotable movement of clamping levers, enabling the system to maintain optimal sealing pressure automatically without fixed torque requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple clamping screws are used to secure the cover, then the closing plates can be braced, but the bracing uniformity degrades after many operational uses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform bracing of closing platesVSAvoidoperational lifespan maintaining bracing uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping levers are designed as dynamic pivotable components that can automatically adapt to wear and thermal expansion over time, maintaining uniform bracing pressure on the closing plates throughout the operational lifespan without degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bracing mechanism is pre-configured with pivotable clamping levers that automatically compensate for thermal expansion and wear effects before they compromise sealing uniformity, ensuring consistent performance from initial operation through extended use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If clamping screws are used to fasten the cover, then the closing plates can be secured, but the system requires precise torque adjustments for optimal performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque specification for clampingVSAvoidadjustment mechanism for clamping screws

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotable clamping levers self-adjust to achieve optimal clamping force distribution across the closing plates, eliminating the need for precise torque specifications and complex adjustment mechanisms while maintaining manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The bracing mechanism consistently and uniformly secures closing plates, maintaining leak-tightness and accommodating thermal expansions and tolerances, ensuring reliable operation even after repeated use without the need for precise torque adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

clamping levers pivotably housed on either side of the housing... wherein the clamping levers are each arranged pivotable against one another or away from one another on both sides

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Implementation Method 2

The bracing mechanism has an adjusting member for the respective actuation of the clamping levers, which member is arranged laterally displaceable in longitudinal direction transverse to the bracing direction of the closing plates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical displacement: Displacement

Data Source

PatentUS12103070B2Slide gate on the spout of a metallurgical vessel

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 REFRACTORY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A sliding closure (10) at the outlet of a metallurgic container is provided with a housing (12), at least one closing plate arranged therein, a longitudinally displaceable closing plate and a cover (15), fastened to the housing (12) by means of a bracing mechanism (20). The closing plates can be pressed against one another by the bracing mechanism (20) via the cover (15). The bracing mechanism (20) having at least one spring member (33) is provided with clamping levers (21, 22) pivotably housed on either side at the housing (12) and supports (23, 24) which cooperate with same, with the result that, by pivoting these clamping levers (21, 22), the cover (15) can be fastened to, or released from, the housing. In this way, the closing plates, which often need to be exchanged, can also be braced, always uniformly and optimally, against one another, even after many operational uses.