Sliding Closure Thermal Stress Mitigation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Sliding closures for metallurgical containers face high wear and tear, particularly due to high temperatures during casting, leading to stress and the risk of cracks in the fireproof components and housing, especially around the spout and inlet sleeves.

Innovation Solution

A two-part configuration for the slide unit and housing, where an inner part is detachably connected to an outer part and is thermally expandable, forming a radial air gap with the spout sleeve to act as a temperature barrier, reducing stress and the risk of cracks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the housing and slide unit are made as single-piece structures, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the thermal stresses at high-temperature points cause cracks and reduce reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to thermal stress and crack formationVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into an outer housing part and an inner housing part that can be detached from each other. The slide unit is divided into an outer slide unit part and an inner slide unit part. This segmentation allows each part to expand thermally independently, preventing stress concentration and crack formation at the joints, thereby improving reliability under high thermal stress conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes thermal expansion parameter changes by allowing the inner parts to expand freely relative to the outer parts during heating. The detachable connections enable the inner housing part and inner slide unit part to increase their dimensions independently, accommodating thermal expansion without generating harmful stresses that would cause cracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the inner part is detachably connected to the outer part, then thermal stresses are dissipated and crack risk is reduced, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestress dissipation and crack preventionVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing and slide unit are segmented into outer and inner detachable parts, allowing independent thermal expansion and stress relief. This segmentation is implemented with simple detachable connections that do not require complex fastening mechanisms, maintaining ease of assembly while achieving the reliability benefits of stress dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If the fireproof components are made thicker to withstand high temperatures, then the structural strength is improved, but the wear and tear increases and component lifespan decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strength at high temperatureVSAvoidcomponent lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the housing and slide unit into detachable inner and outer parts, the invention reduces thermal stress concentration at critical interfaces. This allows the use of thinner, more wear-resistant materials that can be easily replaced if worn, rather than requiring thick components that would suffer from stress-induced cracking. The detachable design facilitates periodic replacement of worn inner parts without replacing the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This configuration effectively dissipates thermal stresses at high-temperature points, reducing the risk of cracks and improving the durability of the sliding closure components.

Implementation Method 1

an inner part enclosing the spout sleeve and the inlet sleeve and which is detachably connected to the other part of the housing or the slide unit and is thermally expandable with respect to the latter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

the radial air gap forming a temperature barrier between the spout sleeve and the slide unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS8939331B2Sliding closure for a metallurgical container

Publication Date: 2015.01.27 STOPINC AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a sliding closure (1) for a metallurgical container, comprising two fireproof closing plates (3; 5), of which one is arranged in a slide unit (6) and is used to open and close a spout opening (10). The other closing plate (3) is arranged in a metal housing (2) that can be fastened to the container. Said stationary housing (2) and the slide unit (6) also accommodate an upper fireproof inlet sleeve (4) on the container side and a lower fireproof spout sleeve (8). In the housing (2) and in the slide unit (6), at least one additional inner part (2a, 2a′, 7a) is arranged in each case, each additional inner part enclosing the spout sleeve (8) or the inlet sleeve (4). Thus, thermal stresses in the slide unit or in the housing can be reduced and the risk of cracks forming can be significantly reduced.