Telescopic Slag Door Panel for Electric Arc Furnace Scraping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slag doors in electric arc furnaces have limited scraping effectiveness due to restricted movement of the lower panel, which hinders efficient removal of slag and materials around the slag discharge opening.

Innovation Solution

A telescopic slide-out structure for the lower panel allows for extended movement into the furnace interior and back, enabling effective scraping along the slag discharge opening and adjacent surfaces, combined with non-linear movement patterns and hydraulic actuation for enhanced cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the lower panel follows a lever parallelogram mechanism, then the panel can be pushed through the slag discharge opening into the furnace, but the scraping path is limited with respect to its length and effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescraping path lengthVSAvoidscraping effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static lever parallelogram mechanism into a dynamic telescopic slide-out structure that extends the scraping path. The lower panel incorporates a telescopic mechanism with multiple segments that can extend and retract, allowing the panel to reach further into the furnace interior and scrape along longer surface areas while maintaining operational control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds an extension dimension to the lower panel by incorporating a telescopic slide-out structure. This allows the panel to not only move along the original lever parallelogram path but also extend further into the furnace interior, creating a multi-dimensional movement capability that significantly increases the scraping path length and effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the lower panel is hinged for scraping movement, then the panel can contact furnace surfaces, but the scraping path is limited in length

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescraping efficiencyVSAvoidscraping path length
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lower panel is divided into multiple telescopic segments that can extend and retract independently. This segmentation allows the panel to achieve a longer overall scraping path while maintaining the flexibility needed for effective contact with furnace surfaces. The segmented structure enables the panel to navigate complex geometries while extending the total scraping distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic slide-out structure employs a nested configuration where multiple panel segments are housed within each other. When extended, these nested segments unfold to provide a significantly longer scraping path. When retracted, they nest back into a compact form, allowing the panel to maintain its hinged movement capability while dramatically increasing the available scraping length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Length of moving object

If a telescopic slide-out structure is implemented, then the panel can be moved along a long distance into the furnace, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement distanceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic slide-out structure is integrated with the existing lever parallelogram mechanism to create a multi-functional system. The lower panel serves both as a closing element for the slag door and as a scraping tool with extended reach. This universal design allows the same structure to perform multiple functions (closing, scraping, reaching) without requiring entirely separate mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the added telescopic capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 telescopic slide-out design enables reproducible and quick removal of slag and materials from all areas around the slag discharge opening, improving scraping efficiency and adaptability to irregular surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

hydraulic actuation for enhanced cleaning

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP2489971B1Furnace slag door and corresponding furnace
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 SMS GRP SPA
  • EP2489971B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2489971B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2489971B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a furnace slag door, comprising at least one panel which is moveable, in a mounted state of the slag door, from an opened position, in which the panel is remote from a corresponding slag discharge opening within the furnace wall to a closed position, in which the panel covers at least part of said slag discharge opening. The invention further comprises a corresponding furnace equipped with such slag door. The furnace is, in particular, an electric arc furnace (EAF) but may be as well of another type.