Elongated stopper device

Abstract

The invention relates to an elongated stopper device for flow control of molten metal, i.e., for controlling the flow of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel, such as a tundish.

1 . An elongated stopper device for flow-control of molten metal from a vessel, containing molten metal, said device comprising: 
 a) a body ( 10 ) made of a refractory ceramic material,    b) a bore hole ( 12 ), having a longitudinal axis (A) and extending from an upper surface ( 10   u ) of said body downwardly,    c) said bore hole ( 12 ) being equipped along its length with at least one anchor ( 16 ) of a different material, fixed within said body ( 10 ) between the upper surface ( 10   u ) of said body ( 10 ) and a lower end of said bore hole ( 12 ) and projecting radially into said bore hole with its main surfaces ( 16   u ,  16   l ) running predominantly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the bore hole ( 12 ),    d) said anchor ( 16 ) being adapted to receive and fix one threaded end ( 14   l ) of a metal rod ( 14 ), inserted into said bore hole ( 12 ).    
   
   
       2 . Stopper device according to  claim 1 , wherein said metal rod ( 14 ) has an at least partially threaded section ( 14   l ) at its inserted end.  
   
   
       3 . Stopper device according to  claim 1 , including a sealing member ( 18 ) being arranged adjacent to said anchor ( 16 ).  
   
   
       4 . Stopper device according to  claim 3 , wherein said sealing member ( 18 ) being arranged along a circumferential wall ( 12   u ) of said bore hole ( 12 ) below said part ( 16 ), extending radially into said bore hole and longitudinally along a certain length (L) of said bore hole ( 12 ) and adapted to receive said rod ( 14 ) in a threadably manner.  
   
   
       5 . Stopper device according to  claim 3 , wherein said sealing member ( 18 ) has a cylindrical shape.  
   
   
       6 . Stopper device according to  claim 3 , wherein that part of the bore hole ( 12 ) receiving the sealing member ( 18 ) is conically designed with its smaller part at its lower end.  
   
   
       7 . Stopper device according to  claim 3 , wherein said rod ( 14 ) has a smaller width at its part which first enters said sealing member ( 18 ) than at its part on top.  
   
   
       8 . Stopper device according to  claim 3 , wherein said sealing member ( 18 ) is made of graphite.  
   
   
       9 . Stopper device according to  claim 1 , wherein said anchor ( 16 ) has a sheet like shape with its main surfaces ( 16   u ,  16   l ) running predominantly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the bore hole ( 12 ).  
   
   
       10 . Stopper device according to  claim 1 , wherein said anchor ( 16 ) is made of at least two sheets each designed like a ring section and arranged at a distance to each other along an imaginary helical line.  
   
   
       11 . Stopper device according to  claim 1 , wherein said anchor ( 16 ) is made of three sheets each designed like a ring section and arranged at equal distances to each other along an imaginary helical line.  
   
   
       12 . Stopper device according to  claim 1 , wherein said anchor ( 16 ) is a snap ring.  
   
   
       13 . Stopper device according to  claim 12 , wherein said snap ring encircles more than 180°.  
   
   
       14 . Stopper device according to  claim 12 , wherein said snap ring encircles less than 360°.  
   
   
       15 . Stopper device according to  claim 12 , wherein said snap ring encircles 360°.  
   
   
       16 . Stopper device according to  claim 12 , wherein said snap ring encircles more than 360°.  
   
   
       17 . Stopper device according to  claim 12 , wherein said snap ring encircles less than 450° 
   
   
       18 . Stopper device according to  claim 1 , wherein said anchor ( 16 ) is made of metal.  
   
   
       19 . Stopper device according to  claim 1 , wherein said rod ( 14 ) has an axial bore ( 14   c ).  
   
   
       20 . Stopper device according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchor(s) ( 16 ) are arranged at an angle α of between 1 and 5° with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the bore hole ( 12 ).