Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation

John F Deringer

William M Bloom

Robert J Hall

Ladles and the like into which hot metal is teemed are refractory lined to withstand the high-temperature effects of the hot metal. Prior to teeming of the hot metal into the ladle, the ladle is heated by applying a flame to the interior thereof, which flame is provided by a burner that directs the flame through a ladle cover plate having a substantially flat surface covered with heat-insulating refractory material, which surface is brought into sealing engagement with the ladle. This seal minimizes the amount of heat energy that escapes from the ladle to render the preheating operation more efficient. The rim of the ladle, which contacts in sealing engagement the heat-insulating refractory material of the ladle cover plate, causes wear and damage to the heat-insulating refractory material. Deposits of slag and metal build up along the rim of the ladle and this further contributes to the wear and damage to the heat-insulating refractory material when the ladle cover plate is brought into sealing engagement with the rim of the ladle. The present invention provides a ladle cover plate having a ring of refractory modules that are individually, removably secured to the surface of the ladle cover plate which ring mates with the ladle rim when the ladle cover plate is brought into sealing engagement therewith. Consequently, when excessive wear or damage occurs the modules may be removed and replaced in an efficient and economical manner.

Growing community of inventors

Oakmont, PA, United States of America

John F Deringer