U.S. patent application number 16/916360 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-22 for fluid cooled housing system for instruments of a metal making furnace.
The applicant listed for this patent is BERRY METAL COMPANY. Invention is credited to Dennis B. Boyle, Vincent J. Civitarese.
Application Number | 20200333075 16/916360 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004929229 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-22 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200333075 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boyle; Dennis B. ; et
al. |
October 22, 2020 |
FLUID COOLED HOUSING SYSTEM FOR INSTRUMENTS OF A METAL MAKING
FURNACE
Abstract
A fluid cooled housing system for use in metal making furnaces.
In particular, the present invention related to a novel and
inventive housing and guard member configured to receive and
protect an implement, such as a burner or a lance, used in
connection with metal making furnaces. A preferred embodiment of
the present invention comprises a housing comprising an outer shell
and an inner shell that define a fluid chamber, an end cap, a
bushing insert, a face plate, a fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet.
Both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are preferably in fluid
communication with both the fluid chamber defined by the shells and
a fluid chamber defined by the bushing insert. In alternative
preferred embodiments, the housing system further comprises a guard
member that preferably envelopes and further protects the fluid
cooled housing.
Inventors: |
Boyle; Dennis B.;
(Pittsburgh, PA) ; Civitarese; Vincent J.;
(Butler, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BERRY METAL COMPANY |
Harmony |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004929229 |
Appl. No.: |
16/916360 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16194251 |
Nov 16, 2018 |
10739073 |
|
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16916360 |
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62730298 |
Sep 12, 2018 |
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62719245 |
Aug 17, 2018 |
|
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62586894 |
Nov 16, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F27B 3/22 20130101; F27D
99/0073 20130101; F27D 1/0003 20130101; F27D 2009/0013 20130101;
F27B 3/24 20130101; F27D 2009/0067 20130101; F27B 3/205 20130101;
F27D 1/12 20130101; F27D 2009/0018 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F27D 1/12 20060101
F27D001/12; F27D 99/00 20060101 F27D099/00; F27D 1/00 20060101
F27D001/00; F27B 3/22 20060101 F27B003/22; F27B 3/24 20060101
F27B003/24; F27B 3/20 20060101 F27B003/20 |
Claims
1. A fluid cooled housing system for use in a metal making furnace,
the fluid cooled housing system comprising: a housing comprising: a
substantially cylindrical outer shell defining a void and having a
first end, a second end, a diameter, and a longitudinal surface
comprising a length that extends from the first end to the second
end; a substantially cylindrical inner shell defining a void and
having a first end, a second end, a diameter and a longitudinal
surface comprising a length that extends from the first end to the
second end; a fluid chamber through which a cooling fluid may flow;
a baffle tube; an end cap comprising a cooling system; a face
plate; a bushing insert comprising a cooling system; a fluid inlet
and a fluid outlet; wherein the diameter of the outer shell is
greater than the diameter of the inner shell, wherein the inner
shell is nested within the void of the outer shell and connected to
the outer shell such that the longitudinal surface of the outer
shell is adjacent to the longitudinal surface of the inner shell
along approximately the entire respective lengths of the respective
longitudinal surfaces, and wherein the longitudinal surface of the
outer shell and the longitudinal surface of the inner shell define
the fluid chamber having a first end and a second end; wherein the
baffle tube is located within the fluid chamber, the fluid chamber
thereby being partitioned by the baffle tube; wherein the end cap
is connected to the first end of the outer shell and the first end
of the inner shell such that the first end of the fluid chamber is
closed off by the end cap; wherein the face plate is connected to
the second end of the outer shell and second end of the inner shell
via a sealing member such that the second end of the fluid chamber
is closed off by the face plate; wherein the bushing insert is both
installed in the void defined by the inner shell and attached to
the end cap; and wherein the fluid inlet is in fluid communication
with both of the fluid chamber and the cooling system of the end
cap, and wherein the fluid outlet is in fluid communication with
both of the fluid chamber and the cooling system of the end
cap.
2. The fluid cooled housing system of claim 1, further comprising a
mounting plate.
3. The fluid cooled housing system of claim 1, wherein the face
plate is substantially ring shaped.
4. The fluid cooled housing system of claim 1, wherein the bushing
insert and the end cap define at least one aperture configured to
receive an implement.
5. The fluid cooled housing system of claim 4, wherein the
implement is selected from the group consisting of a burner, an
oxygen lance, and a material injector.
6. The fluid cooled housing system of claim 1, wherein the cooling
fluid is water.
7. The fluid cooled housing system of claim 1, wherein the fluid
inlet is bifurcated to supply cooling fluid directly to both the
fluid chamber via a first portion of the bifurcated fluid inlet and
to the cooling system of the bushing insert via a second portion of
the bifurcated fluid inlet.
8. The fluid cooled housing system of claim 1, wherein the fluid
outlet is bifurcated to receive cooling fluid directly from both
the fluid chamber via a first portion of the bifurcated fluid
outlet and from the cooling system of the bushing insert via a
second portion of the bifurcated fluid outlet.
9. The fluid cooled housing system of claim 1, further comprising a
guard member having sides, a first end, and a second end.
10. The fluid cooled housing system of claim 9, the guard member
comprising a plurality of panels each having outer surfaces and
forming the sides of the guard member, and a plate comprising an
aperture and connected to all of the panels at the first end of the
guard member.
11. The fluid cooled housing system of claim 10, further comprising
a plurality of protrusions on outer surfaces of the panels, wherein
the protrusions are configured to collect material, such as slag,
on the outer surfaces of the panels.
12. The fluid cooled housing system of claim 11, wherein the
protrusions are approximately "C" shaped.
13. The fluid cooled housing system of claim 11, wherein the guard
member is configured to receive the housing through the aperture of
the plate such that the guard envelopes at least a portion of the
housing.
14. The fluid cooled housing system of claim 13, wherein a castable
refractory material is used to occupy a gap between the guard and
the housing.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of utility patent
application U.S. Ser. No. 16/194,251 filed on Nov. 16, 2018,
provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 62/730,298 filed on
Sep. 12, 2018, provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No.
62/719,245 filed Aug. 17, 2018, and provisional patent application
U.S. Ser. No. 62/586,894 filed Nov. 16, 2017, all of which are
incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a fluid cooled housing
system for use in metal making furnaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In many metal making processes, water-cooled implements are
inserted into a furnace vessel to perform desired metal processing
functions. For instance, in steelmaking processes a water-cooled
lance is inserted into a steelmaking vessel (e.g. a basic oxygen
furnace (BOF), electric arc furnace (EAF), etc.), to promote
melting, decarburization, refining and other processes useful in
converting iron-containing scrap material within the vessel into
steel. A typical lance may in gaseous materials such as oxygen,
hydrocarbon gas and/or inert gas at high velocity at various times
to achieve desired treatment of the charged material (scrap and hot
metal) and/or maintenance or the interior of the vessel. Some
lances may also inject particulate carbon and/or lime (or other
substances) to achieve desired properties in the steel ultimately
produced.
[0004] There exists an unmet reed in the art for fluid cooled
housing systems designed to cool and protect implements, such as
burners, an oxygen lances, and material injectors, inserted into
vessels during the metal making process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention comprises a fluid, preferably water,
cooled housing that may be installed in a side wall of a metal
making furnace to hold and protect burners, oxygen lances, and/or
material injectors, such as those employed for injection of carbon
or lime into a molten metal bath of the furnace. The housing
preferably has a cylindrical shape and extends farther into the
furnace than traditional water cooled "box" style housings.
[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, the housing is
comprised of a mounting plate; an outer shell having an outer
sleeve, an outer tube, a face plate, and an end cap; an inner shell
having an inner tube and a baffle tube; and a bushing insert.
[0007] The mounting plate is preferably formed of steel, and it
structurally supports the housing and is used to mount the housing
to the wall of the furnace.
[0008] The outer shell comprises an outer sleeve that is preferably
formed of copper, whereas the outer tube of the outer shell is
preferably formed of steel. It is contemplated, however, that
alternative embodiments of the present invention may comprise an
outer tube formed of copper instead of steel, and thus the outer
shell may be formed primarily of copper.
[0009] The outer shell and the inner shell are welded together,
thereby forming a chamber that is defined by the outer shell and
the inner shell. The housing has a water inlet and a water outlet
which are used to circulate the cooling water through the chamber,
which is partitioned by the baffle tube.
[0010] The face plate and the end cap close off opposite ends of
the chamber. The face plate also provides a certain structural
support to the housing for the installation of various implements
at a cold side of the housing. The end cap is substantially ring
shaped, and configured to receive the bushing insert.
[0011] The bushing insert is removable, preferably formed of
copper, and comprises pockets configured to receive the respective
ends of implements such as a burner and a lance. The bushing insert
further comprises a water inlet and a water outlet that supplies a
cooling system that is self-contained in the bushing insert and may
comprise one or more cooling channels in the insert. The
self-contained cooling system of the bushing insert helps to cool
the tips of the burner and the lance. Additionally, the bushing
insert is preferably free from welding or other permanent means of
attachment to the housing. Instead the bushing insert is preferably
received and robustly secured to the housing by virtue of the
greater axial and radial thermal expansion of the copper bushing
insert about the steel inner shell that surrounds the bushing
insert when it is installed in the housing.
[0012] The housing of the present invention is a substantial
improvement over conventional water cooled housings because the
cylindrical shape of the present housing deflects slag into the
molten bath of the furnace and helps to prevent adherence of slag
to the housing.
[0013] The housing of the present invention is a substantial
improvement over conventional water cooled housings because the
outer sleeve and the end cap, which are both preferably formed of
copper, have a coefficient of thermal expansion that is
substantially greater than that of steel, and therefore slag that
may have collected on the housing during operation of the furnace
will tend to crack off as the respective temperatures of the
housing and the slag change.
[0014] The housing of the present invention is a substantial
improvement over conventional water cooled housings because the
mechanical design, choice of materials, shape, and general absence
of adhered slag render the housing a lighter weight and more
accessible device for installation and service, as compared to
conventional water cooled "box" style housings.
[0015] The housing of the present invention is a substantial
improvement over conventional water cooled housings because the
bushing insert includes a self-contained cooling system, is
removable, and is readily replaceable as it lacks a means of
permanent attachment to the housing that would otherwise need to be
destroyed in order to remove and replace the bushing insert.
[0016] The housing of the present invention is a substantial
improvement over conventional water cooled housings because the
absence of welds used to secure the bushing insert to the housing
mitigates the possibility that a welded joint at the hot tip of the
housing could catastrophically fail under the intense stresses of
thermal expansion and permit cooling water to enter the molten
metal bath of the furnace and cause on explosion.
[0017] The housing of the present invention is a substantial
improvement over conventional water cooled housings because the
housing is covered and protected by a guard member provided in the
approximate shape of a doghouse. The guard may comprise protrusions
that are preferably "C" shaped with the opening of the "C"
preferably facing upward. The doghouse guard is preferably securely
fixed to the furnace wall to resist the impact of scrap falling
onto it during furnace charging. The burner housing is positioned
inside the guard for protection from impact and heat. The burner
housing is removable from the furnace while leaving the guard in
place.
[0018] A preferred embodiment of the present invention
comprises:
[0019] A fluid cooled housing system for use in a metal making
furnace, the fluid cooled housing system comprising: [0020] a
housing comprising: [0021] a substantially cylindrical outer shell
defining a void and having a first end, a second end, a diameter,
and a longitudinal surface comprising a length that extends from
the first end to the second end; [0022] a substantially cylindrical
inner shell defining a void and having a first end, a second end, a
diameter and a longitudinal surface comprising a length that
extends from the first end to the second end; [0023] a fluid
chamber through which a cooling fluid may flow; [0024] a baffle
tube; [0025] an end cap comprising a cooling system; [0026] a face
plate; [0027] a bushing insert comprising a cooling system; [0028]
a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; [0029] wherein the diameter of
the outer shell is greater than the diameter of the inner shell,
wherein the inner shell is nested within the void of the outer
shell and connected to the outer shell such that the longitudinal
surface of the outer shell is adjacent to the longitudinal surface
of the inner shell along approximately the entire respective
lengths of the respective longitudinal surfaces, and wherein the
longitudinal surface of the outer shell and the longitudinal
surface of the inner shell define the fluid chamber having a first
end and a second end; [0030] wherein the baffle tube is located
within the fluid chamber, the fluid chamber thereby being
partitioned by the baffle tube; [0031] wherein the end cap is
connected to the first end of the outer shell and the first end of
the inner shell such that the first end of the fluid chamber is
closed off by the end cap; [0032] wherein the face plate is
connected to the second end of the outer shell and second end of
the inner shell via a sealing member such that the second end of
the fluid chamber is closed off by the face plate; [0033] wherein
the bushing insert is both installed in the void defined by the
inner shell and attached to the end cap; and [0034] wherein the
fluid inlet is in fluid communication with both of the fluid
chamber and the cooling system of the end cap, and wherein the
fluid outlet is in fluid communication with both of the fluid
chamber and the cooling system of the end cap.
[0035] In an alternative preferred embodiment, the fluid inlet may
be bifurcated to supply cooling fluid directly to both the fluid
chamber via a first portion of the bifurcated fluid inlet and to
the cooling system of the via a second portion of the bifurcated
fluid inlet.
[0036] In yet another alternative preferred embodiment the fluid
outlet is bifurcated to receive cooling fluid directly from both
the fluid chamber via a first portion of the bifurcated fluid
outlet and from the cooling system of the via a second portion of
the bifurcated fluid outlet.
[0037] In yet another alternative preferred embodiment, the fluid
cooled housing system further comprises a guard member having
sides, a first end, and a second end. The guard member may comprise
a plurality of panels each having outer surfaces and forming the
sides of the guard member, and a plate comprising an aperture and
connected to all of the panels at the first end of the guard
member. The guard member may further comprise a plurality of
protrusions on outer surfaces of the panels, wherein the
protrusions are configured to collect material, such as slag, on
the outer surfaces of the panels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0038] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view at C-C of FIG. 3 of a water
cooled housing provided in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention, the water cooled housing having a burner and a
lance installed therein.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a water cooled housing
provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the water cooled housing having a burner and a lance installed
therein.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a front view of a water cooled housing provided in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the water
cooled housing having a burner and a lance installed therein.
[0041] FIG. 4 is an underside perspective view of a water cooled
housing provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention, the water cooled housing having a burner and a lance
installed therein.
[0042] FIG. 5 is front, top side perspective view of a water cooled
housing provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0043] FIG. 6 is front, underside perspective view of the water
cooled housing shown in FIG. 5.
[0044] FIG. 7 is a rear, top side perspective view of the water
cooled housing shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0045] FIG. 8 is a rear view of the water cooled housing shown in
FIGS. 5-7.
[0046] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the water cooled housing
shown in FIGS. 5-8, taken along line A-A of FIG. 8.
[0047] FIG. 10 shows the water cooled housing with a device, such
as a burner, installed therein, and showing a guard member covering
and protecting the water cooled housing.
[0048] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the guard member shown
in FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0049] While the present invention may be susceptible to embodiment
in different forms, there are described herein in detail, specific
embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is
to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the
invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that
described herein.
[0050] FIGS. 1-4 show a water cooled housing 1 provided in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the water
cooled housing 1 having a burner 10 and a lance 20 installed
therein, although the housing 1 may have only one of the burner 10
or lance 20 installed therein as well. The water cooled housing 1
may be installed in a side wall of a metal making furnace (not
shown) to hold and protect various implements, such as burners,
oxygen lances, and/or material injectors, including those employed
for injection of carbon or lime into a molten metal bath of the
furnace. The housing 1 is adaptable and may be configured to house
a single implement or a plurality of implements. The housing 1
preferably has a cylindrical shape and extends into the furnace
beyond the inner diameter of a refractory liner of the furnace and
closer to the bath than traditional water cooled "box" style
housings.
[0051] In an embodiment of the present invention, as best shown in
FIGS. 1-4, the housing 1 is comprised of a mounting plate 30; an
outer shell 40 having an outer sleeve 50, an outer tube 60, a face
plate 70, and an end cap 80; an inner shell 90 having an inner tube
100 and a baffle tube 110; and a bushing insert 120.
[0052] The mounting plate 30 is preferably formed of steel, and it
structurally supports the housing 1 and is used to mount the
housing 1 to the wall of the furnace. The mounting plate will
separate the cold side of the housing 1 from the hot side of the
housing 1, as depicted in FIG. 2.
[0053] The outer shell 40 comprises the outer sleeve 50, the outer
tube 60, the face plate 70, and the end cap 80.
[0054] The outer sleeve 50 is preferably formed of copper, whereas
the outer tube 60 is preferably formed of steel. It is contemplated
that alternative embodiments of the present invention may comprise
an outer tube 60 formed of copper instead of steel, and thus an
outer shell 40 may be formed primarily of copper. The outer sleeve
50 also helps to prevent slag buildup on the housing. This is
because copper has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is
greater than the slag, and if slag has collected on the surface of
the sleeve 50 (the slag perhaps having adopted a shape comparable
to the cylindrical shape of the housing 1) during operation of the
furnace, the slag will remain larger than the copper sleeve 50 when
the slag and the sleeve 50 cool off and consequently tend to crack
off of the housing 1. This general absence of slag buildup also
makes the housing 1 more easily accessible and serviceable.
[0055] The face plate 70 is preferably formed of steel, and it
provides a certain structural support to the housing 1 for the
installation of various implements at a cold side of the housing 1,
such as water supply tubes, burners, lances, and material
injectors. The face plate 70 may be ring shaped and define an
aperture.
[0056] The end cap 80 is preferably formed of copper, substantially
ring shaped, and configured to receive the bushing insert 120.
[0057] The inner shell 90, including the inner tube 100 and the
baffle tube 110, is preferably formed of steel. It is contemplated
that alternative embodiments of the present invention may comprise
an inner tube 100 and a baffle tube 110, both formed of stainless
steel.
[0058] The outer shell 40 and the inner shell 90 are welded
together, thereby forming a chamber 130 that is defined by the
outer shell 40 and the inner shell 90. The housing 1 has a water
inlet and a water outlet (not shown) which are used to circulate
the cooling water through the chamber 130, which is partitioned by
the baffle tube 110. Consequently, the cooling water flows down
from the direction of the face plate 70 toward the end cap 80
between the inner diameter of the outer tube 60 and the outer
sleeve 50 (which are adjacent and comprise the lateral surface of
the outer shell 40) and the outer face of the baffle tube 110, and
then returns up toward the face plate 70 between the outer diameter
of the inner tube 100 and the inner face of the baffle tube 110.
The face plate 70 and the end cap 80 close off opposite ends of the
chamber 130.
[0059] The bushing insert 120 is removable, preferably formed of
copper, and comprises pockets 121 configured to receive the
respective ends of the burner 10 and the lance 20. The bushing
insert 120 further comprises a water inlet and a water outlet that
supplies a cooling system that is self-contained in bushing insert
120 (excluding a water supply) and therefore separate from other
cooling features of the housing 1. The cooling system of the
bushing insert 120 helps to cool the tips of the burner 10 and the
lance 20.
[0060] Additionally, the bushing insert 120 is preferably free from
welding or other permanent attachment to the housing 1. Instead,
the present invention takes advantage of the greater coefficient of
thermal expansion of copper than that of steel to secure the
bushing insert 120 to the housing 1. That is, the bushing insert
120 is received and robustly secured to the housing 1 by virtue of
the greater axial and radial thermal expansion of the copper
bushing insert 120 about the steel inner shell 90 that surrounds
and is married to the bushing insert 120 when the bushing insert
120 is installed in the housing 1.
[0061] The bushing insert 120 of the present invention, having both
a self-contained cooling system and no permanent attachment to the
housing 1, is advantageously removable and replaceable without any
requirement for a weld to be cut prior to removing the bushing
insert 120. Moreover, the absence of any welds used to secure the
bushing insert 120 mitigates the risk that such welds might fail
catastrophically under the thermal stresses of the furnace, and
thereby permit a release of cooling water that could explode upon
contact with the molten metal bath.
[0062] FIGS. 5-9 show a water cooled housing 200, which is much
like the water cooled housing 1 described hereinabove, but where
the water cooled housing 200 is provided in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 5
is front, top side perspective view of the water cooled housing
200, FIG. 6 is front, underside perspective view, FIG. 7 is a rear,
top side perspective view, FIG. 8 is a rear view, and FIG. 9 is a
perspective view taken along line A-A of FIG. 8.
[0063] The water cooled housing 200 shown in FIGS. 5-9 is very much
like the water cooled device shown in FIGS. 1-4, described
hereinabove. Much like the water cooled device 1 shown in FIGS.
1-4, the water cooled device 200 may be installed in a side wall of
a metal making furnace (not shown) to hold and protect various
implements, such as burners, oxygen lances, and/or material
injectors, including those employed for injection of carbon or lime
into a molten metal bath of the furnace. Additionally, the housing
200 is preferably adaptable and may be configured to house a single
implement or a plurality of implements. The housing 200 preferably
has a cylindrical shape and extends into the furnace beyond the
inner diameter of a refractory liner of the furnace and closer to
the bath than traditional water cooled "box" style housings.
Preferably, the housing 200 extends into the furnace beyond the
inner diameter of the refractory liner, and the innermost cavity
450 of the housing 200 is open to the atmosphere outside the
furnace.
[0064] Preferably, the housing 200 is comprised of a mounting ring
or mounting plate 230. Much like the mounting plate 30 associated
with housing 1, the mounting plate or mounting ring 230 is
preferably formed of steel, and it structurally supports the
housing 200 and is used to mount the housing 200 to the wall of the
furnace. The mounting plate 230 effectively separates the cold side
of the housing 200 from the hot side of the housing 1 (such as is
depicted in FIG. 2).
[0065] The housing 200 also preferably includes a face plate
preferably in the form of a shoulder ring 270. As shown best in
FIG. 9, the shoulder ring 270 may include two extending quarter
turn spring lock pins 271, for mounting of the burner 10, as well
as have a bar flat 273 connected thereto which is connected to a
pipe support 275.
[0066] As best shown in FIG. 9, the housing 200 also preferably
includes an outer shell or sleeve 240 having a first end 241 and a
second end 242, an inner shell or sleeve 300 having a first end 302
and a second end 301, and a baffle tube or water baffle 310
disposed between the outer shell 240 and the inner shell 300.
Preferably, the water baffle 310 extends the furthest from the
furnace.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 9, at least one sealing member 272, such as
o-rings, may be provided between the shoulder ring 270 and the
inner shell 300. Preferably, an end cap or housing tip 280 is
provided at the end of the housing 200, and preferably a bushing
insert or sealing plate 320 is engaged with the end cap 280 in the
housing 200. Preferably, the housing tip 280 and sealing plate 320
collectively provide pockets 221 configured to receive the
respective ends of a burner or other implement (i.e., water supply
tubes, lances, material injectors, etc.).
[0068] Both the water baffle 310 and the inner shell 300 are
preferably formed of stainless steel, while the outer shell 240,
housing tip 280 and sealing plate 320 are all preferably formed of
copper, although other materials could be used while still staying
within the scope of the present invention.
[0069] Much like the face plate 70 associated with the water cooled
housing 1 described previously, the face plate or shoulder ring 270
is preferably formed of steel and provides a certain structural
support to the housing 200 for the installation of various
implements at a cold side of the housing 200, such as water supply
tubes, burners, lances, and material injectors.
[0070] The outer shell 240 and inner shell 300 are preferably
welded together (such as at points 399 shown in FIG. 9) to define a
chamber 330 there between, the chamber 300 having a first end 331
and a second end 332. The housing 200 has a water inlet 400 and a
water outlet 410 which are used to circulate the cooling water
through the chamber 330, which is partitioned by the baffle tube or
water baffle 310. Consequently, the cooling water flows down from
the direction of the face plate 270 toward the end cap 280, between
the inner diameter of the outer shell 240 and the outer face of the
water baffle 310, and then returns up toward the face plate 270
between the outer diameter of the inner shell 300 and the inner
face of the water baffle 310. The face plate 270 and the end cap
280 close off opposite ends of the chamber 330.
[0071] The bushing insert or sealing plate 320 is preferably can be
removable from or attached to the end cap 280. Preferably, both
components have at least one opening 221 provided therein to
receive various implements, such as burners, oxygen lances, and/or
material injectors, including those employed for injection of
carbon or lime into a molten metal bath of the furnace. For
example, FIG. 10 shows the housing 200 receiving a burner. FIG. 10
also shows the housing 200 being covered and protected by a guard
member 500, which will be described in more detail later
herein.
[0072] Preferably, the bushing insert or sealing plate 320 further
comprises a water inlet 400 and a water outlet 410 that supplies a
cooling system that is self-contained and therefore separate from
other cooling features of the housing 200. The cooling system of
the bushing insert or sealing 320 helps to cool the tip of the
burner, or really any other device which extends through the
housing 200. The cooling system may comprise cooling channels where
fluid may flow.
[0073] In some alternative embodiments, the bushing insert or
sealing plate may be free from welding or other permanent
attachment to the housing. Instead, the present invention takes
advantage of the greater coefficient of thermal expansion of copper
than that of stainless steel to secure the bushing insert to the
housing. That is, the bushing insert can be received and robustly
secured to the housing by virtue of the greater axial and radial
thermal expansion of the copper bushing insert about the stainless
steel inner sleeve that surrounds and is married to the bushing
insert when the bushing insert is installed in the housing.
[0074] The bushing insert of such alternative embodiments, having
both a self-contained cooling system and no permanent attachment to
the housing, can be removable and replaceable without any
requirement for a weld to be cut prior to removing the bushing
insert. Moreover, the absence of any welds used to secure the
bushing insert mitigates the risk that such welds might fail
catastrophically under the thermal stresses of the furnace, and
thereby permit a release of cooling water that could explode upon
contact with the molten metal bath.
[0075] The sealing plate 320 and end cap 280 have a self-contained
cooling system to provide more efficient cooling to the various
implements housed within.
[0076] The water inlet 400 and water outlet 410 will now be
described in more detail. Preferably, the water inlet 400 and
outlet 410 collectively function to provide water both to and from
the chamber 330 in the housing 200, as well as both to and from the
housing tip 280. This can be achieved using many different
structures, but a specific, preferred structure will now be
described.
[0077] Preferably, both the water inlet 400 and water outlet 410
comprise structure for connecting to a hose. As shown in FIG. 8,
such structure could be, for example, an adapter bushing 411. The
adapter bushing 411 is preferably connected to an adapter 412. The
adapter 412 is preferably connected to a water elbow 414 that is
preferably welded to an opening provided on the outer shell 240.
This structure effectively functions to provide a fluid path both
to and from the chamber 330 (see FIG. 9) inside the housing 200,
preferably 360 degrees around the interior of the housing 200.
[0078] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 8, the adapter 412 provides a
hose barb 416 that is connected to a hose 418 that engages a hose
barb elbow 420 (see FIG. 9) that engages a pipe 422 that extends
through an interior of the housing 200 and connects to the housing
tip 280, such that water is provided to and from the housing tip
280, and circulates through chamber 460, the chamber 460 preferably
extending on an arcuate path through the body of the tip 280.
[0079] As such, the water inlet 400 and outlet 410 collectively
function to provide water both to and from the chamber 330 in the
housing 200, as well as both to and from the housing tip 280,
thereby providing beneficial cooling of the housing 200 and, in
turn, any implements extending therethrough. The fact that a second
water cooled area is provided in the tip 280 aides, through
conduction, in the cooling of any implement which extends through
the housing 200.
[0080] As discussed hereinabove, preferably the housing 200 is
covered and protected by a guard member 500 such as is shown in
FIG. 10. Preferably, the guard member 500 is shaped and configured
to protect the housing 200 from direct impacts during furnace
charging. In a preferred embodiment the guard 500 is provided such
that two panels 502 converge at an approximate 90 degree or obtuse
angle at the upward facing portion of the housing 200, as shown in
FIG. 10. The panels 502 comprises surfaces 520. The guard 500
comprises first end 530 and second end 540. Additional side panels
502 meet the two upper panels 502 to complete the portion of the
guard 500 that covers and protects the hot side portion of the
housing 200. In this configuration, the guard 500 is provided in
the approximate shape of a "doghouse." It is contemplated that the
guard 500 may be comprises a plurality of panels or a unitary
structure formed in the aforementioned shape to protect the housing
200. This allows the guard 500 and the housing 200 to be designed
for their own specialized functions, and allows them to be
independently replaced if need be. The guard 500 may comprise
protrusions 550, which can help collect material on the surface of
the guard 500 to provide an additional layer of thermal and
mechanical protection for the housing 200. The protrusions may be
"C" shaped as shown in FIG. 10, with the opening of the "C" facing
upward. Alternative shapes and configurations for the protrusions
550 are contemplated. As shown in FIG. 10, the guard member 500
preferably has the extending panels 502 which function to shield
the housing 200, and those panels 502 are preferably connected to a
plate 504. As shown in FIG. 11, preferably, the back 506 of the
plate 504 has structure which functions to facilitate connection of
the guard to the furnace (not shown). For example, c-shaped
channels 508, threaded posts 510, and an angle attachment 512 could
be provided on the back 506 of the plate 504. Plate 504 preferably
defines aperture 550. Castable refractory material may be installed
in the guard 500 to occupy a gap between it and the housing 200.
This refractory material aids in heat transfer between the guard
500 and the housing 200.
[0081] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown
and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may
devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
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