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Impact pad

Impact pad description/claims

The present invention relates to a tundish impact pad, and more particularly to a tundish impact pad that reduces splashing and rebound due to a misaligned, incoming metal stream.

Liquid metal, in particular liquid steel, is often poured from one vessel to another. For example, liquid metal may be poured from a furnace into a ladle, and then from a ladle into a tundish and from a tundish into a mold. When liquid is poured into the tundish from a ladle, it is normally poured into the tundish through an outlet in the bottom of the ladle. The stream of metal from the ladle is metered by a valve and the outlet stream may be enclosed in a ceramic tube, called a ladle shroud, which extends downward from the ladle bottom.

A typical tundish is a trough or box-shaped vessel having a generally horizontal or flat bottom with vertically arranged walls. The stream of metal poured from the ladle, i.e., incoming ladle stream or flow, enters the tundish and impacts the tundish bottom and spreads in all directions. It is known to use tundish impact pads to try to control an incoming ladle stream to reduce erosion of the tundish lining and to effect certain desirable flow patterns in the tundish. In this respect, prior patents purport to control the flow of the molten metal to prevent entrainment of slag and inclusion particles, to prevent disturbance of smooth metal flow, and further, to prevent thermal inhomogeneity, i.e., short circuit flow and different liquid metal residence times.

Most conventional impact pads have tried to minimize turbulence and effect better flow patterns through the use of baffle systems, or ledges or channels integrated in the design of the impact pad.

The present invention provides an impact pad having an inner surface designed to disperse the energy of an incoming metal stream to reduce the likelihood of lateral splashing and rebounding.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an impact pad for receiving a stream of liquid metal. The impact pad has a bottom wall with an upper surface against which the liquid metal is intended to impact. A side wall having an inner surface extends in an upward direction along the periphery of the bottom wall. The bottom wall and side wall define a metal receiving chamber having an open upper end. A plurality of spaced-apart cavities is formed in the inner surface of the side wall.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an impact pad as described above, further comprising spaced-apart cavities formed in the inner surface of the bottom wall.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming an impact pad, comprising the steps of:

providing a cup-shaped outer mold defining an inner cavity;

providing a forming mandrel having a plurality of spaced-apart projections formed on the outer surface thereof;

positioning the forming mandrel within cavity, the mandrel being dimensioned to form a gap between the mandrel and inner surfaces of the mold;

filling the gap with a refractory castable to form a refractory shape; and

separating the forming mandrel from the mold after the refractory has hardened to release a cast refractory shape, the cast refractory shape having a cup-shape with a plurality of spaced-apart cavities along the inner surface thereof.

An advantage of the present invention is an impact pad for receiving a stream of molten metal.

Another advantage of the present invention is an impact pad as described above that dampens and contains a stream of molten metal.

Another advantage of the present invention is an impact pad as described above which reduces the likelihood of lateral splashing of incoming metal stream.

These and other advantages will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment taken together with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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