APPARATUS FOR CHANGING TUYERES ON A BLAST FURNACE

摘要

Apparatus for changing tuyere and tuyere stock assemblies of a blast furnace in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes support rail means extending around the furnace and fixed a selected distance above the level of the tuyeres of the furnace. A primary carriage is arranged for travel along said rail means and first motor means are provided for effecting such travel. A guide frame is connected to the primary carriage and depends downwardly therefrom. The guide frame is connected for rotation about a vertical axis relative to the primary carriage. A second motor means is provided for effecting this relative rotation about the vertical axis. A carriage support frame is associated with the guide frame and is adapted to travel upwardly and downwardly along the latter in a vertical path. Third motor means are connected between the carriage support frame and the main support carriage to effect the upward and downward movement of the carriage support frame. The carriage support frame includes an elongated horizontal section defining a path of travel for a tuyere stock support carriage. A tuyere stock support carriage is disposed on the carriage support frame for travel along the horizontal section thereof at a level corresponding generally to the level of the tuyeres. Fourth motor means are provided for effecting movement of the tuyere stock support carriage along the horizontal section of the support frame. The tuyere stock support carriage has clamp means thereon for engaging and holding a tuyere stock. By selective actuation of the above-noted first, second, third and fourth motor means, the tuyere stock support carriage may be brought into close juxtaposition and alignment with a tuyere stock and the clamp means engaged therewith and the tuyere assembly either retracted from or inserted into the blast furnace in a prescribed manner.