US3746328A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid bearing support for tiltable metallurgical vessels
Assignee: National Steel Corp
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Filing: 1971-09-28
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-09-28
Abstract
Abstract Concept and application of balanced fluid load support of tiltable, heavy loads, for example metallurgical vessels such as a basic oxygen furnace. Fluid bearing structures are provided which compensate for sag along the axis of BOF trunnion shafts due to the weight of the vessel and its load and also compensate for effects of sag during repeatedly changing load and tilting conditions. Such fluid bearing structures also provide for expansion along the axis of the trunnion shafts due to changing temperature conditions encountered by the vessel and its support structure, provide for long-life ease of rotation of the vessel about the trunnion shaft axis, and further provide indications of bearing operating conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 J Martt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:14
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C32/00; F16C32/06; F16C32/0629; F16C32/064; F16C32/0644; C; C21; C21C; C21C5/00; C21C5/28; C21C5/42; C21C5/46; C21C5/4633; C21C5/464; F16C32/0662; F16C32/067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
In combination with a heavy-tonnage tiltable metallurgical vessel for hot metal, such as a basic oxygen furnace, trunnion support structure providing peripheral support for such vessel, trunnion shaft means integral with such support structure, the trunnion shaft means being on opposite sides of the vessel and defining a trunnion axis, fluid pressure support means disposed to circumscribe a predetermined limited portion of the trunnion shaft means so as to provide balanced fluid bearing load support for the vessel, and supply means for delivering fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure support means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
In combination with a heavy-tonnage tiltable metallurgical vessel for hot metal, such as a basic oxygen furnace, trunnion support structure providing peripheral support for such vessel, trunnion shaft means integral with such support structure, the trunnion shaft means being on opposite sides of the vessel and defining a trunnion axis, fluid pressure support means disposed to circumscribe a predetermined limited portion of the trunnion shaft means so as to provide balanced fluid bearing load support for the vessel, and supply means for delivering fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure support means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 1 in which the fluid pressure support means include a plurality of fluid pressure pads disposed in load supporting relationship about such limited portion of the trunnion shaft means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 2 in which the predetermined limited portion of the trunnion means circumscribed by the fluid support means comprises about 140*.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
The combination of claim 2 in which the plurality of fluid pressure pads include at least two fluid pressure pads on each side of a vertical plane through the trunnion axis, and further including a plurality of fluid pressure supply means each connected to at least a pair of fluid pressure pads located in diagonally opposed spaced relationship on opposite sides of the vertical plane through the trunnion axis so as to at least partially compensate for sag along the trunnion axis while maintaining fluid pressure support for ease of tilting of the vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The combination of claim 1 in which the trunnion shaft means comprises a pair of shafts diametrically opposed with respect to the vessel, with each shaft having associated mechanical support structure, and including means providing for thermal expansion and contraction of the vessel, trunnion support structure, and the trunnion shaft means along a direction parallel to the trunnion axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 4 further including fluid pressure measuring means connected to the plurality of fluid pressure supply lines to monitor operation of the fluid bearing load support.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 6 further including means for indicating abnormal fluid pressure operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 6 further including means for automatically interrupting tilting of the vessel responsively to the fluid pressure measuring means connected to the supply lines.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
The combination of claim 1 in which bearing raceway means is defined by contiguously associated spherical-configuration surfaces associated with the trunnion shaft means and bearing block means with the spherical-configuration surface associated with the trunnion shaft means being separable from the spherical-configuration surface of the bearing block means by fluid under pressure applied through the fluid pressure support means at load bearing portions to provide mechanical clearance between the load bearing portions of such spherical-configuration surfaces so as to compensate for deflection along the trunnion axis due to sag of the trunnion shaft means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 9 in which the fluid pressure support means include a plurality of fluid pressure pads disposed in the load bearing portion of the spherical-configuration surface of the bearing block means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 9 in which the plurality of fluid pressure pads include at least two fluid pressure pads disposed on each opposite side of a vertical plane through the trunnion axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination of claim 11 further including a plurality of fluid pressure supply lines each connected to at least a pair of fluid pressure pads located in diagonally opposed spaced relationship on opposite sides of the vertical plane through the trunnion axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combinatioN of claim 9 further including fluid pressure measuring means connected to the plurality of fluid pressure supply lines to monitor operation of the fluid bearing load support.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 9 further including means for indicating abnormal fluid pressure operation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 9 further including means for automatically interrupting tilting of the vessel responsively to the fluid pressure measuring means connected to the supply lines.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |