Furnace taphole piercing device - drives rod into tap hole clay plug for later extraction to open the taphole

摘要

A machine for piercing a taphole in the wall of a shaft furnace is new and comprises a mounting, a carriage and a drive for moving the carriage along the mounting. A guide channel is defined by guide for the piercing rod. The guide are supported on the mounting. The longitudinal axis of the guide channel is coaxial with the axis of the taphole when the mounting is located in the working position to drive the metal rod into the taphole. A finger integral with the first carriage penetrates through a longitudinal opening in the guide means to the inside of the guide channel and exerts an axial thrust on one end of the piercing rod when the carriage is moved in the direction of the taphole. The guide means are two segments of a tube. Jacks (82,84) actuate the support means to fold the guide down into a lateral position with respect to the mounting. A stop on the first carriage provides a backing support for the finger. The drive is an endless chain driven by a hydraulic motor. The first carriage comprises a clamp with a passageway for the piercing rod, and jaws.