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Slag transport and dumping apparatus and method

  • US 7,993,573 B2
  • Filed: 02/01/2007
  • Issued: 08/09/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A slag transport and dumping apparatus for use in transporting high temperature slag over ground from a steel making furnace to a slag dumping area, said apparatus comprising:

  • a) a transport vehicle that includes a front cab portion substantially enclosing an interior seating compartment, wheels adapted to rollably engage the ground, and a rear transport bed having a pallet interface portion;

    b) a pallet that includes;

    i) a pallet support frame having at least two ground support members adapted to rest securely upon the ground in a substantially upright slag loading configuration, and a pallet deck that includes a rear deck portion and a transporter interface portion, with said rear deck portion provided with a container pivot portion, and with said transporter interface portion selectively engaging said pallet interface portion of said transport vehicle in a substantially secure slag transporting configuration; and

    ii) a dump container securely supported upon said pallet support frame, said dump container having an outside portion, an inside portion that defines a slag reservoir, and a rear container portion that is provided with a frame pivot portion, with said frame pivot portion securely engaging said container pivot portion of said pallet support frame in selectively pivotable relation, such that said dump container is selectively pivotable about said container pivot portion between a slag retaining configuration whereat said slag reservoir is adapted to retain the slag therein, and a slag pouring configuration whereat said slag reservoir is adapted to permit release of the slag therefrom; and

    c) a container lifting mechanism securely mounted substantially adjacent to said rear transport bed of said transport vehicle, wherein said container lifting mechanism selectively engages said dump container, and selectively pivots said dump container from said slag retaining configuration towards said slag pouring configuration;

    wherein in said slag loading configuration, said slag reservoir is adapted to receive the slag, said dump container is in said slag retaining configuration, and said transport vehicle is removed from said pallet;

    wherein in said slag transporting configuration, said dump container is in said slag retaining configuration, and said transport vehicle securely engages said pallet, in substantially carrying relation, such as to enable selective transport of said pallet; and

    wherein said inside portion of said dump container is shaped to define a dump opening substantially adjacent to said rear container portion;

    with said pallet further comprising a tailgate mechanism that includes a rear door securely mounted on said dump container substantially adjacent to said rear container portion, with said rear door being slidably movable between;

    (A) a closed configuration whereat said dump container is in said slag retaining configuration, whereat said rear door substantially occludes said dump opening, and whereat said rear door is adapted to retain the slag in said slag reservoir; and

    (B) an open configuration whereat said dump opening is substantially unobstructed by said rear door, and said dump container is in said slag pouring configuration; and

    wherein movement of the dump container to the slag retaining configuration causes the rear door to move to the closed configuration; and

    movement of the dump container to the slag pouring configuration causes the rear door to move to the open configuration.

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