Depending on the specific application, horizontal coupling systems with actuator or vertical coupling systems without actuator are used. The system which is most frequently used is the vertical coupling system which is characterised as follows:
The rigid upper part of the inert gas coupling is always installed on the ladle while the flexible lower part can be installed in various
locations, like:

• on the ladle transfer car in tapping position
• on the ladle transfer car at the ladle furnace
• inside of the vacuum tank
• on the ladle stand at the ladle treatment station
• on the ladle turret of the continuous casting machine

The coupling is automatically performed when the ladle is lowered. The horizontal coupling system incorporates a pneumatic
cylinder which actuates the mechanical link of the argon line after the ladle has been set down. More than 30 automatic inert gas coupling systems have proven the reliability of our design.

Design features:

• individual gas supply to up to 3 porous plugs
• applicable under vacuum conditions
• vertical coupling system
• horizontal coupling system