Abstract: An improved mold for a continuous casting process includes an outer wall that has a plenum chamber defined in an inner surface thereof and at least one passage for communicating the plenum chamber with an external coolant conduit. The mold further includes a liner that is secured to the inner surface of the outer wall. The liner has a number of slots defined in an inner wall thereof which, together with the outer wall, define a number of passages for transporting coolant to cool the liner during operation of the mold. Each of the slots has a radiused transition portion that is proximate to a location where the slot communicates with the plenum. The transition portion decreases in cross-section as the slot approaches the plenum. The mold further includes a velocity plate that is positioned between the plenum and the transition portion to limit an opening by which coolant may flow between the plenum and the transition portion.

Abstract: An improved shroud tube supporting and changing apparatus for use in a bottom pour metal teeming operation includes an elongated arm having its midpoint mounted on the teeming vessel for free rotation about a generally vertical axis and for limited pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, and a shroud tube support on each end of the elongated arm for engaging and providing gimbal-like support for a shroud tube. A power actuator mounted on the teeming vessel is selectively operable to pivot the arm about the horizontal axis in one direction to maintain a fluid tight seal between the shroud tube and the bottom pour opening in the teeming vessel, and to permit the arm to be pivoted in the other direction to disengage the shroud tube from the bottom pour opening and permit the arm to be rotated about the vertical axis to place a new shroud tube in position beneath the bottom pour opening.

Abstract: An elongated dummy bar has one end secured to a closure plug arranged within an open ended, continuous casting mold for supporting the plug within the mold and for endwise movement for removing the plug from the mold and guiding it along a curved path away from the mold. Molten metal cast in the mold forms a continuous cast strand whose lead end joins to the closure plug so that endwise movement of the bar and plug guides the cast strand along the curved path. The bar is formed of parallel rows, of rigid links which are arranged end to end. Pivot pins transversely extend across all the rows between the adjacent ends of the links. The pins are pivotally journalled within opposing sockets formed in the facing ends of adjacent links in each row. Flexible cables are arranged between and parallel to the rows of links and pass through openings extending diametrically through the pins.

Abstract: Rollers used in roller aprons, which support and guide the metal strand formed in a continuous casting mold, are made of a fixed shaft and elongated roller sleeve sections which are rotatably mounted upon the shaft. The shafts are fastened upon spaced apart rails secured to support plates. Bearings are arranged between the ends of each sleeve section and its shaft. Each bearing comprises a journal type bearing part and a thrust type bearing part. The journal type bearing part includes a cylindrical bronze sleeve non-rotatably fitted within its roller section end. A "Teflon", bronze impregnated, thin wall liner bushing is fitted within a wide recess formed in the interior wall of the outer end of the bronze sleeve to thereby form about one-half of the journal bearing inner wall surface which is arranged in rotatable contact with its shaft.

Abstract: A gage, for determining the taper angle of the inner faces of the end walls of a continuous casting mold, includes a pair of rigidly connected, spaced apart, elongated, wall contact strips having parallel straight edges for engaging the wall for substantially its full height. A center, measuring strip is arranged between the wall contact strips and is pivotally connected to them at their lower ends. The measuring strip is pivoted by a manually operable screw that connects its upper end to the upper end of a wall contact strip. A level indicator mounted upon the top of the measuring strip indicates when that strip is vertical. A distance indicator gage mounted on the strips measures the amount of pivotal movement of the measuring strip until it becomes vertical. The taper gage is suspended in a mold and the wall contact strip straight edges are pressed against a mold end wall. Then the operator manipulates the screw to pivot the measuring strip until the level indicates that it is vertical.

Abstract: A tapered and curved internal diameter is formed within a tube used as a continuous casting mold by feeding the tube lengthwise along an arc which is tangent to the axis of the spindle of a boring mill having a rotatable boring head arranged within the tube for cutting the interior wall thereof. The boring head and spindle revolve about a fixed axis, but the boring tool or cutter carried by the head is gradually moved transversely of the spindle axis while the tube is advanced along the arcuate path. Thus, the opening within the tube is tapered from one end to the other, and is also curved, wherein the tube is useful as a continuous casting mold and the like.

Abstract: A trash compactor formed of a box-like body mounted upon wheels to provide a trailer for towing by a vehicle. The body forward and rear ends are open and doors cover each end, with each door being pivotally mounted at its upper end for swinging forwardly and rearwardly. The forward door swings interiorly of the body, as well as forwardly. The body floor is formed with an arcuate shaped portion corresponding to the path of swinging movement of the lower end of the forward door and then with a downwardly sloped portion extending to the rear opening. Trash may be deposited upon the arcuate floor portion and from time to time swept rearwardly and compressed by the interior swinging of the forward door and then stored in the sloped floor area of the body for later dumping by opening the rear door.