Abstract: To permit placement of a stopper element, preferably including a cylindrical alignment plug (13) accurately with respect to an outflow pipe (3, 3', 3") of a metallurgical vessel adapted to contain a melt, an operating rod (5) vertically projecting from the stopper (6) is surrounded by a refractory sleeve (10), and secured to a support arm (23), which support arm is vertically movable and capable of transmitting rotation to the operating rod, the operating rod is connected to the support arm by a coupling link (48) which extends radially from the operating rod and is clamped by a clamping connection (46) to the support arm. The clamping connection (46) permits longitudinal adjustment of the upper end portion of the operating rod (5) as well as angular adjustment with respect to the support arm.

Abstract: A stopper (6), secured to the lower end of a stopper rod, carries a plug (13) having a radial throttle aperture (14) above which a frustoconical shut-off surface (16) is located. The frustoconical surface fits against a valve seat surface 18 of an outlet tube (3) from a vessel, to form a first seal. A further seal is provided by an annular surface (19) of the plug (13) engaging in the outlet passage. The stopper (6) is rotatable so that the direction of flow of the molten metal from the vessel (1) and, passing through the stopper--when raised--can be influenced, if desired continuously during flow of the melt. This provides flow control and a safe shutoff of metal flow. The formation of vortices in the molten metal is largely prevented, thus avoiding the carrying along of slag.

Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus has a secondary cooling zone for spray cooling a travelling, continuously cast strand. Groups of spray nozzles are spaced longitudinally of the path of the strand on either side of such path. Each of the spray nozzles produces a flat, fan-shaped spray which diverges transversely of the path of the strand with increasing distance from the respective nozzle. The nozzles of a group are spaced from one another transversely of the path of the strand by a distance such that the sprays from two neighboring nozzles intermix to form a combined spray which, at the surface of the strand, has a length equal to the distance between the two nozzles. The portion of the strand extending between the outermost nozzles of each group is thus everywhere impinged by a combined spray. The marginal portions of the strand, on the other hand, are impinged only by the sprays from the respective outermost nozzles. The angles of divergence of the sprays are preferably in the range of 60 to 130 degrees.

Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus includes a continuous casting mold, a guide downstream of the mold for guiding a continuously cast strand issuing from the mold, and a drive unit for drawing the strand out of the mold and through the guide. The drive unit is connected with a computer programmed to reciprocate the strand in the guide and the mold in the event of an interruption in the supply of molten material to the mold.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for bending a strand in a continuous casting installation for metals, especially steel, the ferrostatic pressure of the liquid core or pool of the cast strand is supported at a transition curve along a bending path between a circular arcuate-shaped roller apron path or track and a straight roller apron path or track by means of pairs of support rolls. In order to obtain uniform low elongation velocities at the strand skin or sheel throughout the entire transition curve for the purpose of improving the surface quality of the cast strand and for avoiding structural flaws at the solid-liquid interface as well as for simplifying the adjustment, alignment and maintenance work, the transition curve along the roller apron track is continuously accommodated to changing casting and/or strand parameters by the action of the strand itself.