Abstract: A modular slab caster or the like is provided having a flat foundation mat supporting a ladle turret module, a tundish module, a mold oscillator module, at least one adjustable segment module, a straightening module, a starting bar handling and charging module and a utility module, all on said foundation mat and rapidly connected and disconnected from one another to provide rapid installation of modules.

Abstract: A lifting device is provided which has two rotatingly driven eccentric shafts articulated to an elevating platform for the continuous casting mold or directly to the latter. At least one Cardan shaft (D) which meets at least one of the following two conditions is provided in the linkage between the rotating drive (B) and the eccentric shafts (A):(a) the position of the joint head (H) removed from the eccentric shaft (A) is variable (change of position angle .beta.),(b) the joint heads (G,H) can be rotated mutually (gimbal error).

Abstract: A steel strand having a thickness of 40 to 50 mm in cast in an oscillating mold for continuous casting at a speed of 2 to 20 m/min. The not yet completely solidified steel strand emerging from the mold is squeezed to such an extent that the inner walls of the already solidified strand shell are welded to one another. After the steel strand reduced in thickness in this way has been cooled to 1000.degree. to 1200.degree. C., the strip is rolled out in at least one pass with a 5 to 85% degree of deformation.

Abstract: A method of oscillating a mold of a vertical continuous caster of the type having a pair of longer side frames and a pair of shorter side frames. The mold is oscillated vertically during the casting. A pair of mold walls, e.g., the longer side frames, are moved towards and away from the cast metal in synchronization with a vertical oscillation of the mold, so as to control the condition for supplying a mold powder into the gap between the mold walls and the cast metal.

Abstract: Steel is teemed into one end of a continuous casting mold to form a continuously cast strand which is withdrawn through the other end of the mold. The mold is oscillated and the strand is accelerated through a first range of speeds less than 1.2 meter per minute and a second range of speeds greater than this value. As the strand accelerates through the first range, the oscillation frequency is increased from a value between 60 and 120 cycles per minute to a value between 120 and 200 cycles per minute while holding the stroke constant. On the other hand, when the strand accelerates through the second range, the oscillation frequency is maintained constant and the stroke is increased with strand speed. A condition of negative strip is maintained in both ranges and the time for which negative strip occurs during each oscillation cycle approximates 0.1 second.

Abstract: A method of oscillating a continuous caster mold at high frequencies comprises disposing a plurality of oscillators having substantially the same oscillating characteristic at appropriate intervals along or in the vicinity of a line where liquid metal contacts an inner lining of a mold, connecting the tip of each oscillator to the inner lining so that the axis of the oscillator extends at right angles to the surface of the inner lining, and supplying power from an oscillation generator to each oscillator so that the oscillation frequencies of any two adjoining oscillators are differentiated within the limit of 2 KHz. Thus, any two adjoining oscillators oscillate the inner lining at right angles to the surface thereof at mutually differentiated frequencies.

Abstract: The mold is constructed as a unit to be inserted in a water tank, the water tank being mounted to an oscillating table. The unit itself is comprised of the mold tube proper mounted between two end flanges which are interconnected by means of a structure which either includes directly a cooling jacket enveloping the mold tube or the jacket is separately connected to the connection between the two end flanges. That unit as a whole is inserted into the water tank whereby the flanges establish top and bottom closures for the water tank, and the lower flange centers the unit in the tank.

Abstract: A modular slab caster or the like is provided having a flat foundation mat supporting a ladle turret module, a tundish module, a mold oscillator module, at least one adjustable segment module, a straightening module, a starting bar handling and charging module and a utility module, all on said foundation mat and rapidly connected and disconnected from one another to provide rapid installation of modules.

Abstract: A continuous metal casting plant comprising, on a stationary supporting structure (3), an ingot mold (1) and a secondary cooling device (2), apparatus for supporting and guiding the ingot mold permitting oscillations of the latter parallel to its axis and oscillation controls (5) for the ingot mold (1) resting directly on one side on the ingot mold frame (12) and on the other side on the upper part of the frame of the secondary cooling device (2). The invention relates in particular to continuous steel casting.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for discontinuous withdrawing of a cast strand from a continuous casting mold. A drive roller frame is rotatably supported by a pedestal fixed as to spacial position. At least two drive rollers are rotatably supported by the drive roller frame and are disposed to press against the strand from opposite sides. A drive is connected to the drive rollers for driving the drive rollers. A reciprocating drive is connected to the drive roller frame for providing an oscillating pendulum motion to the drive roller frame around an axis supported by the pedestal.

Abstract: Continuous casting line (10) comprising ingot mould means (11) having any required inclination ranging from 0.degree. to 90.degree., oscillation means (17) and a roller conveyor (12) with at least one curved segment, and which includes at least one electromagnetic source (25) that acts with a variable effect.

Abstract: An oscillating cooled mold assembly for the continuous, high-speed casting of metallic strands, especially upcasting strands of copper alloys such as brass, has a hollow die in fluid communication with a melt typically held in a casting furnace. A coolerbody surrounds the die in a tight-fitting relationship to form a solidification front in the melt as it advances through the casting zone of the die. During assembly, the die is preferably slip fit in the coolerbody. A shoulder on the die engages a lower face of the coolerbody and, together with a small irregularity on the upper coolerbody wall, prevents any axial movement of the die before it thermally expands against the coolerbody. An insulating member located between the die and the coolerbody and below the solidification front fixes the location of the front within a dimensionally uniform area of the die.

Abstract: A mold oscillator for a continuous casting machine in which a mold is mounted for vertical reciprocation on a mold table frame, the machine having an enclosed spray chamber beneath the mold for spray cooling of a continuous casting therein as it emerges from the mold, in which an oscillator cam connected to a drive motor is connected through a yoke to first and second vertical shafts fixed to the mold table frame at their upper ends, and are seated within and vertically oscillatable within tubular guide means and ball bushings therein, which control the alignment of the shafts, thus reducing horizontal vibration and strand misalignment.

Abstract: An oscillator for a continuous casting mold includes a rotatable drive shaft having first and second portions which are eccentric with respect to one another. A sleeve for inducing oscillatory motion of the mold rotatably surrounds the second shaft portion and is eccentric with reference to the latter as well as the first shaft portion. The sleeve is coupled to the housing of a gear reducer having a gear assembly which is rotatable relative to the housing and is coupled to the drive shaft for rotation therewith. The housing is, in turn, connected with the casing of a motor having an output shaft which is rotatable relative to the casing and is coupled to the gear assembly. This motor constitutes an auxiliary motor which is operable independently of a primary motor for the drive shaft. During normal operation, the auxiliary motor is deactivated and the sleeve, gear reducer and auxiliary motor all rotate with the drive shaft as this induces reciprocation of the mold through the agency of the sleeve.

Abstract: To reduce the cost of the mold, the mold of a continuous casting machine has no frame and the machine comprises an oscillating table constituted by a rectangular frame having large sides and small sides defining an opening, a mold carried by the oscillating table in this opening and comprised of two opposing large plates and two opposing small plates held tightly between the large plates. Supports for the small plates are integral with devices for adjusting the position of the small plates and jacks are provided for exerting a pressing force upon the large plates for pressing them tightly against the small plates. The large plates, the position adjusting devices and the jacks for exerting the pressing force are mounted on the oscillating table.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the oscillations of a mold for continuous casting of metal, the mold being mounted on a table which is connected, in turn, to three spaced apart drives and three load relief springs; three displacement path transducers track each of the drives; a source of reference signals provides reference signals representing the desired oscillation, as to contour, amplitude and rate; actual and reference signals are compared by and in stages which provide correction signals for the drives.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous casting of a thin metallic plate which includes a movable mold 2 arranged for movement in a specified direction, and a melt receiver 5 disposed on the movable mold 2 for storing molten metal in coopertion therewith, whereby molten metal within the melt receiver 5, through its contact with the surface of the movable mold 2, will be cooled and formed into a casting shell, the casting shell being drawn by the movable mold 2 in the form of a thin metallic plate, wherein at least the lower end portion of the melt receiver 5 is movable along the withdrawal path of the casting shell, and wherein a mover mechanism 7 is provided for moving the lower end portion of the melt receiver 5.

Abstract: An horizontal continuous casting apparatus comprising a tundish 3 for receiving molten metal 32, horizontally reciprocally movable oscillating nozzle 12 communicating with a nozzle opening 7a of the tundish 3, a mold 24 into which one end of the nozzle 12 is slidably inserted, and a vibrator 22 for horizontally vibrating the nozzle 12.

Abstract: To increase the effective acoustic capacity and to enable the mold side walls to be conventionally designed, a continuous casting plant comprising a stationary supporting structure and a continuous casting mold supported on the structure has its ultrasonic transducers fastened at one end to the stationary supporting structure and at the other end to the continuous casting mold.

Abstract: An induction stirrer/mold assembly for use on a continuous casting machine, which includes a coil assembly having an outer frame securely fastened to a vibrating table of the casting machine and accommodating induction stirring coils in the outer frame; and a continuous casting mold assembly detachably mounted on the outer frame of the coil assembly, the four sides of the mold being constituted by separable mold walls each having a copper facing plate securely joined to a reinforcing back-up plate.

Abstract: This invention concerns a billet launching device in continuous casting machines of the type employed to withdraw and pull the billet from the ingot mould along the casting line, whereby the device comprises, near the outlet of the ingot mould, gripping means cooperating at least momentarily with a launching element able to engage and pull the billet at least momentarily, and whereby the launching element is inserted momentarily into the ingot mould and engages the billet.

Abstract: A mold-oscillating apparatus in a continuous casting assembly which includes a mold table, a base frame, first and second driven eccentric shafts, a drive mechanism connected to each of the first and second shafts, first and second stationary bearing housings connected to the base frame and within which the first and second shafts are respectively mounted, first and second moving bearing housings connected to the mold table and within which the first and second shafts are respectively mounted and a connecting beam interconnecting the mold table with the first and second moving bearing housings wherein the mold table is oscillated via the connecting beam upon rotation of the first and second shafts by the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A mold tube supported in but spaced from a mold housing is vibrated by at least one vibrator connected to the mold tube through a keeper plate.

Abstract: A vibrating ingot mold for the continuous casting of metals, particularly of steel, comprising at least one ultrasonic transducer (8) mounted on the edge (20) of one end of the interal tubular element (14) of the mold, in an extension of that element, and oriented to transmit to that element the ultrasonic vibrations which it generates in a longitudinal direction, parallel or substantially parallel to the casting axis (A) in the mold. By reducing friction between the cast metal and the inner mold wall, the mold structure promotes lubrication and improves the quality of the surfaces of the cast products while reducing the danger of breakouts. It can be used with vertical, inclined, curved and horizontal continuous casting plants.

Abstract: In a horizontal continuous casting machine having a casting withdrawing cycle consisting of withdrawing, stopping and push-back periods, a method of controlling the stop of the flow of a casting during the stopping period of the withdrawing cycle so as to stop the flow of the casting within a predetermined period. The desired braking torque is calculated in consideration of the load variations due to the casting condition of the horizontal continuous casting machine and the braking torque is applied to the pinch roll shafts upon the termination of the withdrawing period thereby effecting the stop of the flow of the casting during the stopping period within the predetermined time.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for controlling the oscillations of a continuous pour ingot mold which comprises at least one eccentric having a sleeve with an eccentric boring mounted to rotate on an off-center portion of a shaft. In order to eliminate the drawbacks resulting from the existence of a play between the sleeve and the shaft, the sleeve is so clamped on an off-centered shaft portion as to cancel the clamping constraints to allow the rotation of the sleeve on the shaft when the eccentricity is to be adjusted.

Abstract: A mold for horizontally and continuously casting molten metal into a cast metal strand, which is horizontally connected, through a front nozzle, a feed nozzle and a break ring to an opening in a lower portion of a side wall of a tundish for a horizontal type continuous casting machine. Molten metal received in the tundish is intermittently and continuously withdrawn into a cast metal strand in the horizontal direction through the mold in a plurality of cycles each comprising one pull and one push. The transverse sectional area of the inner bore of the mold at the inlet end portion thereof becomes gradually larger from the inlet end of the mold toward the middle portion thereof over a prescribed distance (l), and the inner bore of the mold has substantially the same transverse sectional area for the remaining portion other than the inlet portion of the mold over the above-mentioned prescribed distance (l).

Abstract: A load signal representing the load between a mold and an oscillating mechanism is separated into its static offset and dynamic components. The static offset signal is compared with a free-running static offset to obtain a substantially DC signal representing the DC component of mold friction. A DC voltage is generated corresponding to the RMS value of the dynamic load signal component, and a reference voltage corresponding to the RMS value of the dynamic signal component of a free-running load signal is subtracted in order to obtain a substantially DC signal representing the dynamic component of mold friction.

Abstract: A guiding device for an oscillating continuous casting mold includes a spring holder connected at a central area to a frame of a continuous casting plant, and a spring which is clamped in a bridge-like manner at its both extremities to the spring holder and is connected to the mold lifting platform via an intermediary part.

Abstract: An oscillator for the mold tube of a continuous casting machine having a vertically oriented arcuate mold passage. The mold is mounted at the free end of a mold plate, the other end of which extends from the upper portion of a support frame. A vertical support is fixedly mounted adjacent the support frame and is coupled thereto by first and second links which respectively are pivotally connected at their opposite ends to the upper and lower portions of the vertical support and the support frame. An eccentric drive is mounted on the vertical support between the links and is coupled to the first link for oscillating the mold tube along the arcuate path defined by the mold tube passage.

Abstract: An electromagnetic stirring mold for the manufacture of continuously cast bloom, which includes a copper plate constituting a water-cooling type mold, a backup frame, a mold frame and an electromagnetic stirrer. In this mold, water-cooling passages are defined between the copper plate and the backup frame and between the backup frame and the mold frame, respectively, which are communicated at their upper parts to water supply and discharge passages located in the upper part of the mold frame, whereby a mounting space for the electromagnetic stirrer is sufficiently formed down below the lower part of the mold frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of continuous casting with the use of a mold oscillating system adapted to oscillate a casting mold supported by a oscillating frame, the method including oscillating the mold by applying vibration at a preselected frequency higher than the natural frequency of the oscillating system; and increasing the amplitude of applied oscillation to a value in a range as determined by the ratio of a length of time of a downward movement period of the mold to a time length in which the speed of the mold exceeds the casting speed during the downward period. Preferably the preselected frequency of applied oscillation of the mold is approximately 1.5 times higher than the natural frequency of the oscillating frame.

Abstract: At least two exhaust holes are formed in an atomizing nozzle of an apparatus for spraying an air-water mist for cooling which is used in continuous metal casting. The respective spraying mist streams from the exhaust holes cross each other before they reach the surface of a cast strand and are diffused forwardly due to the influence of the kinetic energy which is directed in the spraying direction after they crossed, so that they sufficiently enter the region between the surfaces of guide rollers and cast strand, thereby directly spraying the air-water mist over almost the entire region of the surface of the cast strand. In addition, a header is disposed in parallel to the guide rollers and a plurality of water branching pipes are attached in line to the header in the longitudinal direction thereof. The inner diameter of these water branching pipes are set to be sequentially smaller toward the lower stage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for semi-horizontal continuous casting is disclosed employing an essentially horizontally extending continuous casting mold provided at its upper side or top wall with a mold inlet opening for the infeed of the metal to be cast, especially steel. At least one strand guide arrangement serves to guide at least one continuously cast strand which is fed laterally out of the continuous casting mold. The strand guide arrangement for each stand possesses two strand guide tracks or paths curved in opposite direction, the center of curvature of the first curved guide track or path, viewed in the direction of travel of the cast strand, being located below its related path of travel, and the center of curvature of the second curved guide track or path being located above its related path of travel.

Abstract: A molten metal stream is fed downwardly, especially essentially vertically, into a double-ended, chilled horizontal mold where the molten metal is formed into two strands which are cooled and simultaneously bidirectionally withdrawn from opposed ends of the horizontal mold. The infed hot molten metal stream is deposited within the double-ended horizontal mold such that a so-to-speak hot wall forms at the immediate vicinity of the inflow region where the molten metal enters the horizontal mold. This hot wall precludes formation of a strand shell or skin which otherwise would undesirably interconnect the two formed strands, so that not only is the resistance to mold oscillation decreased, but the individual strands can be cleanly withdrawn from each side of the mold without the danger of undesired and uncontrolled interaction arising between the two withdrawn strands and without the need to have to rupture any such interconnecting strand shell or skin.

Abstract: A load indication system monitors not only the total frictional load on the mold oscillator in a continuous casting apparatus, but also monitors the difference in the oscillator load at various locations around the mold to detect mold wobble and load imbalance. In addition, both the total frictional load and the mold wobble are monitored by detecting their peak-to-peak values.

Abstract: A lifting platform is hinged via oscillating cranks forming a four rod linkage mechanism to a spacially fixed support frame at a continuous casting apparatus with a mold having a curved metal bar axis and disposed at the oscillating lifting platform and the lifting platform forms the connecting rod of this four rod linkage mechanism. In order to avoid the generation of cracks in the metal bar at the transition from the oscillating guide track for the metal bar to the spacially fixed guiding of the bar and in order to be able to adapt the oscillating cranks to close quarters, the longitudinal axes of the oscillating cranks intersect at a point while the mold is in middle position, which point is disposed on a straight line connecting the center of curvature of the guide track of the metal bar to the lower end of the oscillating support surface supporting the metal bar. The oscillating cranks are of differing lengths.

Abstract: In the continuous casting of steel, surface imperfections associated with the use of an oscillating bar for removal of the cast billet from the mold are substantially eliminated by providing a pulsating high intensity magnetic field around the mold to cause flexing of the metal to detach solidified metal from the internal wall of the mold.

Abstract: In a continuous casting plant including a reciprocating lifting table, the mould is accommodated by this lifting table. Following upon the mould, a strand guide section, in particular designed as a bending device, is arranged. In order to permanently ensure the correct adjustment of the mould relative to the strand guide section following upon the mould, with a quick exchange of the mould being still feasible, the mould is guided on the strand guide section following thereupon and the lifting table is aligned and guided via the mould.

Abstract: A plate mould of a continuous casting plant includes a carrying frame mounted on a reciprocating mould lifting table, and walls supported on the carrying frame and delimiting the mould cavity. At least one of the side walls is displaceable transversely to the mould axis by an adjustment drive to change the format of the strand cross section. In order to reduce the expenditures in terms of machinery and investments for a continuous casting plant, the adjustment drive is arranged on a stationary supporting structure neighboring the lifting table, or on the lifting table, and is in connection with the adjustable side wall via a coupling.

Abstract: In a continuous casting mold which comprises: a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators, fitted to the outer surface of each of the side walls of said mold, along a plurality of straight lines at prescribed intervals in the axial direction of said mold, and said plurality of straight lines being arranged at prescribed intervals; the improvement characterized in that: each of the side walls of said mold is divided into a plurality of sections corresponding to said straight lines of said plurality of ultrasonic vibrators fitted to the outer surface of each of said side walls.This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 473,978, filed Mar. 11, 1983, abondoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 213,043, filed Dec. 4, 1980, abandoned.

Abstract: A mold tube is contained within an open water-cooling vessel, and the tube is cooled by directing water sprays at it. Because of the use of a water-cooling system which does not require a pressure-tight integral mold tube/water system, the cooling system may remain stationary while the mold tube is oscillated. In this way the oscillating mechanism can be relatively inexpensive, the total weight which must be moved up and down typically being in the range of 80-200 pounds.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling and guiding oscillations of a mold having an outlet for a continuous casting, comprises a fixed support, a first connecting rod pivotally connected to the mold at one end thereof, a first cam shaft carried by the fixed support, the first cam shaft having an axis extending perpendicularly to the axis of the continuous casting or to the direction of a tangent on the axis at a point adjacent the mold outlet and parallel to a vertical plane containing the axis, an end of the first connecting rod opposite to the one end being mounted on the first cam shaft, a second connecting rod pivotally connected to the mold at an end thereof, and a second cam shaft carried by the fixed support, the second cam shaft having a horizontal axis extending perpendicularly to the axis of the first cam shaft, an end of the second connecting rod opposite to the one end being mounted on the second cam shaft, the mounting of each connecting rod on a respective one of the cam shafts being arranged to prevent a

Abstract: Disclosed is an adjustable sliding mold assembled of two angular mold pieces slidably engaging each other at two mating surfaces. Adjusting means, preferably in the form of a spindle, is hinged to an outer side of a mold part to move the same transversely to the extrusion channel. The movable mold part is formed with an arcuate guide surface extending transversely to the extrusion channel and cooperating with a stationary complementary bearing surface so that during adjustment of the width of the extrusion channel the guiding surface automatically adjusts the taper of the channel.

Abstract: A continuous casting mold having the wall thickness of each of parts corresponding to a point where molten steel begins to solidify during continuous casting is arranged to be locally thinner than other parts of the mold. High frequency oscillation is applied to the locally thinned parts to vibrate them to a sufficient amplitude to prevent the seizure of a cast steel piece from taking place due to the heat thereof for improvement in the surface quality thereof.

Abstract: In a continuous casting mold which comprises: a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators fitted to the outer surface of each of the side walls of the mold along at least one straight line at prescribed intervals in the axial direction of the mold; the plurality of ultrasonic vibrators producing vibrating waves of identical wave lengths in the axial direction of the mold; the prescribed intervals being equal to half the wave length of the vibration waves generated in the axial direction of the mold; the improvement wherein the phases of the vibration waves of two adjacent ones of the plurality of ultrasonic vibrators are deviated by 180.degree. from each other.

Abstract: A continuous casting mold for casting strands is mounted in a mold table or other suitable mold mounting arrangement and is ocsillated by means of oscillation levers. The oscillation levers are mounted both at the mold table and also at a bearing block. To compensate the bearing play arising at the bearing locations a power or force-applying device is provided between the mold table and the bearing block.

Abstract: A protector for a molten metal casting stream includes first and second pipes telescopically connected to each other to form a pipe assembly, and an urging means mounted about the pipe assembly so as to force it to extend in the lengthwise direction.

Abstract: An installation for continuously casting steel billets comprises a support structure and a guiding roll-rack for the cast billets receiving molten steel from an oscillatory mold and comprising an upper and lower section each having a frame. The upper section and the mold constitute a demountable and replaceable unit. The upper section is supported on the top of the lower section and carries a support for guiding the mold for oscillation. The lower section is mounted on the support structure and carries a mechanism for oscillating the mold. This mechanism comprises an arm mounted for pivoting on the top of the lower guiding device section frame, an actuating rod connecting the arm to the mold for oscillating the mold is response to the pivoting of the arm, and respective pivots connecting the actuating rod to the arm and to the mold, one of the pivots being readily detachable.

Abstract: A cooled mold assembly for the continuous, high-speed casting of metallic strands, especially upcasting strands of copper alloys such as brass, has a hollow die in fluid communication with a melt typically held in a casting furnace. A coolerbody surrounds the die in a tight-fitting relationship to form a solidification front in the melt as it advances through the casting zone of the die. The die is preferably slip fit in the coolerbody. A shoulder on the die engages a lower face of the coolerbody and together with a small irregularity on the upper coolerbody wall prevents an axial movement of the die before it thermally expands against the coolerbody. An insulating member located between the die and the coolerbody and below the solidification front fixes the location of that front within a dimensionally uniform area of the die. The insulating member is preferably a ring of a material such as cast silica that has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, a low porosity, and is highly resistant to thermal shock.