Dispensing Into Horizontal Mold Patents (Class 164/440)
  • Patent number: 4940078
    Abstract: Oil rings of increased life are provided on the basis of compositions selected to provide increased effective amounts of lattice-contracting atomic species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Diane D. Martin
  • Patent number: 4919192
    Abstract: An improved discrete excitation coil is provided in a continuous casting machine for generating an electromagnetic levitating and stabilizing force which acts upon the meniscus of the molten metal in a mold cavity of the machine at the region of an upper inlet to the cavity. The force counteracts the head pressure of the molten metal contained within a pouring tube which extends through the upper inlet from above the cavity and thereby providing a seal in an area of separation between the mold inlet and the pouring tube which prevents overflow of molten metal through the inlet. The excitation coil includes an outer electrical conductor which defines multiple electrical conductor turns disposed in series and being capable of carrying an electrical current of adequate density to generate the electromagnetic force. The coil also includes plural inner fluid channels which define fluid flow paths being surrounded by, and in contact with, the outer electrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Dennis Pavlik, Richard D. Nathenson
  • Patent number: 4915270
    Abstract: A feed system is provided for conveying molten metal to a thin section caster having mold surfaces moving exclusively in the direction of casting. The feed system has a passage of circular cross section adjacent to one end thereof for receiving molten metal and a rectangular cross section at the delivery end thereof adjacent to the caster. The feed system is designed for supplying molten metal to the caster at low pressure for "closed-pool" type caster operation. The point of highest elevation in the metal flow passage of the feed system is on the upper surface of a transition portion where the cross section changes from circular to rectangular adjacent to the nozzle. The level or height of the high point above the centerline of the nozzle exit is selected so as to be less than the pressure of the metal measured in inches at the nozzle exit. This feature enables the maintenance of positive pressure in the metal within the feed system so that ingress of air into the metal is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: USX Corporation
    Inventors: Sabah S. Daniel, Thomas R. Kleeb, Thomas W. Lewis, John F. McDermott, Mustafa R. Ozgu, Ralph C. Padfield, Donovan N. Rego, Achilles Vassilicos
  • Patent number: 4846255
    Abstract: Thin metal sheets are cast by magnetically levitating molten metal deposited in a mold within a ferromagnetic yoke and between AC conducting coils and linearly displacing the magnetically levitated liquid metal while it is being cooled by the water-cooled walls of the mold to form a solid metal sheet. A conducting shield is electrically coupled to the molten metal sheet to provide a return path for eddy currents induced in the metal sheet by the current in the AC conducting coils. In another embodiment, a DC conducting coil is coupled to the metal sheet for providing a direct current therein which interacts with the magnetic field to levitate the moving metal sheet. Levitation of the metal sheet in both molten and solid forms reduces its contact pressure with the mold walls while maintaining sufficient engagement therebetween to permit efficient conductive cooling by the mold through which a coolant fluid may be circulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by The United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: John R. Hull
  • Patent number: 4817702
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous casting of an elongated thin metal strip achieves substantially high yield without allowing break-out or sticking. The method for casting a continuous elongated metal strip includes a step of driving endless belts at a varying speed so as to apply jerks to the slightly and half-solidified metal that release the metal from the surfaces of the stationary side walls. Applying jerks to the casting chamber by varying the driving speed of the endless belt ensures that the solidifying metal will travel smoothly and thus ensures a high manufacturing yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Itoyama, Hakaru Nakato, Tsutomu Nozaki, Yasuhiro Habu, Nagayasu Bessho, Tetsuya Fujii
  • Patent number: 4817701
    Abstract: Molten metal is fed into a liquid-cooled horizontal caster through a ceramic nozzle to form a continuous wire or rod, that is drawn out of the exit end of the mold in incremental steps by a pair of intermittently-driven pinch rolls. The nozzle is preferably made of zirconium oxide, which is slightly porous and at temperatures above 1100.degree. F. has the property of allowing gas to pass through at a much greater rate than at lower temperatures. The nozzle is mechanically attached to the end of the liquid-cooled caster. A shroud, or manifold, surrounds the nozzle for at least a portion of its length, and also enclosed the interface between nozzle and caster. The manifold is supplied with a dry, inert gas such as argon, so that at elevated temperatures, any oxygen is purged from the pores of the zirconium oxide nozzle and is replaced by the inert gas, thereby eliminating any oxygen that would otherwise be present at the interface between the nozzle and the molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Steel Casting Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Stevens
  • Patent number: 4802436
    Abstract: A continuous casting furnace (10) of modular design. The furnace is made of a crucible section (16) a feed section (18) and a die section (12). Each of these various sections are separable from the other parts, and each of these parts is in turn made up of various individual components. Thus, the crucible section includes a refractory liner (24) made of a non carbon containing material which may be disposed within a monolithic graphite crucible (22). The graphite crucible is provided with a cylindrical aperture at its bottom which receives a feed tube (30), there being a soft seal (32) between the bottom of the liner (24) and the top of the feed tube (30). The feed section and the die section are generally formed in the same manner in that there is a non carbon containing refractory tubular member (48, 64) disposed within a graphite member (50, 62). Between the feed section (18) and the die section (12) is a soft seal (66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignees: Williams Gold Refining Company, Rautomead Limited
    Inventors: Robert Wilson, Jerry C. LaPlante
  • Patent number: 4799533
    Abstract: An improved, more economical mold for use in continuously casting metals or alloys comprises a mold tube and a pair of flanges, one flange peripherally disposed of and in abutting, liquid sealing relation with each end of the tube. Such sealing relation is preferably provided by a continuous knife-edged protrusion formed in and disposed peripherally of each flange and adapted to sealingly cooperate with a continuous shallow groove formed in and disposed peripherally of each end of the tube. Cooling means including a jacket and a baffle surround the tube between the flanges, and the baffle further defines a channel immediately circumjacent a substantial portion of the outer surface of the tube for directing a flow of cooling liquid about the tube in direct contact with such surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: Steel Casting Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Max Ahrens, Manfred Haissig
  • Patent number: 4798315
    Abstract: In a casting nozzle, tubes are placed between a bar-shaped mouthpiece and a distribution bar, which connect holes in the mouthpiece and the distribution bar to allow for the flow of the melt. Pulling rods which are under tension, are anchored to the mouthpiece and to the distribution bar and press these parts elastically against the ends of the tubes in such a manner that the nozzle components are elastically braced, yet remain flexible and can adjust freely to heat dilatations or inaccuracies which occur in fabrication or assembly. The nozzle components, particularly the tubes, are easy to obtain and to exchange. Due to the fact that the pulling rods enter the mouthpiece from its back side and are anchored therein, the mouthpiece can be very slender, thus allowing for thin casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: Larex AG
    Inventor: Wilhelm F. Lauener
  • Patent number: 4789021
    Abstract: A short mold for use in a continuous casting system includes a short taperless casting die coupled to a plurality of cooling plates having means for circulation of coolant therethrough arranged in a serially overlapping configuration in which the plates are individually moveable to accommodate variations of the casting. Hydraulic means are operative upon the cooling plates to assert a contact force and hold the cooling plates in contact with the surfaces of the casting. The individual plate motions provide for accommodation of the taper of the cooling casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Steel Casting Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventor: Max Ahrens
  • Patent number: 4785873
    Abstract: Prior to reaching the nozzle's exit, the belt is pressed from outward against the nozzle by means of a rail supported by springs whereby the mould is reliably sealed off under all working conditions. Pressing the belt against the nozzle can also be achieved by means of pistons or the direct hydrostatic and/or hydrodynamic effect of the coolant from the outside or through various combined measures. In order to reduce friction and wear, the nozzle in the area of contact with one belt can be provided with a wear-resistant coating or wear-resistant inserts. This sealing method enables a casting process with high metallostatic pressure, consequently resulting in a high quality product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Larex AG
    Inventor: Wilhelm F. Lauener
  • Patent number: 4775000
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for the continuous casting of tubular shapes wherein molten metal from which the tubular shape is formed is centrifugally deposited adjacent to the outlet of a fluid-cooled mold by a nozzle assembly, with the metal being cooled and rapidly solidified by the mold to form a cylindrical shell upon which additional metal is deposited to incrementally build the thickness of the tubular shape. The tubular shape being formed is withdrawn continuously from the mold, and is further cooled by coolant directed thereon. The nozzle assembly may be rotated to discharge the molten metal or, alternatively, the mold may be rotated as the metal is deposited thereon. Single-layer tubular shapes, with or without reinforcing material, may be cast and multiple-layer composite shapes may be produced having layers of different material composition and thicknesses. An inert atmosphere is maintained to prevent oxidation of the molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Inventor: Jack D. Ayers
  • Patent number: 4774996
    Abstract: A moving plate aftercooler for use in a continous casting system includes a plurality of cooling plates having means for circulation of coolant therethrough arranged in a serially overlapping configuration in which the plates are individually moveable to accomodate variations of the casting. Hydraulic means are operative upon the cooling plates to assert a contact force and hold the cooling plates in contact with the surfaces of the casting. The individual plate motions provide for accomodation of the taper of the cooling casting. A serial arrangement of three aftercoolers which cooperate to provide a continuous partially flexible cooling passage is also shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Steel Casting Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Max Ahrens, Manfred Haissig
  • Patent number: 4770229
    Abstract: A horizontal type continuous casting machine for casting molten steel into a cast steel strand, which comprises: a tundish for receiving molten steel to be cast; a horizontal metal mold connected through a front nozzle, a feed nozzle, a break ring and a metal spacer ring having therein a cooling water passage to an opening provided in the lower portion of a side wall of the tundish; at least one pair of pinch rolls for intermittently and continuously withdrawing molten steel directed from the tundish to the horizontal mold into a cast steel strand in the horizontal direction through the horizontal mold by means of a plurality of cycles each comprising one pull and one push; and a cooling zone for cooling the cast steel strand withdrawn from the horizontal mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Nippon Kokan Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeki Komori, Masahiro Tsuru
  • Patent number: 4763718
    Abstract: Net shape or near net shape metal rod or wire 3 is rapidly solidified. Molten metal 7 is delivered to a semi-cylindrical casting channel 2 in a chill block 1 from a tundish 4 through a critically-designed metering system comprising a drain 6, an orifice formed of the casting channel 2 and a complementary volume control channel 5, and a barrier 8 which directs molten metal to the volume-control orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Battelle Development Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Maringer
  • Patent number: 4744406
    Abstract: A mold for use in the horizontal continuous casting of molten material has an integral break ring. The break ring is produced by thermal spraying refractory material onto the surface of the mold to bond the refractory material and solidify it to integrally form the break ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Chaparral Steel Company
    Inventor: Libor F. Rostik
  • Patent number: 4735254
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous casting of an elongated thin metal strip achieves substantially high yield without allowing break-out or sticking. The method for casting a continuous elongated metal strip includes a step of driving endless belts at a varying speed so as to apply jerks to the slightly and half-solidified metal that release the metal from the surfaces of the stationary side walls. Applying jerks to the casting chamber by varying the driving speed of the endless belt ensures that the solidifying metal will travel smoothly and thus ensures a high manufacturing yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Itoyama, Hakaru Nakato, Tsutomu Nozaki, Yasuhiro Habu, Nagayasu Bessho, Tetsuya Fujii
  • Patent number: 4730659
    Abstract: Horizontal casting apparatus which includes a composite sleeve or ring at the entrance to the mould comprising a graphite inner portion and an insulating outer portion. The apparatus can optionally have an inert gas shield around the composite ring to protect the graphite component thereof against oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: IMI Refiners Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter J. Clark, Anthony W. Hudd, Stephen T. Bloor, Erling Roller
  • Patent number: 4724897
    Abstract: A method and apparatus which enables a continuous horizontal casting of thin slabs operates on the principle of cooling the molten steel and the cooling mold from the top and bottom while the sides of the cooling mold are comprised of refractory materials which prevent solidification along the short sides of the mold. Consequently, during the initial phases of the solidification process the steel solidifies from the top and the bottom forming sheets of increasing thickness which squeeze and sandwich the molten liquid center. The process avoids formation of voids or other irregularities in the finished metal slabs and it results in a very low rejection rate of finished product. Particularly for application wherein thin metal slabs measuring less than 4 or 5 inches in thickness are produced, the upper side of the mold curves upwardly toward the inlet opening to prevent freezing of the molten metal at the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Press Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jacob Brayman
  • Patent number: 4714105
    Abstract: For multiple strand casting in the horizontal, a distributor vessel and several molds connected thereto, are arranged on a carriage being movable in direction of multiple parallel casting lines, and a plurality of stationary mounts are provided to be connected to bar-like lateral extensions of the molds by means of hydraulically operated plungers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Franz Keutgen, Achim Kubon, Dieter Perings, Peter Stadler, Peter Voss-Spilker, Karl-Hermann Apel
  • Patent number: 4694886
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventor: Haruo Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 4693296
    Abstract: A break ring formed by providing a frame having a cross-section complementary to the exterior portion of the break ring, and the frame having an interior base of the cross-section of the break ring which will be in contact with the molten metal in the continuous caster is disclosed. The frame is thereafter filled with plasma sprayed boron nitride, silicon nitride, or whatever material is to immediately contact the metal in the horizontal continuous caster. This is subsequently followed by the spraying of a substrate onto the skin of the break ring, whereafter the body portion is finally filled. Detonation gun-type spraying is also contemplated, but a plasma gun forms a superior coating and gives more flexibility. Finally, the body is formed interiorly of the break ring further by plasma application or by casting. In one option, a cooling tube is laid into the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Flo-Con Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick D. King
  • Patent number: 4693299
    Abstract: In a continuous casting vessel, the gap between the feed column of molten metal and the mold inlet port is electromagnetically sealed by applying polyphase current on the edge of the inlet port to form therewith an intergral inductor effective to contain the metal in the pool about the meniscus at the base of the feed column in the sunk nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Kuznetsov, Richard D. Nathenson
  • Patent number: 4688624
    Abstract: In the horizontal continuous casting of metal, an upper contact part and a lower contact part of the metal body are horizontally displaced with the inner wall of the tubular chilled mold relative to one another, so that the lower contact part is psoitioned downstream relative to the upper contact part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Showa Aluminum Industries K.K.
    Inventors: Kengi Suzuki, Tadanao Itoh, Hiroshi Mitsuhashi, Yuichi Ozawa, Sadao Hasegawa, Takeshi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 4678024
    Abstract: Thin metal sheets are cast by magnetically suspending molten metal deposited within a ferromagnetic yoke and between AC conducting coils and linearly displacing the magnetically levitated liquid metal while it is being cooled to form a solid metal sheet. Magnetic flux increases as the molten metal sheet moves downward and decreases as the molten metal sheet moves upward to stabilize the sheet and maintain it in equilibrium as it is linearly displaced and solidified by cooling gases. A conducting shield is electrically coupled to the molten metal sheet by means of either metal sheet engaging rollers or brushes on the solidified metal, and by means of an electrode in the vessel containing the molten metal thereby providing a return path for the eddy currents induced in the metal sheet by the AC coil generated magnetic flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: John R. Hull, Robert J. Lari, Walter F. Praeg, Larry R. Turner
  • Patent number: 4660618
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Nippon Kokan Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Mitani, Yoshiharu Hirota, Shinobu Kumagai, Shigeki Komori, Masahiro Tsuru
  • Patent number: 4653570
    Abstract: Continuous casting apparatus comprises a mould defining a horizontal mould passage, a break ring having a tapered portion positioned in a correspondingly tapered inlet to the mould passage, a refractory feed tube supported in a mounting assembly and means for urging the assembly towards the mould so that an end face of the tube abuts against an end face of the break ring. The assembly is pivotally mounted so that the feed tube is pivotable relative to the break ring about a pair of axes which are at right angles to each other and at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the mould passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Davy McKee (Sheffield) Limited
    Inventors: David Stonecliffe, Peter Barlow
  • Patent number: 4640336
    Abstract: A silicon aluminum oxynitride containing refractory for use in continuous casting is placed between a mold and a tundish and is formed by sintering an admixture of silicon nitride (Si.sub.3 N.sub.4), aluminum nitride (AlN), boron nitride(BN), and a mineral clay. The refractory further includes aluminum oxide(Al.sub.2 O.sub.3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignees: Toshiba Ceramics Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumi Arakawa, Toshiyuki Hirao, Kenji Sugiura, Satoshi Kuroki, Sei Hiraki, Takao Suzuki, Ken Nakai
  • Patent number: 4640335
    Abstract: Horizontal casting apparatus which includes a composite sleeve or ring at the entrance to the mould comprising a graphite inner portion and an insulating outer portion. The apparatus can optionally have an inert gas shield around the composite ring to protect the graphite component thereof against oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: IMI Refiners Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter J. Clark, Anthony W. Hudd, Stephen T. Bloor, Erling Roller
  • Patent number: 4627481
    Abstract: A refractory conduit assembly for the transfer of molten steel from a discharge vessel to an ingot mold of a horizontal continuous casting plant includes a replaceable spout member adapted to be removably connected at a predetermined location to the refractory lining of a vessel. The spout member has therethrough a discharge channel to receive from the interior of the vessel a flow of molten steel. A shut off device is provided to interrupt the flow to the discharge channel. A casting tube has therethrough a flow passage with inlet and outlet ends. A coupling device connects the inlet end of the flow passage to the discharge channel, such that the flow of molten metal passes through the casting tube. The outlet end of the flow passage has an altered cross-sectional configuration adapted to that of the ingot mold. A nozzle has an inlet end connected to the casting tube and an outlet end having thereat a portion to sealingly contact walls of the ingot mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Didier-Werke AG
    Inventors: Laurenz Keisers, Gerd Artz, Dieter Figge, Clemens Philipp, Hans Siemer
  • Patent number: 4619308
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Nippon Kokan Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takaho Kawawa
  • Patent number: 4619309
    Abstract: A nozzle which can be used repeatedly for the supply of liquid metal is made up of individual, hollow, refractory sections fitted together side by side in a metal frame. The hollow elements of the nozzle may feature, in addition to at least one longitudinal channel for the supply of liquid metal, channels to accommodate heating elements also running in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Ernst Huber, Wolfhart Rieger, Martin Bolliger
  • Patent number: 4605056
    Abstract: In a continuous casting process, molten metal is supplied into a generally open top horizontal mold having an inner wall maintained at a temperature which is higher than the solidification temperature of the molten metal, while the molten metal is maintained under generally zero pressure at the outlet opening of the mold. A dummy bar is drawn horizontally away from the outlet opening of the mold to cause the molten metal to be drawn out of the mold opening and undergo solidification at the surfaces thereof directly proximate to the outlet opening. The exposed surface of the molten metal in the mold is heated through the open mold top by a heater spaced out of contact with the molten metal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignees: Nippon Light Metal Company Limited, O.C.C. Company Limited
    Inventor: Atsumi Ohno
  • Patent number: 4602668
    Abstract: A process and nozzle for the continuous casting of molten metal to the mold of a caterpillar track type mold wherein the distance of the nozzle from the moving mold belts is regulated during the casting operation by altering the temperature at a plurality of places inside the nozzle body and/or by creating a pressurized gas cushion at a plurality of locations between the nozzle and the moving mold belts. The nozzle for feeding molten metal to the mold includes heating elements for altering the temperature of the nozzle and, if desired, at least one gas channel for forming a gas cushion between the nozzle and the moving mold belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Martin Bolliger
  • Patent number: 4601327
    Abstract: A horizontal continuous casting installation wherein a body of molten metal stored in a tundish is continuously fed through a tundish nozzle connected to the tundish near its bottom and extending horizontally to a mold connected to the forward end of the tundish nozzle coaxially therewith, to perform casting by the mold to produce a strand continuously withdrawn horizontally from the mold. An electromagnetic field generating device is arranged in the vicinity of the tundish nozzle and mold in a manner to enclose same, to generate an electromagnetic force oriented toward the center of a body of molten metal flowing through the boundary and exerted on the body of molten metal. The electromagnetic field generating device is constructed such that a magnetic flux of higher density is generated in a lower portion of the body of molten metal than in an upper portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Kaneko, Hatuyoshi Kumashiro, Akira Iwata
  • Patent number: 4592408
    Abstract: In a horizontal continuous casting plant which includes a mold and an oscillatory withdrawal device downstream of the mold, the withdrawal device is positioned along the strand path, by a computer-controlled motor, at a point such that the strand will not be damaged or impaired by the pressure applied to it by the strand engagement elements of the withdrawal device. Preferably, the strand engagement elements comprises one or more pairs of rollers which also are adjustable, by computer-controlled motors, to a desired elevation and separation to accommodate a range of cross-sectional dimensions of the strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Manfred Haissig
    Inventor: Manfred Haissig
  • Patent number: 4590985
    Abstract: An apparatus for horizontally and intermittently withdrawing a cast steel strand from a horizontal mold of a horizontal type continuous casting machine, which comprises: at least one pair of pinch rolls (2A, 2B; 3A, 3B) for horizontally and intermittently withdrawing the cast steel strand from the horizontal mold by a plurality of cycles each comprising one pull for a prescribed period, one pause for a prescribed period and one push for a prescribed period; a driving device (4) for driving the at least one pair of pinch rolls (2A, 2B; 3A, 3B) through a driving force transmitter (6) in response to the above-mentioned one pull, one pause and one push in each cycle; and a brake (12) for imparting to the driving device (4) a braking force proportional to the number of rotations of the driving device (4) during the prescribed period of the one pull in each cycle so as to prevent the cast steel strand from being pulled over the prescribed period of the one pull in each cycle, the braking force of the brake (12) bei
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: Nippon Kokan Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Honda, Yasuo Yanagihashi, Shinobu Kumagai
  • Patent number: 4586558
    Abstract: A feed nozzle unit for a horizontal continuous casting process, the feed nozzle unit being disposed in coaxial relation between a tundish nozzle and a mold in a horizontal continuous casting device and including a fixing member of cylindrical form fixedly connected to the mold, the feed nozzle being fixed and connected in coaxial relation to the fixing member at a position inside a connecting side of the tundish nozzle, and the connecting refractory material being fitted in coaxial relation to the fixing member at a position adjacent a connecting side of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Takasuke Mori, Jun Miyazaki, Manabu Miyamoto, Kiichi Narita
  • Patent number: 4566526
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Concast, Incorporated
    Inventors: Herbert Fastert, Carl Langner
  • Patent number: 4541478
    Abstract: A continuous casting mould comprises a first mould part moulding the strand cross section and at least one second mould part arranged after the first part in the strand travelling direction. The second mould part is equipped with wall parts supporting the strand surface and getting into contact therewith. The wall parts are pressable against the strand surface by adjusting means. In order to provide a continuous casting mould which peripherally requires only little space, in which the adjustment force does not depend on the wear of the wall parts, and in which completely uniform adjustment forces and thus always the same wear occur over the length of the wall parts, the adjusting means are arranged so as to be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the strand with their longitudinal axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Schubert, Heinrich Thone, Richard Kasmader
  • Patent number: 4540037
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: Concast AG
    Inventor: Carl Langner
  • Patent number: 4532980
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for removing fine cold shut cracks on a horizontally and continuously cast steel strand, using ejection of a plurality of metal shots, comprises: horizontally and intermittently withdrawing a cast steel strand from a horizontal mold by a plurality of cycles each comprising a pull and a push, cooling the cast steel strand in a cooling zone provided following the horizontal mold on the same horizontal level as that of the horizontal mold, increasing the temperature of the surface portion of the solidified shell of the cast steel strand in a heat-restoring zone provided following the cooling zone on the same horizontal level as that of the cooling zone, to soften the surface portion of the solidified shell of the cast steel strand, and then continuously ejecting a plurality of metal shots from a plurality of shooters in a shooting zone provided following the heat-restoring zone on the same horizontal level as that of the heat-restoring zone onto the cast steel strand, to weld fine cold
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Miyawaki, Takeshi Hirose, Yoneichi Hamada, Seishi Mizuoka, Masahiro Tsuru
  • Patent number: 4527616
    Abstract: A horizontal continuous casting installation, particularly for casting a strand of a large transverse dimension, wherein a body of molten metal stored in a tundish is continuously supplied through a tundish nozzle secured to the tundish in the vicinity of its bottom and extending horizontally therefrom to a mold connected to the forward end of the tundish nozzle and arranged coaxially therewith to cast a strand which is continuously withdrawn horizontally from the mold. The mold has an inner transverse dimension greater than the inner transverse dimension of the tundish nozzle. An electromagnetic field generating device is located between an outer surface of the tundish nozzle and an inner surface of the mold in the vicinity of an end surface of the mold facing the tundish nozzle for exerting an electromagnetic force on the body of molten metal flowing from the tundish nozzle to the mold in such a manner that the electromagnetic force is oriented toward the center of the body of molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Kaneko, Hatsuyoshi Kumashiro, Akira Iwata
  • Patent number: 4527615
    Abstract: An electromagnetic within-mold stirring method and apparatus wherein electromagnetic stirring is imparted to molten steel passing through a mold, under the following conditions where the maximum flux density (in gauss) of a magnetic field induced by an electro-magnetic coil ranges from 1045.e.sup.-0.16f to 2054.e.sup.-0.12f (f: frequency, 1-15 Hz) and the place of the maximum magnetic flux density is within the range of 350 mm from the junction between the pouring nozzle and the mold in the direction of drawing of the cast-piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Kiichi Narita, Takasuke Mori, Kenzo Ayata, Jun Miyazaki, Takahiko Fujimoto, Hitoshi Nakata
  • Patent number: 4523624
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for controlling the position of a cast ingot is provided so that unwanted distortions of the casting are substantially avoided. The instant process and apparatus also permit substantially uniform heat transfer about the casting periphery. A control system for maintaining the casting within a mold so that the casting outer periphery is substantially uniformly spaced from the mold inner wall comprises a casting supporting mechanism adjacent the mold exit and non-thermal position detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Dantzig, Peter E. Sevier, Gary L. Ungarean
  • Patent number: 4520860
    Abstract: In a horizontal continuous casting plant having a horizontally oriented discharge duct for conveying molten metal from a container to the casting mold, a closure assembly for selectively blocking the flow of molten metal is provided in the duct. The closure assembly comprises a stationary headplate and a vertically disposed slider plate, the latter movable across the headplate between positions blocking and unblocking the flow of metal. To prevent solidification of metal around the closure when in the blocked position, gas supply means are provided in the headplate and slider plate to create a flow of gas at the closure that inhibits solidification and keeps the molten metal from penetrating between the fixed and movable parts of the closure assembly. The gas supply means comprises a plurality of nozzle openings in either the headplate or slider plate or both, connected with a source of gaseous media, and oriented substantially tangentially of and at an angle to the juncture of the headplate and slider plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Manfred Haissig
    Inventors: Manfred Haissig, Josef Lothmann
  • Patent number: 4513806
    Abstract: An apparatus for drawing casting in a horizontal type continuous casting machine, which basically comprises a forward drive motor of a large capacity for driving a pair of pinch rollers in a forward direction with a large torque, a reversible constant-load motor for driving the pinch rollers in the reverse direction, a clutch for disconnectibly connecting the forward drive motor to the pinch rollers, a control circuit for engaging and releasing the clutch in response to output signals of detecting means which detect the forward and backward motions of the casting, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Shinzo Iida, Katsuji Ie, Jun Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 4505320
    Abstract: A horizontal continuous casting plant includes a tundish for accommodating melt and at least one through-type mold fastened to the tundish. The tundish is placeable into a position in alignment with a stationary strand guideway and removable from this position, together with the mold. In order to provide a continuous casting plant in which the relative movement between the strand skin and the mold exactly has the desired course and extent, the through-type mold is fixable relative to the base without play in the longitudinal direction of its mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Schubert, Heinrich Thone
  • Patent number: 4502526
    Abstract: A continuous steel casting apparatus includes a casting nozzle, a mold surrounding the casting nozzle and having moving mold walls together defining a rectangular casting cross section and being formed of oppositely located, parallel-extending endless casting belts and oppositely located, parallel-extending endless lateral dams. A sealing assembly provides a seal between the casting nozzle and the mold walls. The sealing assembly includes sealing levers situated between the casting nozzle and the casting belts. The sealing levers are movably mounted on the casting nozzle. Each sealing lever has a sealing face oriented towards a respective casting belt and extending parallel to the width thereof. Further, each sealing lever is resiliently urged into a sealing engagement with the casting belts. Side surfaces of the sealing levers sealingly engage the dams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: FRIED. KRUPP Gesellschaft mit beschr/a/ nkter Haftung
    Inventors: Gerd Artz, Dieter Figge, Thomas Hoster, Clemens Philipp
  • Patent number: 4491169
    Abstract: The invention concerns the continuous casting of metals such as alloys of copper and is directed to the type of apparatus that uses a graphite die having a mold passage in which the casting is shaped as it passes through the die. In that type of apparatus, the die is disposed between cooling elements that conduct heat away from the die to cause the hot metal to cool as it passes through the die and because the die has a tendency to bend away from the cooling elements, the apparatus employs clamps to inhibit separation of the die from the cooling elements. In the invention, means are provided to apply compressive force to the ends of the die to cause bending moments to be set up in the die that counteract the tendency of the die to bend away from the cooling elements. In the invention the die is made of two graphite plates of uniform thickness separated by graphite spacers which form a generally rectangular mold passaage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: Etablissments Griset
    Inventor: Gerard Durand-Texte