Continuous Or Semicontinuous Casting Patents (Class 164/459)
  • Patent number: 5651411
    Abstract: The apparatus is formed by confronting wide side mold walls and confronting narrow side mold walls, The narrow side mold walls are composed of an electrically conductive refractory material and are directly heated. Each of the narrow side mold walls include an upper squeezed portion and a lower parallel portion, The upper squeezed portion has a surface in contact with the molten metal which converges in width along a casting direction. The lower parallel portion has surface in contact with the molten metal which is substantially uniform in width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Hirano, Yutaka Fukui, Hideyo Kodama, Toshiyuki Kajiwara, Yasutsugu Yoshimura, Tomoaki Kimura, Kenji Horii, Tadashi Nishino
  • Patent number: 5647427
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for providing a modular mold table for use in conjunction with a vertical non-ferrous metal casting apparatus. A plurality of longitudinal headers with a coolant passageway and transverse headers with a coolant passageway provide the mold table. A centralized water screen is provided to screen undesired inclusions in the coolant. Pre-cast modules which contain the mold cavities and other interconnections for coolant, oil and gas are operatively connected to the longitudinal headers and can be added or removed in building block fashion. Also disclosed is an oil delivery system and a gas delivery system wherein longitudinally oriented oil and gas passageways are included within the longitudinal headers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Wagstaff, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Collins, Loren Keith Bodeau
  • Patent number: 5622218
    Abstract: Method of continuously casting steel slabs and the like wherein a layer of melting powder is maintained at the top portion of the casting mold with sufficient thickness so as to provide an increased thermal insulation to the liquid layers of steel and slag, whereby the formation of a solidified slag rim in the mold is eliminated and the surface quality of the steel products is considerably improved. The melting powder addition according to the invention also reduces the number of break-outs and consequently considerably increases the availability and productivity of the caster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Hylsa S.A. de C.V.
    Inventor: Miguel A. Pedroza-Contreras
  • Patent number: 5615731
    Abstract: In the case of a continuous casting mould for a double T-shaped preliminary section comprising a mould cavity cross-section which is composed of two flange parts (4, 4') and a web part (5) firstly sticking of the billet in the mould is to be prevented and secondly simplified mould production is to be indicated. Furthermore it should be possible to produce sections of this type in tubular moulds, with high casting speed and high billet quality such that their dimensions are as close as possible to the final dimensions. To this end it is proposed that the mould cavity (3) be provided at the mould end on the pouring-in side, on both sides along the web (5) in each case with a cross-sectional enlargement, in the form of bulges (8), with respect to the identical mould cavity portion (7) at the mould end on the billet outlet side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Concast Standard AG
    Inventors: Adalbert Roehrig, Franciszek Kawa
  • Patent number: 5598885
    Abstract: Method for the continuous casting of high-carbon steels to produce thin slabs, these steels being characterised by a content of carbon greater than 0.50%, in which method the taper of the mould at least in its first segment having to be between 1.5% and 4% per meter, the frequency of oscillation of the mould being between 180 and 350 oscillations per minute with a travel upwards and downwards of about .+-.5 to 9 mm., with a total travel of 10 to 18 mm., the cooling in the primary cooling period being very intense, the times of the transient state of start-up of the casting being reduced by 1/3 to 1/4 as compared to the normal times of the transient state of start-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventors: Umberto Meroni, Domenico W. Ruzza, Andrea Carboni
  • Patent number: 5592988
    Abstract: Method for the continuous casting of peritectic steels to produce thin slabs, these peritectic steels being characterised by a content of carbon between 0.10%, and 0.15%, and at times even between 0.09% and 0.16%, in which method the taper of the mould at least in its first segment is between 2.0% and 6% per meter and the frequency of oscillation of the mould should be between 300 and 500 oscillations per minute with a travel upwards and downwards between .+-.2.5 mm. and 4 mm., with a total travel of 5 mm. to 8 mm., the primary and secondary cooling being restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventors: Umberto Meroni, Domenico W. Ruzza, Andrea Carboni
  • Patent number: 5520242
    Abstract: A metal mold for continous casting of steel bands and including wide side walls and opposite narrow side walls extending parallel to each other between the wide side walls, and displaceable toward each other and away from each other for adjusting a distance therebetween, with the wide side walls each having a concave arcuate portion defining a pouring region, and inclined surfaces on opposite sides of the concave arcuate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag AG
    Inventors: Hans Streubel, Horst Grothe
  • Patent number: 5496423
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing aluminum alloy sheet stock including two sequences of continuous, in-line operations. The first sequence includes the continuous, in-line steps of hot rolling, coiling, coil self-annealing and the second sequence includes the continuous, in-line steps of uncoiling, quenching without intermediate cooling, cold rolling, and coiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Gavin F. Wyatt-Mair, Donald G. Harrington
  • Patent number: 5482107
    Abstract: A molten silicon steel is continuously strip cast to a thickness approaching the aim final thickness of magnetic core laminations that are to be punched from the resulting steel strip. The strip is temper rolled and then annealed to produce stress relief and secondary grain growth. Recrystallization is avoided during cooling following strip casting and thereafter. The steel phase and predominant crystalline texture of the steel strip at its final thickness is the same as the steel phase and predominant crystalline texture that existed initially upon solidification from the molten state. The steel phase is body centered cubic. The crystalline texture is characterized by (100) planes of the unit cubes of the crystals lying in a plane of the strip parallel to the strip surface with random orientation of the (100) planes in that plane of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Inland Steel Company
    Inventor: Robert R. Judd
  • Patent number: 5470012
    Abstract: A method is available for forming a surface on a continuous casting mold. A surface of a continuous casting mold is formed by explosion cladding to produce a wear resistant surface having high bond strength. The surface may consist of a hot face of a broad or narrow wall of the continuous casting mold or may comprise the edges of the end walls. Deformation of the mold section is prevented by filling the coolant cavities with a filler prior to explosion cladding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Acutus Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Vonne D. Linse, Bruce D. Horn
  • Patent number: 5469911
    Abstract: A method for improving the surface quality of electromagnetically cast aluminum alloy ingot includes the addition of an effective amount of calcium prior to the ingot head of an ingot mold of an electromagnetic casting station. The addition of calcium is regulated such that the aluminum alloy cast ingot contains a maximum of 0.05 weight percent calcium. Addition of the calcium prior to the ingot head produces a cast ingot which is generally free of surface imperfections on side surfaces thereof so that the cast ingot can be directly worked or rolled to a desired gauge without a scalping or surface conditioning treatment. The calcium can be added during melting, alloying, filtering, degassing or transferring of the molten aluminum prior to casting. An electromagnetically cast aluminum alloy ingot is produced, preferably an AA5182 can end stock alloy, which is essentially free of surface imperfections to permit direct rolling or other working of the cast ingot without a surface conditioning treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventor: Gary B. Parker
  • Patent number: 5469910
    Abstract: Molten steel is continuously teemed into a casting passage to establish a bath of molten steel in the passage. The molten steel is partially solidified in the casting passage to form a strand having a plurality of bulges which are uniformly distributed circumferentially of the strand. The strand is continuously withdrawn from the casting passage and the bulges are deformed during strand withdrawal so as to reduce bulge size. The amount of deformation is regulated by varying the bath level as a function of one or more casting parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Concast Standard AG
    Inventors: Franciszek Kawa, Adrian Stilli, Adalbert Roehrig
  • Patent number: 5467809
    Abstract: A liquid-cooled plate mold with adjustable width for the continuous casting of billets from steel in the form of slabs, particularly for a slab thickness of less than 100 mm. The shape-imparting broad side plates (1) and narrow side plates (2) of the ingot mold are constructed in the direction of their transverse extension so as to increase in cross section for the billet, while the narrow side plates (2) extend substantially parallel to one another along the height of the ingot mold. Further, the broad side plates (1) are constructed so as to be concave at least in a region (3) of smallest slab width in such a way that, in cross section, the apex height (13) of the ingot mold wall forming a curve has a determined height relative to a rectangle inserted in the drawing. The shape of the billet side plates at the billet outlet end (5) corresponds to the billet format to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Giovanni Arvedi, Giovanni Gosio, Ulrich Siegers, Luciano Manini, Fritz-Peter Pleschiutschnigg, Lothar Parschat, Hans-Gunther Thurm, Harald Ludorff
  • Patent number: 5460220
    Abstract: The mold has movable sidewalls (13) to adjust the width of the slab and an enlarged casting chamber (11) extending along the length of the crystallizer of the mold (10). Located immediately downstream of the mold (10) are containing plates (24) and transverse rolls (18) defining a possible first assembly (19) of rolls, a second assembly (28) of rolls and a third assembly (29) of rolls. The casting chamber (11) has an enlargement provided by a central curve defined by a first equivalent radius R, the central curve at the inlet (16) of the casting chamber (11) being defined by the specific first equivalent radius R' and by a width L of at least 500 mm. with a value of the lateral half-enlargement A between 30 mm. and 90 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventor: Giovanni Coassin
  • Patent number: 5415220
    Abstract: Casting aluminum-lithium based alloys under a salt cover involves forming a molten aluminum-lithium alloy, transferring the molten aluminum-lithium alloy to a casting station, and direct chill casting the aluminum-lithium alloy, wherein a protective molten salt cover comprising a mixture of lithium chloride and potassium chloride is maintained over the aluminum-lithium alloy during the casting process. Formation of the molten aluminum-lithium alloy includes alloying of lithium with aluminum by adding lithium to the salt-covered molten aluminum in a melting vessel. The molten salt may be added to the ingot head during casting. A preferred salt mixture includes 35 to 90 mole % LiCl and 10 to 65 mole % KCl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventor: H. Marvin Edwards
  • Patent number: 5409053
    Abstract: The mold includes a mold tube having pairs of parallel opposed outer surface portions which extend axially of the mold tube. The mold tube defines an axial casting passage having an inlet end for molten metal and an outlet end for a continuously cast strand of the metal. The mold tube is provided with internal concavities which are uniformly distributed peripherally of the casting passage. The internal concavities, which extend in a direction from the inlet end towards the outlet end, become smaller in this direction and are designed so that the strand is shaped as it travels along the casting passage. To form the mold tube, external concavities are impressed or cut in a tubular blank and a mandrel with external protuberances is then pressed into the blank. If necessary, the tubular blank can thereafter be drawn or otherwise processed to produce the desired outer contour of the mold tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Concast Standard AG
    Inventors: Franciszek Kawa, Adrian Stilli
  • Patent number: 5379828
    Abstract: A non-magnetic material having a relatively high electrical resistance, such as austenitic stainless steel, is used for the material of construction of the mold utilized in a conventional continuous casting apparatus, or in a rheocasting apparatus or in a continuous strip casting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Inland Steel Company
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Blazek, Ismael G. Saucedo, James E. Kelly
  • Patent number: 5360053
    Abstract: A mold for the continuous casting of steel defines a casting passage having an inlet end for molten steel, an outlet end for a continuously cast steel strand, an upstream portion extending from the inlet end approximately halfway towards the outlet end, and a downstream portion extending from the upstream portion to the outlet end. The upstream portion is formed with a plurality of radially outwardly directed protuberances which are arranged side-by-side circumferentially of the casting passage. The size of the protuberances decreases from the inlet end towards the outlet end in such a manner that the strand is shaped during travel through the upstream portion of the casting passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Concast Standard AG
    Inventors: Franciszek Kawa, Adrian Stilli
  • Patent number: 5356495
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing aluminum alloy can body stock including two sequences of continuous, in-line operations. The first sequence includes the continuous, in-line steps of hot rolling, coiling, coil self-annealing and the second sequence includes the continuous, in-line steps of uncoiling, quenching without intermediate cooling, cold rolling, and coiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Gavin F. Wyatt-Mair, Donald G. Harrington
  • Patent number: 5343931
    Abstract: Crystallizer, or inner portion, of a mold for the continuous curved casting of thin slabs, which has at least its outer curved extrados plate (10) containing a substantially central enlargement hollow (11) starting from the upper surface (13) of the outer plate (10) and being reduced progressively, to zero in the curved inner surface (12) of the plate (10) for sliding of the molten metal, the enlargement hollow (11) being defined by a determined profile, the profile being determined lengthwise by an angle ".alpha." and crosswise by an angle ".beta.", wherein the angle ".alpha." should not exceed a maximum value of 5.degree. and may vary, from the center line to the sides of the hollow (11), according to a linear development contained within a field limited at its upper end by that maximum value and at its lower end by zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventors: Mirco Striuli, Fabio Borlina, Wogler Ruzza
  • Patent number: 5339877
    Abstract: Crystallizer, or inner portion, of a mould having a lengthwise curvature for continuous curved casting of thin slabs (20), the crystallizer comprising an outer, or extrados, plate (12), an inner, or intrados, plate (11) and lateral narrow plates (13s-13d) having inner faces (16) defining a casting section (14), the lateral narrow plates (13s-13d) having their inner faces (16) inclined in such a way as to impart to the downflow channel a tapered conformation which reduces the width of the casting section (14) in the direction of feed of the thin slabs (20), both the extrados (12) and intrados (11) plates being curved lengthwise and containing in their inner upper central portion respective frontal extrados (15) and intrados (115) hollows, the upper part of the inner face (16) of the lateral narrow plates (13s-13d) comprising a bevel (17) which faces towards the intrados plate (11) and is progressively reduced to zero in the vicinity of the level of the lower end of the extrados (15) and intrados (115) hollows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventors: Guido Marchesan, Wogler Ruzza
  • Patent number: 5311922
    Abstract: In a continuous-casting mold for strip steel relatively long side walls have inner surfaces bridged by and forming an upwardly open passage with relatively short end walls, and each side wall has starting at an upper edge an inwardly open recess having an inwardly concave central portion joined at respective upright lines with a pair of flanking inwardly convex side portions. The portions having respective radii of curvature. The radius of curvature of the central portion increases continuously from the upper edge to a straight line at a lower edge of the respective recess and the radius of curvature of each outer portion is substantially constant within at least 100 mm of the upper edge of the respective side wall and may be constant over the entire vertical length of each side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Streubel
  • Patent number: 5310704
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a superconductive conductor containing a superconductive ceramic material generally expressed by the composition AaBbCc, where A represents at least a sort of element selected from a group of those belonging to the groups Ia, IIa and IIIb of the periodic table, B represent at least a single element selected from a group consisting of groups Ib, IIb and IIIa of the periodic table, C represents at least a single sort of element selected from a group of oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, fluorine and sulfur and a, b and c represent numbers showing composition ratios of A, B and C respectively, includes a step of melting a material generally expressed by a formula AaBb, a step of continuously drawing out a melt of AaBb from a hole provided in a frame, a step of solidifying the AaBb melt drawn out from the hole and a step of heating a solidified body of AaBb in an atmosphere containing C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hajime Hitotsuyanagi, Kazuo Sawada, Kengo Ohkura, Yoshihiro Nakai, Kazuhiko Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5297614
    Abstract: A process for continuous casting of ultra low carbon aluminum killed steel, characterized in that the steel contains 6-20 ppm of calcium, less than 0.01 wt % of sulfur, and less than 30 ppm of oxygen, the molten steel superheat temperature in the tundish is higher than 16.degree. C., and the average flow rate of molten steel is greater than 1.2 m/sec in the straight part of the nozzle. This process prevents rusting and eliminates the necessity of blowing a gas into the immersion nozzle and hence prevents the swelling of cold rolled sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Nagayasu Bessho, Hisao Yamazaki, Tetusya Fujii
  • Patent number: 5271452
    Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus has a continuous casting mold which defines a casting passage. The walls of the mold are provided with conduits which are connected with a source of pressurized gas and open into the casting passage at locations downstream of that where the meniscus is normally established. During withdrawal of a continuously cast strand from the mold, gas is injected into the casting passage at a pressure sufficient to force the meniscus away from the walls of the mold. This eliminates the friction which normally exists between the mold and the meniscus so that the mold need not be oscillated during strand withdrawal. The continuous casting apparatus accordingly does not require an oscillating mechanism for the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: SMS Concast Inc.
    Inventor: Donald P. Lorento
  • Patent number: 5240065
    Abstract: Aluminum bar having a helical contour continuously cast using a mold comprising a heating unit and a cooling unit which have a groove or protrusion helically cut on the inner wall surface, and casting aluminum while conducting rotation and withdrawing in conformity with the slope of the helix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Akihiko Takahashi, Hitoshi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 5201361
    Abstract: An improved continuous caster mold having adjustable end walls employs heating mechanisms in the portion of each of the narrow end walls above the level of molten metal contained in the mold to heat that portion of each of the end walls to a temperature more closely approximating the temperature of the end walls below the level of molten metal in the mold. The heating mechanisms tend to lower the temperature differential between the portion of the end wall below the level of molten metal and the portion of the end wall above the level of molten metal. By equalizing the temperature differential in the end wall, the thermal expansion of the end wall is made more uniform to prevent the formation of a gap between the end walls and either of the broad side walls. The improvement is also useful for reducing thermal stresses in molds having fixed, stationary end walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Acutus Mold, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Grove, Frank J. Kowalczyk
  • Patent number: 5191924
    Abstract: A built-up ingot mold for the continuous casting of metal has four cooled plates (2, 3) delimiting between them a cavity (4). The corners of the cavity are cut by bevels (9) and each pair of opposite plates bear on corresponding bearing faces (8) of the plates (2) of the other pair of opposite plates. The plates (2, 3) can be tightened against one another by tightening devices (10) acting approximately perpendicularly to the bearing faces (8). The bevel (9) of each corner of the cavity (4) is formed by the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle, the sides forming the right angle of which are each located in a plane formed by an inner wall of one of the adjacent plates (2, 3) and have a length greater than 30 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignees: Sollac, Clecim
    Inventor: Dominique Werquin
  • Patent number: 5188167
    Abstract: A continuous casting mould for casting thin slabs has, at its inlet end, a mould cavity which has generally rectangular side regions joined by a central pouring region. At least part of the walls of the pouring region are of arcuate form and over at least part of the depth of the mould the radii of curvature of the arcuate parts progressively increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Davy (Distington) Limited
    Inventors: Robert M. Perry, Timothy Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5176197
    Abstract: A continuous caster mold has a water-cooled inner wall of copper or a copper alloy that is thoroughly covered with pieces of ceramics. A continuous casting process, which uses a mold whose inner wall of copper or a copper alloy is lined with ceramics having resistance to wear, heat and thermal shock, heat conductivity and lubricating property, with the thickness of the ceramics lining varied either stepwise or continuously in the casting direction. The molten metal, which progressively solidifies as its heat is extracted, is withdrawn by taking advantage of the solid lubrication provided by the ceramics lining. The thickness of the lining is varied to prevent the formation of air gaps between the surface of the lining and the solidifying shell and cool the steel being cast according to the desired pattern, and/or to start solidification of the molten metal below the molten metal surface level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Chiyokatsu Hamaguchi, Tomoharu Shimokasa, Kazumi Daitoku, Fujiya Nogami, Kazuya Kudo, Kazumi Seki
  • Patent number: 5172749
    Abstract: A continuous steel casting mold includes walls with base members of copper alloy which are provided with cooling ducts. In order to improve the wear resistance and to prevent cracks, a working coating of pure copper is provided on the base members. It is also possible to provide an intermediate layer of pure copper on the base member and a working coating on the intermediate layer. The layer of pure copper has a thickness of at least 0.2 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gunter Flemming
  • Patent number: 5131454
    Abstract: A continuous steel casting system having a mold into which molten steel of different grades may be successively introduced and from which a casting continuously emerges. A grade separator device is provided that is positionable into the mold inlet opening immediately following completion of the introduction of a first grade of molten steel and before the introduction of a second grade for forming a separating barrier between the first and second grades of molten steel and for enhancing cooling and solidification at the juncture between the first and second grades of molten steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Better Bilt Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Camp
  • Patent number: 5114472
    Abstract: A filter system for removing solid impurities from molten metal is described comprising a housing containing vertically disposed rigid coarse filter facing the incoming flow of molten metal and capable of removing solids having a particle size of at least 10 microns and a rigid fine filter mounted vertically behind the coarse filter and capable of removing solids having a particle size as small as 1 micron. The apparatus further includes a heater for maintaining the temperature of the molten metal and a sparger mounted adjacent the front face of one filter to provide an intermittent gas flow over the face of the filter to dislodge solids on the filter as filter cake. In a preferred embodiment, the rigid filters are nested cylinders, and the molten metal is directed to the center of the smaller coarse filter cylinder from which it then flows through the coarse filter outward to and through the fine filter cylinder and then from the fine filter out of the filter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: C. Edward Eckert, Thomas R. Hornack, George E. Lyness, John A. Kaems, Clarence J. Cox, Ronald E. Miller, Diran Apelian, Rajakkannu Mutharasan
  • Patent number: 5099907
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a new cast strip to a previously cast strip after a change in batch in a continuous casting plant necessitating temporarily closing a casting die outlet including opening the casting die outlet, casting a strip of metal from the die outlet to produce a cast metal strip, attaching a connecting means to a trailing end of the previously cast strip and thereafter connecting a forward end of the new cast strip to the connecting means for concurrent movement of both cast strips. The connecting means includes a hollow connecting cuff open at lower and upper ends, and the trailing end of the previously cast strip is pressed into the lower end of the cuff, and said forward end of the new cast strip is cast into the upper end of the cuff to connect said two cast strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventor: Margrit Dislich
  • Patent number: 5090472
    Abstract: A casting nozzle is first arranged in a melt of the beryllium copper alloy in a mold. This casting nozzle has a flow rate-regulating mechanism which is arranged in the melt in the mold and capable of regulating the flow rate of the melt to be poured into the mold. The nozzle is opened in the melt inside the mold. A melt is poured into the mold through the nozzle, and continuously cast in a casting temperature range from a liquidus temperature of the beryllium copper alloy to a temperature higher than the liquidus temperature by 50.degree. C. Thereby, the beryllium copper alloy having a crystalline structure consisting essentially of isometric crystals can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignees: NGK Insulators, Ltd., NGK Metals Corporation
    Inventors: Munenori Uchida, Donald A. Bates
  • Patent number: 5082746
    Abstract: An as-continuously cast beam blank comprising a web portion and a plurality of opposed flange precursor portions extending from opposite ends of the web portion, the web portion having an average thickness of no greater than about 3 inches, each of said flange precursor portions having an average thickness of no greater than about 3 inches, wherein the ratio of the average thickness of the flange precursor portions to the average thickness of the web portion preferably is between about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Inventors: Gordon E. Forward, Libor F. Rostik, Lloyd M. Schmelzle
  • Patent number: 5060713
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a spray chamber having a transport device for positioning a billet adjacent a nozzle for spraying a stream of molten metal onto the surface of the billet. The billet is engaged by a tandem arrangement of holding devices which are attached to driven ring gears. With the holding devices engaging the billet rotation of the ring gears rotates the billet about its longitudinal axis as the billet is sprayed with molten metal from the nozzle. As the billet is rotated it is also moved longitudinally by servo-cylinders attached to the ring gears. The servo-cylinders advance and retract in sequence as the ring gears rotate to generate combined longitudinal and rotational movement of the billet adjacent the nozzle. Thus a uniform layer of metal is deposited over length of the billet to form a round billet exclusively by spray-casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Reichelt, Peter Voss-Spilker, Ulrich Urlau, Franz Keutgen, Erich Willems
  • Patent number: 5056583
    Abstract: The continuous casting method uses a multistrand type continuous casting apparatus having a plurality of tundishes each provided with a plurality of nozzles for casting strands of at least two different alloys where at least one alloy is cast into two or more strands. The method transfers molten metal into the tundishes from separate ladles corresponding to each tundish, and one tundish feeds at least two water-cooled molds through the nozzles for continuous casting thereof. The number of strands cast for each of the different alloys is determined based on the time required for the preparation of each molten metal, an amount of charge and a casting speed of each molten metal, so as to improve the yield of expensive alloys and/or enhance the rate of operation of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Daido Tokushuko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Morii, Shuzo Kumura, Shyzunori Hayakawa, Yoshio Inagaki
  • Patent number: 4989666
    Abstract: In a process for electromagnetic casting of round and hollow ingots, in particular such of aluminum and aluminum alloys, the ingot (7) is rotated about its longitudinal axis (x) during casting. This is achieved by way of a rotatable dummy base (6). With that the metal feed and cooling of the ingot is made symmetrical and, as a result, a more uniform shape is obtained and a more uniform cell structure across the ingot cross-section. In order to promote a stronger stirring effect, a stationary stirrer (8) dipping into the molten part of the ingot (7) can be provided attached to the metal inlet system (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Weber
  • Patent number: 4972899
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for casting a grain refined ingot from a metallic melt supplied to a casting mold through a feed tube. The feed tube is provided with at least one cooling passageway through which a cooling fluid cyclically flows to form a zone of fine dendrites on the inner peripheral surface of the mold. An inductor is provided to reheat the zone of fine dendrites to detach dendrite arms into the melt which serve as nuclei for grain refinement as the melt solidifies into a cast ingot in the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventor: Paul D. Tungatt
  • Patent number: 4969506
    Abstract: A method for the sequential casting of steel strip in steel strip casting equipment wherein under normal operating conditions a steel melt is fed through a pouring tube having discharge ports into the pouring area of a cooled ingot mold at a location below the surface of the melt in the mold and is thereafter removed from the mold in the form of steel strip by the combined operation of mold oscillation means and strip discharge means. After the feed of melt is interrupted, anchoring rods are partially longitudinally immersed into the melt laterally of the pouring area of the mold, and the surface of the melt in the mold is lowered to a level below the pouring area. After a desired interval, the melt feed is continued, and the level of the surface of the melt in the mold is allowed to rise above the discharge ports of the pouring tube. Thereafter, casting flux is applied to the surface of the melt, and the operation of the mold oscillation means and the strip discharge means is resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siegman Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Kolakowski, Gunter Flemming, Hans Streubel
  • Patent number: 4960163
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of casting a melt into an ingot possessing a fine grain structure. The apparatus comprises (1) a casting mold for holding a reservoir of melt; (2) a partition means located in the melt for dividing the melt into a melt supply reservoir located on a first side of the partition means and a solidification reservoir on a second side of the partition means, the partition means having a communication means for permitting melt to flow from the melt supply reservoir to the solidification reservoir, the partition preventing turbulence from the solidification reservoir to be transferred to the surface of the melt; and (3) means for stirring the portion of the melt located in the solidification reservoir. The means for stirring provides nuclei for grain refinement of the ingot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Que-Tsang Fang, Michael J. Kinosz
  • Patent number: 4947925
    Abstract: The mold is equipped with a casting ring 6 which is formed by clamping together four generally rectilinear wall segments 8 that are, first, arranged like the sides of a picture frame about the rabbet 52 of a rectangular case 10, and then abutted together, sash-like, at their mitered ends 80, to form a ring, the casting surface 9 of which will produce the rectangular cross-sectional outline common to sheet ingot or the like, when molten metal is fed through the ring. The clamping action is produced by a set of screws 94 at the corners 10' of the case, and after the ring 6 is clamped about a pair of spaced, axially opposing lips 54 and 60 on the case and an annular plate 14 thereabove, the plate 14 is clamped to the top of the case, to secure the ring in place and seal the axial ends of the ring against fluid flow thereacross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Wagstaff Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank E. Wagstaff, David A. Fort
  • Patent number: 4928747
    Abstract: Seen against the direction of casting, the narrow width dimension of a mold is widened through appropriate surface contour, at least in the mold center, to facilitate charging of the mold whereby the lower portions of the longitudinal walls of the mold are essentially parallely curved while in the upper portion at least one of the walls tangentially merges into the pour-in portion of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Fritz-Peter Pleschiutschnigg, Gerd Moellers, Hans-Georg Eberhardt, Werner Rahmfeld, Lothar Parschat, Hans-Juergen Ehrenberg
  • Patent number: 4926930
    Abstract: A process and machine for the continuous casting of thin steel products, in which the inner casting space (13) of the mold (1) is given a substantially spindle-shaped cross-section which forms a central part (17) of large thickness (L), making it possible to introduce a jet of molten metal under normal conditions, and having on its sides (18) a small thickness (1) corresponding to that of the product to be produced (53). In a thickness-reducing stand (2) directly at the exit of the mold (1), the central part (17) of the product is progressively flattened to a thickness (1) equal to that of the sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Clecim
    Inventors: Pierre Gay, Robert Vatant
  • Patent number: 4911225
    Abstract: A mould for the continuous casting of billets of steel or other metal with a high melting point is manufactured by electroforming and is reinforced throughout its thickness by a reinforcing material, such as carbon, boric, or glass fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oy
    Inventor: Yrjo T. J. Leppanen
  • Patent number: 4909305
    Abstract: Method to obtain thin slabs by continuous casting, whereby the ratio between the short side and the long side of the slabs is greater than 1:10, the thin slabs (13) being obtained by casting in an ingot mould (10), the slab (13) becoming detached during cooling from the ingot mould (10) independently and automatically owing to its geometric conformation being such that its long sides (12) diverge from each other. Also set forth, an ingot mould (10) for the continuous casting of thin slabs, in which the dimensional ratio between the short side (11) and the long side (12) of the mould is between 1:10 and 1:100, the mould (10) employing the above method, at least one of the long sides (12) having an outline that includes a substantially continuous enlargement of the section of the mould, starting from one of the short sides (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Danieli and C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventor: Fulvio Fasano
  • Patent number: 4883112
    Abstract: Continuous casting uses a mold made of copper allow which includes from 0.01% to 0.15% boron, 0.01 to 0.2% magnesium, the remainder being copper as well as manufacture-dependent inpurities and working additives; in addition, at least one additive from the group is used at stated percentages: from 0 to 0.05% silicon, from 0 to 0.5% Ni, from 0 to 0.03% iron, from 0 to 0.03% titanium, from 0 to 0.2% zirconium, from 0 to 0.04% phosphorus, at a total content not exceeding 0.6%, all percentages by weight; the silicon content should be from 0.02% to 0.04%, and the nickel content should be from 0.1 to 0.5%. The mold is made in several working and annealing steps, the last step should be a cold working step with at least 10% deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Kabel-und Metallwerke G. AG
    Inventor: Horst Gravemann
  • Patent number: 4811779
    Abstract: The invention provides a mold for the continuous casting of steel strip. The mold is arranged with a mold cavity having a longitudinal axis parallel to the casting direction. The width of the cavity in its upstream area is sufficient to provide at least the required minimum spacing between the pouring tube and the walls of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Streubel, Rainer Golla, Manfred Kolakowski
  • Patent number: 4805685
    Abstract: A mold for the continuous casting of beam blanks has a central casting passage bounded by a pair of parallel walls. On either side of the central casting passage is an expanding casting passage which widens in a direction away from the central casting passage and is bounded by a pair of inclined walls diverging from respective ones of the walls of the central casting passage. A terminal casting passage bounded by a pair of side walls parallel to the walls of the central casting passage is located outwardly adjacent to each expanding casting passage. The various casting passages cooperate to define a dogbone-shaped mold cavity. The inclined walls have an angle of inclination no smaller than arc tangent (y/z) where y is the distance from a point on an inclined wall to a transverse center line of the transverse cross section of the mold and z is the distance from such point to a longitudinal center line of the transverse cross section of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: SMS Concast
    Inventor: Donald P. Lorento