Abstract: In a continuous vertical casting operation carried out in a mould 3, a coil 7 applies a periodic magnetic field of variable strength whose direction is substantially parallel to the axis of the mould 3 to the liquid 5 as it solidifies, in order to regulate the level of the line of contact of the free surface of the metal 5 with the mould 3. The height of the contact of the metal with the mould can be reduced from h.sub.1 to h.sub.2 by applying the magnetic field, and the strength of the field is adjusted in dependence on the desired level. The procedure is used in casting semifinished metallurgical products, in particular in aluminium and its alloys, in which there is a wish to obtain a cortical region of zero thickness, a fine grain without the preliminary addition of refining agents, and an absence of pitting.

Abstract: A method of preparing a thin film of a semiconductor material on a substrate, in which charged microdroplets of the semiconductor material or a constituent thereof are generated by electrohydrodynamic (EHD) extraction of the droplets from a meniscus forced at an elongate tip of a nozzle containing the material in a molten state, the EHD extraction occurring under the influcence of a high electric field produced by an extractor electrode adjacent the tip of the nozzle. The microdroplets are then accelerated away from the elongate tip of the nozzle to form a two-dimensional ribbon-like beam or blanket of the charged microdroplets. The two-dimensional beam is directed onto the trailing edge of a target carried on a moving substrate such that a film of the semiconductor material is formed on the substrate by deposition of the microdroplets on the trailing edge of the moving target.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing solidified metallic forms from levitated molten metal including a levitation conduit having an interior surface for accommodating the metal to be levitated, and a device for introducing the metal to the levitation conduit. Induction coils induce a moving magnetic field in the levitation conduit to levitate the metal upwardly through the conduit, and to maintain the outer surface of the levitated metal while molten out of pressured contact with the interior surface of the levitation conduit. The molten metal output is provided to a chamber in which a device re-forms the molten metal output and solidifies it.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for regulating the level of the line of contact of the free surface of the metal with the mould in vertical casting. It comprises a mould formed by a material having a level of resistivity of higher than 5 .mu..omega..cm, surrounded by an annular coil in which at least one alternating electrical current flows. It finds application in the casting of metallurgical semi-manufactured products, in particular of aluminium and alloys thereof, such as for example lithium-bearing alloys, and in which there is a wish to have both a cortical zone of virtually zero thickness, a fine grain without the previous addition of refining agents, and an absence of pitting.

Abstract: A system for casting liquid metals is provided with an electromagnetic pump which includes a pair of primary blocks each having a polyphase winding and being positioned to form a gap through which a movable conductive heat sink passes. A solidifying liquid metal sheet is deposited on the heat sink and the heat sink and sheet are held in compression by forces produced as a result of current flow through the polyphase windings. Shaded-pole interaction between the primary windings, heat sink and solidifying strip produce transverse forces which act to center the strip on the heat sink.

Abstract: A device for electromagnetically regulating the pouring rate in continuous casting, including a cylindrical molten steel container having a molten steel inlet formed in a peripheral section of an upper surface thereof and a molten steel outlet formed in central section of a lower surface thereof to pour the molten steel into a mold, and electromagnetic coils disposed around the side wall of the molten steel container so as to generate a rotating magnetic field perpendicularly to the side wall. The pouring rate is determined by the interactive function of the head of the molten steel in the tundish disposed above the molten steel container with the outlet thereof joined to the inlet of the molten steel container, the intensity of the rotating magnetic field, namely, the magnitude of the electric current supplied to the electromagnetic coils, and the size of the molten steel outlet, namely, a replaceable pouring nozzle.

Abstract: A thin metal wire having a circular cross section is produced by a method which comprises spouting molten metal through a spinning nozzle and bringing the resultant flow of molten metal into contact with a layer of liquid cooling medium formed on a grooved conveyor belt in motion thereby quenching and solidifying the flow of molten metal. This method is capable of continuously producing a thin metal wire of high quality economically on a commercial scale. It is highly effective in directly producing a thin metal wire having an amorphous, non-equilibrium crystalline, or microcrystalline structure.

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.

Abstract: A metal strip casing system is provided with an electromagnetic pump which includes a pair of primary blocks having a graded pole pitch, polyphase ac winding and being arranged on opposite sides of a movable heat sink. A nozzle is provided for depositing liquid metal on the heat sink such that the resulting metal strip and heat sink combination is subjected to a longitudinal electromagnetic field which increases in wavelength in the direction of travel of the heat sink, thereby subjecting the metal and heat sink to a longitudinal force having a magnitude which increases in the direction 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: 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: A continuous casting assembly has a pair of counter-rotating belts for controllably forming a continuous elongated cast ribbon. One of the belts is a chilled substrate for receiving molten metal discharged from a dispensing nozzle. The other belt is positioned immediately adjacent the chilled substrate belt and contactable. Both of the belts are moved in a substantially parallel paths at the same predetermined speed with the cast ribbon interposed between the belts. Magnetic forces are used to urge the two belts together in contacting relationship with each other and with the interposed cast ribbon.

Abstract: A horizontal continuous casting method for continuously feeding a molten metal stored in a tundish through a tundish nozzle located in the vicinity of the tundish at its bottom to a mold horizontally connected to the tundish nozzle to produce a strand, wherein an electromagnetic field generating device is arranged in the vicinity of the boundary between the tundish nozzle and the mold for exerting an electromagnetic force directed toward a center of the molten metal flowing through the vicinity of the boundary or in a strand withdrawing direction, to separate the molten metal from the inner surface of the tundish mozzle anterior to the boundary with respect to the strand withdrawing direction, to allow the molten metal to come into contact with the inner surface of the mold posterior to the boundary with respect to the strand withdrawing direction.

Abstract: A melt is continuously horizontally cast by causing the melt to flow forwardly while spreading laterally to form a flat product. A magnetic field is directed perpendicularly through the flow where it is thicker so as to form the product with a uniform thickness throughout its width.

Abstract: A horizontal continuous casting method and apparatus is disclosed. Liquid metal, held in a storage container, is continuously maintained at a height not less than the height of the continuous casting mold. Additionally, adjustment of the relative positions with respect to one another of a magnetic coil surrounding a portion of the continuous casting mold, the storage container, in both the horizontal and vertical directions and the drain pipe extending from the storage container into the continuous casting mold is disclosed.

Abstract: Dense homogeneous metal is cast in long lengths by introducing liquid metal into the lower portion of a casting vessel in the presence of an elongated upwardly-traveling alternating electromagnetic levitation field that provides a levitation ratio of from 75% to 200% of the weight per unit length of the liquid metal, solidifying the metal while moving upwardly through the field, and removing solidified metal product from the upper portion of the field. The frequency of the alternating electromagnetic field is established at or near a value F=(36.rho./D.sup.2) where F is the frequency in kilohertz, .rho. is the resistivity of the liquid metal column in micro-ohm-centimeters and D is the diameter of the solidified metal rod product in millimeters.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the direct chill casting of non-ferrous metals comprising varying the chill depth of the mould independently of the level or quantity of liquid metal in the mould by relatively moving the mould and a "hot-top" which may be a sleeve of refractory material during casting. The invention also provides for semi-automatic and automatic casting.

Abstract: An electromagnetic levitation casting apparatus having an improved levitation coil assembly employing flux concentration devices, is provided. The improved levitation coil assembly comprises a plurality of slotted annular slugs surrounding a tubular casting vessel within which a liquid metal column is to be levitated and solidified by cooling pursuant to the General Electric Levitation Casting (GELEC (.RTM.)) process. Each of the slotted annular slugs is inductively coupled to a respective electromagnetic field producing coil having a large number of turns surrounding the slug. Each slotted annular slug serves to concentrate the magnetic field produced by its associated primary mutli-turn coil to substantially the interior cross sectional area of the tubular casting vessel it surrounds and functions as a current step-up transformer.