Abstract: An improved containment fence for a roller conveyor type runout table used with a hot strip mill includes a plurality of vertically extending posts mounted in fixed relation to and outboard of the conveyor rollers along each side of the runout table with the posts each terminating in a top end spaced above the conveying path defined by the rollers, and a plurality of fence plate assemblies each including an elongated generally rectangular plate and a pair of rigid mounting brackets on and extending outwardly from one surface of each elongated plate one adjacent each end thereof for mounting the plates on the upper end of the upwardly projecting posts and adjacent the ends of the rollers of the conveyor, each plate assembly having a length to extend past the ends of a plurality of adjacent rollers on the conveyor, and the posts and mounting brackets supporting the plates in overlapping relation along the length of the conveyor with a downstream end of each elongated plate extending inboard of the upstream end

Abstract: A melt drag metal strip casting system of the type wherein molten metal is delivered from a supply of the molten metal into contact with a chill surface at a casting station and the chill surface is driven for movement in a path past the casting station at a predetermined linear rate to quench and withdraw a continuous strip of metal from the molten metal supply, the strip having a bottom surface adhering to the chill surface and an unsolidified top surface as it is withdrawn from the molten metal supply, includes a top roll adjustably mounted above the chill surface and spaced therefrom by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the strip desired with the top roll in contact with the unsolidified top surface of the strip, with the temperature of the top roll surface in contact with the unsolidified top surface of the strip being maintained at a level which will not solidify the top surface of the metal being cast.

Abstract: A metallurgical ladle including a steel shell and refractory brick lining includes a refractory brick retaining ring formed in segments from a ceramic material, with the segments being releasably secured to the inner surface of the steel shell and overlying the lining brick. The ceramic material preferably is reinforced with metal fiber and preferably has a top surface extending above the open top of the steel shell.

Abstract: An improved reclining chair including a base frame having spaced arm rests, a back frame pivotally mounted on the arm rest, a seat frame hingedly connected to the back frame at a point below the pivot connection of the back frame to the arm rest and having its front connected by an elongated linkage to the arm rest, the arm rest, elongated link, seat frame and back frame acting as a substantially parallelogram support linkage for the seat, and an elongated fluid spring cylinder having one end pivotally connected to a rigid frame member extending beneath the seat and its other end pivotally connected to the back frame at a point below the hinged seat and back connection and a manually actuated control for locking the spring cylinder at any desired position of the chair between a fully upright and a fully reclined position.

Abstract: An improved shroud tube supporting and changing apparatus for use in a bottom pour metal teeming operation includes an elongated arm having its midpoint mounted on the teeming vessel for free rotation about a generally vertical axis and for limited pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, and a shroud tube support on each end of the elongated arm for engaging and providing gimbal-like support for a shroud tube. A power actuator mounted on the teeming vessel is selectively operable to pivot the arm about the horizontal axis in one direction to maintain a fluid tight seal between the shroud tube and the bottom pour opening in the teeming vessel, and to permit the arm to be pivoted in the other direction to disengage the shroud tube from the bottom pour opening and permit the arm to be rotated about the vertical axis to place a new shroud tube in position beneath the bottom pour opening.

Abstract: An induction galvanneal strip furnace utilizes a plurality of radiation (infrared or optical) pyrometers which measure strip temperature and provide a feedback signal which is compared with a set point or reference temperature signal from a set point generator to produce an error signal proportional to the measured variable minus the set point or reference temperature. The error signal is processed by use of a conventional proportions integrator derivative algorithm to produce a control signal which controls the electrical energy supplied to the induction coils. Each of the radiation pyrometers is positioned at the emergence or downstream side of the downstream most induction coil of a set of induction coils that it controls to thereby provide rapid, accurate control of strip temperature and with a more efficient utilization of electrical energy and high quality in the finished product.

Abstract: Disclosed are process and apparatus for use in the direct casting of metal strip from molten metal deposited on a moving chill surface from a tundish having a floor, opposed upwardly extending sidewalls, an end wall, an open outlet opposite the end wall with the open outlet extending substantially the full width of the tundish between the sidewalls, and an inlet for providing a flow of molten metal into the tundish from a source of molten metal. Flow diverters within the tundish divide the flow of molten metal into a plurality of separate streams and divert one of the streams in the direction of each sidewall and for recombining the diverted streams into a composite stream flowing toward the outlet. Flow diffusers diffuse the molten metal flowing through the tundish to provide molten metal of substantially uniform temperature across the width of the tundish at the outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cross connector for two continuous pipes that cross over each other at any desired angle, the connector comprising two pipe clamps that encircle the two pipes to be connected, and each of which has two clamp arms that have a gap between them. The object of the invention is characterized in that the pair of clamp arms (6) of one pipe clamp (1) is inserted at the front side into the pair of clamp arms (7) of the other pipe clamp (2) and held by means of a snap connection so as to be able to rotate freely; and in that the outer clamp arm pair (7) can be tightened securely against the inner clamp arm pair (6) by means of a tightening device.

Abstract: An improved electric induction furnace for use in the continuous heat treatment of a running length of coated metal strip moving in a substantially straight path through the furnace includes at least one heating coil extending completely around the path of the strip and extending in closely spaced relation to the opposed surfaces of the strip. The furnace is mounted on a track for movement transversely of the strip path, and each coil is provided with movable connector doors for opening and closing the continuous loops whereby when the coil is not energized, the connector doors may be disengaged to open the coil and permit the furnace to be moved along its track between a retracted non-use position and an online heat treating position. The coils are supported for transverse and angular adjustment to accurately align the coils with the strip whereby the opposed surfaces of the strip are substantially equal distant from the heating coils throughout the path through the furnace.

Abstract: An improved melt drag metal strip casting apparatus and process in which molten metal is delivered from a supply thereof into contact with a cooled casting surface driven at a predetermined linear rate to quench and withdraw a continuous strip of metal from the molten metal supply. An air knife is employed to direct an elongated narrow jet of gas into contact with the top surface of the strip and with the molten metal supply as the strip is withdrawn to impart the desired shape and finish to the top surface of the strip and to control the amount of liquid metal adhering to the top surface as it is withdrawn to thereby control the thickness of the strip.

Abstract: An improved tilting lug assembly for a metallurgical ladle includes an elongated hooking link having one end portion pivotally mounted on the sidewall of the ladle by a rigid support bracket positioned substantially 90.degree. circumferentially from the ladle trunion axis, with an open eye on the other end of the hooking link. The hooking link is normally biased to a substantially horizontal position with the open eye projecting outwardly from the ladle sidewall in position to be easily engaged by the lifting hook of a crane for tilting the ladle, with the link being freely pivotable in an upward direction on application on an upwardly directed force and being pivoted downward from the normal horizontal position against the biasing means upon application of a downward force whereby engagement of the hooking link with an obstruction during raising or lowering the crane will not result in inadvertent tilting of the ladle.

Abstract: An improved bag holding device for holding and spreading the open end of a thin walled plastic trash bag includes a pair of cooperating elongated spreader bar members one of which is adapted to be mounted on a supporting wall in outwardly spaced parallel relation to the wall and the other of which is adapted to be releasably mounted on the first. The two spreader bar members have opposing clamping surfaces adapted to cooperate and clamp a portion of the bag wall adjacent the open mouth to support the bag and hold the mouth open for receiving refuse.

Abstract: The level of molten metal in the mold of a continuous metal caster is controlled by regulating the open area of a variable outlet nozzle in a tundish. The level of molten metal is monitored, and the extent and direction of any detected deviation is signalled to a computer which also receives a signal indicating the position of a movable valve member in the tundish outlet nozzle and a separate signal representing the rate of withdrawal of the cast metal from the mold. The computer determines the extent of movement of the valve member to correct the liquid metal level in the mold and controls actuation of a hydraulic drive system to move the valve member to reduce the position error to zero. The velocity of movement of the valve member is measured and fed back to the computer, with the velocity measurement being utilized by the computer to control the hydraulic system and more accurately position the movable valve member.

Abstract: An improved method of and apparatus for striping hot steel slabs on the runout table of a continuous caster employs a torch support and drive mechanism adapted to support a scarfing torch for movement at a uniform rate across the surface of a slab maintained in a stationary position on the runout table. A radiation thermometer supported for movement with the torch is focused to continuously monitor the striping operation by detecting flashes or temperature increases resulting from reduction of alumina inclusions during the striping process and transmitting an electrical signal to a microprocessor which converts the signal to electrical impulses that are counted, recorded or otherwise utilized to evaluate the slab being striped. The microprocessor controls operation of the apparatus during the striping process to provide a more reliable evaluation of the slab.

Abstract: An insulated single plane window or door assembly including a casing defining a generally rectangular opening in a building wall and having first and second pairs of spaced parallel tracks with each pair being adapted to support a glazing frame with the glazing frames normally disposed for sliding movement in parallel laterally spaced vertical planes and for pivotal movement to incline the glazing frames from their respective vertical planes, with one pair of tracks being adapted to displace the glazing frame supported therein laterally into the vertical plane of and into substantially edge-to-edge relation with the other glazing frame to close the door or window assembly. The casement includes a mullion extending transversely of the rectangular opening adjacent to the juxtaposed edges of the two glazing frames when in the closed position and a resilient seal is provided between the mullion and an external surface of the respective glazing frames.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning and supporting a shroud tube in a metal teeming operation includes a boom assembly having one end pivotally mounted on a rigid structure for movement about a vertical axis and is articulated intermediate its ends to permit universal movement of its other end in a horizontal plane, and an elongated shroud tube support arm is mounted intermediate its ends on the universally movable end of the boom assembly for movement therewith, for limited pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, and for limited rotational movement about its longitudinal axis. A bifurcated yoke at one end of the support arm engages and supports a shroud tube, and power drive is provided at the other end of the support arm for rotating the support arm about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An improved, low cost conditioned air vestibule for use on a doorway of a refrigerated storage room permits unobstructed passage of vehicles while effectively reducing the exchange of air through the doorway and substantially eliminating precipitation both inside and outside the doorway by providing spaced inner and outer movable doors in a portal and extending across the doorway to define a closed entrance vestibule, and circulating conditioned air through the vestibule. Heated air is directed downwardly from adjacent the top of the doorway through the vestibule along substantially its full width and adjacent the surface of the inner or cold side door and air is withdrawn from the vestibule at the top of the doorway adjacent the outer or warm side door. The doors are spaced close together and actuators are provided for opening and closing both doors simultaneously to permit unobstructed passage of vehicles.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling the flow of cooling water to the top of a hot metal strip on a runout table is disclosed. Cooling water is continuously discharged from nozzles in spray bars above the strip and cooling is controlled by selectively diverting the water from selected ones of the spray bars to control the volume and location of the water applied. Movable deflector plates are mounted adjacent predetermined spray bars and actuators are provided to selectively move the deflector plates to deflect water into a fixed trough to be diverted from the top of the strip.