Abstract: A process and apparatus for rolling a metal product (5) in a "four-high" type rolling mill comprising two work rolls (1) and (2) interposed between two backup rolls (3) (4) at least one of which is of the variable camber type having a cylindrical casing (33) mounted on a central shaft (31), the profile of the casing (33) being adjustable. The other backup roll (4) is a simple solid coacting roll whicl deforms freely under the action of the pressure load to form a line of support (47) which is concave in the direction of the roll pass (50).

Abstract: An axial support device for a cylinder with rotating sleeve comprising a fixed shaft (2) carried at each end (20) by a support member (3) in a fixed frame (1), a tubular cylindrical sleeve (4) and a series of aligned holding shoes (22), for adjustment of the profile of the sleeve (4), which is equipped at each end with a centering bearing (6) comprising an outer ring (62) and an inner ring (61). Each centering bearing (6) forms an axial stop resting on the support member (3) by means of a floating support device exerting axial pressure uniformly distributed on the inner ring by following angular offsets of the bearing axis (60) relative to the axis (25) of the corresponding end (20) of the shaft (2) which result from the respective deformations of the sleeve and of the shaft due to stresses applied during operation. The invention is especially applicable to a support cylinder in a rolling mill.

Abstract: An installation for levelling a metal strip (3) by advancing it along an undulating path in a levelling stand (10) associated with a plurality of rolls (2, 15, 16, 18) with narrowed ends which may be displaced axially in opposite directions. Narrowed sections (25) are provided at opposite ends of two active levelling rolls (23) (24), and the levelling unit (4) (5) formed by each active roll and associated carrying rollers is mounted on two horizontal beams sliding vertically and associated with jacks (39) (64) for adjusting the axial and vertical position of each levelling unit (4) (5).

Abstract: A roll with rotating shell comprising a fixed support beam (2), a tubular shell (1) rotatably mounted on the support beam (2) about an axis, a plurality of shoes for holding the shell distributed side by side along the length of the beam in an axial bearing plane (P), each shoe (3) being slideably mounted radially between the shell (1) and the support beam (2) and connected to an arrangement (21, 33) of regulating thrust and to an arrangement (51, 55) of introducing continuously a lubricant into the gap (52) between the bearing face (31) of the shoe and the internal face (13) of the shell.

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

Abstract: Closure device for a pouring hole (2) having a vertical axis, arranged in the base (11) of a container (1) containing molten metal. The device comprises a flap (3) fixed to the end of a maneuvering arm (3) which is horizontally displaceable to a level below that of the base (11), between a stand-by position and a closure position, and a device for controlling the vertical displacement at least of the end of the arm (31) in order to apply the closure flap (3) on a seating (22) on the periphery of the discharge orifice of the pouring hole (2). The maneuvering arm (31) has a cleaning member (5) located beside the closure flap (3) and centered on the trajectory of the latter.

Abstract: There is provided a roller for continuous monitoring of the profile of a strip consisting of a rotary tubular wall (4), to which the strip is applied, and at least one series of pick-ups (2) substantially aligned parallel to the axis of the tubular wall (4). The pick-ups (2) are placed in housings (43) made in the tubular wall (4) with an opening at least in the interior face of the tubular wall. The pick-ups of each series are mounted on a straight support bar (3) centered upon the mean direction of the pick-ups of each series, the bars (3) being applied against the interior face (45) of the wall (4) by detachable fixing means. The device is particularly useful for monitoring the planarity of rolled metal sheets.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the profile of a roll with a deformable wall (1) mounted rotatably about a central shaft (2). Blocks (3) are aligned along the axis between a bearing face (21) of the shaft (2) and the cylindrical inner face (12), and hydraulic thrust jacks (4) are arranged between the face (21) and a bearing face (32) of the blocks (3) at the opposite, for adjusting the radial position of each block (3). The axial and transverse dimensions of each block (3) are different, and its plane and rectangular bearing face (32) works together with a single hydraulic jack (41) having an oblong working cross-section covering the greater part of the face (32). The invention applies especially to rolling-mill cylinders.

Abstract: A device for measuring flatness defects in a strip (15), e.g., rolled metal sheets, by the use of sensors. The voltage is measured within an amplitude measuring interval smaller than the voltage variation interval after the pulse, each sensor is associated with a correction transformer (7) capable of delivering on each energizing pulse an adjustable correction voltage (U2) algebraically added to the voltage (U1) at the terminals of the secondary winding (42) of the sensor and whose value, at the instant of measurement, is determined so as to bring the measured voltage (U3) within the measurement interval of the converter.

Abstract: Apparatus for the extrusion of metal in the form of billets (4) cut to order from bars (44, 45) previously heated in a furnace (31), comprising an extrusion press (1) associated with a member for transferring each billet (4) to be extruded, parallel to itself, from a stand-by position (A), after cutting, to a loading position (C) in the axis of the press (1). For transfer of the billets the apparatus has a single member (2) moveable transversely to the extrusion axis and equipped with a gripper (5) of variable width, comprising at least two telescopic jaws associated with a device (6) for adjusting the extended lengths of the telescopic parts, such that each jaw covers a width substantially equal to the length of the billet.

Abstract: A set of conductors comprising at least two return conductors (5) connected to a hearth electrode (3) is arranged along the outer face (11) of the furnace vessel in direct proximity thereto, and the profile and orientation of at least two conductors of the set are determined, in order, as a result of the passage of a direct current of controlled intensity, to generate magnetic fields of which the mutual deflection effects on the arcs, taking into account all the magnetic influences exerted by the other conductors and the various parts of the installation during operation, are such that the arcs are directed towards a specific zone of the molten-metal bath.

Abstract: A device for axially supporting a rotating roller (1) resting axially on a fixed frame, at each end, by a contact ball bearing (3). According to the invention, the contact ball bearing (3) is mounted on the end of a support piece (5) consisting of a cylindrical insert (51) extended, on the roller side, by an enlarged base piece (52), fitting inside a recess (6) and bearing, in the axial direction, against the end wall (62) of the recess (6), by an axial bearing (66) and, in the radial direction, against the side wall (61) of the recess (6), by a rolling bearing (65) centering the insert (51) about the axis of rotation (10), the assembly being held in position by a cap (7) closing the recess (6).

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the continuous melting of scrap in an electric D.C. furnace, in which the D.C. source (23) supplies vault electrodes (4) and hearth electrodes (8) by means of respective feed conductors (7) and return conductors (9). The scrap is fed through an orifice (12). The vault electrode or electrodes (4) are arranged on the other side of the axis of the shaft (1) in relation to the orifice (12). The hearth electrode or electrodes (8) are offset towards the orifice (12), and the return conductor or conductors (9) connected to the hearth electrode or electrodes (8) are led under the bottom (2) of the shaft (1) and as near as possible to the latter, being directed towards the opposite zone of the furnace where the vault electrodes (4) are located, as to generate magnetic fields capable of deflecting the arc or arcs towards a zone set apart from the vault electrodes (4) and located substantially below the scrap feed orifice (12 ).

Abstract: A rolling mill with axially movable rolls, comprising a supporting frame (4), at least two working rolls (1, 1') and at least two back-up rolls (2, 2'), at least one of the working rolls (1) being associated with means (42) for moving the roll (1) along its axis (10) and, for each chock (3), with two symmetrical sets of at least two bending jacks (6, 66). The offset of the roll (1) in relation to a centering position is measured continuously, and the pressure exerted by each bending jack (6) is adjusted at each moment as a function of the offset measured and of the position at the same moment of the particular jack (6) in relation to the mid-plane (P5) of a bearing (12), such that the resultant of the bending forces exerted by all the jacks (6, 66) remains directed at each moment in the mid-plane (P5) of the bearing (12), the bending jacks bearing on the chocks by sliding faces.

Abstract: Machine for the continuous casting of metal in the form of at least two separate strips, comprising a tundish (1) supplied with liquid metal, a bottomless mold (2) supplied continuously by the tundish (1), and an extraction and secondary cooling device (4). The liquid metal is poured into a distributor vessel (3) interposed between the tundish (1) and the mold (2), the vessel (3) placed on the mold (2), secured to the latter and equipped with means of maintaining the metal at the casting temperature.

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

Abstract: A plant for electrolytic surface treatment and especially for descaling of a metal strip (2), comprising for the treatment of the same single face of the strip, at least two electrode-rolls (4) which are entirely immersed in a bath of electrolytic liquid and over which the strip passes. The rolls are covered with an insulating coating consisting of a series of spaced bearing rings centered in planes perpendicular to the axis of the roll and between which are provided annular treatment spaces, the bottom of which consists of a conductive wall, and the bearing rings are offset axially from one roll to another so that, in the direction of travel of the strip, the regions treated between the bearing rings of one roll correspond to the bearing regions on the rings of the succeeding roll, and vice versa. The plant can be applied, for example, to the cleaning, pickling or dechroming of a strip travelling at a high speed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for maintaining the lining of a furnace shell (1) comprising a bottom and a side wall and supported by a floor (2). The shell (1) is composed of two parts adapted to be separated and constituting respectively a bottom (11) and a cooled side wall (12). The side wall (12) is supported directly on a work floor (2) and the bottom (11) on a support (5) movable vertically between an upper operating position of the bottom (11), in line with the side wall (12), and a lower position. After the bottom (11) has been lowered into the lower position, it is moved out of the axis (10) of the furnace to a maintenance station, from which a new bottom (11') is then brought into the lower position, in the axis (10) of the furnace, in order finally to be raised to the upper operating position. The invention applies particularly to arc melting furnaces for steel production.

Abstract: A roll with a rotating shell comprises, between a stationary shaft (2) in the shape of an elongate beam and a rotating shell (3) mounted for rotation around an axis on the shaft (2), a row of supporting shoes (4) with a fluid bearing. The roll is equipped with at least one device (6) for recovery of at least a part of the lubricating fluid escaping from the supporting shoes (4), the device being applied against the inner wall (30) of the jacket (3) to form with the latter a recovery zone (7) which is open in the reverse direction to the rotation of the shell, the zone (7) being connected to a circuit (8) for removing the recovered fluid.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for degreasing and cleaning metal strips (3) traveling at high speed in a liquid (2) by bringing them into contact with a diverting roll (4). The roll (4) has a surface of contact with the strip (3) which comprises circumferential grooves (18). A gas is introduced into the liquid (2) in the vicinity of the surface of the roll (5) so that the fluid entrained between the strip (3) and the roll (4) is a compressible mixture of liquid and gas. In particular, when the liquid (2) is an electrolyte, the gas release can be produced by means of electrodes (10, 11). A hood (12) enables the gas released to be retained in the vicinity of the contact surface of the roll.