Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus has a secondary cooling zone for spray cooling a travelling, continuously cast strand. Groups of spray nozzles are spaced longitudinally of the path of the strand on either side of such path. Each of the spray nozzles produces a flat, fan-shaped spray which diverges transversely of the path of the strand with increasing distance from the respective nozzle. The nozzles of a group are spaced from one another transversely of the path of the strand by a distance such that the sprays from two neighboring nozzles intermix to form a combined spray which, at the surface of the strand, has a length equal to the distance between the two nozzles. The portion of the strand extending between the outermost nozzles of each group is thus everywhere impinged by a combined spray. The marginal portions of the strand, on the other hand, are impinged only by the sprays from the respective outermost nozzles. The angles of divergence of the sprays are preferably in the range of 60 to 130 degrees.

Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus includes a continuous casting mold, a guide downstream of the mold for guiding a continuously cast strand issuing from the mold, and a drive unit for drawing the strand out of the mold and through the guide. The drive unit is connected with a computer programmed to reciprocate the strand in the guide and the mold in the event of an interruption in the supply of molten material to the mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous casting of metal strips, bands or thin slabs between two axially parallel cooled drums or cylindrical rolls. The liquid metal is introduced into a hollow mold chamber and the partially solidified cast strand is held against the outer surface of one of the rolls after passage through a gap at least until its complete solidification. In order to attain a higher casting capacity combined with simple and reliable equipment, it is proposed to select, in relation to predetermined a cooling capacity, a relationship between the thickness of the band or the like and the casting speed such that the liquid core of the band is supported against the outer surface of the one roll over at least 90.degree., preferably over 180.degree. to 210.degree..

Abstract: In a method for the continuous casting of metal, especially steel, in the form of strips or thin slabs, the molten metal is poured into a mold having cooled walls which move as the operation proceeds. To prevent defects in the strand and interference with the casting operation after the metal has flowed into the mold chamber, contact between the cooled narrow sides of the mold chamber and the liquid metal initially takes place at a contact face which represents only a fraction of the local separation distance between the two broad side cooling walls. Furthermore, before reaching the contact face, the metal is cooled in a gap between the feed inlet and the broad side wall extending between the narrow side walls. The cross-section of the gap opening corresponds substantially to the contact face.

Abstract: In a method for the continuous casting of metal, in particular steel in the form of strips or thin slabs, the molten metal is poured into a mold chamber having two arcuate cooled broad or wide side walls which rotate in a predetermined direction of casting in which the cast metal strand moves and two stationary cooled narrow side walls. To prevent defects in the strand and interruption of the casting operation, the narrow side walls of the mold chamber are thermally insulated in a first portion as seen in the predetermined direction of casting. In a second portion, the narrow side walls have high thermal conductivity over the entire distance between the broad side walls. This second portion is disposed in a substantially parallel part of the mold chamber between the broad side walls.

Abstract: In a curved or arc-type continuous casting installation provided with a curved or arc-type rigid dummy bar the curved dummy bar is separated from the cast strand at the region of the straightener by means of a movable roller. To improve the economy and to increase the decoupling reliability the dummy bar head is provided with a permanent coupling member which is disengageable from the cast strand by performing a pivoting movement. Furthermore, the dummy bar head is pivotably connected or linked to the dummy bar so as to be pivotable about an axis extending transversely with respect to the strand moving direction. For disengagement of the dummy bar head from the cast strand the movable roller presses upon the pivotable dummy bar head so that the same, during the casting operation, is pivoted outwardly out of its axial position away from the curved longitudinal axis of the curved dummy bar.

Abstract: During a change in casting parameters, particularly during displacement of a mold wall to change the strand format or cross-sectional shape, the supporting action and the cooling capacity should not fall either below a well-defined supporting action and a predetermined cooling capacity in order to avoid metal break-out or other defects in the cast strand. Furthermore, upon changing the strand cross-section the rate of adjustment should be increased in order to reduce the length of transitional pieces between the old strand format and the new strand format. To achieve this result it is contemplated to bend the mold wall, during displacement thereof into each pivotal position thereof, this bending of the mold wall corresponding to the instantaneous geometric shape of the moving solidified shell or skin of the strand and such bending is represented by bending lines.

Abstract: A long rigid starting or dummy bar, after passing through a withdrawal and straightening unit, is suspended by means of an automatically operating connection device in a holder arm pivotable about the center of the curved arc or arcuate-shaped path of travel of the secondary cooling zone. The holder arm removes the starting bar out of the withdrawal and straightening unit by virtue of its own pivotal movement which is accomplished by means of a fluid-operated cylinder unit, such as a hydraulic cylinder unit, and places such starting bar in a position where it does not disturb the cast strand region of the installation. The holder or holding arm is mounted and constructed such that it can be placed by means of a crane or other appropriate facility into an almost vertical position, so that the entire space above the withdrawal and straightening unit and the subsequent rolls are freely accessible from above.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for bending a strand in a continuous casting installation for metals, especially steel, the ferrostatic pressure of the liquid core or pool of the cast strand is supported at a transition curve along a bending path between a circular arcuate-shaped roller apron path or track and a straight roller apron path or track by means of pairs of support rolls. In order to obtain uniform low elongation velocities at the strand skin or sheel throughout the entire transition curve for the purpose of improving the surface quality of the cast strand and for avoiding structural flaws at the solid-liquid interface as well as for simplifying the adjustment, alignment and maintenance work, the transition curve along the roller apron track is continuously accommodated to changing casting and/or strand parameters by the action of the strand itself.