Abstract: Apparatus to heat and transfer mainly metal materials to a melting furnace (12), the apparatus comprising a transporter device (13) configured to move the materials continuously to the melting furnace (12), and at least an induction heating unit (28) associated with the transporter device (13) and configured to heat by electromagnetic induction the materials moved in the transporter device (13), keeping them in a solid state.

Abstract: An electric power apparatus for an electric arc furnace comprises at least one electrode and is connectable to a power network to supply to the electrode the electric energy to generate an electric arc to melt a metal mass. The apparatus comprises an electric regulation unit interposed and connected to the power network and to the electrode and configured to regulate at least one electric quantity for powering the electrode. The apparatus comprises at least one detection device to detect the electric quantity, interposed between the electrode and the electric regulation unit, a positioning device to move the at least one electrode nearer to/away from the metal mass to be melted and a control and command unit.

Abstract: A method controls the section sizes of a rolled product in a segment of a rolling line between at least two rolling stands, wherein each is provided with its own drive members, in which at least a detector located between the two rolling stands detects a characteristic size of the rolled product. A control unit compares the characteristic size of the rolled product with a reference size and acts on said drive members in order to hold the rolled product in an optimal drawing condition. The method includes setting a predefined value of an electric quantity of at least one of the drive members, measuring the reference size, and verifying the characteristic size of the rolled product in transit. If a deviation is detected between the characteristic size and the reference size, returning the characteristic size of the rolled product to the reference size.

Abstract: An electric power apparatus for an electric arc furnace comprises at least one electrode and is connectable to a power network to supply to the electrode the electric energy to generate an electric arc to melt a metal mass. The apparatus comprises an electric regulation unit interposed and connected to the power network and to the electrode and configured to regulate at least one electric quantity for powering the electrode. The apparatus comprises at least one detection device to detect the electric quantity, interposed between the electrode and the electric regulation unit, a positioning device to move the at least one electrode nearer to/away from the metal mass to be melted and a control and command unit.

Abstract: A device to detect the level of liquid metal (M) in a casting apparatus includes a box-like structure associated in correspondence with an upper end of a crystallizer. The box-like structure has a peripheral cavity inside in which a device for the generation and detection of a variable magnetic field is disposed. The device for the generation and detection extends for a segment beyond an inner corner of the crystallizer so as to face directly into the open top of the crystallizer.

Abstract: Device for measuring speed of oblong products moving along feed direction and emitting radiations, in particular rolled metal products in rolling line, including two radiation sensors, disposed reciprocally at close distance respectively defining an optical observation window, at pre-arranged distance from each other. Each window covers the image of an advancing product determinate portion equal to relative window width, irrespective of portion's movements transverse to feed direction. Sensors observe the presented product portion, on each occasion, in correspondence with associated windows consecutively along feed direction, and measure continuously intensity of radiation from the product portion in correspondence with the windows.

Abstract: Apparatus to detect a deformity in thickness of a tubular element. The apparatus comprises a plurality of sensors and is installed in at least a rolling stand, having at least three rolling rings, of a rolling train able to obtain said tubular element.

Abstract: A plant to control the section of a rolled product passing through a rolling train comprises at least two rolling stands, at least a section area measurer disposed immediately at exit from at least one of the stands located downstream of the first stand, a control unit comprising a database, in which at least the parameters relating to the expected value of the section of the rolled product at exit from each stand are memorized, means to compare the values detected by the section area measurer with the values memorized in the database and means to act on the rolling parameters according to said values detected.

Abstract: A method is provided to control the feed of a metal charge into an electric arc furnace having at least one electrode to generate an electric arc to melt metals. The method includes: a step of defining a “cover index CI” of the electric arc by the slag present above the liquid metal bath, in order to calculate which of the harmonics present in an electric feed quantity of the furnace are taken into consideration; a step of measuring the actual cover index CI value during a functioning cycle of the furnace; and a step of adjusting the speed of feed of the metal charge into the furnace based on the measured value of the cover index CI.

Abstract: A device to analyze and determine the movement characteristics of products moving in a determinate direction of feed (F) and emitting radiations, in particular products exiting from a casting line, comprises a camera to continuously acquire images of the product moving in the direction of feed (F) in at least two successive instants of time, and an electronic processing unit by means of which the comparison between at least two successive images acquired is carried out, using mathematical algorithms based on the image correlation principle, in order to determine the spatial displacement of the images and then the movement characteristics of the product moving in the direction of feed (F) are analyzed and determined.

Abstract: A method to cover the exposures of a bath of molten steel by elements of casting powder in an ingot mold of a plant for the continuous casting of steel, including a step of subdividing the ingot mold into a desired number of zones, with each of which a covering movement is associated, the zones being determined and identified in a manner coordinated with the position of the snorkel and of the edge of the ingot mold, and a step of automated execution of one or more covering movements by elements of which the casting powder is distributed in a selected one of the zones, which movements, repeated in sequence according to a desired program, are selected from a group including pouring movements and throwing movements, at least on the basis of the reciprocal position of each of the zones and the snorkel.

Abstract: A method controls the section sizes of a rolled product in a segment of a rolling line between at least two rolling stands, wherein each is provided with its own drive members, in which at least a detector located between the two rolling stands detects a characteristic size of the rolled product. A control unit compares the characteristic size of the rolled product with a reference size and acts on said drive members in order to hold the rolled product in an optimal drawing condition. The method comprises setting a predefined value of an electric quantity of at least one of the drive members, measuring the reference size, and verifying the characteristic size of the rolled product in transit. If a deviation is detected between the characteristic size and the reference size, returning the characteristic size of the rolled product to the reference size.

Abstract: A device to detect the level of liquid metal (M) in a casting apparatus includes a box-like structure associated in correspondence with an upper end of a crystallizer. The box-like structure has a peripheral cavity inside in which a device for the generation and detection of a variable magnetic field is disposed. The device for the generation and detection extends for a segment beyond an inner corner of the crystallizer so as to face directly into the open top of the crystallizer.

Abstract: Thickness measurer for metal elements (11), comprising a source device (20), able to emit a bundle (F) of ionizing radiations, at a predetermined or predeterminable intensity, a receiver device (24), disposed on an opposite side with respect to the metal element (11) and suitable to detect the residual intensity of the bundle (F) of ionizing radiations. The measurer comprises a cooling device, associated with the source device (20). The cooling device comprises a heat pump element (30), to remove heat from the source device (20) so as to keep the source device (20) at a predetermined and controlled temperature. The thickness measurer also comprises detection means (46, 124) for the direct or indirect detection of the intensity, or the variation in intensity, of the bundle (F) emitted by the source device (20). The detection means (46, 124) is associated with the heat pump element (30), in order to keep the emission of the bundle (F) of ionizing radiations stable.

Abstract: A level detection device in casting equipment oscillating linearly, in a manner concordant with a substantially vertical direction of advance of molten steel in the casting equipment at a desired frequency of oscillation includes the device oscillating at the same frequency and disposed at a predetermined operating height. The device generates a continuous magnetic field, and the field generator is oriented transversely to the direction of advance of the steel in the casting equipment, so as to generate alternate induced currents in the molten steel. The device detects a variable induced magnetic field generated by and concatenated with said alternate induced currents, wherein the intensity of the variable induced magnetic field as detected is correlated to the level of the molten steel in the casting equipment with respect to the operating height.

Abstract: A device (10) for the in-line detection of surface defects of a rolled product (30) in a rolling stand (11, 111) comprises an inspection unit (19) having one or more coils (20, 21) able to generate and detect magnetic fields. The rolling-stand (11, 111) is provided with a support structure (28) supporting rolling means (12, 112) that are provided for effecting a roll-mill process on said product (30), a guide element (13) having a guide hole (14) defining a nominal rolling axis (X) and a support unit (15, 115), assembled on the support structure (28) and which is provided as a structural element of the rolling stand (11, 111) that supports said guide element (13). The inspection unit (19) is assembled on said support unit (15, 115), in order to be directly housed and integrated in the structural element already present in the rolling stand (11, 111).

Abstract: Device for measuring speed of oblong products moving along feed direction and emitting radiations, in particular rolled metal products in rolling line, including two radiation sensors, disposed reciprocally at close distance respectively defining an optical observation window, at pre-arranged distance from each other. Each window covers the image of an advancing product determinate portion equal to relative window width, irrespective of portion's movements transverse to feed direction. Sensors observe the presented product portion, on each occasion, in correspondence with associated windows consecutively along feed direction, and measure continuously intensity of radiation from the product portion in correspondence with the windows.

Abstract: A method to cover the exposures of a bath of molten steel by elements of casting powder in an ingot mold of a plant for the continuous casting of steel, including a step of subdividing the ingot mold into a desired number of zones, with each of which a covering movement is associated, the zones being determined and identified in a manner coordinated with the position of the snorkel and of the edge of the ingot mold, and a step of automated execution of one or more covering movements by elements of which the casting powder is distributed in a selected one of the zones, which movements, repeated in sequence according to a desired program, are selected from a group including pouring movements and throwing movements, at least on the basis of the reciprocal position of each of the zones and the snorkel.

Abstract: A device to analyze and determine the movement characteristics of products moving in a determinate direction of feed (F) and emitting radiations, in particular products exiting from a casting line, comprises a camera to continuously acquire images of the product moving in the direction of feed (F) in at least two successive instants of time, and an electronic processing unit by means of which the comparison between at least two successive images acquired is carried out, using mathematical algorithms based on the image correlation principle, in order to determine the spatial displacement of the images and then the movement characteristics of the product moving in the direction of feed (F) are analyzed and determined.

Abstract: Thickness measurer for metal elements (11), comprising a source device (20), able to emit a bundle (F) of ionizing radiations, at a predetermined or predeterminable intensity, a receiver device (24), disposed on an opposite side with respect to the metal element (11) and suitable to detect the residual intensity of the bundle (F) of ionizing radiations. The measurer comprises a cooling device, associated with the source device (20). The cooling device comprises a heat pump element (30), to remove heat from the source device (20) so as to keep the source device (20) at a predetermined and controlled temperature. The thickness measurer also comprises detection means (46, 124) for the direct or indirect detection of the intensity, or the variation in intensity, of the bundle (F) emitted by the source device (20). The detection means (46, 124) is associated with the heat pump element (30), in order to keep the emission of the bundle (F) of ionizing radiations stable.