Abstract: A continuous slab casting method whereby upstream of a soft reduction portion of a path of the strand and preferably downstream of a liquid core reduction portion, the strand is allowed to bulge by ferrostatic pressure of the liquid core, the bulge being pressed back during the soft reduction stage.

Abstract: A rotary power driver is provided which drives with a two-stage torque and speed control, wherein the initial driving is done at higher speed and lower torque, and a subsequent higher torque is automatically imposed with lower speed. The second stage is a selected pre-set stage, with provision for the selected torque built into the driver. The second stage is imposed on the drive shaft by a one-way clutch or ratchet drive.

Abstract: An articulated dual rotatable support is provided for casting ladles in which opposed supporting arms extend from an annular central support column which is rotatable. Each support arm may be raised and lowered independently of the other. Each support arm includes a U-shaped support arrangement carrying a ladle receiver. In addition, each support arm is supported in an open topped bearing arrangement so as to be easily lifted out of position for repairs or replacement. A power device for moving each support arm is provided connected to a transverse beam on the rotatable annular support and movable therewithin which power device is connected to an L- or Z-shaped power arm rigidly connected to each supporting arm to provide for the articulation of each supporting arm largely below the top of the annular support.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided in vehicles and particularly rail vehicles which utilizes the spacing variation between two trucks or undercarriages of the vehicle progressing through a curve to cause a tilting movement of the vehicle chassis in the curve to accommodate the centrifugal forces generated by the vehicle in the curve. This is achieved by transposing the generally horizontal forces of the above mentioned spacing variation into opposing vertical forces on each side of the chassis through various mechanical linkages. This avoids provision for elevations of the roadway in curves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting for a casting ladle for use in a steel strand casting plant where one or more ladles are cantilevered from a revolving turret atop a central support column. Each cantilevered ladle is set in the mounting of the invention which permits the monitoring of the ladle weight before and during casting.

Abstract: A pressure release device is provided for metal strand casting plants to relieve the pressure between opposed sets of supporting rolls for the strand in instances where unusual pressure build-up takes place between the opposed sets of rolls. The device is simple and inexpensive and may be positioned in the axis of the connecting rods between two opposed roll stands. The device accommodates a regular mechanical spindle-threaded nut spacing arrangement, which may be manually adjusted and avoids the problem of "freezing" which is common with such devices using a "built-in" frictional release arrangement.

Abstract: A bucket wheel type excavator is provided in which a vibrating movement is imparted to the individual cutting components of each bucket on the wheel. Moreover, each such imparting movement to the individual teeth or cutting components is from a single excitation device fixed in the axis of the wheel and driven from a power source coaxially through a hollow shaft for the wheel. The imparting movement is through flexible bars extending from the excitation device to a point adjacent the cutting components wherein the vibrating end of the respective flexible bar is spaced from and intermittently vibrates the cutting component which, in turn, is pivotally mounted.

Abstract: The invention refers to an apparatus for disposal of cut end portions in a multistrand casting plant, particularly in a twin strand steel slab strand casting plant, consisting of vehicles moving on a rail track in a position in the strand paths following the separating or cutting device in vertical direction and positioned between the conveyor path rollers of the parallel casting strands. Such vehicles are provided with a bearing surface for the cut end portions just below the conveyor path transport level. The rail track connects the conveyor paths of a strand with a discharge station.

Abstract: A slide is provided with a simplified support construction involving a reduced number of parts at reduced cost. Also, the appearance of the slide is improved by placing a substantial portion of the reduced support directly under the slide path. Each slide path may include only four vertical supports with the slide supported on those supports with only four cantilevered brackets. The brackets hold four girder segments extending end-to-end directly under the slide path.

Abstract: A combined apparatus is provided for handling rolled material issuing from a rolling mill finishing line. An arrangement is provided for cropping the head and tail ends of the rolled material running at high speed after it is divided into the desired lengths and for diverting the cropped lengths to a path separate from the cropped ends. Also, arrangements are provided for coordinating the actual speed of the issuing rolled material with the rotary shears for dividing the rolled material into lengths. In addition, arrangements are provided for the controlled chopping of the cropped ends in relation to the speed of the line.

Abstract: A hesitation device is provided in a material conveying roller conveyor system which is simple and inexpensive in construction, while at the same time allows accumulation of conveyed materials with any damaging or disturbing effect upon the conveyed material. This is achieved by providing unbalancing weights in the rollers of the conveyor in the stoppage or hesitation area in combination with a driving belt for the rollers having areas of differing coefficients of friction.

Abstract: The invention has reference to an overhead trolley, particularly for tracks in a store, its wheel running on a rail driven by a motor, where actuation of the pivoted auxiliary wheel assembly elevates the trolley to support the driven wheel of the trolley on a support wheel and the auxiliary wheel above a rail of the tracks. The trolley includes an arrangement with an auxiliary wheel, which may be pivoted manually into and out of engagement with the rail surface. Pivoting the auxiliary wheel into engagement with the rail surface has the effect of raising the drive wheel from the rail surface so that a disabled trolley may be pushed out of the way.

Abstract: The invention refers to a dolly for the starting or initiation strand of a metal strand casting plant, the dolly being equipped with guide pulleys at each end for a traction device embracing the pulleys and forming the drive for the initiation strand. The traction device includes a retractible support carrier for the starting or initiation strand. The support carrier has forwardly and rearwardly facing bearing surfaces which engage cooperating bearing surfaces on each end of an initiation strand for the engagement, support and positioning thereof. The invention eliminates the need for hoisting cranes of great height, and provides effective control of the initial feeding of the initiation strand to the casting mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switch for wire mills and refined iron mills for selecting one of two or more continuing tubular guides for rolled material arriving successively in one guide. A guide tube is used which may be oriented at the inlet orifices of the continuing guides, and which is connected to the arrival guide, whereby the guide tube may be set, while a rolled material strand is being forwarded to one of the continuing guides, for one of the other continuing guides.

Abstract: A slide is provided, preferably a water slide, which is self-supporting and may be erected adjacent any amusement location. The slide of the invention provides a substantially longer sliding surface for the amusement of users without requiring an inclined ground surface for support of the slideway. The slide incorporates a pathway for ascending the slide, and preferably a water supply facility to enhance the sliding action. The entire structure is supported on one or more vertical supports resting on the ground.

Abstract: The invention refers to a load test apparatus for hoisting units by means of strain gages, where the test data affect the transmission of a hoisting unit motor. That is, a load test cell is positioned between the fixed support for the hoisting unit and the hoisting cable. The cell is mounted with an upper bolt connecting it to the fixed support and a lower bolt connecting it to the fixed support and the hoisting cable. In the area between the two bolts the flat cell is of restricted cross section and test gages are mounted here to monitor tensile forces in the cell according to the load. The gages are connected, in turn, through a bridging circuit incorporating resistances to the hoist drive. Because of the simplicity and size of the test structure, it can be manufactured economically by simple mass production techniques.

Abstract: The invention refers to a support, drive and guide roller stand for a metal strand casting plant, particularly for a steel slab curved strand casting plant, consisting of several segments with rollers and counter-rollers mounted in separate segment frames. Several rollers are arranged in one common segment frame, whereby one segment frame, carrying rollers, can be set for casting thickness and/or shrinking thickness relative to the segment frame carrying the counter-rollers, and whereby individual rollers are provided whose length is foreshortened vs. the strand width.

Abstract: The invention refers to a paddle wheel type pick-up device for loading stored piled bulk materials or the recovery of mined minerals. The pick-up arrangement is supported on the frame of a carriage parallel with the breakdown front of the stored pile, or mined surface and coordinated with a travelling beam, also hinged at the carriage frame, covering the breakdown front. The beam accommodates a cutting device.

Abstract: A metallurgical tilting vat, such as a steel mill converter, which, by means of vat extensions or projections, rests on a surrounding tilting mechanism, so that it can be tilted 360.degree., and where radial and axial heat expansion and contractions are accommodated. The tilting mechanism is equipped with dynamic test cells for weighing the vat and/or vat contents. This type of metallurgical tilting vat equipped with weighing devices serves to ascertain the vat contents in order to observe the steel production process based on differing weights of the vat contents, and, in turn, to regulate the decarbonization process based on the weight data and/or data graphs thus obtained.

Abstract: A cooling bed device is provided for straight-edged rolled material, such as billets, for example, for simultaneously conveying and turning the billets over the bed. This is achieved by a dual rake arrangement for engaging and moving the billets with a stationary rake cooperating with a movable rake. The movable rake is arranged to have a circular movement in a path parallel with the stationary rake. The teeth of both rakes are arranged to have the angle of inclination from horizontal of the rising flanks and falling flanks the same for both rakes, with the rising flanks of both having a steeper incline than the falling flanks. Moreover, adjacent teeth in the stationary rake form angles of about 90.degree. with each other, and adjacent teeth in the movable rake are spaced from each to form horizontal bearing surfaces wider than the longest straight edge of a billet to be handled.