Abstract: A method and device are provided for detecting the presence of slag in a shroud through which molten metal passed from a ladle to a tundish. An induced voltage generated at a receiving coil is compared with a defined voltage range. If the induced voltage has a value outside the defined voltage range, it is indicative of the presence of slag. The voltage range is defined in dependence of the flow of molten metal passing through the shroud. A casting plant is also provided.

Abstract: A method and a system are for the control of a gas-containing hidden flow of molten metal in a space defined by a tubular device. From measurements in at least one predetermined layer of the metal flow in the space, an indication is obtained of the appearance of the flow which is compared with stored values. The result of the comparison is used for controlling at least one flow-affecting parameter in such a manner that a desired type of flow is provided at least in the layer.

Abstract: The invention refers to a new method for preparing sintered structural parts of carbon or tool steels or high speed steel having a carbon content of up to 2% by weight, wherein an agglomerated spherical powder comprising at least 0.5% of a thermo-reversible hydrocolloid is pressed to a green body of high density which is then heated at 450–650° C. to remove the non-carbon content of the hydrocolloid and subsequently sintered at about 1100–1400° C. to structural parts having high strength properties.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system including a microwave generator and a rectangular guide connected with the generator. The system is adapted to operate in fundamental (H10) or transverse electrical (TE10) mode, and associated with means providing a standing wave pattern. The system also includes many power connectors arranged in the guide at zones of maximum amplitude for one of the components of the electromagnetic field for splitting the generator power. The power connectors are adjusted so that the sum of their reduced admittance levels brought to the splitter input formed by the guide is in a single unit and many sources, respectively connected to a connector of the guide, via insulating means ensuring a power transmission of the connector to the source without reflecting towards the connector and a device adapting impedance of each source, located downstream of the insulating means, between the latter and associated source.

Abstract: In a method and device for measuring at least one parameter of a metal bed, measuring is obtained by a magnetic field being generated from one side of the metal bed so that eddy currents are generated in the metal bed as the metal bed moves relative to the magnetic field. The metal bed and the magnetic field are made to move relative to one another. A force related to the eddy currents affects a body and the action of the force on the body is detected by a detecting device, the detected force being a function of a desired parameter of the metal bed.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus having a series of individual plasma excitation devices each constituted by a wire applicator of microwave energy, having one end connected to a source for producing microwave energy and having an opposite end fitted with at least one magnetic dipole for creating at least one surface having a magnetic field that is constant and of intensity corresponding to electron cyclotron resonance, the dipole being mounted at the end of the microwave applicator in such a manner as to ensure that electrons accelerated to electron cyclotron resonance oscillate between the poles so as to create a plasma diffusion zone situated on the side of the dipole that is remote from the end of the applicator, the individual excitation devices being distributed relative to one another and in proximity with the work surface so as to create together a plasma that is uniform for the work surface.

Abstract: A method of producing a plasma by capacitive discharges between an active electrode and a passive electrode within a sealed chamber at controlled pressure, the passive electrode being placed at a given electric potential while the active electrode is fed with a discharge-maintaining voltage. The active electrode and passive electrode define a separation plane therebetween parallel to the electrodes. According to the method, a multipole magnetic barrier is placed between the electrodes within the sealed chamber, the multipole magnetic barrier producing magnetic field lines extending across the separation plane. Fast electrons accelerated by the active electrode are caused to oscillate between magnetic poles in order to create plasma production and diffusion zones that are situated on either side of a magnetic barrier facing each of the electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention concern a method using powder metallurgy for producing molded parts intended to be assembled by self-brazing to metal parts capable of receiving them and said receiving parts. The method comprises forming a homogenous mixture of a basic metal powder, brazing powder and a liquid binding agent which is injection molded to form a self-brazing part.

Abstract: The invention refers to a process for compressing a spherical metal powder, agglomerated with at least 0.5% by weight of a thermo-reversible hydrocolloid as a binder, in a uniaxial press operation with a ram speed of over 2 m/s to a green body having a high density. More particularly the invention also refers to a process for sintering said green bodies to products with full or near full density. The products obtained can be high resistant, high strength details or parts of stainless steel or other alloys.

Abstract: A method for injection molding a material consisting of a suspension of particles. The suspension of particles moves through convergent passages in an obturator and an injection channel so that the particles remain in suspension. The press has a head in which a portion of the feed channel and a portion of the injection channel, when the channel is open, is formed by a passage in an externally controlled obturator, the controlled obturator for the feed channel and the one for the injection channel being one and the same or adjacent, and disposed close to the injection orifice.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distribution device for distributing microwave power to excite a plasma inside an enclosure. According to the invention, the distribution device includes at least one second applicator of microwave energy to co-operate with a first applicator and an exciter to form at least one excitation triplet in which firstly the first applicator and the second applicator are mounted substantially parallel to each other and are spaced apart by a given amount to define between them a propagation zone for microwave energy, and secondly the exciter is disposed inside the enclosure by being placed relative to the first and second applicators in such a manner that the trajectories of the electrons do not cross the propagation zone, thereby dissociating the propagation zone and the absorption zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plasma excitation device comprising at least one electrically conductive wire applicator fed form an energy source in the microwave range and means for creating a magnetic field and adapted to create at least one surface having a constant magnetic field of a flux density that corresponds to electron cyclotron resonance. According to the invention, the wire applicator includes the means for creating the magnetic field, with the main component thereof being situated in a cross-section of the applicator and extending over at least a fraction of the length of the applicator, said applicator thus constituting an applicator both of a microwave electric field and of a static magnetic field.

Abstract: A device for distributing microwave energy in order to excite a plasma inside an enclosure includes one or more applicators. Each applicator is placed inside the inter-magnet zone and extends in distant relationship to the confinement surface and to the enclosure wall, while being positioned outside the surface having a constant magnetic field and an intensity corresponding to the electronic cyclotron resonance, so as to ensure the confinement and propagation of the microwave energy between the wall and the applicator, outside of the surface.

Abstract: A plug for temporarily closing a tap hole in a metal making furnace comprises a plug body insertable into the tap hole. The plug body comprises a ceramic blanket. A plurality of biasing springs are disposed inside the blanket and are held in a retracted condition by a heat-sensitive retaining band which extends around an outer periphery of the plug. A plurality of metal strips are disposed on an outer surface of the plug to protect the blanket. When the plug is inserted into a tap hole, the band is melted by the high temperatures therein, enabling the spring to expand the plug into contact with a surface of the tap hole.