Abstract: A method for detecting a molten metal surface level in a casting mold, comprises inserting an electrode in a slag constituting a layer under a flux floating on the surface of the molten metal, detecting a change of electric resistance due to a temperature gradient of the place at which the electrode is inserted, displacing the electrode to bring the detected value to be always constant within a range of from 5 to 50 .OMEGA., and measuring the degree of the displacement of the electrode thereby detecting the surface level of the molten level. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for directional solidification of large single crystal metal alloy castings using multiple seed crystals. Solidification interfaces emanate from the separate seeds, and merge to form a unitary solidification interface which is caused to move through the article. The crystallographic orientation of the seeds is controlled, to avoid unacceptable mismatch of crystal structure orientation where the separate interfaces merge.

Abstract: A casting apparatus wherein a weighted lever operated plunger has its operational rate regulated by a friction brake. A movable weight on the lever provides a selection of amplified operating force on the plunger. The lever is coupled with the piston of a vacuum pump having a valve to regulate the rate of application of vacuum to the molding flask. Safety linkages coupled to the lever prevent non-scheduled operation of the casting apparatus.

Abstract: A method for casting material melted by arc discharge and an arc melting apparatus useful with a precision casting machine, the invention is practiced by initiation of an arc discharge at an arc current lower than the steady state current normally used for arc melting, thereby to prevent starting shock. Current level is subsequently increased in a rapid and regular manner to a steady state current for melting in a stable manner the material which is to be cast. The apparatus of the invention includes a small and compact arc power source provided with apparatus for controlling the arc current which is applied to the material to be melted. When utilized with a precision casting apparatus, the invention improves the manufacture of artificial teeth, accessories, industrial mechanical parts and the like.

Abstract: An ingot mold with mold wall and stool shields and the method of installing the mold wall and stool shields to the ingot mold and stoll. The mold wall shield comprises at least two portions connected by a bend. The mold wall shield and the stool shield can be multi-layered to provide a thin envelope or layer of air between the parallel layers. The shields are nailed to the mold or stool by an explosion actuated hammer. The mold wall shield is installed with the bend near the intersection between the mold and the stool. The shields are made of similar material to that being cast and melt due to the heat of the molten metal in the mold.

Abstract: The continuous metal casting method includes continuously forming a portion of an ingot in the open-ended mold of the primary cooling zone under pressure, with a cold junction being formed at the end of the portion. The portion of the ingot is intermittently drawn into the secondary cooling zone, to produce the ingot subdivided by the cold junctions into portions of a required length. In the intervals between the successive drawing cycles, the ingot is treated in the secondary cooling zone to effect constrained shrinkage, while producing in the cold junction areas a bending strain of a value not short of the yield strength of the metal. The plant includes a vessel for the metal to be cast, communicating with the open-ended mold of the primary cooling zone.

Abstract: Macrosegregation in metal alloy castings and other alloys having similar solidification behavior is reduced by slowly rotating a mold or the like containing the liquid alloy about an axis at an acute angle to the vertical from the time the liquid alloy is poured into the mold until substantially all of the alloy has solidified. The mold is rotated at a speed below that which produces a centrifuging effect or causes stirring or agitation of the interdendritic liquid.

Abstract: A transport apparatus comprising a plurality of metal rolls for transporting a hot heavy material is disclosed. Each roll is provided with a desired number of ring-like circumferential grooves which are filled with a heat insulating material, and the grooves of each roll are staggered with respect to the grooves of the adjacent rolls. In accordance with the present invention, the temperature drop of the hot heavy material during the transportation can be greatly reduced, and in addition, the temperature fluctuation in both the sectional direction and the longitudinal direction of the hot heavy material is sharply decreased. The invention contributes considerably to the realization of the direct rolling process on an industrial scale.

Abstract: A melt is continuously horizontally cast by causing the melt to flow forwardly while spreading laterally to form a flat product. A magnetic field is directed perpendicularly through the flow where it is thicker so as to form the product with a uniform thickness throughout its width.

Abstract: In a method for continuous casting of steel, a slab having good quality is obtained by inspecting the profile of the unsolidified region of the slab in the transverse direction thereof during casting and controlling the cooling pattern so that the profile matches a pre-determined standard profile.

Abstract: A set of half molds mounted so that they are movable on a base and when drawn together, form a split mold which can be taken apart upon separation, the half molds have spaces which form slit gates communicating with a metal receiver and the central cavity of the half molds, whose surfaces form the surfaces of the casting. At least one of the side surfaces of the slit gate-forming spaces is made step-shaped in the direction of molten metal level so that upon the drawing together of the half molds, the accuracy in raising the level of the molten metal may be enhanced.

Abstract: A method for replicating laser mirror surfaces is described which comprises careful preparation, as, for example, by single point diamond turning, on a master block, of a master surface having the contour corresponding to the desired laser mirror surface, vapor depositing onto the master surface a thin metallic layer, and vapor depositing the laser mirror faceplate material to the desired thickness. The selected master block material has a coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch with that of the deposited faceplate material so that the master block shrinks and separates away from the deposited faceplate upon cooldown from the vapor deposition temperature.

Abstract: A multi-strand process is provided for casting molten materials into ingots of desired shape. The process uses two inductors for receiving the molten material and applying the first and second electromagnetic force fields to form the molten material into the ingots. The inductors are located adjacent each other so that the first and second force fields interact with each other. A first device is associated with one of the inductors for applying a first alternating current at a first desired frequency to an associated inductor to generate the first magnetic force field. A second device is associated with the other of the inductors for applying a second alternating current at a second desired frequency to generate the second magnetic force field. The second frequency is set to a desired value in relation to the first frequency in order to control the first and second resulting containment currents circulating in the molten material.

Abstract: A vaporizable pattern for casting reduced porosity metal by a lost foam process is coated first with a thermally insulative, refractory layer characterized by a relatively high gas permeability and thereafter with a vaporizable polymeric layer characterized by a relatively low gas permeability. During metal casting, the refractory layer insulates the polymeric layer to delay vaporization, whereupon the low permeability causes pattern decomposition vapors to build up and slow metal replacement of the pattern to reduce vapor-entrapping turbulence. After vaporization of the polymeric layer, the vapors readily vent through the high permeability, refractory layer to avoid entrapment in the metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a telescopable retractable landing net for fish. The net is attached to the retractable hoop by resilient hooks. The hooks are spaced around the inner periphery of the hoop and do not extend above the upper surface of the hoop nor below the bottom surface of the hoop, the outer periphery of the hoop is substantially smooth, therefore, the hoop is free of rough surfaces that would restrict the ability of the hoop to be retracted into its hollow handle.

Abstract: Process for automatically measuring the shearing resistance of green sand used in a repetitive sand molding process using pattern plates, and for using the measurements in such a way as to modulate the various parameters of the process in which a measuring ring is placed upon one of the pattern plates. The measuring ring has an opening and stress gauges fastened within narrowed sections of said measuring ring on either side of said opening. The gauges are connected electrically through the pattern plate to an electronic measurement and operation device within which various physical measurements are computed, including the shearing resistance of the test sample of sand compressed within said opening. The result of said measurements is processed by a computer to determine the magnitude of modulations to be made, particularly that pertaining to the replenishment of agglomerating agents for the recycled sand.

Abstract: An instant push-button fastener for fastening a fishing reel seat to the handle of a fishing rod comprises a clamping button, a coupling sleeve and a releasing button. The clamping button is depressed to insert an engaging head into the coupling sleeve. The coupling sleeve fixedly retains the engaging head, securing the fishing reel seat to the handle of the fishing rod. The releasing button is depressed to release the engaging head from the coupling sleeve, thus releasing the fishing reel seat from the handle.

Abstract: A blowing sand molding machine includes a main frame to the top of which is mounted a hopper for storing sand, which hopper, at a given moment, is vertically aligned with a corresponding blowing cartridge which receives a portion of the sand so that by means of a current of pressurized air blown into the cartridge the sand passes therefrom to master plates fixed to appropriate supports. Longitudinally disposed on the main frame and below the blowing cartirdge, a pair of cylindrical bars acting as guides for the supports of the master plates, the bars or guides extending along the front and rear zones of the machine. The bar of the front zone occupies a substantially lower plane than that occupied by the bar of the rear zone. One master plate support is moved along the guides by means of a manually operated wheel, while the other support is moved along such guides with the help of a pressure cylinder.

Abstract: In a supporting and guiding structure for a continuous casting plant, roller ways supporting the strand on two opposite sides are provided, one of the two roller ways being arranged on a first supporting framework and the other roller way being arranged on the second supporting framework which is braceable relative to the first supporting framework by drawing anchors and is connectable with the first supporting framework and detachable therefrom. In order to be able to effect the connection and release by parts that are easy to handle, a bayonet connection is provided as the connection between supporting framework and drawing anchors. The bayonet connection includes a disc having at least one recess and arranged on the supporting framework. A drawing-anchor head including a lateral neck that corresponds to this recess is insertable into the recess, and the drawing-anchor head or the disc is rotatable into a fastening position axially fixing the drawing anchor.

Abstract: A hot top casing for cooperation with an ingot mold body is provided having a depending portion from which a pair of trunnions extend away from the casing and a second pair of trunnions extend toward said casing whereby each of said pairs are displaced vertically with respect to the center of gravity with one pair above and one pair below said center.