Abstract: A molding device for vacuum casting a metal ingot is provided. The mold includes a mold cavity defined by an ingot mold, a core and a bottom. The mold is arranged inside a vacuum-cast enclosure and includes a source of introducing molten metal at the upper portion thereof. A distribution device for receiving and distributing molten metal, which is suitable for receiving the molten steel introduced into the vacuum-cast enclosure and for redistributing the molten metal in the mold cavity, is arranged at the upper portion of the mold cavity. The molten metal is introduced into the enclosure so as to form a first jet of molten steel under a vacuum, in order to pour the molten metal over the distribution device and to form at least one second jet of molten steel under a vacuum, which originates with the distribution device and terminates in the mold cavity so as to fill the mold cavity with molten metal.

Abstract: A molding device for vacuum casting a metal ingot is provided. The mold includes a mold cavity defined by an ingot mold, a core and a bottom. The mold is arranged inside a vacuum-cast enclosure and includes a source of introducing molten metal at the upper portion thereof. A distribution device for receiving and distributing molten metal, which is suitable for receiving the molten steel introduced into the vacuum-cast enclosure and for redistributing the molten metal in the mold cavity, is arranged at the upper portion of the mold cavity. The molten metal is introduced into the enclosure so as to form a first jet of molten steel under a vacuum, in order to pour the molten metal over the distribution device and to form at least one second jet of molten steel under a vacuum, which originates with the distribution device and terminates in the mold cavity so as to fill the mold cavity with molten metal.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal ingot using a mold which includes a mold cavity defined by an ingot mold, a core and a bottom arranged inside a vacuum-cast enclosure including a portion for introducing molten metal at the upper portion thereof. A portion for receiving and distributing molten metal, which is suitable for receiving the molten steel introduced into the vacuum-cast enclosure and for redistributing the molten metal in the mold cavity, is arranged at the upper portion of the mold cavity. The molten metal is introduced into the enclosure to form a first jet of molten steel under a vacuum, to pour the molten metal over the portion and to form at least one second jet of molten steel under a vacuum, which originates with the portion and terminates in the mold cavity to fill the mold cavity with molten metal.

Abstract: In said method, the mold (1), which includes a mold cavity (3A) defined by an ingot mold (2), a core (4) and a bottom (27), is arranged inside a vacuum-cast enclosure (5) including a means (9) of introducing molten metal at the upper portion thereof. A means (11A, 11?) for receiving and distributing molten metal, which is suitable for receiving the molten steel introduced into the vacuum-cast enclosure (5) and for redistributing the molten metal in the mold cavity (3A), is arranged at the upper portion of the mold cavity (3A). The molten metal is introduced into the enclosure (5) so as to form a first jet of molten steel (50) under a vacuum, in order to pour the molten metal over the receiving and distributing means (11A, 11?) and to form at least one second jet of molten steel (52) under a vacuum, which originates with the receiving and distributing means (11A, 11?) and terminates in the mold cavity (3A) so as to fill the mold cavity (3A) with molten metal.

Abstract: A probe is provided for measuring the wear of a wall in a metallurgical vessel. The probe includes at least two electrically conducting elements which extend generally mutually parallel, and a tubular sheath wherein the electrically conducting elements extend interiorly of said sheath, and are mutually insulated via a refractory insulator. The probe is adapted to be implanted in the transverse direction in the wall of a metallurgical vessel with the distal end of each of the two electrically conducting elements being disposed at the interior surface of said wall. A measurement system is connected to the opposite proximal ends of the electrically conducting elements for measuring an electrical characteristic of the circuit formed by said elements that depends on the length of the elements. The probe has a diameter less than 1 mm achieved by stretching after the components have been assembled into an intermediate assembly having a larger cross sectional area than the final cross section.