Abstract: In continuous metal-casting machines utilizing one or more thin flexible belts as mold surfaces, a suitably placed thermal sensing probe which contacts the reverse side of a casting belt results in enhanced control of molten-metal pool levels, in contrast to the earlier systems where a series of separately monitored probes were disposed serially against the belt from upstream to downstream, each of which registered a separately monitored "yes" or "no" signal. In accordance with the present invention, an intermediate temperature is selected as the control point, at one location in the mold. If the pool of molten metal rises above the optimum level, the sensing probe will register a correspondingly increased temperature. If the pool falls below optimum, the probe will register a cooler temperature. The resulting electrical signals are processed by an electronic circuit.

Abstract: An improvement in continuous metal casting machines of the type having a pair of flexible, moving casting belts which revolve along endless paths for defining a casting region therebetween and moving side dams which revolve along with the casting belts for confining the cast strip, slab or bar laterally. The casting belts are individually supported by upper and lower carriage means. The machine is provided with sensors such as load cells for sensing the displacement forces existing between the upper and lower carriages at selected points along the path of belt travel, and for sensing the side pressures exerted upon the side dams by the cooling, solidifying metal. This sensing permits the maintenance of predetermined, desired contact pressures along the length of the solidifying metal to thereby improve the physical characteristics of the cast product.