Abstract: A mounting device for a roll, particularly a roll for a continuous casting apparatus, comprises a support and a bearing for the roll affixed to the support, the support and the bearing defining channels for the circulation of a cooling fluid therethrough, the support and bearing channels being in communication with each other across a plane of support of the bearing on the support through respective ends of the channels.

Abstract: Pneumatic seals are provided at the seams about movable doors of the containment enclosure for a metal processing converter to prevent leakage of undesirable effluent to the atmosphere. The seals incorporate members on the doors and the adjacent enclosure structure which, when the doors are closed, define labyrinth passages for conducting clean air from an elevated pressure source to discharge simultaneously into the enclosure interior and to the atmosphere. The invention contemplates, as an alternative, connection of the passages to a low pressure source effective to withdraw the effluent leakage for discharge into a receiver.

Abstract: A straightener for a multistrand continuous-casting machine. The straightener includes fulcrum rolls and reaction rolls which precede and follow the fulcrum rolls. The fulcrum rolls for all the strands are idlers and are coaxial, but the reaction rolls which follow the fulcrum rolls and engage intermediate strands are offset in a direction parallel to the length of the strands from the reaction rolls which engage the outer strands. The offset enable the drives for the bottom rolls opposite the intermediate reaction rolls to be connected directly to the bottom rolls.

Abstract: A retractable spindle for connecting a drive to a driven instrumentality, such as a roll. The spindle includes an axially movable shaft which has self-contained hydraulic means for moving it axially to disconnect it from the driven instrumentality or connect it thereto. This arrangement avoids the need for external mechanical linkages used heretofore for retracting a spindle.