Patents by Inventor Joachim Kroos

Joachim Kroos has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10086426
    Abstract: In a method for producing a hot strip of steel with material properties that are adjustable over the strip cross-section, a steel melt is fed onto a revolving casting belt of a horizontal strip casting facility and solidifies to form a pre-strip having a thickness between 6 and 20 mm, and the pre-strip is subjected to a hot rolling process after complete solidification. A gas jet or plasma jet composed of metallic and/or non-metallic elements that affect the material properties of the hot strip influences the steel melt that is still liquid and/or just about to start to solidify. The concentration of the elements introduced into the melt by the gas jet or plasma jet and diffusing into the melt is adjusted across the strip thickness and strip width by changing the influencing kinetic energy of the gas jet or plasma jet, the partial gas pressure and/or the applied temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Volker Flaxa, Joachim Kroos, Hellfried Eichholz, Markus Schäperkötter, Rune Schmidt-Jürgensen
  • Publication number: 20120279677
    Abstract: In a method for producing a hot strip of steel with material properties that are adjustable over the strip cross-section, a steel melt is fed onto a revolving casting belt of a horizontal strip casting facility and solidifies to form a pre-strip having a thickness between 6 and 20 mm, and the pre-strip is subjected to a hot rolling process after complete solidification. A gas jet or plasma jet composed of metallic and/or non-metallic elements that affect the material properties of the hot strip influences the steel melt that is still liquid and/or just about to start to solidify. The concentration of the elements introduced into the melt by the gas jet or plasma jet and diffusing into the melt is adjusted across the strip thickness and strip width by changing the influencing kinetic energy of the gas jet or plasma jet, the partial gas pressure and/or the applied temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: SALZGITTER FLACHSTAHL GMBH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Volker Flaxa, Joachim Kroos, Hellfried Eichholz, Markus Schäperkötter, Rune Schmidt-Jürgensen
  • Patent number: 7806165
    Abstract: In a method for making hot strips, a workable lightweight construction steel is used which in particular can easily be deep-drawn cold and includes the main elements Si, Al and Mn, with high tensile strength and good TRIP and/or TWIP characteristics. The mass % are as follows for C 0.04 to <1.0, Al 0.05 to <4.0, SI 0.05 to ?6.0; Mn 9.0 to ?30.0, the remainder being iron with the common incidental steel elements. The melt is cast in a horizontal strip casting unit, close to the final dimensions at calm flow and without bending to form a pre-strip in the range between 6 and 15 mm, and subsequently is fed for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignees: Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH, Max-Planck-Institut Für Eisenforschung GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Kroos, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Georg Frommeyer, Volker Flaxa, Udo Brüx, Klaus Brockmeier
  • Publication number: 20070289717
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making hot strips, made from a workable lightweight construction steel which in particular can easily be deep-drawn cold, includes the main elements Si, Al and Mn, with high tensile strength and good TRIP and/or TWIP characteristics. The mass % are as follows for C 0.04 to ?1.0, Al 0.05 to ?4.0, Si 0.05 to ?6.0; Mn 9.0 to ?30.0, the remainder being iron with the common incidental steel elements. The melt is cast in a horizontal strip casting unit, close to the final dimensions at calm flow and without bending to form a pre-strip in the range between 6 and 15 mm, and subsequently is fed for further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Joachim Kroos, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Georg Frommeyer, Volker Flaxa, Udo Brux, Klaus Brockmeier
  • Patent number: 7073564
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a molten film of metal, in particular a steel film, more uniform by strip casting, in which the molten material which is applied to a revolving belt is to have a thickness and properties which are as uniform as possible across the width of the film. To make the film more uniform over its width, forces are introduced into the metal film with a component which is directed oppositely to the direction in which the film is conveyed, which forces make the profile of the molten film of metal more uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignees: SMS Demag AG, Salzgitter AG
    Inventors: Joachim Kroos, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Ulrich Urlau
  • Publication number: 20040129355
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing a product (1, 15) from steel, in which a steel with a metastable first phase in which the steel has first properties is manufactured and, by mechanical influences, is transformed into a second, thermodynamically more stable phase with second properties which are at least partly different from the first properties, and, for adapting the product to particular applications, the product (1, 15) is manufactured locally differently by modification with regard to said phases with different properties. A product according to the invention therefore has, over its surface and/or its thickness, at least two differently adapted areas (10, 11) with different properties of the steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Hower, Joachim Kroos, Karl-Heinz Spitzer
  • Publication number: 20030155097
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for homogenizing a molten metal film, more particularly a steel film, by means of thin strip casting. According to the invention, the melt applied to a rotating strip is of a similar thickness to and possesses the same qualities wherever possible as the width of the strip. In order to homogenize the width of the strip, forces possessing a component perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of the strip are introduced, whereby homogenization of the profile of the molten metal film occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: SMS Demag AG, Salzgitter AG
    Inventors: Joachim Kroos, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Ulrich Urlau
  • Patent number: 6585032
    Abstract: A strip casting plant with side limits arranged closely adjacent to a carrying belt. The side limits, and preferably the supply device for molten metal, are capable of vibrating and are connected to a device for producing vibrations. The adhesion of solidified material can thus be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Klaus Schwerdtfeger, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Paul Freier, Thomas Von Hinrichs, Wolfgang Reichelt, Ulrich Urlau, Ewald Feuerstacke, Joachim Kroos, Michael Brühl
  • Patent number: 6581674
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for making a molten film of metal, steel, in particular a steel film, more uniform, by strip casting, in which the molten material which is applied to a revolving belt is to have a thickness and properties which are as uniform as possible across the width of the strip. To make the strip more uniform over its width, forces are introduced into the metal film with a component which is perpendicular to the direction in which the strip is conveyed, which forces make the profile of the molten film of metal more uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignees: SMS Demag AG, Salzgitter AG
    Inventors: Joachim Kroos, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Ulrich Urlau
  • Patent number: 6450242
    Abstract: A method and a belt casting device for producing thin billets, in particular composed of steel, has an endless belt to which liquid metal is supplied via a feed device which has a casting channel and is connected to a metallurgical vessel. In this case, the feed device is in the form of a casting channel which has a first casting channel part in the form of a restriction channel part, and which has a second casting channel part whose opening faces the endless belt and whose size corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the finished product. The feed device is connected to a container to which liquid melt can be fed from a metallurgical vessel. Measurement elements are provided, which can be used to detect the level of the liquid melt in the container and/or the thickness of the billet located on the endless belt. Furthermore, the measured values are connected via a measurement and control element to an actuator which is connected to an element for adjusting the outlet rate from the metallurgical vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Joachim Kroos, Hans-Jürgen Schemeit, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Ulrich Urlau
  • Publication number: 20020079084
    Abstract: A strip casting plant with side limits arranged closely adjacent to a carrying belt. The side limits, and preferably the supply device for molten metal, are capable of vibrating and are connected to a device for producing vibrations. The adhesion of solidified material can thus be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Klaus Schwerdtfeger, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Paul Freier, Thomas Von Hinrichs, Wolfgang Reichelt, Ulrich Urlau, Ewald Feruerstacke, Joachim Kroos, Michael Bruhl
  • Patent number: 6357637
    Abstract: A method and a casting nozzle for starting the casting of a metal strip close its final dimensions. The method includes leading a melt via a melt-feed vessel into a pouring chamber of a siphon vessel. The melt from the pouring chamber is led onto a cooled transport belt via casting nozzle and a main chamber of the siphon vessel which can be put under vacuum. The pouring chamber and the main chamber of the siphon vessel are filled with the melt up to a top of the siphon. Before the melt flows over the top of the siphon a vacuum is induced in the main chamber by actuating a vacuum device connected to the main chamber. After the melt has flowed over the top of the siphon the melt stream is led through the casting nozzle so that the nozzle cross-section closes in the manner of a plug. The vacuum is increased depending on position of the plug in the casting nozzle until there is in the melt stream a hydraulic connection between the steam inlet and the stream outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Urlau, Joachim Kroos, Reinhard Scholz, Karl-Heinz Spitzer
  • Publication number: 20010047856
    Abstract: The invention relates to a strip casting plant with side limits arranged closely adjacent to a carrying belt. The side limits, and preferably the supply device for molten metal, are capable of vibrating and are connected to a device for producing vibrations. The adhesion of solidified material can thus be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: KLAUS SCHWERDTFEGER, KARL-HEINZ SPITZER, PAUL FREIER, THOMAS VON HINRICHS, WOLFGANG REICHELT, ULRICH URLAU, EWALD FEUERSTACKE, JOACHIM KROOS, MICHAEL BRUHL
  • Patent number: 6206083
    Abstract: A strip casting plant with a circulating belt. In the cooling area, the belt is sucked against carriers by a negative pressure in the cooler. The carriers are arranged so that, with given mechanical properties of the circulating belt, a deflection that compensates for the thermal elongation takes place between the supporting surfaces of the carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Klaus Schwerdtfeger, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Wolfgang Reichelt, Ulrich Urlau, Joachim Kroos, Heino Buddenberg
  • Patent number: 6192973
    Abstract: The cast steel strip must be supported, particularly after the casting device, to reduce stresses and mechanical deformations. A flexible support element, in particular, a chain with rolls, whose length can be changed by suitable adjustment devices, is arranged for the purpose of support after the casting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Klaus Schwerdtfeger, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Ulrich Urlau, Dietmar Franke, Bernfried Stache, Joachim Kroos, Heino Buddenberg
  • Patent number: 6123186
    Abstract: A supporting arrangement for the transport belt in thin strip casting plants. The liquid steel is cast onto the circulating transport belt. On its underside, the transport belt has devices for generating a negative pressure and for supporting the belt as well as for cooling. In the past, rollers were used for supporting the belt. Between the supporting points of the belt on the rollers, upward curvatures of the belt may occur. This is avoided by the use of supports of which the spacings measured transversely to the transporting direction are greater than the lengths of the supports in this direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Klaus Schwerdtfeger, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Wolfgang Reichelt, Ulrich Urlau, Ewald Feuerstacke, Joachim Kroos
  • Patent number: 6112954
    Abstract: A nozzle for thin strip casting plants, especially for steel strip. In casting plants of this type, the liquid steel must be applied on a carrier from the nozzle forming a casting gap. At least one primary coil and a secondary coil are arranged at the nozzle, wherein the secondary coil is water-cooled and projects into the area of the casting gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Klaus Schwerdtfeger, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Wolfgang Reichelt, Ulrich Urlau, Joachim Kroos, Michael Bruhl