Patents by Inventor Karl-Heinz Spitzer

Karl-Heinz Spitzer 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
  • Patent number: 9630243
    Abstract: A continuously operating casting and rolling system with a strip tension control includes a casting unit having a melt-containing feed vessel with a horizontal casting channel and a discharge region in the form of a casting nozzle, and a primary cooling zone with two guide rolls and a circulating cooled casting strip and at least one downstream rolling unit having at least two drivable rollers. In order to minimize the tension on the cast strip, the casting unit and the subsequent rolling unit are mechanically decoupled, wherein for the decoupling at least one driver unit having at least two drivable rollers for driving the strip is arranged between the casting belt and the rolling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SMS GROUP GMBH
    Inventors: Hellfried Eichholz, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Sven Klawiter, Rune Schmidt-Jürgensen
  • Patent number: 9335164
    Abstract: A device and a method for measuring thickness in horizontal strip casting installations for casting strip or sections. A measuring device measures the thickness of the liquid or pasty melt in the mold. The measuring device operates without contact by a laser and an optical sensor that are arranged so that the surface of the liquid or pasty melt is monitored, whereby the thickness distribution over an entire width of the melt is measured. A measuring signal is generated, and a control signal is generated based on the measuring signal in order to control a device for distributing the melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: SMS GROUP GMBH
    Inventors: Jörg Bausch, Josef Karduck, Andreas Runge, Johannes Schwedmann, Jochen Wans, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Hellfried Eichholz
  • Publication number: 20150144288
    Abstract: A continuously operating casting and rolling system with a strip tension control includes a casting unit having a melt-containing feed vessel with a horizontal casting channel and a discharge region in the form of a casting nozzle, and a primary cooling zone with two guide rolls and a circulating cooled casting strip and at least one downstream rolling unit having at least two drivable rollers. In order to minimize the tension on the cast strip, the casting unit and the subsequent rolling unit are mechanically decoupled, wherein for the decoupling at least one driver unit having at least two drivable rollers for driving the strip is arranged between the casting belt and the rolling unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: SMS SIEMAG AG
    Inventors: Hellfried Eichholz, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Sven Klawiter, Rune Schmidt-Jürgensen
  • Patent number: 8852356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a hot strip from transformation-free ferritic steel, wherein a melt is cast into a roughed strip and the latter is subsequently rolled into a hot strip. For this purpose, it is provided that the melt is cast in a horizontal strip casting facility under conditions of a calm flow and free of bending into a roughed strip in the range between 6 and 20 mm and is subsequently rolled into hot strip having a degree of deformation of at least 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: Salzgitter Glachstahl GmbH, SMS Siemag AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Bianca Springub, Joachim Konrad, Hellfried Eichholz, Markus Schäperkötter
  • Patent number: 8807201
    Abstract: A device and a method for horizontal casting of a metal band. The device includes a dispensing vessel for a melt and a cooled conveyor belt disposed downstream of the dispensing vessel in the casting direction running between two deflecting rollers and on which the metal band can be transported. The device further includes at least one roller that can be engaged with the metal band for profiling. Early and therefore improved influence on the profile of a metal band, that is the leader band, is thereby made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rolf Franz, Christian Mengel, Olaf Norman Jepsen, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Hellfried Eichholz
  • Patent number: 8695685
    Abstract: A method and a device for producing steel strips by belt casting, wherein a molten metal is output from a feed vessel onto a circulating casting belt of a horizontal belt casting system under protective gas by a gutter and a siphon-like outlet area designed as a casting nozzle. At least one plasma jet, which renders the area of action inert and heats the area of action, influences the outlet-side area of the casting nozzle and the molten metal exiting therefrom at least during the casting process. For this purpose, at least one plasma torch, which produces a plasma jet and is directed at the outlet area of the casting nozzle in a direction opposite the casting direction, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hellfried Eichholz, Jochen Wans, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Hans-Jürgen Hecken
  • Publication number: 20130269905
    Abstract: A melt charging system for the horizontal strip casting of a molten metal with a run-out element, in particular with a nozzle (9), is characterized in that at least one heating device (21, 22; 28) is arranged in the region of the run-out element for heating up the run-out element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: SMS SIEMAG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Joerg Bausch, Reiner Puerling, Jochen Schlueter, Jochen Wans, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Hellfried Eichholz
  • Patent number: 8444743
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a steel melt containing up to 30% of Mn, which additionally may comprise up to 5% Si, up to 1.5% C, up to 22% Al, up to 25% Cr, up to 30% Ni, and up to 5% each of Ti, V, NB, Cu, Sn, Zr, Mo, and W, and up to 1% each of N and P, with the remainder being iron and unavoidable steel companion elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignees: Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH, Peiner Träger GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Christian Redeker
  • Patent number: 8408279
    Abstract: The invention relates to a casting nozzle for a horizontal strip casting system, in particular for casting steel strip, wherein the nozzle is designed as a narrow rectangular hollow block having a bottom, top and two side walls and made of refractory material, the outflow region being located only slightly above a cooled continuous belt receiving the outflowing melt. Viewed in the flow direction, it is provided that the clear cross-section of the hollow block in the outflow region reduces uniformly in the direction toward the outflow and the end face of the bottom of the hollow block is designed with respect to the surface of the continuous belt such that the melt contacts the continuous belt perpendicularly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH
    Inventors: Hellfried Eichholz, Sven Klawiter, Rune Schmidt-Jürgensen, Karl-Heinz Spitzer
  • Publication number: 20120285653
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the measurement of a thickness, particularly for use in casting systems for strips or profiles, having a measuring device, wherein the thickness of a liquid or pasty melt, or of a solidified cast product is measured on a die, or in a vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Jörg Bausch, Josef Karduck, Andreas Runge, Johannes Schwedmann, Jochen Wans, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Hellfried Eichholz
  • 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: 8302663
    Abstract: The invention relates to a casting nozzle for a horizontal strip casting system, especially for casting steel strip. The casting nozzle is connected to a feed channel and is designed as a rectangular refractory hollow block, the outlet region of which being only slightly above the cooled continuous belt which accommodates the outflowing melt. The hollow block is subdivided at least once in the direction of casting and a narrow sealing element is arranged on the partition side of the segments, the width of the remaining gaps in the partition area being selected as to close when the casting nozzle is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignees: Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH, SMS Siemag AG
    Inventors: Hellfried Eichholz, Sven Klawiter, Rune Schmidt-Jürgensen, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Hans-Jürgen Hecken, Jochen Schlüter
  • Publication number: 20120138257
    Abstract: The invention relates to a casting nozzle for a horizontal strip casting system, especially for casting steel strip. The casting nozzle is connected to a feed channel and is designed as a rectangular refractory hollow block, the outlet region of which being only slightly above the cooled continuous belt which accommodates the outflowing melt. The hollow block is subdivided at least once in the direction of casting and a narrow sealing element is arranged on the partition side of the segments, the width of the remaining gaps in the partition area being selected as to close when the casting nozzle is operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Hellfried Eichholz, Sven Klawiter, Rune Schmidt-Jürgensen, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Hans-Jürgen Hecken, Jochen Schlüter
  • Publication number: 20120132390
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for horizontal casting of a metal band (4). The device thereby comprises a dispensing vessel (3) for a melt (1) and a cooled conveyor belt (6) disposed downstream of the dispensing vessel (3) in the casting direction running between two deflecting rollers (77) and on which the metal band (4) can be transported, and wherein the device comprises at least one roller (8, 889, 9 that can be engaged with the metal band (4) for profiling. Early and therefore improved influence on the profile of a metal band (4), that is, the leader band (4), is made possible by said embodiment and further preferred embodiments of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: SMS SIEMAG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Rolf Franz, Christian Mengel, Olaf Norman Jepsen, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Hellfried Eichholz
  • Publication number: 20120132389
    Abstract: The invention relates to a casting nozzle for a horizontal strip casting system, in particular for casting steel strip, wherein the nozzle is designed as a narrow rectangular hollow block having a bottom, top and two side walls and made of refractory material, the outflow region being located only slightly above a cooled continuous belt receiving the outflowing melt. Viewed in the flow direction, it is provided that the clear cross-section of the hollow block in the outflow region reduces uniformly in the direction toward the outflow and the end face of the bottom of the hollow block is designed with respect to the surface of the continuous belt such that the melt contacts the continuous belt perpendicularly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH
    Inventors: Hellfried Eichholz, Sven Klawiter, Rune Schmidt-Jürgensen, Karl-Heinz Spitzer
  • Publication number: 20120125557
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing steel strips by means of belt casting, wherein a molten metal is output from a feed vessel onto a circulating casting belt of a horizontal belt casting system under protective gas by means of a gutter and a siphon-like outlet area designed as a casting nozzle. According to the method, at least one plasma jet, which renders the area of action inert and heats the area of action, influences the outlet-side area of the casting nozzle and the molten metal exiting therefrom at least during the casting process. For this purpose, at least one plasma torch, which produces a plasma jet and is directed at the outlet area of the casting nozzle in a direction opposite the casting direction, is provided according to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: SMS SIEMAG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Hellfried Eichholz, Jochen Wans, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Hans-Jürgen Hecken
  • Publication number: 20120121452
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a hot strip from a triplex lightweight steel, wherein a melt is cast into a roughed strip and the latter is subsequently rolled into a hot strip. For this purpose, it is provided that the melt is cast in a horizontal strip casting facility under conditions of a calm flow and free of bending into a roughed strip in the range between 6 and 20 mm and is subsequently rolled into hot strip having a degree of deformation of at least 50%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: SALZGITTER FLACHSTAHL GMBH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Bianca Springub, Joachim Konrad, Hellfried Eichholz, Markus Schäperkötter, Zacharias Georgeou
  • Publication number: 20120093677
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a hot strip from transformation-free ferritic steel, wherein a melt is cast into a roughed strip and the latter is subsequently rolled into a hot strip. For this purpose, it is provided that the melt is cast in a horizontal strip casting facility under conditions of a calm flow and free of bending into a roughed strip in the range between 6 and 20 mm and is subsequently rolled into hot strip having a degree of deformation of at least 50%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicants: SMS SIEMAG AG, Salzgitter Flachstahl GMBH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Bianca Springub, Joachim Konrad, Hellfried Eichholz, Markus Schäperkötter
  • Publication number: 20120024434
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and a plant for making hot-rolled strips of cast metal, wherein the cast strip is subjected as a rough strip to at least a first step for momogenizing the grain structure in a protective gas and the cast strip is then subjected to at least a further heat-treatment step before it is rolled to reduce its thickness. After the thickness reduction the cast strip is subjected to a second step of homogenization or recrystallization of its grain structure before finally the strip is passed to a cutter and a finished rolled hot piece is severed from the following strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Rolf Franz, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Hellfried Eichholz, Markus Schaeperkoetter