Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for thermally treating cast-iron pipes formed in a continuous casting die. The pipe or tube undergoes tempering by passing through a vat which is located downstream from the continuous casting die. The vat contains a continuously cooled bath of fluidized sand or the like which lowers the temperature of the tube in a uniform manner and makes it possible to obtain a very precise and homogeneous tube structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an installation for the step by step extraction from an ingot-mould of an elongated solid product (1) obtained by continuous bottom casting, shaping, calibration and solidification in a suitable chamber (2), the installation being characterized in that it is constituted:--by a first fixed device (3), a situated in the immediate vicinity of the outlet orifice of the chamber, constituted by a ring, surrounding the solid, having an inner face (4) in the shape of a frustum of a cone and having an opening comprised between 10.degree. and 20.degree.

Abstract: Installation comprising a reservoir crucible 11, 12 for molten cast-iron F with step-by-step extraction of a pipe T produced from the crucible comprising a cooled die. To obtain a cast-iron pipe of uniform thickness over its entire circular periphery, despite the absence of a core, the molten cast-iron F is set in slow rotation in the crucible by the tangential supply of molten cast-iron with a low rate of flow through a tangential orifice 18, by the rotation of a magnet 36 disposed in a hollow central relief 17 upstanding from the base of the crucible, by the rotation of paddle arms 44 disposed in the molten iron, or by the tangential injection of an inert gas.

Abstract: In the centrifugal casting of iron pipes, molten metal from a tilt ladle 13 is supplied to an inclined pour trough or channel 14 whose outlet nose 16 is relatively axially movable within a rotating mold 3. To compensate for the reduction in the hydrostatic thrust of the molten metal in the pour channel when the metal supply is terminated near the end of the casting operation, the inclination of the channel 14 is gradually increased to thereby maintain a constant flow rate at the nose 16. Further, to compensate for the reduction of the height of fall due to the tilting of the pour channel and the attendant lowering of the downwardly sloping nose, the point of articulation 22 of the channel 14 within the mold is also raised in synchronism with the increased tilting of the channel.

Abstract: In a continuous vertical ascending casting installation for iron pipes T, graphite elements 3 defining a molten metal feed chimney 28, a die and coaxial core arrangement 13, 14 and an expansion vessel 16 are mounted under a cover 2 of an electric furnace 1. In use these graphite elements are immersed in a bath of molten metal contained in the hearth area 7 of the furnace, to thus enable precise temperature regulation and control. The outer surface of the die 13 is surrounded by a water cooling jacket 18, and the level of molten iron in the hollow cavity 25 of the core 14 is varied by the expansion vessel 16, to provide even finer control of the temperature gradient within the annular casting space. The overall arrangement is thus similar to a double boiler.

Abstract: In the continuous ascending vertical casting of an iron tube T without the use of a core to form the hollow tube interior, the molten iron is contained in a crucible made up of a cooled tubular die 6, 7 and the base 1 of a syphon unit. The crucible comprises a coaxial central form 5 at least as high as the die, which creates with the latter an annular space for molten iron F. Such arrangement reduces the volume of molten iron in the crucible and thus results in considerable energy savings.

Abstract: The vertically ascending casting of a thin-walled metal pipe and integral end fitting from a bath of molten metal is implemented using a housing 12 and a core 14 to mold the end fitting or bell housing and a tubular draw tube 6 to mold the pipe shank. The end fitting E is first formed by forcing the metal to rise in the annular space 16 between the housing and the core, simultaneously forming the initial section of the pipe shank. Once the end fitting has solidified it is extracted upwardly, step by step, while shank sections are simultaneously withdrawn from the metal bath. These sections are also solidified step by step along a tapering front S in the bath until the desired length of pipe T has been obtained.

Abstract: A head assembly for a socket core 3 for the centrifugal casting of iron pipes including a seat 24 for supporting the core in a socket end 6 during casting, and a head 50 for positioning the seat and core in a chill-mould 1. The head is separable from the seat and includes dogs 20 pivotable around joints 21 by a jack 13, the dogs having end claws 22 arranged to fit into a recess 51 of the seat to enable a core to be handled and fitted without the dogs directly gripping the core, thus avoiding the risk of the core being damaged during fitting.

Abstract: A support stirrup 7 is rotatably mounted by horizontal shaft 8 at one end of a machine for centrifugally casting iron pipes 41 having end sockets 42a in a chill-mould 1. A ring assembly 31, CL is mounted between the arms of the stirrup for rotation about an axis Z--Z perpendicular to the shaft axis, but the plane of the assembly is tilted from its rotation axis by an acute angle D via an offset arm 34. With the stirrup raised to an intermediate position and the ring assembly rotated 90.degree. (FIGS. 3, 6) an operator can easily and safely mount a relatively heavy socket core 36 to the ring assembly, whereafter the latter is reverse rotated 90.degree. and the stirrup lowered to position the core in the end of the mould (FIGS. 1, 4). The stirrup can be fully raised (FIG. 2) to enable pipe extraction and visual inspection during casting.

Abstract: The die (6) comprises a thick cylindrical body (7) which is surrounded by a cooling jacket (15) clamped against the pouring basin (2) and in contact with the latter in a plane (P). The body (7) is extended in the casting orifice (4) by a composite head (17) comprising a thin inner annular lip (22), whereof the inner surface extends that of the body (7) and a ring (24) of refractory material fitted between the lip, the body and the casting orifice. The (hot) lip (22) is connected to the body (7) in the plane (P), so that the ring (24) rejoins it also in this plane and that the flow of heat (f.sub.1) passing from the casting orifice to the cooling jacket must skirt around this ring.

Abstract: The invention provides a pipe or similar tubular member of ductile cast iron having an end casing. The thin walled casing has a curved profile at its entrance divided into two sections, of which one is formed by centrifugal casting, whereas the other, of lesser curvature, is made by hot or cold forming with a simultaneous axial compression and a radial bending directed towards the axis of the pipe. The invention is useful for forming fluid tight seals in pipelines using radial compression packings.

Abstract: Concave rails 17, upon which a pipe which is to be treated by at least partial immersion can be placed, are fixed in the bottom of a furnace 1 which contains a treatment bath M. In order to guarantee that the pipe is immersed over the whole of its cross section and in order to eliminate the risk of it becoming oval, the furnace is subjected to alternating rotation about its axis XX, which compels the pipe to turn on itself by rolling on the rails 17. The handling of the pipe is achieved by arms 12 which are assembled in a pivoting manner on the external wall of the furance and controlled by an actuator 15.

Abstract: Concave rails 17, upon which a pipe which is to be treated by at least partial immersion can be placed, are fixed in the bottom of a furnace 1 which contains a treatment bath M. In order to guarantee that the pipe is immersed over the whole of its cross section and in order to eliminate the risk of it becoming oval, the furnace is subjected to alternating rotation about its axis XX, which compels the pipe to turn on itself by rolling on the rails 17. The handling of the pipe is achieved by arms 12 which are assembled in a pivoting manner on the external wall of the furnace and controlled by an actuator 15.

Abstract: A pipe or similar tubular member of ductile cast iron having an end casing. The thin walled casing has a curved profile at its entrance divided into two sections, of which one is formed by centrifugal casting, whereas the other, of lesser curvature, is made by hot or cold forming with a simultaneous axial compression and a radial bending directed towards the axis of the pipe. The invention is useful for forming fluid tight seals in pipelines using radial compression packings.

Abstract: In a centrifugal casting apparatus, the rate of flow of molten iron poured into the mold is controlled by varying the inclination of the feed channel. In particular, at the end of the casting operation, the supply of liquid to the feed channel is cut off and the upstream end of the feed channel is progressively raised. This can be controlled automatically by a cast iron level detector adjacent the pouring spout. In this manner, localized thickness defects in a series of pipes can be corrected. Furthermore, pipes of constant thickness throughout their length can be provided without the need to vary the translational speed of the feed channel or vary the rate of pivoting of the ladle of molten liquid.

Abstract: A large diameter pipe joint in which the male end and the female mouth end have respective opposite load bearing surfaces 5, 22 between which are arranged bracing means capable of evenly distributing tensile forces over the whole periphery of the joint by means of an incompressible mass 27 of an initially fluid filler material. The mass is contained in a space sufficiently closed on all sides by an annular component 23 disposed between the two support surfaces 5, 22 to be impermeable to said filler material. This joint is particularly suitable for large diameter pipes laid in trenches, where the axes of adjacent pipe sections lie at a small acute angle to each other after installation.

Abstract: The process is particularly intended for the casting of thin tubes of iron in a vertical annular die defined by a mould and a core. It comprises maintaining in the liquid state metal under pressure poured into the die and in contact with the core so as to create a substantially frustoconical solidification front which extends from a point of the wall of the mould in the vicinity of the input end of the die and reaches practically the lower end edge of the core. The installation for carrying out this process comprises a heating device inside the core and a liquid metal jacket under pressure which surrounds the mould and is surrounded by a water cooling jacket.

Abstract: This process for manufacturing spheroidal graphite cast iron pipes by centrifugal casting has the feature that the rate of the cooling of the liquid iron just centrifugally cast in a tubular layer is increased from a zone of the layer spaced away from the mould to the free inner surface of this tubular layer while the cooling of the liquid iron in the vicinity of the surface of the mould is slowed down.

Abstract: A process for effecting an annealing treatment of a spheroidal or lamellar graphite cast iron pipe. While the pipe is driven in rotation about the axis of the pipe, it is suspended substantially horizontally as it issues from the centrifugal casting machine and the pipe is partly immersed in a bath of metal at the desired temperature. An installation for carrying out this process comprises an elongate vessel having a horizontal axis and containing a bath of molten metal at the required temperature. A withdrawable device is provided outside the bath for suspending the pipe in a substantially horizontal position and plunging the pipe partly in the bath while driving the pipe in rotation about the axis of the pipe.

Abstract: The installation comprises a first core support pivotable about a fixed axis between a horizontal position and vertical position. The core is mounted on the first support. A second core support having a horizontal axis is provided with a core gripping device and is movable between the first core support, in which it receives the core from the first core support in the vertical position of the first support, and the socket end of a centrifugal casting mould. The two supports are provided with a device for mutually centering the two supports when transferring the core from one support to the other.