Abstract: A coupling for an inert electrode for refining a metal is provided. The coupling includes an electrode assembly and an electrically conductive support structure assembly. The support structure assembly includes a mechanical connection and an electrical connection which are in spaced relation. The mechanical connection holds the electrical connection in compression.

Abstract: An improved cylindrical bottom block for casting of large ingots or billets, particularly cylindrical shaped ingots, of light metals, such as aluminum and aluminum alloys, the cylindrical bottom comprising: (a) a base section having an outer diameter; (b) a centrally located circular surface forming the upper end of the base section, the circular surface positioned substantially perpendicular to the direction of casting, the circular surface forming the floor of the dish of the cylindrical bottom block which receives and cools liquid phase metal to form the butt end of an ingot, the circular surface being substantially flat and having a peripheral edge; (c) a cylindrical rim extending around the peripheral edge of the centrally located circular surface, the rim having an upper edge and an inner side wall which forms the side wall of the dish; (d) a concave transition section positioned between the peripheral edge and the lower end of the inner side wall, the concave transition section extending completely aro

Abstract: A roll for use in a belt caster. The roll has a plurality of axial segments, at least one of which can be adjusted to compensate for transverse distortions in the belt. Generally uniform tension is maintained transversely in the belt so that the belt remains generally planar in the portion that contacts the molten metal that is cast in the belt caster.

Abstract: A roll for use in a roll caster. The roll has a heat exchanger core and an outer generally cylindrical shell surrounding the core, the core and the shell defining an enclosed space. A working fluid is contained in the enclosed space. When molten metal is cast onto the shell, the working fluid in proximity to the outer shell changes from a liquid to a vapor. Due to the rotation of the roll, the liquid phase of the working fluid forces the vapor in proximity with the outer cylindrical shell to return to the area adjacent to the core. At this area, the vapor phase is condensed into a liquid which is then subsequently delivered radially to the outer cylindrical shell. In this way, the working fluid constantly changes from vapor to liquid and back to vapor again and acts to continuously remove heat from the molten metal cast onto the outer cylindrical shell. A single roll caster, a twin roll caster, and a melt spinning apparatus as well as an associated method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A continuous block caster is provided with a mold block assembly having an internal anchor pin which is insulated. One end of a support pin, many of which are used to support each block, is threaded into the anchor pin, the other end is demountably secured in a fastening member in turn fastened to a carriage block. All the fastening members except only one at the center, are y- or x-y slides, so termed because they permit lateral movement of the support pin. A stepped lock-down key which provides a camming means, allows an entire mold block assembly and supporting pin assembly to be connected and disconnected quickly from the carriage block by rotating the key. Insulating the support pin in this manner allows the planarity of a casting face to be maintained in a lateral plane within 5 mils (127 micrometers) of vertical movement. Such limited distortion does not adversely affect the planarity of the upper and lower faces of the cast slab.

Abstract: A continuous casting machine ("block caster") is provided with chain-wise interlinking of mold block assemblies. Such chain-wise interlinking maintains the mold block assemblies essentially contiguous and is essential to provide operation of a continuous casting machine essentially free of mechanical noise. Each mold block assembly is elastically independently hinged by dual parallel hingepins, spaced-apart in the casting direction (x-axis), as the mold block assembly is carried between opposed, transversely (y-axis) spaced-apart guide rails of each carriage track. The elastic hinge means compensates for variation in block-to-block (centerline) distance caused by kinematic phenomena, including thermally induced variations in the dimensions of individual blocks as a function of their position in each track during operation. Guide rollers guided in generally horizontal guide roller-ways are afforded no measurable tolerance relative to their vertical displacement, when the roller-ways are off-set.