Abstract: A crucible 2 for holding a molten metal 1 is stored in a crucible chamber 5 which comprises a lid 3 and a chamber body 4 connected airtightly to each other. In the lid 3, there are provided an openable/closable molten metal supply opening 6 through which a cold metal charge is thrown in and a molten metal is received from a melting furnace, and a pipe-shaped stoke 7 which extends through the lid 3 and rises from the bottom portion of the crucible 2. The stoke 7 includes on the top end portion thereof a joint 9 which can be connected to a metal mold 8. To the crucible chamber 5, there are connected a pressure pipe 10 which is used to apply pressure to the crucible chamber 5 to thereby pour the molten metal to a metal mold, and an exhaust pipe 11 which is used to discharge the air of the crucible chamber 5 therefrom to thereby stop the pouring of the molten metal.

Abstract: A low pressure die-casting machine has a ladle unit, a molten metal pressurizing unit, a switching unit, and a controller. The ladle unit has an intake/discharge port with a cross-sectional area in a range of from 20 to 80 mm.sup.2 so as to be capable of successively supplying the molten metal to a desired location. The molten metal pressurizing unit is switchable between two positions. One position is for selectively supplying compressed air to the ladle to positively discharge the molten metal from the ladle through the intake/discharge port. The other position is for selectively isolating the ladle in order to retain the molten metal therein. The switching unit is connected between the molten metal pressurizing unit and the ladle. It is switchable between first and second change-over positions. The first change-over position is for providing fluid communication between the ladle and the molten metal pressurizing unit.

Abstract: An automatic ladling system is described for delivering a molten metal to the mold or die of a molding or casting machine. The ladling system comprises a programmable logic controller (PLC) for monitoring and controlling the sequential delivery of shots of a precise quantity of molten metal from a furnace or holding pot to a shot delivery apparatus of the casting machine. In the preferred system, the PLC also monitors and/or controls the temperature of the molten metal in the holding pot, the temperature of the molten metal in a metal transfer system, the operation of a pump for pumping molten metal from the holding pot to the shot delivery apparatus, the level of molten metal in the pot, and the operation of the casting machine.

Abstract: The die casting machine includes a trough containing a supply of molten metal and a feed tube extending into the supply of molten metal in the trough. A flow of molten metal is maintained in the trough past the feed tube independent of the transfer of molten metal through the feed tube. The die casting machine further includes a filtering system.

Abstract: The apparatus for casting comprises a pressure vessel and a device for pressurizing the vessel. The pressurizing device is in fluidic connection with the vessel. The apparatus is also comprised of a chamber disposed in the pressure vessel within which material is melted. There is a mold adapted to contain a preform disposed in the vessel and in fluidic connection with the chamber by a passage such that melted material in the chamber can be forced down into the mold through the passage as the pressurizing device pressurizes the vessel. A heating device is disposed in the vessel. There is also a device for directionally solidifying the material in the mold. Additionally, there is a method comprising the steps of loading the pressure vessel by disposing a material within the chamber whereby the material is in fluidic connection with the mold adapted to contain a preform through the passage. The passage has a filter disposed therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for temporarily retaining slag and nonmetallic particles in a tundish while molten metal is being transferred through the tundish to other desired vessels. In particular, a meltable dam is placed into an opening between the chambers in a tundish, and the meltable dam retains an accumulation of molten metal in the pour chamber of the tundish with the slag and nonmetallic particles floating on top of that level such that the slag and nonmetallic particles are above the opening between the chambers of the tundish. The dam then completely melts and allows the transfer of molten metal through the opening. The slag and nonmetallic particles are retained in the pour chamber, however, because the molten metal being transferred into the pour chamber maintains the level in that chamber above the opening until almost all of the metal has been transferred into and through the chamber.

Abstract: A pressure-casting machine that contains a delivery system, which comprises: a molten metal pouring pipe made of a refractory, having a length of at least 4 m and an outside diameter of at least 350 mm, and arranged such that an upper end thereof is attached substantially vertically from below to an opening in a bottom wall of a mold for a pressure-casting machine, and a lower end thereof extends through a lid of a closed vessel arranged below the mold and is immersed into molten metal received in a ladle arranged in the closed vessel. The molten metal pouring pipe comprises at least two pipe sections connected to each other in series and in a liquid-tight manner by means of a threaded joint, tapered surfaces provided with screw threads of which have an inclination angle within a range of from 2.0.degree. to 15.0.degree. relative to the center axis of the molten metal pouring pipe.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for casting which includes a melt chamber within which a metal is disposed. The melt chamber includes means for melting the material. A mold chamber is disposed beneath the melt chamber comprised of a mold defining a mold cavity within which the metal is formed and a preform is disposed. There is also a riser cavity fluidically connected to the mold cavity for holding a charge of melted metal. There is also provided means for fluidically connecting the melt chamber to the mold chamber and a valve element for controlling the flow of metal through the connecting means such that when the connecting means is opened, the chambers are fluidically connected and when the connecting means is closed, the chambers are fluidically isolated. The mold chamber has means for evacuating the mold chamber and means for pressurizing the mold chamber such that the melted metal disposed within the riser cavity is forced into the preform.

Abstract: An immersion nozzle (2) for metallurgical recipients, in particular for a reservoir arranged upstream of a continuous casting ingot mould, has an interchangeable discharge pipe (2) which can be attached in a leakproof manner on or in a perforated brick (1). To improve the flow conditions and hence the efficiency of the casting, the inlet side of the nozzle comprises an upper elongated section (12) in the form of a tubular shaft (11) which expands conically downward to a given plane and which is narrow in a plane perpendicular to the given plane. A second elongate section (13) ends in an elongated transverse flow section of given dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method and apparatus for making an intermetallic casting (e.g. a titanium, nickel, iron, etc. aluminide casting) wherein a charge of a solid first metal protected from air as required is disposed in a vessel, and a charge of a second metal that reacts exothermically with the first metal is melted in another vessel. The molten second metal is introduced to the vessel containing the charge of the first metal so as to contact the first metal. The first and second metals are heated in the vessel to exothermically react them and form a melt for gravity or countergravity casting into a mold. The exothermic reaction between the first and second metals releases substantial heat that reduces the time needed to obtain a melt ready for casting into a mold. In particular, the exothermic reaction between the first and second metals, in effect, reduces the residence time of the intermetallic melt in the vessel.

Abstract: A porous preform is placed in a nonporous mold chamber of a pressure vessel. A material is placed in a crucible of the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel is evacuated through a snorkel fluidically connected to the mold chamber and extending therefrom out of the pressure vessel. The material in the crucible is melted. The crucible is placed in fluidic communication with the mold chamber such that the melted material fluidically seals the inside of the mold chamber and the snorkel from the interior of the pressure vessel to fluidically isolate the mold chamber from the interior of the pressure vessel so that a pressure differential exists therebetween.

Abstract: A slag control shape is releasably mounted on a cover for a molten metal vessel. An actuator is connected to a slag control shape release member to retract the release member from a first position engaged with the slag control shape to a second position separated from the slag control shape allowing the slag control shape to freely drop into the molten metal receptacle. The actuating end of the actuator is located at an easily accessible operator position for remote actuation of the release member. In one embodiment, the actuator is a flexible cable attached at one end to the release member mounted on the cover and having a second end located remote from the cover at an easily accessible operator position. In another embodiment, a pair of eccentric cams are mounted on the cover and the molten metal receptacle and pivot into engagement upon a downward force exerted on the actuator cable to retract the release member from engagement with the slag control shape.

Abstract: A diecasting apparatus is mainly composed of: a mold unit having a movable mold and a stationary mold both of which have mold cavities in the meeting surfaces thereof and, also having an inlet formed at a lower portion of the mold unit and a vertical passage extending from the inlet upward to the mold cavity, and further having a sleeve connected to the inlet and thus communicating with the mold cavities through the inlet and the passage; and a supplying unit for supplying molten metal into the sleeve. A supplying passage is provided in the stationary mold, and has one of its openings at the inner surface of the inlet of the vertical passage, and communicates with the outside of the stationary mold. A duct connects the supplying passage and the supplying unit. A molten-metal heater is provided on the duct. A valve mechanism for opening and closing the supplying passage is composed of a valve seat and a valve.

Abstract: Casting apparatus 10 includes a lead pot 11, a pump unit 12 and a mould block 13, having feed duct 14. The feed duct 14 communicates with the pump unit 12 by means of a supply passage 17, which is also connected to an overflow outlet 18, which can be closed by a dump valve 19. In normal operation the level of the lead in the feed duct is kept to a datum level 23 defined by the overflow. During `pouring` however the dump valve 19 is closed.

Abstract: A countergravity low-pressure casting apparatus (10) includes a feedback control system (98) which continuously measures the actual pressure of metal being pumped into a mold (12) and controls the voltage applied to an electromagnetic pump (66) to conform the actual metal pressure with the ideal metal pressure versus casting cycle time fill schedule (96).

Abstract: A countergravity casting apparatus (10) includes a mold (12) supported above a furnace (14) containing a supply of molten metal to be cast into the mold (12). An electromagnetic pump (66) is accommodated in a casting chamber (46) of the furnace (14) and pumps the metal against gravity from the furnace (14) into the mold (12). The casting chamber (46) is enclosed by an insulating cover (40) and defines an air space over the metal in the chamber (46). A lance (64) extends through the cover (40) and delivers inert gas into the air space and purges it of outside atmospheric gases that would otherwise contaminate the metal in the chamber (46).

Abstract: A pouring tube for feeding molten steel into the pouring zone of a continuous casting mold includes a tube portion connected to a pouring container and an end portion provided with a bottom piece. To ensure safe operation of the pouring tube and an improved flow distribution, the bottom piece has in the direction of outlet openings thereof a width which is smaller, between 30% and 80%, than the distance between the walls which form the upper limits of the outlet openings.

Abstract: A nozzle body of stainless steel surrounded by a single layer of turns of a strip electrical heater interconnects a die caster and a sprue of a cluster of casting cavities in a die casting apparatus. The heating element is surrounded by a protective tube and the ends of the gap between the protective tube and the nozzle body are closed by annular members.

Abstract: In a die-casting machine for producing castings from metals or metal alloys, which castings have a low content of gas, pores and oxides, melt is drawn by means of a vacuum out of a holding device (10) via a suction tube (11) into a casting chamber (3). A casting plunger (7) closes the inlet opening (16) to the casting chamber (3). In order to achieve as low as possible mechanical surface pressure due to flow of the melt, and fluviatile erosion of the die-side end of the inlet opening (16), and thus avoid high wear of this inlet edge or of the casting chamber with casting plunger, a planar or linear inlet cross-section (24, 27) as well as a curved deflection surface (20) on the casting plunger (7) are provided.

Abstract: A molten metal supplying apparatus has an electromagnetic pump for supplying molten metal under electromagnetic forces through a molten metal feed tube to a die-casting machine. An adapter is provided for maintaining molten metal therein at the same surface level as that of molten metal which is kept in a molten metal holding furnace at a prescribed temperature. The molten metal holding furnace is movable toward and away from a molten metal receiving member of the die-casing machine. An oxidized layer is prevented from being formed in the molten metal as it is fed through the feed tube, and the feed tube can easily be inspected and serviced. An orifice member is disposed in the feed tube for supplying even a small amount of molten metal accurately to the molten metal receiving member.

Abstract: The upper surface of an interconnecting wear device 3 is positioned in contact with the lower surface of a sand mold 1, and is centered under a molten metal feed shaft 12 which opens into the bottom of the mold. The bottom surface of the wear device rests on the upper surface of a vertically upstanding casting nose 4. The wear device comprises a hollow steel collar 7 surrounding a compressed concrete annulus 18, in turn surrounding a refractory clay sleeve 8, and is easily replaced when leakage develops due to thermal shocks, etc.

Abstract: A melting casting process produces meltable metal cores for subsequent molding of components made of plastic material and encapsulated components such as turbine blades so they may be held for machining. The process utilizes a double acting piston in a cylinder to permit unlimited dispensing capacity without having to pause between piston strokes. The apparatus comprises a tank for containing molten metal, a double acting cylinder having both ends closed and an injection piston therein and an operating mechanism for reciprocating the piston in the cylinder. Valve mechanisms are provided so that when the piston is moved in either direction in the cylinder, a flow of molten metal passes through an injection passageway into a die, and molten metal from the tank fills the space behind the moving piston thus the cylinder always remains full of molten metal.

Abstract: A counter-gravity metal casting apparatus (10) comprises a reservoir (14) having a casting chamber (46) therein. An electro-magnetic pump (66) is accommodated in the chamber (b 46) and is responsive to input voltage for pumping molten metal from the chamber (46) into an above-situated distribution vessel (78) and mold (12). The chamber 46) is enclosed by cover (40) and supplied with inert gas (60) for purging the space (62) above the metal or outside atmospheric contaminated gases. A feed back controller (98) is also provided for continuously measuring the actual pressure of the pumped metal of the casting cycle and then controlling the output of the pump (66) to conform the actual metal pressure with an ideal reference metal pressure versus casting cycle time schedule.

Abstract: A pot of molten lead is situated adjacent to a mold chamber containing a mold. A displacement piston is lowered into the pot to displace lead into the mold chamber to fill the mold. The displacement piston them allows the lead to flow back into the pot, leaving the lead in the mold. A battery handler then lowers a battery into the mold to cast lead straps onto the lugs of the battery. Water is forced through a passageway in the mold chamber to cool the lead in the mold. Air is then forced through the passageway to remove the water. The battery handler then removes the battery from the mold and a heating unit begins to preheat the mold chamber for the next battery.

Abstract: A two part, integrated melt overflow pouring apparatus including a hearth which contains molten material, and a spout which is stationary with respect to, and transfers the liquid to, a rotating, heat extracting substrate such as a drum. A hinging body such as a cylinder connects the hearth and the spout and allows the hearth to rotate with respect to the spout. A channel is formed in the cylinder and an equal width channel is formed in the spout. The floor of the channel in the hinging body is at a 45.degree. angle with horizontal initially and rotates when the hinging body rotates. The hearth is rotated about the axis of the hinging body, the molten material flows out of the hearth through the channel in the hinging body, through the channel in the spout and solidifies against the drum.

Abstract: A metallurgically improved metal casting (10) is made with increased productivity, wherein molten metal is quiescently fed upwards into a molding chamber (14) which is then inverted. An assembly of refractory cores (12) is used that defines the molding chamber (14) with riser channels (16). A metal entrance (18) to the molding chamber (14) through a mold side wall (20) requires feeding molten metal against gravity to fill the molding chamber (14), and quiescently pressure feeding molten metal through a metal launder (26) to fill the molding chamber (14) and the riser channels (16). A mold/nozzle connection between the metal launder (26) and the source of molten metal delivered under pressure is rotationally flexible and axially compliant. The feeding of molten metal is interrupted and the assembly is rotated about an axis passing through the mold/nozzle connection (28) to invert the assembly while maintaining the mold/nozzle connection.

Abstract: A pouring system uses low pressure air to force molten lead into mold cavities. The pour spout is heated by the lead bath, and, preferably, a small gap is maintained between the pouring spout and a weir on the mold cavity to prevent stringers from being attached to the cast piece. At the completion of the lead pouring operation, excess metal is drained back through the spout and into the lead bath. Lead volume is controlled by adjusting pressure and timer settings, and a fill hole allows the pump to refill.

Abstract: The apparatus for casting comprises a pressure vessel and a device for evacuating and pressurizing the vessel. The evacuating and pressurizing device is in fluidic connection with the vessel. The apparatus is also comprised of a chamber disposed in the pressure vessel within which material is melted. There is a mold with a passage such that the melted material in the chamber can be forced down into the mold through the passage as the pressurizing device pressurize the vessel. The passage contains a filter such that the melted material is prevented from entering the interior of the mold prior to pressurization. Additionally, the apparatus is comprised of a device for heating material in the chamber and the mold such that material is melted in the chamber and stays melted as it is forced down into mold while the pressurizing device pressurizes the vessel. The heating device is disposed in the vessel.

Abstract: A porous preform is placed within a permanent, nonporous, thin walled mold chamber. The mold chamber is disposed within a pressure vessel. A material is placed in a crucible of the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel is evacuated through a snorkel fluidically connected to the mold chamber. There is means for cooling the snorkel in thermal communication with the snorkel. The material is melted within the crucible. The crucible is placed in fluidic communication with the mold chamber such that the melted material seals the inside of the mold chamber from the pressure vessel to isolate a vacuum within the mold chamber.

Abstract: In the casting of metal alloys with low melting temperatures, there is provided a nozzle for an interface connection between a transfer line and a die which permits misalignment and a variable height differential. Meal alloys with low melting temperatures are made for cores in subsequently molded plastic components and for encapsulating components for machining the other finishing steps. The nozzle has a base with a valve therein, a nozzle body adapted to move relative to the base to open the valve, and a spring to hold the valve closed. A sleeve joins the nozzle body and the base, and a connector on the nozzle body provides an interface connection between the transfer line and the die so that when the connector interfaces with the die, the valve is open.

Abstract: Casting apparatus for the vacuum-assisted, countergravity casting of a melt comprises a porous, gas permeable casting mold including a mold cavity and a melt inlet communicating the mold cavity to a lower mold portion adapted to engage an underlying source of melt and a vacuum box defining a vacuum chamber confronting the casting mold for evacuating the mold cavity when the lower mold portion and the underlying source of the melt are engaged. A valve member is disposed on the mold in an open position relative to the melt inlet to permit the melt to be drawn upwardly therethrough into the mold cavity when the lower mold portion and the source are engaged with the mold cavity evacuated and is movable to a closed position relative to the melt inlet after the mold cavity is filled with the melt to close off the melt inlet to prevent the melt from flowing out of the mold cavity when the lower mold portion and the source are subsequently disengaged.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for moulding objects by feeding at least one consistent material into a mould where it solidifies prior to closing the inlet or opening of each runner of a cavity by means of at least one closing device, the gate feeding face of the runner of the cavity in question is closed, and then the molten material contained in the runner is expelled from the mould.

Abstract: The stopper rod for regulating the flow of a liquid has a body traversed by an axial channel and having at one end a porous nose fed with gas from the channel. The nose has a free space in the form of a hemisphere-shaped slot or lattice network communicating with the channel for delivery of gas thereto. Preferably, a plurality of spaced-apart bridges of solid material connect the two faces of the free space in order to increase the strength of the porous nose.

Abstract: A system for pouring molds on a continuously moving conveyor by an automated process has an apparatus positioned over a moving conveyor including a plurality of molds. The apparatus includes a frame adapted to be positioned over the moving conveyor. The apparatus includes a mechanism for moving the frame in a reciprocating forward and reverse direction along a path defined by the conveyor. The apparatus includes a mechanism to pour molten metal into the plurality of molds on the conveyor. The pouring mechanism is associated with the frame such that the pouring mechanism moves at a speed substantially equal to the speed of the conveyor to enable filling of the plurality of molds as the molds continue to move on the conveyor.

Abstract: A one-piece refractory stopper rod has an axial bore formed therein for the introduction of inert gas into molten steel within a tundish. A metal bushing insert is copressed into the refractory stopper rod and has a threaded bore which is positioned coaxially with the bore of the stopper rod body. A metal attachment rod having an axial bore therethrough and a threaded lower shank portion is secured within the threaded bore of the metal bushing insert. The metal attachment rod has an upper threaded shank which is adapted to be secured to a stopper rod lifting mechanism associated with the tundish. The metal rod further includes a flanged portion intermediate the upper and lower shank portions which carries an annular chamfered surface. The annular chamfered surface faces a like annular chamfered surface formed in the bore of the stopper rod to define a gas-tight seal at a sealing interface therebetween.

Abstract: A heat transfer conduit for extracting heat from a molten metal in transit from a containing vessel or delivery system includes at least two elongate segments separable along separation lines which lie generally in the direction of a longitudinal center line of the conduit, which in use, define a unitary structure. The segments can be disassembled following use for the removal of solidified material and other matter from the conduit interior.

Abstract: An integral transfer tube is produced comprised of a hollow high density ceramic oxide tube having its outer surface wall surrounded by a low density multilayered ceramic oxide shell, and having a heating element comprised of a heating wound portion and two end portions wherein the wound portion is intermediate the tube and the shell, and wherein at least a sufficient amount of the end portions are exposed for electrical attachment.

Abstract: A method of melting and casting metal comprising the steps of melting metal in a melting vessel, transferring metal from the melting vessel into a casting vessel by flow of metal under gravity and pumping metal against gravity from the casting vessel into a mold. The level of the top surface of the metal as the metal leaves the melting vessel is above the top surface of the metal in the casting vessel by not more than a maximum distance above which excessive turbulence occurs. The maximum distance lies in the range 50-200 mm.

Abstract: The casting apparatus and method include a magnetically responsive valve disposed in the molten metal inlet passage of the mold for movement between an open position during mold filling and a closed position after mold filling and during removal of the mold from the underlying molten metal pool to prevent run-out of molten metal from the metal-filled mold cavity. The valve is moved to the closed position by a magnetic force exerted thereon by permanent magnets or an electromagnet disposed around the inlet passage below the valve.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a stopper rod spatial control mechanism for use in combination with a bottom discharge holding reservoir for molten metal having a nozzle. The mechanism comprises a base, an outer tube and an inner tube. The outer tube has a longitudinal axis which is perpendicular to the base. The outer tube is swingably mounted about an axis parallel to and spaced away from the longitudinal axis. The inner tube is telescopically mounted within the outer tube. The inner tube is reciprocally movable along the longitudinal axis and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. A servomotor is mounted at a lower end of the outer tube. A ball screw is connected to and rotated by the motor. A ball nut is affixed to the inner tube and cooperates with the ball screw. A boom having a first end and a second end is affixed to the inner tube adjacent its first end and rotates with the inner tube about the longitudinal axis. A stopper rod depends from the second end of the boom.

Abstract: In an immersion nozzle for continuous casting, at least one portion of reduced a sectional area of passage for molten metal is formed near to the bottom of the nozzle and plural discharge ports symmetrically arranged with respect to the axis of the nozzle are arranged above and below the reduced sectional area portion in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle. Further, molten metal is continuously cast by using the above immersion nozzle together with a static magnetic field.

Abstract: A one-piece refractory stopper rod has an axial bore formed therein for the introduction of inert gas into molten steel within a tundish. A metal bushing insert is compressed into the refractory stopper rod and has a threaded bore which is positioned coaxially with the bore of the stopper rod body. A metal attachment rod having an axial bore therethrough and a threaded lower shank portion is secured within the threaded bore of the metal bushing insert. The metal attachment rod has an upper threaded shank which is adapted to be secured to a stopper rod lifting mechanism associated with the tundish. The metal rod further includes a flanged portion intermediate the upper and lower shank portions which carries an annular chamfered surface. The annular chamfered surface faces a like annular chamfered surface formed in the bore of the stopper rod to define a gas-tight seal at a sealing interface therebetween.

Abstract: A molten lead alloy is supplied from a melting furnace to a casting machine through a feed pipe having a pair of ends connected with the furnace and the machine, respectively, and an intermediate portion situated at a level which is higher than the higher of the two levels of the molten alloy located adjacent to the ends, respectively, of the feed pipe by a distance exceeding the height of a column of the molten alloy which atmospheric pressure can support. An apparatus for supplying the molten alloy in such a way is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for pouring molten steel into a mold in continuous casting of steel according to the present invention comprises a tundish holding molten steel; a nozzle which is set at the bottom of said tundish, the nozzle having a spherical shape and through which molten steel flows out of said tundish; a sliding plate which is set at the lower portion of said nozzle and which opens and closes said nozzle; an immersion nozzle which is set under said sliding plate and through which molten steel is poured into the mold; and a block body which has a core body therein, whose outer layer is made from refractory material and has a spherical surface large enough to cover the opening of said nozzle and whose bulk specific gravity ranges between the bulk specific gravity of slag and that of molten steel. A disc-shaped flange is coupled to the spherical surface portion.

Abstract: A movable refractory plate assembly for use in a sliding closure unit for controlling the discharge of molten metal from a metallurgical vessel includes a movable refractory plate having therein at least one aperture and having a sliding surface. A replaceable refractory erosion unit, which may be integral or which may include a separate erosion insert and a separate discharge nozzle, is positioned within the aperture of the movable refractor plate. The erosion unit has therethrough a discharge opening and has a sliding surface aligned with a sliding surface of the movable refractory plate. A frame supports the movable refractory plate for movement, and a support coupling removably mounts the erosion unit with respect to the movable refractory plate.

Abstract: A system for filling billet moulds, especially with liquid aluminium, in which a flume (1) is situated fundamentally horizontally with a downwards spout at one end, with the liquid metal flowing along the said flume (1). The spout deposits the metal on a horizontally arranged V cross section bucket (17), with upward concave arms. The upper arm has an access hole (18) for metal towards the other arm, which finished in a horizontal end near the bottom of the billet mould. The buckets are situated on a rotating bucket (6) elevator and the flume tilts, as does the bucket elevator.

Abstract: A method and system for forming a composite mixture of at least two materials, at least one of which is a metal or metal alloy. The materials in a molten state are supplied via inlet channels to a mixing region so as to indirectly impinge on each other and then to flow through an outlet channel to a cooling system, such as a casting or mold device or a device for providing rapid solidification thereof. The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the outlet channel to the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the inlet channels is arranged to be less than 32 and the ratio of the distance from the input side of the outlet channel to the input of the cooling system to the diameter of the outlet channel is arranged to be greater than 5.

Abstract: An apparatus for the vacuum, countergravity casting of molten metal includes a bottom drag member and a casting mold member thereon engaged together at a parting plane. A valve member is disposed adjacent the parting plane in an ingate to a mold cavity formed at least in part in the casting mold member and is movable between a valve seat on the bottom drag member and a stop surface on the casting mold member to permit filling of the mold cavity in countergravity manner from an underlying molten metal pool when the bottom drag member is immersed therein and to prevent backflow of the molten metal from the mold cavity when the bottom drag member is withdrawn from the pool after mold filling and before solidification of the molten metal in the mold cavity.

Abstract: A tundish and associated assembly are employed for the continuous casting of molten steel containing lead. Undissolved lead can accumulate at the bottom of the tundish, work its way through the refractory material lining the tundish interior bottom and weep through the metal tundish shell bottom into a casting mold located below the tundish, which is undesirable. Expedients are provided to minimize such lead weeping.

Abstract: An improved shroud tube supporting and changing apparatus for use in a bottom pour metal teeming operation includes an elongated arm having its midpoint mounted on the teeming vessel for free rotation about a generally vertical axis and for limited pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, and a shroud tube support on each end of the elongated arm for engaging and providing gimbal-like support for a shroud tube. A power actuator mounted on the teeming vessel is selectively operable to pivot the arm about the horizontal axis in one direction to maintain a fluid tight seal between the shroud tube and the bottom pour opening in the teeming vessel, and to permit the arm to be pivoted in the other direction to disengage the shroud tube from the bottom pour opening and permit the arm to be rotated about the vertical axis to place a new shroud tube in position beneath the bottom pour opening.