Roll Couple Mold Patents (Class 164/428)
  • Publication number: 20040244939
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a metal strip, whereby molten metal is continuously poured between two casting rolls (1, 2) of a strip casting machine with rolls. Above the molten bath (4) and respectively proximate to the molten bath (5)/casting rolls (1, 2) transition surface a rotating magnetic field is produced which generates, in the molten metal, local turbulent flows, so that a surface current is formed in said molten metal, which surface current is directed by the casting rolls (1, 2) towards the central plane (E) of the molten bath (4), that is towards the plane for output of the metal strip (8), thereby enabling to largely prevent supernatant impurities at the surface of the molten bath and oxides located on the surface of the rolls from being deposited, and the molten metal particles from being prematurely solidified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Heinrich Marti, Jacques Barbe, Dominique Salathe, Alfred Koch
  • Publication number: 20040206471
    Abstract: A method of producing steel strip by continuous casting and a twin roll caster in which a scrap receptacle is provided for collecting scrap. The scrap receptacle is positioned in a scrap receiving position and may be changed out as desired with a replacement receptacle with little or no interruption to casting operations. In the receiving position the scrap receptacle may form a part of a sealed casting enclosure. The scrap receptacle may be monitored by a sensor to help determine when it is desirable to replace the receptacle with the replacement receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Walter N. Blejde, Rama Ballav Mahapatra
  • Patent number: 6796363
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooling roll which can provide bonded a magnet having excellent magnetic properties and having excellent reliability. A melt spinning apparatus is provided with a tube 2 having a nozzle 3 at the bottom thereof, a coil 4 for heating the tube and cooling roll 5 having a circumferential surface 53 in which dimple correcting means is provided. A melt spun ribbon 8 is formed by injecting the molten alloy 6 from the nozzle 3 so as to be collided with the circumferential surface 53 of the cooling roll 5 in an inert gas atmosphere (ambient gas) such as helium gas, so that the molten alloy 6 is cooled and then solidified. In this process, dimples to be produced on a roll contact surface of the melt spun ribbon are divided by the dimple correcting means, thereby preventing formation of huge dimples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Arai, Hiroshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20040177945
    Abstract: A method of producing strip comprising the steps of assembling a pair of casting rolls with a nip between them, introducing between the casting rolls to form a casting pool of molten carbon steel having a total oxygen content of at least 70 ppm usually less than 250 ppm, and a free oxygen content 20 and 60 ppm, counter rotating the casting rolls, solidifying the molten steel on the rolls to form metal shells with levels of oxide inclusions reflected by the total oxygen content of the molten steel, and forming thin steel strip through the nip between the casting rolls from the solidified shells. The molten steel may have a total oxygen content is at least 100 ppm and the free oxygen content may be between 30 and 50 ppm. A unique steel strip may be obtained using the method having ductile properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Walter N. Blejde, Rama Ballav Mahapatra, Lazar Strezov
  • Publication number: 20040177944
    Abstract: A method of producing cast steel strip having low surface roughness and low porosity by casting with molten steel having a total oxygen content of at least about 70 ppm and a free oxygen content between 20 and 60 ppm, and a temperature that allows a majority of any oxide inclusions to be in a liquidus state. The total oxygen content may be at least 100 ppm and the the free oxygen content between 30 and 50 ppm. The steel strip produced by the method may have a per unit area density of at least about 120 oxide inclusions per square millimeter to a depth of about 2 microns from the strip surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Walter N. Blejde, Rama Mahapatra
  • Patent number: 6776218
    Abstract: A twin roll caster (11) produces thin steel strip (12) which passes through a first enclosure (37) to a pinch roll stand (14) including pinch rolls (50) through which the strip passes into a second enclosure (61). The strip passes horizontally through enclosure (61) to an in-line hot rolling mill (16) which closes the exit end of enclosure (61) and hot rolls the strip as it exits that enclosure. Enclosures (37) and (61) are sealed against ingress of atmospheric air and both maintain oxygen levels less than the surrounding atmosphere to reduce formation of scale on the strip. The second chamber (61) is fitted with water spray nozzles (67, 68) operable to spray fine mist of water droplets onto the upper face of the strip as it passes through that enclosure thereby to generate steam producing a superatmospheric pressure within the enclosure preventing ingress of atmospheric air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Castrip LLP
    Inventors: Andrew Glutz, Graham Minter
  • Patent number: 6776216
    Abstract: A casting wheel for the continuous casting of strips of metal has a core and sleeve of heat-conductive material which is shrunk on the core, and circumferential cooling ducts arranged between the core and the sleeve, which are connected with coolant supply line and coolant discharge line. The coolant is guided from the radially extending supply line into cooling ducts and from cooling ducts into the radially extending discharge line by means of a guiding element that can be inserted in cooling ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Hohenbichler, Stefano Pellissetti, Armin Schertler, Romeo Capotosti, Riccardo Tonelli
  • Publication number: 20040144518
    Abstract: A method of producing cast steel strip having low surface roughness and low porosity by casting with molten steel having a total oxygen content of at least about 100 ppm and a temperature that allows a majority of any oxide inclusions to be in a liquidus state. The steel strip produced by the method may have a per unit area density of at least about 120 oxide inclusions per square millimeter to a depth of about 2 microns from the strip surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Walter N. Blejde, Rama Mahapatra
  • Publication number: 20040144520
    Abstract: Crystallizer (10) comprising two crystallizer rollers (11, 12) disposed substantially parallel to each other to define a meniscus (18) of liquid steel arriving from a tundish (13). The crystallizer rollers (11, 12) are provided inside with cooling means and are able to rotate in opposite directions to convey the liquid steel downwards while it is solidifying in contact with the crystallizer rollers (11, 12). The cooling means comprise a plurality of holes (21) disposed in proximity with the peripheral surface of each crystallizer roller (11, 12) and inside which a cooling liquid is able to circulate. The cooling liquid flows through at least some of the holes (21a) in the opposite direction with respect to the remaining holes (21b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Nuredin Kapaj
  • Patent number: 6763878
    Abstract: The invention relates to a strip-casting machine for producing a metal strip. Said strip-casting machine consists of a pair of casting rolls (2, 3) arranged in side-by-side parallel relation, two small faces (4) and a machine tool table (5) that supports the two casting rolls (2, 3). Said small faces (4) can be exchanged by means of a small face exchanging device. The aim of the invention is to reduce the change-over time between two castings, to improve positioning of the small faces and to heat them until start of the casting process while improving the accessibility of the casting rolls for an exchange thereof and while further allowing an optimum inerting of the plant. To this end, the small face exchanging device is configured as a support element, especially as a support arm (9) for one small face (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignees: SMS Demag AG and Main, Management Inspiration AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Marti, Jacques Barbé
  • Publication number: 20040129406
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a plurality of coil-shaped thin cast strips while molten metal r is being supplied to the molten metal pool 3 formed by a pair of cooling drums 1, 1 and a pair of side dams, when a casting operation corresponding to one coil of the coil-shaped thin cast strip has been completed, gas is made to blow from the gas nozzles 7b toward the scum s floating on the molten metal, so that the scum s drifts, due to the gas flow to one meniscus m2, and the thus drifted scum is attached to a surface of the cast strip and circumferential faces of the cooling drums and is then discharged from the molten metal pool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Tadahiro Izu, Takashi Arai
  • Publication number: 20040129403
    Abstract: The caster roll (10) is used in the manufacture of metal plate, strip, sheet, or foil. The caster roll (10) includes a cylindrical roll core (12) and at least one metal overlay (14) formed on the roll core (12). The at least one metal overlay (14) defines a plurality of cooling passages (34) for conducting a cooling medium through the at least one metal overlay (14) to cool the roll (10) during use. Additional metal overlays (16) may be formed on top of the at least one metal overlay. (14). The cooling passages (34) may also be formed in the roll core (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Joshua C. Liu, Teddy R. Creech
  • Publication number: 20040123971
    Abstract: Device (10) to discharge liquid steel from a container (12) to a crystallizer (11) with rollers (31, 32), formed by a discharge element (13) arranged between the container (12) and the rollers (31, 32), wherein the discharge element (13) is shaped so as to define a main tank (15) provided with vertical intermediate walls (16, 18) which define a central compartment (19) into which the liquid steel is able to be cast from the container (12). Lateral walls (20, 21) define two lateral compartments (22, 23) communicating with the central compartment (19) by means of apertures (25) made in the lower part of the vertical intermediate walls (16, 18). On the bottom wall (27) of the discharge element (13), between the intermediate walls (16, 18) and the lateral walls (20, 21), discharge apertures (29) are provided through which the cast steel is able to flow downwards. Moreover guide elements (30) are provided at the sides of the discharge apertures (29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Nuredin Kapaj
  • Publication number: 20040123973
    Abstract: Roll caster (11) produces thin steel strip (12) formed on casting surfaces (22A) of casting roll (22) that passes through first enclosure (37) adjacent casting roll surfaces (22A) and, optionally, thereafter second enclosure (61). Enclosure (37) and/or enclosure (61) may be fitted with spray nozzles (71,72) and/or (67, 68) operable to spray fine water mist adjacent strip (12) to produce hydrogen gas in enclosure (37) while tending to avoid liquid water contact with steel strip (12) and casting surfaces (22A). If hydrogen gas is produced only in enclosure (61), the two enclosures (37, 61) are interconnected so that gas can flow from enclosure (61) to enclosure (37). Enclosure (37) and, if present, enclosure (61) are sealed to maintain positive pressure and oxygen levels less than the surrounding atmosphere, and with the presence of hydrogen gas, reduce formation of scale on the strip in enclosure (37) and, if present, enclosure (61).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Walter N. Blejde, Andrew Glutz
  • Publication number: 20040108093
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for casting metal strip by controlling the distance between the confining side plates confining the casting pool and the outer nozzle ends of discrete nozzle pieces of the delivery nozzle delivering the molten melt. The nozzle pieces defining the outer nozzle ends may be moved and control separately from the position of the confining plates, or with the position of the confining plates, by a nozzle delivery drive. The distance between the outer nozzle ends and the confining plates may be set before casting and maintained during casting with wear and thermal expansion of the confining plates, nozzle pieces, or both, or varied during the casting operation, to inhibit the formation of skulls in the casting pool and the formation of “snake eggs” in the cast strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: John Andrew Fish, Heiji Kato
  • Publication number: 20040104006
    Abstract: Method to shear a strip (15) during the casting step, wherein the casting speed is increased, with respect to a speed of a stationary regime, maintaining the thickness of said cast strip (15) constant to the value corresponding to the speed of a stationary regime, in order to determine the formation of a liquid core (16) which determines the re-melting of the adjacent skin and the breakage of the strip (15) due to the weight of the part of the strip (15a) located under the liquid core (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Nuredin Kapaj
  • Patent number: 6739383
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for continuously casting an austenitic stainless steel strip with a thickness not more than 10 mm, directly from liquid metal, between two cooled horizontal rolls, characterised in that: said steel composition in weight proportions comprises: %C≦0.08%; %Si≦1; %P≦0.04; %Mn≦2; %Cr between 17 and 20; %Ni between 8 and 10.5; %S between 0.007 and 0.040; the rest being iron and the impurities resulting from preparation; the ratio Creq/Nieq ranges between 1.55 and 1.90 with: Creq(%)=%Cr+1.37 %Mo+1.5 %Si+2%Nb+3 %Ti; Nieq(%)=%Ni+0.31 %Mn+22 %C+14.2 %N+Cu; the surface of the rolls comprises contiguous dimples with more or less circular or elliptical cross-section, of diameter between 100 and 1500 &mgr;m and depth between 20 and 150 &mgr;m; the inerting gas surrounding the meniscus is a gas soluble in steel or a mixture of such gases, or consists of at least 50% by volume of such a gas or mixture of gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Usinor
    Inventors: Christian Marchionni, Frédéric Mazurier, Jean-Michel Damasse, Frédéric Descaves
  • Patent number: 6739382
    Abstract: With a device for a lateral containment of liquid steel between two crystallizing rolls of a casting machine for a steel strip, comprising a refractory skid (4) and a thrust unit (37) for the skid (4). there are provided at least 3 spaced steel plates (P1, Pi, Pi+1, . . . Pn) successively arranged between the skid (4) and a thrust unit (37) and interconnected by means of fixing elements (12) in a staggered arrangement to optimize the contact conditions between the containing plates and the side faces of the corresponding rolls and to ensure excellent uniform pressure distribution on these plates in sliding contact with the rolls allowing the plates to adapt well to the reference surface of the rolls or working conditions. Each fixing element (12) that connects the plate (Pi) to next plate (Pi+1) has associated thereto at least one pair of fixing elements (12) connecting the next plate (Pi+1) to the following next plate (PI+2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea De Luca, Nuredin Kapaj, Alfredo Poloni, Andrea Bonera
  • Publication number: 20040079512
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plant for producing a hot strip from a metal melt in accordance with the twin-roll casting process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Gerald Hohenbichler, Manfred Leutgb
  • Publication number: 20040045696
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a strip casting machine (10), whereby molten metal (18) is poured between two rotatable casting rolls (11, 12). A gaseous film (G) is formed between the respective surfaces (11′, 12′) of the casting rolls and the strip skin (D1, D2, D3) forming on the molten metal, the gas being introduced essentially into the inerting chamber (24) above the metal bath. During the casting, a controlled quantity of a gas consisting of argon, nitrogen and/or another gas is introduced into the inerting chamber (24) in such a way that the heat transfer from the strip skin to the casting rolls (11, 12) can be influenced by the thickness of the gaseous film (G) in such a way that the surfaces (11, 12′) of the casting rolls can be provided with or without cavities (51). A smooth surface can thus also be obtained on the strip cast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Heinrich Marti, Jacques Barbe
  • Patent number: 6698498
    Abstract: Twin roll caster produces cast steel strip that passes in a transit path through pinch roll stand and optional hot rolling mill and runout table to a coiling station which has a pair of switchable coilers. A strip shear located in advance of the coiling station is operable to sever strip into discrete lengths which can be diverted by setting deflectors to allow the severed lengths to pass across a runout table to a scrap bin. The strip may be thus severed and diverted to scrap on development of strip defects or malfunctioning of equipment without stopping continuous casting and the strip redirected to the coiling station when the problem is rectified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Castrip, LLC
    Inventors: John Albert Ziegelaar, Heiji Kato
  • Patent number: 6698497
    Abstract: The invention relates to strip casting machines comprised of two parallel casting rollers (1, 2) whose bearing journals (8, 9) are supported on a stand (3). Cooled roll barrels of the casting rollers (1, 2) and narrow lateral parts (5) delimit a casting gap (6). The aim of the invention is to obtain an optimal ratio between the width of the casting machine and the maximally castable strip width, to provide for a simple stand construction both for changing rollers as well as for exchanging narrow lateral parts, and to attain an improved protection against oxidation. To these ends, the invention provides that the cooled roll barrels are constructed as cylindrical casings (4). The casing (4) should be supported on a stationary axle, which is fixed on the stand (3), via the concentric support rings which project inside the casing (4) on both sides and which are connected to the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignees: SMS Demag AG, Main Management Inspiration AG
    Inventors: Hans Streubel, Heinrich Marti, Jacques Barbé
  • Publication number: 20040035549
    Abstract: The invention relates to a casting roller for the casting of metal strip in the casting gap between two parallel casting rollers with variable separation and which may be cooled. A shaft (1) with a shell (2), surrounding the above at a separation therefrom and an external cover (3), the circumferential surface of which may be adjusted with regard to the crowning thereof during the casting operation, for altering the shape of the external cover, are disclosed. Annular pressure chambers (3c) are thus formed on the inner side of the shell (2) for hydraulically pumping the above up, which are formed between the shells and applied strips (13). The casting roller further comprises means for connecting the annular pressure chambers (3c) to an external hydraulic pressure generating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Klaus-Peter Eberwein
  • Publication number: 20040020630
    Abstract: A thin-strip casting device (1) assures across the entire selected range of the width an about constant production of thin-strip (12) without requiring artificially extended charging times of the steel plant installed upstream. A multitude of interchangeable pairs of casting rollers (2) having different casting roller diameters “D” depending on the strip width “B” to be cast, are associated with the thin-strip casting device (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Georg Bollig
  • Patent number: 6679313
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing carbon-steel strip having a thickness of less than or equal to 10 mm directly from liquid steel, by casting said liquid steel between the lateral surfaces, made of copper or copper alloy, of two internally cooled rotating horizontal rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sollac
    Inventors: François Poirier, Françoise Commarieu, Christian Marchionni, Patrice Vicente, Michel Faral, Jacques Selaries
  • Patent number: 6672368
    Abstract: A method of continuous casting aluminum alloys between a pair of rolls. Molten aluminum alloy is delivered to a roll bite between the rolls and passes into the roll nip in a semi-molten state. A solid strip of cast aluminum alloy exits the nip at speeds of about 25 to about 400 feet per minute. Thin gauge (0.07-0.25 inch) strip may be produced at rates of up to 2000 pounds per hour per inch of cast strip width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Ali Unal
  • Patent number: 6659164
    Abstract: In a continuous casting plant for the continuous casting of a thin strip (14), comprising a mold (8) provided with two casting rolls (6, 7), with a strip-like strand (14) being united from two half-shells (12) and exiting in a vertically downward direction at the nip (13) formed by the casting rolls (6, 7) of said mold, a deflecting-supporting means (16) for deflecting the strand (14) emerging vertically from the mold (8) into a roughly horizontal direction is provided below the nip (13). In order to gently transfer the strand (14) from the vertical into the horizontal while avoiding great bending stresses or plastic deformations, the deflecting-supporting means (16) of plate-shaped construction has a surface supporting the strand (14) over a large area (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignees: Acciai Speciali Terni S.p.A., Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Hohenbichler, Stefano Pellissetti, Armin Schertler
  • Patent number: 6659162
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing metal foams and to the metal bodies in foam form which are obtained in this way. The process for producing large-area integral metal foam by adding a blowing agent to a metal melt, is distinguished by the fact that the metal melt is introduced continuously into a roll nip and is brought into contact with a blowing agent which releases gases and is solid at room temperature, is formed in the roll stand and is fully foamed to form a large-area integral metal foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Goldschmidt AG
    Inventors: Georg Frommeyer, Wilfried Knott, Manfred Recksik, Andreas Weier
  • Patent number: 6655447
    Abstract: The invention relates to a strip-casting machine (20) for producing a metal strip. Said strip-casting machine consists of a pair of casting rolls (22, 24) arranged in side-by-side parallel relation with a casting gap thereinbetween and of lateral sealing elements (25) that are provided with respective sealing plates (61) at both sides of the casting rolls (22, 24) that are pushed or pressed against the casting rolls from the front by means of pushing or pressing means. The respective sealing plate (61) is pushed or pressed against the two equilateral front faces (22′, 24′) of the casting rolls (22, 24) in such a manner that, in the heated operational state, it facilitates an extremely exact positioning on the front faces of the casting rolls. To this end, the sealing plate (61) is mounted in such a manner as to allow a three-dimensional displacement of the sealing plate, as if floating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignees: SMS Demag AG and Main Management, Inspiration AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Marti, Jacques Barbé
  • Patent number: 6651729
    Abstract: The invention relates to a strip-casting machine (20) for producing a metal strip. Said strip-casting machine consists of a pair of casting rolls (22, 24) arranged in side-by-side parallel relation of lateral sealing elements (25) that are provided with respective sealing plates (61) at both sides of the casting rolls (22, 24) and that adjoin the casting rolls. The contact pressure of the sealing plate (61) against the casting rolls (22, 24) and/or the frictional conditions between them can be measured. The sealing plates (61) at the front faces (22′, 24′) of the casting rolls (22, 24) are positioned at a distance of a few tenth of millimeters or so as to closely fit the front faces (22′, 24′) in the operational state, with our without contact pressure. The sealing plates are positioned in such a manner that also in the heated operational state the desired positions of the sealing plates relative to the front faces of the casting rolls are kept very precise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignees: SMS Demag AG, Main Management Inspiration AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Marti, Jacques Barbé
  • Publication number: 20030205357
    Abstract: A method of continuous casting non-ferrous alloys which includes delivering molten non-ferrous alloy to a casting apparatus. The casting apparatus rapidly cools at least a portion of the non-ferrous alloy at a rate of at least about 100° C. thereby solidifying an outer layer of the non-ferrous alloy surrounding an inner layer of a molten component and a solid component of dendrites. The dendrites are altered to yield cast product exhibiting good resistance to cracking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: Ali Unal
  • Patent number: 6622779
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for continuously casting a ferritic stainless steep strip with thickness not more than 10 mm directly from liquid metal between two cooled rolls with horizontal axes and driven in rotation, characterized in that: the liquid metal composition in weight percentages is as follows: % C+% N≦0.12; % Mn≦1; % P≦0.4; % Si≦1; % Mo≦2.5; % Cr between 11 and 19; A1≦1%; % Ti+%Nb+% Zr≦1; the rest being iron and the impurities resulting from preparation; the &Ugr;p index of the liquid metal ranges between 35% and 60%, &Ugr;p being defined by the formula: &ggr;p=420% C+470% N+23% Ni+9% Cu+7% Mn 11.5% Cr 11.5% Si 12% Mo 23% V 47% Nb 49% Ti 52% A1+189: the surface roughness of said rolls being more than 5 &mgr;m; in the proximity of the meniscus metal liquid present between the rolls an inerting gas is used consisting of at least 60% by volume of a gas soluble in steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Usinor
    Inventor: Frédéric Mazurier
  • Publication number: 20030164229
    Abstract: Twin roll caster for casting thin steel strip comprises chilled casting rolls mounted on carriers. One roll is fixed and the other is moveable laterally and biased toward the other roll by carrier drive units acting on the moveable roll carriers. A casting pool of molten steel is supported on the rolls which are rotated to produce a solidified steel strip delivered downwardly from the nip therebetween. A substantially constant gap is maintained between the rolls such that unsolidifed molten metal passes through the nip between the solidified shells of the forming strip and solidifies below the nip. The carrier drive units are effective to apply to the biased roll substantially constant and low biasing forces, which may be between the same and slightly more than the force required to balance the hydrostatic pressure of the casting pool and to overcome the mechanical friction involved in moving the biased roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventor: Nikolco Nikolovski
  • Patent number: 6612362
    Abstract: A thin-strip casting device (1) assures across the entire selected range of the width an about constant production of thin-strip (12) without requiring artificially extended charging times of the steel plant installed upstream. A multitude of interchangeable pairs of casting rollers (2) having different casting roller diameters “D” depending on the strip width “B” to be cast, are associated with the thin-strip casting device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Georg Bollig
  • Publication number: 20030159795
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for producing a uranium foil with fine crystalline granules by forming the foil by the gravitational dropping of molten uranium or uranium alloy and rapidly cooling the foil by the contact with cooling rolls, and a foil produced thereby. In accordance with the present invention, a high-purity and high-quality uranium foil with an isotropic structure and fine crystalline granules is easily produced via a simple process without requiring hot rolling and heat treatment processes. The surface of the foil is prevented from oxidizing and residual stress is not imparted to the foil. The productivity and the economic efficiency of the foil are improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute
    Inventors: Chang-Kyu Kim, Ki-Hwan Kim, Seok-Jin Oh, Se-Jung Jang, Eung-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 6604569
    Abstract: Twin roll casting of metal strip (20) by rotation of parallel casting rolls (16) supplied with molten metal through distributor (19a) and delivery nozzle (19b). X-ray scanner (44) continuously scans the thickness of strip (20) to produce a signal which is a continuous measure of thickness variation along the strip due to eccentricities of the casting rolls (16). This signal controls operation of roll drive motors (53) to impose a pattern of speed variation on the rolls so as to reduce the amplitude of the thickness variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Castrip, LLC
    Inventors: Nikolco S. Nikolovski, Peter A Woodberry, Brett Gray
  • Patent number: 6588492
    Abstract: Twin roll caster for casting metal strip comprises pair of parallel casting rolls forming nip to receive molten metal from elongate metal delivery nozzle formed in two pieces supported in end to end relationship with a gap between them. A pair of casting pool confinement plates are thrust against the ends of rolls by thrusters mounted with the side plastes on carriages forming part of moveable structures which are connected to the outer rends of nozzle pieces by pins and which can be moved by operation of screw jacks. The outer ends of nozzle segments can be accurately set in position relative to side plates prior to a casting and during a casting operation screw jacks can be operated so as to move the nozzle segments inwardly to match inward advance of the side plates as they wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Castrip LLC
    Inventors: John Andrew Fish, Heiji Kato
  • Patent number: 6575225
    Abstract: A process for continuously casting a thin metal strip controls has jets directed at casting rollers using sensor feedback. Sensor feedback can be taken directly from the rollers, or can be determined indirectly by sensing a condition of the thin metal strip. Surface conditions are controlled over a longitudinal extent of the rollers through locally controlled gas jets. The feedback control of the roller surfaces provides a more uniform casting surface and a more consistent output from the casting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignees: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH, Acciai Speciali Terni S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gerald Hohenbichler, Gerald Eckerstorfer
  • Patent number: 6568462
    Abstract: A process for the production of austenitic stainless steel strips having as case a good weldability, comprising the operations of: solidification in a mold of a continuous casting apparatus with twin counterrotatng rolls, a strip having a thickness comprised between 1 to 5 mm and having the following composition in percent by weight: Cr 17-20; Ni 6-11; c<0.04; n<0.04; s<0.01; Mn<1.5; Si<1.0; Mo 0-3; Al<0.03; and possibly, Ti, Nb, Ta so that: Ti+0.5(Nb+Ta)>6C-3S with proviso that Ti>6S, or NB+Ta>1C with the proviso that TI<6S; being in any case Nb+Ti+Ta<1.0; the remaining part being substantially Fe with a &dgr;-ferrite volume percentage comprised between 4 and 10% calculated with the formula: &dgr;-ferrite=(Creq/Nieq−0.728)×500/3 wherein: Creq/Nieq=[Cr+Mo+1.5Si+)0.5Nb+0.25Ta+2.5(Al+Ti)+18]/[Ni+30(C+N)+0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignees: Acciai Speciali Terni S.p.A., Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Massimo Barteri, Giorgio Porcu, Antonio Mascanzoni
  • Publication number: 20030062146
    Abstract: A method for continuously casting metal strip is provided in which a casting pool of molten metal is found in contact with a moving casting surface such that metal solidifies from the pool onto the moving casting surface, wherein the casting surface is provided by a solid coating on a heat conductive body and the coating is formed of a material such that the wetting angle of said molten metal on the casting surface is less than 40° and which has a melting temperature greater that the temperature of the casting surface during metal solidification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventor: Lazar Strezov
  • Patent number: 6536506
    Abstract: Twin roll caster for casting thin steel strip comprises chilled casting rolls 16 mounted on roll supports 104. One of the rolls is fixed and the other is moveable laterally and biased toward the other roll by biasing units 119 acting on the moveable roll supports 104. A casting pool of molten steel is supported on the rolls 16 and the rolls are rotated to produce a solidified steel strip delivered downwardly from the nip between the rolls. A substantially constant gap is maintained between rolls 16 such that unsolidifed molten metal passes through the nip between the solidified shells of the forming strip and solidifies below the nip. The biasing units 119 are effective to apply substantially constant and low biasing forces to the biased roll. The biasing forces may be between the same and slightly more than the force required to balance the hydrostatic pressure of the casting pool and to overcome the mechanical friction involved in moving the biased roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Castrip LLC
    Inventor: Nikolco Nikolovski
  • Patent number: 6536504
    Abstract: Continuous strip casting device comprises a pair of parallel casting rolls onto which molten metal is supplied by metal supply means. Casting rolls are enclosed by a casting chamber into which hot strip is delivered downwardly from the casting rolls. Strip passes downwardly into a cooling chamber where it can either fall into a moveable scrap box at the bottom of chamber or be guided by operation of moveable apron through an exit door from chamber into a heat exchange chamber provided with heaters. A pair of seal rolls are moveable in a seal chamber to form a seal between chambers and are provided with respective gas inlets to admit oxidation inhibiting gas into those chambers. Scrap box is moveable into and out of the bottom of chamber via a scrap box exchange chamber fitted with an airtight door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Castrip, LLC
    Inventors: Osamu Takeuchi, Heiji Kato, Toshiro Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20030041997
    Abstract: With a device for a lateral containment of liquid steel between two crystalizing rolls of a casting machine for a stell strip, comprising a refractory skid 4 and a thrust unit 37 for the skid 4, there are provided at least 3 spaced steel plates P1, P1, Pi+1, . . . Pn successively arranged between the skid 4 and a thrust unit 37 and interconnected by means of fixing elements 12 in a staggered arrangement to optimise the contact conditions between the containing plates and the side faces of the corresponding rolls and to ensure excellent uniform pressure distribution on these plates in sliding contact with the rolls allowing the plates to adapt well to the reference surface of the rolls or working conditions. Each fixing element 12 that connects the plate Pi to next plate Pi+1 has associated thereto at least one pair of fixing elements 12 connecting the next plate Pi+1 to the following next plate Pi+2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Andrea De Luca, Nuredin Kapaj, Alfredo Poloni, Andrea Bonera
  • Patent number: 6527042
    Abstract: The roll body (110) of the invention for a continuous casting machine is able to carry a cylindrical shell (111) in its central part and includes a cooling circuit (200), the circuit having at least one cooling liquid supply conduit (30), at least one cooling liquid evacuation conduit (40), at least one distribution collector (70), at least one evacuation collector (80), at least one distribution pipe (50, 60) connecting each collector to the corresponding conduit, and a plurality of ring channels (90) connecting the supply and evacuation collectors, the collectors and ring channels being used to place the cooling liquid circulating in the circuit in contact with the inner surface of the shell (111) such as to cool the shell, and is characterized in that the collectors (70, 80) are arranged such as to produce both in the peripheral direction and in the longitudinal direction an alternation of distribution collectors (70) and evacuation collectors (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Pechiney Rhenalu
    Inventors: Jacques Griffon, Claude Breysse
  • Publication number: 20030029599
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing carbon-steel strip having a thickness of less than or equal to 10 mm directly from liquid steel, by casting said liquid steel between the lateral surfaces, made of copper or copper alloy, of two internally cooled rotating horizontal rolls. Apparatus. Product produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: SOLLAC
    Inventors: Francois Poirier, Francoise Commarieu, Christian Marchionni, Patrice Vicente, Michel Faral, Jacques Selaries
  • Patent number: 6513573
    Abstract: A refractory plate member (8) for the side containment in continuous casting machines of the type with two counterrotating rollers (1, 2), including two or more overlapped ceramic and/or refractory layers is provided, the plate member (8) is characterized in that the first layer (9, 91) of said plate member (8) is made of a material that is easily wearable under the action of said rolls (1, 2) during the starting step, and in that the second layer (10, 101) underlying the first layer is made of a ceramic and/or refractory and/or carbon material having a very high wear and thermal shock resistance and self-lubricating properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignees: Acciai Speciali Terni S.p.A., Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Giuseppe Guasto, Riccardo Tonelli
  • Publication number: 20030015309
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for continuously casting a metal strip. A casting pool of molten metal is formed, and a metal strip is solidified onto a casting surface. The temperature of the casting surface is maintained above a predetermined critical value. By maintaining the surface temperature above the predetermined critical value, either the heat transfer uniformity or the heat transfer capacity or both are improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Dominique Bouchard, Jean-Paul Nadeau, Francois Hamel, Daniel Simard, Serge F. Turcotte
  • Publication number: 20030000679
    Abstract: In twin roll casting of steel strip, molten steel is introduced into the nip between parallel casting rolls to create a casting pool supported on casting surfaces of the rolls and the rolls are rotated to deliver solidified strip downwardly from the nip. Casting surfaces are textured by a random pattern of discrete projections at least some of which include peaks having a surface distribution of between 5 and 200 projections per mm2 and an average height of at least 10 microns. The random texture may be produced by grit blasting the casting surfaces on a substrate covered by a protective coating. Alternatively the texture may be produced by chemical deposition or electrodeposition of a coating onto a substrate to form the casting surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Lazar Strezov, Kannappar Mukunthan
  • Publication number: 20030000678
    Abstract: Twin roll casting of metal strip (20) by rotation of parallel casting rolls (16) supplied with molten metal through distributor (19a) and delivery nozzle (19b). X-ray scanner (44) continuously scans the thickness of strip (20) to produce a signal which is a continuous measure of thickness variation along the strip due to eccentricities of the casting rolls (16). This signal controls operation of roll drive motors (53) to impose a pattern of speed variation on the rolls so as to reduce the amplitude of the thickness variations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Nikolco S. Nikolovski, Peter A. Woodberry, Brett Gray
  • Patent number: 6497270
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for pressing a side wall (1) of an installation for continuous casting of metal strips between two cooling drums with horizontal axes against the planar surfaces of the cylinders, comprising three thrust member connected to a mounting frame (3) maintained in a fixed position, exerting their action on the rear face of a plate (2) on the front face whereof is fixed the side wall (1) or on the rear face of the side wall (1), said action being oriented along a substantially horizontal direction (Oy) parallel to the axes of the drums and being exerted via means connecting each of said thrust members on said plate. Said connection means of a first thrust member enable a relative displacement in translation of said thrust A-4 member and of the plate (2) or of the side wall (1) being along a horizontal direction (Ox) a=parallel to the plane of the planar surfaces of the drums and along a vertical direction (Oz) parallel to the plane of the planar surfaces of the drums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Usinor
    Inventors: Yann Breviere, Dominique Themines, Jean-Michel Damasse, Pierre Delassus