Endless Shaping Means Patents (Class 164/429)
  • Patent number: 6386266
    Abstract: A substrate system for receiving a deposit of sprayed metal droplets including a movable outer substrate on which the sprayed metal droplets are deposited. The substrate system also includes an inner substrate disposed adjacent the outer substrate where the sprayed metal droplets are deposited on the outer substrate. The inner substrate includes zones of differing thermal conductivity to resist substrate layer porosity and to resist formation of large grains and coarse constituent particles in a bulk layer of the metal droplets which have accumulated on the outer substrate. A spray forming apparatus and associated method of spray forming a molten metal to form a metal product using the substrate system of the invention is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Men G. Chu, William P. Chernicoff
  • Patent number: 6363997
    Abstract: A method and a device for the casting of rectangular billets from metal, in particular from steel, close to final dimensions, and for the subsequent inline rolling out of the billet, with a material supply vessel, via the outlet nozzle of which the liquid metal is deposited onto the upper strand of a conveyor belt, on which it solidifies and is transferred to a roll stand for forming, characterized by the following steps: a) before the start of casting aa) the point at which the liquid metal is deposited onto the conveyor belt is predetermined approximately, ab) the conveying speed of the conveyor belt is set as a function of the desired rolling thickness and rolling speed of the roll stand, b) during casting ba) the position of thorough solidification of the metal billet located on the conveyor belt is detected, bb) the temperature of the rolling stock is detected in the region of the roll stand, and bc) the position of thorough solidification and the temperature of the rolling stock are used as contr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Urlau
  • Publication number: 20010047856
    Abstract: The invention relates to a strip casting plant with side limits arranged closely adjacent to a carrying belt. The side limits, and preferably the supply device for molten metal, are capable of vibrating and are connected to a device for producing vibrations. The adhesion of solidified material can thus be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: KLAUS SCHWERDTFEGER, KARL-HEINZ SPITZER, PAUL FREIER, THOMAS VON HINRICHS, WOLFGANG REICHELT, ULRICH URLAU, EWALD FEUERSTACKE, JOACHIM KROOS, MICHAEL BRUHL
  • Patent number: 6206083
    Abstract: A strip casting plant with a circulating belt. In the cooling area, the belt is sucked against carriers by a negative pressure in the cooler. The carriers are arranged so that, with given mechanical properties of the circulating belt, a deflection that compensates for the thermal elongation takes place between the supporting surfaces of the carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Klaus Schwerdtfeger, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Wolfgang Reichelt, Ulrich Urlau, Joachim Kroos, Heino Buddenberg
  • Patent number: 6173755
    Abstract: An improved casting nozzle for continuous slab casting machines is provided. The nozzle includes a sloped surface which reduces molten metal turbulence during the casting process. The nozzle also includes a resilient, thermal insulation layer which prevents undesired backflow and premature solidification of the molten metal near the nozzle tip. The nozzle may also include a friction reducing layer which prevents excessive wear or fracture of the nozzle as it contacts the casting mold. The casting nozzle is suitable for use with both horizontal and vertical continuous casting machines, and may be used with various types of casting molds including continuous belt or caterpillar molds, and stationary molds. The improved nozzle may be used to cast various metals such as aluminum and aluminum alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Nai-Yi Li, Que-Tsang Fang, Donald J. Clements
  • Patent number: 6135198
    Abstract: A substrate system for receiving a deposit of sprayed metal droplets including a movable outer substrate on which the sprayed metal droplets are deposited. The substrate system also includes an inner substrate disposed adjacent the outer substrate where the sprayed metal droplets are deposited on the outer substrate. The inner substrate includes zones of differing thermal conductivity to resist substrate layer porosity and to resist formation of large grains and coarse constituent particles in a bulk layer of the metal droplets which have accumulated on the outer substrate. A spray forming apparatus and associated method of spray forming a molten metal to form a metal product using the substrate system of the invention is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Men G. Chu, William P. Chernicoff
  • Patent number: 6056039
    Abstract: The device for the making a flat product (P) comprises a cylindrical wall, brought into rotation around a fixed core (1) and cooled by circulation of a fluid for the formation, of the flat product (P), onto an angular sector of the wall (2). The cooled wall on which is cast the metal is made up of a thin metal envelope forming a shell (2) simply inserted with possibility of sliding onto a circular surface (11) of the fixed core which constitute the central section of a fixed shaft (1) to hold and center the shell (2), the shaft (1) being connected with a thrust device allowing application of the shell (2) on the circular surface (11) of the shaft (1), the cooling fluid providing the lubrication of the bush thus made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Kvaerner Metals Clecim
    Inventors: Michel Morel, Pierre Delassus, Gerard Raisson
  • Patent number: 5915459
    Abstract: Metal strip close to its final dimensions is cast using a strip-casting apparatus provided with a melt-holding vessel and a conveyor belt, in which a metal melt, in particular steel, flows out of a casting nozzle of a closable pouring chamber which can be put under vacuum and is connected via a siphon to a main chamber which can be put under pressure. The casting nozzle is inclined by about 45.degree. and is of trumpet-like configuration in the region of the orifice on the inside of the nozzle wall remote from the main chamber. Additionally, a shut-off element which can be opened in a slit-shaped manner is provided near the orifice of the casting nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Urlau, Helmut Schlechtriem, Wolfgang Reichelt, Ewald Feuerstacke
  • Patent number: 5887644
    Abstract: A casting roll (18) for a twin roll continuous caster comprises a roll body (19) made of a metal material having high rigidity and a sleeve (20) made of a metal material having high thermal conductivity for covering an outer periphery of the roll body (19). A plurality of load bearing members (23) with thicker width are provided peripherally on the outer periphery of the roll body (19), the load bearing members (23) being in contact with an inner periphery of the sleeve (20) and extending axially of the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignees: Ishikawa Jima-Harima Heavy Industries Company Limited, BHP Steel (JLA) Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Akiyoshi, Masayoshi Hori, Kunio Matsui, Atsushi Hirata, Koichi Fujita, Shu Ogawa
  • Patent number: 5842511
    Abstract: A casting wheel quench surface rapidly solidifies molten alloy into strip having a microcrystalline or amorphous structure. The surface is composed of a thermally conducting alloy having a homogeneous microstructure consisting of fine equiaxed recrystallized grains. The grains exhibit a tight Gaussian grain size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Raybould, Chin Fong Chang, David Teller, Howard Horst Liebermann, Nicholas J. DeCristofaro
  • Patent number: 5839501
    Abstract: The casting roll includes a hub (2) and a shell (3) which are arranged coaxially, and two flanges (5, 6) for supporting and radially centering the shell on the hub. Each flange includes a frustoconical part (51, 61) which cooperates with a corresponding frustoconical surface (34, 35) of the bore in the shell, the frustoconical surface being located in a region (A) where the internal diameter variations of the shell due to the expansion deformations are substantially zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignees: Unicor-Sacilor, Thyssen Stahl Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Pierre Delassus, Fran.cedilla.ois Mazodier, Jean-Marie Pelletier, Gerard Raisson
  • Patent number: 5836377
    Abstract: A process for cooling molten steel, in particular by continuous casting of hoop-steel. At least part of the molten mass that leaves a metallurgical vessel through a metal nozzle solidifies when contacting a cooling surface. A gaseous stream that forms a reducing atmosphere is directed onto the surface of the freely accessible liquid hoop-steel immediately after it leaves the metal nozzle and the surface of the hoop-steel is exposed to this gaseous atmosphere at least until it is completely solidified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Reichelt, Ulrich Urlau, Paul Freier, Karl-Heinz Spitzer
  • Patent number: 5807444
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a process for the continuous casting of an austenitic stainless steel strip directly from liquid metal of composition, expressed in percentages by weight: C.ltoreq.0.08%, Si.ltoreq.1%; Mn.ltoreq.2%; P.ltoreq.0.045%; S.ltoreq.0.030%; Cr between 17.0 and 20.0%; Ni between 8.0 and 10.5% on a machine for casting onto one or between two moving walls whose external surface is provided with dimples and in which the region surrounding the meniscus is inerted with an inerting gas of controlled composition, wherein:a Cr.sub.equ /Ni.sub.equ ratio greater than 1.55 is conferred on said liquid metal, with:Cr.sub.equ =% Cr+1.37.times.% Mo+1.5.times.% Si+2.times.% Nb+3.times.% Ti andNi.sub.equ =% Ni+0.31.times.% Mn+22.times.% C+14.2.times.% N+% Cu;one or more moving walls are used whose entire surface includes touching dimples having a diameter of between 100 and 1500 .mu.m and a depth of between 20 and 150 .mu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignees: Usinor Sacilor, Thyssen Stahl Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philippe Paradis, Christian Marchionni, Manuel Bobadilla, Jean-Michel Damasse
  • Patent number: 5772187
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling and processing a molten product into a granulate product which apparatus comprises a displaceable support consisting of at least one substantially horizontal, disk-shaped element arranged for rotation about a substantially vertical shaft, means for depositing the molten product on the support, cooling means containing cooling liquid channels closed in themselves that form part of the disc-shaped element and, without connection with the environment, connect to feed and discharge means, and means for removing the molten product from the support in granulate form. Preferably, a double spiral-shaped channel is present per disk-shaped element, and the means for depositing the molten product on the support comprise a dispenser adapted to dispense the molten product batchwise or dropwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Goudsche Machinefabriek B.V.
    Inventors: Abimanjoe Saroso Wirodihardjo, Wijnand Jacob t Hart, Alwin Graafland
  • Patent number: 5740852
    Abstract: A conveyor belt of a continuous strip-casting device for casting strips of metal, particularly steel, which belt is guided by a driven drum and a drum horizontally adjacent to the driven drum and displaceable for tensioning the belt. The belt rests in this connection on a support arranged between the drums and the side thereof facing away from the cast strip is cooled. The conveyor belt has, on the side remote from the cast strip, uniformly distributed blind holes. The blind holes are separated by webs of a minimum width. The total surface area of the webs is 0.15 to 0.4 times the total surface area of the belt. The bottoms of the blind holes have a wall thickness which, upon heating by the cast strip with simultaneous cooling of the inside surface of the blind holes, permits a bulging of the bottom of less than 1 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ewald Feuerstacke, Helmut Schlechtriem, Ulrich Urlau, Wolfgang Reichelt, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Paul Freier, Frank Koch, Joachim Koch
  • Patent number: 5651413
    Abstract: A strip caster (10) for producing a continuous strip (24) has a tundish (12) for containing a melt (14) and a pair of horizontally disposed water cooled casting rolls (22). The casting rolls are juxtaposed relative to one another for forming a pouring basin (18) for receiving the melt through a teeming tube (16) thereby establishing a meniscus (20) between the rolls for forming a strip (24). The melt is protected from the outside air by a non-oxidizing gas passed through a supply line (28) to a sealing chamber (26). Devices (29) for conditioning the outer peripheral chill surfaces of the casting rolls includes grit blasting nozzles (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D), a collection trough (32) for gathering the grit, a line (34) for recycling the grit to a bag house (36), a feeder (38) and a pressurized distributor (40) for delivering the grit to the nozzles. The conditioning nozzles remove dirt, metal oxides and surface imperfections providing a clean surface readily wetted by the melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Armco Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Williams, Steven L. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5651410
    Abstract: The roll comprises a rotatable arbor (1) with an annular sleeve (7) shrunk onto it. There are internal passages (25) in the sleeve for the flow of liquid coolant there along. The internal passages are in communication with ducts (19, 21) in the arbor and the liquid coolant passed along the passages from the ducts forms a thermal barrier in the sleeve between the outer periphery and the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Davy McKee (Sheffield) Limited
    Inventors: Robert Maidens Perry, Barry Graham Corlett, Timothy Reynolds, David Alan Preshaw, Edward Alexander Winder, Young Kil Shin, Taewook Kang
  • Patent number: 5616189
    Abstract: An alloy of aluminum containing magnesium, silicon and optionally copper in amounts in percent by weight falling within one of the following ranges:(1) 0.4.ltoreq.Mg.ltoreq.0.8, 0.2.ltoreq.Si.ltoreq.0.5, 0.3.ltoreq.Cu.ltoreq.3.5;(2) 0.8.ltoreq.Mg.ltoreq.1.4, 0.2.ltoreq.Si.ltoreq.0.5, Cu.ltoreq.2.5; and(3) 0.4.ltoreq.Mg.ltoreq.1.0, 0.2.ltoreq.Si.ltoreq.1.4, Cu.ltoreq.2.0; said alloyhaving been formed into a sheet having properties suitable for automotive applications. The alloy may also contain at least one additional element selected from the group consisting of Fe in an amount of 0.4 percent by weight or less, Mn in an amount of 0.4 percent by weight or less, Zn in an amount of 0.3 percent by weight or less and a small amount of at least one other element, such as Cr, Ti, Zr and V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Iljoon Jin, John Fitzsimon, Michael J. Bull, Pierre H. Marois, Alok K. Gupta, David J. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 5601139
    Abstract: A jet of liquid metal 42 is directed onto a fast-moving receiving surface 4 and reciprocal relative motion is caused between the receiving surface 4 and the jet 42 perpendicularly to the moving direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: SEVA
    Inventor: Alain Remy
  • Patent number: 5590702
    Abstract: A continuous casting machine is disclosed of the type having a rotary casting drum with a mold cavity machined thereon, and a shoe in close engagement with the mold cavity so as to disperse molten media therein. The casting drum is formed from a series of ring segments that are interconnectable to form a shell having any desired width. By adding or subtracting ring segments, the width of the shell can be adjusted to the desired production specifications. In addition, a pressure control system is provided which is placed in fluid communication with the mold cavity via flow pathways through the casting drum upon rotation thereof. The pressure control system is operable for evacuating the mold cavity just prior to dispersion of molten media therein, and for subsequently ejecting the cast product upon solidification thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Venture Enterprises, Incorporated
    Inventor: Raymond L. Schenk
  • Patent number: 5575327
    Abstract: Apparatus for casting metal strip comprises casting rolls (12), metal delivery means (13, 14, 15, 16) into the nip (17) between the casting rolls (12) whereby to produce a cast metal strip (19). Roll cleaning brush devices (21) comprise brush head mounting structure (22) which carry linear arrays of rotary brush heads (20) applied to the outer sides of the casting rolls (12). The brush heads (20) of each device (21) are driven simultaneously through a gear train by a respective drive motor (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignees: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., BHP Steel (JLA) Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Heiji Kato
  • Patent number: 5573056
    Abstract: A stream of overheated metal melt is applied from a container through a pouring nozzle as a closed jet, or in such a way as to be split up into drops by a gaseous medium, at a pouring point, to the inner surface of a strip coil or composite body also rotating in a mold body. Thus, an initially liquid metal film is produced to which a liquid coolant, preferably a low-temperature liquefied gas such as argon or nitrogen, is applied from a cooling nozzle at a cooling point which is offset in the direction of rotation relative to the pouring point. The coolant dissipates a substantial portion of the excess and melt heat of the metal film, mostly due to vaporization of the liquid coolant. Depending on the residual heat which it still has after the cooling operation, the metal film either remains isolated from the innermost metal layer applied beforehand, so that a strip coil develops, or melts with the metal layer so that a rotationally symmetrical composite body forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Ilse H. Feichtinger
    Inventors: Heinrich K. Feichtinger, Derek H. Feichtinger, Markus O. Speidel
  • Patent number: 5564489
    Abstract: A casting device for the continuous manufacture of a thin metal strip (2) which includes a rotating, cooled conveyor belt guided by guide rollers (3, 4), and a melt distributor (5) juxtaposed the conveyor belt (2) and from which metal melt (7) is fed onto the conveyor belt (2) and is solidified. In order to do away with underpressure in the casting device, the melt distributor (5) includes a distributor base having a surface which extends essentially tangential of a surface of the belt on the guide roller and at a centerpoint angle in front of the apex point (12:00 o'clock position) of the front guide roller (3), viewed in direction of movement of the conveyor belt (2)), that is in the range of 5.degree. to 20.degree.. The front quids roller (3) is cooled at least in the area thereof defined by the respective center-point angle .alpha..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Wieland-Werke AG
    Inventors: Georg Kehse, Hilmar R. Mueller, Hubert Magg
  • Patent number: 5564490
    Abstract: A quench substrate for rapid solidification of molten alloy into strip has a microcrystalline or amorphous structure. The substrate is composed of a thermally conducting alloy and the structure is substantially homogeneous. The substrate is a thermal conducting material such as copper or a copper alloy, and has a constituent grain size uniformity greater than 1 .mu.m and less than 1,000 .mu.m in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Howard H. Liebermann, David F. Teller
  • Patent number: 5547013
    Abstract: A casting wheel carries a rotating inner-radius mold wall along its rim and features a non-rotating mold segment incorporating the outer-radius mold wall, circumferentially oscillated about an external stationary support. The casting wheel includes circumferential guide tracks around the wheel periphery, along which cam guide rollers carrying the non-rotating segment act to maintain a closely controlled interface clearance between the inner and outer-radius mold wall edges throughout the rotation. The non-rotating mold segment may be constructed as a single box or multiple box segments hinged together for oscillation by a single oscillator, each segment incorporating its own guide roller system. Each box inside wall doubles as the mold envelope outside wall, against which water sprays may be directed from nozzles within the box enclosure, which is drained by gravity from an outlet proximate the lower end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: William L. Sherwood
  • Patent number: 5538071
    Abstract: The machine has a cooled and moving substrate, for example an endless horizontal belt, a feeding device, for example a tundish, and a distributor arranged transversely to the substrate for distributing liquid metal over the substrate. The distributor can have an outlet for permitting a stream of liquid metal to exit the distributor, into a gaseous medium which can be enclosed by a hood or cover, at a substantial angle from the horizontal and vertical axes of the distributor, and the pressure of the liquid metal at the outlet can also be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lars G. Johansson, Ralph Nystr om
  • Patent number: 5535812
    Abstract: Insulators, heated to a temperature which prevents solidification thereon, are used to confine all but one side of a continuous flow of initially-liquid metal alloy until it is solidified. The remaining side is confined by a thermally conductive material which is cooled by means to provide for essentially unidirectional rapid solidification of the alloy flow. Operational control and product quality are enhanced by establishing and conditioning a surface film on the liquid metal to be cast by controlling the gaseous environment available to the liquid metal prior to contact with the thermally conductive chill. The method and apparatus can produce cast strip with minimal shrinkage porosity from alloys with wide freezing ranges. The cast product is suitable for producing wrought products of high quality. The method is particularly applicable to aluminous alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Singleton Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ogle R. Singleton
  • Patent number: 5531659
    Abstract: A roll caster shell for use in a continuous sheet casting machine which is made of an alloy which consists essentially of, in weight %,:C: 0.35-0.55%, Si: 0.10-0.50%, Mn: 0.20-0.70%,P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.02% or less, Ni: 0.60% or less,Cr: 0.80-1.50%, Mo: 0.80-1.50%, V: 0.30-0.60%,Co: 0.30-1.00%,Fe and incidental impurities: balancewith the total amount of elements other than Fe and C not exceeding 5.0 atomic %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Kanto Special Steel Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tamotsu Fusada
  • Patent number: 5520243
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuously casting metal strip (20) of the kind in which a casting pool of molten metal (30) is formed in contact with a moving casting surface. By making the casting surface (16A) very smooth and inducing relative vibratory movement between the molten metal and the casting surface at selected frequency and amplitude, the heat transfer from the solidifying metal is dramatically improved. The casting surface has an Arithmetical Mean Roughness Value (Ra) of less than 5 microus and the induced vibratory movement preferably has a frequency of no more than 20 kHz. This enables improved casting productivity and also produced a marked refinement of the surface structure of the cast metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignees: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Company Limited, BHP Steeel (JLA) Pty Ltd
    Inventors: John Freeman, Lazar Strezov, Steve Osborn
  • Patent number: 5497822
    Abstract: A continuous casting machine is disclosed of the type having a rotary mold cavity movable relative to a shoe in fluid communication with a source of molten casting material. The shoe has a main body defining an internal passageway and a discharge slot leading from the internal passageway to an outer surface of the shoe. The shoe also has an inlet and an outlet connecting the internal passage to the source of molten casting material. A heating mechanism is positioned within the internal passageway and is controlled for heating the molten casting material flowing through the passageway prior to its discharge from the discharge slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Inventor: Raymond L. Schenk
  • Patent number: 5484009
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for direct casting molten metal to continuous strip of crystalline material by controlling the supply of molten metal to a casting vessel substantially horizontal to an adjacent moving casting roll surface, the molten metal level in the exit end being near the crest of the casting roll, separating a semi-solid cast strip substantially horizontally from near the crest of the casting roll and providing secondary cooling while transporting the separated strip to solidify the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Allegheny Ludlum Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Love, John D. Nauman, Karl Schwaha
  • Patent number: 5480496
    Abstract: A method of making twin roll cast clad material includes producing a composite material using a liner stock produced by drag casting techniques. The drag cast liner stock can be directly used in a twin roll continuous casting process without additional process steps such as heat treatment, surface cleaning and/or rolling. The drag cast liner stock can be applied to one or both of the surfaces of the twin roll cast material to produce a composite material that is useful in a cast form or can be adapted for reduction by rolling processes or the like. The twin roll cast cladding process can utilize aluminum alloy core and cladding materials to form a brazing sheet from the as-cast composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventor: Bennie R. Ward
  • Patent number: 5462109
    Abstract: The strip is cast on a chilled casting surface of a rotating drum from a pool of the molten metal contained in a tundish having a graphite lip insert seated therein cooperating with, the casting surface adjacent to the tundish to form and contain the pool of the molten metal. The tundish preferably contains a feed chamber, a return chamber, and a diverting chamber, the feed chamber and the diverting chamber effectively removing turbulence from the molten feed and the return chamber having a vertically adjustable weir dividing the return chamber from the diverting chamber for controlling the surface level of the pool of molten metal in the diverting chamber and the lip insert and for diverting a flow of molten metal to the return chamber. A preferred lead alloy is a low antimony-lead alloy which is cast into strip and is subjected to a heat treatment to permit expansion and shaping in subsequent production of expanded mesh battery grids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Cominco Ltd.
    Inventors: Albert M. Vincze, Theodore J. Seymour, Patrick Culkeen, Nai-Yong Tang, Gerald P. Lewis, Paul Niessen, John V. Marlow
  • Patent number: 5445212
    Abstract: The invention relates to a casting wheel of a strip casting machine. The casting wheel comprises a casting ring (30) mounted and borne internally on freely rotatable rollers (31a, b, 33a, b). In the zone of the position at the start of casting, the rollers (31a, b) are rigidly mounted via a supporting element (32), while on the opposite side they are radially adjustable via a-supporting element (34a, b). In this way deformations of the casting ring (30) due to heating during casting can be absorbed without a change in the position of the casting ring (30) as at the start of casting. The casting ring (30) is driven from outside via at least one driving element (30b) which is connected via a transmission member (30a) to the casting ring (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Sundwiger Eisenhutte Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Armin Frauenkron, Volker Ilchmann, Erhard Vogt, Herbert Gellenbeck
  • Patent number: 5404931
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing strips, bars and wire rods comprises continuously supplying molten metal into an open-top endless casting groove on an annular mold that is rotated around a vertical shaft, cooling the molten metal in the casting groove from outside by forcibly cooling the annular mold, and continuously taking out the cast section from the casting groove at a point where a solidified shell has been formed throughout the entire circumference of the molten metal in the casting groove. A roll is provided upstream of the take-out point to depress the top surface of the cast section, thereby keeping the cast section in close contact with the surface of the casting groove. The cast section then slides diagonally upward over a surface inclined at an angle of 5 to 60 degrees that is provided on the exit side of the above roll in the casting groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Einao Anzai, Hirobumi Maede, Ryuji Watanabe, Masami Wajima
  • Patent number: 5381854
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for pneumatically controlling the velocity of flow of liquid metal from a tundish into a continuous casting machine through a nozzle. A chamber encloses the nozzle outlet, and at least a portion of the continuous casting machine, and a pressurized gas is supplied to the chamber. The flow velocity of the liquid metal at the nozzle outlet is controlled by controlling the gas pressure in the chamber in response to the level of the liquid metal in the tundish, and the measured atmospheric pressure acting on the liquid metal in the tundish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Her Majesty in right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resoruces
    Inventors: Robert Thomson, Flhachmi Essadiqi, James Barry
  • Patent number: 5355937
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the continuous manufacture of a metal strip (1) with near net shape. The metal melt (6) is fed from a melt distributor (5) through a casting nozzle (15) onto a rotating, cooled conveyor belt (2) and solidified. In the operating condition, the melt level is controlled in the melt distributor (5) as a function of the desired strip thickness d of the metal strip (1). In the melt distributor (5) there is initially adjusted a fill level (A), which corresponds at a maximum with the conveyor belt plane (E). Such a fill level (B) then is adjusted such that the melt (6) completely displaces the air from the area (11, 14) in front of the casting nozzle (15) and from the casting nozzle (15). In the operating condition, the fill level (C) is controlled some millimeters above the level (D) of the liquid metal on the conveyor belt (E) so that the melt (6) flows out of the casting nozzle (15) according to the pipette principle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Wieland-Werke AG
    Inventors: Hilmar R. Mueller, Georg Kehse
  • Patent number: 5345993
    Abstract: Molten metal dispensed upon the surface of an adjacent rotating drum produces a ribbon of solidified metal which separates from the drum while the drum is rotating. To prevent ripples from forming in the surface of the ribbon, a casting surface on the periphery of the rotating drum includes structure to minimize the ratio of transverse heat flow rate from the casting surface to radial heat flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Ribbon Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Lloyd E. Hackman
  • Patent number: 5343926
    Abstract: Metal is spray cast onto a moving substrate using at least two sprays, the first of which has a solid fraction greater than 20% at the time the spray contacts the substrate, but less than the solid fraction of the second spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignees: Olin Corporation, Osprey Metals Limited
    Inventors: Harvey P. Cheskis, W.Gary Watson, Jeffrey S. Coombs, Peter F. Chesney
  • Patent number: 5301741
    Abstract: A method of casting metal material wherein metallic metal is deposited on a foil moving underneath the feeding means for the molten metal and is supported on a supporting substrate. The foil is formed with side edges before receiving a deposit of molten metal to contain the flow of molten metal thereon in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: W. Gary Watson, Harvey P. Cheskis, Thomas J. Melillo
  • Patent number: 5299628
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the casting of metal onto a moving horizontal surface in which the solidification of the casting occurs from the top to the bottom. The surface on which the metal is cast comprises a material having a low thermal conductivity of 10 or less watts/meter.degree. Kelvin. If desired, the casting may be cooled by cooling the top of the casting at a point downstream of the feeding system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventor: Sankaranarayanan Ashok
  • Patent number: 5293926
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for direct casting molten metal to continuous strip of crystalline material by controlling the supply of molten metal to a casting vessel substantially horizontal to an adjacent moving casting roll surface, the molten metal level in the exit end being near the crest of the casting roll, separating a semi-solid cast strip substantially horizontally from near the crest of the casting roll and providing secondary cooling while transporting the separated strip to solidify the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Allegheny Ludlum Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Love, John D. Nauman, Karl Schwaha
  • Patent number: 5291939
    Abstract: A start-up method and apparatus for continuous casting of molten metal into a cast strip product includes initially casting a start-up alloy having sufficient strength, flexibility and casting surface release properties to achieve steady state casting conditions. A target alloy follows the start-up alloy being cast to produce a cast strip product of the target alloy composition. A start-up alloying vessel is disposed between the source of the target alloy and the casting apparatus to facilitate introduction of a start-up alloy into the casting process or formulation of a particular start-up alloy for initiation of the continuous casting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: John A. Hensley, James L. Stone, James C. Key, George A. Sloan
  • Patent number: 5251687
    Abstract: A method of casting metal wherein molten metal is deposited on a moving planar substrate to form a strip thereon. The strip is removed from the moving substrate onto an open mesh support prior to the strip becoming completely solidified throughout its thickness. Ideally, the strip is removed as soon as it forms a solidified shell on its bottom which is thick enough not to fracture under the weight of the remaining molten metal. This arrangement overcomes the problem of cooling the bottom surface of the cast metal due to an air gap forming between a solid supporting substrate and the cast metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Sankaranarayanan Ashok, Harvey P. Cheskis
  • Patent number: 5251686
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously casting metal includes a tundish having edge seals and risers positioned at an outlet portion thereof . The edge seals and risers are configured to reduce the depth of molten metal adjacent the tundish sidewalls such that a lesser volume of molten metal contacts a driven casting surface to permit rapid solidification of edge portions of a cast strip. The edge seals and risers also are configured to form a meniscus between the seals and casting surface to effectively seal a gap between the tundish sidewall and continuous casting surface to prevent molten metal leakage therethrough. Preventing molten metal flow through the gap between the casting surface and sidewalls eliminates the requirement for a mechanical seal during continuous casting of molten metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventor: James C. Key
  • Patent number: 5238049
    Abstract: An adjustable flow control device for use in a metal strip continuous casting apparatus comprises a tundish for directing molten metal onto a moving chill surface and a plurality of individually and vertically adjustable flow control plates which extend across the width of the tundish. Each of the individual and vertically adjustable flow control plates define a flow passageway between the plate bottom edge and the tundish floor for controlling molten metal flow in the tundish. By providing individually adjustable flow control plates, flow of molten metal can be controlled in discrete width portions of the tundish to improve cast strip thickness and cross-sectional profile. The adjustable flow control device may be responsive to sensed casting parameters to permit automatic and precise control over cast strip thickness and cross-sectional profile during continuous casting of metal, in particular, aluminum alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventor: James P. Martin
  • Patent number: 5201360
    Abstract: The invention relates to a casting wheel having an interchangeable casting ring 8. The casting ring 8 is secured on an inner member 7 of the casting wheel 1 by adjustable radially and outwardly acting pressure members 17, 18 engaging with the edges of the casting ring 8. The pressure members 17, 18 center the casting ring 8, which they secure axially. The casting ring can be mounted in a problem-free manner when the pressure members are relieved of pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Sundwiger Eisenhutte Maschinenfabrik
    Inventors: Horst Schenk, Herbert Gellenbeck
  • Patent number: 5191925
    Abstract: An apparatus for the direct continuous casting of thin strips of molten metal comprises a source of molten metal and at least one cooled roll which receives the molten metal, wherein the at least one cooled roll includes a cylindrical inner core, a first sleeve enclosing the inner core, cooling channels provided between the first sleeve and the core and a second sleeve enclosing the first sleeve and being in contact with the molten metal. The second sleeve forms with the first sleeve two superposed cylindrical layers which are chosen of materials such that the first sleeve has a coefficient of thermal expansion higher than that of the second sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Usinor Sacilor
    Inventor: Laurent Sosin
  • Patent number: RE34322
    Abstract: A method of preparing alloy of a transition metal and lanthanide comprising the steps of alloying a transition metal, boron, at least one lower-weight lanthanide having none or few stable compounds with iron, optionally one or more higher-weight lanthanides, a glass former, and optionally the pseudo lanthanide, yttrium; forming an amorphous or nearly amorphous metastable microstructure in the alloy; and heating the amorphous alloy to form a polycrystalline, multiphase, fine-grain single-domain structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Norman C. Koon
  • Patent number: RE35411
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the casting of metals in which a molten stream of metal is atomized into a spray of highly liquid droplets. The droplets are deposited on a moving substrate such as an endless belt provided with side dams. The droplets flow in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the substrate and are contained by the side dams. The droplets may have an average size of 300 microns and the spray may have a liquid to solid ratio of at least 50%. This arrangement overcomes the problems of splashing and turbulence caused by the relative flow between the melt and the belt in regular belt casting and overcomes porosity problems associated with spray casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Sankaranarayanan Ashok, Harvey P. Cheskis