Casting Wheel And Flexible Band Patents (Class 164/433)
  • Patent number: 10913107
    Abstract: A continuous casting and rolling line for casting, rolling, and otherwise preparing metal strip can produce distributable metal strip without requiring cold rolling or the use of a solution heat treatment line. A metal strip can be continuously cast from a continuous casting device and coiled into a metal coil, optionally after being subjected to post-casting quenching. This intermediate coil can be stored until ready for hot rolling. The as-cast metal strip can undergo reheating prior to hot rolling, either during coil storage or immediately prior to hot rolling. The heated metal strip can be cooled to a rolling temperature and hot rolled through one or more roll stands. The rolled metal strip can optionally be reheated and quenched prior to coiling for delivery. This final coiled metal strip can be of the desired gauge and have the desired physical characteristics for distribution to a manufacturing facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Novelis Inc.
    Inventors: Milan Felberbaum, Sazol Kumar Das, Aurele Mariaux, Duane E. Bendzinski, Cyrille Bezencon, Simon William Barker, Corrado Bassi, Rajeev G. Kamat, Tudor Piroteala, Rajasekhar Talla, Robert Bruce Wagstaff
  • Patent number: 10610924
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a strand from a monotectic alloy which is made of multiple constituents and in which drops of a primary phase are distributed in a uniform manner in a crystalline matrix in the solidified state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Zollern BHW Gleitlager GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kostyantyn Gzovskyy, Edgar Gust
  • Publication number: 20140367066
    Abstract: A method for producing a cast strip from steel with properties that can be adjusted across a cross section and a length of the strip, includes applying a coating mass comprising a carrier liquid with additives contained therein to a side of a rotating cast band of a horizontal strip cast system, drying the coating mass for removing liquid components of the coating mass, applying a steel melt to the side of the rotating cast band via a melt container, wherein the dried coating mass is materially united with the applied steel melt; and allowing the steel melt to solidifiy to a pre-strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Evertz
  • Patent number: 8251128
    Abstract: Provided is a method of continuously producing a phosphorus-containing copper alloy wire by adding phosphorus or an element which is less soluble than phosphorus to molten copper. The method includes: adding an element less soluble into a heating furnace for maintaining molten copper sent from a melting furnace at a predetermined high temperature; transferring the molten copper sent from the heating furnace to a tundish; adding phosphorus to the molten copper after decreasing the temperature of the molten copper in the tundish; supplying the molten copper from the tundish to a belt wheel-type continuous casting apparatus; and rolling a cast copper material output from the belt wheel-type continuous casting apparatus, thereby continuously producing a phosphorus-containing copper alloy wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hattori, Hitoshi Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 7779891
    Abstract: In manufacturing a magnesium alloy, continuous casting is performed using a movable mold. A magnesium alloy to be processed by presswork, forging, and the like can be efficiently provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taichiro Nishikawa, Yoshihiro Nakai
  • Patent number: 7681626
    Abstract: A continuous casting member causes a final solidification portion to be displaced from a central portion of a cast member to reduce influence of cast defects that may be generated on a plastic worked article. In a continuous casting method for continuously manufacturing a cast member by driving a plurality of rotational molding members disposed to form a casting space, the plurality of rotational molding members are differentiated in temperature. A portion of one of the rotational molding members that starts to come into contact with molten metal can be set to a temperature of [(melting point or liquidus temperature of the metal)×0.35] or more, and the other of the rotational molding members can be cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Hagiwara, Shigeru Yanagimoto
  • Patent number: 7478665
    Abstract: In manufacturing a magnesium alloy, continuous casting is performed using a movable mold. A magnesium alloy to be processed by presswork, forging, and the like can be efficiently provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taichiro Nishikawa, Yoshihiro Nakai
  • Patent number: 7125612
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Ali Ünal
  • Patent number: 7073565
    Abstract: In twin roll casting of steel strip, molten steel is introduced into the nip 16B between parallel casting rolls to create 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, which may have an average surface distribution of between 5 and 200 peaks per mm2 and an average height of at least 10 microns. In order to suppress chatter defects, the molten steel also has manganese content of at least 0.55% by weight and a silicon content in the range of 0.1 to 0.35% by weight. The strip is thus capable of moving away from the casting pool at a speed of more than 60 meters per minute without substantial high speed chattering defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Castrip, LLC
    Inventors: Nikolco S. Nikolovski, Rama Ballav Mahapatra, Lazar Strezov
  • Patent number: 6962190
    Abstract: Casting wheel for continuous casting of metal, including a casting groove for the metal along its periphery, for supply of metal melt while the wheel rotates in a vertical plane, said wheel cooperating with an endless belt that runs together with the wheel during a part of the rotation of the wheel and covers the groove while forming a casting chamber. The wheel comprises two wheel rings mounted for rotation about axes that are set at an angle between each other, whereby the width of the groove varies during rotation of the wheel. The wheel rings defines a first groove wall and the groove bottom, while the other wheel ring defines the other groove wall, which moves axially relatively to the first groove wall, along the groove bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Heggset Engineering A.S.
    Inventor: Bjarne A. Heggset
  • Patent number: 6904954
    Abstract: In manufacturing a magnesium alloy, continuous casting is performed using a movable mold. A magnesium alloy to be processed by presswork, forging, and the like can be efficiently provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taichiro Nishikawa, Yoshihiro Nakai
  • Publication number: 20040084173
    Abstract: In manufacturing a magnesium alloy, continuous casting is performed using a movable mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Taichiro Nishikawa, Yoshihiro Nakai
  • 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: 6634415
    Abstract: A continuous extrusion machine has a chassis (1) supporting a wheel (2) for rotation by a motor. An endless groove (7) extends around the periphery of the wheel (2). A shoe (3) is mounted in the chassis (1) and has an enveloping surface shaped to closely envelop an arc of the wheel (2) periphery so that the groove (7) co-operates with the shoe (3) to form a passage. An abutment is mounted on the shoe (3) to extend into the passage at a downstream end. Tooling is mounted in the shoe (3) including a die such that a material such as aluminium or copper bar fed into the groove (7) is extruded through the die as a consequence of the energy transfer via friction from the rotating wheel (2). A gap (12) exists between the enveloping surface and the wheel (2). The gap (12) is used to provide the orifice of a sonic gap (12) sensor whereby the size of the gap (12) can be accurately and directly measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Holton Machinery
    Inventors: Brian Maddock, Martin James Smith
  • Patent number: 6431256
    Abstract: A cooling roll having superficial dimples, for continuous casting machines with a pair of counterotating rolls in contact with the cast metal is characterized by the fact that it presents the surface that comes to contact with the cast metal provided with a first and a second dimensional order of cavities (6,7) randomly spaced, and optionally, at least partially in contact between them; the strickle impressed on the roll surface (1) of each cavity (6,7) of at least one of said first and second dimensional order being of polygonal or circular shape and, more preferably rhomboidal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignees: Acciai Speciali Terni S.P.A., Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau
    Inventors: Alessandro Ferretti, Pietro Tolve, Romeo Capotosti, Gerald Hohenbichler
  • Patent number: 5636681
    Abstract: A layer of liquid parting agent, and any solid detritus contained therein, is completely removed from a casting surface of a rotating belt after contact with molten metal. A new layer of liquid parting agent is applied to the casting surface thereafter and prior to renewed contact with the molten metal. The removal of used parting agent and the application of fresh helps to prevent the formation of surface blemishes and defects on the cast metal strip product. Such blemishes and defects can also be minimized by using an injector having a flexible tip used to inject the molten metal onto the casting surface and preferably one or more spacers to create a gap between the tip and the casting surface itself. The spacer is preferably a screen of wire strands orientated to minimize disruption of the new layer of liquid parting agent applied to the casting surface. By avoiding disruption of the new layer of liquid parting agent, surface blemishes on the cast product are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: John Sulzer, Olivo G. Sivilotti, Ronald R. Desrosiers
  • Patent number: 5484010
    Abstract: The device includes a series of fixed and mobile guide tables that guide and progressively bend the strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Clecim
    Inventors: Andre Rouzeval, Christian Viel
  • Patent number: 5137075
    Abstract: Apparatus for continuously casting strip material comprising a casting drum rotatable about a first axis, a pair of cheek members including portions slidably engageable with sides of the casting drum mounted for rotation about a second axis spaced from said first axis and a casting belt wrapped around a portion of the cheek members together defining a converging casting arc. The cheek members include peripheral surfaces engageable by marginal edges of the casting belt which maintain a variable casting gap between a casting surface on the belt and a casting surface on the drum. The eccentric mounting of the cheek members with respect to the casting drum cause the spacing between the belt and the drum to decrease as the end of the casting arc is reached. The cheek members each include tapered side surfaces which together with the casting drum define ear receiving recesses that increase in a radial direction as the end of the casting arc is approached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: LTV Steel Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles C. Gerding
  • Patent number: 4987948
    Abstract: An apparatus removably fastened to the casting wheel assembly of a continuous wheel and belt type casting machine which prevents damage to the copper mold member of said casting wheel apparatus when said member is removed from the continuous casting machine and placed on a hard horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Covert E. Fender, Randy C. Wynn, Sr., Vernon J. Miller
  • Patent number: 4957155
    Abstract: The casting wheel of a continuous casting machine is cooled by a conventional external spray cooling system, but the continuous band looped around the casting wheel to close a predetermined segment of it and thereby form a continuous moving mold cavity is not directly cooled. Rather, the band incorporates a layer of heat-insulative sheet material to deter heat transfer from molten metal introduced into the mold cavity through the band. The result is that the metal solidifies in a direction generally radially outward from the casting wheel toward the insulated band. Shrinkage of the metal occurs primarily adjacent to the band so as to eliminate or reduce internal shrinkage cracks and voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Inventor: Zdenek Trnka
  • Patent number: 4830088
    Abstract: A method and apparatus apply an insulating layer of carbon to individual faces of the continuously rotating mold surface of a wheel and belt type casting machine, utilizing separately controllable and directable soot applicators to selectively vary the heat transfer characteristics of the individual mold surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventor: Vernon J. Miller
  • Patent number: 4693295
    Abstract: In a device for continuous casting that uses a casting wheel (5) molten material is fed into a recess that runs around the outer periphery of the casting wheel in tangential direction, the recess being open to the outside. During the rotational movement of the casting wheel the material hardens partially in the recess, with the formation of a solid skin. At least in the section up to the formation of the solid skin the recess is closed off by an endless steel strip (6) that passes over guide rollers (7,8,9), the strip (6) being pressed against the casting wheel. The application force for the steel strip is exerted by a chain (11) that is arranged--viewed from the casting wheel--in the pressure area behind the steel strip. This chain is subjected to a corresponding tensile force. To this end, one (10) of the guide rollers (8,9,10) for the chain is installed so as to be movable and subjected to a force that generates the tensile force in the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Korf Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Siegfried Henders
  • Patent number: 4579169
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the recycling accumulation of at least one moving continuous band in a continuous molten metal casting machine of the type having continuously advancing mold parts, at least one of which is formed by said band and wherein at a station located in a spaced relationship to said casting machine, the elongated continuous band, belt, or strip is accumulated from the mold end and simultaneously fed out or supplied to the mold beginning. In combination therewith are the use of means to properly tension said band or bands, and means to join the ends thereof to new lengths of band, belt, or strip so as to connect a substantially unlimited number of individual elongated belts to the one in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Gary W. Bradley, Alexander N. Morrison
  • Patent number: 4559992
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for continuously casting a filament, such as a glassy metal filament, at high speed within a zone of preselected vacuum. A continuous extrusion mechanism and a rapidly moving quench surface are located within a casting module. A vacuum mechanism provides the preselected vacuum in the module as the filament is cast, and a transport mechanism continuously moves the resultant rapidly advancing filament across the boundary between the vacuum in the casting airlock mechanism substantially preserves the module vacuum as the cast filament is transported across the boundary and a passivator mechanism passivates the quench surface to prevent the filament from adhering thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Bedell, Robert W. Smith, Howard H. Liebermann
  • Patent number: 4537243
    Abstract: The casting belt is preheated with steam closely ahead of the entrance to the casting zone by providing wrap-around steam feed tubes having nozzles, such tubes being positioned in very deep circumferential grooves in input pulley or nip pulley which moves the casting belt into the input end of the casting zone. These circumferential grooves of the input or nip pulley also house wrap-around liquid coolant feed tubes for cooling the casting belt near the beginning of the casting zone. The wrap-around steam feed tubes also have radial ports positioned to direct steam toward the reverse side of the endless belt, with the port being spaced from the nozzle thereby providing a staged elevation of temperature in the flexible casting belt on the input or nip pulley, while the belt is in contact therewith before the belt reaches the casting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Hazelett Strip-Casting Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Hazelett, John F. B. Wood
  • Patent number: 4524821
    Abstract: Casting band heater for molten metal continuous casting apparatus, wherein a casting band forming one of the mold surfaces is preheated to improve the operational life of the casting band. The apparatus also assures a dry band to avoid steam explosions and gas entrapments. The band heater includes an efficient burner and a band enclosure which can be opened for band changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Milton E. Berry, Mitsuyoshi Shibata
  • Patent number: 4465120
    Abstract: In a continuous casting plant of the wheel and belt type, the grooved casting wheel 11, and the associated belt or band 12, are tilted laterally so that the plane of rotation is inclined. As a result, the cast bar 30 emerges from the casting wheel without any horizontal surface, and passes to bar preparation machinery with this orientation, prior to being rolled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Smith, Robert S. Linne
  • Patent number: 4444244
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are set forth relating to casting of metals with a high melting point utilizing a casting wheel having a grooved rim into which liquid metal is introduced. The metal is sealed during solidification by means of movable flaps which move with the wheel during its rotation. Cooling device and device for positioning of the flaps are provided and the apparatus provides for manufacture of bars or strips of ferrous or non-ferrous metals which are free from sharp edges and burrs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Ugine Aciers
    Inventor: Robert Petit
  • Patent number: 4421154
    Abstract: A fail safe air wipe for use with a casting band cleaning system wherein cleanser and rinsing agent used to clean the casting band of a continuous casting machine is removed from the band by mechanical wiping means when pneumatic supply to pneumatic wiping means falters to prevent explosion which may result from contacting the molten material being cast with the cleanser or rinsing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventor: Michael C. Smith
  • Patent number: 4412580
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for and a method for more uniform and rapid cooling of molten metal, which is continuously cast into a wheel-band machine, by dispersing a relatively small amount of coolant from the periphery of a band presser wheel onto the continuous metal band at the point where the molten metal first contacts said band, with the unexpected beneficial effects of increasing the cast bar temperature and greatly reducing the amount of inverse segregation on the band-side surface of the resulting cast bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Chadwick, E. Henry Chia, Robert H. Ogletree, Frank M. Powers, Larry S. Richardson
  • Patent number: 4393917
    Abstract: Molten material is fed into an elongated outwardly open mold, moving in a predetermined path, and is thereafter conveyed by the mold movement at least partway through a region of such path over which a closure for the outward opening of the mold moves along therewith, the material concurrently being cooled to become solidified. The movements of such mold and closure cause the solidified material to be extruded through stationary die means disposed in such region. Such material may solder metal formed into a tube into which is inserted rosin, the same heat exchange medium being used both to cool the metal prior to its extrusion and to keep the rosin molten prior to such insertion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: Western Electric Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis J. Fuchs, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4339508
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thin and flexible ribbon of superconductor material such as V.sub.3 Sn, V.sub.3 Ge, V.sub.3 Si, Nb.sub.3 Sn, Nb.sub.3 Ge, Nb.sub.3 Si and La-Au having a fine and compact microscopic structure comprises heating raw superconductor material at a temperature within the range between its melting point and 300.degree. C. above the melting point to form a melt having suitable wettability and viscosity; ejecting the melt through a nozzle under a pressure within the range from 0.01 to 1.5 atm. against a cooling surface of a moving substrate such as a rotating drum; and cooling instantaneously and very rapidly a jet flow of the melt on the cooling surface at a cooling rate of 1,000.degree. C. to 1,000,000.degree. C./sec. In order to manufacture the thin elongated ribbon of excellent configuration it is preferable to effect the cooling in a reduced atmosphere. The invention also provides the thin and flexible ribbon processed by the above mentioned process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignee: Shiro Maeda
    Inventors: Noboru Tsuya, Kenichi Arai
  • Patent number: 4300618
    Abstract: A casting wheel for a continuous casting machine of the wheel-and-belt type is provided with at least one annular member defining one of the lateral walls of the casting groove. The annular member is secured to one of the support flanges of the casting ring preferably by interposition of a gauged annular distance piece, this piece having each time an axial length such as to obtain, when added to the annular member, the desired groove width. The casting wheel is particularly suitable for casting aluminum strips. Substitution of a gauged annular distance piece with another having a different axial length allows the width of the cast strips to be varied without substituting the whole casting ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Inventor: Giulio Properzi
  • Patent number: 4287934
    Abstract: An improvement in wheel-band type continuous metal casting machines wherein a stationary corner filling device is used in combination with the usual moving mold members, such as the wheel and band, to modify the mold geometry so as to prevent corner cracking of the cast bar due to the uneven solidification stresses present in conventionally molded shapes having sharp or square edges, especially useful in modifying the usual trapezoidal cross sections of prior art molds for the casting of steel alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventor: George C. Ward
  • Patent number: 4250950
    Abstract: A mold for casting metals is provided with a roughened surface so that, on first contact of the mold with the melt, heat transfer is controlled in such a way that the melt comes into contact only with the peaks of the projections on the mold surface and an air gap is formed between the melt and the valleys on the surface. The pattern of roughness on the mold surface comprises a uniform arrangement of pyramidal or blunted-cone shaped projections. Neighboring projections are spaced a distance d of 0.05 to 1 mm apart and have a height h of 0.1d<h<d. The pyramid or blunted con surfaces satisfy the condition of 0.05<.function./d.sup.2 <0.5. A process which does not involve deformation is preferred for producing the rough pattern, for example, a photochemical etching process. The molds are suitable for many casting processes, in particular for continuous D.C. ingot or strip casting with moving molds and caterpillar track type mold belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1981
    Assignee: Swiss Aluminium Ltd.
    Inventors: Kurt Buxmann, Martin Bolliger, Ivan Gyongyos
  • Patent number: 4235278
    Abstract: The invention concerns an improvement in the casting ring which is provided on the periphery of the wheel in continuous casting machines. This ring is characterized in that its entire internal surface is in contact with the cast metal in the region of solidification, it is mounted completely freely on its support means, and it has a thickness in the vicinity of 1 mm. These characteristics enable it to be deformed when hot into a shape which is similar to its cold profile. This gives rise to the possibility of controlling the solidification of ingots and the aptitude for withdrawing the ingots without surface defects at a temperature higher than that obtained by the customary machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Assignee: Aluminum Pechiney
    Inventors: Marc Delatte, Philippe Chevalier
  • Patent number: 4211271
    Abstract: An improvement in wheel-band type continuous metal casting machines wherein a corner filling device or material is used in combination with the mold members such as the wheel and band to modify the mold geometry so as to prevent corner cracking due to the solidification stresses present in conventional mold shapes having sharp or square edges, especially useful in modifying the usual trapezoidal cross sections of prior art molds. Ablative, conductive, or insulating materials, selected in accordance with the desired change in solidification pattern, may be introduced into the mold either separate from, or attached to the moving mold members such as the endless band or the casting wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventor: George C. Ward
  • Patent number: 4210198
    Abstract: Continuous casting apparatus is disclosed having a rotatable casting wheel 10 formed with an annular groove 12 in the wheel rim and an endless metallic band 20 mounted for movement along an endless path passing over and in contact with the casting wheel rim. Means 15, 17, 18, 19 are provided for introducing molten metal 16 into the casting wheel groove 12 under the endless band 20. A band hold-down roller 25 biases the band 20 firmly against the casting wheel rim overlaying the casting wheel groove 12. The hold-down roller 25 has an annular groove 26 located over the casting wheel groove into which an arched portion 21 of the endless metallic band 20 may intrude upon being heated by molten metal introduced into the casting wheel groove and thermally expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1980
    Assignee: Nassau Recycle Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph I. Cole
  • Patent number: 4194553
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for cooling and guiding a strip of metal discharged from a casting mold into a straightening section of a continuous casting machine in which a casting wheel is provided with a peripheral groove with a portion of its length closed by an endless belt to form the casting mold. A surface of the metal strip on the side of the casting wheel is cooled by a sheet of liquid coolant which flows on the surface and guided by a hydrostatic bearing of the liquid coolant while the metal strip is gradually straightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1980
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Kimura, Tadashi Nishino
  • Patent number: 4190103
    Abstract: For supporting and cooling the reverse surfaces of belts in apparatus for continuously casting metal strip between such belts, means enclosing the reverse surface of a belt includes a multiplicity of guiding faces that are distributed closely both crosswise and lengthwise of the belt to define an intended belt path, and that have nozzle openings through which liquid coolant is projected against the belt, rapidly flowing out in a layer over the guiding face and being withdrawn at localities close to all of the guiding faces. The belt, which may be forced toward the faces to stabilize it in its desired path, thus rests on a layer of rapidly moving liquid coolant, which affords efficient heat removal and an essentially complete liquid bearing, such apparatus and procedure being also deemed applicable to cooling other surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1980
    Assignee: Alcan Research and Development Limited
    Inventors: Olivo G. Sivilotti, David E. Steer, Thomas A. C. Stock
  • Patent number: 4172490
    Abstract: In a continuous molten metal casting apparatus of the wheel-band type, wherein an elongated endless metal band partially closes a groove inscribed about the periphery of the rotatable casting wheel, an apparatus to apply and maintain a fixed, determinable tension to the elongated, endless band. The tension apparatus of the present invention permits the use of greatly elongated casting bands, maintaining a tension thereon, even during electrical power or air pressure supply failure, to thus provide improved band life. The tension wheel is rotatably mounted upon a carriage which slides on a pair of bellows-enclosed shafts, the carriage riding on a plurality of ball bushings. A dual-action air cylinder, attached at one end to the carriage and the other to the tension mechanism frame, operatively tensions the band through the wheel and carriage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1979
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventor: Peter W. Ware
  • Patent number: 4122889
    Abstract: An improved cooling method and apparatus for a continuous casting process of the type wherein the mold is a rotatable casting wheel having a peripheral groove with a portion enclosed by an endless band. The improved cooling of the hot cast metal bar is accomplished by injecting a cooling fluid, under pressure, into the shrinkage gap between the hot continuously cast bar and the band portion of the mold after the bar is partially solidified but before it is removed from the wheel portion of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventor: Roy Richards
  • Patent number: 4117880
    Abstract: An improvement in casting machines in which the molten metal solidifies inside the groove of a wheel, consisting of replacing the steel band generally used for covering the groove by a double band. A first band of copper or of an alloy which is a good conductor of heat is used for dissipating heat but is not under any tension. The tension is provided by a steel band in two parts which bears on the sides of the copper band and keeps it in contact with the casting wheel. The invention applies in particular to the casting of blanks of charged aluminum alloys for the production of machine wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1978
    Assignee: Societe de Vente de l'Aluminium Pechiney
    Inventors: Louis Cimetiere, Richard Gonda
  • Patent number: 4096906
    Abstract: Apparatus for continuously casting molten metal wherein an endless band is used to form a mold by enclosing a portion of the peripheral groove of the casting wheel of a wheel-band type casting machine. The endless band is guided about the periphery of the casting wheel by a plurality of band support wheels, at least two of which are provided with adjustable band positioning apparatus for maintaining the endless band in proper alignment over the casting wheel during casting. Each band support wheel is rotatably mounted on a shaft and is axially adjustable relative to its respective shaft for positioning the endless band laterally of the casting wheel. Each shaft is also adjustably pivotable about a point intermediate the shaft ends for skewing the band support wheel rotational axis relative to the casting wheel axis to steer the endless band into a substantially centered position over the casting wheel groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventor: Yves Bernard Bonnamour
  • Patent number: 4091860
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a combined wheel spreader and crack closer adapted to maintain the predetermined draft angle of the casting groove of an open casting wheel while simultaneously working the interior surface thereof to close cracks and smooth out flaws therein during a casting operation. The wheel spreader includes rollers adapted to bear in rolling contact against the interior side walls of the casting groove, and the crack closer includes a roller adapted to bear in rolling contact against the bottom surface of the casting groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1973
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventor: Milton E. Berry
  • Patent number: 4082136
    Abstract: A rotary casting machine with an improved translatable band comprising a rigid frame with a rotary casting wheel having a peripheral groove mounted on the frame, the band and the wheel being relatively moveable to move "damaged" surface areas of the band out of contact with the wheel and present "new" surface areas for molding purposes. An endless band frictionally engages a portion of the wheel, the band having a width greater than the width of the casting wheel. Guide rollers on the frame orient the band properly on the frame and into cooperation with the groove of the casting wheel so as to form a mold. A power source drives the casting wheel and the frictionally engaged endless band. A spout is provided for the addition of molten metal to the groove and band mold. A pusher is provided to adjustably translate the band laterally across the peripheral groove of the casting wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1978
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventor: Yves B. Bonnamour
  • Patent number: 4069860
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for continuously casting molten metal are disclosed wherein a flexible belt is used to enclose the peripheral groove of the casting wheel of a wheel-belt type machine and the useful life of the belt as well as the heat-transfer rate of the molten metal are increased by providing a continuous length of ablative material on the surface of said flexible belt which contacts the molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1978
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventor: George C. Ward
  • Patent number: 4064929
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a rolled product from a continuously cast blank provides a continuous casting in a groove in a wheel which groove is closed over part of its length by a metal ribbon and the length of closed groove is adjustable to obtain, for the product being produced, the optimum characteristics of the blank at emergence from the groove for a given wheel speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1977
    Assignees: Secim, Societe de Vente de l'Aluminium Pechiney
    Inventors: Andre Quehen, Roger Figueres