Specific Mold Or Product Cooling Patents (Class 164/485)
  • Patent number: 10758970
    Abstract: A caterpillar casting machine for producing a cast material from liquid metal, including two guide rails, which are used to form two endless horizontal circulating tracks arranged opposite each other, and a plurality of support elements, which are each guided on the guide rails with cooling blocks attached thereto such that a continuous chain of support elements is formed. The support elements are moved in a transport direction along the circulating tracks. Between the cooling blocks, which arrive at the opposite position in straight sections of the circulating tracks of the guide rails, a moving casting mold for the cast material is formed. A cooling device is also provided, which has separate cooling zones each with at least one cooling nozzle, wherein the cooling zones can be individually controlled along the transport direction and/or transverse to the transport direction to adjust an opening or closing of the cooling nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SMS GROUP GMBH
    Inventors: Sebastian Böcking, Guido Fick
  • Patent number: 10315245
    Abstract: Provided is mold flux that can prevent longitudinal cracks from forming on a surface of a slab upon continuous-casting hypo-peritectic steel, wherein CaO, SiO2, an alkali metal oxide and a fluorine compound are contained, 1.1?(CaO)h/(SiO2)h?1.9, 0.10?(CaF2)h/((CaO)h+(SiO2)h+(CaF2)h)?0.40 and 0?(alkali metal fluoride)h/((CaO)h+(SiO2)h+(alkali metal fluoride)h)?0.10 are satisfied, a solidification temperature is no less than 1300° C., and viscosity at 1450° C. is no more than 0.1 Pa·s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahito Hanao
  • Patent number: 10286447
    Abstract: A heat transfer coefficient ? between a solidified shell (2) and a mold (4) sandwiching a mold flux layer (3), and a heat transfer coefficient ? between a molten steel (1) and the solidified shell (2) are found by solving an inverse problem by using data from thermocouples (6), and a solidified shell thickness and a solidified shell temperature are estimated (solidified state in mold estimation amounts), and further, solidified state in mold evaluation amounts are obtained. It is determined whether a normal casting state or an abnormal casting state by comparing at least one or more kinds of amounts contained in the solidified state in mold estimation amounts and the solidified state in mold evaluation amounts with allowable limit values which are found based on at least one or more kinds of amounts contained in the solidified state in mold estimation amounts and the solidified state in mold evaluation amounts when the abnormal casting occurred in a past and stored in a data storage part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Kosugi, Kensuke Okazawa, Junichi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9200357
    Abstract: Disclosed is a steel for machine structural use including 0.05-0.8% of C, 0.03-2% of Si, 0.2-1.8% of Mn, 0.1-0.5% of Al, 0.0005-0.008% of B, and 0.002-0.015% of N, and including 0.03% of P or less (excluding 0%), 0.03% of S or less (excluding 0%), and 0.002% of O or less (excluding 0%), with the remainder comprising iron and unavoidable impurities. The ratio of BN/AlN precipitated in the steel is 0.020-0.2. Also disclosed is a case hardened steel component in which the ratio of BN/AlN deposited on the carburized or carbonitrided component surface is 0.01 or less and a manufacturing method for same. The steel for machine structural use exhibits excellent machinability in continuous cutting at high speeds using cemented carbide tools, and in interrupted cutting at low speeds using high-speed steel tools, as well as excellent impact performance, even after being subjected to a heat treatment such as quenching and tempering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiro Tsuchida, Tomokazu Masuda, Mutsuhisa Nagahama
  • Patent number: 8939194
    Abstract: A continuous cast slab includes the following component: by mass %, C: 0.01˜0.3%, Si: 0.05˜0.5%, Mn: 0.4˜2%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.03 or less, Al: 0.005˜0.03%, Ni: 0.2˜2%, O: 0.006% or less, and N: 0.006% or less; wherein the balance is composed of Fe and inevitable impurities; wherein a structure in steel in a region within at least 2 mm from a broad surface is composed of ferrite and pearlite and a equivalent circular diameter of ferrite grains in the region is equal to or shorter than 30 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventors: Akihito Kiyose, Toshiyuki Kajitani, Mineo Niizuma, Yasuhiko Otani
  • Patent number: 8899305
    Abstract: Crystallizer for continuous casting, having a monolithic structure defined by lateral walls in the thickness of which channels (11) are made in which a cooling liquid flows. The channels (11) are geometrically sized so as to define, in a zone substantially astride the meniscus (M), an increased transit speed of the cooling liquid, wherein by increased speed it is intended that in at least some of the cooling channels (11) the speed of transit of the cooling liquid is greater in the zone astride the meniscus (M) compared with a zone below or above said zone astride the meniscus (M).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventors: Marco Ansoldi, Gianluca Bazzaro, Andrea De Luca
  • Publication number: 20140096929
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for continuously casting a metal slab. The method involves continuously introducing molten metal into an inlet of a casting cavity defined between advancing casting surfaces, cooling the metal in the cavity to form a metal slab, and discharging the slab from the cavity through an outlet. The casting surfaces have an ability to remove heat from the metal but this ability is reduced, thus reducing heat flux, for at least one of the casting surfaces in a region of the cavity spaced from both the inlet and the outlet and extending transversely to the casting direction. This reduced ability to remove heat is relative to such ability of the casting surface in immediately adjacent upstream and downstream regions of the cavity. The apparatus may be a twin belt caster or other form of continuous caster modified to perform the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Novelis Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Gatenby, Edwin Stanley Luce
  • Patent number: 8631854
    Abstract: With a continuous casting method for producing preliminary profiles, in particular double T preliminary profiles, the downwardly flowing cooling water is pushed out of the internal curve of the preliminary profile strand (3) via the profile flanges and discharged using water nozzles (21, 22) aligned substantially to the crossover from the bar (4) to the respective flange (5, 6) by means of the diverting water delivered via the water nozzles (21, 22). In this way the excessive cooling caused by downwardly running cooling water is largely avoided in the internal curve of the preliminary profile strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: SMS Concast AG
    Inventors: Christian Dratva, Klaus Von Eynatten
  • Publication number: 20130248137
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for continuously casting a metal slab. The method involves continuously introducing molten metal into an inlet of a casting cavity defined between advancing casting surfaces, cooling the metal in the cavity to form a metal slab, and discharging the slab from the cavity through an outlet. The casting surfaces have an ability to remove heat from the metal but this ability is reduced, thus reducing heat flux, for at least one of the casting surfaces in a region of the cavity spaced from both the inlet and the outlet and extending transversely to the casting direction. This reduced ability to remove heat is relative to such ability of the casting surface in immediately adjacent upstream and downstream regions of the cavity. The apparatus may be a twin belt caster or other form of continuous caster modified to perform the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Kevin Michael GATENBY, Edwin Stanley Luce
  • Publication number: 20120237395
    Abstract: The invention relates to a manufacturing method for making an unwrought semi-finished product having at mid thickness a density of micropores of size greater than 90 ?m less than 50% and preferably less than 20% of the density of micropores of size greater than 90 ?m obtained by a method according to prior art. The method according to the invention comprises in particular an ultrasound treatment step for the molten metal bath in a furnace and/or a vessel using an immersed device comprising at least one ultrasound transmitter. The semi-finished products obtained according to the method of the invention are particularly advantageous for manufacturing by rolling sheets designed for the aircraft industry to produce spars, ribs, upper and lower wing skins and for manufacturing by extrusion sections designed for the aircraft industry to produce stiffeners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicants: Constellium France, ALCAN REHNALU
    Inventor: Philippe JARRY
  • Publication number: 20120186773
    Abstract: A coolant or wiper control system for use in continuous casting mold for controlling and managing the coolants interaction with the castpart during casting. In some aspects of the process, the wiper framework is started sufficiently away from the bottom block so as not to interfere or cause/allow coolant to get into the bottom block; is then rapidly moved back to the emerging castpart during transient heat-up; and then moved away from the mold with the solidified castpart at a controlled rate to a predetermined steady state position or to a second transitory state of the casting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Craig Shaber
  • Patent number: 8074704
    Abstract: Methods and associated apparatus for semi-continuous casting of hollow ingots are described. In one embodiment a method for the semi-continuous casting of a metallic hollow ingot is provided. The method includes providing a mold that includes a mold center having an inner pipe and an outer pipe arranged to form an annular space for a cooling media and an outer mold, circulating a cooling media in the annular space, feeding a source material to the mold, heating the source material to produce a molten material, moving the mold center progressively downward relative to the outer mold, and solidifying the molten material to form a hollow ingot. Embodiments relating to an apparatus for semi-continuous casting of hollow ingots, and products resulting from the semi-continuous casting of hollow ingots are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Titanium Metals Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Blackburn, Richard Roth, Andrew Purse, David May
  • Patent number: 8056610
    Abstract: A secondary cooling apparatus capable of gradually cooling cast thin pieces and a cast apparatus that uses it are provided. A comb tooth-shaped device is arranged inside a vessel of the secondary cooling apparatus; the cast thin pieces are piled on the comb tooth-shaped device; and crushed small pieces are placed thereon. After the cast thin pieces and the crushed small pieces are gradually cooled, the cast thin pieces are crushed by a pressing device. The crushed small pieces are rapidly cooled by being in contact with a surface of a bottom wall and side faces of cooling teeth. Nd-rich phases or R-rich phases can be annealed by the gradual cooling, and after the crushed small pieces are rapidly cooled to its oxidation temperature or below, the crushed small pieces can be taken out to the air atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ulvac, Inc.
    Inventors: Youichi Hirose, Hiroshi Nagata
  • Patent number: 8051893
    Abstract: A liquid-cooled permanent chill mold for the continuous casting of metals, including a permanent chill mold plate (2) made of copper or a copper alloy and an adapter plate (3), on which the permanent chill mold plates (2) are fastened via fastening bolts (12). The permanent chill mold plates (3) are coupled to the adapter plates (3) via sheet metal holders (19) situated in their top regions and base regions (20, 21), in addition to via the fastening bolts (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: KME Germany AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Günter Wobker, Gerhard Hugenschütt, Thomas Rolf
  • Patent number: 7967275
    Abstract: A hard film and a hard film-coated material having better wear resistance and sliding performance (due to lower friction coefficients) than conventional surface coating layers, wherein the hard film includes at least one covering layer A and at least one covering layer B stacked one over the other, both having a thickness of 5 to 100 nm. The covering layer has a composition represented by the formula M(BaCbN1?a?b), where M denotes one or more elements selected from W, V, Mo, and Nb, and a and b denote the atomic ratio of B and C, respectively, as defined below. 0?a?0.3 . . . (1A), and 0?b?0.5 . . . (2A). Covering layer B has a composition represented by the formula Ti1?x?yCrxAlySiz(C1?ANA) where x, y, z, and A denote the atomic ratio of Cr, Al, Si, and N, respectively, as defined below. 0?1?x?y?0.5 . . . (1B), 0?x?0.5 . . . (2B), 0.4?y?0.7 . . . (3B), 0?z?0.15 . . . (4B), and 0.5?A?1 . . . (5B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7967056
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing steel long products provides for starting from a continuous casting step with liquid core reduction, followed by induction heating without interruption until the end of a rolling step in a plurality of stands. The blooms or billets subjected to such a process have initial thickness in the range between 120 and 400 mm and a high “mass flow” passing in the time unit at the outlet from the continuous casting, as well as an average temperature in the cross-section which is higher than the surface temperature, being in the core or inner middle region higher by 100° C. than on the surface, that is of about 1200° C. A plant for carrying out such a process is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Giovanni Arvedi
  • Publication number: 20110103996
    Abstract: A continuous cast slab includes the following component: by mass %, C: 0.01˜0.3%, Si: 0.05˜0.5%, Mn: 0.4˜2%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.03 or less, Al: 0.005˜0.03%, Ni: 0.2˜2%, O: 0.006% or less, and N: 0.006% or less; wherein the balance is composed of Fe and inevitable impurities; wherein a structure in steel in a region within at least 2 mm from a broad surface is composed of ferrite and pearlite and a equivalent circular diameter of ferrite grains in the region is equal to or shorter than 30 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Akihito Kiyose, Toshiyuki Kajitani, Mineo Niizuma, Yasuhiko Otani
  • Publication number: 20110005705
    Abstract: Mold flux for continuously casting steel which contains SiO2, T.CaO, Al2O3 and MgO as main components, one or two or more of alkali metal oxides, and further the constituent F, while the ratio of the T.CaO content to the SiO2 content being from 0.7 to 2.0, the Al2O3 content being 35% or less, the MgO content being 20% or less, the total content of alkali metal oxides being 8% or less, the F content being 7% or less, characterized in that each of the contents expressed by formulae (b) to (e) below satisfies the formula (a): 0.63+2.51×YAl2O3?YCaO/YSiO2?1.23+2.51×YAl2O3 . . . (a), YSiO2=XSiO2/(XSiO2+XCaO+XAl2O3+XMgO) . . . (b), YCaO=XCaO/(XSiO2+XCaO+XAl2O3+XMgO) . . . (c), YAl2O3=XAl2O3/(XSiO2+XCaO+XAl2O3+XMgO) . . . (d), and YMgO=XMgO/(XSiO2+XCaO+XAl2O3+XMgO) . . . (e). Continuous casting of a round billet using this mold flux can effectively prevent the generation of pin-hole defects and longitudinal cracking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Masahito Hanao, Masayuki Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20100098580
    Abstract: A casted aluminum alloy obtained by casting a molten metal of an aluminum alloy, an aluminum alloy material obtained by at least heating the casted aluminum alloy, and methods for producing them. In the production of the casted aluminum alloy, a molten metal is obtained by melting an aluminum alloy containing 0.8 to 5 mass % of Fe, 0.15 to 1 mass % of Ti, Zr or the like as third component elements in an specific amount, and a residual part containing Al and inevitable impurities at a certain temperature (melting step). Subsequently, the molten metal is cast into a plate-like shape by a casting mold while cooling the molten metal to a temperature that is lower by at least 10° C. than a solidus temperature of the aluminum alloy at a cooling rate of 150° C./sec. or more and less than 10000° C./sec. (casting step).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventor: Hideaki Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20090314460
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for strip casting using a travelling mould which is cooled by a liquid coolant. The invention is characterised in that the coolant is liquid metal or ionic liquid. Preferably, the coolant flows with turbulent flow through the cooling device attributed to the travelling mould.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: SO & SO Sommerhofer OEG
    Inventors: Hubert Sommerhofer, Peter Sommerhofer
  • Publication number: 20080202721
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooling system for a chamber of an ingot growth apparatus. In the present invention, guide blades (180) are provided in a base plate (100) at positions adjacent to unevenly curved parts of a guide line (170), which is the base plate (100), and along which cooling water flows. Furthermore, guide blades (360) are provided in a lid (300) at positions adjacent to ports, which are provided in the lid (300) and interfere with the flow of cooling water. As such, in the present invention, the guide blades are provided in the base plate (100) and the lid (300), which define the chamber, at positions at which cooling water creates stationary vortices, thus solving a problem of water stagnation, thereby increasing a cooling effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Jong Gu Lee
  • Patent number: 7147033
    Abstract: A twin-drum continuous casting apparatus for casting a metal sheet (4) by supplying molten metal (3) to a pouring basin formed by a pair of cooling drums (1) rotating in opposite directions, and side gates (2), to cool the molten metal (3) by contact with surfaces of the cooling drums (1), thereby forming a solidified shell. The cooling drum (1) is formed from a drum body (11) having shaft portions at opposite end portions, and a drum sleeve (10) fitted on an outer peripheral portion of the drum body (11). Also, means is provided for preventing various adverse influences due to differences in thermal expansion of constituent members of the drum body (11) during casting. Thus, the reliability of the apparatus is increased, and the quality of casting is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Yamamoto, Ritsuo Hashimoto, Mitsuo Tani, Kazutoshi Yokoo, Jyoji Yusa, Kunimasa Sasaki, Katsuyoshi Miyake, Katsuyuki Isogami, Mamoru Yamada, Tsuyoshi Tanaka, Takashi Arai, Tadahiro Izu, Keiji Tsunenari, Kazuto Yamamura, Hiroshi Izaki
  • Patent number: 7077186
    Abstract: A mold for horizontal casting of molten metal comprising a mold body forming an open-ended mold cavity having an inlet end and an outlet end. An annular permeable wall member is mounted in the mold body adjacent the inlet end of the mold cavity with an inner face thereof forming an interior face of the mold. A refractory transition plate is mounted at the inlet end of the mold cavity, this transition plate providing a mold inlet opening having a cross-section less than that of the mold cavity. This provides an annular shoulder at the inlet end of the cavity. Means are provided for feeding molten aluminum through the inlet opening. Separate conduits are also provided for feeding a gas into the shoulder and via the permeable wall means for providing a layer of gas between the metal and the inner face of the mold. A gas that is more reactive with molten aluminum is fed into the shoulder and a less reactive gas is fed via the permeable wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Novelis Inc.
    Inventors: Wade Lee Bowles, Jack Hamby, Alexander J. Fischer, David A. Salee
  • Patent number: 6973957
    Abstract: A mold shorter side frame of a continuous casting mold is exchanged integrally as it is to enable on-line change of the thickness of the case piece. As the method, a concave portion for engaging a portion of the moving device and an attaching/detaching mechanism having a fixing jig for fixing the portion of the moving device are disposed at the back of the shorter side frame. Particularly, an attaching/detaching mechanism comprising a concave forming portion having a downwarded opening and a bolt screw passing from the back of the concave forming portion through at least a portion of said portion of the moving device is suitable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Naito
  • Publication number: 20040256080
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimizing the cooling capacity of a continuous casting mold (1) for liquid metals, particularly for liquid steel, by homogenizing the thermal load (22) above the height of the continuous casting mold (1). According to the method, the cooling medium (5) is guided through a cross-sectional area of a large number of cooling medium channels (3) or cooling medium boreholes (4) running approximately parallel to the cast billet (9). The cooling medium cross-sectional areas between the mold entry (6) and the mold exit (7) are configured differently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Werner Rahmfeld, Erwin Wosch, Fritz-Peter Pleschiutschnigg, Stephan Feldhaus, Wolfgang Mossner, Lothar Parschat, Uwe Kopfstedt
  • Patent number: 6789602
    Abstract: A process for producing aluminum sheet product having a controlled grain structure and texture using a continuous caster to cast molten aluminum into a slab comprising the steps of providing a source of molten aluminum and continuously casting the molten aluminum into a slab using a continuous caster; continuously rolling the slab into a sheet product and continuously annealing the sheet product in a controlled temperature range; measuring grain structure and texture of the sheet product to provide a grain structure and texture related signal on a continuous basis; and relaying the signal to a controller. In the controller, comparing the signal to previous signals reflecting grain structure and texture of the sheet product to provide a comparison; and in response to the comparison, maintaining or changing heat input to the process upwardly or downwardly to increase or decrease the temperature to produce aluminum sheet having the desired grain structure and texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Commonwealth Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhong Li, Paul Platek
  • Patent number: 6776359
    Abstract: A method and system for spraying scale conditioning aqueous solutions onto opposite sides of a metal strip for scale conditioning is provided. The system includes a housing which defines a chamber through which the moving strip passes on the strip pass line. A nozzle maintenance station is provided which is disposed off the strip pass line. Sets of spray nozzles are provided and the sets are independently movable between the maintenance station and spraying portion on opposite sides of the strip. Thus, each set can be utilized independently to spray a strip or be worked on in the maintenance station without shutting down the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Kolene Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Cole, James C. Malloy
  • Publication number: 20040040689
    Abstract: The invention relates to a strip casting machine for production of a metal strip, comprising two adjacent case-width casting rollers (22, 24), forming a casting gap (15′), with side seals (25) arranged on the front face thereof. The rotating casting rollers are mounted on a machine mount (32). Between the above and the side seals (25), the metal melt, introduced by means of at least one casting tube (13), or similar, is protected by at least one gaseous medium. At least said casting rollers (22, 24) are surrounded on at least the case width and front face thereof as well as the side seals by a preferably multi-component housing (30, 60, 80). An optimal sealing of the casting rollers as well as the metal strip and the metal strip appearing from between the rollers can thus be achieved in a simple manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Heinrich Marti, Jacques Barbe
  • Publication number: 20040020633
    Abstract: A method and device for continuous casting and subsequent deformation of a cast strand (1) of steel, especially a cast strand (1) of an ingot shape (2) or a preliminary section shape, in which the secondary cooling (4) and the strand support (11) are matched to the cooling state of the cast strand cross section (1a) with respect to steel quality and in which the segregations and porosity are of significance with respect to further processing and the end uses of the product and require steps for improvement of the 10 internal quality and for the surface qualities, in which the secondary cooling (4) in its geometrical configuration is analogously matched to the solidification profile (5) of the cast strand (1) along the respective distance travelled (6) of the cast strand and in which the cast strand support (11) likewise is analogously reduced in dependence upon the solidification profile (5) of the cast strand (1) of the distance/travelled (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Adolf Zajber, Thomas Fest
  • Publication number: 20030159797
    Abstract: A magnesium alloy cast, featuring with few casting defects, having precipitation areas dispersed inside magnesium alloy grains is provided by melting magnesium alloy material in an oxygen-free atmosphere and cooling the molten magnesium alloy at a cooling rate in the 1-20K/sec range by the continuous casting for solidification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Yamasaki, Yukio Nishikawa, Akira Takara
  • Patent number: 6581675
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for strip casting of metals on at least one endless belt. The apparatus employs a tapered molding section that is large at the point of molten metal entry and tapers to a smaller thickness where a pair of pinch rolls apply a compressive force that sets the final thickness of the cast strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Donald G. Harrington
  • Patent number: 6581674
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for making a molten film of metal, steel, in particular a steel film, more uniform, by strip casting, in which the molten material which is applied to a revolving belt is to have a thickness and properties which are as uniform as possible across the width of the strip. To make the strip more uniform over its width, forces are introduced into the metal film with a component which is perpendicular to the direction in which the strip is conveyed, which forces make the profile of the molten film of metal more uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignees: SMS Demag AG, Salzgitter AG
    Inventors: Joachim Kroos, Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Ulrich Urlau
  • 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: 20030066621
    Abstract: A heat spreader includes an electromagnetic soft iron sheet and a plating layer formed on the surface of the sheet. The plate is made of a rustproof metal. An electronic component is mounted on an aluminum base with an HITT substrate and the heat spreader in between. The heat spreader is manufactured at low cost and has a favorable property as a heat dissipating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Katsufumi Tanaka, Kyoichi Kinoshita, Takashi Yoshida, Tomohei Sugiyama, Eiji Kono
  • Patent number: 6543519
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hot face temperature of a copper plate of a mold for continuous casting of steel with variable casting rates and including: providing a bypass line for connecting a mold water outlet with a mold water inlet for obtaining, at the mold water inlet a mixture of heated mold water and cooled mold water, which mixture is fed into the mold as a cooling water having a chageable temperature depending on casting conditions; providing, at the mold water outlet, a two-way valve connectable with the bypass line and a heat exchanger for cooling the heated mold water for distributing the heated mold water between the bypass line and the heat exchanger with; and control of the operation of the two-way valve in accordance with the exit water temperature to maintain a constant predetermined water temperature at the mold water outlet, whereby a constant hot face temperature is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: SMS Demag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fritz-Peter Pleschiutschnigg, Stephan Feldhaus, Jürgen Friedrich, Uwe Kopfstedt, Lothar Parschat, Werner Rahmfeld, Dieter Stalleicken, Axel Weyer, Erwin Wosch, Michael Vonderbank
  • Publication number: 20030010471
    Abstract: An improved mold assembly for a continuous casting machine includes a mold liner assembly having an inner surface defining a casting space in which molten metal is shaped and cooled, an immersion nozzle, terminating within the casting space, for introducing molten metal into the casting space, and selective cooling structure for selectively cooling the mold liner assembly in such a manner that cooling is directed in varying intensities to different portions of the inner surface of the mold liner assembly according to predetermined circulation patterns in the molten metal, whereby heat transfer inequality as a result of convection is accommodated over the entire inner surface of the mold liner assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: John A. Grove, James B. Sears
  • Patent number: 6478075
    Abstract: A die casting method and a casting that is obtained through use of the die casting method. The die casting method can solve problems such as air catching occurring at the time of injection into the cavity of a die and molten metal run defect, thereby enabling efficient production of defect-free perfect castings. Via a mouth piece 7 and a molten-metal feed port 4, molten metal from a molten metal feeder flows into a casting sleeve 2 while undergoing laminar flow. When the molten metal reaches a predetermined level, a plunger tip 5 is moved upward within the casting sleeve 2 and stops at a position where the side surface of the plunger tip 5 closes the molten-metal feed port 4. The molten metal that has flowed into the casting sleeve 2 is cooled by a cooling medium flowing through passages 2b formed within the casting sleeve 2 so that said molten metal forms primary crystals. Simultaneously, through use of a high frequency coil 6, the molten metal is subjected to electromagnetic agitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Shibata, Takeo Kaneuchi
  • Patent number: 6446703
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for enhancing the quality of cast metal being cast in a continuous casting process. In particular, the method and apparatus of the present invention combines temperature and quality control sensing to achieve closed-loop control of the cooling of molten metal in a continuous caster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Nichols Aluminum-Golden, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolf Roder, Marcel Witschi
  • Patent number: 6415850
    Abstract: A method of measuring and regulating temperature and quantity of cooling water of a continuous casting mold flowing through water-coolable mold walls composed of copper plates, particularly mold walls which are independent of each other, wherein the cooling water temperature of a mold wall is measured at at least two locations in the area of the discharge openings of a copper plate and the corresponding water box. The flow velocity and the water pressure of the cooling system are adjusted in such a way that the lowest temperature in the area of the water discharge side or the water discharge opening of a copper plate is at the limit of the boiling temperature, and that for all higher temperatures a bubble evaporation at subcooled boiling of the cooling water is stimulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Uwe Plociennik, Meinert Meyer
  • Patent number: 6408931
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a molten metal casting annulus that includes an insert support and cooling frame configured and constructed to define a plane and an annular face generally perpendicular to the plane. The plane and annular face define an enclosed planar annular space. The frame further defines an annular groove adjacent the annular face and a multiplicity of insert components supported on the insert support and cooling frame. The insert components are fitted edge to edge around the casting annulus to define the annulus. The insert components further include a lip snugly fitted in the annular groove. The method includes chilling the graphite casting annulus insert components before inserting the lip of the respective insert components into the annular groove in the frame and allowing the insert components to warm and thermally expand to lock the lip in position in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Ravindra V. Tilak
  • Patent number: 6401800
    Abstract: A device for continuous. casting of workpieces has a melting crucible, a filling device, and a forming tool provided with a temperature control system. The temperature control system of the forming tool is designed so that areas of the workpiece to be manufactured that have a greater wall thickness can be cooled to a greater degree and areas of the workpiece to be manufactured with a lesser wall thickness can be cooled to a lesser degree and/or heated. The solid-liquid interface of the workpiece is located in a plane that is at least approximately perpendicular to the vertical axis of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Franz Guetelbauer, Hartmut Hoffmann, Andreas Poellmann, Volker Thoms
  • Patent number: 6374903
    Abstract: An improved process of operating a continuous casting mold of the type that includes at least one mold surface and at least one coolant passage that is in thermal communication with the mold surface includes determining based on at least one factor whether it would be most advantageous to direct coolant through the coolant passage in a first direction or in a second, opposite direction. For example, if the mold liner is beneath a predetermined thickness it may be advantageous to circulate the coolant so that it enters the water jacket and the coolant slots that are defined in the mold liner at the bottom and exiting from the top so that there is some prewarming of the coolant before it reaches the meniscus region. Conversely, if the mold liner is thicker it may be desirable to introduce the coolant at the top of the water jacket, thus enhancing the cooling effect in the meniscus region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: AG Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James B. Sears, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020008021
    Abstract: The target material for a sputtering target for depositing silicon layers in their nitride or oxide form by means of reactive cathode atomization, such as e.g. Si3N4 or SiO2 in the form of optical functional layers or in the form of thermal protective layers on glass substrates, is a cast silicon element, that has been solidified from the melt condition and which forms a parallelepiped, with a dopant, that has been mixed in with the melt, whereby the dopant is 1 wt % to 15 wt % aluminum, and whereby the casting mold preferably has a cavity which forms a parallelepiped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Martin Weigert, Uwe Konietzka
  • Patent number: 6340049
    Abstract: A device for continuous or semi-continuous casting of metal comprising a cooled mold (22) and an induction coil (10) arranged at the top end of the mold. The mold comprises in its top end a plurality of hollow, old segments (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22′b, 22′c, 22′d) separated from each other by partitions (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e), which all comprise an electrically insulating barrier. Both the mold segments and the partitions are oriented essentially in the casting direction. Each hollow top end mold segment comprises a core of a mechanically supporting bar or beam (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25e, 25f, 25′a, 25′b, 25′c, 25′d, 25′e, 25′f) arranged within the hollow mold segment such that it is surrounded by the hollow mold segment. The core exhibits superior mechanical properties in relation to the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Anders Lehman, Erik Svensson, Tord Kroon, Jan-Erik Eriksson
  • Patent number: 6338380
    Abstract: A multiport mold cooling apparatus for eliminating or reducing rhomboid errors and materials cracking defects during the production process. The multiport mold cooling apparatus includes a support base assembly including a housing having side walls, an open top and bottom, and further having holes disposed through the side walls; and also includes a tubular mold support member being removably disposed in the housing and being adapted to removably receive a mold therein; and further includes a plurality of water blocker members being removably disposed in the housing and about the tubular mold support member; and also includes a restriction-free water flow assembly including a plurality of restriction-free water flow members being removably disposed in the housing and about the tubular mold support member; and further includes a water flow control assembly being mounted to the support base assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: James P. O'Dwyer
  • Publication number: 20010042609
    Abstract: High speed continuous casting device and method, comprising an ingot mold provided with a crystalliser having side-walls between which the product as it cools is suitable to take shape, the product then being sent to a guide, containing and possibly pre-rolling assembly located downstream of said ingot mold and cooperating with secondary cooling means, and a system of primary cooling associated with said side-walls, the crystalliser having a longitudinal development with a radius of curvature (“R”) having a value at least five times more than the first radius of curvature of the product in the secondary cooling zone located at the outlet of said crystalliser, wherein the length (L) of the walls is more than 1050 mm, so that a progressive and gradual deformation of the product being formed is obtained which prevents tensions, inner cracks and surface lesions from forming thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Milorad Pavlicevic, Nuredin Kapaj
  • Patent number: 6315030
    Abstract: High speed continuous casting device and method, comprising an ingot mold provided with a crystalliser having side-walls between which the product as it cools is suitable to take shape, the product then being sent to a guide, containing and possibly pre-rolling assembly located downstream of the ingot mold and cooperating with secondary cooling, and a system of primary cooling associated with the side-walls, the crystalliser having a longitudinal development with a radius of curvature (“R”) having a value at least five times more than the first radius of curvature of the product in the secondary cooling zone located at the outlet of the crystalliser, wherein the length (L) of the walls is more than 1050 mm, so that a progressive and gradual deformation of the product being formed is obtained which prevents tensions, inner cracks and surface lesions from forming thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Milorad Pavlicevic
  • Patent number: 6298905
    Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous casting device comprising a support structure (16, 116), a swing lever (24, 124) which is pivotally mounted in the support structure (16, 166) around a first pivotal axis a drive mechanism (34, 134) which is connected to said swing lever (24, 124) and a continuous casting shell (14, 114) which can be impinged upon a cooling medium. A bearing (38, 138) to support the continuous cast shell (14, 114) is pivotally mounted on the swing lever (24, 124) around a second pivotal axis, whereby at least one connection for the cooling medium is integrated into the pivoting bearing (38, 138).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Norbert Kaell, Charles Assa, Rudy Petry, Emile Lonardi
  • Patent number: 6289970
    Abstract: A mold wall of a continuous casting mold is composed of an inner mold plate and a water box connected to the inner mold plate through screw connections, wherein the inner mold plate has on its side facing the water box webs with grooves extending between the webs, and wherein the grooves have a groove width and filler pieces are arranged in the grooves. The grooves of the mold plate have undercuts with an undercut thickness, the filler pieces have connecting elements with a connecting element thickness, the filler pieces engage releasably in the undercuts, and the screw connections are arranged between the filler pieces and the water box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gereon Fehlemann