Dispensing Into Horizontal Mold Patents (Class 164/490)
  • Patent number: 8047263
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the horizontal continuous strip casting of steel, especially steel with high manganese content, for producing a pre-strip with a thickness ?15 mm. The device includes a tundish containing the melt, a primary cooling zone having two deflection pulleys and a revolving cooled conveyor belt, and a secondary cooling zone which follows the primary cooling zone and has a housed roller table. A guide element having at least one roller is hereby arranged at the end of the primary cooling zone and before the start of the secondary cooling zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Spitzer, Hellfried Eichholz, Markus Schäperkötter, Guido Bormann
  • Patent number: 7814962
    Abstract: A horizontal continuous casting apparatus for continuously manufacturing a magnesium alloy plate and a method of manufacturing a magnesium alloy plate using the same. The horizontal continuous casting apparatus is structured such that the cross-sectional area of the plate is equal to or smaller than that of a melt inlet, and includes a cooling unit for indirectly cooling the melt using a cooling jacket provided to the outer wall of the mold and/or for directly cooling the melt through spraying of cooling water, and a drawing unit having a multi-step drawing cycle. Thereby, magnesium alloy plates having various sizes can be safely and continuously cast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials
    Inventors: Bong-Sun You, Ha-Sik Kim, Chang-Dong Yim, Beom-Sik Kam
  • Patent number: 7789123
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sequence casting process for producing a high-purity cast metal strand from a metal melt, the metal melt being fed in controlled fashion from a metal vessel to a tundish and being discharged in controlled fashion from this tundish into a continuous-casting mold, and the supply of the metal melt into the continuous-casting mold being continued without interruption. To allow a high-quality metal strand to be cast even during the change of melt vessel in this process, with the restart phase being kept as short as possible, it is proposed that during a period of time from the resumption of the supply of metal melt into the tundish until the point at which a quasi-steady operating bath level in the tundish is reached, the inflow rate into the tundish is greater than the outflow rate out of the tundish, and for 70% to 100% of this period the inflow rate into the tundish is less than or equal to double the outflow rate out of the tundish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Gerald Hohenbichler, Gerald Eckerstorfer, Markus Brummayer
  • Patent number: 7637306
    Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus, continuous casting method and aluminum alloy cast bar enable stable and smooth high-speed casting with a reduced amount of a lubricant and prevent occurrence of breakout and lubricant reaction products, resulting in reduction in ingot failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Show A Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Masashi Fukuda, Masatoshi Fukushima
  • Patent number: 7575041
    Abstract: Horizontally continuously cast aluminum alloy rods excellent in quality are efficiently manufactured using a melting/holding furnace (101) to produce molten aluminum alloy, a molten-metal treatment apparatus (201) to remove aluminum oxide and hydrogen gas from the molten aluminum alloy, a horizontally continuously casting apparatus (301) to cast the treated molten aluminum alloy into horizontally continuously cast aluminum alloy rods, a cutting machine (408A, 408B) to cut to a standard length the cast rods, a first straightening apparatus (1001) to straighten bend of the cut rods, a peeling apparatus (1101) to peel skin portions of the straightened rods, a nondestructive inspection apparatus (1401) to inspect surface and internal portions of the peeled rods, a sorting apparatus (1501) to sort the inspected rods judged non-defective based on results of the nondestructive inspection step and a packing apparatus to pack the sorted rods, and continuously using at least the first straightening apparatus (1001) et
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Showda Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Yasuhide Odashima, Satoshi Fujii, Shigeru Yanagimoto
  • 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: 7028750
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for continuous casting of metal billets comprising a horizontal casting mold having and inlet end and an outlet end. It includes a feed trough for feeding molten metal to the mold inlet end and a horizontal conveyor for receiving a cast billet from the mold outlet end. A moveable cutting saw is operable to move synchronously with the conveyor for cutting a continuous billet into lengths while supported on the conveyor. The billet is resiliently supported and the saw mechanism is isolated so as to minimize transmission of low and high frequency vibrations from the cutting and conveying operations to the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Novelis, Inc.
    Inventors: Wade Lee Bowles, James Borman, Jack Hamby, Michael Kosmicki, John Steven Tingey, John David Treffry
  • Patent number: 7004229
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for starting and stopping a horizontal casting machine, e.g. a caster for continuous casting of metal ingots. The caster comprises a feed trough for carrying molten metal, at least one casting mould and a connecting trough separately connecting each casting mould to the feed trough. A shutoff gate is associated with each connecting trough and movable between an open position and a closed position. Each connecting trough includes a drop-down portion located between the shutoff gate and the casting mould, this drop-down portion being adapted to swing downwardly and thereby rapidly drain molten metal from the connecting trough and an entrance of the mould. The apparatus may also include an elongated starter block, adapted to be inserted into the casting mould and having a threaded recess formed therein for receiving molten metal. An O-ring is fitted to the starter block to seal the block against the casting mould.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Novelis, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Salee, Jack Hamby, Wade Lee Bowles, John Steven Tingey
  • Patent number: 6923246
    Abstract: A billet for a thixocasting process and a thixocasting process using the billet allows casting using a thixocasting process to be realized at low production cost without permeation of an oxide film to the inside of the billet in injection molding. In a billet used for a thixocasting process continuously cast by intermittently drawing out, the interval of the oscillation marks is 10 mm or less and the maximum tilt angle of the oscillation marks relative to a cross section which is at a right angle to the drawing out direction is 45° or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Kogi Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Tsuchiya, Hiroaki Ueno, Yasushi Fujinaga, Chiaki Ushigome, Susumu Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20040154783
    Abstract: A molten metal supply system (90) includes a plurality of injectors (100) each having an injector housing (102) and a reciprocating piston (104). A molten metal supply source (132) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) of each of the injectors (100). The piston (104) is movable through a first stroke allowing molten metal (134) to be received into the housing (102) from the molten metal supply source (132), and a second stroke for displacing the molten metal (134) from the housing (102). A pressurized gas supply source (144) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) of each of the injectors (100) through respective gas control valves (146). The molten metal supply system (90) is in fluid communication with an outlet manifold (140) having a plurality of outlet dies (404), which may be used to form continuous metal articles including rods, bars, ingots, and continuous plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Vivek M. Sample, Scott E. Reighard, Vincent A. Paola, Ronald G. Chabal
  • Patent number: 6712126
    Abstract: A molten metal supply system (90) includes a plurality of injectors (100) each having an injector housing (102) and a reciprocating piston (104). A molten metal supply source (132) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) of each of the injectors (100). The piston (104) is movable through a return stroke allowing molten metal (134) to be received into the housing (102) from the molten metal supply source (132), and a displacement stroke for displacing the molten metal (134) from the housing (102). A pressurized gas supply source (144) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) of each of the injectors (100) through respective gas control valves (146). The gas supply source (144) is used to pressurize a space formed between the molten metal (134) and the piston (104) during the return stroke of the piston (104) of each of the injectors (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Alcoa, Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek M. Sample, Scott E. Reighard, Vincent A. Paola, Ronald G. Chabal
  • Patent number: 6712125
    Abstract: A molten metal supply system (90) includes a plurality of injectors (100) each having an injector housing (102) and a reciprocating piston (104). A molten metal supply source (132) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) of each of the injectors (100). The piston (104) is movable through a first stroke allowing molten metal (134) to be received into the housing (102) from the molten metal supply source (132), and a second stroke for displacing the molten metal (134) from the housing (102). A pressurized gas supply source (144) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) of each of the injectors (100) through respective gas control valves (146). The molten metal supply system (90) is in fluid communication with an outlet manifold (140) having a plurality of outlet dies (404), which may be used to form continuous metal articles including rods, bars, ingots, and continuous plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek M. Sample, Scott E. Reighard, Vincent A. Paola, Ronald G. Chabal
  • Patent number: 6695929
    Abstract: A melt of an iron-based rare earth material alloy, represented by (Fe1-mTm)100-x-y-zQxRyMz, is prepared, wherein T is Co and/or Ni; Q is B and/or C; R is selected from Y (yttrium) and the rare earth elements; M is selected from Al, Si, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ga, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, Hf, Ta, W, Pt, Au and Pb; 10≦x≦30 at %; 2%≦y<10 at %; 0≦z≦10 at % and 0≦m≦0.5. The melt is fed onto a guide to form a flow of the melt thereon and move the melt onto a melt/chill roller contact region, where the melt is rapidly cooled by the chill roller to make a rapidly solidified alloy. An oxygen concentration of the melt yet to be fed onto the guide is controlled at about 3,000 ppm or less in mass percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Special Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kanekiyo, Satoshi Hirosawa
  • 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: 6536508
    Abstract: A molten metal supply system (90) includes a plurality of injectors (100) each having an injector housing (102) and a reciprocating piston (104). A molten metal supply source (132) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) of each of the injectors (100). The piston (104) is movable through a return stroke allowing molten metal (134) to be received into the housing (102) from the molten metal supply source (132), and a displacement stroke for displacing the molten metal (134) from the housing (102). A pressurized gas supply source (144) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) of each of the injectors (100) through respective gas control valves (146). The gas supply source (144) is used to pressurize a space formed between the molten metal (134) and the piston (104) during the return stroke of the piston (104) of each of the injectors (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek M. Sample, Scott E. Reighard, Vincent A. Paola, Ronald G. Chabal
  • Publication number: 20020185257
    Abstract: A molten metal supply system (90) includes a plurality of injectors (100) each having an injector housing (102) and a reciprocating piston (104). A molten metal supply source (132) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) of each of the injectors (100). The piston (104) is movable through a first stroke allowing molten metal (134) to be received into the housing (102) from the molten metal supply source (132), and a second stroke for displacing the molten metal (134) from the housing (102). A pressurized gas supply source (144) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) of each of the injectors (100) through respective gas control valves (146). The molten metal supply system (90) is in fluid communication with an outlet manifold (140) having a plurality of outlet dies (404), which may be used to form continuous metal articles including rods, bars, ingots, and continuous plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Vivek M. Sample, Scott E. Reighard, Vincent A. Paola, Ronald G. Chabal
  • Patent number: 6363999
    Abstract: A variable tip width adjustment system for use in continuous casting of a molten metal includes a feed tip nozzle downstream from a distribution box, the nozzle including a pair of feed tip nozzle members spaced apart to define a feed tip opening at a downstream edge of the feed tip nozzle members and a pair of end dams located on a drive side and an operator side of the roll casters, the end dams slidably engaged inside the tip nozzle, each dam being axially moveable in two directions inside the tip nozzle. The end dams are preferably actuated using a programmable controller and a stepper motor that is responsive to the signals of the programmable controller. The stepper motor is preferably connected to the end dam via flex connector and a connecting guide rod directed through a guide tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Fata Hunter, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis M. Smith
  • Patent number: 5799722
    Abstract: Material is fed in a feed direction along an assembly vibrations are simultaneously applied to the assembly in both a direction at an acute angle to the feed direction and in a direction along the feed direction. The vibration is preferably applied in both directions using two vibrators with the same working phase. The productivity of the apparatus is increased, the quality of the continuous cast considerably improved and the continuity of the process is insured as compared with known methods and apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventors: Boris Buziashvili, Zurab Buziashvili
  • Patent number: 5595237
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for the horizontal continuous casting of metals having a holding furnace with a horizontally extending outlet conduit arranged in a side wall of the holding furnace, a graphite mold associated with the outlet conduit, and a cooling structure which encloses the mold and is flanged to a casing of the holding furnace. In order to provide a uniform flow of metal in the inlet region of the mold, a flow restricting structure is arranged inside the outlet conduit of the holding furnace. The restricting member is made of refractory material and defined with an interior surface of the outlet conduit a melt passage. The restricting structure is dimensioned such that the cross-sectional profile or area of the melt passage is smaller than the cross-sectional surface of the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Eberhard Fischer
  • Patent number: 5458183
    Abstract: A continuous casting method includes the steps of continuously supplying molten metal into a mold through at least one feed nozzle connected to the mold through a break ring, with the feed nozzle, the mold and the break ring forming at least a portion of a continuous casting apparatus, and intermittently withdrawing a cast piece formed from the molten metal in the mold thereby creating pressure in a space formed at a connecting point between the break ring, the mold and the cast piece as a result of the withdrawal from the mold. A shield means is placed to seal-off space between the at least one feed nozzle, and the mold to prevent entry of gas into the continuous casting apparatus and the pressure is reduced in the sealed-off space to thereby eliminate a pressure differential between the pressure in the sealed-off space and the pressure created in the space formed at the connecting point between the break ring, the mold and the cast piece during the intermittent withdrawal from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuhito Matsushima, Seishiro Saita, Masayuki Inoue, Hiroyuki Nakashima, Shogo Matsumura, Hiroshi Iwasaki, Ryuuzou Hanzawa, Katsuhiko Kawamoto, Haruo Ohguro, Yukio Morimoto, Toshihiro Kosuge
  • Patent number: 5392843
    Abstract: An improvement in systems for continuous casting steel to near net shape sheet or plate directly from molten metal. This is accomplished by floating the liquid steel on a liquid substrate of silver, allowing it to solidify and withdrawing a continuous section of thin, wide steel. Liquid to liquid casting, by eliminating the mechanical problems of thin sheet casting with wheels or belts, allows for increased tonnage rates. For example, aiming at a thickness of 3 mm. by a width of 1500 mm., a liquid steel to liquid silver caster in continuous production at 200 feet per minute will produce 750,000 tons per annum. Increased cast speeds and/or multiple lines due to simple construction seem practicable for greater tonnage. Only liquid silver, as a float medium, makes high quality float casting of molten steel possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventor: James J. Dolan
  • Patent number: 5377743
    Abstract: A mold for horizontal continuous casting of steel to form large-format slab cross sections, particularly flat products, includes a water-cooled metal casing forming the mold cavity for a slab and a brake ring for the melt feed which is supported at the mold on the pour-in side and connects the mold with a melt supply vessel (distributor) via a connecting casting tube. In order to provide an inexpensive and particularly stable mold, the mold is closed on the pour-in side by a metal plate along a part of the free cross-sectional area of the mold cavity. The plate has one or more openings for receiving a break ring. An end plate which overlaps the metal plate is arranged in front of the metal plate in surface contact with the metal plate. The end plate is provided with openings which coincide with the openings in the metal plate with respect to position and number. Ducts for guiding cooling water are incorporated in the end plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim V. Schnakenburg, Dieter Perings, Siegbert Wagner, Franz Keutgen, Rudiger Winterhager, Peter Stadler
  • Patent number: 5373890
    Abstract: A molten metal stored in a heat-reserving furnace is maintained at a constant temperature by heating the molten metal by a heating source. The molten metal in the heat-reserving furnace is then introduced into a mold by passing the molten metal through a gate made of a refractory with the molten metal then passed through a casting space in the horizontal direction, to thereby cast a cast block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Taketsu, Eichi Miyazu, Iwao Asamizu, Naotake Wada, Kenji Kubozono
  • Patent number: 5360054
    Abstract: A horizontal continuous casting apparatus comprises, in one aspect, a tundish in which a molten metal material is stored, a mold assembly connected air-tightly to the tundish for casting a round billet, and an extraction device disposed on a downstream side of the mold assembly for forming a billet having a predetermined shape from the round billet fed from the mold assembly. The extraction device comprising a plurality of formation roll units arranged along a casting direction of the round billet and the formation roll units are composed of horizontal circular roll pairs, press units for pressing the roll pairs against the round billet and drive units for driving the roll pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Kaneko, Hatsuyoshi Kumashiro
  • Patent number: 5358028
    Abstract: A horizontal multiple-strand continuous casting plant and a method of operating the plant. The casting plant includes a distributor with several molds and a corresponding strand drawing unit which conveys the individual strands out of the molds by means of pulling movements and return pushing movements, wherein the strands can be individually clamped within the strand drawing unit. The strand drawing unit includes two clamping devices which alternatingly carry out the pulling movements and the return pushing movements. In the event of an interruption in one of the molds, the method includes connecting in a frictionally engaging manner the strand located in the affected mold to one of the two clamping devices of the strand drawing unit by actuating the corresponding clamping device only during at least one return pushing movement, and disconnecting from this strand the second clamping unit during the pulling movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Keutgen, Heinz-Josef Leuwer, Dieter Perings, Joachim Von Schnakenburg, Dietmar Zebrowski, Peter Stadler, Rudiger Winterhager
  • Patent number: 5350008
    Abstract: A mold assembly for a thermo-mold continuous casting apparatus which has a casting furnace and a thermo-mold chamber provided with an outlet. The assembly has a first mold member changeably or replaceably mounted within the thermo-mold chamber and being provided with a casting cavity and an enlarged cavity therein. A second mold member is mounted within the thermo-mold chamber and connected to the first mold member. The second mold member is provided with a cavity channel therein communicating with the enlarged cavity of the first mold member, and separating means in the cavity channel for separating the residual metal in the first and second mold members when the casting procedure in the thermo-mold continuous casting apparatus is stopped. An air inlet may be arranged on the thermo-mold chamber to introduce a protective air into the thermo-mold chamber upon changing the first mold member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignees: Industrial Tech. Research Institute, OCC Research Center Inc.
    Inventors: Jia-Chin Liu, Shu-Fahr Chang, Shyue-Sheng Wu, Yen-Cheng Cheng
  • Patent number: 5335715
    Abstract: A continuous cast method comprises continuously supplying molten metal from a tundish through a break ring to a cooled mold having an inlet and an outlet. A cast section is formed by continuously cooling the molten metal in the mold and starting the solidification of the molten metal below its surface and intermittently withdrawing the cast section with respect to the mold through its outlet. During continuous casting, a sealing gas having a pressure higher than atmospheric and soluble in the molten metal is constantly supplied to the entirety of the contact area of the mold and the break ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignees: Nippon Steel Corporation, Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruo Ohguro, Toshihiro Kosuge, Ryuuzou Hanzawa, Shogo Matsumura, Hiroyuki Kawai, Youji Ao, Tsutomu Fujii, Hideo Kaneko, Hatsuyoshi Kumashiro
  • Patent number: 5305820
    Abstract: A method of controlling drawing of a cast piece in horizontal continuous casting, in which drawing is controlled in accordance with an inwardly curved passage to keep the acceleration low at the start of the drawing and to increase it gradually in the drawing process for the purpose of reducing the number of bubbles appearing on the surface layer of the cast piece by sucking the ambient air into the mold when drawing the cast piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Tsuru, Tatuo Saiki, Akihiro Nakajima
  • Patent number: 5240065
    Abstract: Aluminum bar having a helical contour continuously cast using a mold comprising a heating unit and a cooling unit which have a groove or protrusion helically cut on the inner wall surface, and casting aluminum while conducting rotation and withdrawing in conformity with the slope of the helix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Akihiko Takahashi, Hitoshi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 5228496
    Abstract: A cast starting method in horizontal continuous casting, including the steps of locating an orifice plate having an orifice between a molten metal outlet of a tundish and a mold, the orifice plate being formed on its front side with a recess expanded in a range surrounding an outlet of the orifice, locating a starting block in the mold to let a rear end surface of the starting block contact a front surface of the orifice plate to define a closed space by the recess, locating a starting pin in the closed space at a position not aligned to the outlet of the orifice, letting a molten metal flow from the tundish through the orifice into the closed space, and drawing the starting block with the molten metal after solidified out of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Nagai, Makoto Arase, Norio Ohatake
  • Patent number: 5215142
    Abstract: A horizontal continuous casting system includes a tundish having a refractory lining and supporting a quantity of molten metal therein. The tundish supports a slide gate shut-off device. A rotating drum supports a plurality of interchangeable casting molds and is operatively coupled to a hydraulic motor through a linear bearing support. The motor is operative to rotate the drum and interchange the casting molds during brief casting interruptions facilitated by the slide gate shut-off. Each interchangeable mold in the plurality of casting mold includes an indexing flange defining a plurality of index recesses. A clamp stand is positioned downstream of the rotating drum and casting molds and supports a plurality of expandable hydraulic cylinders having extending index pins which cooperate with the index recesses and mold flange to secure a casting flange in place during the casting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Inventor: Max Ahrens
  • Patent number: 5205344
    Abstract: A horizontal continuous casting device including a mold horizontally mounted through an orifice plate on a front side of a tundish. A front portion of the orifice plate is exposed into the mold. A horizontally extending small gap is formed between an outer circumferential surface of the front portion of the orifice plate and an inner circumferential surface of the mold. A facing surface between the mold and the orifice plate is provided with an annular lubricating oil passage and a given number of radial grooves communicated from the lubricating oil passage to the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Nagai, Makoto Arase, Norio Ohatake
  • Patent number: 5176198
    Abstract: Molten metal (15), in particular molten aluminum or aluminum alloy, is fed to the adjustable roll gap (42,44) between two casting rolls (42,44) of the horizontal strip caster by means of a nozzle which is horizontally displaceable and vertically adjustable on a carriage. The feeding of the nozzle is interrupted to exchange or clean the latter and the carriage is removed from and returned to the region of the casting rolls. The metal feed from a stationary launder into a mobile launder and/or into a molten metal distribution trough of the nozzle is continued even during interruption of the casting. A stationary launder having an outflow in the region of the end face which can be closed by an adjustable plug is arranged above a mobile launder having a molten metal distribution trough for the nozzle which is isolated via an adjustable aperture, this mobile launder being arranged on a carriage, in a manner such as to be longitudinally displaceable or longitudinally displaceable and laterally swivellable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Lauener Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruno Frischknecht, Rudolf Roder
  • Patent number: 5074353
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for horizontal continuous casting of a metal strip cast product having a unidirectionally solidified structure elongated in the direction of casting, comprising the steps of supplying a molten casting metal into a hot mold having a shape substantially like a gutter opened at its upper side and being heated to a temperature not lower than the solidification temperature of the casting metal, and drawing out a metal molding formed in the hot mold by using a dummy member while cooling the drawn-out metal molding, wherein the cooling is performed on the metal molding within the hot mold at a position in front a solidification starting end portion of the metal molding but in the rear of an outlet of the hot mold with respect to the direction of movement of the metal molding, so that the metal molding is drawn out, after cooled, from the hot mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha O. C. C.
    Inventor: Atsumi Ohno
  • Patent number: 5033536
    Abstract: A horizontal continuous casting apparatus for metals, particularly steel, having a supply container in the metal outlet opening of which there is arranged a nozzle brick against which a separation ring rests in sealing manner, and having a continuous casting mold which is connected to the supply container and rests with the edge sides of its side walls in sealing manner against the separation ring. A reliable changing of the passage cross-section of the mold before, during and after the casting is possible in a structurally simple manner. The passage cross-section (A) of the continuous casting mold (30) is adjusted and displacement elements (40) are provided by means of which the position of the side walls (31 to 34) of the continuous casting mold (30) is adjusted. At least one side wall (31 to 34) is moveable parallel and transverse to the center line I of the outlet opening 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Keutgen, Peter Voss-Spilker, Achim Kubon
  • Patent number: 4955430
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method and apparatus for horizontal continuous casting of thin steel slabs by floating liquid steel on the surface of a pool of molten lead and allowing the steel to solidify by cooling to form a continuous flat ribbon. The virtually complete immiscibility between iron and lead is the key to the invention and also the fact that iron floats on lead, both are good heat conductors and molten lead is non-wetting towards solid iron and a good lubricant for it. The method is conducted in an elongated tray containing a molten lead pool and incorporating lateral edge dams defining the cast slab width. Liquid steel from a prior process is continually introduced from a tundish or ladle and distributed uniformly across the entry end while avoiding turbulence and mechanical mixing between lead and steel. Heat is extracted by external cooling as the steel progresses along the tray, causing it to freeze and form an outer shell solidification front extending transversely between the edge dams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventor: William L. Sherwood
  • Patent number: 4940078
    Abstract: Oil rings of increased life are provided on the basis of compositions selected to provide increased effective amounts of lattice-contracting atomic species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Diane D. Martin
  • Patent number: 4930566
    Abstract: In a method for continuous casting of an aluminum-lithium alloy through an open-ended mold for forming an ingot, wherein gas under pressure is brought into contact with a molten surface part of said ingot directly before solidification, the gas used consists of from 1 to 15 volume % of oxygen and balance of inert gas. The casting is stabilized and cast skin is improved by the use of said gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Showa Denko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Yanagimoto, Ryoichi Kondo
  • Patent number: 4911224
    Abstract: A casting is extracted from a horizontal mold by means of extraction cycles with a shallow speed rise followed by a steep one, followed by a constant speed phase, followed by a rapid slowdown, and brief reversal. The casting is held by brackets which operate from above and below with separate bracket drives but parallel axes of action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Franz Keutgen, Dieter Perings, Achim Kubon, Voss-Spilker
  • Patent number: 4874436
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing high purity electrolytic copper useful, for example, to make a copper wire for use in sound or image reproducing systems, such as audio, video and television systems, etc. The copper wire consists of high purity copper in which silver and sulfur contents are both not more than 0.5 ppm and preferably has a crystal grain size not less than 0.02 mm and is unidirectionally solidified or is a single crystal. Such a copper wire is manufactured by continuously casting electrodeposited copper which has been obtained by refining by re-electrolysis of electrolytic copper, using a specially arranged casting apparatus having a mold projecting to an electrolytic bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Nippon Mining Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ogata, Masanori Kato, Yoshio Kawasumi, Chikara Tominaga, Kanji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4785873
    Abstract: Prior to reaching the nozzle's exit, the belt is pressed from outward against the nozzle by means of a rail supported by springs whereby the mould is reliably sealed off under all working conditions. Pressing the belt against the nozzle can also be achieved by means of pistons or the direct hydrostatic and/or hydrodynamic effect of the coolant from the outside or through various combined measures. In order to reduce friction and wear, the nozzle in the area of contact with one belt can be provided with a wear-resistant coating or wear-resistant inserts. This sealing method enables a casting process with high metallostatic pressure, consequently resulting in a high quality product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Larex AG
    Inventor: Wilhelm F. Lauener
  • Patent number: 4775000
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for the continuous casting of tubular shapes wherein molten metal from which the tubular shape is formed is centrifugally deposited adjacent to the outlet of a fluid-cooled mold by a nozzle assembly, with the metal being cooled and rapidly solidified by the mold to form a cylindrical shell upon which additional metal is deposited to incrementally build the thickness of the tubular shape. The tubular shape being formed is withdrawn continuously from the mold, and is further cooled by coolant directed thereon. The nozzle assembly may be rotated to discharge the molten metal or, alternatively, the mold may be rotated as the metal is deposited thereon. Single-layer tubular shapes, with or without reinforcing material, may be cast and multiple-layer composite shapes may be produced having layers of different material composition and thicknesses. An inert atmosphere is maintained to prevent oxidation of the molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Inventor: Jack D. Ayers
  • Patent number: 4773469
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for continuous horizontal casting of an ingot from molten metal. The apparatus comprises a mold for effecting rapid solidification of the molten metal into the ingot. A feed nozzle supplies the molten metal to the mold. Transition structure is disposed between the mold and the feed nozzle for solidifying the molten metal in the transition structure to prevent freeze back in the feed nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Debabrata Gupta, Harvey P. Cheskis
  • Patent number: 4770229
    Abstract: A horizontal type continuous casting machine for casting molten steel into a cast steel strand, which comprises: a tundish for receiving molten steel to be cast; a horizontal metal mold connected through a front nozzle, a feed nozzle, a break ring and a metal spacer ring having therein a cooling water passage to an opening provided in the lower portion of a side wall of the tundish; at least one pair of pinch rolls for intermittently and continuously withdrawing molten steel directed from the tundish to the horizontal mold into a cast steel strand in the horizontal direction through the horizontal mold by means of a plurality of cycles each comprising one pull and one push; and a cooling zone for cooling the cast steel strand withdrawn from the horizontal mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Nippon Kokan Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeki Komori, Masahiro Tsuru
  • Patent number: 4763718
    Abstract: Net shape or near net shape metal rod or wire 3 is rapidly solidified. Molten metal 7 is delivered to a semi-cylindrical casting channel 2 in a chill block 1 from a tundish 4 through a critically-designed metering system comprising a drain 6, an orifice formed of the casting channel 2 and a complementary volume control channel 5, and a barrier 8 which directs molten metal to the volume-control orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Battelle Development Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Maringer
  • Patent number: 4744406
    Abstract: A mold for use in the horizontal continuous casting of molten material has an integral break ring. The break ring is produced by thermal spraying refractory material onto the surface of the mold to bond the refractory material and solidify it to integrally form the break ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Chaparral Steel Company
    Inventor: Libor F. Rostik
  • Patent number: 4741383
    Abstract: Thin metal sheets are cast by magnetically suspending molten metal deposited within a ferromagnetic yoke and between AC conducting coils and linearly displacing the magnetically levitated liquid metal while it is being cooled to form a solid metal sheet. Magnetic flux increases as the molten metal sheet moves downward and decreases as the molten metal sheet moves upward to stabilize the sheet and maintain it in equilibrium as it is linearly displaced and solidified by cooling gases. A conducting shield is electrically coupled to the molten metal sheet by means of either metal sheet engaging rollers or brushes on the solidified metal, and by means of an electrode in the vessel containing the molten metal thereby providing a return path for the eddy currents induced in the metal sheet by the AC coil generated magnetic flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: John R. Hull, Robert J. Lari, Walter F. Praeg, Larry R. Turner
  • Patent number: 4735254
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous casting of an elongated thin metal strip achieves substantially high yield without allowing break-out or sticking. The method for casting a continuous elongated metal strip includes a step of driving endless belts at a varying speed so as to apply jerks to the slightly and half-solidified metal that release the metal from the surfaces of the stationary side walls. Applying jerks to the casting chamber by varying the driving speed of the endless belt ensures that the solidifying metal will travel smoothly and thus ensures a high manufacturing yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Itoyama, Hakaru Nakato, Tsutomu Nozaki, Yasuhiro Habu, Nagayasu Bessho, Tetsuya Fujii
  • Patent number: 4732208
    Abstract: In horizontal continuous casting, the casting proceeds step-by-step with the forming strand being intermittently pulled from the mold. The strand forms with a skin with a melt inside of the skin and this melt is stirred by a magnetic stirrer on the outside of the mold. This forms a thin wall in the skin at that location, forming a breaking location or point where the skin pulls apart each time the strand is pulled forwardly. The mold is continuously fed with melt and the skin's strand reforms or welds together at the strand break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: ASEA AB
    Inventor: Hans-Gunnar Larsson
  • Patent number: RE45414
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for continuous casting of amorphous alloy sheets having large sheet thickness using bulk solidifying amorphous alloys are provided. Thick continuous amorphous alloy sheets made of bulk solidifying amorphous alloys are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC
    Inventor: William L. Johnson