Abstract: For the procedure a gas, heated to at least 1000 degrees Celsius, preferably even beyond the liquid temperature of the melt, is blown into the discharge opening (26). In this manner freezing problems and deposits in the discharge opening can be largely prevented. The pouring sleeve (20) according to the invention has a gas supply line (21), leading into a gas permeable insert (23) surrounding the opening (26), which is led for a certain length along the upper range of the sleeve (20) which is in contact with the melt, for the purpose of heating the gas.

Abstract: A method for regulating the flow of liquid metal to an atomization zone is provided. The regulation is effected by imparting a high density flux to a stream of liquid metal as it descends toward the atomization zone. The high density flux is applied by a flux concentrator. The flux concentrator is a small sleeve-like element attached by parallel conductors to a larger sleeve-like element which acts as a secondary to primary coil extended through the larger sleeve element. By imparting high density flux to initiate a stream passing through the flux concentrator the cross sectional dimensions of the melt stream and the rate of flow of melt through the concentrator is regulated to values which are appropriate for a spray-form type of action.

Abstract: An integral transfer tube is produced comprised of a hollow high density ceramic oxide tube having its outer surface wall surrounded by a low density ceramic oxide shell, and having a heating element comprised of a heating wound portion and two end portions wherein the wound portion is intermediate the tube and the shell, and wherein at least a sufficient amount of the end portions are exposed for electrical attachment.

Abstract: In a process for continuously melting scrap (6) and/or pig iron within a converter (1), the converter (1) is heated in proximity of the bottom (3) with sub-stoichiometric burners (4), having their flames (5) essentially radially directed into the interior of the converter (1). In this case, secondary air or O.sub.2 is supplied at a distance above the burner plane for the purpose of completing the combustion. The melt is, optionally together with slag, discharged via a tapping means (9) laterally connected to the converter (1) into a mobile ladle (19). For the purpose of interchanging ladles (19), the converter (1) is swivelled into a position in which the level of the melt is located below the taphole (11).

Abstract: Apparatus for pouring molten metal comprises a water cooled copper crucible 15 which has a recess adjacent its top and a pouring spout 16 positioned in the recess just below the level of the surface of the melt. The recess defines a lip above the spout which helps to ensure that there is a constant pressure head above the spout. Pivotally mounted on the lip, and biased to assume a horizontal position irrespective of the angle of tilt of the crucible is an induction coil 21. The coil induces currents in the surface of the melt and thereby moves the dross away from the pouring spout. The crucible 15 pours into a constant head hopper 22 and the opening and closing of the crucible pouring spout 16 and the angle of tilt of the crucible are controlled to ensure constant pressure head in the hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus for melting and pouring metal alloys includes a vacuum melt furnace having a melt chamber to receive and melt metal in a vacuum. A valve cooperates with a pour opening located at the bottom of the furnace. The valve includes an upper stationary nozzle portion formed substantially from refractory material and having an orifice aligned with the pour opening. A lower nozzle portion having an orifice therethrough is mounted adjacent and below the upper nozzle portion for slidable movement along a lower face of the upper stationary nozzle portion. The valve is opened and closed by slidably moving the lower nozzle orifice in and out of alignment with the upper nozzle orifice. An induction heating coil substantially surrounds the upper stationary nozzle portion.

Abstract: An integral transfer tube is produced comprised of a hollow high density ceramic oxide tube having its outer surface wall surrounded by a low density ceramic oxide shell, and having a heating element comprised of a heating wound portion and two end portions wherein the wound portion is intermediate the tube and the shell, and wherein at least a sufficient amount of the end portions are exposed for electrical attachment.

Abstract: In a process for continuously melting scrap (6) and/or pig iron within a converter (1), the converter (1) is heated in proximity of the bottom (3) with sub-stoichiometric burners (4), having their flames (5) essentially radially directed into the interior of the converter (1). In this case, secondary air or O.sub.2 is supplied at a distance above the burner plane for the purpose of completing the combustion. The melt is, optionally together with slag, discharged via a tapping means (9) laterally connected to the converter (1) into a mobile ladle (19). For the purpose of interchanging ladles (19), the converter (1) is swivelled into a position in which the level of the melt is located below the taphole (11).

Abstract: In a method of applying small quantities of melted solder from a nozzle to surfaces to be wetted, which are then solidified, the solder is caused to melt by heating and is propelled by means of a piezoelectric transducer used as a pressure generator from a delivery nozzle in the form of droplets onto the area to be wetted.

Abstract: Build-up on the surface of a refractory body receiving molten metal is eliminated or reduced by making at least a portion of a material that can be electrically heated to at least about 1150.degree. C., such as an alkaline-earth doped lanthanum chromite. When the surface is that of a nozzle or shroud, an electric current is supplied to heat the material around the opening in the nozzle or shroud to at least about 1150.degree. C.

Abstract: A controlled volume of a liquid metal is dispensed from a ceramic capillary tube. A wetted film of the liquid metal is applied to the tip of the tube and the liquid metal is inserted into the interior of the tube. The tube contacts a receiving surface with the wetted film and ultrasonic energy is applied to the tube to dispense a small control volume with extreme precision.

Abstract: A rotary heating apparatus, for example, for liquefying glass batch or the like, is provided with dynamic stability by isolating structural support elements from vessel elements that are subject to thermal distortion and by supporting the vessel so as to be self-centering. The preferred embodiment entails a support ring separate from the vessel, rotatably supported at an elevation above the center of gravity of the vessel, and attached to a lower portion of the vessel by way of a plurality of link rods. Horizontal force is applied to the support ring to damp oscillations of the vessel. Rotation of the ring may be on a conical track to aid self-centering.

Abstract: In a method for electromagnetically regulating flow and in an apparatus for performing the method, a molten metal flowing in a pouring tube is inhibited in a central region of the pouring tube by an insert member installed in a conduit of the pouring tube and is diverted radially outward. An electromagnetic coil is arranged concentrically about the pouring tube for exerting constrictive electromagnetic forces upon the molten metal and thus regulating the flow of molten metal in a wide range.

Abstract: There is disclosed a combination of several novel elements in combination with improved designs of existing elements, to provide a relatively simple means for delivering high melting molten metals, such as magnesium and its alloys, to a continuous caster without exposure of the metal to the ambient atmosphere, at reproducible pressures and quantities to enable the advanced casting technologies to be utilized to their fullest potential. Thus in accordance with the present invention there is described a molten metal handling system, particularly useful for delivering high melting temperature metals in their molten state from a melting pot or crucible to a casting machine, e.g. die caster, strip caster, sand molds and the like, remote from the melting pot or crucible without exposure to the ambient atmosphere. The essential elements of the present molten metal handling system are a pump and heated conduits to carry the molten metal to the casting station.

Abstract: A nozzle for molten metal casting operations wherein is provided with an annular groove either in an exterior surface or, in the case of a nozzle having a hard metal insert, in an interior surface. In either case, the groove is filled with a material having a high heat conductivity and which is either in a location where it can receive heat directly from a localized source such as gas fired torch or in thermal circuit with such a location; i.e. connected to the location by some intermediate leg of high thermal conductivity material. In one specific embodiment the groove is filled with copper and is connected to a series of spiral extension grooves. In another embodiment is formed in an interior surface where it is adjacent a hard metal insert which increases the durability of the nozzle in repetitive make and break operations.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for casting continuous metal strips includes a nozzle for extruding molten metal. The nozzle has a nozzle body, a nozzle inlet opening, a nozzle exit orifice and a nozzle mounting surface located proximate to the nozzle inlet. A reservoir contains the molten metal and is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The reservoir has a reservoir outlet opening for flowing molten metal therethrough and has a reservoir mounting surface located proximate to the reservoir outlet. The reservoir mounting surface is adapted to mate with the nozzle mounting surface and allow a relative, sliding-type movement therebetween due to a differing thermal expansion of the nozzle relative to the reservoir. A heat resistant seal between the nozzle mounting surface and the reservoir mounting surface minimizes molten metal leakage therebetween, and a force mechanism resiliently urges the nozzle mounting surface toward the reservor mounting surface to mate the nozzle and reservoir together.

Abstract: In order to be able to manipulate a feeding device with which molten steel is introduced into a twin-belt caster without ingress of air in preparation for the casting process and to carefully align the feeding device and the caster to the required extent, the feeding device includes a pouring body which is mounted in its own carriage so as to be rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis, and a separately movable tundish which is connected with the pouring body via a ball joint which forms the point of separation in that the ball socket of the ball joint and the ball pivot of the ball pivot are each respectively associated with either the tundish or the pouring body. The pouring body can be arrested in the manner of a rocker in different sloped positions and can be laterally displaced in a direction transverse to its longitudinal extent.

Abstract: In an apparatus for quantitatively supplying melted solder, a first chamber storing the melted solder is provided with a vessel of the apparatus. A second chamber communicates with the first chamber through a first communicating hole, and communicates with a third chamber through a second communicating hole. A nozzle for supplying the melted solder is disposed at the third chamber. A valve for opening and closing the first communicating hole is disposed therein. A piston is disposed in the second communicating hole. The melted solder stored in the first chamber is moved to the second chamber when the valve is opened. Subsequently, the valve is closed, and the piston which was disposed so as not to move the melted solder from the second chamber to the third chamber, is moved toward the second chamber, thus allowing the melted solder to move from the second chamber to the third chamber. When the piston is moved back toward the third chamber, the melted solder is supplied from the nozzle.

Abstract: The device includes a chamber for holding a metal in the liquid state having a lower section that communicates with three channels which converge to form a single passage wherein two of the channels include inductor cores around which the channel forms an annular zone to contain the metal. In the presence of alternating currents of variable voltage and phase, the inductors can be energized separately or simultaneously to perform the heating, mixing and transferring operations within the channels.

Abstract: A fusing furnace casting channel 13 is surrounded by an induction heating coil 17 embedded in a refractory lining 12. A graphite sleeve 20 having a refractory inner coating 16 defines the casting channel. The sleeve serves as a permanent, single turn secondary winding such that the channel may be preheated even when no molten metal is present in the channel, which would ordinarily act as the secondary winding or core. This enables the casting channel to be maintained at a high temperature between successive casting operations.

Abstract: To avoid loss of temperature of a melt contained in casting ladles in a continuous casting operation, an independently rotatable platform adapted to receive a heating device is disposed on a slewing column of a slewing tower for ladles. The heating device is similar to that of an arc melting furnace and comprises a vertically adjustable electrode holder of outrigger configuration whose guide column is arranged eccentrically on the platform so that a current carrying cable can be installed to extend centrally through the platform and through the slewing column. The cables are secured by a clamping plate at a perpendicular distance from the platform, such that the electrode holder, as seen from the casting position, can pivot in both pivoting directions through approximately 180.degree., without the cable tearing as a result of twisting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism for continuous casting, such as from a melt container. Between the melt container and the casting mold there is arranged an intermediate ladle having a heating device and an outlet to the mold as well as an indicator for predicting the temperature in the melt container. The output signal of the indicator is adapted to be compared with a desired value signal to obtain a comparison signal to control the heating device for substantially constant temperature at the outlet of the intermediate ladle.

Abstract: A ladle preheat station includes a wall, a ladle base for holding a ladle juxtapositioned to the wall on one side thereof, and burner extending through the wall for firing into the ladle interior. The wall includes a sight tube extending therethrough. An infrared pyrometer is mounted and spaced from the side of the wall opposite the ladle and is positioned to transmit a signal through the sight tube to measure the radiation of the ladle bottom and convert it into an electrical signal for control purposes.

Abstract: The unplugging apparatus includes an annular member having a refractory ring on its inner surface. A housing is supported by the member and connected to a radially disposed conduit. A tube in the housing is guided for upward movement by the housing. A nozzle may be provided on the upper end of the tube. The tube has a reaction surface within the housing and is adapted to be projected upwardly by gas introduced into the housing from the conduit. The tube has a passage so that the gas from the housing may be discharged through the nozzle.

Abstract: A horizontally elongated furnace to contain a molten metal flow having one end provided with an inlet and the other with an outlet for the flow. An AC powered channel-type inductor is connected to the furnace side wall at an opening below the level of the metal flow. The inductor may be removably mounted to the furnace.

Abstract: A conduit for high temperature transfer of molten semiconductor crystalline material consists of a composite structure incorporating a quartz transfer tube as the innermost member, with an outer thermally insulating layer designed to serve the dual purposes of minimizing heat losses from the quartz tube and maintaining mechanical strength and rigidity of the conduit at the elevated temperatures encountered. The composite structure ensures that the molten semiconductor material only comes in contact with a material (quartz) with which it is compatible, while the outer layer structure reinforces the quartz tube, which becomes somewhat soft at molten semiconductor temperatures. To further aid in preventing cooling of the molten semiconductor, a distributed, electric resistance heater is in contact with the surface of the quartz tube over most of its length. The quartz tube has short end portions which extend through the surface of the semiconductor melt and which are lef bare of the thermal insulation.

Abstract: A tundish provided with at least one stopper which moves towards or away from a casting outlet formed in the bottom tundish wall and with a burner placed in the vicinity of the outlet essentially comprises at least one casing which is placed around the casting outlet in such a manner as to surround the stopper at least to a partial extent and which can be put into communication with the burner.

Abstract: An immersion nozzle for continuous casting resistant to the corrosive action of the melt and the covering material in a mold is made of a refractory material comprising a mixture of electrically conductive graphite and/or silicon carbide, at least one member selected from the group consisting of alumina, zircon, zirconia, fused silica and a metallic silicon, and a binder. The nozzle is covered with a thermal insulating cover having a thickness of approximately 60 mm and made of fused silica containing fibers. The nozzle is preheated without moving it from its operating position by connecting a pair of electrical terminals to opposite ends thereof and passing electric current through the nozzle between the terminals for a period of time sufficient to raise the temperature of the nozzle sufficiently to prevent cracking, spalling, etc. during casting operation. After the preheating is completed the terminals may be removed from the nozzle.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thin and flexible ribbon of superconductor material such as V.sub.3 Sn, V.sub.3 Ge, V.sub.3 Si, Nb.sub.3 Sn, Nb.sub.3 Ge, Nb.sub.3 Si and La-Au having a fine and compact microscopic structure comprises heating raw superconductor material at a temperature within the range between its melting point and 300.degree. C. above the melting point to form a melt having suitable wettability and viscosity; ejecting the melt through a nozzle under a pressure within the range from 0.01 to 1.5 atm. against a cooling surface of a moving substrate such as a rotating drum; and cooling instantaneously and very rapidly a jet flow of the melt on the cooling surface at a cooling rate of 1,000.degree. C. to 1,000,000.degree. C./sec. In order to manufacture the thin elongated ribbon of excellent configuration it is preferable to effect the cooling in a reduced atmosphere. The invention also provides the thin and flexible ribbon processed by the above mentioned process.

Abstract: A molten steel ladle has a melt electrode in its side wall near its bottom so a DC arc can be formed with molten metal in the ladle for heating and stirring the metal, the ladle being also used for casting. The melt electrode is free from the ladle's casting nozzle and the outside of the ladle is free from projections extending beyond the ladle's trunions, so the ladle can be crane-carried in the usual manner.

Abstract: An electrically heated valve element for sliding type valve joints in the outlet of a molten metal vessel has an electrical heating conductor disposed predominately in the outlet closing surface section of the valve element so that when moved to the casting position where the molten metal flow passage aligns with the flow passage from the vessel, the outlet closing surface of the element is maintained at a uniformly high temperature so that any cooling down of the outlet closing surface is avoided. The valve element is made by embedding the heating conductor which is air annealed nichrome wire in spiral form, into the refractory material of the valve element by vibration, the embedding mass being free of organic substances, carbon, sulfur, metallic iron, alkalies and/or electrically conductive substances.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting a fusible material has a support on which is provided a row of melting burners and a parallel row of warming burners. A crucible holder on the support has a pair of bars forming a plurality of seats each above a respective one of the melting burners and each for a respective crucible. A slide having a plurality of mold holders is displaceable into a position with the mold holders above the warming burners. Once the material in the crucible holders has been melted by the melting burners the entire crucible-holding assembly may be agitated horizontally to homogenize this material. Thereafter the entire crucible-holding assembly is tipped up to pour the contents of the crucibles into the molds which have been preheated by the warming burners. The warming burners are then shut off and jets of compressed ambient-temperature gas are directed at the molds to cool the material therein and solidify same into a tablet or slug suitable for X-ray analysis.

Abstract: Melting and casting apparatus wherein a metal pellet is transferred from a receptacle into a casting ladle. Thereafter, the casting ladle is moved into a RF heater where the pellet is melted. The casting ladle containing the molten metal is then moved by a suttle and guide arrangement to a pouring position where the casting ladle is tipped by a linkage assemble to pour the metal.