EP1467828B1 - Casting device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a casting device comprising at least one tundish (10) for molten metal, in addition to an assembly (8, 11-14) for maintaining a predetermined level (N) of molten metal in the tundish (10). A metal strand is discharged by being fed through a die (15) into a shaping device. The assembly (8, 11-14) for maintaining the level (N) of the molten metal comprises a metering pump (8) in the tundish (10), said pump for metering purposes having an adjustment system (11-14; 19-21) for a selectable level (N). In addition, the outlet of said tundish is equipped with a die (15; 115) for discharging the metal into a continuous shaping device or into another die.

Description

The invention relates to a casting device in the sense of claim 1.

A casting device with a tundish as an intermediate container has become known, for example, from US Pat. No. 4,482,012, but also from US Pat. No. 4,358,416 or DE-U-76 12 351. In all cases, metal is conveyed to a tundish arranged above the continuous casting apparatus, the outlet of which is regulated in such a way that a constant level results in the melt container of a continuous casting apparatus. A constant or over time adjustable level is for the quality of the product produced, be it a slab, a billet, bolt, sheet, strip or the final shape near product, or for proper and trouble-free operation of importance.

A disadvantage of the known arrangements is that the metal in the tundish can not or can not be easily protected against oxidation. This is particularly disadvantageous when non-ferrous metals are to be cast, such as aluminum or even magnesium. Although it is known to cover the surface of the melt in a tundish with a powder to prevent the ingress of oxygen, but this leads to undesirable impurities. Another disadvantage is the fact that the known arrangement is both investment as well as space-consuming.

Casting devices are known from FR-A-1 367 334 and GB-A-988 127 in which a tube of relatively thin and uniform diameter removes the melt from a melt container for delivery to another container.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to ensure a good quality of the product in a simple manner. According to the invention, this is achieved by the entirety of the features of claim 1, as will be explained below.

The metering pump protrudes into the intermediate container and pumps the melt from an upstream chamber of the furnace chamber into the intermediate container.

This intermediate container is closed and provided with an arrangement for preventing the ingress of air, optionally with at least one supply for protective gas. In addition, the intermediate container widens upwards. Especially when the nozzle cross-section is relatively narrow, as is the case when casting strips, bands or sheets, there is the risk of undesired solidification of the metal in the nozzle cross-section. This can be countered by the fact that the nozzle is assigned a tempering, in particular a heater. By "tempering" is meant both a heating and a cooling device, which latter may be advantageous in some cases.

Characterized in that the metering pump has a pumping tube, which extends down to a level in the melt, which is located between the bottom portion of a chamber located in front of the intermediate container and its melting level, because in this way impurities that settle either on the floor or as floating matter exist on the surface of the melt, do not pass through the intermediate container in the product. In this way, so care is taken for a good quality of the product.

From some documents, such as DE-A-38 10 302, EP-A-0 534 174, WO 95/17987 or WO 99/19098, it is known that the outlet of an intermediate container at the same time as a nozzle on a conveyor belt deposited and cooled there metal strand, in particular a sheet-like metal strand to form. However, a negative pressure was used to keep the metal level constant. The disadvantage of such a solution lies in the relatively high inaccuracy despite relatively large control effort. For whatever kind of pressure (positive or negative) one uses, it is in any case also dependent on other factors, such as the temperature, which one would actually have to supervise and include in the regulation. But even then there is still the great disadvantage that within the evacuated intermediate container, a protective gas atmosphere is not possible.

The known disadvantages are avoided by the inventive design. In addition, however, the invention can be applied not only to (continuous) continuous casting machines but also to the discontinuous casting of semi-finished products such as ingots or finished products. For it has been found in experiments that the quality of the product (from the metallurgical point of view) can be improved, for example, when the nozzle with the metering pump using the constant metallostatic pressure (or controlled pump overpressure) is designed so wide that it is the length of a Bulk mold (or other shape) evenly (and quickly) fills. The uniformity of the conditions should play a role in the result in the result of more uniform (fine) grain in the metal of the product. The filling can be carried out from above (ingot mold) or laterally or from below as is practiced for example in low-pressure casting or continuous casting upwards.

If the feed pump is designed such that the shaft of the metering pump is mounted within a tube forming the intermediate tube and forming the pump tube, the unwanted melt bath movements emanating from its rotating pump shaft can be restricted to the interior of the tube surrounding the shaft and undesired bath movements (eg Whirl) in the intermediate container are avoided as possible.

If the nozzle is formed as a slit nozzle for dispensing a sheet-like strand, then high-quality sheets can be produced. Depending on the width of the cast strand, however, several casting nozzles can also be arranged next to one another. In such a case, it may be advantageous if the outlet of the intermediate container is connected to a manifold for a plurality of nozzles.

If the intermediate container equipped with upwardly directed nozzle, which is communicatively connected to the pump tube, so that by means of the level control in the exhaust tube adjusting metallostatic pressure a shape from below filled or an upwardly directed strand can be generated, so can placed over suitable Branches a controlled mold filling from below (as in low pressure casting) or a supply of an upward nozzle for the vertical continuous casting up done. In both cases, the metal pumped up in the pump tube supplies the metallostatic. Pressure for the filling of the mold (s) or the continuous supply of the upwardly pulled strand. The pump tube can be heated if necessary. The mold filling speed can be controlled by controlling the melt level in the Adjust the pump tube (by means of a corresponding, continuously measuring level probe of known design).

The bottom of the outlet of the intermediate container is at least partially inclined towards the intermediate container (10), for example at an angle of at most 20 ° or at an angle of at least 4 °. Thus, the system offers the great advantage, in an emergency (breakthrough of the mold or the strand), that the melt can be dropped back into the oven almost instantaneously by switching off the pump. This avoids a major drawback of the low-pressure casting powered by gas pressure, which is that opening a valve for lowering the pressure is usually not fast enough, and such emergency valves and associated controls themselves are prone to failure and expensive. The known methods for producing a metallostatic pressure by lifting a communicating with the cavity of the mold melt container have due to the large mass involved (furnace, melt supply) the disadvantage of being very sluggish and expensive.

In order to facilitate maintenance, the actual nozzle can be connected directly to its outlet as structurally separate component from the intermediate container, so as to facilitate the setup (orientation of the nozzle at all three or at least two solid angles) and their maintenance. For this purpose, a leveling device is advantageously provided. This setup is also already facilitated if the intermediate container by means of a device such as a carriage, a carriage and / or a lifting device, in at least one spatial axis is adjustable.

The intermediate container can also serve to feed a distribution system for Mehrfachstrangguß. This system for a plurality of juxtaposed nozzles can also be designed swiveling and take over the function of the so-called Hottops on individual molds, as is the case in vertical continuous casting downwards in general.

By appropriate temperature control (heating or cooling) in the intermediate container can be achieved that results in the outlet of a partially solidified alloy suspension. Their consistency can be controlled by means of refinement or structurally influencing measures (eg sonication). Here, the use of a metering pump to keep the level constant can be particularly advantageous because such a pump introduces shear forces in the melt and thus can secure a fine globulitic structure. First of all, globulitic primary crystals are created in this way, which may optionally serve as seeds in a subsequent suspending line (such as the bottom leading to the outlet).

The imminent danger of solidification can be easily recognized if a sensor, preferably an inductive, is provided for the solidification state of the melt in the region of the nozzle. Such a sensor may simply be a temperature sensor because the temperature of the metal is a measure of its solidification. The sensor can also be an inductive sensor. Such a sensor and its effect is described for another embodiment and application in US-A-5,601,743.

Fig. 1

einen Schnitt durch eine erste Ausführungsform;

Fig. 1B

veranschaulicht eine besonders bevorzugte Lagerung eines erfindungsgemäß ausgebildeten Dosierofens;

Fig. 2

zeigt einen dem Fig. 1 ähnlichen Schnitt durch eine weitere Ausführungsform, zu der die

Fig. 2A

einen Schnitt nach der Linie A-A der Fig. 2 veranschaulicht;

Fig. 3

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 4

eine Ausführungsvariante für die Formfüllung nach oben;

Fig.4a

die Ausführungsvariante für den Strangguß nach oben; und

Fig. 5

(nicht nach der Erfindung) eine Ausführungsform für Formfüllung oder Strangguß nach oben.

Further details of the invention will become apparent with reference to the following description of exemplary embodiments shown schematically in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a section through a first embodiment;

Fig. 1B

illustrates a particularly preferred storage of a metering furnace designed according to the invention;

Fig. 2

shows a similar to FIG. 1 section through a further embodiment, to which the

Fig. 2A

a section along the line AA of Figure 2 illustrated.

Fig. 3

another embodiment;

Fig. 4

a variant for the mold filling upwards;

4a

the variant for the continuous casting upwards; and

Fig. 5

(Not according to the invention) an embodiment for mold filling or continuous casting upwards.

Detailed description of the drawing

Fig. 1 shows a furnace chamber 1 with a crucible 1 a, in which a molten metal 2, in particular a non-ferrous metal, such as aluminum or magnesium, is filled. The molten metal 2 can communicate via an opening 4 with an upstream chamber 3, via which, in a manner known per se, the charging takes place via a feed inlet 30, advantageously until a level N 'sensed by a level sensor 11a is reached. The furnace chamber 1 is provided with a merely indicated heater 5 (or several thereof). This furnace heating can be of any type known per se, for example a gas heater. A line 6 may also serve in a known manner for the supply of a protective gas or for evacuation. Optionally, a plurality of such lines 6, 6a, 6b are provided.

In the middle of the melt 2 protrudes the pump tube 7 a metering pump 8, the propeller blades 9 are housed in the pump tube 7. This metering pump is preferably designed as a so-called source pump, as it has become known from US-A-5,908,488 or EP-A-1,130,266. The pump tube 7 serves here as an inlet for an intermediate container 10 and is on its upper side preferably in the extended intermediate container 10 via. Also, this intermediate container 10 is closed and may have the line 6 corresponding line 6a and 6b.

A level sensor 11 of a known type is connected with its output to a comparison stage 12, which receives a TARGET signal from a desired signal generator 13 and compares it with the actual signal supplied by the sensor 11. Accordingly, the metering pump 8 is controlled via a drive stage 14, i. either the speed of the pump 8 is adjustable or the pump is turned off when reaching the desired level and then restarted as soon as the level has dropped. Should a higher pressure be built up within the intermediate container via the protective gas lines 6a or 6b, then this could be measured either within the intermediate container 10 with the aid of a pressure sensor installed therein or could also be taken directly from the inert gas source into the comparison stage 12, for example as a correction value ,

It should be noted, however, that for rapid change or adjustment of the level N, it is also conceivable to use more than one metering pump 8. For example, it may be advantageous for sudden interruptions in operation to remove the molten metal as quickly as possible from the region of the outlet of the intermediate container 10 and for this purpose arranged in the apparent manner metering pump 8 such zuzugesellen, which in case of need, for example, instead of the metering pump 8, is turned on and promotes the molten metal from the intermediate container back into the crucible 1a. Of course, it is also conceivable to make the pumping direction only a single metering pump 8 reversible in order to achieve this effect. On the other hand, it may be advantageous to achieve a certain temperature - especially when the intermediate container 10 is designed even without tempering - to create a cycle of melt between the crucible 1a and the intermediate container 10 with such two in-or out-feeding metering pumps.

In this way, within the intermediate container 10 there is always a predetermined level N of the melt conveyed upwards by the pump 8, and thus a constant metallostatic pressure. Alternatively, the pressure achieved by the metering pump 8 can be controlled or regulated within the intermediate container 10, in particular by means of a control loop with a pressure sensor. These possibilities have a great influence both on the solidification process and on any subsequent deformation process (for example in a nip).

As can be seen, ends the pump tube 7 at the bottom at a height which is above the bottom 2a of the crucible 1 a but below the upper, contained in this level N '. In this way, it is avoided that impurities deposited on the bottom 2a or present as floating substances in the level N 'reach the pumping tube 7, which is here formed as part of the intermediate container 10 on this.

It should be noted that it is quite possible within the scope of the invention, even the intermediate container 10, and even before the tempering device 23 discussed later, to assign its own heating. Preferably, however, should at least its outlet 15 have such, as already explained above. This outlet 15 is preferably provided at the end of a sloping obliquely against the intermediate container 10 bottom surface 16. The slope of the bottom surface 16 is to ensure that, in the event of an interruption in operation, any melt present in this region flows back into the intermediate container and does not solidify in the outlet region. To guarantee backflow with certainty, the angle α to a horizontal plane should be at least 4 °, but on the other hand should not be too steep. Preferably, the angle α is a maximum of 20 °. As shown in FIG. 1, the angle α only needs to extend over a part of the bottom surface 16. It is for example possible to provide a smaller angle β towards the outlet 15 or (which is not preferable) to make the angle β decreasing to the left (as shown) to the right (referring to Fig. 1) instead of sloping to the left.

Since in the manner described a predetermined static fluid pressure of the melt is secured, the outlet 15 can be inventively either itself as a nozzle of a continuous casting or formed with such. Therefore, a transport device, in particular with at least one roller, is expediently assigned to it for the removal of the cast product. It is preferably a transport belt made of metal, such as copper, driving roller or there are several rollers. A, for example, formed by a side wall lateral boundary for the not quite cooled tape product ensures a relatively smooth boundary of the same. In the case of billets and slabs, of course, other conventional limitations with rollers or sidebands may be used.

This transport device is advantageously associated with a cooling device in the form of spray nozzles, and advantageously for the outlet 15, a tempering device 23 is provided with a cooling, but in particular with a heating device. On the other hand, the risk of "Zufrierens" the nozzle 15 is quite given, especially if the continuous casting is to be a sheet and the nozzle 15 is therefore designed as an elongated slot nozzle. Also, the risk can be particularly great if - for economic reasons, the melt in the intermediate container 10 is kept only slightly above the liquidus point, the bottom 16 may optionally be used as Suspendierstrecke, as described in the German Patent Application 101 00 632 is.

In order to avoid such "freezing", just a heater 23 may be provided in the region of the outlet 15. It is advantageous not to control this heater by hand, but a sensor, advantageously an inductive sensor, as described for example in US-A-5,601,743, but possibly only provide a temperature sensor 24, since the temperature of the metal or the alloy is also a measure of the state of aggregation. In the case of the embodiment according to US Pat. No. 5,601,743, the windings of two induction coils arranged at an axial distance from one another run around the metal body of the product to be monitored. The output signal of this sensor 24 is supplied to a comparison stage 25, which receives a TARGET signal from a desired signal generator 26. The difference signal thus obtained at the output of the comparison stage 25 is fed to a control stage 31, which controls the heating (or cooling) device 23 accordingly. By determining the degree of solidification, therefore, the risk of "freezing" the nozzle 15 or 115 can be determined.

It is preferred, however, if - for example, instead of a mere display - an automatic counter-regulation can be made, as explained above.

In principle, it would be possible, instead of a coil running around the product, to arrange a plurality of such individual (small) coils of the type described in US-A-type around the strand and to mix their signals in a mixing stage, for example to add or integrate them , Also, the output of the comparator 25 of a cascade control stage 31 is supplied, which also forms the Ansteuerstufe so that at low control deviations of the actual signal supplied by the sensor 24 against the desired signal of the encoder 26 initially only a heating coil 23, with larger deviations optionally one from the nozzle mouth further remote heating coil in addition and at even larger deviations and the heater 5 (see Fig. 1), but preferably a the intermediate container 10 associated (not shown here) heating, is turned on. Of course, can be dispensed with simplified solutions to a cascade control of this kind, the control of a single heating coil may be sufficient.

Anyway, it is already apparent from Fig. 1 that here a structurally compact device is provided in which a tundish is no longer necessary or formed by the device and in particular its intermediate container 10 itself. At the same time the integration of furnace 1 or intermediate container 10 and continuous casting and the access of oxygen difficult or completely obstructed, so that the quality of the product is increased. Finally, in this way, the whole device is less space and investment consuming.

The pouring device may have an attached to the actual outlet 15, separate from the outlet nozzle 15 a, which is sealed from the outlet 15. Here can also be provided a supply line for inert gas. The nozzle 15a, which is lined with ceramic or graphite in a conventional manner for continuous casting equipment, is expediently provided with a lubricant line in order not to leave any "chatter marks" on it in the event of cooling of the surface of the metal strand which is very large compared to the volume. Of course, a conventional graphite lubrication can be applied.

It is not unimportant to orient the nozzle 15a with respect to the belt in the three spatial axes, so that the nozzle mouth parallel to the surface of the belt and perpendicular to the direction of movement, with a uniform distance from the Band surface runs. Of course, if the nozzle 15a is separated from the exhaust system 15, it may be more easily serviced or replaced, such as when strands of different cross-section are to be poured. However, the alignment of the nozzle 15a in the above-mentioned spatial axes can also be adjusted and set by a leveling device. This leveling device has a series of adjusting screws on a support frame and as a further adjusting a crank spindle.

Another aid for aligning the nozzle 15a is shown in Fig. 1B. In this case, the entire furnace chamber 1 with feet 36 is on the pallet 37 of a lifting carriage 38, which not only can lift the pallet 37, but also along rails 39 is movable. Thus, for example, the height of the nozzle 15a above the conveyor belt and the relative position of the nozzle mouth to the beginning of the conveyor belt or to its effective length can be changed. It is of course possible to dispense with the rails 39 (or to make them pivotable about an axis) and to mount the lifting device 38 on a plurality of balls so that an adjustment of the parallelism of the nozzle mouth to the axis of the roller is possible.

Also in the embodiment according to FIG. 2, parts of the same function have the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1. It is different that the level N in the intermediate container 10 is secured by an overflow edge 19 at the opening 21 of a wall 20 of the intermediate container 10. This eliminates the need for regulatory effort, as has been described with reference to FIG. 1. Since the intermediate container 10 and the oven chamber 2 are in atmospheric communication with each other via the opening 21, a single supply line 6 may optionally be sufficient for the supply of a protective gas atmosphere.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2, a nozzle mouth 115 is provided, which is formed by an insert 40 for Mehrfachstrangguß, for example, also of billets or slabs, as is apparent especially from Fig. 2A. Optionally, the nozzle 115 is provided as a separate or about an axis a swing-off part. So he can, if desired, take over the function of the so-called Hottops on individual molds. It would be conceivable, however, instead of a common intermediate container 10 to provide several of which, for example, each one (or more) associated with the casting billets or slabs and thus connected in parallel. For other applications, however, a series connection of at least two intermediate containers may be advantageous.

In order to improve the storage and the stability of the position of the pump shaft 8a, namely their pump tube 28 as the intermediate container 10 and the inlet 7 passing through the pipe with a leading into the intermediate container 10 is another embodiment of the metering pump 8 of the intermediate container Opening 27 is formed. The pump tube 28 is sealed in the inlet tube piece 7 by means of seals 29 and includes the bearing of the shaft 8a, which may be formed in a manner conventional for such waves. For example, may be provided in a conventional manner, a plate with such a bearing for the pump shaft 8a.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the intermediate container 10, which allows to promote melt in the pump tube 7 so high that a mold 42, which is connected by a, preferably ascending to form, connecting tube 43 with the pump tube 7, virtually simultaneously can be filled. The measurement of the level N 'in the intermediate container 10 allows it to be completed by appropriate control (as is applied in a similar form for low pressure casting), the mold filling in the desired time course. For this purpose, it is advantageous to choose the level sensor 11 so that the level over the entire range of the mold height and possibly beyond (in order to maintain a slight metallostatic back pressure by controlled, the (constant) level holding continued running of the pump can be detected The pump tube can be heated as needed so that the melt does not solidify in it and, after solidification of the melt in the runner section of the mold 42, can freely fall in the pump tube by shutting off the pump motor 8. The solidification of the melt in the runner section of the mold 42 can be accelerated by an onset of the desired cooling device.

Fig. 4a shows a similar embodiment as Fig. 4. Here, however, instead of ascending ausießend form a vertically upwardly acting continuous casting with mold 44 and schematically illustrated, upward-acting puller 45 is shown in the form of rolls for the molded strand in the mold ,

In Fig. 5 (not in accordance with the invention), a pump 8 is used to pump metal into a mold 42. In this case, an upwardly leading connecting pipe 43 is again connected to the mold 42, which latter may optionally be designed in the manner of the molds for low-pressure casting.

The melt 2 is located in the crucible 1a, which has a bearing block 47 at its bottom 2a. From the cover plate 46 of the furnace 1, a cross-sectionally approximately trapezoidal intermediate container 10 is held lowered onto the bearing block 47 by means of vertical struts 48. The intermediate container 10 is closed at the top by a cover plate 49, on the one hand, the connecting pipe 43, on the other hand, the pump tube 7 'with suction holes 50 in the melt 2 and finally a level determination tube 51 is connected.

Thus, the crucible 1a heated by a heater, not shown (see Fig. 5 in the previous figures), contains the melt 2, which is first pumped via the suction holes 50 of the pump tube 7 'into the intermediate container 10, which here plays the role of a pressure vessel. Because only by the constructed with the help of the pump 8 in the intermediate container metallostatic pressure, the melt 2 rises in the two tubes 43 and 51 high. As can be seen, the level-determining tube 51 is somewhat higher than the mold 42, so that the level therein can be determined either visually or via a level sensor known per se. Here too, therefore, a compact casting unit is created, with the other parts shown functioning analogously to the embodiments already discussed. However, it can also be seen that this embodiment leads without special precautions to a conclusion of the intermediate container against the ingress of air, without the supply of a protective gas would be required in the intermediate container.

In the context of the invention, numerous modifications, in particular by combining the features described here with reference to various embodiments with each other and with features of the prior art are possible. For example, the cascade control could first switch on the heater 5 or the intermediate container 10 before it switches on the nozzle 15 or 115. However, this is not preferred. Furthermore, it should be understood that the provision of sensor means for controlling the outlet temperature of the furnace or continuous casting apparatus manually or automatically is an independent invention which is also applicable where the outlet of the intermediate container does not simultaneously form the nozzle of the continuous casting apparatus , Although the actuator is in the present preferred embodiment as described one for controlling the heating coils, but if necessary, a cooling device could be regulated. Optionally, a magnetic winding provided in the outlet or nozzle region may also impart a static magnetic field to the nozzle orifice in order to achieve lifting of the strand from the inner surface of the nozzle.

The invention has been described with reference to the drawing in general with reference to a horizontal Continuous casting, in which from the downwardly directed nozzle 15, 15a or 115 exiting strand is deflected in the horizontal direction. However, it has already been mentioned that the device according to the invention can perform the function of the so-called hottop over individual molds. In the case of a vertical Stranggußanordnung all those means may be provided at the output of the respective nozzle 15, 15a or 115, which are conventionally provided there for guiding the strand. In the case of sheet metal casting, instead of just a single conveyor belt, two opposing such belts can also be provided (also in horizontal continuous casting), whereby the cooling can be intensified even further and the length of the conveyor belt can be shortened. In vertical continuous casting such two conveyor belts can initially converge downwards, so that the sheet is solidified when casting at the bottom of the conveyor belts with certainty. It may then be placed after casting the two conveyor belts from the convergent position in a mutually parallel position.

The dosing pump used in the invention may in itself have any desired structure. However, it is preferred - as shown - to equip this pump with a vertically reaching into the melt shaft. Although suction pumps, piston pumps, etc. could be used, but the illustrated embodiment with a continuously operating pump, in particular a propeller pump is the most advantageous.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 furnace chamber 1a crucible 2 molten metal 2a Bottom of 2 3 chamber 4 opening 5 heater 6 Line f. protective gas 7 exhaust tube 8th metering 9 propeller blades 10 intermediate container 11 sensor 12 comparison stage 13 DESIRED signal generator 14 drive stage 15 outlet 16 sloping floor surface 17 cast product 19 Overflow edge 20 wall 21 opening 23 tempering 24 temperature sensor 25 comparison stage 26 DESIRED signal generator 27 opening 28 exhaust tube 29 seals 30 feed inlet 31 drive stage 36 feet 37 Palette 37 of 38 38 lifting 39 rails 40 Insert for multiple continuous casting 42 Mold, mold 43 connecting pipe 44 mold 45 puller 46 Furnace cover plate 47 bearing block 48 vertical struts 49 Cover plate v. 10 50 suction 51 Level determination tube

Claims (8)

1. Casting device comprising

   a) at least one closed intermediate receptacle (10) for a metal melt which is formed as a chamber of a dosing furnace (2, 3, 10) for receiving said melt and includes an arrangement for preventing the access of air, optionally having at least one supply means for a protective gas,

   b) means (8, 11-14; 19-21) for maintaining a selectable level (N) of melt in said intermediate receptacle (10) which include at least one dosing pump (8) which juts into said intermediate receptacle (10) and includes a pump pipe (7) as an inlet for said intermediate receptacle (10), which reaches down up to a level of the melt, that is situated between the bottom region (2a) of a chamber (2) located before said intermediate receptacle (10) and its melt level (N), said dosing pump (8) pumping melt from a preceding chamber (3) of the furnace space into the intermediate receptacle (10), which in comparison with the inlet is upwards enlarging, and, for dosing purposes, includes adjusting means (11-14; 19-21) for a selectable level (N) in said intermediate receptacle (10), and

   c) at least one nozzle at the outlet (15; 115) of the intermediate receptacle (10) for discharging melt to shaping means (44) or a mould (42),

   d) heating or tempering means (23) being preferably associated to said intermediate receptacle (10), preferably at least at its outlet (15).
2. Casting device according to claim 1, characterised in that said intermediate receptacle (10) is adjustable along at least one space axis by means of motion means (38), such as a carriage, a slide and/or lifting means.
3. Casting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shaft of the dosing pump (8) is supported within a pipe (28), which penetrates said intermediate receptacle (10) and forms said pump pipe (7).
4. Casting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said nozzle (15) fulfils at least one of the following conditions:

   a) it is formed as a slot nozzle for discharging a sheet-like billet;

   b) it is upwards directed and communicates with said pump pipe (28) so that a mould may be filled from below or an upwards directed billet may be produced my means of the metallostatic pressure adjusted be the level control in said pump pipe;

   c) it is formed as a component separated from said intermediate receptacle (10), and is preferably provided with levelling means for orienting and fixing the position of the nozzle orifice;

   d) at least one tempering device, e.g. comprising a heating device (23), is preferably associated to it;

   e) it includes a, preferably inductive, sensor (24) for the solidification state of the melt in the region of the nozzle (15; 115), wherein said sensor (24) is preferably part of control means (25, 26, 31) which includes a comparison stage (25) for the actual value fed by said sensor and a nominal value, the final control element of which being formed by a heating device (5, 23), particularly by at least one heating device (23) in the region of said nozzle (15; 115), and that preferably both the melt contacted surfaces of the intermediate receptacle (10) and/or things built in it, and the nozzle (15; 115), but at least one of those parts, is provided each with at least one heating device, and wherein said control means (25, 26, 31) is formed as a cascade control so that first at least one of the two heating devices, e.g. that (23) at the nozzle (15; 115), and then the other heating device is controlled, e.g. that for said intermediate receptacle (10) or for the pump pipe (7).
5. Casting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outlet of said intermediate receptacle (10) fulfils at least one of the following conditions:

   a) it is connected to a distributor for multiple continuous casting;

   b) it is provided with discharge means for a lubricating agent, for example graphite, to the interior;

   c) at least one roller, preferably at least a pair of such rollers, for drawing off the billet, but in particular a transporting belt driven by a roller and being particularly cooled;

   d) the bottom (16) of the outlet (15; 115) of said intermediate receptacle (10) is at least partially inclined towards said intermediate receptacle (10), preferably under an angle (α) of 20° in maximum and/or under an angle (α) of at least 4°.
6. Casting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said means for maintaining a level of the melt comprises an overflow edge (19), the level of which determining the maximum melt level (N).
7. Outlet (15; 115) for an intermediate receptacle (10), particularly of a furnace and/or for a continuous casting device, particularly according any of the preceding claims, characterised in that sensor means (24) are associated to said outlet (15; 115) for controlling the outlet temperature.
8. Outlet according to claim 7, characterised in that the output of said sensor (24) is connected to a comparison stage (25) for comparing the actual signal fed by said sensor (24) with a nominal signal fed by a transmitter (26), and that a final control arrangement is provided at the outlet of said comparison stage (25) for controlling the temperature.

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