GB465595A - Improvements relating to apparatus for casting metal - Google Patents

Abstract

465,595. Casting-machines. HARBORD, F. W., and HARBORD, V. Oct. 9, 1935, No. 27888. [Class 83 (i)] Moulds.-Continuous casting machines, for instance as described in Specification 323,315, [Class 83 (i)], have means for transferring the reaction of a resilient force acting on one mould part substantially directly to the other part and thus avoid external stresses. The machine may comprise an inverted mould part 1, with a flexible water jacket 2 in sectional members 5, mounted on frames 4. A flexible tube 7 containing air under pressure is arranged to act on the members 5 and a frame 6 carrying hooks 8 normally engaged with lugs 10 on the frames 4 but releasable by pulling a wire 13 when it is desired to lift the mould 1 off. The lower mould part comprises a chain of segments 16 supported on adjustable rollers 17 to obtain accurate clearances 19. Any distortion of the mould 1 under pressure will cause the inner edges of the contact faces to engage closely and seal the mould cavity. The pouring box 28, Fig. 3, has a spout 29 to fit the coned end 30 of the mould 1 and be pressed against the segments 16 by means not shown. Before commencing to pour, a plug 31, having a threaded hole 32, is arranged in the mould 1 and is connected, by a spring 34, rod 35, and cross-head 36, to a segment 16 ahead of the mould 1. The segments 16 move to the right and may have serrated faces or bevelled ends 38 to engage the casting. In a modification the mould comprises an annular grooved member 40, Fig. 6, supported by spacers 71 and bolts 73 on a rotating table 41, the rotation being transmitted by two pins in the table engaging a hole and a radial slot respectively in the ring 40. Asbestos sheet 72 shields the table from heat. The mould 39 is closed by a non-rotating cover comprising water-jacketed sections 45 with cylindrical joints 47, Fig. 8. The flexible tube 60, Fig. 6, acts through yokes 54 and members 51 on the sections 45, the clearance being adjusted by screws 55, in the yokes 54, and bars 56 having rollers 57 running on the face of the mould 40. The upward reaction of the compressed air in the tube 7 acts, through triangular frames 63 and rollers 64, on the mould 40 but these levers can be released, when desired, by a wire 70 and cross-bar 68, engaging lugs 69 thereof. The sections may be partitioned so that the cooling water traverses a sinuous path or the jacket may be arranged so as to both cool the sections 45 and press them towards the mould 40. If desired the faces of the mould 40 may be inclined so as to make line contact with the flat sections 45. In modifications both mould members may move at the same or different speeds, the mould cavity may be in both members, or the moving member may be straight and rigid or comprise a ring rotating about a horizontal axis, or a thin sheet metal band passing continuously round cylinders or cones. Instead of being jacketed the mould parts may be cooled by air, immersion in water &c. while out of contact with the hot metal. Casting processes.-Instead of using cold water in the mould jackets oil, water, gas, or steam at any desired temperature may be used to modify the structure of the metal.