GB656386A - Process of and apparatus for continuously casting metals - Google Patents

Abstract

656,386. Continuous casting-machines. BABCOCK & WILCOX TUBE CO. Jan. 11, 1949, Nos. 760, 761 and 762. Convention dates, Jan. 13, 1948, Feb. 26, 1948, and Aug. 17, 1948. [Class 83 (i)] Casting processes; moulds.-A continuous casting-machine comprises an open-ended vertical tubular mould and an open-ended tubular skirt surrounding the mould to form therebetween an annular passage for a cooling liquid, the passage being open throughout the entire periphery of both the upper and lower ends. The upper end of an oval mould tube 46 is supported in a top plate 47, Fig. 10, while a surrounding sleeve 52 is supported near its upper end by a plate 55. Cooling water is supplied by pipes 57 into an annular chamber 56 between plates 47 and 55 and thence passes into the space between the mould 46 and sleeve 52 through a converging inlet in the top of a sleeve 60, the rate of flow being such as to produce turbulence. Water emerging from an opening 73 at the lower end of the sleeve 52 is deflected by a shield 50 to the outside of a pair of concentric cylindrical members 64, 65 enclosing insulating material 66 and then passes into an annular tank 75. Thus beyond the end of the sleeve 52, the casting continues to be cooled, but at a substantially reduced rate. Below the tank 75 the solid casting is withdrawn by rollers and may be cut into lengths and removed by a conveyer. To the space in the mould above the surface of the liquid metal is supplied by pipes 77a and 77b, an inert gas such as argon and a liquid such as castor oil which decomposes and releases hydrogen. Molten metal from a furnace is conveyed to a holding and pouring ladle 11 comprising a cylindrical vessel with a refractory lining 16 and water-cooled induction coils 20 for keeping the metal at the required temperature. The ladle is mounted on an L-shaped frame 25 which is tiltable as shown in Fig. 2 about trunnions 26 so that the metal is poured into a vessel 18. Grooved pulleys 42, 43 and 44 are provided for the cables 40 of the induction heating coils 20. The vessel, shown in Fig. 6, has an inlet compartment 18a communicating with an outlet compartment 18b by way of holes 28 formed in a vertical baffle 19 beneath an inclined baffle 19a. From a refractory V-notch weir 29 the metal is poured into the centre of the mould and to this end a number of adjustments are provided. The vessel 18 is mounted in open trunnion bearings 37 and may be tilted for pouring by a screw 49, Fig. 8. The bearings 37 are mounted on a plate 58 pivotally connected at 58a with a horizontally swinging arm 38. Movement of the vessel 18 about a vertical axis through the pivot 58a is effected by a screw 58b, while the connection between plate 58 and arm 38 at the pivot 58a is slotted to permit a lateral adjustment of the plate 58 by means of a rotatable nut 59b and a screw 59a.