GB840498A - Installation for the continuous casting of a molten metal - Google Patents

Abstract

840,498. Indicating liquid levels. BRITISH IRON & STEEL RESEARCH ASSOCIATION. (Centre National de Recherches Metallurgiques). April 22, 1958, No. 12723/58. Class 123(1) [Also in Group XXII] In a continuous casting apparatus, the mould has at least one capillary conduit terminating at the interior of the mould at a chosen level therein and connected to a source of gas under pressure via a duct fitted with a switch-operating pressure sensitive device which is actuated when the capillary conduit or conduits are obstructed by molten metal. The capillary conduit 6, Fig. 1, is fed with pressure gas from a reservoir 7 through a duct 8 which contains a pressure responsive device 9. Closing of the capillary due to molten metal rising in the mould causes the device 9 to close a switch 20, thereby actuating a warning device 19 and simultaneously a valve 24 which causes pressure gas from the reservoir to operate a piston 37 to close the molten metal outlet 13 and stop pouring. In a modification, Fig. 4, there is a capillary conduit on opposite walls of the mould adjacent the outlet end, and the system gives warning and stops withdrawal by stopping the withdrawal motor 49, when the capillaries are closed due to the molten metal level reaching a dangerously low level. A manual switch 61, when open, renders the system inoperative during the starting period when the capillaries will be closed by the starting bar 60. A device 62 such as a pyrometer also stops the withdrawal if the surface temperature of the withdrawn ingot reaches that at which there is a risk of the solidified skin melting. In a further modification both the systems described above are incorporated in one installation and the electrical circuits are interconnected so that pouring stops if the withdrawal is halted, and withdrawal stops if the pouring is halted. In a further modification, the piston 37, instead of actuating the stopper 12 is connected to a pivoted pouring receptacle.