JP2003266166A - Top-pouring ingot-making apparatus for high melting point active metal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a top-pouring ingot-making apparatus for high melting point active metal with which a cast ingot composed of the high melting point active metal such as Ti or this alloy, and having uniform components and good cast surface is surely made with the top-pouring method. <P>SOLUTION: This top-pouring ingot-making apparatus 1 for high melting point active metal is composed of a copper-made ingot case 30 vertically stood on a base board 37, a semi-levitation induction melting furnace (molten metal supplying means) 2 positioned above the ingot case 30 and pouring the molten high melting point active metal M into the hollow part 31 in the ingot case 30 from the penetrating hole (molten metal tapping hole) 13 at the lower end part and a metallic pipe 40 which prevents the splash s by surrounding the poured molten high melting point active metal m in the hollow part 31 of the ingot case 30 and can be raised according to the surface level of this molten metal m. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a high melting point active metal such as Ti (titanium) and its alloys, and ingots having a uniform composition and a good casting surface (ingot) are top-poured. The present invention relates to a high-melting-point active metal top-pouring ingot forming device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method of melting a high melting point active metal such as Ti without pollution, a semi-levitation melting method using a metal crucible made of a water-cooled copper segment assembly and a high-frequency coil wound around the crucible is known. It is valid.
In such a melting method, molten metal such as Ti rises upward in the crucible due to Lorentz repulsive force due to an induction electromagnetic field formed in the crucible, so that contact with the side wall of the crucible is reduced and electrical pollution can be achieved. And the heat energy efficiency can be improved. In addition, since the semi-levitation melting method has an action of inducing and stirring a molten metal such as Ti, it is necessary to melt an alloy having a complicated composition such as a Ti alloy at a uniform level with sufficient quality assurance accuracy. (See Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-14852).

By the way, in order to make an ingot having a good casting surface by using a molten metal such as a homogeneous Ti alloy obtained by the above-mentioned semi-levitation melting method, the molten metal is cast in an ingot case. Need to be crowded. But,
Since active Ti easily reacts with the refractory and is contaminated, the bottom pouring type ingot making method using the injection pipe or the runner made of refractory brick cannot be applied. For this reason, the top pouring type ingot method that does not contact the molten metal with the refractory is used, but the splash (scattering) is inevitable when the pouring molten metal falls into the molten metal surface of the molten metal accumulated in the ingot case and plunges into it. Droplets). Due to such a splash, there has been a problem that the casting surface of the ingot becomes a rough surface.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION For example, in the top pouring type ingot casting method for steel materials, in order to solve the above-mentioned splash problem, a long nozzle made of refractory material is dipped in the molten metal surface, and the inside of the nozzle is poured. It is designed to prevent splashing from the molten metal to be cast into the ingot case. However, with a high melting point active metal such as Ti that easily reacts with the refractory, there is a problem that the above-mentioned top pouring type ingot-making method using the refractory nozzle cannot be applied. The present invention solves the problems in the conventional techniques described above, and is made of a high-melting-point active metal such as Ti or its alloy, and the ingot having a uniform composition and good casting surface is surely produced by the top-pouring method. An object of the present invention is to provide a top-melting apparatus for high melting point active metal for agglomeration.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention was conceived of arranging a metal pipe that follows the level of molten metal in the ingot case. That is, the high melting point active metal top pouring and ingoting apparatus of the present invention (Claim 1) is a metal ingot case that is vertically erected on a surface plate, and is located above the ingot case and at the lower end. A molten metal supply means for pouring the molten metal of the high melting point active metal into the ingot case from the tap hole, and a splash of the molten metal of the high melting point active metal surrounded by the molten metal of the high melting point active metal poured in the ingot case to prevent the splash. And a metal pipe that can be raised according to the level of the surface.

According to this, the metal pipe rises in accordance with the rise of the molten metal surface of the high melting point active metal in the ingot case, and prevents the splash from adhering in the case. As a result, it is ensured that the ingot obtained by solidifying in the case has a good casting surface. Incidentally, the high melting point active metal to be the subject of the present invention,
Included are Ti, W (tungsten), Ta (tantalum), or alloys based on either of these. Further, the inside of the ingot case is maintained in an atmosphere of an inert gas such as argon gas, a reduced pressure atmosphere of the gas, or a vacuum state. Further, in the ingot case, the horizontal cross section of its outer shape is circular or rectangular, and the horizontal cross section of the hollow part (inside) is circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, polygonal with protruding ridges, or star-shaped. Certain forms are included. In addition, the hollow portion in the ingot case may be provided with either an upward spread or a downward spread draft.

The present invention also includes a high-melting point active metal top pouring and ingoting apparatus (claim 2) in which the high-melting point active metal and the metal pipe are made of the same high-melting point active metal or an alloy thereof. Be done. According to this, even when the vicinity of the lower end of the metal pipe is immersed in the molten high melting point active metal rising in the ingot case and eluted, the molten metal and the metal pipe are the same high melting point active metal or alloy. The composition of the ingot that solidifies in the above case can be kept uniform. still,
For example, even when the high melting point active metal is pure Ti, other elements and the like are not mixed, so that the homogeneity of its composition (purity) can be maintained.

Further, in the present invention, the inner diameter of the metal pipe is within a range of 3 to 20 times the outer diameter of the molten metal of the high melting point active metal poured into the ingot case, and The length also falls within the range of 1 to 5 times the inner diameter of the pipe, and a top-melting apparatus for high-melting-point active metal (claim 3) is also included. According to this, the molten metal of the high melting point active metal can be easily poured into the hollow portion of the metal pipe, and the metal pipe can be smoothly raised without coming into contact with the inner wall of the ingot case. Moreover, by setting the length along the axis (vertical) direction of the metal pipe within the above range, it is possible to effectively prevent splashing and facilitate the raising operation of the pipe.

When the inner diameter of the metal pipe is less than three times the outer diameter of the molten metal to be poured, it becomes difficult to pour the molten metal into the hollow portion of the pipe, while the inner diameter is 20 times the outer diameter. If it exceeds twice, the metal pipe approaches or contacts the inner wall of the ingot case, so the above range was set to prevent these. Further, if the length of the metal pipe is shorter than the inner diameter of the pipe, the splash is easily scattered to the outside of the pipe. On the other hand, if the length is more than 5 times the inner diameter, it is difficult to raise the pipe. However, the above range is set to exclude these because there is not enough distance to climb.

Further, according to the present invention, the lower end of the metal pipe is located within a range of ± 30 mm with respect to a molten metal surface of the high melting point active metal poured into the ingot case. In addition, a high melting point active metal top pouring and ingoting device that rises in accordance with the rise of the molten metal surface (claim 4)
Is also included. According to this, the lower end of the metal pipe has a level directly above the molten metal surface, a level in contact with the molten metal surface,
Or, because it is maintained at a level where it is slightly immersed in the molten metal, it is always possible to reliably prevent the molten metal of the high melting point active metal that is poured into the ingot case from splashing and spattering. You can The more desirable position of the lower end of the metal pipe is ±
It is within 10 mm, and more preferably within −0 mm to +10.

Further, according to the present invention, the ascending means of the metal pipe uses the metal pipe as one electrode and the ingot case as the other electrode, and the metal pipe is on the surface of the molten metal in the ingot case. Contact detection means for detecting that the pair of electrodes is energized when contacted,
A rising machine that raises the metal pipe at a speed equal to or higher than the rising speed of the molten metal surface by a signal from the detecting means,
Also included is a high melting point active metal top-pouring ingoting apparatus (Claim 5). According to this, every time the vicinity of the lower end of the metal pipe comes into contact with the surface of the molten metal in the ingot case, the metal pipe rises to a position higher than the surface of the molten metal and stops when the metal pipe separates from the surface of the molten metal, and the stop is concerned. Then continue until the molten metal rises and contacts. As a result, the metal pipe is chased by the rising surface of the metal and rises intermittently, so that the splash of the molten metal poured into the ingot case can be always prevented. The contact detecting means includes, for example, an ammeter and a voltmeter, and the ascending means includes a hoisting machine for hoisting a wire that suspends a metal pipe.

Further, according to the present invention, the ascending means for the metal pipe is a level detecting means for detecting a level of the molten metal surface poured into the ingot case, and a signal from the detecting means for detecting the level. A rising machine for raising the metal pipe at a speed equal to or higher than the rising speed of the molten metal surface,
Also included is a top-pouring ingoting device of high melting point active metal (Claim 6). According to this, by detecting the level of the molten metal surface rising in the ingot case, for example, the distance in the case above the level is the length of the metal pipe and the wire that suspends the pipe. The rising means of the metal pipe can be controlled so that the sum of the length and the length is within ± 30 mm. Therefore, it becomes possible to always prevent the adhesion of splash as in the above. A microwave sensor, a laser sensor, or the like can be used as the level detecting means.

Further, in the present invention, the molten metal supply means is a semi-levitation induction melting furnace including a liquid-cooled metal crucible and a high-frequency coil wound around the crucible, which is a top-melting apparatus for high melting point active metal ( Claim 7) is also included. According to this, the induction melting of a high-melting-point active metal such as Ti and the molten metal is raised in the crucible by Lorentz repulsive force to eliminate or reduce the contact with the inner wall of the crucible,
It can be made into a molten metal with a homogeneous composition by electromagnetic stirring. Therefore, it becomes possible to surely pour the molten metal into the ingot case and prevent the splash thereof and obtain an ingot having a uniform composition. The liquid-cooled metal crucible is composed of a plurality of segments made of copper or the like via insulating slits, and cooling water can be circulated in each segment.

In addition, according to the present invention, the induction melting furnace is
A high-melting-point active metal top pouring ingot device in which an electromagnetic hot water nozzle including a funnel-shaped liquid-cooled metal segment capable of induction heating and a high-frequency coil wound around it is arranged on the bottom of the furnace. ) Is also included. According to this, among the solidified shells solidified near the bottom of the molten metal that has risen in the crucible of the melting furnace, the solidified shell near the center of the bottom (furnace bottom) of the crucible is melted and eluted by the coil. As a result, subsequently, the molten metal in the crucible can be poured into the ingot case smoothly and surely. Moreover, the furnace bottom of the melting furnace (crucible) can be automatically closed by the new solidified shell formed by stopping the energization of the coil.

The ingot case and the surface plate are
It is also possible to use a form made of steel, copper, or a copper alloy and having a structure in which a cooling liquid can circulate. Thereby, the molten metal of the high melting point active metal poured into the ingot case can be surely cooled, and an ingot having a good casting surface and a uniform composition can be obtained more reliably. In addition, the ingot case is an aggregate of segments made of steel, copper, or a copper alloy and divided into a plurality of pieces in the circumferential direction, and a cooling liquid can be circulated in each segment. is there. Accordingly, by dividing each segment or a plurality of segments, even an ingot solidified into an arbitrary shape such as a three-dimensional shape can be easily taken out to the outside.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a vertical cross-section of a high-melting-point active metal top-pouring ingot device 1 according to the invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, this ingot-making apparatus 1 is a semi-levitation induction melting furnace for melting a high melting point active metal such as Ti.
(Molten metal supply means) 2 and the molten metal M poured from the melting furnace 2
It is provided with an ingot case 30 that receives and solidifies it into a predetermined ingot, and a metal pipe 40 that is vertically movable in the case 30. As shown in the figure, the induction melting furnace 2 has a cylindrical water-cooled copper crucible (liquid example crucible) 4, an airtight cylinder 8 provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and a spiral winding around the outer periphery (periphery) of the airtight cylinder 8. High frequency coil 1
0, and an electromagnetic hot water discharge nozzle 11 arranged at the bottom of the furnace.
The water-cooled copper crucible 4 is composed of a plurality of segments arranged along the circumferential direction through a plurality of vertical insulating slits 5, and a cooling water circulation path 6 penetrating along the vertical direction is formed in each segment. Has been formed. Further, the airtight cylinder 8 is F
It consists of RP.

Further, the electromagnetic hot water nozzle 11 is, as shown in FIG. 1, a funnel-shaped water-cooled copper segment (liquid-cooled metal segment) 1 arranged at the bottom of the crucible 4 of the melting furnace 2.
2, a seal member 14 wound around the outer circumference thereof, and a high-frequency coil 16 wound around the outer periphery of the seal member 12 in a conical and spiral shape and for induction heating the vicinity of the through hole (gate hole) 13 at the center of the segment 12. I have it. The water-cooled copper segment 12 is composed of a plurality of segments made of copper, a copper alloy, or the like, which are divided into a plurality of parts by insulating portions along the radial direction, and cooling water can be circulated in each segment. The seal member 14 is made of, for example, a thermosetting phenol resin (trade name: Bakelite).

As shown in FIG. 1, ring-shaped horizontal flanges 20 and 21 are arranged above and below the water-cooled copper crucible 4, and a plurality of columns 22 are erected at equal intervals on the outside of these flanges. . On the upper surface of the upper flange 20, the crucible 4
The furnace lid 24 and the raw material container 26 are arranged so as to be slidable in the left-right direction in FIG. The furnace lid 24 has an opening 23 for monitoring inside the crucible 4 and a door 25 that closes the opening 23.
In addition, the container 26 has a box shape as a whole, an open bottom surface, and an openable lid 28 on the upper surface.
In addition, after the raw material G is put in the container 26,
It is replaced with an inert gas such as r. In addition, the raw material G includes
Sponge Ti, Briquette Ti, and Scrap Ti
Etc. are included.

As shown in FIG. 1, a conical or quadrangular pyramid-shaped protective cover 34 is provided below the melting furnace 2,
A cylindrical or quadrangular prismatic ingot case 30 is arranged. The case 30 has a hollow portion 31 having a columnar shape or a quadrangular prism shape inside and includes a plurality of segments 32 made of steel or copper. Inside each of the segments 32, a cooling water circulation path 33 is internally provided along the vertical direction.
The hollow portion 31 may be provided with a draft that slightly expands toward the upper end or the lower end thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the ingot case 30 is erected vertically on a surface plate 37, and is placed and movable on a carriage 38 having a plurality of wheels 39. Incidentally, the platen 37 concerned
Also, it is made of steel or copper and has a circulation passage for cooling water (not shown) provided therein.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ingot case 30 has a cylindrical shape and is an ingot which is a target for ingot formation.
Metal pipe 40 made of the same Ti or Ti alloy as
Is inserted and suspended by a plurality of wires 44. The inner diameter of the metal pipe 40 is the molten metal to be poured, which will be described later.
3 to 20 times the outer diameter of the pipe 40, and its axial (vertical) length is preset to be 1 to 5 times the inner diameter of the pipe 40. One end of the wire 44 is connected to the upper end of the metal pipe 40, and the other end thereof penetrates the through hole 35 containing the sealing material 36 of the protective cover 34 and a hoisting machine 45 made of ceramic. (Climbing machine) 4
It is fixed to the winding drum of No. 6.

A DC power source 47 and an ammeter (contact detecting means) 48 are provided between each hoisting machine 46 and the ingot case 30.
Wiring 49 is provided. In addition, ammeter 48
May be replaced with a galvanometer, a voltmeter, or a transistor. That is, the metal pipe 40 through the wire 44
Is used as one electrode, the ingot case 30 is used as the other electrode via the wiring 49, and a closed electric circuit can be formed via the molten metal m such as Ti poured into the case 30. Machine 46, power supply 47, and ammeter 48
Including, the means for raising the pipe 40 is formed.

Here, the operation of the top pouring ingot making apparatus 1 having the above-mentioned structure will be described. In FIG. 1, a raw material G such as Ti is inserted into the raw material container 26, and after closing the lid 28, an inert gas such as Ar is filled. Next, the raw material container 26 is slid to the left side in FIG. 1 together with the furnace lid 24, and the raw material G is charged into the water-cooled copper crucible 4. The inside of the crucible 4 is also replaced with Ar gas or the like in advance. Next, a high frequency current of, for example, 1000 Hz is applied to the high frequency coil 10. Then, the magnetic field formed around the coil 10 penetrates the airtight cylinder 8 and the water-cooled copper crucible 4
The raw material G contained therein is sufficiently permeated and is induction heated. As a result, the raw material G is melted and further heated by the magnetic field. At the same time, molten metal M such as molten Ti
Rises in the crucible 4 by the Lorentz repulsive force (electromagnetic pressure) generated by the magnetic field, as shown in FIG.
It becomes difficult to contact the inner wall. Therefore, T
Semi-levitation dissolution such as i is performed.

In the above melting, as shown in FIG. 2 (A), in the molten metal M in the water-cooled copper crucible 4, near the contact with the water-cooled copper segment 12 at the bottom of the furnace, a solidified shell having a similar shape to this is formed. S is formed. For this reason, the through hole 13 at the center of the segment 12 is closed by the solidified shell S, so that the molten metal M is sealed in the crucible 4. Next, when a predetermined amount of molten metal M is melted in the water-cooled copper crucible 4,
15000H in the high frequency coil 16 of the electromagnetic hot water nozzle 11
A high frequency current of z is applied. Then, the magnetic field from the coil 16 permeates the solidified shell S through the seal member 14 and the water-cooled copper segment 12 and inductively heats the solidified shell S. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (B), the solidified shell S in the through hole 13 at the center of the water-cooled copper segment 12 is eluted, and the molten metal M in the water-cooled copper crucible 4 also has a small outer diameter m. Become,
It is poured along the center of the hollow portion 31 of the ingot case 30. The inside of the hollow portion 31 is also replaced with an inert gas such as Ar gas in advance.

As shown in FIG. 1, an ingot case 30 is provided.
The molten metal m poured inside is the surface plate 3 at the bottom of the hollow portion 31.
It solidifies from the 7 side in order to become an ingot C and rises with the surface of the molten metal m. On the other hand, the lower end 43 of the metal pipe 40 is in contact with the inside of the hollow portion 31 of the ingot case 30 and on the surface plate 37 before the molten metal m is poured. For this reason, even if the poured molten metal m collides with the surface of the surface plate 37, the splash s will be absorbed by the inner wall 42 of the metal pipe 40.
Weld to. As a result, the splash s of the molten metal m generated by colliding with the surface of the surface plate 37 does not adhere to the inner wall of the hollow portion 31.

By the way, the molten metal m poured into the ingot case 30 is gradually solidified into an ingot C, which is located near the molten metal surface above and gradually rises. Following the rise of the level of the molten metal m, the metal pipe 40 and the hollow portion 3 of the ingot case 30 are also shown in FIGS. 3 (A) to (C).
1, the lower end 43 of the metal pipe 40 rises in the molten metal m.
Within ± 30 mm, preferably ± 10 mm with respect to the bath surface
It will be within the range. Therefore, the ascending means of the metal pipe 40 including the wire 44, the hoisting machine 46, the power source 47, the ammeter 48, and the wiring 49 is utilized.

The operation of the lifting means for the metal pipe 40 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4 (A), the lower end 43 of the metal pipe 40, which has been stopped, comes into contact with the surface of the molten metal m rising together with the ingot C and is immersed therein. Then,
Through the molten metal m near the surface of the molten metal, the wire 44, the hoisting machine 46,
The ammeter 48 and the power supply 47 form a closed electric circuit together with the wiring 49. As a result, a current flows through the ammeter 48, and it is detected that the metal pipe 40 is in contact with the surface of the molten metal m. Then, a signal from the ammeter 48 is output to the motor 50 to drive the hoisting machine 46, as indicated by the dashed-dotted line arrow in FIG. 4 (B). This allows the wire 4
Since 4 is wound up at a speed higher than the rising speed of the molten metal surface, the lower end 43 of the metal pipe 40 separates from the molten metal surface of the molten metal m. At the same time, since the electric circuit is opened and the current stops flowing, the lower end 43 of the metal pipe 40 stops at a position within +30 mm from the surface of the molten metal m.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4 (C), the rising surface of the molten metal m contacts the lower end 43 of the stopped metal pipe 40, and the rising shown in FIG. 4 (B) is intermittent. To be done. During this period, the molten metal poured from the crucible 4
Even if the metal collides with the molten metal surface, the splash s
Are always attached to the inner wall 42 of the metal pipe 40. Therefore, according to the above-mentioned top pouring ingot device 1, it is possible to surely ingot the ingot C having a smooth casting surface in the hollow portion 31 of the ingot case 30. Further, as the material of the metal pipe 40, a metal such as the same Ti as the molten metal m to be cast or a Ti alloy having the same composition is used, so that the ingot C having a uniform composition can be obtained. Moreover, since the raw material G is previously melted in the melting furnace 2 by cerebration, the ingot C of the refractory metal having a highly accurate composition can be reliably cast. The obtained ingot C is separated from the melting furnace 2 or the like together with the carriage 38, and then the ingot case 30 is pulled out upward or downward, or the segment 32 of the case 30 is divided into a plurality of groups. It is taken out by.

[0028]

EXAMPLE A concrete example using the top pouring and ingoting apparatus 1 will be described below. In the melting furnace 2, in a water-cooled copper crucible 4 having an inner diameter of 400 mm and a height of 600 mm, a high-frequency current having a power output of 1500 kW and a frequency of 1000 Hz is applied to the high-frequency coil 10 to generate about 2
00 kg of pure Ti melt M was melted. The molten metal M
The high-frequency coil 16 located at the bottom of the furnace has a power output of 60.
A high frequency current of kW and a frequency of 15000 Hz was passed through, and a molten metal m having an outer diameter of about 20 mm was poured into the hollow portion 31 of the ingot case 30 from the through hole 13 (inner diameter: 20 mm) at the center of the water-cooled copper segment 12. . The ingot case 30 is made of copper, has a height of 1200 mm, a cylindrical hollow portion 31 has an inner diameter of 250 mm, and is divided into four segments 32.

In the case 30, a metal pipe 40 made of pure Ti and having an inner diameter of 150 mm, a thickness of 5 mm and a height of 300 mm is suspended by the plurality of wires 44. The metal pipe 40 is connected to the hoisting machine 46.
In accordance with the rise of the pouring level of the poured molten metal m, the lower end 43 is sequentially raised within the range of ± 30 mm by the method shown in FIG. Let As a result, after about 1 minute, the outer diameter is 250 m.
An ingot C made of pure Ti having a height of m and a height of 1000 mm was obtained. The casting surface of the ingot C is the metal pipe 4
Since the adhesion of the splash s was prevented by 0, the composition was smooth and good, and the composition thereof was also a homogeneous pure Ti composition containing almost no impurities. By the way, the casting efficiency (melting-casting / hour) of the top pouring casting device 1 used in this example.
Was 400 kg / h. This confirmed the effectiveness of using the top-pouring ingot-making apparatus 1 of the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments and examples described above. For example, metal pipe 4
As the raising means for 0, as shown in FIG. 5A, a microwave sensor (level detecting means) 52 arranged above the ingot case 30 may be used. That is, the level of the molten metal surface of the molten metal m in the ingot case 30 is detected by the timing at which the microwave transmitted from the sensor 52 toward the molten metal surface of the molten metal m is reflected and received. Then, when the lower end 43 of the metal pipe 40 is in contact with or immersed in the molten metal surface of the molten metal m from such a level, the lower end 43 of the metal pipe 40 is positioned +30 mm above the molten metal m surface. The sensor 52 issues an instruction to a controller 54 such as a controller.

Next, the controller 54 instructs the motor 50 of the hoisting machine 46 to rotate at a predetermined speed.
As shown in FIG. 5 (A), the metal pipe 40 is raised to a position 30 mm higher than the molten metal surface through the wire 44.
The controller 54 may also determine whether the lower end 43 of the metal pipe 40 is in contact with or immersed in the molten metal surface of the molten metal m based on the level detected by the sensor 52. By periodically repeating such sensing and raising operations, the lower end 43 of the metal pipe 40 is
While being constantly set in the vicinity of the molten metal surface of the molten metal m in the ingot case 30, the molten metal m can be solidified and surely agglomerated into the ingot C of a homogeneous refractory metal such as Ti. The microwave sensor 52 can be replaced with a laser sensor or the like.

FIG. 5B shows a vertical cross section of an ingot case 60 having a different shape. The case 60 is made of copper or steel and is divided into a plurality of segments 64 in the circumferential direction.
A hollow portion 61 located inside thereof and a seal member 66 wound around the outer periphery of the segment 64. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, a cooling water circulation path 65 extends through each segment 64. In addition, the hollow portion 61 includes the small-diameter portions 62, 62 which are located above and below in FIG.
And the large-diameter portion 63 located in the middle thereof, and the seal member 66 is made of the same thermosetting phenol resin as described above. When the ingot C having the outer shape following the hollow portion 61 is cast using the case 60, the sealing member 66 is used.
By removing and dividing the segments 64 into, for example, 2 to 4 groups, the ingot C having a three-dimensional shape can be taken out. The hollow portion 61 and all the segments 64 may have a square shape, a rectangular shape, a hexagonal shape, or a star shape with protruding ridges in a plan view.

The shape of the metal pipe is not limited to the metal pipe 40 having a circular cross section, but may be a rectangle such as a square or a rectangle, or a hexagon so that the shape of the metal pipe is substantially similar to the horizontal cross section of the hollow portion of the ingot case. It is also possible to have a shape having a horizontal cross section such as a regular polygon such as an octagon or a modified polygon. Further, the metal pipe is a two-stage or three-stage type pipe that is telescopic with each other, and has an overall tubular expandable and contractible form, and extends in the vertical direction near the bottom in the ingot case, and It is also possible to raise it by shortening it as it approaches the upper end in the ingot case. The material of the metal pipe may be different from the metal or alloy of the ingot to be ingot. For example,
When the metal to be agglomerated is Ti or a Ti alloy, the splash and elution of the metal pipe can be prevented by setting the material of the metal pipe to W or Ta whose melting point is 1000 ° C. or more higher than that of Ti or the like, or an alloy thereof Can be prevented.

Further, the molten metal supply means is not limited to the semi-levitation melting furnace 2, but an arc furnace capable of melting Ti or the like in an inert gas atmosphere or in a vacuum and capable of discharging molten metal from the furnace bottom, an electro beam (EB) A furnace, an electric furnace, a vacuum induction melting furnace, etc. are also applicable. Further, the metal pipe raising means is a preset timer corresponding to the rising speed of the molten metal rising in the ingot case, and a raising machine such as a hoisting machine that is intermittently or continuously driven by the timer. It is also possible to adopt a form including. Further, instead of the cooling water circulating inside the water-cooled copper crucible 4, the segments 12, 32, 64 and the surface plate 37, a cooling medium made of an oily liquid may be used. The present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit thereof.

[0035]

According to the apparatus for injecting high melting point active metal according to the present invention (claim 1), the metal pipe rises according to the level of the molten metal of the high melting point active metal rising in the ingot case. However, since the splash is prevented from adhering to the inside of the case, it is possible to surely make an ingot having a good casting surface. Further, according to the top pouring ingot forming apparatus of claim 2, even when the vicinity of the lower end of the metal pipe is dipped and eluted in the molten metal of the high melting point active metal rising in the ingot case, the molten metal and the metal pipe are separated from each other. Since the same high melting point active metal or its alloy is used, the composition of the ingot solidified in the above case can be kept uniform.

Further, according to the top pouring and ingoting apparatus of claim 3, the molten metal of the high melting point active metal can be easily poured into the hollow portion (inside) of the metal pipe, and the metal pipe can be used as the inner wall of the ingot case. It is possible to smoothly raise without contacting, prevent splash from adhering to the case, and facilitate the raising operation of the metal pipe.
Further, according to the top pouring and ingoting device of claims 4 to 6, the lower end of the metal pipe is at a level immediately above the molten metal surface,
Since the molten metal to be poured is maintained at either a level in contact with the molten metal surface or a level in which the molten metal is slightly immersed in the molten metal, it is possible to reliably prevent the molten metal to be splashed and adhere to the ingot case.

Further, according to the top pouring and ingoting apparatus of claim 7, the metal is induction-heated and its molten metal is raised in the crucible of the melting furnace by Lorentz repulsive force so as to prevent contact with the inner wall of the crucible. It is possible to obtain a molten metal having a homogeneous composition by reducing the amount thereof and by electromagnetic stirring. Therefore, it becomes possible to surely pour the molten metal into the ingot case and prevent the splash thereof and obtain an ingot having a uniform composition. In addition, according to the top pouring ingot-casting device of claim 8, among the solidified shells solidified near the bottom of the molten metal rising in the melting furnace, the solidified shell near the center of the furnace bottom of the melting furnace is the high frequency wave. By melting and eluting by the coil, the molten metal in the melting furnace can be smoothly and surely poured into the ingot case subsequently. Moreover, the furnace bottom of the melting furnace can be automatically closed by the new solidification shell formed by stopping the energization of the coil.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing an outline of a high melting point active metal top pouring ingot device according to the present invention.

2A and 2B are schematic views showing the operation of a melting furnace in the ingot making apparatus of FIG.

3 (A) to 3 (C) are schematic views showing the action of a metal pipe in the ingot making apparatus of FIG.

4 (A) to 4 (C) are schematic views showing the action of the metal pipe raising means in the ingot making apparatus of FIG.

5 (A) is a schematic view showing different forms of raising means and its action, (B) is a vertical sectional view showing an ingot case of different forms, and (C) is a line C-C in (B). The end view in the arrow view along.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ……………… High melting point active metal top pouring ingot device 2 ………… Semi-levitation induction melting furnace (molten metal supply means) 4 ……………… Water-cooled copper crucible (liquid-cooled metal crucible) 10, 16 High-frequency coil 11 Electromagnetic hot water nozzle 12 Water-cooled copper segment (liquid-cooled metal segment) 13-Through hole (hot water outlet) 30, 60 Ingot case 37 ... Surface plate 40 ………… Metal pipe 43 ………… Lower end of metal pipe 46 …… Hoisting machine (climbing machine) 48 ………… Ammeter (contact detection means) 52 ………… Microwave sensor (level) Detecting means) M, m ......... Melted metal s ............ Splash

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An ingot case made of metal vertically erected on a surface plate, and a molten metal of a high melting point active metal is poured into the ingot case from a tap hole located above the ingot case and located at the lower end. And a metal pipe that surrounds the molten metal of the high melting point active metal to be poured in the ingot case to prevent its splashing and to be able to rise according to the level of the molten metal surface. A high pouring active metal top pouring and ingoting device characterized by the above. 2. The top pouring ingot device according to claim 1, wherein the high melting point active metal and the metal pipe are made of the same high melting point active metal or an alloy thereof. 3. The inner diameter of the metal pipe is in the range of 3 to 20 times the outer diameter of the molten metal of the high melting point active metal poured into the ingot case, and the length of the metal pipe is The high-melting point active metal top-pouring ingot device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pipe is within a range of 1 to 5 times the inner diameter of the pipe. 4. The molten metal pipe is so positioned that its lower end is located within ± 30 mm with respect to the molten metal surface of the molten metal made of the high melting point active metal poured into the ingot case. The high-melting-point active metal top-pouring ingot device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which rises in accordance with a rise in the molten metal level. 5. The ascending means of the metal pipe uses the metal pipe as one electrode and the ingot case as the other electrode, and when the metal pipe comes into contact with the surface of the molten metal in the ingot case. A contact detection unit that detects that the pair of electrodes is energized, and a lifter that raises the metal pipe at a speed equal to or higher than the rising speed of the molten metal surface by a signal from the detection unit, The high-melting-point active metal top-pouring ingot device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is characterized in that. 6. The leveling means for raising the metal pipe detects the level of the surface of the molten metal poured into the ingot case, and the signal from the level detecting means causes the metal pipe to move the molten metal into the molten metal. 5. An ascending machine for elevating at a speed equal to or higher than the ascending speed of the molten metal surface, the top-melting apparatus for high-melting point active metal according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 7. The molten metal supply means is a semi-levitation induction melting furnace including a liquid-cooled metal crucible and a high-frequency coil wound around the crucible.
The top-pouring ingot device for high melting point active metal according to any one of 1. 8. The induction melting furnace is provided with an electromagnetic tap nozzle that includes a funnel-shaped liquid-cooled metal segment capable of induction heating and a high-frequency coil wound around the induction-melting furnace at the bottom of the induction melting furnace. The high-melting point active metal top-pouring ingot device according to claim 7.