US2023040A - Centrifugal ring-ingot casting machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec., 3, 1935., L. ADAMS, JR 2,023,040

CENTRIFUGL RING INGOT CASTING MACHINE Dec.. 3, 1935.

J. L. ADAMS, JR

GENTRIFUGAL RING INGOT CASTING MACHINE yFiled. July l5, 1955 1l Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 3, 1935. J. 1 ADAMS, .1R

v CENTRIFUGAL RING INGOT CASTING MACHINE Filed July l5, 1933 ll Sheets-Sheei 3 Dec. 3, 1935. .1, 1 ADAMS, JR

CENTRIFUGAL RING INGOT CASTING MACHINE Filed July l5, 1933 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 IHMPPIJJJWL I I I Il .N @www ENR@ Dec. 3, 1935. J. L ADAMS, JR

CENTRIFUGAL RING INGOT CASTING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1953 1.1 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR.

Dec. 3, 1935. J LAD/ms, JRv 2,023,040

CENTRIFUGAL RING INGOT CASTING MACHINE Filed July l5, 1953 l1 ShQetS---Shee'l 5 TA PERED FIG. EZB, I

Dec. 3, 1935.

J. L. ADAMS, JR

CENTRIFUGAL RING INGOT CASTING'MACHINE Filed July l5, 1955 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 .lllul lllllllllllllllllll le mm n;

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INVENTOR.

Dec. 3, 1935..

J. L. ADAMS, JR

CENTRIFUGAL RING INGOT CASTING MACHINE Filed July l5, 1955 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 IN V EN TOR.

HI .In

De. 3, 1935. 1 ,MDAMS7 JR i 2,023,040

CENTRIFUGAL RING INGOT CASTING MACHINE Filed July l5, 1933 11 Sheets-Sheet lO M 17" bor-TR/MM/w l 5TH770N I9 ENTER/NV srAT/oN,

Fm' 40' y INVENTOR.

J. L. ADAMS, JR

CENTRIFUGAL RING INGOT CASTINGMACHINE Dec. 3, 1935.

1l Sheets-Sheet ll Filed July l5, 1933 INVENTOR.

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, H u H Patented Dec.4 3, 1935 UNITED `STATES- PATENT OFFICE 2,023,040 cENrmFUGAL ame-moor mismo MACHINE 12 Claims. The present invention relates broadly to the art of ingot casting, and more particularly to the.

high-speed centrifugal casting and jarring of relatively much wider axially, and thinner radially, than usual, circular metal ingots, together with continued control of the initial cooling and solidication thereof, in such wise as to give very great compactness to the mass, and uniformity of composition to the metal, with substantially complete absence of the customary pipes, pockets, and other central or sub-surface cavities, along with substantial elimination of a great part of the usual occluded and trapped gases, and detrimentally located dentridal crystals, all these improve-V ments leading to the production of a greater uniformity of both constitution and texture of the metal mass, than is the case in the usual ingot of commerce, Where considerable segregation, or separation-out of the several constituents of the mix, normally occurs during the initial cooling and solidication period.

My present invention also includes closely coordinated means for quickly hot-cleaning, or hottrimming lightly, certain surface elements oi the ingot, very closely after initial solidication, and,while the metal is still very plastic, in order to substantially eliminate certain surface inclusions, and the better prepare the entire lngot for subsequent belt-mill rolling, as by my mill covered by co-pending application Serial No. 674,661, filed June 7th, 1933.

Some six of the primary objects of the present invention, therefore, consist in the provision of rugged apparatus for the ultra-rapid production at loW cost of substantially circular ring-ingots, which are (1st) highly compacted, (2nd) of very uniform composition throughout, (3rd) substantially pipe-less and gas free, (4th) of extra wide and thin type, (5th) of metal which has been repeatedly jarred during its solidiflcation, and (6th) which are of such form as to be readily white-hot brushed, or skim-trimmed by circular, rotating blade cutters, if desired, previous to the rolling operation.

Another important object is to provide apparatus which will give progressive solidification from one broad :face of the ingot toward the other,

along its thinnest or radial dimension, and not y from each of the four main outside surfaces inward, toward the centre of the section, since in this latter process the progressive multi-directional shrinkage of the metal as it solidifies and cools, leads directly to the necessary concom-` itant formation of interior pockets, flssures, pipes,

and cracks, all contributing numerous causes for waste, and high costs of rolling.

A vital object is to greatly cut these plate and sheet manufacturing costs, by providing apparatus for the production of a type of ingot eminently 5 suited for use in connection with a high-speed and high-capacity, continuous belt-mill, such as that disclosed in my co-pending application previously referred to.

Another essential object is to provide a means 10 for the high-speed, low-cost, quantity production of centrifugally-cast, jarred, and trimmed ring-ingots, of ultra-low porosity, and high uniformity of texture and composition.

One leading object is to substantially wipe-out 15 the usual 10% to 15% end-crop loss, common to the customary straight types of ingot, and thus cut nal plate costs.

Another object is to greatly cut the usual lnitial solidlcation time, as well as the length of 20 f the soaking-pit period, by casting in much thinner sections than has been customary heretofore in ingots for rolling mill use.

A still further object is to provide for the production of a. ring ingot, which can be slowly ro- 25 tated on its axis, if desired, during gas, oil, powdered coal, induction electric, or other heating,

\ so as to make doubly sure of the uniformity of the heating therearound.

Another outstanding object is to provide an in- 30 got of such form that it will require a minimum number of passes in the mill to convert into plate, or moderately thin sheet, so as to thereby greatly conserve the total rolling mill time, increase the tonnage output, and decrease the conversion costs into such products.

One noteworthy object is to so fore-shorten the solidication time, by reducing the maximum section thickness found in the ingot, as to materially lower the time allotted for segregation of 40 the materials of the mix, and also the period allowed for growth of the metal crystals, thus leading not only to a more general uniformity of the material throughout the casting, but to a smaller and more refined grain structure throughout the ingot, as it leaves the casting unit.

, An added object is to produce a centrifugal casting machine, or unit, in which the casting occurs with a minimum of splashing of the entering metal. 5

A supplementary object is to provide means for the production of an ingot which can be conveniently hot-trimmed either by high-speed wirebrush meansoperating on the white hot and still slightly plastic material, or by water-cooled roi 2 tary blade trimmers functioning at a slightly later stage in the cooling.

Other worthwhile objects will be obvious to anyone versed in the art to which this invention appertains. g l

With all these and other objects in view, I have provided an apparatus for the high-speed centrifugal casting and shaking of axially wide and radially thin ring-ingots, of substantially compactvmetal, and uniform texture throughout.

It will be noted that my apparatus provides for keeping the interior broad face of the ingot liquid, or plastic, as long as may be required to assure that the solidiflcation will be progressive fromthe outer peripheral face only, and thence inward through the casting toward central axis, and under such centrifugal' and jarring conditions as will assure a maximum of compacting of the metal, but without unduly extending the pelriod of such solidification so as to permit the growth of large crystals in the metal, and extensive segregation of the more easily crystallized elements of the initial composite mix.

It will be further `noted that my apparatus provides for the white-hot brushing, or the light hot-trimming of the interior face of the newly formed ingot, or for both of these operations in sequence, so as to substantially eliminate interior surface inclusions, centrifugally separated materials, and excessive thickness variations in spots around the periphery, all of which would be detrimental to final rolled product. It is conceivable, however, that such surfacing operations on the ingot might be dispensed with in some cases, as where utmost cleanliness of metal is non-important, or slight defects in the rolled plate are not material.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a plan view of my complete apparatus, except as broken away to illustrate at Figure 1A a portion of my rotating track disc, and as further broken away at Figure 1B to show a typical radial segment of the lower stationary track mounted upon concrete or other base, in a shallow pit below.

'I'he approximate position of the various operating stations are indicated hereon. it being noted, however, that the hot-'brushing station will usually be located one or two positions further to the left, and the stripping station a-little higher up on the right, so as to provide a little more distance to the pouring station in each case.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on line II-II of Figure l, looking with the arrows, except as partly broken away, and shows the ultra simplicity of the method of drive utilized `for the centrifugal action, this drive being common to all of the 30 moulds shown on previous ligure.

Figure 3 is an enlargement of section III-III of Figure 1, to better bring out some of the features of construction, and is also a plan view.

Figure 4 is, similarly, an enlargement of Figure 2, and indicates the lines on which Figures la and la, above, are taken, looking with the arrows.

Figure 5 is a plan view, enlarged, of the segment V-V of Figure 1, covering the pouring station.

Figure 6 is an elevation of the scale-beam element shown at top of Figure 5, taken as per line V12-VI, and looking in the direction of the arrows. In actual practice, of course, this scalebeam would be located very considerably farther away from the hot-metal ladle than is here shown,

and with appropriatehot-metal protection therebetween. l i

Figure 7 is an elevation and partial section of 1/z-sections, respectively,

the apparatus shown on Figure 5, taken about on the line VII-VII of latter figure, again looking with the arrows.

Figure 8 is a part section of pouring-cone, taken on the line VIII-VIII of Figure 7, looking with 5 the arrows, but somewhat enlarged to vshow the ribs more clearly.

Figures 9 and l0 show in succession the roller mounting means provided for pouring-cone support, and successive sectionsy of said pouringcone, taken on the appropriately numbered lines of Figure '7, again looking with the arrows.

Figure 11 illustrates an enlarged plan view, partly in section, of the hot-brushing station elements positioned at about XI--XI, or somewhat 15 further to the left, in Figure 1, along the positioning raifindicated.

Figure 12 shows this hot-brushing station in partial elevationA and part section, about as per line XII-XII Iof Figure 11, again with the arows. 20

Figure 13 is a partial section of the parts of Figure 11, as per line XIII-XIII thereon. Figure 14 is a partial elevation, showing certain elements of Figure 12, as taken from line XIV-XIV on this latter figure, and with con- 25 necting-rodin section.

Figure 15 is an enlargement of hot-trimming station apparatus, in plan view, and covering certain elements shown at about the position XV-XV around the circle of Figure 1, but with 30 the casting mould removed, and one trimmer sho-wn in section.

Figure 16 is a vertical section, shown partially in elevation, of the parts of Figure 15, taken on the line XVI-XVI of latter, more or less, but 35 with casting mould and contained ring-ingot added in order to show the relation of the parts. The screw-down section is taken, per force, a little nearer the vertical axis.

Figure 17 is a section of casting mould, with 40 its contained ingot, taken on line XVII-XVII of Figure 16, with the arrows.

Figure 18 is a partsection and part elevation of the trimmer mechanism, taken on the appropriately numbered line of Figure 16. i5

Figure 19 is a section of trimmer-head-adjusting drive only, per line XIX-XIX of Figure 16. This adjustment is necessary to take care of slightly coned ingots.

Figure 20 is a transverse vertical cross-section 50 cn line XX-XX of Figure 16, while Figures 21 and 22 are further transverse cross-sectional views of trimmer parts, as per the appropriately numbered arrows on Figure 16.

Figure 23 is an enlargement, likewise in sec- 55 tion, of parts near the XXII-Xm line on Figure 16, but looking in same direction as latter gure, while Figures 24 and 25`- show the appropriately marked sections taken on the lines indicated in 60 Figure 23, with the arrows. A

Figure 26, on next sheet of drawings, illustrates an enlarged plan view of the apparatus forming the step-by-step indexing station. as indicated at XXVI-XXVI position, and external to the largest circle of Figure 1, the later figure showing, however, certain of the casting wheel parts which were broken away in Figure 1, and in. addition appropriate connections for the driving motor, including necessary contactors and limit switches designed to give the step-by-step motion required, although other equivalent means for accomplishing this result might easily be cited.

Figures 27A and 27a illustrate top and bottom of a casting mould to positions.

produce slightly tapered, and parallel sided ringi'ngots, respectively, these mould sections being in general similar to such parts as shown on Figures 11 and i2, but considerably enlarged, and taken-axially of the ingot.

` The mould-head `proportions shown in the earlier figures indicate preferred constructions, however, the later figures being foreshortened herer due to space limitations. Figure 27B also shows a portion of the trackway, and its supporting driven disc, as Well as a limit outline, in dotted lines, of the ingot-jarring cam, below and to the left, adjacent the section of track.

Figure 28 shows an enlarged plan view of ingotstripping station, as indicated at about the position XXVIII-XXVIII on Figure 1, but with ingot receiving parts of ingot-carriage, such as that disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 652,142, f'lled January 17th, 1933,'for example, shown in dotted outline to the left.

Figure 29 is a vertical section of this ingotstripping--apparatus, taken on the axis of Figure 28, and again looking with the arrows'.

Figure 30 is an end `elevation of certain ingotstripper parts of Figure 29, as y'identified by the line XXX-XXX and arrows, on latter figure.

Figure 31 is a similar left end elevation, taken further to the left, as per line XXXI-XXXI and arrows, and shows the action of, ingot-lifting,

rig on ingot-carriage, in dotted outlines, and as already referred to in connection with Figure 28.

Figure 32 shows in` section the ingot-stripper drive, for starting the tapered ingot from the mould, while the latter is still, or is under fullspeed rotation, and shifting it over to the dotted outline position within the mould, as shown in Figure 29, on which figure the line of section XXXII-XXXII is indicated also.

Figure 33 is a section of stripper arms taken on line XXXIII-HXIII of Figure 29.

Figure 34, on succeeding sheet of drawings, illustrates in plan view a complete casting room and rolling mill assembly utilizing my improved centrifugal casting unit, and also indicating below, two of my circular ingot heating, or temperature equalizing furnaces, as disclosed in co-pending application, Serial No. 655,185, led February 4th, 1933.

Figure 35 shows in elevation certain ingot-jarring elements taken from Figure 7, so as to illustrate them in proper relation to the succeeding figure.

Figure 36 shows in section these ingot-jarring devices, and also, in more detail than heretofore, a cross section of a preferred form of ingot mould, all taken on the broken line XXXVI- XXXVI of Figure 35, in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 37 indicates a horizontal section and part plan View, taken on the line XXXVII-XXVII of Figure 35, and showing the means provided for eccentric bushing adjustment, whereby the amount of jarring at this station is controlled, or eliminated entirely, as desired. It will be understood that as many of these jar-control stations as required, will be installed in succession, up to the point of final ingot solidication only, and that the casting-wheel indexing rig will stop the wheel successively upon these jarring station It will be further noted that the gradual rise o f the ingot mould is taken care of by these lifting wheels, but that the impact from the drop of said mould is taken by the moving track and disc-wheel, and not by the relatively light bearings of the lifting rig, since on its drop the mould clears thelatter slightly. If 'the lifting wheel is thrown down by moving the eccentric bushing in which it is mounted, the lifting cam on rotating mould will be entirely cleared, so that no more jarring occurs.

' Figure 38 shows in plan an alternative form of centrifugal casting and jarring unit, Figure 38A a segment of the rotating disc, and Figure 38B the underlying stationary track thereof, the various station positions being indicated as before.

Figure 39 is 'a vertical section, taken on the broken line XXXIX- XXXIX of Figure 38, showing this reduce'd size casting wheel, in which the rotation of ingot is maintained only through the solidlflcation period, and not all through the period of cooling, as was done in the machine first shown and described.

Figure 40 is a plan view of the second-stage wheel, and Figure 40A of its stationary track below, to which the justvsolidiedingot is transferred from that shown on Figure 38, as soon as solidification has occurred, the cooling thenceforth occurring without concomitant rotation, except that the wheel of Figure 40 slightly rotates each mould as it advances between index positions, and operating stations.

Figure 41 is a vertical section taken on line XLI-)ULI of Figure 40, with ,the arrows.

'Figure 42 shows in plan-view a complete centrifugai casting unit, with furnace and mill assembly, for use with the alternative type of casting-wheel shown on Figure 38 and succeeding figures.

As the various transfer-arms for handling the ningots between the casting-wheel stages, and into and out offurnaces, form no part of the present invention directly, except as they go to make up a complete assembly, operative as a whole, such transfers are not shown in detail herein, reference being made to my co-pending application 0n Ingot transfer arms, Serial #680,967, led July 18th, 1933.

In Figures l, 26, 38, and 40 it was not considered necessary to show every ingot mould in place and complete in detail, it being understood that all intermediate stations are occupied by moulds complete in every detail, as indicated at one or more positions on each figure.

Directions oi' motion are indicated by arrows throughout the various figures, forward and return motions being indicated by solid and broken arrows side by side, respectively.

In all the figures, indentical parts are indicated always by the same part numbers.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 1, a well braced indexing-wheel is indicated at I. centred for rotation on the heavy king-pin 2, suitably bolted 'to base below, and providing means for the step-by-step advance of a mul- Y tiplicity of ring-ingot moulds 3, held fore-andaft between rollers 4 and 5, and each provided with a grooved ring 6, and fiat ring 1 to run on tracks 8, 9 below, as per Figure 1A, these tracks being in turn mounted upon the heavy plate disc I0, provided underneath with the large diameter driving gear II, and also mounted upon the king-pin 2, and carried by wheels which will' be late r enumerated'upon the single stationary track I2, shown on the stationary base I3 of Figure 1B. Again referringt Figure 1 a pouring station is indicated at I4, solidifying stations next to the left at I5, an adjustable hot-brushing station at I6, mounted for angular adjustment as required upon the circular track I'I, extending along the cooling stations I8, to and through the similarly adjustable hot-trimming station I9, be-

yond which is the step-by-step indexing station 20, followed by the stripping station 2l, and a plurality of mould inspection stations 22, before again reaching the pouring position. An ingot-car track is shownV at 2l, adjoining the stripping station 2I.

Turning toFigure 2, new parts not previously identified appear at base of king-pin 2 where the heavy mounting base 24 is bolted to foundation I3, at 25 which is a long bushing carrying wheel I through the ultra heavy roller bear-ings 26, well spaced apart vertically, the upper of which helps to stabilize the large diameter indexing-wheel I, by means of a plurality of rods 21, passing through the turnbuckles 28, attached substantially as shown tol parts I and 25 respectively. Lower rotating wheel III'is mounted at its hub upon the ultra heavy roller bearings 28, servingI to centre the rotating element, while its weight, as well as thatV of the rotating ingot moulds 3, is carried by a plurality of heavy wheels 30 of high-grade alloy steel, mounted via heavy roller-bearings upon the cross-I-beams 3|, midway between points of attachment thereof to the rib-beams 32, of wheel III, so that such wheels 36 will have some measure of elasticity in their mounting, to readily absorb the repeated shocks of the jarring of the moulds, the means for accomplishing which will be described later. A suitable driving motor, preferably of the variable speed type,y is shown at 33, meshing via the usual spur-pinion with gear II, while a raised retaining wall is indicated at 34, to protect motor from any chance of contact with spilled hot metal, a safety trough for the reception of which is further provided at 35, this being normally divided into short sections by suitable brick partitions so as to break up any spilled metal masses into short sections. The normal floor-level of large stationary ladle 43, mounted on heavy trunnions 44, carried by the supporting block 45,

and provided with the customary worm-wheel for angular adjustment of the pour (not shown), all supported by thepiers 46, on the scale platform 41, mounted within the pit 48, and -connecting through a series of knife-edge supported scale-levers 49, eventually leading to the downward pull rod 58, applied to one end of the oompound scaleb'eam 5I, bearing the large pointer weight 52 on one arm, and the smaller pointer weight 53 on the other arm, the throw of I3 being limited by the adjustable stop 54, while the customary assorted weights 55 are provided for preliminary rough adjustment to the weight of ladle and its burden.

A carbon or graphite valve for the hot metal is indicated at 56, liftable by the slide-rod 51, or other convenient means. a second valve and lift-rod being indicated in tandem to the first, for safety. Both are readily replaceable when ladle is emptied. The hand levers for operating 51 will be of customary type, (not shown).

The hot metal. stream enters the beveled open small end 5l, of the cast-iron pouring cone 58, containing the heavy ribs 60 adapted to aid in accelerating the incomingymetal, without ina--A terial splash, before it enters the mould 3 as a thin sheet running at about the velocity of rotation of the mould, so as to avoid material spattering during the fill. Cone 59 is rotatably carried by the rollers 6I, in turn rotatably mounted within the two housings 62 of slightly diierent diameters, carried by base 63, slidably mounted upon the rails 84, on which it may be shifted by the eccentrics 65, on the turn shaft 66, driven through appropriate reduction gearing as shown, by the motor 61, with suitable limit switches of usual type to determine the halfrevolution motions of 66, required to enter the safety guard-housing 68, over projecting rim 66 of mould 3, and avoid any possible throwing out of molten metal during the pouring, 68 being made split to permit ready removal of any waste metal, should spillages occur. Suitable spillage protection plates will be provided under entrance to cone.

A suitable shoulder on cone 59 supports the spur-gear 10, appropriately keyed thereto, driven by pinion 1I, keyed on shaft 12, shown underneath the pouring opening in Figure 7, for clearness, but in reality vfell to one side thereof, as better indicated in Figure 5 above, this shaft'being geared through the mitre pinion 13, 14, to shaft 15, driven by motor 16, mounted upon extension 11 of the sliding base 63. Or motor 16 may be turned at right angles from position from, if preferred, in order to obviate thevuse of mitre gears. Mould 3A carries at its left end a non-circularand gradually spiralled cam surface 18, engaging, when desired, with a lifting roll 19, rotatably mounted directly underneath, at certain of the index stations, and more fully described in connection with a later figure. At the pouring station, suitable provision would of course be made for protection of operators and all moving parts from any possible leakage metal, in line with usual practice here.

In Figures 11 through 14, inclusive, showing a white-hot-metal ingot internal brushingstation,as per number I6ofFigure1,there are found new parts includlng the very sti ,heavy wire brush88,with its hub mounted upon shaft of variable speed motor 8 I, bolted directly upon projecting arrnA 82, enterable within the hot ring-ingot 83, and in turn bolted to the slide 84, carried upon sliding-base 8E to heavy shaft 81, mounted within the bearing- Vshowmand cone 53 driven direct by chain thereblocks 88, andl driven through the worm-wheel or 55 gear reductions 88, by the motor 98.

Crank-arm 8,6 is provided with a series o f pinholes 8i,` determining the throw, and through one of which theconnecting rod 92 is-rotatably pinned thereto, the other end of this connecting-rod being plvotally mounted upon appropriate pin in the bracket 83, bolted solidly to base 85, arm 86 being equipped with the usual limit switches, (not shown), to determine half-revolution motion, under inter-lock control, whereby entrance into interior of ingot is prevented until mould 3 comes to a standstill in its progression, although under full rotation still, about its axis, said interlocks being similar in type to the one shown on the left in Figure 26, to follow, and so connected that brush must be retracted again completely out of ingot, before wheel I can be progressed further by the motor of Figure 26, all this by means well known in the art, and therefore not shown on present drawings.

In Figures 15 through 25, I have shown a hotingot trimmer mechanism I 9, also insertable within, and retractable froml a yellow-hot ring-ingot, under appropriate interlock control similar to that just mentioned, to prevent interferences between moving parts, and in which figures the circular trimmer-blades are indicated at 94, mounted on shafts 95, carried in the adjustable eccentric bushings 96, each capable of angular movement for adjusting purposes within the housing 91, by means of a worm-wheel at one end, engaging with the worm 98, on same shaft with the spiral gear 99.

In order to pretty well balance the trimming thrusts transmitted back to frame, three of the above cutting blades 94, and associated parts down to 99, have been shown in my preferred trimmer construction, and angularly spaced about a common adjusting gear |00, as'particularly brought out in Figure 19, on this sheet.

As per Figure 16, this central gear is shown mounted upon the hollow shaft I 0I, attached at its left end to the enlarged portion |02, both rotatable within the large hollow shaft |03, with |02 slidable over the special hollow shaft |04, rotatable therewith, in the thrust ball-bearing at left, which is mounted at centre of housing I06, within which the shaft-housing |01 makes a sliding it, under the operation of long rack |08 attached thereto, meshing with pinion |09, keyed to shaft IIO, which, as shown in Figure 21, is driven by worm-wheel I I I, and worm II2, on shaft of motor II3. Reverting to Figure 16, the heavy projecting shaft |03 is indicated as mountedin the heavy thrust and radial, ball or roller bearing II4, and in the heavy radial type roller-bearing II5, the end of |03 being bolted solidly to the cutter housing casting -91,`before mentioned, while back of bearing II5, shaft |03 is keyed to the large herringbone gear II6, meshing with pinion |I1, on shaft lof motor I I8, of the variable speed type, and mounted upon a fiat in the shaft-housing |01, to which it is bolted. The relative cross-sectional shapes of housings |06 and |01 at the herringbone gear position is indicated by Figure 20, while Figures 21 and 22 show the conditions further to left.

Figure 23, which is simply an enlargement of the parts shown near the XXII-XXII section line of Figure 16, shows to better advantage how special shaft |04 is longitudinally drilled at II9, and provided with a longitudinal full length spline key-way |20 on one side, and a continuous spiral a shoulder-key |22, fitted in the screwed cap |23, being slidably fitted in |20, while a spiral hardened steel key |24 is set in the cap I 25, screwed and locked into place on the left side of thrust shoulder |26, on end of hollow-shaft |02, this spiral key being made an easy sliding fit in |2I, and over |04. Caps |23 and |25 will be locked in place by customary means, as by longitudinally .drilled bolt-type keys, (not shown).

It will be self-evident that normal plain rotation of shafts |02, |03, and |04 together, produces no relative motion oi' |02, but that any sliding of |03 and its attached cutter-head 91 longitudinally, as by means of the rack |08, and pinion I 09, will result in a slight rotational movement of shaft |02, and with it the spiral or other gear |00 at right, `whereby the series of gears and worms 99, 98, and the eccentric bushings 96 will be rotated somewhat. radially shifting the cutterblades 94, with respect to the axis of rotation of shaft |03, this shift being made just equal to the required taper or draft of the inside bore of ingot, necessitated by the outside draft, incorporated to greatly facilitate the subsequent stripping of the ingot.

It will also be obvious that other means might be devised for accomplishing in effect this taper cutting, or that ingot stripping means might be 5 designed whichwould require no taper to the. ingot, thus greatly simplifying the cutter mechanism under present discussion, so that I do not wish to preclude the inclusion of such simplified trimmer mechanism, although I have shown one le preferred construction only.

It will be observed that the drilled opening in shaft |04 connects at left, through the slipjoint coupling |21, with a suitable source of air under pressure, which is thence transmitted through shafts I 0| and |02, the interior of closed cutter-housing 91, and the bent tubes |28, indicated at right end of Figure 16, to a point close to the cutting edge of cutters 94, so as to aid in the ejection from the mould of the borings produced, and prevent'their getting imbedded in the face of the work by the further moti n of cutter.

If desired, a tube may be run thr ugh centre of bore |04, to supply cooling water to blades.

Note that these cutter-blades 94 areset at an 25 angle to the line of rotational travel of the work 63, so that the cutters are self-rotating, the ballbearings provided for the latter being of a type that will take thrust as well as heavy radial loads, as well known in the art. The function of the large motor II8 is, therefore, not to propel the cutters against the face of the work and against the travel of the latter, but with the direction of travel of the work,'at a speed somewhat less Athan the latter is moving under the urge of the centrifugal castingwheel motor 33, and thus bringing the cutting velocity of the circular cutting blades down to a reasonable value for such an operation,I although it is possible that further experience with this machine might in- 40 dicate that motor IIB might be dispensed with,

'and I do not wish to preclude the use of such a simplified construction of trimmer.

" Suitable rails I1, of same gauge 4spacing as those used for hot-brushing rig I6, permit the peripheral adjustment of hot-trimmer station I9 around wheel I, as required.

Referring now to Figures 15 to 18, inclusive, freely rotatable pressure wheels |29 are shown in these four figures, being mounted upon heavy shafts |30, in appropriate anti-friction bearings, preferably of roller type, in thebearing-blocks I3|, projecting downward from the cross-arm I 32, having the long side extension arms |33 attached thereto, and mounted rotatably upon the common dead shaft |34, extending through upright wings |35, attached to the general base housing |06, which wings |35 also carry the worm-wheel |36, and its driving motor |31, operating through worm- |38, and functioning the heavy screw-down mechanism |39, attached by suitable thrust collar to the cross-arm |32, and all operable to apply pressure to grooved ring 6, of mould 3, to steady the latter during trimming, and to develop greater rotating traction upon the driven rail 8 below, during this operation.

Possibly this supplementary mechanism might be dispensed with, however, although I have deemed it advisable to show it in my preferred construction of parts. It is even possible that hot-brushing station I6 might in some cases be found suilcient to put the hot ring casting in proper condition for subsequent use, without utilizing hot-trim station I9 at al1, and such adis- 75 heavy contactor position is included within the scope of the present invention, and the appended claims.

. Figures 24 and 25 supplement Figures 23, and are self-explanatory. when taken in connection with the explanation given of the latter.

Referring now to Figure 26, one or any plurality of moulds 3, up to the capacity of wheel I, is to be advanced step-by-step through one angular space |40 at a time, by the indexing mechanism 20, comprising the ultra-heavy linkchain I4 I, adapted to fit over the projecting teeth 42, of wheel I, and carried around the idlersprocket |43, and the .similar heavy drivensprocket |44, driven by the appropriate reduction gearing |45, operated through suitable worm or equivalent pinion on motor |45, preferably of the variable-speed, shunt-wound, direct-current type, whose shunt winding is indicated at |41, on the annexed wiring diagram, and connected through the largeresistance |48, and the lead |49,` directly to the two supply lines |50 and |5|, provision for short-circuiting said resistance |48 being supplied by the heavy contact-points |52, one of which connects via conductor |58 to one end of the resistance mentioned, while the other contact-point connects through the swivel-arm |54, pivotally mounted upon the support |55, and

thence through the lead |56 to remaining end of resistance |48. Swivel-arm |54 carries the freely rotatable rollers |51, |68, and |59, all preferably of Bakelite or similarhighly-insulating material, the latter of which fits the two side-by-side depressions in the bent spring |50, used to retain arm |54 positively in either of its two throw positions, determined by contact of rolls |51 and |58, successively, with the proiecting teeth 42, of wheel I.

Conductors |49 and |56 also supply through support |55, the necessary current for contacts I6I, of the normally closed type, carried by the swivel-arm |62, held in closed position by the spring |63, the outer contact of |6| being connected via lead |64, to the shunt coil |65 of |56, which functions in the direction indicated by small arrow, and against the action of suitable return-spring, (not shown), to close the heavy contacts |61, determining current flow through armature circuit of motor |45, and the series connected electric-brake release coil |68, of spring-gripped brake |59. A

Coil |65 being connected through lead |10 to supply vline |50, it will be noted that it receives current except when arm |62 is depressed, by contact of its roll |1| with a tooth 42 on wheel I,

which results in opening contacts. I6I, and |51,

and the stopping of motor |45 instanter, the speed of latter having just before been reduced to about 1/4 normal value by the depression of roller |58 by the tooth 42 next following, and thus short-circuiting the large resistance |48, in shunt-field circuit of motor |45.

Wheel stops with arm |62 held depressed, and with next succeeding tooth 42 lying Just midway between rolls |51 and |58, of arm |54, roll |58 being down, as just previously noted. Motor |46 can not again start up, until operator closes switch |12 momentarily, energizing coilv |55 through the connection |13, starting up said motor slowly and movingthe tooth 42 away from contact with roll |1I, so that contact |5| closes, maintaining the circuit through coil |55 after' appropriate spring-return (not shown) on switch |12, has opened up the latter. A moment later,

- the next succeeding tooth 42, on wheelrl, which slowing down motor roll |51 and depresses it, as is shown in thisfigure, throwing over arm |54 to its open-contact position, inserting the resistance |48 into shunt-field coil circuit |41, and speedingup the motor |46 to normal running value, where it remains until 5 next succeeding tooth 42 hits roll |58, closes contacts |52 again, short-circuiting resistance |48, |46, after which roll |1| again contacts with a tooth 42, and the wheel I. stops promptly, supplemen .try electric brakes to 10 assure this being added, if required, (but not shown).

Other means for accomplishing the above sequence of operations will be obvious.

It will be observed that wheel simply advances the moulds 3 step-by-step, but has nothing to do with their rotation o n their own axes, which is done by motor 35.

Turning now to Figures 27A and 27B, which, being in much larger scale, than heretofore, show to 20 better advantage one preferred form of casting mould 8, it will be noted that former figure refers to' a mould for casting somewhat tapered or coned. ring-ingots, while the latter gure covers a mould for ingot with parallel faces. 25

In spite of the greater diiilculty of its centrifugal production, the tapered form of ingot is believed to be preferable, because of decreased stripping dimculties encountered in that case. Since for proper rolling, the thickness of ingot wall 30 should, if anything, be proportionately thicker on the smaller diameter end of ingot, it is found that the production of tapered ingots points to the mounting of entire casting wheel l and associated rotating disc I0, on a slight angle down- 35 ward from the pouring position. This is not shown on drawings, but is believed to be entirely within limits of practical construction and hence advisable@ In these two figures, I have indicated my pre- 40 ferred mould 8 as having a high-tensile steel plate shell with spaced peripheral ribs |14 slightly projecting therefrom, as at the multiplicity of points indicated, while more or less similar, but outwardly projecting, and intermediately positioned 45 ribs |15 are placed upon the exterior of cast-iron ingot-mould proper |16, on the interior of which an ingot is shown in casting position, while between ribs |14 and |15, I have placed a great multiplicity of steel rods |11, to give powerful 50 support to mould proper |15, but a little elasticity to accommodate some thermal expansion therein, without breakage.

'I'his part of the construction is perhaps better indicated in Figure 36 following, where a section 55 transverse to axis is shown. It will be noted that all these construction items-greatly limit the opportunities for heat transfer from mould proper to the outer steel plate shell, and that ring 6 is also in contact with shell 8 over very limited 60 areas only, preventing any very pronounced overcooling at the position of the rail 8, all this with the idea of getting th'e'maximum possible amount of temperature uniformity in the ingot as it leaves the mould, and thereby greatly reducing the time 65 required later on in the soaking-pit, or temperature equalizing furnace, or other heating means utilized before rolling. l

Reverting to Figures 27A and 27a, these grooves under ring 5, are shown at |18, the welded-on, or otherwise attached ribbed-rim of mould at 68. and the shaker cam-face at 18, the latter being profiled around the perimeter as desired, for either one, or a plurality of dro s by mould, per revolution. Al spring retaining-r ng |18, having 75 a split at one portion of its periphery, is shown at |19, with a multiple retaining ring of thin steel strips |80 to make direct contact with the hot ingot, and thus avoid much heat loss here. Two or three of these thin rings will undoubtedly be lost with each pouring, but the multiplicity of layers and many thin films present should lead to low heat transfer at this point, thus holding up the ingot temperature at one of its vital points. Similar rings |8| are placed at opposite ends of the casting, against the ingot-stripper piston |82, located just inside the mould head |03, mounted solidly on shell 3, by means of the flanged and welded-on ring |84, attached to head |83 by the slot-bolts |85, and the outwardly driven wedges |88, or equivalent means. Stripper piston |82 is threaded upon, or otherwise solidly attached to the stripping-pin 31, slidingly mounted within flange 38, and the turned neck '|81 provided for the tracking of rolls 5, heretofore shown. I

It is again noted, however, that the preferred form of piston |82, and of head |83, will be as indicated in Figures 11 and 12, so as to be able to accommodate such a brushing-rig, if desired. In ejection of the ingot, 31 and |82 will be moved over to the left, more or less toward the dotted line position 31'-|82, usually far less than the amount indicated here, however, especially if` tapered ingot is used.

Referring now to Figures 28 to 38, inclusive, covering ingot-stripper 2|, new parts comprise the bent supporting columns |88, so mounted as to entirely clear the emergentingot, and welded to the webbing of steel plate |89, carrying the stripper-housing and gear casing |90, provided with the strong projecting arms |9|, adapted to engage back face of mould stripper-flange 38, but

well beveled as required, at points of entrance thereupon, and arranged to normally clear the latter by 1/2 or more, except during the actual stripping process.

Mounted upon above housing |90, is the variable speed motor |92, preferably of the series type, so as to be capable of tremendous momentary torques, and driving through the appropriate heavy reduction-gear train |93, the large, rollerbearing mounted, combined gear and thrust-nut |94, mounted upon the coarse thread thrustscrew |95, carrying at its left end the heavy, horizontally guided, non-rotating fork/ |96, arranged for very easy entrance over head of stripper-pin 31, of each successive mould 3, appropriate edges of fork |93` being well beveled to promote such entrance,with a normal clearance all around of possibly lz'g, when not in actual stripping operation. In some cases the mould 3 will be lifted clear of the rails 8 and 9, and stopped from rotation, by apparatus extraneous to the present application, but as roughly indicated in outline in Figure 42, following, before the stripping operation is encountered, and the stripper-arms 9|,

land fork |98, are here shown for that type of operation. But in other cases, as was indicated,

`for example, in Figures 1 and 34, it may be desired to leave the mould in full rotation clear up to and through the stripping, in which case the head of stripper-pin 31, and the back face of flange 38 must engage the respective stripper parts |96 and |9| through appropriate roller or ball thrust-bearings, of which that on |96 will be of standard type, and the others special, but since these elements do not enter into my present claims, they are not elaborated upon further here.

Or screw |95 and head |98 may in this case be made to rotate with the mould, at the same velocity of rotation, and out of a stationary nut, thus avoiding thrust bearing complications, if preferred. In either case, screw |95 is operated to the left until stripper piston |82 is carried 5 sumcientlyfar to start the ingot, and bring it in contact with the power-driven, angularly positioned feed rolls |91, which are well beveled off on the ingot entering side, to make sure that ingot will ride up on them readily, these rolls 10 being purposely set just a little above projected line of interior surface of mould, in order to very slightly urge the ingot up with each half revolution thereof, and thus cause it to work itself loose positively at the opposite end, while the rolls |91 and |98 give it a constant urge to workover to the left, and eventually onto the receiving rolls |99, mounted upon suitable base 200, and against thestop`| at the left, which is easily positioned vas required, but difficult to show, 20 due to space limitations on the sheet.

Feed-rolls |91 and |98 are driven through appropriate bevel-gearing 202, by the shaft 203, carried upon suitable bearing-blocks, and driven, either directly or through appropriate reductiongearing, by the preferably series-type directcurrent motor 204, suitably carried by bracket from column |88, of the frame, as shown.

It will be noted from Figure that shaft 203 is set with a considerable downward slope toward 30 removal side of ingot, to allow left hand rolls 91, |93, and also |99 to be low, and thus permit wheel to be advanced in case any ingot should stick in the mould, or after partial ejection therefrom.

Il mould is non-rotating during stripping, rolls |91, |98, and 99 may be co-axial with mould.

All parts of the stripper, including the columns |88, are designed with this sticking contingency in mind, so as to not hold up the casting process, the stuck ingot and mould being simply carried on for one or two steps further around wheel and then lifted of! bodily, by crane, for further attention on the floor, while a spare mould is inserted in their place in wheel without a moi5 ments hesitation in the regular casting procedure elsewhere having occurred. For similar reasons, the rolls |99 are put o n a slope also, these., rolls, which may sometimes be power-driven also, if desired, being used to carry the ring-ingot 83 50 after it has been withdrawn from mould to its 83 position, ready for the entrance therein under of the ingot-support arms 205,'and ingot-lift arms 206, of ingot-carriage 201, indicated in Figures 28, 29, and 3l, inl broken outline. On raising lift 55 arms 206 to their top, or 200' position, ingot 83' is carried up to 83", as shown in dotted outline, in Figure 31, where it clears the rolls |99, and carriage 201 is ready to depart. If desired, rolls |99, and their base 200, may now be depressed, by j any suitable lifting and lowering means, such as the hydraulic plunger 200a shown, to permit ingot-carriage to leave in either direction required, along track 23.

Reverting to Figure 29 for a moment, I have 65 shown on the right a normally closed set of contacts 208, for connection in series with shuntcoil on one throw of the double-throw contacter (not shown), supplying vmotor |92, said contacts 208 being opened up by contact with right-hand end of screw |95 on its return, to prevent overrunning of the latter, with consequent jamming. As the left-hand motion of screw |95 is under the control of an entirely separate shunt-coil on the other throw of contactar, the\ opening of 208 does not preventmotion of said screw to the left, however, as soon as may be required thereafter, and if desired, such travel to left may be similarly protectedvby a similar set of limit contacts (not I Il under full rotation, stop 54, of Figure 6, will be set and locked at the ingot weight desired, indexweight 53 shoved over against it, and scale weights 55 and G2 adjusted to just balance the ladle 43 and its burden of metal, after which weight 53 is thrown clear to the right and left there, as shown, and motor 1B, of Figure 5, is used to bring pouring-cone 59 up to speed, while motor 61 is functioned far enough to throw said cone to. its extreme right position, as shown in Figure '1, and stopped there, following which rod 51, and its attached valve 58, are lifted to start the pour, this latter being continued until balance lever 5I, of Figure 6, begins to rise, thus indicating that precisely the proper amount of molten metal by weight, has been poured off, when 58 is instantly closed by means of rod 51, operated by hand, motor, or other convenient means located upon the scale platform, so as not to affect the weighing operation. Motor 61 is now functioned to carry shaft 86 through another V2 revolution, and stopped, after which wheel I is indexed around one step, by theproper functioning of parts at station 20, as shown in Figure 26, bringing a new mould into position for a. pour, which is proceeded with after a new re-weighing is accomplished, just as before.

Brushing station I8, as more particularly shown in Figures 11 and 12, having been set a sufilcient distance angularly around the wheel I, to allow for solidiflcation of the ingot, and exactly at an index stop position, this powerful wire brush 88, running at full motor speed, is run slowly into and then back out of the ingot 83, while a new pour is under way, and sofas to be in the clear before. such pour is completed. A little further around the'wheel I, the hot-trimmer I9, as per Figure 16, is similarly run in and then out again, over the somewhat cooler, but still bright hot metal, provided such added trimming is necessary for the work under way. A

` Eventually the stripper station 2I, as per Figures 28 and 29, is reached, and ingot 83 ejected onto rolls |99, ready for entry of ingot-carriage 291, by which it is usually delivered either to one of the heating furnaces 209 or 2I0, via transferarm 2li shown,vor to ingot storage tracks 2I2, 1 via the cross-transfer table 2I3, and, if desired,

the same car 281 may be used to deliver the ingots from furnace to mill 2I4, after proper soaking period.

If white hot ingots can always becounted'upon, direct from the casting wheel, then one heat- -equalizing furnace might be sufficient, but usually provision has to be made for taking an occasional ingot outof the storage pile, and therefore cold.l

and thus requiring more heating to prepare for rolling, so that the two stage furnace meets the requirement of a steady flow of hot ingots to mill, to better advantage.

As indicated by the break line 2I5, the usual distance from furnace to mill had to be foreshortened inl thisfigure. Straight ingots, or cut 5 slabs, enter the mill 2I4 via entering live-roll table 2II, and the straight ingot-car track 23', using same ingot-carriage 201 as before. Ladle 43 is brought over from the open-hearth, or other furnaces 2I1 by usual hot-metal crane, (not 10 shown).

Referring now to Figures 35 to 31,', inclusive, the means 18, 19, for accomplishing the jarring of the ingot, concomitantly with the centrifugal casting and solidiilcation thereof, can be 15 better shown than in Figure '1, where other things were under particular discussion, it being understood, however, that the cam surface 18, shown with a single rise and fall per revolution, may include a multiplicity thereof in some cases, if so desired. In these figures, the demou table, hard alloy-steel ring 19, is carried upon th very heavy and freely rotatable shaft 2I8, mounted upon the very heavy roller bearing 2I9, and the somewhat lighter similar bearing 220, in turn mounted within the heavy eccentric bushing 22|, rotatably mounted within the steel housing 222, and capable of angular adjustment therein, by means of the heavy spur gear 223, keyed to bushing 22 I, and mounted concentric with outer face 80 of latter, this gear being driven b'y pinion 224, mounted upon and keyed `to same shaft as wormwheel 225, in turn functionable by an appropriate worm, on shaft of suitable motor226, or other equivalent operative means. One of these mould lifting rigs will be placed on mid-line of each of the ilrst 8 or 10 steps of wheel I', out of the casting position, and including the latter, each being so mounted as to be rotated by the flange 18 constituting the lifting cam of the successive moulds 40 83, but at such a height that whenfully raised, as is shown in Figure 36, the lesser radius elements of cam will clear the wheel 19 by 5/8" or so, so that the impact of the fail will be( taken by the heavy track 8, on disc III, and not by the less sturdy bearings 2I9and 229, not so well adapted to take the continual hammering. At points reached after solidiilcatlon of=ingot has occurred, and where no further shaking of the latter is necessary, or desired, all the eccentrics 22| may 50 be lowered to down position, so that wheel 19 entirely clears all parts of the cam surface 18, and therefore no further jarring occurs.

The centrifugal action alone tends to separate out all low weight inclusions within the mass of the casting, but. this action is greatly accelerated by the jarring, particularly in so far asi gaseous inclusions are concerned, which are easilytrapped by the more or less viscous metal as it begins to solidify, unless jarring occurs. Y

The combined centrifugal and `Iarring effects give ingots of remarkable solidity and purity, and freedom from the usual inclusions and fissures, particularly after the internal cleaning off operations that I have provided for, for removal of 55 surface dross, brought to the inside of ingot by the centrifugal action.

Referring now to Figures 38, 38A, 38s, and 39 I have here shown an alternative form of simplified casting unit in which rotation of the ingot is not maintained except during the actual period of solidiflcation, or slightly beyond this point, so

as to include the hot-brushing operation, which is preferably accomplished while the. metal is extremely hot and soft, to some extent.l In this called for, except disposition, the ingot mould, as soon as 'convenient after solidiflcation of its burden, is picked up bodily from the wheel i', while still in rotation, by an appropriate transfer-arm, (not shown), slowed down to zero rotational speed and its energy passed on to another mould which is being speeded up on opposite end of the transier arm at the same time, the latter being 'then put into the just vacated position in wheel i', while the slowed down mould is deposited on vacated position in wheel to be described under Figure 40, where subsequent operations are carried out without further rapid rotation. The above transfer arm is not described further in detail here, being merely shown positionedat proper point in the later Figure 42, to complete presentation.

With explanation, it is believed that no further description oi Figures 3S, through 39, is that I have here shown one new part, the gas or other type of heaters i227,

appropriately mounted by any convenient means, (not shown), at or close to the mid-line of the successive step positions of wheel i', so as to retard the solidication of interior face of the l ingot as required, to promote solidincation on a. radially inward direction only, throughout the mass of the ingot.

Ii intend that such heating means may be applied to the early steps after the pouring in Figure l also, if so desired. In Figures 38 to 42, iinelusive, parts which. are very similar to, but not' identical with, those previously shown, will be identied by the same part numbers, but with al prime added, to distinguish.

Referring now to Figures e and lil, substantially the only changes from the disclosure of Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, are those ci material re duction of over-ail diameter of the wheel ele ment i, (the i having been already appropriu ated for Figures 38 and 39), and the entire elimination of the rotating-disc element lil of the earlier gures mentioned, with all the propelling parts and tracks therefor, the single stationary track i2, of Figure in, being replaced in Figures 40A and al by the two tracks l2', on which, in this case, the moulds 3 roll directly, as they slow-1 ly progress` around the successive stations of Wheel i".

Turning to Figure 42, the general mill assembly of my alternative casting unit, and associated parts, is shown,- along with necessary heatequ'alizing furnaces, and the mill proper, substantially the only new element shown, aside from minor track re-locations, as compared with Figure 34, being the two-stage casting unit previously mentioned, consisting of parts i' and i", and the special transfer-arm 228, not shown in detail on any of the drawings, but previously reierred to in the text.

With the exception of operation changes introduced by the subndivision of the original wheel i into the two parts i' and i", and the necessary introduction of the action of special transfer arm 228 just mentioned, the general functioning of all the elements of the entire assembly will be substantially as before outlined in connection 'with Figure 34, and so need not be repeated.

In connection with the use of the ingot casting equipment of my invention, certain very definite advantages accrue fromthe combination of the centrifugal and the jarring actions, heretofore notcomblned in a single machine. Every possible impro'vement in the quality and soundness of the ot, leads directly to lowered scrap losses the and plate rejections in the mill, which are of vital importance in cutting down the conversion costs from ingot to sheet.

Since the large volumes of gases that are given oi from a solidlfying ingot, are not driven oi 5 from it instantaneously, but more or less progreslsively as the temperature falls and the metal ward a more uniform metal in the ingot itself.

Other very definite advantages accrue from my provision for solidiflcation on a radially-inward progressing single cylinder of solidi cation only, under the influence, in addition, of t e centrifugal action, whereby internal piping is substantially eliminated, and an essentially solid ingot provided.

This action is assisted by internal heating of the ingot, to some extent, during the period of such solidiflcation.

Further very deilnlte advantages accrue from my provisions for cleaning oi or trimming of the interior wall of the ring-ingot while still very hot, so as to be very easily operated upon.

Other advantages accrue from my provision of means whereby the "iarring action may be carried out through an adjustable fraction of the 3 Whole freezing operation, and with adjustable intensities at the successive steps. y

Still further advantages accrue from the eliminatlonci the blooming mill. by the production of relatively wide and thin cast ingots, which may 40 be entered immediately into v the final rolling mill.

@ther advantages accrue from the production of such thin availed ingots that substantially the whole exterior surface of said ingot will he close to the rolls in the very iirst. pass through the mill, so that little pulling apart" oi metal not close to the rolls, has to occur, breaking open the dendridic crystals here,

The thin walled ingot also allows less time dur- 5u ing solididcation for the segregation of the different components of the metal. mixture originally poured, so that greater than usual uniformity of composition results, throughout the mould. Yet other advantages accrue from my combination for the irst time, of all the above advantages and others, in a commercial product, by the means described.

While I have shown a convenient apparatus for producing ring-ingots of the highly compacted type desired, other designs will be self-evident to anyone skilled in the art, and it will be understood that changes in the apparatus, or the operation of its parts, may be made without departing either from@ spirit'of my invention, or 65 the scope of my broader claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a ring-ingot centrifugal casting system,

a rotatable mould, a power rotating means therefor, a molten-metal pouring means applicable to fill said mould as far as required, and a. mould jarring means applicable to said mould as required to Jar the contained ingot concomitantly with the application of centrifugal force thereto.

2. In a metal ingot centrifugal casting system, 76

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