US2719896A

US2719896A - Height responsive device for ingot molds

Info

Publication number: US2719896A
Application number: US261015A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cain William Joseph
Original assignee: Republic Steel Corp
Current assignee: Republic Steel Corp
Priority date: 1951-12-11
Filing date: 1951-12-11
Publication date: 1955-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 1972-10-04

Description

Oct. 4, 1955 w. J. CAIN HEIGHT RESPONSIVE DEVICE FOR INGOT MOLDS Filed Dec. 11

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A w v 5 55 W H M w INVENTOR. E 271mm fase fi laz'n 4 TTORNE Y United States Patent HEIGHT RESPONSIVE DEVICE FOR INGOT MOLDS William Joseph Cain, Poland, Ohio, assignor to Republic Steel Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of New Jersey Application December 11, 1951, Serial No. 261,015

8 Claims. (Cl. 200152) This invention relates to a device for determining when molten metal has reached a predetermined height in an ingot mold and more particularly to a device which actuates a sensory signal when the metal has reached the predetermined height; and which may be moved readily and used with successive molds during an ingot pouring operation.

In the pouring of metal ingots, for example, steel ingots, it is desirable to be able to determine the size of the ingots in advance so that they will meet desired weight specifications. For example, if the ingots are to be cut into a small number of relatively large units which must be of a given weight and an ingot is underweight, the last unit cut from the ingot will not meet the weight requirements, and, therefore, a large portion of the ingot must be scrapped.

For a variety of other reasons, as well, it is generally important that each ingot be cast as accurately as possible to a predetermined size and weight, which may usually (although not necessarily) be the same for each of a series of ingot molds to be filled in sequence from a ladle of molten metal.

It has been customary to gauge the weight of ingots by measuring their height in molds in which the other dimensions are known. One means of determining the height of the ingots has been to mark a chalk line around the inside of the mold. When the operator of the pouring mechanism for the ladle containing the molten metal (e. g. molten steel) observes that the metal has filled the mold, to the height of the chalk line, he stops the pouring. However, because of smoke arising from the metal in the mold, or because of danger in standing close to the open top of the mold, it is frequently diflicult to observe the chalk line clearly and the pourer 1s sometimes compelled to guess at the height at which to stop the pouring. Consequently, it is difiicult to obtain accurate weight control of the ingots.

Electric contact devices have been employed for indicating when fluid reached a predetermined level in a container. Such devices have included an electrode disposed within the top or upper part of the container and a contact fixed to the outside of the container; the electrode and the contact being connected to a control or signal circuit which was closed by the fluid and the container when the fluid reached the level of the elec-' trode. Because the containers were installed in fixed locations or were carefully handled, it was feasible to use fixed supports for the electrodes and to provide conductors which were permanently fixed to the containers so as to assure good electrical contact with the containers.

Such devices were not adaptable to steel ingot molds 2,719,895 Patented Dot. 4, 1955 of or the mold or its top otherwise requires operation through the mouth during ingot removal or later handling.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an accurate and improved means for indicating when molten metal has reached a selected predetermined height in a mold.

Another object is to provide a height indicating device which is not fixed to the mold but may be moved readily from one mold to another so that the molds will not be encumbered with the device before and after the pouring and also so that duplicate devices are not required with each mold.

An additional object is to provide a device by which an electrode prod may be removably supported at a selected predetermined height in the mouth of the mold, and which has means for contacting the outer surface of the mold to assure the closing of a sensory signal circuit when the molten metal contacts the electrode prod.

The invention, which may be described as a molten metal height indicating device for closing an electrical circuit, e. g. the circuit of a sensory signal, includes (in its presently preferred embodiment) an electrode prod which may be removably and adjustably supported in the mouth of an ingot mold at a selected height by a supporting means. The support means is connected to an electrically insulated plate or the like which may be removably positioned on the upper surface of the mold, e. g. the edge of the mold mouth. At least one resilient contact member is also connected to the plate and is pressed into contact with the outer surface of the mold when the plate is positioned on the mold. The apparatus also advantageously includes a supply of electricity, an electrically energizable sensory signal device and electrical conductors connecting the electrode, the electrical supply the signal device, and the resilient contact so that the circuit is completed through the molten metal and the mold When the metal rises into contact with the electrode. The supporting means may have a member extending outwardly from the mold for easy movement of the device from one mold to another and the outward extension may be provided with legs at least one of which may be adjustable to support the outwardly extending member at desired levels with respect to the rest of the apparatus.

For a more complete description of the invention, reference is made to the drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view of one form of apparatus embodying the invention, in operative position on an ingot mold;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the apparatus when not in use;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the apparatus taken along the line 33 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the apparatus taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a diagram of the electrical circuit for the sensory signal which forms part of the apparatus,

The apparatus shown in the drawings includes a supporting means having a main frame member 10, one end of which is connected, as by bolts 14, to an electrically insulated plate 11 which is adapted to be removably positioned on upper surface 12, i. e. the top edge, of the mold 13. A bracket 16 is also connected to the frame 10 and the plate 11. The bracket 16 is arranged to extend over the mouth of the mold 13 when the apparatus is in the position shown in Fig. 1. The end 17 of the bracket over the mouth of the mold is provided with a collar 18 having an adjustable set screw 20. An electrode 21 which may have a carbon end 22 is adapted to be received in the collar 18 so that it is substantially vertically disposed. The level of the lower end 22 may be 23 adjusted vertically by releasing'the'set screw 20, sliding the electrode vertically in the collar 18 and resetting the screw 20 when the end 22 is at the selected level with respect to the mold.

A leg 23 is fixed to the plate 11. The lower endof the leg is bifurcated to provide spaced, ground-contacting foot members 25; as explained below, these feet 25 usually do not actually engage the ground except when the device is not in use.

A pair of wire brushes 26 formed on opposite ends of a resilient steel stem 27 is mounted on the leg 23 by any suitable means such as by forming a loop in the stem 27 and fixing the loop to the leg by a bolt 28, as best shown in Fig. 4. The stem 27 is fixed to the leg 23 in such manner that the wire brushes 26 extend diagonally toward the electrode 21, as seen in Fig. 2. By this arrangement the brushes are resiliently pressed'against the outer side 30 of the mold 113 when they are in the operative position shown in Fig. 1. Each of the brushes consists of a large multiplicity of steel or other resilient metal wires carried by a similarly conductive support as exemplified by the stem 27, which may consist of twisted rods or heavy wires between which the brush wires are clamped.

The end of the main frame 10 remote from the leg 23 may be provided with a collar member 31 which may be fixed on the frame 10 at the desired lateral position by tightening set screw 32. The collar 31 is provided with a vertically disposed sleeve to receive a leg 33. The leg 33 which is bifurcated at its lower end to form ground contacting foot members 35 (see Fig. 3) may be fixed at a desired height with respect to the sleeve of collar 31 by adjustment of the set screw 36. By this means the leg 33 may be adjusted to cooperate with the fixed leg 23 in supporting the apparatus when not in use, on the ground or floor surface 34, as shown in Fig. 2; or to cooperate with the plate 11 for the support of the apparatus when in operative position, as shown in Fig. 1. In this last mentioned position, the mold 13 which is supported upon a fiat car (not shown) is brought alongside the pouring platform 37 upon which the operator of the pouring apparatus stands.

Although other structures may be employed, the frame 10 may conveniently consist of a length of rigid steel pipe or tubing, and likewise the main body portions of the

members

23 and 33. The support plate 11 advantageous- A ly comprises a plate or block of durable, nonconducting refractory material (such as dense asbestos board) having a partially recessed underside in which is secured a steel plate or block 11a to which the member 23 is suitably fastened.

By the provision of the extended portion of frame 10, the operator may easily lift the apparatus from, or position it on a mold while remaining a safe distance from the mouth of the mold, and from the nozzle of the ladle which is directly above the mold. The leg 33 provides an effective means of steadying the apparatus (e. g; on the platform 37) when itis in position on the mold, the leg and the support 10 thus normally cooperating to support the device in a stable but easily removable manner. By adjusting the leg 33 so that the frame member 10 is horizontal, the end 22 of the electrode 21 will be properly oriented vertically at the level to which it has been adjusted prior to the pouring.

Fig. 5 is a diagram of one simple form (by way of example) of a suitable sensory signal device circuit which may form a part of the described apparatus. The circuit includes the electrode 21, connected by line, i. e. conductor'39'to one terminal of an electrically energized sensory signal device, such as alarm bell 38. The other terminal of the bell 38 is connected by line 41 to one terminal of a supply of electricity such as battery 40. The other terminal of the battery is connected by line 42 to wire brushes 26. When the lower end 22 of the electrode 21 is contacted by molten metal 43, as it'rises in the mold 13, the circuit is completed from the electrode l 21' to the brushes 26 through the molten metal and'the wall of the mold 13 energizing the bell device and causing it to ring.

The battery 40 and the bell 38 (as well as any other or alternative circuit components, e. g. circuit-controlling relays or the like, if desired) may be housed in a suitable receptacle such as box 45 which is bolted or otherwise suitably fixed to the frame 10.

The line 3% from the electrode to the bell may consist of the frame 10 and bracket 16 which are both of electrically conductive material (i. e. steel or other metal) and are suitably insulated from the mold 13 by the plate 11. The line 42 may be an insulated wire, for instance, insulated with braided glass fiber which for protection may be carried inside the frame 10, entering the frame through drill hole 46 adjacent leg 23 and leaving the frame through drill hole 47. If desired, instead of relying on the frame for connection, a separate, similarly insulated wire (not shown) may extend from the electrode bracket 16 through the pipe 10 to the box 45. The line 41 between the bell 3S and the battery 40 'is shown in Fig. 3.

For operation, the apparatus is placed on mold 13in the position shown in Fig. 1, either before or during the pouring of metal. The electrode 21 extends into the top or mouth of the mold, and the end 22'of the electrode is maintained 'at the selected level by the plate 11 resting on the upper surface 12of the mold. The leg 33 maintains the frame 10 substantially horizontal and steadies the apparatus. In this position, the wire brushes 26 are resiliently pressed against the outside surface 30 of the mold 13.

When the molten metal reaches the tip or lower end 22' of the electrode 21, the electrical circuit is closed which causes the alarm bell 38'to ring thus notifying the operator to stop the pouring.

Afterone mold has been poured, the apparatus is withdrawn and'positioned on the next mold'to be poured and the cycle is repeated for succeeding molds of the same size which are to be filled to the same height.

The h'eight'of the metal to bepoured in the mold is predetermined by setting the electrode 21 so that the lower end thereof is the desired distance from the top or upper surface 12 of the mold when the plate is resting on said upper surface.

The outer surfaces'of the molds are usually quite rough and are covered with foreign 'matter which may be electrically non-conductive so that a reliable electrical-contact would not'be assured if there was but a single contact member. which present a plurality of possible conductors, a reliable electrical contact is established. brushes'have a scratching or scouring action when they are pressed into ccntact'which assists indislodging the foreign matter, and in keeping the ends or other parts of the brush wires clean, to assure effective contact with' the mold surface.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the invention fulfills the objects set forth above in that it provides a means for accurately determining when ingots have reached a desired predetermined height, and also in that the device maybe readily moved from one mold to another so that a separate device is not required on each mold. It will also be appreciated that this invention provides a means for supporting the metal contacting electrode at a selected predetermined level in the mouth of the mold and provides an effective removable contact means tus which preferably carries both the sensory signal bell 38 and the source of current 40 on the supporting frame, represents an unusually convenient, fully portable However, by employing the brushes'26 In addition, the

and entirely self-contained instrument for use in pouring ingots or the like to an accurate, desired height.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principles of this invention have been described together with the best mode of applying those principles, however, it should be understood that the structure disclosed is but one mode of utilizing the invention and the structure described is merely illustrative, for the invention may be carried out by other and alternative means. Also, while it is contemplated to use the various features and elements in the combinations and relations described, some of these may be altered and modified in ways other than those suggested, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A height indicating device for closing an electrical circuit for a sensory signal when molten metal reaches a predetermined level in a mold, said device comprising, an electrode, a supporting member, an adjustable holding means at one end of the supporting member for holding the electrode in the mouth of the mold with one end of the electrode at selected levels, a leg support having a ground-contacting foot member, a second adjustable means at the end of the supporting member remote from the electrode holding means, for holding the leg so that the foot means can be adjusted to a selected height, an electrically insulated plate member attached to the supporting member intermediate the ends thereof for removable engagement with the upper surface of the mold, at least one resilient electrically conductive member adapted for contacting the outer surface of the mold when the supporting member is being maintained in position on the mold by the electrically insulated plate member, a second leg support fixed to the supporting member intermediate the ends thereof, and having ground-contacting foot means for assisting in the support of the device when it is not being supported on the mold by the plate member, and electrical conductors from the electrode and the conductive member to said electrical circuit.

2. A portable height-responsive device for closing an electrical circuit when molten metal reaches a predetermined level in an ingot mold, comprising, a supporting frame having support means for removably seating on the edge of a mold mouth and support means for removably seating on an adjacent platform surface, an electrode carried by the supporting frame in position to extend into the mold mouth with its lower end at the aforesaid predetermined level, said first and second support means being jointly adapted to support the frame with the electrode in its aforesaid position when the support means are seated respectively on the mold edge and platform surface, said frame with its support means being portable for seated disposition in operative relation to any one of a plurality of ingot molds, and resilient electrical contact means carried by the support frame and arranged to press against the outer surface of the mold when the support frame and its support means are removably seated in operative relation to a mold, said device including means insulating the electrode from the mold and from said contact means.

3. A device as described in claim 2, in which the resilient contact means comprises a multiplicity of resilient members individually adapted to engage the side of the mold.

4. A device as described in claim 2, in which the support means for seating on the mold edge includes electrical insulating structure which also constitutes means insulating the electrode from the mold and the resilient contact means.

5. A device as described in claim 2, in which the resilient contact means comprises wire brush means carried in depending relation from the support frame for engagement with the side of the mold, said support means for seating on the mold edge including insulating structure which also constitutes means insulating the electrode from the mold and the resilient means, and electrical conductors from the electrode and the contact means to said electrical circuit.

6. A device as described in claim 2, in which the resilient contact means comprises at least one wire brush having resilient mounting means for resiliently pressing the brush against the outer surface of the mold when the device is in operative relation to the mold.

7. A portable height-responsive device for closing an electrical circuit when electrically conductive material reaches a predetermined level in an electrically conductive vessel, comprising, a removable supporting frame including support means for removably seating on the vessel an electrode carried by the supporting frame in position to extend into the vessel with its lower end at the aforesaid predetermined level, said frame with its support means being portable for seated disposition in operative relation to any one of a plurality of vessels, resilient contact means carried by the supporting frame and arranged for pressing against the outer surface of the vessel when the frame and its support means are removably seated in operative relation to a vessel, said device including means insulating the electrode from the vessel and from said contact means, and electrical conductors from the electrode and the contact means to said electrical circuit.

8. A portable height-indicating device for closing an electrical circuit when molten metal reaches a predetermined level in a vessel of electrically conductive ma terial, comprising supporting means which may be removably seated on the vessel, an electrode adjustably held by said supporting means in position to extend into the vessel and with its lower end at the aforesaid predetermined level when the supporting means is in position on the vessel, said supporting means being removable for said seating in operative position on any one of a plurality of vessels, resilient contact means carried by said supporting means in position for pressing against the outer surface of the vessel when said supporting means is removably seated in operative position on a vessel, means insulating the electrode from the vessel and from said contact means, and electrical conductors from the electrode and the contact means to said electrical circuit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS