US3804146A - Process for controlling position of electrode in electroslag remelting mold - Google Patents

Process for controlling position of electrode in electroslag remelting mold Download PDF

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Publication number
US3804146A
US3804146A US00251888A US25188872A US3804146A US 3804146 A US3804146 A US 3804146A US 00251888 A US00251888 A US 00251888A US 25188872 A US25188872 A US 25188872A US 3804146 A US3804146 A US 3804146A
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United States
Prior art keywords
electrode
mould
probes
clearance
vessel
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00251888A
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English (en)
Inventor
G Hoyle
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British Iron and Steel Research Association BISRA
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British Iron and Steel Research Association BISRA
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B9/00—General processes of refining or remelting of metals; Apparatus for electroslag or arc remelting of metals
    • C22B9/16—Remelting metals
    • C22B9/18—Electroslag remelting

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A process for the refining of metals in which a consumable electrode of the metal to be refined is melted in'a vessel which comprises detecting changes in the clearance between posed surfaces of the consumable electrode and the vessel inner wall to produce a con- 'trol signal to impart relative horizontal movement between the electrodeand the vessel to restore the clearance.
  • PATENTEDAPR 16 IBM SHEET 1 UF 4 PATENTEH PR 16191 1 7 8,804,146 SHEET 2 OF 4 Md 72d PATENTED APR 16 I974 SHEET 3 BF 4 I l V AV
  • the present invention relates to apparatus and processes for the refining of metals and, more especially, to the secondary refining of metals.
  • Electroslag refining and vacuum arc remelting are examples of such processes.
  • a slag within a mould is maintained in a molten state and at a temperature above the melting point of the metal to be refined.
  • Unrefined metal is introduced into the mould and is refined as it passes in droplet form through a bath of the molten slag, refined droplets collecting to form a pool beneath the slag bath.
  • the mould walls and base plate are cooled by the circulation of a coolant, normally water, and a solidified ingot I is built up beneath the molten metal pool.
  • the metal to be refined may be introduced to the mould in the form of a consumable electrode and the slag maintained molten by passage of an electric current from the electrode to the base plate. of the mould.
  • the clearance between the inner side wall of the mould and the surface of the consumable elec-' trode should not be excessive.
  • contact between the opposed surfaces of the mould and the electrode should be prevented.
  • a process for the refining of metals in which a consumable electrode of the metal to be refined is melted in a vessel comprises detecting changes in the clearance between opposed surfaces of the consumable electrode and the vessel inner wall to produce a control signal to impart-relative horizontal movement between the electrode and the vessel to restore the clearance.
  • Reductions in the clearance may be detected by three or more electrically activated probes which are spaced evenly around and extend inwardly from the vessel inner wall to define the desired minimum clearance between the vessel inner wall and the electrode and which are activated by contact with the electrode.
  • Activation of one probe or of two adjacent probes may cause a control signal or signals to be passed to drive means operable to impart relative horizontal movement between the electrode and the vessel.
  • the drivemeans may comprise electrical motors each connected to receive a signal from one of the probes and each operable to impart relative movement between the electrode and the vessel in such a horizontal direction as to de-activate the probe to which a respective motor is connected.
  • Each probe may be movable towards and away from the electrode.
  • a process for the refining of metals in which a consumable electrode of the metal to be refined is positioned in a predetermined spaced relationship to a mould, the process including the steps of detecting any relative movement in a horizontal direction between the electrode and the mould, producing a signal indicative of the direction and extent of said relative movement and using said signal to operate one or more motors to cause relative movement between the electrode and the mould to return the electrode and mould to the predetermined spaced relationship.
  • apparatus for the refining of metals comprises an electrode and means to locate the electrode in a'predetermined spaced relationship to a vessel, such as a mould, the apparatus including means to detect departure from said predetermined spaced relationship and means to cause relative movement between the vessel .and the electrode so as to restore said relationship.
  • means to detect departure from said relationship may comprise sensing probes adapted to be contacted by the electrode and thus to set up electrical signal to operate electrical motors arranged to cause relative movement between the electrode and the vessel.
  • electrical motors may be spaced around the periphery of a trolley carrying the vessel, ,the motors being so arranged that one pair of motors will move the trolley in one direction and the other pair of motors will move the trolley in a direction at right angles to said one direction.
  • apparatus for the refining of metals comprises a mould, means for mounting a consumable electrode therein, three or more electrically activated probes Spaced evenly around and extending inwardly from the inner wall of the mould to define the desired minimum clearance between the mould inner wall and the electrode when in position, and drive means connected to receive signals from the, probes when activated by contact with the electrode and operable to impart relative movement between the mould and the electrode to move the probes out of contact with the electrode.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of electroslag refining apparatus embodying the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an underneath plan view of the trolley illustrated in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a section in the line III-III of FIG. '1 to an enlarged scale
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of a detail of electroslag refining apparatus embodying the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a section in the line V--V of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the electroslag refining apparatus in a modified embodiment
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 are, respectively, plan and elevational views of further electroslag refining apparatus embodying the invention.
  • apparatus for the electroslag refining of metal includes an open-ended mould 1 supported by a carriage 2 movable vertically relatively to a mast 3.
  • a consumable electrode 4 is clamped in an electrode holder 5 which is movable vertically relative to a mast 6.
  • the mould is mounted on but insulated from a cooled base plate 7.
  • an ingot is built up on the base plate 7 and the carriage 2 raised so that the base plate 7 supports the formed ingot 8'.
  • the base plate 7 and mast 3 are mounted on a trolley 9 movable in horizontal directions by electrical motors, e.g. Servomotors, 10a to 10d (FIGS. 2 and 3).
  • Servomotors 10a to 10d are, respectively, operable to move the trolley 9 in the directions indicated by arrows 11a to 11d.
  • the electrode 4 and the base plate 7 are connected to a source of alternating current.
  • the slag bath and metal pool are indicated, respectively, at 13a and 13b.
  • Sensing probes 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d are evenly spaced around the upper open end of the mould land together define the desired clearance between the electrode and the inner mould wall.
  • the probes 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d are, respectively, connected to relays 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d which, when actuated, energise the respective servomotors a, 10b, 10c, 10d.
  • droplets of unrefined metal pass from the electrode 4 and collect in a pool below the electrically conductive refining slag. These droplets solidify to form the ingot 8.
  • the mould 1 is raised by the carriage 2 to maintain a predetermined distance between the level of the molten metal pool 13b and the lower open-end of the mould. Due to irregularities in the surface of the consumable electrode or to misalignment of the electrode relative to the mould, movement of the mould relative to the electrode may cause the clearance between the electrode and an adjacent surface of the'mould inner wall to become less than the predetermined distance.
  • one or two adjacent probes 12a 12d are contacted by and receive a voltage signal from the electrode, which signal actuates the corresponding relay or relays 14a 14d to energise the corresponding servomotor or servomotors 10a 10d.
  • the servomotor(s) operates to move the trolley 9 and,-consequently, the mast 3 and the mould l in such a direction that the activated probes 12 a 12d are moved out of contact with the adjacent electrode surface.
  • the motor(s) is or are deenergised and movement of the trolley 9 is stopped.
  • a second array of probes 18a to 18d may be provided to allow for regular increases in electrode cross section. If such an increase should occur, all four probes 12a to 12d are simultaneously energised,
  • the corresponding servomotor or servomotors 10a to 10d is or are operated to move the trolley 9 and, consequently, the mould l to a position in which an even clearance exists between the electrode and the mould.
  • a switch is thrown to sound an alarm and/or to switch off the melt power and the electrode drive.
  • each probe 12a 12d may be externally adjustable relative to the mould. That is to say, each probe may be moved towards and away from the electrode during a melt to accommodate general variations in electrode cross section.
  • each probe 12 has a screw-threaded portion 19 which co-operates with an internally-threaded sleeve mounted on a collar 21 supported on the upper end of the mould wall. The probes may beextended periodic'ally towards the electrode until they make contact with it and the distances moved recorded to give readings of the ratio of electrode to mould diameter.
  • Each probe may extend inwardly from the mould inner wall and three or more probes may be employed. For example, eight evenly spaced probes may be employed, each'probe being connected through a relay to a servomotor.
  • the mast 6 is movable in horizontal directions by the motors 10a to 10d, the mast 3 and base plate 7 being immobile.
  • contact of the electrode with one or two of the probes 12a 12d or 18a 18d causes energisation of the servomotor(s) 10a to move the mast 6 and, consequently, the electrode 4 in such a direction that the activated probes are moved out of contact with the adjacent electrode surface.
  • the position of the electrode 4 within the mould l is sensed by means of four pivotable probes 20 which bear against the adjacent surface of the electrode 4.
  • Each probe 20 is connected by an arm 21 to a member 22 which pivots with the respective probe 20.
  • the members 22 connected to opposed probes 20 are interconnected by means of pivotally mounted links 23, 24 which are urged together by a spring 25.
  • the links 23, 24 are coupled by an arm 26 which carries a rod 27 which is movable vertically within a bearing 28 and which can move sideways into contact with switches 29, 30.
  • the switches when actuated, energise respective servomotors operable to move the mould 1 in a similar manner to the servomotors 10a 10d hereinbefore described.
  • misalignment of the electrode causes the probes 20 and the respective members 22 to pivot, thus moving one or both of the rods 27 to one side to make contact with and actuate either switch 29 or switch 30.
  • Actuation of switch 29 or switch 30 energises the respective servomotors to move the mould 1 in such a direction that the pivoted probes are returned to their original positions.
  • each rod 27 is moved to its original position out of contact with either switch 29 or switch 30 and the or each motor is de-energised and movement of the mould is stopped.
  • a process for the refining of metals in which a consumable electrode of the metal to be refined is melted in a vessel which process comprises detecting changes in the clearance between opposed surfaces of the consumable electrode and the vessel inner wall by means of at least three pivotally mounted probes which bear against the adjacent surface of the electrode and which pivot to actuate control means operable to cause drive means to impart relative horizontal movement between the electrode and the vessel to restore the clearance.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)
  • Furnace Details (AREA)
US00251888A 1971-05-21 1972-05-10 Process for controlling position of electrode in electroslag remelting mold Expired - Lifetime US3804146A (en)

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GB1627271 1971-05-21

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US3804146A true US3804146A (en) 1974-04-16

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US (1) US3804146A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AT (1) AT332983B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2138781B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1343500A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
SE (1) SE379781B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3998265A (en) * 1976-02-20 1976-12-21 Gennady Fedorovich Skvortsov Crystallizer positioning and displacing apparatus
DE2905752A1 (de) * 1979-02-15 1980-09-04 Leybold Heraeus Gmbh & Co Kg Elektroden-einspannvorrichtung fuer elektroumschmelzanlagen
US4339624A (en) * 1979-02-15 1982-07-13 Leybold-Heraeus Gmbh Electrode clamping device for electroremelting plants
KR100341817B1 (ko) * 2000-08-25 2002-06-26 신현준 2차 정련공정에서 주형과 전극의 자동 정렬장치 및 그 방법

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3241243A (en) * 1963-06-20 1966-03-22 Coleman Engineering Company In Hole center locating apparatus
GB1103350A (en) * 1965-11-16 1968-02-14 Inst Elektroswarki Patona Method and apparatus for electroslag remelting
US3405219A (en) * 1964-01-15 1968-10-08 Loire Atel Forges Tilt responsive and weight responsive means to protect arc furnace electrodes from accidental breakage

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3241243A (en) * 1963-06-20 1966-03-22 Coleman Engineering Company In Hole center locating apparatus
US3405219A (en) * 1964-01-15 1968-10-08 Loire Atel Forges Tilt responsive and weight responsive means to protect arc furnace electrodes from accidental breakage
GB1103350A (en) * 1965-11-16 1968-02-14 Inst Elektroswarki Patona Method and apparatus for electroslag remelting

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3998265A (en) * 1976-02-20 1976-12-21 Gennady Fedorovich Skvortsov Crystallizer positioning and displacing apparatus
DE2905752A1 (de) * 1979-02-15 1980-09-04 Leybold Heraeus Gmbh & Co Kg Elektroden-einspannvorrichtung fuer elektroumschmelzanlagen
US4339624A (en) * 1979-02-15 1982-07-13 Leybold-Heraeus Gmbh Electrode clamping device for electroremelting plants
KR100341817B1 (ko) * 2000-08-25 2002-06-26 신현준 2차 정련공정에서 주형과 전극의 자동 정렬장치 및 그 방법

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Publication number Publication date
GB1343500A (en) 1974-01-10
AT332983B (de) 1976-10-25
ATA442472A (de) 1976-02-15
FR2138781A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-01-05
SE379781B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1975-10-20
FR2138781B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-08-06

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