Ag Industries, Inc.

Gladwin Corporation

National Steel Corporation

James Bernard Sears, Jr

Charles Trenkle

An improved continuous casting system and process involves the removal of mold flux from the outer surfaces of the cast strand after it is withdrawn from the continuous casting mold. This will increase the quality of the cast product, as well as reduce the production of corrosive steams and liquids that typically form as a byproduct of the mold flux downstream of the mold. It will also reduce costs that are associated with water treatment. In the preferred embodiment, the mold flux is loosened from the strand by the application of pressurized fluid, and the flux and excess fluid are then removed by suction. The removed flux is preferably dried and then stored in a collection space. Multiple collection spaces may be provided for storing different type of recovered flux. Also disclosed is a system and process of removing flux from the collection space and then premixing it in predetermined proportions with virgin mold flux for reintroduction to the mold.

System and method for removing crystallized flux

An improved continuous casting mold and foot guide assembly includes a mold having a casting passage defined therein, a frame member, mounting structure for mounting the frame member to the mold for relative movement toward and away from an axis of the casting passage, and a strand support member for providing support to a strand of continuously cast material as it emerges from the casting passage. Biasing structure is provided for biasing the frame member toward the axis of the casting passage and, advantageously, is positioned so as not to occupy space that is behind the frame member. As a result, the assembly is compatible with all models of casting machines and will be less susceptible to degradation as a result of radiant heat and steam that is emitted from the strand during operation. In addition, a load cell is provided for monitoring the amount of relative force between the frame member and the strand during operation. This information is recorded and analyzed, and can be used to alert an operator of an emergency condition, or to adjust certain parameters of the process, such as width adjustment speed, mold wall inclination, or coolant supply to the mold or to the strand.

Foot guide and control system for continuous casting machine

The mold includes an outer wall that has a plenum chamber defined in an inner surface thereof and at least one passage for communicating the plenum chamber with an external coolant conduit. The mold further includes a liner that is secured to the inner surface of the outer wall. The liner has a number of slots defined in an inner wall thereof which, together with the outer wall, define a number of passages for transporting coolant to cool the liner during operation of the mold. A recess intersecting at least one of the slots is provided in the inner wall of the liner. A restrictor plate is situated in the recess, and serves to strategically reduce the cross-section of selected slots in order to achieve the desired coolant flow profile among the slots. The mold may further include a velocity plate that is positioned between the plenum and the transition portion to limit an opening by which coolant may flow between the plenum and the transition portion. The velocity plate has a tapered cutout portion defined in a side thereof that faces the transition portion. The combined effect of the cutout portion and the transition portion is to define a flowpath that induces a substantially constant, elevated coolant flow velocity throughout the entire mold, prolonging the life of the mold.

Mold for continuous casting system

An improved mold for a continuous casting process includes an outer wall that has a plenum chamber defined in an inner surface thereof and at least one passage for communicating the plenum chamber with an external coolant conduit. The mold further includes a liner that is secured to the inner surface of the outer wall. The liner has a number of slots defined in an inner wall thereof which, together with the outer wall, define a number of passages for transporting coolant to cool the liner during operation of the mold. Each of the slots has a radiused transition portion that is proximate to a location where the slot communicates with the plenum. The transition portion decreases in cross-section as the slot approaches the plenum. The mold further includes a velocity plate that is positioned between the plenum and the transition portion to limit an opening by which coolant may flow between the plenum and the transition portion. The velocity plate has a tapered cutout portion defined in a side thereof that faces the transition portion. The combined effect of the cutout portion and the transition portion is to define a flowpath that induces a substantially constant, elevated coolant flow velocity throughout the entire mold, prolonging the life of the mold. A method of retrofitting a mold to include a velocity plate is also disclosed.

An improved shroud tube supporting and changing apparatus for use in a bottom pour metal teeming operation includes an elongated arm having its midpoint mounted on the teeming vessel for free rotation about a generally vertical axis and for limited pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, and a shroud tube support on each end of the elongated arm for engaging and providing gimbal-like support for a shroud tube. A power actuator mounted on the teeming vessel is selectively operable to pivot the arm about the horizontal axis in one direction to maintain a fluid tight seal between the shroud tube and the bottom pour opening in the teeming vessel, and to permit the arm to be pivoted in the other direction to disengage the shroud tube from the bottom pour opening and permit the arm to be rotated about the vertical axis to place a new shroud tube in position beneath the bottom pour opening.

Growing community of inventors

Riverview, MI, United States of America

James Bernard Sears, Jr