US3759309A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for cooling continuously cast metal
Assignee: Reynolds Metals Co
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Filing: 1971-05-27
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Granted: 1973-09-18
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Expires: 1991-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A method of and apparatus for cooling continuously cast metal wherein the temperature of the coolant may be varied substantially instantaneously. A hot water coolant is applied either to the mold or the metal being continuously cast, or both. Suitably located sensor means at the locus of the mold sense a condition incident to the continuous casting operation. In a preferred form of the invention, separate means are employed to retard the cooling of the metal as it emerges from the bottom of the mold in order to prevent cracking of the metal.
Inventors
- 👤 W Nighman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:49
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D11/00; B22D11/16; B22D11/22; B22D11/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of continuous casting wherein molten metal is solidified to form an ingot and the molten metal adjacent the ingot is restrained from flowing laterally during solidification as the ingot is withdrawn relative to the restraining means, comprising the steps of: a. applying a coolant to at least one of said restraining means and said metal to promote solidification of the metal, b. sensing a selected operating condition related to maintaining a cooling rate effective for satisfactory operation as solidification occurs, c. controlling the temperature of said coolant so as to counteract the effect of changes in the sensed condition.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of continuous casting wherein molten metal is solidified to form an ingot and the molten metal adjacent the ingot is restrained from flowing laterally during solidification as the ingot is withdrawn relative to the restraining means, comprising the steps of: a. applying a coolant to at least one of said restraining means and said metal to promote solidification of the metal, b. sensing a selected operating condition related to maintaining a cooling rate effective for satisfactory operation as solidification occurs, c. controlling the temperature of said coolant so as to counteract the effect of changes in the sensed condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of controlling the temperature of said coolant includes maintaining the temperature of said coolant from about 100* F. to about 160* F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 including the additional step of maintaining the rate of flow of coolant substantially constant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said step of controlling the temperature of said coolant includes maintaining the temperature of said coolant from about 140* F. to about 145* F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said controlling operation includes mixing cooler and hotter water and varying the proportions thereof to provide substantially instantaneous regulation of the coolant temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 5, including the additional steps of applying a cold water coolant to said means for restraining lateral flow of said molten metal and a hot water coolant to the ingot as it emerges from said restraining means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said coolant has a temperature from about 100* F. to about 160* F.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the selected operating condition sensed which is related to maintaining a cooling rate effective for satisfactory operation as solidification occurs is the temperature of a portion of the mold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the selected operating condition sensed which is related to maintaining a cooling rate effective for satisfactory operation as solidification occurs is the input temperature of the molten metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the selected operating condition sensed which is related to maintaining a cooling rate effective for satisfactory operation as solidification occurs is the depth of the crater between the molten metal and the solidified metal.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of continuous casting wherein molten metal is solidified to form an ingot and the molten metal adjacent the ingot is restrained from flowing laterally durIng the solidification as the ingot is withdrawn relative to the restraining means, comprising the steps of: a. mixing cooler and hotter fluids to provide a hot water coolant, b. applying said coolant to at least one of said restraining means and said metal to promote solidification of the metal, c. regulating the temperature of said coolant on a substantially instantaneous basis to control solidification of the ingot.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of continuous casting wherein molten metal is solidified to form an ingot and the molten metal adjacent the ingot is restrained from flowing laterally durIng the solidification as the ingot is withdrawn relative to the restraining means, comprising the steps of: a. mixing cooler and hotter fluids to provide a hot water coolant, b. applying said coolant to at least one of said restraining means and said metal to promote solidification of the metal, c. regulating the temperature of said coolant on a substantially instantaneous basis to control solidification of the ingot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 11 including the additional steps of applying a cold water coolant to said means for restraining lateral flow of said molten metal and a hot water coolant to the ingot as it emerges from said restraining means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a continuous casting apparatus for solidifying molten metal to form an ingot, including means for restraining the flow of molten metal laterally during solidification as the ingot being formed is withdrawn relative to the molten metal, the improvement which comprises: a. means for applying a hot water coolant to at least one of said means for restraining the flow of molten metal and said metal to promote solidification of the metal, b. means for mixing cooler and hotter fluids to provide said hot water coolant, and c. means for varying the proportions of said cooler and hotter fluids to provide substantially instantaneous regulation of the coolant temperature to control solidification of the ingot.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a continuous casting apparatus for solidifying molten metal to form an ingot, including means for restraining the flow of molten metal laterally during solidification as the ingot being formed is withdrawn relative to the molten metal, the improvement which comprises: a. means for applying a hot water coolant to at least one of said means for restraining the flow of molten metal and said metal to promote solidification of the metal, b. means for mixing cooler and hotter fluids to provide said hot water coolant, and c. means for varying the proportions of said cooler and hotter fluids to provide substantially instantaneous regulation of the coolant temperature to control solidification of the ingot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said means for varying the proportions of said cooler and hotter fluids includes a mixing valve means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus for continuous casting of metals as defined in claim 13 including additional means for applying hot water coolant to said ingot as it emerges from said restraining means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said means for varying the temperature of said coolant on a substantially instantaneous basis includes: a. temperature sensing means, b. temperature-pressure transducer means connected to said temperature sensing means, c. valve controller means activated by said temperature-pressure transducer means, and d. a mixing valve controlled by said valve controller means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 16 including additional means for applying hot water coolant to said metal as it emerges from said restraining means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-17 | 1977-03-19 | 1977-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-17 | 1981-03-19 | 1981-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-17 | 1985-03-19 | 1985-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |