US3785428A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wheel-belt continuous casting machine
Assignee: Hazelett Strip Casting Corp
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Filing: 1972-03-02
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1992-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A wheel and belt continuous casting machine employing a thin casting rim with a pair of cooperating mold side members surrounding the thin rim and with a thin flexible belt partially encircling the wheel for defining a casting cavity and high velocity coolant flow against the thin rim and thin belt for intensive heat removal. The thin casting rim is a guided ''''floating'''' rim which together with the pair of guided ''''floating'''' unattached mold side members form three of the mold surfaces, with the partially encircling thin belt providing the fourth mold surface, and coolant is flowed longitudinally at high velocity along the concave inner face of the floating rim to directly cool this rim and indirectly to cool the side mold members and also high velocity coolant is applied to the thin belt. The coolant can be applied over part of the concave circumference of the thin floating rim or over the full concave circumference of the rim. The floating arrangement of the mold defining surface enables the thin casting rim and mold side members to maintain an accurate alignment without buckling while the high velocity coolant maintains the thin rim at substantially constant temperature. Thus, the thin floating casting rim, floating mold side members and encircling belt provide accurate mold surfaces in which thermal cycling is minimized and heat transfer at the mold surfaces can be appropriately controlled by coatings on the thin rim and thin belt, providing long life of the operating components and giving flexibility for casting different metals and different alloys. Resilient seals are located between the floating rim and the rotating wheel structure, and convenient changing of mold components, such as belt, floating rim and mold side members is achieved, and in addition the user can conveniently change one or both cross section dimensions of the mold cavity so that the most appropriate proportions and size of the continuously cast section can be selected.
Inventors
- 👤 R Hazelett
- 👤 J Wood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:06
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D11/00; B22D11/06; B22D11/0602
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
In a wheel and belt casting machine wherein the molten metal is confined in a continuously moving mold defined between the rotating wheel and a moving endless flexible belt which travels partially around the wheel to form a mold region, the casting wheel apparatus comprising: a wheel having a pair of axially spaced flanges, a thin cylindrical casting rim of heat conducting material removably surrounding said flanges and spanning across the space in the wheel between said flanges, cOoling means in the wheel for applying liquid coolant to the inner surface of said thin rim between said flanges, and removable side mold members encircling said thin rim adapted to be positioned between said rim and the belt which travels partially around the wheel for defining a mold cavity in the mold region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a wheel and belt casting machine wherein the molten metal is confined in a continuously moving mold defined between the rotating wheel and a moving endless flexible belt which travels partially around the wheel to form a mold region, the casting wheel apparatus comprising: a wheel having a pair of axially spaced flanges, a thin cylindrical casting rim of heat conducting material removably surrounding said flanges and spanning across the space in the wheel between said flanges, cOoling means in the wheel for applying liquid coolant to the inner surface of said thin rim between said flanges, and removable side mold members encircling said thin rim adapted to be positioned between said rim and the belt which travels partially around the wheel for defining a mold cavity in the mold region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
In the wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 1, the casting apparatus wherein: said thin casting rim is slightly larger in diameter than said flanges for facilitating axial assembly of said rim onto said flanges, and resilient sealing means are provided in the wheel engaging said thin rim to preclude the escape of liquid coolant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
In the wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 2, the casting apparatus wherein: said resilient sealing means are inflated and are adapted to be deflated for facilitating disassembly of the rim from the wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
In the wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 1, the casting apparatus wherein: said thin rim is in floating relationship with respect to the peripheries of said flanges and is permitted to expand slightly away from said flanges in a non-mold region as the wheel rotates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
In the wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 4, the casting apparatus wherein: radially flexible lateral guiding means are provided in the wheel engaging opposite edges of the thin rim for restraining lateral movement of the rim while permitting expansion of the thin rim away from said flanges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
In the wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 5, the casting apparatus wherein: said radially flexible lateral guiding means comprise a plurality of clamps circumferentially spaced around the wheel for engaging both edges of the thin rim, and each of said clamps has a hook end portion hooking over the edge of the thin rim and a radially flexible element extending in an axial direction to said hook end portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
In the wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 1, the casting apparatus wherein: first and second guide means are provided engaging said removable side mold members, said first guide means are positioned to engage said side mold members ahead of the entrance to the casting cavity, and said second guide means are positioned to engage said side mold members after the belt has separated from the wheel at the delivery end of the casting cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
In the wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 7, the casting apparatus wherein: said removable side mold members are a pair of large endless rings encircling said thin rim and having a multiplicity of slots cut into their outside axial edges.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 8, the casting apparatus wherein: said slots have circular enlargements at their inner ends.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
In the wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 1, the casting apparatus in which: said cooling means includes a plurality of coolant nozzle means positioned in the wheel near the inner circumference of the rim for applying a layer of coolant travelling along the inner surface of the thin rim between said flanges, and a revolving liquid coolant distribution system in the wheel connected to the respective nozzle means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
89 words
In the wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 10, the casting apparatus in which: a plurality of scoops are positioned between said flanges near the inner face of said thin rim, said scoops extending axially across the width of the rim between said flanges and uniformly spaced from the inner face for diverting a portion of the coolant from the layer of coolant, and coolant discharge gutters are associated with said scoops for discharging the diverted coolant in an axial direction outboard from the revolving wheel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
98 words
In the wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 10, the casting apparatus in which: said revolving liquid coolant distribution system includes a stationary inner sealing gland and an outer sealing gland rotatable about said inner gland, duct means for feeding coolant under pressure to said inner gland said outer gland being connected to the wheel for rotation therewith, said outer gland having a plurality of passages therein spaced circumferentially about said outer gland and communicating with the inner gland for receiving the coolant therefrom, and conduit means connecting respective passages to respective coolant nozzle means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
In the wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 12, the casting apparatus in which: a stationary coolant zone control element is positionable adjacent to said outer gland for blocking off selected passages in sequence as the wheel rotates for limiting the cooling of the thin rim to a predetermined arcuate zone thereof as may be desired.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
116 words
In a wheel and belt casting machine wherein the molten metal is confined in a continuously moving mold defined between the rotating wheel and a moving flexible belt which travels partially around the wheel to form a mold region extending part way around the wheel, the casting apparatus comprising: a thin rim encircling the wheel, resilient mounting means positioned between the wheel and said thien rim, and cooling means in the wheel for applying liquid coolant to the inner circumference of said thin rim, said resilient mounting means including a pair of axially spaced radially expansible members extending around the wheel for engaging the inner circumference of said thin rim near the opposite edge portions thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
116 words
In a wheel and belt casting machine wherein the molten metal is confined in a continuously moving mold defined between the rotating wheel and a moving flexible belt which travels partially around the wheel to form a mold region extending part way around the wheel, the casting apparatus comprising: a thin rim encircling the wheel, resilient mounting means positioned between the wheel and said thien rim, and cooling means in the wheel for applying liquid coolant to the inner circumference of said thin rim, said resilient mounting means including a pair of axially spaced radially expansible members extending around the wheel for engaging the inner circumference of said thin rim near the opposite edge portions thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
In the wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 14, the casting apparatus in which: said radially expansible members are tubular, and valve means are provided for enabling inflation and deflation thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a wheel and belt casting machine wherein the molten metal is confined in a continuously moving mold defined between the rotating wheel and a moving flexible belt which travels partially around the wheel to form a mold region extending part way around the wheel, the casting apparatus comprising: a thin rim encircling the wheel, resilient mounting means positioned between the wheel and said thin rim, and cooling means in the wheel for applying liquid coolant to the inner circumference of said thin rim, said resilient mounting means including a plurality of radially flexible rim guiding clamps mounted to revolve with the wheel and engaging the edges of the thin rim for laterally guiding the rim while permitting limited radial movement of the rim with respect to the wheel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a wheel and belt casting machine wherein the molten metal is confined in a continuously moving mold defined between the rotating wheel and a moving flexible belt which travels partially around the wheel to form a mold region extending part way around the wheel, the casting apparatus comprising: a thin rim encircling the wheel, resilient mounting means positioned between the wheel and said thin rim, and cooling means in the wheel for applying liquid coolant to the inner circumference of said thin rim, said resilient mounting means including a plurality of radially flexible rim guiding clamps mounted to revolve with the wheel and engaging the edges of the thin rim for laterally guiding the rim while permitting limited radial movement of the rim with respect to the wheel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
68 words
In the wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 14, the casting apparatus in which: said cooling means include a plurality of nozzle means spaced circumferentially about the wheel and positioned near the inner surface of said thin rim for applying a high velocity layer of coolant travelling circumferentially along the inner surface of said rim in a region between said axially spaced radially expansible members.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a wheel and belt casting machine wherein the molten metal is confined in a continuously moving mold formed between the rotating wheel and a moving flexible belt which travels partially around the wheel to form the mold region extending part way around the wheel, the casting apparatus comprising: a thin cylindrical metal rim preferably having a thickness between 0.025 and 0.075 of an inch encircling the wheel and being slightly larger in diameter than the wheel for permitting axial assembly and disassembly of the rim onto the wheel, a pair of side mold members encircling the thin rim and having a diameter slightly larger than the rim for permitting axial assembly and disassembly of said members onto the rim, guide means for laterally guiding said side mold members and said thin rim, and cooling means in the wheel for intensely cooling the inner face of said thin rim.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a wheel and belt casting machine wherein the molten metal is confined in a continuously moving mold formed between the rotating wheel and a moving flexible belt which travels partially around the wheel to form the mold region extending part way around the wheel, the casting apparatus comprising: a thin cylindrical metal rim preferably having a thickness between 0.025 and 0.075 of an inch encircling the wheel and being slightly larger in diameter than the wheel for permitting axial assembly and disassembly of the rim onto the wheel, a pair of side mold members encircling the thin rim and having a diameter slightly larger than the rim for permitting axial assembly and disassembly of said members onto the rim, guide means for laterally guiding said side mold members and said thin rim, and cooling means in the wheel for intensely cooling the inner face of said thin rim.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
78 words
In the wheel and Belt casting machine as claimed in claim 18, the casting apparatus in which: a pair of spaced flanges are provided on the wheel defining clearance space between said flanges and adjacent to the inner circumference of said thin rim, and said cooling means applies liquid coolant to the inner circumference of said thin film for travelling the coolant in a circumferential direction along the inner face of the thin rim through such clearance space.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
71 words
In the wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 19, the casting apparatus in which: said cooling means includes a plurality of nozzle means spaced circumferentially around the wheel near the inner surface of the rim, and coolant zone control means for cyclically blocking the coolant flow to selected nozzle means for limiting the application of coolant to a predetermined arcuate extent of the inner surface of the rim.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a wheel and belt casting machine wherein the molten metal is confined in a continuously moving cavity formed between the wheel and the moving flexible belt which travels partially around the wheel to form the mold cavity, the casting apparatus comprising: a wheel having a pair of axially spaced flanges of equal diameter and each having a flat cylindrical periphery, a thin cylindrical rim having an axial width greater than the axial spacing between said flanges, said rim encircling said flanges spanning across between said flanges and having its opposite edge portions extending out in an axial direction beyond the respective flanges, radially expansible sealing means positioned in the wheel outside of said flanges for engaging the inner surface of the axially extending edge portions of said rim, and a plurality of nozzle means in the wheel positioned between said flanges and spaced circumferentially around the wheel for applying coolant to form a layer travelling along the inner surface of the rim between said flanges.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a wheel and belt casting machine wherein the molten metal is confined in a continuously moving cavity formed between the wheel and the moving flexible belt which travels partially around the wheel to form the mold cavity, the casting apparatus comprising: a wheel having a pair of axially spaced flanges of equal diameter and each having a flat cylindrical periphery, a thin cylindrical rim having an axial width greater than the axial spacing between said flanges, said rim encircling said flanges spanning across between said flanges and having its opposite edge portions extending out in an axial direction beyond the respective flanges, radially expansible sealing means positioned in the wheel outside of said flanges for engaging the inner surface of the axially extending edge portions of said rim, and a plurality of nozzle means in the wheel positioned between said flanges and spaced circumferentially around the wheel for applying coolant to form a layer travelling along the inner surface of the rim between said flanges.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a wheel and belt casting machine for casting molten metal apparatus comprising: a thin heat conducting rim on the wheel, mounting means for removably mounting said rim on the wheel, a plurality of nozzle means mounted in the wheel to revolve with the wheel and being positioned near the inner circumference of the rim, said nozzle means being spaced circumferentially about the wheel for applying coolant to the inner circumference of the rim traveling circumferentially along said inner circumference, coolant distribution system in the wheel for feeding liquid coolant under pressure to said nozzle means, a pair of spaced side mold members encircling said thin rim, a first lateral guide means engaging said side mold members for guiding them into position before the belt engages the wheel, second lateral guid means engaging said side mold members after the belt separates from the wheel, said second guide means being associated with a stripper positioned to engage the rim between said side mold members, said second lateral guide means and said stripper being adjustable about a shaft, and resilient means interconnecting said second guide means and said stripper for lightly urging said stripper toward said rim.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a wheel and belt casting machine for casting molten metal apparatus comprising: a thin heat conducting rim on the wheel, mounting means for removably mounting said rim on the wheel, a plurality of nozzle means mounted in the wheel to revolve with the wheel and being positioned near the inner circumference of the rim, said nozzle means being spaced circumferentially about the wheel for applying coolant to the inner circumference of the rim traveling circumferentially along said inner circumference, coolant distribution system in the wheel for feeding liquid coolant under pressure to said nozzle means, a pair of spaced side mold members encircling said thin rim, a first lateral guide means engaging said side mold members for guiding them into position before the belt engages the wheel, second lateral guid means engaging said side mold members after the belt separates from the wheel, said second guide means being associated with a stripper positioned to engage the rim between said side mold members, said second lateral guide means and said stripper being adjustable about a shaft, and resilient means interconnecting said second guide means and said stripper for lightly urging said stripper toward said rim.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a wheel and belt casting machine for casting molten metal, apparatus comprising: a thin cylindrical rim encircling the wheel, mounting means for removably mounting said rim on the wheel, a pair of removable axially spaced side mold members encircling said rim, lateral guide means for guiding said side mold members as the wheel rotates, and coolant means for cooling the inner concave face of the rim.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a wheel and belt casting machine for casting molten metal, apparatus comprising: a thin cylindrical rim encircling the wheel, mounting means for removably mounting said rim on the wheel, a pair of removable axially spaced side mold members encircling said rim, lateral guide means for guiding said side mold members as the wheel rotates, and coolant means for cooling the inner concave face of the rim.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
49 words
In the wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 7, the casting apparatus wherein: each of said removable side mold members is a segmented endless ring assembly formed by a multiplicity of closely fitting curved side mold blocks strung tightly on a looped metal strap or cable.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a metal casting machine for continuously Casting molten metal adjacent to a moving casting belt, apparatus in which: a plurality of coolant application and scoop means are used for applying and maintaining a coolant layer travelling along the back surface of a casting belt, said coolant application and scoop means include leading edges of the scoops spaced from the back surface of the casting belt a small distance for intercepting and deflecting a part of the high velocity coolant layer from the casting belt, said coolant application and scoop means are spaced away from the back surface of the casting belt a small distance for allowing the remaining coolant in the coolant layer to pass between said coolant application and scoop means and said back surface of the belt, and the portions of each of said coolant application and scoop means behind said leading edge and near said back surface of the belt converge toward said back surface of the belt in the direction of travel of the coolant for providing converging de-aeration channels between each of said coolant application and scoop means and said back surface of the belt for de-aeration of the coolant passing through said converging channels.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a metal casting machine for continuously Casting molten metal adjacent to a moving casting belt, apparatus in which: a plurality of coolant application and scoop means are used for applying and maintaining a coolant layer travelling along the back surface of a casting belt, said coolant application and scoop means include leading edges of the scoops spaced from the back surface of the casting belt a small distance for intercepting and deflecting a part of the high velocity coolant layer from the casting belt, said coolant application and scoop means are spaced away from the back surface of the casting belt a small distance for allowing the remaining coolant in the coolant layer to pass between said coolant application and scoop means and said back surface of the belt, and the portions of each of said coolant application and scoop means behind said leading edge and near said back surface of the belt converge toward said back surface of the belt in the direction of travel of the coolant for providing converging de-aeration channels between each of said coolant application and scoop means and said back surface of the belt for de-aeration of the coolant passing through said converging channels.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a metal casting machine for continuously casting molten metal adjacent to a moving casting belt, apparatus as claimed in claim 25, in which: said converging de-aeration channels converge toward the back surface of the belt from a spacing of approximately three-sixteenths of an inch to approximately three-thirty-seconds of an inch.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a wheel and belt casting machine as claimed in claim 21, the casting apparatus in which: a pair of wide skirt members are mounted on said respective flanges and extend around the wheel, said skirt members being located near the peripheries of said flanges and projecting in an axial direction from the respective flanges.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |