US3788383A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for the continuous extraction of electroslag remelted metals
Assignee: Arcelor Luxembourg SA
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Filing: 1971-04-14
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1991-04-14
Abstract
Abstract An electroslag melting (e.g. remelting) of metal, under a slag or fused-flux layer, is carried out in a crucible provided with a discharge neck which is received with clearance in a removable, replaceable and interchangeable continuous-ingot mold. The liquid/solid metal interface is maintained within the mold which has a liquid-free surface exposed to reducing or nonoxidizing gas pressure maintained to balance the hydrostatic pressure of the metal bath and flux layer in the melting chamber. As a consequence, the rate of flow of the metal from the melting crucible to the ingot mold is automatically controlled to equal the rate at which the ingot is withdrawn.
Inventors
- 👤 P Metz
- 👤 E Metz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:55
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B9/00; C22B9/16; C22B9/18; B; B22; B22D; B22D11/00; B22D11/10; B22D11/16; B22D11/18; B22D11/181; B22D23/00; B22D23/06; B22D23/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
An apparatus for producing elongated metal bodies, comprising an electroslag melting crucible adapted to receive a bath of metal overlain by a flux/slag layer, said crucible being at least one downwardly extending discharge tube; a replacable ingot mold open at its extremities and surrounding said tube with clearance while communicating with said tube to receive a stream of molten metal therefrom and form a continuously solidifying ingot from said metal whereby the liquid metal of said stream forms a meniscus within said ingot mold directly adjacent the lower end of said discharge tuBe; means forming a gas pressure chamber above said meniscus for applying to the liquid metal in said ingot mold and emerging from said tube a gas pressure approximately balancing the liquid head of said bath and said layer above said meniscus whereby the liquid metal enters said ingot mold at a rate automatically adjusted to the rate at which said ingot is formed; and sensing means responsible to the position of said meniscus for controlling said gas pressure to maintain said meniscus adjacent said end to prevent free fall of liquid metal from said tube.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
An apparatus for producing elongated metal bodies, comprising an electroslag melting crucible adapted to receive a bath of metal overlain by a flux/slag layer, said crucible being at least one downwardly extending discharge tube; a replacable ingot mold open at its extremities and surrounding said tube with clearance while communicating with said tube to receive a stream of molten metal therefrom and form a continuously solidifying ingot from said metal whereby the liquid metal of said stream forms a meniscus within said ingot mold directly adjacent the lower end of said discharge tuBe; means forming a gas pressure chamber above said meniscus for applying to the liquid metal in said ingot mold and emerging from said tube a gas pressure approximately balancing the liquid head of said bath and said layer above said meniscus whereby the liquid metal enters said ingot mold at a rate automatically adjusted to the rate at which said ingot is formed; and sensing means responsible to the position of said meniscus for controlling said gas pressure to maintain said meniscus adjacent said end to prevent free fall of liquid metal from said tube.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for producing elongated metal bodies comprising; an electroslag melting crucible adapted to receive a bath of metal overlain by a flux/slag layer, said crucible having at least one downwardly extending discharge tube; a replaceable ingot mold open at its extremities and surrounding said tube with clearance while communicating with said tube to receive a stream of molten metal therefrom and form a continuously solidifying ingot from said metal whereby the liquid metal of said stream forms a meniscus within said ingot mold; means forming a gas pressure chamber above said meniscus for applying to the liquid metal in said ingot mold and emerging from said tube a gas pressure approximately balancing the liquid head of said bath and said layer above said meniscus whereby the liquid metal enters said ingot mold at a rate automatically adjusted to the rate at which said ingot is formed; conduit means supplying a nonoxidizing gas under pressure to said chamber; and means responsive to the level of said layer and said bath in said crucible for controlling the pressure in said chamber, the last mentioned means including a branch of said conduit means communicating with said crucible below the level of the bath therein, and a porous plug at said branch.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for producing elongated metal bodies comprising; an electroslag melting crucible adapted to receive a bath of metal overlain by a flux/slag layer, said crucible having at least one downwardly extending discharge tube; a replaceable ingot mold open at its extremities and surrounding said tube with clearance while communicating with said tube to receive a stream of molten metal therefrom and form a continuously solidifying ingot from said metal whereby the liquid metal of said stream forms a meniscus within said ingot mold; means forming a gas pressure chamber above said meniscus for applying to the liquid metal in said ingot mold and emerging from said tube a gas pressure approximately balancing the liquid head of said bath and said layer above said meniscus whereby the liquid metal enters said ingot mold at a rate automatically adjusted to the rate at which said ingot is formed; conduit means supplying a nonoxidizing gas under pressure to said chamber; and means responsive to the level of said layer and said bath in said crucible for controlling the pressure in said chamber, the last mentioned means including a branch of said conduit means communicating with said crucible below the level of the bath therein, and a porous plug at said branch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said ingot mold is formed at least in the region of said meniscus with theremally insulating walls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2, further comprising means for heating the walls of said ingot mold at least in the region of said meniscus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2, further comprising means for cooling at least the portion of said ingot mold downstream of said meniscus in the direction of movement of said ingot through said ingot mold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2, further comprising means responsive to the position of said meniscus for controlling the pressure in said chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein said tube is composed at least in part of thermally insulating material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2, further comprising means for heating said tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2, further comprising shutter means for closing said tube upon the level of said meniscus varying beyond a predetermined point.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2, further comprising shutter means responsive to the pressure in said chamber for blocking said tube upon a variation in pressure therein beyond a predetermined level.
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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) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |