Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A process of continuously casting an elongated metal article, utilizing a mold having a molten metal inlet, a cooled tubular wall structure and an open outlet end for the issuance of a casting therefrom in at least partially solidified form, and comprising the steps of: introducing molten metal into said mold from a source for contact and solidification against said wall structure to form a casting skin which increases in thickness in the direction of said mold outlet as the casting is relatively moved along the mold in the casting direction; relatively withdrawing the casting from the mold at the open outlet end continuously at an average casting rate; oscillating said mold relatively to the casting for movement forwardly in the casting direction and rearwardly, at least a portion of said forward mold movement being faster than said casting rate; and compressing the casting skin aXially and radially inwardly by the mold during each forward movement of the mold for enhanced thermal transfer from the casting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A process of continuously casting an elongated metal article, utilizing a mold having a molten metal inlet, a cooled tubular wall structure and an open outlet end for the issuance of a casting therefrom in at least partially solidified form, and comprising the steps of: introducing molten metal into said mold from a source for contact and solidification against said wall structure to form a casting skin which increases in thickness in the direction of said mold outlet as the casting is relatively moved along the mold in the casting direction; relatively withdrawing the casting from the mold at the open outlet end continuously at an average casting rate; oscillating said mold relatively to the casting for movement forwardly in the casting direction and rearwardly, at least a portion of said forward mold movement being faster than said casting rate; and compressing the casting skin aXially and radially inwardly by the mold during each forward movement of the mold for enhanced thermal transfer from the casting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as defined in claim 1, further including, maintaining a predetermined compressive loading of said mold on said casting skin substantially constant throughout a portion of said mold forward movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein: said mold is substantially vertically arranged and said relative withdrawal of said casting from said mold has a substantial vertical movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein: said mold is substantially horizontally arranged and said relative withdrawal of said casting from said mold has a substantial horizontal movement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein: said mold is open-ended and said molten metal is introduced into the open end of said mold remote from said outlet end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein: said mold defines a mold cavity having a closed end remote from said metal source forming a bottom of said cavity, said open outlet end of said mold opening toward said metal source, said mold and said source being separated during relative withdrawal of the casting from the mold, the casting direction being from said mold toward said source, the casting skin forming a solidified shell around a molten core through which core molten metal flows to said mold from said source, said molten metal being introduced into said mold cavity adjacent the bottom thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein: said metal which is cast is steel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein: said oscillation of the mold relatively to the casting is at a fixed frequency for an oscillation cycle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein: the distance of travel of the mold in the forward direction during an oscillation cycle is dependent upon the relative velocities of the casting rate and the forward movement of the mold and the resistance of the casting to mold movement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein: said oscillation device comprises means exerting a substantially constant, predetermined compressive loading of said mold on said casting skin portion throughout a portion of said mold movement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein: said mold is open-ended and said molten metal inlet is formed by the open end of the mold remote from the open discharge end of the mold.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein: said mold defines a mold cavity having a closed end remote from said metal source forming a bottom of said cavity, said open outlet end of said mold opening toward said metal source, said mold in said source being separated during relative withdrawal of the casting from the mold, the casting direction being from said mold toward said source, the casting skin forming a solidified shell around the molten core through which core molten metal flows to said mold from said source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein: said oscillation device comprises means of oscillating said mold relatively to the casting at a fixed frequency for an oscillation cycle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein: the distance of travel of the mold in the forward direction during an oscillation cycle is dependent upon the relative velocities of the casting rate and the forward movement of the mold and the resistance of the casting to such forward mold movement.