Patent US3938580A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3938580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous metal casting plant with controlled band-tensioning
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-06-26
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Granted: 1976-02-17
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Expires: 1994-06-26
Abstract
Abstract In a continuous metal casting plant which includes a casting wheel which has a peripheral groove, a metal endless band which winds partially about a portion of the circumference of the casting wheel so as to define a casting chamber for receiving molten metal and a crucible which is provided with nozzle for delivering the molten metal, the improvement being that the band is supported and tensioned by a pair of movable structures adapted to slide along a track, each structure having a shoulder and a plurality of rollers. One structure is fixedly secured to the track, and the other structure is movable by means of a piston actuated by sensitizers of the band via charge or load cells. The band is maintained pressed against the casting chamber of the wheel by means of two band presser means disposed on opposite sides of the wheel, each band presser means being mounted on an independently movable carriage which carries a multi-hinge arm and its associated pulley.
Inventors
- 👤 Enrico Donini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:54
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D11/00; B22D11/06; B22D11/0637; B22D11/0677
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
In a system for the continuous casting of elongated metal elements from hot molten metal, a combination comprising a casting wheel having an axis and a peripheral groove; a metallic endless band entrained about a portion of the circumference of said wheel so as to overlie said groove in said portion and define a casting chamber therewith; crucible means including a nozzle for admitting hot molten metal into said casting chamber; band-tensioning means including a horizontal track and a pair of band-supporting members slidable on said track and each having roller means for entraining said band at locations spaced from said wheel, said band-tensioning means also having means for fixedly securing one of said members to said track and control means for moving the other of said members along said track, said control means including sensor means for sensing the tension of said band and piston means connected with said other member and cooperating with said sensor means to move said other member away from said one member and thereby maintain said band tensioned; and a pair of band-presser means disposed on opposite sides of said axis for respectively pressing said band against the circumferential surface of said wheel, each of said band-presser means having a movable carriage, a multi-hinged arm and a pulley on said arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a system for the continuous casting of elongated metal elements from hot molten metal, a combination comprising a casting wheel having an axis and a peripheral groove; a metallic endless band entrained about a portion of the circumference of said wheel so as to overlie said groove in said portion and define a casting chamber therewith; crucible means including a nozzle for admitting hot molten metal into said casting chamber; band-tensioning means including a horizontal track and a pair of band-supporting members slidable on said track and each having roller means for entraining said band at locations spaced from said wheel, said band-tensioning means also having means for fixedly securing one of said members to said track and control means for moving the other of said members along said track, said control means including sensor means for sensing the tension of said band and piston means connected with said other member and cooperating with said sensor means to move said other member away from said one member and thereby maintain said band tensioned; and a pair of band-presser means disposed on opposite sides of said axis for respectively pressing said band against the circumferential surface of said wheel, each of said band-presser means having a movable carriage, a multi-hinged arm and a pulley on said arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said crucible means further comprises at least one crucible having wheels adapted for movement on an operating surface located substantially at the level of admission of said hot molten metal into said casting chamber; and further comprising adjusting means on said crucible means for adjusting the position of said one crucible relative to said operating surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A combination as defined in claim 2; and further comprising locking means having hooks for fixedly securing said crucible means to said operating surface when said one crucible is in operating condition adjacent said casting chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said casting wheel and said band are both constituted of a metal material having substantially equal thermal expansion factors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said band and said casting wheeel are constituted of a metal material selected from the group consisting of copper and its alloys.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said horizontal track of said band-tensioning means is located above said operating surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combination as defined in claim 6, and further comprising a pair of support pillars, and wherein said horizontal track of said band-tensioning means is supported from below by said pair of pillars.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A combination as defined in claim 6; and further comprising an elevated ceiling support, and wherein said horizontal track of said band-tensioning means is supported from above by said ceiling support.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said horizontal track of said band-tensioning means is located underneath said operating surface, and wherein said roller means entrains said band at spaced locations disposed at opposite sides of said axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A combination as defined in claim 9; and further comprising means for straightening said band on said horizontal track, said straightening means comprising an elongated member having a longitudinal socket which is adapted to receive and straighten said band as it passes therethrough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
A combination as defined in claim 1; and further comprising additional casting wheels, each having differently-sized diameters and a hub portion adapted to interchangeably mount said additional casting wheels on said axis, and wherein said movable carriage of each of said band-presser means is movable in order to firmly press said band against a selected one of said casting wheels mounted on said axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-02-16 | 1979-08-18 | 1980-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-16 | 1983-08-18 | 1984-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-16 | 1987-08-18 | 1988-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |