Patent US4655237A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4655237A
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Method for regulating the flow of an electrically conductive fluid, especially of a molten bath of metal in continuous casting, and an apparatus for performing the method
Assignee: Concast Standard AG
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Filing: 1985-02-28
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Granted: 1987-04-07
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Expires: 2005-02-28
Abstract
Abstract In a method for electromagnetically regulating flow and in an apparatus for performing the method, a molten metal flowing in a pouring tube is inhibited in a central region of the pouring tube by an insert member installed in a conduit of the pouring tube and is diverted radially outward. An electromagnetic coil is arranged concentrically about the pouring tube for exerting constrictive electromagnetic forces upon the molten metal and thus regulating the flow of molten metal in a wide range.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Gloor
- 👤 Eduard Muller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 03:06
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D39/00; B22D39/003; B22D11/00; B22D11/10; B22D41/00; B22D41/14; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0391; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/2082; Y10T137/218; Y10T137/2191; Y10T137/2196; Y10T137/4456; Y10T137/4643; Y10T137/6416
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for regulating the flow of an electrically conductive liquid, especially molten metal in continuous casting, comprising the steps of: mechanically inhibiting by means of a refractory insert member installed within a pouring tube the flow of molten metal in the center of a conduit of said pouring tube, wherein at least an outer side of said refractory insert member forms with said pouring tube a substantially annular space, and within an electromagnetically effective length of an electromagnetic field generated by an electromagnetic coil arranged around said pouring tube, said electromagnetically effective length of the electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil being arranged around the pouring tube at least above the entry side of said annular space; and allowing annularly constrictive electromagnetic forces capable of radially influencing the flow of molten metal and generated by said electromagnetic field to act upon the molten metal for regulating the flow thereof, said electromagnetic field constricting said electrically conductive liquid to flow substantially radially during a portion of its path above the entry side of said annular space and within said electromagnetically effective length.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for regulating the flow of an electrically conductive liquid, especially molten metal in continuous casting, comprising the steps of: mechanically inhibiting by means of a refractory insert member installed within a pouring tube the flow of molten metal in the center of a conduit of said pouring tube, wherein at least an outer side of said refractory insert member forms with said pouring tube a substantially annular space, and within an electromagnetically effective length of an electromagnetic field generated by an electromagnetic coil arranged around said pouring tube, said electromagnetically effective length of the electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic coil being arranged around the pouring tube at least above the entry side of said annular space; and allowing annularly constrictive electromagnetic forces capable of radially influencing the flow of molten metal and generated by said electromagnetic field to act upon the molten metal for regulating the flow thereof, said electromagnetic field constricting said electrically conductive liquid to flow substantially radially during a portion of its path above the entry side of said annular space and within said electromagnetically effective length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein: said step of mechanically inhibiting the flow of molten metal entails mechanically diverting the flowing molten metal substantially radially outwardly within said electromagnetically effective length of said electromagnetic coil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method as defined in claim 1 for interrupting the flow of the molten metal, especially at termination of continuous casting of steel, comprising the further steps of: briefly electromagnetically suppressing the flow of the molten metal; cooling the molten metal situated in said conduit of said pouring tube; causing said molten metal cooled in said conduit to solidify; and subsequently switching off said electromagnetic field.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method as defined in claim 3, comprising the further steps of: cooling molten metal situated before said electrically effective length of said electromagnetic coil within said conduit of said pouring tube as seen in the direction of metal flow; and causing said molten metal cooled in said conduit to solidify.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method as defined in claim 1 for initiating the flow of the molten metal, especially at commencement of continuous casting of steel, comprising the further steps of: cooling said molten metal in said conduit of said pouring tube within said electromagnetically effective length of said electromagnetic coil; causing said molten metal cooled in said conduit to solidify; and inductively melting by means of said electromagnetic coil said molten metal solidified in said conduit at a predetermined desired time.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for regulating the flow of an electrically conductive liquid, especially molten metal in continuous casting, comprising the steps of: mechanically inhibiting by means of a refractory insert member installed within a pouring tube the flow of molten metal in the center of a conduit of said pouring tube and within an electromagnetically effective length of an electromagnetic field generated by an electromagnetic coil arranged around said pouring tube; allowing annularly constrictive electromagnetic forces capable of radially influencing the flow of molten metal and generated by said electromagnetic field to act upon the molten metal for regulating the flow thereof; deflecting the flow of molten metal before entry into an annular space arranged within said electromagnetically effective length of said electromagnetic field generated by said electromagnetic coil; and transporting the flow of molten metal in an upward flow direction.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for regulating the flow of an electrically conductive liquid, especially molten metal in continuous casting, comprising the steps of: mechanically inhibiting by means of a refractory insert member installed within a pouring tube the flow of molten metal in the center of a conduit of said pouring tube and within an electromagnetically effective length of an electromagnetic field generated by an electromagnetic coil arranged around said pouring tube; allowing annularly constrictive electromagnetic forces capable of radially influencing the flow of molten metal and generated by said electromagnetic field to act upon the molten metal for regulating the flow thereof; deflecting the flow of molten metal before entry into an annular space arranged within said electromagnetically effective length of said electromagnetic field generated by said electromagnetic coil; and transporting the flow of molten metal in an upward flow direction.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
183 words
An apparatus for regulating the flow of an electrically conductive liquid, comprising: a pouring tube having a conduit; said conduit having a central region; an electromagnetic coil having an electromagnetically effective length arranged concentrically about said pouring tube for generating an electromagnetic field such that said electromagnetic field interacts with said electrically conductive liquid for producing electromagnetic forces acting substantially radially within said pouring tube and within said electromagnetically effective length; a refractory insert member mounted in said conduit within said electromagnetically effective length; said refractory insert member having an upper portion and an outer side and partially obstructing said central region of said conduit of said pouring tube during flow of the electrically conductive liquid at least with said upper portion within said electromagnetically effective length such that said outer side of said upper portion defines a substantially annular space within said pouring tube; and said electrically conductive liquid regulated by said electromagnetic forces with said electrically conducting liquid flowing substantially radially into said annular space and then through said annular space and on said outer side of said refractory insert member.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
183 words
An apparatus for regulating the flow of an electrically conductive liquid, comprising: a pouring tube having a conduit; said conduit having a central region; an electromagnetic coil having an electromagnetically effective length arranged concentrically about said pouring tube for generating an electromagnetic field such that said electromagnetic field interacts with said electrically conductive liquid for producing electromagnetic forces acting substantially radially within said pouring tube and within said electromagnetically effective length; a refractory insert member mounted in said conduit within said electromagnetically effective length; said refractory insert member having an upper portion and an outer side and partially obstructing said central region of said conduit of said pouring tube during flow of the electrically conductive liquid at least with said upper portion within said electromagnetically effective length such that said outer side of said upper portion defines a substantially annular space within said pouring tube; and said electrically conductive liquid regulated by said electromagnetic forces with said electrically conducting liquid flowing substantially radially into said annular space and then through said annular space and on said outer side of said refractory insert member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein: said annular space having a predetermined length; and said predetermined length being appropriately selected for influencing flow regulation of the molten metal within said electromagnetically effective length of said electromagnetic coil.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein: said refractory insert member has a predetermined diameter at said upper portion thereof; said electrically conductive liquid having electrical conductivity characteristics; an electrical current being impressed on said electromagnetic coil at a predetermined frequency; and said predetermined diameter being selected in dependence of said electrical conductivity characteristics of said electrically conductive liquid and of said predetermined frequency of said electrical current.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein: said refractory insert member has a predetermined diameter at said upper portion thereof; said electrically conductive liquid having electrical conductivity characteristics; and said predetermined diameter being selected in dependence of said electrical conductivity characteristics of said electrically conductive liquid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein: said refractory insert member has a predetermined diameter at said upper portion thereof; an electrical current being impressed on said electromagnetic coil at a predetermined frequency; and said predetermined diameter being selected in dependence of said predetermined frequency of said electrical current.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein: said electromagnetic field penetrating said electrically conductive liquid to a predetermined penetration depth; and said predetermined diameter of said refractory insert member being more than three times as great as said predetermined penetration depth.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein: said conduit of said pouring tube comprises a stepped enlargement forming a space; said space defining an end face; and said refractory insert member being fastened in spaced relationship to said end face.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein: said upper portion of said refractory insert member comprises bores; said refractory insert member comprising an axial conduit; and said bores connecting said annular space with said axial conduit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, further including: means for height-adjustably fastening said refractory insert member in said pouring tube.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein: said pouring tube defines a pouring direction; and an electrically and thermally conductive annulus being arranged before said upper portion of said refractory insert member as seen in said pouring direction and concentrically about said conduit of said pouring tube.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 16, further including: means for adjusting said electromagnetic coil in height at least into the region of said thermally and electrically conductive annulus.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, further including: a cooling member mounted upon said upper portion of said refractory insert member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
114 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, further including; bores for outflow of the electrically conductive liquid from said annular space; said refractory insert member defining a limiting edge thereon; said refractory insert member being provided with at least one flow passage; said at least one flow passage being arranged for conducting the electrically conductive liquid through said at least one flow passage before the electrically conductive liquid enters into said annular space; said annular space having a metal entry side; said annular space being constructed to be fed with said electrically conductive liquid from below; and said bores being arranged above said limiting edge on said metal entry side of said annular space.
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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) | 1990-04-06 | 1990-10-06 | 1991-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-06 | 1994-10-06 | 1995-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-06 | 1998-10-06 | 1999-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |