US5915455A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus, a mould and a stop procedure for horizontal direct chill casting of light metals, especially magnesium and magnesium alloys
Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
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Filing: 1996-09-09
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Granted: 1999-06-29
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Expires: 2016-09-09
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is disclosed for horizontal direct chill casting of light metals, especially magnesium and magnesium alloys. The apparatus includes tundish for containing molten metal and a horizontally disposed mold in communication with the tundish. The mold has a primary cooling circuit for cooling mold walls such that the metal is chilled without any direct contact with the water. Also, a secondary direct cooling circuit is provided. The circuits for primary and secondary cooling water are independent of each other. An insulating transition ring is arranged at the mold entrance. It is important that the total mold depth is short, preferably between 25 and 45 mm. To obtain good surface quality and to avoid discoloring of the metal, it is preferred that the mold has an inlet for supplying protective gas to the transition ring. The inlet opening to the mold should be asymmetrically arranged, nearer the bottom of the mold. It is preferred to use an apparatus where the tundish and mold are separated by a heated inlet which is insulated with material embedded in a steel mantle where the steel is in contact with the molten magnesium. The tundish should have a remote controlled drainage system.
Inventors
- 👤 Bj.o slashed.rn Kittilsen
- 👤 Bj.o slashed.rn iestad
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:32
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D11/00; B22D11/04; B22D11/045; B22D11/049
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for horizontal direct chill casting of magnesium and magnesium alloys, said apparatus comprising: a tundish having a molten metal outlet; a horizontally disposed mold in fluid communication with said outlet of said tundish, said mold having mold walls and a mold entrance opening; an insulating transition ring disposed between said tundish and said mold entrance opening; a gas inlet passage formed in said mold walls for delivering a protective gas to said insulating transition ring; a primary fluid cooling circuit formed in said mold walls for cooling metal without directly contacting the magnesium and magnesium alloys with the cooling fluid, wherein said primary cooling fluid circuit is formed such that cooling fluid can be discharged only at a lower portion of said mold; and a secondary fluid cooling circuit formed in said mold walls downstream of said primary cooling circuit, wherein said first and second cooling circuits are independent of each other so that, in case of a runoff, a flow of fluid through said secondary cooling circuit can be turned off while said primary cooling circuit continues to cool said mold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for horizontal direct chill casting of magnesium and magnesium alloys, said apparatus comprising: a tundish having a molten metal outlet; a horizontally disposed mold in fluid communication with said outlet of said tundish, said mold having mold walls and a mold entrance opening; an insulating transition ring disposed between said tundish and said mold entrance opening; a gas inlet passage formed in said mold walls for delivering a protective gas to said insulating transition ring; a primary fluid cooling circuit formed in said mold walls for cooling metal without directly contacting the magnesium and magnesium alloys with the cooling fluid, wherein said primary cooling fluid circuit is formed such that cooling fluid can be discharged only at a lower portion of said mold; and a secondary fluid cooling circuit formed in said mold walls downstream of said primary cooling circuit, wherein said first and second cooling circuits are independent of each other so that, in case of a runoff, a flow of fluid through said secondary cooling circuit can be turned off while said primary cooling circuit continues to cool said mold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus for horizontal direct chill casting of magnesium and magnesium alloys as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mold has a total mold depth of between 25 and 45 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus for horizontal direct chill casting of metal as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a drainage device located in a lower portion of said tundish.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus for horizontal direct chill casting of metal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mold entrance opening is asymmetrically disposed such that said mold entrance opening is located in a lower portion of said mold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus for horizontal direct chill casting of magnesium and magnesium alloys as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a supply of molten magnesium contained in said tundish.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for horizontal direct chill casting of magnesium and magnesium alloys, said apparatus comprising: a tundish having a molten metal outlet; a horizontally disposed mold in fluid communication with said outlet of said tundish, said mold having mold walls and a mold entrance opening; an insulating transition ring disposed between said tundish and said mold entrance opening; a gas inlet passage formed in said mold walls for delivering a protective gas to said insulating transition ring; a primary fluid cooling circuit formed in said mold walls for cooling metal without directly contacting the magnesium and magnesium alloys with the cooling fluid, wherein said primary cooling fluid circuit is formed such that cooling fluid can be discharged only at a lower portion of said mold; a secondary fluid cooling circuit formed in said mold walls downstream of said primary cooling circuit, wherein said first and second cooling circuits are independent of each other so that, in case of a runoff, a flow of fluid through said secondary cooling circuit can be turned off while said primary cooling circuit continues to cool said mold; an insulating material enclosed in a steel pipe which provides fluid communication between said tundish and said mold; and heating elements embedded in said insulating material.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for horizontal direct chill casting of magnesium and magnesium alloys, said apparatus comprising: a tundish having a molten metal outlet; a horizontally disposed mold in fluid communication with said outlet of said tundish, said mold having mold walls and a mold entrance opening; an insulating transition ring disposed between said tundish and said mold entrance opening; a gas inlet passage formed in said mold walls for delivering a protective gas to said insulating transition ring; a primary fluid cooling circuit formed in said mold walls for cooling metal without directly contacting the magnesium and magnesium alloys with the cooling fluid, wherein said primary cooling fluid circuit is formed such that cooling fluid can be discharged only at a lower portion of said mold; a secondary fluid cooling circuit formed in said mold walls downstream of said primary cooling circuit, wherein said first and second cooling circuits are independent of each other so that, in case of a runoff, a flow of fluid through said secondary cooling circuit can be turned off while said primary cooling circuit continues to cool said mold; an insulating material enclosed in a steel pipe which provides fluid communication between said tundish and said mold; and heating elements embedded in said insulating material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
154 words
A mold for casting magnesium and magnesium alloys, said mold comprising: a mold body having a mold inlet opening and a central passage extending from said mold inlet opening; a transition ring formed of ceramic material and disposed at said mold inlet opening, wherein said mold inlet opening is located at a bottom portion of said central passage; a primary cooling fluid circuit formed in said mold body for cooling magnesium and magnesium alloys without directly contacting the magnesium and magnesium alloys with a cooling fluid, wherein said primary cooling fluid circuit is formed such that cooling fluid can be discharged only at a lower portion of said mold; a secondary fluid cooling circuit formed in said mold body downstream of said primary circuit, wherein said primary and secondary circuits are independent of each other; and a gas supply passage, formed in said mold body, for supplying a protective gas to said transition ring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
154 words
A mold for casting magnesium and magnesium alloys, said mold comprising: a mold body having a mold inlet opening and a central passage extending from said mold inlet opening; a transition ring formed of ceramic material and disposed at said mold inlet opening, wherein said mold inlet opening is located at a bottom portion of said central passage; a primary cooling fluid circuit formed in said mold body for cooling magnesium and magnesium alloys without directly contacting the magnesium and magnesium alloys with a cooling fluid, wherein said primary cooling fluid circuit is formed such that cooling fluid can be discharged only at a lower portion of said mold; a secondary fluid cooling circuit formed in said mold body downstream of said primary circuit, wherein said primary and secondary circuits are independent of each other; and a gas supply passage, formed in said mold body, for supplying a protective gas to said transition ring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The mold as claimed in claimed in claim 7, wherein said secondary fluid cooling circuit includes at least one outlet located in said central passage adjacent a mold outlet opening of said mold body, and said mold outlet opening defines a conical recess.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mold as claimed in claim 8, wherein said primary cooling fluid circuit is formed such that cooling fluid flowing through said primary circuit cannot directly contact the magnesium and magnesium alloys being cast in said mold.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mold as claimed in claim 9, wherein said secondary cooling fluid circuit is formed such that cooling fluid flowing through said secondary circuit will directly contact the magnesium and magnesium alloys being cast in said mold.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mold as claimed in claim 8, wherein said mold has a total mold depth of between 25 and 45 mm.
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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) | 2002-06-28 | 2002-12-28 | 2003-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-06-28 | 2006-12-28 | 2007-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-06-28 | 2010-12-28 | 2011-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |