GB849418A - Improvements in and relating to the continuous casting of metals - Google Patents

Abstract

849,418. Continuous - - casting machines. BRITISH IRON & STEEL RESEARCH ASSOCIATION, and MORTON, J. S. June 17, 1959 [June 17, 1958; July 31, 1958], Nos. 19333/58 and 24690/58. Class 83 (1). A continuous-casting mould is coupled to a fluid-operated device arranged to cause lengthwise movement of the mould, and there are means for controlling the supply of fluid to the device, and thus the mould movement, to release or prevent adherence of the ingot to the mould. The control means may be such as to cause movement of the mould when the ingot adheres to it, or to reciprocate the mould at regular intervals. In one embodiment, (see the drawing accompanying Provisional Specification 19333/58, the mould 13 is carried by a table 14 which is supported by pistons 16 with springs 18 below. Liquid may be pumped to the top of the piston 16. In operation, sticking of the ingot 12 to the mould 13 draws the mould downwards against springs 18, the movement causing a microswitch 28 to close a valve 25 in the liquid-supply system and cause a pressure build-up above the piston 16, which then moves down against spring 18 at a speed greater than that of ingot-withdrawal, until switch 29 is actuated to re-open the valve 25, releasing the pressure above the piston 16 and allowing the springs 18 to restore the mould. Alternatively the spring 18 is omitted and fluid supplied above and below the piston 16. In a modification, Fig. 1, the mould is reciprocated at regular intervals by securing it to a cylinder 12 containing a differential piston 16. In a further modification, the mould is reciprocated by connecting it to spring-loaded pistons similar to the pistons 16 referred to above, and alternately supplying and discharging fluid above and below the piston. Specifications 437,064 and 806,803 also are referred to.