Strip casting
AssigneeCambridge Enterprise Limited
InventorsJulian M. Allwood, Martin McBrien
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for casting a metal strip with a cross sectional form which varies along the length of the strip. One embodiment of the apparatus includes opposing cooling systems, a positionable molten metal feed system between the opposing cooling systems, and a form adjustment system. The form adjustment system may include at least one dam to determine, at least in part, the cross sectional form of a molten metal feed to the opposing cooling systems. In this way, it is possible to determine the cross sectional form of the solidified metal strip. The dam is moveable during operation of the apparatus to vary the cross sectional form of the molten metal feed to the opposing cooling systems.
Claims20
A continuous casting apparatus for casting a metal strip with a cross sectional form which varies along the length of the strip, the continuous casting apparatus comprising:
- opposing cooling means;
- a molten metal feed system positionable to provide a molten metal feed for solidification between the opposing cooling means to form a solidified metal strip along a length direction;
- a form adjustment system comprising at least one dam to determine, at least in part, the cross sectional form of the molten metal feed to the opposing cooling means, and thereby to determine the cross sectional form of the solidified metal strip, wherein the at least one dam is moveable during operation of the apparatus to vary the cross sectional form of the molten metal feed to the opposing cooling means;
- and
- the continuous casting apparatus further comprising a molten metal pressure control system, operable to control the pressure of the molten metal in the molten metal feed during operation of the apparatus in coordination with movement of the at least one dam.
A continuous casting method for casting a metal strip with a cross sectional form which varies along the length of the strip, the method comprising:
- providing a molten metal feed for solidification between two opposing cooling means to form a solidified metal strip along a length direction;
- operating a form adjustment system comprising at least one dam to determine, at least in part, the cross sectional form of the molten metal feed to the opposing cooling means, and thereby to affect the cross sectional form of the solidified metal strip, wherein the at least one dam is moved during operation of the device to vary the cross sectional form of the molten metal feed to the opposing cooling means;
- and
- operating a molten metal pressure control system to control the pressure of the molten metal in the molten metal feed during casting in coordination with movement of the at least one dam.
A continuous casting apparatus for casting a metal strip with a cross sectional form which varies along the length of the strip, the continuous casting apparatus comprising:
- opposing cooling means;
- a molten metal feed system positionable to provide a molten metal feed for solidification between the opposing cooling means to form a solidified metal strip along a length direction;
- and
- a form adjustment system comprising at least one diverter, wherein the at least one diverter is operational to part the molten metal feed laterally in order to vary the cross sectional form of the molten metal feed to the rollers and thus the cross sectional form of the solidified metal strip, thereby providing at least one hole in the solidified metal strip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.