Tundish funnel
AssigneeAK Steel Properties, Inc.
InventorsMichael Ryan Hartley, Ken Morales Higa
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A continuous casting machine is provided that includes a refractory tundish funnel. The tundish funnel has a tapered shape and is designed to sit on a tundish lid in order to channel steel from the ladle to the tundish bath. A collector can also be provided to channel the steel from the ladle. The collector has an opening with a cross-section that transitions from a cylindrical shape to a cross-shape.
Claims20
A tundish funnel for use with a continuous casting machine, wherein the tundish funnel is positioned between a ladle and a tundish, wherein the tundish funnel comprises an opening extending therethrough, wherein a top portion of the opening comprises a larger diameter than the bottom portion of the opening such that the opening is tapered, wherein the tundish funnel is operable to channel steel from the ladle to the tundish.
A collector for use with a continuous casting machine, wherein the collector is positioned between a ladle and a tundish, wherein the collector comprises an opening extending therethrough, wherein a top portion of the opening comprises a cylindrical cross-section, wherein a bottom portion of the opening comprises a cross-shaped cross-section, wherein the collector is operable to channel steel from the ladle to the tundish.
A continuous casting machine comprising:
- (a) a ladle;
- (b) a collector coupled to a bottom portion of the ladle, wherein the collector comprises a collector opening extending therethrough, wherein a top portion of the collector opening comprises a cylindrical cross-section, wherein a bottom portion of the collector opening comprises a cross-shaped cross-section;
- (c) a tundish funnel positioned underneath the collector, wherein the tundish funnel comprises an opening extending therethrough, wherein a top portion of the opening comprises a larger diameter than the bottom portion of the opening such that the opening is tapered;
- and
- (d) a tundish, wherein the tundish funnel is coupled to a lid of the tundish such that the tundish funnel extends through the tundish lid and into the tundish.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.