Method and apparatus for electroslag casting of metals

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a cooled mould mounted on a bottom plate and at least two consumable electrodes positioned so that their melting ends are at different levels relative to the bottom plate. The electrodes are connected to respective terminals of the secondary winding of a single-phase transformer and the bottom plate is connected to one of these terminals, with the electrode having a melting end at a higher level, being connected to the same terminal as the bottom plate. The electrodes are melted by passing an operating current, first through the electrode with the melting end being at a lower level to the bottom plate and then by passing the operating current from one electrode to the other, respectively, forming a portion of the casting, having a smaller cross-section, and then a portion of the casting, having a larger cross-section. Thus the present invention is especially well suited for manufacturing workpieces for vital parts such as connecting rods, piston rods, valves for ship engines, etc.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.