Apparatus and method for sidewall containment of molten metal with vertical magnetic fields

A magnetic confining apparatus for preventing the escape of molten metal through an open side of a vertically extending gap between two horizontally spaced members and between which said molten metal is located, said apparatus comprising:

• primary magnetic core means;
• primary electrically conductive coil means operatively associated with said primary magnetic core means;
• said primary magnetic core means comprising a pair of vertically disposed, spaced, magnet poles disposed adjacent the open side of said gap for generating a primary, mainly vertical magnetic field which extends through the open side of said gap to a free edge of said molten metal;
• said magnet poles being sufficiently proximate to said free edge of said molten metal so that said generated vertical magnetic field exerts a confining pressure against said free edge of the molten metal in the gap;
• and
• electrically conductive secondary coil means operatively associated with secondary magnetic core means, disposed adjacent to said molten metal edge such that current flowing through said secondary coil means creates a secondary vertical magnetic field at said molten metal edge;
• and
• third coil means operatively associated with a third magnetic core means, such that current flowing through said third coil means generates a third, mainly vertical magnetic field that induces a horizontal current flow through the edge of the molten metal in the gap and through said two horizontal members.

A magnetic confining apparatus for preventing the escape of molten metal through an open side of a vertically extending gap between two horizontally spaced members and between which said molten metal is located, said apparatus comprising:

• a primary magnetic core means comprising ferromagnetic portions of said horizontally spaced members;
• a primary electrically conductive coil means disposed within and operatively associated with said primary magnetic core means;
• and
• an electrically conducting outer surface portion on said horizontally spaced members, having an electrical conductivity greater than an electrical conductivity of the molten metal.

A magnetic confining method for preventing the escape of molten metal through an open side of a vertically extending gap between two horizontally spaced members and between which said molten metal is located, said method comprising the steps of:

• disposing a pair of vertically spaced, cooperating magnet poles adjacent to the open side of said gap;
• generating, at a location adjacent the open side of said gap, a first vertical magnetic field which extends through the open side of said gap to a free edge of said molten metal from said pair of spaced magnet poles;
• generating said first vertical magnetic field sufficiently proximate to said open side of the gap so that said vertical magnetic field has a strength sufficient to exert a confining magnetic pressure against the molten metal in said gap;
• and
• generating a second vertical magnetic field, at said molten metal edge, such that the magnetic effect of said two vertical magnetic fields, at said molten metal edge, is sufficient to prevent the molten metal from escaping through the open side of the gap.

A magnetic confining method for preventing the escape of molten metal through an open side of a vertically extending gap between two horizontally spaced members and between which said molten metal is located, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a primary magnetic core means and a primary electrically conductive coil means operatively associated with said primary magnetic core means;
• said magnetic core means comprising a pair of vertically disposed, spaced, magnet poles disposed adjacent the open side of said gap for generating a primary, mainly vertical magnetic field which extends through the open side of said gap to said molten metal;
• said magnet poles being sufficiently proximate to said open side of the gap so that said generated vertical magnetic field exerts a confining pressure against any edge of the molten metal in the gap;
• providing an electrically conductive secondary coil means operatively associated with a secondary magnetic core means, disposed adjacent to said molten metal edge, and conducting a current through said secondary coil means to create a secondary vertical magnetic field that shapes and concentrates the primary vertical magnetic field at the molten metal edge;
• and
• flowing a horizontal current through the edge of the molten metal in the gap and through said two horizontal members, to generate a third, mainly vertical magnetic field that exerts additional confining pressure against said edge of the molten metal in said gap, and confines and shapes the primary vertical magnetic field primarily to said molten metal edge.

A magnetic confining apparatus for preventing the escape of molten metal through an open side of a gap between two horizontally disposed members, between which the molten metal is located, said apparatus comprising:

• first electromagnet means, operable with direct current, for generating a first, mainly vertical magnetic field extending through the open side of said gap to said molten metal to exert a confining pressure against a free edge of the molten metal in the gap;
• second electromagnet means, operable with alternating current, for inducing a flow of horizontal current through, or proximate to, said edge of the molten metal, such that the resulting magnetic pressure, at said free molten metal edge, is sufficient to prevent the molten metal from escaping through the open side of the gap;
• a third electromagnet means comprising a third electrically conductive coil means operatively associated with a third core means, said third electromagnet means mounted adjacent to said molten metal edge;
• and
• a current source operatively connected to said third electrically conductive coil means thereby generating a third vertical magnetic field at said molten metal edge, wherein said third vertical magnetic field stabilizes the molten metal pool and shapes the magnetic field at said molten metal edge.