Method of and Apparatus for Excluding Molten Metal From Escaping From or Penetrating Into Openings or Cavities

In many metallurgical processes involving the transfer of molten metal from one element to another or from a liquid to a solid state, as in continuous casting operations, there are crevices or openings into which the metal flows and congeals to form fins or uneven edges on a casting or block, some necessary gas escape passage, or otherwise interfere with or adversely affect the forming or cooling of the metal in such manner as to destroy the uniformity of the solidified metal.

For example, in a simple operation where a rotating chilled roll dips into molten metal in a container so that a continuous film of metal forms on the surface of the roll from which it is to be subsequently stripped as a continuous thin sheet, as shown for example in my copending application Ser. No. 537,561 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,123 filed as a continuation of application Ser. No. 337,931 dated Mar. 5, 1973 (now abandoned), the molten metal between the end of the roll and the side wall of the vessel in which the roll revolves partially cools to a mush-like consistency that will re-enter the body of metal in the vessel, producing nodules that impair uniform quality of metal in the film being formed. In other instances the metal solidifies between the end of the roll and the wall or on the end of the end edges of the roll producing ragged, irregular or torn edges along the sides of the sheet which is being produced on the rotating roll.

In numerous other operations the molten metal may tend to overflow the edges of a mold, particularly where metal in a receptacle is being forced upward against a chilled moving surface or roll. Even in more conventional continuous casting operations where the molten metal is poured into the top of a reciprocating open-ended mold, overflow of the molten metal at the top of the open-ended mold may be a problem. Another typical instance where the escape of molten metal or the forming of fins along the edges of the casting is a serious problem occurs in continuous casting machines where molten metal is cast into the thin space between the confronting reaches of two continuously-moving endless belts -- a process sometimes referred to as the "Hazelett" method.

Other instances could be described, but the ones above mentioned comprise typical illustrations of the type of problem with which the present invention is concerned, and for which it provides at least important corrective measures, if not complete elimination of these difficulties.

It is well known that when a conductor carrying alternating current is positioned to induce eddy currents in a non-magnetic conducting body, a repulsive force is generated between the two. Molten Steel or molten ferrous alloys are non-magnetic conductors and this repulsive force is demonstrated where metal is melted in the crucible of an induction furnace (which has no core) where the molten metal bulges up in the crucible demonstrably more when the surrounding inductance is energized than when it is not because of molten metal being repelled in this manner away from the walls of the mold, thereby in effect, reducing the cross-sectional area of the mold with the molten metal being displaced upwardly. In a so-called channel type of induction furnace (where there is a core) it has been observed that if the inductive field surrounding the channel is too strong, the flow of metal will be restricted and even entirely squeezed off by this repulsive force.

According to the present invention this phenomenon is put to a useful purpose by incorporating a conductor connected with a source of alternating current in an apparatus where molten metal may otherwise leak or overflow from some vessel or other element or combination of elements where such leakage or overflow is detrimental to the proper functioning of the apparatus comprising such vessel or elements. Thus, in an apparatus where a cooled roll revolves in a vessel containing molten metal a conductor located on or in the side wall of the vessel may controllably repel the molten metal from the spaces between the ends of the roll and the side walls of the vessel. Likewise, in casting processes of the type where molten metal is introduced into the space between the confronting reaches of two driven endless belts where the belts are driven in opposite directions with the result that the two confronting reaches travel in the same direction, conductors connected with an alternating current source prevent the molten metal which flows from a delivery trough into the space between the belts from spreading laterally beyond defined limits and retains it between such limits until the metal has solidified to a point where such control is no longer required. Even in a simple duct system where molten metal may flow from one end of a stationary tube into the confronting end of a rotating tube an encircling conductor energized from an alternating current source around the space between the two ends will exclude the molten metal from escaping into the space between the two tube ends.

The invention may be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying schematic drawings which are illustrative of the invention and in which:

FIG. 1 represents in side elevation a continuous casting unit of the type where molten metal is introduced into the space between the confronting reaches of two oppositely-moving endless belts, the molten metal solidifying as it is carried along between the belts, an alternating current conductor being incorporated in the machine for the practice of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the casting machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical section in the plane of line III--III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section through a vertically reciprocating continuous casting mold and a stationary syphon through which metal is introduced into the mold, the apparatus having my invention incorporated therein;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 in which the syphon reciprocates vertically with the mold;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a casting machine of the type in which a pair of oppositely-rotating rolls have their lower portions dipping into a vessel containing molten metal;

FIG. 7 is a transverse section in the plane of line VII--VII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of a modified form of apparatus as disclosed in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section between two relatively movable pieces, with this invention being applied to prevent escape of liquid metal; and

FIG. 10 is a transverse section in the plane of line X--X of FIG. 9.

Referring first to the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the casting apparatus is of the type sometimes referred to as a Hazelett type of continuous casting machine having an endless belt 2 passing around supporting rolls 3 at opposite ends, one of which is usually driven so that the belt as here shown travels in a clockwise direction. Above it is a second endless belt 4 passing around rolls 5 and driven in a counterclockwise direction so that the upper run or reach of the lower belt and the lower run of the upper belt, defining between them a mold cavity 6, move in the same direction and at the same speed.

Machines of this type are well known in the art and there is a trough 7 at the forward end of the machine which receives molten metal and discharges it at the left end of the upper belt into the space 6 between the two confronting runs of these belts.

As here shown there is a fixed wall 8 along each side of the cavity 6 to confine the molten metal while it is solidifying between the two belts to emerge as a continuous casting at the right end of the machine.

A practical difficulty with all machines of this type has resulted from there being no way to provide an effective seal against the molten metal seeking to escape from between the trough 7 and the ends of the side walls 8, and from seeking to enter and solidify between the moving belts and the fixed side guides. Also there is difficulty in preventing the molten metal from escaping where the upper reach of the lower belt passes under the trough 7.

According to the present invention a U-shaped conductor 9, preferably tubular and comprised of one or more strands or turns, embraces the critical length of the machine with one leg 9a extending along the outside of one side wall 8 and the other leg 9b extending along the outside of the other guide 8 while the connecting portion 9c of the U, or yoke, fits around the base of the trough 7 over the lower belt.

Terminals 9d are connected with a source of alternating current, either single-phase or multi-phase, depending on the conductor arrangement. An alternating current source is schematically indicated in FIG. 2 at 10. By making the conductor tubular, it may be fluid-cooled by water or other fluid.

With the casting machine in operation the conductor or conductor system is connected in series with the alternating current source so that a field with lines of force at right angles to the conductor is generated about the conductor. The energizing of the conductor therefore immediately results in generating eddy currents in the molten metal in the trough and from the sides of the mold space to these induced currents repelling the molten metal in a direction away from the conductor and hence from crevices or passages through which the molten metal could otherwise enter and freeze or escape.

The critical area is around the refractory trough and its termination at the side walls and between the side walls and the belts for a distance where the metal remains fluid, but after solidification occurs the conductor is no longer necessary. For this reason the conductors 9a and 9b extend only part way from the trough along the sides of the casting machine. The molten metal is therefore repelled from escape at the rear of the trough, or along its sides, and if the side walls 8 are non-magnetic, the molten metal is repelled from them sufficiently to prevent freezing of the molten metal to the side walls until the metal has solidified to a point where the edges of the developing castings are no longer liquid.

In FIG. 4 there is shown a continuous casting machine having a mold 15 supplied with molten metal through a syphon 16 from a container 17. The molten metal is induced to move through the syphon by any one of a number of selected methods, e.g., a vacuum syphon, electromagnetic propulsion, or by gas pressure. In FIG. 4 the mold reciprocates relative to the syphon, so that there is a crevice or space 18 through which metal can escape. In fact some clearance between the mold and syphon is desirable for the purpose of permitting the escape of gas in this location. Escape of gas without escape of metal is prevented by the provision of one or more convolutions of a conductor 19 around the lower end of the syphon, connected, of course, with a source of alternative current (not shown).

FIG. 5 shows a slight modification where the syphon 20 has a flange 21 above the top of the continuous casting mold 22, so that the syphon reciprocates vertically with the mold. As in FIG. 4 the other leg of the syphon dips into a molten metal holding vessel 23 similar to 17 in FIG. 4. Here the several turns of the conductor 24 are above the flange on the syphon where the magnetic field restrains the escape of molten metal from between the top of the mold and the flange of the syphon, but does not interfere with the escape of gas from the mold.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 there is disclosed a casting machine having a refractory or refractory-lined vessel 30 with an inlet 31 for supplying molten metal to the vessel and maintaining a constant depth of molten metal thereon. There are one or more cooled rolls that are rotatably supported so that the lower arc dips to a predetermined depth into the molten metal. In FIG. 6 two such rolls are shown, these being designated 32 and 33. Their axes of rotation are above the top of the vessel 30, means for rotating them not being shown. If desirable these rolls may be arranged as disclosed in my said copending application Ser. No. 537,561.

A difficulty with a casting apparatus of this type using cooled dip rolls is that the molten metal between the side walls 30' of the vessel and the clearance spaces between the ends of the rolls 32 and 33 tends to cool and thicken and even solidify. This causes the edges of the layer of congealed metal formed on the periphery of a roll to be ragged and uneven and the partially cooled metal being circulated into the more fluid body of metal in the vessel tends to produce nodules or nuclei for crystal formations that destroy uniformity in the film of metal that congeals on the surface of each roll. This cooling of the metal in these spaces also produces mechanical drag on the rotation of the rolls.

With the present invention one or more convolutions of a conductor 35 surround the vessel 30 at about the level of the liquid metal in the vessel, this conductor being in series with a source of alternating current (not shown). When the conductor is energized the magnetic field tends to repel the liquid metal away from the side walls of the vessel and prevents it from rising in the restricted space between the end walls of the rolls and the sides of the vessel. To some extent this magnetic field may even control the width of the layer of metal which congeals on the roll or rolls.

A magnetic yoke, indicated at 36, comprised of magnetic or magnetizable metal, may be provided to enclose the conductor 35 as shown to reduce loss of energy by stray eddy current losses and increase the effectiveness of the field around the conductor.

In some cases, a roll will have one or both ends received in arcuately-conforming recesses in the side walls of the vessel, as shown in FIG. 8, where the vessel 40 has its side walls 41 recessed to receive the lower portion of the periphery of a roll 42, or if there are more than one roll, of each roll. This has the advantage of eliminating the gap between the end faces of the rolls and the side walls, as in FIGS. 7 and 8, but gives rise to the problem of metal escaping between the side walls and the periphery of each roll at 43. This may be overcome by placing a conductor, as in FIGS. 6 and 7, around the vessel under the projecting ends of the rolls as indicated at 44 where it tends to repel the molten metal away from the side walls and hence from escaping through the crevice or clearance space at 43.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a simple adaptation of the principles of this invention wherein 50 and 51 are the confronting ends of refractory tubes through which molten metal is conducted. It could be that one tube rotates relative to the other, or that for some other reason an annular clearance space 52 is provided between the tube ends. According to this invention a conductor 53, which may comprise one or more convolutions or turns and which may be water-cooled, encircles the gap 52. The opposite ends 52a and 52b of the conductor are connected to a source of alternating current (not shown). The effect of the field generated by the conductor is indicated in FIG. 9, where the metal flow at 55 is repelled around the entire periphery of the stream from the gap 52.

No empirical formula can be defined for all operations and apparatus, since it will vary with the geometry of each particular apparatus, its dimensions, the wall thicknesses of various refractory vessels, necessary mechanical clearances and various other individual shielding and distortion factors entering into the structure of each machine or type of machine. The amount of power at a given frequency can be readily determined by one skilled in the art by experimentation. Certain formula may be used to advantage.

It is known that when an electromagnetic wave encounters a non-magnetic body, including molten metal, the wave will exert a (radiation) pressure upon the object according to Esmarch which is determined by the following equation: ##EQU1## where P.sub.s = the repulsing pressure in kilopond (kp) per sq. cm.

P.sub.if = the induced power in the metal body in kW per sq. meter

r = the specific resistivity of the metal u Ohms .times. m

f = frequency in Hertz

u = the permeability of the metal

At an absorbed (i.e., induced) power of P.sub.if /kW/m.sup.2 in the molten metal and a specific resistance of 1.4 uOhm per meter of molten metal and a current frequency 50 cycles (and permeability where u = 1, the repulsing force will be: ##EQU2## P.sub.s = 0.000378 kp/cm.sub.2 = 0.378 pond/cm.sup.2 pro 1 kW/m.sub.2 induced (absorbed) power

A liquid steel layer 1 cm in height or thickness has a weight of approximately 0.7 pond per sq. cm; and 5 kW induced power would thus be necessary for counterbalancing or being equivalent to this weight.

The P.sub.if factor is one which cannot be empirically stated for all installations but must be determined for each installation.

The equation for the calculation of P.sub.if in kW/m.sup.2 is:

wherein

H = the magnetic field at the surface of a body in A/m (RMS value)

r = the specific resistivity of the metal in u Ohms .times. m

f = the frequency in Hertz

m = a geometrical correction factor.

In the foregoing equations the unit "pond" or p is based on the distinction between mass or weight as expressed in grams, or kilograms and force where the acceleration of gravity is a factor and replaces the older and less frequently used terms "gram force" (gf) and kilogram force (kgf) in the metric system, or the term "pound force" in the English system of weights. The equations here expressed in the metric system can of course be converted to the English system.

In a copending application based on Swiss application No. 14659 filed Nov. 16, 1974 which insofar as it is relevant is incorporated herein by reference, the repelling force generated in the manner herein described is utilized in various ways to limit or define the area on a moving chilled surface to which molten metal is applied to regulate its width, thickness, or both, in the process of continuously forming a thin, flat strand of metal directly from the molten state, the chill surface being provided either by a revolving roll or an endless belt or web and it incidentally may also confine the metal from entering some crevice, as herein described .