초록 ▼

The invention is directed to an apparatus and method for controlling the overflow of molten material from a receptacle for the purpose of achieving more uniform casting of the molten material. The apparatus and method utilize a force detector able to detect the change in the buoyant force exerted on

The invention is directed to an apparatus and method for controlling the overflow of molten material from a receptacle for the purpose of achieving more uniform casting of the molten material. The apparatus and method utilize a force detector able to detect the change in the buoyant force exerted on a submersible body lowered into a molten material. A differentiating means, a control means, and a drive means are responsive to the force detector, whereby a constant rate of change of buoyant force is translated into a uniform rate of overflow of molten material delivered to a heat extracting substrate for solidification.

대표청구항 ▼

A flow rate control apparatus for the casting of filaments and sheets, said apparatus having a receptacle for containing a molten material, the receptacle having a lip over which the molten material can flow when its free surface is raised to a level above the lip, the flow control apparatus compris

A flow rate control apparatus for the casting of filaments and sheets, said apparatus having a receptacle for containing a molten material, the receptacle having a lip over which the molten material can flow when its free surface is raised to a level above the lip, the flow control apparatus comprising: (a) at least one movably mounted submersible body mounted for lowering into and raising out of the molten material in the receptacle for variably displacing molten material; (b) a drive means drivingly linked to the body for raising and lowering the submersible body; (c) a force detector connected to the submersible body for detecting the force difference between the gravitational force and the buoyant force exerted on the body; (d) a differentiating means for detecting the time rate of change of the force difference detected by the force detector; and (e) a control means responsive to the differentiating means and connected to control the drive means for lowering the submersible body at a rate which maintains a constant time rate of change of the force difference detected by the force detector whereby, in a steady state condition of operation, a constant rate of change of the detected force difference is produced which effects a constant rate of molten material flow over the lip from the receptacle. An improved method for controlling the flow rate of molten material being cast from a receptacle for containing a molten material, the receptacle having a lip over which the molten material can flow when its free surface is raised to a level above the lip, the method comprising: lowering a submersible body into the molten material while detecting the rate of molten material displacement by the body, said body being lowered at a selected, instantaneous molten material displacement rate equal to the desired instantaneous flow rate. A level control apparatus for the casting of filaments and sheets, said apparatus having a receptacle for containing a molten material, the receptacle having a lip over which the molten material can flow when its free surface is raised to a level above the lip, the control apparatus comprising: (a) a submersible body mounted to extend partially into the molten material in the receptacle; (b) a force detector connected to the submersible body for detecting the force difference between the gravitational force and the buoyant force exerted on the body; (c) a supply vessel containing molten material and having a supply conduit including a controllable valve means and arranged to supply molten material into the receptacle at a rate controlled by the valve means; and (d) a control means responsive to the force detector and connected to adjust the valve means to maintain a constant force on the force detector. An improved method for controlling the free surface level of molten material being cast from a receptacle having a lip over which the molten material can flow when its free surface is raised to a level above the lip, the method comprising: detecting the force exerted by a body which is supported partially submersed in the molten material in the receptacle and supplying molten material into the receptacle at a rate which maintains that force constant.