Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for controlling the pouring of molten metal from a tundish to a mold in a continuous casting process, comprising the steps of: pouring said molten metal from a tundish nozzle having a variable slidable opening; measuring the level of the molten metal in said mold; comparing the level of the molten metal with a desired preset level in said mold; varying the opening of said tundish nozzle in accordance with the difference between the measured level of the metal and said preset level in said mold; detecting said tundish nozzle opening and providing an electrical signal representative thereof, and including providing said electrical signal with a component representing a desired minimum opening of said tundish nozzle to prevent the full closing thereof; and providing said electrical signal to the input of a servo amplifier along with the difference between the measured level of molten metal and said preset level in said mold to provide a control signal for varying said tundish nozzle opening.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for controlling the pouring of molten metal from a tundish to a mold in a continuous casting process, comprising the steps of: pouring said molten metal from a tundish nozzle having a variable slidable opening; measuring the level of the molten metal in said mold; comparing the level of the molten metal with a desired preset level in said mold; varying the opening of said tundish nozzle in accordance with the difference between the measured level of the metal and said preset level in said mold; detecting said tundish nozzle opening and providing an electrical signal representative thereof, and including providing said electrical signal with a component representing a desired minimum opening of said tundish nozzle to prevent the full closing thereof; and providing said electrical signal to the input of a servo amplifier along with the difference between the measured level of molten metal and said preset level in said mold to provide a control signal for varying said tundish nozzle opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said tundish nozzle opening is controlled by a servo-cylinder and said step of detecting and providing said electrical signal is performed by a work cylinder connected to said servo cylinder and a potentiometer having a center tap connected to the movable piston of said servo cylinder, whereby said electrical signal is taken from said center tap and an end terminal of said potentiometer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as in claim 2 further comprising the step of selecting a conversion function representing different openings of said tundish nozzle with respect to the stroke of the piston of said servo-cylinder for modifying said electrical signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for controlling the pouring of molten metal from a tundish to a mold in a continuous casting process, comprising: means for pouring said molten metal from said tundish and including a nozzle having a variable opening; means for measuring the level of the molten metal in said mold; means for comparing the level of the molten metal with a desired preset level; means for varying said tundish nozzle opening in accordance with the difference between said measured level of the metal and said preset level in said mold; means for detecting said tundish nozzle opening and providing an electrical signal representative thereof, and including means for generating a component of said electrical signal representing a desired minimum opening of said tundish nozzle to prevent the full closing thereof; and means for amplifying said electrical signal and the difference between the measured level of molten metal and said preset level to provide a control signal for varying said tundish nozzle opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for controlling the pouring of molten metal from a tundish to a mold in a continuous casting process, comprising: means for pouring said molten metal from said tundish and including a nozzle having a variable opening; means for measuring the level of the molten metal in said mold; means for comparing the level of the molten metal with a desired preset level; means for varying said tundish nozzle opening in accordance with the difference between said measured level of the metal and said preset level in said mold; means for detecting said tundish nozzle opening and providing an electrical signal representative thereof, and including means for generating a component of said electrical signal representing a desired minimum opening of said tundish nozzle to prevent the full closing thereof; and means for amplifying said electrical signal and the difference between the measured level of molten metal and said preset level to provide a control signal for varying said tundish nozzle opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said means for varying said tundish nozzle opening is a servo-cylinder, and said means for detecting further includes a work cylinder connected to said servo-cylinder and a potentiometer having a center tap connected to the movable piston of said servo-cylinder whereby said electrical signal is taken from said center tap and an end terminal of said potentiometer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as in claim 5 further comprising means for selecting a conversion function representing different openings of said tundish nozzle with respect to the stroke of the piston of said servo-cylinder for modifying said electrical signal.