Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02908121 2015-09-25
DESCRIPTION
PULLING-UP-TYPE CONTINUOUS CASTING APPARATUS AND UPWARD
CONTINUOUS CASTING METHOD
Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to a pulling-up-type continuous casting
apparatus and a
pulling-up-type continuous casting method.
Background Art
[0002]
In Patent Literature 1, a free casting method is proposed by the present
inventors as an
epoch-making continuous casting method that does not require a mold. As shown
in Patent
Literature 1, when a starter is pulled up after it is immersed into the
surface of a melted metal
(molten metal) (in other words, the molten-metal surface), the molten metal is
also drawn out
following the starter by the surface film or surface tension of the molten
metal. Here, by
drawing out the molten metal through a shape-defining member that is located
in the vicinity of
the molten-metal surface and cooling the molten metal, a cast-metal article
with a desired cross-
sectional shape can be cast continuously.
[0003]
In an ordinary continuous casting method, not only the cross-sectional shape
but also
the longitudinal shape is defined by a mold. In particular, the cast-metal
article that is produced
by a continuous casting method has a shape that is linearly elongated in its
longitudinal direction
because the solidified metal (in other words, the cast-metal article) must be
passed through a
mold.
In contrast, a shape-defining member that is used in a free casting method
defines only
the cross-sectional shape of the cast-metal article and does not define the
longitudinal shape of
the cast-metal article. In addition, because the shape-defining member is
movable in directions
parallel to the molten-metal surface (in other words, horizontal directions),
cast-metal articles
with different longitudinal shapes can be obtained. For example, a hollow cast-
metal article (in
other words, a pipe) that is formed to have a zigzag or spiral, not linear,
configuration along its
length is disclosed in Patent Literature 1.
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Citation List
Patent Literature
[0004]
[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2012-61518
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0005]
The present inventors have found the following problem.
According to the free casting method disclosed in Patent Literature 1, it is
impossible to
accurately control the temperature of the unsolidified molten metal that has
been pulled up from
the molten-metal surface following the starter (held molten metal). Thus,
according to the free
casting method disclosed in Patent Literature 1, it is impossible to
accurately control the speed at
which the starter is pulled up.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and
aims to
provide a pulling-up-type continuous casting apparatus and a pulling-up-type
continuous casting
method in which the speed at which the starter is pulled up can be accurately
controlled by
accurately controlling the temperature of the held molten metal.
Solution to Problem
[0007]
A pulling-up-type continuous casting apparatus according to one aspect of the
present
invention includes: a holding furnace that holds a molten metal; a draw-out
part that draws out
the molten metal from a molten-metal surface of the molten metal that is held
in the holding
furnace; a shape-defining member that defines a cross-sectional shape of a
cast-metal article to
be cast by applying an external force to a held molten metal which is an
unsolidified molten
metal that has been drawn out by the draw-out part, the shape-defining member
being located in
the vicinity of the molten-metal surface; and a temperature measurement unit
that measures the
temperature of the held molten metal, in which the temperature of the held
molten metal is
controlled based on the result of measurement in the temperature measurement
unit. According
to this structure, the temperature of the held molten metal can be accurately
controlled, whereby
it is possible to accurately control the speed at which the starter is pulled
up.
[0008]
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It is preferable that the temperature measurement unit be a thermocouple and a
temperature measuring junction of the temperature measurement unit be provided
in the held
molten metal.
[0009]
It is preferable that the temperature measurement unit be a thermocouple and a
temperature measuring junction of the temperature measurement unit be provided
in the molten
metal in the vicinity of the held molten metal.
[0010]
It is preferable that the temperature measurement unit be a thermocouple and a
temperature measuring junction of the temperature measurement unit be provided
in the molten
metal immediately below the held molten metal.
[0011]
It is preferable that the temperature measurement unit be a thermocouple and a
temperature measuring junction of the temperature measurement unit be provided
in the vicinity
of a contact surface between the shape-defining member and the held molten
metal inside the
shape-defining member.
[0012]
It is preferable that the holding furnace control the temperature of the
molten metal
based on the result of measurement in the temperature measurement unit to
control the
temperature of the held molten metal.
[0013]
It is preferable that the pulling-up-type continuous casting apparatus further
include a
temperature controller that controls the temperature of the held molten metal
based on the result
of measurement in the temperature measurement unit.
[0014]
It is preferable that the temperature controller be provided in the molten
metal in the
vicinity of the held molten metal.
[0015]
It is preferable that the temperature controller be provided in the molten
metal
immediately below the held molten metal.
[0016]
It is preferable that the temperature controller be formed to surround the
molten metal in
the vicinity of the held molten metal.
[0017]
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It is preferable that the pulling-up-type continuous casting apparatus further
include a
separating part that surrounds the molten metal in the vicinity of the held
molten metal.
[0018]
It is preferable that the temperature controller include a protruding part
that extends to
the inside of the held molten metal.
[0019]
It is preferable that the temperature controller be provided in the vicinity
of a contact
surface between the shape-defining member and the held molten metal inside the
shape-defining
member.
[0020]
A pulling-up-type continuous casting method according to one aspect of the
present
invention includes the steps of: placing a shape-defining member that defines
a cross-sectional
shape of a cast-metal article to be cast in the vicinity of a molten-metal
surface of a molten metal
that is held in a holding furnace; pulling up the molten metal through the
shape-defining
member; and measuring the temperature of a held molten metal which is an
unsolidified molten
metal that has been pulled up; and controlling the temperature of the held
molten metal based on
the result of the measurement. According to this structure, the temperature of
the held molten
metal can be accurately controlled, whereby it is possible to accurately
control the speed at
which the starter is pulled up.
[0021]
It is preferable that the pulling-up-type continuous casting method include
providing a
temperature measuring junction of a thermocouple in the held molten metal to
measure the
temperature of the held molten metal.
[0022]
It is preferable that the pulling-up-type continuous casting method include
providing a
temperature measuring junction of a thermocouple in the molten metal in the
vicinity of the held
molten metal to measure the temperature of the held molten metal.
[0023]
It is preferable that the pulling-up-type continuous casting method include
providing a
temperature measuring junction of a thermocouple in the molten metal
immediately below the
held molten metal to measure the temperature of the held molten metal.
[0024]
It is preferable that the pulling-up-type continuous casting method include
providing a
temperature measuring junction of a thermocouple in the vicinity of a contact
surface between
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the shape-defining member and the held molten metal inside the shape-defining
member to
measure the temperature of the held molten metal.
[0025]
It is preferable that the pulling-up-type continuous casting method include
controlling
5 the temperature of the molten metal by the holding furnace to control the
temperature of the held
molten metal.
[0026]
It is preferable that the temperature of the held molten metal be controlled
by a
temperature controller.
[0027]
It is preferable that the temperature controller be provided in the molten
metal in the
vicinity of the held molten metal.
[0028]
It is preferable that the temperature controller be provided in the molten
metal
immediately below the held molten metal.
[0029]
It is preferable that the temperature controller be formed to surround the
molten metal in
the vicinity of the held molten metal.
[0030]
It is preferable that a separating part that surrounds the molten metal in the
vicinity of
the held molten metal be further provided.
[0031]
It is preferable that a protruding part extending to the inside of the held
molten metal be
provided in the temperature controller.
[0032]
It is preferable that the temperature controller be provided in the vicinity
of a contact
surface between the shape-defining member and the held molten metal in the
shape-defining
member.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0033]
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pulling-up-
type
continuous casting apparatus and a pulling-up-type continuous casting method
in which the
speed at which the starter is pulled up can be accurately controlled by
accurately controlling the
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temperature of the held molten metal.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0034]
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a free
casting
apparatus according to a first embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of an internal shape-defining member 102a and an
external shape-
defining member 102b;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the free
casting
apparatus according to the first embodiment;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a free
casting
apparatus according to a second embodiment;
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the free casting
apparatus
according to the second embodiment;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a first specific configuration
example of a
temperature controller 109;
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a second specific configuration
example of the
temperature controller 109;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the
free
casting apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the
free
casting apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the
free
casting apparatus according to the present invention; and
Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the free
casting
apparatus according to the present invention.
Description of Embodiments
[0035]
Description is hereinafter made of specific embodiments to which the present
invention
is applied with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present
invention is not
limited to the following embodiments. The following description and the
drawings are
simplified as needed to clarify the description.
[0036]
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<First embodiment>
First, with reference to Fig. 1, a free casting apparatus (pulling-up-type
continuous
casting apparatus) according to a first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1
is a cross-sectional
view showing a configuration example of the free casting apparatus according
to the first
embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the free casting apparatus according to the
first embodiment
includes a molten metal holding furnace (holding furnace) 101, an internal
shape-defining
member 102a, an external shape-defining member 102b, supporting rods 103 and
104, an
actuator 105, a cooling gas nozzle 106, a draw-out part 107, and a
thermocouple (temperature
measurement unit) 108.
[0037]
The molten metal holding furnace 101 holds a molten metal M1 of aluminum or an
aluminum alloy, for example, and maintains the molten metal M1 at a prescribed
temperature. In
particular, in this embodiment, a case in which the molten metal holding
furnace 101 holds the
molten metal M1 at a temperature according to a result of measurement in the
thermocouple 108
will be described as an example (described later). In the example that is
shown in FIG. 1, the
surface level of the molten metal M1 (in other words, the molten-metal
surface) is lowered as the
casting proceeds because the molten metal holding furnace 101 is not
replenished with molten
metal during casting. However, a configuration in which the molten metal
holding furnace 101
is replenished with molten metal during casting to maintain the molten-metal
surface level
constant is also possible. It should be appreciated that the molten metal M1
may be a melt of a
metal other than aluminum or an alloy thereof.
[0038]
The internal shape-defining member 102a and the external shape-defining member
102b
are made of ceramic or stainless steel, for example, and are located in the
vicinity of the molten-
metal surface. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the internal shape-defining
member 102a and the
external shape-defining member 102b are placed to contact the molten-metal
surface. However,
the internal shape-defining member 102a and the external shape-defining member
102b may be
located with the principal surface thereof on its lower side (on the side that
faces the molten-
metal surface) away from the molten-metal surface. Specifically, a prescribed
(approximately
0.5 mm, for example) gap may be provided between the principal surface of the
internal shape-
defining member 102a and the external shape-defining member 102b on its lower
side and the
molten-metal surface.
[0039]
The internal shape-defining member 102a defines the internal shape of a cast
metal M3
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(or a cast-metal article M3) to be cast and the external shape-defining member
102b defines the
external shape of the cast metal M3 to be cast. The cast metal M3 shown in
Fig. 1 is a hollow
cast-metal article that has a tubular shape (that is, a pipe) in a horizontal
cross-section (which is
hereinafter referred to as "transverse cross-section"). More specifically, the
internal shape-
defining member 102a defines the internal shape of the transverse cross-
section of the cast metal
M3 and the external shape-defining member 102b defines the external shape of
the transverse
cross-section of the cast metal M3.
[0040]
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the internal shape-defining member 102a and the
external shape-
defining member 102b. The cross-sectional view of the internal shape-defining
member 102a
and the external shape-defining member 102b shown in Fig. 1 corresponds to a
cross-sectional
view that is taken along the line I-I in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the
external shape-defining
member 102b has a rectangular planar shape, for example, and has a circular
opening at its
center. The internal shape-defining member 102a has a circular planar shape
and is located at
the center of the opening of the external shape-defining member 102b. The gap
between the
internal shape-defining member 102a and the external shape-defining member
102b is a molten
metal passing part 102c through which the molten metal is passed. As described
above, a shape-
defining member 102 is constituted of the internal shape-defining member 102a,
the external
shape-defining member 102b, and the molten metal passing part 102c.
[0041]
The draw-out part 107 includes a starter (draw-out member) ST that is immersed
into
the molten metal Ml, and a lifter PL (not shown) that drives the starter ST
in, for example,
vertical directions.
[0042]
As shown in Fig. 1, the molten metal M1 is joined to the starter ST that is
immersed
thereinto and then pulled up through the molten metal passing part 102c
following the starter ST
with its contour held by the surface film or surface tension thereof. The
molten metal that is
pulled up from the molten-metal surface following the starter ST (or the cast
metal M3 that is
formed by solidification of the molten metal MI that has been drawn out by the
starter ST) by the
surface film or surface tension of the molten metal MI is herein referred to
as "held molten metal
M2". The interface between the cast metal M3 and the held molten metal M2 is a
solidification
interface.
[0043]
The starter ST is made of ceramic or stainless steel, for example. The
surfaces of the
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starter ST may be covered with a protective coating (not shown), such as that
of a salt crystal. In
this case, because melt-bonding between the starter ST and the molten metal M1
can be
prevented, the releasability between the starter ST and the cast metal M3 can
be improved. This
makes it possible to reuse the starter ST. In addition, the starter ST may
have irregular surfaces.
In this case, because the protective coating can be easily deposited
(precipitated) on the surfaces
of the starter ST, the releasability between the starter ST and the cast metal
M3 can be further
improved. At the same time, the binding force in the pull-up direction between
the starter ST
and the molten metal M1 during the draw-out of the molten metal can be
improved.
[0044]
The supporting rod 103 supports the internal shape-defining member 102a and
the
supporting rod 104 supports the external shape-defining member 102b. The
positional relation
between the internal shape-defining member 102a and the external shape-
defining member 102b
can be maintained by the supporting rods 103 and 104. By forming the
supporting rod 103
having a pipe structure, causing cooling gas to flow through the supporting
rod 103, and further
providing a blow-out hole in the internal shape-defining member 102a, the cast
metal M3 can be
cooled from inside as well.
[0045]
Both the supporting rods 103 and 104 are coupled to the actuator 105. The
actuator 105
allows the supporting rods 103 and 104 to move up and down (in vertical
directions) and in
horizontal directions while keeping the positional relation between the
internal shape-defining
member 102a and the external shape-defining member 102b. According to this
structure, the
actuator 105 can move the internal shape-defining member 102a and the external
shape-defining
member 102b downward when the molten-metal surface level is lowered as the
casting proceeds.
In addition, because the actuator 105 can move the internal shape-defining
member 102a and the
external shape-defining member 102b in horizontal directions, the longitudinal
shape of the cast
metal M3 can be changed freely.
[0046]
The cooling gas nozzle (cooling part) 106 is used to blow cooling gas (e.g.,
air,
nitrogen, argon) onto the starter ST and the cast metal M3 to cool the starter
ST and the cast
metal M3. By cooling the starter ST and the cast metal M3 with the cooling gas
while the cast
metal M3 is being pulled up by the lifter PL (not shown) that has been coupled
to the starter ST,
the held molten metal M2 in the vicinity of the solidification interface is
sequentially solidified
and the cast metal M3 is formed continuously.
[0047]
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The thermocouple 108 is used to measure the temperature of the held molten
metal M2.
In the example shown in Fig. 1, a temperature measuring junction of the
thermocouple is
provided inside of the held molten metal M2. According to this structure, the
thermocouple 108
is able to accurately measure the temperature of the held molten metal M2. The
position where
5 the temperature measuring junction of the thermocouple 108 is provided is
not limited to the
inside of the held molten metal M2 and the temperature measuring junction of
the thermocouple
108 may be provided in the molten metal M1 which is in the vicinity of the
held molten metal
M2 or is immediately below the held molten metal M2, as shown in Fig. 3.
Further, temperature
measuring means other than the thermocouple 108 may be used as long as the
temperature
10 measuring means is able to measure the temperature of the held molten
metal M2.
[0048]
The molten metal holding furnace 101 controls the temperature of the molten
metal MI
based on the result of measurement in the thermocouple 108 as described above.
According to
this structure, the temperature of the held molten metal M2 is accurately
controlled. As a result,
for example, the temperature of the held molten metal M2 can be reduced to
about a melting
point, whereby it is possible to improve the speed at which the starter ST is
pulled up (that is, to
accurately control the speed at which the starter ST is pulled up).
[0049]
Next, with reference to Fig. 1, a free casting method according to this
embodiment will
be described.
[0050]
First, the starter ST is moved downward and immersed into the molten metal M1
through the molten metal passing part 102c which is between the internal shape-
defining
member 102a and the external shape-defining member 102b.
[0051]
Then, the starter ST starts to be pulled up at a prescribed speed. Here, even
after the
starter ST is separated from the molten-metal surface, the molten metal M1 is
pulled up (drawn
out) from the molten-metal surface following the starter ST by the surface
film or surface tension
thereof and forms a held molten metal M2. As shown in FIG. 1, the held molten
metal M2 is
formed in the molten metal passing part 102c which is between the internal
shape-defining
member 102a and the external shape-defining member 102b. In other words, a
shape is imparted
to the held molten metal M2 by the internal shape-defining member 102a and the
external shape-
defining member 102b.
[0052]
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Next, the starter ST (and the cast metal M3) are cooled by the cooling gas
blown out of
the cooling gas nozzle 106. As a result, the held molten metal M2 is
sequentially solidified from
top to bottom and the cast metal M3 grows. In this way, the cast metal M3 can
be cast
continuously.
[0053]
While casting is being carried out, the thermocouple 108 measures the
temperature of
the held molten metal M2. The molten metal holding furnace 101 controls the
temperature of the
molten metal MI based on the result of measurement in the thermocouple 108.
According to this
structure, the temperature of the held molten metal M2 is accurately
controlled. As a result, for
example, the temperature of the held molten metal M2 can be lowered to about
the melting point,
whereby it is possible to improve the speed at which the starter ST is pulled
up (that is, to
accurately control the speed at which the starter ST is pulled up).
[0054]
As described above, the free casting apparatus according to this embodiment
includes
the thermocouple 108 that measures the temperature of the held molten metal M2
and accurately
controls the temperature of the held molten metal M2 based on the result of
measurement in the
thermocouple 108. According to this structure, the free casting apparatus
according to this
embodiment is able to lower the temperature of the held molten metal M2 to
about the melting
point, whereby it is possible to improve the speed at which the starter ST is
pulled up (that is, to
accurately control the speed at which the starter ST is pulled up).
[0055]
While the case in which the temperature of the held molten metal M2 is
constantly
measured while the casting is being carried out has been described in the
above embodiment, the
present invention is not limited to this case. The temperature of the held
molten metal M2 may
not be measured, for example, after the speed at which the starter ST is
pulled up is determined.
Accordingly, for example, the temperature measuring junction of the
thermocouple 108 may be
provided inside the held molten metal M2 or in the vicinity of the held molten
metal M2 with the
start of the casting and may be removed after the speed at which the starter
ST is pulled up is
determined.
[0056]
<Second embodiment>
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a free
casting
apparatus according to a second embodiment. In the free casting apparatus
shown in Fig. I
stated above, the molten metal holding furnace 101 controls the temperature of
the held molten
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metal M2 by controlling the temperature of the molten metal MI based on the
result of
measurement in the thermocouple 108. Meanwhile, the free casting apparatus
shown in Fig. 4
further includes a temperature controller 109 that controls the temperature of
the held molten
metal M2 (or the molten metal M1 in the vicinity of the held molten metal M2)
based on the
result of measurement in the thermocouple 108.
[0057]
The temperature controller 109 is provided in the molten metal M1 which is in
the
vicinity of the held molten metal M2 or is immediately below the held molten
metal M2 and
controls the temperature of the molten metal M1 which is in the vicinity of
the held molten metal
M2 or is immediately below the held molten metal M2 based on the result of
measurement in the
thermocouple 108. For example, the temperature controller 109 heats the molten
metal M1 by a
heater or the like or cools the molten metal M1 by causing refrigerant to flow
through a
refrigerant circuit. According to this structure, it is possible to control
the temperature of the
held molten metal M2 with higher accuracy.
[0058]
Since the other structures of the free casting apparatus shown in Fig. 4 is
similar to those
of the free casting apparatus shown in Fig. 1, the description thereof will be
omitted. Note that
the position where the temperature measuring junction of the thermocouple 108
is provided is
not limited to the inside of the held molten metal M2 and the temperature
measuring junction of
the thermocouple 108 may be provided in the molten metal M1 which is in the
vicinity of the
held molten metal M2 or is immediately below the held molten metal M2, as
shown in Fig. 5.
[0059]
(First Specific Configuration Example of Temperature Controller 109)
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a first specific configuration
example of the
temperature controller 109. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the temperature
controller 109 is
formed to surround the molten metal MI which is in the vicinity of the held
molten metal M2 or
is immediately below the held molten metal M2.
[0060]
More specifically, in the example shown in Fig. 6, the temperature controller
109 is
constituted of a main body part and protruding parts. The main body part of
the temperature
controller 109 is provided immediately below the held molten metal M2. The
protruding parts of
the temperature controller 109 are provided to protrude upwardly from both
ends of the main
body part so as to separate the molten metal MI which is in the vicinity of
the held molten metal
M2 or is immediately below the held molten metal M2 from the other area of the
molten metal
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Ml. However, the molten metal M1 which is in the vicinity of the held molten
metal M2 or is
immediately below the held molten metal M2 and the other area of the molten
metal M1 are not
completely separated from each other.
[0061]
According to this structure, the temperature of the held molten metal M2 can
be
controlled with further accuracy.
[0062]
(Second Specific Configuration Example of Temperature Controller 109)
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a second specific configuration
example of the
temperature controller 109. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the temperature
controller 109 is
formed to surround the molten metal M1 which is in the vicinity of the held
molten metal M2 or
is immediately below the held molten metal M2 and includes a protruding part
extending to the
inside of the held molten metal M2.
[0063]
Mofe specifically, in the example shown in Fig. 7, the temperature controller
109 is
constituted of a main body part, a first protruding part, and a second
protruding part. The main
body part of the temperature controller 109 is provided immediately below the
held molten metal
M2. The first protruding part of the temperature controller 109 is provided to
protrude upwardly
from both ends of the main body part so as to separate the molten metal M1
which is in the
vicinity of the held molten metal M2 or is immediately below the held molten
metal M2 from the
other area of the molten metal Ml. However, the molten metal M1 which is in
the vicinity of the
held molten metal M2 or is immediately below the held molten metal M2 and the
other area of
the molten metal M1 are not completely separated from each other. Further, the
second
protruding part of the temperature controller 109 is provided to protrude
upwardly from the
central part of the upper surface of the main body part. This second
protruding part extends to
the inside of the held molten metal M2.
[0064]
According to the above structure, it is possible to directly control the
temperature of the
held molten metal M2 (to control the temperature of the held molten metal M2
further
accurately).
[0065]
As described above, the free casting apparatus according to this embodiment
includes
the thermocouple 108 that measures the temperature of the held molten metal M2
and the
temperature controller 109 that controls the temperature of the held molten
metal M2 based on
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the result of measurement in the thermocouple 108. Accordingly, the free
casting apparatus
according to this embodiment is able to control the temperature of the held
molten metal M2
further accurately, whereby it is possible to further improve the speed at
which the starter ST is
pulled up (that is, to control the speed at which the starter ST is pulled up
further accurately).
[0066]
<Third embodiment>
In this embodiment, another configuration example of the free casting
apparatus
according to the present invention will be described.
[0067]
(Another Configuration Example of Free Casting Apparatus According to Present
Invention
(Case 1))
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the
free
casting apparatus according to the present invention. In the free casting
apparatus shown in Fig.
8, the temperature measuring junction of the thermocouple 108 is provided in
the vicinity of the
contact surface between the shape-defining member 102 and the held molten
metal M2 inside the
shape-defining member 102 (in the example shown in Fig. 8, external shape-
defining member
102b). Since the other structures of the free casting apparatus shown in Fig.
8 are similar as
those of the free casting apparatus shown in Fig. 4, the description thereof
will be omitted.
[0068]
(Another Configuration Example of Free Casting Apparatus According to Present
Invention
(Case 2))
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the
free
casting apparatus according to the present invention. In the free casting
apparatus shown in Fig.
9, the temperature controller 109 is provided in the vicinity of the contact
surface between the
shape-defining member 102 and the held molten metal M2 inside the shape-
defining member
102. In other words, in the free casting apparatus shown in Fig. 9, a function
of the temperature
controller 109 is added to the shape-defining member 102. Since the other
structures of the free
casting apparatus shown in Fig. 9 are similar to those of the free casting
apparatus shown in Fig.
4, the descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[0069]
(Another Configuration Example of Free Casting Apparatus According to Present
Invention
(Case 3))
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the
free
casting apparatus according to the present invention. In the free casting
apparatus shown in Fig.
CA 02908121 2015-09-25
10, besides the temperature controller 109, a separating part 110 formed to
surround the molten
metal M1 which is in the vicinity of the held molten metal M2 or is
immediately below the held
molten metal M2 is further provided. Since the other structures of the free
casting apparatus
shown in Fig. 10 are similar to those of the free casting apparatus shown in
Fig. 4, the
5 descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[0070]
As described above, the free casting apparatus according to the first to third
embodiments above includes the thermocouple 108 that measures the temperature
of the held
molten metal M2 and the temperature controller 109 (or the molten metal
holding furnace 101)
10 that controls the temperature of the held molten metal M2 based on the
result of measurement in
the thermocouple 108. Accordingly, the free casting apparatus according to the
first to third
embodiments is able to accurately control the temperature of the held molten
metal M2, whereby
it is possible to improve the speed at which the starter ST is pulled up (that
is, to accurately
control the speed at which the starter ST is pulled up).
15 [0071]
While the case in which the cast-metal article having a cylindrical shape
(hollow cast-
metal article) is formed has been described as an example in the above
embodiments, the present
invention is not limited thereto. The present invention is also applicable to
a case in which a
cast-metal article with a shape of a circular column is formed as shown in
Fig. 11 or cases in
which cast-metal articles having other shapes are formed.
[0072]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and
may be
changed as needed without departing from its scope. For example, the above-
mentioned
configuration examples may be used in combination.
Reference Signs List
[0073]
101 MOLTEN METAL HOLDING FURNACE
102 SHAPE-DEFINING MEMBER
102a INTERNAL SHAPE-DEFINING MEMBER
102b EXTERNAL SHAPE-DEFINING MEMBER
102c MOLTEN METAL PASSING PART
103, 104 SUPPORTING ROD
105 ACTUATOR
CA 02908121 2015-09-25
16
106 COOLING GAS NOZZLE
107 DRAW-OUT PART
108 THERMOCOUPLE
109 TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER
110 SEPARATING PART
M1 MOLTEN METAL
M2 HELD MOLTEN METAL
M3 CAST METAL
ST STARTER
PL LIFTER
