Continuous casting apparatus

Abstract

A continuous casting apparatus includes a housing, a vacuum unit connected to the housing, a furnace unit disposed in the housing and adapted to receive and heat a solid metal into a molten metal, an agitating gas supply unit adapted to supply an inert gas to the furnace unit to agitate the molten metal, a casting mold connected to a bottom end of the furnace unit and extending outwardly from the housing, a protective gas supply unit connected to an inner space of the housing, a cooling unit surrounding the casting mold and adapted to cool the molten metal that flows through a downward passage of the casting mold, and a drawing unit disposed below the casting mold and adapted to draw continuously a solid metal cast by the casting mold.

1 . A continuous casting apparatus, comprising: 
 a housing;    a vacuum unit connected to said housing;    a furnace unit disposed in said housing and adapted to receive and heat a solid metal into a molten metal;    an agitating gas supply unit connected to a bottom end of said furnace unit and adapted to supply an inert gas to said furnace unit to agitate the molten metal;    a casting mold connected to said bottom end and extending outwardly from said housing, said casting mold having a downward passage in fluid communication with said furnace unit and adapted to permit flow of the molten metal therethrough;    a first protective gas supply unit connected to an inner space of said housing which surrounds said furnace unit;    a cooling unit surrounding said casting mold and adapted to cool the molten metal that flows through said downward passage; and    a drawing unit disposed below said casting mold and adapted to draw continuously a solid metal cast by said casting mold.    
   
   
       2 . The continuous casting apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a material input device extending into said housing and adapted to permit addition of a trace element to said furnace unit.  
   
   
       3 . The continuous casting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said furnace unit includes a first furnace that has a graphite crucible, and a high frequency heater surrounding and heating said graphite crucible, said agitating gas supply unit being connected to a bottom end of said graphite crucible.  
   
   
       4 . The continuous casting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said housing has a bottom opening, said casting mold extending outwardly from said housing through said bottom opening.  
   
   
       5 . The continuous casting apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second protective gas supply unit connected to said casting mold and adapted to supply an inert gas to said casting mold.  
   
   
       6 . The continuous casting apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a partition plate disposed between said furnace unit and said cooling unit to prevent transfer of heat between said furnace unit and said cooling unit.  
   
   
       7 . The continuous casting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said housing includes a first window, and a temperature-measuring device provided in said first window to measure the temperature inside said housing.  
   
   
       8 . The continuous casting apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said housing further includes a second window adapted to permit viewing of the melting condition of the metal inside said housing.  
   
   
       9 . The continuous casting apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat radiation blocking plate provided within said housing and located above said furnace unit.  
   
   
       10 . The continuous casting apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said furnace unit further includes a second furnace disposed above said first furnace, said second furnace having a melt discharge member adapted to discharge the molten metal to said first furnace.  
   
   
       11 . The continuous casting apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a divider to divide said inner space of said housing into an upper chamber, where said second furnace is provided, and a lower chamber, where said first furnace is provided.