Patent ID: 7926548
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: B22D

Abstract:
1. A method comprising the steps of: positioning first and second spaced annular sealing members abutting and extending radially inwardly from a passage wall inner periphery which defines a passage which communicates with an interior chamber containing a continuous casting mold and with atmosphere external to the interior chamber, the passage comprising a molten seal reservoir between the mold and the sealing members; inserting an ingot starter stub through the sealing members and molten seal reservoir into the interior chamber so that an upper end of the stub is disposed in the mold and each of the sealing members abuts an outer periphery of the starter stub so that at least one of the sealing members forms a substantially airtight seal with the outer periphery of the starter stub; and moving inert gas into a first space defined between the sealing members, the outer periphery of the starter stub and the passage wall inner periphery moving the inert gas through a gas inlet port which is formed in the passage wall and extends from an outer surface of the passage wall to the inner periphery of the passage wall between the first and second sealing members.