Patent ID: 6279646
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: B22D

Abstract:
An apparatus for continuously casting molten metal comprising:pulleys;first and second endless orbiting means for forming a casting region mounted on the pulleys for rotation thereon and having common first lengths, a front surface of the first orbiting means disposed to face a front surface of the second orbiting means at the casting region of the apparatus;first and second edge dam blocks each comprising a continuous chain and disposed adjacent opposite outer edges in the front surfaces of the orbiting means for associated rotation with the orbiting means, wherein the orbiting means and the dam blocks define the casting region, and wherein the dam blocks have common second lengths greater than said first lengths to define first and second catenaries;means for providing molten metal to the casting region; and,first and second induction heating means for inductively heating the first and second edge dam blocks prior to introduction of molten metal into the casting region, the induction heating means comprising annular coils encompassing the dam blocks at the catenaries, whereby the dam blocks are inductively heated during rotation of the orbiting means to preclude temperature distortion of the casting region from the molten metal.