Patent ID: 7611665

Claim:
A ladle block for use in a bottom of a ladle that transfers molten metal at a flow rate, Q, the ladle block comprising a floor defining an outlet having a center; at least two sidewalls substantially orthogonal to the floor and having a top edge; and an entry end, the sidewalls and floor defining a single channel having a length, L, equal to a distance from the entry end to the center of the outlet, a width, W, equal to a distance between the sidewalls and a depth, D, equal to a distance from the floor to the top edges, where K 1 , K 2 , K 3 and K 4 are non-zero constants dependent upon the units of measurement; and a) D is at least equal to a minimum depth, D min ; b) D min =K 1 ·Q 2/3 ; c) W is no greater than K 2 ·D min /D and no less than K 3 ·D min /D; and d) L is at least K 4 ·W.