NUCOR CORPORATION Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150330708 | FURNACE CONTROL FOR MANUFACTURING STEEL USING SLAG HEIGHT MEASUREMENT AND OFF-GAS ANALYSIS SYSTEMS - Embodiments of the invention comprise measuring the slag height level using a slag height level measurement system, as well as analyzing the off-gas components in a furnace using an off-gas analysis system in order to more efficiently control the furnace during a steelmaking process. The slag height level measurement system and the off-gas analysis system may be utilized to determine when the scrap steel has melted, when the slag height level has decreased, and if the slag height level has decreased due to deficient carbon and/or oxygen, or excess carbon and/or oxygen in the furnace. | 11-19-2015 |
20150137432 | REFRACTORY DELTA COOLING SYSTEM - Embodiments of the present invention comprise a refractory delta made from a refractory material having a cold-face side and a hot-face side. One or more electrode apertures are located in the refractory delta for receiving one or more electrodes. One or more cooling apertures extend from the cold-face side of the refractory material to adjacent the hot-face side of the refractory material. The one or more cooling apertures may further comprise a copper tube. A cooling system delivers a cooling liquid to the one or more cooling apertures, and the cooling liquid draws heat from the adjacent refractory material, including the hot-face side, and evaporates to allow replacement cooling liquid to further draw heat from the adjacent refractory material. | 05-21-2015 |
20150079884 | ROLL POLISHER APPARATUS AND METHOD - Embodiments of the present invention relate to roll polishers that may be utilized with rollers in rolling stands that have restrictive space requirements. The roll polisher of the present invention comprises a tube with pivot actuators used to engage and disengage a rolling pad on the surface of a roller. Transverse actuators may be located at least partially within the tube, or in other embodiments located outside of the tube, and used to move the tube, and thus, the rolling pad, transversely back and forth across the surface of the roller. The roll polisher may operate apply a force to the pad engaging the rolling surface to remove defects and smooth the surface of the polisher. | 03-19-2015 |
20150027071 | COMPOSITE WALL SYSTEM - A building structure comprising a support structure having upper portion extending to adjacent a floor structure above the support structure and adapted to receive stand-off fasteners there along, a plurality of stand-off fasteners each having a lower portion and an upper portion, where the lower portion of the stand-off fasteners comprises a self-drilling end portion and an adjacent thread-forming portion and, when installed into the upper portion of the support structure, at least a portion of the upper portion of each stand-off fastener extends significantly above the upper portion of the support structure, a cementitious wall structure formed above the upper portion of the wall structure with the upper portions of the stand-off fasteners encapsulated in the cementitious wall structure. | 01-29-2015 |
20140367065 | THIN ROLL STRIP CASTER AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A method of casting a thin strip is disclosed. The method includes assembling a pair of side dams adjacent end portions of counter-rotating casting rolls through which a strip of metal can be cast to permit a casting pool of molten metal to be formed supported by the casting surfaces of the casting rolls, assembling a metal delivery system above the casting rolls delivering molten metal to form a casting pool supported on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls above the nip and confined by the pair of side dams, assembling a mechanical screw drive to move axially the side dams toward the casting pool, counter-rotating the casting rolls such that the casting surfaces of the casting rolls each travel inwardly to produce a cast strip downwardly from the nip, and moving the side dams axially inward toward the casting pool at a rate of between 0.4 and 5.0 mm/hour by actuation of the mechanical screw. | 12-18-2014 |
20140352911 | METHOD OF CONTINUOUSLY CASTING THIN STRIP - A method of improving control of thin strip produced by continuous casting including the steps of assembling a continuous casting apparatus having a pair of counter-rotating cooling rolls, having a nip there between and at least one enclosure downstream from the nip, introducing molten metal to form a casting pool supported on the cooling rolls above the nip and counter-rotating the cooling rolls forming cast strip downwardly from the nip, guiding the strip through the at least one enclosure downstream from the nip, the at least one enclosure having gas inlets for directing oxygen-containing gas into the enclosure, and directing oxygen-containing gas having a desired amount of oxygen through the inlets into the enclosure to provide an atmosphere 0.5% and 15% oxygen with between 3 and 10% humidity to oxidize at least one surface of the strip a desired thickness of scale on the surface of the strip to provide less mill force and downstream control of the strip. | 12-04-2014 |
20140265066 | SLAG CLEARING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods that clear (e.g., break-up, remove, or the like) the solidified slag (e.g., slag that is solidifying or has at least partially solidified) from the furnace, such as from the slag door as molten slag is removed from the furnace. The systems and methods of the present invention comprise utilizing an arm that is extendable and retractable into and out of a position for accessing an opening in a slag door. The system has a ram that extends and retracts, and may move in horizontal and vertical directions, to clear solidified slag from the slag door opening and other areas within a furnace. The systems and methods of the present invention provide for clearing of solidified slag from the furnace without putting workers in a dangerous environment and without the need for expensive retrofitting of the furnace or furnace deck. | 09-18-2014 |
20140262123 | CASTING DELIVERY NOZZLE - In a twin roll continuous caster, the casting nozzle in the continuous casting apparatus is arranged such that the outlet passages and/or tapered walls in the main portion within the casting nozzle provide flow of molten metal downwardly converging toward the nip between the casting rolls of a twin roll caster. The casting nozzle having a reservoir portion for directing molten metal converging toward the triple point region to inhibit the washing of shells forming on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls. | 09-18-2014 |
20140262122 | STRIP CASTING APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED SIDE DAM FORCE CONTROL - A method of casting a thin strip is disclosed. The method includes assembling a pair of side dams adjacent end portions of counter-rotating casting rolls through which a strip of metal can be cast to permit a casting pool of molten metal to be formed supported by the casting surfaces of the casting rolls, assembling an angular actuator connected to a side dam at an angle urging the side dam toward the casting pool with a hold down force component urging the side dam downwardly, assembling a metal delivery system above the casting rolls delivering molten metal to form a casting pool supported on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls above the nip and confined by the pair of side dams, and counter-rotating the casting rolls such that the casting surfaces of the casting rolls each travel inwardly to produce a cast strip downwardly from the nip. | 09-18-2014 |
20140262117 | CASTING DELIVERY NOZZLE - In a twin roll continuous caster, the casting nozzle in the continuous casting apparatus is arranged such that the outlet passages and/or tapered walls in the main portion within the casting nozzle provide flow of molten metal downwardly converging toward the nip between the casting rolls of a twin roll caster. The casting nozzle having a reservoir portion for directing molten metal converging toward the triple point region to inhibit the washing of shells forming on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260092 | CARRIAGE FOR COILED METAL - A carriage for conveyance of a coil of ferromagnetic metal includes an base portion having a carrier supporting, a suspension mechanism, and a cradle portion, supported relative to the base portion by the suspension mechanism, the cradle portion having a magnetic saddle for engaging the coil of ferromagnetic metal. | 09-18-2014 |
20140246164 | STRIP CASTING APPARATUS FOR RAPID SET AND CHANGE OF CASTING ROLLS - An apparatus and method for continuously casting thin steel strip include a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls in a roll cassette laterally positioned to form a nip there between through which thin cast strip can be cast, adapted to support a casting pool of molten metal on the casting surfaces, an enclosure to support a protective atmosphere immediately beneath the casting rolls in the casting position, and an upper cover positioned below the casting rolls to move between a closed position covering the upper portion of the enclosure maintaining the protective atmosphere in the enclosure in the closed position and a retracted position enabling cast strip to be cast into the enclosure. A scrap receptacle positioned beneath the casting position movable in either direction to a discharge stations. Further, a movable tundish adapted to be transferred from a heating station to the casting position. | 09-04-2014 |
20140237935 | ULTRA-HIGH STRENGTH REBAR - A high mechanical strength reinforcement, hot rolled steel, in particular, rebar suitable for construction in areas prone to seismic activity, comprising iron, at most 0.4 weight percent carbon, at most about 0.4 weight percent vanadium and/or niobium, at most about 1.6 weight percent of manganese, at most about 0.5 weight percent of silicon, and the usual residual elements of scrap steel. A method of reinforcing a dwelling from damage resulting from seismic activity, the method comprising providing, as a component of the dwelling, at least one high strength, hot rolled steel rebar with high mechanical strength which meets the requirements of construction, in particular, rebar suitable for construction in areas prone to seismic activity, comprising iron, at most 0.4 weight percent carbon, at most about 0.4 weight percent vanadium and/or niobium, at most about 1.6 weight percent of manganese, at most about 0.5 weight percent of silicon, and the usual residual elements of scrap steel. | 08-28-2014 |
20140075875 | WELDLESS BUILDING STRUCTURES - A building structure including a first building member and a second building member may be connected by a plurality of fasteners, each fastener having a head, a threaded portion having a through hardness of between HRB 70 and HRC 40, a thread-forming portion of at least HRC 50 hardness enabling the fastener to form threads in at least the second steel building member, and a fluted lead portion of at least HRC 50 hardness with a nominal diameter between 70 and 95% of major diameter, such that the fastener is capable of providing a ratio of strip torque to thread-forming torque of at least 2.7 and a ratio of strip torque to drive torque greater than 6.0 when the second steel building member having a thickness of 0.25 inch and the fluted lead portion having at least one diameter within nominal diameter between 80 and 98% of major diameter. | 03-20-2014 |
20140016663 | FURNACE DAMPER CONTROL SYSTEM - A furnace damper control system including a furnace having at least one opening through which electromagnetic radiation from within the furnace may be sensed, an exhaust duct capable of receiving an exhaust gas stream emerging from the furnace, and a controllable damper capable of adjusting the pressure in the exhaust duct. A sensor is capable of sensing electromagnetic radiation through one or more of the openings of the furnace and generating a sensor signal corresponding to the electromagnetic radiation, and a processor is capable of processing the sensor signal and generating a monitoring signal responsive to a parameter of the electromagnetic radiation indicative of furnace emissions. A controller is capable of controlling the damper responsive to the monitoring signal indicative of the furnace emissions. | 01-16-2014 |
20140014238 | HIGH STRENGTH THIN CAST STRIP PRODUCT AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A steel product or thin steel cast strip including, by weight, less than 0.25% carbon, between 0.20 and 2.0% manganese, between 0.05 and 0.50% silicon, less than 0.01% aluminum, niobium between 0.01% and 0.20%, and vanadium between 0.01% and 0.20%. The steel product may have a tensile strength of between 550 and 600 MPa after age hardening at a peak temperature of between 700 and 750° C. | 01-16-2014 |
20140000206 | COMPOSITE JOIST FLOOR SYSTEM | 01-02-2014 |
20130340382 | WELDLESS BUILDING STRUCTURES - A building structure including a first building member and a second building member may be connected by a plurality of fasteners, each fastener having a head, a threaded portion having a through hardness of between HRB 70 and HRC 40, a thread-forming portion of at least HRC 50 hardness enabling the fastener to form threads in at least the second steel building member, and a fluted lead portion of at least HRC 50 hardness with a nominal diameter between 70 and 95% of major diameter, such that the fastener is capable of providing a ratio of strip torque to thread-forming torque of at least 3.0 and a ratio of strip torque to drive torque greater than 6.0 when the second steel building member having a thickness of 0.25 inch and the fluted lead portion having at least one diameter within nominal diameter between 80 and 98% of major diameter. | 12-26-2013 |
20130320601 | AUTOMATIC SANDING HOPPER SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Embodiments of the present invention relate to automatic sanding hopper systems and methods for supplying sand to a tap hole in a furnace. The automatic sanding hopper system may automatically open a chimney door to provide access to a furnace through a chimney hole. A hopper assembly in the sanding hopper system may automatically move to a position in which a plunger may automatically actuate to clear or clean out the chimney hole. The hopper assembly may thereafter automatically move to a position in which a sand dispenser delivers sand through the chimney hole, into the furnace, and into the tap hole in the furnace. A sensor device may determine whether or not the tap hole is properly filled with sand. The hopper assembly may automatically retract and the chimney door may automatically close to begin another steelmaking heat. | 12-05-2013 |
20130302644 | HOT ROLLED THIN CAST STRIP PRODUCT AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A hot rolled steel strip made by the steps including assembling a twin roll caster, forming a casting pool of molten steel having a free oxygen content between 20 and 75 ppm and having a composition such that the cast strip comprises by weight, greater than 0.1 and not more than 0.5% carbon, between 0.9 and 2.0% manganese, between 0.05 and 0.50% silicon, greater than 0.01% and less than or equal to 0.15% phosphorus, and less than 0.01% aluminum, counter rotating the casting rolls forming the steel strip, hot rolling the strip such that mechanical properties at 10% and 35% reduction are within 10% for yield strength, tensile strength and total elongation, and coiling the strip at a temperature between 300 and 700° C. to provide a majority of the microstructure comprising bainite and acicular ferrite. Alternatively, the steel may have between 0.20 and 0.60% copper and manganese as low as 0.08%. | 11-14-2013 |
20130283617 | TRUSS SUPPLY AND RIGGING TABLE SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Embodiments of the invention relate to a rigging table system that delivers the members from the cutting station to a location behind the workers at the rigging table, transports the members vertically below the surface of the floor on which the workers stand, horizontally transports the members underneath the floor on which the workers stand, and delivers the members vertically above the surface of the floor in front of the workers for assembly on the rigging table. The members are delivered through the use of systems that drop, slide, lift, and extend the members of the truss to the desired locations using automatic sensors or call buttons. | 10-31-2013 |
20130240343 | PYROLYZER FURNACE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OPERATION THEREOF - A char making apparatus comprises a longitudinal pyrolyzer furnace housing wherein coal-bearing material may be heated to a temperature to fluidize volatile materials therein and plasticize coal in the coal-bearing material. At least two rotatable drive screws are laterally positioned and interleaved within the longitudinal furnace housing and capable of conveying coal-bearing materials through the pyrolyzer furnace housing, each drive screw having a hollow drive shaft and a diverter positioned within the drive shaft to provide heating to the coal-bearing material. A heating jacket about the longitudinal furnace housing provides additional heating to the coal-bearing material. Multiple combustion chambers adjacent the heating jacket and hollow drive shaft burn fluidized volatile materials and exhaust combustion fluids through the jacket and shaft. | 09-19-2013 |
20130209192 | TENSIONABLE THREADED REBAR BOLT - Embodiments of the present invention comprise hot-rolled threaded rebar bolts that are less costly to manufacture but maintain the same or similar structural benefits of more costly manufactured bolts presently in use. One embodiment of the invention is directed generally to bolts for use in mine roof support applications, or other structural support applications, that are manufactured by hot-rolling a steel bar into a threaded bolt. Hot-rolling threads onto a bar results in eliminating costly processes to prepare the rebar for threading and mechanically threading the rebar via standard thread-cutting schemes, and creates bolts efficiently in large quantities that have semi-continuous threads and minor or no longitudinal ribs. The threaded rebar bolts are rotatable in cured resin nuts, making them tensionable, and can be adapted for use with a columnar resin nut disposed in bore holes in geological structures. | 08-15-2013 |
20130192159 | WELDLESS BUILDING STRUCTURES - A building structure including a first building member and a second building member may be connected by fasteners, each fastener having a head, a tapered lead portion having an angle from 30 to 60° of at least HRC 50 hardness adapted to start into a pilot hole, a thread-forming portion of at least HRC 50 hardness adapted to thread the fastener into at least the second steel building member, and a threaded portion having a through hardness from about HRB 70 to HRC 40, such that the fastener is capable of providing a ratio of failure torque to thread-forming torque of at least 3.0 and a ratio of failure torque to drive torque greater than 10 when the second steel building member has a thickness of about 0.25 inch and the pilot hole has at least one diameter within nominal diameter from 80 to 98% of major diameter. | 08-01-2013 |
20130186587 | STRIP CASTING APPARATUS FOR RAPID SET AND CHANGE OF CASTING ROLLS - A method of continuously casting steel strip includes steps of providing rails positioned beneath a casting position and extending in opposite directions there from to discharge stations, supporting first and second scrap receptacles movable along the rails, engaging a seal between the first scrap receptacle and an enclosure enabling support of a protective atmosphere beneath a pair of casting rolls, disengaging the seal between the first scrap receptacle and the enclosure and moving the first scrap receptacle along the rails in a direction away from the second scrap receptacle to a discharge station, and moving the second scrap receptacle into the casting position and sealingly engaging the second scrap receptacle and the enclosure. | 07-25-2013 |
20130186586 | METHOD OF CONTINUOUSLY CASTING THIN STRIP - A method of continuously casting steel including steps of forming a casting pool of molten steel comprising a carbon content of less than 0.5% by weight on casting surfaces of a pair of internally cooled casting rolls having a nip formed between them, counter rotating the casting surfaces of the casting rolls toward each other to produce a cast steel strip moving downwardly away from the nip between the casting rolls, guiding the cast strip through a first enclosure adjacent the casting rolls as the strip moves away from the casting rolls, the first enclosure having a reducing atmosphere containing carbon monoxide and optionally hydrogen of at least 0.1%, establishing the reducing atmosphere in the first enclosure to control ingress of atmospheric air so as to maintain said atmosphere with a CO to CO | 07-25-2013 |
20130183192 | ELECTRICAL STEEL PROCESSING WITHOUT A POST COLD-ROLLING INTERMEDIATE ANNEAL - Embodiments of the present invention comprises melting scrap steel into molten steel; decarburizing the molten steel and adding alloys; transferring the steel to ladles and casting the steel into slabs; hot rolling the slabs into sheets; pickling the sheets; annealing the sheets; cold rolling the sheets; and performing one or more of tension leveling, a rough rolling, or a coating process on the sheets after cold rolling, without an intermediate annealing process between the cold rolling and the tension leveling, the rough rolling, or the coating process. The sheet is sent to the customer for stamping and customer annealing. The new process provides an electrical steel with the similar, same, or better magnetic properties than an electrical steel manufactured using the traditional processing with an intermediate annealing step after cold rolling. | 07-18-2013 |
20130174995 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING VARIABLE SHELL THICKNESS IN CAST STRIP - Apparatus and method for continuously casting metal strip includes a pair of casting rolls having casting surfaces with a center portion, edge portions each having average surface roughness between 3 and 7 Ra, and intermediate portion between each edge portion and the center portion, the center portion average surface roughness between 1.2 and 4.0 times the edge portion surface roughness, and the intermediate portions average surface roughness between that of the edge and center portions. The surface roughness of the center portion is tapered across its width, and may be tapered across its width is in stepped zones. The center portion may have surface roughness varied across the surface to correspond to a desired variation in metal shell thickness across the cast strip. The center portion may be at least 60% of the casting roll width, and each edge portion may be up to 7% of the casting roll width. | 07-11-2013 |
20130174512 | Welded Hot-Rolled High-Strength Steel Structural Members and Methods - Hot-rolled high-strength steel elongated structural members and method of making same are disclosed by hot-rolling high-strength steel having a specific chemical composition to provide structural units. The units are then welded together to provide structural members of desired geometrical configuration including a thin web with opposed thicker flanges extending therefrom to increase the load bearing capacity of the members. | 07-11-2013 |
20130145595 | TWIN ROLL CONTINUOUS CASTER - Method of inhibiting cracking of steel strip in continuous casting of thin strip with the steps of: assembling a pair of counter-rotating casting rolls each with circumferential casting surfaces positioned laterally to form a nip therebetween to cast metal strip downwardly from the nip where each casting roll has lateral coolant passages positioned circumferentially spaced inwardly adjacent the casting surface of the roll, providing a source of coolant to be delivered to a temperature regulator regulating the temperature of the coolant delivered to the coolant passages to between 85° F. and 110° F., assembling a metal delivery system above the casting rolls to deliver molten metal forming a casting pool supported on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls above the nip, and counter-rotating the casting rolls such that the casting surfaces of the casting rolls each travel inwardly toward the nip to produce a cast strip downwardly from the nip. | 06-13-2013 |
20130136950 | COMPLEX METALLOGRAPHIC STRUCTURED HIGH STRENGTH STEEL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING - A multi-phase steel sheet having microstructure having in combination ferrite, martensite of between 3% and 65% by volume, and at least one microstructure selected from the group consisting of, bainite and retained austenite, and having fine complex precipitates selected from the group of TiC, NbC, TiN, NbN, (Ti.Nb)C, (Ti.Nb)N, and (Ti.Nb)(C.N) particles having at least 50% smaller than 20 nm in size, and physical properties having tensile strength greater than about 780 megapascals and at least one of the properties of elongation greater than about 10%, yield ratio greater than about 70%, and hole expansion ratio greater than about 50%. | 05-30-2013 |
20130126121 | METHOD OF CONTINUOUS CASTING THIN STEEL STRIP - In a twin roll continuous caster, the formation of skulls in the triple point region, the heat flux between the molten metal in the casting pool and the surfaces of the casting rolls, and consequently the casting speed and strip thickness, are controlled by controlling the level of carbon dioxide to at least 20% present in the casting area atmosphere above the casting pool supported on the casting surfaces of counter-rotating casting rolls. The carbon dioxide level in casting area may be more than 40%, 50%, 60%, 75% or 90%. The gas mixture in the casting area above the casting pool may be more than 0.05% free oxygen. | 05-23-2013 |
20130126120 | METHOD OF CONTINUOUS CASTING THIN STEEL STRIP - A method of continuously casting metal strip having the steps of assembling a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls, assembling a metal delivery system adapted to deliver molten metal above the nip to form a casting pool, the casting pool forming a meniscus with each casting surface of the casting rolls, delivering a shell thickness controlling gas to select areas within 300 mm of end portions of at least one casting roll downwardly toward the meniscus between the casting pool and the casting surface adapted to control thickness of the metal shell, and control attenuation of the casting roll, and sensing the temperature and thickness profiles of the cast strip downstream from the nip to determine high or low temperature areas of the cast strip within 300 mm of the end portions and causing the gas to be delivered to the high or low temperature areas to change the thickness of the metal shell. | 05-23-2013 |
20130119094 | CASTING THIN STRIP AND DELIVERY NOZZLE THEREFOR - A method of casting metal strip and equipment therefor where an elongated metal delivery nozzle extending along in a continuous caster with at least one segment having a main portion adapted to deliver molten metal in the casting pool above the nip along the metal delivery nozzle and an end portion adjacent side dams having a reservoir portion with first and second passages adapted to deliver molten metal into a molten metal pool adjacent the side dams while shells are forming on the casting rolls. The first passages are adapted to deliver molten metal shallowly into the casting pool adjacent the side dams, and the second passages adapted to deliver molten metal deeper into the casting pool than the first passages adjacent the side dams to inhibit formation of skulls during the formation of the cast strip during a casting campaign. | 05-16-2013 |
20130102401 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING A DUAL-THREADED BOLT - Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and apparatuses for manufacturing dual-threaded bolts. The invention comprises utilize rolling dies having one die with coarse thread projections over a surface of the die and fine thread projections over another surface of the die. In some embodiments, the surfaces on which the coarse thread projections and the fine thread projections are located are distinct from one another, or in other embodiments a portion of the surfaces may overlap or be formed integrally within the other projections. In some embodiments a portion of, or all of, the coarse thread projections may be located on a first die section piece while a portion of, or all of, the fine thread projections may be located on separate second die section piece (e.g., an insert) that is operatively coupled to the first die section piece. | 04-25-2013 |
20130092343 | CASTING THIN STRIP AND DELIVERY NOZZLE THEREFOR - A method of casting metal strip and equipment therefor where an elongated metal delivery nozzle extending along in a continuous caster with at least one segment having a main portion adapted to deliver molten metal in the casting pool above the nip along the metal delivery nozzle and an end portion adjacent side dams having a reservoir portion with first and second pairs of passages adapted to deliver molten metal into a molten metal pool adjacent the side dams while shells are forming on the casting rolls. The first pair of passages adapted to deliver molten metal into the casting pool adjacent the side dams, and the second pair of passages adapted to deliver molten metal into the casting pool adjacent the molten metal from the first pair of passages adjacent the side dams to inhibit formation of skulls during the formation of the cast strip during a casting campaign. | 04-18-2013 |
20130085788 | CENTRALIZED DETECTION OF RADIATION IN MULTIPLE FACILITIES - A central system of monitoring radiation levels in a plurality of facilities at the same time is disclosed. The system may include radiation detection systems, at least one processor to process monitoring data generated by the radiation detection systems to compensate for naturally occurring radiation, and a central monitoring station capable of generating an alarm at the central monitoring station and at a facility where an undesired radiation level has been detected. A method of monitoring radiation levels in production facilities is also disclosed. The method may include providing a plurality of radiation detection systems, providing a central monitor in communication with the radiation detection systems, communicating data from the radiation detection systems to the central monitor, and analyzing the data to detect potential radioactive materials. | 04-04-2013 |
20130074434 | JOINING TOOL FOR SIDE-LAPPED JOINTS - A joining tool is disclosed comprising a support; a stationary arm extending from the support at one end, the stationary arm comprising at the opposite end a first jaw; a movable arm pivotally mounted on the stationary arm; the movable arm driveable from the stationary arm in a pivotable motion by an actuator coupled to the moveable arm; and a second jaw coupled to the moveable arm, the moveable arm movable between an activated position in which the second jaw engages the first jaw and an initial position in which the second jaw is spaced from the first jaw. | 03-28-2013 |
20130055670 | TRUSS AND REBAR REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES - Embodiments of the invention comprise apparatuses and methods of manufacturing and installing reinforced concrete structures. The reinforced concrete structures utilize trusses and rebar to form a support structure. A screed guide bar is removeably coupled to the support structure. Concrete is supplied to the support structure, and screeding occurs to form the reinforced concrete structure from the support structure (e.g., rebar mats and trusses) and concrete. The use of trusses and the screed guide bar allow for the formation of a reinforced concrete structure without the need for using spacers and standees to position the mats, or performing position checks to determine the position of the concrete during screeding. The screed bar guide allows workers to quickly form the desired surface of the reinforced concrete structure, remove the screed bar, and fill any void left by the screed bar, as necessary. | 03-07-2013 |
20130047544 | PRE-FABRICATED INTERCHANGEABLE TRUSSES - Embodiments of the invention comprise interchangeable pre-fabricated planar trusses, sections, and structures, and methods for efficiently creating the interchangeable pre-fabricated planar trusses, sections and, structures. Embodiments of the method comprise determining the application needs; designing the interchangeable pre-fabricated planar trusses for the application needs; continuously producing the interchangeable pre-fabricated planar trusses through in-line processing; galvanizing the interchangeable pre-fabricated planar trusses; transporting the interchangeable pre-fabricated planar trusses to the assembly site with reduce transportation costs; and assembling the trusses on site with a reduced labor costs. | 02-28-2013 |
20130008112 | COMPOSITE JOIST FLOOR SYSTEM - The composite joist floor system includes joists supported by supporting members. Corrugated steel decking is positioned over the joists such that the corrugations are substantially perpendicular to the joists. Self-drilling, self-tapping, stand-off screws are spaced along the length of the joist, aligned with the deck corrugations. These stand-off screws provide the required shear transfer between the joist and concrete slab to form a composite floor system. The placed concrete encapsulates the upper non-threaded shank portions of the stand-off screws and the end of the joists. After the concrete has cured, the resultant system comprised of steel joists, steel decking, stand-off screws, and concrete, act together to form a composite system with greater load carrying capacity and less vertical deflection. The stand-off screws connect the joist upper chords to the concrete slab allowing the joist and concrete slab to act as a unit, by transferring shear between the two joined components. | 01-10-2013 |
20120305211 | CASTING DELIVERY NOZZLE - A metal delivery apparatus for casting metal strip includes at least one elongated segment having a main portion extending longitudinally through the main portion with end walls at opposite ends thereof, the main portion communicating with outlets along opposite sides of each segment adapted to upwardly discharge flow of molten metal into a casting pool. | 12-06-2012 |
20120285651 | STRIP CASTING APPARATUS WITH INDEPENDENT DELIVERY NOZZLE AND SIDE DAM ACTUATORS - An apparatus for casting metal strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces laterally positioned to form a nip therebetween through which cast strip can be cast, and on which a casting pool of molten metal can be formed supported on the casting surfaces above the nip, a pair of molten metal delivery nozzles disposed above the nip and capable of discharging molten metal to form the casting pool supported on the casting rolls, a pair of side dams adjacent ends of the pair of casting rolls capable of confining the casting pool, a pair of delivery nozzle actuators capable of positioning the delivery nozzles independently of the side dams and a pair of side dam actuators capable of positioning the side dams independently of the delivery nozzles during casting, and a control system capable of controlling desired distance between the delivery nozzles and the side dams. | 11-15-2012 |
20120240651 | METHOD AND PLANT FOR INTEGRATED MONITORING AND CONTROL OF STRIP FLATNESS AND STRIP PROFILE - Apparatus and method of controlling strip geometry in casting strip having a rolling mill. A target thickness profile is calculated as a function of the measured entry thickness profile of the strip while satisfying profile and flatness parameters. A differential strain feedback from longitudinal strain in the strip is calculated by a control system by comparing the exit thickness profile with the target thickness profile, and a control signal is generated to control a device capable of affecting the geometry of the strip processed by the hot rolling mill. A feed-forward control reference and/or sensitivity vector may also be calculated as a function of the target thickness profile, and used in generating the control signal sent to the control device. The control device may be selected from one or more of the group consisting of a bending controller, gap controller and coolant controller. | 09-27-2012 |
20120222831 | METHOD OF CONTINUOUSLY CASTING THIN STRIP - A method of continuously casting steel including steps of forming a casting pool of molten steel comprising a carbon content of less than 0.5% by weight on casting surfaces of a pair of internally cooled casting rolls having a nip formed between them, counter rotating the casting surfaces of the casting rolls toward each other to produce a cast steel strip moving downwardly away from the nip between the casting rolls, guiding the cast strip through a first enclosure adjacent the casting rolls as the strip moves away from the casting rolls, the first enclosure having a reducing atmosphere containing carbon monoxide and optionally hydrogen of at least 0.1%, establishing the reducing atmosphere in the first enclosure to control ingress of atmospheric air so as to maintain said atmosphere with a CO to CO | 09-06-2012 |
20120186703 | NITRIDING OF NIOBIUM STEEL AND PRODUCT MADE THEREBY - A nitrided steel product or thin cast steel strip comprising, by weight, less than 0.25% carbon, between 0.20 and 2.0% manganese, between 0.05 and 0.50% silicon, less than 0.01% aluminum, niobium between 0.01 and about 0.20%, and between 0.01 and 0.075% nitrogen, and having a majority of the microstructure comprised of bainite and acicular ferrite, having more than 70% niobium in solid solution prior to nitriding and having after nitriding for one hour yield strength between 600 MPa and 800 MPa and tensile strength between 650 MPa and 900 MPa and no more than a 2% decrease in total elongation from the steel product prior to nitriding. | 07-26-2012 |
20120180601 | METHOD OF DESULFURIZING STEEL - A method of desulfurizing steel including steps of forming a slag over a molten metal, drawing a vacuum to less than 5 torr over the slag and molten metal, stirring the molten metal and slag, and deoxidizing and desulfurizing the molten metal and slag to degas the steel reducing at least sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen contents, and reducing activity of oxygen in the molten metal to less than 30 ppm. The method includes forming a slag composition after degassing the steel comprising CaO between about 50 and 70% by weight, SiO | 07-19-2012 |
20120180543 | THREADED REBAR MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND SYSTEM - Embodiments of the invention comprise forming a billet from molten steel and hot rolling the billet to reduce the cross sectional area of the billet. Thereafter, the billet is hot rolled into a lead pass bar having a cross-sectional area comprising a reduced width dimension located adjacent to the center longitudinal axis of the bar. In one embodiment of the invention, the billet can be formed into a lead pass bar having a cross-sectional area in the shape of an hourglass or peanut by feeding the billet through a first set of rolls. After the lead pass bar is formed, it is passed through a second set of rolls in order to form the substantially continuous threaded rebar without longitudinal ribs. The cross-sectional area of the lead pass bar helps to produce a substantially continuous threaded rebar product without longitudinal ribs using standard rebar manufacturing tooling and equipment. | 07-19-2012 |
20120146267 | PREHEATERS FOR PREHEATING STEELMAKING LADLES - Embodiments of the invention comprise a preheater for preheating a ladle for use in steelmaking wherein less fuel is consumed in heating the ladle efficiently and accurately to a controlled temperature. A preheater temperature is varied by controlling a burner of the heating unit based on measurements of refractories of the ladle taken by a pyrometer. The heating unit of the preheater includes an emissive coating for reducing heat loss and efficient heating during the preheating process. The heating unit of the preheater also includes valve mechanisms for accurately varying a flame size of the burner by regulating the rate of fuel, air, and oxygen supplied to the heating unit. | 06-14-2012 |
20120138194 | HIGH STRENGTH, HOT DIP COATED, DUAL PHASE, STEEL SHEET AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - A galvanized dual phase steel sheet with a martensite phase and a ferrite phase and a composition containing within the following ranges by weight: carbon from about 0.01% to about 0.18%; manganese from about 0.2% to about 3%; silicon≦about 1.2%; aluminum from about 0.01% to about 0.1%; one or both of chromium and nickel from about 0.1% to about 3.5%; calcium from about 0.0003% to about 0.01%; phosphorus≦about 0.1%; sulfur≦about 0.03%; nitrogen≦about 0.02%; molybdenum≦about 1%; one or more of niobium and titanium≦about 1%; and boron≦about 0.006% by weight; and with the balance of the composition being iron and incidental ingredients. The steel sheet may be both galvanized and galvannealed. | 06-07-2012 |
20120132323 | THIN CAST STRIP PRODUCT WITH MICROALLOY ADDITIONS, AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A steel product having, by weight, less than 0.25% carbon, between 0.20 and 2.0% manganese, between 0.05 and 0.50% silicon, aluminum 0.008% or less by weight, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of titanium between about 0.01% and about 0.20%, niobium between about 0.01% and about 0.20%, molybdenum between about 0.05% and about 0.50%, and vanadium between about 0.01% and about 0.20%, and having a microstructure comprised of a majority bainite, and fine oxide particles of silicon and iron distributed through the steel microstructure of average precipitate size less than 50 nanometers. The yield strength of the steel product may be at least 55 ksi (380 MPa) or the tensile strength of at least 500 MPa, or both. The steel product may have total elongation of at least 6% or 10%, and thickness less than 3.0 mm. | 05-31-2012 |
20120119175 | ROADWAY GUARDRAIL SYSTEM - A roadway guardrail system including a rail and plurality of support posts assembled such that upon impact from a vehicle the rail moves upwardly with respect to the post. Fasteners may be used in the operative coupling of the rail to the support posts, such that upon impact the fasteners move upwardly with respect to the support posts and the rail moves upwardly along with the fasteners. The guardrail system may further include a reinforcing member that is slidable along the post and operatively coupled to the rail with the fasteners, such that the rail and fasteners slide along with the reinforcing member with respect to the support posts. The reinforcing member may be a spacer of various shapes, a washer, an additional rail section, or other type of member that allows the rail to slide upwardly with respect to the post. | 05-17-2012 |
20120076606 | COIL SUPPORT AND TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND METHOD - Disclosed are embodiments for a system for securing a load to a platform such as a coil to a transport system. The system includes a frame adapted for placement on a platform. The frame includes a cradle structure for engaging the load. An inflatable bladder is placed over the load and connected to the frame. When tensioned and inflated with gas, the bladder applies force to the load to secure the load to the frame and prevent movement of the coil during transport. | 03-29-2012 |
20120073780 | STRIP CASTING APPARATUS FOR RAPID SET AND CHANGE OF CASTING ROLLS - An apparatus and method for continuously casting thin steel strip include a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls in a roll cassette laterally positioned to form a nip there between through which thin cast strip can be cast, adapted to support a casting pool of molten metal on the casting surfaces, an enclosure to support a protective atmosphere immediately beneath the casting rolls in the casting position, and an upper cover positioned below the casting rolls to move between a closed position covering the upper portion of the enclosure maintaining the protective atmosphere in the enclosure in the closed position and a retracted position enabling cast strip to be cast into the enclosure. A scrap receptacle positioned beneath the casting position movable in either direction to a discharge stations. Further, a movable tundish adapted to be transferred from a heating station to the casting position. | 03-29-2012 |
20120073213 | BALCONY STRUCTURE - Systems are provided for use in balcony structures. The system includes a joist comprising an upper chord and a lower chord separated by a web. One end of the joist is supported by a supporting member and a cantilevered balcony extends generally perpendicularly from the supporting member. The cantilevered balcony comprises a cementitious balcony slab extending from a cementitious floor slab. The cementitious floor slab includes a backspan region extending from the top of the supporting member opposite the cementitious balcony slab. A portion of the joist in the backspan region comprises a decking supporting member coupled to the web. The joist in the backspan region supports decking using the decking supporting member; however, the joist beyond the backspan region supports decking above the upper chord. In this way, the cementitious floor slab in the backspan region is thicker than the cementitious floor slab beyond the backspan region. | 03-29-2012 |
20120041587 | HIGH EFFICIENCY PLANT FOR MAKING STEEL - A method of making steel comprising assembling a steelmaking furnace, a thin strip caster, and a mold caster, inputting to a computer data on demand for production output, raw materials, furnace availability and capacity, sequence schedules and through-put, capacities and variability, forecasting by processing by computer from the inputted data a production schedule for the steelmaking furnace, and sequence schedules for the thin strip and the mold casters as a function of molten metal availability, the thin strip and mold caster sequence schedules and through-put, and demand for production output, directing production of molten metal alternatively to the delivery systems of the thin strip caster and mold caster responsive to said forecasting, and varying during casting the rate of metal delivery through the delivery system of the thin strip caster responsive to molten metal availability and the mold caster through-put. | 02-16-2012 |
20120032387 | RIGGING TABLE FOR ASSEMBLING TRUSSES AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - A rigging table and system for assembling trusses using a rigging table. An embodiment of a rigging table includes a base having a generally longitudinal axis and a generally lateral extent, and at least two bunk assemblies moveable along the base in at least the generally longitudinal axis such that each bunk assembly is capable of being positioned on the base relative to another bunk assembly. Each bunk assembly may include a frame extending along the lateral extent of the base, a pair of guides slidably positioned on the frame to move generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base toward and away from each other and able to be fastened in position on the frame, and a pair of automated clamp members each positioned relative to and moveable with one of the guides on the frame, to accommodate assembly of different sized trusses. | 02-09-2012 |
20120018059 | METHOD OF MAKING HOT ROLLED DUAL PHASE STEEL SHEET - A method of making hot rolled steel sheet having a dual phase microstructure with a martensite phase of less than 35% by volume and a ferrite phase of more than 50% by volume and a composition containing by percent weight: 0.01≦C≦0.2; 0.3≦Mn≦3; 0.2≦Si≦2; 0.2≦Cr+Ni≦2; 0.01≦Al≦0.10; Mo less than about 0.2%, 0.0005≦Ca≦0.01, with the balance iron and incidental ingredients. Hot rolled sheet for cold rolling, the silicon range may be from about 0.05% to about 2%, and the amount of molybdenum may be up to 0.5%. Also, the hot rolled steel sheet has a tensile strength of at least 500 megapascals, a hole expansion ratio more than about 50%, and a yield strength/tensile strength ratio less than 70%. | 01-26-2012 |
20110303386 | LOW SURFACE ROUGHNESS CAST STRIP AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING THE SAME - A thin cast strip is formed having at least one microstructure selected from the group consisting of polygonal ferrite, acicular ferrite, Widmanstatten, bainite and martinsite, a surface roughness of less than 1.5 microns Ra and a scale thickness of less than about 10 microns by applying a mixture of water and oil on the work rolls of the hot rolling mill, passing the thin cast strip at a temperature of less than 1100° C. through the hot rolling mill while the mixture of oil and water is applied to the work rolls, and shrouding the thin cast strip from the casting rolls through the hot rolling mill in an atmosphere of less than 5% oxygen to form the thin cast strip. | 12-15-2011 |
20110277886 | NITRIDING OF NIOBIUM STEEL AND PRODUCT MADE THEREBY - A nitrided steel product or thin cast steel strip comprising, by weight, less than 0.25% carbon, between 0.20 and 2.0% manganese, between 0.05 and 0.50% silicon, less than 0.01% aluminum, niobium between 0.01 and about 0.20%, and between 0.01 and 0.075% nitrogen, and having a majority of the microstructure comprised of bainite and acicular ferrite, having more than 70% niobium in solid solution prior to nitriding and having yield strength between 650 MPa and 800 MPa and tensile strength between 750 MPa and 900 MPa. | 11-17-2011 |
20110253336 | APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS STRIP CASTING - An apparatus for continuously casting thin strip includes a caster having a pair of casting rolls having a nip there between capable of delivering cast strip downwardly from the nip and an first enclosure capable of forming a protective atmosphere into which the strip can be formed in loop to extend over a plurality of rollers into pinch rolls with the strip having a strain of less than 0.4%, which may be provided by a plurality of rollers at entry of the strip into the pinch rolls to carry the strip into the pinch rolls, with at least a first entry roller having a diameter between 200 and 650 millimeters and being below a majority of other rollers. | 10-20-2011 |
20110203217 | Weldless Building Structures - A building structure including a first building member and a second building member may be connected by a plurality of fasteners, each fastener having a head, a threaded portion having a through hardness of between HRB 70 and HRC 40, a thread-forming portion of at least HRC 50 hardness enabling the fastener to form threads in at least the second steel building member, and a fluted lead portion of at least HRC 50 hardness with a nominal diameter between 70 and 95% of major diameter, such that the fastener is capable of providing a ratio of strip torque to thread-forming torque of at least 3.0 and a ratio of strip torque to drive torque greater than 6.0 when the second steel building member having a thickness of 0.25 inch and the fluted lead portion having at least one diameter within nominal diameter between 80 and 98% of major diameter. | 08-25-2011 |
20110192394 | SOLAR ARRAY ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A movable solar array and method for capturing solar energy which includes a V-shaped longitudinal support forming a corner of an elongated truss located at each angle of a polygonal axial cross-section where an open web is fixedly attached between each V-shaped longitudinal support extending the length of the elongated truss. An end member is fixedly attached at each end of the support truss and includes a shaft extending longitudinally outwardly from the end member adapted to engage a drive to longitudinally rotate the elongated truss. Solar panels are attached along one face of the elongated truss, and at least one rotatable drive is capable of driving the shafts at the end of the elongated truss to move the solar panels in relation to a change of direction of incoming solar energy. | 08-11-2011 |
20110132568 | CASTING DELIVERY NOZZLE - A metal delivery apparatus for casting metal strip includes at least one elongated segment having a main portion extending longitudinally through the main portion with end walls at opposite ends thereof, the main portion communicating with outlets along opposite sides of each segment adapted to upwardly discharge flow of molten metal into a casting pool. | 06-09-2011 |
20110108228 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING VARIABLE SHELL THICKNESS IN CAST STRIP - Apparatus and method for continuously casting metal strip includes a pair of casting rolls having casting surfaces with a center portion, edge portions each having average surface roughness between 3 and 7 Ra, and intermediate portion between each edge portion and the center portion, the center portion average surface roughness between 1.2 and 4.0 times the edge portion surface roughness, and the intermediate portions average surface roughness between that of the edge and center portions. The surface roughness of the center portion is tapered across its width, and may be tapered across its width is in stepped zones. The center portion may have surface roughness varied across the surface to correspond to a desired variation in metal shell thickness across the cast strip. The center portion may be at least 60% of the casting roll width, and each edge portion may be up to 7% of the casting roll width. | 05-12-2011 |
20110067835 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING STRIP TEMPERATURE REBOUND IN CAST STRIP - During continuously casting metal strip, delivering molten metal supported on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls, and counter rotating the casting rolls to form metal shells on the casting surfaces brought together at the nip to deliver cast strip downwardly with a controlled amount of mushy material between the metal shells, determining at a reference location downstream from the nip a target temperature for the cast strip corresponding to a desired amount of mushy material between the metal shells of the cast strip, sensing the temperature of the cast strip cast downstream from the nip at the reference location and producing a sensor signal corresponding to the sensed temperature, and causing an actuator to vary the gap at the nip between the casting rolls in response to the sensor signal received from the sensor and processed to determine the temperature difference between the sensed temperature and the target temperature. | 03-24-2011 |
20100314069 | HIGH EFFICIENCY PLANT FOR MAKING STEEL - A method of making steel comprising assembling a steelmaking furnace, a thin strip caster, and a mold caster, inputting to a computer data on demand and customer requirements for production output, raw materials, furnace availability and capacity, ladle treatment for casting, sequence schedules and through-put, capacities and variability, forecasting by processing by computer from the inputted data a production schedule for the steelmaking furnace and ladle treatment, and sequence schedules for the thin strip and the mold casters as a function of molten metal availability, the thin strip and mold caster sequence schedules and through-put, and demand for production output, directing production of molten metal alternatively to the delivery systems of the thin strip caster and mold caster responsive to said forecasting, and varying during casting the rate of metal delivery through the delivery system of the thin strip caster responsive to molten metal availability and the mold caster through-put. | 12-16-2010 |
20100307709 | REFINEMENT OF STEEL - A cast low carbon steel formed by a method of forming and refining molten silicon-bearing steel by addition of a calcium-containing silicon additive. Determine when the amount of calcium in the calcium-containing silicon additive is more or less than the amount of calcium desired in the finished steel. When it is more than the amount of calcium desired in the finished steel, add the amount of calcium-containing silicon additive corresponding to the excess calcium early during steel deoxidation or in refining to combine with oxygen, sulfur and other impurities in refining, and add the calcium-containing silicon additive containing the total amount of calcium desired in the finished steel after the desulfurization of the molten steel and before casting. When the amount of calcium in the calcium-containing silicon additive does not provide the total amount of calcium desired in the finished steel, add an additional amount of calcium after desulfurization of the molten steel and before casting to the molten steel during refining. | 12-09-2010 |
20100276102 | LOW COST MAKING OF A LOW CARBON, LOW SULFUR, AND LOW NITROGEN STEEL USING CONVENTIONAL STEELMAKING EQUIPMENT - A method of making a steel with low carbon less than 0.035% by weight including steps of preparing a heat of molten steel composition in a steelmaking furnace to a tapping temperature as desired for desulfurization at a VTD, tapping open into a ladle the molten steel composition with an oxygen level between about 600 and 1120 ppm, providing slag forming compound to the ladle to form a slag cover over the molten steel composition in the ladle, transporting the molten steel to a VTD, decarburizing the molten steel composition at the VTD by drawing a vacuum of less than 650 millibars, after decarburizing, transporting the molten steel to an LMF and deoxidizing the molten steel composition, after deoxidizing, returning to the VTD to desulfurize and degas the molten steel composition, and casting the molten steel composition to form a steel with low carbon less than 0.035% by weight. | 11-04-2010 |
20100275544 | COMPOSITE JOIST FLOOR SYSTEM - The composite joist floor system includes joists supporting metal decking and a stand-off fasteners are spaced along the length of the joist Each fastener has an upper portion with a a through hardness between HRB 70 and HRC 40 and a lower portion having a threaded portion with a through hardness of between HRB 70 and HRC 40 and a thread-forming portion adjacent the threaded portion with at least a HRC 50 hardness and failure torque to thread-forming torque of at least 3.0 and a drive torque at least 20% less than a thread-forming torque, and a fluted lead portion adjacent the thread-forming portion with a nominal diameter between 70 and 95% of major diameter of the threaded portion adapted to form a fastener opening. These stand-off fasteners extend into and are encapsulated by a cementitious slab supported by the metal decking to form a composite floor system. | 11-04-2010 |
20100230070 | CASTING DELIVERY NOZZLE - A metal strip casting apparatus and method of casting continuous metal strip include assembling a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces positioned laterally forming a nip between for casting, and delivering molten metal through a delivery nozzle disposed above the nip to form a casting pool supported on the casting rolls. The delivery nozzle comprises at least one segment having a main portion and an end portion and an inner trough extending longitudinally through the main portion and into the end portion with end walls at opposite ends thereof, the inner trough communicating with outlets adjacent bottom portions formed in each segment adapted to deliver molten metal to a casting pool and the end portion having a reservoir portion having passages adapted to deliver molten metal to a casting pool. | 09-16-2010 |
20100218443 | COMPOSITE WALL SYSTEM - A building structure comprising a support structure having upper portion extending to adjacent a floor structure above the support structure and adapted to receive stand-off fasteners there along, a plurality of stand-off fasteners each having a lower portion and an upper portion, where the lower portion of the stand-off fasteners comprises a self-drilling end portion and an adjacent thread-forming portion and, when installed into the upper portion of the support structure, at least a portion of the upper portion of each stand-off fastener extends significantly above the upper portion of the support structure, a cementitious wall structure formed above the upper portion of the wall structure with the upper portions of the stand-off fasteners encapsulated in the cementitious wall structure. | 09-02-2010 |
20100215981 | HOT ROLLED THIN CAST STRIP PRODUCT AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A hot rolled steel strip made by the steps including assembling a twin roll caster, forming a casting pool of molten steel having a free oxygen content between 20 and 75 ppm and having a composition such that the cast strip comprises by weight, less than 0.25% carbon, between 0.9 and 2.0% manganese, between 0.05 and 0.50% silicon, greater than 0.01% and less than or equal to 0.15% phosphorus, and less than 0.01% aluminum, counter rotating the casting rolls forming the steel strip, hot rolling the strip such that mechanical properties at 10% and 35% reduction are within 10% for yield strength, tensile strength and total elongation, and coiling the strip at a temperature between 300 and 700° C. to provide a majority of the microstructure comprising bainite and acicular ferrite. Alternatively, the steel may have between 0.20 and 0.60% copper and manganese as low as 0.08%. | 08-26-2010 |
20100215539 | HOT ROLLED THIN CAST STRIP PRODUCT AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A hot rolled steel strip made by the steps including assembling a twin roll caster, forming a casting pool of molten steel of such composition that the cast strip produced comprises by weight, greater than 0.25% and up to 1.1% carbon, between 0.40 and 2.0% manganese, between 0.05 and 0.50% silicon, less than 0.01% aluminum, counter rotating the casting rolls to solidify metal shells and forming a steel strip, hot rolling the steel strip such that mechanical properties at 10% and 35% reduction are within 10% for yield strength, tensile strength and total elongation, and coiling the hot rolled steel strip at a temperature between 550 and 750° C. to provide a majority of the microstructure comprising pearlite, along with bainite and acicular ferrite. The steel may have a free oxygen content between 5 and 50 ppm or between 25 and 45 ppm. | 08-26-2010 |
20100208765 | FURNACE DAMPER CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A furnace damper control system and method thereof including a furnace having at least one opening through which electromagnetic radiation from within the furnace may be sensed, an exhaust duct capable of receiving an exhaust gas stream emerging from the furnace, and a controllable damper capable of adjusting the pressure in the exhaust duct. A sensor is capable of sensing electromagnetic radiation through one or more of the openings of the furnace and generating a sensor signal corresponding to the electromagnetic radiation, and a processor is capable of processing the sensor signal and generating a monitoring signal responsive to a parameter of the electromagnetic radiation indicative of furnace emissions. A controller is capable of controlling the damper responsive to the monitoring signal indicative of the furnace emissions. | 08-19-2010 |
20100192507 | FLUSH JOIST SEAT - A joist support system including a joist having a joist seat at least at one end, each joist seat having a first portion fastened to an upper chord of the joist and a second portion adapted to engage a support structure and support the joist and a bearing load, and a second steel plate welded to the main steel plate extending downwardly from the main steel plate between the first and second portions, the second steel plate fastened with an upward support portion to an end portion of the joist extending inwardly adapted to resist transfer load on the joist seat, and a support structure adapted to support the one end of the joist by a portion of the joist seat. | 08-05-2010 |
20100186856 | HIGH STRENGTH THIN CAST STRIP PRODUCT AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A steel product or thin steel cast strip including, by weight, less than 0.25% carbon, between 0.20 and 2.0% manganese, between 0.05 and 0.50% silicon, less than 0.01% aluminum, and at least one of niobium between 0.01% and 0.20% and vanadium between 0.01% and 0.20%, and a microstructure of a majority bainite and acicular ferrite, and more than 70% niobium and/or vanadium in solid solution. The steel product may have an increase in elongation and an increase in yield strength after age hardening. The age hardened steel product may have niobium carbonitride particles with an average particle size of 10 nanometers and less, and may have substantially no niobium carbonitride particles greater than 50 nanometers. The steel product may have a yield strength of at least 380 MPa, a tensile strength of at least 410 MPa, or both. The product may have a total elongation of at least 6% or 10%. | 07-29-2010 |
20100132912 | STRIP CASTING APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED SIDE DAM - Apparatus for continuously casting metal strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls laterally positioned to form a nip there between through which thin strip can be cast, a pair of confining side dams adjacent the ends of the casting rolls capable of confining a casting pool of molten metal supported on the casting rolls above the nip, each side dam having a surface capable of contacting the molten metal of the casting pool, with unraised portions and raised portions to form troughs with the unraised portions as base between the raised portion of the side dam and the casting surfaces of the casting rolls to guide the flow of molten metal, and a metal delivery system disposed above the nip and capable of discharging molten metal to form the casting pool supported on the casting rolls. | 06-03-2010 |
20100108286 | STRIP CASTING APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED SIDE DAM FORCE CONTROL - Apparatus for continuously casting metal strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls laterally positioned to form a nip there between through which thin strip can be cast, a pair of confining side dams adjacent the ends of the casting rolls capable of confining a casting pool of molten metal supported on the casting rolls and formed on the casting surfaces above the nip, a metal delivery system disposed above the nip and capable of discharging molten metal to form the casting pool supported on the casting rolls, side dam actuators each capable of applying cyclical axial force to the side dams without leakage, and a control system capable of actuating at least one side dam actuator to cyclically vary the apply force of the side dam against the ends of the casting rolls during a casting campaign. | 05-06-2010 |
20100090185 | ROADWAY GUARDRAIL SYSTEM AND HANGER - A roadway guardrail system is disclosed having a plurality of posts capable of supporting at least one rod transverse to the posts, and at least one rod comprising one or more axially extending steel rods supported transverse to the plurality of posts. Each rod may include a plurality of axially extending steel rods supported transverse to the plurality of posts connected in a substantially end to end relationship. The steel rods may be connected using a coupler, and may be welded. The steel rods may be rebar. | 04-15-2010 |
20100043925 | HIGH STRENGTH, HOT DIP COATED, DUAL PHASE, STEEL SHEET AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - A galvanized steel sheet having (a) a dual phase microstructure with a martensite phase and a ferrite phase and (b) a composition containing by percent weight: carbon in a range from about 0.01% to about 0.18%; manganese in a range from about 0.2% to about 3%; silicon ≦about 1.2%; aluminum in a range from about 0.01% to about 0.1%; one or both of chromium and nickel in a range from about 0.1% to about 3.5%; calcium in a range from about 0.0003% to about 0.01%; phosphorus ≦about 0.01%; sulfur ≦about 0.03%; nitrogen ≦about 0.02%; molybdenum ≦about 1%; copper ≦about 0.8%; one or more of niobium, titanium, and vanadium ≦about 1%; and boron ≦about 0.006% by weight; and with the balance of the composition being iron and incidental ingredients. In one embodiment, the steel sheet is both galvanized and galvannealed. | 02-25-2010 |
20100032128 | METHOD FOR CASTING METAL STRIP WITH DYNAMIC CROWN CONTROL - A method of continuously casting thin strip dynamically controlling roll casting surface configuation by controlling the temperature of water flowing through the longitudinal water flow passages in a cyclindrical tube thickness of no more than 80 millimeters of counter rotated casting rolls, and varying the speed of the casting rolls with attenuation of the ends of the casting rolls with a casting roll drive system responsive to electrical signals received from sensors during a casting campaign. | 02-11-2010 |
20100032126 | METHOD FOR CASTING METAL STRIP WITH DYNAMIC CROWN CONTROL - A method of continuously casting thin strip dynamically controlling roll casting surface configuration by controlling the temperature of water flowing through the longitudinal water flow passages in a cylindrical tube thickness of no more than 80 millimeters of counter rotated casting rolls, and varying the speed of the casting rolls with attenuation of the ends of the casting rolls with a casting roll drive system responsive to electrical signals received from sensors during a casting campaign. | 02-11-2010 |
20100024596 | LOW COST MAKING OF A LOW CARBON, LOW SULFUR, AND LOW NITROGEN STEEL USING CONVENTIONAL STEELMAKING EQUIPMENT - A method of making a steel with low carbon less than 0.035% by weight including steps of preparing a heat of molten steel composition in a steelmaking furnace to a tapping temperature as desired for desulfurization at a VTD, tapping open into a ladle the molten steel composition with an oxygen level between about 600 and 1120 ppm, providing slag forming compound to the ladle to form a slag cover over the molten steel composition in the ladle, transporting the molten steel composition in the ladle to a VTD, decarburizing the molten steel composition at the VTD by drawing a vacuum of less than 650 millibars, after decarburizing, adding one or more deoxidizers to the molten steel composition and deoxidizing the molten steel composition, after deoxidizing, adding one or more flux compounds to desulfurize the molten steel composition, and casting the molten steel composition to form a steel with low carbon less than 0.035% by weight. | 02-04-2010 |
20100005736 | METHOD OF CONCRETE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND ADJUSTABLE BRACE SYSTEM THEREFOR - A method of constructing a concrete structure and an adjustable brace system therefor includes a plurality of adjustable brace assemblies capable of providing structural support for construction of a floor structure above and for an uncured concrete wall in the concrete forms. The adjustable brace system comprises an elongated first support, an elongated second support, and a cap. The first and second supports have dimensions to allow the first support to slidably engage at least a portion the second support. A plurality of apertures are positioned in the first and second supports to enable the apertures in the first support to align with the apertures in the second support, and fasteners are secured through aligned apertures to provide for adjustability of the adjustable brace system. The cap is capable of supporting a steel truss in position for a floor structure above. | 01-14-2010 |
20100000705 | APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS STRIP CASTING - An apparatus for continuously casting thin strip includes a caster having a pair of casting rolls having a nip there between capable of delivering cast strip downwardly from the nip and an first enclosure capable of forming a protective atmosphere into which the strip can be formed in loop to extend over a plurality of rollers into pinch rolls with the strip having a strain of less than 0.4%, which may be provided by a plurality of rollers at entry of the strip into the pinch rolls to carry the strip into the pinch rolls, with at least a first entry roller having a diameter between 200 and 650 millimeters and being below a majority of other rollers. | 01-07-2010 |
20090324151 | SLEW BEARING SYSTEM - A slew bearing system includes a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring concentrically positioned relative to each other forming at least upper and lower raceways there between, a plurality of bearing rollers positioned in each raceway between the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring, a plurality of delivery nozzles capable of delivering an air and oil mixture into the raceways adjacent the upper raceway, passages capable of fluidly communicating the air and oil mixture through the raceways and collecting some oil from the mixture adjacent the lower raceway, seals capable of regulating air flow through the passages and inhibiting outflow of oil from the raceways, and at least one exit port capable of outward flow of air and oil from the raceways adjacent the lower raceway. | 12-31-2009 |
20090314459 | Strip casting method for controlling edge quality and apparatus therefor - A method of continuously casting metal strip may include assembling a pair of casting rolls having casting surfaces laterally positioned to form a nip there between through which thin cast strip may be cast, a metal supply system capable of delivering molten steel above the nip, the casting rolls having a crown shape so that edge portions of the cast strip within 50 millimeters of edge of the cast strip have a higher temperature than the cast strip in center portions of the strip width and controlled edging up, forming a casting pool of molten steel supported on the casting surfaces above the nip and controlling side dams adjacent the ends of the nip to confine the casting pool, and forming a cast strip such that the edge portions of the cast strip within 50 millimeters of each edge of the cast strip is of a higher temperature than the strip in the center portions of the strip width. | 12-24-2009 |
20090314458 | Strip Casting Apparatus with Independent Delivery Nozzle and Side Dam Actuators - An apparatus for casting metal strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces laterally positioned to form a nip therebetween through which cast strip can be cast, and on which a casting pool of molten metal can be formed supported on the casting surfaces above the nip, a pair of molten metal delivery nozzles disposed above the nip and capable of discharging molten metal to form the casting pool supported on the casting rolls, a pair of side dams adjacent ends of the pair of casting rolls capable of confining the casting pool, a pair of delivery nozzle actuators capable of positioning the delivery nozzles independently of the side dams and a pair of side dam actuators capable of positioning the side dams independently of the delivery nozzles during casting, and a control system capable of controlling desired distance between the delivery nozzles and the side dams. | 12-24-2009 |
20090289403 | RIGGING TABLE FOR ASSEMBLING TRUSSES AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - A rigging table and methods and systems for assembling trusses using a rigging table. An embodiment of a rigging table includes a base having a generally longitudinal axis and a generally lateral extent, and at least two bunk assemblies movable along the base in at least the generally longitudinal axis such that each bunk assembly is capable of being positioned on the base relative to another bunk assembly. Each bunk assembly may include a frame extending along the lateral extent of the base, a pair of guides slideably positioned on the frame to move generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base toward and away from each other and able to be fastened in position on the frame, and a pair of automated clamp members each positioned relative to and movable with one of the guides on the frame, to accommodate assembly of different sized trusses. | 11-26-2009 |
20090288798 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING TEMPERATURE OF THIN CAST STRIP - An apparatus and method for continuously casting thin steel strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having a nip there between capable of delivering cast strip downwardly from the nip, a metal delivery system capable of forming a casting pool supported on casting surfaces of the casting rolls above the nip with side dams adjacent the ends of the nip to confine the casting pool, and a hot rolling mill having work rolls with work surfaces forming a gap between them through which hot strip delivered from the casting rolls is rolled, the work rolls having work surfaces relating to the desired strip profile across the work rolls. Misting jets may be in intervals along the path of the cast strip exiting from the hot rolling mill to form a cooling zone, the misting jets capable of directing toward surfaces of the cast strip a mixture of gas and water having a ratio of gas over water between 9 and 90 to cool the cast strip at more than 1.6° C. per liter of water used. | 11-26-2009 |
20090283240 | SIDE DAM WITH INSERT - A side dam for use in a continuous twin roll caster system includes a body of refractory material having opposed outer surfaces with one outer surface adapted to contact molten metal and casting rolls in a continuous twin roll caster system and retain molten metal, and an opposite outer surface having fastening portions of refractory material adapted to attach said side dam to a side dam holder to hold said side dam in place during casting; an aperture in the outer surface of the body positioned adjacent a nip of the continuous twin roll caster system and adapted to receive a side dam insert; and a side dam insert of a second refractory material harder than the refractory material of the body having a first surface adapted to contact molten metal and form with the outer surface of the body the outer surface of the side dam. | 11-19-2009 |
20090266504 | LONG WEAR SIDE DAMS - The method of producing thin cast strip by continuous casting having a side dam assembly. The side dam assembly includes a side dam having opposite outer surfaces, one surface contacting molten metal and the opposite outer surface having fastening portions capable of attaching the side dam to a side dam holder, to hold the side dam in place during casting without exposed portions of the side dam holder extending substantially beyond the opposite outer surface toward the outer surface for contacting molten metal. | 10-29-2009 |
20090250188 | CONTINUOUS STEEL SLAB CASTER AND METHODS USING SAME - A steel slab caster having a mold with movable opposing mold faces, and methods of using the steel slab caster for casting steel slabs. The movable opposing mold faces may be laterally positioned with respect to each other in a predefined configuration. Molten steel may be introduced into the mold of the slab caster. The forces exerted by the molten metal on at least one of the opposing mold faces and/or the lateral positions of the opposing mold faces may be monitored during casting at locations on at least one of the movable mold faces. The position of the monitored mold face may be controlled during casting responsive to the monitored forces and/or monitored position. | 10-08-2009 |
20090246068 | REFINEMENT OF STEEL - A method of forming and refining molten silicon-bearing steel by addition of a calcium-containing silicon additive. Determine if the amount of calcium in the calcium-containing silicon additive is more or less than the amount of calcium desired in the finished steel. If it is more than the amount of calcium desired in the finished steel, add the amount of calcium-containing silicon additive corresponding to the excess calcium early during steel deoxidation or in refining to combine with oxygen, sulfur and other impurities in refining, and add the calcium-containing silicon additive containing the total amount of calcium desired in the finished steel after the desulfurization of the molten steel and before casting. If the amount of calcium in the calcium-containing silicon additive does not provide the total amount of calcium desired in the finished steel, adding an additional amount of calcium after desulfurization of the molten steel and before casting to the molten steel during refining. | 10-01-2009 |
20090236068 | STRIP CASTING APPARATUS FOR RAPID SET AND CHANGE OF CASTING ROLLS - An apparatus and method for continuously casting thin steel strip include a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls mounted in a roll cassette capable of being transferred from a set up station to a casting position through a transfer station, where at the set up station the casting rolls mounted in the roll cassette are capable of being prepared for casting, at the transfer station casting rolls are capable of being exchanged, and in the casting position the casting rolls are operational, and a guide positioned capable of moving the casting rolls mounted in the roll cassette between the set up station and the casting position through the transfer station. The guide may move the casting rolls mounted in the roll cassette from the set up station to the casting position through the transfer station at substantially the same elevation. A scrap receptacle positioned beneath the casting position movable in either direction to a discharge stations. Further, a movable tundish capable of being transferred from a heating station to the casting position. | 09-24-2009 |
20090236067 | STRIP CASTING APPARATUS WITH CASTING ROLL POSITIONING - An apparatus and method for continuously casting thin steel strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls laterally positioned to form a nip there between through which thin cast strip can be cast, an actuator capable of moving each casting roll independently toward and away from a given reference location as desired, location sensors capable of sensing the location of the casting rolls relative to the given reference location and producing electrical signals indicative of each casting roll position and a control system capable of receiving the electrical signals and causing the actuator to move the casting rolls into desired position. Force sensors may be provided capable of sensing the forces exerted on the strip and producing electrical signals indicative of the sensed forces, and the control system may be capable of receiving the electrical signals indicative of the sensed forces and causing actuators to vary the position of the casting rolls responsive to the electrical signals as desired. | 09-24-2009 |
20090218554 | CABLE GUARDRAIL SYSTEM AND HANGER - A hanger for a cable guardrail system is disclosed including a first portion with first and second seats on opposite sides of a post each seat capable of supporting a cable, and a second portion capable of engaging the end of the post. Also disclosed is a cable guardrail system including a plurality of posts, a plurality of hangers attached to at least a portion of the plurality of posts, and at least two cables supported by the seats on opposite sides of the post. The cable guardrail system may redirect an impacting vehicle and dissipate a portion of the impacting vehicle's energy. | 09-03-2009 |
20090191425 | STEEL PRODUCT WITH A HIGH AUSTENITE GRAIN COARSENING TEMPERATURE, AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A steel product with a high austenite grain coarsening temperature having less than 0.4% carbon, less than 0.06% aluminium, less than 0.01% titanium, less than 0.01% niobium, and less than 0.02% vanadium by weight, and having fine oxide particles containing silicon and iron distributed through the steel microstructure having an average particle size less than 50 nanometers and may be between 5 and 30 nanometers. The steel product may have fine oxide particles distributed through the microstructure capable of restricting ferrite recrystallization for strain levels up to at least 10.0%, for temperatures up to 750° C. with holding times up to 20 minutes. The steel product may be made by continuous casting of steel strip introduced between the casting rolls to form a casting pool of molten carbon steel having a total oxygen content of at least 70 ppm usually less than 250 ppm, and a free oxygen content 20 and 60 ppm, counter rotating the casting rolls. | 07-30-2009 |
20090188208 | MECHANICAL HEADER - A mechanical header is provided for spanning a corridor in a building and for hanging mechanical equipment therefrom. The mechanical header includes a first angle member comprising a first horizontal portion and a first vertical portion, where the first horizontal portion extends away from the first vertical portion in a first direction. The mechanical header further includes a second angle member comprising a second horizontal portion and a second vertical portion, where the second horizontal portion extends away from the second vertical portion in a direction opposite the first direction. A spanning beam is coupled to the first vertical member and to the second vertical member. The first horizontal portion is configured to rest on top of a first wall structure, and the second horizontal portion is configured to rest on top of a second wall structure, such that spanning beam spans the corridor and hangs just at or below the level of the top of the first and second wall structures. | 07-30-2009 |
20090188193 | FLUSH JOIST SEAT - A support structure is provided for supporting the one end of a floor joist using a flush joist seat. The flush joist seat generally includes a generally horizontal plate having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is welded to the top of the floor joist and the third portion rests on the top of the support structure. The second portion is located beyond the end of the floor joist, between the first portion and the second portion. A generally vertical plate extends downward from the second portion of the generally horizontal plate and is welded to a portion of the end of the floor joist. | 07-30-2009 |
20090188192 | COMPOSITE JOIST FLOOR SYSTEM - The composite joist floor system includes joists supported by supporting members. Corrugated steel decking is positioned over the joists such that the corrugations are substantially perpendicular to the joists. Self-drilling, self-tapping, stand-off screws are spaced along the length of the joist, aligned with the deck corrugations. These stand-off screws provide the required shear transfer between the joist and concrete slab to form a composite floor system. The placed concrete encapsulates the upper non-threaded shank portions of the stand-off screws and the end of the joists. After the concrete has cured, the resultant system comprised of steel joists, steel decking, stand-off screws, and concrete, act together to form a composite system with greater load carrying capacity and less vertical deflection. The stand-off screws connect the joist upper chords to the concrete slab allowing the joist and concrete slab to act as a unit, by transferring shear between the two joined components. | 07-30-2009 |
20090188187 | COMPOSITE WALL AND FLOOR SYSTEM - Embodiments of the present invention provide systems for connecting a flooring system to a vertical wall. In one embodiment the building structure includes a floor comprising a cementitious slab and a wall supporting at least a portion of the cementitious slab. A plurality of stand-off screws extend from the top of the wall into the cementitious slab and are configured to transfer forces between the cementitious slab and the wall. The stand-off screws comprise a lower screw portion and an upper stand-off portion. The lower screw portion is drilled into the top of the wall, and the upper stand-off portion extends above the top of the wall and is encapsulated within the cementitious slab. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the lower screw portion is heat treated to a higher degree of hardness relative to the remainder of the stand-off screw. | 07-30-2009 |
20090188185 | BALCONY STRUCTURE - Systems are provided for use in balcony structures. The system includes a joist comprising an upper chord and a lower chord separated by a web. One end of the joist is supported by a supporting member and a cantilevered balcony extends generally perpendicularly from the supporting member. The cantilevered balcony comprises a cementitious balcony slab extending from a cementitious floor slab. The cementitious floor slab includes a backspan region extending from the top of the supporting member opposite the cementitious balcony slab. A portion of the joist in the backspan region comprises a decking supporting member coupled to the web between the upper chord and the lower chord. The joist in the backspan region supports decking using the decking supporting member; however, the joist beyond the backspan region supports decking above the upper chord. In this way, the cementitious floor slab in the backspan region is thicker than the cementitious floor slab beyond the backspan region. | 07-30-2009 |
20090159235 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY CASTING THIN STRIP - A method of producing thin cast strip by continuous casting having a two-piece side dam assembly. The side dam assembly includes a side dam having an upper portion positioned adjacent to a lower portion. The upper and lower side dam portions each have opposite outer surfaces, one surface capable of contacting molten metal and the opposite outer surface having at least one fastening portion capable of attaching the side dam portions to a corresponding side dam holder, in order to hold the side dam portions in place during casting without exposed portions of the side dam holders extending substantially beyond the opposite outer surfaces toward the outer surfaces capable of contacting molten metal, and without the side dam holders preventing the upper side dam portion from being properly positioned adjacent to the lower side dam portion. | 06-25-2009 |
20090145567 | METHOD OF FORMING TEXTURED CASTING ROLLS WITH DIAMOND ENGRAVING - A method of forming a textured casting roll may include a step of forming a plurality of contiguous rows of gravure cells on the surface of a casting roll, removing portions of the cells to leave raised portions corresponding to raised portions of the gravure cells not removed. The gravure cells may be formed by diamond engraving, and the step of removing portions of the gravure cells may be accomplished by engraving or etching. | 06-11-2009 |
20090139290 | METHOD AND PLANT FOR INTEGRATED MONITORING AND CONTROL OF STRIP FLATNESS AND STRIP PROFILE - Apparatus and method of controlling strip geometry in casting strip having a rolling mill. A target thickness profile is calculated as a function of the measured entry thickness profile of the strip while satisfying profile and flatness parameters. A differential strain feedback from longitudinal strain in the strip is calculated by a control system by comparing the exit thickness profile with the target thickness profile, and a control signal is generated to control a device capable of affecting the geometry of the strip processed by the hot rolling mill. A feed-forward control reference and/or sensitivity vector may also be calculated as a function of the target thickness profile, and used in generating the control signal sent to the control device. The control device may be selected from one or more of the group consisting of a bending controller, gap controller and coolant controller. | 06-04-2009 |
20090126896 | LOW SURFACE ROUGHNESS CAST STRIP AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING THE SAME - A thin cast strip is formed having at least one microstructure selected from the group consisting of polygonal ferrite, acicular ferrite, Widmanstatten, bainite and martinsite, a surface roughness of less than 1.5 microns Ra and a scale thickness of less than about 10 microns by applying a mixture of water and oil on the work rolls of the hot rolling mill, passing the thin cast strip at a temperature of less than 1100° C. through the hot rolling mill while the mixture of oil and water is applied to the work rolls, and shrouding the thin cast strip from the casting rolls through the hot rolling mill in an atmosphere of less than 5% oxygen to form the thin cast strip. | 05-21-2009 |
20090123658 | DIP COATING SYSTEM WITH STEPPED APRON RECOVERY - A coating apparatus and method of using for use in dip coating an article may have a container with opposing sides and a volume capable of holding a liquid coating material and at least one article to be coated by the material, and a stepped apron adjacent at least one of the opposing sides of the container, the stepped apron capable of holding the liquid coating material to a depth sufficient to maintain the material in the liquid state and receiving the liquid coating material dripping from at least one coated article positioned above the stepped apron; and at least one support member above the container capable of holding at least one article to be coated by dipping in the container. The apparatus may include localized heating of the article, such as by spot welding, and air cooling of the article using a cooling system having at least one fan and a conveyor before the article is dipped in the container containing the liquid coating material and subsequently dried. | 05-14-2009 |
20090098408 | COMPLEX METALLOGRAPHIC STRUCTURED STEEL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - A multi-phase steel sheet having microstructure having in combination ferrite, martensite of between 3% and 65% by volume, and at least one microstructure selected from the group consisting of, bainite and retained austenite, and having fine complex precipitates selected from the group of TiC, NbC, TiN, NbN, (Ti.Nb)C, (Ti.Nb)N, and (Ti.Nb)(C.N) particles having at least 50% smaller than 20 nm in size, and physical properties having tensile strength greater than about 780 megapascals and at least one of the properties of elongation greater than about 10%, yield ratio greater than about 70%, and hole expansion ratio greater than about 50%. | 04-16-2009 |
20090095152 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING LEAKS IN BASHOUSE BAGS - Methods and systems for detecting the presence of a leak in a baghouse bag installed in a baghouse system having at least one compartment. The methods include using a system to acquire electrical signals corresponding to the opacity of gas flow through an outlet of a baghouse system during a start-up of one or more compartments of the baghouse system and comparing the electrical signals corresponding to the opacity of the gas flow with electrical signals characteristic of a leak in at least one of the baghouse bags of the baghouse system. | 04-16-2009 |
20090090480 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CASTING THIN CAST STRIP - Twin roll casters for casting thin steel strip comprise cooled casting rolls mounted on carriers. One roll is fixed and the other is moveable laterally and biased toward the other roll by carrier drive units acting on the moveable roll carriers. A casting pool of molten steel is supported on the rolls which are rotated to produce a solidified steel strip delivered downwardly from the nip therebetween. A gap is regulated between the rolls such that unsolidified molten metal passes through the nip between the solidified shells of the forming strip and solidifies below the nip. The carrier drive units are effective to apply to the biased roll substantially intermediate biasing forces such that the roll separation force at the casting rolls is regulated to a value between 2 and 4.5 Newtons per millimeter. | 04-09-2009 |
20090071575 | HOT ROLLED DUAL PHASE STEEL SHEET, AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A hot rolled steel sheet having a dual phase microstructure with a martensite phase of less than 35% by volume and a ferrite phase of more than 50% by volume and a composition containing by percent weight: 0.01≦C≦0.2; 0.3≦Mn≦3; 0.2≦Si≦2; 0.2≦Cr+Ni≦2; 0.01≦Al≦0.10; Mo less than about 0.2%, 0.0005≦Ca≦0.01, with the balance iron and incidental ingredients. Hot rolled sheet for cold rolling, the silicon range may be from about 0.05% to about 2%, and the amount of molybdenum may be up to 0.5%. Also, the hot rolled steel sheet has a tensile strength of at least 500 megapascals, a hole expansion ratio more than about 50%, and. a yield strength/tensile strength ratio less than 70%. | 03-19-2009 |
20090071574 | COLD ROLLED DUAL PHASE STEEL SHEET HAVING HIGH FORMABILITY AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A steel sheet having (a) a dual phase microstructure with a martensite phase and a ferrite phase and (b) a composition containing by percent weight: 0.01≦C≦0.2; 0.3≦Mn≦3; 0.05≦Si≦2; 0.2≦Cr+Ni≦2; 0.01≦Al≦0.10; 0.0005≦Ca≦0.01, with the balance of the composition being iron and incidental ingredients. Also, the steel sheet is made by a batch annealing method, and has a tensile strength of at least approximately 400 megapascals and an n-value of at least approximately 0.175. | 03-19-2009 |
20090050864 | ROADWAY GUARDRAIL SYSTEM - A roadway guardrail system including a rail, a plurality of support posts, and a plurality of fasteners assembly to redirect an impacting vehicle and dissipate a portion of the impacting vehicle's energy. Block-outs may be positioned in between the rail and support posts. A plurality of support posts each includes a slot extending along its length aligning with apertures in the rail and engaging with the rail through the apertures with fasteners including reinforcing members slidable along the slots in the posts. Alternatively, the rail has a plurality of laterally extending slots aligning with apertures in support posts and engaging with the support posts through the apertures with fasteners including reinforcing members slidable along the slots. | 02-26-2009 |
20090050863 | ROADWAY GUARDRAIL SYSTEM - A roadway guardrail system including a rail, a plurality of support posts, and a plurality of fasteners assembly to redirect an impacting vehicle and dissipate a portion of the impacting vehicle's energy. A plurality of support posts each includes a slot extending along its length aligning with apertures in the rail and engaging with the rail through the apertures with fasteners including reinforcing members slidable along the slots in the posts. Alternatively, the rail has a plurality of laterally extending slots aligning with apertures in support posts and engaging with the support posts through the apertures with fasteners including reinforcing members slidable along the slots. | 02-26-2009 |
20090047536 | THIN CAST STEEL STRIP WITH REDUCED MICROCRACKING - A thin cast steel strip and method of making thereof with improved resistance to microcracking, where the steel strip is produced by continuous casting and contains a carbon content between about 0.010% and about 0.065% by weight, less than 5.0% by weight chromium, at least 70 ppm of total oxygen and between 20 and 70 ppm of free oxygen, and manganese to sulfur ratio greater than about 250. The carbon content in the cast strip may be below about 0.035%, less than 0.005% by weight titanium, and the average manganese to silicon ratio in the strip produced may be greater than 3.5. The carbon content may be less than 0.035%, the casting speed less than 76.68 meters per minute, and the tundish temperature of the molten metal is maintained below 1612° C. (2933.7° F.). | 02-19-2009 |
20080305446 | METHOD OF PREHEATING STEELMAKING LADLES - A method for when preheating a ladle for use in steelmaking where less fuel is consumed in heating the ladle efficiently accurately to a controlled temperature. A temperature of a preheating process is varied by controlling a burner of the heating unit based on measurements of refractories of the ladle taken by a pyrometer. The heating unit includes an emissive coating for reducing heat loss and efficient heating during the preheating process. The heating unit also includes valve mechanisms for accurately varying a flame size of the burner of the heating unit during an idle stage of the preheating process. | 12-11-2008 |
20080289726 | COLD ROLLED, DUAL PHASE, STEEL SHEET AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - A steel sheet having (a) a dual phase microstructure with a martensite phase and a ferrite phase and (b) a composition containing by percent weight: 0.01% to 0.2% C; 0.3% to 3% Mn; 0.05% to 2% Si; 0.1% to 2% Cr; 0.01% to 0.10% Al; and 0.0005% to 0.01% Ca, with the balance of the composition being iron and incidental ingredients. Also, the steel sheet is made by a batch annealing method, and has a tensile strength of at least approximately 400 MPa and an n-value of at least approximately 0.175. | 11-27-2008 |
20080271873 | PRODUCTION OF THIN STEEL STRIP - A method of controlling in a twin roll strip caster the thickness of as-cast strip by determining and operating at a target depth of the casting pool and a target speed of the casting rolls. The as-cast strip may be cast to a customer-specified thickness or may be subsequently rolled to a customer-specified thickness. | 11-06-2008 |
20080264599 | CASTING DELIVERY NOZZLE WITH INSERT - A metal strip casting apparatus and a method of casting continuous metal strip includes assembling a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces positioned laterally forming a nip between for casting, and delivering molten metal through a delivery nozzle disposed above the nip capable to form a casting pool supported on the casting rolls. The delivery nozzle comprises segments each having elongate nozzle body with longitudinally extending side walls, end walls and a bottom part to form an inner trough, a nozzle insert disposed above bottom portions of the inner trough of each segment and supported relative to the nozzle body through which incoming molten metal may be delivered to the inner trough of each segment of the delivery nozzle, and the elongate nozzle body of each segment having passageways in fluid communication with the inner trough and outlet openings capable of discharging molten metal from the nozzle body outwardly into the casting pool. | 10-30-2008 |
20080264598 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRACKING AND POSITIONING CONTINUOUS CAST SLABS - A system and method for tracking and positioning a continuous cast strand in a casting plant. Lateral positions and, optionally, elevational positions of a cast strand are monitored by sensors as casting proceeds and are fed to a computer-based system as corresponding position information where the information is stored as associated data. The computer-based system processes the associated data and generates corresponding control signals which are used to control at least one correcting device to maintain desired orientation of the cast strand as casting proceeds. | 10-30-2008 |
20080264525 | HIGH COPPER LOW ALLOY STEEL SHEET - A high copper low alloy steel sheet less than 5 mm is made by preparing a molten melt producing an as-cast low alloy steel comprising by weight, 0.02 % to 0.3% carbon, 0.10% to 1.5% manganese, 0.01% to 0.5% silicon, greater than 0.01 % and less than or equal 0.15% phosphorus, less than 0.05% aluminum, more than 0.20% copper, less than 0.03 % tin, less than 0.10 % nickel, total oxygen level at least 70 ppm and usually less than 250 ppm, free oxygen content 20 to 70 ppm, the remainder iron and impurities, solidifying the melt into sheet less than 10 mm thickness in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to below 1080° C. Copper content may be between 0.2% and 2.0% by weight. The steel may have a corrosion index (I) of at least 6.0 in accordance with ASTM G101 where: I=26.01 (% Cu)+3.88 (% Ni)+1.20 (% Cr)+1.49 (% Si)+17.28 (% P)−7.29 (% Cu)(% Ni)−9.10 (% Ni)(% P)−33.39 (% Cu) | 10-30-2008 |
20080257523 | PRODUCTION OF THIN STEEL STRIP - A method of continuously casting metal strip for a twin roll caster may include steps of sensing images of a casting pool in the casting area indicative of the casting pool depth, displaying the sensed images to an operator, and controlling a flow of molten metal from a metal supply system into the casting pool responsive to the sensed images indicative of the casting pool depth. The method may include producing separate electrical signals corresponding to the sensed images and controlling the flow of molten metal from the metal supply system into the casting pool responsive to one or more of the electrical signals. The electrical signals may be processed to determine the casting pool depth in each of the plurality of locations and the casting pool depth displayed to the operator. One or a combination of the electrical signals may be selected for providing a determined casting pool depth, and the flow of molten metal may be controlled responsive to the determined casting pool depth. The determined casting pool depth may be an average of casting pool depths from the selected electrical signals. | 10-23-2008 |
20080219879 | THIN CAST STRIP PRODUCT WITH MICROALLOY ADDITIONS, AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A steel product or thin steel cast strip comprised of, by weight, less than 0.25% carbon, between 0.20 and 2.0% manganese, between 0.05 and 0.50% silicon, less than 0.01% aluminum, and at least one of niobium between 0.01% and 0.20% and vanadium between 0.01% and 0.20%, and having a microstructure of a majority bainite and acicular ferrite, and more than 70% niobium and/or vanadium in solid solution. The steel product may have an increase in elongation and an increase in yield strength after age hardening. The age hardened steel product may have niobium carbonitride particles with an average particle size of 10 nanometers and less, and may have substantially no niobium carbonitride particles greater than 50 nanometers. The steel product may have a yield strength of at least 380 MPa or a tensile strength of at least 410 MPa, or both. The steel product or thin cast steel strip may have a total elongation of at least 6% or 10%. | 09-11-2008 |
20080210401 | SUBMERGED ENTRY NOZZLE WITH INSTALLABLE PARTS - A partial SEN capable of having flow diverter parts installed therein, and a method of using the SEN in a continuous casting system are disclosed. The partial SEN includes a hollow distribution zone at a bottom portion of the SEN which is designed to allow the installation of at least two different types of flow diverter parts, one type of flow diverter parts for a first type of caster mold, and a second type of flow diverter parts for a second type of caster mold. The design of the flow diverter parts and the resulting angles achieved when the flow diverter parts are installed in the partial SEN are matched to a caster mold such that the flow characteristics of molten steel exiting the SEN into the caster mold during continuous casting operation are of a desired and optimal nature to prevent various types of casting defects. | 09-04-2008 |