Gas lubricant and delivery apparatus

Abstract

A lubricant delivery element for delivering lubricant into a cavity, the lubricant distribution element comprising a thin element of porous material for delivering lubricant into the cavity through the element.

1 . A lubricant delivery element for delivering lubricant into a cavity, the lubricant distribution element comprising a thin element of porous material for delivering lubricant into the cavity through the element. 
   
   
       2 - 32 . (canceled) 
   
   
       33 . A lubricant delivery element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lubricant distribution element has a thickness of less than approximately 5 mm. 
   
   
       34 . A lubricant delivery element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the porous material has a porosity of 10 to 70%. 
   
   
       35 . A lubricant delivery element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the porous material is selected from sintered metal, ceramic or porous plastic. 
   
   
       36 . A gas and lubricant delivery apparatus for delivering gas and lubricant into a cavity, the apparatus comprising a lubricant distribution element as claimed in  claim 1 , and a gas distribution element for delivering gas into the cavity. 
   
   
       37 . A gas and lubricant delivery apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the gas distribution element is integrally formed with the lubricant distribution element. 
   
   
       38 . A gas and lubricant delivery apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the gas distribution element comprises radial grooves and at least one circumferential groove formed in the upper surface of the lubricant distribution element. 
   
   
       39 . A gas and lubricant delivery apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the gas distribution element is in the form of a distribution plate, the distribution plate having a first set of grooves formed in the top surface of the plate for delivery of gas into the cavity. 
   
   
       40 . A gas and lubricant delivery apparatus as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein, the distribution plate also has a second set of grooves formed in the top surface to connect the first set of grooves to one another for distribution of the gas to all the grooves in the first set. 
   
   
       41 . A gas and lubricant delivery apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the gas distribution element has a cut away portion in its lower surface into which the lubricant distribution element is adapted to fit snugly. 
   
   
       42 . A gas and lubricant delivery apparatus as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the apparatus further comprises sealant for sealing the lubricant distribution element from the gas distribution element. 
   
   
       43 . A hot top mould for direct chill continuous casting of metal ingots comprising a mould having a mould body and a cavity defined in the mould body and a gas and lubricant delivery apparatus for delivering gas and lubricant to the mould cavity as claimed in  claim 36 . 
   
   
       44 . A hot top mould as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the gas and lubricant delivery apparatus is located proximate the molten metal entry end of the mould. 
   
   
       45 . A hot top mould as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the mould body has a space therein for the flow of coolant through the mould body, wherein the space for the flow of coolant is shaped to flow the coolant close to the gas and lubricant delivery apparatus. 
   
   
       46 . A hot top mould for direct chill continuous casting of metal ingots comprising a mould having a mould body and a cavity defined in the mould body, and a lubricant delivery element for delivering lubricant to the mould cavity according to  claim 1 .