Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This invention relates to a horizontal continuous casting
device for one or more casting lines for metal, more
particularly steel, the device comprising a storage vessel
which is connected to one or more horizontal continuous
casting moulds in such a manner as to be separable and
closed ofE from the moulds and an extracting machine for
each of the moulds, the storage vessel, continuous casting
moulds, and extracting machines being aligned with the
respective casting lines
Horizontal continuous casting devices of this kind make
continuous casting possible without breakdowns. Maximal
utilization and service life are sought for the device.
It is known from German OS 23 55 015 to provide, between
the container accommodating the molten metal and the
horizontal continuous casting mould, a detachable connection
which eliminates heat loss and which makes it possible to
halt the flow of metal from the container in case of need.
Interruptions in the casting operation are usually caused
by an interruption in the flow of molten metal in the line,
leaving the metal remaining in the mould to be removed after
it has solidified. In the case of the storage vessel, an
interruption in the casting operation usually also means
removing the metal remaining in it. However, after it has
been separated from the horizontal continuous casting mould,
the storage vessel may be tilted, cleaned and inspected
(German Registered Design 82 01 246.6). However, the prior
art gives no indication of how the storage vessel and the
mould can and must be reunited after this maintenance has
been carried out.
It has hitherto never been taken into account that the
intermediate container, the horizontal continuous casting
mould, and the extracting machine are no longer in alignment
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after a certain number of charges, or even after they have
been heated up for the initial pouring. The horizontal
continuous casting moulds, once released from the storage
vessel, are no longer aligned with the outlets of the
storage vessel. This deviation increases sharply, depending
upon whether the continuous casting device has one or more
lines, and may reach values of lO mm, for example.
It is an object of the present invention to provide suitable
means to pick up the deviations and alignment errors between
the storage vessel and the mould.
According to the invention, in the case of a horizontal
continuous casting device of the kind referred to above,
this object is achieved in the following way. To achieve
easy and rapid interchangeability of one or more of the
continuous casting moulds, a connection is provided between
each storage vessel and mould, the connection being adjust-
able in relation to the casting axis, the storage vessel
comprising a perforated brick with an inserted nozzle brick,
the said connection, which is adjustable in relation to the
casting axis, bearing sealingly against the end face of the
nozzle brick. Thus the invention picks up the above
mentioned deviations between the storage vessel and the
horizontal continuous casting mould by means of the adjust-
able connection, thus compensating for them. Since the
adjustable connection also performs a sealing function,
deviations between the axes of the storage vessel and the
mould may be picked up in the interior of the adjustable
connection in such a manner that a slight deflection of
the flow of liquid metal takes place, but this has no
detrimental consequences.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the connection,
which is adjustable in relation to the casting axis, is
located on the side of the storage vessel facing the line-
extracting machine. In this case, easy and rapid changing
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of the mould and/or the storage vessel is effected laterally
or upwardly in a horizontal continuous casting device.
According to another embodiment of the invention, however,
the adjustable connection is located on the underside of
the storage vessel, within an angular castina metal auide
which is connected directly to the horizontal continuous
casting mould. In this case, therefore, removal and reinstal-
lation of the mould, for example if the storage vessel is to
remain in place, is effected downwardly and to one side, the
work being unaffected by the casting ladle, which is located
above the storage vessel during the casting operation.
According to a further development of the invention, the
connection comprises a concentrically arranged sealing
surface adjacent to the end face of the nozzle brick. This
increases the sealing action at~the end face of the nozzle
brick and is therefore particularly capable of meeting the
requirements of increased sealing action in the event of
major axial deviations between the storage vessel and the
horizontal continuous casting mould.
The desired sealing action, in the event of axial deviations
between the storage vessel and the mould, is furthermore
improved by arranging that either the end face of the nozzle
brick, or an adjusting element completing the concentrically
arranged sealing surface, is formed, as a spatial oval or
sphere, for example, on the relevant sealing surface, and by
having the said adjusting element adapted to be secured to
the nozzle brick.
Desirable increased mobility during removal of the horizon-
tal continuous casting mould, which is not to be released
separately from the remaining components, is achieved in
the following way. A universally mounted pouring gate,
which is adapted to be fitted to the storage vessel in such
a manner as to exclude air is provided in the vertical leg
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of the angular casting metal guide. This subdivision into
different assemblies makes it possible for the mould,
together with the other components, to be dismantled, e.g.
moved out, at the rear of the horizontal continuous casting
device.
A further development of the invention takes into account
metallurgical requirements during the casting operation.
Thus additional features ensure that the pouring gate in
the angular casting metal guide is arranged in such a manner
as to be sealed from the outside atmosphere.
Still another development of the invention takes account
of additional operating requirements, in that the height of
the vertical part of the angular casting metal guide is
governed by the necessary ferrostatic pressure.
In the event of an emergency, i.e. an interruption in the
flow of metal in one or more moulds of a horizontal contin-
uous casting device, it is also desirable for a bottom tap
hole, adapted to be closed by a closure element, to be
provided in the storage vessel and/or in the angular casting
metal guide.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater
detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a four-line horizontal continuous
casting device;
Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line II-II in
Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a vertical part-section through the storage vessel
and the horizontal continuous casting mould, on an enlarged
scale;
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Fig. 4 is a vertical part-section through the storage vessel
and the mould of a modified device; and
Fig. 5 is a vertical part-section through the storage vessel
and the mould of yet another modified device.
The horizontal continuous casting device shown in Fig. 1 is
designed for four casting lines 1 and 2, two of which are
located below the axis of symmetry 3 (as shown) and two are
located above the said axis of symmetry (not shown). The
molten metal, more particularly steel, passes from a casting
ladle 4 into a storage vessel 5, although the casting ladle
may be used as the storage vessel under certain circumstances,
for example in the case of a single line device. Connected
to the storage vessel 5 are four horizontal continuous
casting mou]ds 6. The storage vessel may be moved in and
out of its operative position on a track 7. These movements
may also be effected by means of a crane. Extracting machines
8 are located after the moulds 6, as seen in the direction of
travel of the line or strand. The molten metal flows from
the casting ladle 4 into the ladle gate 9. The location of
the bottom tap hole lO is staggered in relation to ladlegate 9.
During the assembly of the continuous casting device, the
horizontal continuous casting moulds 6 are aligned with the
casting axis 11, for example using laser optics. At this
time, the storage vessel 5 is also aligned with the axis 12
of a perforated brick 13 and with an inserted nozzle brick 14
on the casting axis ll. After several charges, or even after
the first heat, the storage vessel 5 expands and distorts,
resulting in the above-mentioned deviation between axes ll
and 12. An adjustable connection 15, to be described in
greater detail hereinafter, compensates for these deviations
and also provides a seal at the end face 14a of the nozzle
brick 14. Located in the vicinity of nozzle brick 14 is a
closure element 16 wiiich, if need arises, halts the flow of
molten metal in the horizontal continuous casting mould 6.
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As shown in Fig. 3, the adjustable connection 15 is arranged
on the side 8a of the storage vessel 5 facing the extracting
machine 8. In contrast to this, in Figs. 4 and 5 the
connection 15 is located on the underside 5a of the storage
vessel.
While the device is in operation, the molten metal passes
from the casting ladle 4, through an open sliding closure 17,
and through a pipe 18, for example, into the storage vessel 5,
the sliding closure 17 acting as a control device. Upon
completion of pouring, or in the event of an emergency, the
molten metal may be removed from the storage vessel through
the bottom tap hole 10 into the emergency ladle 19, when
closure lOa is open.
The connection 15, adjustable in relation to casting axis 11,
is also provided with a concentric sealing surface 20, 21
for a seal on the end face 14a of the nozzle brick 14. The
end face 14a is in the form of a separate sealing ring element
22 made of a refractory material. An adjusting element 23
is inserted. The seal, namely the sealing surfaces 21, of
sealing ring element 22, and adjusting element 23, are held
together by means of screws 24. The mould is secured to the
storage vessel 5, to the nozzle brick 14, the sealing surface
21 and the seating surface 26, forming a seal, by means of a
clamping ring 25 (Fig. 3).
Each of the examples shown in Figs. 4 and 5 comprises an
angular casting metal guide 27 having a vertical leg 27a
built up as follows from top to bottom: located at the
storage vessel 5 is a concave dish 28 made of appropriate
metals. A convex matching plate 29 containing an insert 30
adjustable in height which, in the operative position, co-
operates sealingly with telescopic tube 31 for protection
against oxidation. The telescopic tube 31 is guided by a
cover 32 and also constitutes a bearing. The cover 32
closes off an intermediate contrainer 33. A pouring gate 34
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is suspended universally in the telescopic tube. A
protective gas may, if necessary, be introduced into the
casting chamber 35. Venting (not shown) for the chamber 35
is provided for starting up. In Figs. 4 and 5, the adjustable
connection 15 is constructed as described for Fig. 3.
The height 36 is governed by the ferrostatic pressure
required for the cast product.
In Fig. 5, the casting ladle 4 acts as the storage vessel,
which is thus dispensed with. The pipe 18 is fitted
sealingly to the bottom 37. The level of the bath 38 (Figs.
4 and 5) may be subject to automatic control.
