EP2227343A1

EP2227343A1 - Device for the interchangeable connection of a casting tube to a spout of a melt vessel

Info

Publication number: EP2227343A1
Application number: EP08865129A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Helmut Ebner; Johann Penn; Heinrich Thoene; Franz Wimmer
Original assignee: Siemens VAI Metals Technologies GmbH and Co; Siemens VAI Metals Technologies GmbH Austria
Current assignee: SIEMENS VAI METALS Technologies GmbH
Priority date: 2007-12-20
Filing date: 2008-12-16
Publication date: 2010-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2028-12-16
Also published as: EP2227343B1; BRPI0821140A2; KR20100100981A; CN101903122A; US8376196B2; US20100314421A1; AT506190A1; AT506190B1; WO2009080257A1; ATE543594T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the interchangeable connection of a casting tube (14) to a spout of a melt vessel (1) with a sliding closure (3) fastened on a melt vessel, said closure being formed by at least one stationary closure plate (4) and a closure plate (5) that can be displaced relative thereto, wherein the displaceable closure plate (5) is coupled to a sliding drive system (12) and carries the casting tube (14). In order to improve the change process of a casting tube and to make it safer, according to the invention the displaceable closure plate (5) carries a connecting ring (13) for the centered accommodation of the casting tube (14) and the displaceable closure plate (5) carries a changing device (16) for the casting tube, said device being synchronously displaceable with said plate, and a tensioning device (27) for pressing the casting tube (14) on to the displaceable closure plate (5).

Description

description

Device for the interchangeable connection of a pouring tube to a spout of a melt container

Technical area

The invention relates to a device for interchangeable connection of a pouring tube to a spout of a melt container with a slide closure attached to the melt container, which is formed by at least one fixed closure plate and a relatively movable closure plate, wherein the sliding closure plate is coupled to a displacement drive and the pouring tube wearing.

State of the art

A slider closure of the generic type is already known, for example, from WO 03/080274. This slide closure is designed as a two-plate slide, wherein a movable closure plate with a hydraulic actuator between an "open position", which allows the passage of molten metal, and a "closed position", which blocks the flow, is displaced.

A compact assembly consisting of a two-plate slide and a pouring tube, which is clamped by a clamping device in the operating position and can be released for a joint installation or removal, is known from JP 5-318061.

Slide closures are used in particular in continuous casting either on the ladle or in particular on the distribution vessel to ensure a controlled inflow of molten metal in the continuous casting mold and thus a stable casting process. Fireproof faceplate inserts and the casting tubes or shadow tubes are wearing parts and often need to be changed. Before starting the casting process, the spouts of the melt container are closed and must be opened with special measures. This requires a simple and secure manipulability of, for example, a firing device in a dangerous environment for the operating personnel.

In order to fix a pouring tube or shadow tube on the one hand in its operating position on the slide closure and to press with a certain contact pressure on this and on the other hand to perform a change of the pouring tube, a number of solutions have already been developed.

For example, EP 577 909 A1 discloses a mechanism for carrying and pressing a pouring tube at an outlet of an intermediate vessel, in which the carrying device comprises a two-armed lever pivotable about a system-external axis of rotation, at one end of which a receiving ring for the pouring tube and at its opposite End a counterweight for generating a contact pressure is arranged on the pouring tube. A precise positioning of the casting nozzle to the outlet for the molten metal can be achieved in this construction, however, only by a self-displaceable, but so prone to contamination auxiliary nozzle.

From US 4,892,235 a carrying and pressing device for a pouring nozzle is known, with which the pouring tube can be pressed against a stationary closure plate of a three-plate pusher. A fork receptacle for the pouring tube, which can be pivoted in and out about a vertical axis, comprises support rods designed as spring elements, with which a substantially predetermined pressing force can be generated after pivoting in a securing stop. A series of manipulations must be carried out manually in order to carry out a change of the pouring tube, whereby the safety of the operating personnel is significantly impaired.

Changing devices for casting tubes in conjunction with a three-plate slide, in which the sliding closure plate is arranged between two fixed closure plates, and the pouring tube is assigned to one of the fixed closure plates are known from US 4,526,301, EP 891 829 A1, EP 820 825 A1 or AT 349 666 B already known.

Furthermore, the described changing devices for casting and shadow tubes are not suitable for use in two-plate gate valves, in which the casting or shadow tube is to be fastened to the movable closure plate. Presentation of the invention

Object of the present invention is therefore to improve a device for interchangeable connection of a pouring tube to a spout of a melt container to the effect that easy handling of the casting nozzle in a Gießdüsenwechsel or other necessary manipulation can also be carried out automatically and a positionally accurate docking of a pouring tube a sliding closure plate of a two-plate pusher is guaranteed safe.

This object is achieved in a device for interchangeable connection of a pouring tube to a spout of a melt container of the type described above in that the sliding closure plate carries a connection ring for the centered recording of the pouring tube and the sliding closure plate synchronous with her displaceable changing device for the pouring tube and a clamping device for pressing the pouring tube to the sliding closure plate carries.

The displaceable closure plate consists essentially of a closure plate frame, which receives in a recess a closure plate insert made of a refractory material with a passage opening for the liquid metal. The closure plate frame is guided horizontally movable in a support frame of the slide closure and coupled with a displacement drive which is fixed to the support frame of the slide closure. By attaching the changing device for the pouring tube and, depending on the embodiment, an arbitrarily designed clamping device for pressing the pouring tube on this closure plate, in particular on the closure plate frame of the closure plate, an accurate positioning of the pouring tube is guaranteed regardless of the current position of the sliding closure plate sure. The slidable closure plate can be in both an "open position" that allows the passage of molten metal and in a "closed position" that blocks the passage of molten metal.

According to a preferred embodiment, the changing device comprises a pivot shaft and a pivot drive connected to the pivot shaft. The rocker shaft is supported on the sliding closure plate, which allows a pivoting movement about its pivot axis. Furthermore, a recording fork for Recording of the pouring tube fixedly connected to the pivot shaft and the two fork arms of the receiving fork are arranged in parallel normal planes to the pivot axis. Thus, a complete pivoting of the pouring tube from the region of the closure plate insert can be achieved with a rotary movement with short fork arms, whereby the closure plate insert is accessible. For example, in this swung-out position of the pouring tube, a clogged liquid metal channel can be easily blown away with an oxygen lance moved by a manipulator or robot.

A geometrically expedient arrangement of the changing device on the sliding closure plate or the closure plate frame is given if the pivot axis of the pivot shaft is arranged at a lateral distance from the connection ring for the pouring tube and the casting tube docking to the connection ring defines a connection position on the slide closure and that with respect is fixed to a pivot axis receiving the vertical plane, the connection position of the pouring tube on one side of the vertical plane and a change position for the pouring tube on the opposite opposite side of the vertical plane or directly in this vertical plane.

A change device of the type described allows a displacement of the pouring tube between a connection position on the displaceable closure plate and a change position of the pouring tube about a pivot axis in a pivoting angle range between 90 ° and 180 °. By this Ausschwenkbewegung the pouring nozzle is spent in an easily accessible for a manipulator area, so that with a correspondingly favorable design of the receiving hook at the ends of the fork arms both the large tilt angle can be easily handled as well as an automated unloading and loading the changer by a robot easily can be carried out.

In order to perform an automated change of the pouring tube with a robot or other manipulator, the pouring tube is equipped with a support ring and used with this in the pivoting device. Here, the support ring has a tuned to the outer shroud diameter ring element in which the shroud is inserted, on the ring member close opposite and directed away from each other support journals which rest in receiving forks of the two fork arms of the pivoting device and the ring member is a coupling device for the gripper of a Robot arranged. Suitably, the coupling device is positioned at an angle of 90 ° to the support pin on the ring member.

After pivoting the pouring tube from the connection position to the change position, the robot can therefore easily detect a pouring tube to be changed with the coupling device of the supporting ring directed against it and dock it thereto. Then the robot threads the pouring tube out of the swiveling device and places the pouring tube in a tool magazine. The robot takes a prepared for the next use pouring spout from the tool magazine with his gripping tool on the coupling device of the support ring and hangs the yaw tube in the waiting in the change position receiving forks the change device. Subsequently, the pouring tube is pivoted by a pivoting movement back into the connection position and is ready for use.

Preferably, the pivot drive is formed by a pivot motor. Swivel motors allow accurate rotation angle adjustment of the pivot shaft and thus precise control of the connection position, the change position and possibly necessary intermediate positions of the pouring tube.

Preferably, a hydraulic swing motor is used. But also swivel motors with pneumatic or electric drive can be used equally. The preferably hydraulic swing motor comprises a linear cylinder and a gear for generating a pivoting movement of the changing device under predetermined pivoting conditions.

Suitably, the clamping device for pressing the pouring tube is attached to the connection ring with a predetermined contact pressure on the sliding closure plate.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the clamping device for pressing the pouring tube to the connecting ring is integrated directly into the changing device, in particular the pivot drive.

Preferably, the clamping device is associated with a control device for the controlled setting of a predetermined contact pressure. If the clamping device is integrated directly into the hydraulic swing motor, or is part of the hydraulic swing motor, the regulated contact pressure is set with the hydraulic devices of the swing motor. In this case, the clamping device is arranged only indirectly on the sliding closure plate or the closure plate frame.

The tensioning device can also be formed by a prestressed spring acting on the pivot shaft of the pivoting device. The prestressed spring may be replaced by a mechanical spring of any type, e.g. a torsion spring, a pneumatic or hydraulic spring element may be formed.

The sealed with a slide valve closure and filled with molten metal melt container, if it is a ladle, in metallurgical operation usually several treatment stages in which the molten metal, for example, alloyed or subjected to a metallurgical refining process. In this case, no further components should be attached to the bottom of the container except the slide valve itself, above all, no hydraulic actuators. In order to be able to implement this also in the changing device according to the invention, the changing device comprises, articulated in divisible assemblies, a pivot shaft and an automatically engageable on the pivot shaft during an insertion pivot actuator. At least one centering lug for receiving and position positioning of the pivoting drive is arranged on the displaceable closure plate or concretely on the displaceable closure plate frame. The insertion and coupling of the pivot drive to the pivot shaft is advantageously carried out with a robot.

The same possibility also exists for the pivot shaft, which can be positioned, locked and positioned with its bearings in receiving pockets on the sliding closure plate or the sliding closure plate frame. Again, the insertion is done appropriately with a robot.

To facilitate this automated assembly work, the pivot drive and possibly also the pivot shaft are equipped with a coupling device for a gripping tool of a robot. Thus, the recording or filing of these modules from or on a prepared support bracket is easy to perform. Thus, it is possible even without staff in a potential danger area that the pivot drive and / or the pivot shaft during individual pretreatment steps and during the Transportation of the melt container in metallurgical operation of the sliding closure plate or the sliding shutter plate frame are stored separately on a support frame determining the casting position on a support bracket and the pivot drive and / or the pivot shaft only after settling of the melt container on the support frame with a robot or other manipulator is used on the sliding closure plate or the sliding closure plate frame.

For the specific application in a continuous casting plant, the melt container forms a ladle, with the steel melt pretreated from the steel mill is brought to the continuous casting. The support frame for receiving the ladle forms the Pfannendrehurm with his fork arms. On the ladle turret is also the support bracket on which the rotary actuator and the pivot shaft for the robot-mounted mounting on slide gate valve are prepared.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments, reference being made to the following figures, which show:

Fig. 1 shows a device according to the invention for interchangeable connection of a

Casting tube to the spout of a melt container in the change position of the pouring tube,

Fig. 2 shows a device according to the invention for interchangeable connection of a

Casting tube to the spout of a melt container in the connection position of the pouring tube,

Fig. 3 shows an inventive device for interchangeable connection of a pouring tube to the spout of a melt container in a side view and

Fig. 4 shows a device according to the invention for interchangeable connection of a pouring tube to the spout of a melt container in a bottom view. Embodiment of the invention

The inventive device for interchangeable connection of a pouring tube to a spout of a melt container is shown schematically in several views in FIGS. 1 to 4 and explained in detail below with reference to this exemplary embodiment.

In distribution vessels in continuous casting is usually on the spout of pouring pipes or Tauchgießrohren; spoken by ladles of shadow tubes. The solution according to the invention comprises both applications and is equally suitable for both applications.

FIG. 3 shows in a partial section a melt container 1, with a steel jacket 1a and an inner refractory lining 1b. The melt container may be formed, for example, as a ladle or as an intermediate vessel on a continuous casting. In the bottom of the melting vessel, there is disposed a refractory material brick spout 2 having an outlet opening 2a for continuously flowing molten metal (e.g., liquid steel). On the outside of the melt container, a closure member designed as a slide closure 3 is arranged, with which the outlet opening 2a can be closed or opened or the amount of molten metal flowing through can be regulated.

The slide closure 3 is formed in FIG. 2 as a two-plate slide. The slide closure comprises - functionally - a fixed closure plate 4 and a sliding closure plate 5. In the invention, both the fixed closure plate and the sliding closure plate may consist of several parts, e.g. each comprise a plurality of superposed closure plates.

The fixed closure plate 4 comprises a closure plate frame 6, which is fastened directly to the steel jacket 1a of the melt container 1 by a screw connection. A refractory closure plate insert 7 is inserted into the closure plate frame 6 and has a passage opening 8, which is aligned with the outlet opening 2a in the melt container 1. Adjacent to the fixed closure plate 4, the displaceable closure plate 5 is arranged, which also comprises a closure plate frame 9, which is not shown on horizontal guides of the fixed Closing plate 4 is arranged displaceable between two parking positions. In the movable closure plate frame 9, a closure plate insert 10 is inserted and supported, which in one of the two actuating position has an aligned with the passage opening 8 in the closure plate insert 7 through opening 11 and which blocks the passage opening 11 in the other setting position. The displaceable closure plate 5 is pivotally connected to a hydraulic actuator 12, for example a controllable pressure cylinder, wherein the actuator 12 is supported on the fixed closure plate frame 6 and shifts the sliding closure plate 5 between the two actuating positions.

The closure plate insert 10 of the displaceable closure plate 5 has a connection ring 13, which may be part of the closure plate insert 10 or else as a separate pouring nozzle-like component 13a, as shown in Figure 2, the sliding closure plate 5 is assigned. This connection ring 13 or the pouring nozzle-like component 13a serves to receive the pouring tube 14 and its centering in a conical receiving seat.

For manipulation of the pouring tube 14, preferably its change due to wear, a changing device 16 is provided with the pouring tube 14 can be transported from a change position A in a connection position B and back. The changing device 16 is completely fixedly mounted on the closure plate frame 9 of the sliding closure plate 5 and therefore displaced synchronously with this closure plate. This results in a significant advantage of such a kind on the movable closure plate 5 positioned change device 16. The relative transport for the Gießrohrmanipulation remains regardless of the instantaneous position of the sliding closure plate (open or closed position) always the same and the centric placement of the yaw tube on the connecting ring thirteenth is always safely ensured and easy to carry out (Figures 1, 2).

As is apparent from Figures 1, 3 and 4, the changing device 16 includes a Schenk drive 17 and a pivot shaft 18. The pivot shaft 18 is - a pivoting movement about its pivot axis 19 permitting - coupled directly to the motor pivot drive 17 and rotatable about bearings 20 supported the sliding closure plate 5. The free end of the pivot shaft 18 opens into a receiving fork 21 with two fork arms 22 a, 22 b for receiving the pouring tube 14, wherein the fork arms at a distance from each other in parallel normal planes to Pivot axis 19 are arranged. The distance between the fork arms 22a, 22b is based on the outer diameter of the pouring tube 14. The fork arms 22a, 22b are hook-shaped and form receiving pockets 23 for receiving the pouring tube 14. The receiving pockets 23 are here designed so that the pouring tube 14 during the entire pivoting movement between the Anstellposition B and the change position A and back can not slip out of the receiving pockets and that especially in the setting position A, the transmission of a contact pressure from the pouring tube 14 is securely ensured on the connecting ring 13.

The changing device 16 is arranged with its pivot shaft 18 or pivot axis 19 laterally next to the slide closure 3 and the connecting ring 13. With respect to a vertical plane C receiving the pivot axis 19, the connection position B of the pouring tube on one side of the vertical plane and a change position A for the pouring tube are fixed on the opposite, opposite side of the vertical plane C or directly in this vertical plane. The pivot axis 19 is aligned parallel to the displacement direction of the sliding closure plate 5. With relatively short fork arms 22a, 22b, the pouring tube 14 can be moved from the connection position B in the relatively easily accessible change position A, in which removed easily with a manipulator or a robot, not shown here, the pouring tube 23 of the fork arms and a Austauschgießrohr again can be used. Furthermore, the pouring area is for cleaning work, e.g. a burning of the outlet opening with an also moved by a robot or other manipulator oxygen blowing lance or other means for opening or cleaning the outlet opening made easily accessible. The swivel angle range a between the pickup position B and the change position A is about 180 °.

The pouring tube 14 is inserted into a support ring 25 and used with this in the two receiving pockets 23 of the fork arms 22a, 22b. It comprises a ring element 25a with a conical receiving seat which corresponds to a conical ring part in the upper region of the pouring tube 14. The ring element 25a is adjoined by support journals 25b lying opposite one another and pointing away from one another and resting in the receiving pockets 23 of the exchange device 16. Furthermore, the ring element comprises a coupling device 25c, with which a gripping connection can be made with a robot or manipulator. The pivot drive 17 is formed by a pivoting motor 26, which is preferably operated hydraulically. This allows the direct implementation of a hydraulically generated movement of a linear cylinder by means of a gear in a metered rotational movement of the pivot shaft 18. The hydraulic swing motor also allows the setting of a regulated contact pressure and maintaining this contact pressure over a casting cycle by a built-in clamping device 27th

A tensioning device 27 for selectively pressing the pouring tube onto the displaceable closing plate can also be achieved, for example, by the action of a prestressed spring 27a, which acts directly on the feeding shaft. This prestressable spring is formed in FIG. 4 as a torsion spring, surrounds the pivot shaft 18, is fixed to the latter and to the displaceable closure plate 5, or to the closure plate frame 9, and builds up a corresponding contact pressure during the pivoting movement into the connection position b.

The pivot drive 17 and the sliding closure plate 5 are associated with centering lugs 28, which allows the automated insertion and coupling or remove again the pivot drive in and out of its operating position with a robot not shown in Figure 3. Similarly, the pivot shaft 18 associated bearings 20 are arranged in receiving pockets 29 so that also a robot-assisted insertion and locking in the operating position is possible. The pivot drive 17 and the pivot shaft 18 are designed as an assembly and are prepared on a site near, not shown here support bracket on the support frame of the melt container prepared for mounting. The pivot drive 17 and the pivot shaft 18 are equipped with coupling devices 30 for coupling to a gripping tool of a robot.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 melt container

1a steel jacket of the melt container

1 b refractory lining of the melt container

2 spouts

2a outlet for molten metal

3 slide lock

4 fixed closure plate

5 sliding closure plate

6 closure plate frame of the fixed closure plate 4

7 closure plate insert

8 passage opening

9 closure plate frame of the sliding closure plate 5

10 closure plate insert

11 passage opening in the closure plate insert

12 displacement drive

13 connection ring

13a Connection ring as pouring nozzle-like component

14 pouring tube

16 changing device

17 quarter turn actuator

18 pivot shaft

19 pivot axis

20 bearings

21 receiving fork 22a, 22b fork arms

23 receiving bag

25 support ring 25a ring element 25b trunnion

25c coupling device

26 swing motor

27 clamping device 27a spring

28 centering nose

29 receiving pockets

30 coupling device

A change position

B Connection position

C vertical plane a swing angle range

Claims

claims:

1. A device for interchangeably connecting a pouring tube (14) to a spout (2) of a melt container (1) with a slide closure (3) attached to the melt container, which is characterized by at least one fixed closure plate (4) and a relatively movable closure plate (5 ), wherein the displaceable closure plate (5) is coupled to a displacement drive (12) and carries the pouring tube (14), characterized in that the displaceable displacement plate (5) has a connection ring

(13) for the centered recording of the pouring tube (14) and the displaceable closure plate (5) synchronously displaceable with her changing device (16) for the pouring tube (14) and a clamping device (27) for pressing the pouring tube

(14) to the sliding closure plate (5) carries.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Changing means (16) comprises a pivot shaft (18) and connected to the pivot shaft pivot drive (17) that the Schenk shaft (18) on the sliding closure plate (5), a pivoting movement about its pivot axis (19) allowing, supported that a Receiving fork (21) for receiving the pouring tube (14) fixedly connected to the pivot shaft (18) and the two fork arms (22a, 22b) of the receiving fork (21) are arranged in parallel normal planes to the pivot axis (19).

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the pivot axis (19) of the pivot shaft (18) is arranged at a lateral distance from the connecting ring (13) for the pouring tube (14) and the to the connecting ring (13) docking pouring tube (13). 14) defines a terminal position (B) on the slider shutter (3) and that with respect to a vertical plane (C) receiving the pivot axis (19), the terminal position (B) of the shroud (14) on one side of the vertical plane (C) and a change position (A) for the pouring tube (14) on the opposite opposite side of the vertical plane (C) or is set directly in this vertical plane.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the changing device (16) a displacement of the pouring tube (14) between a connection position (B) on the sliding closure plate (5) and a change position (A) of the pouring tube (14) a pivot axis (19) in a pivoting angle range (a) between 90 ° and 180 °.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pouring tube (14) with a support ring (25) in the changing device (16) is inserted, wherein the support ring (25) has a matched to the outer Gießrohrdurchmesser ring element (25a) , in which the pouring tube (14) inserted, wherein on the ring member (25 a) connecting and facing away from each other connecting trunnions (25 b) which rest in receiving forks (21) of the two fork arms (22 a, 22 b) of the changing device (16) and wherein at Ring element (25a) is arranged a coupling device (25c) for a gripping tool of a robot.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot drive (17) by a pivot motor (26) is formed.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the pivoting motor (26) comprises a linear cylinder and a gear for generating the pivoting movement.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the swivel motor (26) is designed as a hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically operated swivel motor.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (27) for pressing the pouring tube (14) to the connecting ring (13) with a predetermined contact pressure on the slidable closure plate (5) attached or directly into the changing device (16), in particular the pivot drive (17) is integrated.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the clamping device (27) is associated with a control device for the controlled setting of a predetermined contact pressure.

11. The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the clamping device (27) in a hydraulic swing motor (26) is integrated and with the hydraulic means of the pivot motor (26) of the regulated contact pressure is set.

12. The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the clamping device (27) by a on the pivot shaft (18) of the changing device (16) acting prestressed spring (27 a) is formed.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displaceable closure plate (5) comprises a displaceable closure plate frame (9) and in the closure plate frame (9) insertable refractory closure plate insert (10) and the pivot drive (17) and optionally the tensioning device (27) is attached to the sliding closure plate frame (9).

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the changing device (16) comprises a pivot shaft (18) and an automatically engageable on the pivot shaft during an insertion pivot actuator (17) and on the sliding closure plate (5) or the sliding closure plate frame (9) at least one centering nose (28) for receiving and position positioning of the pivot drive (17) is arranged.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the pivot shaft (18) with its bearings 20 in receiving pockets (29) on the sliding closure plate (5) or the sliding closure plate frame (9) is inserted and positionally positioned.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the pivot drive (17) and / or the pivot shaft (18) is equipped with a coupling device (30) for a gripping tool of a robot.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 to 16, characterized in that the pivot drive (17) and / or the pivot shaft (18) during individual pre-treatment steps and during transport of the melt container (1) in the metallurgical operation of the sliding closure plate (5) or slidable closure plate frame (9) are stored separately on a support frame determining the casting position on a support bracket and the pivot drive (17) and / or the pivot shaft (18) after settling of the melt container (1) on the support frame with a robot or other manipulator the sliding closure plate (5) or the sliding closure plate frame (9) is used.