EP2729267B1 - Device for laterally sealing a casting installation - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for side sealing, particularly, but not exclusively, for narrow side sealing in strip or continuous casters.

State of the art

Various systems for side sealing of strip or continuous casting plants are known from the prior art. The object of these systems is essentially to prevent the leakage of liquid metal, especially steel to the sides of the system. Furthermore, these systems are used, inter alia, for adjusting the width or the thickness of the cast metal strips or strands.

The publication EP 0 145 811 A1 discloses a caster with movable side dams. These side dams consist of individual blocks lined up on a band. By means of a device running alongside the blocks, the blocks can be sprayed with water on the sides facing away from the cast strip. Although such chain-like side dams can be relative robust, but have the disadvantage that their blocks can not always be sufficiently cooled or large amounts of water are needed, which in turn may need to be removed separately.

The item " Direct Strip Casting (DSC) - Option for the Production of New Steel Grades "from the journal" Steel research ", 74 from 2003, No. 11/12 discloses a horizontal strip caster which includes a system for laterally sealing a strip which also utilizes chains of copper blocks. Individual copper blocks of the chain are thereby connected to each other by hose connections. At the ends of the hose connections are metallic threads which can be screwed into the copper blocks. Although this system allows for improved cooling of the copper blocks, it does have some key drawbacks: the fabric-lined interconnect hoses absorb all of the tensile forces in the chain and can not withstand long-term stress under production conditions. During intensive use, the hoses may break or even rupture, which can endanger the operational safety if, for example, liquid steel can no longer be prevented. Furthermore, on the one hand the quality of the band can be negatively influenced by uncontrolled outflowing water and on the other hand the cooling of the chain can no longer be ensured. Another disadvantage of this system is that in long cold chains or casting processes with high cooling demand, the pressure of the cooling water over the length of the chain is not sufficient, whereby the cooling for parts of the chain can not be adequately ensured. An increase in the water pressure in the chain is limited, because this has a negative effect on the closing force of the chain in the longitudinal direction. Another disadvantage of the device is that chains for side sealing, as also shown in the publication, are often deflected by sprockets to move circumferentially with the cast strip. But especially in the field of sprockets act on the tubes, especially at the transition to a metallic thread increased bending forces, so that there cracks and / or breakages can form. Finally, the assembly and manufacture of the fabric reinforced hoses are time consuming.

Disclosure of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages. In particular, a device for (side-by-side) sealing a strip casting plant for casting a metal strip or strand is to be provided, which is more robust and / or easier to manufacture than the known systems and at the same time allows good cooling of the chain links.

The invention comprises the features of claim 1, according to which a device is provided for laterally sealing a strip or strip casting plant comprising at least one chain with at least two successive metal blocks for laterally sealing the strip casting plant, the blocks forming links of the at least one chain and the device furthermore comprises at least one connecting part for connecting two successive metal blocks and a channel which can be filled with a coolant both through the at least two metal blocks and through the at least one connecting part. In particular, the connecting part according to the invention is essentially formed of metal and the device further comprises ball joints for connecting the at least two metal blocks with the connecting part connecting them.

This constructive embodiment according to the invention results in several improvements over the closest prior art. The life or durability of the device is improved. The compound according to the invention in particular increases the resistance to breakage of the device, wherein no demolition or breakage of a hose can occur more. Thus, both a high reliability and a high quality of the strand or the band can be ensured. Furthermore, the system allows an increase in the water pressure in the line compared to a system of flexible hoses. In addition, the mobility of the chain is ensured even at high pressures.

According to the invention, the term lateral seal can be understood as meaning both a sealing of the narrow and broad sides of a band or strand or also the sealing of the upper and / or lower sides of such. Furthermore, the device can be used both in vertical casting plants as well as in horizontal casting plants.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ball joints each comprise a ball joint head and a ball joint socket and the connecting part has substantially the shape of a tube which at its two ends in each case comprises a ball joint head connected to the tube.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting part comprises at least one of the ball joints, wherein on the ball joint head one of the ball joint pans is movably mounted. The shape of the pipe or pipe cross-section is not limited to circular shapes and also polygonal or otherwise shaped cross-sections are covered.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the ball joint socket movably mounted on the ball joint head is positively connected to the corresponding metal block for receiving tensile forces acting along the chain. Such a connection allows for a simplified installation and / or interchangeability and on the other hand ensures an effective and stable connection of the metal blocks against tensile forces in the direction of the chain.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the metal blocks comprises the ball joint socket (integral with the block or inserted or pressed into the block) of at least one of the ball joints. By this design, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least two blocks are each formed from at least two detachably interconnected components (halves) such that the at least one connecting part is exchangeable. Such a design of the blocks, the connecting part can be easily replaced, whereby maintenance times can be minimized.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting part or the tube between its two ends is formed divisible. Characterized in that the connecting part or the tube is formed divisible between its two ends, a ball joint or its pan or ball head can be replaced easier and faster. In case of damage of a ball joint, material costs can be saved as well.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting part substantially in the form of a tube, which comprises at its two ends in each case one of the ball joints.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the chain comprises a plurality of metal blocks and connecting parts for connecting successive metal blocks and at least one sprocket (preferably two sprockets), over which the chain is arranged circumferentially. Especially in such an arrangement in which the chain runs over sprockets, the resistance to breakage of the device according to the invention over a system with flexible hoses is significantly improved.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is designed such that the chain can run with the cast strip or strand.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the ball joints comprise seals for sealing the ball joints against cooling water guided in the channel.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the blocks and / or the connecting parts are made of copper or copper alloys and preferably made of steel, steel alloys or stainless steel. These materials have proven to be particularly suitable for the present device. In particular, the blocks may be formed of copper or copper alloys and / or the joints of steel or steel alloys.

Thus, on the one hand a good cooling of the strand or strip can be achieved and on the other hand, the breaking strength of the chain can be improved.

Furthermore, the invention also encompasses a strip or continuous casting installation comprising a device according to one of the abovementioned embodiments. The advantages of such a system essentially correspond to those already mentioned above.

In general, features of the above-mentioned embodiments can also be combined with each other or even exchanged with each other.

Brief description of the figures

Figur 1:

eine schematische, perspektivische Teil-Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsbeispiels einer Kette;

Figur 2:

eine schematische, perspektivische, Teil-Schnittansicht einer Verbindung zwischen zwei Metallblöcken der Kette gemäß Figur 1;

Figur 3:

eine schematische, perspektivische Schnittansicht eines Verbindungsteils gemäß einem erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsbeispiel; und

Figur 4:

eine schematische perspektivische Schnittansicht des Verbindungsteils gemäß Figur 3 in abgewinkelter Stellung.

The figures of the embodiments will be briefly described below. Further details can be found in the detailed description of the embodiments. Show it:

FIG. 1:

a schematic, partial perspective sectional view of an embodiment of a chain according to the invention;

FIG. 2:

a schematic, perspective, partial sectional view of a connection between two metal blocks of the chain according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3:

a schematic, perspective sectional view of a connecting part according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4:

a schematic perspective sectional view of the connecting part according to FIG. 3 in angled position.

Detailed description of the embodiments

FIG. 1 shows a portion of a chain 1 of an embodiment of the invention for side sealing a strip or continuous casting, comprising a plurality of links or metal blocks 3. The blocks 3, which may also be referred to as dam blocks 3, are interconnected by connecting parts (or pieces or arrangements Through the chain 1 extends a coolant channel 7. This channel 7 extends preferably both through the blocks 3 and through the connecting parts 5. Within the blocks 3, the channel may be expanded like a chamber for better cooling. Further, cooling fins may be provided within the blocks 3 for better heat exchange with the coolant. In particular, the connecting parts 5 may substantially have the shape of a tube, whose cross section may be formed both round and square or depending on the application may have completely different cross sections. The connecting part 5 is connected by ball joints with the adjacent blocks 3. In the illustrated form, the connecting parts 5 at their (the metal blocks 3 facing) ends each comprise a ball joint head 9, wherein the channel 7 preferably extends through this head 9 and through the tube. Furthermore, the ball joint generally comprises a joint socket 11 or a joint shell 11, in which the joint head 9 can be mounted rotatably. In particular, the tube, the condyle 9 and the shell or pan 11 can form the connecting part 5. Alternatively, it is generally possible that the Shell or pan 11 is provided fixed or detachable in the metal blocks 3.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a junction between two blocks 3, as already in FIG. 1 is shown. The connecting part 5 connects two adjoining metal blocks 3. Through the metal blocks 3 and the connecting part 5 of the fillable with cooling water channel 7. The metal blocks 3 are preferably designed such that they receive the ball joint cups 11 positively. Tensile forces acting along the chain 1, the blocks 3 therefore already can not separate from each other. Other devices for receiving tensile and / or compressive forces or for sealing between adjacent blocks 3 can be additionally provided. FIG. 2 also shows a preferred embodiment, according to which the connecting parts 5 are formed in two parts for separating in the longitudinal direction. The ability to share the connecting part 5 or the tube between the ball joints or the metal blocks 3, facilitates replacement of individual links of the chain 1 and the replacement of individual ball joints. Preferably, the metal blocks 3 may be formed in such a multi-part, that they are to be opened and so connecting parts 5 together with bearing or pan 11 can be seen. The joint sockets or shells 11 are preferably sealed relative to the blocks 3 and / or the rod ends 9 by seals.

FIG. 3 shows an inventive embodiment of a connecting part. The connecting part is essentially formed by a tube which comprises two telescoping pipe sections. At the ends of the tube, the connecting part 5 each has a ball joint shape. The illustrated shape of the ball joint head 9 is merely an example. In the context of the present application, the term ball joint is intended to be directed both to partially or hemispherical forms and to forms which form a complete sphere form. However, the cooling water channel 7 preferably passes through the condyle 9. Also, the illustrated ball joint socket 11 may include or cover a larger or smaller area of a condyle 9 than shown. Preferably, however, the metal blocks 3 are only inclined by less than 15 °, preferably less than 10 °, relative to one another. Rod ends 9 and pans 11 can be formed according to the maximum required tilt angles. If the connecting part 5 is formed divisible along its axis, if necessary, the two parts of the connecting part can be separated in the direction of its longitudinal axis, so that one of the two parts together with the joint shell 11 can be replaced or only one joint shell 11 can be replaced or one of the Parts including ball head 9 can be replaced.

FIG. 4 shows the connecting part according to FIG. 3 in which the two joint sockets 11 are inclined by a few degrees. Such a situation may occur, for example, when a chain 1 together with the metal blocks 3 adjoining the connecting part 5 are deflected by means of a sprocket or a similar mechanism.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 1: chain
• 2: metal band / strand
• 3: metal block
• 5: connecting part
• 7: channel
• 9: Ball joint head
• 11: Ball joint socket / shell

Claims (13)

1. A device for lateral sealing of a plant for casting a metal strip or metal strand (2), comprising the following:

   at least one chain (1) which comprises at least two successive metal blocks (3) for lateral sealing of the plant, which blocks form links of the at least one chain (1);

   at least one connecting part (5) for connecting two successive metal blocks (3); and

   a channel (7) which extends not only through the at least two metal blocks (3), but also through the at least one connecting part (5) and which is fillable with a coolant,

   characterised in that

   the connecting part (5) is formed from metal and the device additionally comprises ball joints for connecting the at least two metal blocks (3) with the connecting part (5) connecting them.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the ball joints each comprise a ball-joint head (9) and a ball-joint socket (11) and the connecting part (5) has substantially the form of a tube which has at each of the two ends thereof a respective ball-joint had (9) connected with the tube.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the connecting part (5) comprises at least one of the ball joints and a ball-joint socket (11) is movably mounted on the ball-joint head (9) thereof.
4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the ball-joint socket (11) movably mounted on the ball-joint head (9) is mechanically positively connected with the corresponding metal block (3) for acceptance of tension forces acting along the chain (1).
5. The device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the metal blocks (3) comprises the ball-joint socket (11) of at least one of the ball joints.
6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein two successive blocks (3) are respectively formed from at least two detachably interconnected components and that the connecting part (5) connecting the two successive blocks (3) is removable from the two successive blocks (3) when the components are released from one another.
7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting part (5) is constructed to be divisible between its two ends.
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting part (5) has substantially the form of a tube which comprises a respective one of the ball joints at each of its two ends.
9. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chain (1) comprises a plurality of metal blocks (3) and connecting parts (5) for connecting successive metal, blocks (3) and the device further comprises at least one chainwheel around which the chain (1) is arranged to circulate.
10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one chain (1) is constructed for running together with the cast strip or strand (2).
11. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ball joints comprise seals for sealing the ball joints relative to coolant conducted in the channel (7).
12. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blocks (3) and/or the connecting parts (5) are made from copper or copper alloys or from steel, steel alloys or stainless steel.
13. A strand or strip casting plant comprising a device according to any one of the preceding claims.

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