EP3623075B1 - Adjusting device for the narrow side of a continuous casting mould and method for adjusting the narrow side of a continuous casting mould - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an adjusting device for the narrow side of a continuous casting mold according to the preamble of claim 1, and a method for adjusting a narrow side of a continuous casting mold according to the preamble of claim 10.

For the production of metallic products by continuous casting, arc or so-called vertical bending continuous casting systems are known in the prior art. In the molds used here, which are generally rectangular in cross-section, at least one narrow side of the mold can be adjusted relative to the other narrow side, or both narrow sides relative to one another, in order to set a different format for the cast strand. For example, this is off DE 197 48 305 A1 or WO 2009/144127 A1 known - in these publications, for the purpose of adjusting the casting width, at least one narrow side of the mold is adjusted by means of a narrow side adjusting device or an adjusting element which acts in this way and which is connected to the narrow side.

According to the above prior art, it is known to adjust the format width or to adjust the conicity of the narrow side of the mold, which corresponds to the inclination of the narrow side relative to the vertical, that electric motor drives or hydraulic drives are used with the narrow side of the mold are connected on the outside and act on it. In general, two such drives are connected to a narrow side of the mold and act on or adjust the narrow side of the mold along two axes lying one above the other - so-called adjustment axes. Here, the position determination and the position control of each adjustment axis takes place - in the case of an electromotive drive with a connected threaded spindle - by determining the angle of rotation of the drive, or - with a hydraulic drive - via integrated position transducers, which are attached in or on the adjusting cylinder to determine the piston position (= cylinder stroke).

On the basis of given geometry values of a continuous casting mold and a calibration of the system, the individual positions of the axes along which the adjustment drives act for a respective narrow side of the mold can be converted into a side-related mold conicity and an opening width of the mold (in different horizontal planes: upper edge, lower edge, Bathroom level) must be converted accordingly.

In most cases, the basis for calculating a nominal width in a continuous casting mold is the desired cold width of the cast strand format. From this value, so-called temperature shrinkage factors are used to convert to the adjustment of the narrow side of the mold, thus realizing the desired width setting (cold dimension to warm dimension in the mold). The same applies to the so-called mold conicity. Such a conicity is necessary in continuous casting in order to reduce the temperature shrinkage of the still hot steel, i.e. Shrinkage in width in the mold or above the height of the narrow side of the mold, to be compensated solely within the given mold height.

Before the casting process or the start of casting of the continuous casting process, the narrow sides of the mold are set to the respective setpoint values, it being possible to change the position of the narrow sides of the mold during the casting operation. Such process-dependent changes in the positions of the narrow sides are used for desired changes in width, or also for necessary adjustments (conicity and width) when the steel quality is changed and / or when the casting speed is changed.

The position of the narrow sides of a continuous casting mold is controlled by the automation of the continuous casting plant. A setpoint for setting the Width, synonymous with the position of the mold narrow sides, and the narrow side taper specified by the basic automation. The adjustment of the mold narrow sides to predetermined setpoints takes place on the basis of a calibration of the measuring system of the narrow side adjustment device, this calibration being carried out as a rule at ambient temperature before the start of casting. With such a calibration, the mechanical adjustment system is generally assumed to be a constant and unchangeable parameter.

The possibilities for adjusting the narrow sides of the mold known up to now according to the prior art are subject to the disadvantage that possible fluctuations either in casting parameters or in temperatures that prevail in the area of the continuous casting mold result in both an imprecise or fluctuating product width and an imprecise one Narrow side taper can lead. Such fluctuations or inaccuracies lead to impairments or devaluations in quality or, in the case of a conicity that is not optimally set, can even lead to a so-called "strand connector".

The invention is based on the object of optimizing the setting of the narrow sides of a mold in the continuous casting process with a view to a consistently high quality of products produced therewith and thereby also increasing operational reliability.

This object is achieved by an adjusting device with the features of claim 1 and by a method specified with the features of claim 10. Advantageous further developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

An adjusting device according to the present invention is used to adjust the narrow side of a continuous casting mold. To this end, the adjusting device includes At least one actuator, which is connected to the narrow side of the mold, in particular by a joint, and a control device for generating an actuating signal and for controlling the actuator with the actuating signal, whereby the narrow side of the mold is adjusted in the direction of an adjustment axis in a target position during operation of a continuous casting plant can be. On the actuator, on parts thereof and / or adjacent to the actuator, at least one temperature sensor is arranged, which is in signal connection with the control device, for example wired or wirelessly via a radio link or the like. This temperature sensor can be used to measure a change in temperature on the actuator or on parts thereof, particularly during operation of a continuous casting plant. Furthermore, the control device comprises a computing unit with which a temperature change detected by the temperature sensor for the actuator and / or parts thereof can be converted into a thermally induced change in length. In this case, the control device is programmed in such a way that this calculated change in length in the direction of the adjustment axis is used to determine a correction variable which is taken into account when the actuator is actuated with the actuating signal.

1. (i) Erfassen einer Temperaturänderung an dem Stellglied, von Teilen davon und/oder angrenzend zu dem Stellglied,
2. (ii) Berechnen einer thermischen Längenveränderung für das Stellglied und/oder von Teilen davon, auf Grundlage der in Schritt (i) erfassten Temperaturänderung,
3. (iii) Berechnen einer aktuellen Ist-Position für die Kokillen-Schmalseite unter Berücksichtigung der in Schritt (ii) berechneten thermischen Längenveränderung,
4. (iv) Berechnen eines Korrekturwerts für einen Anstellwert, mit dem das Stellglied zum Anstellen der Kokillen-Schmalseite in der Sollposition angesteuert wird, und
5. (v) Erzeugen des Stellsignals zum Ansteuern des Stellglieds unter Berücksichtigung des Korrekturwerts von Schritt (iv), um damit die Kokillen-Schmalseite in ihre Sollposition anzustellen.

In the same way, the invention provides a method with which a narrow side of a continuous casting mold can be adjusted or adjusted to a desired position. In this method, an actuating signal is generated by a control device and thus an actuator is activated in order to adjust the mold narrow side, to which the actuator is connected in particular by a joint, in the direction of an adjustment axis in a target position during operation of a continuous casting plant. In detail, such a procedure comprises the following steps:

1. (i) detecting a change in temperature on the actuator, parts thereof and / or adjacent to the actuator,
2. (ii) Calculating a thermal change in length for the actuator and / or parts thereof, based on the temperature change recorded in step (i),
3. (iii) Calculation of a current actual position for the narrow side of the mold taking into account the thermal change in length calculated in step (ii),
4. (iv) calculating a correction value for a setting value with which the actuator is controlled for setting the narrow side of the mold in the target position, and
5. (v) Generating the actuating signal for controlling the actuator, taking into account the correction value from step (iv), in order to adjust the narrow side of the mold to its target position.

The invention is based on the essential knowledge that temperature changes occurring during the continuous casting process on the actuator, on parts thereof and / or adjacent to this actuator are detected with at least one temperature sensor, these temperature changes then being linear expansions or thermally induced with the computing unit of the control device Changes in length of the actuator or parts thereof are converted that occur on the actuator and / or its components. Taking these calculated changes in length into account, the invention then determines correction values which are suitably taken into account for the control signals with which an actuator for adjusting a narrow side of the mold into its target position is controlled. As a result, corrected adjustment paths are thus implemented for an actuator connected to a narrow side of the mold, so that the changes in length that occur as a result of temperature changes are suitably compensated. As a result, a narrow side of the mold is adjusted again exactly according to the specifications of its target position. As a result, changed temperature conditions during continuous casting with the present invention no longer lead to an otherwise imprecise adjustment of the narrow-side mold and / or its conicity.

The actuator with which an adjustment and / or adjustment of a narrow side of the mold takes place can be formed from a hydraulic cylinder or from an electromotive spindle drive. Details of these possible embodiments of the actuator are explained elsewhere below.

On the basis of the above-mentioned measurement of changed temperatures with the aid of the temperature sensor, changed component lengths of the actuator can be determined according to the invention, which correspond to said calculated changes in length of the actuator or parts thereof. In the case of an electromotive spindle drive, such a change in length can occur on a quill tube or on a spindle that is movably guided in it, and when a hydraulic cylinder is used, a change in length can occur on its cylinder rod. In any case, these changes in length are appropriately taken into account when controlling the actuator, so that when adjusting the narrow side of the mold according to its target position, there are no deviations or inaccuracies, not even with fluctuating temperatures in the casting operation.

Various types of temperature sensors can be used for the temperature measurement on the actuator of an adjusting device according to the invention, e.g. Thermal elements, semiconductor temperature sensors, integrated temperature sensors, fiber-optic temperature sensors, NTC's, PTC's, and / or infrared sensors.

Depending on the type of temperature change present, the aforementioned correction of the adjustment path for the actuator is to be understood as meaning that if the thermal change in length of the actuator and / or parts thereof is positive or becomes greater, then this change in length from the adjustment path, the otherwise with the actuator in the direction of the pitch axis would be set, deducted or subtracted. In the opposite case, ie when there is a negative or decreasing thermal change in length of the actuator and / or parts thereof, such a "shrinkage" of the actuator is then added to the adjustment path. This subtraction or addition is carried out by a suitable correction value that is applied to the control signal with which the actuator is controlled.

In an advantageous development of the invention, a temperature sensor can be attached to the outside of a narrow side of the mold. This ensures that fluctuating temperatures that occur within the mold during the continuous casting process and are also propagated to an actuator connected to a narrow side of the mold or to a part thereof, can be reliably detected or measured. In addition and / or as an alternative, it is also possible for a temperature sensor to be arranged or received in a narrow side of the mold, with the same advantages as just explained.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a temperature sensor can also be integrated in a position transmitter of the adjusting device according to the invention, which is in signal connection with the control device. This takes place with the proviso that such a position transmitter is arranged at least adjacent to or in the vicinity of the actuator, or can also be attached to the actuator itself. Such an integration of components advantageously leads to reduced costs and to a more robust configuration of the invention.

With the present invention, for example, it is possible to produce desired slab widths with possibly improved width tolerance, even if temperature fluctuations should occur during the continuous casting process. In the course of this, casting disturbances can also be effectively reduced, which has an advantageous effect on increasing the production output.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to a schematically simplified drawing.

Fig. 1

eine prinzipiell vereinfachte Seitenansicht einer Stranggießkokille mit verstellbaren Schmalseiten,

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht der Stranggießkokille von Fig. 1, mit erläuternden Hinweisen zu deren Abmessungen,

Fig. 3, 4

jeweils prinzipiell vereinfachte Seitenansichten von Ausführungsformen einer Verstelleinrichtung gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung, mit der eine Schmalseite einer Stranggießkokille von Fig. 1 eingestellt werden kann,

Fig. 5

ein Diagramm für den Temperaturverlauf der Hubachsen einer erfindungsgemäßen Verstelleinrichtung als Funktion der Gießzeit, und

Fig. 6

ein Flussdiagramm zur Erläuterung eines Schrittablaufs nach einem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a basically simplified side view of a continuous casting mold with adjustable narrow sides,

Fig. 2

a side view of the continuous casting mold of Fig. 1 , with explanatory notes on their dimensions,

Fig. 3, 4

each basically simplified side views of embodiments of an adjusting device according to the present invention, with which one narrow side of a continuous casting mold of Fig. 1 can be set,

Fig. 5

a diagram for the temperature profile of the stroke axes of an adjusting device according to the invention as a function of the casting time, and

Fig. 6

a flow chart to explain a step sequence according to a method according to the invention.

With reference to the Figs. 1 to 6 preferred embodiments of an adjusting device 10 according to the invention and a corresponding method for adjusting a narrow side 11 of a continuous casting mold 12 are explained. The same features in the drawing are each provided with the same reference symbols. At this point, it is pointed out separately that the drawing is only shown in a simplified manner and, in particular, without a scale.

Fig. 1 shows parts of a continuous casting mold 12, namely a basically simplified side view of the narrow sides 11 thereof, which can be adjusted along adjustment axes A in the direction of a center M of the continuous casting mold 12 or away from it. For this purpose, the outer sides of the mold narrow sides 11 are connected to actuators 14 by means of joints 16. How out Fig. 1 can be seen two actuators 14 are provided per mold narrow side 11, the adjustment axes A of which run approximately parallel to one another and are arranged one above the other.

With respect to a mold narrow side 14, uniform actuation of the two actuators 14 enables the mold narrow side 11 to move in the direction of the adjustment axes A in order to adjust the casting width for the continuous casting mold 12. If the two actuators 14 are controlled differently from one another, this leads to a change in the inclination of a narrow mold side 11 with respect to the vertical, and thus to an adjustment of the conicity of this narrow mold side 11.

The geometric relationships of the continuous casting mold 12 of Fig. 1 and an assignment of possible width values / conicity values are shown in FIG Fig. 2 clarified again in detail. Shown in detail are the conicity or the inclination of a narrow side of the mold, which, as explained, is achieved by a different control of the upper and lower actuator, the width at the lower edge and the upper edge, the width of the bath level and, accordingly, the bath level height, and finally also the height H of the narrow side of the mold.

In the Figures 3 and 4 Various embodiments are shown for an adjusting device 10 which is used to adjust a narrow side 11 of the mold. With regard to a symmetrical structure of the continuous casting mold 12 in relation to its center M, FIGS Figures 3 and 4 for simplification, only one half of them, in the present case each a narrow mold side 11 arranged on the right in comparison to the Fig. 1 and 2 . In this regard, it goes without saying that an adjusting device 10 on a (in Fig. 3 or. Fig. 4 not shown) left-hand mold narrow side 11 is identical.

The adjusting device 10 comprises in both embodiments of Fig. 3 or. Fig. 4 each a control device 18 with a computing unit 19. This control device 18 can either be part of an automation of a (not shown) continuous casting plant, or vice versa: the automation of such a continuous casting plant is then integrated into this control device 18 or a part thereof. There is a signal connection between the control device 18 and further components of the adjustment device 10, which is symbolized in the drawing in a simplified manner by a dotted line “21”.

In the Fig. 3 the adjusting device 10 comprises two actuators 14, namely in the form of electromotive spindle drives 14-S, each of which is connected to an outer side of the narrow side 11 of the mold via a joint 16. These spindle drives 14-S form an electromechanical concept for adjusting the mold narrow side 11 and are each arranged at the points in the Fig. 2 are labeled "Upper Actuator Reference Height" and "Lower Actuator Reference Height". A spindle drive 14-S each has a spindle 25 which is rotatably guided in a quill tube 26 connected to the joint 16 and which is driven in rotation by a motor 27. The motor 27 of a respective spindle drive 14-S is equipped with a rotary encoder 28 which is used to determine the position of the spindle 25. This rotary encoder 28 is also connected to the control device 18 via a signal path 21.

When the motor 27 is actuated, a rotation of the spindle 25 within the quill tube 26 realizes a variable spindle stroke length with which an adjustment of the narrow side 11 of the mold is achieved. The adjustment of a spindle drive 14-S takes place along a spindle stroke axis, which in the Fig. 3 is designated as such and is symbolized by a double arrow. This spindle stroke axis corresponds to an adjustment axis A, as in connection with Fig. 1 shown and explained.

A temperature sensor 20 is attached to the quill tube 26 of a respective spindle 14 -S, which is also connected to the control device 18 via a signal path 21. The mode of operation of this temperature sensor 20 is explained separately below.

In the Fig. 4 the adjusting device 10 comprises two actuators 14, namely in the form of hydraulic cylinders 14-H, which are each connected via a joint 16 to an outside of the narrow side 11 of the mold. These hydraulic cylinders 14-H form a hydraulic concept for adjusting the mold narrow side 11 and are each arranged at the points in the Fig. 2 are labeled "Upper Actuator Reference Height" and "Lower Actuator Reference Height". Starting from a housing 22 of the respective hydraulic cylinder 14-H, a piston rod 23 leads to the joint 16 for the purpose of a connection to the narrow side 11 of the mold. A temperature sensor 20 is attached to the piston rod 23, which - in the same way as in the embodiment of Fig. 3 - Is signal-connected to the control device 18 via a signal path 21. Each of the two hydraulic cylinders 14 - H is equipped with a linear encoder 24, which is also connected to the control device 18 via a signal path 21. The position of a piston or hydraulic cylinder 14-H can be determined by means of the linear encoder 24.

By moving the piston K within the housing 22, a variable adjustment length is realized with which the piston rod 23 brings the narrow side 11 of the mold into position. The adjustment of the piston rod 23 takes place along a cylinder stroke axis which corresponds to an adjustment axis A, as in connection with FIG Fig. 1 shown and explained.

With regard to the aforementioned temperature sensor 20, it is pointed out separately at this point that it is attached to the quill tube 26 of a spindle drive 14-S or to the piston rod 23 of a hydraulic cylinder 14-H in such a way that, for example, a current temperature at or in Area of the system consisting of spindle 25 and quill tube 26 or the piston rod 23 can be measured. Deviating from the representations in Fig. 3 or. Fig. 4 Other arrangements of the temperature sensor 20 and / or the provision of further temperature sensors 20 are also possible, for example in or on the gear G of a spindle drive 14-S, in or on the motor 27, in or on the rotary encoder 28, in or on the housing 22 of a hydraulic cylinder 14-H, in or preferably on the linear encoder 24, and / or in or on the mold narrow side 11. The linear encoder 24 and the rotary encoder 28 can also be collectively referred to as position sensors, in or on the, as just explained , the temperature sensor 20 can be attached. In any case, with such a temperature sensor 20, or a plurality of such sensors, it is possible to use it to measure a current temperature which an actuator 14 and parts thereof have. This also includes associated connecting elements and bearing housings of the individual actuators 14. A measured temperature can then be transmitted to the control device 18 and its computing unit 19 via the signal path 21.

In the representations of the FIGS. 3 and 4 A cast strand is indicated by the reference number "13", which is discharged from the continuous casting mold 12 in a downward direction during operation of a continuous caster. In a known manner, the position of the two narrow mold sides 11, which is set with the adjusting devices 10 attached to them, influences the width of such a cast strand 13.

A mode of operation of the invention is explained in detail below, with reference to the sequence of steps in the flow chart of FIG Fig. 6 Reference is made to:
Appropriate preparations are made before the start of a continuous casting process (see step 1 of Fig. 6 ). This includes, inter alia, a calibration of the actuators 14-H and 14-S, which, as explained, are connected to the narrow side 11 of the mold Outsides are connected. In this regard, it is assumed that such a calibration is carried out at a reference temperature of, for example, 20 ° C., this calibration temperature in the diagram of Fig. 6 is labeled "T _K ".

The mentioned calibration also includes knowledge of the materials that are used for the individual actuators. In this regard, the respective material-dependent linear expansion coefficients a for the individual parts or materials from which an actuator 14 consists or is formed are stored in the arithmetic unit 19. Furthermore, an output length l _{0 is} stored in the arithmetic unit 19, which - if a spindle drive 14-S is used - a system consisting of the quill tube 26 and the spindle 25 guided in it so that it can rotate therein, or - if a hydraulic cylinder 14-H is used - a piston rod 23, at which calibration temperature T _K has. In more general terms, an output length l _{0 is} stored in the arithmetic unit 19, which an actuator 14 with all parts thereof has along its adjustment axis A at the calibration temperature T _K.

In a next step 2, the continuous casting mold 12 is then set. This also includes that the two narrow sides 11 of the mold are set into their desired position by actuating the respective actuators 14. This takes place in that a control signal S is generated by the control device 18 (in the Figures 3 and 4 each symbolized by an arrow “S”), with which the motor 27 of a spindle drive 14-S or the piston K of a hydraulic cylinder 14-H is controlled.

In step 3, after all the necessary preparations have been made, the continuous casting process is started. At the same time, the temperature sensor (s) 20 measure the operating temperatures T _B that are present on the actuators 14, adjacent thereto and / or on their parts, the temperature measured values then being sent via the signal path 21 to the control device 18 and its computing unit 19 are transferred.

In step 4 it is checked whether a predetermined casting length has already been reached. Such a predetermined casting length corresponds at least to the narrow side height H (cf. Fig. 2 ) the continuous casting mold, or preferably a multiple of this narrow side height H. For example, such a predetermined casting length can assume the value of 2 meters.

Hierin sind:

• Δl_S : Längenänderung in Metern [m]
• α: Längenausdehnungskoeffizient (Werkstoff abhängig), in [1/K]
• l₀: Ausgangslänge in Metern [m], bei Kalibrierungs-Temperatur T_K
• ΔT : gemessene Temperaturänderung in Kelvin [K]

If the predetermined casting length has been reached, in the course of step 5 a temperature change ΔT is determined on an actuator 14, parts thereof and / or adjacent thereto, namely by comparing the operating temperature T _B measured with the temperature sensor with the calibration value determined at the beginning. Temperature T _K. The now following correction calculation in step 6 according to Fig. 6 provides that, taking into account the measured temperature change ΔT, a change in length Δ l _S of components of an actuator 14 is calculated using the following equation: $$\mathrm{\Delta }{\mathrm{I.}}_{\mathrm{S.}}=\mathrm{\alpha }\times {\mathrm{I.}}_0\times \mathrm{\Delta T}$$

Here are:

• Δl _S : change in length in meters [m]
• α: coefficient of linear expansion (material dependent), in [1 / K]
• l ₀ : initial length in meters [m], at calibration temperature T _K
• ΔT: measured temperature change in Kelvin [K]

By means of the above-mentioned calculation of the change in length that an actuator 14 experiences at the currently prevailing operating temperature T _B compared to the initial length at the calibration temperature T _K , it is possible to determine the thermal expansion of an actuator 14 along its adjustment axis A (when using a spindle drive 14-S: along the spindle stroke axis; when using a hydraulic cylinder: along the cylinder stroke axis).

If an actuator 14 has components made of different materials, the aforementioned calculation of the change in length Δl _{S is carried out} by adding the individual changes in length of the individual components involved.

In the event that, due to a change in the operating temperature T _B using the above equation (1) and taking into account a coefficient of linear expansion α of the components or parts of an actuator 14-S or 14-H involved, a change in length along the pitch axis A is determined is thus in step 7 according to Fig. 6 a current actual position for a mold narrow side 11 is calculated, and then in the next step 8 according to FIG Fig. 6 a correction value “OFF-SET” is calculated, which is applied to the control signal S output by the control device 18. In this way, even when temperature changes ΔT occur, the current position of a mold narrow side 11 can be set exactly into its target position.

The correction explained above for setting a mold narrow side 11 is illustrated using the following example:
If, during the continuous casting process and after reaching the predetermined casting length, the operating temperature T _B on the spindle 25 of a spindle drive 14-S (cf. Fig. 3 ) or on the piston rod 23 of a hydraulic cylinder 14-H (cf. Fig. 4 ) increased compared to the calibration temperature T _K , as a result of a positive change in length, the joint position of a mold narrow side 11, to which this spindle drive 14-S or this hydraulic cylinder 14-H is connected, shifts in the direction of the mold center M. This change is then correspondingly assigned to the spindle 25 or the piston rod 23 as an axis length "OFF-SET". This calculation process is carried out according to steps 5-8 Fig. 6 made for all adjustment axes A and for all actuators 14 which are connected to a mold narrow side 11 and are provided for their adjustment. Thus, according to step 7, as already explained above, a position of the actual positions of the narrow mold sides 11 is new is calculated and then, according to step 8, the correction value “OFF-SET” is determined, with which a correction is then possible for the setpoint positions at which the narrow sides are adjusted by controlling the actuators 14. As part of this correction, the correction value “OFF-SET” is subtracted or subtracted from the positive change in length that has occurred as a result of the increase in the operating temperature T _B.

In Fig. 5 a typical temperature profile is shown which occurs for an actuator 14 at its adjustment axis A after the start of casting, ie after the start of a continuous casting process in its course.

The sequence explained above according to the diagram according to Fig. 6 can be expanded by running through steps 5-8 again as soon as it is determined in a step 9 that there is a change in the operating temperature T _B of 5 ° C. or more (ie ≥ 5 ° C.) at an actuator 14 has compared to the previous measurement according to step 5, the currently determined operating temperature T _{B is} used for this.

As long as there is no such change in the operating temperature T _B of ≥ 5 ° C., a new check is always made as to whether this is the case, which is indicated by the return from step 10 to the beginning of step 9 in the diagram Fig. 6 is symbolized. Otherwise, if in step 10 the control device 18 receives a signal to terminate the continuous casting process (= end of casting? = "YES"), steps 5-8 are not repeated and thus no further adjustment is made.

Regarding the step sequence of the diagram according to Fig. 6 It should be pointed out separately that the steps shown here, in particular steps 3-11, can be carried out automatically during the continuous casting process without the intervention of operating personnel being required.

For the embodiment of the adjustment device 10 according to the electromechanical concept according to FIG Fig. 3 It is emphasized that the dominant component length, for which there is a temperature dependency with regard to a change in length, is formed by the variably acting spindle length, which is of different lengths depending on the engagement of the spindle 25 in the quill tube 26. In this respect, the dominant component length in the electromechanical concept, which must be taken into account to determine a possible change in length as a result of a change in the operating temperature T _B , is variable and not constant, and thus represents the main length of the active (variable) spindle stroke axis that is used to determine of the correction value "OFF-SET" is required.

For the embodiment of the adjusting device 10 according to the hydraulic concept according to FIG Fig. 4 It is emphasized that the cylinder rod of the piston rod 23 represents the dominant component length, which is subject to a temperature dependency with regard to a change in length, namely with an effective length that extends from the piston K to the end of the piston rod 23 connected to the joint 16. In other words, the dominant component length in the form of the piston rod 23 is constant. Accordingly, the calculation of a possible temperature-related change in length is essentially based on the length of this piston rod 23, which corresponds to the length of the in Fig. 4 illustrated "cylinder stroke axis" matches, in order to determine the explained correction value "OFF-SET". Possibly. the housing 22 of the hydraulic cylinder 14-H can also be included in the variable component length - in this case a known position of the piston K and a known length of the housing 22 are added to a variable length component along the pitch axis A to be added
By means of the adjusting device 10 and the corresponding method according to the present invention, not only the format width and the desired conicity can be set for a mold narrow side 11 during the continuous casting process, but necessary corrections are also made when the Mold narrow side 11 made to required target positions if there are changes in the operating temperature T _B and thus also a change in length of the actuators 14 along an associated pitch axis A in the course of the continuous casting process. With such a correction it is thus also ensured that a concave or convex bulge on the narrow sides of the cast strand 13 is prevented during the continuous casting process.

List of reference symbols

10

Adjusting device

11

Narrow side (of the continuous casting mold 12)

12

Continuous casting mold

13

Cast strand

14th

Actuator

14-H

Hydraulic cylinder

14-S

Spindle drive (operated by an electric motor, with a motor 27)

16

joint

18th

Control device

19th

Arithmetic unit (of the control device 18)

20th

Temperature sensor

21st

Signal connection

22nd

Housing (of hydraulic cylinder 14-H)

23

Piston rod (of hydraulic cylinder 14-H)

24

Linear encoder / position encoder

25th

spindle

26th

Quill tube

27

Motor (of the motorized spindle 14-S)

28

Rotary encoder / position encoder

a

Coefficient of linear expansion

A.

Pitch axis

G

transmission

H

Height (the narrow side of the mold)

K

Piston (of a hydraulic cylinder 14-H)

l ₀

Output length (of components of an actuator 14)

S.

Control signal (for the actuator 14/14-H / 14-S)

T _B

operating temperatur

T _K

Calibration temperature

Δl _S

(thermally caused) change in length of the actuator 14

ΔT

Change in temperature (on the actuator 14 or parts thereof)

Claims (17)

1. Adjusting device (10) for the narrow side of a continuous casting mould (12), comprising
   at least one setting element (14), which is connected with the mould narrow side (11), particularly by a joint (16), and
   a control device (18) for generating a setting signal (S) and for controlling the setting element (14) by the setting signal (S), whereby the mould narrow side (11) in operation of a continuous casting plant is adjustable in the direction of an adjusting axis (A) into a target position,
   characterised in that
   at least one temperature sensor (20), which is disposed in signal connection (21) with the control device (18), is arranged at the setting element (14), at parts thereof and/or adjacent thereto, wherein a temperature change (ΔT) at the setting element (14) or of parts thereof can be measured by the temperature sensor (20), particularly in the region of a continuous casting plant, and
   the control device (18) comprises a computer unit (19), by which a temperature change (ΔT), which is detected by the temperature sensor (20), for the setting element (14) and/or of parts thereof can be recalculated into a thermally produced change in length (Δl_s), wherein the control device (18) is so equipped in terms of program that a correction variable which is taken into consideration in the controlling of the setting element (14) by the setting signal (S) is determined with this calculated change in length (Δl_s) in the direction of the adjusting axis (A).
2. Adjusting device (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that if the thermal change in length of the setting element (14) is positive then this change in length (Δl_s) is removed or subtracted from an adjusting path, which corresponds with the setting signal (S) of the control device (18), in the direction of the adjusting axis (A).
3. Adjusting device (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that if the thermal change in length (Δl_s) of the setting element (14) is negative then the amount corresponding with this change in length (Δl_s) is summated with or added to the adjusting path, which corresponds with the setting signal (S) of the control device (18), in the direction of the adjusting axis (A).
4. Adjusting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the temperature sensor (10) is disposed in signal connection (21) by wire with the control device (18).
5. Adjusting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the temperature sensor (20) is disposed in wire-free signal connection (21) with the control device (18), preferably by way of a radio path or the like.
6. Adjusting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one temperature sensor (20) is mounted on a mould narrow side (11) and/or arranged in a mould narrow side (11).
7. Adjusting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the temperature sensor (20) is integrated in a position transmitter (24, 28) disposed in signal connection (21) with the control device (18).
8. Adjusting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the setting element (14) is formed from a hydraulic cylinder (14-H), wherein a temperature sensor (20) is arranged at or in a housing (22) of the hydraulic cylinder (14-H) and/or mounted on a piston rod (23) of the hydraulic cylinder (14-H).
9. Adjusting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the setting element (14) comprises an electromotorised spindle drive (14-S) with a motor (27), wherein a temperature sensor (20) is arranged at the motor (27) and/or mounted on the spindle (25) and/or a spindle sleeve (26) of the spindle drive (14-S).
10. Method of adjusting a narrow side of a continuous casting mould (12), in which a setting signal (S) is generated by a control device (18) and a setting element (14) is controlled by that so as to adjust the mould narrow side (11), with which the setting element (14) is connected particularly by a joint (16), in operation of the continuous casting plant in the direction of an adjusting axis (A) into a target position,
    characterised by the steps:

    (i) detecting a temperature change (ΔT) at the setting element (14), of parts thereof and/or adjacent to the setting element (14),

    (ii) calculating a thermal change in length (Δl_s) for the setting element (14) and/or of parts thereof on the basis of the temperature change (ΔT) detected in step (i),

    (iii) calculating an instantaneous actual position for the mould narrow side (11) with consideration of the thermal change in length (Δl_s) calculated in step (ii),

    (iv) calculating a correction value for an adjustment value by which the setting element (14) is controlled for adjusting the mould narrow side (11) into the target position and

    (v) generating the setting signal (S) for controlling the setting element (14) with consideration of the correction value of step (iv) in order to thereby adjust the mould narrow side (11) into its target position.
11. Method according to claim 10, characterised in that the steps (i) to (iv) are performed by a computer unit (19) of the control device (18).
12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that in step (i) the temperature change (ΔT) is determined on the basis of an instantaneous operating temperature (T_B) by comparison with a calibration temperature (T_K) at the start of the continuous casting process, preferably in that the temperature change (ΔT) is measured by at least one temperature sensor (20) arranged at the setting element (14), at parts thereof and/or adjacent thereto.
13. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that in step (i) the instantaneous operating temperature (T_B) is determined after, in operation of a continuous casting plant, a cast strip (13) with a predetermined cast length has issued from the continuous casting mould (12).
14. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the predetermined cast length corresponds at least with a height (H) of the mould narrow side (11) or a multiple of this height (H).
15. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterised in that the steps (ii) to (v) are repeatedly performed if the operating temperature (T_B) has changed by comparison with the last calculation by at least 5° C.
16. Method according to claim 15, characterised in that the steps (ii) to (v) are repeatedly performed if the operating temperature (T_B) has increased by comparison with the last calculation by ≥ 5° C.
17. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterised in that the steps (ii) to (v) are not further performed if the control device (18) is given a signal for concluding the continuous casting process.

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