GB2167985A

GB2167985A - Device for heating and filling a mould

Info

Publication number: GB2167985A
Application number: GB08431045A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lubomir Baros; Svatopluk Kopec; Jiri Terlecky
Original assignee: Vitkovicke Zelezarny Klementa Gottwalda np
Current assignee: Vitkovicke Zelezarny Klementa Gottwalda np
Priority date: 1984-12-07
Filing date: 1984-12-07
Publication date: 1986-06-11
Also published as: GB8431045D0

Abstract

In an ingot casting process, a mould (22) is partially filled, the metal in the upper region of the mould being then heated by an electric arc. The mould is thereafter filled up with metal through a dipping funnel (5, Fig 3). The invention provides apparatus to perform the latter two functions comprising an arm (1) mounted rotatably on a base (6), on which arm (1) is provided a horizontally displaceable platform (2). The platform (2) has carriers for heating electrodes (8), and, at its free end, a bracket (4) for holding the dipping funnel (5, Fig 3). Rotational and translational position transducers (16, 18, Fig 3) are provided for the arm and platform. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for heating and filling up mould with steel The invention relates to a device for heating and filling up a chill mould with steel and its aim is to solve a problem of performing two technological operations, i.e. heating and filling up, in quick succession.

Steel from a casting ladle has been vacuum cast in a caisson (vacuum chamber) into a chill (cold) mould, which in the first phase is filled to the level of a feeder head. After casting a continuous solidification of the steel in the mould and simultaneous heating of its level by an electric arc take place. In the second phase there the feeder head part of the ingot is filled up by means of a dipping funnel (runner) The heating of steel in the chill mould by an electric arc is performed by a separate device.

The subsequent filling up of the ingot head is then carried out by another separate device.

This known method has a drawback, viz. a considerable time loss. Especially disadvantageous is the time delay between the end of the heating and filling up of the head part of the ingot by means of the dipping funnel, during which it is necessary to shift away the device for heating steel as quickly as possible from the area over the mould and to shift the device for filling up the mould with steel by means of the dipping funnel exactly to the axis of the mould. Another drawback resides in the fact that in this way the total weight of the device and space requirements for situating this new technology of casting in the bay of the steel plant are increased.

The mentioned drawbacks may be obviated by a device according to the invention, comprising a carrier of electrodes for heating steel, and a bracket for locating a dipping funnel, the principle of which resides in the fact that the carrier is arranged on a platform, which is located shiftably in a horizontal direction on a arm rotatingly seated on a base and to the loose end of which a bracket for locating a dipping funnel is fixed. A segment gear is fixed from below to the arm, which is in engagement with a pinion of a position transducer of the arm swivelling. A rack, which is in engagement with the pinion of a position transducer of the platform, is fixed in the internal part of the platform.

The advantage of the device according to the invention resides in the fact that it allows two technological operations, i.e. the heating of steel and filling up of the ingot mould by means of a dipping funnel in quick succession. Another advantage resides in the face that the device forms a compact whole of a relatively low weight with minimal requirements on a space. In addition the position indication of the rotating arm and shiftable platform allows the device to be set up in advance exactly in the a axis of the mould during preparation for casting, and before the phase of heating and filling up steel one may quickly and accurately achieve the desired position of the device in advance.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, a preferred embodiment thereof is, by way of example, hereinafter more fully described and illustrated in the accompanying diagammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the device in a position for heating steel, Figure 2 shows a front elevation of the device in a position of topping up the moulds with steel by means of a dipping funnel, and Figure 3 shows a plan of the device in the initial position where in a position turned through an angle there is shown the device when filling up steel by means of the dipping funnel.

The device according to the invention is formed by an arm 1, on which a platform 2 provided with carriers 3 for electrodes 8 is located displaceably in a horizontal direction. A bracket 4 for seating a dipping funnel 5 (in Figure 2) is fixed to the platform 2. The arm 1 with the platform 2 and carriers 3 is rotatably mounted in a base 6 which is anchored in a concrete foundation. Holders 7 for clamping the electrodes 8 are fixed onto the carriers 3 viz. at the end of their arms.

Electric current is supplied to the electrodes 8 via pipe conductors 9 fixed on a stationary bracket 10 and ending over the centre of rotation of the arm 1 freely suspended cables 11 and pipe conductors 12 supported on the carriers 3. Cooling water is supplied to the carriers 3 by freely suspended hoses 13. The arm 1 carries a hydraulic aggregate 14, which is a source of pressure oil for a swinging hydraulic motor of a drive for rotating the arm 1; a direct (linear) motion hydraulic motor for displacing the platform 2, direct (linear) motion hydraulic motors for lifting the carriers 3 and single-action hydraulic cylinders for actuating the holders 7 of the electrodes 8 are supplied with pressure oil from the hydraulic aggregate 14 as well.

A segment gear 15 (Figure 3) which is in engagement with a pinion 16 of a position transducer for turning the arm 1 is fixed on the arm 1. A rack 17, which is in engagement with a pinion 18 of a position transducer of the platform 2 is fixed in the inner part of platform 2.

When casting ingots, the device is at the beginning in the initial position, i.e. the arm 1 is turned outside a casting pit with caisons (vacuum chambers) 19 and 20, the platform 2 is shifted to a limit position, the carriers 3 are partially lifted and electrodes 8 are not situated in their holders 7. After partial filling of a chill mould 22 located in the caisson 19 from a ladle 21, and after taking off a cover of the caisson 19, the arm 1 with the platform 2 and carriers 3 is turned from the initial position through an angle cci. The platform 2 is positioned over the mould 22 - Figure 2. The carriers 3 are lifted into their upper position and the electrodes 8 are clamped in the holders 7.After lowering the electrodes 8 up to the steel level in the mould 22, electric current is supplied to the electrodes 8 whereby the bath of steel in the mould 22 is heated by an electric arc. The heating of steel being over, the carriers 3 of the electrodes 8 are lifted into their upper position and the electrodes 8 are taken out of their holders 7. The plafform 2 is shifted in such a way that the bracket 4 maybe over the chill mould 22. The dipping funnel 5 is located on the bracket 4 and the head part of the ingot in the chill mould 22 is filled up from the ladle 21. The casting being over, the dipping funnel 5 is taken out and the arm 1 is turned back into the intial position.

The same process of casting may be performed also in the other caisson 20 by turning the arm 1 with the platform 2 through the angle (y,, because the centres of both caissons 19 and 20 lie on a circle of the same radius R with a centre in the axis of rotation of arm 1.

Although the invention is illustrated and described with reference to one preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be expressly understood that it is in no way limited to the disclosure of such a preferred embodiment, but it is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the ap

Claims

pended claims. CLAIMS

1. A device for heating and filling up mould with steel, the device comprising a carrier for electrodes for heating steel being arranged on a platform, which is carried displaceably in a horizontal direction by an arm, being rotatably mounted on a base, to the free end of the platform there is a fixed bracket for carrying a dipping funnel, a toothed segment, being in engagement with a pinion of a position transducer of the arm swivelling is fixed from below the arm, and in the internal part of the platform there is fixed a rack, which is in engagement with the pinion of a position transducer of the platform.

2. A device for heating and filling up a mould with steel, constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.