US3730255A

US3730255A - Continuous casting machine

Info

Publication number: US3730255A
Application number: US00207929A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Bollig; J Zeller; W Simons
Original assignee: Schloemann AG
Current assignee: Schloemann AG
Priority date: 1970-12-14
Filing date: 1971-12-14
Publication date: 1973-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 1990-05-01
Also published as: ZA718373B; IT946128B; DE2061436A1; GB1369629A; BE775664A; SE368345B; DE2061436C3; AT317459B; CA941126A; DE2061436B2

Abstract

In a continuous casting machine two molds, each having the first section of the apron of a secondary cooling zone connected thereto to form a unit, are mounted on a turntable which is rotatable on a vertical axis. Each of said units is mounted to swing on said turntable on a horizontal axis. Thus, while one of said units is in casting position, and while casting continues, the other unit may be repaired or exchanged for a unit of different casting cross-section. To shift from one unit to another, both units are swung upwardly on their horizontal axes, and the turntable is then rotated on its vertical axis to bring the selected unit to proper position to allow the unit to be swung down to casting position.

Description

United States Patent [19 Bollig et al.

[ CONTINUOUS CASTING MACHINE [75] Inventors: Georg Bollig, Buederich; Josef Zeller, Weesen; Willi Simons, Duesseldorf, all of Germany [73] Assignee: Schloemann Aktiengesellschaft, Dusseldorf, Germany 221 Filed: Dec. 14,1971

211 App]. No.: 207,929

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 14, 1970 Germany ..P 2O 61 436.2

[52] US. Cl..... ..164/274, 164/282 [51] Int. Cl. ..B22d 11/08 [58] Field of Search 164/273, 274, 282

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,583,469 6/1971 Peytavin et al. ..164/273 R 51 May 1, 1973 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [57] ABSTRACT In a continuous casting machine two molds, each having the first section of the apron of a secondary cooling zone connected thereto to form a unit, are mounted on a turntable which is rotatable on a vertical axis. Each of said units is mounted to swing on said turntable on a horizontal axis. Thus, while one of said units isin casting position, and while casting continues, the other unit may be repaired or exchanged for a unit of different casting cross-section. To shift from one unit to another, both units are swung upwardly on their horizontal axes, and the turntable is then rotated on its vertical axis to bring the selected unit to proper position to allow the unit to be swung down to casting position.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented May 1, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May1,1973 3,730255 4 Sheets-Sheet 5' CONTINUOUS CASTING MACHINE The invention relates to a continuous casting machine in which the mold and the first section of the apron form a unit that can be removed from casting position. For improving the degree of utilization of continuous casting machines it isdesirable to shorten the stoppages in the event of a change in casting cross-section, a quality change or operational trouble.

In a continuous casting machine known in the art the upper section of the apron is combined with the mold table to form a structural unit which can be tilted about a stationary axis. For a replacement of the unit, pins, bolts and water supply pipes must be undone to enable the mold table to be tiltably raised by the foundry crane. After another screw connection has been un done the apron section can be exchanged for a prepared fresh unit. This exchange which must be performed with the aid of the crane takes some time to complete. Another drawback is that for undoing and.

remaking the screw connections as well as the connection to the linkage of the oscillating drive additional men must be kept available. This applies also to a continuous casting machine in which the mold, the mold table and the adjoining section of the apron form a unit that can be lifted out and relowered by the crane.

It is the object of the present invention to accelerate the replacement procedure by saving as much labor and as much crane work as possible. According to the invention this is achieved by the provision of a turntable, mounted to rotate about a vertical axis, for the reception of two units, each comprising a mold and a first section of the apron, that can be optionally moved into alignment with the upper end of the rest of the apron.

This releases the crane for other work. The mold and the first section of the apron can already be aligned whilst they are still in the stand-by position on the turntable, so that after having been hingeably lowered into working position and locked no further correction is necessary.

A continuous casting machine has already been proposed in which at least a part of the roller apron directly following the mold is traversible across the casting axis so that it can be exchanged. However, this is an arrangement that requires considerable space on both sides of the apron and the casting platform' must therefore be wider.

According to another feature of the present invention the units can be hingeably raised on the turntable. When there are several casting strands side-by-side, this arrangement enables them to be as closely spaced as heretofore without mutual interference between the associated turntables when the units are being replaced.

In the case of molds equipped with an oscillating drive it is desirable that the'oscillating drive which is mounted in a fixed position should be releasably connected to the mold. This can be achieved by the interposition between the oscillating drive and the mold of two transmission levers which are hingeably interconnectable by a pin entering an open-ended slot. This connection is releasable in the direction in which the mold is hingeably raisable. In other words, when the unit is raised or lowered the connection of the mold to the oscillating drive is automatically released and reestablished.

For supplying the mold with water self-closing valves turntable, with water supply and return pipes located on the stationary casting machine frame cooperating with said valves in casting position. The connection between the pipes and the valves is established when the mold is hingeably lowered.

In order to permit the tundish carriage to run into pouring position, sections carrying a track may be located in recesses in the hinged part of the turntable, thereby extending the track provided on the casting platform for the tundish carriages across the turntable.

In the further development of the invention a section carrying the bearings of the turntable is mounted on trunnions extending parallel to the axis of curvature of the apron and connected to a frame supporting the continuation of the apron. This prevents the upper unit comprising the mold and the first apron section from being displaced in relation to the rest of the apron when expansion occurs, a possibility for yielding being pro.- vided. V i

The drawing illustrates an embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a turntable carrying two molds.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the turntable.

FIG. 3 is a section taken on the line III --.-III in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the disposition of two continuous casting machines equipped with turntables.

Pivotably mounted on trunnions 3 on the supporting framework 1 of a continuous casting machine is a box section 2. Attached to the box section 2 is a frame 4 which carries sections 5 of a roller apron. Likewise secured to the box section'2 is a platform 6 which carries a circular track 7. The ring mount 8 of a turntable 9 runs in this track 7 on balls. The ring mount 8'has inter.- nal gear teeth 10 engaged by a pinion 12 driven by a motor 11.

On diametrically opposite sides of the turntable 9 two arms 15, 16 are pivotably mounted on horizontal pivot pins 13, 14. Each arm v15 16 is formed with a recessed socket 17, 18 for the reception of lateral trunnions 19 of a first guide zone 20. The guiding elements in this first guidezone 20 are plates 2L and rollers 21. Located above each of the first guide zone- 20 isa mold 23 resting in a U-shaped saddle 24.

Fitted to the side of the first guide zones 20 are brackets 25 which carry rollers 26 running between ledges 27 fitted to'the inside of the saddles 24.

Each saddle24is suspended from two upper links 28 and two lower operating levers 29, 30 which are attached to a shaft31 mounted on the arms 15,163An extension 32 on each operating lever 29, 30 is. connected to the arm 15 respectively 16 through an inter An eccentric 36 for oscillating the molds is driven by a motor 37 secured to the box section 2. The eccentric 36 operates a pusher arm 38 which is linked to a transmission lever 39 mounted on the platform 6. Fitted to the other end of the transmission lever 39 is a pin 40 which enters an open slot 41 in a lever 42 on shaft 31 when the unit is lowered. Connection to the operating lever 42 of the mold 23 is thus established.

For supplying water to the mold 23, self-closure valves 43 connected to the mold 23 by pipes not shown are mounted on the arms. Associated with the self-closing valves 43 are water supply and return pipes 44, 45 on the platform 6. These elements are automatically coupled when the arms 15, 16 are lowered into pouring position.

Sections 48 carrying rail tracks 47 are let into recesses 46 in the arms l5, 16. This arrangement extends a track 49 for tundish cars on the casting platform across the turntable 9.

We claim as our invention: 7

' 1. In a continuous casting machine in which the mold and the first section of the apron of the secondary cooling zone are connected together to form a unit, a platform, a turntable mounted thereon to rotate about a vertical axis to bring a selected unit to casting position, means to support two of said units on said turntable, said means being mounted to swing on parallel horizontal axes.

2. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 1 including means to oscillate one of said units when it is in casting position, said unit being detachably connected to said oscillating means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said oscillating means comprises two interconnected levers, one of said levers having a slot therein and the other of said levers carrying a pin which engages said slot when said unit is in casting position, and disengages said slot when said unit swings away from casting position.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said platform carries cooling water supply and return pipes, and said turntable carries self-closing valves, said pipes and valves being in operative engagement when a unit is in casting position and disengaged when said unit is out of casting position. v

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said turntable is provided with recesses carrying tracks for a tundish car, said tracks forming extensions of tracks located on the casting platform when either of said units is in casting position.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said platform is mounted on a box section carried on trunnions which extend parallel to the axis of curvature of the said apron, and having a frame carried by said box section which supports the continuation of said apron.

Claims

1. In a continuous casting machine in which the mold and the first section of the apron of the secondary cooling zone are connected together to form a unit, a platform, a turntable mounted thereon to rotate about a vertical axis to bring a selected unit to casting position, means to support two of said units on said turntable, said means being mounted to swing on parallel horizontal axes.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including means to oscillate one of said units when it is in casting position, said unit being detachably connected to said oscillating means.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said platform carries cooling water supply and return pipes, and said turntable carries self-closing valves, said pipes and valves being in operative engagement when a unit is in casting position and disengaged when said unit is out of casting position.