Facility for the continuous casting of metals comprising an ingot mould provided with optical fibre and method for preparing an ingot mould comprising the insertion of an optical fibre into such a facility

Abstract

The invention relates to a facility for the continuous casting of metals, which comprises: - means for casting liquid metal; - a location for receiving an ingot mould arranged under the means for casting liquid metal; - an optical device for processing light signals (32); - at least one optical fibre (26) having a first end connected, permanently, to the optical device (32) and a second free end; and - a driver (36) for advancing or retracting the optical fibre, in order to introduce the free end into a plate of the ingot mould or to extract it therefrom. The optical device (32) is configured to receive reflected light and / or light transmitted by the at least one optical fibre (26) and configured to transform data on the reflected and / or transmitted light into information on the temperature around the optical fibre (26).

Description

Installation for the continuous casting of metals comprising an ingot mold equipped with an optical fiber and method for preparing an ingot mold comprising the insertion of an optical fiber into such an installation

[0001] The invention relates to the continuous casting of metals. More particularly, the invention relates to a continuous metal casting installation and a method for preparing an ingot mold in such an installation.

[0002] A continuous metal casting plant, for example a continuous steel casting plant, generally comprises an ingot mold into which a liquid metal is poured for solidification in a suitable form. This may, for example, be a bottomless ingot mold, in which case the metal cools to form a slab, a bloom or a billet. To cool the liquid metal, the walls of the ingot mold are attached to cooling devices, for example of the liquid type. The ingot mold and the cooling devices are sized according to the flow rate of the metal so that the slab, for example, when it leaves the ingot mold, has a solidified external surface of a thickness sufficiently large to trap the still liquid metal located in the center of the slab.

[0003] When the liquid metal flows into the ingot mold, it can happen that the metal adheres to the walls of the ingot mold, which is undesirable and can have considerable consequences on the production of the installation. This notably causes the well-known breakthrough phenomenon. The adhesion of the metal to the wall creates an area in the slab in which the solidification of the metal does not take place properly, so that the slab leaves the ingot mold with an external surface of insufficient thickness in this area. As a result, it tears and the metal still liquid in the center of the slab flows out of it. Beyond the loss of efficiency, the liquid metal, therefore at very high temperature, can damage the installation or even constitute a danger for the operators of the installation.It is therefore necessary to detect these breakthroughs as soon as possible in order to be able to take preventive measures, for example slowing down the slab extraction speed, temporarily shutting down the installation or any other corrective measure.

[0004] A method is known in the state of the art for detecting whether metal is adhering to the walls of the ingot mold, a sign of imminent breakthrough. It is based on measuring the temperature of the walls of the ingot mold at different points. Indeed, it has been noted that the walls have a particular temperature profile when the metal adheres to them. It is known, for example from patent BE1025314 in the name of the applicant, to use an ingot mold comprising walls or plates, some of which are equipped with optical fibers. In a manner known per se, these optical fibers allow, by means of the emission of a light beam in the optical fiber and the detection of the reflected and / or transmitted beam, the measurement of the temperature at different locations on the wall. This measurement can thus be used as part of a breakthrough detection method.

[0005] However, this temperature measurement technique can be optimized. Indeed, each ingot mold must be equipped with its optical fibers, some of which represent a fairly high cost. And generally speaking, an ingot mold has two small walls and two large walls, each large wall is equipped with one or more optical fibers. In addition, each optical fiber is connected to an optical interrogator, which itself represents another cost center. This means that on the scale of a continuous casting line, or installation, typically comprising five ingot molds, equipping the ingot mold fleet with optical fibers represents a cost that can be very significant and constitutes a considerable investment.

[0006] Furthermore, when an ingot mold is brought to a casting line, the optical fibers must be connected to an optical light signal processing installation (the previously mentioned optical interrogator), which in particular allows the conversion of the light signal recovered from the optical fibers by converting it into temperature measurements as explained above and in the cited document. And when the ingot mold is removed from the casting line, the optical fibers must be disconnected from the optical light signal processing installation. These connection and disconnection operations are tedious, are complicated to implement in the casting area and can easily generate a transmission fault in the light signal which can disrupt the temperature measurements because these connectors are extremely sensitive to dust and fouling.

[0007] Finally, if the optical fibers have been swapped and are not reconnected to the same optical interrogator, it may be necessary to perform a calibration operation of the optical fibers.

[0008] The invention aims in particular to remedy these problems by improving the reliability in the use of optical fibers for measuring the temperature in the ingot mold while reducing the cost of equipping the installation with optical fibers.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to an installation for the continuous casting of metals, comprising: - means of casting liquid metal, - a location for receiving an ingot mold arranged under the liquid metal casting means, - an optical device for processing light signals, and - at least one optical fiber having a first connected end, in such a way permanent, to the optical light signal processing device and a second free end, the optical light signal processing device being configured to receive reflected light and / or light transmitted by the at least one optical fiber and configured to transform data on the reflected and / or transmitted light into information on the temperature around the at least one optical fiber.

[0010] By "permanently connected" is meant that the connection is not intended to be interrupted in normal use of the continuous metal casting installation, even when changing the ingot mold. This connection may however be interrupted in exceptional circumstances, for example in the event of a malfunction of the optical light signal processing device or of at least one optical fiber. Thus, for example in the installation described in document US-A1-2022 / 241850, the optical fiber remains permanently in the wall of the ingot mold; if this wall must be removed, the optical fiber is disconnected from the optical light signal processing device.

[0011] Thus, according to the invention, instead of equipping each of the available ingot molds with a set of optical fibers, a single set of optical fibers is provided at the scale of the casting installation, or line. The optical fibers remain close to the liquid metal casting means and are only inserted into an ingot mold at the moment when such an ingot mold is brought into the installation, or line, in order to carry out casting operations. In this way, the cost of equipping the installation with optical fibers is divided by approximately the number of ingot molds available, since instead of equipping each ingot mold with its own set of optical fibers, a single set of optical fibers is necessary according to the invention. The cost of equipping the installation with optical fibers is therefore considerably reduced.

[0012] Furthermore, since the optical fibers remain close to the casting means, they do not have to be disconnected from the optical light signal processing device, so that the connection and disconnection operations and the constraints they impose and risks they generate presented above are avoided. This improves the reliability in the use of optical fibers for measuring the temperature in the ingot mold, while reducing the risks of damaging the optical fibers. Another advantage arising from the invention is linked to the fact that the optical fibers are permanently connected to the installation: the quality of the signal they deliver can be continuously monitored.

[0013] An additional advantage arising from the invention is related to the management of optical fibers. Each optical fiber has its own calibration file because each optical fiber is intrinsically "unique". Therefore, if all optical fibers were installed on all the ingot molds, it would be imperative to know which fiber is being used. which location in the plate and in which plate of which ingot mold. This is necessary so that at the level of the optical management program of the light signal, the correct calibration files can be used when the ingot mold is present on the casting line. Thanks to the invention, the same optical fibers are always used in the same places (because they belong to the casting line and not to a specific ingot mold). In this way, the management of the calibration of the optical fibers per ingot mold is no longer necessary.

[0014] In one embodiment, fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are used. These FBGs incorporate a periodic grating etched into the fiber core, which acts as an optical filter reflecting a specific wavelength. As the temperature varies, this reflected wavelength changes proportionally, allowing for accurate measurement. FBGs are extremely sensitive and offer localized measurement, with high stability and ease of multiplexing. In addition, FBGs are readily available on the market.

[0015] In another embodiment, optical fibers are used that exploit natural defects and rely on scattering phenomena, such as Rayleigh, Raman, or Brillouin scattering. These microscopic defects, inherent in the fiber's manufacturing, scatter part of the injected light. The properties of the scattered light, such as wavelength or intensity, change depending on temperature or stress along the fiber, enabling distributed measurement. These fibers are generally referred to as optical fibers for distributed sensing or distributed optical sensor systems. More specifically - Rayleigh sensors: Used for distributed monitoring systems using optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) or frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR). - Raman sensors: Commonly integrated into distributed temperature sensing (DTS) systems. They are widely used for monitoring pipelines, high-voltage cables, or industrial installations. - Brillouin sensors: Used in distributed temperature and strain sensing (DTSS) systems. These systems are popular for critical infrastructure, such as bridges or pipelines, due to their range and sensitivity. These fibers are ideal for monitoring long lengths continuously, but with generally lower accuracy than FBGs. The cost of these fibers is insignificant and, in the event of accidental destruction, this does not pose any real problems. It should also be noted that defects in these fibers provide a signature specific to each fiber. The system can then be configured to identify them and eliminate the need for calibration even in the event of fiber interchange.

[0016] Advantageously, the installation further comprises a reel around which the at least one optical fiber can be wound.

[0017] Optical fibers can thus be stored safely when not in use in an ingot mold.

[0018] Advantageously, the installation further comprises a driver, preferably motorized, configured to linearly move the at least one optical fiber.

[0019] In the case where the system is based on so-called FBG fibers, it is advantageous to provide a measuring device capable of measuring the distance traveled by an optical fiber when it moves under the effect of the driver. Advantageously, such a measuring device is a rotary encoder, for example an optical encoder. Thus, the driver can be controlled and the unwinding of the fibers can be stopped when the filters or Bragg gratings have reached the desired position for temperature measurement.

[0020] The insertion of optical fibers into an ingot mold is thus done automatically, that is to say without the need for an operator to manually insert the optical fibers into the ingot mold.

[0021] Advantageously, the installation further comprises a flexible guide device comprising a through housing in which the at least one optical fiber can slide.

[0022] This makes it easy to guide the optical fibers and insert them precisely into the receiving channels provided for this purpose in the metal plates of the ingot mold.

[0023] Advantageously, the guide device has an inlet orifice for the at least one optical fiber and an outlet orifice for the at least one optical fiber, the outlet orifice being provided with a connection device.

[0024] The guide device can thus be easily coupled with the driver, via the inlet port, and with an ingot mold, via the connection device.

[0025] Advantageously, the installation further comprises a continuous metal casting mold, of the type consisting of an assembly of metal plates backed by cooling devices configured to allow the cooling of the metal plates by the circulation of a cooling fluid, at least one of the plates having a channel for receiving at least one optical fiber. Preferably, the metal plates are copper plates.

[0026] Such an ingot mold is particularly suitable for the use of optical fibers for temperature measurement.

[0027] Preferably, the receiving channel is formed by a groove sealed, in part of its thickness, by a tongue of a shape substantially complementary to the groove closing the groove over its entire length, the groove and the tongue having a shape adapted to the passage of at least one optical fiber.

[0028] The receiving channel is thus produced in a simple and controlled manner. It is indeed complex to drill an orifice of both small diameter (of the order of the diameter of an optical fiber) and great length (the entire length of the plate, which can be up to several meters). Thanks to the groove, which is simple to make, and the tab, which is just as simple to make, we avoid the complexity of drilling to make the receiving channel.

[0029] According to an alternative embodiment, the receiving channel is formed by drilling a through or blind hole.

[0030] Preferably the receiving channel is a through channel, this allows this channel to be purged with compressed air or another gas in order to eliminate dust or condensation water which could have accumulated there.

[0031] Preferably, the receiving channel comprises a connecting member arranged to cooperate with the connecting device of the guiding device to couple the guiding device to the receiving channel.

[0032] The coupling between the ingot mold and the guiding device is therefore particularly simple and quick to achieve.

[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment, an additional reel is provided which is already connected to the optical light signal processing device. This device serves as a reserve and is not used under normal conditions. Although this case is extremely rare, in the event of a defective optical fiber, the defective fiber can be returned to its reel by the driver, disconnected from the guidance system and replaced by the reserve fiber on its reel. If necessary, this operation can be carried out during casting operations and thus allows the accuracy of the temperature measurements to be maintained.

[0034] According to another advantageous embodiment, the reel contains a length of fiber greater than the necessary length (for example double or triple) and it is then sufficient to cut the end of the fiber at the level of the defect in order to be able to continue operations.

[0035] The invention also provides a method for preparing an ingot mold in a continuous metal casting installation, characterized in that it implements the following steps: - provision of a facility as defined above, - placement of the ingot mold in the receiving location, - optionally, coupling of the receiving channel connection member with the guidance device connection device, - inserting the second end of the at least one optical fiber into one of the plates of the ingot mold, preferably using the driver and flexible guide device.

[0001] The invention also provides a method for uninstalling an ingot mold in a continuous metal casting installation, characterized in that it implements the following steps after having implemented the preparation method as defined above: - removal of at least one optical fiber from the ingot mold so that its second end extends outside the ingot mold, - moving the ingot mold out of the receiving location, - maintaining the connection between the optical light signal processing device and the first end of the at least one optical fiber.

[0036] Just as explained above for the installation, the implementation of these processes is particularly simple, which makes the use of optical fibers for measuring the temperature in the ingot mold particularly reliable. Brief description of the figures

[0037] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0038] Figure 1 is an overview of a continuous metal casting installation according to one embodiment of the invention,

[0039] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the installation of Figure 1,

[0040] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a plate, or wall, of an ingot mold of the installation of Figure 1,

[0041] Figure 4 is an overview illustrating some of the elements of the installation of Figure 1, and

[0042] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the plate of Figure 3 coupled with one of the elements of Figure 4. Detailed description

[0043] Figure 1 shows a continuous metal casting installation 2 according to one embodiment of the invention. It has a conventional general configuration, so that most of its constituent elements will only be presented briefly.

[0044] The installation 2 comprises ladles 4 containing liquid metal that it is desired to cool. The ladles 4 are here two in number and are carried by a motorized arm or turnstile 6. This motorized arm 6 is in particular capable of moving the ladles 4 which are brought full into the casting zone by a transport system (for example an overhead crane, not shown) from a filling zone where the molten metal can be poured into them, for example a furnace or a converter (not shown) before bringing them to the position illustrated in Figure 1. After emptying the ladle 4, the motorized arm 6 also makes it possible to position the empty ladle in a position where the transport system can pick it up and bring it to the preparation zone where it will be reconditioned before returning to the filling zone.

[0045] The installation 2 comprises a distributor or distribution basin 8 located below the pockets 4. The latter have an openable bottom allowing the liquid metal to flow into the distributor 8.

[0046] The distributor 8 is shown in more detail in Figure 2. It comprises a flow orifice which can be closed by a stopper rod 10 which makes it possible to control the flow of liquid metal. The flow orifice of the distributor is extended by a submerged inlet (SEN) pouring tube 11 making it possible to protect the liquid metal discharged by the pouring tube 11. The distributor 8 thus forms means for casting liquid metal. The submerged inlet casting tube 11 opens into an upper opening of an ingot mold 12. This is a bottomless ingot mold having a casting axis which is vertical. The ingot mold 12 is removable, in the configuration of FIG. 2, the ingot mold is placed at a receiving location 13 arranged under the liquid metal casting means, that is to say under the distributor 8.

[0047] The installation 2 comprises cooling devices 14 positioned on an external surface of the ingot mold 12. These are liquid-type cooling devices. For this purpose, they comprise conduits in which a cooling fluid, for example water, flows. The cooling fluid absorbs the heat from the liquid metal located in the ingot mold 12 in order to cool and solidify it. Here, the metal solidifies in the form of a slab having a solidified external surface 18 enclosing a liquid core 20.

[0048] Installation 2 includes a roller guide 16 located downstream of the ingot mold 12. The guide 16 makes it possible to guide the slab, an external surface 18 of which is solidified, out of the ingot mold 12. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the slab solidifies progressively as it moves in the guide 16. In other words, the further one moves away from the ingot mold 12, the more the solidified external surface 18 of the slab increases in volume and the more the liquid core 20 of the slab decreases in volume.

[0049] Figure 3 shows a part of the ingot mold 12. This is one of the metal plates 22, or walls, of the ingot mold 12. Here, the ingot mold 12 comprises four copper plates assembled together to delimit an open interior space having the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped whose open ends are oriented along a main axis of the ingot mold 12, which extends vertically when the ingot mold is placed in the receiving location 13 of the installation 2. In this case, the ingot mold 12 comprises two large plates and two small plates of different lengths, so that any cross section of the interior space of the ingot mold 12 is a rectangle. The plate 22 shown in Figure 3 is one of the large plates. The other large plate, not shown, is identical to it here.

[0050] The plate 22 has a receiving channel 24 sized to receive an optical fiber 26 provided or not with an optical sheath. The receiving channel 24 is here formed by a groove sealed, in part of its thickness, by a tab of shape substantially complementary to the groove closing the groove over its entire length, the groove and the tab having a shape and dimensions adapted to the passage of the optical fiber 26. The receiving channel 24 is oriented in a direction not parallel to the main axis of the ingot mold 12. Here, the receiving channel 24 forms an angle of 90° relative to the main axis of the ingot mold 12, and thus extends in the direction of the length of the plate 22. Therefore, when the ingot mold 12 is placed in the receiving location 13, the receiving channel 24, and the optical fiber 26 which can be housed inside, extends horizontally.Here, the plate 22 comprises a single reception channel 24, so that the plate 22 can be equipped with a single optical fiber 26, but it can be provided that the plate comprises several reception channels, preferably arranged parallel to each other. In the following, it will be considered that the plate 22 comprises only a single reception channel 24 and a single optical fiber 26. Furthermore, only this plate in particular will be considered, knowing that the other large plate is identical to it.

[0051] The optical fiber 26 comprises in its core several Bragg filters. As an exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber 26 comprises at least ten Bragg filters per meter in at least one portion thereof intended to extend into the reception channel 24. The Bragg filters are filters which make it possible to reflect light over a wavelength range centered on a predetermined value, called the reflected wavelength, adjustable by the filter manufacturer. This predetermined value is also a function in particular of the temperature at which the filter is located, so that one can write for each filter: Reflected — f ( Ào, T ) where Àreflected is the wavelength actually reflected by the filter, f is a known function, T is the temperature of the filter and Ào is the wavelength reflected by the filter at a predetermined temperature, for example at room temperature.

[0052] These two properties make it possible to use the optical fiber 26 as a temperature sensor. First, Bragg filters having distinct and chosen reflected wavelength values ​​λo, for example offset one by one by 5 nanometers, are installed in the optical fiber 26. A light beam having a polychromatic spectrum, for example white light, is then sent into the optical fiber 26 and the wavelength peaks represented in the spectrum of the reflected beam are determined. At each peak, the measured value λreflected and the theoretical value of the reflected wavelength at room temperature λo are compared, and the temperature T of the filter in question is calculated using the function f. Alternatively, it is also possible to carry out these steps on the basis of the dips in the spectrum of the transmitted beam if the configuration of the reception channel 24 in which the optical fiber 26 is housed allows it.

[0053] Thus, the installation of the optical fiber 26 in the wall 22 of the ingot mold 12 makes it possible to measure the temperature of this wall 22 at predetermined positions and to monitor its evolution over time.

[0054] Alternatively, the optical fiber 26 is an optical fiber for distributed sensing or a distributed optical sensor system.

[0055] The plate 22 comprises a connecting member 28 whose function will be presented below. The connecting member 28 is here formed by a tube, preferably flexible, one end of which is free and open and comprises a connector 30 which is here a male connector. The other end of the tube communicates with the receiving channel 24. The connecting member 28 and the receiving channel 24 have substantially equal internal diameters.

[0056] Figure 4 shows other elements of the installation 2. The installation 2 comprises an optical light signal processing device 32 configured to send light and to receive reflected light and / or light transmitted by the optical fiber 26 and configured to transform data on the reflected and / or transmitted light into information on the temperature around the optical fiber 26. Alternatively, it can be provided that this transformation is carried out outside the optical light signal processing device 32, for example that it is carried out by a computer connected, with or without wire, to the optical light signal processing device 32. The optical light signal processing device 32 is stationary and fixed in the installation 2. One end of the optical fiber 26 is permanently or permanently connected to the optical light signal processing device 32.The other end of the optical fiber 26 is free.

[0057] The installation 2 comprises a reel 34 around which the optical fiber 26 is wound. The reel 34 comprises two coaxial discs mounted movably around a central rod. The structure of the reel 34 is similar to that of a conventional device for winding an electrical extension cord. As illustrated in FIG. 4, starting from the end of the optical fiber 26, the latter is connected to the optical light signal processing device 32, the free end of the optical fiber 26 passes through the rod of the reel 34 and then crosses it to extend between the two coaxial discs. Between these two coaxial discs, the optical fiber 26 can be wound around the rod.

[0058] The installation 2 comprises a driver 36, preferably motorized, configured to drive the optical fiber 26 in movement. The driver 36 here comprises two wheels driven in rotation by a motor. The two wheels are slightly spaced from each other to allow the optical fiber 26 to pass between them while maintaining contact between the optical fiber 26 and the two wheels. At any time during operation of the driver 36, the wheels rotate in different directions. By actuating the motor of the driver 36 in a first direction, the free end of the optical fiber 36 is moved away from the reel 34 and the optical light signal processing device 32, which has the effect of unwinding the optical fiber from the reel 34. By actuating the motor of the driver 36 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the free end of the optical fiber 26 is brought closer to the reel 34 and the optical light signal processing device 32, which has the effect of winding the optical fiber 26 into the reel 34.

[0059] The installation 2 comprises a flexible guide device 38. It is in the form of a flexible tube having a through housing in which the optical fiber 26 can slide. By "flexible" is meant that the guide device 38 can be elastically deformed by simple manual manipulation, or even that it can deform under its own weight. The flexible guide device 38 is arranged on a side of the driver 36 opposite that on which the winder 34 is located. In other words, the driver 36 is located between the winder 34 and the flexible guide device 38. The flexible guide device 38 has an inlet orifice 38a for the optical fiber and an outlet orifice 38b for the optical fiber, the outlet orifice 38b being provided with a connection device 40.By actuating the motor of the driver 36, the optical fiber 26 slides in the flexible guide device 38, so that the optical fiber 26 moves along a trajectory defined by the shape given to the flexible guide device 38.

[0060] Figure 5 shows the cooperation between the flexible guide device 38 and the plate 22 of the ingot mold 12. The connecting member 28 is arranged to cooperate with the connecting device 40 of the flexible guide device 38 to couple the flexible guide device 38 to the receiving channel 24. Here, the connector 30 of the connecting member 28 is a male member cooperating with the connecting device 40 which is a female member. In this case, the connector 30 of the connecting member 28 and the connecting device 40 are coupled by screwing, but it is possible to replace this coupling by any other reversible mechanical coupling, for example a snap-fastening, an assembly by form cooperation or an assembly by clamping. After the coupling, the flexible guide device 38, the connecting member 28 and the receiving channel 24 form a continuous conduit in which the optical fiber can slide.

[0061] A method for preparing the ingot mold 12 in the continuous metal casting installation 2 will now be presented. Initially, the receiving location 13 is empty so that the ingot mold 12 is not in the installation 2 and is not placed under the distributor 8, the ingot mold 12 is devoid of optical fiber 26, and the latter is connected to the optical light signal processing device 32 and wound in the winder 34.

[0062] First, the installation 2 is made available, then the ingot mold 12 is placed in the receiving location 13. Then, the connecting member 28 of the receiving channel 24 is coupled with the connecting device 40 of the flexible guide device 38. Finally, the free end of the optical fiber 26, that is to say its second end, is inserted into the receiving channel 24 of the plate 22 of the ingot mold 12 using the driver 36, the motor of which is actuated in the first direction, and the flexible guide device 38. The motor of the driver 36 is actuated until the free end of the optical fiber 26 has reached a predetermined position in the receiving channel 24, for example at the end thereof. The ingot mold 12 and the installation 2 are ready to carry out the continuous casting of metals.

[0063] We will now present a method for removing the ingot mold from the continuous metal casting installation. This removal is carried out, for example, at the end of the continuous metal casting process, or if it is necessary to change the ingot mold. Installation 2 and ingot mold 12 are in the state defined at the end of the previous paragraph, i.e., at the end of the preparation process. In the uninstallation process, the optical fiber 26 is first removed from the ingot mold 12 using the driver 36, the motor of which is actuated in the second direction, so that the free end of the optical fiber 26 extends outside the ingot mold 12. The optical fiber 26 is then wound around the winder 34. The connection member 28 can then be decoupled from the connection device 40. Finally, the ingot mold 12 can be moved out of the receiving location 13 so that it can be removed from the installation 2.During the uninstallation process, and even during the preparation process, the connection between the optical light signal processing device 32 and the first end of the optical fiber 26 is maintained.

[0064] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0065] The receiving channel can be provided to be formed by an orifice drilled in the plate, the orifice being through or blind. List of references 2: installation (for continuous casting of metals) 4: pocket 6: motorized arm 8: distributor 10: distaff 11: pouring tube 12: ingot mold 13: reception location 14: Cooling devices 16: guide 18: solidified external surface 20: liquid core 22: plate 24: receiving channel 26: optical fiber 28: connection device 30: connector 32: optical device for processing light signals 34: reel 36: trainer 38: flexible guide device 38a: inlet orifice 38b: outlet orifice 40: connecting device

Claims

Claims 1. Installation for the continuous casting of metals (2), characterized in that it comprises: - means for casting liquid metal (8), - a receiving location (13) of an ingot mold arranged under the liquid metal casting means (8), - an optical light signal processing device (32), and - at least one optical fiber (26) having a first end permanently connected to the optical light signal processing device (32) and a second free end, the optical light signal processing device (32) being configured to receive reflected light and / or light transmitted by the at least one optical fiber (26) and configured to transform data on the reflected and / or transmitted light into information on the temperature around the at least one optical fiber (26).

2. Installation (2) according to claim 1, further comprising a reel (34) around which the at least one optical fiber (26) can be wound.

3. Installation (2) according to one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising a driver (36), preferably motorized, configured to linearly move the at least one optical fiber (26).

4. Installation according to claim 3 further comprising a measuring device capable of measuring a distance traveled by an optical fiber when the latter moves under the effect of the driver.

5. Installation according to claim 4 in which the measuring device capable of measuring a distance traveled by an optical fiber when the latter moves under the effect of the driver is a rotary encoder, preferably an optical encoder.

6. Installation (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a flexible guide device (38) comprising a through housing in which the at least one optical fiber (26) can slide.

7. Installation (2) according to claim 6, in which the guide device (38) has an inlet orifice (38a) for the at least one optical fiber and an outlet orifice (38b) for the at least one optical fiber, the outlet orifice (38b) being provided with a connection device (40).

8. Installation (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a continuous metal casting mold (12), of the type consisting of an assembly of metal plates (22) backed by cooling devices configured to allow the cooling of the metal plates by the circulation of a cooling fluid, at least one of the plates (22) having a receiving channel (24) for at least one optical fiber (26).

9. Installation (2) according to claim 8, in which the receiving channel (24) is formed by a groove sealed, in part of its thickness, by a tongue of a shape substantially complementary to the groove closing the groove over its entire length, the groove and the tongue having a shape adapted to the passage of at least one optical fiber (26).

10. Installation (2) according to claim 7 taken in combination with claim 8 or 9, in which the receiving channel (24) comprises a connecting member (28) arranged to cooperate with the connecting device (40) of the guiding device (38) to couple the guiding device (38) to the receiving channel (24). 1 1. Installation (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the at least one optical fiber (26) is a Bragg grating optical fiber.

12. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the at least one optical fiber (26) is an optical fiber for distributed detection.

13. Method for preparing an ingot mold in a continuous metal casting installation, characterized in that it implements the following steps: - provision of an installation (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, - placing the ingot mold (12) in the receiving location (13), - optionally, coupling of the connecting member (28) of the receiving channel (24) with the connecting device (40) of the guiding device (38), - inserting the second end of the at least one optical fiber (26) into one of the plates (22) of the ingot mold (12), preferably using the driver (36) and flexible guide device (38).

1. Method for uninstalling an ingot mold in a continuous metal casting installation, characterized in that it implements the following steps after having implemented the preparation method according to claim 13: - removal of the at least one optical fiber (26) from the ingot mold (12) so that its second end extends outside the ingot mold (12), - moving the ingot mold (12) out of the receiving location (13), - maintaining the connection between the optical light signal processing device (32) and the first end of the at least one optical fiber (26).

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