Metal material sealing system in casting of metal products

Abstract

A sealing system (1) for laterally sealing a liquid metal material or liquid metal alloy at the open side end of a channel defined between two cast components, the system comprising a pneumatic device (2) with a hollow end element (3) adapted to be arranged near the open side end of the channel, wherein the hollow end element (3) defines a chamber (4) therein, wherein the pneumatic device (2) is adapted to supply compressed gaseous material into the chamber (4), and wherein the hollow end element (3) is provided with at least one blowing surface (6, 7) for blowing the compressed gaseous material from the chamber (4) toward a side sealing area for the liquid metal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for sealing liquid or semi-liquid metal materials (e.g., aluminum, zinc, magnesium, or any metal alloy) during the casting of preferably flat metal products (e.g., strip) using a technique commonly known as twin roll casting, or other alternative casting techniques that use two casting components to define the flat metal product. Background Technology

[0002] The technique commonly known as twin-roll casting is a well-known technology that has been used since the mid-20th century to produce solid metal semi-finished products from liquid materials. This technology is primarily used to manufacture flat strips, but it can also be adapted for long products such as billets, bars, or similar products because, compared to other casting techniques, twin-roll casting allows for increased productivity of thin products (typically up to 10 mm in thickness or diameter), and these shapes can be cast at high speeds. Another advantage of twin-roll casting is that it allows for the dimensions of thin and small semi-finished products to be similar to the shape of the final product, thereby reducing forming work in subsequent processes (rolling, drawing) and facilitating the production of inexpensive, high-volume final products.

[0003] Various materials can be used for twin-roll casting, such as ferrous alloys and non-ferrous alloys, or pure metals.

[0004] In traditional cast steel constructions, twin-roll casting is actuated by a two-roll stand, where cooling horizontal rolls are arranged in parallel and placed side-by-side, their axes lying on a common horizontal plane; while for casting aluminum, magnesium, zinc, and / or their alloys, two cooling horizontal rolls are placed one on top of the other, for example, with their axes lying on a common vertical plane or a common plane inclined relative to the vertical plane. The space defined by the casting rolls is supplied by a feeder, which brings the molten metal material into contact with the cooling rolls to begin solidification. During the material conveying and sealing operation, the feeder is assisted by side baffles or dams, which prevent the lateral spread of liquid or semi-liquid material before it fully solidifies; these side baffles or dams can be part of the feeder itself or separate components. Typically, the feeder is supplied via a system of channels and furnaces, which vary depending on the material to be cast and its characteristics. In general, liquid materials are transported by gravity or by pumping, and the channels must be designed to be both thermally insulated (to prevent temperature drops and unwanted localized solidification of the material) and have sufficient mechanical strength to ensure structural integrity and chemical compatibility with the liquid alloy.

[0005] One of the most critical issues in cast metal strip is the lateral diffusion of liquid material, which is caused by the edge working environment and curing parameters.

[0006] Typically, with increasing casting load, the fluid flow conditions and low casting speed promote preferential cooling at the strip edges, leading to partial lateral diffusion of the strip, improved dimensional control, and reduced risk of leakage. However, this can also result in localized deterioration of the strip quality, necessitating trimming of the strip's sides.

[0007] The casting conditions can be modified to achieve more uniform casting conditions, even on the sides, but this increases the risk of molten material leaking onto the casting rolls and damaging the equipment, leading to process interruption. This can be avoided by improving the side seal of the strip before curing (through mechanical barriers), but there are technical limitations to achieving these results.

[0008] In fact, mechanical side sealing systems or mechanical dams cannot be made of materials that react with the liquid material leaving the casting equipment; and if made of insulating materials, they cannot effectively seal the material. Furthermore, such materials cannot excessively resist the rollers upon contact to avoid roller slippage damage due to accidental contact. Generally, to meet these requirements, such materials are preferably soft materials, such as oxide refractory materials. In addition, when the casting load decreases, effective side sealing is required at locations considerable distance from the unloading machine outlet, near the roller gap outlet, i.e., at the point of minimum distance between the casting rollers. This necessitates the use of very long and very thin dams. The aforementioned materials cannot meet the required geometry of the dam, or, when operating with the required geometry, are prone to deformation of the dam or damage to the casting roller surface. Conversely, constructing the dam using alternative materials such as steel or other metals, in addition to rapid wear caused by chemical reactions, corrosion, and / or abrasion phenomena, also results in the adhesive effect of liquid metallic materials (e.g., aluminum or its alloys), thus posing a risk of damaging the casting roller surface.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need to provide a sealing system that can overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The object of this invention is to provide a system for laterally sealing liquid metal material, particularly aluminum, magnesium, zinc, or metal alloys based on one of these metals, during the casting process of (preferably flat) metal products. The system improves the performance of sealing liquid metal material and expanding the lateral sealing area under any casting load, while avoiding direct contact between the lateral sealing device and the liquid metal material.

[0011] The system of the present invention can be applied to casting according to a technique commonly known as twin-roll casting, or to casting according to an alternative casting technique that uses two casting components to define a flat metal product.

[0012] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a flexible sealing system that allows for the casting of metal products of different widths without the need to replace casting components.

[0013] The present invention achieves at least one of the aforementioned objectives, as well as other objectives, which will become clear from the description herein, through a sealing system at the open end of a channel defined between two cast components for lateral sealing of at least a portion of liquid metal material. The system includes a feeding device for supplying at least one compressed gaseous substance.

[0014] The feeding device is provided with a hollow end element, which is adapted to be arranged near the opening side of the channel.

[0015] The hollow end element defines at least one chamber therein, and the feeding device is adapted to supply at least one compressed gaseous substance into the at least one chamber.

[0016] The hollow end element is provided with at least one blowing surface for blowing the at least one compressed gaseous substance from at least one chamber toward a side sealing area for the at least partially liquid metal material.

[0017] The at least one blowing surface is provided with a plurality of through holes; and there are also two or more non-coplanar blowing surfaces for different orientations of the flow of at least one gaseous substance; or a single blowing surface is provided, wherein the blowing surface is provided with two or more sets of through holes, each set of through holes being oriented differently from the other sets of through holes.

[0018] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a casting machine for casting metallic material products, comprising:

[0019] - Two casting components defining a channel with two open side ends for solidifying liquid metal material supplied to the space between the casting components and forming a product;

[0020] -The first sealing system as described above is arranged near the first opening side end of the channel;

[0021] - Preferably, the second sealing system as described above is arranged close to the second opening side end of the channel;

[0022] Preferably, the two casting components are counter-rotating rollers or belts or tracks or combinations thereof;

[0023] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a casting method for casting metal products performed by the aforementioned casting machine, the method comprising the following stages:

[0024] - Supplying liquid metal material into the space between two cast components;

[0025] - Solidify the metal material in the channel between two cast components to form the product;

[0026] The first sealing system provides a side seal of liquid metal material at at least one of the two open ends of the channel;

[0027] Furthermore, the side seal of the liquid metal material is obtained by supplying at least one compressed gaseous substance to at least one chamber of the hollow end element, wherein the at least one compressed gaseous substance is blown from at least one chamber to the side seal area of ​​the liquid metal material through at least one blowing surface.

[0028] Preferably, a first side seal of liquid metal material is provided at the first opening side end of the channel by the first sealing system, and a second side seal of liquid metal material is provided at the second opening side end of the channel by the second sealing system.

[0029] In this specification, twin-roll casting technology, which uses two counter-rotating rolls as casting components, is mentioned by way of example.

[0030] The solution of the present invention is to provide a barrier composed of compressed gaseous material that can seal the edge of a flat metal product, such as a strip, by applying force to the edge during the solidification process, thereby pushing the liquid metal material toward the middle of the strip and preventing lateral diffusion or leakage of the molten material.

[0031] The principle of this invention is based on a feeding device using at least one compressed gaseous substance, which may be partially shaped to be positioned very close to the casting machine rolls, on the side where the material enters the rolls or on the side where the material exits the rolls, or it may also be on the sides of the rolls themselves. Such a feeding device is configured to blow at least one compressed gaseous substance (e.g., air or inert gas) from one side toward the center into the space between the rolls.

[0032] This compressed gaseous substance has a dual effect: on the one hand, it cools the liquid material at the edge of the strip, thereby locally accelerating solidification; on the other hand, it applies a mechanical seal to prevent the diffusion of the liquid material.

[0033] This solution has many advantages.

[0034] First, mechanical action is applied while preventing the liquid metal from coming into contact with any other material, thus avoiding any chemical reaction, corrosion, or wear.

[0035] More specifically, the solution of the present invention provides neither any direct contact between the hollow end element and any surface of the casting roll, nor any direct contact between the hollow end element and the liquid metal material.

[0036] Specifically, when the hollow end element is completely outside the casting rolls, and when the hollow end element is at least partially inserted between the casting rolls (e.g., it is wedge-shaped), the distance between the hollow end element and any surface of the casting rolls is always set to non-zero.

[0037] At least one blowing surface of the hollow end element applies a sealing effect on the metallic material by blowing compressed gaseous material without providing any contact with the material being cured, thereby preventing the material from escaping from the roller side.

[0038] Furthermore, another advantage is that the sealing effect can be applied at any point between the rolls, which is impossible to achieve with any physical barrier in the prior art due to limited space. For example, a jet of air or inert gas can be directed toward the center of the roll gap, and can also be used for very low casting thicknesses. In practice, in such cases, it is impossible to set up a physical barrier between rolls very close to the roll gap due to the limited gap caused by the final thickness of the cast product (e.g., strip).

[0039] Finally, a significant advantage of the air-blowing action is that it can seal any gaps between the rollers even if the roller positions change, without requiring any adjustments. For example, the solution of the present invention continues to operate even with software-controlled roller positions and undesirable changes in load settings caused by casting conditions that dictate accidental roller movements.

[0040] The sealing system of this invention can generate more concentrated or dispersed jets depending on its geometry, thereby distributing the sealing effect by appropriately adjusting it to adapt to operating conditions and minimizing the consumption of air or inert gas. Furthermore, the pressure of the blown gas and the mechanical thrust can be adjusted to compensate for the different metallic static pressures of the molten material.

[0041] The pneumatic system or dam solution of the present invention also allows the following requirements to be met:

[0042] Lateral sealing of metal materials subjected to high pressure, such as liquid metal pressure heads up to 100-120 mm;

[0043] The length of the side sealing area involved can vary, for example from 45mm to 70mm (setback distance);

[0044] The system is flexible and allows for the casting of strips of different widths without replacing the casting rolls with other rolls of different lengths.

[0045] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the exemplary, but not exclusive, embodiments described in detail.

[0046] The dependent claims describe specific embodiments of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0047] In the description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

[0048] Figure 1 A view of a horizontal casting machine with a side sealing system according to the present invention is shown;

[0049] Figure 2 A perspective view of the system of the present invention is shown;

[0050] Figure 3 A cross-section of the casting machine is shown, illustrating the solidified area;

[0051] Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 Perspective view of the components of the system;

[0052] Figure 5 A side view of a first variant of the component inserted between two casting rolls is shown;

[0053] Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of the middle component;

[0054] Figure 7 A side view of another variation of the component is shown;

[0055] Figure 8 A side view of another variation of the component is shown;

[0056] Figure 9 A side view of another variation of the component is shown;

[0057] Figure 10 A side view of another variation of the component is shown;

[0058] Figure 11 A side view of another variation of the component is shown;

[0059] Figure 12 A side view of another variation of the component is shown;

[0060] Figure 13 A side view of another variation of the component is shown;

[0061] Figure 14A side view of another variation of the component is shown.

[0062] In the accompanying drawings, the same elements or parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0063] The sealing system of the present invention can be applied to casting according to a technique commonly known as twin-roll casting, or to casting using alternative casting techniques that define a flat metal product using two castings.

[0064] For example, such an alternative casting technology could be one of the following:

[0065] - Single Roll Casting: In this process, a flat metal product begins to solidify by contacting a single water-cooled rotating roll within a space defined by the roll and a nozzle of a discharge machine (e.g., an tundish). Here, the two casting components are the single roll and the nozzle.

[0066] - Twin Belt Casting or Twin Track Casting (also known as Twin Block Casting) is a process in which flat metal products are solidified in channels between two counter-rotating belts or tracks.

[0067] - Combination roller belt, roller rail or rail belt casting.

[0068] In this detailed description, twin-roll casting technology, which uses two counter-rotating rolls as casting components, is mentioned by way of example.

[0069] Figure 1 An example of a horizontal casting machine with two horizontal casting rolls 20, 21 is shown. One of the two horizontal casting rolls 20, 21 is positioned above the other, and their axes lie on a common vertical plane. The machine includes a pair of sealing systems 1, 1' of the present invention. However, the system of the present invention can also be used in casting machines where the axes of the two rolls lie on a common plane inclined relative to the vertical plane. In particular, a vertical casting machine can be used where the two casting rolls are arranged in parallel and placed side by side, and their axes lie on a common horizontal plane.

[0070] exist Figures 1 to 2 In the version shown, for casting flat metal products, such as strips preferably made of aluminum, zinc, magnesium, or their alloys, the casting machine includes:

[0071] - Two counter-rotating and stacked casting rollers 20, 21 define an outlet channel for the metal material to be cast, the channel having two open side ends for solidifying the liquid metal material and forming a flat product.

[0072] - A feeding device for supplying liquid metal material into the space between the two casting rolls through a defined channel;

[0073] - First sealing system 1, arranged near the first opening side of the channel;

[0074] - Preferably, the second sealing system 1' is arranged near the second opening side end of the channel.

[0075] If it is necessary to seal the liquid metal material laterally at only one of the two ends of the channel, a single sealing system is sufficient.

[0076] The feeding device itself is known, including:

[0077] - Intermediate bag 34 for collecting, for example, liquid metal material from the inlet channel (not shown);

[0078] - Unloading machine 35, preferably made of ceramic material, is used to supply liquid metal material from tundish 34 into a channel defined by two casting rollers 20, 21.

[0079] A moving device (not shown) may be provided for moving the first sealing system 1 and / or the second sealing system 1' to adjust the distance between them in a direction parallel to the plane comprising the rotation axis of the two casting rollers 20, 21. Such a moving device may be a linear actuator, such as a hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical actuator, or a combination thereof.

[0080] This allows for the casting of metal products, such as strips, of varying widths without the need to change casting rolls. Changing the size of the strip to be produced from one size to another simply requires lateral displacement of at least one of the two side sealing systems 1, 1' relative to the casting rolls 20, 21 in the stated direction. This also applies to the case of a single sealing system.

[0081] Therefore, with the casting rolls having a fixed width, the side sealing system can be moved to define different widths of strip to be cast, thus eliminating the need for a dedicated roll assembly as in the prior art. In the prior art, the sealing system cannot move laterally, so the casting rolls need to be replaced each time a different width of strip is cast.

[0082] exist Figure 1 In the middle, sealing systems 1 and 1' are arranged on one side of the space between the two casting rollers 20 and 21 where the metal material (liquid metal) enters; while Figure 2 A single sealing system 1 is shown, which is arranged on the side where the metal material (cast product) exits from the casting rolls 20, 21. The feed direction of the metal material is... Figure 2The arrow F in the diagram indicates this.

[0083] In another variant, one or two sealing systems may be provided on both the metal material inlet side and the metal material outlet side.

[0084] In all embodiments of the invention, at the respective open-side ends of the channel defined between the two casting rollers 20, 21, each side sealing system 1, 1' of the material to be cast includes ( Figure 2 A feeding device 2 for supplying at least one compressed gaseous substance. The feeding device 2 is provided with a hollow end element 3, which is adapted to be arranged near the open side end of the channel defined by the casting rollers 20 and 21.

[0085] The hollow end element 3 may be at least partially wedge-shaped so that it is inserted as far as possible (at least partially) between the two casting rolls at the open end of the channel.

[0086] As an alternative to the wedge shape, the hollow end element 3 may have a rectangular or pyramidal parallelepiped shape, or any other shape suitable for positioning the hollow element near a channel defined between the two casting rolls, wherein the hollow end element 3 is inserted at least partially between the two casting rolls at the open end of the channel as much as possible.

[0087] In the example in the attached figure, the hollow end element 3 is wedge-shaped.

[0088] Preferably, each feeding device 2 and the corresponding hollow end element 3 are laterally positioned and located in an external position relative to the area occupied by the unloading machine 35, for example, a completely external position.

[0089] The hollow end element 3 defines at least one chamber 4 therein, for example in Figure 6 The single chamber shown is an example of a non-limiting variation. In other variations, two to six chambers may be provided. However, variations with more than—even far more than—six chambers are not excluded. For example, if the chambers correspond to the porosity of the material used to manufacture the hollow element 3.

[0090] The feeding device 2 is configured to supply at least one compressed gaseous substance, such as air or inert gas, into at least one chamber 4.

[0091] Advantageously, the hollow end element 3 is provided with at least one blowing surface for blowing compressed gaseous material from the at least one chamber 4 toward the side sealing area of ​​the metal material being cast between the casting rolls 20 and 21.

[0092] like Figure 2As shown in the non-limiting example, each sealing system 1 may be mounted at its first end on a support 23 of the lower casting roller 21 and is provided with a support arm 24. The support arm 24 is located at the second end of the system opposite to the first end and is used to support the corresponding hollow end element 3.

[0093] A moving device 40 can be provided for moving one or two hollow end elements 3 of the sealing systems 1, 1' so as to adjust the distance between them in a direction parallel to the plane containing the rotation axis of the two casting rollers 20, 21.

[0094] For example, a moving device 40 is provided for each sealing system 1, 1'.

[0095] Specifically, the moving device 40 is configured to move the support arm 24 of the hollow end element 3 along a direction parallel to the plane containing the rotation axis of the two casting rollers 20, 21.

[0096] Such a moving device 40 can be, for example, a linear actuator, such as a hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical actuator. Preferably, at least one blowing surface is provided with a plurality of through holes communicating with at least one chamber 4, or the at least one blowing surface is made of a porous matrix material to ensure the release of air or inert gas jets.

[0097] In all embodiments of the invention, the hollow end element 3 includes a first outer surface 10 adapted to face the side sealing area and includes at least one air blowing surface.

[0098] Preferably, the hollow end element 3 further includes:

[0099] - The second outer surface 11, which is opposite to the first surface 10, preferably includes at least one inlet hole 5 for at least one compressed gaseous substance.

[0100] - The third outer surface 8 and the fourth outer surface 9 are opposite to each other and connect the first surface 10 to the second surface 11.

[0101] In a non-limiting example, the hollow end element 3 has at least a wedge shape that is adapted to be inserted between the two casting rolls as far as possible.

[0102] Here, the third outer surface 8 and the fourth outer surface 9 define the wedge shape of the hollow end element 3. Figures 7 to 14 ).

[0103] The third surface 8 and the fourth surface 9 may be flat or curved, or partially flat and partially curved, and converge toward the central plane Z of the hollow element 3 in order to define a wedge shape.

[0104] When surfaces 8 and 9 are curved or partially curved, their radii of curvature are approximately equal to the outer radius of the corresponding casting roll.

[0105] For example, during the operation of the sealing system of the present invention, the minimum distance between the hollow end element 3 and the casting rollers 20, 21, that is, the minimum distance between the surfaces 8, 9 and the corresponding casting rollers, is approximately 0.5 to 2 mm, for example, approximately 1 mm. Preferably, the distance between the hollow end element 3 and the edge of the liquid metal material is approximately 8 to 12 mm, for example, 10 mm.

[0106] In a variation of the hollow end element 3, at least one inlet hole 5 may be provided on the fifth surface 16. Figure 4 In the wedge, the fifth surface is away from the tip 25 and it connects the first surface 10 to the second surface 11 while connecting the third surface 8 to the fourth surface 9.

[0107] exist Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the example, the third surface 8 and the fourth surface 9, which define the wedge shape, are curved, but also have corresponding flat portions 8' and 9' adjacent to the fifth surface 16. At least one inlet hole for at least one chamber 4 may also be or specifically provided in the flat portions 8' and / or 9'. Alternatively, the flat portions 8' and 9' may not be provided; in this case, the third surface 8 and the fourth surface 9 are fully curved surfaces that define the wedge shape of the hollow end element 3.

[0108] Preferably, the third surface 8 and the fourth surface 9 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central plane Z of the hollow element 3.

[0109] Advantageously, in all embodiments of the invention, the hollow end element 3 can be manufactured into an integral structure by a 3D printer, preferably made of a material selected from graphite, calcium silicate, copper, and bronze.

[0110] Alternatively, the hollow end element 3 can be made of several parts, or of different materials.

[0111] For example, a part or component including at least one air-blowing surface, or a part or component including a corresponding air-blowing surface, may be made of a porous matrix material, such as sintered bronze or ceramic foam, or defined by woven metal wire, or said matrix may be obtained by additive manufacturing technology.

[0112] Preferably, but not necessarily, the feeding device 2 can be a pneumatic device or any device adapted to compress and supply gaseous substances.

[0113] In a first embodiment of the hollow end element 3, the first surface 10 is provided with two or more non-coplanar blowing surfaces, which are used to guide the gaseous material to the sealing area in different directions. This configuration allows jets of air or inert gas to be blown in at least two directions, and thus blown into at least two different areas of the enclosed space between the two casting rolls, to improve the side sealing of the liquid metal material and / or increase the expansion of the sealing area.

[0114] For example, the through holes of each air blowing surface are parallel to each other and tilted at a non-zero angle relative to the through holes of other air blowing surfaces.

[0115] Preferably, the hollow end element 3 may have an equal number of chambers 4 as the number of air blowing surfaces inside, with each chamber supplying a corresponding air blowing surface.

[0116] In the first embodiment Figure 5 , 6 In the variations shown in 7, 8, 9 and 11, the hollow end element 3 has a wedge shape, but as mentioned above, the hollow element may have other shapes besides a wedge shape.

[0117] like Figure 5 As shown, in the first variant of the first embodiment, two air blowing surfaces 6 and 7 are provided on the first surface 10.

[0118] The blowing surface 6 defines a plane X, and the blowing surface 7 defines a plane Y that is incident on the plane X. The blowing surface 7 is preferably adjacent to the blowing surface 6.

[0119] The blowing surface 6 is away from the tip 25 of the hollow end element 3, while the blowing surface 7 is close to the tip.

[0120] For example, the blowing surface 6 is flat and rectangular in shape, preferably elongated. The blowing surface 7 is flat and triangular in shape, preferably an isosceles triangle, wherein the base of the isosceles triangle is preferably adjacent to one of the two smaller sides of the rectangular shape of the blowing surface 6.

[0121] The central plane Z divides the two blowing surfaces 6 and 7 into two equal parts.

[0122] When the sealing system is installed at the open side end of the channel defined between two relatively rotating casting rollers 20 and 21, the blowing surface 6 is arranged perpendicular to the metal material feed plane, and the blowing surface 7 has a first end and a second end, the first end being close to the blowing surface 6 and the side sealing area, and the second end being away from the blowing surface 6 and the side sealing area.

[0123] In other words, when the air-blowing surface 7 approaches the roll gap, it deviates relative to the center plane of the casting rolls, which is perpendicular to the plane containing the rotation axis of the multiple casting rolls. Therefore, considering the feed direction of the metal material, if the system is positioned on the side where the material enters the rolls, the air-blowing surface 7 diverges relative to the edge where the metal material enters the rolls; or if the system is positioned on the side where the material leaves the rolls, the air-blowing surface 7 converges relative to the edge where the metal material leaves the rolls. Conversely, the air-blowing surface 6 is substantially parallel to the edge. This configuration allows a jet of air or inert gas to be blown towards the edge of the material, and also towards the innermost region near the roll gap, in the space between the two casting rolls, to enhance the side seal in areas where existing mechanical barriers are difficult to penetrate.

[0124] exist Figure 5 In the example, the air blowing surface 6 is provided with multiple through holes 14, while the air blowing surface 7 is provided with multiple through holes 15.

[0125] The through holes 14 may be parallel to each other and inclined relative to the parallel through holes 15, for example at an acute angle, preferably between 5° and 45°, more preferably between 10° and 35°. Figure 6 Arrows A and B in the diagram indicate the directions of the jets exiting through holes 14 and 15, respectively.

[0126] As an alternative to through holes, the air blowing surfaces 6 and 7 can be made of porous matrix materials.

[0127] like Figure 7 As shown, the second variant of the first embodiment provides a first surface 10, which has four non-coplanar blowing surfaces 6, 7, and 12 for guiding gaseous substances to the sealing area in different directions.

[0128] In addition to the two blowing surfaces 6 and 7 of the first variant, the second variant provides two side blowing surfaces 12, which are adjacent to the blowing surface 6 and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central plane Z of the hollow end element 3, which divides the blowing surface 6 and the blowing surface 7 into two equal parts.

[0129] When the sealing system is installed at the open side end of the channel defined between the two casting rolls, the two blowing surfaces 12 have their respective first ends that are close to the blowing surface 6 but far away from the side sealing area relative to their respective second ends, which are far away from the blowing surface 6 but close to the side sealing area.

[0130] In other words, each blowing surface 12 defines a plane X incident on the blowing surface 6 and a respective plane adjacent to the plane X, and diverges from the plane X relative to the central plane Z so as to allow additional air or inert gas jets to converge, for example from the top and from the bottom (in the case of a horizontal casting machine), to the supply plane of the metal material, especially towards the edge of the metal material during casting, to enhance the side seal of the liquid metal.

[0131] Specifically, the side blowing surface 12 and the center blowing surface 6 define the groove of the first surface 10.

[0132] For example only, the blowing surface 12 is flat and has a rectangular or trapezoidal shape, preferably a right trapezoid, and the longest base of the right trapezoid is preferably adjacent to one of the two larger sides of the rectangle of the blowing surface 6.

[0133] exist Figure 7 In the example, the air blowing surface 6 is provided with multiple through holes 14, the air blowing surface 7 is provided with multiple through holes 15, and the two air blowing surfaces 12 are provided with multiple through holes 17.

[0134] The through holes 14 may be parallel to each other and inclined relative to the parallel through holes 15, for example at an acute angle, preferably between 5° and 45°, more preferably between 10° and 35°.

[0135] The through holes 17 may also be parallel to each other and inclined relative to the through holes 14, for example, at an acute angle, preferably between 5° and 45°, more preferably between 10° and 35°. However, the axis of the through holes 17 of the air blowing surface 12 is deviated relative to the axis of the through holes 15 of the air blowing surface 7.

[0136] As an alternative to through holes, the air blowing surfaces 6, 7, and 12 can be made of porous matrix materials.

[0137] like Figure 8 As shown, the third variant of the first embodiment provides a first surface 10, which has four non-coplanar blowing surfaces 6, 7, and 13 for guiding gaseous substances to the sealing area in different directions.

[0138] In addition to the two blowing surfaces 6 and 7 of the first variant, the third variant provides two side blowing surfaces 13 adjacent to the blowing surface 7 and arranged symmetrically with respect to the central plane Z of the hollow end element 3, which divides the blowing surface 6 and the blowing surface 7 into two equal parts.

[0139] When the sealing system is installed at the open side end of the channel defined between the two casting rolls, the two blowing surfaces 13 have their respective first ends that are simultaneously close to the blowing surface 7 and the side sealing area relative to their respective second ends, and the second ends are simultaneously far away from the blowing surface 7 and the side sealing area.

[0140] In other words, each blowing surface 13 defines a corresponding plane incident on and adjacent to the blowing surface 7 in plane Y, and diverges from plane Y relative to the central plane Z, such that one of the two blowing surfaces 13 faces the casting roll 20 and the other faces the casting roll 21, and therefore does not face the metal material supply plane. This allows additional air or inert gas jets to be blown onto the casting rolls 20 and 21, such that the same casting roll confines the air in the space between it, thereby creating an increased pressure zone in front of the edge of the product being cast, further reducing the diffusion of liquid metal near the roll gap.

[0141] For example only, the blowing 13 is flat and rectangular or trapezoidal, preferably with the smallest base of the trapezoid close to one of the two equal sides of the isosceles triangle of the blowing surface 7.

[0142] exist Figure 8 In the example, the air blowing surface 6 is provided with multiple through holes 14, the air blowing surface 7 is provided with multiple through holes 15, and the two air blowing surfaces 13 are provided with multiple through holes 18.

[0143] The through holes 14 may be parallel to each other and inclined relative to the parallel through holes 15, for example at an acute angle, preferably between 5° and 45°, more preferably between 10° and 35°.

[0144] The through holes 18 may be parallel to each other and inclined relative to the through hole 15, for example at an acute angle, preferably between 5° and 45°, more preferably between 10° and 35°.

[0145] Preferably, the axis of the through hole 18 of the air blowing surface 13 is inclined relative to the axis of the through hole 14 of the air blowing surface 6.

[0146] As an alternative to through holes, the air blowing surfaces 6, 7, and 13 can be made of porous matrix materials.

[0147] Figure 9 The fourth variant of the first embodiment shown provides a first surface 10, which is provided with six non-coplanar blowing surfaces 6, 7, 12, 13 for guiding gaseous substances to the sealing area in different directions.

[0148] In addition to the two blowing surfaces 6 and 7 of the first variant, the fourth variant provides two additional blowing surfaces 13 provided in the third variant and two additional blowing surfaces 12 provided in the second variant.

[0149] Figure 11 The fifth variant of the first embodiment shown provides a first surface 10, which has three non-coplanar blowing surfaces 6' and 12' for guiding gaseous substances to the sealing area in different directions.

[0150] The central blowing surface 6 defines the first plane X, while the two side blowing surfaces 12' are adjacent to the blowing surface 6 and are symmetrically arranged with respect to the central plane Z of the hollow end element 3, which divides the blowing surface 6 into two equal parts.

[0151] When the sealing system is installed at the open side end of the channel defined between the two casting rolls, the two blowing surfaces 12' have corresponding first ends that are close to the blowing surface 6' but far away from the side sealing area relative to the corresponding second ends, and their corresponding second ends are far away from the first blowing surface 6 but close to the side sealing area.

[0152] In other words, each blowing surface 12' defines a corresponding plane of the plane X that is incident on and adjacent to the blowing surface 6', and diverges from the plane X relative to the central plane Z so as to allow additional air or inert gas jets to converge, for example, in the case of a horizontal casting machine, simultaneously from the top and bottom to the feed plane of the metal material, especially converging toward the edge of the metal material during the casting step to increase the side seal of the liquid metal.

[0153] Specifically, the side blowing surface 12' and the center blowing surface 6' define the groove of the first surface 10.

[0154] For example, the central blowing surface 6' is a flat triangular shape, preferably an isosceles triangle, while the blowing surface 12' is a flat rectangular or trapezoidal shape, wherein one side is adjacent to one of the equilateral sides of the isosceles triangle of the blowing surface 6'.

[0155] exist Figure 11 In the example, the air blowing surface 6' is provided with multiple through holes 14', and the two air blowing surfaces 12' are provided with multiple through holes 17'.

[0156] The through holes 17' of each side blowing surface 12' can be parallel to each other and inclined relative to the through holes 14', for example at an acute angle, preferably between 5° and 45°, more preferably between 10° and 35°.

[0157] As an alternative to through holes, the air blowing surfaces 6' and 12' can be made of porous matrix materials.

[0158] In a second embodiment of the hollow end element 3, the first surface 10 is provided with a single blowing surface, wherein two or more sets of through holes are provided, preferably of different sizes, and each set of through holes is oriented differently from the other sets, guiding the gaseous material to the sealing area in different directions. This configuration allows air or inert gas jets to be blown toward the edge of the material in at least two directions, and thus toward at least two different areas of the enclosed space between the two casting rolls, thereby improving the side seal and increasing the extension of the sealing area.

[0159] For example, the through holes in each group are parallel to each other and inclined at a non-zero angle to the through holes in other groups.

[0160] Preferably, one, two, or more chambers 4 are provided inside the hollow end element 3.

[0161] In the second embodiment Figure 10 , 12 In the variations shown in 1, 13 and 14, the hollow end element 3 has a wedge shape, but as mentioned above, the hollow element may have other shapes besides a wedge shape.

[0162] Figure 10 The first variant of the second embodiment shown provides a single blowing surface 6 on a first surface 10, which is preferably formed in a groove of the first surface 10.

[0163] The central blowing surface 6 is either a plane or a curved surface.

[0164] When the sealing system is installed at the open end of the channel defined between two counter-rotating casting rolls, if the air blowing surface 6 is flat, then the air blowing surface 6 is arranged perpendicular to the metal material feed plane.

[0165] Conversely, in the case of a curved surface, as it approaches the roller gap, the surface diverges relative to the central plane of the casting rolls, which is perpendicular to the plane containing both axes of rotation of the casting rolls. Therefore, considering the feeding direction of the metal material, if the system is positioned on the side where the material enters the rollers, the blowing surface 6 diverges relative to the edge of the metal material entering the casting rolls; or if the system is positioned on the side where the material leaves the rollers, the blowing surface 6 converges relative to the edge of the metal material leaving the casting rolls. This configuration allows jets of air or inert gas to be blown towards the edges of the material and also towards the innermost region near the roller gap in the space between the two casting rolls, enhancing lateral sealing in areas where existing mechanical barriers are difficult to access.

[0166] exist Figure 10 In the example, the blowing surface 6 is triangular, with its vertex located at the tip 25 of the wedge-shaped hollow end element 3.

[0167] The central plane Z divides the blowing surface 6 into two equal parts.

[0168] exist Figure 10 In the example, the air blowing surface 6 is provided with multiple through holes 14.

[0169] Two or more sets of through holes 14 can be provided, for example, through holes of different sizes, each set of through holes having a different direction or tilt angle from the other sets, so as to direct the flow of gaseous substances to the sealing area in different directions. Therefore, air or inert gas jets in different directions can be obtained in a manner similar to the jets obtained by various modifications of the first embodiment, which provides two or more blowing surfaces.

[0170] like Figure 12 As shown, the second variant of the second embodiment is equivalent to Figure 10 The variant, in addition to having a generally triangular blowing surface 6, has a preferably rounded apex that is conveniently spaced from the tip 25 of the wedge-shaped hollow end element 3.

[0171] In respectively Figure 13 and Figure 14 The third and fourth variations of the second embodiment shown in the figure provide a first surface 10 that is completely flat or curved and coincides with a single blowing surface.

[0172] The surface 10 is provided with two or more sets of through holes, preferably of different sizes, each set having a different orientation from the other sets, so as to differently direct the flow of gaseous substances toward the sealing area.

[0173] For example, two or more sets of through holes can be provided, each set of holes having a different orientation or inclination relative to the other sets, to obtain air or inert gas jets in different directions, which is similar to obtaining jets by various variations of the first embodiment that provide two or more blowing surfaces.

[0174] exist Figure 13 In the example, the through holes are distributed in different ways on surface 10, but exclusively in the central region of surface 10. Specifically, the through holes can be divided into six groups, each corresponding to... Figure 9 The intermediate variant has through-holes 14, 15, 17 and 18, which provide six blowing surfaces.

[0175] exist Figure 14 In the example, the through holes 14 are distributed in different ways, but are basically distributed throughout the entire surface 10.

[0176] Of all the variations shown above ( Figures 5 to 14 The through holes can be arranged in a honeycomb structure on one or more air-blowing surfaces, i.e., the through holes are distributed by offset rows. Preferably, the density of holes on the surface 10 of the hollow end element 3 is obtained such that the total area of ​​the holes on the surface 10 is between 50% and 70% of the area of ​​the surface 10.

[0177] Figures 1 to 3The solidification process of liquid metal material through a casting machine is illustrated. In this process, the product (e.g., strip or sheet) is directly cast by feeding liquid metal material from unloader 35 between two cooled and counter-rotating casting rollers 20, 21. The cross-section of the solidified region is shown below. Figure 3 As shown. Once the liquid metal material comes into contact with rollers 20 and 21, a solid shell begins to form, which increases in size as it moves toward the exit channel 38. The solid shells adhering to the upper roller 20 and lower roller 21 meet only at the solidification point 36 before the exit channel 38 (for a conventional process with a casting speed of approximately 1.2 m / min and a metal plate thickness of 5 mm, the total solidification length is typically approximately 10 to 20 mm), from which the metal product is deformed by the casting rollers 20 and 21 to obtain the cast product 37.

[0178] The sealing system in any embodiment of the invention can be particularly used during the casting process, along the depth 39 ( Figure 3 Pressure is applied (corresponding to the actual curing length) to manipulate the liquid metal or liquid metal alloy. This pressure is generated entirely by the gas or inert gas blown out by the feed device 2, and this pressure controls the position of the side edges of the metal material in the area between the unloader 35 and the outlet channel 38, in which there is no true physical seal.

[0179] The sealing system of the present invention can also be used downstream of the outlet channel 38 to seal the liquid metal material still present at the outlet of the casting roll.

Claims

1. A sealing system (1) for laterally sealing at least a portion of liquid metal material at the open end of a channel defined between two cast components, said system comprising: Feeding device (2) is used to supply at least one compressed gaseous substance. The feeding device (2) is provided with a hollow end element (3), which is adapted to be arranged close to the opening side of the channel. At least one chamber (4) is defined in the hollow end element (3). The feeding device (2) is adapted to supply the at least one compressed gaseous substance into the at least one chamber (4). The hollow end element (3) is provided with at least one blowing surface (6, 7), which is used to blow the at least one compressed gaseous substance from the at least one chamber (4) to the side sealing area of ​​the at least part of the liquid metal material. The at least one blowing surface (6, 7) is provided with a plurality of through holes (14, 15). It is provided with two or more non-coplanar blowing surfaces (6, 7; 6', 12') for different orientations of the flow of the at least one compressed gaseous substance; A first air-blowing surface (6) is provided that defines a first plane X, and a second air-blowing surface (7) is provided that defines a second plane Y, wherein the second plane Y is incident on the first plane X. Furthermore, when the system is installed at the opening side of the channel, the first air blowing surface (6) is arranged perpendicularly to the metal material feeding plane, and the second air blowing surface (7) has a first end that is close to both the first air blowing surface (6) and the side sealing area, and a second end that is far away from both the first air blowing surface (6) and the side sealing area.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The through holes of each air blowing surface are parallel to each other and inclined at a non-zero angle relative to the through holes of other air blowing surfaces.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The hollow end element (3) has at least a partial wedge shape, which is configured to be inserted between two cast members.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The hollow end element (3) includes at least one first outer surface (10) adapted to face the side sealing area and includes the at least one blowing surface (6, 7).

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The hollow end element (3) has a central plane perpendicular to the plane X, and therein, two third air-blowing surfaces (12) are provided adjacent to the first air-blowing surface (6) and symmetrically arranged with respect to the central plane. Furthermore, when the system is installed at the open side end of the channel, the third air blowing surface (12) has a corresponding first end, which is closer to the first air blowing surface (6) but farther away from the side sealing area relative to the corresponding second end, and the second end is farther away from the first air blowing surface (6) but closer to the side sealing area.

6. The system according to claim 1 or 5, wherein, The hollow end element (3) has a central plane perpendicular to the plane X, and therein, two additional air-blowing surfaces (13) are provided adjacent to the second air-blowing surface (7) and symmetrically arranged with respect to the central plane. Furthermore, when the system is installed at the open side end of the channel, the other air blowing surface (13) has a corresponding first end, which is close to the second air blowing surface (7) and the side sealing area relative to the corresponding second end, while the second end is far away from the second air blowing surface (7) and the side sealing area.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The hollow end element (3) is manufactured as a single piece.

8. A casting machine for casting metallic material products, comprising: Two casting components (20, 21) define a channel with two open side ends for solidifying at least a portion of the liquid metal material supplied to the space between the casting components and forming a product; A first sealing system (1) is arranged near the first opening side end of the channel, wherein the first sealing system (1) is of the type of sealing system (1) according to claim 1.

9. The casting machine according to claim 8, wherein, The two casting components (20, 21) are two casting rollers, one above the other, with the rotation axes of the two casting rollers located on a common plane.

10. The casting machine according to claim 9, wherein, The hollow end element (3) of the first sealing system (1) has at least a wedge shape for at least a partial insertion between the two casting rollers (20, 21).

11. The casting machine according to claim 10, wherein, When the hollow end element is completely outside the casting roll and when the hollow end element is at least partially inserted between the casting rolls having a wedge shape, the distance between the hollow end element (3) and any surface of the casting rolls (20, 21) is not zero.

12. The casting machine according to claim 8 further includes a second sealing system (1'), the second sealing system (1') being of the type of the sealing system (1) according to claim 1, and being arranged near the second opening side end of the channel.

13. The casting machine according to claim 8, wherein, The two cast components (20, 21) are counter-rotating rollers or belts or tracks or combinations thereof.

14. The casting machine according to claim 9, wherein, The at least part of the liquid metal material is aluminum, magnesium, zinc, or a metal alloy based on one of these metals.

15. The casting machine according to claim 12, wherein, The two casting components (20, 21) are two casting rollers, one above the other, with the rotation axes of the two casting rollers located on a common plane; and wherein a moving device (40) is provided for moving the hollow end element (3) of the first sealing system (1) and / or the hollow end element (3) of the second sealing system (1') to adjust the distance between them in a direction parallel to the plane containing the rotation axes of the two casting rollers.

16. The casting machine according to claim 15, wherein, The hollow end element (3) of the first sealing system (1) and the hollow end element (3) of the second sealing system (1') are at least partially wedge-shaped for at least partially inserted between the two casting rollers (20, 21).

17. A casting method for casting metallic material products, said method being operable by a casting machine according to claim 9, said method comprising the following stages: The at least portion of the liquid metal material is supplied into the space between the two casting rollers (20, 21); The at least portion of the metal material is cured in the channel between the two casting rollers (20, 21) to form a product; Wherein, the at least partial liquid metal material is provided with a side seal by a first sealing system (1) at least one of the two open side ends of the channel; Furthermore, the side seal of the at least partially liquid metal material is obtained by supplying at least one compressed gaseous substance to at least one chamber (4) of the hollow end element (3), and the hollow end element blows the at least one compressed gaseous substance from the at least one chamber (4) to the side seal area of ​​the at least partially liquid metal material through the at least one blowing surface (6, 7).

18. The casting method according to claim 17, wherein, The at least one blowing surface (6, 7; 6', 12') performs a side sealing effect on the at least part of the metal material only by blowing the at least one compressed gaseous substance, without providing any contact between the at least one blowing surface and the at least part of the metal material that is being cured.

19. The casting method according to claim 17, wherein, The first sealing system (1) provides a first side seal of the at least part of the liquid metal material at the first opening side end of the channel, and the second sealing system (1') provides a second side seal of the at least part of the liquid metal material at the second opening side end of the channel, wherein the second sealing system (1') is of the type of sealing system (1) according to claim 1.

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