Continuous cooling equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a continuous cooling device (4) for cooling a metal strip (2), comprising at least one strip cooler (7), the strip cooler has a plurality of lower discharge elements (9) for the gaseous fluid distributed in the running direction (8) of the metal strip (2) and a plurality of upper discharge elements (10) for the gaseous fluid distributed in the running direction (8) of the metal strip (2), and a plurality of liquid cooling units (12), the metal strip (2) can be acted on with a cooling liquid by means of a liquid cooling unit, and wherein at least one transport device (14) is arranged between the upper discharge element (10) and the lower discharge element (9), said transport device having at least one transport element (15) for transporting the metal strip (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a continuous cooling device for cooling a metal strip, the continuous cooling device comprising at least one strip cooler having a plurality of lower discharge elements for a gaseous fluid distributed along the running direction of the strip and a plurality of upper discharge elements for the gaseous fluid distributed along the running direction of the strip, and the continuous cooling device comprising a plurality of liquid cooling units, by means of which the metal strip can be acted upon with a cooling liquid.

[0002] The invention further relates to a device for heat treating a metal strip, comprising at least one strip casting device in which the metal strip is produced from a melt and, if necessary, at least one heat treatment device in which the metal strip is heated or through which it is passed heated, and comprising at least one continuous cooling device.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for cooling a metal strip in a continuous cooling device, the continuous cooling device comprising at least one strip cooler, the strip cooler comprising a plurality of lower discharge elements for a gaseous fluid distributed along the running direction of the strip and a plurality of upper discharge elements for a gaseous fluid distributed along the running direction of the strip, and the strip cooler comprising a plurality of liquid cooling units, with which the metal strip can be acted upon by a cooling liquid, the metal strip being exposed for cooling to the gaseous fluid diverted from the upper and lower discharge elements towards the metal strip and to the cooling liquid applied to the metal strip in a manner discharged from the liquid cooling units. Background Art

[0004] Continuous cooling systems of the type mentioned at the outset are known from the prior art. For example, DE 10 2016 10 2093 B3 describes a continuous cooling system for cooling a metal strip. The continuous cooling system comprises at least one floating strip cooler having a plurality of upper nozzles and a plurality of lower nozzles distributed along the strip's running direction, wherein the metal strip can be transported in a floating manner between the upper nozzles and the lower nozzles, and wherein cooling air can be applied to the strip's upper and lower sides. The continuous cooling system also comprises a plurality of water cooling units, with which cooling water can be applied to the metal strip, the water cooling units being integrated into the floating strip cooler. This is achieved by providing at least one water cooling unit in each of the plurality of intermediate regions between two lower nozzles or upper nozzles arranged directly one behind the other in the strip's running direction.

[0005] WO2018 / 162474A1 describes a belt floating device for floatingly guiding a belt-shaped material, which has a first nozzle system and a second nozzle system, and the first nozzle system is arranged relative to the second nozzle system so that the belt-shaped material can be guided between the first nozzle system and the second nozzle system. The nozzle system includes a nozzle body, which has a front edge area and a rear edge area opposite to the front edge area along the conveying direction of the strip material; a front gas nozzle assembly, which is arranged on the front edge area so that the front gas jet can flow in the direction of the belt running plane to form a floating nozzle area for the strip material; a rear gas nozzle assembly, which is arranged on the rear edge area so that the rear gas jet can flow in the direction of the belt running plane to form a floating nozzle area for the strip material; a nozzle assembly, which is arranged upstream of the front gas nozzle assembly and / or downstream of the rear gas nozzle assembly along the conveying direction, and the nozzle assembly is set up so that the liquid fluid can flow into the floating nozzle area in the direction of the belt running plane as a fluid jet to control the temperature of the strip material. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to improve the handling of metal strip in a hot or high-temperature state.

[0007] The object of the invention is achieved with a continuous cooling system of the type mentioned at the outset, in which at least one transport device is provided between the upper discharge element and the lower discharge element, said transport device having at least one transport element for (temporarily) transporting the metal strip.

[0008] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved with an initially mentioned device having a continuous cooling device according to the invention.

[0009] In addition, the task is solved by a method mentioned at the beginning of the article, according to which: the free initial section of the metal strip is placed on a transport element of a transport device and transported through the continuous cooling device using the transport element, the transport device is arranged between the upper discharge element and the lower discharge element, and when or after the free initial section leaves, the delivery rate of the gaseous fluid is increased so that the metal strip enters a floating state within the continuous cooling device.

[0010] Advantageously, the transport device can improve the entry of the strip into the continuous cooling system. This allows, in particular, a more reliable and faster achievement of a stable state for the strip and the process, since the floating of the metal strip is activated only after the free end section of the metal strip has left the continuous cooling system. The contact-type transport of the free initial section of the metal strip reduces the tensile stresses exerted on this section in the hot or high-temperature state, thereby reducing the effects of these tensile stresses on the metal strip.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it can be provided that the transport device has a plurality of transport modules which are arranged one behind the other in the running direction of the belt. The modular structure of the transport device makes it easier to adapt to different continuous cooling systems.

[0012] According to another embodiment variant of the present invention, each of the transport modules can include at least one transport element, thereby improving the adaptability of the transport system and, therefore, the continuous cooling system as a whole, to the progress of processing the metal strip. This makes it easier to switch to floating transport of the metal strip even early in subregions of the continuous cooling system. It also makes it possible to provide different transport elements, or, in general, different transport modules, in the continuous cooling system, in accordance with the progress of cooling the metal strip or the temperature of the metal strip during cooling.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transport element can be formed by a rope, a belt, a mesh fabric, or a perforated conveyor belt, thereby enabling a gaseous fluid and / or a cooling fluid to flow through the transport element, so that the transport element can remain in the area between the upper and lower discharge elements for the gaseous fluid. This also allows the transport device to be quickly put back into use when needed.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the transport element is arranged so as to run around rollers or rolls, so that the temperature load of the transport element can be influenced by heat dissipation via the rollers or rolls. The rollers or rolls can be designed to be cooled if necessary.

[0015] According to an embodiment variant of the invention, it can be provided that the roller or rollers have a coating, via which the force transmission from the roller or rollers to the transport element can be better defined.

[0016] According to another embodiment variant, to simplify the transition of the metal strip from the contact-contact transport state to the non-contact transport state, provision can be made for at least one transport element of the transport device to be height-adjustable. This height adjustability allows the transport element to be lowered while the metal strip is in the floating state. This allows the desired shape of the metal strip's float, for example, a flat, sinusoidal, or wavy float, to be influenced even early during the transition.

[0017] According to another embodiment variant of the invention, it can be provided that the transport modules are height-adjustable independently of one another, whereby the lowering can be carried out only partially or stepwise, etc., if necessary.

[0018] For the same purpose, according to another embodiment variant of the invention, provision can be made for the transport elements of the transport modules to be height-adjustable independently of one another.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the liquid cooling unit can be arranged between discharge elements for the gaseous fluid, whereby the cooling liquid can be blown away from the metal strip together with the gaseous fluid. This allows for an improved cooling line to be created across the width of the strip and for targeted removal of the liquid from the strip surface.

[0020] Due to the improved adaptability to different continuous cooling systems, it is advantageous if, according to another embodiment variant of the invention, the liquid cooling unit is arranged within the transport module.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the system, the continuous cooling system can be arranged immediately following the strip casting device. This allows for a relatively wide cooling gradient range for gas cooling or gas-liquid cooling, allowing the system to process different metals. Furthermore, after the strip entry phase, the continuous cooling system allows for contactless transport of the metal strip, thereby ensuring a damage-free surface of the metal strip. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to better understand the present invention, the present invention is described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0023] In the simplified schematic diagram:

[0024] Figure 1 A portion of an apparatus for manufacturing a metal strip is shown;

[0025] Figure 2 Showing a continuous cooling device;

[0026] Figure 3 A detail of an embodiment variant of a transport element is shown in a top view;

[0027] Figure 4 A detail of another embodiment variant of the transport element is shown in a top view;

[0028] Figure 5 An embodiment variant of the transport device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] First, it should be noted that identical components are provided with identical reference numerals or component names in the various embodiments described, and that the disclosure contained throughout the entire description can be transferred to identical components having identical reference numerals or component names. Positional designations selected in the description, such as "upper," "lower," "lateral," etc., also refer to the directly described and illustrated figures, and these positional designations are transferred to the new position in the event of a change in position.

[0030] exist Figure 1 Schematically shows a detail of a device 1 for producing a metal strip 2. The metal strip 2 is composed in particular of a non-ferrous metal or a non-ferrous metal alloy, such as aluminum or a non-ferrous metal. However, the metal strip 2 can also be composed of an iron-based material, such as steel.

[0031] The device 1 (also referred to as a “continuous casting line”) comprises a strip casting device 3 and a continuous cooling device 4 (also referred to as a strip floating cooler). Preferably, the continuous cooling device 4 is configured to allow the metal strip 2 to pass horizontally.

[0032] In the strip casting device 3, the metal strip is produced from the melt. The strip casting device 3 can be designed accordingly according to the prior art, so for further details, reference is made to the relevant prior art. The strip casting device 3 can be, for example, a so-called strip casting machine, a twin-roller casting machine, etc. The strip casting device 3 is particularly a continuously operating casting device.

[0033] The continuous cooling device 4 is arranged downstream of the strip casting device 3 in the production direction 5. The continuous cooling device 4 will be described in more detail below.

[0034] The device 1 can have other units or components, such as a heat treatment device 6, in which the metal strip 2 is heated or through which the metal strip 2 is heated. Since these other units of the device 1 can also correspond to the prior art, in order to avoid repetition, they will not be described in detail. The heat treatment device 6 can be arranged downstream of the continuous cooling device 4 along the production direction 5 of the metal strip 2 or upstream of the continuous cooling device. In a preferred embodiment, the continuous cooling device 4 can be arranged along the production direction 5 of the metal strip 2, but subsequent to the strip casting device 3, in particular immediately subsequent to the strip casting device, as shown by the dashed line in the figure. Figure 1Therefore, the continuous cooling device 4 can be arranged at the outlet of the metal strip 1 from the strip casting device 3 so that the metal strip 2 that has been at least partially solidified can directly enter the continuous cooling device 5.

[0035] The continuous cooling device 4 for cooling the metal strip 2 can be Figure 2 As can be seen better, the figure schematically shows the continuous cooling device 4 in a side view.

[0036] The continuous cooling system 4 has at least one belt cooler 7. However, the continuous cooling system 4 may also have multiple belt coolers 7, for example, two, three, or four belt coolers 7 arranged one behind the other and / or side by side. If the continuous cooling system 4 has multiple belt coolers 7, these coolers are preferably designed identically. Therefore, only one belt cooler 7 will be discussed in detail below. This description can be transferred to other belt coolers 7 of the continuous cooling system 4 as needed.

[0037] The strip cooler 7 has a plurality of lower discharge elements 9 for the gaseous fluid, arranged one behind the other along the travel direction 8 of the metal strip 2 through the continuous cooling device 4, and a plurality of upper discharge elements 10 for the gaseous fluid, arranged one behind the other along the travel direction 8 of the metal strip 2. The lower discharge elements 9 are spaced apart from one another. Similarly, the discharge elements 10 are spaced apart from one another. Furthermore, the lower discharge elements 9 and the upper discharge elements 10 are spaced apart from one another so that the metal strip 2 can be conveyed through the continuous cooling device 4 between the lower discharge elements 9 and the upper discharge elements 10.

[0038] As gaseous fluid, air is used in particular, but other gases can also be used.

[0039] The lower discharge element 9 and the upper discharge element 10 for the gaseous fluid can be constructed according to the prior art. The lower discharge element and the upper discharge element can, for example, have a housing 11 which forms or contains a supply channel for the gaseous fluid. One or more nozzles for the outflow of the gaseous fluid can be provided or constructed on the housing 11. This allows for a high heat transfer (a high heat transfer coefficient). The nozzles are particularly arranged or oriented in such a way that the outflowing air flow is diverted onto the metal strip 2. The nozzles can have a slit-shaped outlet opening so that they are beam-shaped. The housing 11 or the nozzles preferably extend over the entire width of the metal strip 2. In the case of a plurality of nozzles, the nozzles can be arranged relative to each other in such a way that the metal strip 2 can be acted upon by the air flow over the entire width.

[0040] To supply the lower discharge element 9 and the upper discharge element 10 with a gaseous fluid, a blower or fan can be provided that is fluidically connected to the lower discharge element 9 and the upper discharge element 10. Alternatively, a plurality of blowers or a single fan can be provided. The lower discharge element 9 and the upper discharge element 10 can be supplied with a gaseous fluid independently of one another or jointly.

[0041] The strip cooler 7 also has a plurality of liquid cooling units 12. The liquid cooling units 12 allow the metal strip 2 to be acted upon with cooling liquid. The liquid cooling units 12 enable improved, i.e., more uniform, cooling. Thus, in particular, a more uniform cooling line (linear cooling zone) can be achieved transversely to the running direction 8.

[0042] As cooling liquid, water can be used in particular, but other liquids can also be used as cooling liquid.

[0043] The liquid cooling unit 12 can be constructed according to the prior art. The liquid cooling unit can, for example, have a housing 13 that forms or contains a supply channel for the cooling liquid. One or more nozzles for the outflow of the cooling liquid, such as a flat jet nozzle, a solid cone nozzle, an atomizing nozzle, or a hollow cone nozzle, can be provided or constructed on the housing 13. The nozzles are particularly arranged or oriented so that the outflowing liquid flow is diverted onto the metal strip 2. The nozzles can have a slit-shaped outlet so that the nozzles are beam-shaped. The housing 11 or the nozzles preferably extend over the entire width of the metal strip 2. In the case of multiple nozzles, the nozzles can be arranged relative to each other so that the metal strip 2 can be acted upon by the air flow over the entire width. The nozzles can, for example, be arranged or constructed on the housing 13 in one or more rows, the rows extending in the width direction of the metal strip 2.

[0044] In order to supply the nozzles with cooling liquid, one or more pumps can be provided which are fluidically connected to the nozzles. The nozzles can be supplied with cooling liquid independently of one another or in combination.

[0045] The liquid cooling unit 12 can be arranged between the lower discharge elements 9 and between the upper discharge elements 10. The liquid cooling unit can also be arranged only between the lower discharge elements 9 or only between the upper discharge elements 10. One or more lower discharge elements 9 or upper discharge elements 10 can be arranged between the liquid cooling units 12. Figure 2 The selected illustrations in the accompanying drawings should not be understood to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0046] The lower and upper discharge elements 9 and 10 and the liquid cooling unit 14 are arranged in the continuous cooling device 4 in such a way that they do not come into contact with the metal strip 2 during operation of the continuous cooling device 4 .

[0047] For controlling the lower and upper discharge elements 9 , 10 and / or the liquid cooling unit 12 , corresponding control valves may be provided.

[0048] The continuous cooling device 4 has at least one transport device 14 between the upper discharge element 10 and the lower discharge element 9 , which has at least one transport element 15 for temporarily transporting the metal strip 2 .

[0049] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment variant of the continuous cooling system 4 shown in FIG, the transport device 14 is modularly designed and has three transport modules 16. The transport device 14 can also have fewer or more than three transport modules 16 (for example, two, four, or five, etc.), so that the transport device 14 can be adapted to different lengths of the continuous cooling system 4. However, the transport device 14 can also extend continuously through the continuous cooling system 4 or a section of the continuous cooling system 4 and have only a single transport element 15, which extends continuously through the entire length of the continuous cooling system 4 or the aforementioned section of the continuous cooling system 4.

[0050] The transport modules 16 of the transport device 15 are arranged one behind the other in the running direction 8 of the metal strip 2. However, it is also possible, alternatively or additionally, to arrange a plurality of transport modules 16 side by side in the continuous cooling device 4, i.e. transversely (in particular at right angles) to the running direction 8 of the metal strip 2.

[0051] The transport module 16 can be equipped with one or more lower discharge elements 9 for the gaseous fluid and one or more liquid cooling units 12. Figure 2 Each of the transport modules 16 in the embodiment variant shown in FIG has, for example, two lower discharge elements 9 and one liquid cooling unit 12. However, this number should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. Each transport module 16 may also be provided with more than two lower discharge elements 9 for gaseous fluid (e.g., three or four, etc.) and / or more than one liquid cooling unit 12 (e.g., two or three, etc.). Preferably, the number of liquid cooling units 12 per transport module 16 is less than the number of lower discharge elements 9 for gaseous fluid.

[0052] In the embodiment variant of the transport device 14 with transport modules 16, each of the transport modules 16 or at least a plurality of the transport modules 16 preferably has its own transport element 15. However, it is also possible for a plurality of transport modules 16 to share a common transport element 15.

[0053] The at least one transport element is used at least temporarily to support the metal strip 2 and to transport the metal strip 2 through the continuous cooling device 4, in particular at the start, i.e. during the strip entry phase. This refers to a phase of the strip operation in which a new strip is introduced into the continuous cooling device 4 so that there is a free initial section of the metal strip 2 in the continuous cooling device between the lower discharge element 9 and the upper discharge element 10 for the gaseous fluid. When this initial section has left the continuous cooling device 4 again and in particular a stable process state has been generated, i.e. when the strip has been wound into a coil under tension, the strip is conveyed through the continuous cooling device 4 in a manner floating on the gaseous fluid. In this regard, in order to simplify the transition between the support of the metal strip 2 and the floating of the metal strip 2, according to an embodiment variant of the continuous cooling device 4, it can be provided that the transport element is formed by a rope, a belt, a mesh fabric or a perforated conveyor belt. In this regard, reference can be made to Figure 3 and Figure 4 ,exist Figure 3 A detail of a transport element 15 with a perforated portion 17 is shown in the form of a "perforated strip" and is shown in FIG. Figure 4 A portion of a transport element 15 in the form of a mesh fabric is shown.

[0054] However, it should be noted that the transport element can also be formed by an uninterrupted belt (ie a belt without perforations 17 ) which extends transversely to the running direction 8 over at least 50%, for example at least 80%, of the total width of the metal strip 2 .

[0055] The number, size, and shape of the penetrations 17 can vary. For example, between 40% and 80% of the surface of the transport element 15 can be formed as penetrations 17. The penetrations 17 can be circular, quadrilateral, or generally polygonal. The transport element 15 can also have a plurality of different penetrations 17.

[0056] When using ropes and / or a plurality of belts arranged side by side, these individual elements are arranged at a distance from one another so that the penetrations 17 formed by the distance between the ropes and / or belts can be selected accordingly depending on the implementation of the continuous cooling system 4 or the metal strip 2. The distance between the ropes and / or belts and their number. For example, two to twenty ropes and / or belts can be provided in the continuous cooling system 4 as transport elements 15 for the metal strip 2.

[0057] In general, the transport element 15 can consist of metal or a metal composite material (for example a metal-mineral fiber composite material, in particular a composite material containing glass fibers or a metal composite material with ceramic particles, etc.).

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment variant of the continuous cooling device 4, rollers 18 or rollers or generally rotatable or rotatably mounted support elements are provided for guiding the transport elements 15. In a modular embodiment variant, the rollers 18 or rollers are arranged at corners, at which the respective transport element 15 is deflected, such as from Figure 2 However, within the scope of the invention, more than these rollers 18 or rolls can also be provided in the deflection areas, in particular when the transport element 15 travels longer distances between these deflection areas, in which case further support of the transport element 15 is advantageous.

[0059] At least one of the rollers 18 or rolls (of each transport module 16 ) may be driven.

[0060] The support (and guidance) of the at least one transport element 15 can also be carried out by means of further, possibly driven, supporting elements.

[0061] It is further possible that the support element, for example the roller 18 or the roller, has a surface profile in order to thereby transmit the driving force to the transport element 15. The surface profile can be, for example, a toothing. The transport element 15 can also have a surface profile, for example a toothing, on the side facing the support element, which surface profile cooperates with the surface profile of the support element.

[0062] The transport element 15 can optionally be provided with a separate cooling device, for example, by cooling it from below (the side not supported by the metal strip 2) with a liquid or gaseous cooling medium. In an embodiment with rollers 18, these rollers can be cooled and thus transfer the cooling effect to the transport element 15.

[0063] According to another embodiment variant, it can be provided that the roller or roll 18 has a coating 19, as in Figure 2 The roller 18 at the lower left is indicated by a dotted line in the figure by way of example.

[0064] The coating 19 can be a friction-reducing coating 19 in order to reduce the friction between the roller 18 and the transport element 15. The coating can consist, for example, of Al2O3, for which purpose the roller 18 can be anodized, for example.

[0065] However, the coating 19 can also be a friction-increasing coating 19 in order to increase the friction between the roller 18 and the transport element 15 and to improve the force transmission between the roller 18 / transport element 15 or roller / transport element 15 .

[0066] Rollers 18 or rollers with different coatings 19 can also be provided in the continuous cooling device 4. For example, both rollers 18 or rollers with a friction-reducing coating 19 and rollers 18 or rollers with a friction-increasing coating 19 can be provided.

[0067] As already mentioned, during the operation of the method, the transport of the metal strip 2 through the continuous cooling device 4 is preferably converted to floating of the metal strip 2. In addition to the penetration 17 described above or as an alternative thereto, according to one embodiment variant, it can be provided that at least one transport element 15 of the transport device 14 or of the transport module 16 is height-adjustable. For this purpose, at least the upper support element (e.g. roller 18) can be arranged or held in a holding device 20, e.g. a holding frame, for example, so that it can be lowered, as in the Figure 5 In this case, with the lowering, the (corresponding) transport element 15 can lose its contact with the lower support element. It is also possible to implement the entire transport module 16 or the entire transport device 14 so that it can be lowered. Figure 2 In the figure, the transport module 16 on the right is indicated with a dotted line. For this purpose, for example, a slot guide can be provided in which the corresponding element of the transport device 14 can be held / guided in a lowered manner.

[0068] In order to lower the corresponding elements of the transport device 14 , corresponding drive devices may be provided, for example at least one electric motor, a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator, etc.

[0069] According to another embodiment variant, it can be provided that the transport modules 16 are independently adjustable in height, thereby enabling a stepwise or localized transition from contact transport to floating transport of the metal strip 2 . Overall, the metal strip 2 can be contact-conveyed with the at least one transport element 15 , requiring guidance. For this purpose, corresponding sensors and / or control or regulating devices can be provided in or on the continuous cooling system 4 . These sensors can, for example, determine the position of the metal strip 2 within the continuous cooling system 4 .

[0070] The apparatus 1 can be used to implement a method for cooling a metal strip 2 in a continuous cooling system 4, the continuous cooling system 4 comprising at least one strip cooler 7 having a plurality of lower discharge elements 9 for a gaseous fluid distributed along the running direction 8 of the metal strip 2 and a plurality of upper discharge elements 10 for the gaseous fluid distributed along the running direction 8 of the metal strip 2, and a plurality of liquid cooling units 12 with which a liquid can be cooled to act on the metal strip 2, the metal strip 2 being exposed during the cooling process to the gaseous fluid directed toward the metal strip from the upper and lower discharge elements 10, 9 and to the cooling liquid applied to the metal strip 2 by discharge from the liquid cooling units 12. A free initial section of the metal strip 2 is placed on at least one transport element 15 of a transport device 14, which is arranged between the upper and lower discharge elements 10, 9 and is conveyed through the continuous cooling system 4 by means of the transport element 15. When or after the free end section of the metal strip leaves the cooling system, the gaseous fluid delivery rate or the volume flow rate of the gaseous fluid is increased, so that the metal strip 2 enters a floating state within the continuous cooling system. In addition, at least one transport element 15 of the transport device 14 can be lowered. Increasing the volume flow rate of the gaseous fluid can be achieved by increasing the speed of the fan (which can be designed as a circulating fan, for example) or blower mentioned above.

[0071] When the free end section of the metal strip 2 has arrived, the floating conveying can be switched back to the contact-guided conveying state, if necessary by reversing these processes.

[0072] The exemplary embodiments show or describe possible embodiment variants of the device 1 or of the continuous cooling device 4 , combinations of the individual embodiment variants being possible.

[0073] Finally, it should be pointed out that, for a better understanding of the structure of the system 1 or of the continuous cooling system 4 , they are not necessarily shown to scale.

[0074] Reference Signs List

[0075] 1 device

[0076] 2 metal belts

[0077] 3 belt casting device

[0078] 4Continuous cooling equipment

[0079] 5. Production direction

[0080] 6Heat treatment equipment

[0081] 7 belt cooler

[0082] 8 Running direction

[0083] 9 discharge element

[0084] 10 discharge element

[0085] 11 Shell

[0086] 12 liquid cooling units

[0087] 13 shell

[0088] 14 Transport device

[0089] 15 transport components

[0090] 16 transport modules

[0091] 17 penetration

[0092] 18 rollers

[0093] 19 coatings

[0094] 20 holding device

Claims

1. A continuous cooling device (4) for cooling a metal strip (2), the continuous cooling device comprising at least one strip cooler (7), the strip cooler comprising a plurality of lower discharge elements (9) for a gaseous fluid distributed along the running direction (8) of the metal strip (2) and a plurality of upper discharge elements (10) for a gaseous fluid distributed along the running direction (8) of the metal strip (2), and the continuous cooling device comprising a plurality of liquid cooling units (12) by means of which the metal strip (2) can be acted upon with a cooling liquid, characterized in that At least one transport device (14) is arranged between the upper discharge element (10) and the lower discharge element (9), the transport device having at least one transport element (15) for transporting the metal strip (2).

2. The continuous cooling device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that The transport device (14) has a plurality of transport modules (15) which are arranged one behind the other in the running direction (8) of the metal strip (2).

3. The continuous cooling device (4) according to claim 2, characterized in that Each of the transport modules (16) has at least one transport element (15).

4. The continuous cooling device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The transport element (15) is formed by a rope, a belt, a mesh fabric or a perforated conveyor belt.

5. The continuous cooling device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The transport element (15) is arranged in a looped manner on rollers or rolls (18).

6. The continuous cooling device (4) according to claim 5, characterized in that The roller (18) has a coating (19).

7. The continuous cooling device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that At least one transport element (15) of the transport device (14) is height-adjustable.

8. The continuous cooling device (4) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that The transport modules (15) can be adjusted in height independently of each other.

9. The continuous cooling device (4) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that The transport elements (15) of the transport modules (16) are height-adjustable independently of one another.

10. The continuous cooling device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The liquid cooling unit (12) is arranged between the lower discharge element (9) and / or the upper discharge element (10) for the gaseous fluid.

11. The continuous cooling device (4) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that A liquid cooling unit (12) is disposed within the transport module (16).

12. A device (1) for producing a metal strip (2), comprising at least one strip casting device (3) in which the metal strip (1) is produced from a melt, and optionally at least one heat treatment device (6) in which the metal strip (2) is heated or the metal strip (2) is passed through the heat treatment device in a heated state, and comprising at least one continuous cooling device (4), characterized in that: The continuous cooling device (4) is constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that The continuous cooling device (4) is arranged downstream of the strip casting device (3).

14. A method for cooling a metal strip (2) in a continuous cooling device (4), the continuous cooling device having at least one strip cooler (7), the strip cooler having a plurality of lower discharge elements (9, 10) for gaseous fluid distributed along the strip running direction (8) and a plurality of upper discharge elements (9, 10) for gaseous fluid distributed along the strip running direction (8), and the strip cooler having a plurality of liquid cooling units (12), by means of which the metal strip (2) can be acted upon with cooling liquid, the metal strip (2) being exposed to the gaseous fluid diverted from the upper and lower discharge elements toward the metal strip and to the cooling liquid applied to the metal strip in a manner discharged from the liquid cooling units for cooling, characterized in that The free initial section of the metal strip is placed on a transport element of a transport device and transported through the continuous cooling device using the transport element. The transport device is arranged between the upper discharge element and the lower discharge element. When or after the free end section leaves, the conveying amount of the gaseous fluid is increased so that the metal strip enters a floating state within the continuous cooling device.

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