Mold parts

Abstract

The invention relates to a mold divider 100 and a continuous casting mold 200 with the mold divider. The mold divider serves to be installed in the mold cavity 210 of the continuous casting mold and there to divide the mold cavity 210 into two mold partial cavities 210-1, 210-2. The mold divider consists of a support frame 14, two oppositely oriented narrow side plates 9, and a plurality of actuators 11 mounted on the support frame 14 for individually adjusting the two narrow side plates 9. In order to make the installation and / or removal of the mold divider into the continuous casting mold faster and easier, the mold divider 100 is designed according to the invention as a structurally interchangeable unit for installation as a whole into and / or removal as a whole from the mold cavity 210 of the continuous casting mold 200.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mold divider for installation in the cavity of a continuous casting mold and for dividing this cavity into two equal or unequal cavity sections. In this way, two casting strands, typically made of metal, with the same or different cross-sectional dimensions can be cast from a single continuous casting mold. In addition to the mold divider, the invention also relates to a continuous casting mold with such a mold divider, a method for installing and removing the mold divider from the continuous casting mold, and a method for operating the mold divider.

[0002] Mold dividers, also called twin dividers because they divide the mold cavity into the aforementioned two mold part cavities, are generally known in the prior art.

[0003] Firstly, there are known mold dividers that are permanently installed within the mold cavity. Their inner narrow sides are generally not adjustable. If casting strands of varying widths are to be produced, this first known variant requires several mold dividers, each with a different width. This is especially true if the outer narrow sides of the mold are also not adjustable. Alternatively, according to a second known variant, casting strands of varying widths can also be produced by having the inner narrow sides of the mold divider be fixed in position, while the outer narrow sides of the mold are adjustable.

[0004] According to another prior art, such as that known from European patent EP 1 372 889 B1, mold dividers with adjustable inner narrow sides are also known. However, the adjustability of the inner narrow sides is provided for in this patent only outside the casting process, but not during it.

[0005] All of the aforementioned known mold dividers typically require installation in a specialized mold workshop and are not interchangeable. Furthermore, starting up a cold strand or cold strand chain with twin start-up heads is time-consuming because, with molds that have a permanently installed mold divider, the entire mold must first be temporarily removed from the continuous casting plant to allow the cold strand chain to be inserted into the mold from above.

[0006] European patent EP 1 372 889 B1 discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of further developing a known mold divider, a known continuous casting mold with the mold divider, a method for inserting and removing the mold divider from the continuous casting mold, and a known method for operating the mold divider in such a way that the insertion and removal of the mold divider into the continuous casting mold becomes faster and easier.

[0008] This problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. This is characterized in that the mold divider is designed as a structurally interchangeable unit for installation as a whole in and / or removal as a whole from the mold cavity of the continuous casting mold.

[0009] The claimed structural exchange unit is compact and characterized by the fact that all components of the mold divider, described below, are held together within the exchange unit, for example, by being mounted on its support structure, resulting in the smallest possible structural dimensions. This advantageously reduces the number of subsystems that would need to be assembled individually. The small mold divider dimensions in the retracted state enable the largest possible twin strand formats, even with small and medium strand widths. In this way, the mold divider according to the invention solves the aforementioned problem.

[0010] According to a first embodiment, the compactness of the design of the mold divider is achieved by arranging all actuators vertically one above the other in the mold divider, preferably lying in a vertical plane.

[0011] Designing the actuators as preferably telescopic hydraulic cylinders offers the advantage that the hydraulic cylinders require very little space when retracted, which can be beneficial for installing and removing the mold divider from the continuous casting mold. At the same time, the telescopic nature of the hydraulic cylinders during operation allows for the greatest possible adjustment range for the narrow side plates, thus providing great flexibility in setting different casting widths with a single mold, despite the small dimensions of the mold divider.

[0012] The actuators preferably form a compact drive unit that can be removed from or installed in the mold divider as a whole. Narrow side plates are supported by narrow side carriers, each of which has coupling elements on its side facing away from the respective narrow side plate, preferably internally, for coupling to the actuators. The internal linkage of the coupling elements within the narrow side plate also contributes to the compact design of the mold divider. The coupling elements are robustly designed and allow for low-backlash adjustment of the inner narrow sides.

[0013] The provision of a valve block with multiple hydraulic connections for supplying the hydraulic cylinders with hydraulic fluid and the provision of necessary connections directly on the narrow side supports also contribute to the compact design of the mold divider as a whole.

[0014] To enable the mold divider, as a single, compact component, to be easily inserted into and removed from a specially designed receiving space in the continuous casting mold using a crane, support elements are incorporated into the mold divider. These ensure quick and easy installation and removal of the mold divider.

[0015] Position sensors, which can be integrated into the mold divider, serve to detect the current position of the inner narrow side plates relative to the mold divider or its support structure. These are, for example, designed as integrated linear position measuring systems with water cooling and air supply and are located on the actuators. Alternatively or additionally, displacement sensors can be provided to detect the distance traveled by at least one of the inner narrow side plates on the mold divider relative to the mold divider or relative to the wide side plates of a continuous casting mold when the narrow side plates of the mold divider, i.e., the inner narrow side plates of the continuous casting mold, are moved within the mold cavity.

[0016] The aforementioned problem of the invention is further solved by a continuous casting mold according to claim 12, a method for installing the mold divider in the continuous casting mold according to claim 17, a method for removing the mold divider from the continuous casting mold according to claim 18, and a method for operating the mold divider according to claim 20. The advantages of these solutions to the problem correspond to the advantages previously mentioned with regard to the mold divider.

[0017] Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of the pending claims.

[0018] The description includes 5 figures, whereby Fig. 1 the continuous casting mold according to the invention with built-in mold divider according to the invention; Fig. 2 the continuous casting mold according to the invention in its empty state with a recognizable receiving space for the mold divider according to the invention; Fig. 3 the mold divider according to the invention in a perspective view in a first sectional view; Fig. 4. The mold divider according to the invention in a perspective view and in a second sectional view; and Fig. Figure 5 shows the mold divider according to the invention in a different perspective view.

[0019] The invention is described in detail below with reference to the figures mentioned, in the form of exemplary embodiments. In all figures, identical technical elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 shows the continuous casting mold 200 according to the invention, which is preferably mounted in a mold frame 1 in an oscillating manner. The continuous casting mold itself consists of two opposing broad sides, formed by broad side plates 7, each of which is supported by a water tank 2. The continuous casting mold 200 also includes two opposing outer narrow side plates 8, which are arranged between the opposing broad side plates 7 and together with them define a mold cavity 210. The outer narrow side plates 8 can optionally be angled in the direction of the double arrows in Fig. 1. The process and / or individual inclination can be carried out. The continuous casting mold, as far as is known, is to be filled according to... Fig. 1. The mold divider 100 according to the invention is used, which divides the originally continuous mold cavity 210 into two mold partial cavities 210-1 and 210-2. The respective broad sides of the mold are each covered with cover plates 6.

[0021] The mold divider 100 visibly comprises two narrow side supports 10, each carrying a narrow side plate 9. The two narrow side plates 9 are oriented in opposite directions on the mold divider 100, i.e., their free surfaces do not face each other, but rather face the respective mold cavity 210-1, 210-2, which they each define. Connections 5 are visible on each of the mold supports.

[0022] In addition, 100 support elements 31 are attached to the mold divider, for example in the form of hooks or eyelets for connecting support ropes or chains for a crane.

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 shows the continuous casting mold 200 with a receiving chamber 220 in at least one of its broad sides, which is specially dimensioned for preferably precisely fitting the mold divider 100 according to the invention. For the installation of the mold divider 100, the inventive method provides that it is lowered from above into the receiving chamber 220 on the top side of the continuous casting mold while suspended from a crane. The crane cables are attached to the support elements 31 in the form of hooks or eyelets. After lowering into the receiving chamber, the support cables are released and the connections 5 and hydraulic connections 17 are connected to the corresponding media sources. Removal of the mold divider from the mold is carried out in reverse order. That is, first all connections 5 and the hydraulic connections 17 on the mold divider are disconnected from the media sources or from electrical lines.Furthermore, the support cables are attached to the support elements 31, and then the mold divider 100 can again be pulled upwards out of the receiving chamber 220 at the top of the continuous casting mold using the crane. Alternatively, support chains or straps can also be used for installing or removing the mold divider.

[0024] The intake chamber 220 for the mold divider can be positioned not only in the center, as in Fig. 2 is shown, but alternatively, it can also be provided off-center in the broad side wall of the mold 200. This ensures from the outset the formation of mold cavity sections 210-1, 210-2 of unequal width. Alternatively or additionally, mold cavity sections of unequal width can also be realized by an asymmetrical method or adjustment of the inner narrow side plates 9 on the narrow side supports 10 of the mold divider 100.

[0025] Fig. Figure 3 shows the mold divider 100 in a perspective view with a first sectional view of the two narrow side supports 10. The core element of the mold divider 100, which is compactly constructed according to the invention, is a support frame 14. Not only the support elements 31, but also a valve block 16, the two narrow side supports 10 with the narrow side plates 9 supported by it, and the actuators 11 are attached to it. The covers 13 for covering the respective narrow side supports 10 are also supported by the support frame.

[0026] The actuators 11 are arranged one above the other in the mold divider 100 on the support frame 14, preferably with their longitudinal axes lying in a common vertical plane; this promotes the compact design, as in Fig. 3. The actuators can themselves be designed as a compact, integrated drive block, which can be removed as a whole from or installed in the mold divider 100. With this integration of the actuators into a single, integrated block, the actuators cannot be removed individually, which, however, benefits the compact design of the block and thus also the compact design of the mold divider.

[0027] The narrow side supports 10 can be designed as water boxes to hold cooling water for cooling the narrow side plates 9, which during the casting process define the mold cavity and are thus directly exposed to the hot, liquid molten metal.

[0028] The mold divider also includes a valve block 16 with a plurality of hydraulic connections, preferably designed as quick couplings, for supplying the actuators 11 with hydraulic fluid if the actuators are designed as hydraulic cylinders, as shown in the following Fig. 4 is recognizable. In addition, in Fig. 3 again the connections 5 are recognizable, which are also preferably designed in the form of quick couplings, for supplying or removing at least one medium, such as grease, cooling water, air and / or for electrical lines. In addition to the aforementioned water cooling, the side plates 9 can also be supplied with the supplied air for cooling purposes.

[0029] In the Fig. Frames 15 with casters 15-1 are visible in the discharge area of ​​the mold divider, each mounted on and supported by the support frame 14. The casters guide a casting strand poured in the continuous casting mold 200, and in particular its mold cavity sections 210-1, 210-2, downwards in the direction of the arrow after exiting the continuous casting mold, typically into a downstream strand guide device.

[0030] Fig. Figure 4 shows a similar perspective view of the mold divider 100 as Fig. 3, but with a different section plane. Specifically, the actuators 11 are visible here in their cutaway state. It can be seen that the actuators are, for example, telescopic hydraulic cylinders which, as mentioned, are supplied with hydraulic fluid via the hydraulic connections 17. The pistons of these hydraulic cylinders are each articulated to the narrow side supports 10 via coupling elements 10-1. The coupling elements 10-1 are articulated to the sides of the narrow side supports 10 facing away from the narrow side plates 9. The stacked arrangement of a total of four actuators is also clearly visible here. The term "stacked arrangement" means that each of the actuators 11 lies in its own horizontal plane, and the planes are vertically spaced apart from each other. Specifically, two of the four actuators 11 act on each of the narrow side supports 10 and are articulated to them.The actuators 11, arranged vertically, i.e. one above the other, act alternately on one of the other two narrow-side supports 10 with their narrow-side plates 9; see . Fig. 4. Specifically, for example, the lowest actuator 11 and the third actuator from the bottom each act on the right narrow side support 10 shown, and thus indirectly also on the right narrow side plate 9. In contrast, the second actuator 11 from the bottom and the fourth actuator 11 from the bottom, i.e., the uppermost actuator 11, each act on the left narrow side support 10 with the left narrow side plate 9.

[0031] Particularly during an ongoing casting operation, i.e., in real time, the narrow side supports 10, and thus also the inner narrow sides 9 of the mold divider 100 connected to them, can be individually adjusted. This adjustment can be achieved by a longitudinal displacement along the mold cavity 210, whereby the actuators assigned to each side support plate 10 are extended or retracted in parallel. Temporarily superimposed on, or independent of, a longitudinal displacement of the narrow side supports 10 along the mold divider cavities, the inclination of the inner narrow side plates 9 can also be changed. For this purpose, the two actuators assigned to each side support plate 10 are moved along different paths relative to each other.This requires the vertical distance described above between the two actuators acting on the same narrow side support 10, the vertical distance forming a lever arm necessary for adjusting the inclination. In other words, the alternating arrangement of the actuators acting on one of the two narrow side supports 10 according to the invention is highly advantageous here because it provides the necessary lever arm.

[0032] The distances traveled by the actuators, i.e., for example, the hydraulic cylinders, and in particular by their piston units, can be detected by means of displacement sensors with respect to a reference position, for example, the mold divider 100 or its support frame 14. If the mold divider is installed in the mold cavity of a continuous casting mold 200, the continuous casting mold itself or its broad sides can also serve as a reference position for the distances detected by the displacement sensor.

[0033] Similarly, position sensors 12 can also be used to detect the current position of the narrow side plates 9 in relation to a reference position, for example the mold divider 100 or its support frame 14.

[0034] Fig. Figure 5 shows the mold divider again, this time in a position opposite the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 changed viewing direction.

[0035] The broad and narrow side plates are typically made of copper. Reference symbol list 1 mold frame 2 water tanks as supports for side panel 4 guide rails 5 connections 6 cover plates 7. Side plate, preferably made of copper 8 Narrow side plate outside, preferably made of copper 9 Narrow side plate inside, preferably made of copper 10 narrow side beams 10-1 Coupling elements 11 Actuator within the mold divider 12 Position sensors 13 Cover narrow side 14 Support frame of the mold divider 15 foot caster scaffold 15-1 Foot caster 16 Valve block 17 hydraulic connections 31 Supporting element, for example hook or eyelet 100 mold dividers 200 continuous casting molds 210 Mold cavity 210-1 first mold cavity 210-2 second mold cavity 220 Receiving room for mold QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 1 372 889 B1 [0004, 0006]

Claims

[1] Mold divider (100) for installation in the mold cavity (210) of a continuous casting mold (200) and for dividing the mold cavity into two mold partial cavities (210-1, 210-2), wherein the mold divider (100) has: a support structure (14); two oppositely oriented narrow side plates (9); and a plurality of actuators (11) mounted on the support frame (14) for individually adjusting the two narrow side plates (9); characterized by , that the mold divider (100) is designed as a structural interchangeable unit for installation as a whole in and / or removal as a whole from the mold cavity (210) of the continuous casting mold (200). [2] Mold divider (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the actuators (11) are arranged one above the other in the mold divider (100), preferably lying in a vertical plane. [3] Mold divider according to claim 2, characterized by , that a total of four actuators (11) are provided; that two of the four actuators (11) are each provided for positioning one of the narrow side plates (9); and that the actuators 11 arranged one above the other act alternately on one of the two narrow side plates (9). [4] Mold divider (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuators (11) are designed as preferably telescopic hydraulic cylinders and are operated with hydraulic fluid. [5] Mold divider (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the majority of actuators (11) are designed as a drive block which can be removed as a whole from the mold divider (100) and / or installed as a whole in the mold divider (100). [6] Mold divider (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that narrow side supports (10) are provided to support the narrow side plates (9); that the narrow side supports (10) each have coupling elements (10-1) on their side facing away from the narrow side plate (9), preferably inside them, for coupling the actuators. [7] Mold divider (100) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the narrow side supports (10) are designed as water boxes to hold cooling water for cooling the narrow side plates (9). [8] Mold divider (100) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized by a valve block (16) with a plurality of hydraulic connections (17), preferably in the form of quick couplings, for supplying the hydraulic cylinders with hydraulic fluid; and Connections (5) arranged on the narrow side supports (10), preferably in the form of quick couplings, for at least one medium, such as grease, cooling water, air, and / or for electrical lines. [9] Mold divider (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a foot roller frame (15) mounted on the support frame (14) in the outlet area of ​​the mold divider, with foot rollers (15-1) for guiding a casting strand cast from the continuous casting mold after it leaves the continuous casting mold. [10] Mold divider (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by - preferably connected to the support structure (14) - support elements (31), for example in the form of hooks or eyelets for connecting support ropes or chains of a crane. [11] Mold divider (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized bya position sensor (12) for detecting the current position of the narrow side plates in relation to a reference position, for example on the mold divider (100) or its support frame (14); and / or a displacement sensor for detecting the distance traveled by at least one of the inner narrow side plates in relation to the mold divider (100) or in relation to a reference position, for example the wide side plates (7) when the inner narrow side plates (9) are displaced within the mold cavity (210). [12] Continuous casting mold (200) comprising: - two opposing broadside plates (7), each supported by a water tank (2); - two opposing outer narrow side plates (8) arranged between the opposing wide side plates (7) and together with the wide plates forming a mold cavity (210); - a mold divider (100) that can be arranged in the mold cavity (210) for dividing the mold cavity (210) into two mold partial cavities (210-1, 210-2), wherein the opposite narrow sides (9) of the mold divider (100) each form the inner narrow sides of the two mold partial cavities (210-1, 210-2); characterized by , that the mold divider (100) is designed according to one of the preceding claims. [13] Continuous casting mold (200) according to claim 12, characterized by , that the continuous casting mold (200) has an upwardly open receiving chamber (220) for receiving the mold divider (100). [14] Continuous casting mold (200) according to claim 13, characterized by , that the receiving space (220) is designed centrally or off-center with respect to the broad sides of the mold cavity for the centrally or off-center receiving of the mold divider into the mold cavity. [15] Continuous casting mold according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized bythat the outer side guide plates are also designed to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the mold cavity. [16] Continuous casting mold (200) according to claim 12 or 15, characterized by a foot roller frame (15) with foot rollers (15-1) mounted in the outlet area of ​​the mold divider (100) on its support frame (14) for guiding a casting strand cast from the continuous casting mold after it leaves the continuous casting mold. [17] Method for installing a mold divider (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11 into a continuous casting mold (200) according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized by , that - for its installation - the mold divider (100) is lowered from above into the receiving chamber (220) at the top of the continuous casting mold (200), e.g. with the help of a crane; and that the connections (5) and hydraulic connections (17) are then connected to the appropriate media sources. [18] Method for removing a mold divider (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11 into a continuous casting mold (200) according to one of claims 12 to 16 characterized by , that first all connections (5) and hydraulic connections (17) on the mold divider (100) are disconnected from the media sources; and that subsequently - for its removal - the mold divider is pulled upwards out of the receiving space (220) on the top of the continuous casting mold (200), e.g. with the help of a crane. [19] Method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized by , that - for its installation or removal - the mold divider (100) is suspended from its hooks or eyelets (31) by means of carrying ropes or chains to the crane. [20] Method for operating the mold divider according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by, that the inner narrow side plates (9) can be individually adjusted by means of the actuators (11) during an ongoing casting operation, preferably in real time. [21] Method according to claim 20, characterized by , that the adjustment can take the form of a displacement in the longitudinal direction of the mold cavity (210) and / or in the form of a change in the inclination of the inner narrow side plates (9).

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