Sealing system for use with a cold extrusion head of a continuous casting plant and method for producing a metal product by continuous casting using the sealing system

Description

Area:

[0001] The invention relates to a sealing system for use with a cold strand head of a continuous casting plant and a method for producing a metallic product by continuous casting using the sealing system. State of the art:

[0002] For the production of metallic products by continuous casting, it is known according to the prior art to provide a seal at the beginning of the continuous casting process on a cold strand head, with which a gap between the cold strand head and the inner walls of a mold of a continuous casting plant is suitably sealed during the pouring process. Corresponding sealing systems with such a seal are shown, for example, in EP 2 127 780 B1, DE 20 2005 001 310 U1, EP 0 234 299 B2, DE 44 01 825 A1 or DE 600 04 848 T2. Other sealing systems are disclosed in US3717198 and KR100739633.

[0003] The sealing systems known from the prior art each have an upper component that is precisely adapted to the shape of the cold extrusion head. This results in the disadvantage that such an upper part, to which the seal is already attached or which serves to fix a seal underneath, always only fits one specific cold extrusion head shape and is not suitable for use with other cold extrusion heads. If different mold sizes are cast or the mold is sufficiently worn, new sealing systems must always be used. Purpose of the invention:

[0004] Accordingly, the invention is based on the objective of providing a sealing system that is suitable for use with a cold strand head of a continuous casting plant and with which the start of the continuous casting process can be made simpler and more cost-effective, and the associated work preparations can be carried out more quickly. Invention:

[0005] The object of the invention is achieved with a sealing system having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the sealing system are described in claims 2 to 16.

[0006] A sealing system for use with a cold extrusion head of a continuous casting plant is claimed, wherein the cold extrusion head is designed as a plate-shaped head element with a circumferential seal attached to its edge. The sealing system comprises a metal adapter element, the underside of which can be attached to an upper end face of the cold extrusion head. The head element can be attached to a top surface of the adapter element and thereby connected to the cold extrusion head. The head element has at least two plates movable relative to each other, the plates forming at least part of the edge of the head element. The plates are connected to each other by a clamping element, which, in a released state, allows movement of the plates and, in a clamped state, fixes the position of the plates relative to each other.

[0007] The sliding plates allow the head element to be easily adapted to different mold formats or different wear conditions of a mold.

[0008] Further preferred versions of the sealing system are described in the dependent

[0009] Claims 2 to 16 illustrate the requirements. The preferred embodiments of the sealing system fundamentally improve the functionality and handling of the system. Further advantages are listed individually.

[0010] The underside of the adapter element is preferably adapted to the upper end face of the cold extrusion head and can be fastened to the upper end face of the cold extrusion head by first fastening means. Adapted in the sense of the invention means that the end face of the cold extrusion head and the underside of the adapter plate have at least partially complementary surface areas. This allows a partial positive fit between the cold extrusion head and the adapter plate to be achieved.

[0011] A first fastening element is preferably designed to be positively interlocking. The positive interlocking of the fastening elements facilitates the connection of the two components.

[0012] The first fastening means preferably have at least one web which has a bead or hook at its free end. The bead or hook preferably has at least one recess, wherein the bead or hook of the web and the recess can be engaged with each other. Preferably, the web has a particularly mushroom-shaped bead and the recess comprises a complementary widened area. The particularly mushroom-shaped bead and the widened area of ​​the recess are complementary to each other. More preferably, the web is attached to an underside of the adapter element and the recess is formed in the cold strand head adjacent to its upper end face, with the recess opening into this end face.

[0013] The recess preferably comprises a narrow, bottleneck-like section extending from the upper end face of the cold strand head into the widened area of ​​the recess. The recess is preferably open on at least one side face of the cold strand head, allowing the web with its bead to be inserted into the recess from this side face.

[0014] The head element and the adapter element preferably each have a rectangular cross-section with a long side and a short side in a plane orthogonal to the transport direction of the cold strand head, wherein the length of the long side is many times greater than the length of the short side. It is more preferred that the cross-section of the head element and the adapter element in the plane orthogonal to the transport direction of the cold strand head is adapted to a cross-section of a mold of a continuous casting plant. "Adapted" in the sense of the invention means that at least the geometric dimensions of the inside of a mold and the cross-section of the head element with the associated adapter plate are similar, and any deviations can be compensated for by the movement possibilities of the adapter element.

[0015] A short side of the rectangular cross-section of the adapter element or the head element preferably has a length of at least 100 mm, more preferably of at least 120 mm, and even more preferably of more than 150 mm.

[0016] The head element is preferably designed as a standardized component. A standardized component in the sense of the invention is a component that can be used with a large number of different mold formats. For this purpose, the head element must be adapted in its dimensions and adjustment ranges to all the different mold formats used in a continuous casting plant.

[0017] The head element and the adapter element are preferably connectable to each other by means of a second, in particular form-fitting, fastening means.

[0018] The second fastening means preferably comprise a plurality of through-openings formed in the head element, which is particularly plate-shaped. The second fastening means also comprise a plurality of bolts, screws, or the like, which are attached to the top of the adapter element and can be inserted through the through-openings formed in the head element.

[0019] Preferably, a slot is formed at or adjacent to a free end of a bolt. A wedge can be driven through the slot and rests on the upper side of the head element when it is placed onto the bolt with its through-holes.

[0020] Preferably at least one, more preferably a plurality of such elevations is formed on the upper side of the head element.

[0021] The seal is preferably made of plastic. It is more preferred that the outer dimensions of the seal are slightly larger than a cross-section of a mold of a continuous casting plant in a plane orthogonal to the transport direction of the cold strand head.

[0022] The head element preferably has at least three plates, with the first plate forming a central plate. The second and third plates are arranged on opposite sides of the central plate.

[0023] The second and third plates are preferably each connected to the central plate by a clamping element.

[0024] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by a method with the features of claim 17. A metallic product is manufactured by continuous casting using a sealing system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein at least the following steps are carried out: Inserting a cold strand, comprising a cold strand head with the sealing system, into a mold with a released clamping element (38); moving the plates relative to each other to establish a uniform gap between the inside of the mold and the edge of the head element; clamping the clamping element to fix the plates relative to each other.

[0025] At the beginning of the process, the molten metal is sufficiently cooled when poured into the mold of a continuous casting plant through contact with the top of the head element and the raised area(s) provided there, so that this beginning of the process can be carried out without cooling scrap.

[0026] The following six figures are included with the description: Fig. 1-3: Head element with different plate positions and clamping element states. Fig. 4: Central plate. Fig. 5: First plate. Fig. 6: Sealing system. Fig. 7: Length to width sealing system. Fig. 8-13: Details of theFig. 6 Fig. 14: Insertion into narrow mold

[0027] 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. The figures show different views and individual assemblies of the sealing system 10 according to the invention and the connection of the cold strand head 1 to the sealing system 10.

[0028] The Figures 1 to 3The figures show different partial views of a head element 12 of the sealing system 10 according to the invention, wherein the plates 37, in conjunction with the clamping elements 374, assume different positions in the figures. The first central plate 371 is fixedly connected to the cold extrusion head 1 by an adapter element 18, and the second plate 372 is movable relative to the first plate 371. A third plate 373 (not shown) can be attached in a mirror image on the opposite side of the central plate 371. A seal 14 (not shown) can be attached around the perimeter of the edge in the border region 13 of the head element 12. The clamping element 374 is formed by a screw and corresponding counter bearings or webs on the plates 37. The screw of the clamping element can restrict the movement of the plates 371, 372, 373 relative to each other.

[0029] In Figure 1The movable second plate 372 of the head element 12 is shown in a central position. This means that the second plate 372 can be moved in both directions relative to the first plate 371. The clamping screw limits the range of motion Bc of the second plate 372 relative to its maximum range of motion Bmax. If the head element 12 is positioned in the mold, the head element 12 can be clamped within the mold by further tightening of the screw.

[0030] In Figure 2 The clamping screw is retracted so far that the range of motion B of the movable second plate 372 is maximized. This allows the width of the head element to be reduced. The head element, and therefore the entire sealing system 10, can thus be more easily inserted into a mold.

[0031] Figure 3Figure 1 shows a state of the sealing system 10 according to the invention in which the movable plate 372 is extended to its maximum extent relative to the first plate 371. The clamping screw is screwed in so far that no further movement of the plates 371 and 372 relative to each other is possible.

[0032] The Figure 4 The first central plate 371 of the Figures 1 to 3 This is firmly connected to the cold extrusion head by an adapter element 18 (not shown). The two vertically upward-pointing plates on the surface of the plate, in conjunction with a screw (not shown), form a clamping element 374. The second movable plate 372, 373 is in Figure 5The elongated hole in the movable plate 372, 373 and the T-shaped projection of the plate on the central plate 371 allow a movable connection to the first plate 371. The small plate on the surface of the movable plate 372, 373 forms the counter bearing for the clamping screw.

[0033] Figure 6 Figure 1 shows the sealing system 10 according to the invention in conjunction with a cold strand head 1. The first fastening element 22 connects the cold strand 1 to the underside 19 of the adapter element 18. An exemplary embodiment of the first fastening element 22 is shown in the Figure 11 shown. The first fastening element 22 consists of a straight web 24 and a bead 25 attached to it over the entire width K of the adapter element 18.

[0034] The complementary uptake in the cold strand 1 is in Figure 12The recess consists of a cavity 26 complementary to the web 24 and bead 25. This creates a widened area 27 and a bottleneck-like section 28 in the cavity 26. The sealing system, in conjunction with the cold strand and inserted into a mold, is shown in Figure 13 depicted.

[0035] The surface of the head element has raised sections. These allow the head element to connect to the hot strand. The movable plates of the Figures 1 to 3 are not shown. The head element itself is connected to the adapter element by means of several screw connections. The protrusions can also be attached to the movable plates.

[0036] The Figure 7 Figure 1 shows an example of the length-to-width ratio of a sealing system according to the invention. The length K is 160 mm and the length L is 1440 mm.

[0037] The Figures 8 to 13 show detailed views of the Figure 8 The adapter element, with its various positive-locking connections, enables easy connection between the cold strand and the head element. These fasteners are designed to transfer the necessary tensile forces from the cold strand to the hot strand. For example, the head element can be attached using a Figure 12 The wedge connection shown is attached to the adapter element.

[0038] Figure 14 Figure 1 shows the device according to the invention in conjunction with a narrow mold 4. The longitudinal side L is shortened to such an extent that the width of the sealing system is minimized. The cold strand is drawn out of the lower opening 5 of the mold 4 in the direction of arrow (T). Reference symbol list:

[0039] Reference sign Meaning 1 Cold strand head 2 upper end face (of the cold strand head 1) 4 mold 5 lower opening (of mold 4) 10 Sealing system 12 Head element 13 Edge area (of the head element 12) 14 seal 15 Top side (of the head element 12) 16 Elevation(s) (on the upper surface 15 of the head element 12) 18 Adapter element 19 Underside (of adapter element 18) 20 Top side (of adapter element 18) 21 Window or opening (in the adapter element 18) 22 first fasteners 24 web 25 bead 26 Exclusion 27 widened area (of the recess 26) 28 bottleneck-like narrow section (of recess 26) 30 second fastening means 31 Passage opening 32 bolt or screw 33 Mother 34 Slotted hole 36 wedge 37 records 371 central plate 372 second record 373 third album 374 Clamping element L long side K short page T Direction of transport (of the cold strand head 1) B max Maximum range of motion of the movable plate Are Range of movement of the movable plate

Claims

1. Sealing system (10) for use with a dummy bar head (1) of a continuous casting plant, wherein - the dummy bar head comprises a plate-shaped head element (12), at the edge region (13) of which an encircling seal (14) is mounted; and wherein - the sealing system (10) comprises an adapter element (18) of metal, which is securable by its lower side (19) to an upper end face (2) of the dummy bar head (1); - the head element (12) is securable to an upper side (20) of the adapter element (18) and thereby connectible with the dummy bar head (1); - the head element (12) comprises at least two plates (37) movable relative to one another, wherein the plates at least partly form the edge region (13) of the head element (12); and - the plates (37) are connected together by a clamping element (374), wherein the clamping element (374) in a released state enables movement of the plates (37) and in a clamped state the position of the plates (37) with respect to one another is fixable.

2. Sealing system (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that - the lower side (19) of the adapter element (18) is adapted to the upper end face (2) of the dummy bar head (1); and - is securable by first fastening means (22) to the upper end face (2) of the dummy bar head (1).

3. Sealing system (10) according to claim 2, characterised in that the first fastening means (22) is of interlocking configuration for producing a mechanically positive connection with the dummy bar head (1).

4. Sealing system (10) according to claim 3, characterised in that the first fastening means (22) comprises at least one web (24), which has a bulge (25) or hook at its free end, and at least one recess (26), wherein the bulge (25) or hook of the web (24) and the recess can be brought into interengagement, preferably in that the web (24) has, in particular, a mushroom-shaped bulge (25) and the recess (26) has a widened region (27) and in that case the, in particular, mushroom-shaped bulge (25) and the widened region (27) of the recess (26) are formed to be complementary with one another, more preferably in that the web (24) is mounted on a lower side (19) of the adapter element (18) and the recess (26) is formed in the dummy bar head (1) to adjoin the upper end face (2) thereof and to open into this end face (2).

5. Sealing system (10) according to claim 4, characterised in that - the recess (26) has a narrow bottleneck-like section (28) which going out from the upper end face (2) of the dummy bar head (1) leads to the widened region (27) of the recess (26).

6. Sealing system (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that - the recess (26) is open at at least a side surface of the dummy bar head (1) so that the web is introducible by its bulge (25) from this side surface into the recess (26).

7. Sealing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that - the head element (12) and the adapter element (18) each have in a plane extending orthogonally to the transport direction of the dummy bar head (1) a rectangular cross-section with a long side (L) and a short side (K), wherein the length of the long side (L) is greater by a multiple than the length of the short side (K), preferably in that the head element (12) and the adapter element (18) are each adapted by the cross-section thereof in the plane orthogonal to the transport direction of the dummy bar head (1) to a cross-section of a mould (3) of a continuous casting plant.

8. Sealing system according to claim 7, characterised in that a short side (K) of the rectangular cross-section of the adapter element (18) or of the head element (12) has a length of at least 100 mm, preferably 120 mm, more preferably more than 150 mm.

9. Sealing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the head element (12) is formed as a standardised component.

10. Sealing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that - the head element (12) and the adapter element (18) are connectible together by second, in particular interlocking, fastening means (30).

11. Sealing system (10) according to claim 10, characterised in that - the second fastening means (30) has a plurality of passage openings (31) which are formed in the, in particular, plate-shaped head element (12), wherein the second fastening means (30) also comprises a plurality of bolts, screws or the like (32) which are mounted on the upper side (20) of the adapter element (18) and can be plugged through the passage openings (31) formed in the head element (12).

12. Sealing system according to claim 11, characterised in that a respective slot (34) is formed at a free end of a bolt (32) or adjacent thereto, through which slot a wedge (36), which is seated on an upper side (15) of the head element (12), is drivable when the head element is plugged by its passage openings (31) onto the bolts (32).

13. Sealing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one elevation (16), preferably a plurality of such elevations (16), is formed at an upper side (15) of the head element (12).

14. Sealing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the seal (14) is made of plastics material, preferably in that the outer dimensions of the seal (14) are slightly larger than a cross-section of a mould (3) of a continuous casting plant in a plane orthogonal to the transport direction of the dummy bar head (1).

15. Sealing system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that - the head element (12) comprises at least three plates (37); and - a first plate (371) forms a central plate; and - the second and third plates (372, 373) are arranged at opposite sides of the central plate (371).

16. Sealing system (10) according to claim 15, characterised in that the second and third plates (372, 373) are each connected with the central plate (371) by a respective clamping element (38).

17. Method of producing a metallic product by means of continuous casting with use of a sealing system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein at least the work steps are performed: - introducing a dummy bar, which comprises a dummy bar head (1) with the sealing system (10), into a mould with released clamping element (38); - moving the plates (37) relative to one another for setting a uniform gap between the mould inner side and the edge region (13) of the head element (12); - tightening the clamping element (38) for fixing the plates (37) relative to one another; and - wherein at the start of the method the metal melt during pouring into the mould (3) of a continuous casting plant experiences sufficient cooling through contact with the upper side (15) of the head element (12) and the elevation or elevations (16) provided thereat so that this start of the method is performed without cooling scrap.