Mould

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mould (1) for the continuous casting of metals, with a mould body (2) in the form of a mould tube or a mould plate for fastening to a supporting structure (3) via connecting means (4) comprising threaded bolts (5), wherein the connecting means (4) comprise groove nuts (8) which are inserted into an undercut region (9), in particular of a coolant channel (10) of the mould body (2), in order to be screwed to the groove nut spacer sleeve (7) and to the threaded bolts (5), wherein, when the groove nut (8) is inserted, a cooling gap (22) remains in the undercut region (9) of the coolant channel (10) and extends from a groove base (23) of the coolant channel (10) to a rear side of the groove nut (8) facing away from the support structure (3).

Description

[0001] mold

[0002] The invention relates to a mold having the features in the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0003] DE 10 2004 001 928 A1 discloses a liquid-cooled mold for the continuous casting of metals, comprising mold plates or a mold tube made of copper or a copper alloy, which are connected to a support structure by means of fastening bolts. The mold plates are connected to the support structure without clamping, with a working gap existing between the support structure and the mold plates or the mold tube. The mold tubes or mold plates are fastened via so-called fastening islands, which serve to screw the mold plate and the mold tube to the support structure or the so-called water box. For strength reasons, the fastening islands are designed with a greater wall thickness than the surrounding material. The fastening islands and the screw connection serve to fix the molds in their position and counteract deformation of the mold caused by the applied water pressure.

[0004] The actual mold wall, made of copper material, is typically 12 to 20 mm thick. Larger wall thicknesses are not practical because the goal is to allow for the greatest possible heat transfer. Reducing the wall thickness to smaller values ​​is limited by the applied water pressure. The mold wall must not be deformed by the water pressure.

[0005] The fastening islands used are typically designed with a wall thickness thicker than the surrounding mold wall. Typically, the wall thickness is approximately 6 to 12 mm thicker than the mold wall, as the screw connection must absorb high tensile and shear loads. The wall thickness is therefore significantly higher in the area of ​​the fastening islands. Heat dissipation from the mold is lower in these areas. These areas can be referred to as local hot spots.

[0006] These hot spots can lead to uneven cooling of the strand shell of the solidifying metal. Uneven cooling can cause stresses, deformations, and cracks in the strand shell. A more uneven surface temperature on the casting side can adversely affect product quality due to the melting behavior of casting aids. The service life of the mold can be reduced by hot spots because they increase the risk of material damage due to overheating and the diffusion of copper-damaging steel elements.

[0007] US 5,513,691 A1 discloses a two-layer copper mold plate, wherein the two layers are soldered together and wherein a T-slot nut is arranged in one of the two layers for screwing the mold plate to a supporting plate. Cooling channels run between the two layers, with the T-slot nut located in one of these cooling channels. Connecting the two layers represents an additional work step and increases the manufacturing effort. DE 10 2010 047392 A1 discloses the use of T-slot nuts for fastening mold plates, wherein the T-slot nuts are inserted into webs between adjacent cooling channels. The cooling of the T-slot nuts occurs primarily via the side surfaces of the T-slot nuts that face the adjacent cooling channels, while the cooling fluid barely penetrates beneath the T-slot nut. The cooling is not optimal.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of developing a mold with a novel fastening solution that enables more uniform and improved cooling of the mold and the metal strand obtained by continuous casting.

[0009] This problem is solved by a mold having the features of patent claim 1.

[0010] The subclaims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.

[0011] The inventive mold for the continuous casting of metals has a mold body in the form of a mold tube or a mold plate made of copper or a copper material. The mold body is attached to a supporting structure via connecting means. Screw bolts are used. The connection is clamp-free and therefore stress-free thanks to the use of spacers. The connecting means comprise T-slot nuts. The T-slot nuts are inserted into an undercut area of ​​the mold body to be screwed into place with screw bolts in the installed position. In the undercut area, a free flow cross-section remains adjacent to the T-slot nut, the so-called cooling gap. This cooling gap extends from a groove base to a rear side of the T-slot nut facing away from the supporting structure.The fastening solution according to the invention specifically creates this additional cooling gap, which is fed by a coolant that is directed between the mold body and the support structure. Thus, the coolant not only flows around the outside of the mold body fastening, but also flows underneath or through the center.

[0012] The undercut area is located in a plateau-like mounting island, a raised area opposite the rear of the mold body. The mounting island is divided in two by the undercut area, allowing the slotted nut to be inserted.

[0013] The T-slot nut can be pushed into the undercut area parallel to the back of the mold body without having to create a recess in the mold body. The fastening island protrudes slightly further than the back of the mold body for this purpose. There is preferably a recess in the back of the mold body below the T-slot nut to create a sufficiently large cooling gap. The depth of the cooling gap can slowly increase in the direction of coolant flow upstream of the undercut area and slowly decrease again downstream of the cooling gap, comparable to a depression with a trapezoidal or arcuate cross-section. The depth of the cooling gap can vary longitudinally, i.e. in the direction of flow. The depth can also vary transversely.

[0014] In a further development of the invention, the fastening element is integrated into a coolant channel. The coolant channel acts as a cooling gap. The flow path of the coolant channel is not interrupted by a fastening island. The coolant channel continues its generally straight course without any deflection. The advantage is that the fastening island can have a lower height if the T-slot nut is integrated into the coolant channel.

[0015] The coolant channel in the undercut area serves to direct coolant into the cooling gap, which additionally cools the T-slot nut from its rear side. At the same time, all adjacent areas of the coolant channel are also cooled, especially the groove base facing the hot side, preventing the formation of hot spots. Furthermore, the stud bolt is also cooled from the front. This avoids the disadvantages described above. A more uniform surface temperature is achieved on the casting side.

[0016] The connecting means comprise a T-slot spacer sleeve which, in an installed position, is clamped directly or indirectly to the mold plate by the screw head. This component primarily fulfils the function of a spacer or distance piece in the sense of a holding element with a widened collar head. The term sleeve represents a component that has a through-opening, in particular a central one. The T-slot spacer sleeve is, in particular, a milled part with a geometry that is not rotationally symmetrical, at least in sections. The screw head can be secured using securing elements such as spring belts or clamping washers, which are arranged between the screw head and the T-slot spacer sleeve. The clamping force of the screw head is transferred to a radially outwardly projecting collar of the T-slot spacer sleeve, with the T-slot spacer sleeve being supported by its other end on the mold body.In any case, the connecting elements together with the mold body form a firmly connected unit, which as such can be moved to a limited extent relative to the supporting structure in order to compensate for tolerances and, above all, for thermally induced changes in length.

[0017] For this purpose, the T-slot spacer sleeve is dimensioned large enough in the collar area to sufficiently overlap the contact surface of a through-hole in the supporting structure facing away from the mold body, allowing contact between the collar and the contact surface during any possible lateral displacement. The diameter of the through-hole is larger than the diameter of the T-slot spacer sleeve to accommodate the lateral displacement of the T-slot spacer sleeve. The attachment of the mold body should be as stress-free as possible.

[0018] Displacement perpendicular to the supporting structure is also possible due to a working gap. The T-slot spacer sleeve is dimensioned long enough to maintain the working gap under operating conditions. The mold body can be displaced relative to the supporting structure as required. Stresses in the mold body material are avoided as much as possible, with the goal of improving the service life of the mold body.

[0019] The through-opening has a so-called overflow channel. The overflow channel is located in the length section that extends from the contact surface towards the mold body. The overflow channel is a widening in the through-opening in this length section. In other words, the width of the through-opening increases with distance from the contact surface to allow coolant to flow through transversely to the longitudinal direction of the bolt. The length section traversed by the T-slot spacer sleeve - starting at the contact surface - is therefore not cylindrical, but rather has at least one lateral pocket viewed in cross-section through which coolant is to flow transversely to the longitudinal direction of the T-slot spacer sleeve. The length section of the through-opening traversed by the shank of the T-slot spacer sleeve can have a stepped diameter over one or more steps and / or can widen in a funnel shape.The diameter change can be rotationally symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis of the through-hole. The diameter changes are preferably of different magnitudes within a cross-sectional plane of the through-hole. The T-slot spacer sleeve preferably extends centrally through the through-hole, so that the overflow channel is the same width on both sides of the T-slot spacer sleeve. In this respect, mirror symmetry exists.

[0020] The overflow channel is used to collect coolant flowing from the gap adjacent to the mounting islands or from the coolant channel from the inflow area and guide it around the T-slot nut spacer sleeve. Once the coolant has flowed around the T-slot nut spacer sleeve, it then flows back into the gap adjacent to the mounting islands or into the same coolant channel. For this purpose, the through-opening in the length of the overflow channel has a first width transverse to the cooling gap / coolant channel that is greater than the width of the cooling gap / coolant channel itself, in which the T-slot nut is inserted. The large width of the through-opening in the length of the overflow channel compensates for the fact that the cooling gap / coolant channel is partially blocked by the T-slot nut spacer sleeve. The coolant is now redirected and guided over the T-slot nut or around the T-slot nut spacer sleeve at the mounting point.

[0021] The through-opening preferably has a second width in the length region of the overflow channel, which is measured in the longitudinal direction of the cooling gap. This second width is preferably greater than the first width. As a result, this length region of the through-opening is designed as a slot, so to speak. This second width is, in particular, greater than the length of the undercut region. As a result, the coolant can exit from the gap adjacent to the fastening islands or from the coolant channel toward the support structure before reaching the undercut region on the rear side of the mold body and enter the overflow channel of the support structure.It is diverted in the area of ​​the overflow channel to flow around the T-slot spacer sleeve parallel to the coolant flow in the cooling gap. It then redirects itself back into the coolant channel or into the gap adjacent to the mounting islands, where the two coolant flows from the overflow channel and the cooling gap reunite. This special design of the through-hole makes it possible to cool the mounting area extremely effectively without generating pressure increases in the coolant. The heat in the area of ​​the mounting point is dissipated very effectively. At the same time, the connection is low-stress and easy to install.

[0022] In an advantageous development of the invention, the through-opening is designed as an elongated hole, the longer axis of which points in the longitudinal direction of the cooling gap / coolant channel. The through-opening has several longitudinal sections along its length, whereby the length and width characteristics can vary for each longitudinal section. In particular, the width in the area of ​​the overflow channel can be significantly larger than in the area where a screw head is located.

[0023] It is advantageous if the collar of the T-slot spacer sleeve is longer than it is wide, thus ensuring it is securely positioned behind the slotted through hole. The collar can have a substantially rectangular cross-section, for example, with rounded or chamfered corners.

[0024] The dimensions of the T-slot nut spacer sleeve in the longitudinal and transverse directions are always smaller than the size of the through opening, so that lateral displacement is also possible in any length range of the T-slot nut spacer sleeve, i.e. in the length range of the collar as well as in the length range of its shank. The shank of the T-slot nut spacer sleeve is elongated or rectangular to ensure a positive fit with the supporting structure and to prevent rotation. The T-slot nut itself is preferably also held in the coolant groove in a rotation-proof manner by a positive fit. The T-slot nut can, for example, have a longitudinal section with a rectangular cross-section or have a projection to prevent rotation within the coolant groove. The term T-slot nut has two functions: Firstly, the T-slot nut serves as a threaded carrier for the screw bolt. Secondly, the T-slot nut serves as a T-slot nut.Such a T-slot nut is held in an undercut and can be moved longitudinally within the receiving groove. The threaded portion of the T-slot nut is located in the groove opening and can therefore be longer than the retaining portions of the T-slot nut, which are located exclusively in the undercut area. The T-slot nut preferably has a shank that accommodates a thread and a retaining portion that is wider than the shank. In cross-section, the groove nut is therefore essentially T-shaped. Due to its shape, the shank preferably serves as an anti-twist device.

[0025] The mold according to the invention is particularly dimensioned so that the coolant can cool and flow around the connecting elements without significant resistance or pressure increase. To this end, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the overflow channel at its narrowest point and the cross-sectional area of ​​the cooling gap under the T-slot nut at its narrowest point should preferably be at least as large as the cross-sectional area of ​​the coolant channel in front of and behind the fastening point.

[0026] Furthermore, the mold according to the invention is also designed such that the mold body is held clamp-free on the support structure, forming a working gap in the area of ​​the connecting means. The working gap is located between the support structure and the mold plates, allowing essentially parallel movement of these components relative to one another. It is therefore located on the facing surfaces of the mold body and the support structure. The width of the working gap can be less than 0.5 mm and is preferably less than 0.2 mm.

[0027] The cooling gap below the T-slot nut has a sufficiently large cross-sectional area to allow flow at all, compared to the cross-sectional area of ​​the significantly larger overflow channel. The cooling gap preferably has a depth that is at least 20% greater than the depth of the undercut region without the T-slot nut inserted. Said depth is preferably in a range of 20 to 80%, more preferably in a range of 20 to 60%, more preferably in a range of 20 to 40%, and more preferably at least in a range of 20 to 30% of the depth of the undercut region without the T-slot nut inserted.Particularly in the case of designs with coolant channels, the cross-section of the coolant channel is reduced by the inserted T-slot nut by no more than 70 to 80%, preferably less, and in particular by no more than 40%, so that a sufficiently large cooling gap is always available for effective cooling of the mold body to avoid hot spots. The remaining cooling gap is always larger than the play required for fitting the T-slot nut, which is at least 0.5 mm. The cooling gap should not be less than 1 mm deep, preferably not less than 1.5 or 2 mm, and for effective cooling is preferably greater than 5 mm. A depth of not less than 7 mm should be aimed for.

[0028] Furthermore, the cooling effect should be as even as possible on all components of the fastener. To achieve this, the overflow channel is preferably formed not just on one side of the through-hole, but on both sides. This means that the through-hole has pockets or recesses on both sides, resulting in a widening that is as mirror-symmetrical as possible with respect to the slotted hole axis of the through-hole.

[0029] Since the screw connections must absorb high tensile and shear loads, the contact surface for the radially outwardly projecting collar of the T-slot spacer sleeve is designed on a sufficiently load-bearing support flange. The support flange is a constriction in the through-hole. On the one hand, the support flange should be as load-bearing as possible, while on the other hand, the connecting elements should be held with clearance and also be well cooled to avoid hot spots on the mold body. Therefore, in an advantageous development of the invention, the widened overflow channel adjoins the support flange on the side opposite the contact surface, with a rounded transition area being provided between the overflow channel and the support flange. The rounded transition area prevents stress peaks in the supporting structure.

[0030] In a further development of the invention, the undercut region of a coolant channel is not formed within the coolant channel or its walls themselves, but rather is formed by undercut clamping webs on the coolant channel that adjoin the walls. The clamping webs are formed on a rear side of the mold body as elevations along the length of the coolant channel. The clamping webs are a one-piece component of the coolant channels made of the same material. They project beyond the rear side in island-like formations. Two of these clamping webs are located on the walls. The clamping webs are spaced smaller than the width of the coolant channel. This creates the undercut region. The term “undercut region of a coolant channel” means that there is an undercut region on a coolant channel, but not necessarily a constriction or widening within a coolant channel.

[0031] The free cross-section of a coolant channel is preferably not altered by the undercut area. In this case, there is no undercut in the coolant channel; instead, the coolant channel itself, with a constant cross-section in the longitudinal direction, is the undercut area below the clamping bars, which themselves are located outside the coolant channel. This has the advantage that the coolant channel itself does not need to be widened to accommodate a T-slot nut in the coolant channel. The holding function is fulfilled by the clamping bars on the coolant channel.

[0032] The design without coolant channels in the area of ​​the mounting island also provides the aforementioned clamping webs, which extend parallel to one another, are preferably of equal size, and form the undercut area. The clamping webs are, in a sense, the remainder of a mounting island that has been split down the middle in the longitudinal direction or flow direction and on which undercuts for the T-slot nut have been created. In an advantageous development of the invention, the coolant channel has a widened mounting area adjacent to the undercut area. The T-slot nut can be inserted into this mounting area and from there can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the coolant channel into the undercut area. The T-slot nut is then held in the coolant channel by the clamping webs, so that it can no longer be pulled out of the coolant channel perpendicular to the coolant channel.

[0033] In the installed position, the T-slot spacer sleeve rests on the sides of the clamping bars facing away from the cooling gap. The connecting elements, specifically the T-slot nut, and the T-slot spacer sleeve with the inserted screw bolt, retain their position during casting due to the clamping or friction when screwing the mold body together. This clamping prevents any relative movement of the connecting elements relative to the mold body during casting.

[0034] The invention presents a mold that enables particularly low-stress and easy-to-install fastening. The advantages of the invention are particularly evident when a cooling gap, a through hole, and a working gap are combined for a clamp-free connection.

[0035] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown purely schematically in the drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a partial area of ​​a mold in the area of ​​a fastening point before assembly in a perspective view of a first embodiment;

[0037] Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the fastening point of Figure 1 in the assembled situation;

[0038] Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section through the attachment point of Figure 2;

[0039] Figure 4 shows a section of the mold body of Figure 1 with a

[0040] Fastening point; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a part of a mold in the region of a fastening point prior to assembly in a second embodiment;

[0041] Figure 6 shows a view of the supporting structure in the area of ​​the attachment point;

[0042] Figure 7 shows a cross-section along the line VII-VII through the fastening point of Figure 6 in the assembled situation;

[0043] Figure 8 is a longitudinal section along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 6 and

[0044] Figure 9 is a plan view of the mold body of Figure 5 in the area of ​​a fastening point.

[0045] Figure 1 shows a portion of a mold 1 comprising a mold body 2 made of copper or a copper material and a support structure 3. The support structure 3 can be made of a steel material or of CuAl bronze with similar physical properties to steel. The mold body 2 is connected to the support structure 3 via connecting means 4. The connection is made via a screw bolt 5, which, with the inclusion of a securing element 6 and a T-slot spacer sleeve 7, is screwed to a T-slot nut 8 in an undercut area 9 of a coolant channel 10. For this purpose, a through-opening 11 is provided in the support structure 3.

[0046] Figure 1 further shows an assembly area 12, in which the T-slot nut 8 can be inserted from the open rear side of the coolant channel 10 facing the viewer and can be moved in the longitudinal direction L1 of the coolant channel 10 towards the undercut area 9 in order to be positioned behind clamping webs 13, 14, which are located as elevations on the rear side 15 of the mold body 2 and extend along the length of the coolant channel 10 and overlap it on the mouth side. The coolant channel 10 itself thus forms the undercut beneath the clamping webs 13, 14. After the T-slot nut 8 has been installed, the mold body 2 can be screwed to the support structure 3. Figure 1 essentially shows flat areas of the mold body 2 and the support structure 3. Flat areas exist both in tube molds and in mold plates of plate molds.Since the mold body 2 is subject to wear and tear due to use, it is attached to the recyclable support structure 3 via the connecting means 4 in an exchangeable manner.

[0047] Figure 2 shows the assembly situation in a section transverse to the longitudinal direction L1 of the coolant channel 10. The screw bolt 5 is located in the through-opening 11, which has a stepped diameter. With the securing elements 6 incorporated, a screw head 16 rests on a radially outwardly projecting collar 17 of the T-slot spacer sleeve 7. The T-slot spacer sleeve 7 has a shaft 18 that is non-cylindrical on the outside, through which the shaft of the screw bolt 5 passes. The T-slot spacer sleeve 7 rests with its shaft 18 on the clamping webs 13, 14. The screw bolt 5 engages with its threaded portion in the T-slot nut 8. In this way, the connecting means 4 are clamped to the mold body 2. The slotted spacer sleeve 7 is so long that even in the installed position a working gap 19 always remains between a web 20 on the rear side 15 of the mold body 2 and a front side 21 of the support structure 3.Several of the webs 20 define parallel coolant channels. The webs 20 form the walls of the coolant channels.

[0048] Figure 2 shows a cooling gap 22 below the T-slot nut 8, through which, in the installed position, coolant can enter from the coolant channel 10 and flow beneath the T-slot nut 8. The undercut area has an undercut depth T1, which is measured from the groove base 23 of the coolant channel 10 in the axial direction of the screw bolt 5. The cooling gap 22 has a depth T2, which is measured to a rear side 28 of the T-slot nut 8. The depth T2 is approximately 20 to 30% of the depth T1.

[0049] Figure 2 shows that the T-slot nut 8 is essentially T-shaped. A threaded opening in the middle area of ​​the T-slot nut 8 accommodates the threaded section of the screw bolt 5. The threaded section projects between the two clamping webs 13, 14. The T-slot nut 8 thus engages between the clamping webs 13, 14 and, with its head which is wider than the shaft, reaches behind the clamping webs 13, 14. The head of the T-slot nut 8 is located completely in the coolant channel 10 without completely blocking it from a flow perspective. A cooling gap 22 always remains. The T-slot nut 8 is wide enough that it extends almost to the opposite walls of the coolant groove 10. The anti-twist security is primarily ensured by the parallel shaft of the T-slot nut 8.

[0050] Figure 2 shows that the through-opening 11 has different diameter ranges, namely an upper region in which the screw head 16 of the screw bolt is located, and the widened collar 17 of the T-slot spacer sleeve 7. The collar 17 rests on a contact surface 24 located on a support flange 25 extending radially inward in the region of the through-opening 11. Further along in the direction of the mold body 2, an overflow channel 26 is located in the through-opening 11. The overflow channel 26 is a widened section located in the length range extending from the contact surface 24 toward the mold body 2. The overflow channel 26 has a rounded transition region 27 at the transition to the support flange 25.The overflow channel 26 allows coolant to flow from the coolant channel 10 into the overflow channel 26, so that the coolant flows over the clamping webs 13, 14 and around the shaft 18 of the T-slot spacer sleeve 7. This prevents pressure peaks in the coolant and effectively cools the clamping webs 13, 14 and the connecting elements 4.

[0051] Figure 3 shows the cross-sectional plane offset by 90° from Figure 2, i.e., a section in the longitudinal direction of the coolant channel. It can be seen that the overflow channel 26 has a significantly greater width B1 in this orientation. The collar 17 is also significantly wider than in the cross-sectional plane offset by 90°. The through-hole 11 is likewise significantly wider in this orientation. Figure 1 shows that the through-hole 11 is designed as an elongated hole. Accordingly, all other diameter ranges in the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 11 are also wider. For this reason, the collar 17 has an elongated shape. It is provided with chamfered corners. The elongated shape secures the T-slot spacer sleeve 7 against rotation within the through-hole 11.

[0052] The through-opening 11, which according to the illustration in Figure 2 has a first width B1 transverse to the coolant channel 10 in the area of ​​the overflow channel 26, has a much larger second width B2 in the illustration in Figure 3. This second width B2 is also greater than the length of the undercut area 9 of the coolant channel 10. As a result, coolant can flow in the direction of arrow P1 from the coolant channel 10 into the overflow channel 26 and, after passing the undercut area 9, flow back into the coolant channel 10 in the direction of arrow P2. At the same time, a partial flow of the coolant is guided under the T-slot nut 8 in the direction of arrow P3. The cross-sectional areas of the overflow channel 26 and the cooling gap 22 are preferably at least as large as the cross-sectional area of ​​the coolant channel 10, so that there is no increase in pressure of the coolant before it reaches the fastening point.

[0053] Figure 4 shows a detailed view of Figure 1 in a plan view of the rear side 15 of the mold body 2. The T-slot nut 8 is arranged in the undercut area 9 and, from this perspective, is located with the lateral projecting areas of its head below the clamping webs 13, 14 protruding from the rear side 15. The clamping webs 13, 14 are located exclusively in the undercut area 9. The clamping webs 13, 14 are raised areas that protrude from the other areas of the rear side 15. The cross-section of the through opening 11 in the corresponding support structure 3 must be dimensioned accordingly large. The corresponding dimensions are clear from Figures 2 and 3, although here there is no clamping between the support structure 3 and the mold body 2.

[0054] The mounting area 12 is designed as a widened pocket in the coolant channel 10 and is matched to the dimensions of the T-slot nut 8. The T-slot nut 8 is first inserted into the coolant channel 10, which is open towards the viewer, and pushed under the clamping webs 13, 14 in the direction of the arrow P4. The coolant channel 10 has a width B3 in the undercut area to match the width of the T-slot nut 8. The width B3 of the coolant channel 10 in the undercut area 9 is, according to Figure 2, smaller than the width B1 of the through-opening 11 at the level of the overflow channel 26. Figure 2 further shows that the clamping webs 13, 14 are largely located within the widened length range of the through-opening 11 and delimit the overflow channel 26 downwards in the image plane 2, i.e. towards the rear side 15 of the mold body 2.

[0055] Several similarly configured cooling channels 10 are arranged on the rear side of the mold body 2, with a fastening point being formed only in the one coolant channel 10 shown. All other cooling channels have a constant cross-section. The width B4 of the coolant channel 10 outside the undercut area 9 is greater than the corresponding width of the adjacent cooling channels.

[0056] Figures 5 to 9 relate to a second embodiment. For all components that are essentially structurally and functionally identical, the reference numerals used in Figures 1 to 4 are also used in Figures 5 to 9. The key difference from the first embodiment is that the fastening is not arranged in the region of a coolant channel.

[0057] In the second embodiment, the fastening is achieved via fastening islands 29 that protrude from the rear side 15. The fastening islands 29 correspond to the undercut area 9 of Figures 1 to 4. The fastening islands 29 are divided centrally in the longitudinal direction L, which corresponds to the flow direction of a coolant, so that two clamping webs 13, 14 with internal undercuts are created, running parallel to one another. They thus form the undercut area 9. The fastening island 29 shown has a rounded transition to the rear side 15 of the mold body 2.

[0058] The undercut area 9 also has a cooling gap 22 in this design. The term cooling gap 22 refers to a longitudinal section with an enlarged freely flowable cross-section in the undercut area 9. The cooling gap 22 has its greatest depth below the inserted T-slot nut 8. The cooling gap 22 has a depth T2, which here is approximately 60% of the depth T1, where T1 is the depth of the undercut area 9 without the inserted T-slot nut 8.

[0059] The depth T2 of the cooling gap 22 corresponds to the distance T3 between the rear side 15 of the mold body 2 and the front side 21 of the support structure 3, ie the distance T3 in the coolant-carrying gap 32.

[0060] In the longitudinal direction in front of and behind the cooling gap 22, an inlet ramp 30 and an outlet ramp 31 adjoin the cooling gap 22. The inlet ramp 30, the cooling gap 22, and the outlet ramp 31 preferably have the same width in order to minimize pressure losses and increase the area to be cooled. Figure 7 shows the depth of the cooling gap 22, which adjoins the undercut area 9 downwards in the image plane. The undercut below the clamping strips 13, 14 is always slightly larger than the T-slot nut 8 so that it can be inserted with sufficient play. The cross-section not blocked by the T-slot nut 8 is wider than the deeper cooling gap 22. The area through which coolant can flow below the T-slot nut 8 has a stepped cross-section transverse to the flow direction.

[0061] The other components of the connecting means 4 (screw bolt 5, securing means 6, T-slot spacer sleeve 7) are functionally identical to the first exemplary embodiment. The design of the support structure 3 with regard to the through-opening 11, the overflow channel 26, and the transition region 27 is functionally identical to that of the first exemplary embodiment. Reference is made to the explanations therein. In the second exemplary embodiment, the through-opening 11 is round in cross-section at its end facing away from the mold body 2, but in its central longitudinal section it is designed as an elongated hole with parallel sides and is thus elongated (Figure 6). In the second exemplary embodiment, the overflow channel 26 is arranged in the height region of the clamping strips 13, 14. In this exemplary embodiment, the front side 21 of the support structure 3 and the mold body 2 are also separated from one another by a working gap of approximately 0.1 mm.The working gap is located in the area of ​​the clamping strips 13, 14. Furthermore, i.e., outside the undercut area 9 or the mounting island 29, the coolant-carrying gap 32 is provided between the rear side 15 of the mold body 2 and the front side 21 of the support structure 3. The mounting island 29 extends through this gap 32 and is cooled from all sides. The mounting island 29 projects into a recess in the front side 21 of the support structure 3.

[0062] Reference symbol:

[0063] 1 - Mould

[0064] 2 - Mould body

[0065] 3 - Supporting structure

[0066] 4 - Connecting devices

[0067] 5 - Screw bolts

[0068] 6 - Securing devices

[0069] 7 - T-slot spacer sleeve

[0070] 8 - T-slot nut

[0071] 9 - undercut area at 10

[0072] 10 - Coolant channel

[0073] 11 - Passage opening

[0074] 12 - Assembly area

[0075] 13 - Clamping bar

[0076] 14 - Clamping bar

[0077] 15 - Back of 2

[0078] 16 - Screw head

[0079] 17 - Collar of 7

[0080] 18 - Shaft of 7

[0081] 19 - Working gap

[0082] 20 - Bridge

[0083] 21 - Front of 3

[0084] 22 - Cooling gap

[0085] 23 - Groove base of 10

[0086] 24 - Contact surface

[0087] 25 - Support flange

[0088] 26 - Overflow channel

[0089] 27 - Transition area

[0090] 28 - Back of 8

[0091] 29 - Fortification Island

[0092] 30 - Inlet ramp 31 - Outlet ramp

[0093] 32 - Gap

[0094] L1 - Longitudinal direction of 22

[0095] B1 - first width of 11

[0096] B2 - second width of 11

[0097] B3 - width of 22 at 9

[0098] B4 - width of 22

[0099] T 1 - depth of 22

[0100] T2 - depth of 22

[0101] T3 - Distance between 15 and 21

[0102] P1 - Flow direction into 26

[0103] P2 - Flow direction out of 26

[0104] P3 - Partial flow in 22

[0105] P4 - Mounting direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. A mold (1) for the continuous casting of metals, comprising a mold body (2) in the form of a mold tube or a mold plate for attachment to a supporting structure (3) via connecting means (4) comprising screw bolts (5), wherein the connecting means (4) comprise sliding block nuts (8) which are inserted into an undercut region (9) of the mold body (2) in order to be screwed to the screw bolts (5), wherein, when the sliding block nut (8) is inserted, a cooling gap (22) remains in the undercut region (9), which extends from a groove base (23) of the cooling gap (22) to a rear side (28) of the sliding block nut (8) facing away from the supporting structure (3), characterized in that the connecting means (4) comprise a sliding block spacer sleeve (7) which, in the installed position, is clamped to the mold body (2) by the screw head (16).wherein a radially outwardly projecting collar (17) of the groove stone spacer sleeve (7) engages over a contact surface (24) of a through-opening (11) of the support structure (3) facing away from the mold body (2), wherein the through-opening (11) is partially widened in the length region extending from the contact surface (24) in the direction of the mold body (2) to form an overflow channel (26).

2. Mould (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the grooved nuts (8) are inserted into an undercut region (9) of a coolant channel (10) of the mould body (2).

3. Mould (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the groove base (23) of the cooling gap (22) is at the same time the groove base of the coolant channel (10).

4. Mould (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the through-opening (11) in the longitudinal region of the overflow channel (26) has a first width (B1) transverse to the cooling gap (22) which is greater than a width (B3) of the cooling gap (22) under the sliding block nut (8).

5. Mould (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the through-opening (11) in the longitudinal region of the overflow channel (26) has a second width (B2) in the longitudinal direction (L1) of the cooling gap (22), which is greater than the first width (B1) and which is in particular greater than the length of the undercut region (9).

6. Chill mold (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the through opening (11) is designed as an elongated hole, the longer axis of which points in the longitudinal direction (L1) of the cooling gap (22).

7. Mould (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the collar (17) of the groove stone spacer sleeve (7) is longer than wide and is thus arranged in a rotationally secure manner in the through opening (11) designed as an elongated hole.

8. Mould (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the groove nut (8) is held in the undercut region (9) in a rotationally secure manner.

9. Mould (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the overflow channel (26) has a cross-sectional area at its narrowest point and that the cooling gap (22) under the sliding block nut (8) has a cross-sectional area at its narrowest point, the sum of these cross-sectional areas being at least as large as the cross-sectional area of ​​the coolant channel (10).

10. Mould (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the mould body (2) is held on the support structure (3) in a clamp-free manner, forming a working gap (19) in the region of the connecting means (4).

11. Mould (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cooling gap (22) has a depth (T2) measured in the direction of the sliding block nut (8) which is 20 to 80% of the depth (T1) of the undercut region (9) without the sliding block nut (8) inserted.

12. Mould (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the overflow channel (26) is formed on both sides of the groove stone spacer sleeve (7).

13. Mould (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the contact surface (24) is formed on a support flange (25) which is followed by the widened overflow channel (26), wherein a rounded transition region (27) to the overflow channel (26) is formed on the support flange (25).

14. Mould (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the undercut region (9) is delimited by undercut clamping webs (13, 14) which are formed on a rear side (15) of the mould body (2).

15. Mould (1) according to one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that the coolant channel (10) has a widened mounting area (12) adjacent to the undercut area (9), wherein the sliding block nut (8) can be inserted into the mounting area (12) and from there can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the coolant channel (10) into the undercut area (9).

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