Continuous Casting Nozzle Flange With Tapered and Horizontal Parts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Continuous casting nozzles experience stress concentration and downward displacement at the neck portion due to thermal and mechanical stresses, leading to potential cracking and steel contamination, which existing solutions fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A continuous casting nozzle design featuring a flange portion with a downwardly inclined tapered part and a horizontal part, covered by a metal case with a horizontal plate through mortar, which applies a pressing force to mitigate stress concentration and suppress downward displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If the bearing surface is formed as a tapered surface inclined downwardly to mitigate stress concentration, then stress concentration on the neck portion is reduced, but the continuous casting nozzle is displaced downwardly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress concentration on neck portionVSAvoiddownward displacement of nozzle
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a single tapered surface to a two-level structure combining a tapered part and a horizontal part. The tapered part addresses stress concentration by redirecting forces, while the horizontal part provides a stable bearing surface that prevents downward displacement. This dimensional change in the surface geometry resolves the contradiction between stress mitigation and positional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing surface is segmented into two distinct functional parts: a tapered part for stress distribution and a horizontal part for positional stability. This segmentation allows each part to independently address its specific function, with the tapered part reducing stress concentration and the horizontal part preventing downward displacement, thereby resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If a horizontal planar hanging portion is formed in a metal case with a metal ring interposed to prevent downward displacement, then downward displacement is suppressed, but stress concentration on the neck portion is not adequately mitigated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownward displacement of nozzleVSAvoidstress concentration on neck portion
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Mortar is introduced as an intermediary material between the flange portion of the nozzle and the horizontal plate portion of the metal case. This mortar layer provides a compliant interface that distributes thermal and mechanical stresses uniformly, preventing stress concentration at the neck portion while still allowing the horizontal plate to effectively suppress downward displacement through the pressing force it applies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If the flange portion is supported from therebelow to push the nozzle upwardly, then gravitational force is counteracted, but thermal expansion of the metal case and support causes downward displacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupward support forceVSAvoiddownward displacement due to thermal expansion
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the support interface by introducing a mortar layer with different thermal expansion characteristics compared to the metal case and support structures. This parameter change allows the system to accommodate thermal expansion differently, reducing the downward displacement caused by differential thermal expansion while maintaining the upward support force needed to counteract gravity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design effectively reduces stress concentration and prevents downward displacement, enhancing the durability and stability of the nozzle by stabilizing the flange structure.

Implementation Method 1

thermal expansion of the metal case (nozzle case) and the support (holder) is regarded primarily as a causal factor of the downward displacement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

receive a pressing force from thereoutside and therebelow by the horizontal plate portion of the metal case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4613399A1Continuous casting nozzle
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 KROSAKI HARIMA CORP
  • EP4613399A1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP4613399A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4613399A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention provides a continuous casting nozzle capable of mitigating stress concentration on a neck portion thereof and suppressing downward displacement thereof. In the present invention, the continuous casting nozzle 1 comprises a nozzle body 2 made of a refractory material and having, in a vertical direction, an inner bore 21 through which molten steel passes, wherein the nozzle body 2 includes a flange portion 22 at an upper end thereof, the flange portion 22 having: an outer surface including a tapered part 221 inclining downwardly towards the inner bore 21; and a lower surface including a horizontal part 222 extending horizontally from a lower edge of the tapered part 221 towards the inner bore 21. The continuous casting nozzle 1 further comprises a metal case 3 covering the outer periphery of the flange portion 22, the metal case 3 including a horizontal plate portion 31 which faces the horizontal part 222 of the flange portion 22 through mortar 4 having a constant thickness, wherein the continuous casting nozzle 1is configured to receive a pressing force from thereoutside and therebelow by the horizontal plate portion 31.