Shroud Pipe Bracket for Ladle Closure Anti-Sticking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In continuous casting plants, shroud tubes often stick to the pouring vessel, preventing the vessel from being moved, which can lead to operational disruptions and potential damage during emergency situations, as existing solutions do not effectively address this issue.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a counter-holding device with a lateral recess allowing the shroud tube to be inserted laterally before attachment, enabling a manipulator to attach and detach the shroud tube without manual or hydraulic assistance, and a bayonet-style connection ensures secure attachment without relying on the manipulator during casting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shadow tube is continuously pressed against the underside of the ladle closure by manipulators, then the connection between the moving ladle and stationary part is maintained, but the shadow tube may stick to the casting vessel preventing movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into three independent components: the ladle closure with holding device, the shadow tube, and the counter-holding device. This segmentation allows the shadow tube to be easily detachable from the counter-holding device, preventing sticking issues while maintaining connection stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shadow tube is pre-inserted into the counter-holding device before the ladle closure is positioned. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment and facilitates easy attachment to the holding device, while the design allows immediate detachment if sticking occurs during operation.
2Reliability
If multiple counter-holding devices are used to prevent sticking, then reliability improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single counter-holding device is designed with a universal C-shaped recess that can accommodate and hold the shadow tube securely. This multi-functional design provides both positioning and anti-sticking capabilities in one component, eliminating the need for multiple devices while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter-holding device acts as an intermediary between the shadow tube and the ladle closure holding device. It facilitates easy attachment and detachment while preventing direct sticking between the shadow tube and casting vessel, reducing overall system complexity.
3Temperature
If the shadow tube is made of refractory material to withstand molten metal, then temperature resistance improves, but brittleness increases making it more prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The C-shaped recess in the counter-holding device provides a cushioning effect by allowing slight movement and absorption of thermal expansion or minor impacts before they reach the brittle shadow tube, preventing sudden failures while maintaining temperature resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device and counter-holding device use flexible metallic structures that can accommodate thermal expansion and minor movements without transmitting excessive stress to the brittle refractory shadow tube, protecting it from impact damage while allowing it to withstand high temperatures.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A casting device for casting a liquid metal (1) from a tundish (2) has a pan closure (4) for regulating the outflow of liquid metal (1) from the tundish (2). The pan closure (4) can be arranged on the underside (5) of the tundish (2) and has, on the underside (6) thereof, an outlet opening (7) through which the liquid metal (1) exits the tundish (2) when the pan closure (4) is open. The pan closure (4) has a retaining device (8) on the underside (6) thereof in the area of the outlet opening (7). A shroud pipe (11), which is attached from below on the underside (6) of the pan closure (4), is held by the retaining device (8) via a counter-retaining device (10). The counter-retaining device (10) is arranged at an upper end of the shroud pipe (11). The counter-retaining device (10) has a opening (25) which is disposed laterally with respect to a vertical axis (9) surrounded by the outlet opening (7). The shroud pipe (11) can be inserted laterally through the lateral opening (25) into the counter-retaining device (10) prior to the attachment on the underside (6) of the pan closure (4).