Side Sealing Device for Twin-Roll Casting Gap Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In twin-roll continuous casting apparatuses, the gap between the mold roll and side weir increases due to thermal expansion and friction, leading to unstable sealing and potential molten metal leakage, which existing techniques fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A side sealing device with a side weir pressing unit and a lifter that pulls the side weir upward in the vertical direction to counteract downward friction forces, preventing positional shift and maintaining a stable seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the side weir is pressed against the mold roll end surfaces to maintain sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but the side weir position shifts due to friction and thermal expansion, causing gap formation and sealing failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a counterbalancing force mechanism where a lifting device (hydraulic cylinder or spring) exerts an upward force on the side weir to counteract the downward friction force generated during rolling. This counterweight approach prevents the side weir from shifting downward while maintaining contact pressure for sealing, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and position stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the pressing force and lifting force parameters based on operating conditions such as rolling speed, temperature, and material properties. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system maintains optimal sealing pressure while compensating for thermal expansion and friction-induced position shifts, thereby maintaining both sealing reliability and position stability
2Reliability
If the gap between mold roll end surface and side weir abutting surface is reduced to maintain sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but the side weir is more susceptible to position shift and deformation under thermal and friction loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary positioning and pre-loading of the side weir before the casting process begins. The side weir is pre-positioned at the correct gap distance and pre-loaded with appropriate contact pressure. This preliminary action ensures that when thermal expansion and friction forces occur during operation, the side weir maintains stable contact without excessive gap formation or catastrophic position shifts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback control mechanism where sensors monitor the position and contact pressure of the side weir in real-time. Based on this feedback, the control system adjusts the lifting force and pressing force to maintain the optimal gap distance and sealing pressure, compensating for thermal deformation and friction-induced position shifts during the casting process
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
This configuration effectively suppresses the formation of large gaps between the mold roll and side weir, ensuring stable casting by maintaining consistent contact and preventing molten metal leakage.
Implementation Method 1
the shift of the position of the side weir occurs as described later due to a friction force between the end surfaces of the mold rolls and the abutting surface of the side weir
Implementation Method 2
the side weir reaches a high temperature at the time of casting. For this reason, the side weir is deformed due to thermal expansion and a gap is formed between the end surface of the mold roll and the abutting surface of the side weir
Data Source
AI summary
A side sealing device for a twin-roll continuous casting apparatus, which supplies molten metal to a molten metal pool portion formed by a pair of rotating mold rolls and a pair of side weirs through an immersion nozzle and causes solidified shells to be formed and to grow on peripheral surfaces of the mold rolls to manufacture a cast strip, seals end surface sides of the mold rolls by each side weir. The side sealing device includes a side weir pressing unit that presses the side weir against end surfaces of the mold rolls, and a side weir lifter that pulls the side weir at least upward in a vertical direction.