Sliding Gate Oblique Flow Path Turning Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding gates in continuous metal casting processes have limitations in providing sufficient turning flow strength, are complex to manufacture, and are prone to blockage due to nonmetallic inclusions, which affects the quality of the cast product.
Innovation Solution
A sliding gate design with oblique flow path holes in multiple plates, where the flow path axial direction is inclined between 5° and 75° relative to the vertical downstream direction, and the horizontal angles between plates are sequentially set to create a turning flow without increasing the risk of blockage, using a compact and simple mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional sliding gate with vertical flow path holes is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the turning flow strength is insufficient and nonmetallic inclusions cannot be effectively separated
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path holes are configured with specific inclination angles (5° to 75° relative to the vertical direction) and horizontal angles between adjacent plates. By changing these geometric parameters, the patent creates effective turning flow that promotes separation of nonmetallic inclusions while maintaining a relatively simple three-plate sliding gate structure
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path holes in adjacent plates are arranged with different horizontal angles, creating an asymmetric flow path configuration. This asymmetry generates the turning flow effect necessary for inclusion separation, while the overall structure remains symmetric in terms of plate arrangement and operational mechanism
2Reliability
If the flow path holes are highly inclined to create strong turning flow, then inclusion separation improves, but the risk of blockage by nonmetallic inclusions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the inclination angle parameter within a specific range (5° to 75°) to balance two competing requirements: achieving sufficient turning flow strength for inclusion separation while maintaining smooth flow characteristics that prevent blockage. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between inclusion separation efficiency and blockage risk
3Reliability
If multiple plates with complex angle configurations are used, then turning flow strength increases, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex mechanical structures or additional components, the patent achieves strong turning flow by optimizing the angular parameters of the flow path holes in the existing three-plate structure. This approach maintains ease of manufacture while achieving the desired turning flow effect
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path holes serve multiple functions simultaneously: they control the flow rate of molten metal, generate turning flow for inclusion separation, and maintain structural integrity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional separate components, keeping manufacturing simple while achieving multiple objectives
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 forms a turning flow in the ladle shroud, reducing the maximum downstream flow velocity and promoting the separation of nonmetallic inclusions, thereby improving the quality of the cast product without complicating the manufacturing process or increasing the risk of blockage.
Implementation Method 1
in the flow path hole in each of the plurality of plates, an upstream-side surface open hole is formed on an upstream-side surface of surfaces of the plate located on an upstream side of the molten metal passing through the flow path hole, and a downstream-side surface open hole is formed on a downstream-side surface located on a downstream side, when a direction from a centroid of a figure of the upstream-side surface open hole toward a centroid of a figure of the downstream-side surface open hole is defined as a flow path axial direction, a flow path vertical angle a between a vertical downstream direction which is a downstream direction perpendicular to sliding surfaces of the plurality of plates and the flow path axial direction is 5° or more and 75° or less
Implementation Method 2
When the flow of the molten metal 21 is turned in the ladle shroud 11, a portion of kinetic energy of the viscously flowing molten metal 21 is distributed to a turning flow velocity, and the flow velocity of the molten metal 21 flowing downward can be reduced. Accordingly, it is known that a maximum flow velocity of the downward flow discharged from the ladle shroud 11 into the tundish 15 decreases, and disturbance of the viscous flow in the tundish 15 due to the discharge flow can be suppressed
Implementation Method 3
The molten metal 21 poured into the tundish 15 forms a flow which passes through the bottom part of the tundish 15 at a high speed, and an opportunity for sufficiently floating and separating a nonmetallic inclusion contained in the molten metal 21 in the tundish 15 cannot be obtained
Data Source
AI summary
In a sliding gate, a flow path vertical angle a between a flow path axial direction and a vertical downstream direction in a flow path hole in each plate is 5° or more and 75° or less, and a flow path axial direction projected on sliding surface in which the flow path axial direction is projected on a sliding surface differs between the plates and is changed clockwise or counterclockwise toward a downstream side. Then, molten metal forms a turning flow in the flow path hole of the sliding gate. Furthermore, the molten metal also forms a turning flow in a ladle shroud on the downstream side of the sliding gate.