Sealing system for a continuous casting plant

Abstract

A sealing system (10) for use with a dummy bar head (1) of a continuous casting plant includes a plate-shaped, head element (12), to the edge region (13) of which a peripheral seal (14) is attached. It further includes an adapter element (18) made from metal which can be fastened with its bottom side (19) to a top end surface (2) of the dummy bar head (1). The head element (12) can be fastened to a top side (20) of the adapter element (18) and can be connected to the dummy bar head (1) as a result.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A sealing system (10) for use with a dummy bar head (1) of a continuous casting plant, comprising: a head element (12), the head element (12) being plate-shaped; a peripheral seal (14) attached to an edge region (13) of the head element (12); an adapter element (18) made from metal, having a bottom side (19) which can be fastened to an upper end surface (2) of the dummy bar head (1), wherein the head element (12) can be fastened to a top side (20) of the adapter element (18) and can be connected to the dummy bar head (1) as a result; and a positive-locking connection (30), by which the head element (12) and the adapter element (18) can be connected to one another, including a plurality of through openings (31), which are formed in the head element (12), a plurality of bolts (32), which are attached to the top side (20) of the adapter element (18) and can be plugged through the through openings (31) formed in the head element (12), and an elongated hole (34) formed at a free end of each bolt (32) or adjacent thereto, through which a wedge (36) can be driven, the wedge (36) being seated on a top side (15) of the head element (12) if it is plugged with its through openings (31) onto the bolts (32).

17. The sealing system (10) according to claim 16, wherein the bottom side (19) of the adapter element (18) is adapted to the upper end surface (2) of the dummy bar head (1) and can be fastened to the upper end surface (2) of the dummy bar head (1) by first fastening means (22).

18. The sealing system (10) according to claim 17, wherein the first fastening means (22) are designed to be positive-locking.

19. The sealing system (10) according to claim 18, wherein the first fastening means (22) have at least one connecting bar (24), which has a bulge (25) or hook at its free end, and at least one recess (26), wherein the bulge (25) or hook of the connecting bar (24) and the recess can be brought into engagement with one another.

20. The sealing system (10) according to claim 19, wherein the connecting bar (24) has a mushroom-shaped bulge (25) and the recess (26) comprises a widened region (27) and the mushroom-shaped bulge (25) and the widened region (27) of the recess (26) are formed complementary to one another.

21. The sealing system (10) according to claim 19, wherein the connecting bar (24) is attached to a bottom side (19) of the adapter element (18) and the recess (26) is formed in the dummy bar head (1) adjacent to its upper end surface (2) and opens into this end surface (2).

22. The sealing system (10) according to claim 20, wherein the recess (26) has a narrow bottleneck-like section (28) that, starting from the upper end surface (2) of the dummy bar head (1), leads into the widened region (27) of the recess (26).

23. The sealing system (10) according to claim 19, wherein the recess (26) is open on at least one side surface of the dummy bar head (1), such that the connecting bar with its bulge (25) can be introduced into the recess (26) from this side surface.

24. The sealing system (10) according to claim 16, wherein the head element (12) and the adapter element (18) in each case have a rectangular cross-section with a longitudinal side (L) and a short side (K) in a plane running orthogonally to a transport direction of the dummy bar head (1), wherein a longitudinal extent of the longitudinal side (L) is greater by a multiple amount than a longitudinal extent of the short side (K).

25. The sealing system (10) according to claim 24, wherein the head element (12) and the adapter element (18) are in each case adapted to a cross-section of a mold (3) of a continuous casting plant with their cross-section in the plane orthogonal to the transport direction of the dummy bar head (1).

26. The sealing system according to claim 24, wherein a short side (K) of the rectangular cross-section of the adapter element (18)/of the head element (12) has a length of at least 100 mm, preferably of 120 mm, further preferably of more than 150 mm.

27. The sealing system (10) according to claim 16, wherein a plurality of elevations (16) are formed on a top side (15) of the head element (12).

28. The sealing system (10) according to claim 16, wherein the peripheral seal (14) is made from plastic.

29. The sealing system (10) according to claim 28, wherein external dimensions of the peripheral seal (14) are slightly larger than a cross-section of a mold (3) of a continuous casting plant in a plane orthogonal to a transport direction of the dummy bar head (1).

30. A method for producing a metallic product by continuous casting, comprising: introducing the sealing system according to claim 27 into a mold of a continuous casting plant; and filling molten metal into the mold and causing the molten metal to undergo sufficient cooling by contact with the top side (15) of the head element (12) and the elevations (16) provided there, wherein the method is carried out without using cooling scrap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a sealing system in the mounted state,

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 1,

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a top view (from above) of the sealing system of FIG. 1,

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of individual parts of the sealing system of FIG. 1, which comprises a head element and an adapter element,

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the sealing system of FIG. 4 if its adapter element is already connected to a dummy bar head,

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a side view of a connecting bar attached to the bottom side of an adapter element,

[0039] FIG. 7 shows a side view of a recess formed in a dummy bar head adjacent to its upper end surface,

[0040] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a bolt attached to a top side of the adapter element, and

[0041] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the mounted sealing system of FIG. 1 if it is introduced into a mold of a continuous casting plant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, preferred embodiments for a sealing system 10 intended for use with a dummy bar head of a continuous casting plant are shown and explained below. Identical features in the drawing are in each case marked with the same reference signs. At this point, it is separately pointed out that the drawing is only simplified and in particular shown without scale.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the sealing system 10 if it is mounted on a dummy bar head 1.

[0044] The sealing system 10 consists of a plurality of components and comprises in detail a head element 12 and an adapter element 18.

[0045] The head element 12 and the adapter element 18 are preferably made from metal, for example steel.

[0046] In FIG. 4, the individual components of the sealing system 10 are shown in perspective in an exploded view.

[0047] The adapter element 18 can be fastened with its bottom side 19 to/on an upper end surface 2 of the dummy bar head 1 (see FIG. 4, bottom representation). For this purpose, the sealing system comprises a first fastening means 22, which are explained separately below.

[0048] The head element 12 can be placed on a top side 20 of the adapter element 18 from above and suitably fastened there by means of second fastening means 30.

[0049] The head element 12 in accordance with the embodiment shown here is designed to be plate-shaped. This has the advantage that the head element has a light weight and can be produced cost-effectively.

[0050] A peripheral seal 14 is attached along an edge region 13 of the head element 12. This seal 14 can be made from plastic and is molded onto/suitably fastened to the edge region 13 of the head element 12. In this respect, the head element 12 and the seal 14 attached to it form an assembly.

[0051] With regard to the seal 14, it should be pointed out at this point that its external dimensions are slightly larger than the cross-section of a mold of a continuous casting plant in a plane orthogonal to the transport direction of the dummy bar head. Reference is made to FIG. 9, in which a mold 4 is shown in simplified form, wherein the sealing system 10 is arranged within this mold 4 and a lower opening 5 of the mold is sealed by means of the seal 14.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section through the dummy bar head 1 along line A-A of FIG. 1 and illustrates that this cross-section is designed to be rectangular. The proportions of this are selected in such a manner that a long side L is multiple times larger than a short side K of this cross-section.

[0053] With regard to the cross-section of the dummy bar head 1 shown in FIG. 2, it should be pointed out that the cross-section of the adapter element 18 is selected in the same manner and therefore has the same proportions. Similarly, the external dimensions of the head element 12, shown in the top view of FIG. 3, can correspond to the cross-section of FIG. 2.

[0054] In any event, the proportions of the head element 12 and the adapter element 18 are selected in such a manner that they are in each case adapted to a cross-section of the mold 4 of a continuous casting plant (not shown) (see FIG. 9) and can thus be introduced into the mold 4.

[0055] A plurality of elevations 16 are attached to a top side 15 of the head element 12. These elevations 16 are designed in such a manner that they have the largest possible contact surface. With the embodiment example shown here, these elevations can each have a multi-part structure, which is designed to be cross-shaped in top view (see FIG. 3).

[0056] The elevations 16 serve the purpose of coming into contact with molten steel at the start of a continuous casting process, which is filled into the mold 4 of a continuous casting plant from above. Thereby, the elevations 16 are flowed around by the molten steel, with the result that a hot strand formed from the molten steel bonds firmly with the head element 12 on its top side 15 and the elevations 16 attached there. Due to the large contact surfaces of the elevations 16, a reduction in the temperature of the molten steel is advantageously achieved when it comes into contact with the molten steel, which contributes to its solidification.

[0057] The first fastening means 22, with which a fastening of the adapter element 18 to the upper end surface 2 of the dummy bar head 1 is achieved, are explained below.

[0058] The first fastening means 22 comprise at least one connecting bar 24, which has a mushroom-shaped bulge 25 at its free end, and at least one recess 26 with a widened region 27.

[0059] As shown in the central representation of FIG. 4, three connecting bars 24 are attached to a bottom side 19 of the adapter element 18, each of which projects downwards from the bottom side 19. With regard to the design of these connecting bars 24, reference may also be made to the side view in FIG. 6: This shows that a connecting bar comprises a mushroom-shaped bulge 25 at its free end.

[0060] According to the lower representation of FIG. 4, the recess 26 in the dummy bar head 1 is formed adjacent to its upper end surface 2, specifically in such a manner that this recess 26 opens into this end surface 2. As also illustrated in the view of FIG. 7, the recess 26 has a widened region 27. Between this widened region 27 and the upper end surface 2 of the dummy bar head 2, the recess 26 comprises a narrow bottleneck-like section 28 that, starting from the upper end surface 2 of the dummy bar head 1, leads into the widened region 27 of the recess 26.

[0061] Regarding the recess 26, it should also be pointed out that it is open on at least one side surface of the dummy bar head 1 (shown in the foreground in the lower representation of FIG. 4). As a result, it is possible to insert the connecting bar 24 with its bulge 25 laterally into the recess 26 from this open side surface. FIG. 5 shows a mounted state of the adapter element 18 if the connecting bars 24, which are attached to the bottom side 19 of the adapter element 18, have all been introduced into the assigned recesses 26 of the dummy bar head 1. In this respect, it should be emphasized that the bulge 25 of the connecting bar 24 and the widened region 27 of the recess 26 are designed to complement one another, specifically in such a manner that the connecting bar 24 with its bulge 25 can be introduced into the recess 26 and its widened region 27 without jamming. Viewed in the transport direction of the dummy bar head 1, which is symbolized by an arrow T in FIG. 1 and FIG. 9, this results in a positive-locking connection between the adapter element 18 and the dummy bar head 1 at its upper end surface 2 if the connecting bars 24 are inserted into the recesses 26, as explained.

[0062] The second fastening means 30, with which fastening of the head element 12 to/on the top side 20 of the adapter element 18 is achieved, are explained below.

[0063] The second fastening means 30 comprise a plurality of through openings 31, which are formed in the head element 12, which is designed to be particularly plate-shaped. These through openings 31 are shown, for example, in the upper representation in FIG. 4 and in the same manner in FIG. 5.

[0064] Furthermore, with the embodiment shown here, the second fastening means 30 also comprise a plurality of bolts 32, which are attached to the top side 20 of the adapter element 18 (see FIG. 4 & FIG. 5).

[0065] In order to attach the bolts 32 to the top side 20 of the adapter element 18, it can be provided that through openings (not shown), into which the bolts 32 are inserted, are formed in the top side 20 for this purpose. Aligned with these through openings, windows/apertures 21 are formed in the adapter element 18, as can be seen in the middle representation of FIG. 4 and also in FIG. 5. In any event, the bolts 32 are mounted in the said through opening on the top side 20 of the adapter element 18 in such a manner that they project with their lower free ends into the assigned windows 21 and can be suitably fixed there by means of a nut 33 (see FIG. 1).

[0066] With reference to FIG. 8, further details of a bolt 32 are shown and explained:

[0067] At least one cam N or the like is fastened or molded to the outer peripheral surface of a bolt 32 in the region above the top side 20 of the adapter element 18. The cam N serves to ensure that a bolt 32, if it is introduced into an assigned through opening in the top side 10 of the adapter element 18, is seated with this cam N on the top side 20 of the adapter element 18 and thus reaches a defined end position, in which it is then possible to fix the bolt 32 by means of the nut 33 at its lower free end, as explained. In connection with such a fastening of the bolts 32 to the top side 20 of the adapter element 18, said windows 21 formed in the adapter element 18 adjacent to the top side 18 thereof are helpful.

[0068] With regard to the embodiment of an adapter element 18 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it should be pointed out that thereby the shape of the windows 21 differs slightly from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Nevertheless, this does not change the mode of operation of these windows 21, through which the ability to mount the bolts 32 on the top side 20 of the adapter element 18 is possible.

[0069] The bolt 32 has an elongated hole 34 adjacent to an upper free end thereof, into which a wedge 36 can be inserted. This serves to fasten the head element 12 to the adapter element 18, as explained below:

[0070] After the bolts 32 have been attached to the top side 20 of the adapter element 18 as explained, the head element 12 can be placed on the top side 20 of the adapter element 18 from above, wherein the bolts 32 are inserted through the through openings 31 formed in the head element 12. In its position placed on the top side 20 of the adapter element 18, the plate-shaped head element 12 is located below the elongated holes 34, which are formed in the respective bolts 32. Following this, wedges 36 are driven through the elongated holes 34 of the respective bolts 32, such that the wedges 36 rest on the top side 15 of the head element (12). In this manner, a positive-locking clamping of the head element 12 to/with the top side 20 of the adapter element 18 can be achieved, wherein, at most a hammer or the like may be required for this purpose.

[0071] The mounted position of the head element 12, if it is attached to the top side 20 of the adapter element 18 as explained and clamped thereon using the wedges 36, is shown in the views of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.

[0072] As already explained elsewhere, it is expedient for the head element 12 if it is designed as a standardized component. With the aid of the adapter element 18, it is then possible to connect such a standardized head element 12 to different dummy bar heads 1 if necessary.

[0073] The sealing system functions as follows:

[0074] At the start of a continuous casting process, an adapter element 18 is initially fitted with the bolts 32 on its top side 20.

[0075] The adapter element 18 is then connected in a positive-locking manner to the upper end surface 2 of the dummy bar head 1 by inserting the connecting bars 24 with the bulges 25 formed on them from the side into the assigned recesses 26 of the dummy bar head 1 (see FIG. 5).

[0076] The head element 12 (with the seal 14 already attached to it) is then placed on the top side 20 of the adapter element 18 as explained, wherein the bolts 32 pass through the through openings 31 of the head element 12. The head element 12 is then clamped on/to the top side 20 of the adapter element 18 using the wedges 36, which are driven into the elongated holes 34 of the respective bolts 32.

[0077] As soon as the head element 12 has been connected to the dummy bar head 1 using the adapter element 18, the sealing system 10 thus formed can be introduced into the mold 4 of a continuous casting plant, as illustrated in FIG. 9. In the representation in FIG. 9, a plate located in the foreground is only indicated with phantom lines for simplification, such that the sealing system 10 located behind it can be recognized.

[0078] The dummy bar head 1 is then positioned in the mold 4 in preparation of pouring in such a manner that the lower opening 5 is suitably closed/sealed by means of the seal 14. As a result, it is achieved with the present sealing system that a liquid molten metal, for example liquid steel, cannot flow downwards out of the mold 4 upon actual pouring.

[0079] Due to the contact of the liquid molten metal/steel with the elevations 16, which as explained are attached to the top side 15 of the head element 12 and have a relatively large contact surface, it is achieved that the molten metal/steel undergoes a temperature reduction, which contributes to the desired solidification of the molten metal. Thus, the use of cooling scrap can be dispensed with upon pouring/at the start of a continuous casting process.

[0080] Pulling the dummy bar head 1 out of the mold 4 in the transport direction T is achieved by means (not shown), for example in the form of a chain or the like, which is brought into engagement with the undercut/groove 4 formed at a lower end of the dummy bar head 1.

[0081] At an advanced stage of the continuous casting process, with which a metal strand/hot strip has already formed from the solidified molten metal, the dummy bar head 1 can be detached from the adapter element 18 by exerting a force perpendicular/transverse to the transport direction T on it. As a result, the connecting bars 24 are then driven out of the recesses 26, as a result of which the dummy bar head 1 and the adapter element 18 are separated from one another and thus at least the dummy bar head 1 can be inserted once again.

[0082] The adapter element 18 can also be used repeatedly for a new continuous casting process. For this purpose, a section of the solidified hot strand that has connected to the head element 12 can be severed, wherein, subsequently, the nuts 21 can be detached from the lower ends of the bolts 32, such that the adapter element 18 can be removed from the bolts 32. When the adapter element 18 is used again, only new bolts 32 need to be attached to its top side 20. In contrast, the old bolts 32 remain in the solidified region of the hot strand and then form scrap together with the head element 12.

[0083] Finally, it should be pointed out that the embodiment of the first fastening means 22 shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, specifically each in the form of the connecting bar 24 with the mushroom-shaped bulge 25 and the recess 26 with the widened region 27, is merely a possible embodiment of these first fastening means 22. Deviating from this, but with the same mode of operation, these positive-locking first fastening means 22 can also comprise a hook (not shown) or the like (preferably at the free end of the connecting bar 24), which can be brought into engagement with a part/section on the dummy bar head 1, for example in the form of a recess or an undercut, in order thereby to realize a positive-locking connection between the adapter element and the dummy bar head, which can also be released again if necessary.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0084] 1 Dummy bar head [0085] 2 Upper end surface (of the dummy bar head 1) [0086] 3 Undercut [0087] 4 Mold [0088] 5 Lower opening (of the mold 3) [0089] 10 Sealing system [0090] 12 Head element [0091] 13 Edge region (of the head element 12) [0092] 14 Seal [0093] 15 Top side (of the head element 12) [0094] 16 Elevation(s) (on the top 15 of the head element 12) [0095] 18 Adapter element [0096] 19 Bottom side (of the adapter element 18) [0097] 20 Top side (of the adapter element 18) [0098] 21 Window/aperture (in the adapter element 18) [0099] 22 First fastening means [0100] 24 Connecting bar [0101] 25 Bulge [0102] 26 Recess [0103] 27 Widened region (of the recess 26) [0104] 28 Bottleneck-like narrow section (of the recess 26) [0105] 30 Second fastening means [0106] 31 Through opening [0107] 32 Bolt [0108] 33 Nut [0109] 34 Elongated hole [0110] 36 Wedge [0111] L Long side [0112] K Short side [0113] T Transport direction (of the dummy bar head 1)