JP2000000643A - Apparatus for continuously casting metallic strip - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrain a delay caused by taking-off casting roll. SOLUTION: In an apparatus for continuously casting a metallic strip, in which the shaft end part 32A of a center shaft means 32 fitting the casting roll supplies/discharges water flow into/from a water flow passage in the casting roll and internal water flow ducts 39, 39A connected with a water supplying line 63 and a return line 64 with a rotatable water-flow coupling 40 are provided, the rotatable water-flow coupling 40 is fitted to the shaft end part 32A so as to be attachable/detachable so that the connection of the water-flow can be interrupted by pulling out the shaft end part 32A in the axial direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a metal strip continuous casting apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a twin roll casting apparatus, molten metal is introduced between a pair of horizontal casting rolls which are cooled and rotate in a mutually opposite direction, and a metal shell is solidified on a moving casting roll surface to form a gap between the rolls. The metal shells are coalesced and fed downward from the roll gap as a solidified strip. As used herein, the term "roll gap" is intended to refer to the entire area where casting rolls are closest. The molten metal is poured from the ladle into one or a series of small containers, from which it flows to a metal feed nozzle located above the roll gap and into the roll gap, and as a result, the casting roll just above the roll gap A casting pool of molten metal supported on the surface and extending in the length direction of the roll gap can be formed. The end of the casting pool can be constituted by a side dam or side plate which is held in sliding engagement with the end face of the casting roll to prevent overflow from both ends of the casting pool. Means have also been proposed.

[0003] Cooling of the casting roll is generally accomplished by passing cooling water through a longitudinal cooling water passage formed in the periphery of the casting roll adjacent to the casting surface. The supply and discharge of cooling water to and from these cooling water passages are generally performed by a radial passage in a roll end wall and a water supply and return duct formed in the roll shaft and connected to a water supply and return line via a rotary coupling. And done through.

[0004]

The installation and adjustment of a casting roll in a twin roll casting machine is a significant problem. The casting roll must be accurately set to properly limit the appropriate width of the roll gap to generally only a few millimeters,
In particular, some means must be provided to allow at least one of the casting rolls to move outward against a biasing force so as to absorb the strip thickness variations at the start of rolling. It may be necessary to change the casting roll so that the thickness of the strip to be cast can be changed, and if the casting surface is damaged or deteriorated during casting for any reason, the casting roll needs to be replaced. If the casting rolls must be changed in place, significant castable time is lost waiting for the casting components and the area around them to cool. Once a new set of casting rolls is set in place, it must be calibrated before casting so that the width of the roll gap can be preset. When casting ferrous metals, it is necessary to heat the refractory components of the metal supply means and the means for defining the casting pool to very high temperatures before casting begins. For these reasons, the twin roll casting apparatus is made up of removable components to quickly assemble the casting rolls and preheated refractory components into the operating assembly and to cast the preheated components before they cool significantly. It has been proposed to be able to start. An example of a casting apparatus having a movable casting roll and refractory components is described in commonly owned Australian Patent No.
No. 31,728 and 637,548 and corresponding US Pat. Nos. 5,184,668 and 5,277,24.
Issue.

It has also been proposed to configure the twin roll casting apparatus with a modular structure. In this case, the casting roll
The roll gap is preset so that the casting roll can be accurately installed in the module, and is installed in a movable module that can be easily moved in and out of the casting apparatus, so that the module is correctly positioned in the casting apparatus when the module is installed. For this reason, the casting roll set can be set in the replacement module in advance, and the casting roll can be rapidly changed between casting operations. Such a proposal is disclosed in the applicant's Australian Patent Application No. PO9253.

One of the problems particularly encountered when changing the casting roll is that it is necessary to disconnect and reconnect the water supply line and the return line for supplying and discharging the cooling water to and from the casting roll. Generally, it is necessary to leave the rotatable water flow coupling in place and provide a separate detachable coupling that is connected to the outer housing of the rotatable coupling and can be connected to the flexible water supply and return lines. Was. This not only causes a delay in removing and moving the set of casting rolls, but also increases the bulk and inertia of the parts that must be moved laterally with the casting rolls during operation. The casting roll must be moved laterally during casting to control clearance in response to the feedback control system. The increased inertia of the coupling and the "floating" flexible hose can result in significant resistance to control movements and can disrupt the operation of the control system. Also, providing a separate water flow coupling for each set of casting rolls is a significant expense. The present invention provides an improved water flow coupling structure in which the water connection is cut at the location of the rotary coupling when the casting roll is removed.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a pair of casting rolls having a water gap formed therein, and a molten metal supplied to a gap between the casting rolls. Metal supply means for forming a casting pool of molten metal supported on the casting roll surface above the roll gap, and means for defining a pool at the casting roll end for confining the metal in the casting pool so as not to overflow at the roll gap end. Roll driving means for rotating the casting rolls in opposite directions to produce a solidified metal strip fed downward from the roll gap, and cooling water supply means for supplying cooling water to the water flow passage in the casting rolls. A shaft end of a central shaft means, which constitutes a continuous strip casting apparatus and has a casting roll, feeds and discharges a water flow to and from a water flow passage in the casting roll. In a continuous metal strip casting apparatus having a duct for internal water flow of a casting roll connected to a line, a rotatable water flow coupling is detachably attached to a shaft end, and a water flow connection is cut off by axially pulling out the shaft end. A continuous metal strip casting apparatus is provided.

Preferably, each rotatable water coupling is a non-rotatable outer housing with an internal water port connected to an inlet line and an outlet line, and is rotatably mounted on the outer housing to receive the shaft end. And an inner sleeve that is attached to the shaft end and rotates together, and a radial water outlet of the inner sleeve interconnecting the inner water outlet of the outer housing and the water outlet of the shaft end.

Further, the outer end of the inner sleeve can be connected to a rotary drive coupling of a casting roll via a shaft plug having a key groove and a socket member.

Further, by pulling out the casting roll in the axial direction, the shaft plug with the key groove and the socket member are separated in the axial direction, and the roll shaft is separated from the rotary drive coupling. It can be withdrawn from the inner sleeve of the coupling.

Further, when the roll shaft is pulled out from the water flow coupling, the socket member can support the water flow coupling and keep it in a fixed position.

As described above, since the water flow connection is disconnected by pulling out the shaft end of the roll shaft, there is no delay in removing and moving the casting roll, and the casting roll must be moved laterally together with the casting roll during operation. It is possible to prevent the bulk and inertia of the parts from increasing, and to suppress the expense of providing a separate water flow coupling for each casting roll set.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to more fully explain the present invention, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated strip casting apparatus comprises a pair of casting rolls 1 forming a roll gap 2 between them. In the casting operation, molten metal is supplied from a ladle 3 via a tundish 4 and a supply nozzle 5 to a roll gap 2 between casting rolls 1 to create a casting pool 6 of molten metal above the roll gap 2. Here, the ladle 3, the tundish 4, and the supply nozzle 5 are metal supply means. The end of the casting pool 6 is defined by a pair of refractory plates 10 as a defining means.
And engages with the notched end of the casting roll 1 as shown below. By moving the stopper rod 7 provided on the ladle 3, the molten metal can flow down from the ladle 3 to the tundish 4 via the outlet nozzle 8 and the refractory shroud 9.

The casting roll 1 is provided with an inner water cooling passage to which cooling water is supplied from the end of the casting roll 1 in a manner described in detail below, and the casting roll 1 is rotated in the mutual direction by roll driving means 12. Produces a continuous solidified metal strip 11 and feeds it downward from the roll gap 2 between the casting rolls 1.

As described so far, the device shown in FIG. 1 is disclosed in US Pat.
277,243 and Australian Patent No. 6331728.
And No. 637548.
Reference can be made to these patents for details of the construction and operation of the device.

The two casting rolls 1 have the same structure,
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 3 (FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of the entire casting roll 1 taken along the line AA), a longitudinal water flow passage 26 is formed on each peripheral surface thereof. Water is supplied and discharged from the radial water flow passages 35 and 36 in one end of the casting roll 1 to the longitudinal water flow passage 26.

The casting rolls 1 with the longitudinal water passages 26 and the radial water passages 35, 36 will be described in more detail. Each casting roll 1 has two roll end pieces 2
1 and 22 are connected to a central stainless steel tubular roll body 23, and a thick cylindrical copper alloy sleeve 24 is crimped around the roll body 23 to provide an outer casing surface 25; Is formed. By forming the cylindrical roll wall in this manner, a roll structure having good mechanical strength and good heat exchange between the casting reservoir 6 and the longitudinal water flow passage 26 can be obtained.

The thick flanges 27 and 28 formed on the roll end pieces 21 and 22 are connected to the roll end walls and the roll shafts 31 and 3.
The casting roll 1 is rotatably mounted and driven by the roll shafts 31 and 32. The roll shaft 32 of the roll end piece 22 is
1 is much longer than the roll shaft 31, and a shaft coupling 32 of rotatable cooling water supply means for supplying and discharging water from the casting roll 1 is provided at an outer shaft end 32A of the roll shaft 32.
And two sets of water outlets 33 and 34 for connection with the water supply port. The radial water flow passages 35 and 36, which are the passages through which the cooling water is supplied to and discharged from the longitudinal water flow passage 26, are provided on the roll end piece 2.
1 and 22 and the ends of the roll body 23 and connected to the annular galleries 41 and 42,
Numeral 2 is formed on the outer periphery of the roll body 23 to provide communication with a longitudinal water flow passage 26 around the circumference of the casting roll. The center spacer tube 37,
38 are inserted into the casting roll 1 to define separate internal water flow ducts 39, 39A for inflow and outflow of water. In this way, the water outlet 33 communicates with the radial water passage 36 via the annular duct 39 disposed outside the tube 38 of the central spacer, while the radial water passage 35 communicates with the hollow interior of the casting roll 1. It communicates with the water outlet 34 via a duct 39A formed by the inside of the tube 38.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the structure of each of the water flow couplings 40 of the cooling water supply means, and that the water flow coupling 40 engages with the outer shaft end 32 A of the roll shaft 32 to control the internal water flow of the casting roll 1. Water flow coupling 4 with ducts 39 and 39A
It shows how to provide 0. Water coupling 40
A tubular inner sleeve 44 is rotatably mounted by an end bearing 45 in the inside of the tubular outer housing 43 constituting. The outer housing 43 has an inlet line 63 as an appropriate water supply line and an outlet line 64 as a return line.
A water inlet connector 46 and a return connector 47, which are internal water ports for connection to the water supply port. Water inlet connector 46
The return connector 47 is connected to an annular water flow gallery 48, 49 formed between the central waterproof seal 51 and the two outer waterproof seals 52, respectively. Further sealing member 5
3 is an outer housing 43 of the housing main body, and an end bearing 4
5 is clamped between the end member 56 accommodating 5.

The water flow galleries 48, 49 have respective sets of radial water flow openings 61, 62 formed in the inner sleeve 44.
Extend around.

As shown in FIG. 5, the roll shaft 32 is formed so as to move in the axial direction to fit into the roller bearing 65 of the end support and the inner sleeve 44 of the rotatable water flow coupling 40. The end of the roll shaft 32 is an inner sleeve 44
The water outlets 33, 34 of the roll shaft 32 are aligned with the water outlets 61, 62 of the inner sleeve 44, and the water connection between the water inlet connector 46 and the water outlet 33 is made, and the return connector 47 and the water outlet 34 are fitted. And provide a water flow connection with each. The roll shaft 32 is rotatably supported within an end-supported roller bearing 65, the water flow coupling 40 is self-supported on the roll shaft 32, the inner sleeve 44 rotates with the roll shaft 32, and the outer housing 43 is held against rotation. ing. The end of the inner sleeve 44 is provided with a socket member 6 having a keyway inside.
6, the socket member 66 receives the shaft stopper 67 having a key groove on the outside at the end of the roll shaft 32, and connects the roll shaft 32 to the roll driving means via the rotary drive coupling 70.

When the casting roll 1 is removed for replacement,
By simply moving the casting roll 1 in the axial direction,
The shaft plug 67 with the key groove is pulled out from the socket member 66 and the shaft end is pulled out from the water flow coupling 40. When the casting roll 1 is removed, the socket member 66 supports the water flow coupling 40. With this arrangement, there is no need to remove a separate coupling. Also, during operation, the water flow coupling 40 is sufficiently supported by the roll shaft 32 near the support bearing, so that the inertia of the water flow coupling 40 does not interfere with the control system of the roll gap 2.

As described above, since the water flow connection of the water flow coupling 40 is disconnected by pulling out the shaft end 32A of the roll shaft 32 from the water flow coupling 40, there is no delay in removing and moving the casting roll 1. In addition, it is possible to prevent an increase in the bulk and inertia of a component that must be moved in the lateral direction together with the casting roll 1 during operation, and to suppress the expense of providing a separate water flow coupling for each casting roll set.

The continuous metal strip casting apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be applied to other than the metal strip casting. It goes without saying that various changes can be made in.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Disconnecting the water flow connection by withdrawing the shaft end of the roll shaft eliminates delays in removing and moving the casting roll, and increases the bulk and inertia of parts that must be moved laterally with the casting roll during operation. , And furthermore, it is possible to provide an excellent effect that it is possible to suppress costs such as providing a separate water flow coupling for each casting roll set.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a strip casting apparatus constructed according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a left part of a casting roll of the casting apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a right part of a casting roll of the casting apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rotatable water flow coupling of a casting roll.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a rotatable water flow coupling mounted on a roll shaft.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 casting roll 2 roll gap 3 ladle (metal supply means) 4 tundish (metal supply means) 5 supply nozzle (metal supply means) 6 casting reservoir 10 refractory forming plate (defining means) 11 solidified metal strip 12 roll drive Means 26 Water flow passage 27 Flange 28 Flange 31 Roll shaft (central shaft means) 32 Roll shaft (central shaft means) 33 Water outlet 34 Water outlet 32A Shaft end 39 Duct 39A Duct 40 Water flow coupling (Cooling water supply means) 43 Outer housing 44 inner sleeve 46 water inlet connector (internal water outlet) 47 return connector (internal water outlet) 61 water outlet 62 water outlet 63 inlet line (water supply line) 64 outlet line (return line) 65 roller bearing 66 socket member 67 shaft plug 70 rotation Drive coupling

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Heiji Kato 2-36-2 Nobi, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Claims (5)

[Claims] A pair of casting rolls (1) having a roll gap (2) therebetween and a water flow passage (26) therein;
Metal that supplies molten metal to a roll gap (2) between casting rolls (1) to form a casting pool (6) of molten metal supported on a surface of the casting roll (1) above the roll gap (2). Supply means (3), (4) and (5); and a means (10) for defining a pool at the end of a casting roll (1) for confining metal in a casting pool (6) so as not to overflow at the end of the roll gap (2). Rolling the casting roll (1) in the mutual direction to rotate the roll (2)
A roll driving means (12) for producing a solidified metal strip (11) fed downward from the cooling water supply means (40) for supplying cooling water to the water flow passage (26) in the casting roll (1). And a central shaft means (31) having a casting roll (1) attached thereto.
The shaft end of (32) is connected to the water flow passage (2) in the casting roll (1).
The water flow is supplied to and discharged from 6), and the rotatable water flow coupling (4)
0), the water supply line (63) and the return line (6).
In a continuous metal strip casting apparatus having a duct (39) (39A) for the internal water flow of the casting roll (1) connected to 4), a rotatable water flow coupling (40) is detachably attached to the shaft end (32A). A continuous metal strip casting apparatus characterized in that the water flow connection can be cut off by mounting and pulling out the shaft end (32A) in the axial direction. 2. Each rotatable water coupling (40).
Are non-rotatable outer housing (43) with internal water ports (46) (47) connected to the inlet line (63) and outlet line (64), and are rotatably mounted on the outer housing (43). , Receiving the shaft end (32A),
2A) a tubular inner sleeve (44) mounted and rotating together, and an inner water port (46) of the outer housing (43).
(47) and radial water outlets (61) and (62) of the inner sleeve (44) interconnecting the water outlets (33) and (34) of the shaft end (32A). The metal strip continuous casting apparatus according to claim 1. 3. An outer end of the inner sleeve (44) is connected to a rotary drive coupling (70) of the casting roll (1) via a shaft plug (67) having a key groove and a socket member (66). The metal strip continuous casting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 4. A shaft (32) for axially separating the plug (67) with key groove and the socket member (66) by pulling out the casting roll (1) in the axial direction.
From the rotary drive coupling (70) and at the same time,
The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the shaft end (32A) is withdrawn from the inner sleeve (44) of the water coupling (40). 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein when the roll shaft (32) is withdrawn from the water coupling (40), the socket member (66) supports and keeps the water coupling (40) in place. 5. The metal strip continuous casting apparatus according to 4.