EP2368654A1 - Device for holding and changing a pouring plate in a pouring facility, metal enclosure of the pouring plate and pouring plate provided with means engaging with a detector of the device. - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a sealing surface that seals the metallurgical vessel casting orifice. The casting channel faces the metallurgical vessel casting orifice and a sealing position. The sealing surface faces the metallurgical vessel casting orifice. A casting plate is pushed to the casting position on the operating station by short stroke. The limit switch limits the pusher stroke to the short stroke and the sealing position. The limit switch allows the pusher to move over the long stroke. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) casting plate for device for holding and replacing casting plate; and (2) method for producing plate.

Description

Description.

The present invention relates to the technical field of continuous casting of liquid metal.

More specifically, the invention relates to a device for holding and changing casting plates of a metallurgical vessel of a casting plant.

We know, especially EP 0 192 019 A1 , a tundish change device, disposed opposite a pouring orifice of a metallurgical vessel of a continuous metal casting plant. Such a device comprises guiding means in general two rails on which can slide tapping tubes, to occupy first a waiting station, then a use station, and finally an evacuation station at the opposite of the waiting station. A pusher (drive or actuator in English), actuated by a jack, serves to push a pouring tube from its waiting station to its position of use, the tube thus moved expelling thereby to the position of drain, the used pour tube that was on the use station.

The pouring tube has a sliding face into which a pouring channel opens, which is aligned with the orifice of the metallurgical vessel when the pouring tube is on the use station. The orifice of the metallurgical vessel generally corresponds to the pouring orifice of the refractory element situated upstream or to the pouring orifices of the refractory elements situated upstream in fluid communication. The refractory element located upstream is generally integral with the metallurgical vessel, for example, it is cemented therein.

In the use position, pushers (English pushers) are arranged in the extension of the guide means or rails. These pushers allow to exert a substantially vertical force on two lower faces of the pouring tube so that the sliding face of the tube is in sealing contact with the face of the refractory element located upstream.

In some cases, as in WO2004 / 065041A1 (especially §23), the sliding face of the pouring tube is sufficiently large to constitute, next to the pouring orifice, a sealing surface capable of closing the pouring orifice of the metallurgical vessel if the pouring tube is moved a distance at least equal to the diameter of the orifice of the metallurgical vessel.

• une position de coulée, dans laquelle son canal de coulée se trouve en regard de l'orifice de coulée du récipient métallurgique, et
• une position de fermeture, dans laquelle sa surface d'obturation se trouve en regard de l'orifice de coulée du récipient métallurgique.

Thus, the casting tube present on the use station can take two positions, namely:

• a pouring position, in which its pouring channel is opposite the pouring orifice of the metallurgical vessel, and
• a closed position, in which its sealing surface is opposite the casting orifice of the metallurgical vessel.

In this case, the pouring tube can be used not only to ensure the casting of the molten metal, but also to stop the casting in an emergency, which is useful for example if another stop device located upstream is failing.

The displacement of the casting tube on the rails must then be controlled selectively, depending on whether it is desired to bring it into the casting position or in the closed position on the utilization station, which requires the use of one or jacks with two races. However, such cylinders are bulky, heavy and expensive. In addition, they require the presence of at least two separate hydraulic power supplies on the floor of the continuous casting.

The present invention aims to propose a technical solution for controlling the displacement of the pouring tube, and more generally of a casting plate, in the casting position or in the closed position on the use station, and this in a completely Automatic, simple and reliable.

• une petite course ayant pour effet de pousser une plaque de coulée jusqu'en position de coulée sur le poste d'utilisation, ou
• une grande course ayant pour effet de pousser une plaque de coulée jusqu'en position de fermeture sur le poste d'utilisation,

dispositif caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte:

• un détecteur de passage d'une plaque de coulée entre le poste d'attente et le poste d'utilisation,
• un limiteur de course du poussoir, commandé par le détecteur de passage et apte à prendre:
• une position de remplacement correspondant à une position de coulée, prise lorsque le détecteur détecte le passage d'une plaque de coulée, dans laquelle le limiteur de course limite la course du poussoir à la petite course, et
• une position de fermeture, dans laquelle le limiteur de course laisse le poussoir avancer sur la grande course.

For this purpose, the subject of the present invention is a device for holding and changing a pouring plate opposite a pouring orifice of a metallurgical vessel of a continuous metal casting plant, the casting plate being of the type comprising a sliding face into which a pouring channel opens and in which is formed a sealing surface capable of closing the pouring orifice of the metallurgical vessel, a device of the type comprising a push-piece capable of pushing a pouring plate to to change it from a waiting station to a use station, a plate on the use station being able to take a casting position, in which its pouring channel is opposite the pouring orifice of the container metallurgical, and a closed position, wherein its sealing surface is opposite the casting orifice of the metallurgical vessel, the pusher being provided with means for doing so selectively advance on two races, namely:

• a short stroke that pushes a pouring plate to the casting position on the use station, or
• a large stroke having the effect of pushing a casting plate to the closed position on the use station,

device characterized in that it comprises:

• a detector for the passage of a pouring plate between the waiting station and the use station,
• a pusher stroke limiter, controlled by the passage detector and able to take:
• a replacement position corresponding to a casting position, taken when the detector detects the passage of a casting plate, in which the limit limiter limits the stroke of the pusher to the short stroke, and
• a closed position, in which the race limiter allows the pusher to advance on the long race.

Thanks to the plate passage detector, if the pusher is actuated and a plate replacement is located on the waiting station, the detector controls the stroke limiter which goes into the replacement position and limits the stroke of the pusher so that the casting plate is brought into the casting position on the position of use, while if no plate is on the waiting station, the stroke limiter allows the pusher to travel its great stroke to push the plate on the use station to the closed position.

Thus, the operator no longer has to determine if he wishes to actuate the pusher for a plate replacement or an emergency stop: the passage detector and the stroke limiter automatically determine on which race it is necessary to move the pusher.

In particular, if the operator actuates the cylinder without placing a replacement plate on the waiting station, it is that an emergency stop is required. The device according to the invention then automatically actuates the cylinder on its long stroke so that it moves the plate in the closed position.

The invention thus provides, in addition to a simple and economical cylinder management device, better safety on the casting site, both for the operator himself, who no longer has to intervene near the molten metal , and for the entire site, because the operator can react faster in an emergency and is not likely to err to order to stop the casting.

Indeed, most known devices do not include a double stroke cylinder or casting tube having a sealing surface. When an emergency stop is required, the operator must intervene near the molten metal, remove the waiting tube and come to place in its place a blind plate which will then be pushed into the casting position. This kind of operation is no longer necessary with the device of the present invention. The operator can remotely and very quickly activate the cylinder and close the pouring channel.

In an advantageous embodiment, the stroke limiter is arranged to maintain the replacement position after detection of the passage of a casting plate, as long as the pusher has not retracted after having fully covered its short stroke.

For this purpose, a stabilizer is incorporated in the stroke limiter, so that the latter maintains the position imposed by the passage detector, even after the passage detector has stopped detecting the presence of a plate.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the passage detector is a lever that is moved by the casting plate as it passes from the waiting station to the use station.

This means has the advantage of being simple to perform and reliable in its operation.

Advantageously, the stroke limiter comprises a movable stop, the pusher having a bearing adapted to bear on the stop only when the stroke limiter is in the closed position.

The lever and the movable stop can be connected by a ball joint, which transforms the rotation of the lever in a translational movement of the movable stop. Any other connection capable of transmitting to the mobile stop the movement of the lever could of course be suitable.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the pusher comprises a rod and the scope of the pusher is formed by a notch formed in the rod.

This embodiment is advantageous in that it is simple to implement and reliable in its operation.

Preferably, the notch in the rod has, opposite the range, a chamfer which places the movable stop in replacement position when the rod retreats after the pusher has fully traveled its short path.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the device comprises an evacuation station, to which is driven a used plate when it is pushed by a plate pushed into the use position by the pusher.

It is known to surround the refractory elements, the plates or the pouring tubes by an element such as a metal casing. These envelopes are well known to those skilled in the art as well as the types of materials used to make these envelopes.

The invention also relates to a metal casing of a casting plate of a liquid metal continuous casting installation, comprising at least one protrusion arranged to cooperate with a plate passage detector of a device as described herein. -above.

Envelopes are usually metal, especially steel or cast iron, of course all other materials to fulfill the same function could be used. It is the same for the protuberance.

• deux portées d'appui longitudinales destinées à glisser sur des rails du dispositif pour assurer le guidage de la plaque et,
• en saillie d'au moins une de ces portées d'appui, une protubérance allongée dans la direction de glissement des plaques, c'est-à-dire parallèle aux portées d'appui longitudinales.

In one embodiment, the envelope comprises:

• two longitudinal bearing surfaces for sliding on the rails of the device to guide the plate and,
• projecting from at least one of these bearing surfaces, a protuberance elongated in the sliding direction of the plates, that is to say parallel to the longitudinal bearing surfaces.

• deux portées d'appui longitudinales destinées à glisser sur des rails du dispositif pour assurer le guidage de la plaque,
• des bords inférieurs longitudinaux parallèles auxdites portées d'appui longitudinales et,
• en saillie d'au moins un de ces bords inférieurs longitudinaux, une protubérance allongée dans la direction de glissement des plaques, c'est-à-dire parallèle aux portées d'appui longitudinales.

In a particular embodiment, the envelope comprises:

• two longitudinal bearing surfaces intended to slide on rails of the device for guiding the plate,
• longitudinal lower edges parallel to said longitudinal bearing lands and,
• projecting from at least one of these longitudinal lower edges, an elongated protuberance in the sliding direction of the plates, that is to say parallel to the longitudinal bearing surfaces.

The bearing spans can have different shapes, for example be flat, inclined or curved. It is sufficient that they can serve as a support for the casting plate and allow it to move from a waiting station to a use station.

In general, the bearing surface is parallel to the direction of sliding or changing of plate. In this case, the term "parallel" must be understood broadly, that is to say that the bearing surface comprises at least one line segment or generatrix parallel to the direction of plate change. Similarly, an edge or protuberance is parallel to the bearing lands if the edge or protuberance comprises a line segment parallel to the plate change direction.

Advantageously, the or each protrusion is formed by a ramp having an inclined portion and optionally a portion parallel to the bearing surfaces or to the longitudinal lower edges.

Given the strong mechanical stresses of the envelope, as well as the risk of damage to the ramp or ramps during transport or manipulation of the envelope or a plate provided with the envelope, the envelope is preferably relatively thick and obtained by molding, that is to say by casting in a mold.

• un réfractaire délimitant le canal de coulée et formant la face de glissement,
• une enveloppe métallique entourant le réfractaire au voisinage de la face de glissement, caractérisée en ce que l'enveloppe métallique comporte une protubérance agencée pour coopérer avec un détecteur de passage de plaque d'un dispositif tel que décrit ci-dessus.

The subject of the invention is also a casting plate of a continuous liquid metal casting plant, of the type comprising a sliding face in which a pouring channel opens and in which is formed a sealing surface capable of closing a pouring orifice of a metallurgical vessel, consisting of:

• a refractory delimiting the pouring channel and forming the sliding face,
• a metal casing surrounding the refractory in the vicinity of the sliding face, characterized in that the metal casing comprises a protrusion arranged to cooperate with a plate passage detector of a device as described above.

Other features and advantages of the invention, which may be taken alone or in combination, are listed below.

- The protrusion of the metal casing is on one side of the metal casing.

- The protuberance of the metal casing is elongated in the sliding direction of the plates, that is to say parallel to the longitudinal bearing surfaces. In parallel, it is parallel to at least one generatrix included in the support range. This generator being parallel to the direction of slip or plate change

The protuberance of the metal casing comprises a ramp having an inclined portion, the slope or inclination being directed in the direction of sliding or changing plates.

- A protuberance is located on each side of the metal shell, symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of this envelope. This variant makes it possible to use devices having a detector positioned on one side or the other of the plates, according to the arrangement of the metallurgical vessel receiving the device.

- The protrusion protrudes in the opposite direction to the sliding surface of the casting plate.

- The metal envelope generally has a rectangular outline (in a plane perpendicular to the pouring channel).

- The plate has a tubular extension opposite the sliding face, to extend the casting channel. The tubular extension may be sufficient so that its lower part is immersed in the molten metal mold.

The invention also relates to a method of assembling a metal casing and a refractory element to manufacture a plate according to the invention. The assembly is done by known means, for example, the refractory is cemented in the metal casing or assembled by casting a refractory concrete between the refractory element and the casing. It is also conceivable to recover the used metal casings and to associate therewith a new refractory element or a recycled refractory element.

• les figures 1, 2, et 24 représentent, en perspective et en coupe partielle, une machine de changement de tube d'un répartiteur d'une installation de coulée selon l'invention,
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessus du châssis de la machine,
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective de dessous de la machine,
• la figure 5 représente, en perspective, une enveloppe métallique d'une plaque réfractaire d'un tube de coulée,
• la figure 6 est une vue de dessous de l'enveloppe métallique de la figure 5,
• la figure 7 est une vue en coupe de selon VII-VII de la figure 6,
• les figures 8 et 9 sont des vues en coupe selon VIII-VIII (plan positionné sur la figure 6) de deux variantes d'enveloppes métalliques,
• les figures 10, 15, 17, 19 et 22 sont des vues en perspective de dessous de la machine à différente phases de déplacement d'une plaque de coulée,
• les figures 11, 16, 18, 20, 21 et 23 sont des vues en coupe selon XI-XI (plan positionné sur la figure 4) de la tige de poussoir et du limiteur de course,
• les figures 12, 13, sont des vues en coupe de la machine selon les plans XII-XII, respectivement XIII-XIII de la figure 3.
• la figure 14 est une vue analogue à la figure 12, lors d'un déplacement de tube entre le poste d'attente et le poste d'utilisation.

In order to better understand the invention, an embodiment given by way of non-limiting example of the scope of the invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• the Figures 1, 2 , and 24 represent, in perspective and in partial section, a machine for changing the tube of a distributor of a casting installation according to the invention,
• the figure 3 is a top view of the chassis of the machine,
• the figure 4 is a perspective view from below of the machine,
• the figure 5 represents, in perspective, a metal casing of a refractory plate of a pouring tube,
• the figure 6 is a bottom view of the metal shell of the figure 5 ,
• the figure 7 is a sectional view of according to VII-VII of the figure 6 ,
• the Figures 8 and 9 are sectional views according to VIII-VIII (plane positioned on the figure 6 ) two variants of metal envelopes,
• the figures 10 , 15 , 17 , 19 and 22 are perspective views from below of the machine to different phases of displacement of a casting plate,
• the figures 11 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 21 and 23 are sectional views along XI-XI (plane positioned on the figure 4 ) of the push rod and stroke limiter,
• the figures 12 , 13 , are sectional views of the machine according to plans XII-XII, respectively XIII-XIII of the figure 3 .
• the figure 14 is a view similar to the figure 12 during a tube movement between the waiting station and the use station.

The embodiment described here applies to a tundish of a casting plant but could relate to any metallurgical vessel and in particular a ladle as well as a tundish.

The distributor is used to distribute liquid metal to one or more casting molds being fed by ladles that successively pour their contents into the tundish. For this purpose, the distributor may comprise a plurality of pouring orifices, only one of which is considered here.

The example illustrated by the drawings relates to tubular refractories, which the skilled person also refers to "external nozzles" or "pouring tubes", but it could also apply to calibrated plates or no extension nozzle tubular or a slight tubular extension only. For example, plates that let the metal flow freely.

Figure 1 , the machine comprises a frame 1 which comprises means for attachment to a distributor (not shown), in the vicinity of an orifice of this distributor, which is lined with an internal nozzle 2 sealed to the bottom of the distributor by known means. The inner nozzle comprises a lower plate-shaped portion 2a and an upper tubular extension 2b, which passes through the wall (not shown) of the tundish. In the present description, the casting channel of the inner nozzle 2 is considered to be the pouring orifice of the distributor.

The frame 1 comprises a housing 3 for receiving the plate 2a of the inner nozzle 2.

The plate 2a, which will be designated later "upper plate", as opposed to that of the outer nozzle, described later, is firmly retained in the housing 3 of the chassis by clamping means which are known and are not described here. The upper plate is a fixed element during casting of the metal.

The frame 1 carries a pusher 10 of generally cylindrical shape extending along a substantially horizontal axis (in machine use position) orthogonal to that of the inner nozzle 2. This pusher 10 comprises a hollow cylindrical body 11 fixed to the frame and a rod 12 capable of sliding axially in the cylindrical body 11 under the action of a hydraulic jack 13 carried by one end of the body 11.

The hydraulic cylinder 13, single stroke, controls the rod 12 in its axial translation movements.

Hydraulic lines, represented by arrows A and B, supply the hydraulic cylinder 13 with fluid under pressure.

The cylindrical body 11 has a longitudinal slot through which an arm 18, integral with the rod 12, projects outside the cylindrical body 11, in the direction of the frame 1.

The slot is rectilinear except at its end close to the jack, where it forms a recess, known per se, which has the effect of giving the arm 18 a rest position in which it is disengaged upwards relative to its active positions.

The length of the slot is substantially identical to the maximum stroke of the hydraulic cylinder 13, allowing the displacement of the rod 12 and the arm 18 over the entire race.

On the figures 3 it can be seen that the arm 18 is arranged to push a pouring tube 19, also designated "external nozzle" left waiting next to another pouring tube 20 in use. Thus, the pusher 10 is able to push a pouring tube from a waiting station to a use station.

On the figure 4 , it is firstly noted that the plate 2a of the internal nozzle (the "Upper plate"), wedged in the housing 3 of the frame, is slightly raised relative to the lower planar face 22 of the frame.

Note also that the upper plate 2a has, around its pouring orifice 23, a flat surface 24 (in which can be formed a throat (not shown) of gas injection, as is known).

Rails 21 are positioned opposite the flat underside of the frame. The displacement of the tubes 19, 20 occurs along the rails 21.

In the path of each rail 21, springs combined with cams (not shown in the figures), known to those skilled in the art, are arranged to exert a thrust on the face of the plate of a tube 19, 20 engaged on the rails towards the upper plate 2a.

Returning to figure 2 it can be seen that each pouring tube 19, 20 comprises a plate 19a, 20a and a tubular protrusion 19b, 20b which extends the pouring channel to lateral openings 19c, 20c through which the liquid metal flows in a ingot mold (not shown).

Each plate 19a, 20a has a sliding face 19d, 20d into which the casting channel opens. Downstream of this channel (with respect to the direction of sliding of the tubes), the sliding face 19d, 20d is sufficiently large to form a closure surface 19e, 20e able to close the pouring orifice of the distributor.

Thus, a tube on the use station can take a casting position, as the tube 20 on the Figures 1 and 2 position in which its pouring channel is opposite the casting orifice of the distributor, and a closed position, such as the tube 19 on the figure 24 position in which its sealing surface 19e is opposite the pouring orifice of the distributor.

Each casting tube, has a metal shell 28 (also called "can" by the skilled person) around its plate, as is known.

The figure 5 represents such a metal casing 28 according to one embodiment of the invention.

On this figure 5 , the metal casing 28 is shown at the place, that is to say in the orientation of the tubes 19, 20 shown on the Figures 1, 2 and 24 .

In its general form, the metal casing 28 is in accordance with the metal cans of the state of the art. In particular, it generally has a rectangular contour and comprises two longitudinal bearing surfaces 29 which are intended to slide on the rails 21 of the frame of the machine for guiding and compressing the lower plate 19a, 20a against the upper plate 2a.

Remarkably, the can 28 has a protuberance 30 elongate in the sliding direction of the plates, that is to say parallel to the longitudinal bearing surfaces 29, projecting from longitudinal lower edges 31 parallel to the bearing surfaces 29.

Each protrusion 30 is formed by a ramp comprising an inclined portion 30a and a portion 30b parallel to the longitudinal edges 31.

In the variants illustrated by the Figures 8 and 9 the protuberances 30 'and 30 "have different profiles, but which provide substantially the same effects. figure 8 , the protrusion 30 'has a profile obtained by tangential connection of circular portions. On the figure 9 the protuberance 30 "comprises four ramps connected by sharp angles.

Whatever its profile, each protrusion 30, 30 ', 30 "is arranged to cooperate with a plate passing detector between the waiting station and the use station.In the example described, this detector takes the form a pivoting lever 32 articulated on the chassis 1 of the machine, visible in particular on the figures 10 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 17 , 19 and 22 .

As seen especially on the sectional view at the figure 12 , the pivot axis 33 of the lever 32 is parallel to the axis of the cylinder 13 and the rod 12. By pivoting, the lever can take a first unlocked position, illustrated by the figure 12 , and a second so-called locked position, illustrated by the figure 14 .

In more detail, the lever 32 comprises a detection end 34 which leaves free passage for the edge 31 of the casing 28 when the lower plate slides on the rails 21 and this, regardless of the position of the lever. On the other hand, when the lower plate slides on the rails 21 between the waiting station and the use station, the detection end of the lever which is in the unlocked position meets the protuberance 30 of the metal casing. Thus, thanks to its inclined portion 30a, the protrusion 30 causes the passage of the lever from the unlocked position of the figure 12 at the locked position of the figure 14 .

The lever 32 comprises, opposite its detection end 34, a ball 35 engaged in a slot 36 of a stop 37 movable by translation in a chimney 38 perpendicular to the axis of the rod 12 and the cylinder 13 and opening into the cylindrical body 11.

In the unlocked position of the lever, as on the figure 12 the movable stop 37 is close to the rod 12, but does not intercept its section. In this so-called "closing" position, the movable stop 37 does not oppose the axial translation movements of the rod. The rod 12 can therefore move over the entire stroke of the cylinder 13, which will be called "large stroke", necessary to bring a tube to the closed position on the use station.

In the locked position of the lever, illustrated by the figure 14 , the movable stop penetrates into a notch 39 provided for this purpose on the rod 12 and holds the latter in a range of positions in which the notch 39 is opposite the movable stop 37. In this position, called "replacement "Or" casting ", the movable stop 37 limits the stroke of the rod 12.

As we see on the figure 16 , the notch 39 is delimited asymmetrically: on the side of the jack 13, a flat shoulder 40 perpendicular to the axis of the rod forms a bearing, whereas, opposite the jack 13, is a chamfer 41.

Thanks to this asymmetry, we obtain the following effects.

If the movable stop 37 is in the "replacement" or "pouring" position ( figures 14 and 16 ), the displacement of the rod 12 in the direction opposite to the jack 13 causes the shoulder 40 to bear against the mobile stop 37, which blocks the progression of the rod 12 without tending to return the movable stop 37 in the closed position, that is to say without tending to return the lever to the unlocked position, since the force exerted by the rod on the movable stop 37 has no radial component. Although it is theoretically not necessary to keep the lever in the locked position to ensure the locking of the rod, otherwise to prevent it from falling back under its own weight, a ball spring 42 acts as a stabilizer ensuring the maintenance the movable stop, therefore the lever, in each of its two positions (replacement or casting and closing position), penetrating into recesses 43 formed in the face of the movable abutment located opposite the ball spring.

In this replacement position, the movable stop 37 limits the stroke of the rod to a "small stroke" necessary to put in the casting position a pouring tube on the use station.

During a movement of the rod 12 in the opposite direction, that is to say in the direction of the jack 13, the movable stop 37 comes into contact with the chamfer 41 and the force exerted by the rod on the mobile stop 37 comprises a radial component which tends to move the lever to the unlocked position. As soon as this force becomes greater than the resistance opposed by the ball spring 42, the movable stop 37 and the lever 32 pass to the unlocked position, which frees the passage for the rod, as illustrated by the figure 20 .

• une petite course (figure 18) ayant pour effet de pousser un tube de coulée jusqu'en position de coulée sur le poste d'utilisation, et
• une grande course (figure 23) ayant pour effet de pousser un tube de coulée jusqu'en position de fermeture sur le poste d'utilisation.

In summary, the pusher 10 is provided with means for advancing it selectively on two strokes, these means being constituted by the pivoting lever 32 and the movable stop 37, in association with the rod 12 provided with its notch 39. The two races of the pusher are:

• a small race ( figure 18 ) having the effect of pushing a pouring tube to the casting position on the use station, and
• a great race ( figure 23 ) having the effect of pushing a pouring tube to the closed position on the use station.

The movable stop 37 and the corresponding notch 39 on the rod 12 thus constitute a stroke limiter within the meaning of the invention and the pivoting lever 32 constitutes a detector for passing a tube from the waiting station to the use station. .

We will now describe the operation of the machine during a pipe change operation and during an emergency stop operation of the casting.

The machine which has just been described gathers means constituting a device for holding and changing a pouring tube 20 opposite a pouring orifice of a distributor of a continuous liquid metal casting plant.

During a continuous casting of liquid metal, the casting tube 20 and the inner nozzle 2 are placed in alignment with each other, as shown in FIGS. Figures 1 and 2 .

The pivoting lever 32 is in the unlocked position and the movable stop 37 in the closed position.

The arm 18 is initially in its rest position, inside a recess of the slot, as shown on the figure 1 .

When approaching the time of replacing the pouring tube 20, a replacement casting tube 19 is positioned on the waiting station, at the entrance of the rails 21, in the vicinity of the pouring tube 19 in use, as represented on the figure 3 .

To replace the tube 20, the jack 13 is actuated to cause the advance of the rod 12.

The arm 18 then leaves the recess and aligns with the plates 19a and 20a, then advances towards them.

The arm 18 then comes into contact with the plate 19a and the pouring tube 19 starts translational movement on the rails 21.

When the pouring tube 19 is about to arrive in the use position, the protuberance 30 of its metal casing pushes the pivoting lever 32 into the locked position, which has the effect of moving the movable stop 37 in the indicated direction by the arrow on the figure 16 , to put it in the replacement position in which it enters the notch 39 of the rod, which notch is, at this moment, facing the chimney 38. The arm 18, the casting tube 19 and the rod 12 continue their progression under the action of the cylinder 13 until the shoulder 40 of the rod comes to bear against the movable stop 37, which causes the locking of the rod, as illustrated by the figure 18 . At this time, the pouring tube 19 has reached its casting position on the use station. The pusher has advanced on its short race without it was necessary to order the cylinder specifically.

The cylinder 13 then returns the rod and the arm to their initial rest position. The lever 37 then returns to the unlocked position thanks to the chamfer 41 which pushes the movable stop 37 in the closed position, as can be seen on the Figures 19, 20 and 21 .

The pouring tube 20 being in the pouring position, as illustrated by the Figures 1 and 2 it may also happen that it is necessary to urgently stop the casting of the liquid metal and that this interruption can not be performed by means internal to the distributor.

In this case, the actuator 13 is actuated in the same manner as before, which again causes the arm 18 to advance. Since the movable stop 37 is and remains in the closed position, that is, outside the current section of the rod 12, the rod 12 can progress over the entire stroke of the cylinder, as illustrated by the figure 23 . The pusher 10 thus advances on its large stroke, which has the effect of pushing the pouring tube 19 to the closed position, as illustrated by the figures 22 and 24 .

This results in an actuation of the cylinder causing the emergency stop of the casting without it having been necessary to control the cylinder specifically.

Finally, in the event that a casting tube is in reserve on the waiting station while the emergency closure of the pouring orifice is necessary, the actuator is actuated a first time to bring the casting tube replacement in the position of use, as previously described, then let the cylinder back to a length slightly greater than that of the notch in the rod so as to cause the lever to return to the unlocked position, as illustrated by the figure 20 , then the actuator is actuated again to advance it: the stem can then progress to the position of the figures 22 and 24 to push the pouring tube to the closed position, that is to say in the position in which its sealing surface 19e is opposite the pouring orifice of the distributor.

Claims (19)

Device for holding and changing a pouring plate (19a, 20a) facing a pouring orifice of a metallurgical vessel of a continuous metal casting plant, the casting plate (19a, 20a) being of the type comprising a sliding face (19d, 20d) into which a pouring channel opens and in which is formed a sealing surface (19e, 20e) adapted to close the pouring orifice of the metallurgical vessel, a device of the type comprising a pusher (10) capable of pushing a pouring plate from a waiting station to a use station,
a plate on the use station can take a casting position, in which its casting channel is opposite the casting orifice of the metallurgical vessel, and a closed position, in which its sealing surface (19th , 20e) is opposite the pouring orifice of the metallurgical vessel,
the pusher being provided with means enabling it to be selectively advanced on two courses, namely: a small stroke having the effect of pushing a pouring plate to the pouring position on the utilization station, or - a large stroke having the effect of pushing a casting plate to the closed position on the use station,
device characterized in that it comprises: a detector (32) for the passage of a pouring plate between the waiting station and the use station, - A stroke limiter (37, 39) of the pusher, controlled by the passage detector and able to take: a casting position, taken when the detector detects the passage of a casting plate, in which the limit limiter limits the stroke of the pusher to the short stroke, and - A closed position, in which the stroke limiter allows the pusher to advance on the big race. Device according to claim 1, wherein the stroke limiter (37, 39) is arranged to maintain the casting position after detection of the passage of a casting plate, as long as the pusher (10) has not moved back after having gone through his entire race. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the passage detector is a lever (32) which is moved by the casting plate (19a) when it passes from the waiting station at the use station. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the stroke limiter comprises a movable stop (37), the pusher (10) having a bearing surface (40) able to bear on the stop only when the stroke limiter is in the closed position. Device according to claims 3 and 4, wherein the lever (32) and the movable stop (37) are connected by a link adapted to transmit to the mobile stop movement of the lever. Device according to one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the pusher (10) comprises a rod (12) and the bearing surface (40) of the pusher is formed by a notch (39) formed in the rod. Device according to claim 6, wherein the notch (39) formed in the rod (12) comprises, opposite the bearing surface (40), a chamfer (41) which places the movable stop (37) in the replacement position when the The rod recoils after the pusher has fully covered its short course. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a discharge station, to which is driven a used plate when it is pushed by a plate pushed in the use position by the pusher. Metal casing (28) of a casting plate of a liquid metal continuous casting plant, comprising at least one protrusion (30) arranged to cooperate with a plate-passing detector (32) of a device according to the invention. one of claims 1 to 8. Envelope according to claim 9, wherein the protuberance (30) is on one side of the metal casing. Envelope according to claim 9 having two protuberances (30) in which each protuberance (30) is located on each side of the metal casing, symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of this casing. Envelope according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the protuberance (30) projects in the opposite direction to the sliding face of the casting plate. Envelope according to one of claims 9 to 12, generally having a rectangular contour. Envelope according to one of claims 9 to 13, comprising: two longitudinal bearing surfaces (29) intended to slide on rails (21) of the device for guiding the plate, longitudinal lower edges (31) parallel to said longitudinal bearing surfaces (29) and, - projecting from at least one of these longitudinal lower edges (31), a protuberance (30) elongated in the sliding direction of the plates, that is to say parallel to the longitudinal bearing surfaces (29). Envelope according to one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the or each protrusion (30) is formed by a ramp having a portion (30a) inclined, the inclination being directed in the sliding direction of the plates. Casting plate of a continuous casting installation of liquid metal, of the type comprising a sliding face into which a pouring channel opens and in which is formed a sealing surface capable of closing a pouring orifice of a metallurgical vessel , consisting of: a refractory delimiting the pouring channel and forming the sliding face (19a, 20a), - A metal casing (28) surrounding the refractory in the vicinity of the sliding face, according to any one of claims 9 to 15. The plate of claim 16 having a tubular extension opposite the sliding surface to extend the pour channel. Plate according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the or each protrusion (30) is formed by a ramp in a plane orthogonal to the sliding face having a portion (30a) inclined and optionally a portion (30b) substantially parallel to the sliding face (19a, 20a). A method of manufacturing a plate according to any one of claims 16 to 18 comprising a step of assembling a refractory element and a metal casing (28) according to any one of claims 9 to 15.

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