CA2230874A1 - Steering, tensing and driving a revolving casting belt using an exit-pulley drum for achieving all three functions - Google Patents
Steering, tensing and driving a revolving casting belt using an exit-pulley drum for achieving all three functionsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2230874A1 CA2230874A1 CA002230874A CA2230874A CA2230874A1 CA 2230874 A1 CA2230874 A1 CA 2230874A1 CA 002230874 A CA002230874 A CA 002230874A CA 2230874 A CA2230874 A CA 2230874A CA 2230874 A1 CA2230874 A1 CA 2230874A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- exit
- casting
- steering
- pulley drum
- belt
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
- B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
- B22D11/00—Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths
- B22D11/06—Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths into moulds with travelling walls, e.g. with rolls, plates, belts, caterpillars
- B22D11/0605—Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths into moulds with travelling walls, e.g. with rolls, plates, belts, caterpillars formed by two belts, e.g. Hazelett-process
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
- B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
- B22D11/00—Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths
- B22D11/06—Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths into moulds with travelling walls, e.g. with rolls, plates, belts, caterpillars
- B22D11/0637—Accessories therefor
- B22D11/0677—Accessories therefor for guiding, supporting or tensioning the casting belts
Abstract
Steering, tensioning and driving a revolving metallic casting belt in continuous casting machines wherein the belt travels along a generally straight casting plane P. Two two-axis robotic mechanisms are positioned at opposite ends of an exit-pulley drum, each including a "floating" housing carrying a bearing rotatably supporting a journal at the respective drum end. A drive connected to one of the journals rotates the drum for revolving the belt. The robotic mechanisms adjustably position opposite ends of a rotating drum in X--X plane parallel with plane P for tensioning the belt and in Y--Y plane perpendicular to plane P for steering the revolving belt. These robotic mechanisms are controlled to operate in any of several modes: (1) "Walking-tilt" steering keeps the belt much closer to an exiting product than prior art, the belt being flatter and in better contact with the product for improving casting speed and quality. Mode (2) provides a "virtual squaring shaft" causing a drum to simulate being constrained by a rigid mechanical squaring shaft for synchronizing downstream movements of both drum ends for regularizing tension fully across a "cylindrical" casting belt. In modes (3), (4) and (5) the rigidity of the virtual squaring shaft may be "softened," or re-zeroed or eliminated, to accommodate small "frustro-conical" errors in belt manufacture.
Moreover, even a small error in built-in length dimensions of a belt carriage may effectively be canceled by mode adjustments which effectively "twist" the virtual squaring shaft.
Moreover, even a small error in built-in length dimensions of a belt carriage may effectively be canceled by mode adjustments which effectively "twist" the virtual squaring shaft.
Claims (26)
1. In a belt-type continuous metal-casting machine having a mold region defined by a substantially straight casting plane and including an exit-pulley drum around which revolves an endless flexible casting belt which travels along the casting plane in a downstream direction, a method of steering the revolving casting belt comprising the following steps:
moving a first end of said exit-pulley drum away from said casting plane only when the revolving belt requires to be steered in a first direction;
moving a second end of said exit-pulley drum away from said casting plane only when the revolving belt requires to be steered in a second direction opposed to said first direction;
and keeping at least one end of said exit-pulley drum proximate to the casting plane at all times.
moving a first end of said exit-pulley drum away from said casting plane only when the revolving belt requires to be steered in a first direction;
moving a second end of said exit-pulley drum away from said casting plane only when the revolving belt requires to be steered in a second direction opposed to said first direction;
and keeping at least one end of said exit-pulley drum proximate to the casting plane at all times.
2. A method of steering a revolving casting belt as claimed in Claim 1, including:
moving the first end of the exit-pulley drum away from the casting plane by swinging the exit-pulley drum around a first steering axis positioned at the second end of the exit-pulley drum; and moving the second end of the exit-pulley drum away from the casting plane by swinging the exit-pulley drum around a second steering axis positioned at the first end of the exit-pulley drum.
moving the first end of the exit-pulley drum away from the casting plane by swinging the exit-pulley drum around a first steering axis positioned at the second end of the exit-pulley drum; and moving the second end of the exit-pulley drum away from the casting plane by swinging the exit-pulley drum around a second steering axis positioned at the first end of the exit-pulley drum.
3. The method of steering a revolving casting belt as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the exit-pulley drum has an axis of rotation A and a radius R, including:
positioning said first steering axis at a distance d from the casting plane, said distance d being no more than about 30 percent of said radius R; and positioning said second steering axis at a distance d from the casting plane, said distance d being no more than about 30 percent of said radius R.
positioning said first steering axis at a distance d from the casting plane, said distance d being no more than about 30 percent of said radius R; and positioning said second steering axis at a distance d from the casting plane, said distance d being no more than about 30 percent of said radius R.
4. A method of steering a revolving casting belt as claimed in Claim 2, including:
providing a neutral steering position for the exit-pulley drum wherein both ends of the exit-pulley drum are proximate to the casting plane; and in said neutral steering position of the exit-pulley drum, placing said first and second steering axes in a Y--Y
plane which is aligned with and passes through said axis of rotation A and which is perpendicular to said casting plane P.
providing a neutral steering position for the exit-pulley drum wherein both ends of the exit-pulley drum are proximate to the casting plane; and in said neutral steering position of the exit-pulley drum, placing said first and second steering axes in a Y--Y
plane which is aligned with and passes through said axis of rotation A and which is perpendicular to said casting plane P.
5. A method of steering a revolving endless flexible casting belt in a belt-type continuous casting machine wherein a mold region is defined by the casting belt travelling downstream along a casting plane, said method comprising:
revolving the casting belt by rotatably driving an exit-pulley drum positioned at a downstream end of the mold region;
moving a first end of the exit-pulley drum away from the casting plane and keeping a second end of the exit-pulley drum proximate to the casting plane for steering the revolving casting belt in a first direction;
moving a second end of the exit-pulley drum away from the casting plane and keeping the first end of the exit-pulley drum proximate to the casting plane for steering the belt in a second direction opposite to said first direction; and positioning both ends of the exit-pulley drum proximate to the casting plane prior to changing the steering direction.
revolving the casting belt by rotatably driving an exit-pulley drum positioned at a downstream end of the mold region;
moving a first end of the exit-pulley drum away from the casting plane and keeping a second end of the exit-pulley drum proximate to the casting plane for steering the revolving casting belt in a first direction;
moving a second end of the exit-pulley drum away from the casting plane and keeping the first end of the exit-pulley drum proximate to the casting plane for steering the belt in a second direction opposite to said first direction; and positioning both ends of the exit-pulley drum proximate to the casting plane prior to changing the steering direction.
6. A method as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said exit-pulley drum has an axis of rotation with its belt-contacting surface being at a radius R from said axis, and the method includes the steps of:
revolving the casting belt by rotatably driving the exit-pulley drum around its axis of rotation;
steering the revolving casting belt in said first direction by moving the first end of the exit-pulley drum away from the casting plane and keeping a second end of the exit-pulley drum proximate to the casting plane and tilting the axis of rotation of the exit-pulley drum in a plane generally perpendicular to the casting plane; and steering the revolving casting belt in said second direction by moving the second end of the exit-pulley drum away from the casting plane and keeping the first end of the exit-pulley drum proximate to the casting plane and tilting the axis of rotation of the exit-pulley drum in the plane generally perpendicular to the casting plane.
revolving the casting belt by rotatably driving the exit-pulley drum around its axis of rotation;
steering the revolving casting belt in said first direction by moving the first end of the exit-pulley drum away from the casting plane and keeping a second end of the exit-pulley drum proximate to the casting plane and tilting the axis of rotation of the exit-pulley drum in a plane generally perpendicular to the casting plane; and steering the revolving casting belt in said second direction by moving the second end of the exit-pulley drum away from the casting plane and keeping the first end of the exit-pulley drum proximate to the casting plane and tilting the axis of rotation of the exit-pulley drum in the plane generally perpendicular to the casting plane.
7. The method as claimed in Claim 6, wherein:
the first end of the exit-pulley drum is moved away from the casting plane and the second end of the exit-pulley drum is kept proximate to the casting plane by tilting the axis of rotation of the exit-pulley drum about a first steering axis positioned adjacent to the second end of the exit-pulley drum at a first distance d from the casting plane wherein said first distance d is no more than about 30 percent of the radius R; and wherein:
the second end of the exit-pulley drum is moved away from the casting plane and the first end of the exit-pulley drum is kept proximate to the casting plane by tilting the axis of rotation of the exit-pulley drum about a second steering axis adjacent to the first end of the exit-pulley drum at a second distance d from the casting lane wherein said second distance d is no more than about 30 percent of the radius R.
the first end of the exit-pulley drum is moved away from the casting plane and the second end of the exit-pulley drum is kept proximate to the casting plane by tilting the axis of rotation of the exit-pulley drum about a first steering axis positioned adjacent to the second end of the exit-pulley drum at a first distance d from the casting plane wherein said first distance d is no more than about 30 percent of the radius R; and wherein:
the second end of the exit-pulley drum is moved away from the casting plane and the first end of the exit-pulley drum is kept proximate to the casting plane by tilting the axis of rotation of the exit-pulley drum about a second steering axis adjacent to the first end of the exit-pulley drum at a second distance d from the casting lane wherein said second distance d is no more than about 30 percent of the radius R.
8. A method as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said exit-pulley drum has an axis of rotation with its belt-contacting surface being at a radius "R" from said axis, and the method includes the steps of:
revolving the casting belt by rotatably driving the exit-pulley drum around its axis of rotation;
steering the revolving casting belt in said first direction by moving the first end of the exit-pulley drum away from the casting plane and keeping a second end of the exit-pulley drum proximate to the casting plane and tilting the axis of rotation of the exit-pulley drum in a plane generally perpendicular to the casting plane; and steering the revolving casting belt in said second direction by moving the second end of the exit-pulley drum away from the casting plane and keeping the first end of the exit-pulley drum proximate to the casting plane and tilting the axis of rotation of the exit-pulley drum in the plane generally perpendicular to the casting plane.
revolving the casting belt by rotatably driving the exit-pulley drum around its axis of rotation;
steering the revolving casting belt in said first direction by moving the first end of the exit-pulley drum away from the casting plane and keeping a second end of the exit-pulley drum proximate to the casting plane and tilting the axis of rotation of the exit-pulley drum in a plane generally perpendicular to the casting plane; and steering the revolving casting belt in said second direction by moving the second end of the exit-pulley drum away from the casting plane and keeping the first end of the exit-pulley drum proximate to the casting plane and tilting the axis of rotation of the exit-pulley drum in the plane generally perpendicular to the casting plane.
9. The method as claimed in Claim 8, wherein:
the first end of the exit-pulley drum is moved away from the casting plane and the second end of the exit-pulley drum is kept proximate to the casting plane by tilting the axis of rotation of the exit-pulley drum about a first steering axis positioned adjacent to the second end of the exit-pulley drum at a first distance "d" from the casting plane wherein said first distance d is no more than about 30 percent or less of the radius R; and wherein:
the second end of the exit-pulley drum is moved away from the casting plane and the first end of the exit-pulley drum is kept proximate to the casting plane by tilting the axis of rotation of the exit-pulley drum about a second steering axis adjacent to the first end of the exit-pulley drum at a second distance "d" from the casting plane wherein said second distance d is no more than about 30 percent or less of the radius R.
the first end of the exit-pulley drum is moved away from the casting plane and the second end of the exit-pulley drum is kept proximate to the casting plane by tilting the axis of rotation of the exit-pulley drum about a first steering axis positioned adjacent to the second end of the exit-pulley drum at a first distance "d" from the casting plane wherein said first distance d is no more than about 30 percent or less of the radius R; and wherein:
the second end of the exit-pulley drum is moved away from the casting plane and the first end of the exit-pulley drum is kept proximate to the casting plane by tilting the axis of rotation of the exit-pulley drum about a second steering axis adjacent to the first end of the exit-pulley drum at a second distance "d" from the casting plane wherein said second distance d is no more than about 30 percent or less of the radius R.
10. In a belt-type continuous metal-casting machine comprising a mold region defined by a generally straight casting plane with an exit-pulley drum around which revolves an endless flexible casting belt which courses through the mold region travelling along the casting plane in a longitudinal direction from an entrance into the mold region to an exit therefrom, comprising:
apparatus independently moving opposite ends of said exit-pulley drum for moving the respective ends of the exit-pulley drum with respective vectors of motion M wherein each vector M may have a component of motion aligned with an X--X plane parallel with the casting plane and wherein each vector M may have a component of motion aligned with a Y--Y
plane perpendicular to the casting plane and wherein the component of motion aligned with the X--X plane may vary between zero and the length of said vector M and wherein the component of motion aligned with the Y--Y plane may vary between zero and the length of said vector M.
apparatus independently moving opposite ends of said exit-pulley drum for moving the respective ends of the exit-pulley drum with respective vectors of motion M wherein each vector M may have a component of motion aligned with an X--X plane parallel with the casting plane and wherein each vector M may have a component of motion aligned with a Y--Y
plane perpendicular to the casting plane and wherein the component of motion aligned with the X--X plane may vary between zero and the length of said vector M and wherein the component of motion aligned with the Y--Y plane may vary between zero and the length of said vector M.
11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein:
said exit-pulley drum has a rotational axis and has a hollow cylindrical configuration concentric with said rotational axis;
said exit-pulley drum has first and second ends;
first and second end bells are secured respectively to said first and second ends of said exit-pulley drum;
first and second stub shafts are secured respectively to said first and second end bells;
said first and second stub shafts are concentric with said rotational axis and project outwardly from said first and second end bells; and rotational drive mechanism is coupled to said first stub shaft for rotating said exit-pulley drum about said rotational axis.
said exit-pulley drum has a rotational axis and has a hollow cylindrical configuration concentric with said rotational axis;
said exit-pulley drum has first and second ends;
first and second end bells are secured respectively to said first and second ends of said exit-pulley drum;
first and second stub shafts are secured respectively to said first and second end bells;
said first and second stub shafts are concentric with said rotational axis and project outwardly from said first and second end bells; and rotational drive mechanism is coupled to said first stub shaft for rotating said exit-pulley drum about said rotational axis.
12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein:
the casting belt revolves around a carriage;
first and second movable housings rotatably support respectively said first and second stub shafts;
first and second steering levers of the first class are pivotally mounted on said carriage by respective pivot pins intermediate of upstream and downstream ends of said first and second steering levers;
said steering levers are oriented generally parallel with said casting plane;
said pivot pins are mounted on the carriage at respective positions which are equally spaced from the casting plane, and said positions of the pivot pins are closer to said casting plane than said rotational axis of the exit-pulley drum;
said first and second movable housings are carried by first and second spherical bushings mounted respectively near the downstream ends of said first and second steering levers;
first and second steering drive mechanisms mounted on said carriage are connected respectively to said first and second steering levers near the upstream ends of said first and second steering levers;
said first and second steering drive mechanisms selectively move the upstream ends of the first and second steering levers toward and away from the casting plane for selectively moving the moveable housings away from and toward the casting plane for steering a revolving casting belt;
first and second belt-tensioning drive mechanisms are mounted on said carriage;
said first and second belt-tensioning drive mechanisms are connected respectively by third and fourth spherical bushings to said first and second movable housings;
said third and fourth spherical bushings are respectively positioned generally on an opposite side of the rotational axis of the exit-pulley drum from positions of said first and second spherical bushings; and said first and second belt-tensioning drive mechanisms selectively move said first and second movable housings downstream by swinging the first and second movable housings respectively around the first and second spherical bushings.
the casting belt revolves around a carriage;
first and second movable housings rotatably support respectively said first and second stub shafts;
first and second steering levers of the first class are pivotally mounted on said carriage by respective pivot pins intermediate of upstream and downstream ends of said first and second steering levers;
said steering levers are oriented generally parallel with said casting plane;
said pivot pins are mounted on the carriage at respective positions which are equally spaced from the casting plane, and said positions of the pivot pins are closer to said casting plane than said rotational axis of the exit-pulley drum;
said first and second movable housings are carried by first and second spherical bushings mounted respectively near the downstream ends of said first and second steering levers;
first and second steering drive mechanisms mounted on said carriage are connected respectively to said first and second steering levers near the upstream ends of said first and second steering levers;
said first and second steering drive mechanisms selectively move the upstream ends of the first and second steering levers toward and away from the casting plane for selectively moving the moveable housings away from and toward the casting plane for steering a revolving casting belt;
first and second belt-tensioning drive mechanisms are mounted on said carriage;
said first and second belt-tensioning drive mechanisms are connected respectively by third and fourth spherical bushings to said first and second movable housings;
said third and fourth spherical bushings are respectively positioned generally on an opposite side of the rotational axis of the exit-pulley drum from positions of said first and second spherical bushings; and said first and second belt-tensioning drive mechanisms selectively move said first and second movable housings downstream by swinging the first and second movable housings respectively around the first and second spherical bushings.
13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein:
said cylindrical exit-pulley drum has an outer radius R
from its axis of rotation;
said first and second spherical bushings have first and second axes S;
in a neutral steering position of the first and second steering levers, said axes S are equally positioned at a distance d from the casting plane; and said distance d is no more than about 30 percent of the radius R.
said cylindrical exit-pulley drum has an outer radius R
from its axis of rotation;
said first and second spherical bushings have first and second axes S;
in a neutral steering position of the first and second steering levers, said axes S are equally positioned at a distance d from the casting plane; and said distance d is no more than about 30 percent of the radius R.
14. In a belt-type continuous metal-casting machine comprising a mold region defined by an approximately straight casting plane and comprising an exit-pulley drum around which revolves an endless flexible casting belt which courses through the mold region travelling along the casting plane in a longitudinal direction, apparatus comprising:
a first tensioning assembly for applying a first force acting substantially parallel with said casting plane in a direction away from said entrance and being applied to said first end of said exit-pulley drum for moving said first end away from the entrance in a direction parallel with said casting plane for tensioning said belt;
a second tensioning assembly for applying a second force acting substantially parallel with said casting plane in a direction away from said entrance and being applied to said second end of said exit-pulley drum for moving said second end away from the entrance in a direction parallel with said casting plane for tensioning said belt; and control apparatus selectively operating said first and second tensioning assemblies.
a first tensioning assembly for applying a first force acting substantially parallel with said casting plane in a direction away from said entrance and being applied to said first end of said exit-pulley drum for moving said first end away from the entrance in a direction parallel with said casting plane for tensioning said belt;
a second tensioning assembly for applying a second force acting substantially parallel with said casting plane in a direction away from said entrance and being applied to said second end of said exit-pulley drum for moving said second end away from the entrance in a direction parallel with said casting plane for tensioning said belt; and control apparatus selectively operating said first and second tensioning assemblies.
15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, wherein:
said control apparatus selectively operates said first and second tensioning assemblies for simulating movement of an exit-pulley drum having a rigid squaring shaft extending therethrough.
said control apparatus selectively operates said first and second tensioning assemblies for simulating movement of an exit-pulley drum having a rigid squaring shaft extending therethrough.
16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, wherein:
said control apparatus selectively operates said first and second tensioning assemblies for simulating movement of an exit-pulley drum having a torsionally flexible squaring shaft extending therethrough.
said control apparatus selectively operates said first and second tensioning assemblies for simulating movement of an exit-pulley drum having a torsionally flexible squaring shaft extending therethrough.
17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, wherein:
said exit-pulley drum has a rotational axis and has a hollow cylindrical configuration concentric with said rotational axis;
said exit pulley drum has first and second ends;
first and second end bells are secured respectively to said first and second ends of said exit-pulley drum;
first and second stub shafts are secured respectively to said first and second end bells;
said first and second stub shafts are concentric with said rotational axis and project outwardly from said first and second end bells;
rotational drive mechanism is coupled to said first stub shaft for rotating said exit-pulley drum about said rotational axis; and said first and second tensioning assemblies respectively serve to apply said first and second forces to said first and second stub shafts.
said exit-pulley drum has a rotational axis and has a hollow cylindrical configuration concentric with said rotational axis;
said exit pulley drum has first and second ends;
first and second end bells are secured respectively to said first and second ends of said exit-pulley drum;
first and second stub shafts are secured respectively to said first and second end bells;
said first and second stub shafts are concentric with said rotational axis and project outwardly from said first and second end bells;
rotational drive mechanism is coupled to said first stub shaft for rotating said exit-pulley drum about said rotational axis; and said first and second tensioning assemblies respectively serve to apply said first and second forces to said first and second stub shafts.
18. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 17, wherein:
the casting belt revolves around a carriage;
first and second movable housings rotatably support respectively said first and second stub shafts;
first and second steering levers of the first class are pivotally mounted on said carriage by respective pivot pins intermediate upstream and downstream ends of said first and second steering levers;
said steering levers are oriented generally parallel with said casting plane;
said pivot pins are mounted on the carriage at respective positions which are equally spaced from the casting plane, and said positions of the pivot pins are closer to said casting plane than said rotational axis of the exit-pulley drum;
said first and second movable housings are carried by first and second spherical bushings mounted respectively near the downstream ends of said first and second steering levers;
first and second steering drive mechanisms mounted on said carriage are connected respectively to said first and second steering levers near the upstream ends of said first and second steering levers;
said first and second steering drive mechanisms selectively move the upstream ends of the first and second steering levers toward and away from the casting plane for selectively moving the moveable housings away from and toward the casting plane for steering a revolving casting belt;
first and second tensioning assemblies are mounted on said carriage;
said first and second tensioning assemblies are connected respectively by third and fourth spherical bushings to said first and second movable housings;
said third and fourth spherical bushings are respectively positioned generally on an opposite side of the rotational axis of the exit-pulley drum from positions of said first and second spherical bushings; and said first and second tensioning assemblies selectively move said first and second movable housings downstream by swinging the first and second movable housings respectively around the first and second spherical bushings.
the casting belt revolves around a carriage;
first and second movable housings rotatably support respectively said first and second stub shafts;
first and second steering levers of the first class are pivotally mounted on said carriage by respective pivot pins intermediate upstream and downstream ends of said first and second steering levers;
said steering levers are oriented generally parallel with said casting plane;
said pivot pins are mounted on the carriage at respective positions which are equally spaced from the casting plane, and said positions of the pivot pins are closer to said casting plane than said rotational axis of the exit-pulley drum;
said first and second movable housings are carried by first and second spherical bushings mounted respectively near the downstream ends of said first and second steering levers;
first and second steering drive mechanisms mounted on said carriage are connected respectively to said first and second steering levers near the upstream ends of said first and second steering levers;
said first and second steering drive mechanisms selectively move the upstream ends of the first and second steering levers toward and away from the casting plane for selectively moving the moveable housings away from and toward the casting plane for steering a revolving casting belt;
first and second tensioning assemblies are mounted on said carriage;
said first and second tensioning assemblies are connected respectively by third and fourth spherical bushings to said first and second movable housings;
said third and fourth spherical bushings are respectively positioned generally on an opposite side of the rotational axis of the exit-pulley drum from positions of said first and second spherical bushings; and said first and second tensioning assemblies selectively move said first and second movable housings downstream by swinging the first and second movable housings respectively around the first and second spherical bushings.
19. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 18, wherein:
said cylindrical exit-pulley drum has an outer radius R
from its axis of rotation;
said first and second spherical bushings have first and second axes S;
in a neutral steering position of the first and second steering levers, said axes S, are equally positioned at a distance d from the casting plane; and said distance d is no more than about 30 percent of the radius R.
said cylindrical exit-pulley drum has an outer radius R
from its axis of rotation;
said first and second spherical bushings have first and second axes S;
in a neutral steering position of the first and second steering levers, said axes S, are equally positioned at a distance d from the casting plane; and said distance d is no more than about 30 percent of the radius R.
20. Apparatus carrying a journal of an exit-pulley drum having a rotational axis A aligned with the journal and having a radius R for steering and tensioning a revolving casting belt travelling along a casting plane in a continuous casting machine, said apparatus comprising:
a carriage frame;
a steering lever having a fixed pivot anchored to the frame;
a steering actuating mechanism connected to the steering lever for swinging the steering lever around said fixed pivot;
a spherical steering bushing mounted on a downstream end of said steering lever for providing a steering axis movable toward and away from the casting plane by operation of said steering actuating mechanism;
a movable housing having a bearing rotatably supporting the journal of the exit-pulley drum;
said movable housing being carried by said spherical steering bushing and being moved toward and away from the casting plane by movement of said steering axis for moving the journal of the exit-pulley drum toward and away from the casting plane for steering the revolving belt;
another spherical bushing being mounted on the movable housing and being located generally on the opposite side of said axis A from said spherical steering bushing; and a belt-tensioning actuating mechanism mounted on the carriage frame and being connected to said other spherical bushing for swinging the movable housing in a downstream direction around the steering axis for tensioning the belt.
a carriage frame;
a steering lever having a fixed pivot anchored to the frame;
a steering actuating mechanism connected to the steering lever for swinging the steering lever around said fixed pivot;
a spherical steering bushing mounted on a downstream end of said steering lever for providing a steering axis movable toward and away from the casting plane by operation of said steering actuating mechanism;
a movable housing having a bearing rotatably supporting the journal of the exit-pulley drum;
said movable housing being carried by said spherical steering bushing and being moved toward and away from the casting plane by movement of said steering axis for moving the journal of the exit-pulley drum toward and away from the casting plane for steering the revolving belt;
another spherical bushing being mounted on the movable housing and being located generally on the opposite side of said axis A from said spherical steering bushing; and a belt-tensioning actuating mechanism mounted on the carriage frame and being connected to said other spherical bushing for swinging the movable housing in a downstream direction around the steering axis for tensioning the belt.
21. In a twin-belt-type continuous metal-casting machine wherein upper and lower flexible casting belts are revolved in respective upper and lower oval paths defining a moving-mold casting region between the upper and lower revolving casting belts, said moving-mold region extending from a respective entrance of the machine to an exit of the machine , said moving-mold casting region extending in a casting plane from the entrance to the exit of the machine with said casting plane being between spaced, opposed portions of the revolving belts and wherein said upper and lower casting belts travel around respective upper and lower exit-pulley drums positioned near the exit of the machine, apparatus for steering, for tensioning and for driving a revolving casting belt comprising:
a first steering assembly for tilting a first end of an exit-pulley drum away from said casting plane only when a belt requires steering in a first direction away from said first end;
said tilting by said first steering assembly being in a plane generally perpendicular to said casting plane;
a second steering assembly for tilting a second end of said exit-pulley drum away from said casting plane only when said belt requires steering in a second direction away from said second end;
said tilting by said second steering assembly being in a plane generally perpendicular to said casting plane;
said first and second steering assemblies keeping at least one of said exit-pulley-drum ends proximate to said casting plane at all times;
a first tensioning assembly for applying a first force acting substantially parallel with said casting plane in a direction away from said entrance and being applied to said first end of said exit-pulley drum for moving said first end away from the entrance in a direction parallel with said casting plane for tensioning said belt;
a second tensioning assembly for applying a second force acting substantially parallel with said casting plane in a direction away from said entrance and being applied to said second end of said exit-pulley drum for moving said second end away from the entrance in a direction parallel with said casting plane for tensioning said belt; and rotary drive means connected to an end of said exit-pulley drum for rotating said exit-pulley drum for moving a casting belt in an oval path around said exit-pulley drum with said belt travelling along said casting plane in a direction from the entrance to the exit.
a first steering assembly for tilting a first end of an exit-pulley drum away from said casting plane only when a belt requires steering in a first direction away from said first end;
said tilting by said first steering assembly being in a plane generally perpendicular to said casting plane;
a second steering assembly for tilting a second end of said exit-pulley drum away from said casting plane only when said belt requires steering in a second direction away from said second end;
said tilting by said second steering assembly being in a plane generally perpendicular to said casting plane;
said first and second steering assemblies keeping at least one of said exit-pulley-drum ends proximate to said casting plane at all times;
a first tensioning assembly for applying a first force acting substantially parallel with said casting plane in a direction away from said entrance and being applied to said first end of said exit-pulley drum for moving said first end away from the entrance in a direction parallel with said casting plane for tensioning said belt;
a second tensioning assembly for applying a second force acting substantially parallel with said casting plane in a direction away from said entrance and being applied to said second end of said exit-pulley drum for moving said second end away from the entrance in a direction parallel with said casting plane for tensioning said belt; and rotary drive means connected to an end of said exit-pulley drum for rotating said exit-pulley drum for moving a casting belt in an oval path around said exit-pulley drum with said belt travelling along said casting plane in a direction from the entrance to the exit.
22. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 21, further comprising:
apparatus for moving said exit-pulley drum in simulation of an exit-pulley drum having a rigid squaring shaft for said exit-pulley drum.
apparatus for moving said exit-pulley drum in simulation of an exit-pulley drum having a rigid squaring shaft for said exit-pulley drum.
23. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 21, further comprising:
apparatus for moving said exit-pulley drum in simulation of an exit-pulley drum having a flexible squaring shaft for said exit-pulley drum.
apparatus for moving said exit-pulley drum in simulation of an exit-pulley drum having a flexible squaring shaft for said exit-pulley drum.
24. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 21, further comprising:
apparatus for compensating for error in the circumferential length of said casting belt, said length being compared at the respective edges of said casting belt.
apparatus for compensating for error in the circumferential length of said casting belt, said length being compared at the respective edges of said casting belt.
25. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 21, further comprising:
apparatus adjustable for compensating for built-in deviations in the machining of the mechanically effective length dimensions of said casting machine.
apparatus adjustable for compensating for built-in deviations in the machining of the mechanically effective length dimensions of said casting machine.
26. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 21, further comprising:
tensioning apparatus coordinated with said steering apparatus for adjusting relative magnitudes of said first and second forces for optimizing steering of the belt.
tensioning apparatus coordinated with said steering apparatus for adjusting relative magnitudes of said first and second forces for optimizing steering of the belt.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/810,414 US6026887A (en) | 1997-03-04 | 1997-03-04 | Steering, tensing and driving a revolving casting belt using an exit-pulley drum for achieving all three functions |
| US08/810,414 | 1997-03-04 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2230874A1 true CA2230874A1 (en) | 1998-09-04 |
| CA2230874C CA2230874C (en) | 2011-02-15 |
Family
ID=25203796
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2230874A Expired - Lifetime CA2230874C (en) | 1997-03-04 | 1998-02-27 | Steering, tensing and driving a revolving casting belt using an exit-pulley drum for achieving all three functions |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6026887A (en) |
| EP (2) | EP1588788B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP3953182B2 (en) |
| AT (2) | ATE294653T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU737517B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2230874C (en) |
| DE (2) | DE69838887T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7156147B1 (en) | 2005-10-19 | 2007-01-02 | Hazelett Strip Casting Corporation | Apparatus for steering casting belts of continuous metal-casting machines equipped with non-rotating, levitating, semi-cylindrical belt support apparatus |
| MY148963A (en) * | 2006-03-16 | 2013-06-14 | Novelis Inc | Belt casting machine having adjustable contact length with cast metal slab |
| CN110980425B (en) * | 2019-12-06 | 2021-08-27 | 广东科达洁能股份有限公司 | Spinning cake automatic doffing system and multi-servo driver synchronous control method thereof |
Family Cites Families (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NL272294A (en) * | 1960-12-08 | |||
| US3310849A (en) * | 1965-02-15 | 1967-03-28 | Hazelett Strip Casting Corp | Continuous metal casting apparatus |
| US3933193A (en) * | 1971-02-16 | 1976-01-20 | Alcan Research And Development Limited | Apparatus for continuous casting of metal strip between moving belts |
| US3949805A (en) * | 1973-04-12 | 1976-04-13 | Hazelett Strip-Casting Corporation | Symmetrical belt tensioning system and apparatus for twin-belt continuous casting machines |
| US3878883A (en) * | 1973-04-12 | 1975-04-22 | Hazelett Strip Casting Corp | Symmetrical synchronized belt-steering and tensioning system and apparatus for twin-belt continuous metal casting machines |
| US3963068A (en) * | 1973-04-12 | 1976-06-15 | Hazelett Strip-Casting Corporation | Symmetrical synchronized belt-steering system and apparatus for twin-belt continuous metal casting machines |
| US4614224A (en) * | 1981-12-04 | 1986-09-30 | Alcan International Limited | Aluminum alloy can stock process of manufacture |
| US4545423A (en) * | 1983-05-10 | 1985-10-08 | Hazelett Strip-Casting Corporation | Refractory coating of edge-dam blocks for the purpose of preventing longitudinal bands of sinkage in the product of a continuous casting machine |
| JPS63101054A (en) * | 1986-10-16 | 1988-05-06 | Hitachi Ltd | Belt type continuous casting apparatus |
| DE3810302A1 (en) * | 1988-03-24 | 1989-10-12 | Mannesmann Ag | CASTING DEVICE FOR THE CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION OF METAL STRIP |
| JP2587454B2 (en) * | 1988-05-16 | 1997-03-05 | 新日本製鐵株式会社 | Tension roll device of belt type continuous casting machine |
| US4921037A (en) * | 1988-07-19 | 1990-05-01 | Hazelett Strip-Casting Corporation | Method and apparatus for introducing differential stresses in endless flexible metallic casting belts for enhancing belt performance in continuous metal casting machines |
| US4901785A (en) * | 1988-07-25 | 1990-02-20 | Hazelett Strip-Casting Corporation | Twin-belt continuous caster with containment and cooling of the exiting cast product for enabling high-speed casting of molten-center product |
| US4940076A (en) * | 1989-05-09 | 1990-07-10 | Hazelett Strip-Casting Corporation | Method and apparatus for steering casting belts of continuous metal-casting machines |
-
1997
- 1997-03-04 US US08/810,414 patent/US6026887A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1998
- 1998-02-27 CA CA2230874A patent/CA2230874C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-03-02 DE DE69838887T patent/DE69838887T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-03-02 AT AT98103605T patent/ATE294653T1/en active
- 1998-03-02 EP EP05004462A patent/EP1588788B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-03-02 AT AT05004462T patent/ATE381400T1/en active
- 1998-03-02 DE DE69830016T patent/DE69830016T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-03-02 EP EP98103605A patent/EP0868953B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-03-03 AU AU56413/98A patent/AU737517B2/en not_active Expired
- 1998-03-03 JP JP09381298A patent/JP3953182B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ATE294653T1 (en) | 2005-05-15 |
| EP0868953A2 (en) | 1998-10-07 |
| EP1588788A3 (en) | 2006-03-08 |
| DE69830016D1 (en) | 2005-06-09 |
| EP1588788B1 (en) | 2007-12-19 |
| DE69838887D1 (en) | 2008-01-31 |
| US6026887A (en) | 2000-02-22 |
| DE69830016T2 (en) | 2005-09-29 |
| AU5641398A (en) | 1998-09-10 |
| JP3953182B2 (en) | 2007-08-08 |
| EP0868953A3 (en) | 1999-02-03 |
| EP0868953B1 (en) | 2005-05-04 |
| ATE381400T1 (en) | 2008-01-15 |
| DE69838887T2 (en) | 2008-05-08 |
| AU737517B2 (en) | 2001-08-23 |
| JPH1147894A (en) | 1999-02-23 |
| CA2230874C (en) | 2011-02-15 |
| EP1588788A2 (en) | 2005-10-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20180227 |