GB1399919A - Continuous casting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

1399919 Continuous casting S J CASTAGNOLI 10 July 1972 [14 July 1971] 32218/72 Heading B3F A starting plug 25 received in an arcuate guideway 33 of rollers 34, Fig. 1, e.g. after the swinging aside, Fig. 2, of a mould 18 and e top frame 55 of rollers 54 and of water spray vanes 53, is engaged (on its lateral arms 25a, Figs. 2, 4, 7) by latches 60, which during casting are moved down at either side of the pathway of the plug 25 and casting 120 until released when the plug 25 is near the exit of the guideway and then retrace their paths to return to the starting position ready to receive a new plug while the old plug moves on with the casting. The latches 60 normally protrude out of housings 24 unless either briefly pushed in by the descending plug 25 against the action of springs 106 when initially inserted, Figs. 2, 4, or pulled in (for release of the arms 25a) by bellcrank levers 103, Fig. 4, when rods 105 are pushed by stops (at the release point for the latches) to compress the springs 106. The housings 24 form the heads of two chains 31 of links which move outside the casting path and bear teeth 32 by which the chains can be driven in either direction by pinions 43, Fig. 1, at the end of a horizontal, straightening extension 40 of the arcuate guideway 33. After releasing the starting plug 25, a motor driving the pinions 43 is automatically or manually stopped. The chains are by then accommodated in a frame 46. The chains 31 and the head housings 24 carry pairs of rollers 70, Figs. 4, 7, by which they are supported by guide elements 97 flanking the arcuate guideway 33 and its extension 40. The main rollers 34 can be adjusted to accommodate different thicknesses of casting 120, Fig. 7. Rail sections 26, Figs. 2, 7, slotted in the top of the plug 25 provide means for anchoring a cable 52, Fig. 2, when lowering the plug into position before the mould 18 and its platform 19 is swung back into position on links 20, 21 by cylinders 80, 85 and lowered over the plug. The cylinder 85 also reciprocates the link 21 and the mould during casting.