Feeding device for introducing molten steel into twin-belt casters and mode of operation of such a feed device

A method of operating a feeding device for the introduction of molten steel into a twin-belt caster employing mold walls that are moved exclusively in the casting direction wherein said feeding device comprises:

• a tundish having a flow channel;
• a first carriage for supporting the tundish so that it is adjustable in height and moveable toward and away from the twin-belt caster;
• a tubular closed pouring body having a spout whose end is shaped such that a sealing gap is produced between the end of the pouring body and the mold walls of the twin-belt caster when the end of the spout is inserted between the mold walls;
• a separate second carriage disposed between the first carriage and the twin-belt caster and likewise moveable toward and away from the twin-belt caster;
• means for mounting the pouring body on the second carriage so that the pouring body is rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis oriented such that the spout is adjustable in height with respect to the caster, and so that the pouring body is laterably adjustable in a direction transverse to its longitudinal extent;
• and means for connecting the flow channel of the tundish to the pouring body to permit molten steel to flow from the tundish through the pouring body, with the connecting means comprising a ball joint having a ball socket and a ball pivot each forming a connecting surface and with one of these connecting surfaces being disposed on the pouring body and the other of these connecting surfaces being disposed on the tundish;
• and wherein said method comprises the steps of:
• with said tundish and said pouring body being in a position wherein they are disconnected from each other and from said twin-belt caster, initially moving said pouring body toward said caster so as to insert said spout between said mold walls to a position a few millimeters further than the position which would correspond to the casting position;
• thereafter moving said tundish in the direction toward said twin-belt caster to its casting position and arresting said tundish in its said casting position;
• and thereafter moving said pouring body in a direction away from said twin-belt caster a sufficient distance to cause said connecting surfaces on said tundish and said pouring body to engage so as to form an outwardly closed connection between said tundish and said pouring body.