Modular continuous casting apparatus

Abstract

A curved-mold continuous casting apparatus has a reciprocable mold with a curved casting passage and an arm which guides the mold for reciprocation. A secondary cooling unit is located downstream of the mold and is followed by a withdrawal-and-straightening unit. The apparatus further has a rigid, curved dummy bar, a piston-and-cylinder unit for moving the dummy bar between a storage position and a casting position, and a lever which is articulated to the dummy bar and guides the same. A support consisting of a bedplate with an upright stand holds the mold, guide arm, secondary cooling unit, withdrawal-and-straightening unit, dummy bar, piston-and-cylinder unit and lever in assembled condition and in alignment for casting. The support and the components carried thereby form a preassembled, transportable module which can be brought to a casting location or removed from such location. The module may have conduits for fluids such as cooling water, mold lubricant and protective gas, and these conduits are provided with coupling elements which can mate with complementary coupling elements on fluid supply lines when the module is installed at a casting location.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.