Movably mounted side dam and an associated method of sealing the side dam against the nozzle of a belt caster
AssigneeLarex A.G.
InventorWilhelm F. Lauener
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The side dam is movably mounted to the caster so that it can be securely sealed against the nozzle to resist molten metal in the mold from leaking between the nozzle and the side dam. An adjustment system adjusts the pressure of the side dam against the nozzle in order to insure a tight secure seal of the side dam against the nozzle while at the same time adjusting the pressure of the side dam against the nozzle so that excessive undesired frictional wear of the nozzle is avoided.
Claims29
A side dam for a caster having a nozzle for delivering molten metal into a mold for subsequent solidification therein into a metal product, said mold including (i) a molten metal entry portion disposed adjacent said nozzle for receiving said molten metal into said mold, said molten metal entry portion having a first average thickness and (ii) a metal product exit portion opposite said molten metal entry portion where said metal product exits said mold, said metal product exit portion having a second average thickness, said side dam being movably mounted and having an entry end and exit end with said entry end pivotable with respect to said exit end wherein said first average thickness is reduced in dimension relative to said second average thickness so that said side dam can be securely sealed against said nozzle to resist said molten metal in said mold from leaking between said nozzle and said side dam.
A side dam for a caster having a nozzle for delivering molten metal into a mold, said side dam being movably mounted so that said side dam can be securely sealed against said nozzle to resist said molten metal in said mold from leaking between said nozzle and said side dam;
- mechanical means for moving said side dam;
- said mechanical means includes a cylinder, a piston operatively associated with said cylinder and an arm having one portion connected to said piston and another portion connected to said side dam, whereby movement of said piston relative to said cylinder causes said side dam to move;
- and
- a spring disposed in said cylinder, said spring biasing said piston and said arm so that said side dam presses against said nozzle.
A side dam for a caster having a nozzle for delivering molten metal into a mold for subsequent solidification therein into a metal product, said mold including (i) a molten metal entry portion disposed adjacent said nozzle for receiving said molten metal into said mold, said molten metal entry portion having a first average thickness and (ii) a metal product exit portion opposite said molten metal entry portion where said metal product exits said mold, said metal product exit portion having a second average thickness, said side dam comprising a frame, orbiting means mounted to said frame and a plurality of elements connected to said orbiting means, said side dam being movably mounted and having an entry end and exit end with said entry end pivotable with respect to said exit end wherein said first average thickness is reduced in dimension relative to said second average thickness so that said side dam can be securely sealed against said nozzle to resist said molten metal in said mold from leaking between said nozzle and said side dam.
A side dam for a caster having a nozzle for delivering molten metal into a mold, said side dam comprising a frame, orbiting means mounted to said frame and a plurality of elements connected to said orbiting means, said side dam being movably mounted so that said side dam can be securely sealed against said nozzle to resist said molten metal in said mold from leaking between said nozzle and said side dam;
- mechanical means for moving said side dam;
- said mechanical means includes a cylinder, a piston operatively associated with said cylinder and an arm having one portion connected to said piston and another portion connected to said side dam, whereby movement of said piston relative to said cylinder causes said side dam to move;
- and
- a spring disposed in said cylinder, said spring biasing said piston and said arm so that said side dam presses against said nozzle.
A method of sealing a side dam to a nozzle of a caster including a mold for casting molten metal into a metal product, said mold including (i) a molten metal entry portion disposed adjacent said nozzle for receiving said molten metal into said mold, said molten metal entry portion having a first average thickness and (ii) a metal product exit portion opposite said molten metal entry portion where said metal product exits said mold, said metal product exit portion having a second average thickness, said method comprising:
- moving said side dam wherein said first average thickness is reduced in dimension relative to said second average thickness in order to securely seal said side dam against said nozzle so that leakage of said molten metal from said mold to between said side dam and said nozzle is resisted.
A method of sealing a side dam to a nozzle of a caster including a mold for casting molten metal into a metal product, said method comprising:
- moving said side dam in order to securely seal said side dam against said nozzle so that leakage of said molten metal from said mold to between said side dam and said nozzle is resisted;
- providing mechanical means for moving said side dam;
- and
- adjusting the pressure of said side dam against said nozzle so that a secure seal is created between said side dam and said nozzle while at the same time said pressure is not so great as to cause undesired friction al wear of said nozzle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.