STRIP CASTING APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED SIDE DAM FORCE CONTROL

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

This invention relates to making thin strip and more particularly casting of thin strip by a twin roll caster.

It is known to cast metal strip by continuous casting in a twin roll caster. Molten metal is introduced between a pair of counter-rotating horizontal casting rolls, which are cooled so that metal shells solidify on the moving roll surfaces and are brought together at the nip between the rolls to produce solidified strip product delivered downwardly from the nip between the rolls. The term “nip” is used herein to refer to the general region at which the rolls are closest together. The molten metal may be poured from a ladle into a smaller vessel, or tundish, from which it flows through a transition piece to a metal delivery nozzle positioned above the nip, longitudinally between the casting rolls, which delivers the molten metal to the region above the nip to form a casting pool of molten metal. The casting pool of molten metal is supported on the casting surfaces of the rolls above the nip. The casting pool is typically confined at the ends of the casting rolls by side plates or dams held in sliding engagement adjacent the ends of the casting rolls.

In casting thin strip by twin roll casting, as the casting campaign proceeds the side dam are worn and move toward the center of the casting pool, causing a step down to form in the side dams. This can cause intermittent gaps to form between the side dams and the casting rolls where skulls can form resulting in snake eggs in the cast thin strip. That in turn reduces the casting yield. There remains a need to improve casting yield.

Disclosed is a method of casting thin strip comprising the steps of: assembling a pair of counter-rotating casting rolls laterally forming a nip between circumferential casting surfaces of the rolls through which metal strip can be cast, assembling a pair of side dams adjacent end portions of the casting rolls to permit a casting pool of molten metal to be formed supported by the casting surfaces of the casting rolls, assembling an angular actuator connected to each side dam at an angle between 0.5° and 20° to the axis of the casting rolls to urging the side dam toward the casting pool with a down force component urging the side dam downwardly, assembling a metal delivery system above the casting rolls delivering molten metal to form a casting pool supported on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls above the nip and confined by the pair of side dams, and counter-rotating the casting rolls such that the casting surfaces of the casting rolls each travel inwardly toward the nip to produce a cast strip downwardly from the nip.

The angular actuator may be connected to each side dam through a swivel joint. The angle of connection of the angular actuator to the side dam may be between 0.5° and 10° or between 0.5° and 5°.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of embodiments of the invention proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical side view of twin roll caster system employing the present twin roll caster;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view through the casting rolls mounted in a roll cassette in the casting position of the caster system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is diagrammatical plan view of the roll cassette of FIG. 2 removed from the caster;

FIG. 4 is a transverse partial sectional view through the portion marked 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of one of the carriage assemblies marked as detail 5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view, partially in section, of the actuator assembly along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 with illustrating the side dam in a first position; and

FIG. 7 is a side view in section of the side dam actuator assembly shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a twin roll caster system for continuously casting thin steel strip is comprised of a main machine frame 10 that stands up from the factory floor and supports a roll cassette module 11 with a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls 12 mounted thereon. The casting rolls 12 have shaft portions 22 (FIG. 3) and casting surfaces 12A laterally positioned to form a nip 18 there between. The casting rolls 12 are mounted on the roll cassette 11 for ease of operation and movement of the casting rolls. The roll cassette facilitates rapid movement of the casting rolls 12 ready for casting from a setup position into an operative casting position in the caster as a unit, and ready removal of the casting rolls 12 from the casting position when the casting rolls are to be replaced. There is no particular configuration of the roll cassette that is desired, so long as it performs that function of facilitating movement and positioning of the casting rolls.

Molten metal is supplied from a ladle 13 through a metal delivery system, with a movable tundish 14 and a transition piece or distributor 16. From the distributor 16, the molten metal flows to at least one metal delivery nozzle 17, or core nozzle, positioned between the casting rolls 12 above the nip 18. Molten metal discharged from the delivery nozzle 17 is delivered to and forms casting pool 19 of molten metal above the nip 18 supported on the casting surfaces 12A of the casting rolls 12. This casting pool 19 is confined in the casting area at the ends of the casting rolls 12 by a pair of confining side closures or side dams 20 (shown in dotted line in FIG. 2). The upper surface of the casting pool 19 (generally referred to as the “meniscus” level) may rise above the bottom portion of the delivery nozzle 17 so that the lower part of the delivery nozzle 17 is immersed in the casting pool 19. The casting area includes the addition of a protective atmosphere above the casting pool 19 to inhibit oxidation of the molten metal in the casting area.

The ladle 13 typically is of a conventional construction supported on a rotating turret 40. For metal delivery, the ladle 13 is positioned over a movable tundish 14 in the casting position to fill the tundish with molten metal. The movable tundish 14 may be positioned on a tundish car 66 capable of transferring the tundish from a heating station (not shown), where the tundish is heated to near a casting temperature, to the casting position. A tundish guide, such as rails, may be positioned beneath the tundish car 66 to enable moving the movable tundish 14 from the heating station to the casting position.

The movable tundish 14 may be fitted with a slide gate 25, actuable by a servo mechanism, to allow molten metal to flow from the tundish 14 through the slide gate 25, and then through a refractory outlet shroud 15 to a transition piece or distributor 16 in the casting position. From the distributor 16, the molten metal flows to the delivery nozzle 17 positioned between the casting rolls 12 above the nip 18.

The casting rolls 12 are internally water cooled so that as the casting rolls 12 are counter-rotated, shells solidify on the casting surfaces 12A as the casting surfaces 12A move into contact with and through the casting pool 19 with each revolution of the casting rolls 12. The shells are brought together at the nip 18 between the casting rolls 12 to produce a solidified thin cast strip product 21 delivered downwardly from the nip 18. The gap between the casting rolls is such as to maintain separation between the solidified shells at the nip so that semi-solid or “mushy” metal is present in the space between the shells through the nip, and is, at least in part, subsequently solidified between the solidified shells within the cast strip below the nip.

FIG. 1 shows the twin roll caster producing the thin cast strip 21, which passes across a guide table 30 to a pinch roll stand 31, comprising pinch rolls 31A. Upon exiting the pinch roll stand 31, the thin cast strip may pass through a hot rolling mill 32, comprising a pair of work rolls 32A, and backup rolls 32B, forming a gap capable of hot rolling the cast strip delivered from the casting rolls, where the cast strip is hot rolled to reduce the strip to a desired thickness, improve the strip surface, and improve the strip flatness. The work rolls 32A have work surfaces relating to the desired strip profile across the work rolls. The hot rolled cast strip then passes onto a run-out table 33, where it may be cooled by contact with a coolant, such as water, supplied via water jets 90 or other suitable means, and by convection and radiation. In any event, the hot rolled cast strip may then pass through a second pinch roll stand 91 having rollers 91A to provide tension of the cast strip, and then to a coiler 92. The cast strip typically may be between about 0.3 and 2.0 millimeters in thickness before hot rolling.

At the start of the casting campaign, a short length of imperfect strip is typically produced as casting conditions stabilize. After continuous casting is established, the casting rolls are moved apart slightly and then brought together again to cause this leading end of the cast strip to break away forming a clean head end of the following cast strip. The imperfect material drops into a scrap receptacle 26, which is movable on a scrap receptacle guide. The scrap receptacle 26 is located in a scrap receiving position beneath the caster and forms part of a sealed enclosure 27 as described below. The enclosure 27 is typically water cooled. At this time, a water-cooled apron 28 that normally hangs downwardly from a pivot 29 to one side in the enclosure 27 is swung into position to guide the clean end of the cast strip 21 onto the guide table 30 and feeds it to the pinch roll stand 31. The apron 28 is then retracted back to its hanging position to allow the cast strip 21 to hang in a loop beneath the casting rolls in enclosure 27 before it passes to the guide table 30 where it engages a succession of guide rollers.

An overflow container 38 may be provided beneath the movable tundish 14 to receive molten material that may spill from the tundish. As shown in FIG. 1, the overflow container 38 may be movable on rails 39 or another guide such that the overflow container 38 may be placed beneath the movable tundish 14 as desired in casting locations. Additionally, an overflow container (not shown) may be provided for the distributor 16 adjacent the distributor 16.

The sealed enclosure 27 is formed by a number of separate wall sections that fit together at various seal connections to form a continuous enclosure wall that permits control of the atmosphere within the enclosure. Additionally, the scrap receptacle 26 may be capable of attaching with the enclosure 27 so that the enclosure is capable of supporting a protective atmosphere immediately beneath the casting rolls 12 in the casting position. The enclosure 27 includes an opening in the lower portion of the enclosure, lower enclosure portion 44, providing an outlet for scrap to pass from the enclosure 27 into the scrap receptacle 26 in the scrap receiving position. The lower enclosure portion 44 may extend downwardly as a part of the enclosure 27, the opening being positioned above the scrap receptacle 26 in the scrap receiving position. As used in the specification and claims herein, “seal,” “sealed,” “sealing,” and “sealingly” in reference to the scrap receptacle 26, enclosure 27, and related features may not be a complete seal so as to prevent leakage, but rather is usually less than a perfect seal as appropriate to allow control and support of the atmosphere within the enclosure as desired with some tolerable leakage.

A rim portion 45 may surround the opening of the lower enclosure portion 44 and may be movably positioned above the scrap receptacle, capable of sealingly engaging and/or attaching to the scrap receptacle 26 in the scrap receiving position. The rim portion 45 may be movable between a sealing position in which the rim portion engages the scrap receptacle, and a clearance position in which the rim portion 45 is disengaged from the scrap receptacle. Alternately, the caster or the scrap receptacle may include a lifting mechanism to raise the scrap receptacle into sealing engagement with the rim portion 45 of the enclosure, and then lower the scrap receptacle into the clearance position. When sealed, the enclosure 27 and scrap receptacle 26 are filled with a desired gas, such as nitrogen, to reduce the amount of oxygen in the enclosure and provide a protective atmosphere for the cast strip.

The enclosure 27 may include an upper collar portion supporting a protective atmosphere immediately beneath the casting rolls in the casting position. When the casting rolls 12 are in the casting position, the upper collar portion 27A is moved to the extended position closing the space between a housing portion adjacent the casting rolls 12, as shown in FIG. 2, and the enclosure 27. The upper collar portion may be provided within or adjacent the enclosure 27 and adjacent the casting rolls, and may be moved by a plurality of actuators (not shown) such as servo-mechanisms, hydraulic mechanisms, pneumatic mechanisms, and rotating actuators.

There is shown in FIG. 4 a pair of delivery nozzles 17 formed as substantially identical segments made of a refractory material such as zirconia graphite, alumina graphite or any other suitable material. It must be understood that more than two delivery nozzles 17 may be used in any different sizes and shapes if desired. The delivery nozzles 17 need not be substantially identical in size and shape, although generally such is desirable to facilitate fabrication and installation. Two delivery nozzles 17 may be provided, each capable of moving independently of the other above the casting rolls 12.

Each delivery nozzle 17 may be formed in one piece or multiple pieces. As shown, each nozzle 17 includes an end wall 23 positioned nearest a confining side dam 20 as explained below. Each end wall 23 may be configured to achieve a particular desired molten metal flow in the triple point region between the casting rolls 12 and the respective side dam 20.

The side dams 20 may be made from a refractory material such as zirconia graphite, graphite alumina, boron nitride, boron nitride-zirconia, or other suitable composites. The side dams 20 have a face surface capable of physical contact with the casting rolls and molten metal in the casting pool.

A pair of carriage assemblies, generally indicated at 104, are provided to position the side dams 20 and the delivery nozzles 17. As illustrated, the twin roll caster is generally symmetrical, although such is not required. Referring to FIGS. 5-7, one carriage assembly 104 is illustrated and described below, with the other carriage assembly 104 being generally similar. It is understood that the twin roll caster may utilize any number of carriage assemblies 104 configured in any suitable manner to provide a flow of molten metal to the casting pool 19. Each carriage assembly 104 is disposed at one end of the pair of casting rolls 12. Each carriage assembly 104 may be mounted fixed relative to the machine frame 10, or may be moveable toward and away from the casting rolls 12 to enable the spacing between the carriage assembly 104 and the casting rolls 12 to be adjusted. The carriage assemblies 104 may be preset in final position before a casting campaign to suit the width of the casting rolls 12 for the strip to be cast, or the position of the carriage assembly 104 may be adjusted as desired during a casting campaign. The carriages 104 may be positioned one at each end of the roll assembly and moveable toward and away from one another to enable the spacing between them to be adjusted. The carriages can be preset before a casting operation according to the width of the casting rolls and to allow quick roll changes for differing strip widths. The carriages 104 may be positioned so as to extend above the casting rolls with the nozzles 17 positioned beneath the distributor 16 in the casting position and at a central position to receive the molten metal.

For example, the carriage assembly 104 may be positioned from tracks (not shown) on the machine frame 10, which may be mounted by clamps or any other suitable mechanism. Alternatively, the carriage assembly 104 may be supported by its own support structure relative to the casting rolls 12.

The carriage assembly 104 includes a support frame 125. A nozzle bridge 108 is moveably connected to the support frame 125 and engages the delivery nozzles 17 for selective movement thereof. A nozzle actuator 110 is mounted to the support frame 125 and connected to the nozzle bridge 108 for moving the nozzle bridge 108 and in turn moving the delivery nozzles 17 to position the end wall 23 relative to the side dam 20. The nozzle actuator 110 is thus capable of positioning the delivery nozzles 17. The nozzle actuator 110 is a conventional servo mechanism. It must be understood, however, that the nozzle actuator 110 may be any drive mechanism suitable to move and adjust delivery nozzles 17. For example, the nozzle actuator 110 may be a screw jack drive operated by an electric motor, a hydraulic mechanism, a pneumatic mechanism, a gear mechanisms, a cog, a drive chain mechanism, a pulley and cable mechanism, a drive screw mechanism, a jack actuator, a rack and pinion mechanism, an electro-mechanical actuator, an electric motor, a linear actuator, a rotating actuator, or any other suitable device.

As shown in FIGS. 2-3, cleaning brushes 36 are disposed adjacent the pair of casting rolls 12, such that the periphery of the cleaning brushes 36 may be brought into contact with the casting surfaces 12A of the casting rolls 12 to clean oxides from the casting surfaces during casting. The cleaning brushes 36 are positioned at opposite sides of the casting area adjacent the casting rolls 12, between the nip 18 and the casting area where the casting rolls enter the protective atmosphere in contact with the molten metal casting pool 19.

The side dams 20 may be mounted on and actuated by plate holders 100 positioned one at each end of the roll assembly and moveable toward and away from one another. The plate holders 100 and side dams 20 may be positioned on a core nozzle plate 106 mounted on the roll cassette 11 so as to extend horizontally above the casting rolls, as shown in FIG. 3. The core nozzle plate 106 is positioned beneath the distributor 16 in the casting position and has a central opening 107 to receive the metal delivery nozzle 17. The metal delivery nozzle 17 may be provided in two or more segments, and at least a portion of each metal delivery nozzle 17 segment may be supported by the core nozzle plate 106. The outer end of each metal delivery nozzle 17 is supported by a bridge portion (not shown) positioned adjacent the side dams 20 and capable of supporting and moving the delivery nozzle 17 during casting.

A nozzle position sensor 113 senses the position of the delivery nozzles 17. The nozzle position sensor 113 is a linear displacement sensor to measure the change in position of the nozzle bridge 108 relative to the support frame 125. The nozzle position sensor 113 may be any sensor suitable to indicate any parameter representative of a position of the delivery nozzles 17. For example, the nozzle position sensor 113 may be a linear variable displacement transformer to respond to the extension of the nozzle actuator 110 to provide signals indicative of movement of the delivery nozzles 17, or an optical imaging device for tracking the position of the delivery nozzles 17 or any other suitable device for determining the location of the delivery nozzles 17.

The side dam 20 is mounted to a plate holder 100 which is moveably connected to the support frame 125 and engages the side dam 20 for selective movement thereof. A side dam actuator 102 is mounted to the support frame 125 and connected to the plate holder 100 for moving the plate holder 100 and thus moving each side dam 20 to position the side dam 20 relative to the casting rolls 12. The side dam actuator 102 is thus capable of positioning the side dam 20, and may be capable of cyclically varying the axial force of the side dams as described below. The side dam actuator 102 is a hydraulic force cylinder. It must be understood, however, that the side dam actuator 102 may be any suitable drive mechanism to position the plate holder 100 to bring the side dam 20 into engagement with the casting rolls 12 to confine the casting pool 19 formed on the casting surfaces 12A during a casting operation. Such a suitable drive mechanism, for example, may be a servo mechanism, a screw jack drive operated by electric motor, a pneumatic mechanism, a gear mechanisms, a cog, a drive chain mechanism, a pulley and cable mechanism, a drive screw mechanism, a jack actuator, a rack and pinion mechanism, an electro-mechanical actuator, an electric motor, a linear actuator, a rotating actuator, or any other suitable device. Thus, the side dams 20 are mounted in side dam plate holders 100, which are movable by side dam actuators 102, such as a servo mechanism, to bring the side dams 20 into engagement with the ends of the casting rolls. Additionally, the side dam actuators 102 are capable of positioning the side dams 20 during casting. The side dams 20 thus form end closures for the molten pool of metal on the casting rolls during the casting operation.

A side dam position sensor 112 senses the position of the side dam 20. The side dam position sensor 112 is a linear displacement sensor to measure the actual change in position of the plate holder 100 relative to the support frame 125. The side dam position sensor 112 may be any sensor suitable to indicate any parameter representative of a position of the side dam 20. For example, the side dam position sensor 112 may be a linear variable displacement transducer to respond to the extension of the side dam actuator 102 to provide signals indicative of position of the side dam 20, or an optical imaging device for tracking the position of the side dam 20 or any other suitable device for determining the location of the side dam 20. The side dam position sensor 112 may also or alternatively include a force sensor, or load cell for determining the force urging the side dam 20 against the casting rolls 12 and providing electrical signals indicative of the force urging the side dam against the casting rolls.

Illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the side dam actuator 102 includes a cylinder 124 and shaft 126 for converting pressure into a linear force. The shaft 126 is connected to a water cooling assembly 128 that provides cooling to the side dam assembly. The water cooling assembly 128 is joined to the plate holder 100 by a swivel joint 130. As discussed above, the side dam 20 is mounted to the plate holder 100 of the side dam system. Indicated in FIG. 7, each side dam actuator 102 is provided at an angle relative to the casting rolls 12 so that each side dam actuator provides with a downward force component to the side dams 20 relative to casting rolls 12 and inwards towards the casting pool 19.

During a casting campaign, the end portions of casting rolls 12 rub against the side dams 20 and cause a step-down to form in the side dams 20. In the past, this step-down in turn has caused a gap to form intermittently between the side dam 20 and casting roll 12 into which molten metal from the casting pool 19 may be deposited, resulting in skull formation in the gap that can result in snake eggs being formed in the cast product. However, in the present system, the side dam actuator 102 providing an angular force to the side dams 20 with a downward component relative to the casting rolls 12, the side dams 20 will be shifted downward relative to the casting rolls 12 preventing a gap and in turn skulls from forming between a side dams 20 and a casting roll 12, and preventing snake egg formation in the thin metal strip.

A component of the angular hold down side dam actuator 102 may be the presence of a swivel joint 130 that transmits force from the side dam actuator 102 to the plate holder 100. This allows the side dam 20 to be urged towards the casting pool 19 and towards the casting rolls 12 without twisting or bending.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the angular hold down side dam actuator 102 is provided at a 6° angle. However, the angular hold down side dam actuator may be provided at between 0.5° and 20°, depending on available space and optimal working conditions. More specifically, the hold down side dam actuator may be provided at an angle between 0.5° and 10° or between 0.5° and 5°.

While the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated with regard to particular embodiments, it must be understood, however, that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

STRIP CASTING APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED SIDE DAM FORCE CONTROL

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