7 Figures are enclosed with the invention, wherein
FIG. 1 shows the backside of a broadside with the groove-like cooling channels formed therein;
FIG. 2 shows the backside of the broadside with the recesses and filler elements for backfilling the recesses according to the invention;
FIG. 3 shows the backside of the broadside with inserted filler elements;
FIG. 4 is a first cross-sectional view through the broadside according to FIG. 3; and along intersectional line IV-IV;
FIG. 5 is a second cross-sectional view through the broadside according to FIG. 3 along intersectional line V-V;
FIG. 6 shows the backside of the broadside with recesses and filler elements for backfilling these recesses formed according to a second embodiment; and
FIG. 7 shows the backside of the broadside according to the second embodiment with inserted filler elements.
In the following, the invention is described according to preferred embodiments and with reference to the aforementioned Figures.
FIG. 1 shows the backside of a broadside 100 of a funnel mold. The size of the funnel opening 108 of the mold is preferably between 5 and 30 mm. In FIG. 1 can be seen, that from the backside R of the broadside 100 groove-like cooling channels 110 in the form of cooling slots have been millcut into the casting plate. In the area of the funnel opening, the cooling channels are tapered toward the upper rim 105 of the funnel mold, because the thickness of the broadside is also reduced in this area. Furthermore, in FIG. 1 bores 120 are apparent on the backside of the broadside 100 which serve to receive fastening bolts for the attachment of a water tank (not shown) on the backside of the broadside 100. The water tank serves for the allocation of the cooling water to pass through the cooling channels 110 in the broadside 100.
The cooling channels 110 of the present invention are designed relatively narrow compared to generally common cooling channels; typically, their width is between 5 and 15 mm. Simultaneously, their depth is, for example, between 10 and 25 mm. As a result of the mentioned diminution, i.e., a change of depth of the cooling slots over their length as well as over the mold width, the flow rate of the cooling water and, thereby, the evacuation of warmth in individual heights and widths of the broadside would differ. The temperature profile of the broadside on its working or pouring side located opposite its backside is furthermore influenced by the wall thickness of the copper in front of the cooling channels 110 toward the working side.
In order to be able to adjust or influence this temperature profile on the working side in a desired manner, it is suggested, in accordance with the invention, to provide on the backside R of the broadside recesses A1, . . . , A5 at appropriate positions which cross the cooling channels diagonally to its longitudinal direction. During operation of the mold and the broadside 100, the recesses are thus at least partially backfilled with the correspondingly dimensioned filler elements 140-1, . . . , -5 according to the volume defined by the recess, whereby the depth of the cooling channels crossed by the recess in the area of this backfilled recess is configured locally in a steplike manner.
FIGS. 2-5 show a first embodiment for the design of a broadside according to the invention, in particular for recesses on its backside and for the corresponding filler elements.
FIG. 2 shows, on the one hand, a backside R of a broadside according to the first embodiment with several corresponding recesses of variable depths and, on the other hand, corresponding filler elements 140-1, . . . -5 for backfilling the recesses A1, . . . , A5.
In the recesses A1, . . . , A5 according to the first embodiment, it is apparent that they are formed symmetrically toward the center of the mold so that a symmetrical heat distribution can be performed transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cooling channels 110. Altogether, the example here shown has five recesses A1, . . . , A5 of variable depths which are arranged immediately adjacent each other. The five different recesses can be distinguished, on the one hand, in the opened backside R of the broadside of FIG. 2; on the other hand, they are also represented in the five different filler elements 140-1, . . . -5 according to the first embodiment, for backfilling the corresponding recesses, as also shown in FIG. 2.
Since the cooling channels in the area of the funnel opening 108 are tapered toward the upper rim 105 of the mold, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and in order to provide an overall constant flow rate of cooling water through the cooling channels in this area, it is necessary that the recesses A1, . . . A5 in the upper area of the broadside 100, where the cooling channels 110 are not very deep, are designed less deep than in the lower part of the broadside, where the cooling channels have a greater cross-section because of their greater depth. The result is a step-like formation of the backside of the broadside, as distinguishable in FIG. 2; thereby, the difference between the depths of two adjacent recesses is, for example, between 0.5 and 4 mm, yet preferably between 1 and 2 mm. By backfilling the recesses A1, . . . , A5 with the appropriately thick filler elements 140-1, . . . , -5, also shown in FIG. 2, the cross-section of the cooling channels 110 can be integratively or progressively adjusted, at least by approximation, over the entire height of the broadside. As can be seen in FIG. 2, in a top view of the backside R of the broadside 100, the filler elements 140-1, . . . , -5 are essentially of rectangular or U-shaped configuration and have each a continuous thickness corresponding to the depth of the recesses A1, . . . , A5 to be covered by them.
As can be seen in FIG. 2, the bores 120 are preserved during elaboration of the recesses and cooling channels on the backside of the broadside 100 by excluding the proximity of these bores 120 from the recess. Thus, fastening bars 130 with contact surfaces 132 and with bores 120 remain. The contact surfaces of all fastening bars are preferably situated in one plain and thus provide a good possibility to fasten the mold plate on the water tank without mechanical tensions. The bores have on their inner side a screw thread for fastening of a mounting bolt, wherein the depth of the screw thread can be up to 5 mm deeper than the depth of the adjacent cooling slots. In general, the depth of the cooling channels 110 can be locally increased in the area of the screw threads in order to equalize the temperature profile on the working side of the broadside 100.
The individual filler elements 140-1, . . . , -5, as shown in FIG. 2, can be connected to a one-piece overall filler element. The individual filler elements or the overall filler element can be configured in one element or in form of a sandwich, i.e., in layers. Preferably, the filler elements 140-1, . . . , -5 are made of a heat-conductive material in the shape of a filler sheet made of copper or a copper alloy. Alternatively, the filler elements can also be produced from a non-magnetic material, preferably from plastics material.
FIG. 3 shows the broadside 100 known from FIG. 2 and the corresponding filler elements 140-1, . . . , -5 in an assembled state. Preferably, the thicknesses of the filler elements 140-1, . . . , -5 are slightly smaller than the depths of the recesses which they are to cover, so that, in an assembled state, the mold plate abuts only in the border area and the fastening bars against the water tank.
FIG. 4 shows a first cross-section along intersectional line IV-IV through the broadside according to FIG. 3. It is apparent, that in the upper area of the broadside, i.e., in the area of the mold opening, cooling channel 110 was left in its original cross-section; in this area, the depth of the cooling channel 110 is not reduced with a filler element. Furthermore, it can be seen, that the progress of the depth of the cooling channel 110 in the broadside 100 in the area of the crossing recesses is locally adjusted in a step-like manner due to the filler elements 140-2, . . . , -4 positioned in this area. With the recesses and the filler elements it is also possible to set a different cross-section of the cooling channel 110 and, by way of the modified flow rate of the passing water, an accordingly modified heat profile on the pouring side A of the casting plate 100. If the recess is configured with an inclined plane and if there exist complementarily configured filler elements, a stepless adjustment of the cooling channel cross-section can be obtained.
FIG. 5 shows a second cross-section along intersectional line V-V through the assembled broadside 100 as shown in FIG. 3. The statements made for FIG. 4 are equally valid for FIG. 5, with the only difference that the cross-section of the cooling channel 110 was also adjusted in the upper area of the broadside 100 with a filler element 140-5, and thus the flow rate of the cooling water was adjusted also in this area.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a second embodiment according to the invention, wherein same technical characteristics are designated with the same reference numerals. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the shape of the filler elements 140-1, 140-2, 140-3 which, according to the second embodiment, unlike in the first embodiment, are not rectangular, but of U-shaped configuration. Because of their modified embodiment, these filler elements in FIGS. 6 and 7 are respectively identified with an apostrophe in their reference numerals. Analogously, the recesses A1′, A2′ and A3′ provided for these filler elements are now also of U-shaped configuration. The fourth filler element 140-4 was already in the first embodiment of U-shaped configuration, and insofar remains unchanged in the second embodiment.
FIG. 6 shows, analogous to FIG. 2, the backside R of the broadside with the recesses A1′, A2′, A3′ and A4 as well as the corresponding filler elements 140-1′, 140-2′, 140-3′ and 140-4 for filling the recesses according to the second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 shows the backside R of the broadside with inserted filler elements according to the second embodiment.
Patent Application
20080073483
