Patent ID: 6325204
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
An apparatus for driving a beam chain along a track in a continuous block caster, the beam chain supporting a cast slab and having at least one variation in beam pitch along a length of the beam chain due to heating of one or more of the supporting beams by the cast slab, comprising:(a) a motor;(b) a worm gear connected to said motor, said worm gear disposed next to said beam chain;(c) device for meshing said beam chain with said worm gear; andwherein said motor is capable of energizing said worm gear such that said worm gear is capable of engaging said device for meshing said beam chain with said worm gear to cause said beam chain to move along a track in a continuous block caster and wherein at least a portion of the worm gear has a thread pitch that is about one theoretical beam pitch plus a correction factor, the correction factor being related to the at least one variation in beam pitch.