Patent ID: 7721785
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: B22D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for producing thin cast strip by continuous casting comprising: a) a pair of casting rolls having a nip therebetween; b) a metal delivery system comprising a first core nozzle and a first tundish for delivering molten metal into a casting pool between the casting rolls above the nip, and first side dams adjacent the ends of the nip to confine said casting pool; c) a casting roll drive capable of counter-rotating the casting rolls to form solidified metal shells on casting surfaces of the casting rolls and to cast solidified thin steel strip through the nip between the casting rolls from said solidified shells; d) a plurality of preheating chambers removed from an operating position for casting, each capable of preheating at least a portion of at least one refractory component selected from the group consisting of a second core nozzle, a second tundish and at least one second side dam to a temperature to avoid thermal shock when contacted by molten steel while casting continues; e) a gate capable of interrupting the flow of molten metal to the casting pool, and capable of resuming flow of molten steel to reform the casting pool; f) a first transfer device capable of removing from an operating position at least portions of at least one component selected from the group consisting of at least a portion of the first core nozzle, the first tundish and at least one of said first side dams desired to be replaced while leaving other components in an operating position; and g) a second transfer device capable of transferring at least portions of at least one preheated refractory component selected from the group consisting of the second core nozzle, the second tundish and said at least one second side dam for replacement from the preheating chamber to the operating position for casting while leaving other components in an operating position.