PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS CASTING WITH DETECTION OF POSSIBILITY OF BREAK OUT

Abstract: A continuous casting process introduces factor of temperature variation speed for detecting break out in a cast metal. Introduction of temperature variation speed as parameter representative of the cast metal condition is successful for avoiding the influence of variation of the casting condition, fluctuation of the powder to be introduced between the casting mold wall and the cast metal, casting speed and so forth. For achieving accurate detection of break out of the cast metal by introducing the temperature variation factor, casting mold wall temperatures are measured at various measuring points which are circumferentially aligned. Temperature variation speed at each measuring point and average temperature variation speed of all measuring points are derived and compared for making judgement of possible break out when the difference of the temperature variation speed at each measuring points and average temperature variation speed becomes greater than a predetermined value.

Description: The invention relates to a method for detecting the possibility of break out in continuous casting of molten metal according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a system detecting a break out according to the preable of claim 6. Description of the Background Art Conventionally, various approaches have been taken for detecting the possibility of the break out of cast metal during the continuous casting process. In general, the conventionally proposed method for the detection of break out of the cast metal uses temperature variation of the casting mold as the parameter for detecting break out. For example, Japanese Patent First (unexamined) Publication (Tokkai) Showa 57-115961 discloses a method using the temperature of a continuous casting mold at temperature measuring points which are mutually different from each other in the drawing direction. The measured temperatures are compared with each other for detecting a temperature variation which is indicative of the possibility of break out of the cast metal. On the other hand, Japanese Patent second (examined) Publication (Tokko) Showa 56-7783 discloses a method of detecting the possibility of break out by detecting temperature differences in the copper walls of the casting mold. Furthermore, Japanese Patent First Publication (Tokkai) Showa 57-152356 discloses the employment of a thermometric couple disposed in the wall of the casting mold. In the method of Tokkai Showa 57-152356, possible break out is detected when the measured temperature once rises above an average temperature and subsequently drops below the average temperature. Such conventional methods of detection of break out were not complete and satisfactory due to the following defects. Namely, the temperature of the casting mold varies depending upon the casting speed. It rises with an increase in casting speed and lowers with a decrease in casting speed. Therefore, there is the possibility of mis-detection of break out of the cast metal when the casting speed fluctuates. In addition, the detection of break out of the cast metal can be inaccurate when there is unevenness in the powder introduced between the casting mold wall and the cast metal or when an air gap occurs. In order to avoid the defects in the aforementioned prior art, there have been some proposals for improving the detection of possible break out of the cast metal. For example, Japanese Patent First Publication (Tokkai) Showa 60-44163 discloses a method of detecting break out, in which casting mold wall temperatures are measured at least at two measuring points. It is then judged that break out is possible when the measured temperatures at two measuring points tend to be higher in relation to a normal temperature level for a given period of time. On the other hand, Japanese Patent First Publication (Tokkai) Showa 61-289954 utilizes a plurality of set reference temperatures to be compared with the measured temperature data for detecting the break out. Japanese Patent First Publication (Tokkai) Showa 61-226154 utilizes preset data showing the relationship between the wall temperature of the casting mold and the casting speed. Utilizing the preset data, it is possible to avoid influences caused by variation of the casting speed. Then, the temperature data at a selected measuring point is compared with that obtained from the remaining measuring points. In this Tokkai Showa 61-226154, it is judged that break out is possible when the relative temperature between the selected measuring point and the remainder becomes greater than an upper limit or smaller than a lower limit. In the case of the technique described in Tokkai Showa 60-44163, break out cannot be detected when the casting speed is continuously varying or the meniscus is fluctuating. On the other hand, in the case of Tokkai Showa 61-289954, there is an increased possibility of mis-detection unless the set reference temperatures are adapted to the casting conditions. Therefore, in such a case, the set reference temperatures have to be differentiated depending upon the casting conditions. In the case of Tokkai Showa 61-226154, since it requires precise measurement of parameters adapted to the positions of the temperature measurement and the casting conditions, setting has to be adjusted every time the temperature measuring points are differentiated or the casting conditions are changed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a process of continuous casting including the detection of possible break out of the cast metal which can avoid the influence of variation of the meniscus position and/or the casting conditions. Another object of the present invention is to provide a casting mold wall temperature measuring device which is useful for implementing break out detection according to the present invention. In order to accomplish the aforementioned and other objects, a continuous casting process, according to the present invention, introduces the factor of temperature variation speed for detecting break out in the cast metal. The introduction of temperature variation speed as a parameter representative of the cast metal condition successfully avoids the influences of variation of the casting conditions, fluctuation of the film thickness of the powder introduced between the casting mold wall and the cast metal, casting speed, cast metal thickness of mold wall and so forth. In order to achieve accurate detection of break out of the cast metal by introducing the temperature variation factor, the casting mold wall temperature is measured at various measuring points which are circumferentially aligned. Preferably the measuring points are arranged in alignment on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said casting mold. The temperature variation speed at each measuring point and the average temperature variation speed of all measuring points are derived and compared for making a judgement of the possibility of break out when the difference between the temperature variation speed at a measuring point and the average temperature variation speed becomes greater than a predetermined value. Accordingly a first aspect of the present invention provides a method for detecting the possibility of break out in continuous casting of molten metal on the basis of temperatures measured by means of a plurality of temperature measuring devices characterised in that said plurality of temperature measuring devices is arranged at temperature measuring points oriented in circumferential alignment with a given interval on a wall of a continuous casting mold for measuring the temperature of said wall at respective temperature measuring points; the variation speed of the temperature at the respective temperature measuring points is derived, an average temperature variation speed is derived based on the temperature variation speed at the respective temperature measuring points; the difference between the temperature variation speed at each temperature measuring point and said average temperature variation speed is derived; the derived difference is compared with a predetermined threshold for detecting abnormal temperature variation of each temperature measuring point; and the sequential distribution and propagation of abnormal temperature measuring points is monitored to detect a predetermined pattern of sequential distribution and propagation of the abnormal temperature measuring points giving rise to the possibility of break out. According to a second aspect of the invention, a process of continuous casting comprises the steps of: casting molten metal to one end of a continuous casting mold at a given controlled casting speed; drawing solidifying cast block from the other end of the continuous casting mold at a given drawing speed; detecting the possibility of break out by the method of the first aspect of the invention, and controlling the casting speed to prevent break out. The predetermined pattern of sequential distribution and propagation of the abnormality includes transferring of abnormality to adjacent temperature measuring points at both sides. The temperature measuring points are preferably arranged in alignment on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the continuous casting mold. It is preferred for the temperature measuring points to be oriented downstream of the meniscus. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for detecting a break out in the continuous casting of molten metal comprising a plurality of temperature measuring devices and arithmetic means for detecting the possibility of break out characterised in that said plurality of temperature measuring devices is arranged in circumferential alignment with a given interval on a wall of a continuous casting mold for measuring the temperature of said wall at respective temperature measuring points and producing casting wall temperature indicative signals representative of the measured temperature at the respective temperature measuring points; and said arithmetic means comprises first means for deriving the variation speed of the temperature at respective temperature measuring points; second means for deriving an average temperature variation speed based on the temperature variation speed of the respective temperature measuring points; and third means for deriving the difference between the temperature variation speed at each temperature measuring point and said average temperature variation speed; said third means comparing the derived difference with a predetermined threshold for detecting abnormal temperature variation of each temperature measuring point, and monitoring the sequential distribution and propagation of abnormal temperature measuring points to detect a predetermined pattern of sequential distribution and propagation of the abnormal temperature measuring points giving rise to the possibility of break out. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for continuous casting molten metal comprising a means of casting molten metal to one end of a continuous casting mold at a given controlled casting speed, a means of drawing solidifying cast block from the other end of a continuous casting mold at a given drawing speed, a system for detecting break out in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention, and means for controlling the casting speed to prevent break out. In a preferred construction, the temperature measuring device comprises a hollow cylindrical mounting bolt which is threaded to said wall of said continuous casting mold, said mounting bolt defining an axially extending opening; a hollow housing disposed within said axially extending opening, said hollow housing including first and second mutually separated cylindrical components, said first cylindrical component being arranged close to said wall of the casting mold and said second cylindrical component being arranged remote from said wall; a resilient member disposed between said first and second components of said cylindrical housing and designed to push said first component toward said wall; a seal member carried by the end of said first cylindrical component and mating with the wall surface for establishing a liquid tight seal; and a temperature sensing element disposed within said housing and contacting with said wall surface for monitoring the temperature of said wall of the casting mold. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. 1 is an explanatory section of a continuous casting mold containing cast metal and showing the layout of a plurality of temperature measuring devices in circumferential alignment in accordance with the invention, Figs. 2(A), 2(B) and 2(C) are charts respectively showing variation of molten metal surface level ML, casting speed Vc, casting mold wall temperature and relative temperature variation speed, and Fig. 3 is a section through a preferred embodiment of a temperature measuring device in accordance with the invention which is applicable for measuring the temperature of the casting mold wall during continuous casting. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1, during a continuous casting process according to the present invention, the temperature of the casting mold wall 10 is measured at a plurality of temperature measuring points i, i+1, i+2, i+3, i-1 and i-2. The temperature measuring points i, i+1, i+2, i+3, i-1 and i-2 are oriented at positions downstream of meniscus line M and are arranged in circumferential alignment. The temperature measuring points i, i+1, i+2, i+3, i-1 and i-2 are thus circumferentially arranged at a given interval. It will be understood that, although the embodiment shown includes one group of temperature measuring points i, i+1, i+2, i+3, i-1 and i-2 circumferentially aligned, two or more groups of temperature measuring points may be used if desired. For each temperature measuring point i, i+1, i+2, i+3, i-1 and i-2, there is provided a temperature measuring device 20 as shown in Fig. 3. The temperature measuring devices 20 are inserted into the casting mold wall of the casting mold 10 for measuring the temperature. Each temperature measuring device is designed to monitor the temperature of the wall of the casting mold at the associated temperature measuring point and produce a temperature indicative signal. The detailed construction of the temperature measuring devices 20 will be discussed later. The temperature measuring devices 20 are connected to an arithmetic circuit 40 which includes a temperature variation speed derivation stage 41, an average temperature variation speed derivation stage 42 and a discriminator stage 43. The temperature indicative signals from the respective temperature measuring devices 20 are at first processed by the temperature variation speed derivation stage 41 to derive the temperature variation speed at the respective temperature measuring points. An average temperature variation speed is then derived on the basis of the temperature variation speeds at all of the temperature measuring points in the average temperature variation speed derivation stage 42. Then, in the discriminator stage 43 the temperature variation speed of each temperature measuring point is compared with the average temperature variation speed to derive a difference. In the discriminator stage 43, the difference is also compared with a value representing a predetermined abnormal temperature variation to assess whether the temperature variation speed of the temperature measuring point is within a normal range or an abnormal range. In the discriminating stage 43, the sequential distribution and propagation of the temperature measuring points where there is abnormal temperature variation is checked and compared with a predetermined pattern which is experimentally preset in view of the past experience of break out. The discriminator stage 43 outputs a discriminator signal to a speed controller 50 for controlling casting speed so as to prevent the cast block from breaking out. The process performed by the aforementioned arithmetic circuit will be discussed in detail herebelow. Based on the measured temperature, the temperature variation speed ϑ ˙ i is derived with respect to each temperature measuring point i, i+1, i+2, i+3, i-1 and i-2. The temperature variation speed ϑ ˙ i can be derived from the following equation: ϑ i = (ϑ i - ϑ' i )/Δt (1) where ϑ i is instantaneous temperature ϑ' i is the temperature at Δt before and Δt is a period of time. On the other hand, the average temperature variation speed ϑ ˙ av of all of the measuring points (i = 1 to N) can be derived according to the following equation: where N is the number of temperature measuring points. From the temperature variation speed ϑ ˙ i at each temperature measuring point i, i+1, i+2, i+3, i-1 and i-2, and the average temperature variation, speed ϑ ˙ av , the relative temperature variation speed ϑ ˙ r / i can be calculated by the following equation: ϑ ˙ r / i = ϑ ˙ i - ϑ ˙ av (3) When the temperature variation at respective temperature measuring points is caused by a factor other than break out, the gradient of the temperature variation speed becomes substantially equal at the respective temperature measuring points. Therefore, in such a case, the temperature variation speed can be illustrated by: ϑ ˙ i = ϑ ˙ av ϑ ˙ r / i = 0°C/S As long as the condition set forth above is satisfied, it can be assumed that the temperature variation is caused by a factor other than the break out of the cast metal. Hereafter there will be discussed a practical process for the detection of break out utilizing the temperature variation speed ϑ ˙ i at respective temperature measuring points and the average temperature variation speed ϑ ˙ av . Here, it is assumed that break out occurs at a point A on the meniscus M between the temperature measuring points i and i+1 or, in the alternative, adjacent the temperature measuring point i. By continuing casting, the, relative temperature variation speeds ϑ ˙ r / i and ϑ ˙ r / i +1 at the temperature measuring points i and i+1 are simultaneously increased. Or, in the alternative, the relative temperature variation speed ϑ ˙ r / i at the temperature measuring point i is at first increased and subsequently, the relative temperature variation speed ϑ ˙ r / i +1 is increased. By further continuing casting, the relative temperature variation speeds ϑ ˙ r / i -1 and ϑ ˙ r / i +2 at the temperature measuring points i-1 and i+2 are simultaneously increased. Or, in the alternative, the relative temperature variation speed ϑ ˙ r / i -1 at the temperature measuring point i-1 is increased and subsequently, the relative temperature variation speed ϑ ˙ r / i +2 is increased. As will be appreciated herefrom, when break out occurs in the cast block, the relative temperature variation speed increases in order. It may also be appreciated from the above discussion that, when break out occurs, variation of the relative temperature variation speed occurs simultaneously or alternatively at both sides of the point at which the break out occurs, in order. On the contrary, when a thermometric couple at one temperature measuring point is damaged, variation of the relative temperature variation speed occurs at respective temperature measuring points in order in one direction. For instance, assuming a thermometric couple at the temperature measuring point i-1 is damaged, variation of the relative temperature variation speed occurs in the order of i - (i+1) - (i+2) ... Therefore, this type of variation of the relative temperature variation speed can be distinguished from that occurring upon break out. The variation of the temperature variation speed occurring as set forth above was found to be a typical phenomena occurring immediately before the occurrence of actual break out and was found by the analysis of temperature variation data in several tens of examples. As will be appreciated herefrom, accurate detection of possible break out becomes possible, according to the present invention, by detecting abnormal temperature variations at each temperature measuring point and the propagation characteristics of the abnormality to adjacent temperature measuring points. Since the manner of detection of the possible occurrence of break out of the cast metal is made based on the qualitative analysis of temperature variations occurring at respective temperature measuring points, the method of detection of possible break out is applicable without requiring substantial change of the setting of the parameters. Here, the maximum abnormality propagation period (T) can be arithmetically obtained from the following equation: T = (w x tan β)/(α x V c ) (5) where w is the distance between adjacent temperature measuring points V c is the casting speed β is the breaking angle of the solidifying shell and α is a constant (0.5 to 1.0) On the other hand, the number of abnormality detecting temperature measuring points required to make a judgement as to the possibility of break out can be determined in relation to the distance Lp from the leading end of the break line to the outlet of the casting mold, the casting speed Vc' after detection of possible break out, and the period of time td required for deceleration, in accordance with the following relationship: K s / (Lp-∝Vc x td)/Vc' > d B.O (6) Lp = L - ℓm - (n x w)/2 tan β (7) where K s is the solidifying speed constant (mm.min -0.5 ) of the molten metal in the casting mold Vc is the casting speed (m/min) L is the length of the casting mold (m) d B.O is the experimentally obtained minimum thickness (mm) of the solidifying shell which does not cause break out by bulging immediately below the casting mold ℓm is the distance (m) from the entrance of the casting mold to the temperature measuring points, and n is the number of abnormality detecting temperature measuring points for detecting the break out of cast metal. The number of the abnormality detecting temperature measuring points is preferably a maximum number which can satisfy the relationship of formula (6) set forth above. By utilizing a large number of temperature measuring points for assessing that break out might possibly occur, the chances of mis-detection are reduced. As will be appreciated herefrom, for detecting possible break out, the following parameters are to be set: ϑ ˙ r / cr which is the upper limit value for the temperature variation speed t cr which is a minimum period of time for which ϑ ˙ r / i ≧ ϑ ˙ r / cr β, α, and n, which are constant. In practice, t cr is set for avoiding mis-detection as a result of temporary fluctuation of the molten metal temperature which causes ϑ ˙ r / i ≧ ϑ ˙ r / cr. Therefore, by providing t cr the influence of molten metal temperature fluctuation can be successfully avoided. β and α can be obtained from temperature data upon occurrence of break out. Normally, β is set in a range of 20° to 45° and α is set in a range of 0.5 to 1.0. On the other hand, n can be derived from the aforementioned formula (6) and equation (7). Therefore, in practice two parameters, i.e. ϑ ˙ r / cr and t cr , are required to be set. These two parameters may be set based on the temperature variation pattern experienced in break out. EXAMPLE In order to confirm the performance of the method of detecting break out according to the present invention, experimental casting was performed according to the casting and temperature measuring conditions set out in the following Table I. During experimental casting, the accuracy of the detection of break out was checked. In order to provide a comparison with the results obtained in the method of the invention, comparative experiments for detecting break out were performed using a method according to that disclosed in Tokkai Showa 61-226154, set forth above. The results are shown in the following Table II. Caster Type 1 2 3 Invention A 0.00347 0.00131 0.00202 B 10% 100% 100% C 10% 0% 0% Comparative A 0.0556 0.00409 0.00673 B 25% 32% 30% C 18% 18% 16% In Table II above, A indicates the occurrence of alarms per heat, B is the rate of occurrence of break out marks on the surface of the cast block in the casting mold upon the occurrence of the alarm (break out mark occurrence )/A(total number of alarm occurrences ) x 100), and C is the number of occurrences of overlooking break out ((overlooking occurrence )/(B + overlooking occurrence) x 100). Figs. 2(A), 2(B) and 2(C) are charts showing the variation of the molten metal surface level ML, casting speed Vc, casting mold wall temperature and relative temperature variation speed during an experiment in which the possibility of break out is detected. As will be appreciated herefrom, the temperature variation speed is maintained essentially unchanged even when the casting speed Vc and the molten metal surface level ML fluctuate to significant levels. In the process shown in Figs. 2(A), 2(B) and 2(C), the casting speed was decelerated at the timing shown by the arrow in response to an alarm indicating the possibility of break out. Observation of the corresponding portion of the cast block, showed that marking had appeared indicating the development of sticking type break out. From this, it was clearly proven that the method of detection of break out according to the present invention worked very effectively. Fig. 3 shows the preferred construction of a temperature measuring device which is useful for implementing the preferred process of detection of possible break out. In the shown construction, the casting mold copper wall 10 is formed with a plurality of grooves 11 defining a cooling water path. A cooling water box 12 has a planar section mating with the back surface of the copper wall 10 of the casting mold to support the copper wall. The cooling water box 12 and the copper wall 10 are rigidly connected to each other by means of a fixing bolt 13. The fixing bolt 13 is formed with an axially extending through opening 13a. The temperature measuring device 20 has an inner cylindrical housing 24 extending through the opening 13a. The inner cylindrical housing 24 is slidably disposed within the opening 13a and has an end section carrying water seals 24a and 24b. The rear end of the inner cylindrical housing 24 contacts with one end of coil spring 25 which pushes the cylindrical housing 24 toward the copper wall 10 to establish a liquid tight seal by depressing the water seal 24a. The other end of the coil spring 25 is contacted by an outer cylindrical housing 26. The outer cylindrical housing 26 has a threaded section 26a which engages with a female thread formed on the inner periphery of the opening 13a. Therefore, the outer cylindrical housing 26 is thus threaded to the opening 13a. The inner end of the inner cylindrical housing 24 carries a holder 27 via the water seal 24b. The holder 27 is axially pushed by a coil spring 28. A thermometric couple introducing tube 29 extends through axially extending openings in the cylindrical housings 24 and 26. The thermometric couple introducing tube 29 contacts with the coil 28 at the inner end thereof. The thermometric couple introducing tube 29 is formed with a threaded portion 29a. The threaded portion 29a engages with a female thread formed on the inner periphery of the outer cylindrical housing 26. Therefore, the thermometric couple introducing tube 29 is fixed to the outer cylindrical housing 26. Through the center opening of the thermometric couple introducing tube 29, a thermometric couple 30 extends and its inner end contacts the copper wall 10. The front end portion of the thermometric couple 30 is gripped by the holder 27. Since the holder 27 is pushed toward the copper wall 10, by means of the coil spring 28, the inner end of the thermometric couple 30 is resiliently pushed onto the copper wall 10 to assure contact therebetween. The pushing force of the coil spring 28 is regulated by a stopper member 31 which is fixed onto the outer end portion of the outer cylindrical housing 26 and restricts axial movement of the thermometric couple introducing tube 29 toward the copper wall. Sealing packing 14 is disposed between the outer end portion of the fixing bolt 13 and the inner periphery of the cooling water box 12 for establishing a tight seal and fixing the fixing bolt. With the construction set forth above, cooling water leaking from the groove 11 of the copper wall 10 via paths 32 and 33 is prevented from flowing into the inside of the fixing bolt 13 by the water seal 24a. Also leaking water flowing through paths 32, 33, 34 and 35 is stopped by the water seal 24b. Therefore, the thermometric couple is free from the influence of leaked water. The water tight seal established by the water seals 24a and 24b can be maintained even upon the occurrence of thermal distortion of the copper wall 10 because the inner cylindrical housing 24 is resiliently pushed by means of the coil spring 25 to constantly maintain the water tight seal provided by the water seals 24a and 24b. On the other hand, as the inner end of the thermometric couple 30 held by the holder 27 is constantly pushed toward the copper wall 10 by the coil spring 28, contact between the thermometric couple 30 and the copper wall 10 can be constantly maintained to assure the measurement of the temperature of the copper wall. In the preferred construction, the water seals 24a and 24b are O-rings made of Fluon or a metal such as copper or aluminium. In the shown construction, since the thermometric couple 30 extends from the inner end of the holder 27 for a length of 1 mm to 3 mm, buckling is unlikely to occur even when a substantially small diameter thermometric couple, such as one having a diameter of 1 mm to 2 mm, is used. As is well known, the smaller the diameter of the thermometric couple, the higher its sensitivity to temperature. Therefore, the temperature measuring device 20 shown is satisfactorily sensitive to the copper wall temperature. In addition, in the shown construction, the inner cylindrical housing 24 carrying the water seals 24a and 24b will not rotate when fastening the outer cylindrical housing 26 because it is separated from the outer cylindrical housing 26 via the coil spring 25. Furthermore, the presence of the coil spring 28 absorbs the rotational torque exerted on the thermometric couple introducing tube 29 when the latter is fixed to the outer cylindrical housing 26. By virtue of this construction, the water seals 24a and 24b are unlikely to be damaged upon assembling. EXAMPLE Experimentally, a temperature measuring device as shown in Fig. 3 was assembled according to the following specification: Fixing bolt 13 outer diameter: 18 mm length : 470 mm nominal diameter: M18 opening (inner diameter): 10 mm material : SUS 630 Inner cylindrical housing 24 external diameter: 9.0 mm inner diameter: 5.5 mm length: 400 mm material: SUS 304 Coil spring 25 external diameter: 9.0 mm inner diameter: 5.5 mm spring constant: 4 kgf/mm material: SUS 304 section: square Outer cylindrical housing 26 external diameter: 9.0 mm inner diameter: 5.5 mm length : 27 mm material: SUS 304 Holder 27 material : copper Thermometric couple 30 external diameter 1.0 mm being silver brazed and extended therefrom for a length of 3 mm Coil spring 28 external diameter: 5.0 mm inner diameter: 3.5 mm spring coefficient: 1 kgf/mm material: SUS 304 Thermometric couple introducing tube 29 external diameter: 5.0 mm inner diameter: 3.5 mm length: 440 mm material: SUS 304 Utilizing the above-specified temperature measuring device, experimental measurement of the copper wall temperature was performed. In the experiment, Fluon O-rings were used as the water seals 24a and 24b, which O-rings had resistative temperatures of 260°C and 200°C respectively. The coil springs 25 and 28 were pre-loaded at 11 kg and 5 kg, respectively. The pressure of the cooling water passing through the cooling water path 11 was set at 8 kgf/cm². During the experimental measurement, leakage of cooling water was observed. Despite this cooling water leakage, the measured temperature was stably maintained within a range of 150°C to 350°C. After experimental casting for 500 heats, the temperature measuring device 20 was removed from the fixing bolt 13. On observation of the temperature measuring device 20, a carbonised portion was found on the water seal 24a at the portion mating with the copper wall 10. However, no leakage of cooling water through the water seal was observed. The shown type of temperature measuring device is advantageously used in implementation of the preferred method of detection of possible break out since it does not require disassembling of the casting mold for installation. If the copper wall had to be disassembled for installation of the temperature measuring device, this would result in the copper wall being released from stress caused by distortion. Thus difficulty may occur in re-assembling the casting mold. Furthermore, since the shown embodiment of the temperature measuring device can establish a complete water seal, stable measurement of the copper wall temperature can be performed. In addition, since a thin thermometric couple can be employed in the temperature measuring device, satisfactorily high sensitivity is facilitated. Furthermore, since the shown temperature measuring device is substantially compact and thus can be housed within the fixing bolt, flexibility of installation can be conveniently established. While the present invention has been disclosed in terms of the preferred embodiment in order to facilitate better understanding of the invention, it should be appreciated that the invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the principle of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all possible embodiments and modifications to the shown embodiments without departing from the principle of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims: A method for detecting the possibility of break out in continuous casting of molten metal on the basis of temperatures measured by means of a plurality of temperature measuring devices (20) characterised in that said plurality of temperature measuring devices (20) is arranged at temperature measuring points (i-2, i-1, i, i+1, i+2, i+3) oriented in circumferential alignment with a given interval on a wall of a continuous casting mold for measuring the temperature of said wall at respective temperature measuring points; the variation speed of the temperature at the respective temperature measuring points is derived; an average temperature variation speed is derived based on the temperature variation speed at the respective temperature measuring points; the difference between the temperature variation speed at each temperature measuring point and said average temperature variation speed is derived; the derived difference is compared with a predetermined threshold for detecting abnormal temperature variation of each temperature measuring point; and the sequential distribution and propagation of abnormal temperature measuring points is monitored to detect a predetermined pattern of sequential distribution and propagation of the abnormal temperature measuring points giving rise to the possibility of break out. A method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined pattern of sequential distribution and propagation includes transferring abnormality to adjacent temperature measuring points at both sides. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said temperature measuring points are arranged in alignment on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said continuous casting mold. A method according to claim 3, wherein said temperature measuring points are oriented downstream of the meniscus (M). A process of continuous casting comprising the steps of: casting molten metal to one end of a continuous casting mold (10) at a given controlled casting speed; drawing solidifying cast block from the other end of said continuous casting mold at a given drawing speed; detecting the possibility of break out by the method of any one of claims 1 to 4; and controlling the casting speed to prevent break out. A system for detecting a break out in the continuous casting of molten metal comprising a plurality of temperature measuring devices (20) and arithmetic means (40) for detecting the possibility of break out characterised in that said plurality of temperature measuring devices (20) is arranged in circumferential alignment with a given interval on a wall of a continuous casting mold (10) for measuring the temperature of said wall at respective temperature measuring points (i-2, i-1, i, i+1, i+2, i+3) and producing casting wall temperature indicative signals representative of the measured temperature at the respective temperature measuring points; and said arithmetic means (40) comprises first means (41) for deriving the variation speed of the temperature at respective temperature measuring points; second means (42) for deriving an average temperature variation speed based on the temperature variation speed of the respective temperature measuring points; and third means (43) for deriving the difference between the temperature variation speed at each temperature measuring point and said average temperature variation speed; said third means (43) comparing the derived difference with a predetermined threshold for detecting abnormal temperature variation of each temperature measuring point and monitoring the sequential distribution and propagation of abnormal temperature measuring points to detect a predetermined pattern of sequential distribution and propagation of the abnormal temperature measuring points giving rise to the possibility of break out. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said third means (43) is set so that said predetermined pattern of sequential distribution and propagation of said abnormality which it monitors includes transferring abnormality to adjacent temperature measuring points at both sides. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said temperature measuring points are arranged in alignment on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said continuous casting mold (10). A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said temperature measuring points are oriented downstream of the meniscus (M). An apparatus for continuous casting molten metal comprising a means of casting molten metal to one end of a continuous casting mold (10) at a given controlled casting speed, a means of drawing solidifying cast block from the other end of said continuous casting mold at a given drawing speed, a system for detecting break out as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9, and means for controlling the casting speed to prevent break out. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein each temperature measuring device (20) comprises: a hollow cylindrical mounting bolt (13) which is threaded to said wall of said continuous casting mold (10), said mounting bolt (13) defining an axially extending opening; a hollow housing (24,26) disposed within said axially extending opening, said hollow housing including first and second mutually separated cylindrical components, said first cylindrical component (24) being arranged close to said wall of the casting mold (10) and said second cylindrical component (26) being arranged remote from said wall; a resilient member (25) disposed between said first and second components (24,26) of said cylindrical housing and designed to push said first component (24) toward said wall; a seal member (24a, 24b) carried by the end of said first cylindrical component (24) and mating with the wall surface for establishing a liquid tight seal; and a temperature sensing element (30) disposed within said housing (24,26) and contacting with said wall surface for monitoring the temperature of said wall of the casting mold (10). An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, which further comprises a pushing means (28) for resiliently pushing said temperature sensing element toward said wall surface. A device for monitoring the temperature of a casting mold wall comprising: a temperature sensing element (30) which contacts with said wall surface for monitoring the temperature of said casting mold wall and a hollow cylindrical mounting bolt (13) which is threaded to said casting mold wall and which defines an axially extending opening for receiving the temperature sensing element (30); characterised in that a hollow housing (24,26) is disposed within said axially extending opening, said hollow housing including first and second mutually separated cylindrical components (24,26), which first cylindrical component (24) being arranged close to said casting mold wall and said second cylindrical component (26) being arranged remote from said casting mold wall; a resilient member (25) is disposed between said first and second components (24,26) of said cylindrical housing, said resilient member being designed to push said first component toward said wall; a seal member (24a,24b) is carried by the end of said first cylindrical component (24), said seal member mating with the wall surface for establishing a liquid tight seal; and said temperature sensing element (30) is disposed within said housing (24,26). A device as claimed in claim 13, which further comprises a biasing means (28) for resiliently pushing said temperature sensing element (30) toward said wall surface.

Inventors: BESSHO, NAGAYASU C/O KAWASAKI STEEL CORPORATION, IGUCHI, HIROAKI C/O KAWASAKI STEEL CORPORATION, ITOYAMA, SEIJI C/O KAWASAKI STEEL CORPORATION, TADA, KICHIO C/O KAWASAKI STEEL CORPORATION, TANAKA, SYUJI C/O KAWASAKI STEEL CORPORATION, TERASHIMA, TSUKASA C/O KAWASAKI STEEL CORPORATION, YAMANAKA, HIROMITSU C/O KAWASAKI STEEL CORPORATION, YUNDE, TAKAO C/O KAWASAKI STEEL CORPORATION
Applicants: KAWASAKI STEEL CORPORATION
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B22D11
IPC codes: B22D11