Casting system with sliding shutdown device to control the flow of molten metal from a casting recipient

Abstract: Sliding shutdown device to control the flow of molten metal from a casting recipient, made up of two refractory plates, one of them fixed (15) and externally joined to the casting recipient and fitted with a hole matching the outlet nozzle of said recipient, and a sliding one (16) fitted with a refractory molten metal conveyance pipe, which sliding plate is fitted on a tilting frame (25) so that it is capable of sliding linearly. The sliding refractory plate (16) and the refractory pipe (5) are composed of two independent parts that are assembled upon a metal plate (11). The stationary (15) and sliding (16) refractory plates feature similar dimensions and structures and are fitted with a peripheral compression collar (2).

Description: This invention refers to a casting system comprising a casting recipient with a nozzle and a sliding shutdown device used to control the flow of melted metal from a casting recipient, applicable to recipients used to cast steel, aluminum, brass, etc. More specifically, the shutdown device object of this invention is of the type that incorporate a stationary refractory plate and a sliding refractory plate; which stationary refractory plate is attached externally to the casting recipient and has a hole that coincides with the outlet nozzle or muzzle of said recipient; and which sliding plate has a refractory pipe to convey the melted metal and is assembled in such a way that it is capable of sliding linearly on a tilting frame articulated to a fixed structured and including elastic pressure elements that act upon the sliding plate. A shutdown device of the above type is described in Spanish patent ES 403,522 A, which further foresees the inclusion of elastic elements to achieve the necessary degree of fastening pressure between the stationary and sliding plates. These elastic elements are assembled on the tilting frame that carries the sliding refractory plate, around the refractory pipe that conveys the melted metal, which requires a specific design, fitting the stationary and sliding refractory plates with external armoring based on a metal reinforcement plate. The refractory pipe that conveys the melted metal is furthermore attached to a sliding refractory plate, constituting a single part. British publication GB 212532 A describes a pressure plate provided with a collar or ring or their engaging means with interior security means, and positioned beneath the sliding plate. The collector nozzle at its upper portion is provided with threads or other engaging means to engage the pressure plate engaging means. Alternatively, an interlock comprising cammed members interior of the ring or collar mate with corresponding means at the upper end of the replaceable collector nozzle when it rotatably engages the interior of the collar or ring. The collector nozzle can then be replaced during temporary shut off by twisting with a typical chain wrench and a new collector nozzle inserted without disturbing the mounted relationship of the remainder of the sliding gate and the top plate interiorly of the valve. In a further embodiment the coupling of the collector nozzle is a thrust-type which does not require rotation. PCT publication WO 94/03295 A describes a sliding valve for a vessel containing molten metal comprising a mounting plate, a frame, a carrier for reciprocation in the frame, a spring plate having a collector nozzle passing through the spring plate, a plurality of inverted beam springs with pressure points extending outwardly from the spring plate, a plurality of cantilever springs offset on the spring plate and therebetween onto the carrier, the sliding plate having continuous curved edges for being secured to a pressure plate and means in the carrier for pressing the beam spring on the spring plate surrounding the teeming orifice. French publication FR 2308448 A describes a device for runner interception, specifically adapted to containers for molten metal, of the type having a notch made, in at least two refractory components, one of which is fixed and the other sliding in contact with the other, permitting alignment in the opening stage and displacement in the closing stage, of a hole, both over the sliding component and the fixed one, the mentioned sliding refractory components having the shape of plates, each one being supported by a metallic chassis and the latter supporting the sliding refractory component, supported by a third fixed metallic chassis, provided with the runners, characterized in that both the first chassis supporting the fixed refractory plate and the assembly integrated by the third chassis, the second chassis and the sliding refractory plate, may swing -each one of them- around an horizontal axis, arranged at one of the ends of the two assemblies. French publication FR 2255126 A describes a sliding shutter for metal casting ladles, specially iron, comprising -maintaining it embedded and non-movable on a steel chassis below a laddle brick- a ceramic header plate, whose tightness is guaranteed by an annular rib embedded in an annular groove, said header being in contact, beneath, with an also ceramic sliding plate, provided with a steel pan and which has a casting nozzle, also of ceramic, said pan being estatically retained on a sliding chassis and being able to slide with respect to the header, preferably by means of a motor drive and being applied against the header by means of shafts with springs, this shutter being characterized in that the sliding plates, similar to the header plate, is housed in a steel chassis, in that the casting nozzle is provided with tightness components cooperating with the sliding plate and housed in a steel ferrule having a wide upper collar, and in that the sliding chassis comprises spring components which are applied both against the lower part of the collar and against the lower part of the steel chassis. The existence of refractory plate reinforcement does not make it possible to achieve a preferentially uniform distribution of pressure between said plates. The casting system according to this invention comprises a casting recipient with a nozzle and a sliding shut down device used to control the flow of melted metal from a casting recipient, made of a stationary refractory plate and a sliding refractory plate; which stationary plate is externally attached to the casting recipient and is fitted with a hole matching the outlet nozzle or muzzle of said recipient; and which sliding plate is fitted with a refractory melted metal conveying pipe and is assembled so that it is capable of linear displacement upon a tilting frame articulated to a fixed base structure and including elastic pressure elements that act upon the sliding plate, the sliding refractory plate and the refractory melted metal conveying pipe being formed by two independent parts capable of being coupled to each other, which are assembled upon a pressure distributing metal plate with a girth matching that of the refractory plate and fitted with a hole for the passage and retention of the refractory pipe; and the stationary and sliding refractory plates feature similar dimensions and structures and are fitted with a peripheral compression collar; characterized in that the refractory melted metal conveying pipe is crowned, close to the base adjacent to the refractory plate with a peripheral widening, whereas the metal pressure distribution plate has, around the hole provided for the passage of said pipe, an external wall that forms a narrowing shaped internal ring sized so as to serve as seating surface for the previously mentioned peripheral widening of the pipe and press it against the refractory plate. The features of the invention may be better understood by reading the description that follows, prepared with references to the attached drawings, which show a possible execution of the invention, supplied as a non limitative example. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a refractory plate, configured in accordance with the invention, for a sliding shutdown device. Figure 2 is a lengthwise section of the refractory plate, taken as per the II-II cut-off line of figure 1. Figure 3 is a diameter section of the refractory pipe that conveys the melted metal. Figure 4 is a plan view of the metal pressure distribution plate that includes the sliding shutdown device object of this invention. Figure 5 is a lengthwise section of the metal plate, taken as per the V-V cut-off line of figure 4. Figure 6 represents a lengthwise section of the assembly formed by the stationary and sliding refractory plates and the refractory melted metal conveyance pipe that includes the sliding shutdown device object of the invention. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a sliding shutdown device configured pursuant to the invention, with the tilting frame that carries the sliding refractory plate in the open position. Figure 8 represents a sliding shutdown device configured pursuant to the invention and applied to a casting recipient, cut as per the VIII-VIII cut-off line of figure 7. Figures 1 and 2 feature a refractory plate 1 to which a peripheral metal collar 2 has been fitted. The assembly of this collar is effected by heating it up previously, in order to get it to expand, and placing it around refractory plate 1. When the collar cools down it does then contract, exercising a uniform pressure around all the periphery of the refractory plate 1. The refractory plate is further fitted with a central passage hole 3. The above configuration is applicable both to the stationary refractory plate and to the sliding refractory plate of the shutdown device, having both plates a similar configuration, constitution and dimensions, factors that enable being interchanged, if required. Whenever the plate shown in figures 1 and 2 is used as a stationary plate, it is then placed in the position shown in figure 2, with the ring shaped canal 4 facing upwards for its coupling, as explained below with reference to figure 8. On the other hand, whenever the plate shown in figures 1 and 2 is used as a sliding plate, it is then placed in the upside down position, so that the metal outlet refractory conduit, depicted in figure 3 with reference number 5, is coupled on to canal 4. This conduit may be fitted with an external sleeve 6, has an axial passage that opposes the hole 3 and its crowned at its upper end by a ring shaped projection 8 which is coupled onto the ring shaped canal 4. According to another feature of the invention, the sliding shutdown device includes a pressure distribution metal plate 11, figures 4 and 5 which shall be attached to the lower surface of the sliding refractory plate, as will be described further on. As may be observed in figure 3, the upper end of the refractory pipe 5 forms a widening 9 that determines an inverted peripheral step 10. According to another feature of the invention, the sliding shutdown device includes a pressure distribution metal plate 11, figures 4 and 5 which is to be attached upon the internal surface of the sliding refractory plate, having a girth approximately equal to that of the latter. This metal plate 11 has a central orifice 12 downwardly surrounded by a peripheral wall 13, which forms a ring shaped reduction step 14. The orifice 12, wall 13 and reduction step 14 are sized to receive the melted metal conveying refractory pipe 5 shown in figure 3, all of that as will be later explained by reference to figure 6, where are shown in their relative position the stationary 15 and sliding 16 refractory plates with their different components. As may be observed in figure 6, the two refractory plates 15 and 16 have identical configuration and dimensions, occupying mutually inverted positions. The metal conveying pipe 5 is coupled to the lower surface of sliding plate 16, where it is then held in place by the metal plate 11. Figures 7 and 8 represent a sliding shutdown device that incorporates the features object of this invention. This shutdown device incorporates a plate 17 that shall be attached externally to the bottom end 18 of the casting recipient, with the corresponding passage holes arranged opposite each other. The recipient 18 has an internal refractory material lining 19 with outlet opening 20 to which is coupled the tubular block 21 and the parts 22 and 23 that determine the outlet muzzle. A structure 24, to which a tilting frame 25 has been articulated, is externally attached to plate 17. The stationary refractory plate 15 is assembled upon the base structure 24, whereas the sliding refractory plate 16 and the metal outlet refractory pipe 5 are assembled on to the tilting frame 25. Elastic elements 26 act upon the external surface of metal plate 11, as may be better observed in figure 8. The existence of metal 11 enables the action of the elastic elements 26 to be evenly spread against the refractory plate 16, so that it is then uniformly pressed against refractory plate 15. At the same time metal plate 11, through the structure describe with reference to figures 4 and 5, holds the refractory pipe 5 and presses it against the sliding refractory plate 16. The opening of the shutdown device, as shown in figure 7, enables the simple and individual disassembly of refractory plates 15 and 16, as well as the refractory pipe 5, metal plate 11 and components 22 and 23 of the collar of the recipient. Should the sliding plate 16 be damaged before pipe 5, these components could then be disassembled in order to replace only plate 16, and enabling the refractory pipe 5 to be retained for further use. Plates 15 and 16 may also be interchanged as required, given that they have the same configuration and dimensions. Figures 7 and 8 depict, marked with reference number 27, the hydraulic cylinder connection arm which purpose is to cause the sliding motion of the sliding refractory plate 16. In respect of any remaining characteristics, the shutdown device shown in figures 7 and 8 is of the traditional type, as regards both its configuration and operation.

Claims: A casting system comprising a casting recipient with a nozzle and a sliding shutdown device used to control the flow of melted metal from a casting recipient, made up of a stationary refractory plate (15) and a sliding refractory plate (16); which stationary plate (15) is externally attached to the casting recipient (18) and is fitted with a hole (3) matching the outlet nozzle or muzzle (22,23) of said recipient (18); and which sliding plate (16) is fitted with a refractory melted metal conveying pipe (5) and is assembled so that it is capable of linear displacement upon a tilting frame (25) articulated to a fixed base structure (24) and including elastic pressure elements (26) that act upon the sliding plate (16), the sliding refractory plate (16) and the refractory melted metal conveying pipe (5) being formed by two independent parts capable of being coupled to each other, which are assembled upon a pressure distributing metal plate (11) with a girth matching that of the refractory plate (16) and fitted with a hole (12) for the passage and retention of the refractory pipe (5); and the stationary (15) and sliding (16) refractory plates feature similar dimensions and structures and are fitted with a peripheral compression collar (2); characterized in that the refractory melted metal conveying pipe (5) is crowned, close to the base adjacent to the refractory plate (16) with a peripheral widening (9), whereas the metal pressure distribution plate (11) has, around the hole (12) provided for the passage of said pipe (5), an external wall (13) that forms a narrowing shaped internal ring (14) sized so as to serve as seating surface for the previously mentioned peripheral widening (9) of the pipe (5) and press it against the refractory plate (16).

Inventors: AURREKOETXEA UGALDE TOMAS, GUINEA IBARRA GONZALO, AURREKOETXEA UGALDE, TOMAS, GUINEA IBARRA, GONZALO, Aurrekoetxea Ugalde, Tomàs
Applicants: DEGUISA S A, DEGUISA, S.A.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B22D41
IPC codes: B22D41