Patent ID: 8490841

Claim:
A submerged nozzle supporting-replacing mechanism comprising: a slide valve device including a lower frame; first and second clampers provided on a side of the lower frame for controlling a flow rate of molten metal from a tundish to a mold, the first and second clampers being located on opposite sides of a submerged nozzle so as to press the submerged nozzle during casting against an upper fire-proof object; a first spring, provided on a first supporting protrusion of the lower frame, for upwardly biasing the first clamper; a second spring, provided on a second supporting protrusion of the lower frame, for upwardly biasing the second clamper; two pairs of guide rails for guiding movement of the submerged nozzle in a horizontal direction, the two pairs of guide rails being provided on a frame that is connected to a lower surface of the lower frame; a first positioning member suspended from the first supporting protrusion and engaged with the first clamper so as to position the first clamper; a second positioning member suspended from the second supporting protrusion and engaged with the second clamper so as to position the second clamper; and a positioning liner, provided on the lower surface of the lower frame, for guiding an upper surface of a subsequent and fresh submerged nozzle replacing the submerged nozzle, to thereby regulate a height position of the fresh submerged nozzle during movement in the horizontal direction; and an extruding device for pushing the submerged nozzle in the horizontal direction, wherein: an entire width dimension (L 3 ) of each of the first and second clampers is smaller than a flange diameter dimension (L 1 ) of a flange of the submerged nozzle; each of clamper pieces of the first and second clampers is axially supported through a pin; the first positioning member passes through a through-hole formed in a rear portion of one of the clamper pieces of the first clamper; the second positioning member passes through a through-hole formed in a rear portion of one of the clamper pieces of the second clamper; and each of the first and second positioning members includes an enlarged portion at a tip thereof, the enlarged portion being engagable with a rear portion of the respective clamper.