Patent ID: 8602085

Claim:
Device for holding and replacing a casting plate facing the casting orifice of a metallurgical vessel of a continuous molten metal casting installation, the casting plate comprising a sliding face wherein a casting channel opens and wherein a sealing surface suitable for sealing the metallurgical vessel casting orifice is formed, said device comprising a pusher configured for pushing a casting plate to move it from a standby station to an operating station, a plate on the operating station being suitable for adopting a casting position, wherein the casting channel thereof is facing the metallurgical vessel casting orifice, and a sealing position, wherein the sealing surface is facing the metallurgical vessel casting orifice, the pusher being provided with means for selectively moving the casting plate along two strokes: a short stroke pushing a casting plate to the casting position on the operating station, or a long stroke pushing a casting plate to the sealing position on the operating station, wherein the device comprises: a casting plate passage detector between the standby station and the operating station, a pusher limit switch, controlled by the passage detector and suitable for adopting: a casting position, adopted when the detector detects the passage of a casting plate, wherein the limit switch limits the pusher stroke to the short stroke, and a sealing position, wherein the limit switch allows the pusher to move over the long stroke.