Sliding closure for a container containing molten metal

The invention relates to a slide closure for a vessel containing molten metal, wherein the slide closure has a slider housing, a slide unit guided longitudinally therein, with a slide rod, a holder on the slider housing as well as a linear actuator which can be fastened in this holder with a drive rod which can be coupled to the slide rod, wherein the linear actuator can be slid into the holder on the slider housing, preferably transverse to its direction of adjustment, and can be removed from same and can be locked in the holder.

A known slide closure for a vessel containing molten metal according to document EP 3 424 618 has a slider housing, a slide unit guided longitudinally therein, with a slide rod, a holder on the slider housing as well as a linear actuator which can be inserted into this holder, with a drive rod which can be connected to the slide rod of the slide unit by a coupling. This coupling is developed such that, when in the flange of the linear actuator, it couples the drive rod against the slide unit by shifting the drive rod against the slide unit pushed into a lateral recess of the holder, wherein the coupling has a coupling part at one end on the slide rod and a coupling part at the front end of the drive rod of the linear actuator which couple the drive rod against the slide rod when sliding.

A locking device is provided which can be actuated by the linear actuator and which interacts with the holder, through which locking device, the linear actuator can be fixed in the holder after being slid into same or can be unlocked again before removing same. The linear actuator has a hydraulic cylinder, a main piston driving the drive rod into this and an additional piston, which can be moved independently of this, for actuating the locking device. This additional piston is provided with a locking head which can be guided on the drive rod, which locking head, when the additional piston is loaded in locking direction, can be reversed out of the inside of the hydraulic cylinder at the front side and preferably inserted into a correspondingly shaped recess in the holder of the hydraulic cylinder in form and/or friction-locking manner, whereas, when the additional piston of the locking device is loaded in unlocking direction, it can be removed from the recess. This lateral recess is formed in the holder and in the recess shaped therein, wherein, when taking the linear actuator out of the holder transverse to the shifting direction of the drive rod, the coupling can be decoupled automatically. Automated coupling of the linear actuator in the holder is made possible with this locking device, however, a relatively costly structural solution is proposed by using a main piston and an additional piston in the linear actuator which can be moved additionally, independent thereof.

In the publication US 2010/0199566 discloses a locking device in a holder for a linear drive is disclosed, which is composed of a locking rod and a locking claw that interacts with it. The locking rod is attached to a flange of the drive rod of the linear drive and is aligned axially parallel to the drive rod. The locking claw is mounted in the holder transversely to the locking rod. The locking rod has two recesses designed as annular grooves, which correspond to the stroke end positions of the drive rod. The diameter of the annular groove is dimensioned such that when the linear drive is pushed into the holder with the drive rod retracted, the annular groove can snap into the locking claw, while it can be released from the locking claw when the linear drive is extended. When the drive rod is moved, the locking rod connected to it is also moved, with the locking claw encompassing this locking rod in the area between the annular grooves, so that the locking rod and with it the linear drive cannot detach from the locking claw transversely to its longitudinal axis.

The document CN 110394621 discloses a method for repairing a slide closure. A slide plate oil-hydraulic unit is provided for adjusting the slide plate. The linear drive, which can be moved by means of a robot, can be pushed laterally into the holder, for this purpose corresponding holding grooves are formed in the holder, into which a retaining ring of the cylinder can be inserted. Connection cables can be connected in which the plug connection is placed on the back in the mounting seat of the holder and on the front of the block below the cylinder, which can be plugged together using a pressure lever after the cylinder has been mounted. This pressure lever is held pivotably by an adjustment drive attached to the clamping device of the robot and is actuated by an external force with this separate adjustment drive, which must be controlled externally.

According to the publication WO 2017/033953, a drive unit provided with a rectangular base plate is provided with a push rod with a front-side coupling. The drive unit is releasably held on a drive unit holder by inserting the front of the base plate into grooves in the drive unit holder.

The problem of the invention is improving the known slide closure such that its maintenance on the vessel for casting is made possible automatically and with structurally simple means, and in so doing, operational safety of the slide closure is increased during casting.

This problem is solved according to the invention by at least one locking means being present, preferably fastened, to each of the linear actuator and to the holder, which locking means are developed to interact such that the linear actuator locks automatically after or during being pushed into the holder, preferably at the end of the pushing-in process.

Due to this association, according to the invention, of in each case at least one locking means to the linear actuator and to the holder, by means of which the linear actuator is locked automatically after or during being pushed into the holder, preferably at the end of the pushing-in process, a permanently secure fastening of the linear actuator in the holder results. The automatic locking can prevent movement of the linear actuator against the pushing-in direction and, depending on the design, also prevent a (further) movement of the linear actuator in pushing-in direction, whereby the pushing-in process can be ended by the automatic locking.

Advantageously, the linear actuator can be unlocked in the holder, wherein, for unlocking, an adjusting member which can be actuated manually or by a manipulator is provided in a locking means. In so doing it is made possible that the linear actuator can be released with a simple means, which, however, ensures interference-free secure locking. In so doing, locking is ensured at all times even when there are operational vibrations or the slide closure is struck, and the linear actuator can be permanently prevented from coming loose from the holder.

Advantageously, the one locking means has a shiftable locking element with a front part, where, during locking, this front part engages in a recess of the other locking means such that this locking takes place, wherein the locking element is adjustably housed preferably transverse to the pushing-in direction of the linear actuator. A locking which cannot be loosened during operation is achieved by this development of the interacting locking means.

Expediently, the locking means of the linear actuator comprises a guide housing, this locking element which is shiftable therein, and a spring member, wherein the locking element is shiftable with its front part into a position projecting above the guide housing, by the spring member. The locking means of the holder has a sliding shoe provided with the recess, which shoe is in sliding contact with the front part of the locking element when the linear actuator is being pushed in and/or pushed out. Preferably, the sliding shoe is designed with a ramp-shaped sliding guide running approximately in pushing-in direction of the linear actuator, for sliding contact with the front part and with this recess. A simple design of this locking means is thus achieved as a specific embodiment.

This recess in the sliding shoe is positioned in pushing-in direction with respect to the holder such that the front part clicks into the recess when the linear actuator is against a stop in the holder. In this case, the pushing-in process is ended by the stop, wherein the locking also takes place automatically at the end of the pushing-in process.In this end position, the sliding shoe in the recess and the front part are reciprocally in contact with a contact surface each, wherein these contact surfaces run at least approximately perpendicular to the pushing-in direction of the linear actuator, with the result that the front part is locked in the sliding shoe. An advantageous additional catching also results due to this linear actuator being against the stop.

The linear actuator comprising the drive rod and a projecting transverse flange at the front, and this C-shaped guide groove on the rear of the holder for receiving, are known. By way of example, the guide housing of the locking means is arranged laterally at the transverse flange and the sliding shoe adjacent to this C-shaped guide groove on the rear of the holder. These locking means are thus placed in a region which is approximately protective for them. In principle, vice versa, the guide housing can be arranged adjacent to the guide groove and the sliding shoe laterally at the transverse flange.

Expediently, this actuatable adjusting member is fastened transverse to the locking element of the locking means at the linear actuator, and pushes through a longitudinal opening out of the guide housing preferably away from the linear actuator. By pushing upwards, the locking element with its front part can become disengaged out of the recess in the sliding shoe and the linear actuator released.

Additionally, the linear actuator and the holder are each associated with, in pairs, at least one electric plug element for an electric connection line and/or at least one plug element for at least one connection line for a gaseous medium, preferably air.

The invention is also characterized in that these plug elements are placed such that they are inserted automatically after or during being pushed in, preferably at the end of the pushing-in process of the linear actuator into the holder, and that the locking means are locked quasi-automatically. This makes it possible to reduce plugging in the linear actuator to a single action, taking placing manually or via robot, without plug elements needing to be connected additionally by hand.

Also, when removing the linear actuator from the holder, solely this adjusting member is to be actuated with a locking means for unlocking. The plug elements associated in pairs with the linear actuator and the holder are loosened automatically.

On the one hand the coupling head of the drive rod of the linear actuator can be coupled automatically to the slide rod of the slide unit by an axial adjustment after or during being pushed in, preferably at the end of the pushing-in process of the linear actuator into the holder. On the other hand, when removing the linear actuator from the holder, a lateral automatic movement away of the coupling head from the slide rod is made possible. Additional advantages result within the meaning of automatic maintenance of the slide closure.

shows a holderand a linear actuator, shown apart from this, and slidable laterally into same, of a suggested slide closurewith a slider housingand with a slide unit guided longitudinally into same, of which only a slide rod, penetrating into a side opening′ of the holder, is illustrated. Additionally, a per se known insertable stroke limit boltis provided which engages in a longitudinal slotin the slide rodin order to serve as a stop for the stroke of the slide rod.

Such a slide closureis known per se in configuration and functional operation, and therefore not substantiated in more detail. It is suitable preferably for a ladle for containing molten steel for founding as a vessel of a continuous casting line. However, it could also be used at the outlet of other vessels, such as for example in a converter, a tundish or even in furnaces in the non-ferrous metal field.

In particular when using the vessel as a ladle of a continuous casting line, the linear actuatoris usually firstly pushed into this holderand fastened, once the ladle filled with molten metal is placed on a rotating tower on a casting platform of the continuous casting line. This can be done by hand or preferably by a manipulator or robot arranged on the casting platform, automatically ascertaining for the time being, by means of a recognition system mounted in same, the exact position of the holderof the slide closure, and subsequently grasps the linear actuatordesigned as a preferably hydraulic piston/cylinder unit from a storage position by means of a corresponding gripping device, guides it to the slide closureand inserts it transversely into the holder.

After or during being pushed in, preferably at the end of the pushing-in process of the linear actuator, its drive rod′ is coupled to the slide rodof the slide unit. Expediently, this takes place automatically, by a pincer-shaped coupling headbeing displaced, at the front, with the drive rod′ against the coaxially arranged slide rodof the slide unit and placed over the mushroom head-shaped coupling flange′ at the end with the slide rodby means of pivotable spring-loaded clamping jaws clamping jaws, and encompassing same in form and/or force-fitting manner. A slide closure with such a coupling is disclosed in document EP 0 875 320 B1 and therefore no further details on this are explained.

The holderis composed of a housingprovided with a side opening′, to the front a fastening flangeattached to the slider housingand to the rear a C-shaped guide groovedesigned in the housing, for receiving a transverse flangeof the linear actuator. The approximately rectangular transverse flangeand this C-shaped guide groovewith the two grooves arranged parallel one over the other are dimensioned such that the transverse flangeis slidable in pushing-in direction E with its guide surfaces′ approximately play-free into the guide groove up to a stop′, in which the drive rod′ and the slide rodare aligned coaxial to one another in the same direction of adjustment.

According to the invention, in each case a locking meansis associated with the holderand a locking meanswith the linear actuator, which interact such that the linear actuatorlocks in the holderautomatically after or during being pushed into the holder, preferably at the end of the pushing-in process of the linear driveinto the holder.

Advantageously, an adjusting memberwhich can be actuated manually or by a manipulator is provided in a locking meansfor unlocking.

As can be seen in particular from, the locking meansof the linear actuatorvery advantageously has a guide housingfastened laterally in the transverse flange, a locking elementshiftable therein, and a spring member, wherein this locking elementwith its front part′ is shiftable by the spring memberinto a starting position projecting above the guide housing, as illustrated inwhen the linear actuatoris uncoupled.

A sliding shoeis provided as locking meansof the holder, which shoe is in sliding contact with the front part′ of the locking elementwhen the linear actuatoris being pushed in or pushing out, as shown in, wherein the locking elementis adjustably housed in the guide housingperpendicular to the pushing-in direction E of the linear actuator. Due to this approximately play-free guiding of the transverse flangewith its guide surfaces′ in the guide grooveit is ensured that the front part′ is guided correctly onto the sliding shoe. The sliding shoeof this locking meansis fastened adjacent to this C-shaped guide grooveon the free end side′ of the holder, with the result that it interacts with the locking elementof the locking meanswhen the linear actuatoris being pushed in and/or pushed out. This locking meansor its sliding shoeand the holdernext to the guide groovecould be formed in one piece.

This sliding shoeis designed with a ramp-shaped sliding guiderunning at least approximately in pushing-in direction E of the linear actuatorwith a connecting recessfor locking reception of the front part′ of the locking element, at which point locking takes place. The recessin the sliding shoeis designed in such a position in the holder that the linear actuatoris locked at the end of the pushing-in process, when reaching the transverse flangeat the stop′, and this front part′ clicks into the recess.

According to, the sliding shoein the recessand the front part′ which can be clicked therein are each reciprocally in contact with a contact surface″,, running approximately perpendicular to pushing-in direction E of the linear actuator, with the result that the front part′ is closed in locking manner in the sliding shoeby these contact surfaces″,. In so doing, locking is ensured at all times even when there are operational vibrations or the slide closure is struck, and the linear actuator can be permanently prevented from coming loose from the holder.

This mentioned manually actuatable adjusting memberis fastened transverse to the locking elementof the locking meansat the linear actuator. It penetrates through a longitudinal opening′ out of the guide housing, preferably perpendicular away from the linear actuator, and runs parallel to the transverse flange, with the result that it is easily accessible for actuation. After casting is finished, the linear actuatorcan be pulled out of the holderof the slide closure, once this bolt-shaped adjusting memberhas been adjusted upwards, and thus this locking elementhas been moved out of the recess. This adjusting membercan also be surrounded by a removable protective cap, so that it is not actuated unintentionally when the closure is in the operating state.

Expediently, when the linear actuator is manually removed, this transverse flangeprovided with a handlecan be grasped by one hand, with the other hand grasping the handle leverplaced parallel thereto on the rear side of the hydraulic cylinder, and the linear actuator can be pulled out in this way. Easy unlocking and pulling out is thus made possible by a simple hand actuation.

There is also the advantage that after unlocking, the coupling headis also uncoupled at the front in the drive rod′ from the slide rodof the slide unit by this lateral pushing out of the clamping jawsfrom the mushroom head-shaped coupling flange′.

Furthermore, a hanging element′ is arranged at the top side in the linear actuator, where the linear actuator can be kept when not in use. At the top side ofthe holderthere is also arranged a clip leverof a handle mechanism, by means of which transport safety is ensured. Connection supports,for supplying the medium for the purpose of controlling same are provided laterally at the hydraulic piston/cylinder unit as linear actuator, and these are connected to lines which are not shown.

Additionally, several plug elements,are associated with the holderand corresponding plug elements′ with the linear actuator, and to these connected connection lines for electric current and/or for media, for example gas or air, are guided from a respective external electricity, gas or compressed air source, in particular to slide closure. These connection lines serve to supply current to at least one consumer unit, such as for example a measuring and evaluating device for early detection of slag or as inductive heating, while the at least one connection line for a medium serves as gas seal or for cooling or the like.

Thus, an electric male plug elementis arranged at the rear end side′ of the holderand a corresponding female plug element′ at the linear actuatoron the top side of the cylinder. These two plug elements,′ are positioned relative to one another such that they can be inserted into one another in pushing-in direction E of the linear actuator. A connection line′ from outside leads to plug element′ via a curved muffle. At least one connection line, not shown in more detail, leads from the plug elementvia a connecting mufflealong the holderinto the slide closure and/or to the discharge into the ladle. Self-opening protective capsare illustrated at the opening of the plug elementinto which the female plug element′ can be inserted, which caps are closed when the plug element is not in inserted state, preventing ingress of contaminant particles.

Additionally, according totwo plug elementsare provided at the inside of stop′ of the guide groovein the holder, which elements can be inserted in pairs with plug elements, not shown in more detail, on the front sideof transverse flangewhen the transverse flange is pushed in. On the one hand, connection lines at the linear actuatornot illustrated in more detail are guided from these plug elementsto external sources, and on the other hand connection lines,are guided into the slide closure. These plug elementsare designed preferably as valve plug-in parts which serve to allow through a gaseous medium, for example air.

The invention has a further considerable advantage that, as can be seen in, when pushing in or during pushing in, preferably at the end of the pushing-in process, of the linear actuatorinto the holder, these locking means,lock automatically and equally these plug elements,′,are automatically inserted, thus establishing the connection of connection elements,,. Moreover, after or during pushing in, preferably at the end of the pushing-in process, the drive rod′ can be pushed forwards against the coaxially arranged slide rodof the slide unit and the coupling headlikewise coupled automatically.

On the contrary, when pulling the linear actuatorout, these plug elements,′,are loosened from one another after being unlocked by this actuation of the adjusting member, manually or by a manipulator, and moreover the coupling headis automatically loosened by a lateral movement away by the slide rod.

This automated coupling of the linear actuatorin the holderwhich has become possible results in an extremely easy handling, which is suitable for robot-controlled assembly and/or disassembly of the linear actuator, in which faulty manipulations by incorrect insertion and/or incomplete locking can be largely ruled out.

The invention is sufficiently displayed with the above embodiment examples. However, it can be illustrated by other variants.

In principle, the locking means could also be arranged in reverse, by the guide housing being arranged with the locking element shiftable therein, this adjusting member fastened to the locking element and the spring member being arranged at the holder, while the sliding shoe would be arranged at the linear actuator such that likewise locking and/or unlocking could take place in the same direction. For reasons of space, the guide housing can be fastened projecting out from the underside of the exposed end side′ towards the holder and the locking element can be moved from bottom to top in the locking position. With the sliding shoe at the linear actuator, the recess would be pointed downwards.

The locking means could self-evidently be designed differently to how it is shown. The front part could thus be receivable in form-locking manner in the recess of the sliding show as a wedge with corresponding self-locking contact surfaces. The adjusting member could also for example be placed above the guide housing and instead be designed to be bolt-shaped, valvular, hook-shaped or otherwise.

Likewise, instead of a transverse flange at the linear actuator and a C-shaped guide groove in the holder, other guide means could be provided, such as for example slot nuts or guide rollers. Additionally, instead of being transverse to the direction of adjustment of its drive rod, the pushing-in direction of the linear actuator could for example be in the direction of adjustment, or instead, be pushed into the holder from bottom to and/or removed. The locking means would then have to be placed accordingly, in order to fulfil the function of the automatic locking and preferably manual unlocking.