Abstract

The invention relates to a facility for the continuous casting of metals, which comprises: - means for casting liquid metal; - a location for receiving an ingot mould arranged under the means for casting liquid metal; - an optical device for processing light signals (32); - at least one optical fibre (26) having a first end connected, permanently, to the optical device (32) and a second free end; and - a driver (36) for advancing or retracting the optical fibre, in order to introduce the free end into a plate of the ingot mould or to extract it therefrom. The optical device (32) is configured to receive reflected light and/or light transmitted by the at least one optical fibre (26) and configured to transform data on the reflected and/or transmitted light into information on the temperature around the optical fibre (26).

IPC Classes  ?

• B22D 2/00 - Arrangement of indicating or measuring devices, e.g. for temperature or viscosity of the fused mass
• B22D 11/04 - Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths into open-ended moulds
• B22D 11/16 - Controlling or regulating processes or operations
• B22D 11/18 - Controlling or regulating processes or operations for pouring
• B22D 11/20 - Controlling or regulating processes or operations for removing cast stock
• G01J 5/0821 - Optical fibres
• G01K 11/3206 - Measuring temperature based on physical or chemical changes not covered by group , , , or using changes in transmittance, scattering or luminescence in optical fibres at discrete locations in the fibre, e.g. using Bragg scattering

Abstract

This method for balancing a flow of liquid steel into a casting die, in which the steel is introduced into the casting die (12) from a distributor through a protective nozzle which opens below the steel level into the casting die, comprises the following steps: a) acquiring a set of characteristics of the flow in the casting die, b) comparing the flow characteristics acquired in the previous step with a predefined model and determining the adjustment actions to take in order to balance the flow, and c) adjusting the flow.

IPC Classes  ?

• B22D 2/00 - Arrangement of indicating or measuring devices, e.g. for temperature or viscosity of the fused mass
• B22D 11/055 - Cooling the moulds
• B22D 11/18 - Controlling or regulating processes or operations for pouring
• B22D 11/22 - Controlling or regulating processes or operations for cooling cast stock or mould

Abstract

The invention relates to an ingot mould (12) for continuous casting of metals, of the type consisting of an assembly (22) of metal plates backed by cooling devices configured to allow the cooling of the metal plates by the circulation of a cooling fluid, comprising: - at least one optical fibre (28), having a plurality of Bragg filters, extending in a wall of at least one of the plates (22), - at least one groove (24) formed in a wall of at least one of the plates (22), in a direction that is not parallel to the casting axis of the ingot mould in at least one portion of the length, the optical fibre (28) extending in the groove (24), and - a tongue (26) of shape substantially complementary to the groove (24) closing the groove over its entire length, the groove (24) and the tongue (26) having a shape suitable for the passage of the optical fibre (28).

IPC Classes  ?

• B22D 11/18 - Controlling or regulating processes or operations for pouring
• B22D 11/20 - Controlling or regulating processes or operations for removing cast stock

Abstract

Disclosed is a continuous casting ingot mould (12) for metals, of the type made of an assembly of metal plates (22) mounted against cooling devices (14) configured to allow cooling of the metal plates (22) by the circulation of a liquid coolant. Said ingot mould comprises an optical fibre with a diameter greater than 1.6 mm, having a plurality of fibre Bragg grating filters and extending in a wall of at least one of said plates (22) in a direction that is not parallel to the axis of casting of the ingot mould (12).

IPC Classes  ?

• B22D 11/22 - Controlling or regulating processes or operations for cooling cast stock or mould
• B22D 11/20 - Controlling or regulating processes or operations for removing cast stock
• B22D 11/055 - Cooling the moulds
• B22D 11/14 - Plants for continuous casting, e.g. for upwardly drawing the strand
• B22D 2/00 - Arrangement of indicating or measuring devices, e.g. for temperature or viscosity of the fused mass