Suspension system for linearly moving the lifting stage of the mold in a continuous casting apparatus

Claim 2

A suspension system for linearly reciprocating the lifting stage of a continuous casting mold relative to a fixed structure, said suspension system comprising a linkage system including a series of articulated plate means pivoted with relation to said lifting stage and with relation to said fixed structure thereby guiding in opposite direction said lifting stage substantially linearly along the straight portion of a lemniscate move and drive means operable for oscillating several lifting steps in said opposite direction, said drive means including an elongated double lever having first and second ends; pivot means for supporting said lever intermediate said first and second ends; first plate means pivotally secured to said second end of said lever and to the lifting stage; and means pivotally secured to said first end of said lever for moving said lever angularly about said pivot means and said suspension system is adapted to generate a lemniscate curve, the lifting stage movements being derived from the substantially straight portion of said lemniscate curve, wherein said articulated plate means are assemblies comprised of an elongated central member, and two elongated plate members, said central member being pivotally secured to the lifting stage on axes common to the pivotal axes of said first plate means, the ends of said central members being pivotally coupled to one of the ends of each of said elongated plate members, the opposite ends of each of said plate members being pivotally secured to the fixed structure, further including bearing means journaling said opposite ends of said plate members in the fixed structure wherein said bearing means are prestressed.

Claim 3

A suspension system, as claimed in claim 1, said drive means including a. an elongated lever having first and second ends; b. pivot means for supporting said lever intermediate said first and second ends; c. first plate means pivotally secured to said second end of said lever and to the lifting stage; and d. means pivotally secured to said first end of said lever whereby said lever is arranged to move angularly about said pivot means and said suspension system is adapted to generate a lemniscate curve, the lifting stage movements being derived from the substantially straight portion of said lemniscate curve.

Claim 4

The suspension system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said second end of said lever is bifurcated.

Claim 5

The suspension system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said articulated plate means are assemblies comprised of an elongated central member, and two elongated plate members, said central member being pivotally secured to the lifting stage on axes common to the pivotal axes of said first plate means, the ends of said central members being pivotally coupled to one of the ends of each of said plate members, the opposite ends of each of said plate members being pivotally secured to the fixed structure.

Claim 6

The suspension system in accordance with claim 4 wherein there are four of said articulated plate means assemblies equally space about the lifting stage above the pivotal axis of said elongated lever, and four of said articulated plate means assemblies being equally spaced about the lifting stage below the pivotal axes of said elongated lever, only the upper for of said articulated plate means being pivotally secured to the lifting stage on axes common to the pivotal axes of said first plate means.

Claim 7

The suspension system in accordance with claim 3 further including bearing means journaling said opposite ends of said plate members in the fixed structure.

Claim 8

The suspension system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said bearing means are prestressed.

Claim 9

A suspension system for linearly reciprocating the lifting stage of a continuous casting mold relative to a fixed structure, said suspension system comprising a linkage system including a series of articulated plate means pivoted with relation to said lifting stage and with relation to said fixed structure thereby guiding in opposite direction said lifting stage substantially linearly along the straight portion of a lemniscate move, and drive means operable for oscillating several lifting steps in said opposite directions, said drive means including an elongated double lever having first and second ends; pivot means of r supporting said lever intermediate said first and second ends; first plate means pivotally secured to said second end of said lever and to the lifting stage; and means pivotally secured to said first end of said lever for moving said lever angularly about said pivot means and said suspension system is adapted to generate a lemniscate curve, the lifting stage movements being derived from the substantially straight portion of said lemniscate curve, further including bearing means journaling said opposite end of said plate members in the fixed structure, wherein said bearing means are prestressed, wherein said articulated plate means are assemblies comprised of a first elongated plate member having one end pivotally secured to the lifting stage, a second elongated plate member having one of its ends pivotally secured to the opposite end of said first plate member and the other of its ends pivotally secured to the fixed structure and a third elongated plate member having one of its ends pivotally secured to said first plate member intermediate the ends thereof, the other end of said third plate member being pivotally secured to the fixed structure in spaced relationship with said other end of said second plate member, wherein there are four of said articulated plate means assemblies equally spaced about the lifting stage above the pivotal axis of said elongated lever, and four of said articulated plate means assemblies being equally spaced about the lifting stage below the pivotal axis of said elongated lever, further including bearing means journaling said other ends of said second and third plate members in the fixed structure, wherein said bearing means are prestressed.

Claim 10

A suspension system for linearly reciprocating the lifting stage of a continuous casting mold relative to a fixed structure, said suspension system comprising a linkage system including a series of articulated plate means pivoted with relation to said lifting stage and with relation to said fixed structure thereby guiding in opposite direction said lifting stage substantially linearly along the straight portion of a lemniscate move, and drive means operable for oscillating several lifting steps in said opposite directions, said drive means including an elongated double lever having first and second ends; pivot means of r supporting said lever intermediate said first and second ends; first plate means pivotally secured to said second end of said lever and to the lifting stage; and means pivotally secured to said first end of said lever for moving said lever angularly about said pivot means and said suspension system is adapted to generate a lemniscate curve, the lifting stage movements being derived from the substantially straight portion of said lemniscate curve, further including bearing means journaling said opposite end of said plate members in the fixed structure, wherein said bearing means are prestressed, wherein said articulated plate means are assemblies comprised of a first elongated plate member having one end pivotally secured to the lifting stage, a second elongated plate member having one of its ends pivotally secured to the opposite end of said first plate member and the other of its ends pivotally secured to the fixed structure and a third elongated plate member having one of its ends pivotally secured to said first plate member intermediate the ends thereof, the other end of said third plate member being pivotally secured to the fixed structure in spaced relationship with said other end of said second plate member, wherein there are four of said articulated plate means assemblies equally spaced about the lifting stage above the pivotal axis of said elongated lever, and four of said articulated plate means assemblies being equally spaced about the lifting stage below the pivotal axis of said elongated lever, further including bearing means journaling said other ends of said second and third plate members in the fixed structure, wherein said bearing means are prestressed.

Claim 11

The suspension system in accordance with claim 8 wherein there are four of said articulated plate means assemblies equally spaced about the lifting stage above the pivotal axis of said elongated lever, the remaining four of said articulated plate means assemblies being equally spaced about the lifting stage below the pivotal axis of said elongated lever.

Claim 12

The suspension system in accordance with claim 8 further including bearing means journaling said other ends of said second and third plate members in the fixed structure, wherein said bearing means are prestressed.