US3878883A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Symmetrical synchronized belt-steering and tensioning system and apparatus for twin-belt continuous metal casting machines
Assignee: Hazelett Strip Casting Corp
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Filing: 1973-04-12
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1993-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A symmetrical belt-steering and tensioning system and apparatus for twin-belt continuous metal casting machines are disclosed. A rigid squaring shaft passes through a hollow tension and steering roll and is rigidly secured to torque arms at opposite ends of the roll assuring that this roll remains parallel with the driving roll at the other end of the carriage throughout the range of tensioning travel, these arms each being associated with tension thrust means and steering means. The geometrical relationships assure that tension in the casting belts remains essentially directly proportional to the fluid pressure in the thrust cylinders, while a pre-loading arrangement removes back lash from the pivots to improve steering precision and also provides mechanical advantage. A symmetrical synchronized steering action is applied to both ends of the tension-steering roll, and axial thrust control means operate to force the roll skewing movement to center at a predetermined point. Independent adjustment of the displacement of each end of the tensionsteering roll from the pass line is provided by sleeves associated with the squaring shaft and bearings in the interior of the hollow roll. A high belt tension force can be applied because there are two main large diameter rolls at opposite ends of each carriage defining the belt path as a symmetrical oval shape. Wide casting belts of 116 inches in width or more are precisely steered and tensioned for continuously casting slabs 100 inches or more in width.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert William Hazelett
- 👤 John Frederick Barry Wood
- 👤 Robert J Carmichael
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:53
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D11/00; B22D11/06; B22D11/0637; B22D11/0677
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
410 words
A symmetrical belt-tensioning system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal casting machine of the type in which a casting region is defined between spaced parallel portions of two casting belts, said system comprising: a carriage for supporting and revolving a casting belt having a pair of main rolls at opposite ends of a carriage frame, said rolls extending parallel to each other and also parallel to the plane of the casting region for defining an oval shaped path around which the casting belt is revolved, one of said main rolls being hollow, a rigid squaring shaft passing through said hollow roll from one end to the other, a pair of bearings encircling said squaring shaft for mounting said hollow roll on said squaring shaft, one of said bearings being mounted near each end of said hollow roll providing free rotation of said roll about said squaring shaft, a pair of parallel torque arms rigidly secured to opposite ends of said squaring shaft, a pair of pivot mountings positioned on opposite sides of the carriage frame for mounting the respective torque arms on the carriage frame, a pair of consistent, predictable force-applying means, one of said force-applying means being associated with each of said torque arms urging both of said torque arms simultaneously to swing about said pivot mountings for moving said one roll in a direction away from the other roll for tightening the casting belt on said carriage, the axis of said squaring shaft being swingable along an arc about said pivot mountings, said arc including a first retracted position of said squaring shaft axis for belt changing, a second position when the shortest new belt is pulled tight, a third mid-position and a fourth position when a fully elongated belt is pulled tight, a plane extending through the axis of said squaring shaft in said third mid-position and through said pivot mountings for said torque arms being perpendicular to the castin plane, a pair of steering means on opposite sides of the carriage frame for moving said pivot mountings effectively toward and away from the plane of the casting region, and synchronizing means interconnecting said pair of steering means for causing said pivot mountings simultaneously to move equal amounts in opposite directions effectively towards and away from the plane of the casting region when said synchronizing means are actuated, whereby said hollow roll is skewed symmetrically with respect to the carriage frame for steering the casting belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
410 words
A symmetrical belt-tensioning system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal casting machine of the type in which a casting region is defined between spaced parallel portions of two casting belts, said system comprising: a carriage for supporting and revolving a casting belt having a pair of main rolls at opposite ends of a carriage frame, said rolls extending parallel to each other and also parallel to the plane of the casting region for defining an oval shaped path around which the casting belt is revolved, one of said main rolls being hollow, a rigid squaring shaft passing through said hollow roll from one end to the other, a pair of bearings encircling said squaring shaft for mounting said hollow roll on said squaring shaft, one of said bearings being mounted near each end of said hollow roll providing free rotation of said roll about said squaring shaft, a pair of parallel torque arms rigidly secured to opposite ends of said squaring shaft, a pair of pivot mountings positioned on opposite sides of the carriage frame for mounting the respective torque arms on the carriage frame, a pair of consistent, predictable force-applying means, one of said force-applying means being associated with each of said torque arms urging both of said torque arms simultaneously to swing about said pivot mountings for moving said one roll in a direction away from the other roll for tightening the casting belt on said carriage, the axis of said squaring shaft being swingable along an arc about said pivot mountings, said arc including a first retracted position of said squaring shaft axis for belt changing, a second position when the shortest new belt is pulled tight, a third mid-position and a fourth position when a fully elongated belt is pulled tight, a plane extending through the axis of said squaring shaft in said third mid-position and through said pivot mountings for said torque arms being perpendicular to the castin plane, a pair of steering means on opposite sides of the carriage frame for moving said pivot mountings effectively toward and away from the plane of the casting region, and synchronizing means interconnecting said pair of steering means for causing said pivot mountings simultaneously to move equal amounts in opposite directions effectively towards and away from the plane of the casting region when said synchronizing means are actuated, whereby said hollow roll is skewed symmetrically with respect to the carriage frame for steering the casting belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
410 words
A symmetrical belt-tensioning system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal casting machine of the type in which a casting region is defined between spaced parallel portions of two casting belts, said system comprising: a carriage for supporting and revolving a casting belt having a pair of main rolls at opposite ends of a carriage frame, said rolls extending parallel to each other and also parallel to the plane of the casting region for defining an oval shaped path around which the casting belt is revolved, one of said main rolls being hollow, a rigid squaring shaft passing through said hollow roll from one end to the other, a pair of bearings encircling said squaring shaft for mounting said hollow roll on said squaring shaft, one of said bearings being mounted near each end of said hollow roll providing free rotation of said roll about said squaring shaft, a pair of parallel torque arms rigidly secured to opposite ends of said squaring shaft, a pair of pivot mountings positioned on opposite sides of the carriage frame for mounting the respective torque arms on the carriage frame, a pair of consistent, predictable force-applying means, one of said force-applying means being associated with each of said torque arms urging both of said torque arms simultaneously to swing about said pivot mountings for moving said one roll in a direction away from the other roll for tightening the casting belt on said carriage, the axis of said squaring shaft being swingable along an arc about said pivot mountings, said arc including a first retracted position of said squaring shaft axis for belt changing, a second position when the shortest new belt is pulled tight, a third mid-position and a fourth position when a fully elongated belt is pulled tight, a plane extending through the axis of said squaring shaft in said third mid-position and through said pivot mountings for said torque arms being perpendicular to the castin plane, a pair of steering means on opposite sides of the carriage frame for moving said pivot mountings effectively toward and away from the plane of the casting region, and synchronizing means interconnecting said pair of steering means for causing said pivot mountings simultaneously to move equal amounts in opposite directions effectively towards and away from the plane of the casting region when said synchronizing means are actuated, whereby said hollow roll is skewed symmetrically with respect to the carriage frame for steering the casting belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
410 words
A symmetrical belt-tensioning system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal casting machine of the type in which a casting region is defined between spaced parallel portions of two casting belts, said system comprising: a carriage for supporting and revolving a casting belt having a pair of main rolls at opposite ends of a carriage frame, said rolls extending parallel to each other and also parallel to the plane of the casting region for defining an oval shaped path around which the casting belt is revolved, one of said main rolls being hollow, a rigid squaring shaft passing through said hollow roll from one end to the other, a pair of bearings encircling said squaring shaft for mounting said hollow roll on said squaring shaft, one of said bearings being mounted near each end of said hollow roll providing free rotation of said roll about said squaring shaft, a pair of parallel torque arms rigidly secured to opposite ends of said squaring shaft, a pair of pivot mountings positioned on opposite sides of the carriage frame for mounting the respective torque arms on the carriage frame, a pair of consistent, predictable force-applying means, one of said force-applying means being associated with each of said torque arms urging both of said torque arms simultaneously to swing about said pivot mountings for moving said one roll in a direction away from the other roll for tightening the casting belt on said carriage, the axis of said squaring shaft being swingable along an arc about said pivot mountings, said arc including a first retracted position of said squaring shaft axis for belt changing, a second position when the shortest new belt is pulled tight, a third mid-position and a fourth position when a fully elongated belt is pulled tight, a plane extending through the axis of said squaring shaft in said third mid-position and through said pivot mountings for said torque arms being perpendicular to the castin plane, a pair of steering means on opposite sides of the carriage frame for moving said pivot mountings effectively toward and away from the plane of the casting region, and synchronizing means interconnecting said pair of steering means for causing said pivot mountings simultaneously to move equal amounts in opposite directions effectively towards and away from the plane of the casting region when said synchronizing means are actuated, whereby said hollow roll is skewed symmetrically with respect to the carriage frame for steering the casting belt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
A symmetrical belt tensioning and steering system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal casting machine as claimed in claim 1, in which: one of said bearings encircling said squaring shaft is arranged to transmit axial thrust between said squaring shaft and said hollow roll, and skewing axis control means are mounted on said carriage frame, said skewing axis control means being effectively coupled to said squaring shaft near one end for preventing said squaring shaft from moving in an axial direction to assure that said hollow roll is skewed about a predetermined point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A symmetrical belt tensioning and steering system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal casting machine as claimed in claim 2, in which: the one of said bearings which is arranged to transmit axial thrust is located near the same end of said squaring shaft to which said skewing axis control means are effectively coupled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
A symmetrical belt tensioning and steering system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal casting machine as claimed in claim 2, in which: said skewing axis control means provides first and second thrust surfaces facing in opposite directions, said squaring shaft has an outrigger rigidly coupled thereto, a self-aligning bushing assembly is mounted on said outrigger, and a pair of thrust blocks are secured to said bushing assembly providing third and fourth thrust surfaces facing in opposite directions and mating in sliding engagement with said first and second thrust surfaces respectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
358 words
A symmetrical synchronized belt-steering and tensioning system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal casting machine of the type in which a casting region is defined between spaced parallel portions of the two casting belts, said system comprising: a carriage for supporting and revolving a casting belt, said carriage having a frame with a pair of main rolls at opposite ends of the carriage frame, said rolls extending parallel to each other and also parallel to the plane of the casting region for defining an oval shaped path around which the casting belt is revolved, at least one of said main rolls being hollow, a rigid squaring shaft passing through said one hollow roll from one end of the roll to the other, a pair of bearings encircling said squaring shaft for mounting said one hollow roll on said squaring shaft, one of said bearings beings mounted near each end of said one hollow roll providing free rotation of said roll about said squaring shaft, a pair of torque arms rigidly secured to opposite ends of said squaring shaft, said torque arms being parallel, a pair of pivot mountings positioned on opposite sides of the carriage frame for mounting the respective torque arms on tHe carriage frame, a pair of consistent, predictable force-applying means positioned on opposite sides of the carriage frame, one of said force-applying means being associated with each of said torque arms urging both of said torque arms simultaneously to swing about said pivot mountings for moving said one hollow roll in a direction away from the other main roll on said carriage for tightening the casting belt, a pair of steering means positioned on opposite sides of the carriage frame for moving said pivot mountings effectively toward and away from the plane of the casting region, and synchronizing means connected to said pair of steering means for causing said pivot mountings simultaneously to move equal amounts in opposite directions effectively toward and away from the plane of the casting region when said synchronizing means are actuated for skewing said one hollow roll symmetrically with respect to the carriage frame for steering the casting belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
358 words
A symmetrical synchronized belt-steering and tensioning system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal casting machine of the type in which a casting region is defined between spaced parallel portions of the two casting belts, said system comprising: a carriage for supporting and revolving a casting belt, said carriage having a frame with a pair of main rolls at opposite ends of the carriage frame, said rolls extending parallel to each other and also parallel to the plane of the casting region for defining an oval shaped path around which the casting belt is revolved, at least one of said main rolls being hollow, a rigid squaring shaft passing through said one hollow roll from one end of the roll to the other, a pair of bearings encircling said squaring shaft for mounting said one hollow roll on said squaring shaft, one of said bearings beings mounted near each end of said one hollow roll providing free rotation of said roll about said squaring shaft, a pair of torque arms rigidly secured to opposite ends of said squaring shaft, said torque arms being parallel, a pair of pivot mountings positioned on opposite sides of the carriage frame for mounting the respective torque arms on tHe carriage frame, a pair of consistent, predictable force-applying means positioned on opposite sides of the carriage frame, one of said force-applying means being associated with each of said torque arms urging both of said torque arms simultaneously to swing about said pivot mountings for moving said one hollow roll in a direction away from the other main roll on said carriage for tightening the casting belt, a pair of steering means positioned on opposite sides of the carriage frame for moving said pivot mountings effectively toward and away from the plane of the casting region, and synchronizing means connected to said pair of steering means for causing said pivot mountings simultaneously to move equal amounts in opposite directions effectively toward and away from the plane of the casting region when said synchronizing means are actuated for skewing said one hollow roll symmetrically with respect to the carriage frame for steering the casting belt.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
163 words
A symmetrical synchronized belt-steering and tensioning system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal casting machine as claimed in claim 5, in which: said pair of force-applying means operate to swing the axis of said squaring shaft along an arc about said pivot mountings, said arc including a first retracted position of said squaring shaft axis in which said one hollow roll is retracted toward the other main roll on the carriage frame for belt changing a second position further from said other main roll in which the shortest new belt is pulled tight, a third mid-position beyond said second position, and a fourth position beyond said third position in which a fully elongated belt is pulled tight, and said pair of pivot mountings each include a self-aligning spherical connection for allowing said skewing steering movement of said one hollow roll to be accomplished regardless of the position of said squaring shaft along said arc from said second position to said fourth position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
A symmetrical synchronized belt-steering and tensioning system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal casting machine as claimed in claim 6, in which: said third position of said squaring shaft axis and the effective centers of said spherical connections are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the casting region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
91 words
A symmetrical synchronized belt-steering and tensioning system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal casting machine as claimed in claim 5, in which: one of said bearings encircling said squaring shaft is arranged to transmit axial thrust between said squaring shaft and said one holloe roll, and skewing axis control means are mounted on said carriage frame being effectively coupled to said squaring shaft near one end for preventing said squaring shaft from moving in an axial direction to assure that said one hollow roll is skewed about a predetermined point.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
219 words
A symmetrical synchronized belt-steering and tensioning system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal casting machine as claimed in claim 6, in which: said pair of consistent, predictable force-applying means is a pair of fluid power cylinders positioned on opposite sides of the carriage frame each having a piston rod extending from one end, said fluid power cylinders and piston rods acting along respective lines of thrust between said carriage frame and points of application on the respective torque arms, each of said lines of thrust having essentially the same angular relationship with respect to a radius R2 in the respective torque arms from the effective centers of said pivot mountings to said points of application as the angular relationship between the direction of belt tension force exerted by the taut casting belt on said one hollow roll and a radius R1 in the respective torque arms from said effective pivot mounting centers to the axis of the hollow roll, whereby essentially the same effective lever mechanical advantage is maintained for each of the fluiD power cylinders over the operating range of movement of said roll, thereby to maintain the belt tension essentially directly proportional to the fluid pressures in said cylinders regardless of the belt length over the operating range from said second position to said fourth position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
124 words
A symmetrical synchronized belt-steering and tensioning system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal casting machine as claimed in claim 5, in which: said pair of consistent, predictable force-applying means act between said carriage frame and points of application on said torque arms, said points of application on said torque arms being at a greater radius from the effective centers of the respective pivot mountings than the radius from the axis of said one hollow roll to the effective centers of the respective pivot mountings, whereby said force-applying means act at a mechanical advantage in applying force for tightening the casting belt on the carriage, and whereby a pre-loading thrust is applied to said pivot mountings to eliminate mechanical hysteresis in the steering action.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
164 words
A symmetrical synchronized belt-steering and tensioning system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal asting machine as claimed in claim 5, in which: said pair of steering means are a pair of rotatable eccentric shafts positioned on opposite sides of the carriage frame and included in the respective pivot mountings, a pair of steering arms are provided on opposite sides of the carriage frame, said steering arms being connected to the respective rotatable eccentric shafts, said synchronizing means is a steering synchronizing shaft extending across the carriage between its opposite sides and being coupled to said pair of steering arms for moving said steering arms in opposite directions upon actuation of said synchronizing shaft, thereby to turn said eccentric shafts in opposite directions for skewing one end of said one hollow roll toward the plane of the casting region while simultaneously equally and oppositely skewing the other end of said one hollow roll away from the plane of the casting region, and vice versa.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
153 words
A symmetrical synchronized belt-steering and tensioning system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal casting machine as claimed in claim 5, in which: said pair of consistent, predictable force-applying means are a pair of fluid power cylinders each having a piston rod extending therefrom with trunnions on each of the cylinders, each of said torque arms including a cylinder support member rigidly connected to the torque arm and extending parallel to and spaced from the torque arm, the cylinders being mounted between the respective torque arms and said cylinder support members with said trunnions being journaled in the torque arm and bearing support member, respectively, and with the piston rods being pivotally connected to the carriage frame by pivot pins, and the cylinders are sufficiently short to lie within a projection of the belt path line passing around said hollow roll to facilitate installation and removal of the casting belt without mechanical interference.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
123 words
A symmetrical synchronized belt-steering and tensioning system for use in a twin-belt continuous metal casting machine as claimed in claim 12, in which: one of said bearings encircling said squaring shaft is arranged to transmit axial thrust between said squaring shaft and said one hollow roll, and skewing axis control means are mounted on said carriage frame, said skewing axis control means being effectively coupled to said squaring shaft near one end at a point on a line extended through the axes of said trunnions for both of said cylinders for preventing said squaring shaft from moving in an axial direction along said line to assure that said hollow roll is skewed about a predetermined point on said line mid-way between said cylinders.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
76 words
A symmetrical synchronized belt-steering and tensioning system for use in a twin-belt continuoUs casting machine as claimed in claim 11, in which: a pair of self-aligning spherical bushings are provided, one of said bushings being mounted on each of said eccentric shafts, and said pair of torque arms being mounted on the respective bushings, whereby said skewing steering movement of said one hollow roll can be accomplished regardless of the tensioning position of said squaring shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |