ONLINE VIBRATION DETECTOR FOR CONTINUOUS CASTER CRYSTALLIZER

Abstract

 An online detecting apparatus for oscillation of a mold of a continuous casting machine includes a sensor (101, 201, 301, 401, 501) for detecting oscillation, a transmitter (103, 203, 303, 403, 502) and a signal processor (104, 204, 304, 404, 503). The sensor is placed in a dry, clean and temperature appropriate environment (109, 209, 309, 409, 505), which can ensure the online detecting apparatus work stably and reliably for a long time.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of mold oscillation detection, and more particularly, to an online detecting apparatus for mold oscillation of a continuous casting machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Setting proper oscillation amplitude, frequency and waveform based on the steel grade, cross section and casting speed of billet on a mold of a continuous casting machine, is important to ensure quality and quantity of the billet produced by the continuous casting machine. In order to detect reliability of a mold oscillation apparatus, it is required to detect an oscillation condition of the mold online, such as amplitude, frequency, waveform, oscillation synchronism of different parts of the mold, and whether there is deviation.

[0003] Current mold oscillation detection technology (such as Chinese patent No. CN1951604A; "The Study on Ultra-low Frequency of Continuous Casting Mould Oscillation Testing System Based on LabVIEW", Chapter 4 "Hardwire Plan and Design for Oscillation Analysis System", China Master Dissertations Full-text Database; "Analysis of Continuous Casting Machine Mold Oscillation-Monitoring", Chapter 2 "Testing for Mold oscillation apparatus", China Master Dissertations Full-text Database; "The Research and Design on Online Detecting System for Mold oscillation apparatus of a Continuous Casting Machine", Chapter 4 "Hardwire Design", China Master Dissertations Full-text Database) only focuses on selecting an oscillation sensor and an installation position for the oscillation sensor and usually selecting the oscillation sensor with higher technology performance, but ignoring protection of the oscillation sensor. However, when the oscillation sensor works in a hot, steam and oil mist filled environment, the original technology performance can not be guaranteed for a long time. The current mold oscillation detection technology can not satisfy requirements that the online detecting system for mold oscillation must work stably and reliably for a long time.

[0004] Under the current mold oscillation detection technology, the oscillation sensor is isolated through sealing and can work for a long time with the original technology performance in the laboratory condition. But once the oscillation sensor works in a hot, steam and oil mist filled environment where the mold of the continuous casting machine works, the original technology performance can be kept only for the first few days and will drop down quickly in one month. For example, the stainless end cover of an eddy current type oscillation sensor's cable connector will become rusty and loose, measurement range will get narrower, linearity will get worse, and sensitivity will get decreased. And at high temperature, the plug of a piezoelectric acceleration transducer may drop and stop working.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In view of the above, embodiments of the present invention provide online detecting apparatus for mold oscillation of a continuous casting machine, which can work stably and reliably for a long time.

[0006] In the present invention, a sensor for detecting oscillation is placed in a dry, clean and temperature appropriate environment.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an online detecting apparatus for oscillation of a mold of a continuous casting machine is provided. The online detecting apparatus includes a sensor for detecting oscillation, a transmitter and a signal processor, where the sensor is isolated from atmosphere and placed in a dry, clean and temperature appropriate environment. Preferably, the sensor is in an isolated room. Preferably, the isolated room is filled with circulating gas, and the gas is dry, clean and temperature appropriate.

[0008] Herein, the mold of the continuous casting machine may be fixed on mold oscillation apparatus, and the mold oscillation apparatus includes an oscillation part and a non-oscillation part.

[0009] Preferably, the isolated room may include an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, the inner sleeve and the sensor are installed on the non-oscillation part, the outer sleeve is installed on the oscillation part, and the gas flows into the inner sleeve from the gas inlet pipe and vents through a gap between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve.

[0010] Alternatively, the isolated room may include a flexible sealing connecting piece, the flexible sealing connecting piece is used to connect the oscillation part and the sensor's fixed mount, and the gas flows into the isolated room through the gas inlet pipe and vents through a vent pipe. The vent pipe is equipped with a non-return valve.

[0011] Preferably, the flexible sealing connecting piece may be a twistable rubber connecting piece.

[0012] Preferably, the isolated room and the sensor may be installed on the non-oscillation part, and the gas flows into the isolated room from the gas inlet pipe and vents through a gap between the isolated room and the oscillation part.

[0013] Alternatively, the isolated room and the sensor may be installed on the oscillation part, and the gas flows into the isolated room through the gas inlet pipe and vents through the vent hole on the side wall of the isolated room.

[0014] Preferably, the gas may be nitrogen. And the gas also could be other kinds of gas which has been purified, dried and temperature adjusted.

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention place the oscillation sensor (including connectors) in a dry, clean and temperature appropriate environment, which can keep the oscillation sensor in a good technology performance for a long time and satisfy the requirement of detecting the mold oscillation of the continuous casting machine online.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Drawings herein are used for facilitating further understanding of the present invention and form a part of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments and descriptions of the present invention are used for understanding the present invention and are not for use in limiting the protection scope of the present invention. In the drawings,

FIG.1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an online detecting apparatus in which an oscillation sensor is in a dry, clean and temperature appropriate environment;

FIG.2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mold oscillation online detecting apparatus in which an isolated room includes an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve;

FIG.3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mold oscillation online detecting apparatus in which an isolated room includes a twistable rubber connecting piece;

FIG.4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mold oscillation online detecting apparatus, which has a space between the isolated room and a mold vibratile part; and

FIG.5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mold oscillation online detecting apparatus in which an isolated room has a vent hole on its side wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention will be described in further detail hereinafter with reference to accompanying drawings and embodiments to make the technical solution and merits therein clearer.

[0018] In embodiments of the present invention, an online detecting apparatus for mold oscillation of a continuous casting machine is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor for detecting oscillation, a transmitter and a signal processor, where the sensor is isolated from the atmosphere and placed in a dry, clean and temperature appropriate environment. Preferably, the sensor is in an isolated room. Preferably, the isolated room is filled with circulating gas, and the gas is dry, clean and temperature appropriate.

[0019] Generally, a dry, clean and temperature appropriate environment means that: for the gas around the sensor, humidity is less than 60%, no solider with a diameter bigger than 150 µm exists, and temperature is within a working range of the sensor.

[0020] Herein, the mold of the continuous casting machine is fixed on a mold oscillation apparatus, and the mold oscillation apparatus includes an oscillation part and non-oscillation part.

[0021] Preferably, the isolated room may include an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, the inner sleeve and the sensor therein are installed on the non-oscillation part, and the outer sleeve is installed on the oscillation part. The gas flows into the inner sleeve through a gas inlet pipe and then vents through a gap between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve.

[0022] Alternatively, the isolated room may include a flexible sealing connecting piece. The flexible sealing connecting piece is used to connect the oscillation part and a fixed mount for supporting the sensor. The gas flows into the isolated room through the gas inlet pipe, and then vents through a vent pipe. The vent pipe is equipped with a non-return valve.

[0023] Preferably, the flexible sealing connecting piece may be a twistable rubber connecting piece.

[0024] The isolated room and the sensor therein may be installed on the non-oscillation part, and the gas flows into the isolated room through the gas inlet pipe, then vents through a gap between the isolated room and the oscillation part.

[0025] Or, the isolated room and the sensor therein may be installed on the oscillation part, and the gas flows into the isolated room through the gas inlet pipe, and then vents through a vent hole on a side wall of the isolated room.

[0026] Preferably, the gas may be nitrogen. And the gas also could be other kinds of gas which has been purified, dried and temperature adjusted.

FIG.1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an online detecting apparatus in which an oscillation sensor is in a dry, clean and temperature appropriate environment. As shown in FIG.1, an eddy current type sensor 101 and its stainless end cover 102 are fixed on a non-oscillation part 106 of a mold oscillation apparatus by a fixed mount 105. An oscillation induction plate (designed based on an installation requirement of a selected sensor) 107 facing the eddy current type sensor 101 is fixed to an oscillation part 108 of the mold oscillation apparatus so as to detect oscillation amplitude of the oscillation part 108 on a vertical direction. Changes of the relative position of the oscillation induction plate 107 to the eddy current type sensor 101 are converted to an electrical signal in the eddy current type sensor 101, and the electrical signal is transmitted to a signal processor 104 via a transmitter 103. According to the received signal, the signal processor 104 gives out the mold's oscillation amplitude and also the mold's oscillation speed, accelerated speed, oscillation frequency, waveform, deflection rate and other parameters for evaluating performance of the mold oscillation apparatus by using, for example, differential operations. In addition, there is a gas inlet pipe 110 and a nozzle 109a near the eddy current type sensor 101. The dry, clean and temperature appropriate gas flows in through the gas inlet pipe 110 and then jets out of the nozzle 109a so as to form a space 109 filled with the dry, clean and temperature appropriate gas around the sensor 101, and thus ensure that the eddy current type sensor 101 and the stainless end cover 102 work in a dry, clean and temperature appropriate environment. Therefore, the online detecting apparatus can work stably and reliably for a long time.

FIG.2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mold oscillation online detecting apparatus in which an isolated room includes an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. As shown in FIG.2, an eddy current type sensor 201 and a stainless end cover 202 are fixed on a non-oscillation part 206 of a mold oscillation apparatus by a fixed mount 205. An oscillation induction plate 207, designed based on an installation requirement of the selected sensor and facing the eddy current type sensor 201, is fixed to an oscillation part 208 of the mold oscillation apparatus to detect oscillation amplitude of the oscillation part 208 on a vertical direction. Changes of the relative position of the oscillation induction plate 207 to the eddy current type sensor 201 are converted to an electrical signal in the eddy current type sensor 201, and the electrical signal is transmitted to a signal processor 204 via a transmitter 203. According to the received signal, the signal processor 204 gives out the mold's oscillation amplitude and also the mold's oscillation speed, accelerated speed, oscillation frequency, waveform, deflection rate and other parameters for evaluating performance of the mold oscillation apparatus by using, for example, differential operations. The eddy current type sensor 201 is in an isolated room 209 which is formed by an inner sleeve 209a and relevant parts. The dry, clean and temperature appropriate gas flows into the isolated room 209 through a gas inlet pipe 210, and vents through a gap 211 between the inner sleeve 209a and the oscillation induction plate 207 designed in an outer sleeve mode. Thereby, the eddy current type sensor 201 and the stainless end cover 202 can work in a dry, clean and temperature appropriate environment, and the online detecting apparatus can work stably and reliably for a long time.

FIG.3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mold oscillation online detecting apparatus in which an isolated room includes a twistable rubber connecting piece 309a. As shown in FIG.3, an eddy current type sensor 301 and a stainless end cover 302 are fixed on a non-oscillation part 306 of mold oscillation apparatus by a fixed mount 305. An oscillation induction plate 307 facing the eddy current type sensor 301 is fixed to an oscillation part 308 of the mold oscillation apparatus to detect oscillation amplitude of the oscillation part 308 on a vertical direction. Changes of the relative position of the oscillation induction plate 307 to the eddy current type sensor 301 are converted to an electrical signal in the eddy current type sensor 301, and the electrical signal is transmitted to a signal processor 304 via a transmitter 303. According to the received signal, the signal processor 304 gives out the mold's oscillation amplitude and also the mold's oscillation speed, accelerated speed, oscillation frequency, waveform, deflection rate and other parameters for evaluating performance of the mold oscillation apparatus by using, for example, differential operations. The eddy current type sensor 301 is in an isolated room 309 which is formed by the twistable rubber connecting piece 309a and relevant parts. The dry, clean and temperature appropriate gas flows into the isolated room 309 through a gas inlet pipe 310, and vents through a vent pipe 311. Thereby, the eddy current type sensor 301 and the stainless end cover 302 can work in a dry, clean and temperature appropriate environment and the online detecting apparatus can work stably and reliably for a long time. Preferably, a non-return 312 is equipped on the vent pipe 311, and the non-return 312 closes itself when air pressure in the isolated room 309 is low or gas supply is shut off so as to keep the isolated room dry and clean all the time.

FIG.4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mold oscillation online detecting apparatus, which has a gap between an isolated room and an oscillation part of the mold. As shown in FIG.4, an eddy current type sensor 401 and a stainless end cover 402 are fixed on a non-oscillation part 406 of a mold oscillation apparatus by a fixed mount 405. An oscillation induction plate 407 facing the eddy current type sensor 401 is fixed to an oscillation part 408 of the mold oscillation apparatus. A detecting surface of the oscillation induction plate 407 is parallel to an oscillation direction set by the mold to detect deviation of the mold (not shown in the figure). Changes of the relative position of the oscillation induction plate 407 to the eddy current type sensor 401 are converted to an electrical signal in the eddy current type sensor 401, and the electrical signal is transmitted to a signal processor 404 via a transmitter 403. According to the received signal, the signal processor 404 gives out the mold's deviation information. The eddy current type sensor 401 and the stainless end cover 402 are in an isolated room 409 which is formed by a wall 409a of the isolated room and relevant parts. The dry, clean and temperature appropriate gas flows into the isolated room 409 through a gas inlet pipe 410, and vents through a gap 411 between the isolated room 409 and the oscillation induction plate 407. Thereby, the eddy current type sensor 401 and the stainless end cover 402 can work in a dry, clean and temperature appropriate environment, and the online detecting apparatus can work stably and reliably for a long time.

FIG.5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mold oscillation online detecting apparatus in which an isolated room has a vent hole on its side wall. As shown in FIG.5, an accelerated speed sensor 501 is fixed on an oscillation part 504 of a mold oscillation apparatus. The accelerated speed sensor 501 includes sensors adapted to measure accelerated speeds in three directions, up-down, left-right and front-back. The accelerated speed signals detected by the sensors are converted to electrical signals, and the electrical signals are transmitted to a signal processor 503 via a transmitter 502. According to the received signal, the signal processor gives out the oscillation part 504's oscillation accelerated speed and also the oscillation part 504's oscillation speed, amplitude, oscillation frequency, waveform, deflection rate, deviation and other parameters for evaluating performance of the mold oscillation apparatus by using, for example, integral operations. The accelerated speed sensor 501 and connectors are installed in an isolated room 505. The dry, clean and temperature appropriate gas flows into the isolated room 505 which is formed by a wall 505a of the isolated room and relevant parts through a gas inlet pipe 506, and vents through a vent hole 507 on the side wall of the isolated room 505. Thereby, the accelerated speed sensor 501 and its connectors can work in a dry, clean and temperature appropriate environment, and the online detecting apparatus can work stably and reliably for a long time.

[0027] The foregoing descriptions are only preferred embodiments of this invention and are not for use in limiting the protection scope thereof. Any changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention and therefore should be covered within the protection scope as set by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An online detecting apparatus for oscillation of a mold of a continuous casting machine, comprising: a sensor(101, 201, 301, 401, 501) for detecting oscillation, a transmitter(103, 203, 303, 403, 502) and a signal processor(104, 204, 304, 404, 503); wherein the sensor(101, 201, 301, 401, 501) is placed in a dry, clean and temperature appropriate environment(109, 209, 309, 409, 505).

2. The online detecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor(101, 201, 301, 401, 501) is in an isolated room.

3. The online detecting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the isolated room(209, 309, 409, 505) is filled with circulating gas, and the gas is dry, clean and temperature appropriate.

4. The online detecting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the mold of the continuous casting machine is fixed on a mold oscillation apparatus and the mold oscillation apparatus includes an oscillation part(208,308, 408, 504) and a non-oscillation part(206, 306, 406).

5. The online detecting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the isolated room comprises an inner sleeve(209a) and an outer sleeve(207); wherein the inner sleeve(209a) and the sensor(201) in the inner sleeve(209a) are installed on the non-oscillation part(206), and the outer sleeve(207) is installed on the oscillation part(208); wherein the gas flows into the inner sleeve through a gas inlet pipe(210), and vents through a gap(211) between the inner sleeve(209a) and the outer sleeve(207).

6. The online detecting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the isolated room comprises a flexible sealing connecting piece adapted to connect the oscillation part and a fixed mount(305) for supporting the sensor; the gas flows into the isolated room through a gas inlet pipe(310), then vents through a vent pipe(311).

7. The online detecting apparatus of claim 6, wherein the vent pipe is equipped with a non-return valve(312).

8. The online detecting apparatus of claim 6, wherein the flexible sealing connecting piece is a twistable rubber connecting piece(309a).

9. The online detecting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the isolated room(409) and the sensor in the isolated room(409) are installed on the non-oscillation part(406), and the gas flows into the isolated room(409) through a gas inlet pipe(410) and vents through a gap(411) between the isolated room(409) and an oscillation induction plate(407) on the oscillation part(408).

10. The online detecting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the isolated room(501) and the sensor in the isolated room(501) are installed on the oscillation part(504), and the gas flows into the isolated room(505) through a gas inlet pipe(506) and vents through a vent hole(507) on a side wall of the isolated room(505).

11. The online detecting apparatus of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the gas is nitrogen.

12. The online detecting apparatus of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the gas is purified, dried and temperature adjusted gas.

13. An online detecting method for oscillation of a mold of a continuous casting machine by using the online detecting apparatus of any of claims 1-10, comprising:

detecting, by a sensor placed in a dry, clean and temperature appropriate environment, the oscillation of the mold of the continuous casting machine, generating an electrical signal indicating the oscillation detected, and transmitting the electrical signal to a signal processor via a transmitter connected to the sensor; and

generating, by the signal processor, oscillation information according to the electrical signal received.

Drawing