Claims:We claim:

1. A drive shaft (10) for a wheel of a billet torch cutting machine, the drive shaft (10) comprising:
a body (B), defined with:
a first segment (6) defining a flange;
a second segment (5) extending perpendicular to the first segment (6), the second segment (5) defining a hub of the drive shaft (10), wherein a portion of the second segment (5) away from the first segment (6) is structured to accommodate one or more bearings (4) for supporting wheels of a carriage unit of the billet torch cutting machine; and
a fluid supply passage (1, 2, and 3) defined internally in the body (B), wherein the fluid supply passage (1, 2 and 3) is configured to channelize lubricating fluid from the first segment (6) to the second segment (5).

2. The drive shaft (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein diameter of the first segment (6) is greater than the diameter of the second segment (5).

3. The drive shaft (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid supply passage (1, 2, and 3) includes a first radial passage (1) defined in the first segment (5), a second radial passage (3) defined in the second segment (5), and a connecting passage (2) structured to connect the first radial passage (1) and the second radial passage (2).

4. The drive shaft (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting passage (2) extends axially between the first radial passage (1) and the second radial passage (2).

5. The drive shaft (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an end portion of the second segment (5) opposite to the first segment (6) is defined with a stepped profile.

6. The drive shaft (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the stepped profile is configured to accommodate the one or more bearings (4).

7. The drive shaft (10) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a nipple (N) fixedly connected at an inlet of the first radial passage (1), the nipple (N) is configured to fluidly connect the first radial passage (1) with a lubricating fluid source.

8. The drive shaft (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body (B) is made of at least one of metal and alloys of metal including carbon steel.

9. A billet torch cutting machine comprising a drive shaft (10) of claim 1.

Dated this 24th day of March 2021
Signature:
Name: Sridhar R
To: Of K&S Partners, Bangalore
The Controller of Patents Agent for the Applicant
The Patent Office, at Kolkata IN/PA No. 2598
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD:

Present disclosure relates in general to a field of metallurgy. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to cutting apparatus for articles continuously casted. Further embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a torch cutting machine and a drive shaft for the torch cutting machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE:

Continuous casting is a steel making process where molten (liquid) steel from a ladle is continuously cast into strands of a semi-finished shape (e.g., slabs, blooms, and billets). In a continuous caster, the molten metal is fed by gravity from the ladle through a tundish to a subentry nozzle (SEN) in a casting mold. The semi-finished shape is determined by the casting mold which receives the molten steel through the SEN. The steel is cast in the casting mold, which is water cooled, with a solidified outer shell and molten inner core as the strand moves downwardly through the mold which oscillates. The cast strand is withdrawn downwardly from the casting mold and is curved by casting guide rollers and straighteners to exit the casting machine laterally in a horizontal direction of travel. The strand is further subjected to secondary cooling upon exiting from the casting machine by direct and/or secondary cooling to solidify the core of the strand. The strand is then cut to length into blooms, or billets.

Continuously cast strands in continuous casting units should be cut for further treatment in transportable lengths corresponding to the finished products. These predominantly hot slugs, blocks or billets are separated usually by torch or flame cutters in a strand cutting machine. In such strand cutting machine a cutting beam transforms the steel brought to ignition temperature into an outflowing sullage and generates a seam, which grows into a cut when moving. The flame cutting machine cuts a workpiece which is disposed on a roller bed conveyor or a table, into portions of accurate lengths, the cutting torch is movable transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the workpiece and is adjustable in respect of its working height. The cutting torch further includes a length measuring arrangement for measuring the relative distance covered between the flame cutting machine and the workpiece.

Such torch cutting machines suffer from various kinds of linked difficulties. One such difficulty or problem with the conventional troch cutting machines are the pre-mature failure of the components such as drive shafts, roller conveyors and the like. The cutting torches of the torch cutting machines are mounted over a carriage unit which is connected to overlaying gantries. The carriage unit carries the cutting torch along longitudinal and lateral directions with respect to the cast strands. Moving the cutting torch along the said direction enables the cutting torch to traverse along the cast strands to cut the strands into desired dimensions. The carriage unit is traversed by a drive unit which includes a plurality of driven roller and a feed roller coupled to drive shafts. Such drive shafts which move the carriage unit require constant lubrication to function efficiently. Conventionally, lubricating the drive shafts during operation of the torch cutting machines is a difficult task for which the whole production line has to shut. This problem would lower the production capacity. Also, if the problem of the drive shaft is not addressed regularly, operating failures of all kinds may cause the unit to shut down, which may involve enormous cost and time wastage. Further, the staff assigned to repair and maintenance may be exposed to injuries to variable degrees due to the immediate proximity of the hot strand and of the inevitable heat radiation.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the conventional arts.

The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the disclosure and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the conventional arts are overcome by an apparatus and a method as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the provision of apparatus and the method as claimed in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a drive shaft for a wheel of a billet torch cutting machine is disclosed. The drive shaft includes a body defined with a first segment defining a flange. The body further includes a second segment extending perpendicular to the first segment. The second segment defines a hub of the drive shaft and a portion of the second segment away from the first segment is structured to accommodate one or more bearings for supporting wheels of a carriage unit of the billet torch cutting machine. The body of the drive shaft is defined with a fluid supply passage defined internally in the body. The fluid supply passage is configured to channelize lubricating fluid from the first segment to the second segment.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, diameter of the first segment is greater than the diameter of the second segment.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the fluid supply passage includes a first radial passage defined in the first segment and a second radial passage defined in the second segment. A connecting passage is structured to connect the first radial passage and the second radial passage. The connecting passage extends axially between the first radial passage and the second radial passage.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, an end portion of the second segment opposite to the first segment is defined with a stepped profile. The stepped profile is configured to accommodate the one or more bearings.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the drive shaft includes a nipple fixedly connected at an inlet of the first radial passage. The nipple is configured to fluidly connect the first radial passage with a lubricating fluid source.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the body is made of at least one of metal and alloys of metal including carbon steel.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

FIG.1 illustrates a section view of a drive shaft for a billet torch cutting machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.2 illustrates a front view of the drive shaft of FIG.1.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent processes do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a drive shaft for a wheel of a billet torch cutting machine. The drive shaft of the present disclosure ensures efficient lubrication to the bearings. Also, the configuration of the drive shaft of the present disclosure may allow the carriage unit to cut billets of varying sizes. The configuration of the drive shaft of the present disclosure ensures significant increase in life of the drive shaft.

The drive shaft of present disclosure includes a body which may be structured to accommodate a fluid supply passage. The fluid supply passage may be accommodated in a body of the drive shaft. In an embodiment, the body includes a first segment defining a flange and a second segment defining a hub of the drive shaft. The second segment may extend perpendicular to the first segment. Further, a portion of the second segment away from the first segment may be structured to accommodate one or more bearings. An end portion i.e., away from the first segment or opposite to the first segment may be defined with a stepped profile. The stepped profile may be configured to accommodate the one or more bearings. The one or more bearings may be configured to support wheels of a carriage unit. In some embodiments, the diameter of the first segment i.e., the flange may be greater than the diameter of the second segment i.e., the hub.

The fluid supply passage may be defined in the body of the drive shaft. The fluid supply passage may be defined internally in the body. The fluid passage efficiently channelizes lubricating fluid from the first segment to the second segment. The fluid supply passage includes first radial passage defined in the first segment. A second radial passage of the fluid supply passage may be defined on the second segment. In an embodiment, the second radial passage may be defined at the end portion which may accommodate the one or more bearings. The first and the second radial passage may be interconnected by a connecting passage. The connecting passage may extend axially between the first radial passage and the second radial passage. The lubricating fluid such as lubricating oil may be injected into the fluid passage from the first radial passage which may be channelized through the connecting passage. From the connecting passage the lubricating fluid may be channelized to the second radial passage which may lubricate the one or more bearing accommodated on the hub of the drive shaft.

The terms “comprises…. a”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the specification, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or method. In other words, one or more elements in an assembly proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly.

Henceforth, the present disclosure is explained with the help of one or more figures of exemplary embodiments. However, such exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limitation of the present disclosure.

The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to FIG(s) 1 and 2. In the figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs. For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to specific embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated methods, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or summary or the following detailed description. It is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific method or steps illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described referring to the accompanying drawings. While some specific terms directed to a specific direction will be used, the purpose of usage of these terms or words is merely to facilitate understanding of the present invention referring to the drawings. Accordingly, it should be noted that the meanings of these terms or words should not improperly limit the technical scope of the present invention.

Generally, a continuous casting plant includes a ladle to provide molten metal to a tundish through a shroud. The tundish may direct the molten metal to the casting mold through a submerged entry nozzle connected to a bottom of the tundish. The casting mold may include at least two opposing mold faces. The SEN may deliver the molten metal into the casting mold below the surface of the molten metal in the casting mold. The width of the cast strand leaving the casting mold may be substantially determined by the configuration of the casting mold faces at the mold exit. The cast strand leaving the casting mold enters a containment segment and thereafter a second containment segment. The containment segment may include rolls and may include a spray system to cool the containment rolls and assist in solidifying and orientation of the strand as the strand moves away from the casting mold. The strand leaving the containment segment may enter a set of pinch rolls below the containment segment. Further, a disconnect roll may be positioned below the set of pinch rolls which may be provided to initiate curving of the strand. The cast strand may further enter a withdrawal straightener which may serve as transition direction and provide support for the cast strand as strand cools and progresses at casting speed towards a cutting tool. By the time the cast strand exits the withdrawal straightener and arrives at the cutting tool, the cast strand may be sufficiently solidified to be cut laterally (i.e., transverse to the direction of travel of the cast strand) to form, for example blooms, or billets [hereinafter referred to as steel profiles]. The steel profiles run out via roller tables and may be cut or fragmented by means of a torch cutting machine. The term torch cutting machine may be intended to denote the entire torch cutting machine installation with the conventional support or foundation structures, rails, and other components for travelling movements, delivery or supply means as well as a multiple measuring device with which there are associated a computing and control means and a weighing means. In an embodiment, the torch cutting machine may be an oxy-fuel torch cutting machine but not limiting to the same.

The torch cutting machine for cutting the steel profile may include a roller conveyor defining a work piece path, at least one driven feed roller, a cutting torch that may be mounted behind the driven feed roller in the positive feed direction, and a burr removal device etc. In an embodiment, the cutting torch may be moved transversely to the feed directions. The torch cutting machine of the known construction may include a clamping device. The clamping device may be used to clamp the moving steel profile. The steel profiles [cast strands] may be moved along the roller conveyors. The steel profiles moved along the roller conveyors may lie on the support rollers within the traverse path of the troch cutting machine outlined by guide rails. The cutting torch may be associated with a position and orientation unit of the cutting torch with respect to the steel profile on the conveyor. The cutting torch positioning unit may have higher degree of freedom about which it can move the torch relative to the steel profile to be fragmented. The positioning unit includes an overlaying gantry with a travelling beam disposed so as to traverse the table. A carriage unit is mounted over the traveling beam. Further, the cutting torch may be mounted on the carriage unit. The carriage unit may be movable by operation of plurality of actuators. The carriage unit may be movable along X-axis and Y-axis through which the cutting torch may be moved to desired position with respect to the steel profiles. The carriage unit may be moved to desired position by means of plurality of driven rollers. The plurality of driven rollers may be coupled to a drive shaft (10). The drive shaft (10) of the present disclosure may efficiently lubricate the roller conveyors/one or more bearing connected to the plurality of driven rollers.

Referring now to FIG.1, the drive shaft (10) [hereinafter referred to as shaft (10)] may include a body (B). The body (B) of the drive shaft (10) may be substantially annular in shape (as shown in FIG.2). The body (B) includes a first segment (6). The first segment (6) may be defining a flange. Further, the drive shaft (10) may include a second segment (5) extending perpendicular to the first segment (6). In an embodiment, diameter of the second segment (5) may be substantially smaller than diameter of the first segment (6). However, length of the second segment (5) may be longer than the length of the first segment (6). The second segment (5) may define a hub of the drive shaft (10). In an embodiment, the second segment (5) may extend from a substantially central portion of circumferential surface of the first segment (6). The second segment (5) may be defined with a stepped profile at an end portion of the second segment (5). The end portion of the second segment (5) may be a free end of the second segment (5) and may be substantially away/on an opposite end from the first segment (6). The stepped profile on the second segment (5) may be designed to accommodate the one or more bearings.

Further, a fluid supply passage (1, 2, and 3) may be defined within the body (B). The fluid supply passage (1, 2 and 3) may be designed to channelize lubricating fluid from the first segment (6) to the second segment (5). The fluid supply passage (1, 2, and 3) may be defined internally in the body (B). In an embodiment, the fluid supply passage (1, 2 and 3) may be defined during the casting of the body (B) of the drive shaft (10) or may be defined in the body in later stages by mechanical means. The mechanical means include but not limiting to drilling. The fluid supply passage (1, 2, and 3) may include a first radial passage (1), a second radial passage (3), and a connecting passage (2). The first radial passage (1) [as shown in FIG.2] may be defined in the first segment (6). The second radial passage (3) may be defined in the second segment (5). In an embodiment, the first radial passage (1) and the second radial passage (3) may be defined radially within the first segment (6) and the second segment (5) respectively. Further, the connecting passage (2) may be defined within the second segment (6). The connecting passage (2) may be designed to define a flow channel between the first radial passage (1) and the second radial passage (3). The connecting passage (2) may connect the first radial passage (1) and the second radial passage (3). In an embodiment, the connecting passage (2) may be drilled at the substantially central portion of the second segment (5). The connecting passage (2) may be drilled along the complete length of the second segment (5) up to the first radial passage (1) defined in the first segment (6). The opening of the connecting passage (2) may be concealed with use of sealing cap and gasket to define a closed channel. The lubricating fluid may be injected into the first radial passage (1). In an embodiment, a nipple (N) may be fixedly connected to an inlet of the first radial passage (1). The nipple (N) may be configured to fluidly connect the first radial passage (1) with a lubricating fluid source. The lubricating fluid may flow from the first radial passage (1) to the connecting passage (2). From the connecting passage (2) the fluid flows into the second radial passage (3) and out of the second radial passage (3). The lubricating fluid flowing out of the second radial passage (3) may lubricate the one or more bearings accommodated on the stepped profile of the second segment (5). In some embodiments, the lubricating fluid may be injected into the second radial passage (3) and the lubricating oil may flow into the first radial segment (1) and the same may fall within the scope of the present invention.

In an embodiment, the drive shaft (10) of the present disclosure ensures efficient lubrication to the one or more bearings (4). Also, the configuration of the drive shaft (10) of the present disclosure may allow the carriage unit employing the drive shaft (10) to cut billets of varying sizes without causing significant damages to the drive shaft (10). The configuration of the drive shaft (10) of the present disclosure increases in life of the drive shaft (10) significantly.

It is to be understood that a person of ordinary skill in the art may develop a system of similar configuration without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Such modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations provided they come within the ambit of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Equivalents

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding the description may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated in the description.

Referral Numerals:

Description Reference number
Drive shaft 10
First radial passage 1
Connecting passage 2
Second radial passage 3
Bearings 4
Second segment 5
First segment 6