DESCRIPTION
COOLING APPARATUS AND SEGMENT FOR CONTINUOUS CASTING
MACHINE HAVING THE SAME
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling apparatus and a segment for a
continuous casting machine having the same, and more particularly, to a cooling apparatus
that is capable of effectively cooling a strand in response to a variation in width of the
strand when continuous casting is performed and a segment for a continuous casting
machine having the cooling apparatus.
BACKGROUNDART
[0002] Generally, in a continuous casting process, molten steel is continuously
injected into a mold having a predetermined shape, and then a strand that is semi-
coagulated in the mold is continuously drawn downward from the mold to manufacture
half-finished products having various shapes such as slabs, blooms, and billets.
[0003] A schematic configuration of the general continuous casting apparatus in
which the above-described continuous casting process is performed and a segment
provided in the continuous casting machine will now be described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0004] A general continuous casting machine includes a ladle 10 into which
molten steel refined through a steel manufacturing process is received, a tundish 20
receiving the molten steel through an injection nozzle connected to the ladle 10 to
temporarily store the molten steel, a mold 30 receiving the molten steel temporarily stored
in the tundish 20 to initially coagulate the received molten steel in a predetermined shape,

and a cooling line 40 disposed below the mold 30 so that a plurality of segments 50 are
successively arranged on the cooling line 40 to conduct a series of molding works while
performing a cooling process on a non-coagulated strand S. Here, each of the segments
50 includes a plurality of tie rods (not shown) vertically connecting upper and lower
frames, which are vertically spaced apart from each other, to each other so that a plurality
of rollers that are respectively provided in the upper and lower frames are arranged to face
each other, a plurality of hydraulic cylinders 55 using the tie rod as a piston to adjust a
distance between the upper frame 51 and the lower frame 53, thereby applying a rolling
force to the strand S, and a cooling apparatus (not shown) disposed in the upper and lower
frames 51 and 53 to cool the strand S.
[0005] The strand S passing through the mold 30 may be pressed by the plurality
of rollers 52 and 54 while passing through the space between the upper and lower frames
51 and 53 and be molded in a predetermined shape. Here, the cooling apparatus may
spray coolant onto the strand S passing through the space between the upper and lower
frames 51 and 53 to cool the strand S. The cooling apparatus has to be maintained at the
same level of cooling performance regardless of a variation in width of the strand S from a
narrow width to a wide width of the strand S so as to respond to the variation in width of
the strand S. Thus, in order to meet the above-described requirements, as illustrated in
FIG. 2, a plurality of nozzles 56a and 56b are arranged in a width direction of the strand S
to cool the strand S while opening/closing a portion of nozzles, e.g., the nozzle 56b
disposed on an edge of the strand S according to the width of the strand S. However, in
the above-described method, since the number of nozzles increases, equipment such as a
pipe may be complicated in design, and thus, the cooling apparatus is difficult in
maintenance. Therefore, a method in which coolant is sprayed while a nozzle having a

wide spray angle moves along a width of a strand has been suggested. However, in this
method, since a driving unit for moving the nozzle is disposed close to the strand S, the
driving unit is deteriorated or frequently broken down due to heat generated from the
strand S and moisture generated from the coolant.
[0006] Thus, in order to restrain the damage due to the heat and moisture, a
method in which the driving unit is disposed outside the segment has been suggested.
However, in this method, since a distance between the nozzle and the driving unit increases,
it may be difficult to precisely control the movement of the nozzle. Also, since the nozzle
increases in length, the nozzle may be oscillated due to a pressure of the coolant and be
easily damaged.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL PROBLEM
[0007] The present invention provides a cooling apparatus that is capable of
easily adjusting an area on which coolant is sprayed in response to a variation in width of a
strand and a segment for a continuous casting machine having the same.
[0008] The present invention provides a precisely and stably controllable cooling
apparatus and a segment for a continuous casting machine having the same.
[0009] The present invention provides a cooling apparatus having improved
durability and a segment for a continuous casting machine having the same.
[0010] The present invention provides a cooling apparatus having improved
process efficiency and productivity and a segment for a continuous casting machine having
the same.
TECHNICAL SOLUTION
[0011] A cooling apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention

includes: a driving unit providing a rotation force; coolant spray units respectively
disposed on both sides of the driving unit, each of the coolant spray units having at least
one nozzle through which coolant is sprayed; and a moving unit disposed between the
driving unit and the coolant spray unit to symmetrically move the coolant spray units.
[0012] The coolant spray unit may include: a head in which a flow passage is
defined therein; and a plurality of nozzles spaced apart from each other on the head to
communicate with the flow passage.
[0013] The moving unit may move the coolant spray unit in vertical and
horizontal directions and may include: a rotation shaft connected to the driving unit; a rod
having one side connected to the coolant spray unit, the rod being inclinedly disposed; and
a motion conversion unit disposed between the rotation shaft and the rod to convert a
rotation motion into a linear motion, thereby linearly moving the rod.
[0014] The rotation shaft and the motion conversion unit may constitute a worm
gear, and the motion conversion unit and the rod may constitute a rack gear.
[0015] The moving unit may be accommodated in a housing and fixed to the
driving unit and the coolant spray unit.
[0016] The rod having the other side on which a hallow guide member having an
inner space to allow the rod to move therethrough' may be disposed, wherein the guide
member is fixed to the housing.
[0017] The driving unit may include a servomotor.
[0018] A segment for a continuous casting machine according to embodiments of
the present invention includes: upper and lower frames vertically spaced apart from each
other; a plurality of rollers respectively disposed in the upper and lower frames, the
plurality of rollers being arranged in a width direction of a strand; a cooling apparatus

spraying coolant between the plurality of rollers; a driving unit disposed in an upper central
portion of each of the upper frame and the lower frame; coolant spray units respectively
disposed on both sides of the driving unit, each of the coolant spray units having at least
one nozzle through which the coolant is sprayed; and a moving unit disposed between the
driving unit and the coolant spray unit to symmetrically move the coolant spray units.
[0019] The coolant spray unit having a flow passage defined therein may include:
a head disposed in a longitudinal direction of the strand; and a plurality of nozzles spaced
apart from each other on the head to communicate with the flow passage.
[0020] The moving unit may reciprocate the coolant spray unit in width and
vertical directions of the strand.
[0021] The moving unit may include: a rotation shaft connected to the driving
unit; a rod having one side connected to the coolant spray unit, the rod being disposed
inclined toward the inside of the segment; and a motion conversion unit disposed between
the rotation shaft and the rod to convert a rotation motion of the rotation shaft into a linear
motion to diagonally move the rod.
[0022] The driving unit may include a servomotor.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0023] The cooling apparatus and the segment for the continuous casting machine
having the cooling apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention may
easily control the area onto which the coolant is sprayed in response to a variation in width
of the strip that is continuously casted. Also, according to the embodiments of the present
invention, the area onto which the coolant is sprayed may be controlled to be bilateral
symmetrically distributed by using one driving unit. Also, the equipment may be reduced
. in size and improved in maintainability to improve process efficiency and productivity and

reduce manufacturing and maintenance costs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a configuration and a segment of a general
continuous casting machine.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example in use of a cooling apparatus
disposed in the segment of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a structure of a segment for a continuous
casting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cooling apparatus of FIG 3.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a front view of the cooling apparatus of FIG. 4.
[0029] FIGS. 6 and 7 are views illustrating a state where the cooling apparatus is
in use according to an embodiment of the present invention.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0030] Example embodiments of the present invention will now be described
more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present
invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as
limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so
that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
present invention to those skilled in the art.
[0031]
[0032] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Prior to explain constitutions of a guide roller according to an embodiment
of the present invention, constitutions of a general continuous casting machine will be
described.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a structure of a segment for a continuous
casting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 4 and 5
are a perspective view and front view of a cooling apparatus of FIG. 3.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 3-, a segment includes an upper roller coupling body and
a lower roller coupling body. The segment includes an upper frame 100 and a lower
frame 102, which are vertically spaced apart from each other, a plurality of girder plates
110 disposed in the upper and lower frames 100 and 102 to support a plurality of rollers
disposed in a width direction of a strand S, respectively, and a cooling apparatus spraying
coolant between the plurality of rollers 120 and 122. Also, the segment includes a tie rod
140 through which the upper frame 100 and the lower frame 102 are vertically connected
to each other in a state where the upper frame 100 are spaced apart from the lower frame
and a hydraulic cylinder 130 adjusting a distance between the upper frame 100 and the
lower frame 102 to apply a pressure to the strand S.
[0036] The cooling apparatus may be disposed at each of upper central portions
of the upper frame 100 and the lower frame 102, i.e., on each of the girder plates 10 to
spray the coolant onto the strand S transferred between the upper frame 100 and the lower
frame 102.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the cooling apparatus includes a driving unit
210 providing s. rotation force to each of the girder plates 110, first and second coolant
spray units 220 and 220' disposed on both sides of the driving unit 110 and each of which
includes at leas: one nozzle 224 through which the coolant is sprayed, first and second

moving units respectively connecting the first and second coolant spray units 220 and 220'
to the driving unit 210 to reciprocate the first and second coolant spray units 220 and 220'
in a diagonal direction, and a control unit controlling an operation of the driving unit 210.
[0038] A coolant injection hole through which the coolant is supplied may be
defined in each of the first and second coolant spray units 220 and 220'. Each of the first
and second coolant spray units 220 and 220' includes a head 222 having a flow passage
through which the coolant flows and a plurality of nozzles 224 communicating with the
flow passage and disposed spaced apart from each other on the head 222 in a longitudinal
direction of the strand S. The plurality of nozzles 224 may be connected to the head to
spray the coolant in the longitudinal direction of the strand S within the segment. Also, in
the plurality of nozzles 224, the nozzle 224 disposed in the upper frame 100 may extend
downward to spray the coolant downward, and the nozzle 224 disposed in the lower frame
102 may extend upward to spray the coolant upward. Thus, the plurality of nozzles 224 -
may spray the coolant onto the strand S passing between the upper frame 100 and the
lower frame 102. Here, each of the nozzles 224 may have a slit shape so that an area on
which the coolant is sprayed is defined in the width direction of the strand S. Like this,
since the plurality of nozzles 224 communicate with the flow passage defined in the head
222, equipment such as a pipe for supplying the coolant may be simply designed when
compared to the conventional structure in which the coolant is supplied into each of the
plurality of nozzles 224.
[0039] Various kinds of motors such as a DC motor, a stepping motor, and an AC
servomotor, which are capable of rotating each of rotation shafts 232, may be used as the
driving unit 210. Particularly, when the AC servomotor is used as the driving unit 210,
. the driving unit 210 may be finely adjusted in rotation rate, and thus the moving distances

of the coolant spray units 220 and 220' may be precisely controlled. According to the
present invention, one driving unit 210 that is finely adjustable in rotation rate may be used
to control the moving distance of each of the pair of coolant spray units 220 and 220' that
is symmetrically connected to the driving unit 210. Thus, the pair of coolant spray units
220 and 220' may symmetrically move in the same distance by the one driving unit 210.
Also, since the driving unit 210 is disposed in the segment, the pipe for supplying the
coolant into the coolant spray units 220 and 220' may be reduced in length. Thus, the
equipment may be simplified in design, and a space in which the driving unit 210 is
installed may be reduced in volume.
[0040] Each of the first and second moving units includes the rotation shaft 232
connected to the driving unit 210, a rod 236 connected to the head, and a motion
conversion unit disposed between the rotation shaft 232 and the rod 236. The first and
second moving units 230 are accommodated within the housing 240 having an inner space
and fixed to the driving unit 210 and the first and second coolant spray units 220 and 220[0041] The rotation shaft 232 may be horizontally connected to the driving unit
210. A screw may be formed along an outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft
232. Here, the screws may be formed on the rotation shafts connected to the first and
second driving 210 in directions opposite to each other to symmetrically move the first and
second coolant spray units 220 and 220'. That is, since the first and second coolant spray
units 220 and 220' are driven by using one driving unit 210, the screws may be formed on
the rotation shafts 232 connected to the driving unit 210 in the opposite directions to
- symmetrically move the first and second coolant spray units 220 and 220' disposed in
directions opposite to each other.
[0042] The rod 236 may be disposed on the same line in a vertical direction as the

rotation shaft 232 and have one side connected to the head 222. Also, the rod 236 may be
provided so that the other side of the rod 236 is inclined toward a central portion of the
segment in a state where the rod 236 is connected to the head. A plurality of rods 236
may be connected to the head to sufficiently support the coolant spray units 220 and 220'.
A sawtooth may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the rod 236 along a
longitudinal direction.
[0043] The motion conversion unit may have an annular shape. The motion
conversion unit includes a wheel 234 having a sawtooth engaged with screw of the rotation
shaft 232 and the sawtooth of the rod 236 on an outer circumferential surface thereof and a
shaft 234 used as a rotation shaft. The motion conversion unit may convert a rotation
motion of the rotation shaft 232 into a linear motion to transmit the linear motion to the rod
236. Thus, the rod 236 may linearly move by using a rotation force supplied from the
driving unit 210. Here, the shaft 234 may be arranged perpendicular to the rotation shaft
232 and rotatably fixed to the inside of the housing 240.
[0044] Here, since the rotation shaft 232 is used as a worm, and the motion
conversion unit is used as a worm wheel, a worm gear may be constituted by the rotation
shaft 232 and the motion conversion unit. The motion conversion unit and the rod 236
may constitute a rack gear. Through a combination of the worm gear and the rack gear,
the rod 236 may linearly move in a diagonal direction to reciprocate the first and second
coolant spray units 220 and 220' in width and vertical directions of the strand S.
[0045] Also, the screw formed on the rotation shaft 232 and the sawtooth formed
on each of the rod 236 and the motion conversion unit may be formed so that the first and
second coolant spray units 220 and 220] move by the same distance using the rotation
force supplied from the driving unit 210.

[0046] A protection member 237 that is extendable and contractible may be
disposed on an outer circumferential surface of one side of the rod 236 exposed from the
housing 240. The protection member 237 may be fixed to the housing 240. The
protection member 237 may extend and contract according to the movement of the rod 236
and may prevent the rod 236 from being deteriorated due to high-temperature heat and
moisture. Also, the protection member 237 may relieve a shock generated while the rod
236 moves to prevent a connection portion between the coolant spray units 220 and 220'
and the rod 236 from being damaged. Also, a guide member 238 is disposed on the other
side of the rod 236. The guide member 238 may have a hollow cylindrical shape with
one side opened. The rod 236 may be reciprocated within the guide member 238. The
guide member 238 may be disposed inclined toward the central portion of the segment
according to the arrangement of the rod 236 and be fixed to the housing 240.
[0047]
[0048] FIGS. 6 and 7 are views illustrating a state where the cooling apparatus is
in use according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a structure in
which the cooling apparatus is installed in the upper roller coupling body will be described.
When the cooling apparatus is installed in the lower roller coupling body, the upper and
lower cooling apparatus may have the same driving principle even though the upper and
lower cooling apparatus may ascend or descend in directions opposite to each other.
[0049] First, a case in which a strand S having a small width, for example, a
strand S having a width of approximately 200 mm is manufactured through the continuous
casting process will be described.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 6, when the driving unit 210 operates under the control
of the control unit, the rotation shaft 232 connected to the driving unit 210 rotates in one

direction. Thus, the motion conversion unit engaged with the rotation shaft 232 rotates,
and the rod 236 engaged with the motion conversion unit moves to the guide member 238
by the rotation of the motion conversion unit. Thus, the coolant spray units 220 and 220'
connected to the rod 236 may diagonally move toward the inside of the segment to descend
toward the strand S. Here, the coolant spray units 220 and 220' respectively connected to
both sides of the driving unit 210 may symmetrically move in the same distance. The
nozzles 224 and 224' constituting the coolant spray units 220 and 220' and a surface of the
strand S may be reduced in distance therebetween. Also, an area on which the coolant is
sprayed through the nozzles 224 and 224' may be reduced.
[0051] When a strand S having a large width, for example, a strand S having a
width of approximately 700 mm is manufactured through the continuous casting process,
the strand S may be cooled through a process for reversing the process for cooling the
strand S having the relatively small width.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 7, the driving unit 210 operates through the control of
the control unit to rotate the rotation shaft 232 connected to the driving unit 210 in a
direction opposite to that in which the rotation shaft 232 rotates when the strand S having
the small width is manufactured. Thus, the motion conversion unit engaged with the
rotation shaft 232 rotates in a direction corresponding to that in which the rotation shaft
232 rotates, and the rod 236 engaged with the motion conversion unit moves to the outside
of the guide member 238 by the rotation of the motion conversion unit. Thus, the coolant
spray units 220 and 2203 connected to the rod 236 may diagonally move toward the outside
of the segment to ascend from the surface of the strand S. Thus, a distance between the
nozzles 224 and 224' constituting the coolant spray units 220 and 220' and a surface of the
strand S may increase. Also, an area on which the coolant is sprayed through the nozzles

224 and 224' may increase.
[0053]
[0054] Although the cooling apparatus according to the embodiment of the
present invention has been described in regard to a cooling apparatus disposed in the
segment constituting the continuous casting machine, the technical ideas of the cooling
apparatus are not limited thereto.
[0055]
[0056] As described above, although the cooling apparatus and the segment for
the continuous casting machine having the same have been described with reference to the
specific embodiment, they are not limited thereto. Therefore, it will be readily
understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made
thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the
appended claims.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0057] The cooling apparatus and the segment for continuous casting machine
having the cooling apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention may
easily control the area on which the coolant is sprayed in response to a variation in width
of the strand that is continuously casted using one driving unit. Thus, the equipment
having the cooling apparatus and the segment may be significantly reduced in size when
compared to that of the related art to improve the maintainability, the process efficiency,
and the productivity. Therefore, the cooling apparatus and the segment for the continuous
casting machine having the cooling apparatus may increase in industrial applicability.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A cooling apparatus comprising:
a driving unit providing a rotation force;
coolant spray units respectively disposed on both sides of the driving unit, each of
the coolant spray units having at least one nozzle through which coolant is sprayed; and
a moving unit disposed between the driving unit and the coolant spray unit to
symmetrically move the coolant spray units.
2. The cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coolant spray unit
comprises:
a head in which a flow passage is defined therein; and
a plurality of nozzles spaced apart from each other on the head to communicate
with the flow passage.
3. The cooling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the moving unit moves the
coolant spray unit in vertical and horizontal directions.
4. The cooling apparatus of claim 1 or 3, wherein the moving unit comprises:
a rotation shaft connected to the driving unit;
a rod having one side connected to the coolant spray unit, the rod being inclinedly
disposed; and
a motion conversion unit disposed between the rotation shaft and the rod to
convert a rotation motion into a linear motion, thereby linearly moving the rod.

the coolant spray units having at least one nozzle through which the coolant is sprayed; and
a moving unit disposed between the driving unit and the coolant spray unit to
symmetrically move the coolant spray units.
10. The segment of claim 9, wherein the coolant spray unit having a flow
passage defined therein comprises:
a head disposed in a longitudinal direction of the strand; and
a plurality of nozzles spaced apart from each other on the head to communicate
with the flow passage.
11. The segment of claim 9, wherein the moving unit reciprocates the coolant
spray unit in width and vertical directions of the strand.
12. The segment of claim 9 or 11, wherein the moving unit comprises:
a rotation shaft connected to the driving unit;
a rod having one side connected to the coolant spray unit, the rod being disposed
inclined toward the inside of the segment; and.
a motion conversion unit disposed' between the rotation shaft and the rod to
convert a rotation motion of the rotation shaft into a linear motion to diagonally move the
rod.
13. The segment of claim 9, wherein the driving unit comprises a servomotor.

5. The cooling apparatus of claim 4, wherein the rotation shaft and the
motion conversion unit constitute a worm gear, and the motion conversion unit and the rod
constitute a rack gear.
6. The cooling apparatus of claim 4, wherein the moving unit is
accommodated in a housing and fixed to the driving unit and the coolant spray unit.
7. The cooling apparatus of claim 4, wherein the rod having the other side on
which a hallow guide member having an inner space to allow the rod to move therethrough
is disposed,
wherein the guide member is fixed to the housing.
8. The cooling apparatus of claim 1 or 3, wherein the driving unit comprises
a servomotor.
9. A segment for a continuous casting machine, the segment comprises:
upper and lower frames vertically spaced apart from each other;
a plurality of rollers respectively disposed in the upper and lower frames, the
plurality of rollers being arranged in a width direction of a strand;
a cooling apparatus spraying coolant between the plurality of rollers;
a driving unit disposed in an upper central portion of each of the upper frame and
the lower frame;
coolant spray units respectively disposed on both sides of the driving unit, each of

the coolant spray units having at least one nozzle through which the coolant is sprayed; and
a moving unit disposed between the driving unit and the coolant spray unit to
symmetrically move the coolant spray units.
10. The segment of claim 9, wherein the coolant spray unit having a flow
passage defined therein comprises:
a bead disposed in a longitudinal direction of the strand; and
a plurality of nozzles spaced apart from each other on the head to communicate
with the flew passage.
11. The segment of claim 9, wherein the moving unit reciprocates the coolant
spray unit in width and vertical directions of the strand.
12. The segment of claim 9 or 11, wherein the moving unit comprises:
a rotation shaft connected to the driving unit;
a rod having one side connected to the coolant spray unit, the rod being disposed
inclined toward the inside of the segment; and
a motion conversion unit disposed" between the rotation shaft and the rod to
convert a rotation motion of the rotation shaft into a linear motion to diagonally move the
rod.
13. The segment of claim 9, wherein the driving unit comprises a servomotor.