Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a splash
adhesion prevention cover attached to a sliding nozzle
device for controlling the flow rate of molten steel, and
also to a sliding nozzle device including the splash
adhesion prevention cover.
Background
[0002] A sliding nozzle device attached to a bottom
surface of a ladle controls the flow rate of molten steel
from the ladle into a tundish. The sliding nozzle device
also includes a lower nozzle for guiding molten steel to
the tundish.
As disclosed in Patent Document 1, in the sliding
nozzle device, the lower nozzle, which is normally attached
and detached from the lower side, is fixed to the sliding
nozzle device by a lower nozzle holder in some cases.
Unfortunately, molten steel may flow back through a
ladle shroud attached to the lower side of the lower nozzle
to splash from a joint between the lower nozzle and the
ladle shroud when poured into the tundish, and splashes of
the splashing molten steel may hit the sliding nozzle
device.
Citation List
Patent Document
[0003] Patent Document 1: JP 2008-188639A
Summary
Technical Problem
[0004] To easily attach and detach the lower nozzle, the

lower nozzle holder is exposed to the outside on the lower
side. Thus, the lower nozzle holder and the sliding nozzle
device tend to be damaged by the splashes of the molten
steel from the joint between the lower nozzle and the ladle
shroud.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to reduce
damage to a lower nozzle holder, and a sliding nozzle
device due to splashing.
Solution to Problem
[0006] The present invention provides a splash adhesion
prevention cover and a sliding nozzle device as described
below.
(1) A splash adhesion prevention cover attached to a
sliding nozzle device that includes a lower nozzle, a lower
nozzle sleeve, and a lower nozzle holder fixed to the lower
nozzle sleeve so as to support the lower nozzle,
the splash adhesion prevention cover being located on
a lower side of the lower nozzle holder so as to cover the
lower nozzle holder.
(2) The splash adhesion prevention cover according to (1)
above, in which
a heat insulating plate having an opening into which
the lower nozzle holder is inserted is located on a lower
side of the lower nozzle sleeve, and
a gap is formed between a rim of the opening of the
heat insulating plate and the lower nozzle holder, the gap
being covered by the splash adhesion prevention cover.
(3) The splash adhesion prevention cover according to (2)
above, in which
the heat insulating plate further has a cutout in an
outer circumference of the opening,
the splash adhesion prevention cover includes a cover
body and a fin extending circumferentially outward from an

end of the cover body, and
the fin covers the cutout.
(4) The splash adhesion prevention cover according to (3)
above, in which
a first bolt to fix the heat insulating plate to the
lower nozzle sleeve is mounted on the heat insulating
plate,
the fin is stepped from the cover body, and
the fin covers the first bolt.
(5) The splash adhesion prevention cover according to (3)
or (4) above, in which
the lower nozzle holder includes a cover mounting
hole, and
the cover body includes a projection, the projection
being inserted into the cover mounting hole.
(6) The splash adhesion prevention cover according to (5)
above, in which
the cover body further has a bolt mounting hole, and
a second bolt is mounted in the bolt mounting hole and
inserted into the cover mounting hole so as to prevent
rotation of the cover body.
(7) A sliding nozzle device including the splash adhesion
prevention cover according to any one of (1) to (6) above.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0007] The present invention enables reduction in damage
to a lower nozzle holder for fixing a lower nozzle to a
sliding nozzle device, and the sliding nozzle device.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sliding nozzle
device to which a splash adhesion prevention cover
according to one embodiment of the present invention is

attached (a sliding metal frame is closed).
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sliding nozzle
device to which the splash adhesion prevention cover
according to one embodiment of the present invention is
attached (the sliding metal frame is open).
FIG. 3 is a sectional view along A-A in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a lower nozzle sleeve.
FIG. 5 is a main part enlarged view of FIG. 1 without
the splash adhesion prevention cover.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the splash adhesion
prevention cover as viewed from the lower side.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the splash adhesion
prevention cover as viewed from the upper side.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the splash adhesion
prevention cover mounted on a lower nozzle holder.
Description of Embodiments
[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a sliding nozzle device 2 to
which a splash adhesion prevention cover 1 according to one
embodiment of the present invention is attached.
To be more specific, FIG. 1 illustrates a state in
which a sliding metal frame is closed, and FIG. 2
illustrates a state in which the sliding metal frame is
open. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the sliding nozzle device 2
placed in a vertical state.
[0010] In the present embodiment, the sliding nozzle
device 2 is located on a bottom surface of a ladle so as to
control the flow rate of molten steel into a tundish (not
illustrated).
In the present description, the "lower side" refers to

the tundish side of the sliding nozzle device in use (in
controlling the flow rate of molten steel), and the "upper
side" the ladle side of the sliding nozzle device in use
(in controlling the flow rate of molten steel).
[0011] The sliding nozzle device 2 includes a sliding
nozzle device body 3 and a drive unit 8.
The sliding nozzle device body 3 according to the
present embodiment also includes a fixed metal frame 31, an
opening/closing metal frame 32, and a sliding metal frame
33.
All of the fixed metal frame 31, the opening/closing
metal frame 32, and the sliding metal frame 33 are
substantially rectangular plate members each having an
opening.
The fixed metal frame 31 is mounted on the bottom
surface of the ladle. The opening/closing metal frame 32
is mounted on the fixed metal frame 31 so as to be openable
and closable. The sliding metal frame 33 is mounted on the
opening/closing metal frame 32 so as to be located between
the fixed metal frame 31 and the opening/closing metal
frame 32. Plates 34a and 34b having plate holes 35a and
35b are also accommodated within the fixed metal frame 31
and the sliding metal frame 33, respectively. The fixed
metal frame 31 includes a locking mechanism 311 for
maintaining the sliding metal frame 33 in a closed state.
The opening/closing metal frame 32 includes a heat
resistant cover 321 on the lower side. The heat resistant
cover 321 prevents damage to the opening/closing metal
frame 32 by heat or molten steel.
[0012] The sliding metal frame 33 can slide with respect
to the fixed metal frame 31. The drive unit 8 slides the
sliding metal frame 33 in the longitudinal direction of the
sliding metal frame 33. The drive unit 8 can employ, for

example, a hydraulic cylinder.
Sliding the sliding metal frame 33 can adjust the
positions of the plate holes 35a and 35b of the plates 34a
and 34b in the fixed metal frame 31 and the sliding metal
frame 33. When the plate holes 35a and 35b of the plates
34a and 34b overlap with each other, molten steel flows
out. When the plate holes 35a and 35b of the plates 34a
and 34b do not overlap, molten steel does not flow out.
Thus, sliding the sliding metal frame 33 can adjust
the flow rate of molten steel flowing out of the ladle into
the tundish.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a sectional view along A-A in FIG. 1.
A lower nozzle 4, a lower nozzle sleeve 5, and a lower
nozzle holder 6 are mounted on the sliding metal frame 33.
Reference numeral 9 in FIG. 3 denotes an upper nozzle.
Reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1 to 3 denotes a portion of
the bottom surface of the ladle.
[0014] The lower nozzle 4 is a cylindrical member having
a through hole therein. The upper side of the lower nozzle
4 is mounted continuously to the plate 34b in the sliding
metal frame 33. To the lower side of the lower nozzle 4,
an unillustrated ladle shroud is attached. Molten steel
flowing out of the ladle passes through the lower nozzle 4
and the ladle shroud to be poured into the tundish, thereby
generating splashes of molten steel from a joint between
the lower nozzle and the ladle shroud as described above.
[0015] The lower nozzle sleeve 5 is a cylindrical
member. As illustrated in FIG. 4, grooves 51 for fixing
the lower nozzle holder are formed in an inner
circumferential surface of the lower nozzle sleeve 5. The
lower nozzle sleeve 5 is fixed to the lower side of the
sliding metal frame 33. In the present embodiment, the
lower nozzle sleeve 5 extends farther to the lower side

than the opening/closing metal frame 32.
[0016] A heat insulating plate 7 is mounted on a lower
end of the lower nozzle sleeve 5. The heat insulating
plate 7 is a rectangular plate member having an opening 71
into which the lower nozzle holder 6 is inserted. The heat
insulating plate 7 at least partly covers the lower nozzle
sleeve 5.
The heat insulating plate 7 is fixed to the lower
nozzle sleeve 5 by first bolts 73. The first bolts 73 fix
the heat insulating plate 7 at two symmetric positions
across the opening 71 of the heat insulating plate 7. The
first bolts 73 project farther to the lower side than the
heat insulating plate 7.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the opening 71 of the heat
insulating plate 7 has a circular shape in the present
embodiment. Rectangular cutouts 72 are also formed in the
outer circumference of the opening 71. The cutouts 72 are
located near the first bolts 73. The cutouts in the
present description refer to holes formed in the heat
insulating plate 7.
[0017] As described above, the lower nozzle holder 6 is
a cylindrical member. The outer diameter of the lower
nozzle holder 6 is smaller than the inner diameter of the
lower nozzle sleeve 5 (the diameter of a through hole in
the lower nozzle sleeve 5). As illustrated in FIG. 8,
steps 61 to be fixed to the grooves 51 of the lower nozzle
sleeve are also formed on an outer circumferential side
surface of the lower nozzle holder 6.
[0018] The steps 61 of the lower nozzle holder 6 are
inserted into the grooves 51 of the lower nozzle sleeve 5
and the lower nozzle holder 6 is rotated, whereby the steps
61 can be fixed to the grooves 51 of the lower nozzle
sleeve 5.

The lower nozzle holder 6, which is fixed to the lower
nozzle sleeve 5, can support the lower nozzle 4.
[0019] A flange 62 extending circumferentially outward
from the lower nozzle holder 6 is formed at a lower end of
the lower nozzle holder 6. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the
flange 62 has cover mounting holes 63 for mounting the
splash adhesion prevention cover 1. In the present
embodiment, the number of the cover mounting holes is
three.
[0020] The lower nozzle holder 6 is inserted into the
opening 71 of the heat insulating plate 7 such that the
flange 62 projects farther to the lower side than the heat
insulating plate 7.
In the present embodiment, the flange 62 projects
farther to the lower side than the heat insulating plate 7.
Thus, the lower nozzle holder 6 is more easily damaged by
splashes of molten steel from the joint between the lower
nozzle 4 and the ladle shroud than when the flange 62 is
located above the heat insulating plate 7. The lower
nozzle holder 6 may be also damaged by splashes of molten
steel splashing from the tundish or by heat when the molten
steel is poured into the tundish.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, a gap S is also formed
between the rim of the opening 71 of the heat insulating
plate 7 and the lower nozzle holder. In the present
embodiment, the flange 62 does not extend to the
rectangular cutouts 72, causing the gap S to have a wider
space in the cutouts.
[0021] The splash adhesion prevention cover 1 can be
mounted on the lower nozzle holder 6. The splash adhesion
prevention cover 1 can be optionally mounted on and removed
from the lower nozzle holder 6.
In the present embodiment, the splash adhesion

prevention cover 1 includes a cover body 11 and fins 12 as
illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0022] The cover body 11 has an opening 13 through which
the tip of the lower nozzle 4 is passed, projections 14, a
bolt mounting hole 15, fixing holes 16, and handles 17.
The rim of the opening 13 of the cover body 11 abuts
on an outer circumferential side surface of the lower
nozzle 4 when the splash adhesion prevention cover 1 is
mounted on the lower nozzle holder 6.
The cover body 11 is a circular plate member. The
cover body 11 can cover the flange 62 of the lower nozzle
holder 6 and the gap S between the rim of the opening 71 of
the heat insulating plate 7 and the lower nozzle holder 6.
[0023] The projections 14 are members projecting to the
upper side from the cover body 11 with the splash adhesion
prevention cover 1 being mounted on the sliding nozzle
device body 3. The projections 14 are fitted into the
fixing holes 16 of the cover body 11. Hooks 141 extending
circumferentially outward from the projections 14 are
formed at ends of the projections 14 on a side not fixed to
the cover body 11 (the upper side).
In the present embodiment, the number of the
projections 14 is three, which are located at positions
corresponding to the cover mounting holes 63 in the flange
62 of the lower nozzle holder 6. The splash adhesion
prevention cover 1 is rotated with the projections 14 being
inserted into the cover mounting holes 63, thereby causing
the hooks 141 to face the flange 62 as illustrated in FIG.
8. In this state, when the splash adhesion prevention
cover 1 moves in a direction to fall off the lower nozzle
holder 6 (to the lower side), the hooks 141 come into
contact with the flange 62. Thus, the splash adhesion
prevention cover 1 does not fall off the lower nozzle

holder 6.
[0024] A second bolt 18 can be inserted into one of the
cover mounting holes 63 through the bolt mounting hole 15
in a state in which the splash adhesion prevention cover 1
is rotated with the projections 14 being inserted into the
cover mounting holes 63. The second bolt 18 thereby
prevents rotation of the projections 14. Thus, the splash
adhesion prevention cover 1 does not unexpectedly rotate to
fall off the lower nozzle holder 6.
[0025] The handles 17 are U-shaped members fixed to the
cover body 11. An operator holds the handles 17 to easily
rotate the splash adhesion prevention cover 1 and mount and
remove the splash adhesion prevention cover 1 on and from
the lower nozzle holder 6.
[0026] The fins 12 are rectangular plate members
extending circumferentially outward from ends of the cover
body 11. In the present embodiment, the fins 12 are
located at two symmetric positions across the cover body
11.
The fins 12 are also stepped from the cover body 11.
Thus, when the splash adhesion prevention cover 1 is
mounted on the lower nozzle holder 6, gaps are formed
between the fins 12 and the heat insulating plate 7. The
first bolts 73 for fixing the heat insulating plate 7 to
the lower nozzle sleeve 5 are accommodated within the gaps.
The fins 12 also cover the rectangular cutouts 72 and the
first bolts 73 of the heat insulating plate 7.
[0027] A method of attaching the splash adhesion
prevention cover to the sliding nozzle device will be
described below.
First, the lower nozzle 4 is mounted on the sliding
metal frame 33 through the opening 71 of the heat
insulating plate 7. The steps 61 of the lower nozzle

holder 6 are then inserted into the grooves 51 of the lower
nozzle sleeve 5. The lower nozzle holder 6 is rotated to
be fixed to the lower nozzle sleeve 5. The lower nozzle
holder 6 thereby fixes the lower nozzle 4.
Subsequently, the projections 14 of the splash
adhesion prevention cover 1 are inserted into the cover
mounting holes 63 of the lower nozzle holder 6. The
handles 17 of the splash adhesion prevention cover 1 are
gripped to rotate the splash adhesion prevention cover 1.
The splash adhesion prevention cover 1 thereby covers the
lower nozzle holder 6 and the gap between the lower nozzle
holder 6 and the heat insulating plate 7. The bolt
mounting hole 15 of the splash adhesion prevention cover 1
also becomes continuous to the cover mounting hole 63 of
the lower nozzle holder 6.
Finally, the second bolt 18 is inserted into the cover
mounting hole 63 of the lower nozzle holder 6 through the
bolt mounting hole 15.
[0028] Mounting the splash adhesion prevention cover 1
on the lower nozzle holder 6 as described above can protect
the lower nozzle holder 6 from molten steel (splash) or
heat. Damage to a portion of the lower nozzle holder 6
projecting to the lower side from the heat insulating plate
7 can be particularly reduced. For example, when splashes
of molten steel occur from the joint between the lower
nozzle and the ladle shroud, the molten steel hits the
splash adhesion prevention cover 1 to adhere to the splash
adhesion prevention cover 1. Thus, little molten steel
adheres to the lower nozzle holder 6, giving almost no
damage to the lower nozzle holder 6. Additionally, since
the splash adhesion prevention cover 1 covers the gap
between the lower nozzle holder 6 and the heat insulating
plate 7, little molten steel enters into the sliding nozzle

device body 3. Moreover, the splash adhesion prevention
cover 1 covers the first bolts 73, causing little molten
steel to enter into the sliding nozzle device body 3 from
the mounting holes of the first bolts 73. Consequently,
the splash adhesion prevention cover 1 also prevents damage
to the sliding nozzle device body 3.
The splash adhesion prevention cover 1 can also block
splashes of molten steel splashing from the tundish and
heat when the molten steel is poured into the tundish.
[0029] The sliding nozzle device 2, which is attached to
the ladle in the present embodiment, may also be attached
to, for example, the tundish. In this case, the sliding
nozzle device controls the flow rate of molten steel from
the tundish into a mold. In this case, the "lower side" in
the present embodiment refers to the mold side of the
sliding nozzle device in use (in controlling the flow rate
of molten steel), and the "upper side" the tundish side of
the sliding nozzle device in use (in controlling the flow
rate of molten steel).
[0030] The sliding nozzle device body 3 may have various
structures other than the structure in the present
embodiment. For example, the sliding nozzle device body 3
may be formed of two metal frames including the fixed metal
frame and the sliding metal frame mounted on the fixed
metal frame so as to be openable and closable, or may be
formed of three or more metal frames.
Additionally, the lower nozzle sleeve 5 and the
sliding metal frame 33 may be integrally formed. In the
structure in which the lower nozzle sleeve 5 and the
sliding metal frame 33 are integrally formed, the lower
nozzle holder may be mounted on the sliding metal frame or
the plate.
[0031] The cover body 11 and the fins 12 of the splash

adhesion prevention cover 1 may have various shapes other
than the shapes in the present embodiment. That is, the
cover body and the fins may have any shapes that cover the
lower nozzle holder and the gap between the lower nozzle
holder and the heat insulating plate. For example, the
cover body and the fins may have polygonal shapes, and the
fins may have a circular shape. The fins may also be
formed along the entire circumference of the cover body.
The cover body 11 and the projections 14, which are
separate components in the present embodiment, may also be
integrally formed.
Additionally, in the present embodiment, the second
bolt 18 is inserted into the cover mounting hole 63 formed
in the flange 62 of the lower nozzle holder 6. A separate
hole for inserting the second bolt 18 may also be formed in
the flange 62 of the lower nozzle holder 6.
[0032] The splash adhesion prevention cover 1, which is
mounted on the lower nozzle holder 6 in the present
embodiment, may be mounted on the heat insulating plate 7.
Reference Signs List
[0033] 1 SPLASH ADHESION PREVENTION COVER
11 COVER BODY
12 FIN
13 OPENING
14 PROJECTION
141 HOOK
15 BOLT MOUNTING HOLE
16 FIXING HOLE
17 HANDLE
18 SECOND BOLT

2 SLIDING NOZZLE DEVICE
3 SLIDING NOZZLE DEVICE BODY

31 FIXED METAL FRAME
32 OPENING/CLOSING METAL FRAME
321 HEAT RESISTANT COVER
33 SLIDING METAL FRAME
34 PLATE
4 LOWER NOZZLE
5 LOWER NOZZLE SLEEVE
51 GROOVE
6 LOWER NOZZLE HOLDER
61 STEP
62 FLANGE
63 COVER MOUNTING HOLE
7 HEAT INSULATING PLATE
71 OPENING
72 CUTOUT
73 FIRST BOLT

8 DRIVE UNIT
9 UPPER NOZZLE
10 LADLE BOTTOM SURFACE

We Claim :
1. A splash adhesion prevention cover attached to a
sliding nozzle device that includes a lower nozzle, a lower
nozzle sleeve, and a lower nozzle holder fixed to the lower
nozzle sleeve so as to support the lower nozzle,
the splash adhesion prevention cover being located on
a lower side of the lower nozzle holder so as to cover the
lower nozzle holder.
2. The splash adhesion prevention cover as claimed in
claim 1, wherein
a heat insulating plate having an opening into which
the lower nozzle holder is inserted is located on a lower
side of the lower nozzle sleeve, and
a gap is formed between a rim of the opening of the
heat insulating plate and the lower nozzle holder, the gap
being covered by the splash adhesion prevention cover.
3. The splash adhesion prevention cover as claimed in
claim 2, wherein
the heat insulating plate further has a cutout in an
outer circumference of the opening,
the splash adhesion prevention cover includes a cover
body and a fin extending circumferentially outward from an
end of the cover body, and
the fin covers the cutout.
4. The splash adhesion prevention cover as claimed in
claim 3, wherein
a first bolt to fix the heat insulating plate to the
lower nozzle sleeve is mounted on the heat insulating
plate,
the fin is stepped from the cover body, and

the fin covers the first bolt.
5. The splash adhesion prevention cover as claimed in
claim 3 or 4, wherein
the lower nozzle holder includes a cover mounting
hole, and
the cover body includes a projection, the projection
being inserted into the cover mounting hole.
6. The splash adhesion prevention cover as claimed in
claim 5, wherein
the cover body further has a bolt mounting hole, and
a second bolt is mounted in the bolt mounting hole and
inserted into the cover mounting hole so as to prevent
rotation of the cover body.
7. A sliding nozzle device including the splash adhesion
prevention cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.