| 摘要 |
Non-rotating, belt-levitating, cylindrical air-pillow apparatus and method supporting and guiding a moving, tensed, flexible, heat-conductive casting belt along a convex, cylindrically shaped path toward an entrance into a continuous casting machine. Pressurized air is applied in belt-levitating relation to the inner surface of the casting belt moving along the path. Stationary belt-guiding elements define the path. Pressurized air is fed through throttling passages communicating with regions between stationary elements or communicating with outwardly facing stationary plateau surfaces. The pressure level of belt-levitating air is at least about 90% but not exceeding 100% of a pressure level which lifts the casting belt away from contact with the stationary elements. For reducing flexural stress in the belt moving toward the entrance, a radius of curvature R1 of the cylindrically shaped path is progressively reduced by employing variable radius R+ progressively increasing in a direction toward the entrance. Pressurized air is allowed to escape from its belt-levitating relation, but escape is restricted by a semi-seal throttling barrier extending along a perimeter of the belt path. An outer surface of the barrier has fine grooves for distributing escaping pressurized air thereover. A cylindrical shell supports the stationary elements and is adjacent to a plenum chamber feeding pressurized air through throttling passages in the shell. Stationary elements of suitable, durable, wear-resistant, slippery material are mounted in grooves in the shell. Air-pillow apparatus includes belt coolant application deflector or nozzles.
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