Roller guide for continuous casting installation

摘要

A roller guide for use in a continuous casting installation for steel is divided into segments. Each segment includes a fixed guide member which rests on a base and a movable guide member which is supported by the fixed guide member. The guide members carry rollers which cooperate to define a path for a continuously cast steel strand. The fixed guide member has a series of hollow columns which are aligned with respective tubular elements provided on the movable guide member. Spacers for adjusting the distance between the rollers are disposed between the columns and tubular elements. A tie rod extends through each column and has a first end located externally of but adjacent to the respective column. The first end of each tie rod has a passage which registers with a corresponding passage in the base. Each pair of registering passages receives a locking pin. The locking pins connect the tie rods to the base and indirectly connect the fixed guide member to the base via the tie rods. Each tie rod has a second end located in one of the tubular elements of the movable guide member. A compression spring in each tubular element reacts against the associated tie rod and against the movable guide member thereby urging the movable guide member towards the fixed guide member. The action of the compression springs also causes the locking pins, and hence the fixed guide member, to be braced against the base. A piston-and-cylinder unit mounted inside each tubular element is arranged to act against the adjacent end face of the associated tie rod counter to the respective compression spring.