Device for adjusting the width of the gap between the rolls of a continuous casting facility
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a process and device for adjusting the width of the gap between two rolls, in particular between the rolls of a continuous casting facility used to manufacture aluminum strips, wherein the rolls are mounted in bearings enclosed in supporting frames and wherein the distance between the frames is variable. 
     During the operation of roll type continuous casters it is necessary to alter the size of the gap between the casting rolls. The way of doing this is normally such that each of the rolls is mounted in bearings which are housed in special supporting frames between which spacer plates are inserted thus determining the distance between the frames and therefore also the size of the roll gap. To achieve an accurate setting, however, it is necessary to employ calibrated plates which are designed to match the different inserts. For fine adjustment of the gap it is generally necessary to employ standard gauge sheets. Correction of the roll gap during casting is completely out of the question. 
     Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a device of the kind mentioned above, which is simple and cost-wise favorable to manufacture and install in the casting facility, functions without trouble and in particular allows adjustment of the roll gap even during casting operations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing object is achieved by way of the present invention wherein at least one supporting frame features, at its corner regions facing the other supporting frame, bearing plates having faces inclined at an angle to the axis of a spindle, and moveable adjusting blocks are provided with wedge shaped surfaces which rest against the inclined faces. In the simplest case the corner regions of the at least one frame may be inclined and adjusting blocks are inserted on both sides of the frame which is raised by means of the wedge-shaped face on the adjusting blocks. However, in the foregoing case, the edge regions on the frame would be subject to heavy wear and would make it necessary to change the whole supporting frame due to wear. It is preferred, therefore, to form an approximately rectangular recess in the corner regions of the supporting frame and to fit into the recess a bearing plate having the above mentioned inclined face. If this bearing surface becomes worn, that is, if the accuracy of the roll gap setting would suffer, then the bearing plate may be removed and replaced by a new one. 
     In order to achieve simultaneous movement of both adjusting blocks, and therefore uniform raising or lowering of the supporting frame each of these adjusting blocks is provided with teeth which mate with threads on the spindle, the threads at opposite ends of the spindle running counter to each other. As such, it can suffice that the adjusting blocks lie against the spindle or only partially enclose it. Preferably, however, the thread on the spindle engages with teeth inside holes bored in the adjusting blocks and the face on the opposite side from the wedge-like face of the block runs parallel to the above mentioned axis and rests against the other supporting frame. This way the movement and alignment of the block by the spindle are greatly improved. 
     These opposite side faces parallel to the axis slide in a corner region of the opposite lying support frame on a bearing surface of a set bolt which is likewise inserted in a corner recess in the other frame. In the opposite corner region they slide on the base surface, parallel to the axis, of the spindle, of a centering piece which in cross section has the appearance of a part of a sectioned hemisphere. The dish-shaped surface of the centering piece resides, but moveably so, in a corresponding dish-shaped recess in the supporting frame. For ease of changing when wear occurs to the surface, it is preferred to create this dish-shaped recess in a part of a block also inserted into the recess in the frame. 
     The spindle itself is held in bearings which are fitted into the above mentioned cover plates and, at the same time, serve as a mounting for the set bolt or part of the block and as a stop limiting the movement of the adjusting blocks. 
     All bearing surfaces are preferably supplied with lubricant via feed lines. This makes movement of the whole adjusting device easier and reduces wear. 
     The spindle can be turned by hand or by motor drive. The invention foresees the provision of a regulating facility for the spindle motor. This facility would sense the size of the roll gap, compare the actual with the intended value and activate the motor drive as required. 
     The device as a whole operates very economically and without interference or breaking down. It enables the roll gap to be adjusted during casting without interrupting the casting run. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a partly sectioned front elevation of the device of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A device 1 for adjusting the rolls of a roll-type continuous caster is illustrated in figure 1. Only the contours of two supporting frames 2a and 2b and roll bearings 3 of the casting facility are shown in FIG. 1. Both frames 2a and 2b are mounted at a variable distance from each other, the facing corner regions of the frames 2a and 2b featuring approximately rectangular recesses 4 and 5 to accommodate parts of the adjusting device 1. 
     Fitted into each of the recesses 4 is a bearing plate 6 with an outer face 7 inclined at an angle w to the axis A of spindle 34. The bearing plate 6 projects a distance l beyond the sidewall 8 of the frame 2a, and is such that a stop 10 is provided there at an end face 9. Running through this end face 9 and stop 10 is a channel 11 via which lubricant reaches the outer face 7 of the bearing plate 6. 
     Fitted into a recess 5a in the frame 2b is a tool 12 which corresponds dimensionally to recess 5a and is held in place by means of a setbolt 14 and cover plate 17 secured to a sidewall 15 of the frame 2b by attachment means 16. Running through the cover plate 17 is a feed line 18 via which lubricant passes through the tool 12 to a bearing surface 19 running approximately parallel to axis A. 
     Residing in the facing recess 5b and secured in frame 2b by bolts 20 and protected by a cover plate 26 mounted onto sidewall 21 by screw bolts 22, is a part of a block 23 with a dish-shaped surface 24 facing towards axis A. In this dish 24 is a movable centering piece 25 in the shape of a segment of part of a sphere. Lubricant is likewise fed through channels 27 from a source 28 on the cover plate to the curved face 29 and to the face 30 running approximately parallel to the axis A. 
     The parts 6, 12, 23 and 25 of the adjusting device 1 in recesses 4 and 5 are connected by a spindle 34 which can be turned around its longitudinal axis A by means of a handle 35. To this end, in each of the cover plates 17 and 26 is a bearing 36 and 37 respectively, which, in the case of cover plate 26, has the extra facility of a bearing shoe 38 against which a snap-ring 39 or the like presses to hold the spindle 34 in place. 
     Between the bearing points 36 and 37 and notches 40, spindle 34 features counter running threads 41 and 42 which mate with inward facing teeth, not shown, in the holes 44 provided in adjusting blocks 45 and 46. Feed lines 47 for supplying lubricant to the threads 41 and 42 and to bearing points 36 and 37 are likewise provided. 
     The adjusting blocks 45 and 46 lie with their wedge-shaped faces 48 on the outer faces 7 of the bearing plates 6 and with surfaces 49 parallel to axis A on the bearing surfaces 19 and 30. Consequently adjusting blocks 45 and 46 are wedge-shaped in cross section. If the spindle is turned, the adjusting blocks 45 and 46 move sliding their wedge surfaces 48 along outer faces 7 of the bearing plates 6 and faces 49 along the bearing surfaces 19 and 30, and do so either towards or away from each other thus raising or lowering the upper frame 2a. As a result of the movement of blocks 45 and 46 the distance a, and with that the gap between the casting rolls is adjusted. 
     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein, which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which are susceptible of modification of form, size, arrangement of parts and details of operation. The invention rather is intended to encompass all such modifications which are within its spirit and scope as defined by the claims.