Non-rotating, levitating, cylindrical air-pillow method for supporting and guiding an endless flexible casting belt into the entrance of a continuous metal-casting machine

摘要

Non-rotating, belt-levitating, cylindrical air-pillow 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. For reducing flexural stress in the belt moving toward the entrance, a variable radius R+ progressively increases toward the entrance. Escape of pressurized air is restricted by throttling barrier on a perimeter of the belt path. A cylindrical shell supports the stationary elements and is adjacent to a plenum chamber feeding pressurized air through throttling passages in the shell.