Importance

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Abstract

A submerged nozzle mounting/dismounting apparatus for mounting a submerged nozzle (9) on and dismounting the same from a slide valve device (5) of a molten metal vessel (1) of a continuous casting system, is provided with a submerged nozzle holding mechanism (25) having support arms (27) for holding the submerged nozzle pressed against the slide valve device through mounting pins (13) on the upper part of the submerged nozzle. For automated operation to eliminate all kinds of heavy physical work in a hot environment, the submerged nozzle mounting/dismounting apparatus comprises a slide base (32) laterally slidably mounted for positional adjustment relative to the support arms (27) on a robot arm (21) supported for turning on a stand. A submerged nozzle hanger (40) is provided for supporting the submerged nozzle via support pins (14) projecting from the submerged nozzle. The hanger (40) is pivotally supported for turning in a vertical plane on the slide base. A guide member (45) provided below the slide valve device operates to guide the submerged nozzle hanger (40) for turning in a vertical plane and to guide the slide base through the submerged nozzle hanger for movement in directions perpendicular to the vertical plane in which the submerged nozzle hanger turns. A contact mechanism (46) is supported on the submerged nozzle hanger so as to move along guide surfaces (48, 49) of the guide member. The contact mechanism (46) is guided along the guide surfaces to move the mounting pins (13) of the submerged nozzle on the submerged nozzle hanger into pin receiving grooves (28) of the support arms (27) and to adjust the horizontal positions of the mounting pins (13) so as to be in alignment with the positions of the support arms (27).

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First Claim