Sliding nozzle apparatus

Abstract

A sliding nozzle apparatus includes a pair of sliding metal frame retaining sections provided on respective sides of opposed long edges of a fixed metal frame in an openable and closable manner. The sliding nozzle apparatus also includes: a pair of shafts each integrated with one of the retaining sections and each rotatably supported on a corresponding one of the sides of the opposed long edges of the metal frame; first and second link members provided, respectively, at one end of the shafts of the sliding metal frame retaining sections; and a link element coupling the first and second link members together, such that, when one of the retaining sections is manually opened or closed, the shaft of the other retaining section is reversely rotated to cause the other retaining section to be simultaneously opened or closed.

1 . A sliding nozzle apparatus comprising a pair of sliding metal frame retaining sections provided on respective sides of opposed long edges of a fixed metal frame in an openable and closable manner, wherein the sliding nozzle apparatus further comprises:
 a pair of shafts each integrated with a respective one of the sliding metal frame retaining sections and each rotatably supported on a corresponding one of the sides of the opposed long edges of the fixed metal frame;   a first link member and a second link member provided, respectively, at one ends of the shafts of the sliding metal frame retaining sections; and   link means coupling the first and second link members together, such that, when one of the sliding metal frame retaining sections is manually opened or closed, the shaft of the other sliding metal frame retaining section is reversely rotated to cause the other sliding metal frame retaining section to be simultaneously opened or closed.   
     
     
         2 . The sliding nozzle apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second link members has a coupling portion at a position eccentric with respect to a central axis of the shaft thereof, wherein the link means comprises a link bar whose opposite ends are pivotally coupled, respectively, to the coupling portions of the first and second link members, such that the link bar intersects with a line connecting the central axes of the shafts. 
     
     
         3 . The sliding nozzle apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein, in a state in which the sliding metal frame retaining sections are fully closed, the first link member and the second link member are, in vertical cross-section, at point-symmetric positions with respect to a center defined by a midpoint of the line connecting the central axes of the shafts, and wherein the link bar is formed as a single piece to directly couple the coupling portions together. 
     
     
         4 . The sliding nozzle apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the link bar is composed of a first link bar and a second link bar whose one ends are coupled, respectively, to the first link member and the second link member, and wherein the link means further comprises a first gear and a second gear provided on the fixed metal frame and meshed with each other, wherein the other ends of the first and second link bars are pivotally attached, respectively, to the first and second gears in an eccentric manner. 
     
     
         5 . The sliding nozzle apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , which is configured such that a coupling position between the first or second link member and the link bar is adjustable. 
     
     
         6 . The sliding nozzle apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , which is configured such that a length of the link means to couple the first and second link members together is adjustable. 
     
     
         7 . The sliding nozzle apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , which is used under a condition that, during plate replacement, the sliding metal frame retaining sections are arranged one-above-the other. 
     
     
         8 . The sliding nozzle apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the sliding metal frame retaining sections have different weights.