Cooling pad assembly for a belt casting system

Abstract

A cooling pad for a belt casting system includes a first nozzle arrangement and a second nozzle arrangement. In some embodiments, the first nozzle arrangement includes an elongated nozzle assembly that includes a base defining a receiving area, a first insert positionable within the receiving area, and a second insert positionable within the receiving area. The first insert and the base together define a first elongated dispensing slot. The second insert is adjustable relative to the first insert, and the second insert and the base together define a second elongated dispensing slot. In various embodiments, the second nozzle arrangement includes a plurality of multi-position nozzles, each movable between a base position and an offset position such that the heat transfer rate may be locally controlled across the cooling cavity.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A cooling pad assembly for a belt casting system, the cooling pad assembly comprising:
 an elongated nozzle assembly comprising:
 a base defining a receiving area; 
 a first insert positionable within the receiving area, wherein the first insert and the base together define a first elongated dispensing slot; and 
 a second insert positionable within the receiving area, wherein the second insert and the base together define a second elongated dispensing slot that is offset from the first elongated dispensing slot in a longitudinal direction, 
 wherein the cooling pad is configured to dispense a coolant through each of the first elongated dispensing slot and the second elongated dispensing slot, and 
 wherein the first insert is independently adjustable relative to the second insert within the receiving area. 
   
     
     
         2 . The cooling pad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first insert and the second insert together define an elongated drainage slot between the first elongated dispensing slot and the second elongated dispensing slot in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         3 . The cooling pad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first elongated dispensing slot is perpendicular to a process path line direction. 
     
     
         4 . The cooling pad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the base defines a first plurality of dispensing apertures, a second plurality of dispensing aperture, and a plurality of drainage apertures;   the plurality of drainage apertures are provided between the first plurality of dispensing apertures and the second plurality of dispensing apertures; and   each drainage aperture of the plurality of drainage apertures is longitudinally offset from a corresponding dispensing aperture of the first plurality of dispensing apertures and from a corresponding dispensing aperture of the second plurality of dispensing apertures.   
     
     
         5 . The cooling pad assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the first plurality of dispensing apertures are longitudinally aligned with the second plurality of dispensing apertures. 
     
     
         6 . The cooling pad assembly of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first insert and the second insert together define an elongated drainage slot between the first elongated dispensing slot and the second elongated dispensing slot in the lateral direction;   the first insert comprises a plurality of first insert apertures that are in fluid communication with the first plurality of dispensing apertures;   the second insert comprises a plurality of second insert apertures that are in fluid communication with the second plurality of dispensing apertures; and   the elongated drainage slot is in fluid communication with the plurality of drainage apertures.   
     
     
         7 . The cooling pad assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a support assembly, wherein the elongated nozzle assembly is supported on the support assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The cooling pad assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one of:
 a second elongated nozzle assembly supported on the support assembly downstream from the elongated nozzle assembly; or   a plurality of multi-position nozzles supported on the support assembly downstream from the elongated nozzle assembly, wherein each multi-position nozzle of the plurality of multi-position nozzles is movable between a base position and an offset position.   
     
     
         9 . The cooling pad assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the first insert and the second insert together define an elongated drainage slot between the first elongated dispensing slot and the second elongated dispensing slot in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the support assembly comprises:
 a chamber configured to store a supply of the coolant;   a plurality of supply passages in fluid communication with the chamber and extending in a vertical direction, wherein at least one supply passage of the plurality of supply passages is in fluid communication with the first elongated dispensing slot, and wherein at least one other supply passage of the plurality of supply passages is in fluid communication with the second elongated dispensing slot; and   a plurality of drainage passages in fluid communication with the elongated drainage slot and extending in the vertical direction,   wherein each drainage passage of the plurality of drainage passages is longitudinally and laterally offset from an adjacent supply passage of the plurality of supply passages.   
     
     
         10 . The cooling pad assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the support further comprises a drainage channel extending in a horizontal direction and intersecting at least two drainage passages of the plurality of drainage passages such that the drainage channel and at least two drainage passages are in fluid communication.