Method and device for determining the position of the solidification point

1. A method of determining a position of a solidification point in a strand ( 1 ) during a continuous casting of liquid metals and wherein the strand ( 1 ) formed in a continuous casting mold ( 4 ) and is displaced in support roller segments ( 5 ) provided with drive support roller pairs ( 6 ), the method comprising the steps of indirectly measuring a movable amount of a core liquid volume by direct measurement of generated process parameters on fixed or adjustable individual support rollers ( 6 a ) or groups ( 7 ) of fixed or adjustable support roller pairs ( 7 a ) with signal transmitters ( 10 ) which generate respective force and/or path signals which represent continuously changeable momentary positions of the solidification point in the cast strand ( 1 ) produced by continuous movement of the solidification to different locations along an entire solidification stretch during casting of the cast strand; producing a calculation model ( 15 ) for each momentary position of the solidification point ( 1 a ) based on the force and/or path signals; and continuously adjusting changeable casting parameters based on respective calculated positions of the solidification point.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the force and/or path signals are based on a local change of a strand thickness.

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the force and/or path signals are based on a change of at least one of stop plug position ( 8 ) and/or a valve position in an intermediate receptacle ( 3 ) provided between the continuous casting mold ( 4 ) and a teeming ladle.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the force and/or path signals are based on changes of a melt level ( 9 ) in the continuous casting mold ( 4 ).

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the force and/or path signals are based a changeable volume of liquid metal that flows between an intermediate receptacle ( 3 ) and the continuous casting mold.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the signal transmitters generate force signals based on changes of clamping forces between support roller pairs ( 7 a ) or support roller segment sides ( 5 a ).

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein dependent on the calculation model ( 15 ), an automatic adjustment of a support roller segment ( 5 ) or an adjustable support roller ( 6 a ) is carried out.

8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a sequence of position or force changes in a same system direction on the strand ( 1 ) is undertaken from bottom upwards or in reverse.

9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a support roller segment ( 5 ) without independently adjustable, drive separate support roller ( 6 a ), on a loose side ( 13 b ), is adjusted, dependent on a position and width ( 1 a ) of a local and temporary solidification point ( 1 a ), by two piston-cylinder units ( 11 ) spaced in a strand displacement direction ( 14 ) below or above at an angle to the strand displacement direction ( 14 ).

10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein independently adjustable, driven support roller pair ( 6 ) on, a loose side ( 13 b ), in addition to adjustment of a support roller segment ( 5 ), dependent on the position and the width ( 1 c ) of the local and temporary solidification point ( 1 d ), is adjusted with a piston-cylinder unit ( 11 ).

11. A device for determining a position of solidification point ( 1 a ) in a strand ( 1 ) during a continuous casting of liquid metals and wherein the strand ( 1 ) is formed in a continuous casting mold ( 4 ) and is displaced in support roller segments ( 5 ) or roller pairs ( 6 ) provided with driven support rollers ( 6 a ), the device comprising hydraulic piston-cylinder units ( 11 ) for adjusting the support roller segments; signal transmitters ( 10 ) provided in an intermediate receptacle ( 3 ) that is located between a teeming ladle ( 2 ) and the continuous casting mold ( 4 ), in the continuous casting mold ( 4 ), in the hydraulic piston-cylinder units ( 11 ) of the support roller segments ( 5 ) and/or on adjustable, free-running, or driven individual rollers ( 6 a ) for generating force and/or path signals which represent continuously changeable temporary positions of the solidification point in the cast strand ( 1 ) produced by continuous movement of the solidification point to different locations along an entire solidification stretch during casting of the cast strand; and data processing unit ( 12 ) for processing force and/or path signals and for producing a calculation model ( 15 ) used for calculating respective momentary positions of the solidification point based on which changeable casting parameters are continuously adjusted.