Modular strand guide roller

Abstract

The invention is based on the object of creating a strand guide roller being configured in a modular manner, which can be retrofitted to different stand casting widths without any substantial effort, and which has a cooling effect starting from the core regions of the roller extending up to the region near the surface thereof, thereby improving the life of the strand guide roller and achieving a comparatively cost-effective maintenance. The problem is solved according to the invention in that a first centrally disposed, axially extending flow channel ( 11 and a second centrally disposed, axially extending flow channel ( 12 ) are present in each roller module ( 2, 3, 4 ), that flow channels ( 15, 16 ) are disposed in the region near the surface of each roller module ( 2, 3, 4 ), and that connecting channels ( 17 ) connect the respective flow channels ( 15 ) to the first separate flow channel ( 11 ), and that connecting channels ( 18 ) connect the respective flow channels ( 16 ) to the separate second flow channel ( 12 ).

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A modular strand guide roller for a strand guide unit of a continuous casting plant, wherein the strand guide roller comprises:
 at least a first and a second roller module, which are disposed side by side in an axial direction, wherein the first roller module has a centrally located roller journal at an end face that faces the second roller module;   a middle bearing, which is positioned between the first and second roller modules for mounting and supporting the roller journal of the first roller module;   a plug connection formed between the second roller module and the roller journal for plug connection of the first and second roller modules with each other; and   a central flow channel that runs axially in the roller modules for conveying a coolant, wherein   the centrally located and axially running flow channel consists of a first separate flow channel and a second separate flow channel; wherein   flow channels are formed in the region near the surface of an outer periphery of each roller module that guides and supports the metal strand; wherein   first connecting channels connect respective flow channels with the first separate flow channel, and second connecting channels connect further respective flow channels with the second separate flow channel; and wherein   the flow channels are arranged in pairs.   
     
     
         15 . The strand guide roller in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein a chamber is formed at least at one end of each pair of flow channels to deflect the coolant. 
     
     
         16 . The strand guide roller in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the flow channels and the chambers are tightly sealed from outside with detachable individual or common annular covers. 
     
     
         17 . The strand guide roller in accordance with claim  14 , wherein the respective flow channels of the paired flow channels are connected by the first connecting channels with the respective first flow channel, and the further respective flow channels of the paired flow channels are connected by the second connecting channels with the respective second flow channel. 
     
     
         18 . The strand guide roller in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the first connecting channel connects a supply-side outlet of the first flow channel with a discharge-side inlet of the respective flow channel of the paired flow channels. 
     
     
         19 . The strand guide roller in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the second connecting channel connects a supply-side outlet of the further respective flow channel of the paired flow channels with a discharge-side inlet of the second flow channel. 
     
     
         20 . The strand guide roller in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the first flow channel of the first roller module is connectable to a coolant inlet, and the second flow channel of a respective roller module is connectable to a coolant outlet. 
     
     
         21 . The strand guide roller in accordance with claim  14 , and further comprising a coupling sleeve provided to connect the second flow channel of the first roller module with the first flow channel of the second roller module. 
     
     
         22 . The strand guide roller in accordance with claim  1 , wherein a direction of flow of the coolant is reversible. 
     
     
         23 . The strand guide roller in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the first and second separate flow channels are each formed as sections of a common central flow channel and are separated from each other only by a barrier. 
     
     
         24 . The strand guide roller in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the flow channels are formed axially parallel, helically, or as an annular gap in a region of the roller module that is near the surface. 
     
     
         25 . A strand guide unit for a metal strand emerging from a mold of a continuous casting plant, wherein the strand guide unit has at least one strand guide roller that consists of a first roller module and a second roller module designed in accordance with the features of  claim 14 . 
     
     
         26 . A method for operating a strand guide unit in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein the coolant flows in opposite directions in adjacent strand guide rollers, adjacent roller segments, or in an upper and lower frame of a segment.