Method and apparatus for regulating the bath level in a continuous

Abstract

A detector for monitoring the bath level in an oscillatory continuous casting mold oscillates with the latter. The detector generates signals indicative of the bath level and a control unit interprets the signals and initiates adjustment of the bath level if this is outside of prescribed limits. Since the detector oscillates with the mold, and thus relative to the bath, the distance between the detector and the surface of the bath changes continuously even if the bath level remains constant. Inasmuch as the detector cannot distinguish between its own movement and that of the bath level, the oscillation of the detector results in the supply of misinformation to the control unit. In order to correct for the oscillation of the detector, a limit switch is connected with the detector or the control unit and is arranged to be closed by the oscillator at a predetermined point of its stroke. Thus, the detector will always be at the same position when the limit switch is closed. If the limit switch is connected with the detector, the latter is inoperative as long as the limit switch is open and monitors the bath level when the limit switch is closed. On the other hand, if the limit switch is connected with the control unit, the detector monitors the bath level continuously but the control unit accepts signals from the detector only when the limit switch is closed.