Abstract: Provided are a plate holding device, a plate detaching apparatus, a plate attaching apparatus and a plate attaching-detaching apparatus which are capable of reliably attaching and/or detaching a plate with respect to a plate-receiving metal frame. The plate holding device comprises: a plurality of holding members for holding a plate for a sliding nozzle device; widening and narrowing mechanisms to selectively widen and narrow a distance between the holding members; a pressing unit for pressing a central region of the plate when the plate is held by the holding members; and a force sensor for detecting a force received by the holding members and/or the pressing unit from the held plate. The plate holding device is configured to be mounted to a distal end of a robot arm.

Abstract: A mounting device capable of smoothly mounting a drive unit being in a hanging state to a sliding nozzle device, using a manipulator. The mounting device is mounted to a distal end of a manipulator to mount a drive unit whose upper end is connected to a suspending device, to a holder of a sliding nozzle device. The mounting device includes: a holding part for holding an upper portion or central portion (to-be-held plate) of the drive unit; and a contact part which is contactable with a lower portion (to-be-contacted part) of the drive unit when mounting the drive unit to the holder.

Abstract: A sliding nozzle device capable of allowing a maintenance robot to reliably and accurately recognize the position thereof. The sliding nozzle device includes: a fixed metal frame; and a sliding metal frame slidably provided to the fixed metal frame. The fixed metal frame is provided with a mark block for allowing a maintenance robot to recognize the position thereof. More specifically, the mark block is provided to protrude from a side surface or bottom surface of the fixed metal frame toward the sliding metal frame, at a position free from interference with the sliding metal frame during sliding.

Abstract: An opening-closing apparatus capable of, when using a robot arm to selectively open and close a component of a sliding nozzle device, reliably opening and closing the component to respective given positions. The apparatus comprises: a hand-like distal module engageable with an openable-closable component of a sliding nozzle device; a force sensor to detect a force received by the module; and a robot arm to which the module and the sensor are mounted. The robot arm is controllably operated to: move the module toward the component of the sliding nozzle device and engage the module with the component of the sliding nozzle device; then move the module to move the component, if the absolute value of the force detected by the sensor is equal to or less than a given threshold; and stop the movement of the module, when the absolute value of the force detected by the sensor reaches the threshold.

Abstract: A sliding nozzle apparatus, configured to allow a drive unit to be attached to and detached from a slide metal frame, efficiently transmits a driving force of the drive unit to the slide metal frame. The sliding nozzle apparatus comprises a connection component attached to a slide metal frame and configured for connection with a drive unit. The connection component is provided with an opening with respect to which the drive unit can be attached and detached. The connection component is configured to allow the opening to be switched between a first position where the opening faces in the same direction as an opening-closing direction of the slide metal frame, and a second position where the opening faces in the same direction as an attaching-detaching direction of the drive unit.

Abstract: Provided are a plate holding device, a plate detaching apparatus, a plate attaching apparatus and a plate attaching-detaching apparatus which are capable of reliably attaching and/or detaching a plate with respect to a plate-receiving metal frame. The plate holding device comprises: a plurality of holding members for holding a plate for a sliding nozzle device; widening and narrowing mechanisms to selectively widen and narrow a distance between the holding members; a pressing unit for pressing a central region of the plate when the plate is held by the holding members; and a force sensor for detecting a force received by the holding members and/or the pressing unit from the held plate. The plate holding device is configured to be mounted to a distal end of a robot arm.

Abstract: An opening-closing apparatus capable of, when using a robot arm to selectively open and close a component of a sliding nozzle device, reliably opening and closing the component to respective given positions. The apparatus comprises: a hand-like distal module engageable with an openable-closable component of a sliding nozzle device; a force sensor to detect a force received by the module; and a robot arm to which the module and the sensor are mounted. The robot arm is controllably operated to: move the module toward the component of the sliding nozzle device and engage the module with the component of the sliding nozzle device; then move the module to move the component, if the absolute value of the force detected by the sensor is equal to or less than a given threshold; and stop the movement of the module, when the absolute value of the force detected by the sensor reaches the threshold.

Abstract: A plate, a plate-holding apparatus, and a holding method for the plate for facilitating work to attach the plate to a plate-receiving metal frame of a sliding nozzle device. A gap is ensured between a to-be-held portion of the plate and an inner wall surface of an engagement groove such that, when the plate is held by engaging the to-be-held portion of the plate with the engagement groove of a holding portion of the plate-holding apparatus, the plate is movable in the longitudinal direction, the width direction, and the thickness direction of the plate.

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.

Abstract: A plate, a plate-holding apparatus, and a holding method for the plate for facilitating work to attach the plate to a plate-receiving metal frame of a sliding nozzle device. A gap is ensured between a to-be-held portion of the plate and an inner wall surface of an engagement groove such that, when the plate is held by engaging the to-be-held portion of the plate with the engagement groove of a holding portion of the plate-holding apparatus, the plate is movable in the longitudinal direction, the width direction, and the thickness direction of the plate.

Abstract: A simplified and downsized coupling position switching mechanism capable of transmitting reliably and smoothly the driving force of the drive unit to the slide metal frame to switchably change a coupling position between the slide metal frame and the drive unit in the sliding nozzle apparatus. A coupling portion in the slide metal frame protrudes on the side of the drive unit and allows a rod head of the drive unit to be coupled thereto, and the coupling portion has a coupling space allows the rod head to be disposed movably in a sliding direction of the slide metal frame. A separator is inserted into the coupling space to divide the coupling space into first and second coupling chambers in the sliding direction of the slide metal frame. The coupling portion has a fitting section for allowing the separator to be fitted thereinto when it is inserted into the coupling space.

Abstract: A coupling position switching mechanism capable of improving efficiency of a coupling position switching operation, while realizing structural simplification, and reductions in size and cost. A first coupling portion consisting of one of a slide metal frame-side coupling portion and a drive unit-side coupling portion is formed with a groove-shaped recess and a through-hole in this order from the side of a distal end of the first coupling portion, and a second coupling portion consisting of the remaining one of the slide metal frame-side coupling portion and the drive unit-side coupling portion is formed with the through-hole.

Abstract: A coupling position switching mechanism capable of improving efficiency of a coupling position switching operation, while realizing structural simplification, and reductions in size and cost. A first coupling portion consisting of one of a slide metal frame-side coupling portion and a drive unit-side coupling portion is formed with a groove-shaped recess and a through-hole in this order from the side of a distal end of the first coupling portion, and a second coupling portion consisting of the remaining one of the slide metal frame-side coupling portion and the drive unit-side coupling portion is formed with the through-hole.

Abstract: A simplified and downsized coupling position switching mechanism capable of transmitting reliably and smoothly the driving force of the drive unit to the slide metal frame to switchably change a coupling position between the slide metal frame and the drive unit in the sliding nozzle apparatus. A coupling portion in the slide metal frame protrudes on the side of the drive unit and allows a rod head of the drive unit to be coupled thereto, and the coupling portion has a coupling space allows the rod head to be disposed movably in a sliding direction of the slide metal frame. A separator is inserted into the coupling space to divide the coupling space into first and second coupling chambers in the sliding direction of the slide metal frame. The coupling portion has a fitting section for allowing the separator to be fitted thereinto when it is inserted into the coupling space.

Abstract: A sliding nozzle device that can reduce any damage such as surface roughness and chipping in a nozzle hole surroundings of a used plate.

Abstract: A sliding nozzle device that can reduce any damage such as surface roughness and chipping in a nozzle hole surroundings of a used plate.