CYLINDRICAL APPARATUS PROVIDING LEVITATION ON AIR CUSHION AND METHOD FOR DIRECTED FEED OF ENDLESS FLEXIBLE BELT TO INLET OF BELT TYPE CONTINUOUS CASTING MACHINE Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: belt type machines for metal continuous casting with straight or flat cavity along length of which belt moves to outlet. SUBSTANCE: cylindrical apparatus includes stationary members for guiding belt and defining cylindrical path of belt motion. Said guiding members may engage with supplied compressed air for providing levitation of belt to its inner surface bent along cylindrical path. Pressure level created by air providing levitation consists at least 90% and it provides disengagement of belt and stationary members. Method comprises steps of placing flexible belt in such a way that its inner surface is turned to working surfaces; creating tension in mounted belt for forcing its inner surface to working surfaces; supplying pressurized air at least through one throttling opening until its contact with inner surface of belt for providing belt levitation; driving mounted tensioned belt having predetermined shape and subjected to levitation to motion along closed path for guiding and feeding moving belt into cavity of mold. Apparatus provides deflection, bending or change of motion direction of endless flexible thin belt with predetermined thickness during its motion. EFFECT: possibility for creation of stationary apparatus for guided feed of belt having no parts moving along closed path with use of convex cylindrical air cushion. 25 cl, 14 dwg