ROLLING ARRANGEMENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a rolling arrangement with two roller shafts mounted in a housing, wherein the roller shafts are preferably mounted parallel to one another, wherein the roller shafts each carry at least one rolling ring in their axial end region, wherein a sealing arrangement is fastened to or in the housing, with which the axial end region of the roller shafts including the rolling rings can be sealed against the interior of the housing, wherein the sealing arrangement comprises: a seal carrier plate which is fastened to or in the housing or is part of the housing, two slide rings for each roller shaft which are arranged on the roller shaft, a double lip seal with two sealing lips for each roller shaft which is arranged on the seal carrier plate (or on a splash ring arranged in the seal carrier plate, see below), whereby the sealing lips each bear against a slide ring, and a support ring for each roller shaft which is arranged in the radially inner area of the double lip seal and supports it radially.

[0002] A rolling arrangement of the generic type is known from EP 0 850 703 B1. DE 10 2018 104 123 B3, US 3 892 446 A, US 4 910 987 A, EP 0 196 117 B1, and JP 2005 040799 A also deal with the design of sealing arrangements.

[0003] The sealing arrangements of such a rolling assembly are subjected to significant stress during operation, for example, in a wire or bar rolling mill. This is caused by high and rapidly fluctuating temperatures, contamination by dirt and scale, the influence of cooling water, and high frictional forces during operation. The sealing arrangements must seal the area of the rolling rings against the interior of the housing, preventing water or dirt from entering the housing and oil from escaping from the housing.

[0004] This results in wear on the sealing elements of the sealing arrangement, which impairs the functionality of the sealing arrangements and requires frequent replacement of the seals.

[0005] The time required to replace the sealing elements is very significant. Double-lip seals are well known, featuring a spring steel ring, a plastic ring, or a similar clamping element to ensure the sealing function during operation and prevent rotational movement relative to a seal carrier plate. Due to the tight installation conditions and the necessary deformation of the clamping ring during assembly, the clamping force of the spring steel ring or plastic ring for securing the seal requires the disassembly of the seal carrier and any other fittings attached to it (guides, guide holders, cooling pipes, etc.).Known clamping elements, which require less deformation and thus enable the assembly of the seal without disassembling the seal carrier, do not apply sufficient radial force to prevent the double-lip seal from rotating relative to the seal carrier plate; high wear and failure of the seal are the result.

[0006] Replacing the sealing elements therefore represents a significant cost. The seal's service life typically ranges from three to four weeks, depending heavily on the application. Replacing the sealing elements takes approximately 30 minutes per sealing location. Due to the number of rolling stands (e.g., a 10-stand rolling block with 20 seals), this adds up to a considerable cost over the year at a given hourly rate for the plant.

[0007] The invention is based on the TaskThe aim is to further develop a rolling assembly of the type mentioned above in such a way that, in the event of wear in the sealing assembly, it can be serviced and, in particular, seals can be replaced in a significantly shorter time than before. The disassembly and assembly required for this should be reduced, thus saving corresponding costs. This should reduce replacement times without compromising the service life of the seal.

[0008] The SolutionThis object is achieved by the invention in that an anti-rotation device is arranged, with which rotation of the double-lip seal relative to the seal carrier plate is prevented, wherein the anti-rotation device comprises at least one (preferably exactly one) radial projection arranged on the seal carrier plate (or on the splash ring) which engages in a corresponding recess in the double-lip seal, or wherein the anti-rotation device comprises at least one (preferably exactly one) radial projection arranged on the double-lip seal which engages in a corresponding recess in the seal carrier plate (or in the splash ring), wherein the projection and the recess are designed congruent to one another and wherein the projection is designed as a cylinder or pin.

[0009] The proposed solution allows, as can be seen below, the disassembly of the double lip seal when disassembling only one of the two sliding rings.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support ring is designed as a separate component; alternatively, it can also be integrated into the double-lip seal. The support ring is designed in such a way that it does not require any deformation or only requires so little deformation during assembly that the support ring can be installed when only one of the two sliding rings is disassembled.

[0011] The double-lip seal is preferably free of any other stiffening elements. This makes it highly flexible during assembly and allows only one of the two seal rings to be installed when disassembled.

[0012] The double-lip seal and the backup ring are preferably designed to be toleranced to each other such that, when assembled, a radially outward force is exerted by the backup ring on the double-lip seal. Accordingly, the stability of the axial position of the double-lip seal during operation is achieved not by the seal itself, but by the backup ring.

[0013] The support ring preferably has a chamfer at least at one axial end. This significantly simplifies assembly and prevents damage to the double-lip seal and the support ring during installation.

[0014] The support ring is preferably made of steel, but it can also be made of other materials that are suitable for withstanding similar operating and environmental conditions. Using a suitable material allows the support ring to be reused multiple times for the assembly of additional seals, provided the support ring is not integrated into the double-lip seal.

[0015] The radial thickness of the support ring depends on the size of the seals. In one possible embodiment of the invention, the radial thickness of the support ring is between 1 mm and 10 mm, particularly preferably between 2 mm and 5 mm.

[0016] The seal carrier plate is preferably provided with a device for supplying sealing water or sealing air. A splash ring is installed or integrated into the seal carrier plate.

[0017] The rolling assembly is preferably a component of a wire rod or bar rolling mill. The proposed sealing assembly, designed as a mechanical seal, is therefore preferably used in rolling module housings in metallurgical plants, particularly in wire rod and bar rolling mills.

[0018] In a typical plant configuration, there are typically ten stands in the area of a wire rod rolling block, where the rolled product is rolled to its final dimensions. Each stand contains the seal carrier plate with two splash rings and two double-lip seals. Recesses for the double-lip seals are provided in the seal carrier plate. Due to the parallel arrangement of the two roll shafts, these have a figure-eight shape.

[0019] The proposed solution allows for a significant reduction in the time required to replace the double-lip seal. An advantage is that the seal carrier plate does not need to be disassembled when replacing the seal, thus eliminating the need to remove existing fittings on the plate (guides, guide holders, cooling pipes, etc.).

[0020] The anti-rotation feature (i.e., preventing rotation of the double-lip seal relative to the seal carrier plate) ensures that wear on the seal remains minimal and the sealing function is maintained. Without such a feature, rotation of the seal would generate friction and heat, which would damage the seal and lead to premature failure.

[0021] This results in significantly reduced downtimes and thus a cost advantage for the rolling mill operator. Furthermore, maintenance costs are also significantly reduced.

[0022] This allows for a quick seal change with the seal carrier plate installed. Compared to previously known solutions, the time required for seal replacement can be significantly reduced without reducing the seal's service life.

[0023] The backup ring used is preferably made of steel and ensures sufficient clamping force during operation, reliably holding the double-lip seal in its axial position, thus ensuring effective sealing. After replacing the double-lip seal, the backup ring is reused at the same sealing location, unless the backup ring is integrated into the double-lip seal. The reusability of the backup ring reduces maintenance material costs.

[0024] The chamfered design of the support ring allows for installation without the need for excessive force and without damaging the seal or the support ring.

[0025] When we refer to a double-lip seal in this case, we mean that the sealing element in question has at least two sealing lips, each of which engages a sliding ring. However, this does not mean that additional sealing lips cannot be arranged on the double-lip seal.

[0026] The drawing shows an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 shows the end region of a roll shaft of a wire rolling stand, which is mounted in a housing, in the axial end region of which a roll ring is mounted, wherein a sealing arrangement is effectively arranged between the roll ring and the housing, Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of the sealing arrangement and Fig. 3 shows the detail "X" according to Figure 2 .

[0027] In Figure 1 , a part of a rolling arrangement 1 is shown, which is a component of a wire rod or bar rolling mill. A roller shaft 3 is mounted in a housing 2. Not shown is that two adjacent roller shafts 3 are mounted in the housing 2, wherein the two roller shafts are arranged parallel to one another, ie, the axes a of the roller shafts are parallel.

[0028] In the axial end region 4 of each roller shaft 3, a rolling ring 5 is arranged, which serves to roll the material, ie the material to be rolled is rolled between two cooperating rolling rings 5. The rolling ring 5 is fixed to the journal of the roller shaft 3 by means of a conical sleeve 18, for which purpose a cap 19 is also used, which is fastened in the end region of the roller shaft 3 by means of a screw.

[0029] In order to seal the interior of the housing 2 against the rolling area with the rolling rings 5, so that no impurities can penetrate into the interior of the housing and no oil can escape from the housing, a sealing arrangement 6 is provided, which is designed as a mechanical seal.

[0030] The seal assembly 6 comprises a seal carrier plate 7, which is screwed to the housing 2. The seal carrier plate 7 is also provided with a sealing water or sealing air supply 17, i.e., an integral component of the seal carrier plate is a splash ring, with which sealing water or sealing air can be discharged toward the rolling ring 5.

[0031] The exact design of the sealing arrangement 6 is shown in the Figures 2 and 3 out.

[0032] This results in the sealing arrangement 6 initially comprising two sliding rings 8 and 9 per sealing point, which are mounted as shown and together form a substantially U-shaped structure in radial section. A double-lip seal 10 is attached to the seal carrier plate 7, which has two sealing lips 11 and 12. In the assembled state, one sealing lip 11 frictionally engages the sliding ring 8, while the sealing lip 12 frictionally engages the sliding ring 9.

[0033] The double-lip seal 10 is designed without any reinforcing element, resulting in an easily deformable and thus easy-to-assemble structure. The stability of the double-lip seal 10 during operation of the rolling assembly 1 is achieved by a support ring 13, as best shown in Figure 3 The support ring 13 is a thin-walled steel ring which is provided with a chamfer 16 at one of its axial ends.

[0034] To prevent the double lip seal 10 from rotating (around axis a) relative to the seal carrier plate 7 during operation of the system, an anti-rotation device 14, 15 is provided, as best shown in Figure 3 is evident.

[0035] According to this, the seal carrier plate 7 has a radially extending projection 14 in the form of a pin or cylinder at a circumferential location, which engages in a congruent recess 15 in the double-lip seal 10. Thus, a relative rotation about the axis a between the seal carrier plate 7 and the double-lip seal 10 is prevented.

[0036] If the double lip seal 10 has to be replaced due to wear, this can be done in a much simpler and shorter manner than is the case with previously known solutions.

[0037] The procedure for replacing the double-lip seal 10 is as follows: First, the cap 19 is unscrewed, the conical sleeve 18 is removed, and the rolling ring 5 is removed. Then, the outer sliding ring 9 is pulled off in the axial direction.

[0038] Now the support ring 13 is pulled off in the axial direction so that the double lip seal 10 is accessible; it is removed, which is easy due to its freedom from reinforcing elements.

[0039] A new double-lip seal 10 is inserted, ensuring that the projection and recess match. Both the seal carrier plate 7 and the inner slide ring 8 remain in the assembled state.

[0040] Once the new double-lip seal 10 is inserted, the support ring 13 is pushed back on, with the chamfer 16 enabling smooth assembly and ensuring that no damage occurs to the double-lip seal 10. The support ring 13 holds the double-lip seal 10 securely in the intended operating position and exerts a radially outward force on the double-lip seal 10, ensuring that it is reliably held to the seal carrier plate 7.

[0041] Now the outer sliding ring 9 is pushed back on and then the other components (rolling ring 5, conical sleeve 18 and cap 19) are reassembled.

[0042] The time required for this is only a fraction of what has been usual up to now, since in particular the seal carrier plate 7 with the attachments and fittings attached to it does not have to be dismantled.

[0043] Thus, the proposed arrangement, due to the described simplified disassembly and assembly process, offers a significant increase in the productivity of the rolling mill, which cannot be achieved in a conventional manner. List of reference symbols:

[0044] 1Rolling arrangement 2Housing 3Rolling shaft 4Axial end section 5Rolling ring 6Seal arrangement 7Seal carrier plate 8Sliding ring 9Sliding ring 10Double lip seal 11Sealing lip 12Sealing lip 13Support ring 14, 15Anti-rotation device 14Protrusion (cylinder / pin) 15Recess 16Chamfer 17Seal water supply / sealing air supply 18Conical sleeve 19Cap aAxis

Claims

1. Roller assembly (1) with two roller shafts (3) mounted in a housing (2), wherein the roller shafts (3) are preferably mounted parallel to one another, wherein the roller shafts (3) each carry at least one roller ring (5) in their axial end region (4), wherein a seal assembly (6), by which the axial end region (4) of the roller shafts (3) together with roller rings (5) can be sealed relative to the interior of the housing (2), is secured at or in the housing (2), wherein the sealing assembly (6) comprises: - a seal support plate (7), which is secured at or in the housing (2) or is part of the housing (2), - two respective slide rings (8, 9) for each roller shaft (3), the slide rings being arranged at the roller shaft (3), - a respective double lip seal (10) for each roller shaft (3), the double lip seal having two sealing lips (11, 12) and being arranged at the seal support plate (7), wherein the sealing lips (11, 12) each bear against a respective slide ring (8, 9), and - a respective support ring (13) for each roller shaft (3), the support ring being arranged in the radially inwardly disposed region of the double lip seal (10) and radially supporting this, characterised in that rotation prevention means (14, 15), by which rotation of the double lip seal (10) relative to the seal support plate (7) is prevented, is arranged, wherein the rotation prevention means (14, 15) comprises at least one radial projection (14) which is arranged at the seal support plate (7) and engages in a corresponding recess (15) in the double lip seal (10) or wherein the rotation prevention means (14, 15) comprises at least one radial projection which is arranged at the double lip seal (10) and engages in a corresponding recess in the seal support plate (7), wherein the projection and the recess are formed to be congruent with one another and wherein the projection is configured as a cylinder or pin.

2. Roller assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the support ring (13) is constructed as a separate component or is integrated in the double lip seal (10).

3. Roller assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the double lip seal (10) is free of stiffening elements.

4. Roller assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the double lip seal (10) and the support ring (13) are so toleranced relative to one another that in the mounted state a radially outwardly directed force is exerted by the support ring (13) on the double lip seal (10).

5. Roller assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the support ring (13) has a chamfer (16) at least at an axial end region.

6. Roller assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the support ring (13) is constructed as a steel ring.

7. Roller assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the seal support plate (7) is provided with a device for the feed of sealing water or sealing air.

8. Roller assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that it is a component of a wire or rod roll stand.