Rolling mill equipped with a device for adjusting the inclination of the spraying line

The rolling mill design addresses the challenge of complex maintenance by positioning the actuator on the opposite side of the maintenance window, enabling easy ramp extraction and reducing maintenance time and hose risks through a removable connector and articulation mechanism.

EP4400225B1Active Publication Date: 2025-10-22FIVES DMS
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Patent Information

Application Number
EP2024150741
Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-01-10
Filing Date
2024-01-08
Publication Date
2025-10-22
Estimated Expiration
2044-01-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing rolling mills face challenges in efficiently maintaining and replacing cylinders due to the tedious and time-consuming process of dismantling ramp tilting devices, which often results in the risk of catching hoses and requiring complex decoupling of actuators and supply means during maintenance.

Method used

A rolling mill design with a tilt adjustment device actuator positioned on the side opposite the maintenance window, allowing ramps to be extracted without decoupling the actuator or supply means, utilizing a removable connector and articulation mechanism to facilitate easy ramp extraction through the maintenance window.

Benefits of technology

Simplifies maintenance operations by reducing the risk of hose entanglement and shortening the time required for ramp extraction and insertion, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

This disclosure relates to a rolling mill, specifically a cold rolling mill, comprising: - cylinders or sets of rollers including at least one pair of working cylinders capable of defining the air gap of a strip to be rolled, - at least one spray bar (3a, 3b) for spraying a lubricating and / or cooling fluid, located near the plane of the strip to be rolled, - a stand (2) within which said cylinders are arranged, - at least one device for adjusting the inclination of said at least one spray bar including an actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder configured to change the inclination of the spray bar about the pivot axis. According to this disclosure, said actuator of the inclination adjustment device is arranged on the second side (C2) of the stand, opposite the first side (C1) of the maintenance window.
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Description

[0001] The invention relates to a rolling mill, such as for example a cold rolling mill, and more particularly a 20-roll rolling mill, equipped with at least one spray ramp, and a device for adjusting the inclination of the spray ramp. Technical field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of such cold rolling mills, and more particularly to a rolling mill known to those skilled in the art under the name " 20 High » or even 20 “cylinders”. Prior art

[0003] Such a rolling mill, taught by document US 2,776,586, comprises a cage inside which rolling cylinders are arranged.

[0004] The rolling rolls comprise two working rolls defining the air gap of the strip to be rolled, as well as a set of first intermediate rolls and a set of second intermediate rolls for supporting each working roll (lower and upper).

[0005] These rolling cylinders are supported by several sets of rollers resting on the second intermediate cylinders, on either side of the plane of the strip to be rolled.

[0006] In a rolling mill of the type " 20 High » , the first intermediate cylinders are two in number, and the said second intermediate cylinders are three in number (for each working cylinder, upper or lower). Eight sets of rollers bear on the second intermediate cylinders, on either side of the plane of the strip to be rolled.

[0007] It is also known to lubricate / cool the strip and / or the working cylinders by spraying a cooling / lubricating fluid on the upper and lower parts of the strip.

[0008] The projection of this fluid is typically ensured by spray ramps, illustrated on the drawing plates of document US 2,776,586.

[0009] These ramps extend across the width of the strip to be rolled, in the rolling mill stand, at the level of an interspace between the upper intermediate rolls, on the one hand, and the lower intermediate rolls, on the other hand. These ramps are conventionally positioned near the work rolls.

[0010] Such rolling mills typically comprise two pairs of ramps, the two ramps of each pair being arranged respectively below and above the plane of the strip to be rolled. The two pairs of ramps are conventionally arranged on either side of the rolling plane passing through the axes of the work rolls.

[0011] Each of the ramps can be pivotally articulated to the cage, in order to allow the position of the ramp to be adjusted relative to the strip, or even relative to the nearby cylinders. This adjustment is carried out by rotating the ramp around its pivot axis, substantially parallel to the plane of the strip and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the strip. For this purpose, each ramp has a ramp tilting device comprising a rotation shaft, mounted freely rotatable, at its ends, in bearings integral with the cage. A hydraulic cylinder, connecting the cage and the shaft, makes it possible to rotate the ramp, then to firmly hold the ramp in the desired position.

[0012] The different possible positions of the ramps can, in particular, facilitate the removal of the cylinders, by moving the ramp(s) away from the cylinder to be changed. The different positions can also facilitate the insertion of the strip between the working cylinders. Thus, for example, the ramps of the pair located upstream, depending on the direction of insertion of the strip, can be brought closer to each other in order to physically guide the end of the strip to be introduced at the level of the air gap of the working cylinders, the ramps of the other pair can be moved apart in order to facilitate the recovery of the strip, downstream of the working cylinders.

[0013] A rolling mill according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from document WO 2018 / 060580 A. According to the Applicant's findings, and as taught by WO 2018 / 060580 A, the cylinders and hoses of the tilting device are typically positioned relative to the rolling mill stand, on the side of the access window of the rolling mill, from which the rolls can be extracted, and whereas the supply of the ramp, in particular of a tubular shaft of the ramp, can be done only from the opposite side and as taught by WO 2018 / 060580 A. A rotating joint ensures the free rotation of the tubular shaft of the ramp relative to a fluid supply device, on the side opposite the window, in order to allow the rotational control of the ramps around their tubular shaft by the cylinders of the tilting device, arranged on the side of the access window.

[0014] Document WO2016 / 001541 teaches an arrangement of the devices for tilting the spray booms, in particular the cylinders and hoses associated with the hydraulic control of the cylinders, and according to a spatial arrangement at the level of the maintenance window advantageously leaving, as far as possible, a clearance allowing extraction of the cylinders, advantageously without dismantling the cylinders and hoses from the tilting device.

[0015] According to the Applicant's findings, there is always a risk, when extracting a cylinder from the window, of catching the cylinder hoses.

[0016] According to the inventor's findings, in such a state of the art, dismantling the ramp is tedious and time-consuming: in particular it requires first decoupling at least partially the tilting device, in particular the jack, or even a control lever associated with the jack, and in order to free up a clearance allowing the ramp to be extracted axially through the maintenance window. Summary

[0017] This disclosure improves the situation.

[0018] A rolling mill, in particular a cold rolling mill, is proposed, comprising: cylinders, or even sets of rollers comprising at least one pair of working cylinders capable of defining an air gap of a strip to be rolled, at least one ramp for spraying a lubricating and / or cooling fluid, arranged close to the plane of the strip to be rolled, a cage inside which said cylinders, or even the sets of rollers, are arranged, said cage comprising, on a first side, on the one hand, a maintenance window, through which the cylinders, or even the sets of rollers, as well as said at least one ramp, can be extracted during maintenance, and on the other hand, a second side, opposite the first side, comprising means for supplying the ramp with fluid, or even motorization means for driving the cylinders, at least one device for adjusting the inclination of said at least one ramp comprising, -- an articulation mechanism between said at least one ramp and said cage following a pivot connection, typically with a pivot axis of rotation parallel to the plane of the strip to be rolled and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the strip, and, -- an actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder configured to change the inclination of the ramp around the pivot axis.

[0019] According to the present disclosure, said actuator of the tilt adjustment device is arranged, on the second side of the cage, namely the side opposite to the first side of the maintenance window.

[0020] The features set out in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented. They may be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other: the spraying ramp may comprise a tubular shaft provided with a fluid inlet connected via a removable connector between an open end of the tubular shaft and an open proximal end of a tube of the supply means arranged on the second side, and wherein the ramp is configured to be decoupled from the tube and extracted through the maintenance window, without decoupling the actuator of the device for adjusting the inclination of said at least one ramp, in particular on the second side of the cage, and without decoupling the supply means, in particular from the tube of the cage in particular on the second side. in particular, the tube may be coaxial with the tubular shaft, as well as with said pivot axis, and wherein the actuator connects the cage to a lever of the device for adjusting the inclination, the lever extending radially to the tube,said actuator being configured to cause the change in inclination of the ramp around the pivot axis by transmitting a rotational torque to the lever and to the tubing of the supply means, said tubing being integral in rotation with the spray ramp; the tubing can be coupled via a rotating joint to a non-rotating fluid supply device integral with the cage; said tubing can be connected in particular by the connection to the tubular shaft of the ramp, by being coupled in rotation to the ramp, to the proximal end of the tubing and while the distal end of the tubing is coupled via the rotating joint to the non-rotating fluid supply device. said removable connection between the proximal end of the tubing and the tubular shaft can comprise a first coupling part integral with one end of the tubular shaft and a second coupling part integral with the proximal end of the tubing,the first coupling part and the second coupling part being configured to couple by interlocking in the direction of the pivot axis when inserting the spray bar, and to decouple when extracting the bar through the maintenance window; the first coupling part and the second coupling part may be configured to ensure transmission of the torque generated by the actuator, between the tubing and the tubular shaft around the pivot axis; for this purpose the first coupling part and the second coupling part may be of polygonal sections, for example hexagonal. the articulation mechanism comprises a first arm rigidly secured to a support of the cage, in a first state, which is articulated to the pivot via a first bearing ring at a first end of the tubular shaft of the spray bar, on the first side,and a second arm integral with the support is pivotally articulated via a second bearing ring to the tubing driven by the actuator, on the second side, said removable connection allowing the decoupling of the ramp and the tubing being arranged between the two arms consisting of the first arm and the second arm, and configured so as to allow the decoupling and extraction of the ramp through the maintenance window, after passage into a second state of the first arm in which it is decoupled from the support on the first side, and while the second arm remains coupled to the support on the second side of the stand; the rolling mill stand comprises a lower stand part, transmitting a clamping force to the lower rolls, including the lower working roll; or even to said sets of lower rollers, and an independent upper stand part,movable vertically relative to the lower cage part transmitting a clamping force to the upper cylinders, including the lower working cylinder, or even to said upper roller assemblies.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the cage can receive: in the upper part, in particular within the upper stand part of the rolling mill, the upper working roll, as well as two first upper intermediate rolls, three second upper intermediate rolls, and four upper support roller assemblies, in the lower part, in particular within the lower stand part of the rolling mill, the lower working roll as well as two first lower intermediate rolls, three second lower intermediate rolls, and four lower support roller assemblies.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the rolling mill may comprise a first ramp and a second ramp, lower ones intended to be arranged so as to be lower than the strip to be rolled, preferably arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to a clamping plane passing through the axes of the lower and upper working rolls, said first ramp and the second ramp comprising projecting extensions, directed towards each other, at least in at least one determined angular position of the first and second ramps then configured to support the upper working roll, when opening the stand by vertical displacement of the upper stand part with respect to the lower stand part.

[0023] The means for supplying said ramp with fluid are provided on the second side, the rolling mill being devoid of means for supplying fluid to the ramp at the maintenance window, on the first side.

[0024] According to a second aspect the present disclosure relates to a method of maintaining a rolling mill according to the present disclosure, comprising: a step / B / in which a ramp is extracted, without dismantling the inclination adjustment device on the second side of the stand, including without dismantling the actuator, in particular after separation of the removable connection between the end of the tubular shaft and the proximal end of the tubing of the feed means.

[0025] According to one embodiment, step / B / is preceded by the opening of the rolling mill stand by vertical displacement of the upper stand part relative to the lower stand part. Brief description of the drawings

[0026] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below, and upon analyzing the attached drawings, in which: Fig. 1 [ Fig. 1] is a view of the configuration of a 20-roll rolling mill, comprising, on the one hand, an upper group comprising a work roll, two first intermediate rolls, three second intermediate rolls, and four sets of upper support rollers, and on the other hand, a lower group comprising a work roll, two first intermediate rolls, three second intermediate rolls, and four sets of lower support rollers. Fig. 2 [ Fig. 2 ] is a partial view of a two-part rolling mill stand, including a lower stand portion, illustrated in the figure, receiving the rolls and support rollers of the lower group, as well as spray ramps, configured in particular for cooling the strip, or even the lower rolls, in particular the lower working roll, the upper stand portion being movable relative to the lower stand portion (not illustrated). Fig. 2a [ Fig. 2a] is a detail view of the second side, opposite the first side of the maintenance window, illustrating the tilt adjustment devices associated with the two lower spray bars, first and second bars. Fig. 3 [ Fig. 3 ] is a detailed view of a ramp, articulated to a support fixed to the lower cage part via two arms, a first arm rigidly secured to the support articulated to the pivot via a first bearing ring at a first end of the tubular shaft of the ramp, on the first side, and a second arm secured to the support and articulated in pivot via a second bearing ring to the tubing coupled to the lever, said lever driven by the actuator, the removable connection arranged between the two arms, close to the second arm, the connection allowing the decoupling of the ramp from the tubing. Fig. 4 [ Fig. 4] is a sectional view along a plane passing through the pivot axis of the ramp, illustrating more particularly the removable connector and the second arm, as well as the rotating joint between the distal part of the tubing and the fixed supply device, a detail view illustrating the two parts of hexagonal sections according to a detail view, the hexagonal sections allowing torque transmission between them. Description of the embodiments

[0027] The drawings and description below contain, for the most part, elements of a certain character. They may therefore not only serve to better understand this disclosure, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.

[0028] The present disclosure relates to a rolling mill 1, in particular a cold rolling mill, comprising: cylinders 12, 13, 14, 15, or even sets of rollers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H comprising at least one pair of working cylinders 12 capable of defining the air gap of a strip BM to be rolled, at least one ramp 3 for spraying a lubricating and / or cooling fluid, arranged close to the plane of the strip to be rolled, a cage 2 inside which said cylinders 12, 13, 14, 15, or even sets of rollers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H are arranged.

[0029] In reference to the figure 1 , the present disclosure finds a particular application in a rolling mill known to those skilled in the art as a 20-roll or “20Hi” rolling mill, and in particular in such a rolling mill for which the stand is in two parts, usually called “ 'split housing » by the person skilled in the art.

[0030] Such a rolling mill stand 2, in two parts, comprises a lower stand part 20, transmitting a clamping force to the lower rolls, including the lower working roll 12; or even to said lower roller assemblies, and an upper stand part, vertically movable relative to the lower stand part typically via hydraulic means transmitting a clamping force to the upper rolls, including the lower working roll, or even to said upper roller assemblies. Such a stand can be opened by moving the upper stand part away from the lower stand part.

[0031] A 20-roll rolling mill typically includes, and as illustrated in figure 1 : in the upper part, in particular within the upper stand part of the rolling mill, the upper working roll 12, as well as two first intermediate rolls 13, upper, three second intermediate rolls 14, 15, upper, and four upper support roller assemblies A, B, C, D, in the lower part, in particular within the lower stand part of the rolling mill, the lower working roll 12, as well as two first intermediate rolls 13, lower, three second intermediate rolls 14, 15, lower, and four lower support roller assemblies H, G, F, E.

[0032] The cage comprises, on a first side C1, on the one hand, a maintenance window W, through which the cylinders 12, 13, 14, 15, or even the sets of rollers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, as well as said at least one ramp 3, can be extracted during maintenance, and on the other hand, a second side C2, opposite the first side C, provided with means 4 for supplying the ramp with lubrication / cooling fluid.

[0033] The rolling mill is preferably devoid of a means of supplying fluid to the ramp at the maintenance window, on the first side C1.

[0034] The rolling mill can also be provided with motorization means for driving the cylinders on this second side C2.

[0035] The rolling mill may comprise a first ramp 3a and a second ramp 3b, lower, arranged under the running plane of the BM strip, and configured for the cooling / lubrication of the lower working cylinder 12 and a third ramp, and a fourth ramp for the cooling of the upper working cylinder, arranged above the BM strip configured for the lubrication of the upper working cylinder 12.

[0036] The two lower ramps (first and second ramp) or the two upper ramps (third ramp and fourth ramp) are typically preferably distributed on either side of a clamping plane of the rolling mill, this plane passing through the axes of the two working cylinders.

[0037] The rolling mill also comprises at least one device 5 for adjusting the inclination of said at least one ramp, and typically: a first device for adjusting the inclination of the first ramp 3a, a second device for adjusting the inclination of the second ramp 3b, a third device for adjusting the inclination of the third ramp (not shown), a fourth device for adjusting the inclination of the fourth ramp (not shown).

[0038] The different possible positions of the ramps can, in particular, facilitate the removal of the cylinders, by moving the ramp(s) away from the cylinder to be changed, and or even ensure the recovery of the upper working cylinder by the first ramp and the second ramp.

[0039] Thus, and for example when the rolling mill comprises the first ramp 3a and the second ramp 3b, lower intended to be arranged lower than the strip to be rolled, preferably arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to a clamping plane passing through the axes of the lower and upper working cylinders, said first ramp and the second ramp may comprise extensions 9, projecting, directed towards each other, at least in at least one determined angular position of the first and second ramps. These extensions 9 are configured to support the upper working cylinder 12, when the stand is opened by vertical displacement of the upper stand part with respect to the lower stand part.

[0040] The different positions can further facilitate the insertion of the strip between the working cylinders. Thus, for example, the ramps of the upstream pair, depending on the direction of insertion of the BM strip, can be brought closer to each other in order to physically guide the end of the strip to be introduced at the level of the air gap of the working cylinders, the ramps of the other pair can be moved apart in order to facilitate the recovery of the strip, downstream of the working cylinders.

[0041] Said at least one device 5 for adjusting the inclination of said at least one ramp comprises: an articulation mechanism between said at least one ramp and said cage 2 following a pivot connection, typically, with a pivot axis X3 of rotation parallel to the plane of the strip BM to be rolled and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the strip, and an actuator 50, such as a hydraulic cylinder VR configured to change the inclination of the ramp around the pivot axis X3.

[0042] In particular, the rolling mill may include several independent tilting devices associated with the different ramps, for example: the first device for adjusting the inclination of the first ramp comprises a first articulation mechanism between said first ramp and the cage and a first actuator, in particular a first cylinder, on the second side C2, the second device for adjusting the inclination of the second ramp, comprises a second articulation mechanism between said second ramp and the cage and a second actuator, in particular a second cylinder, on the second side C2, the third device for adjusting the inclination of the third ramp, comprises a third articulation mechanism between said third ramp and the cage and a third actuator, in particular a third cylinder, on the second side C2 the fourth device for adjusting the inclination of the fourth ramp, comprises a fourth articulation mechanism between said fourth ramp and the cage and a fourth actuator, in particular a fourth cylinder, on the second side C2.

[0043] Notably and according to the present disclosure, said actuator, in particular the jack, of said at least one tilt adjustment device is arranged, on the second side C2 of the cage, opposite the first side C1 of the maintenance window.

[0044] Arranging said actuator 50, such as the cylinder VR of the tilt adjustment device on the second side C2, advantageously makes it possible not to encroach on the maintenance window W on the first side C1, and so as to facilitate the extraction of the cylinders 12, 13, 14, 15, or even the sets of rollers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H through the maintenance window W. When the actuator, in particular the cylinder, comprises one or more hydraulic hoses, this avoids the risks of tearing off the hoses, which are located on the second side C2, and not on the first side C1 as in the prior art.

[0045] Again, and at least according to one embodiment, such positioning can make it possible to extract said at least one ramp 3 (in particular first, second, third and fourth ramp) through the maintenance window W, and advantageously without requiring prior decoupling of the actuator 50 (in particular first, second, third and fourth) and without generally requiring decoupling of the tilting device on the second side C2 of the cage 2.

[0046] The operations of decoupling the spray bar(s) can thus be advantageously simplified and shortened compared to the state of the art which requires provision for decoupling the actuator (namely the hydraulic cylinder) prior to extraction of the bar 3 through the maintenance window W.

[0047] Thus and according to one embodiment, the spray ramp 3 can comprise a tubular shaft 30 provided with a fluid inlet connected via a removable connector 6 between an open end of the tubular shaft 30 and an open proximal end of a tube 40 of the supply means 4 arranged on the second side C2.

[0048] The ramp 3 is advantageously configured to be decoupled from the tubing 40 and extracted through the maintenance window 4, after decoupling the removable connector 6, without decoupling the actuator 50 from the device 5 for adjusting the inclination on the cage, on the second side C2 of the cage 2, and in particular without decoupling the supply means 4 of the cage 2, in particular on the second side C2.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the tubing 40 is coaxial with the tubular shaft 30, as well as with said pivot axis X3. The actuator 50 connects the cage to a lever 51 of the adjustment device, extending radially to the tubing 40, said actuator 50 being configured to cause the change in inclination of the ramp 3 around the pivot axis X3 by transmitting a rotational torque to the lever 51 and to the tubing 40 of the supply means, integral in rotation with the spray ramp 3.

[0050] Thus, and for example, at the Figure 2a , a first end of the actuator, in particular of the cylinder, is coupled via a first articulated connection to the cage, and another end of the actuator, in particular of the cylinder, is coupled to the lever via a second articulated connection, in particular at an end portion.

[0051] The deployment of the actuator 50 (or its retraction), in particular of the cylinder VR, generates a torque which is transmitted to the lever and jointly to the tubing 40 which is coupled in rotation with the spray bar 3, which causes the rotation of the bar around the axis X3. The tubing 40 thus carries out a primary function of supplying fluid to the bar, but also forms an integral part of the tilt adjustment device in that it is a torque transmission element, between the actuator 50 on the one hand, and the bar 3, on the other hand.

[0052] It is noted that the tubing 40 can be connected by the connector 6 to the tubular shaft 30 of the ramp 3 while being coupled in rotation to the ramp, at the proximal end of the tubing 40. The distal end of the tubing 40, opposite that of the connector 6, can be driven in rotation by the actuator 50 during adjustment, and coupled via a rotating joint 7 to a non-rotating cooling / lubrication fluid supply device 8 secured to the cage.

[0053] In particular for the lower ramp(s), in the case of a two-part cage 2, the fluid supply device 8 is fixed to the lower cage part 20, and then and then for the upper ramp(s), the non-rotating fluid supply device 8 is fixed to the upper cage part, movable relative to the lower cage part 20.

[0054] According to an advantageous embodiment, said removable connection 6 between the proximal end of the tubing 40 and the tubular shaft 30 may comprise a first coupling part 60 secured to one end of the tubular shaft 30 and a second coupling part 61 secured to the proximal end of the tubing 40.

[0055] The first coupling part 60 and the second coupling part 61 are configured to couple by interlocking in the direction of the pivot axis X3 when inserting the spray bar 3 and to decouple when extracting the bar through the maintenance window.

[0056] According to such an embodiment, the coupling and decoupling of the two coupling parts (first part 60 and second part 61) can be carried out from the first side C1 of the cage, and without requiring the presence of an operator on the second side C2, which is difficult for an operator to access.

[0057] The first coupling part 60 and the second coupling part 61 can also be configured to ensure transmission of the torque generated by the actuator 5, between the tubing 40 and the tubular shaft 30, around the pivot axis X3.

[0058] For this purpose, the first coupling part 60 and the second coupling part 61 may be of polygonal sections, for example hexagonal, and configured to ensure the transmission of torque, and as illustrated in the detailed view of the figure 4 .

[0059] According to one embodiment, the articulation mechanism may comprise a first arm BR1 rigidly secured to a support S of the cage which, in a first state of the arm, is articulated to the pivot via a first bearing ring BP1 at a first end of the tubular shaft 30 of the spray bar 3, on the first side C1 of the cage 2, and a second arm BR2 secured to the support S which is pivotally articulated via a second bearing ring BP2 to the tubing 40 driven by the actuator 50 on the second side C2.

[0060] The removable connector 6 allowing the decoupling of the ramp 3 and the tubing 40 can be arranged between the two arms, configured so as to allow the decoupling and extraction of the ramp 2 through the maintenance window, after the first arm BR1 has passed into a second state for which said first arm is decoupled from the support S on the first side C1, which is easily accessible from this first side C1 for the operator, and while the second arm BR2 advantageously remains coupled to the support S on the second side C2, therefore not needing to be dismantled.

[0061] The present disclosure also relates to a method for maintaining a rolling mill 1, comprising: a step / B / in which the ramp 3 is extracted, without dismantling the device 5 for adjusting the inclination on the second side C2 of the stand, including without dismantling the actuator 5, in particular after separation of the removable connection 6 between the end of the tubular shaft 30 and the proximal end of the tubing 40 of the supply means 4.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the extraction of the ramp 3 requires decoupling the first arm BR1, from the first side of the cage, and advantageously without requiring intervention on the second opposite side to dismantle the second arm BR2.

[0063] According to one embodiment, step / B / is preceded by: / A / Opening of the rolling mill cage by vertical displacement of the upper cage part relative to the lower cage part 20.

[0064] When the ramp is inserted into the cage for the purpose of connecting the tubular shaft 30 of the ramp 3 to the supply means 4, in particular to the tubing 40 by the removable connector 6, the connection to the supply means 4, on the second side C2, is obtained by simple interlocking, in particular between the two coupling parts (namely the first coupling part 60, and second coupling part 61), and advantageously always without requiring the intervention of the operator on this second side C2 of the cage. Industrial application

[0065] The present disclosure advantageously makes it possible, first of all, to greatly free up the maintenance window of any equipment linked to the inclination of the ramps, or linked to the supply of fluid to the ramps: the maintenance window thus freed then makes it possible to greatly facilitate the operations of changing cylinders or roller assemblies, for example by eliminating the risks of catching the cylinder hoses, and as known in the state of the art.

[0066] Furthermore, and at least according to one advantageous embodiment, the rolling mill facilitates the operations of extraction or insertion of the ramp(s) themselves, in that these operations do not require decoupling of the actuator or lever, reducing the time of the operations of extraction or insertion of the ramps, and compared to the known state of the art which requires the decoupling of the jacks or even levers coupled to these jacks.

[0067] The ramp 3, in particular the first, second, third and fourth, may conventionally comprise a series of nozzles supplied with fluid and allowing the spraying of a curtain of fluid over the width of the metal strip to be rolled, or over the length of the working cylinder. This may in particular be, as an example, a design such as taught by WO2018 / 060580, and which is notable in that it guarantees a low dispersion of flow rates of the nozzles measured over the length of the ramp, and even when the tubular shaft of the ramp is supplied with fluid from only one of its ends, in this case the end of the tubular shaft 30 pointing towards the second side C2 of the stand, within the framework of the present disclosure. List of reference signs

[0068] 1: Rolling mill 2. Stand, 20. Lower stand part (upper stand part is not shown), 3 Ramp, in particular first ramp 3a and second ramp 3b, 4. Fluid supply means, 40. Tubing, 5. Tilt adjustment device, 50. Actuator, 51. Lever, 6. Detachable coupling, 60. First coupling part, 61. Second coupling part, 7. Rotating joint, 8. Non-rotating feed device, 9. Extensions, 12. Work rolls (including upper and lower), 13. First intermediate rolls (including upper and lower), 14, 15. Second intermediate rolls (including upper and lower), A, B, C, D. Upper roller assembly, H, G, F, E. Lower roller assembly, VR. Hydraulic cylinder,

[0069] .

Claims

1. Rolling mill (1), in particular a cold rolling mill, comprising: - rolls (12, 13, 14, 15) or roller assemblies (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) comprising at least one pair of work rolls (12) capable of defining a roll gap of a strip (BM) to be rolled, - at least one bar (3) for spraying a lubricating and / or cooling fluid, placed near a plane of the strip (BM) to be rolled, - a stand (2) inside which said rolls (12, 13, 14, 15) or roller assemblies (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) are arranged, said stand comprising, on a first side (C1), a maintenance window (W), through which the rolls (12, 13, 14, 15) or roller assemblies (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H), as well as said at least one bar (3), can be removed during maintenance, and a second side (C2), opposite the first side, comprising means (4) for supplying the bar with fluid, or drive means for driving the rolls, - at least one device (5) for adjusting the inclination of said at least one bar comprising, -- a hinge mechanism between said at least one bar and said stand (2) about a pivot link, typically with a pivot axis (X3) of rotation parallel to the plane of the strip (BM) to be rolled and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the strip, and, -- an actuator (50), such as a hydraulic cylinder (VR) configured to change the inclination of the bar about the pivot axis (X3), characterized in that said actuator (50) of the inclination adjustment device is arranged on the second side (C2) of the stand.

2. Rolling mill according to claim 1, wherein the spray bar (3) comprises a tubular shaft (30) provided with a fluid inlet connected via a removable coupling (6) between an open end of the tubular shaft (30) and an open proximal end of a tube (40) of the supply means (4) arranged on the second side (C2), and wherein the bar (3) is configured to be uncoupled from the tube (40) and removed through the maintenance window (W), without uncoupling the actuator (50) of the device (5) for adjusting the inclination of said at least one bar (2) and without uncoupling the supply means (4), in particular the tube (40), from the stand (2).

3. Rolling mill according to claim 2, wherein the tube (40) is coaxial with the tubular shaft (30), as well as with said pivot axis (X3), and wherein the actuator (50) connects the stand to a lever (51) of the adjustment device, extending radially to the tube (40), said actuator (50) being configured to change the inclination of the bar (3) about the pivot axis (X3) by transmitting a rotational torque to the lever (51) and to the tube (40) of the supply means, said tube (40) being constrained to rotate with the spray bar (3).

4. Rolling mill according to claim 3, wherein the tube (40) is coupled via a rotary joint (7) to a non-rotary fluid supply device (8) which is secured to the stand.

5. Rolling mill according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the removable coupling (6) between the proximal end of the tube (40) and the tubular shaft (30) comprises a first coupling portion (60) secured to one end of the tubular shaft (30) and a second coupling portion (61) secured to the proximal end of the tube (40), the first coupling portion (60) and the second coupling portion (61) being configured to be coupled by interlocking in the direction of the pivot axis (X3) when the spray bar is inserted, and to be uncoupled when the bar is removed through the maintenance window.

6. Rolling mill according to claim 5, wherein the first coupling portion (60) and the second coupling portion (61) are configured to transmit the torque generated by the actuator (50) between the tube (40) and the tubular shaft (30) about the pivot axis (X3).

7. Rolling mill according to claim 6, wherein the first coupling portion (60) and the second coupling portion (61) have a polygonal cross-section, for example a hexagonal cross-section.

8. Rolling mill according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a first arm (BR1) rigidly connected to a support (S) of the stand, in a first state, which is pivotably connected via a first bearing ring (BP1) at a first end of the tubular shaft (30) of the spray bar, on the first side (C1), and a second arm (BR2) secured to the support (S) is pivotably connected via a second bearing ring (BP2) to the tube (40) driven by the actuator, said removable coupling (6) allowing the bar and the tube to be uncoupled, being arranged between the two arms, said removable coupling (6) and configured to allow uncoupling and removal of the bar (3) through the maintenance window, after the first arm (BR1) passes into a second state in which it is uncoupled from the support (S) on the first side (C1), while the second arm (BR2) remains coupled to the support (S) on the second side (C2).

9. Rolling mill according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rolling mill stand (2) comprises a lower stand portion (20), transmitting a clamping force to the lower rolls, including the lower work roll (12), or to said lower roll assemblies, and an upper stand portion which is vertically movable relative to the lower stand portion transmitting a clamping force to the upper rolls, including the lower work roll, or to said upper roll assemblies.

10. Rolling mill according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the stand (2) receives: - in the upper portion, in particular within the upper stand portion of the rolling mill according to claim 9, the upper work roll (12), as well as two first upper intermediate rolls (13), three second upper intermediate rolls (14, 15) and four upper backup roll assemblies (A, B, C, D), - in the lower portion, in particular within the lower stand portion of the rolling mill according to claim 9, the lower work roll (12), as well as two first lower intermediate rolls (13), three second lower intermediate rolls (14, 15) and four lower backup roll assemblies (H, G, F, E).

11. Rolling mill according to claim 10, comprising a first lower bar (3a) and a second lower bar (3b), which are intended to be arranged lower than the strip to be rolled, preferably arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to a clamping plane passing through the axes of the lower and upper work rolls, said first bar and the second bar comprising projecting extensions (9), directed towards each other, at least in one determined angular position of the first and second bars, which are configured to support the upper work roll, when opening the stand by vertically moving the upper stand portion relative to the lower stand portion.

12. Rolling mill according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein fluid supply means for a bar are provided on the second side (C2), the rolling mill being devoid of a fluid supply means for the bar at the maintenance window on the first side.

13. Method for maintaining a rolling mill (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a step / B / in which a bar (3) is removed, without dismantling the device (5) for adjusting the inclination of said bar on the second side (C2) of the stand, and without dismantling the actuator (50), in particular after separating the removable coupling (6) between the end of the tubular shaft (30) and the proximal end of the tube (40) of the supply means (4) when the rolling mill is in accordance with claim 2.

14. Maintenance method according to claim 13 implemented in a rolling mill according to claim 9 alone or in combination with claims 10 or 11, wherein step / B / is preceded by opening the rolling mill stand by vertically moving the upper stand portion relative to the lower stand portion (20).

Citation Information

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