Rolling mill with movable stand and sealed door

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a 20-roll rolling mill (1) configured for rolling a metal strip, which includes a stand comprising two parts movable relative to each other, forming respectively an upper stand portion (2), configured to transmit a clamping force to the four sets of support rollers (A, B, C, D) of the upper group, and an upper stand portion configured to transmit a clamping force to the four sets of support rollers (E, F, G, H) of the lower group, and a door cooperating, in a closed position, with a peripheral frame (5) of a fixed frame of the stand system surrounding the maintenance window (FM), said door sealing said maintenance window (FM). A system of axial stops (BA2) for the second intermediate rolls (14, 15) accompanies the movements of the upper and lower stand portions (2).

Description

technical field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of cold rolling, which allows the final thickness of a metal strip to be obtained by successively passing this strip between cylinders in the presence of high forces simultaneously in pressure and tension.

[0002] A rolling mill of the type "Sendzimir" comprises a plurality of cylinders, or rollers, which are arranged relative to each other to allow the change of the mechanical characteristics of a metal strip and to obtain a strip thickness that can be less than 3 millimeters.

[0003] This disclosure relates more specifically to 20-roll rolling mills of the type known to those skilled in the art as "split housing," which notably include an upper cage section and a lower cage section that are movable relative to each other, and as opposed to the known prior art with a single-block cage. Previous technique

[0004] More specifically, a rolling mill is known "Sendzimir" which can include twenty cylinders; an example of the realization of such a rolling mill with twenty cylinders is illustrated in US documents 5,193,377 and US 5,471,859.

[0005] There figure 1 The attached document, which is part of this description, is derived from these two requests.

[0006] This figure 1represents a schematic view of a cross-section of a twenty-roll rolling mill. In this figure, the rolls are divided into a lower group GI and an upper group GS; more precisely, these groups GI and GS have a symmetrical structure and each comprise ten rolls including: one working roll 12, two first intermediate rolls 13, three second intermediate rolls 14 and 15, and four support rolls, or set of support rolls, which are outside the arrangement and are marked A, B, C and D for the upper group GS and E, F, G, H for the lower group GI.

[0007] This nomenclature for the different cylinders constituting a twenty-roll rolling mill is in use in the field of rolling mills, and is well known to those in the trade.

[0008] It is recognized in the field of rolling mills that this arrangement of cylinders illustrated in figure 1allows for efficient processing of a BM metal strip to obtain the desired strip thickness

[0009] US documents 5,193,377 and 5,471,859 disclose such a one-piece cage rolling mill, which allows only a small gap between the upper and lower working rolls, respectively, which can cause difficulty, particularly when it is necessary to carry out maintenance operations, typically changing rolls.

[0010] In such a 20-roll, single-block rolling mill, the maintenance access window is closed by a large door. During rolling operations, this door provides a seal against the lubricating / cooling oil, which is sprayed at high flow rates into the stand by spray bars located inside the stand. This door is hinged to a frame of the stand, allowing access to all 20 rolls when open: the two working rolls, the first four intermediate rolls, the six second intermediate rolls, and the eight sets of support rolls.

[0011] Such a state of the art with a monobloc cage is disclosed for example by document WO 2015 / 071608 A1 of the present Applicant.

[0012] WO2015 / 071608 A1 states that the (large) access door, referred to as the main door in WO 2015 / 071608 A1, may be equipped with a wicket gate, namely a small door hinged to the main door. This wicket gate simplifies maintenance of the working cylinders and the first intermediate cylinders by allowing access to them, advantageously without requiring the main door to be opened, which remains closed.

[0013] Thus, and in an open position of the gate, it allows access to the working cylinders 12 and the first intermediate cylinders 13 through a central opening formed in the main door, advantageously, without having to open the main door, a much more tedious maneuver.

[0014] In a closed position of the gate (the main door then closed), the latter closes said opening formed in the main door, said gate being equipped with stops ensuring the axial positioning of the working cylinders 12 (on the front), during the rolling operations.

[0015] A 20-roll rolling mill typically includes a device for moving the first intermediate rolls, in particular of the push-pull or push-shovel type as taught in WO 2015 / 071608 A1. Such a push-shovel device comprises at least one first pair of cylinders at the front and at least one second pair of cylinders at the back of the stand, each cylinder having a support portion configured to exert a pushing force on the first intermediate rolls. This type of moving device allows control of the axial overlap between the first intermediate rolls, and thus enables this overlap to be adapted to the width of the metal strip to be rolled.

[0016] The gate can then be equipped with push cylinders belonging to the push-push type movement device. The second intermediate cylinders 14 and 15, three in number for the upper group Gs and three for the lower group Gs, are conventionally articulated at their ends by bearing housings. Such bearing housings are connected to the cage by suspensions for the upper intermediate cylinders. The main door is then equipped with stops that bear against the bearing housings when the door is closed. The second intermediate cylinders are typically driven in rotation by motors on the side of the cage opposite the maintenance window.

[0017] In a 20-roll, single-block rolling mill, rolling operations are carried out under intense oil spray from spray bars, typically two upper and two lower, located inside the stand. Once the door is closed (possibly equipped with a wicket gate), it seals the entire maintenance window on the front of the stand, protecting the external environment from oil spray.

[0018] In such a 20-roller monobloc stand rolling mill, the two working rolls can only be separated (from each other) in the vertical direction by a small dimension, and typically only by the stroke permitted by the rotations of internal eccentrics in the four sets of support rollers A to D upper, and the rotations of internal eccentrics in the four sets of support rollers lower, E to H. A small separation of the working rolls can be detrimental during maintenance operations, particularly roll change operations, due to the small clearance created for removing or inserting the rolls, or, for example, in the event of strip breakage, to extract any pieces of strip stuck in the stand.

[0019] The state of the art of 20-roll rolling mills still includes rolling mills known by the English name " split housingwhich each include, notably, two parts movable relative to each other along the vertical, thus allowing an increased opening between working cylinders, and by comparison to the state of the art of monobloc cage rolling mills.

[0020] The two movable cage sections comprise an upper cage section receiving the upper group rolls and a lower cage section receiving the lower group rolls. The upper and lower cage sections are movable relative to each other in the vertical direction, typically by a hydraulic system. Such a two-part cage mill allows the working rolls to be separated by opening the cage, and to a greater extent than is possible with a single-piece cage mill.

[0021] US document 3,858,424 A is an example of such a rolling mill of the " split housingwhich includes: An outer cage, fixed, and notably inside this outer cage, an upper inner cage and a lower inner cage, movable relative to each other by the action of a hydraulic clamping pot interposed between the lower inner cage and a base of the outer cage. A cutting line adjustment device is interposed between the upper inner cage and an upper portion of the outer cage.

[0022] In such a state of the art, the maintenance window of the cage typically includes a system of doors in several movable parts, and in particular three parts movable relative to each other, and according to a first family of rolling mill of the "split housing" type.

[0023] The door system according to US 3,858,424 A thus comprises two movable doors depending on the movements of the lower and upper internal cages, and a central fixed door, namely respectively: a first, central door, extending vertically, at the level of the working cylinders, hinged on one side of the fixed outer cage, the central door being secured by a lock on the other side of the outer cage, this central door notably supporting a vertically oriented roller forming an axial stop on the front for the working cylinders, and as visible to the figure 2 from document US 3,858,424, a second door and a third door, movable relative to each other and to the central door, the second door and the third door respectively arranged above and below the first central door, the second and third doors attached respectively to the upper and lower internal cages.

[0024] The second door is hinged to the upper internal cage and includes an axial stop for a bearing of the second upper intermediate cylinder. The third door is hinged to the lower internal cage and includes an axial stop for a bearing of the second lower intermediate cylinder.

[0025] In such a state of the art, the second door thus accompanies the vertical movements of the upper cage part, while the third door accompanies the vertical movements of the lower cage part, the first central door remaining fixed.

[0026] The state of the art of "split housing" rolling mills includes variants of implementation with only two doors, respectively upper and lower, attached respectively to the two parts of the cage which are movable relative to each other, one of the two doors also incorporating an axial stop for the working rolls.

[0027] Such a state-of-the-art door system in several parts, movable relative to each other according to the movements of the lower and upper cages, is advantageous compared to a single fixed door solution, in that it advantageously allows the movable doors, lower and upper, to be equipped with two oil emulsion injection systems whose function is to lubricate the bearing housings of the second intermediate cylinders. Specifically, an upper injection system, associated with the upper door, advantageously always accompanies the vertical movement of the bearing housings of the upper second intermediate cylinders, to ensure their lubrication by injection from injection ports on this movable upper door, always centered with ports opposite the bearing housings of the second upper cylinders. Meanwhile, a lower injection system, associated with the lower door,It advantageously always accompanies the movement of the bearing housings of the lower second intermediate cylinders, to ensure their lubrication by injection, from injection ports on this lower port, always centered with ports opposite the bearing housings of the lower second intermediate cylinders.

[0028] Such a state of the art with several moving doors (two or three doors) however requires the presence of operating clearances between the moving doors but also typically above the upper door and below the lower door, and due to the relative displacement between the two moving doors, attached respectively to the lower and upper cage parts.

[0029] During rolling operations carried out under intense lubrication by the internal spray ramps of the cage, large quantities of oil escape through a gap between doors, or even a gap above the upper door and a gap below the lower door, requiring the presence of an oil recovery system, external to the cage, and often the presence of an additional closing system for the doors, typically taking the form of a roller shutter curtain (often called a "louver") covering the front of the cage over its entire height.

[0030] The state of the art of rolling mills split housing,However, a second known design employs a main door, integral to a fixed outer cage, which, like the prior art of monobloc cage rolling mills, completely closes off the cage's maintenance window. In such a case, sliding bearings are provided on an inner wall of the door, serving as axial stops for the bearing housings of the intermediate second rolls.

[0031] The sliding bearings extend over a significant portion of the height of the main door, which is fixed so that the housing can slide on this bearing along the nominal operating stroke of the upper and lower cage sections during vertical movements of the cage sections, which, for example, exceed 100 mm. Given the amplitude of the vertical movements between the lower and upper cage doors and the fixed door, this sealed door solution is not compatible with injection systems for lubricating the bearing housings of the intermediate second cylinders: such a stroke does not allow the injection system's injection ports to remain centered with an orifice in the bearing housing.

[0032] Such a door system, with a large fixed door for a "split housing" rolling mill, although watertight, does not meet all needs, and in particular those of 20-roll rolling mills requiring intense lubrication of the bearing housings of the intermediate second rolls. Summary

[0033] This disclosure improves the situation.

[0034] A 20-roll rolling mill configured for rolling a metal strip is offered, comprising: an upper group comprising: -- one upper working cylinder, -- two upper intermediate cylinders, -- three upper intermediate cylinders, -- four sets of upper support rollers, a lower group comprising: -- one lower working cylinder, -- two lower intermediate cylinders, -- three lower intermediate cylinders, -- four sets of lower support rollers, a cage system comprising two parts movable relative to each other forming respectively an upper cage part, configured to transmit a clamping force to the four sets of support rollers of the upper group, and a lower cage part configured to transmit a clamping force to the four sets of support rollers of the lower group,a hydraulic clamping mechanism configured to move the cage system from an open cage position in which the upper cage portion and the lower cage portion are separated from each other, to a clamping position in which the upper cage portion and the lower cage portion are brought together, and wherein the cage system includes a door configured to move from an open position releasing a maintenance window of the cage system, on the front, giving access to the cylinders and support roller assemblies of the upper group and access to the cylinders and support roller assemblies of the lower group, and a closed position in which the door closes the maintenance window, a system of axial stops for the working cylinders, the axial stops for the working cylinders configured to provide axial stopping of the working cylinders,a system of axial stops for the second intermediate cylinders, the axial stops of the second intermediate cylinders configured to ensure axial stopping of said lower and upper second intermediate cylinders, a device for displacing the first intermediate cylinders configured to ensure axial displacements of the lower and upper first intermediate cylinders relative to each other.

[0035] According to this disclosure, said door cooperates, in said closed position, with a peripheral frame of a fixed chassis of the cage system surrounding the maintenance window, said door sealing said maintenance window, said axial stop system of the intermediate second cylinders comprising: an upper arm carrying the axial stops for the axial stop of the second upper intermediate cylinders, on the front, said first arm mounted on the upper part of the cage so as to accompany the vertical movements of the upper part of the cage relative to the door, said upper arm arranged between the door and the second upper intermediate cylinders, in the door closing position, and / or a lower arm carrying the axial stops for the axial stop of the second lower intermediate cylinders, said lower arm mounted on the lower part of the cage so as to accompany the vertical movements of the lower part of the cage relative to the door, said lower arm arranged between the door and the second lower intermediate cylinders, in the door closing position.

[0036] The features described in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the second intermediate cylinders are articulated by their longitudinal ends to bearing housings and in which the axial stops for stopping the second intermediate cylinders cooperate with said bearing housings.

[0038] According to one embodiment: The upper arm incorporates an upper lubrication fluid injection system, including a lubrication fluid channel communicating with a plurality of injection ports on the axial stops opposite the bearing housing ports of the second upper intermediate cylinders, on the front; the lower arm incorporates a lower lubrication fluid injection system, including a lubrication fluid channel communicating with a plurality of injection ports on the axial stops opposite the bearing housing ports of the second lower intermediate cylinders, on the front.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the upper arm is articulated by an upper hinge, along a vertical pivot axis to the upper cage part and / or the lower arm is articulated by a lower hinge, along a pivot axis to the lower cage part.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the upper injection system is supplied with lubrication fluid from a pipe which runs along the upper cage portion and communicates with the upper arm pipe through the upper hinge, and in which the lower injection system is supplied with lubrication fluid from a pipe which runs from the lower cage portion and communicates with the lower arm pipe through the lower hinge.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the door is articulated to the fixed frame by a hinge system allowing the door to pivot, the door hinge system, on the one hand, and the upper hinge and / or the lower hinge, on the other hand, arranged in relation to a cage clamping plane, on the same side of the maintenance window, .and wherein: the door and the upper arm are provided with an upper guide system comprising a cam and a cam follower, the cam carried by the door, the cam follower carried by the upper arm, at a distal end of the first arm, opposite a proximal end articulated to the upper hinge, said cam and cam follower system being configured to ensure the opening of the upper arm when the door is opened from the closed position to the open position, or conversely, the closing of the upper arm when the door is closed from the open position to the closed position, and / or, the door and the lower arm are provided with a lower guide system comprising a cam and a cam follower, the cam carried by the door, the cam follower carried by the lower arm, at a distal end of the first arm, opposite a proximal end articulated to the lower hinge,said cam and cam follower system being configured to ensure the opening of the lower arm when the door is opened from the closed position to the open position, or conversely, the closing of the lower arm when the door is closed from the open position to the closed position.

[0042] For example : the cam of the lower guide system is an upper groove, opening downwards, and said cam follower is a roller configured to circulate in said groove, the cam of the lower guide system is a lower groove, opening upwards, and said cam follower is a roller configured to circulate in said groove.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the door is a main door, provided with a central opening, closed by a wicket gate, configured to move from an open position of the central opening, allowing access to the working cylinders, and to the first intermediate cylinders, to a closed position of the wicket gate closing said central opening, and in which the wicket gate incorporates the axial stop(s), ensuring the axial stop of the working cylinders on the front.

[0044] In one embodiment, the displacement device comprises: a first upper pair of hydraulic cylinders, at the front, configured to exert thrust forces on the ends of the first upper intermediate cylinders, at the front and a second upper pair of hydraulic cylinders, at the bottom of the cage, configured to exert forces on the ends of the first upper intermediate cylinders, at the bottom of the cage and, a first lower pair of hydraulic cylinders, at the front, configured to exert thrust forces on the ends of the first lower intermediate cylinders, at the bottom of the cage and a second lower pair of hydraulic cylinders, at the bottom of the cage, configured to exert forces on the ends of the first lower intermediate cylinders.

[0045] In particular, and according to one embodiment, said first upper pair of hydraulic cylinders, on the front, and the first lower pair of hydraulic cylinders, on the front, are mounted on the gate. Brief description of the drawings

[0046] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below and analyzing the attached drawings, on which: Fig. 1 [ Fig. 1 ] is a schematic view of the cylinder arrangement of a 20-roll rolling mill according to this disclosure. Fig. 2 [ Fig. 2] is a view of a rolling mill according to this disclosure, the (main) door, in the closed position against a fixed peripheral frame, and sealed around the periphery, while a wicket gate is open, releasing a central opening in the door permitting access to and extraction of the work rolls, or even the first intermediate rolls, through said central opening. Fig. 3 [ Fig. 3] is a view of the 20-roll rolling mill, in the open position of the door giving access to all the rolls and support rollers of the rolling mill, and in an open position of the stand system in which an upper stand and a lower stand are separated from each other, opening a clearance between the upper and lower groups of rolls, said door being hinged to a fixed frame, said door being configured to automatically drive: an opening of an upper arm carrying axial stops for the second intermediate rolls of the upper group, by means of an upper cam / cam follower system, said cam being formed by an upper groove on the door, and the cam follower by a roller arranged at a distal end of the upper arm, opposite a proximal end of the arm hinged to said upper stand by an upper hinge,an opening in a lower arm carrying axial stops for the second intermediate cylinders of the lower group, by means of a lower cam / cam follower system, said cam formed by a lower groove on the door, and the cam follower by a roller arranged at a distal end of the lower arm, opposite a proximal end of the arm articulated to said lower cage portion by a lower hinge. Fig. 4 [ Fig. 4 ] is a detail view of the upper cage portion, configured to be movable relative to the fixed chassis and said lower cage portion. Fig. 5 [ Fig. 5 ] is a detail view of the lower cage portion configured to be movable relative to the fixed chassis and said upper cage portion. Description of the implementation methods

[0047] This disclosure relates to a 20-roll mill configured for rolling a BM metal strip.

[0048] A 20-roll rolling mill comprises an upper group and a lower group of rolls / support roller assemblies.

[0049] The upper group GS includes: one upper working cylinder 12, two upper intermediate cylinders 13, three upper second intermediate cylinders 14, 15, four sets of upper support rollers A, B, C, D.

[0050] The lower GI group includes: a lower working cylinder 12: two lower intermediate first cylinders 13, three lower intermediate second cylinders 14,15, four sets of lower support rollers H, G, F, E.

[0051] Such a 20-roll rolling mill configuration is known in itself from the prior art.

[0052] The rolling mill includes a cage system comprising two parts movable relative to each other forming respectively an upper cage part 2, configured to transmit a clamping force to the four sets of support rollers A, B, C, D, of the upper group GS, and a lower cage part 3 configured to transmit a clamping force to the four sets of support rollers E, F, G, H of the lower group GI, as well as a hydraulic clamping mechanism configured to move the cage system from a cage opening position POC for which the upper cage part 2 and the lower cage part 3 are separated from each other, to a clamping position for which the upper cage part and the lower cage part are brought together, suitable for rolling operations of the metal strip Bm.

[0053] The rolling mill described in this disclosure thus belongs to the family of two-part cage rolling mills, known to those skilled in the art as " split housing, and in contrast to the family of monobloc stand rolling mills.

[0054] Each support roller assembly A to H typically comprises, in a manner known per se, a support shaft along which rollers, typically formed by bearings, are distributed. For this purpose, the inner ring of each bearing is mounted on the support shaft, the outer ring of the bearing being designed to roll on one, or even two, adjacent cylinders belonging to the cylinders of the second intermediate cylinders. The support roller assembly further comprises a saddle whose arched body extends longitudinally along the length of the support shaft, and whose convex face is designed to bear against a concave seat of a mounting portion of the cage, namely a mounting portion of the upper cage section 2 for support roller assemblies A to D, and a mounting portion of the lower cage section 3 for support roller assemblies E to H.This saddle also features extensions, projecting from the concave face of the body, through which the support shaft passes. These extensions are distributed along the length of the shaft and, in particular, positioned between the rollers. Eccentric rings are also provided between the support shaft and these extensions. The shaft has a pinion designed to mesh with a corresponding pinion, or alternatively, a rack, within the rolling mill stand. This pinion (or rack) thus drives the support shaft in rotation, thereby allowing the position of the support shaft and the rollers relative to the arched body of the saddle to be moved closer to or further apart, thanks to the eccentric rings.

[0055] The cage system includes a door 4 configured to move from a POP open position to a closed position.

[0056] In the POP open position, the cage system releases a maintenance window FM of the cage system, on the front, giving access to the cylinders 12, 13, 14, 15 and the support roller assemblies A, B, C, D of the upper group GS and access to the cylinders 12, 13, 14, 15 and the support roller assemblies E, F, G, H of the lower group GI: It is possible to carry out maintenance of these components, by extraction, of the cylinders or the support roller assemblies through the maintenance window FM, and typically for their replacement with new / or ground cylinders / support roller assemblies.

[0057] Rolling mill 1 typically includes: a system of axial stops for the working cylinders, the BA1 axial stops of the working cylinders configured to ensure axial stopping of the working cylinders 12 comprising at least one first stop, on the front, configured to ensure contact with the longitudinal ends of the working cylinders, at the level of the front and at least one second stop, configured to ensure contact with the longitudinal ends of the working cylinders, at the level of the bottom of the cage, a system of axial stops for the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15, the BA2 axial stops of the second intermediate cylinders BA2 configured to ensure axial stopping of said second intermediate cylinders 14, 15, lower and upper, comprising at least first stops, on the front, configured to ensure contact with the longitudinal ends of the second intermediate cylinders, at the level of the front and at least second stops,configured to ensure contact with the longitudinal ends of the second intermediate cylinders, at the bottom.

[0058] The rolling mill typically includes a displacement device V11, V12, V21, V22 for the first intermediate rolls 13, configured to provide axial displacement of the first intermediate rolls, both lower and upper, relative to each other. The displacement device may be of the push-pull type, comprising at least one first pair of cylinders at the front and at least one second pair of cylinders at the back of the stand, each cylinder having a support portion configured to exert a pushing force on the first intermediate rolls.A first pair of cylinders V11, V12, upper and a second pair of cylinders, upper, cooperate respectively with the distal ends of the first two intermediate cylinders of the upper group GS, while a first pair of cylinders V21, V22, lower and a second pair of lower cylinders cooperate respectively with the distal ends of the first two intermediate cylinders of the lower group GI.

[0059] Such a displacement device makes it possible to control the dimension of the axial overlap between the first intermediate, upper and lower cylinders, and thus to adapt this dimension to the width of the metal strip to be rolled.

[0060] The 20-roll rolling mill also includes internal, arranged RP spray bars configured to spray the strip to be rolled and the rolls with a lubricating fluid, for example oil or oil emulsion, and typically: two upper spray rails, attached to the upper part of the cage 2, arranged on either side of the rolling plane passing through the axes of the working cylinders 12, two lower spray rails, attached to the lower part of the cage 3, arranged on either side of the rolling plane.

[0061] According to this disclosure, said door 4 cooperates, in said closed position PFP, with a peripheral frame 5 of a fixed frame of the cage system surrounding the maintenance window FM. The door 4 is thus configured to hermetically seal the front of the rolling mill. This prevents any risk of leakage at the front, and is comparable to prior art designs with multiple movable doors, as taught by US 3,858,424.

[0062] According to this disclosure, said BA2 axial stop system of the second intermediate cylinders 14,15 notably comprises: an upper arm 6 carrying axial stops BA2 for the axial stop of the second intermediate cylinders 14,15 upper, on the front, said first arm 6 mounted on the upper cage part 2 so as to accompany the vertical movements of the upper cage part relative to the door 4, said upper arm 6 arranged between the door 4 and the second intermediate cylinders 14,15 upper, in the closing position PFP of the door, and / or, a lower arm 7 carrying axial stops BA2 for the axial stop of the second intermediate cylinders 14,15 lower, said lower arm 7 mounted on the lower cage part 3 so as to accompany the vertical movements of the lower cage part 7 relative to the door 4, said lower arm arranged 7 between the door 4 and the second intermediate cylinders 14,15 lower, in the closing position PFP of the door 4.

[0063] The rolling mill according to this disclosure thus has the BA2 axial stop system of the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15, upper and lower, advantageously comprising axial stops movable respectively with the upper and lower cage parts, identified 2 and 3.

[0064] The BA2 axial stops carried by the upper arm 6 advantageously accompany the movements of the upper cage section 2, particularly during the rolling operations of the metal strip. These BA2 axial stops thus accompany the vertical movements of the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15 of the upper group GS, constrained by the upper cage section 2, remaining centered with said upper second intermediate cylinders throughout the vertical movements. This can advantageously ensure constant centering between, on the one hand, the injection ports of a lubrication fluid injection system, and on the other hand, the bearing housing inlet ports of the upper second intermediate cylinders 14, 15.

[0065] The BA2 axial stops carried by the lower arm 7 advantageously accommodate the movements of the lower cage section 3, particularly during metal strip rolling operations. These BA2 axial stops also accommodate the vertical movements of the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15 of the lower GS group, which are constrained by the lower cage section 3, remaining centered with said lower second intermediate cylinders throughout the vertical movements. This can advantageously ensure constant centering between, on the one hand, the injection ports of a lubrication fluid injection system, and on the other hand, the bearing housing inlet ports of the lower second intermediate cylinders 14, 15.

[0066] The rolling mill according to this disclosure is advantageous in that it ensures fluid sealing at the front by the door, hinged to the fixed frame, while allowing the axial stops BA2 of the second intermediate cylinders 14,15, upper, to accompany the movements of the upper cage part 2 and the axial stops BA2 of the second intermediate cylinders 14,15, lower, to accompany the movements of the lower cage part.

[0067] Generally, the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15 can be articulated at their longitudinal ends to bearing housings. The axial stops BA2 for stopping the second intermediate cylinders then cooperate with said bearing housings.

[0068] Regarding the intermediate second cylinders 14, 15 of the upper group GS, the bearing housings can be linked to the upper cage section 2 by SUP suspensions, which allow the upper second cylinders 14, 15 to be suspended when the two movable cage sections are spread apart in the cage opening position POC, as illustrated in the figure 3 .

[0069] As regards the first cylinders 13 of the upper group GS, they can be kept away from the metal band BM by supports of the two spray ramps RP fixed to the upper cage part 2, at least in particular orientations of the spray ramps RP.

[0070] Notably, at least according to one embodiment, the rolling mill according to the present disclosure can allow improved lubrication of bearing housings by lubrication fluid injection systems 60,70.

[0071] For this purpose: the upper arm 6 may carry an upper lubrication fluid injection system 60, comprising a lubrication fluid channel communicating with a plurality of OI injection ports on the axial stops BA2 opposite bearing housing ports of the upper second intermediate cylinders 14,15, and / or the lower arm 7 may carry a lower lubrication fluid injection system 70, comprising a lubrication fluid channel communicating with a plurality of OI injection ports on the axial stops BA2 opposite bearing housing ports of the lower second intermediate cylinders 14,15.

[0072] The lubricating fluid from the pipes escapes from the injection ports of the BA2 axial thrust bearings to circulate into the inlet ports of the bearing housings, to then ensure lubrication of the internal bearings in the housings, before escaping through a downstream opening of the housing.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the upper arm 6 can be articulated by an upper hinge 62, along a vertical pivot axis to the upper cage part 2 and / or the lower arm 7 can be articulated by a lower hinge 72, along a pivot axis to the lower cage part 3. The pivot axis of the upper hinge 62 and the pivot axis of the lower hinge 72 can be coaxial.

[0074] The upper hinge 62 is configured to allow the upper arm 6 to move from a closed position in which the axial stops BA2 carried by the arm 6 ensure the stopping of the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15 of the upper group GS, on the front on the side of the maintenance window, to an open position in which the axial stops BA2 are retracted to allow the removal of the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15, upper.

[0075] The lower hinge 72 is configured to move the lower arm 7 from a closed position in which the axial stops BA2 carried by the arm 7 ensure the stopping of the second intermediate cylinders 14,15 of the lower group GI, on the front side of the maintenance window, and up to an open position in which the axial stops BA2 are retracted to allow the removal of the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15, lower.

[0076] We note that: The upper injection system 60 can be supplied with lubrication fluid from a pipe 61 which runs along the upper cage part 2, integral with the latter and communicates with the upper arm pipe 6 through the upper hinge 62, the lower injection system 70 is supplied with lubrication fluid from a pipe 71 which runs from the lower cage part 3, integral with the latter, and communicates with a lower arm pipe 7 through the lower hinge 72.

[0077] Generally, the door 4 can be hinged to the fixed frame 5 by means of a hinge system 40, allowing the door to pivot. The door hinge system, on the one hand, and the upper hinge 61 and / or the lower hinge 72, on the other hand, are arranged relative to a cage clamping plane on the same side of the maintenance window FM. The pivot axis of the door 4 and the axes of the arms 6 and 7 are preferably parallel.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the rolling mill may include a mechanism ensuring the automatic opening and closing of the upper and / or lower arms, depending on the opening and closing movement of the door 4.

[0079] For this purpose, the gate 4 and the upper arm 6 can be provided with an upper guidance system comprising a cam 63 and a cam follower 64, the cam 63 carried by the gate 4, the cam follower 64 carried by the upper arm 6, in particular at a distal end of the first arm 6, opposite a proximal end articulated at the upper hinge 62.

[0080] The cam 63 and cam follower 64 system is advantageously configured to ensure the opening of the upper arm 6 when the door 4 is opened from the closed position PFP to the open position POP, or conversely the closing of the upper arm 6 when the door 4 is closed from the open position POP to the closed position PFP.

[0081] It is noted that the cam 63 of the lower guide system can be an upper, downward-facing guide groove, and that the cam follower 64 is an upward-projecting roller configured to travel in said groove, along the latter in a horizontal direction. The depth of the groove, in the vertical direction, can advantageously be greater than the height of the roller in the vertical direction, so as to allow vertical movement of the roller, attached to the upper cage portion 2, within the groove attached to the fixed door.

[0082] The gate 4 and the lower arm 7 can be provided with a lower guidance system comprising a cam 73 and a cam follower 4, the cam 73 carried by the gate 4 and the cam follower 74 carried by the lower arm 7, in particular at a distal end of the first arm 6, opposite a proximal end articulated at the lower hinge 72.

[0083] The cam system 73 and cam follower 74 is configured to ensure the opening of the lower arm 7 when the door 4 is opened from the closed position (PFP) to the open position (POP), or conversely, the closing of the lower arm 7 when the door 4 is closed from the open position (POP) to the closed position. The cam 73 of the lower guide system may be a lower groove, opening upwards and extending horizontally, and the cam follower 74 is a downward-projecting roller configured to travel within the groove.

[0084] The depth of the groove, along the vertical direction, can advantageously be greater than the height of the roller along the vertical direction, so as to allow vertical movements of the roller, attached to the lower cage part 3, inside the groove attached to the fixed door.

[0085] In one embodiment, door 4 can be a main door, provided with a central opening, closed by a wicket gate 8, configured to move from an open position of the central opening, allowing access to the working cylinders and the first intermediate cylinders 13, to a closed position of the wicket gate, closing said central opening. The wicket gate incorporates the axial stop(s) BA1, ensuring the axial stop of the working cylinders 12 on the front.

[0086] In one embodiment, the displacement device comprises: the first upper pair of hydraulic cylinders V11, V12 at the front, configured to exert thrust forces on the ends of the first intermediate cylinders 13, upper, at the front and the second upper pair of hydraulic cylinders, upper at the bottom of the cage configured to exert forces on the ends of the first intermediate cylinders 13 upper, at the bottom of the cage and, the first lower pair of hydraulic cylinders V21, V22, at the front, configured to exert thrust forces on the ends of the first intermediate cylinders 13 lower at the front and the second lower pair of hydraulic cylinders, lower at the bottom of the cage configured to exert forces on the ends of the first intermediate cylinders 13 lower.

[0087] According to one embodiment, said first upper pair of hydraulic cylinders V11, V12, on the front, and the first lower pair of hydraulic cylinders V21, V22, on the front, are mounted on gate 8. List of reference signs

[0088] 1. 20-roll rolling mill, 2. Upper stand section, 3. Lower stand section, POC. Stand opening position, 4. Door, PFP, POP. Door closing position and opening portion respectively, FM. Maintenance window on the front 5. Peripheral frame (fixed chassis), 6. Upper arm (carrying axial stops for the second intermediate, upper cylinders), 7. Lower arm (carrying axial stops for the second intermediate, lower cylinders), 60. Upper injection system (lubricating fluid), 61. Fluid line (mounted on the upper cage section), 62. Upper hinge, 63, 64. Cam and cam follower (upper guide system), 73, 74. Cam and cam follower (lower guide system), 70. Lower injection system (lubricating fluid), 71. Fluid line (mounted on the lower cage section), 72. Lower hinge, GS. Upper group, GI. Lower group, 12.Working cylinders, 13. First intermediate cylinders, 14, 15. Second intermediate cylinders, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H. Assembly of support rollers, BA1. Axial stops (working cylinder 12), BA2. Axial stops (second intermediate cylinders), OI. Injection ports (coolant for axial stops) V11, V12, V21, V22. Push cylinders, on the front for moving the first intermediate cylinders, respectively upper and lower.

Claims

1. A 20-high rolling mill (1) configured for rolling a metal strip (BM), comprising: - an upper group (GS) comprising: -- an upper work roll (12), -- two upper first intermediate rolls (13), -- three upper second intermediate rolls (14, 15), -- four upper backup roller assemblies (A, B, C, D), - a lower group (Gi) comprising: -- a lower work roll (12), -- two lower first intermediate rolls (13), -- three lower second intermediate rolls (14, 15), -- four lower backup roller assemblies (H, G, F, E), - a stand system comprising two parts which are movable relative to one another, respectively forming an upper stand part (2) which is configured to transmit a clamping force to the four backup roller assemblies (A, B, C, D) of the upper group (GS), and a lower stand part (3) which is configured to transmit a clamping force to the four backup roller assemblies (E, F, G, H) of the lower group (GI), - a hydraulic clamping mechanism configured to move the stand system from an open stand position (POC), in which the upper stand part (2) and the lower stand part (3) are spaced apart from one another, to a clamping position, in which the upper stand part and the lower stand part are brought together, and wherein the stand system comprises a door (4) which is configured to move from an open position (POP) revealing a maintenance window (FM) of the stand system, at the front, providing access to the rolls (12, 13, 14, 15) and backup roller assemblies (A, B, C, D) of the upper group (GS) and access to the rolls (12, 13, 14, 15) and backup roller assemblies (E, F, G, H) of the lower group, and a closed position in which the door closes the maintenance window, - a system of axial stops for the work rolls, the axial stops (BA1) for the work rolls being configured to axially stop the work rolls (12), - a system of axial stops for the second intermediate rolls, the axial stops (BA2) for the second intermediate rolls being configured to axially stop said upper and lower second intermediate rolls (14, 15), - a device (V11, V12, V21, V22) for moving the first intermediate rolls (13), configured to axially move the upper and lower first intermediate rolls relative to one another, characterized in that said door (4) engages, in said closed position (PFP), with a peripheral frame (5) of a fixed framework of the stand system surrounding the maintenance window (FM), said door sealing said maintenance window (FM), said system of axial stops (BA2) for the second intermediate rolls (14,15) comprising: - an upper arm (6) supporting the axial stops (BA2) for axially stopping the upper second intermediate rolls (14, 15), at the front, said upper arm (6) being mounted on the upper stand part (2) so as to accompany the vertical movements of the upper stand part relative to the door (4), said upper arm (6) being arranged between the door (4) and the upper second intermediate rolls (14, 15), in the closed position (PFP) of the door, and / or - a lower arm (7) supporting the axial stops (BA2) for axially stopping the lower second intermediate rolls (14, 15), said lower arm (7) being mounted on the lower stand part (3) so as to accompany the vertical movements of the lower stand part (3) relative to the door (4), said lower arm (7) being arranged between the door (4) and the lower second intermediate rolls (14, 15), in the closed position (PFP) of the door (4).

2. The 20-high rolling mill according to claim 1, wherein the second intermediate rolls (14, 15) are hinged by the longitudinal ends thereof to bearing housings and wherein the axial stops (BA2) for stopping the second intermediate rolls engage with said bearing housings.

3. The 20-high rolling mill according to claim 2, wherein: - the upper arm (6) includes an upper lubricating fluid injection system (60), comprising a pipe for lubricating fluid communicating with a plurality of injection ports (OI) on the axial stops (BA2) facing ports of the bearing housings of the upper second intermediate rolls (14, 15), at the front, - the lower arm (7) includes a lower lubricating fluid injection system (70), comprising a pipe for lubricating fluid communicating with a plurality of injection ports (OI) on the axial stops (BA2) facing ports of the bearing housings of the lower second intermediate rolls (14, 15), at the front.

4. The 20-high rolling mill according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper arm (6) is hinged by means of an upper hinge (62) along a vertical pivot axis to the upper stand part (2) and / or the lower arm (7) is hinged by means of a lower hinge (72) along a pivot axis to the lower stand part (3).

5. The 20-high rolling mill according to claim 3 and 4, wherein the upper injection system (60) is supplied with lubricating fluid from a pipe (61) which runs along the upper stand part (2) and communicates with the pipe of the upper arm (6) via the upper hinge (62) and wherein the lower injection system (70) is supplied with lubricating fluid from a pipe (71) which runs from the lower stand part (3) and communicates with the pipe of the lower arm (7) via the lower hinge (72).

6. The 20-high rolling mill according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the door (4) is hinged to the frame (5) of the fixed framework by a hinge system (40), allowing the door to pivot, the hinge system of the door and the upper hinge (62) and / or the lower hinge (72) are arranged relative to a clamping plane of the stand, on the same side of the maintenance window (FM), and wherein: - the door (4) and the upper arm (6) are provided with an upper guide system comprising a cam (63) and a cam follower (64), the cam (63) being supported by the door (4), the cam follower (64) being supported by the upper arm (6), at a distal end of the first arm (6), opposite a proximal end hinged to the upper hinge (62), said cam (63) and cam follower (64) system being configured to open the upper arm (6) when the door (4) is opened from the closed position (PFP) to the open position (POP), or conversely to close the upper arm (6) when the door (4) is closed from the open position (POP) to the closed position, and / or, - the door (4) and the lower arm (7) are provided with a lower guide system comprising a cam (73) and a cam follower (74), the cam (73) being supported by the door (4), the cam follower (74) being supported by the lower arm (7), at a distal end of the first arm (6), opposite a proximal end hinged to the lower hinge (72), said cam (73) and cam follower (74) system being configured to open the lower arm (7) when the door (4) opens from the closed position (PFP) to the open position (POP), or conversely to close the lower arm (7) when the door (4) closes from the open position (POP) to the closed position.

7. The rolling mill according to claim 6, wherein: - the cam (63) of the lower guide system is an upper groove which opens downwards, and said cam follower (64) is a roller which is configured to run in said groove, - the cam (73) of the lower guide system is a lower groove which opens upwards, and said cam follower (74) is a roller which is configured to run in said groove.

8. The rolling mill according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the door is a main door, provided with a central opening, closed by a hatch (8), configured to move from an open position of the central opening, allowing access to the work rolls and to the first intermediate rolls (13), to a closed position of the hatch which seals said central opening, and wherein the hatch includes the axial stop or stops, axially stopping the work rolls at the front.

9. The rolling mill according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the movement device comprises: - a first upper pair of hydraulic cylinders (V11, V12), at the front, which are configured to exert thrust forces on the ends of the upper first intermediate rolls, at the front, and a second upper pair of upper hydraulic cylinders at the bottom of the stand which are configured to exert forces on the ends of the upper first intermediate rolls, at the bottom of the stand, and, - a first lower pair of hydraulic cylinders (V21, V22), at the front, which are configured to exert thrust forces on the ends of the lower first intermediate rolls, at the front, and a second lower pair of lower hydraulic cylinders at the bottom of the stand, which are configured to exert forces on the ends of the lower first intermediate rolls.

10. The 20-high rolling mill according to claims 8 and 9, wherein said first upper pair of hydraulic cylinders (V11, V12), at the front face, and the first lower pair of hydraulic cylinders (V21, V22), at the front face, are mounted on the hatch.

Images