Cooling hot rolled elongated products in a cooling bed

Abstract

Device (1) and method for cooling long products (2), preferably after forming, wherein the device (1) comprises: a cooling bed inlet (1a), via which the long products (2) to be cooled can be fed to the device (1); a cooling bed outlet (1b), via which the cooled long products (2) can be transported out of the device (1); a plurality of rotating devices (10) arranged between the cooling bed inlet (1a) and the cooling bed outlet (2b) and having a star-shaped configuration, whereby they each have a plurality of supports (12) for receiving the long products (2), wherein the rotating devices (10) are configured to turn the long products (2) by rotating the rotating devices (10); a transport device (20) configured to transfer the long products (2) from one rotating device (10) to an adjacent rotating device (10);and a control device (30) which is designed to control and / or regulate the rotating devices (10) and the transport device (20) in such a way that the long products (2) are transported from the cooling bed inlet (1a) in a material flow direction (R) to the cooling bed outlet (1b), wherein the long products (2) can be transported at least temporarily against the material flow direction (R);

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for cooling long products. The device is used in particular in lines for the production, further processing, and / or heat treatment of long products, for example, after forming in a hot rolling mill. Background of the invention

[0002] In the field of metal processing, cooling beds are known; they are designed for the cooling of long products, such as hollow profiles, solid rods, open profiles, rails, pipes, etc. Cooling of such products takes place on the cooling bed in lines for production, further processing, and / or heat treatment, particularly after forming processes, from a hot or warm state.

[0003] Typical requirements for such a cooling bed include, on the one hand, the cooling of different types and sizes of long products, starting from an inlet temperature by heating in furnaces or induction systems and, in particular, subsequent forming to an outlet temperature suitable for further processing. On the other hand, the cooling bed should achieve a cooling behavior that ensures high dimensional accuracy of the long product, especially straightness, and minimizes any possible twisting. Ideally, the long products are transported on the cooling bed from the inlet to the outlet in sync with the upstream systems, especially the rolling or forming line.

[0004] For this purpose, cooling beds typically include conveyors on which the long products are positioned parallel to each other at a specific distance and transported transversely to their longitudinal axis until they are sufficiently cooled. Since new, warm long products are produced and placed on the cooling bed at short, regular intervals, particularly in forming operations, the cooling beds either run continuously, for example, in the case of chain cooling beds, or are operated in cycles, for example, in the case of walking beam or rake cooling beds.

[0005] DE 28 12 777 A1 describes a cooling bed that uses a series of endless chains with support pockets for the transport and storage of long products. The long products are carried by the chains and remain motionless in the support pockets. This results in shape defects occurring during cooling, or deformations that occurred during forming can be retained or even aggravated. Depending on the length of the cooling bed, although general cooling of the long products is achieved, uniform cooling is not achieved, so that distortion of the long products cannot be ruled out. The long products therefore require complex straightening before further processing.

[0006] To counteract the above-mentioned disadvantages, technical solutions are known in which the long products are turned during transport and cooling in the cooling bed. The basic idea of continuously turning the long products is pursued in various approaches, analogous to the experience with pipes with a circular cross-section. Turning, which is easily achieved with rollers due to the external geometry of a pipe with a circular cross-section, requires a fundamentally different mechanism for a square profile.

[0007] For example, DE 2 165 928 A1 describes a reversible cooling bed for billets, comprising toothed fixed and toothed movable rakes. The movable rakes are supported on a foundation via toggle levers, and the articulated joints are connected to a drive via a common linkage. The billets are conveyed while rotating around their longitudinal axis.

[0008] From DE 24 40 412 A1 a cooling bed is known in which the rolling stock to be cooled is transported by means of lifting and transport rakes while rotating around its longitudinal axis.

[0009] DE 102 01 718 A1 describes a cooling bed comprising a lifting device with which the goods to be cooled are periodically lifted and moved transversely to their longitudinal axis. The cooling bed further comprises means for periodically rotating the goods around their longitudinal axis.

[0010] The aforementioned solutions have several disadvantages. For example, the cooling beds are designed for specific dimensions and geometries of the long products and are not very suitable for dimensions / geometries that deviate from these. Any conversion to other cross-sections and / or dimensions, for example, by adjusting the serrations, is very complex, if at all possible.

[0011] Furthermore, it cannot be ruled out that tipping over the long products, unlike a gentle rolling action, could result in damage to their surfaces. Some designs are complex in terms of space requirements and drive technology.

[0012] Another disadvantage of conventional cooling beds is that they follow a rigid, unchangeable process sequence regarding transport and turning for all long products to be treated. Particularly in the case of different product shapes (i.e., different geometries, dimensions, materials, etc.), a variable process sequence with flexible cycle times and cooling times would be desirable to achieve the desired initial temperature and the most uniform cooling possible, as well as to ensure straightness and minimize any possible twisting. Description of the invention

[0013] An object of the invention is to provide an improved device and an improved method for cooling long products, preferably after forming, in particular to improve the flexibility of the process control and the quality of the cooling process.

[0014] This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of the subordinate method claim. Advantageous further developments follow from the subclaims, the following description of the invention, and the description of preferred embodiments.

[0015] The device, also referred to herein as a "cooling bed," is used to cool long products from a hot or warm state, preferably after forming. The term "long product" includes elongated metallic products such as hollow profiles, solid rods, open profiles, rails, pipes, and the like.

[0016] The device has a cooling bed inlet, via which the long products to be cooled can be fed to the cooling bed, and a cooling bed outlet, via which the long products cooled in the cooling bed can be removed.

[0017] Between the cooling bed inlet and outlet, several rotating devices are arranged in a star shape, each of which has several supports for receiving the long products. The rotating devices are designed to turn the long products by rotating them.

[0018] The device further comprises a transport device configured to transfer the long products from one rotating device to an adjacent rotating device. The transport device is preferably designed as a chain conveyor, i.e., it has one or more conveyor chains that are moved by a corresponding drive.

[0019] During the cooling process, the long products are transported from the cooling bed inlet (mainly) in one material flow direction to the cooling bed outlet by means of the rotating devices and the transport device.

[0020] Typically, several arrangements, in particular linear arrangements, of rotating devices are installed along the extension direction of the long products, i.e., usually perpendicular to the material flow direction, so that the long products can be securely held and transported via several support surfaces along their extension. Thus, in this case, the rotating devices are not only arranged along the material flow direction, but they form rows, referred to herein as "rotating device rows," in the extension direction of the long products. For the sake of simplicity, the description of the invention mostly refers to only one such linear arrangement of rotating devices, without always emphasizing that the rotating devices of the other rotating device rows are constructed analogously.

[0021] According to the invention, the device comprises a control device which is designed to control and / or regulate the rotating devices and the transport device in such a way that the long products are transported from the cooling bed inlet in the material flow direction to the cooling bed outlet, wherein the long products can be transported at least temporarily, in particular depending on the product, against the material flow direction.

[0022] In other words, the rotating devices and the transport device can be moved "backward," controlled accordingly by the control device, so that the long products can also be transported against the direction of material flow. The control device thus enables the device to be operated in a linear mode, in which the long products are transported exclusively in the direction of material flow from the cooling bed inlet to the cooling bed outlet, and in a trampling mode, in which the process sequence includes phases in which the long products are transported against the direction of material flow, in addition to transport in the direction of material flow.

[0023] The cooling bed according to the invention thus offers a level of flexibility unmatched by conventional cooling beds. The cooling bed can respond to different cycle times of the incoming long products, covering a wide range of cycle times, allowing the long product turning process to be adapted to different requirements, particularly with regard to avoiding or at least minimizing plastic deformation of the long products during the cooling process. Furthermore, the cooling bed can handle a wide range of different types and sizes of long products.

[0024] Trampling operation prevents long products from being left on a rotating device row for too long. Long trampling times can lead to uneven cooling conditions, which can cause plastic deformation of the long products, especially in the upper temperature range. Trampling operation, particularly suitable for long products with large cross-sections and long cooling times, not only increases process flexibility but also directly contributes to optimizing the quality of the cooling process.

[0025] Preferably, the rotating devices can each be loaded with multiple long products simultaneously, allowing the device to process a large number of long products simultaneously. The rotating devices should ensure that the geometry and dimensions of the long products, particularly with regard to straightness and twist, remain within the tightest possible tolerances. By using multiple rotating devices, the dimensions of the cooling bed can be kept small, enabling a compact overall system layout.

[0026] Preferably, the number of supports on the rotating devices is greater than three, in particular equal to or greater than six. The star-shaped design of the rotating devices creates "star levers" with a multitude of prongs and supports, further increasing the flexibility of the process. The number of long products that can be placed on a rotating device can vary depending on the application, and thus the total number of long products that can be treated simultaneously by the cooling bed is also variable.

[0027] Preferably, at least two different types of rotating devices are provided, which differ at least in terms of the number of supports. The diameters of the rotating devices of both types are preferably identical. The rotating devices of the first type and the rotating devices of the second type preferably alternate, viewed in the direction of material flow. By using different types of rotating devices, the process control can be further optimized.

[0028] For example, the number of supports for the first type of rotating device is six. Alternatively or additionally, the number of supports for the second type of rotating device can be ten, for example. However, the exact specifications of the rotating devices, particularly with regard to the number of their shelves, can vary depending on the application.

[0029] Preferably, the control device is configured to operate the rotating devices and the transport device in cycles or in steps. The flexibility of the cooling bed is achieved, on the one hand, by combining "forward" and "backward" runs, and, on the other hand, by the ratio of the run-out times to the cycle time of the incoming long products, which is determined by the upstream systems. The cooling bed can be flexibly adapted to different external cycle times, while maintaining optimal cooling performance.

[0030] This allows the long products to be rotated either individually or partially by approximately 90° or by an angle α < 90° in a single cycle. Combined with the multiple loading of the rotating device rows, this cooling bed allows for higher loading density and correspondingly longer cooling times.

[0031] Preferably, the control device is configured so that the long products are transported x steps in the direction of material flow during the step-by-step operation and then x-1 steps against the direction of material flow, where x is an integer greater than one. After one pass, all long products are positioned on the next row of rotating devices. The step-by-step operation allows for extremely flexible adjustment of the cooling and resting times of the long products.

[0032] Preferably, the transport device comprises a transport chain for transferring the long products from one rotating device to an adjacent rotating device, wherein the transport chain is movable in the direction of material flow and against the direction of material flow. When such a transport chain is used, the long products are simultaneously transported from one row of rotating devices to the next at a specific speed, while at different times the transport chain can also move the long products at different speeds.

[0033] Preferably, the rotating devices can be rotated independently of one another, which makes the process flow even more flexible.

[0034] Preferably, the control device is configured to control and / or regulate the cooling process of the long products in the device based on measured values, including in particular the outlet temperature of the long products at the cooling bed outlet and / or the straightness of the long products. In particular, the flexibility regarding the number of long products placed on the cooling bed and the operating mode (tramping step) in combination with the transport speed makes it possible to control the cooling bed based on measured values. By implementing appropriate algorithms, a learning cooling bed can be constructed based on this cooling bed design.

[0035] For example, an algorithm can be implemented for the cooling bed that specifies the timing of the turning process with rows of turning devices and a transport device. For example, the algorithm uses previously known and estimated values to provide an offline calculated start-up sequence for each long product at the beginning of commissioning a new cooling bed. Apart from the very large variety of different long products, changing ambient conditions in each system or application can require the restart of each new cooling bed. By continuously measuring the outlet temperature at the cooling bed and the straightness of the long products, the process can be optimized online using a suitable algorithm. Based on the measured values of the long products already treated on the cooling bed, the calculated start-up sequences for previously untreated long products can be adjusted using an algorithm during commissioning.The more different long products are treated over time, i.e. even beyond the commissioning of the cooling bed, the more support points the algorithm has for determining the most optimal process on the cooling bed for new types of long products.

[0036] The above-mentioned object is further achieved by a method for cooling long products, preferably after forming, wherein the method comprises: providing the long products to be cooled at a cooling bed inlet; transporting the long products from the cooling bed inlet in a material flow direction to a cooling bed outlet, via which the then cooled long products are transported away; wherein the long products are turned during transport by a plurality of rotating devices which are arranged between the cooling bed inlet and cooling bed outlet and are each star-shaped, whereby they each have a plurality of supports for receiving the long products, and are transferred by a transport device from one rotating device to an adjacent rotating device;and the rotating devices and the transport device are controlled and / or regulated by a control device such that the long products are transported against the direction of material flow at least temporarily, in particular depending on the product, during transport from the cooling bed inlet to the cooling bed outlet;

[0037] The features, technical effects, advantages and embodiments described with regard to the device apply analogously to the method.

[0038] For the reasons mentioned above, the turning devices are preferably at least partially occupied with several long products at the same time during the transport of the long products.

[0039] For the reasons stated above, at least two different types of rotating devices are preferably provided, which differ at least in terms of the number of supports. Preferably, rotating devices of a first type and rotating devices of a second type alternate, viewed in the direction of material flow, with the number of supports of the rotating devices of the first type being, for example, six and / or the number of supports of the rotating devices of the second type being, for example, ten.

[0040] For the reasons mentioned above, the control device preferably moves the rotating devices and the transport device in cycles or in steps, wherein preferably at least one long product (or a group of long products) is rotated in one step by an angle α < 90°, while at least one other long product (or another group of long products) is rotated or turned in the same step, preferably by an angle α = 90°.

[0041] For the reasons stated above, the long products are preferably transported x steps in the direction of material flow in a trampling step operation and then x-1 steps against the direction of material flow, where x is an integer greater than one.

[0042] For the reasons mentioned above, the cooling process of the long products is preferably controlled and / or regulated by the control device on the basis of measured values, including in particular the outlet temperature of the long products at the cooling bed outlet and / or the straightness of the long products.

[0043] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments. The features described therein can be implemented alone or in combination with one or more of the features presented above, provided the features do not contradict each other. The following description of preferred embodiments is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings. Short description of the characters

[0044] Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description of the figures. In the figures: Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an apparatus for cooling long products according to an embodiment; Figure 2 shows a linear process sequence, in particular for long products with a small cross-section; and Figure 3 shows a process sequence according to the trample-step method, in particular for long products with a large cross-section. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0045] Preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar, or equivalent elements are provided with identical reference numerals in the figures, and a repeated description of these elements is partially omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0046] The Figure 1is a schematic side view of a device 1, also referred to herein as a "cooling bed," for cooling long products 2, such as hollow profiles, solid rods, open profiles, rails, pipes, and the like. Cooling of the long products 2 in the cooling bed 1 typically takes place after a forming process from a hot or warm state.

[0047] The long products 2 are placed on the cooling bed 1 at a cooling bed inlet 1a (here from the right) coming from forming or rolling stands (not shown). During the cooling process, the long products 2 are transported along a material flow direction R (here to the left) and removed from the cooling bed 1 at a cooling bed outlet 1b and transported away. The material flow direction R is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the long products 2. The long products 2 are in the Figure 1 shown in cross section.

[0048] The cooling bed 1 has a plurality of rotating devices 10, which are designed to transport the long products 2 and thereby rotate or turn them. The rotating devices 10 are arranged next to one another, as shown in the Figure 1 , wherein typically several such arrangements of rotating devices 10 are installed along the extension direction of the long products 2, so that the long products 2 can be securely held and transported via several support surfaces along their extension. The rotating devices 10 are thus not only arranged along the material flow direction R, but they form rows, referred to herein as "rotating device rows" 100, in the extension direction of the long products 2.

[0049] In order to transfer the long products 2 from one rotating device 10 to an adjacent rotating device 10 and thus to transfer them along or against the material flow direction R across rotating devices, a transport device 20 is provided. The transport device 20 is preferably designed as a chain transport, ie it has one or more transport chains 21, which are designed as endless chains, in the Figure 1 only partially shown, can be developed, and a corresponding drive, which is in the Figure 1not shown. The transport chains 21 are arranged between adjacent rotating devices 10, as seen along the extension direction of the long products 2. However, the transfer of the long products 2 from one rotating device 10 to an adjacent rotating device 10, as seen in the material flow direction R, can also be carried out in an alternative manner, for example using lifting devices, transport rails, gripping devices, or the like.

[0050] The rotating devices 10 and the transport device 20 are controlled via a control device 30, which communicates with the corresponding components. The control device 30 is signal-connected to the components or assemblies to be controlled, regulated, and / or read.

[0051] Communication between the control device 30 and the components to be controlled or regulated and / or read can be wired or wireless, digital or analog. The control device 30 can receive and / or transmit signals (control signals, data, etc.) accordingly, whereby both signal transport in one direction and in both directions falls under the term "communication" in this context. The control device 30 does not necessarily have to be implemented by a central computing device or electronic control system; rather, decentralized and / or multi-level systems, control networks, cloud systems, and the like are included. The control device 30 can also be an integral component of a higher-level system control system or communicate with such a system. The control device 30 can also communicate with lower-level system controls, i.e., controllers assigned to the corresponding devices.

[0052] The cooling bed 1 comprises n rotating devices 10, viewed in the material flow direction R, where n=10 applies for the present embodiment, by way of example. The rotating devices 10 are star-shaped, forming "star levers." The star levers have prongs 11 and supports 12 on which the long products 2 rest. If the rotating devices 10 have 10 m prongs 11 or supports 12, then each rotating device 10 is arranged in the Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, a maximum of 0-fold occupancy (o depends on m) with a long product 2 is possible.

[0053] From the example of Figure 1 It is clear that the rotating devices 10 do not have to be identical. In the present embodiment, two types of rotating devices 10 alternate in the material flow direction R, with m=6 and m=10.

[0054] The long products 2 can be turned by n turning devices 10 each by approximately 90° per turning device 10 and can be turned once or multiple times by the special lever geometry, in the example of the Figure 1 up to three times, whereby the long products 2 can be rotated in one step by approximately 90° or by an angle α < 90°. This means that the residence time TV on the cooling bed can be adjusted to values between TV = n * TH and TV = 2 * n * TH with a cycle time TH of the incoming long products 2.

[0055] The cooling bed 1 also offers the option of a trampling process. In the trampling process, the long products 2 are rotated x steps from the cooling bed inlet 1a towards the cooling bed outlet 1b by approximately 90° each and then rotated x - 1 steps back towards the cooling bed inlet 1a by approximately 90° each. After one pass, all long products 2 are on the next turning device 10. For the long product 2 to enter the cooling bed 1 last, this means that this long product 2 is on the second turning device 10 and the next arriving long product 2 can be placed on the free first turning device 10. The process then starts again from the beginning: x steps towards the cooling bed outlet 1b and x - 1 steps towards the cooling bed inlet 1a. The time TW for an approx. 90° turn and the corresponding chain pull of the long product 2 can be calculated using the equation TW = TH / (x + x - 1).

[0056] The trampling step prevents excessively long dwell times on a rotating device row 100 at high cycle times. A long dwell time leads to uneven cooling conditions and can cause plastic deformation of the long products 2, particularly in the upper temperature range. The dwell time TV of a long product 2 on the cooling bed 1 is calculated as TV = (n - x + 1) * TH .

[0057] The cooling bed design is determined by the dimensional range, the cycle times of the formed long products 2, and the cooling time. Furthermore, the cooling bed 1 is equipped with the transport device 20, in particular transport chain(s) 21, which transport the long products 2 from one rotating device 10 to the next rotating device 10. The lever geometry or star geometry of the rotating devices 10 is designed depending on the dimensional range.

[0058] To achieve the greatest possible flexibility of the cooling bed 1, the cooling bed 1 preferably combines various structural, electrical, automation, and manufacturing aspects. Thus, the transport device 20, in particular the transport chain(s) 21, can be moved in both directions and enables parallel transport of several long products 2 as well as precise positioning of the long products 2 toward the adjacent rotating devices 10. Likewise, the rotating devices 10 can be rotated in both directions and positioned with high precision. The rotating devices 10 can preferably be moved independently of one another. Any sensors and the control device 30, in particular their software, must be designed taking into account the aforementioned conditions and the process described below.

[0059] In the following, various procedures are described with reference to the Figures 2 and 3which show the positions of long products 2 and turning devices 10 in different process stages. Figure 2 a linear process sequence, ie a linear operation of the cooling bed 1, which is particularly suitable for long products 2 with a small cross-section, and the Figure 3 shows a process sequence according to the trample step method, ie a trample step operation of the cooling bed 1, which is particularly suitable for long products 2 with a large cross-section.

[0060] To describe the process sequences, the rotating device rows 100 from the cooling bed inlet 1a to the cooling bed outlet 1b are numbered starting with 1. In the examples considered below and the Figures 1 to 3The number of rotating device rows 100 is limited to ten. Just as the number of rotating device rows 100 is limited, the individual rotating devices 10 can also be designed differently with regard to the number of teeth 11, supports 12, and diameters than in the examples described below. The rotating device rows 100 numbered 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 are referred to below as odd-numbered rotating device rows 100, and the rotating device rows 100 numbered 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 are referred to as even-numbered rotating device rows 100.

[0061] In the present embodiment, the rotating devices 10 of the rotating device rows 100 with odd numbers differ structurally from the rotating devices 10 of the rotating device rows 100 with even numbers. The rotating devices 10 of the rotating device rows 100 with odd numbers each have, for example, ten prongs 11 and correspondingly ten supports 12 per rotating device 10. In contrast, the rotating devices 10 of the rotating device rows 100 with even numbers have, for example, six prongs 11 or supports 12. The diameters of the two types of rotating devices 10 are identical.

[0062] The long products 2 are designed as rectangular wooden profiles, whereby the sides in the cross section of the long products 2 are designated as b for the long side and h for the short side, see enlarged section of the Figure 2In the case of a square hollow profile, b and h are equal. The following process description is applicable to rectangular hollow profiles, including the special case of a square hollow profile.

[0063] Each row of rotating devices 100 can be rotated in both directions, and the long product 2 is rotated in one cycle either by approximately 90°, by an angle α <= 90°, or by an angle β <= 360° forwards and by an angle <= (β - 90°). In the odd-numbered rows of rotating devices 100, the long products 2 are preferably located on the side labeled b on the side of the cooling bed inlet 1a and on the side labeled h on the side of the cooling bed outlet 1b. In the even-numbered rows 100, the long products 2 are preferably located on the side labeled h on the side of the cooling bed inlet 1a and on the side labeled b on the side of the cooling bed outlet 1b.

[0064] A step is defined as the rotation of the rows of rotating devices 100 by x 1 or x 2 degrees, with which the long product 2 is rotated by an angle α <= 90°, and a stop is defined as T p1 or T p2 seconds, in which the long product 2 is transported on the side h or side b from a row of rotating devices 100 with an odd number to a row of rotating devices 100 with an even number or vice versa by means of the transport device 20.

[0065] When using a conveyor chain 21, the long products 2 are simultaneously transported from one row of rotating devices 100 to the next at a specific, common speed, whereby the conveyor chain 21 can also move the long products 2 at different speeds at different times. With a chain speed v chain , a chain acceleration of a chain , and a distance d between the lowest points in the supports 12 of the rotating devices 10 (maximum distance between the rotating device rows 100), the following equation results for the time T p1 when a long product 2 is transported on one of the sides designated h towards the outlet side from a rotating device row 100 with an odd number to a rotating device row 100 with an even number: T p 1 = d − h − v Kette 2 / a Kette / v Kette + 2 * v Kette / a Kette

[0066] If a long product 2 is transported on one of the sides marked b in the direction of the cooling bed outlet 1b from a rotating device row 100 with an even number to a rotating device row 100 with an odd number, the time T p2 can be calculated accordingly: T p 2 = d − b − v Kette 2 / a Kette / v Kette + 2 * v Kette / a Kette

[0067] By definition, a chain > 0, V chain > 0, d > b > 0, d > h > 0 and b >= h, so T p1 >= T p2 must be.

[0068] For illustration, the process sequence is described using the present embodiment of the alternating rotating device rows 100 with ten supports 12, wherein the state of the cooling bed 1 in different process steps in the Figure 2 shown: 1. The process starts with all rotating device rows 100 in a position in which all supports 12 or support surfaces of the odd-numbered rotating device rows 100 are horizontal towards the cooling bed inlet 1a and thus form a parallel plane with the top of the conveyor chain 21. In this first position, the long product 2 has already been inserted lying down into rotating device row no. 1 using an insertion system and the conveyor chain 21, and has also been inserted into all other rotating devices 10 using the conveyor chain 21. 2. In the second position, the rotating device rows 100 with the odd number have been rotated by 360° / 10 = 36° into a position in which the next empty supports 12 coming from below are horizontal and once again form a parallel plane with the top of the conveyor chain 21. Accordingly, the supports of the odd-numbered rotating device rows 100 can once again receive the next long product 2.At the same time, the even-numbered rotating device rows are rotated by 30°, so that the supports 12 are rotated from above into a position toward the cooling bed outlet 1b, forming a parallel plane with the conveyor chain 21. The long products 2 located in the odd-numbered rotating device rows 100 have been rotated by 36° in this step. The long products 2 located in the even-numbered rotating device rows 100 have been rotated by 30° in this step. The time for these rotations of the rotating device rows is referred to below as T rot1 . 3. The long products 2 in the occupied supports 12 of the even-numbered rotating device rows 100 at chain level are now transported on one of the sides designated b via the conveyor chain 21 into the supports 12 of the odd-numbered rotating device rows 100. 4.In the next process step, the odd-numbered rotating device rows 100 are rotated by 18°, so that the next support 12 is rotated from above toward the cooling bed outlet 1b into a position where it forms a level with the conveyor chain 21. At the same time, the even-numbered rotating device rows 100 are rotated by 30°, so that a support 12 is rotated from below toward the cooling bed inlet 1a into a position that forms a level with the conveyor chain 21. The long products 2 located in the odd-numbered rotating device rows 100 have been rotated by 18° in this step. The long products 2 located in the even-numbered rotating device rows 100 have been rotated by 30° in this step. The time for these rotations of the rotating device rows 100 is referred to below as T rot2 .The long products 2 in the occupied supports 12 of the rotating device rows 100 with odd numbers at chain level are now transported on one of the sides marked h via the transport chain into the supports 12 of the rotating device rows 100 with even numbers.

[0069] The above process sequence is preferably always carried out in the same way, regardless of how many supports 12 are occupied. When the cooling bed 1 is full or empty, as well as during trampling, see Figure 3 For energy efficiency reasons, the unoccupied rows of rotating devices 100 are preferably not driven, provided that a separate drive is used for each row of rotating devices 100. The process sequence can also be performed "backwards," i.e., the steps are performed in reverse order. The conveyor chain 21 is moved toward the cooling bed inlet 1a, and the direction of rotation is reversed during the rotation of the rotating devices 10.

[0070] The flexibility of the cooling bed 1 can be increased, on the one hand, by combining the "forward" and "backward" flow and, on the other hand, by the ratio of the discharge times to the cycle time T of the incoming long products 2, which is determined by the upstream systems.

[0071] The following examples describe three possibilities for a driving style adapted to different cycle times T so that T rot1 , T p1 , T rot2 and T p2 are in the most optimal ranges for the cooling behavior: 1. High unit numbers per hour and therefore low cycle time: T = T rot1 + T p1 + T rot2 + T p2 . The long product 2 is rotated in one direction by an average of 45° in one cycle. When the first long product 2 has reached the cooling bed outlet 1b, all supports 12 are occupied. 2. Medium unit numbers per hour and therefore medium cycle time: 1 / 2 T = T rot1 + T p1 + T rot2 + T p2 . The long product 2 is rotated by approximately 90° in one cycle. 3. Low unit numbers per hour and therefore high cycle time: 1 / 10 T = T rot1 + T p1 + T rot2 + T p2 . The long product 2 is rotated "forwards" by approximately 270° and "backwards" by approximately 180° in one cycle.

[0072] The process sequence for cooling the long products 2 can be optimized using an intelligent, self-learning system, for example, depending on dimensions, cooling time, and cycle time. An algorithm can be implemented accordingly for the cooling bed 1, which specifies the timing of the turning process with rows of turning devices 100 and transport device 20. The algorithm, for example, uses previously known and estimated values to provide an offline-calculated start sequence for each long product 2 at the beginning of commissioning a new cooling bed 1. Apart from the very large variety of different long products 2, changing ambient conditions in each system or application may require each new cooling bed 1 to be restarted. The process can be optimized online using a suitable algorithm through continuous measurement of the outlet temperature at the cooling bed 1 and the straightness of the long products 2.During commissioning, the calculated start-up sequences for previously untreated long products 2 can be adjusted using an algorithm based on the measured values of the long products 2 already treated on cooling bed 1. The more different long products 2 are treated over time, i.e., even beyond the commissioning of cooling bed 1, the more support points the algorithm has for determining the most optimal sequence on cooling bed 1 for new types of long products 2.

[0073] The cooling bed 1 described herein allows the long products 2 to be cooled within a specified cycle time and cooling time. The dimensions of the cooling bed 1 are comparatively small, enabling a compact overall system layout.

[0074] The star-shaped geometry and arrangement of the rotating devices 10 result in a high degree of flexibility for a wide variety of shapes and dimensions of the long products 2. Both smaller and larger long products 2 or profiles can run over the cooling bed 1 and be treated in a customized manner. The adaptable turning process allows for uniform cooling, while minimizing plastic deformation as much as possible.

[0075] The described cooling bed 1 and the process that can be carried out with it allow the production of long products 2 with high quality, especially with regard to their geometry. The straightness of the long products 2 is optimized, twisting is avoided, and a homogeneous residual stress distribution is achieved.

[0076] By multiple occupancy of the rotating device rows 100, a particularly high occupancy density and correspondingly long cooling times can be achieved with the cooling bed 1.

[0077] With the various configuration and processing options described, the cooling bed 1 offers a level of flexibility unmatched by conventional cooling beds. The cooling bed 1 can respond to different cycle times of the incoming long products 2, covering a wide range of cycle times, allowing the turning process of the long products 2 to be adapted to various requirements, particularly with regard to avoiding or at least minimizing plastic deformation of the long products 2 during the cooling process.

[0078] Where applicable, all individual features presented in the embodiments may be combined and / or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention. List of reference symbols

[0079] 1Device for cooling long products 1aCooling bed inlet 1bCooling bed outlet 2Long product 10Rotating device 11Teeth 12Support 20Transport device 21Transport chain 30Control device 100Rotating device row RMaterial flow direction bLong side of a long product with rectangular cross-section hShort side of a long product with rectangular cross-section

Claims

1. A device (1) for cooling long products (2), preferably after forming, the device (1) comprising: a cooling bed inlet (1a), via which the long products (2) to be cooled can be fed to the device (1); a cooling bed outlet (1b), via which the cooled long products (2) can be transported out of the device (1); a plurality of rotating devices (10) arranged between the cooling bed inlet (1a) and the cooling bed outlet (2b) and having a star-shaped configuration, whereby they each have a plurality of supports (12) for receiving the long products (2), the rotating devices (10) being configured to turn the long products (2) by rotating the rotating devices (10); a transport device (20) configured to transfer the long products (2) from one rotating device (10) to an adjacent rotating device (10);and a control device (30) which is designed to control and / or regulate the rotating devices (10) and the transport device (20) in such a way that the long products (2) are transported from the cooling bed inlet (1a) in a material flow direction (R) to the cooling bed outlet (1b), wherein the long products (2) can be transported at least temporarily against the material flow direction (R); 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotating devices (10) can each be loaded with several long products (2) at the same time.

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of supports (12) of the rotating devices (10) is greater than three, preferably equal to or greater than six.

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatpreferably two different types of rotating devices (10) are provided, which differ at least with regard to the number of supports (12), wherein rotating devices (10) of a first type and rotating devices (10) of a second type preferably alternate, seen in the material flow direction (R), wherein the number of supports (12) of the rotating devices (10) of the first type is preferably six and / or the number of supports (12) of the rotating devices of the second type is preferably ten.

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (30) is arranged to move the rotating devices (10) and the transport device (20) step by step, wherein the rotating devices (10) are preferably arranged such that the long products (2) are rotated in one step partly by an angle α = 90° and partly by an angle α < 90°.

6. Device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in thatthe control device (30) is set up such that the long products (2) are transported x steps in the material flow direction (R) within the scope of a trampling step operation and then x-1 steps against the material flow direction (R), where x is an integer greater than one.

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device (20) comprises a transport chain (21) for transferring the long products (2) from one rotating device (10) to an adjacent rotating device (10), wherein the transport chain (21) is movable in the material flow direction (R) and counter to the material flow direction (R).

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating devices (10) can be rotated independently of one another.

9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe control device (30) is configured to control and / or regulate the cooling process (1) of the long products (2) in the device (1) on the basis of measured values, preferably comprising the outlet temperature of the long products (2) at the cooling bed outlet (1b) and / or the straightness of the long products (2).

10. A method for cooling long products (2), preferably after forming, the method comprising: providing the long products (2) to be cooled at a cooling bed inlet (1a); transporting the long products (2) from the cooling bed inlet (1a) in a material flow direction (R) to a cooling bed outlet (1b), via which the then cooled long products (2) are transported away;wherein the long products (2) are turned during transport by a plurality of rotating devices (10) which are arranged between the cooling bed inlet (1a) and the cooling bed outlet (2b) and are designed in a star shape, whereby they each have a plurality of supports (12) for receiving the long products (2), and are transferred by a transport device (20) from one rotating device (10) to an adjacent rotating device (10), and the rotating devices (10) and the transport device (20) are controlled and / or regulated by a control device (30) such that the long products (2) are transported at least temporarily against the direction of material flow during transport from the cooling bed inlet (1a) to the cooling bed outlet (1b); 11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the rotating devices (10) are at least partially occupied with several long products (2) at the same time during the transport of the long products (2).

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that preferably two different types of rotating devices (10) are provided, which differ at least with regard to the number of supports (12), wherein rotating devices (10) of a first type and rotating devices (10) of a second type preferably alternate, seen in the material flow direction (R), wherein the number of supports (12) of the rotating devices (10) of the first type is preferably six and / or the number of supports (12) of the rotating devices of the second type is preferably ten.

13. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in thatthe control device (30) moves the rotating devices (10) and the transport device (20) step by step, wherein preferably at least one long product (2) is rotated in one step by an angle α < 90°, while at least one other long product is rotated in one step, in particular in the same step, preferably by an angle α = 90°.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the long products (2) are transported x steps in the material flow direction (R) within the scope of a trampling step operation and then x-1 steps against the material flow direction (R), where x is an integer greater than one.

15. Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in thatthe cooling process (1) of the long products (2) is controlled and / or regulated by the control device (30) on the basis of measured values, preferably comprising the outlet temperature of the long products (2) at the cooling bed outlet (1b) and / or the straightness of the long products (2).

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