Transverse conveyor for roller tables

Abstract

The invention relates to a transverse conveyor (1) for the transport of heavy loads from a first, horizontally extending conveying roller table (2) to a second, horizontally extending conveying roller table (3), wherein the transverse conveyor (1) is configured as a roller table segment, and is designed and configured to be inserted in a flush manner both into the first conveying roller table (2) and into the second conveying roller table (3), and a device (4) is provided for the transverse transport of the transverse conveyor (1) between the conveying roller tables (2, 3), characterized in that the device (4) for the transverse transport of the transverse conveyor (1) is designed and configured to overcome a height difference between the first conveying roller table (2) and the second conveying roller table (3).

Description

[0001] CROSS CONVEYOR FOR ROLLER TABLES

[0002] 1. Field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to a cross conveyor for roller conveyors for transporting heavy loads such as slabs or blocks, panels, sheets or coils made of metallic material, or containers and other heavy piece goods.

[0004] 2. State of the art

[0005] Roller conveyors for transporting heavy loads such as slabs or blocks, panels, sheets or coils as well as containers or the like are well known in the art.

[0006] For example, in casting-rolling plants, where slabs are cast in at least one casting machine and subsequently transferred to a rolling mill for forming into thin strips or sheets, which are ultimately wound into coils, roller tables are the usual means for conveying and transporting the cast strand, any intermediate product, and the finished rolled thin strip or sheet. Such slabs or blocks typically weigh more than 30, especially more than 35, tons, placing great demands on the load-bearing capacity, heat resistance, and reliability of the roller tables.

[0007] In order to remove slabs, blocks, panels, sheets, coils, containers or the like from the conveyor roller table or, if necessary, to feed further slabs or blocks, panels, sheets, coils or containers onto the conveyor roller table, cross conveyors are known from the prior art which are able to convey conveyor roller table segments laterally transversely to the direction of extension of the roller table and to align them preferably in alignment with a second, also horizontally extending conveyor roller table in order to then continue the further transport of the slabs or blocks, panels, sheets, coils or containers and the like.

[0008] In casting-rolling plants, especially those of the CSP concept, this necessity is even more acute, as the capacity of the casting plant differs significantly from that of the downstream rolling mill. Therefore, slabs or ingots are often fed laterally from a storage area into the conveyor roller table upstream of the rolling mill, or one rolling mill is simultaneously fed by two parallel casting plants. The cross conveyors are then used to pick up slabs or ingots from the conveyor roller table downstream of the respective casting machine and feed them into the conveyor roller table upstream of the rolling mill.

[0009] Due to the heavy loads that the conveyor roller tables, and thus also the cross conveyor, must safely carry and move, extensive work was previously necessary to ensure that cross transport could take place horizontally and without topographical obstacles. In practice, therefore, extensive preparatory work was required to ensure horizontal cross transport of a cross conveyor, even if the topography of the system or the system layout did not actually allow for this. If the conveyor roller tables were unavoidably located at different heights and thus on different horizontal planes, hoists had to be provided to overcome the height difference.The cross conveyor was then, usually after extensive preparatory work, transported horizontally by means of a cross conveyor from the first conveyor roller table across the lifting mechanism and then vertically transported by the lifting mechanism to the second conveyor roller table or, if necessary, to another cross conveyor for further horizontal movement. The preparatory measures required for this are therefore considerable, and the cycle rates achievable with such combinations of cross conveyors and lifting tables are unsatisfactory.

[0010] 3. Object of the invention

[0011] It was therefore an object of the invention to provide a cross conveyor that can be used even when, due to the topography of the system or for reasons of the system's layout, exclusively horizontal transport from a first conveyor roller table to a second conveyor roller table is not possible. According to the invention, this object is achieved with a cross conveyor comprising the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in particular in the dependent claims.

[0012] 4. Summary of the invention

[0013] According to the invention, a cross conveyor is provided for transporting heavy loads from a first horizontally extending conveyor roller conveyor to a second, likewise horizontally extending conveyor roller conveyor. The cross conveyor is designed as a roller conveyor segment and is configured and designed to be inserted in alignment into both the first and second conveyor roller conveyors. The cross conveyor also comprises a device for transversely transporting the cross conveyor between the conveyor roller conveyors. According to the invention, the device for transversely transporting the cross conveyor is configured and designed to overcome a height difference between the first conveyor roller conveyor and the second conveyor roller conveyor.

[0014] This provides a cross conveyor capable of bridging two conveyor roller conveyors, regardless of the topography or system layout, even when height differences must be overcome. According to the invention, a single device is provided to accomplish both the cross transport and the overcoming of the height difference.

[0015] According to the invention, significant preparatory work is thus eliminated, and the throughput of the cross conveyor is significantly increased compared to prior art devices that provide horizontal cross transport and vertical transport by means of a lifting table or the like. Furthermore, the cross conveyor according to the invention is capable of being integrated into the first and second conveyor roller tables, so that removing a heavy load from the first conveyor roller table, transporting it crosswise by means of the cross conveyor, and then transporting it further to the second conveyor roller table can be accomplished without difficulty.

[0016] It is particularly preferred according to the invention if the device for transverse transport is designed and configured to carry out the transverse transport and overcome the height difference in a single movement, preferably a single, uninterrupted movement in a single direction. This makes the transverse conveyor according to the invention particularly simple to implement, and furthermore, the travel path of the transverse conveyor and the heavy load placed on it is kept to a minimum.

[0017] According to the invention, it is further preferred if the height difference between the first and second conveyor roller tables requires a preferably constant gradient for the travel path of the cross conveyor. A gradient of at least 1° is preferred, preferably at least 4°, particularly preferably 4° to 10°, most preferably more than 10°, in particular 10° to 45°. This provides a cross conveyor that is capable of being optimally adapted to different topographies or height differences and is also capable of safely and easily overcoming large height differences.

[0018] It is particularly preferred if the transverse transport device is operatively connected to at least one rail, preferably two rails, for guiding the transverse conveyor. This creates a transverse transport option in which the transverse transport of the transverse conveyor can be carried out safely and in a directed manner between the first conveyor roller table and the second conveyor roller table, without the possibility of misalignment or deviations in the transverse transport. In particular, the alignment of the transverse conveyor with both the first conveyor roller table and the second conveyor roller table can thus be achieved in a targeted manner.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the device for transverse transport has at least one driven wheel for transporting the transverse conveyor on at least one, preferably two, rails. The gradient of the travel path should preferably be approximately 1° to 4°. According to the invention, a transverse conveyor is provided which can be achieved with simple and manageable means on slight gradients either with large distances between the conveyor roller tables to be bridged by the transverse conveyor or with only a small height difference between the two conveyor roller tables. Due to the Hertzian pressure between wheel and rail, a gradient of 1° to 4° can be reliably achieved solely due to the frictional connection between the transverse conveyor and the rail.

[0020] In an alternative and equally preferred embodiment of the invention, the device for transverse transport has at least one driven pinion for transporting the transverse conveyor on at least one rack or at least one rack and pinion. The gradient of the travel path is preferably 4° to 10°. This provides a transverse conveyor that can be used when rail transport is no longer possible or only possible to a limited extent due to the gradient. The pinion, preferably a driven pinion, preferably meshes with a rack arranged parallel to the rails or with a so-called rack and pinion, in which no sequence of teeth is provided, but rather a plurality of cylinders arranged at a defined distance from one another enable the engagement of a pinion meshing with the rack and pinion.In a further alternative and equally preferred embodiment of the invention, the device for transverse transport comprises at least one lifting mechanism, comprising at least one cable for transporting the transverse conveyor, preferably a cable running over at least one cable drum. The gradient of the travel path is preferably more than 10°. A transverse conveyor is provided that is capable of safely negotiating even steep gradients and, at the same time, provides a simple and easily controllable means for overcoming the height difference and for simultaneous transverse transport. In particular, when the cable hoist has a plurality of cable drums or pulleys, following the principle of a pulley system, the force required for transverse transport can be significantly reduced.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the device for transverse transport is designed and configured to move at least two transverse conveyors between at least two conveyor roller tables, preferably to move them simultaneously. In particular, it is preferred if a third horizontally extending conveyor roller table is arranged between two conveyor roller tables, wherein the third conveyor roller table has a height difference to the first and second conveyor roller tables, preferably the same height difference. Here, the device for transverse transport is designed and configured to transport a first transverse conveyor from the first conveyor roller table to the third conveyor roller table and simultaneously transport a second transverse conveyor from the third conveyor roller table to the second conveyor roller table.This provides a cross conveyor that is capable of providing a particularly high cycle rate when feeding the third conveyor roller table from the first and second conveyor roller tables. In particular, when the third conveyor roller table is arranged higher than the first and second conveyor roller tables, the energy expended when transporting a heavy load by means of a first cross conveyor from the second conveyor roller table to the third conveyor roller table can be at least partially compensated for if the second cross conveyor is simultaneously moved back from its position in front of the third conveyor roller table to its end position behind the second conveyor roller table. While the first cross conveyor thus overcomes a height difference following the incline upwards, the second cross conveyor moves simultaneously or preferably down over the same height difference and, if appropriate, downwards following the same incline.This means that the energy gained during the movement of the second cross conveyor can be used to transport the first cross conveyor.

[0022] It is also preferred if means for energy recovery are provided in order to store the energy released during transverse transport and to use it when required.

[0023] According to the invention, it is preferred if the conveyor roller tables extend parallel to one another. For the purposes of the invention, conveyor roller tables are considered parallel if they do not intersect, whereby deviations from exact parallelism of + / - 10° do not interfere with the operation of the cross conveyor according to the invention.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the conveyor roller tables are part of a casting and rolling plant, wherein the first and second conveyor roller tables and the cross conveyor then connect two casting machines to a rolling mill.

[0025] According to the invention, the heavy loads are, for example, slabs, blocks, sheets, plates, or coils made of metallic material, as are commonly known in the steel or aluminum industry as starting materials and processed products. The conveyor roller tables and cross conveyors according to the invention are, in principle, capable of safely transporting all reactants and products, as well as intermediate products, even at high temperatures and high weights of, for example, more than 5 t, preferably more than 10 t, particularly preferably more than 15 t. The invention is also applicable to the transport of containers and / or general cargo weighing at least 5 t or more.

[0026] 5. Brief Description of the Figures The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to two figures, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. The figures are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0027] They show:

[0028] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of two cross conveyors according to the invention, each connecting a first and a second conveyor roller table with a third conveyor roller table, and

[0029] Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial view of a driven pinion meshing in a rack and pinion to drive a cross conveyor.

[0030] 6. Detailed description of the characters

[0031] Figure 1 shows two cross conveyors 1a, 1b according to the invention, wherein the first cross conveyor 1a connects the first conveyor roller table 2 with the third conveyor roller table 12 and the second cross conveyor 1b connects the second conveyor roller table 3 with the third conveyor roller table 12. The third conveyor roller table 12 is arranged higher than the first and second conveyor roller tables 2, 3, so that the cross conveyors 1a, 1b must overcome an incline of more than 10° when transporting the thin slab 5 to the third conveyor roller table 12. The cross conveyors 1 a, 1 b are designed as roller table segments which can be fitted in alignment behind the first and second conveyor roller tables 2, 3 and in front of the third conveyor roller table 12, so that transport of the thin slab 5 from the first and second conveyor roller tables 2, 3 to the cross conveyors 1 a, 1 b as well as from the cross conveyors 1 a, 1 b to the third conveyor roller table 12 is easily possible.The cross conveyors 1a, 1b move between the conveyor roller tables 2, 3, 12 on rails 6 to ensure the safe transport of the thin slab 5 on the cross conveyors 1a, 1b and the alignment of the cross conveyors 1a, 1b with the conveyor roller tables 2, 3, 12. A cable 11 serves to transversely transport the cross conveyor 1a, 1b and is connected to a motor 13 and the respective cross conveyor 1a, 1b. The cable 11 runs around cable drums or deflection pulleys 10 so that the force currently applied for the transverse transport of the thin slab 5 can be kept low.In the arrangement of cross conveyors 1a, 1b and three conveyor roller tables 2, 3, 12 shown here, the thin slab 5 is transported by means of the first cross conveyor 1a from the first conveyor roller table 2 to the third conveyor roller table 12 following the incline upwards, while preferably at the same time the second cross conveyor 1b, coming from the third conveyor roller table 12 and following the incline of the travel path downwards, moves into its position behind the second conveyor roller table 3 in order to pick up a new heavy load from there, for example in the form of another thin slab 5.

[0032] Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of a conveyor drive for a cross conveyor (not shown) according to the invention, comprising a pinion 8 connected to a drive (not shown) which meshes with a rack and pinion 9 to move the cross conveyor (not shown) back and forth along the rack and pinion 9. The rack and pinion consists of a plurality of cylinders 14 arranged at a predefined distance from one another on a rail or the like, wherein the teeth of the pinion 8 engage in the distance between the cylinders 14 and thus drive the cross conveyor (not shown).

[0033] List of reference symbols

[0034] 1 cross conveyor

[0035] 2 first conveyor roller table

[0036] 3 second conveyor roller table

[0037] 4 Device for transverse transport

[0038] 5 heavy loads

[0039] 6 rails

[0040] 8 pinions

[0041] 9 Headstock

[0042] 10 rope drums

[0043] 11 rope

[0044] 12 third conveyor roller table

[0045] 13 Engine

[0046] 14 rack and pinion cylinders

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Cross conveyor (1) for the transport of heavy loads (5) from a first, horizontally extending conveyor roller table (2) to a second, horizontally extending conveyor roller table (3), wherein the cross conveyor (1) is designed as a roller table segment and is set up and designed to be inserted in alignment both in the first (2) and in the second conveyor roller table (3), and a device (4) for the cross transport of the cross conveyor (1) is provided between the conveyor roller tables (2, 3), characterized in that the device (4) for the cross transport of the cross conveyor (1) is set up and designed to overcome a height difference between the first conveyor roller table (2) and the second conveyor roller table (3).

2. Cross conveyor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (4) for cross transport is designed and arranged to carry out the cross transport and the overcoming of the height difference in one movement, preferably a single, uninterrupted movement in a single direction.

3. Cross conveyor (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the height difference between the first (2) and the second conveyor roller table (3) causes a preferably constant gradient for the travel path of the cross conveyor (1) of at least 1°, preferably at least 4°, particularly preferably 4° to 10°, most preferably more than 10°, in particular 10° to 45°.

4. Cross conveyor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (4) for cross transport is in operative connection with at least one rail (6), preferably two rails (6), for guiding the cross conveyor (1).Cross conveyor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (4) for cross transport has at least one driven wheel for transporting the cross conveyor (1) on at least one, preferably two, rail(s) (6), wherein the gradient of the travel path is preferably 1° to 4°. Cross conveyor (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the device (4) for cross transport has at least one driven pinion (8) for transporting the cross conveyor (1) on at least one rack or at least one drive shaft (9), wherein the gradient of the travel path is preferably 4° to 10°.Cross conveyor (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the device (4) for cross transport has at least one lifting mechanism, comprising at least one cable (11) for transporting the cross conveyor (1), preferably a cable (11) running over at least one cable drum (10), wherein the gradient of the travel path is preferably more than 10°. Cross conveyor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (4) for cross transport is designed and configured to move at least two cross conveyors (1) between at least two conveyor roller tables (2, 3), preferably to move them simultaneously.Cross conveyor (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that a third horizontally extending conveyor roller table (12) is arranged between two conveyor roller tables (2, 3), wherein the third conveyor roller table (12) has a height difference to the first and second conveyor roller table (2, 3), preferably the same height difference, wherein the device (4) for cross transport is designed and configured to transport a first cross conveyor (1a) from the first conveyor roller table (2) to the third conveyor roller table (12) and simultaneously a second cross conveyor (1b) from the third conveyor roller table (12) to the second conveyor roller table (3). Cross conveyor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means for energy recovery are provided in order to store the energy released during the cross transport and to use it when needed. Cross conveyor (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that when two cross conveyors (1a, 1b) are transported simultaneously, the energy released during the cross transport of the first cross conveyor (1a) is used for the cross transport of the second cross conveyor (1b). Cross conveyor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor roller tables (2, 3, 12) extend parallel to one another. Cross conveyor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveyor roller tables (2, 3, 12) are part of a casting and rolling plant, the first and second conveyor roller tables (2, 3) and the cross conveyor (1) connecting two casting machines to a rolling mill.Cross conveyor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heavy loads (5) are slabs, blocks, plates, sheets or coils of metallic material, containers and / or piece goods with a weight of at least 5 tonnes, preferably at least 10 tonnes, particularly preferably at least 15 tonnes.

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