Rolling mill equipped with a device for adjusting the inclination of the spray bar.

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a rolling mill (1), in particular a cold rolling mill, comprising: - cylinders or sets of rollers including at least one pair of working cylinders suitable for defining the air gap of a strip to be rolled, - at least one spray bar (3a, 3b) for spraying a lubricating and / or cooling fluid, disposed near the plane of the strip to be rolled, - a stand (2) inside which said cylinders are arranged, - at least one device for adjusting the inclination of said at least one spray bar including an actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder configured to change the inclination of the spray bar about the pivot axis. According to this disclosure, said actuator (50) of the inclination adjustment device is disposed on the second side (C2) of the stand, opposite the first side (C1) of the maintenance window. Abstract figure: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Rolling mill equipped with a device for adjusting the inclination of the spray ramp.

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

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

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

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

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

[0006] In a rolling mill of the “20 High” type, there are two first intermediate rolls, and three second intermediate rolls (for each working roll, upper or lower). Eight sets of rollers rest on the second intermediate rolls, on either side of the plane of the strip to be rolled.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0013] According to the Applicant's findings, and as taught by WO2018 / 060580, the cylinders and hoses of the tilting device are typically positioned relative to the rolling mill stand, on the side of the access window of the rolling mill, from which the rolls can be extracted, and whereas the supply of the ramp, in particular of a tubular shaft of the ramp, can be done only on the opposite side and as taught by WO2018 / 060580. A rotating joint ensures the free rotation of the tubular shaft of the ramp relative to a fluid supply device, on the side opposite the window, in order to allow the rotation control of the ramps around their tubular shaft by the cylinders of the tilting device, arranged on the side of the access window.

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

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

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

[0017] The present disclosure improves the situation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0026] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, in which: Fig. 1

[0027] [Fig-1] is a view of the configuration of a 20-roll rolling mill, comprising, a on the one hand, an upper group comprising a working cylinder, two first intermediate cylinders, three second intermediate cylinders, and four sets of upper support rollers, and on the other hand, a lower group comprising a working cylinder, two first intermediate cylinders, three second intermediate cylinders, and four sets of lower support rollers. Fig. 2

[0028] [Fig.2] is a partial view of a two-part rolling mill stand, including a lower stand part, illustrated in the figure, receiving the rolls and support rollers of the lower group, as well as spray ramps, configured in particular for cooling the strip, or even the lower rolls, in particular the lower working roll, the upper stand part being movable relative to the lower stand part (not illustrated). Fig. 2a

[0029] [Fig.2a] is a detail view of the second side, opposite the first side of the window maintenance, illustrating the tilt adjustment devices associated with the two lower spray booms, first and second boom. Fig. 3

[0030] [Fig.3] is a detail view of a ramp, articulated to a support fixed to the part of lower cage via two arms, a first arm rigidly secured to the support articulated to the pivot via a first bearing ring at a first end of the tubular shaft of the ramp, on the first side, and a second arm secured to the support and articulated in pivot via a second bearing ring to the tubing coupled to the lever, said lever driven by the actuator, the removable connection arranged between the two arms, near the second arm, the connection allowing the decoupling of the ramp from the tubing. Fig. 4

[0031] [Fig.4] is a sectional view along a plane passing through the pivot axis of the ramp, illustrating more particularly the removable connector and the second arm, as well as the rotating joint between the distal part of the tubing and the fixed supply device, a detail view illustrating the two parts of hexagonal sections according to a detail view, the hexagonal sections allowing torque transmission between them. Description of the embodiments

[0032] The drawings and the description below contain, for the most part, elements of a certain character. They will therefore not only be able to serve to better understand the this disclosure, but also contribute to its definition, where appropriate.

[0033] The present disclosure relates to a rolling mill 1, in particular a cold rolling mill, comprising: - cylinders 12, 13, 14, 15, or even sets of rollers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H comprising at least one pair of working cylinders 12 capable of defining the air gap of a BM strip to be rolled, - at least one ramp 3 for spraying a lubricating and / or cooling fluid, arranged close to the plane of the strip to be rolled, - a cage 2 inside which said cylinders 12, 13, 14, 15 are arranged, or even the sets of rollers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H.

[0034] With reference to [Fig.l], the present disclosure finds a particular application in a rolling mill known by those skilled in the art as a 20-roll or "20Hi" rolling mill, and in particular in such a rolling mill for which the cage is in two parts, usually called "split housing" by those skilled in the art.

[0035] Such a stand 2 of the rolling mill, in two parts, comprises a lower stand part 20, transmitting a clamping force to the lower rolls, including the lower working roll 12; or even to said lower roller assemblies, and an upper stand part, vertically movable relative to the lower stand part typically via hydraulic means transmitting a clamping force to the upper rolls, including the lower working roll, or even to said upper roller assemblies. Such a stand can be opened by moving the upper stand part away from the lower stand part.

[0036] A 20-roll rolling mill conventionally comprises, and as illustrated in [Fig.l]: - in the upper part, in particular within the upper stand part of the rolling mill, the upper working roll 12, as well as two first intermediate rolls 13, upper, three second intermediate rolls 14, 15, upper, and four upper support roller assemblies A, B, C, D, - in the lower part, in particular within the lower stand part of the rolling mill, the lower working cylinder 12 as well as two first intermediate cylinders 13, lower, three second intermediate cylinders 14, 15, lower, and four lower support roller assemblies H, G, F, E.

[0037] The cage comprises, on a first side C1, on the one hand, a maintenance window W, through which the cylinders 12, 13, 14, 15, or even the sets of rollers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, as well as said at least one ramp 3, can be extracted during maintenance, and on the other hand, a second side C2, opposite the first side C, provided with means 4 for supplying the ramp with lubrication / cooling fluid.

[0038] The rolling mill is preferably devoid of a fluid supply means for the ramp at the maintenance window, on the first side Cl.

[0039] The rolling mill can also be provided with motorization means for driving the cylinders on this second side C2.

[0040] The rolling mill may comprise a first ramp 3a and a second ramp 3b, lower, arranged under the running plane of the strip BM, and configured for the cooling / lubrication of the lower working cylinder 12 and a third ramp, and a fourth ramp for the cooling of the upper working cylinder, arranged above the strip BM configured for the lubrication of the upper working cylinder 12.

[0041] The two lower ramps (first and second ramp) or the two upper ramps (third ramp and fourth ramp) are typically preferably distributed on either side of a clamping plane of the rolling mill, this plane passing through the axes of the two working cylinders.

[0042] The rolling mill also comprises at least one device 5 for adjusting the inclination of said at least one ramp, and typically: - a first device for adjusting the inclination of the first ramp 3a, - a second device for adjusting the inclination of the second ramp 3b, - a third device for adjusting the inclination of the third ramp (not shown), - a fourth device for adjusting the inclination of the fourth ramp (not shown).

[0043] The different possible positions of the ramps can make it possible, in particular, to facilitate the removal of the cylinders, by moving the ramp(s) away from the cylinder to be changed, and or even to ensure the recovery of the upper working cylinder by the first ramp and the second ramp.

[0044] Thus, and for example when the rolling mill comprises the first ramp 3a and the second ramp 3b, lower intended to be arranged lower than the strip to be rolled, preferably arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to a clamping plane passing through the axes of the lower and upper working cylinders, said first ramp and the second ramp may comprise extensions 9, projecting, directed towards each other, at least in at least one determined angular position of the first and second ramps. These extensions 9 are configured to support the upper working cylinder 12, when the stand is opened by vertical displacement of the upper stand part with respect to the lower stand part.

[0045] The different positions can further facilitate the insertion of the strip between the working cylinders. Thus, and for example, the ramps of the pair located upstream, depending on the direction of insertion of the strip BM, can be brought closer to each other in order to physically guide the end of the strip to be introduced at the level of the air gap of the working cylinders, the ramps of the other pair being able to be moved apart in order to facilitate the recovery of the strip, downstream of the working cylinders.

[0046] Said at least one device 5 for adjusting the inclination of said at least one ramp comprises: - an articulation mechanism between said at least one ramp and said cage 2 following a pivot connection, typically, with a pivot axis X3 of rotation parallel to the plane of the strip BM to be rolled and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the strip, and - an actuator 50, such as a hydraulic cylinder VR configured to change the inclination of the ramp around the pivot axis X3.

[0047] In particular, the rolling mill may comprise several independent tilting devices associated with the different ramps, for example: - the first device for adjusting the inclination of the first ramp comprises a first articulation mechanism between said first ramp and the cage and a first actuator, in particular a first cylinder, on the second side C2, - the second device for adjusting the inclination of the second ramp, comprises a second articulation mechanism between said second ramp and the cage and a second actuator, in particular a second cylinder, on the second side C2, - the third device for adjusting the inclination of the third ramp, comprises a third articulation mechanism between said third ramp and the cage and a third actuator, in particular a third cylinder, on the second side C2 - the fourth device for adjusting the inclination of the fourth ramp, comprises a fourth articulation mechanism between said fourth ramp and the cage and a fourth actuator, in particular a fourth cylinder, on the second side C2.

[0048] Notably and according to the present disclosure, said actuator, in particular the jack, of said at least one inclination adjustment device is arranged, on the second side C2 of the cage, opposite the first side C1 of the maintenance window.

[0049] Arranging said actuator 50, such as the cylinder VR of the tilt adjustment device on the second side C2, advantageously makes it possible not to encroach on the maintenance window W on the first side C1, and so as to facilitate the extraction of the cylinders 12, 13, 14, 15, or even the sets of rollers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H through the maintenance window W. When the actuator, in particular the cylinder, comprises one or more hydraulic hoses, this avoids the risks of tearing off the hoses, which are located on the second side C2, and not on the first side C1 as in the prior art.

[0050] Again, and at least according to one embodiment, such positioning can make it possible to extract said at least one ramp 3 (in particular first, second, third and fourth ramp) through the window of maintenance W, and advantageously without requiring prior decoupling of the actuator 50 (in particular first, second, third and fourth) and without generally requiring decoupling of the tilting device on the second side C2 of the cage 2.

[0051] The operations of decoupling the spray bar(s) can thus be advantageously simplified and shortened compared to the state of the art which requires provision for decoupling the actuator (namely the hydraulic cylinder) prior to extraction of the bar 3 through the maintenance window W.

[0052] Thus and according to one embodiment, the spray ramp 3 can comprise a tubular shaft 30 provided with a fluid inlet connected via a removable connector 6 between an open end of the tubular shaft 30 and an open proximal end of a tube 40 of the supply means 4 arranged on the second side C2.

[0053] The ramp 3 is advantageously configured to be decoupled from the tubing 40 and extracted through the maintenance window 4, after decoupling the removable connector 6, without decoupling the actuator 50 from the device 5 for adjusting the inclination on the cage, on the second side C2 of the cage 2, and in particular without decoupling the supply means 4 of the cage 2, in particular on the second side C2.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the tubing 40 is coaxial with the tubular shaft 30, as well as with said pivot axis X3. The actuator 50 connects the cage to a lever 51 of the adjustment device, extending radially to the tubing 40, said actuator 50 being configured to cause the change in inclination of the ramp 3 around the pivot axis X3 by transmitting a rotational torque to the lever 51 and to the tubing 40 of the supply means, integral in rotation with the spray ramp 3.

[0055] Thus, and for example, in [Fig.2a], a first end of the actuator, in particular of the jack, is coupled via a first articulated connection to the cage, and another end of the actuator, in particular of the jack, is coupled to the lever via a second articulated connection, in particular at an end portion.

[0056] The deployment of the actuator 50 (or its retraction), in particular of the cylinder VR, generates a torque which is transmitted to the lever and jointly to the tubing 40 which is coupled in rotation with the spraying ramp 3, which causes the rotation of the ramp around the axis X3. The tubing 40 thus carries out a primary function of supplying fluid to the ramp, but also forms an integral part of the inclination adjustment device in that it is a torque transmission element, between the actuator 50 on the one hand, and the ramp 3, on the other hand.

[0057] It is noted that the tubing 40 can be connected by the connector 6 to the tubular shaft 30 of the ramp 3 while being coupled in rotation to the ramp, at the proximal end of the tubing 40. The distal end of the tubing 40, opposite that of the connector 6 can be rotated by the actuator 50 during adjustment, and coupled via a rotating joint 7 to a non-rotating cooling / lubrication fluid supply device 8 secured to the cage.

[0058] In particular for the lower ramp(s), in the case of a two-part cage 2, the fluid supply device 8 is fixed to the lower cage part 20, and then and then for the upper ramp(s), the non-rotating fluid supply device 8 is fixed to the upper cage part, movable relative to the lower cage part 20.

[0059] According to an advantageous embodiment, said removable connection 6 between the proximal end of the tubing 40 and the tubular shaft 30 may comprise a first coupling part 60 secured to one end of the tubular shaft 30 and a second coupling part 61 secured to the proximal end of the tubing 40.

[0060] The first coupling part 60 and the second coupling part 61 are configured to couple by interlocking in the direction of the pivot axis X3 when inserting the spray bar 3 and to decouple when extracting the bar through the maintenance window.

[0061] According to such an embodiment, the coupling and decoupling of the two coupling parts (first part 60 and second part 61) can be carried out from the first side C1 of the cage, and without requiring the presence of an operator on the second side C2, which is not very accessible for an operator.

[0062] The first coupling part 60 and the second coupling part 61 can also be configured to ensure transmission of the torque generated by the actuator 5, between the tubing 40 and the tubular shaft 30, around the pivot axis X3.

[0063] For this purpose, the first coupling part 60 and the second coupling part 61 may be of polygonal sections, for example hexagonal, and configured to ensure the transmission of torque, and as illustrated in the detailed view of [Fig.4].

[0064] According to one embodiment, the articulation mechanism may comprise a first arm BRI rigidly secured to a support S of the cage which, in a first state of the arm, is articulated to the pivot via a first bearing ring BPI at a first end of the tubular shaft 30 of the spraying ramp 3, on the first side C1 of the cage 2, and a second arm BR2 secured to the support S which is pivotally articulated via a second bearing ring BP2 to the tubing 40 driven by the actuator 50 on the second side C2.

[0065] The removable connector 6 allowing the decoupling of the ramp 3 and the tubing 40 can be arranged between the two arms, configured so as to allow the decoupling and extraction of the ramp 2 through the maintenance window, after the first arm BRI has passed into a second state for which said first arm is decoupled from the support S of the first side Cl, which is easily accessible from this first side Cl for the operator, and while the second arm BR2 remains advantageously coupled to the support S on the second side C2, therefore not needing to be dismantled.

[0066] The present disclosure also relates to a method of maintaining a rolling mill 1, comprising: a step / B / in which the ramp 3 is extracted, without dismantling the device 5 for adjusting the inclination on the second side C2 of the cage, including without dismantling the actuator 5, in particular after separation of the removable connection 6 between the end of the tubular shaft 30 and the proximal end of the tubing 40 of the supply means 4.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the extraction of the ramp 3 requires decoupling the first arm BRI, from the first side of the cage, and advantageously without requiring intervention on the second opposite side to dismantle the second arm BR2.

[0068] According to one embodiment, step / B / is preceded by: - / A / Opening of the rolling mill cage by vertical movement of the upper cage part relative to the lower cage part 20.

[0069] When the ramp is inserted into the cage for the purpose of connecting the tubular shaft 30 of the ramp 3 to the supply means 4, in particular to the tubing 40 by the removable connector 6, the connection to the supply means 4, on the second side C2, is obtained by simple interlocking, in particular between the two coupling parts (namely the first coupling part 60, and second coupling part 61), and advantageously always without requiring the intervention of the operator on this second side C2 of the cage. Industrial application

[0070] The present disclosure advantageously makes it possible, first of all, to greatly free the maintenance window from any equipment linked to the inclination of the ramps, or linked to the supply of fluid to the ramps: the maintenance window thus freed then makes it possible to greatly facilitate the operations of changing cylinders or roller assemblies, for example by eliminating the risks of catching the hoses of the jacks, and as known in the state of the art.

[0071] Furthermore, and at least according to one advantageous embodiment, the rolling mill facilitates the operations of extraction or insertion of the ramp(s) per se, in that these operations do not require decoupling of the actuator or lever, reducing the time of the operations of extraction or insertion of the ramps, and compared to the known state of the art which requires the decoupling of the jacks or even levers coupled to these jacks.

[0072] The ramp 3, in particular the first, second, third and fourth, can conventionally comprise a series of nozzles supplied with fluid and allowing spraying a curtain of fluid over the width of the metal strip to be rolled, or over the length of the working cylinder. This may in particular be, as an example, a design such as taught by WO2018 / 060580, and which is notable in that it guarantees a low dispersion of nozzle flow rates measured over the length of the ramp, and even when the tubular shaft of the ramp is supplied with fluid from only one of its ends, in this case the end of the tubular shaft 30 pointing towards the second side C2 of the stand, within the framework of the present disclosure. List of reference signs

[0073] - 1: Rolling mill - 2. Cage, - 20. Lower cage part (the upper cage part is not shown), - 3 Ramp, in particular first ramp 3a and second ramp 3b, - 4. Means of fluid supply, - 40. Tubing, -5. Tilt adjustment device, - 50. Actuator, - 51. Lever, - 6. Removable connection, - 60. First part of coupling, - 61. Second part of coupling, - 7. Rotating joint, - 8. Non-rotating feed device, - 9. Extensions, - 12. Working cylinders (including upper and lower), - 13. First intermediate cylinders (including upper and lower), - 14, 15. Second intermediate cylinder (including upper and lower), - A, B, C, D. Set of upper rollers, - H, G, F, E. Lower roller assembly, - VR. Hydraulic cylinder,

[0074]

Claims

Claims

1. Rolling mill (1), in particular cold rolling mill, comprising: - cylinders (12, 13, 14, 15), or even sets of rollers (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) comprising at least one pair of working cylinders (12) capable of defining an air gap of a strip (BM) to be rolled, - at least one ramp (3) for spraying a lubricating and / or cooling fluid, arranged near a plane (BM) of the strip to be rolled, - a cage (2) inside which said cylinders (12, 13, 14, 15) or even the sets of rollers (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) are arranged, said cage comprising, on a first side (Cl), on the one hand, a maintenance window (W), through which the cylinders (12, 13, 14, 15) or even the sets of rollers (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) and said at least one ramp (3) can be extracted during maintenance, and on the other hand, a second side (C2), opposite the first side, comprising means (4) for supplying the ramp with fluid, or even motorization means for driving the cylinders, - at least one device (5) for adjusting the inclination of said at least one ramp comprising, — an articulation mechanism between said at least one ramp and said cage (2) following a pivot connection, typically, with a pivot axis (X3) of rotation parallel to the plane of the strip (BM) to be rolled and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the strip, and, — an actuator (50), such as a hydraulic cylinder (VR) configured to change the inclination of the ramp around the pivot axis (X3), characterized in that said actuator (50) of the inclination adjustment device is arranged on the second side (C2) of the cage.

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

3. Rolling mill according to claim 2, wherein the tubing (40) is coaxial with the tubular shaft (30), as well as with said pivot axis (X3), and wherein the actuator (50) connects the cage to a lever (51) of the adjustment device, extending radially to the tubing (40), said actuator (50) being configured to cause the change in inclination of the ramp (3) around the pivot axis (X3) by transmitting a rotational torque to the lever (51) and to the tubing (40) of the feed means, said tubing (40) being integral in rotation with the spraying ramp (3).

4. Rolling mill according to claim 3, in which the tubing (40) is coupled via a rotating joint (7) to a non-rotating fluid supply device (8) integral with the cage.

5. Rolling mill according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the removable connection (6) between the proximal end of the tubing (40) and the tubular shaft (30) comprises a first coupling part (60) secured to one end of the tubular shaft (30) and a second coupling part (61) secured to the proximal end of the tubing (40), the first coupling part (60) and the second coupling part (61) being configured to couple by interlocking in the direction of the pivot axis (X3) when the spraying ramp is inserted, and to decouple when the ramp is extracted through the maintenance window.

6. Rolling mill according to claim 5, wherein the first coupling part (60) and the second coupling part (61) are configured to ensure transmission of the torque generated by the actuator (50), between the tubing (40) and the tubular shaft (30) along the pivot axis (X3).

7. Rolling mill according to claim 6, wherein the first coupling part (60) and the second coupling part (61) are of polygonal sections, for example hexagonal.

8. Rolling mill according to one of claims 2 to 7, in which the articulation mechanism comprises a first arm (BRI) rigidly secured to a support (S) of the cage, in a first state, which is pivotally articulated via a first bearing ring (BPI) at a first end of the tubular shaft (30) of the spraying ramp, on the first side (Cl), and a second arm (BR2) secured to the support (S) is pivotally articulated via a second bearing ring (BP2) to the tubing (40) driven by the actuator, said removable connection (6) allowing the decoupling of the ramp and the tubing being arranged between the two arms, said removable connection (6) and configured so as to allow the decoupling and extraction of the ramp (3) through the maintenance window, after passage into a second state of the first arm (BRI) in which it is decoupled from the support (S) on the first side (Cl), and while the second arm (BR2) remains coupled to the support (S) on the second side (C2).

9. Rolling mill according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the stand (2) of the rolling mill comprises a lower stand part (20), transmitting a clamping force to the lower rolls, including the lower working roll (12), or even to said lower roller sets, and an upper stand part, movable vertically relative to the lower stand part transmitting a clamping force to the upper rolls, including the lower working roll, or even to said upper roller sets.

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

11. Rolling mill according to claim 10, comprising a first ramp (3a) and a second ramp (3b), lower intended to be arranged being lower than the strip to be rolled, preferably arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to a clamping plane passing through the axes of the lower and upper working cylinders, said first ramp and the second ramp comprising extensions (9), projecting, directed towards each other, at least in a determined angular position of the first and second ramps, configured to support the upper working cylinder, when opening the stand by vertical displacement of the upper stand part with respect to the lower stand part.

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

13. Method for maintaining a rolling mill (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a step / B / in which a ramp (3) is extracted, without dismantling the device (5) for adjusting the inclination of said ramp on the second side (C2) of the stand, including without dismantling the actuator (50), in particular after separation of the removable connection (6) between the end of the tubular shaft (30) and the proximal end of the tubing (40) of the feed means (4) when the rolling mill is according to claim 2.

14. Maintenance method according to claim 13 implemented in a rolling mill according to claim 9 alone or in combination with claims 10 or 11 in which step / B / is preceded by the opening of the rolling mill stand by vertical displacement of the upper stand part relative to the lower stand part (20).

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