Rolling mill with moving stand and airtight door
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023001625
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-02-22
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-21
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-02-22
Smart Images
Figure 00000024_0000 
Figure 00000025_0000 
Figure 00000025_0001
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Rolling mill with moving cage and watertight door Technical field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of cold rolling which makes it possible to obtain the final thickness of a metal strip by successively passing this strip between cylinders in the presence of high forces simultaneously in pressure and traction.
[0002] A rolling mill of the "Sendzimir" type comprises a plurality of cylinders, or rollers, which are arranged relative to each other to allow the mechanical characteristics of a metal strip to be changed and to obtain a strip thickness which may be less than 3 millimeters.
[0003] The present disclosure relates more particularly to 20-roll rolling mills of the type known to those skilled in the art under the name "split housing" and which notably comprises an upper cage part and a lower cage part, movable relative to each other, and in contrast to the known state of the art with a single-piece cage. Prior art
[0004] More particularly, a “Sendzimir” rolling mill is known which can comprise twenty rolls; an example of an embodiment of such a twenty-roll rolling mill is illustrated in documents US 5,193,377 and US 5,471,859.
[0005] [Fig. 1] attached to this description comes from these two applications.
[0006] This [Fig.l] represents a schematic view of a cross-section of a twenty-roll rolling mill. In this figure, the rolls are divided into a lower group G! and an upper group Gs; more precisely, these groups Gi and Gs have a symmetrical structure and each comprise ten rolls including: a working roll 12, two first intermediate rolls 13, three second intermediate rolls 14 and 15, and four support rolls, or set of support rollers, which are outside the arrangement and which are denoted A, B, C and D for the upper group Gs and E, F, G, H for the lower group Gb
[0007] This nomenclature for the different rolls constituting a twenty-roll rolling mill is customary in the field of rolling mills, and is well known to those skilled in the art.
[0008] It is recognized in the field of rolling mills that this arrangement of cylinders illustrated in [Fig.l] makes it possible to efficiently work a BM metal strip to obtain the desired strip thickness.
[0009] Documents US 5,193,377, and US 5,471,859 disclose such a single-block cage rolling mill, which only allows a small spacing between the working rolls, respectively upper and lower, which can be a source of difficulty, particularly when it is necessary to carry out maintenance operations, typically changing cylinders.
[0010] In such a 20-roll rolling mill, with a single-piece stand, the maintenance access window is closed by a large door. During rolling operations, this door provides a seal against the lubricating / cooling oil which is sprayed at a high flow rate into the stand by spray ramps, internal to the stand. This door is hinged to a frame of the stand, to provide access to all 20 rolls when in its open position, namely the two working rolls, the first four intermediate rolls, and the six second intermediate rolls, and the eight sets of support rollers.
[0011] Such a state of the art with a single-block cage is for example disclosed by document WO 2015 / 071608 A1 of the present Applicant.
[0012] WO2015 / 071608 A1 teaches that the (large) access door, called the main door in WO 2015 / 071608 A1, can be equipped with a gate, namely a small door, hinged on the main door. This small door makes it possible to simplify the maintenance of the working cylinders, and of the first intermediate cylinders, by allowing access to them, advantageously without requiring the opening of the main door which remains closed.
[0013] Thus, and in an open position of the gate, the latter allows access to the working cylinders 12 and to the first intermediate cylinders 13 through a central opening formed in the main door, advantageously, without having to open the main door, a much more tedious maneuver.
[0014] In a closed position of the gate (the main door then closed), the latter closes said opening formed in the main door, said gate being equipped with stops ensuring the axial wedging of the working cylinders 12 (on the front), during rolling operations.
[0015] A 20-roll rolling mill may typically comprise a device for moving the first intermediate rolls, in particular of the push-pull type or of the push-push type as taught by WO 2015 / 071608 A1. Such a push-push device then comprises at least a first pair of jacks at the front, and at least a second pair of jacks at the bottom of the stand, each of the jacks comprising a support portion configured to exert a thrust force on the first intermediate rolls. Such a moving device makes it possible to control the dimension of the axial overlap between the first intermediate rolls, and thus to adapt this dimension to the width of the metal strip to be rolled.
[0016] The gate can then be equipped with the thrust cylinders belonging to the rickshaw type movement device. The second intermediate cylinders 14, 15, at number of three for the upper group Gs and three for the lower group Gs, are classically articulated at their ends by rolling boxes. Such rolling boxes are linked to the cage by suspensions for the second intermediate cylinders, upper. The main door is then equipped with stops coming to bear against the rolling boxes when the door is closed. The second intermediate cylinders, are typically driven in rotation by motorization means, on the side of the cage opposite the maintenance window.
[0017] In a 20-roll rolling mill with a single-block stand, the rolling operations are carried out under intense oil projection, by spray ramps, typically two upper ramps, and two lower ramps, internal to the stand. Once the door is closed (possibly equipped with a gate), the door covers the entire maintenance window on the front of the stand in an oil-tight manner, protecting the external environment of the stand against oil projections.
[0018] In such a 20-roll rolling mill with a single-piece cage, the two working rolls can, however, only be separated (from each other), in the vertical direction, by a small dimension, and typically only according to the stroke permitted by the rotations of eccentrics internal to the four sets of upper support rollers A to D, and the rotations of eccentrics internal to the four sets of lower support rollers, E to H. A small separation of the working rolls can be detrimental during maintenance operations, in particular roll changing operations, due to the small clearance created to extract or insert the rolls, or for example; in the event of breakage of the strip, to extract any pieces of strip stuck in the cage.
[0019] The state of the art of 20-roll rolling mills also includes rolling mills known under the English name "split housing" which each notably comprise two parts which are movable relative to each other along the vertical, thus allowing an increased opening between working rolls, and in comparison with the state of the art of rolling mills with a single-block cage.
[0020] The two movable cage parts comprising an upper cage part, receiving the rolls of the upper group, and a lower cage part, receiving the rolls of the lower group, the upper cage part and the lower cage part being movable relative to each other in the vertical direction, typically by a hydraulic system. Such a rolling mill with two cage parts, respectively lower and upper, allows the working rolls to be moved apart by opening the cage, and in a dimension greater than that permitted by a rolling mill with a single-piece cage.
[0021] Document US 3,858,424 is an example of such a “split housing” type rolling mill which comprises: - an external cage, fixed, and notably inside this external cage, - an upper internal cage and a lower internal cage, movable relative to each other under the action of a hydraulic clamping pot interposed between the lower internal cage and a base of the outer cage. A device for adjusting the pass line is interposed between the upper internal cage and an upper part of the outer cage.
[0022] In such a state of the art, the maintenance window of the cage typically comprises a system of doors in several movable parts, and in particular three parts movable relative to each other, and according to a first family of rolling mill of the “split housing” type.
[0023] The door system according to US 3,858,424 thus comprises two doors which move according to the movements of the lower and upper internal cages, and a central fixed door, namely respectively: - a first, central door, extending in height, at the level of the working cylinders, articulated by a hinge on one side of the outer cage, fixed, the central door being secured by a closure on the other side of the outer cage, this central door notably carrying a roller with a vertical axis forming an axial stop on the front for the working cylinders, and as visible in [Fig.2] of document US 3,858,424, - a second door and a third door, movable between them and relative to the central door, the second door and the third door respectively arranged above and below the first central door, the second and third doors secured respectively to the upper and lower internal cages.
[0024] The second door is hinged to the upper inner cage and has an axial stop for a bearing of the second upper intermediate cylinder. The third door is hinged to the lower inner cage and has an axial stop for a bearing of the second lower intermediate cylinder.
[0025] In such a state of the art, the second door thus accompanies the vertical movements of the upper cage part, while the third door accompanies the vertical movements of the lower cage part, the first central door remaining fixed.
[0026] The state of the art of “split housing” rolling mills includes variants of construction with only two doors, respectively upper and lower, secured respectively to the two parts of the cage which are movable relative to each other, one of the two doors also incorporating an axial stop for the working rolls.
[0027] Such a state of the art of a door system in several parts, movable relative to each other according to the movements of the lower and upper cages is advantageous, compared to a single fixed door solution, in that it advantageously makes it possible to equip the lower and upper movable doors with two oil emulsion injection systems having the function of lubricating the bearing housings of the second intermediate cylinders, namely that an upper injection system, associated with the upper door, advantageously always accompanies the vertical movement of the bearing housings of the second upper intermediate cylinders, to ensure their lubrication by injection, from injection orifices on this upper door, movable, always centered with orifices opposite the bearing housings of the second upper cylinders, and whereas a lower injection system, associated with the lower door, advantageously always accompanies the movement of the bearing housings of the second lower intermediate cylinders, to ensure their lubrication by injection, from injection orifices on this lower door, always centered with orifices opposite the bearing housings of the second lower intermediate cylinders.
[0028] Such a state of the art with several movable doors (two or three doors) however requires the presence of operating clearances between the movable doors but also typically also above the upper door and below the lower door, and due to the relative movement between the two movable doors, secured respectively to the lower and upper cage parts.
[0029] During rolling operations carried out under intense lubrication by the spray ramps internal to the stand, large quantities of oil escape through a slot between doors, or even a slot above the upper door and a slot below the lower door, requiring the presence of an oil recovery system, external to the stand, and very often the presence of an additional closing system for the doors, typically taking the form of a rolling shutter apron (often called a "shutter") covering the front of the stand over its entire height.
[0030] The state of the art of "split housing" rolling mills, however, knows according to a second known family, to use a main door, integral with an external, fixed cage, which closes, like the state of the art of rolling mills with a single-piece cage, the entire maintenance window of the cage. In such a case, sliding bearings are provided on an inner wall of the door, serving as axial stops for the bearing housings of the second intermediate rolls.
[0031] The sliding bearings extend over a significant portion of the height of the main door, fixed so that the housing can slide on this bearing following a nominal operating stroke of the upper and lower cage parts, during vertical movements of the cage parts, which for example are greater than 100 mm. Given the amplitude of the vertical movements between the lower and upper cage doors, and the fixed door, this solution with a sealed door is not compatible with the injection systems for the lubrication of the bearing housings of the second intermediate cylinders: such a stroke does not allow to keep centered the injection ports of an injection system opposite an orifice of the bearing housing.
[0032] Such a door system, with a large fixed door for a “split housing” rolling mill, although watertight, does not meet all needs, and in particular those of 20-roll rolling mills requiring intense lubrication of the bearing housings of the second intermediate rolls. Summary
[0033] The present disclosure improves the situation.
[0034] A 20-roll rolling mill configured for rolling a metal strip is provided, comprising: - a higher group including: — a working cylinder, upper, — two first intermediate, upper cylinders, — three second intermediate, upper cylinders, — four sets of upper support rollers, - a lower group comprising: — a lower working cylinder, — two first intermediate, lower cylinders, — three second intermediate, lower cylinders, — four sets of lower support rollers, - a cage system comprising two parts movable relative to each other respectively forming an upper cage part, configured to transmit a clamping force to the four sets of support rollers, of the upper group, and a lower cage part configured to transmit a clamping force to the four sets of support rollers of the lower group, - a hydraulic clamping mechanism configured to move the cage system from a cage open position in which the upper cage portion and the lower cage portion are spaced apart from each other, to a clamping position in which the upper cage portion and the lower cage portion are brought together, and wherein the cage system comprises a door configured to move from an open position releasing a maintenance window of the cage system, at the front, providing access to the cylinders and sets of support rollers of the upper group and access to the cylinders and sets of support rollers of the lower group, and a closed position for which the door closes the maintenance window, - a system of axial stops for the working rolls, the axial stops for the working rolls configured to ensure axial stopping of the working rolls, - a system of axial stops for the second intermediate cylinders, the axial stops for the second intermediate cylinders configured to ensure axial stopping of said second intermediate, lower and upper cylinders, - a device for moving the first intermediate cylinders configured to ensure axial movements of the first intermediate, lower and upper cylinders, relative to each other.
[0035] According to the present disclosure, said door cooperates, in said closed position, with a peripheral frame of a fixed chassis of the cage system surrounding the maintenance window, said door sealingly closing said maintenance window, said system of axial stops of the second intermediate cylinders comprising: - an upper arm carrying the axial stops for the axial stopping of the second upper intermediate cylinders, on the front, said first arm embedded on the upper cage part so as to accompany the vertical movements of the upper cage part relative to the door, said upper arm arranged between the door and the second upper intermediate cylinders, in the closed position of the door, and / or - a lower arm carrying the axial stops for the axial stopping of the second lower intermediate cylinders, said lower arm mounted on the lower cage part so as to accompany the vertical movements of the lower cage part relative to the door, said lower arm arranged between the door and the second lower intermediate cylinders, in the door closing position.
[0036] The features set out in the following paragraphs may, optionally, be implemented independently of one another or in combination with one another.
[0037] According to one embodiment, the second intermediate cylinders are articulated by their longitudinal ends to bearing housings and in which the axial stops for stopping the second intermediate cylinders cooperate with said bearing housings.
[0038] According to one embodiment: - the upper arm incorporates an upper lubrication fluid injection system, comprising a lubrication fluid pipe communicating with a plurality of injection orifices on the axial stops opposite bearing housing orifices of the second upper intermediate cylinders, on the front, - the lower arm incorporates a lower lubrication fluid injection system, comprising a lubrication fluid pipe, communicating with a plurality of injection orifices on the axial stops opposite bearing housing orifices of the second lower intermediate cylinders, on the front.
[0039] According to one embodiment, the upper arm is articulated by a hinge su upper, along a vertical pivot axis to the upper cage part and / or the lower arm is articulated by a lower hinge, along a pivot axis to the lower cage part.
[0040] According to one embodiment, the upper injection system is supplied with lubricating fluid from a pipe which runs along the upper cage portion and communicates with the pipe of the upper arm through the upper hinge. and wherein the lower injection system is supplied with lubricating fluid from a pipe which runs from the lower cage portion and communicates with the pipe of the lower arm through the lower hinge.
[0041] According to one embodiment, the door is hinged to the fixed frame of the chassis, by a hinge system, allowing a pivot of the door, the hinge system of the door, on the one hand, and the upper hinge and / or the lower hinge, on the other hand, arranged relative to a clamping plane of the cage, on the same side of the maintenance window, .and in which: - the door and the upper arm are provided with an upper guide system comprising a cam and a cam follower, the cam carried by the door, the cam follower carried by the upper arm, at a distal end of the first arm, opposite a proximal end articulated to the upper hinge, said cam and cam follower system being configured to ensure the opening of the upper arm when opening the door from the closed position to the open position, or on the contrary the closing of the upper arm when closing the door from the open position to the closed position, and / or, - the door and the lower arm are provided with a lower guide system comprising a cam and a cam follower, the cam carried by the door, the cam follower carried by the lower arm, at a distal end of the first arm, opposite a proximal end articulated to the lower hinge, said cam and cam follower system being configured to ensure the opening of the lower arm when opening the door from the closed position to the open position, or on the contrary the closing of the lower arm when closing the door from the open position to the closed position.
[0042] For example: - the cam of the lower guide system is an upper groove, opening downwards, and said cam follower is a roller configured to circulate in said groove, - the cam of the lower guide system is a lower groove, opening upwards, and said cam follower is a roller configured to circulate in said groove.
[0043] According to one embodiment, the door is a main door, provided with a central opening, closed by a gate, configured to move from an open position of the central opening, allowing access to the working cylinders, and to the first intermediate cylinders, to a closed position of the gate closing said central opening, and in which the gate incorporates the axial stop(s), ensuring the axial stop of the working cylinders at the front.
[0044] According to one embodiment, the movement device comprises: - a first upper pair of hydraulic cylinders, on the front, configured to exert thrust forces on the ends of the first upper intermediate cylinders, on the front and a second upper pair of hydraulic cylinders, upper at the bottom of the cage configured to exert forces on the ends of the first upper intermediate cylinders, at the bottom of the cage and, - a first lower pair of hydraulic cylinders, on the front, configured to exert thrust forces on the ends of the first intermediate cylinders, lower on the front and a second lower pair of hydraulic cylinders, lower at the bottom of the cage configured to exert forces on the ends of the first intermediate cylinders, lower.
[0045] In particular, and according to one embodiment, said first upper pair of hydraulic cylinders, on the front, and the first lower pair of hydraulic cylinders, on the front, are mounted on the gate. Brief description of the drawings
[0046] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, in which: Fig.l
[0047] [Fig.l] is a schematic view of the roll arrangement of a 20-roll rolling mill according to the present disclosure. Fig. 2
[0048] [Fig.2] is a view of a rolling mill according to the present disclosure, the (main) door, in the closed position against a fixed peripheral frame, and in a sealed manner on the periphery, while a gate is open, freeing a central opening in the door allowing access and extraction of the working cylinders, or even the first intermediate cylinders, through said central opening. Fig. 3
[0049] [Fig.3] is a view of the 20-roll rolling mill, in the door open position providing access to all the rolls and set of support rollers of the rolling mill, and in an open position of the cage system for which an upper part of the cage and a lower part of the cage are spaced apart from each other, opening a clearance between the upper group and the lower group of rolls, said door hinged to a fixed frame, said door being configured to automatically drive: - an opening of an upper arm carrying axial stops for the second intermediate cylinders of the upper group, by means of an upper cam / cam follower system, said cam formed by an upper groove on the door, and the cam follower by a roller arranged at a distal end of the upper arm, opposite a proximal end of the arm articulated to said upper cage part by an upper hinge, - an opening of a lower arm carrying axial stops for the second intermediate cylinders of the lower group, by means of a lower cam / cam follower system, said cam formed by a lower groove on the door, and the cam follower by a roller arranged at a distal end of the lower arm, opposite a proximal end of the arm articulated to said lower cage part by a lower hinge. Fig. 4
[0050] [Fig.4] is a detail view of the upper cage portion, configured to be movable relative to the fixed frame and to said lower cage portion. Fig. 5
[0051] [Fig.5] is a detail view of the lower cage portion configured to be movable relative to the fixed frame and to said upper cage portion. Description of the embodiments
[0052] The present disclosure relates to a 20-roll rolling mill 1 configured for rolling a BM metal strip.
[0053] A 20-roll rolling mill comprises an upper group and a lower group of support rolls / roller assemblies.
[0054] The upper group Gs includes: - a working cylinder 12, upper, - first two intermediate cylinders 13, upper, - three second intermediate cylinders 14, 15, upper, - four sets of support rollers A, B, C, D, upper.
[0055] The lower group G! includes: - a working cylinder 12, lower: - first two intermediate cylinders 13, lower, - three second intermediate cylinders 14, 15, lower, - four sets of support rollers H, G, F, E, lower.
[0056] Such a 20-roll rolling mill configuration is known per se from the state of the art.
[0057] The rolling mill comprises a stand system comprising two parts movable relative to each other respectively forming an upper stand part 2, configured to transmit a clamping force to the four sets of support rollers A, B, C, D, of the upper group Gs, and a lower stand part 3 configured to transmit a clamping force to the four sets of support rollers E, F, G, H of the lower group GI, as well as a hydraulic clamping mechanism configured to pass the stand system from a stand opening position POC for which the upper stand part 2 and the lower stand part 3 are spaced apart from each other, to a clamping position for which the upper stand part and the lower stand part are brought closer to each other, suitable for the rolling operations of the metal strip Bm.
[0058] The rolling mill according to the present disclosure thus belongs to the family of rolling mills with two-part cages, known to those skilled in the art under the name "split housing", and as opposed to the family of rolling mills with one-piece cages.
[0059] Each set of support rollers A to H typically comprises, in a manner known per se, a support shaft along which rollers typically formed by bearings are distributed. For this purpose, the inner ring of each bearing is mounted on the support shaft, the outer ring of the bearing being intended to roll on one or even two contiguous cylinders belonging to the cylinders of the second intermediate cylinders. The set of support rollers also comprises a saddle whose arcuate body extends longitudinally over the length of the support shaft, and whose convex face is intended to bear on a concave seat of a mounting portion of the cage, namely a mounting portion of the upper cage part 2 for the sets of support rollers A to D, and a mounting portion of the lower cage part 3 for the sets of support rollers E to H.This saddle also has extensions, projecting from the concave face of the body, crossed by the support shaft, the extensions being distributed over the length of the shaft and in particular arranged between the rollers. Eccentric rings are also provided between the support shaft and these extensions, the shaft having a pinion intended to mesh in the rolling mill stand with a corresponding pinion, or even a rack. This pinion (or this rack) thus makes it possible to drive the support shaft in rotation, and thus to move apart or bring together the position of the support shaft and the rollers carried in relation to the arched body of the saddle, thanks to the eccentric rings.
[0060] The cage system comprises a door 4 configured to move from an open position POP to a closed position.
[0061] In the open position POP, the cage system releases a maintenance window FM of the cage system, on the front, giving access to the cylinders 12, 13, 14, 15 and to the sets of support rollers A, B, C, D of the upper group Gs and access to cylinders 12,13,14,15 and to the support roller assemblies E, F, G, H of the lower group G!: It is possible to carry out maintenance on these components, by extraction, of the cylinders or support roller assemblies through the FM maintenance window, and typically with a view to their replacement with new / or reground cylinders / support roller assemblies.
[0062] The rolling mill 1 typically comprises: - a system of axial stops for the working cylinders, the axial stops BAI of the working cylinders configured to ensure axial stopping of the working cylinders 12 comprising at least a first stop, on the front, configured to ensure contact with the longitudinal ends of the working cylinders, at the front and at least a second stop, configured to ensure contact with the longitudinal ends of the working cylinders, at the bottom of the cage, - a system of axial stops of the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15, the axial stops BA2 of the second intermediate cylinders BA2 configured to ensure axial stopping of said second intermediate cylinders 14, 15, lower and upper, comprising at least first stops, on the front, configured to ensure contact with the longitudinal ends of the second intermediate cylinders, at the front and at least second stops, configured to ensure contact with the longitudinal ends of the second intermediate cylinders, at the bottom.
[0063] The rolling mill may typically comprise a device VI1, V12, V21, V22 for moving the first intermediate rolls 13 configured to ensure axial movements of the first intermediate rolls, lower and upper, relative to each other. The moving device may be of the push-pull type, or even push-pull type, then comprising at least a first pair of jacks at the front, and at least a second pair of jacks at the bottom of the stand, each of the jacks comprising a support portion configured to exert a thrust force on the first intermediate rolls.A first pair of cylinders V11, V12, upper and a second pair of cylinders, upper, cooperate respectively with the distal ends of the first two intermediate cylinders of the upper group Gs, while a first pair of cylinders V21, V22, lower and a second pair of cylinders lower cooperate respectively with the distal ends of the first two intermediate cylinders of the lower group Gb.
[0064] Such a displacement device makes it possible to control the dimension of the axial overlap between the first intermediate, upper and lower cylinders, and thus to adapt this dimension to the width of the metal strip to be rolled.
[0065] The 20-roll rolling mill also includes internally arranged RP spray ramps configured to spray the strip to be rolled and the rolls with a fluid. lubrication, for example oil or oil emulsion, and typically: - two upper spray ramps, integral with the upper cage part 2, arranged on either side of the rolling plane passing through the axes of the working cylinders 12, - two lower spray ramps, integral with the lower cage part 3, arranged on either side of the rolling plane.
[0066] According to the present disclosure, said door 4 cooperates, in said closing position PFP, with a peripheral frame 5 of a fixed frame of the cage system surrounding the maintenance window FM. The door 4 is thus configured to seal the front of the rolling mill. This avoids any risk of leakage at the front, and in comparison with the state of the art comprising several movable doors, as taught by US 3,858,424.
[0067] According to the present disclosure, said system of axial stops BA2 of the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15 notably comprises: - an upper arm 6 carrying axial stops BA2 for the axial stopping of the second upper intermediate cylinders 14, 15, on the front, said first arm 6 mounted on the upper cage part 2 so as to accompany the vertical movements of the upper cage part relative to the door 4, said upper arm 6 arranged between the door 4 and the second upper intermediate cylinders 14, 15, in the closing position PFP of the door, and / or, - a lower arm 7 carrying axial stops BA2 for the axial stopping of the second lower intermediate cylinders 14, 15, said lower arm 7 mounted on the lower cage part 3 so as to accompany the vertical movements of the lower cage part 7 relative to the door 4, said lower arm arranged 7 between the door 4 and the second lower intermediate cylinders 14, 15, in the closed position PFP of the door 4.
[0068] The rolling mill according to the present disclosure thus has the system of axial stops BA2 of the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15, upper and lower, advantageously comprising axial stops movable respectively with the upper and lower cage parts, referenced 2 and 3.
[0069] The axial stops BA2 carried by the upper arm 6 advantageously accompany the movements of the upper cage part 2, in particular during the rolling operations of the metal strip. These axial stops BA2 thus accompany the vertical movements of the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15 of the upper group Gs constrained by the upper cage part 2, while always remaining centered with said second upper intermediate cylinders during the vertical movements. This can advantageously make it possible to always ensure centering between, on the one hand, injection orifices of a fluid injection system of lubrication, and other, of the bearing housing inlet ports of the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15, upper.
[0070] The axial stops BA2 carried by the lower arm 7 advantageously accompany the movements of the lower cage part 3, in particular during the rolling operations of the metal strip. These axial stops BA2 accompany the vertical movements of the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15 of the lower group Gs constrained by the lower cage part 3, while always remaining centered with said second lower intermediate cylinders during the vertical movements. This can advantageously make it possible to always ensure centering between, on the one hand, injection orifices of a lubrication fluid injection system, and on the other hand, the bearing housing inlet orifices of the second lower intermediate cylinders 14, 15.
[0071] The rolling mill according to the present disclosure is advantageous in that it ensures fluid tightness at the front by the door, hinged to the fixed frame, while allowing the axial stops BA2 of the second intermediate rolls 14, 15, upper, to accompany the movements of the upper stand part 2 and the axial stops BA2 of the second intermediate rolls 14, 15, lower, to accompany the movements of the lower stand part.
[0072] Generally, the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15 can be articulated by their longitudinal ends to bearing housings. The axial stops BA2 for stopping the second intermediate cylinders then cooperate with said bearing housings.
[0073] As regards the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15 of the upper group Gs, the bearing housings can be connected to the upper cage part 2 by suspensions SUP, which make it possible to suspend the second upper cylinders 14, 15, when the two movable cage parts are separated in said opening position of the cage POC, and as illustrated in [Fig.3].
[0074] As regards the first cylinders 13 of the upper group Gs, they can be kept at a distance from the metal strip BM by supports of the two spraying ramps RP fixed to the upper cage part 2, at least in particular orientations of the spraying ramps RP.
[0075] Notably, at least according to one embodiment, the rolling mill according to the present disclosure can allow improved lubrication of the bearing housings by injection systems 60, 70 of lubricating fluid.
[0076] For this purpose: - the upper arm 6 can carry an upper injection system 60 for lubricating fluid, comprising a lubricating fluid pipe communicating with a plurality of injection orifices OI on the facing axial stops BA2 of bearing housing orifices of the second upper intermediate cylinders 14,15, and / or - the lower arm 7 can carry a lower injection system 70 for lubricating fluid, comprising a lubricating fluid pipe communicating with a plurality of injection orifices 01 on the axial stops BA2 opposite bearing housing orifices of the second lower intermediate cylinders 14, 15.
[0077] The lubricating fluid from the pipes escapes from the injection orifices of the BA2 axial stops to circulate at the inlet of the orifices of the bearing housings, to then ensure lubrication of the bearings internal to the housings, before escaping through a downstream opening of the housing.
[0078] According to one embodiment, the upper arm 6 can be articulated by an upper hinge 62, along a pivot axis vertical to the upper cage part 2 and / or the lower arm 7 can be articulated by a lower hinge 72, along a pivot axis to the lower cage part 3. The pivot axis of the upper hinge 62 and the pivot axis of the lower hinge 72 can be coaxial.
[0079] The upper hinge 62 is configured to allow the upper arm 6 to pass from a closed position for which the axial stops BA2 carried by the arm 6 ensure the stopping of the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15 of the upper group Gs, on the front on the side of the maintenance window, and to an open position for which the axial stops BA2 are retracted to allow the withdrawal of the second upper intermediate cylinders 14, 15.
[0080] The lower hinge 72 is configured to move the lower arm 7 from a closed position for which the axial stops BA2 carried by the arm 7 ensure the stopping of the second intermediate cylinders 14, 15 of the lower group Gb on the front on the side of the maintenance window, and to an open position for which the axial stops BA2 are retracted to allow the withdrawal of the second lower intermediate cylinders 14, 15.
[0081] We note that: - the upper injection system 60 can be supplied with lubricating fluid from a pipe 61 which runs along the upper cage part 2, secured to the latter and communicates with the pipe of the upper arm 6 through the upper hinge 62, - the lower injection system 70 is supplied with lubricating fluid from a pipe 71 which runs from the lower cage part 3, integral with the latter, and communicates with a pipe of the lower arm 7 through the lower hinge 72.
[0082] Generally, the door 4 can be hinged to the frame 5 of the fixed chassis, by a hinge system 40, allowing the door to pivot. The hinge system of the door, on the one hand, and the upper hinge 61 and / or the lower hinge 72, on the other hand, arranged relative to a clamping plane of the cage, on the same side of the maintenance window FM. The pivot axis of the door 4 and the axes of the arms 6 and 7 are preferably parallel.
[0083] According to one embodiment, the rolling mill may comprise a mechanism automatically ensuring the opening and closing of the upper and / or lower arms, depending on the opening and closing movement of the door 4.
[0084] For this purpose, the door 4 and the upper arm 6 may be provided with an upper guide system comprising a cam 63 and a cam follower 64, the cam 63 carried by the door 4, the cam follower 64 carried by the upper arm 6, in particular at a distal end of the first arm 6, opposite a proximal end articulated to the upper hinge 62.
[0085] The cam 63 and cam follower 64 system is advantageously configured to ensure the opening of the upper arm 6 when opening the door 4 from the closed position PFP to the open position POP, or on the contrary the closing of the upper arm 6 when closing the door 4 from the open position POP to the closed position PFP.
[0086] It is noted that the cam 63 of the lower guide system may be an upper, guide groove, opening downwards, and said cam follower 64 is an upwardly projecting roller configured to circulate in said groove, along the latter in a horizontal direction. The depth of the groove, in the vertical direction, may advantageously be greater than the height of the roller in the vertical direction, so as to allow vertical movements of the roller, integral with the upper cage part 2, inside the groove integral with the fixed door.
[0087] The door 4 and the lower arm 7 may be provided with a lower guide system comprising a cam 73 and a cam follower 4, the cam 73 carried by the door 4 and the cam follower 74 carried by the lower arm 7, in particular at a distal end of the first arm 6, opposite a proximal end articulated to the lower hinge 72.
[0088] Said cam 73 and cam follower 74 system is configured to ensure the opening of the lower arm 7 when opening the door 4 from the closed position PFP to the open position POP, or on the contrary the closing of the lower arm 7 when closing the door 4 from the open position POP to the closed position. The cam 73 of the lower guide system may be a lower groove, opening upwards, extending lengthwise in a horizontal direction, and said cam follower 74 is a roller projecting downwards configured to circulate in said groove.
[0089] The depth of the groove, in the vertical direction, can advantageously be greater than the height of the roller in the vertical direction, so as to allow vertical movements of the roller, secured to the lower cage part 3, inside the groove secured to the fixed door.
[0090] According to one embodiment, the door 4 may be a main door, provided with a central opening, closed by a gate 8, configured to move from an open position of the central opening, allowing access to the working cylinders, and to the first intermediate cylinders 13, to a closed position of the gate closing said central opening. The gate carries the axial stop(s) BAI, ensuring the axial stop of the working cylinders 12, on the front.
[0091] According to one embodiment, the movement device comprises: -the first upper pair of hydraulic cylinders V11, V12 on the front, configured to exert thrust forces on the ends of the first intermediate cylinders 13, upper, on the front and the second upper pair of hydraulic cylinders, upper at the bottom of the cage configured to exert forces on the ends of the first intermediate cylinders 13 upper, at the bottom of the cage and, - the first lower pair of hydraulic cylinders V21, V22, on the front, configured to exert thrust forces on the ends of the first intermediate cylinders 13, lower on the front and the second lower pair of hydraulic cylinders, lower at the bottom of the cage configured to exert forces on the ends of the first intermediate cylinders 13 lower.
[0092] According to one embodiment, said first upper pair of hydraulic cylinders VI1, VI2, on the front, and the first lower pair of hydraulic cylinders V21, V22, on the front, are mounted on the gate 8. List of reference signs
[0093] - 1. 20-roll rolling mill, - 2. Upper cage part, - 3. Lower cage part, - POC. Cage opening position -4. Door, - PFP, POP. Respectively closing position and opening portion of the door, - FM. Maintenance window on the front - 5. Peripheral frame (fixed frame), - 6. Upper arm (carrying axial stops of the second intermediate, upper cylinders), - 7. Lower arm (carrying axial stops of the second, lower, intermediate cylinders), - 60. Upper injection system (lubricating fluid), -61. Fluid pipe (mounted on the upper cage part), - 62. Upper hinge, - 63, 64. Cam and cam follower (upper guide system), - 73, 74. Cam and cam follower (lower guide system), - 70. Lower injection system (lubricating fluid), -71. Fluid pipe (mounted on the lower cage part), -72. Lower hinge, - Gs. Upper group, - Gb Lower Group, -12. Working cylinders, - 13. First intermediate cylinders, - 14,15. Second intermediate cylinders, - A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H. Set of support rollers, - BAI. Axial stops (working cylinder 12), - BA2. Axial stops (second intermediate cylinders), - 01. Injection ports (cooling fluid for axial thrust bearings) - Vil, V12, V21, V22. Thrust cylinders, on the front for moving the first intermediate cylinders, respectively upper and lower.
Claims
Claims
1. 20-roll rolling mill (1) configured for rolling a metal strip (BM), comprising: - an upper group (Gs) comprising: — an upper working cylinder (12), — two first upper intermediate cylinders (13), — three second upper intermediate cylinders (14, 15), — four upper support roller assemblies (A, B, C, D), - a lower group (Gi) comprising: — a lower working cylinder (12), — two first lower intermediate cylinders (13), — three second lower intermediate cylinders (14, 15), — four lower support roller assemblies (H, G, F, E), - a cage system comprising two parts movable relative to each other respectively forming an upper cage part (2), configured to transmit a clamping force to the four support roller assemblies (A, B, C, D), of the upper group (Gs), and a lower cage part (3) configured to transmit a clamping force to the four support roller assemblies (E, F, G, H) of the group lower (GO,- a hydraulic clamping mechanism configured to move the cage system from a cage opening position (POC) for which the upper cage part (2) and the lower cage part (3) are spaced apart from each other, to a clamping position for which the upper cage part and the lower cage part are brought closer to each other, and in which the cage system comprises a door (4) configured to move from an opening position (POP) releasing a maintenance window (FM) of the cage system, on the front, giving access to the cylinders (12, 13, 14, 15) and sets of support rollers (A, B, C, D) of the upper group (Gs) and access to the cylinders (12, 13, 14, 15) and sets of support rollers (E, F, G, H) of the lower group, and a closing position for which the door closes the maintenance window, - a system of axial stops for the working cylinders, the axial stops (BAI) of the working cylinders configured to ensure axial stopping of the working cylinders (12), - a system of axial stops for the second intermediate cylinders, the
2.
3. axial stops (BA2) of the second intermediate cylinders configured to ensure axial stopping of said second intermediate cylinders (14, 15), lower and upper, - a device (V11, V12, V21, V22) for moving the first intermediate cylinders (13) configured to ensure axial movements of the first intermediate, lower and upper cylinders, relative to each other, characterized in that said door (4) cooperates, in said closed position (PFP), with a peripheral frame (5) of a fixed chassis of the cage system surrounding the maintenance window (FM), said door sealingly closing said maintenance window (FM), said system of axial stops (BA2) of the second intermediate cylinders (14, 15) comprising: - an upper arm (6) carrying the axial stops (BA2) for the axial stopping of the second upper intermediate cylinders (14, 15), on the front, said upper arm (6) mounted on the upper cage part (2) so as to accompany the vertical movements of the upper cage part relative to the door (4), said upper arm (6) arranged between the door (4) and the second upper intermediate cylinders (14, 15), in the closing position (PFP) of the door, and / or - a lower arm (7) carrying the axial stops (BA2) for the axial stopping of the second lower intermediate cylinders (14, 15), said lower arm (7) mounted on the lower cage part (3) so as to accompany the vertical movements of the lower cage part (7) relative to the door (4), said lower arm arranged (7) between the door (4) and the second lower intermediate cylinders (14, 15), in the closing position (PFP) of the door (4). 20-roll rolling mill according to claim 1 in which the second intermediate rolls (14, 15) are articulated by their longitudinal ends to bearing housings and in which the axial stops (BA2) for stopping the second intermediate rolls cooperate with said bearing housings. 20-roll rolling mill according to claim 2, wherein: - the upper arm (6) carries an upper injection system (60) for lubricating fluid, comprising a lubricating fluid pipe communicating with a plurality of injection orifices (01) on the axial stops (BA2) opposite bearing housing orifices of the second upper intermediate cylinders (14, 15), in facade, - the lower arm (7) carries a lower injection system (70) for lubricating fluid, comprising a lubricating fluid pipe, communicating with a plurality of injection orifices (01) on the axial stops (BA2) opposite bearing housing orifices of the second lower intermediate cylinders (14, 15), on the facade.
4. 20-roll rolling mill according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the upper arm (6) is articulated by an upper hinge (62), along a vertical pivot axis to the upper stand part (2) and / or the lower arm (7) is articulated by a lower hinge (72), along a pivot axis to the lower stand part (3).
5. 20-roll rolling mill according to claim 3 and 4, wherein the upper injection system (60) is supplied with lubricating fluid from a pipe (61) which runs along the upper stand portion (2) and communicates with the pipe of the upper arm (6) through the upper hinge (62) and wherein the lower injection system (70) is supplied with lubricating fluid from a pipe (71) which runs from the lower stand portion (3) and communicates with the pipe of the lower arm (7) through the lower hinge (72).
6. 20-roll rolling mill according to one of claims 4 or 5, in which the door (4) is hinged to the frame (5) of the fixed chassis, by a hinge system (40), allowing a pivot of the door, the hinge system of the door, on the one hand, and the upper hinge (62) and / or the lower hinge (72), on the other hand, arranged relative to a clamping plane of the cage, on the same side of the maintenance window (FM),.and wherein: - the door (4) and the upper arm (6) are provided with an upper guide system comprising a cam (63) and a cam follower (64), the cam (63) carried by the door (4), the cam follower (64) carried by the upper arm (6), at a distal end of the first arm (6), opposite a proximal end articulated to the upper hinge (62), said cam (63) and cam follower (64) system being configured to ensure the opening of the upper arm (6) when opening the door (4) from the closed position (PFP) to the open position (POP), or on the contrary the closing of the upper arm (6) when closing the door (4) from the open position (POP) to the closed position, and / or,. - the door (4) and the lower arm (7) are provided with a lower guide system comprising a cam (73) and a cam follower (74), the cam (73) carried by the door (4), the cam follower (74) carried by the lower arm (7), at a distal end of the first arm (6), opposite a proximal end articulated to the lower hinge (72), said cam (73) and cam follower (74) system being configured to ensure the opening of the lower arm (7) when opening the door (4) from the closed position (PFP) to the open position (POP), or on the contrary the closing of the lower arm (7) when closing the door (4) from the open position (POP) to the closed position.
7. Rolling mill according to claim 6, in which: - the cam (63) of the lower guide system is an upper groove, opening downwards, and said cam follower (64) is a roller configured to circulate in said groove, - the cam (73) of the lower guide system is a lower groove, opening upwards, and said cam follower (74) is a roller configured to circulate in said groove.
8. Rolling mill according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the door is a main door, provided with a central opening, closed by a gate (8), configured to move from an open position of the central opening, allowing access to the working rolls, and to the first intermediate rolls (13), to a closed position of the gate closing said central opening, and in which the gate carries the axial stop(s), ensuring the axial stop of the working rolls at the front.
9. Rolling mill according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the displacement device comprises: - a first upper pair of hydraulic cylinders (V11, V12), at the front, configured to exert thrust forces on the ends of the first intermediate cylinders, upper, at the front and a second upper pair of hydraulic cylinders, upper at the bottom of the stand configured to exert forces on the ends of the first intermediate cylinders upper, at the bottom of the stand and, - a first lower pair of hydraulic cylinders (V21, V22), at the front, configured to exert thrust forces on the ends of the first intermediate cylinders, lower at the front and a second lower pair of hydraulic cylinders, lower at the bottom of cage configured to exert forces on the ends of the first lower intermediate cylinders.
10. 20-roll rolling mill according to claims 8 and 9, wherein said first upper pair of hydraulic cylinders (V11, V12), on the front, and the first lower pair of hydraulic cylinders (V21, V22), on the front, are mounted on the gate.