Apparatus and process for cooling extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy products

Abstract

An apparatus (1 ) for cooling, in particular for quenching, extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy products, the apparatus (1) being adapted to be arranged downstream of an extrusion press, the apparatus (1) comprising a roller conveyor (2, 2a) adapted to support an extruded product (9) while advancing along an axis (X); cooling means (4) adapted to cool by means of a cooling fluid, in particular air and / or water, the extruded product (9) arranged on the roller conveyor (2, 2a), in particular while it advances on the roller conveyor (2, 2a); a device (10) for measuring the temperature of the extruded product (9) comprising at least one movable component (3, 3a) adapted to be moved parallel to said axis (X), provided with at least one temperature sensor (31 a, 31 b) adapted to be placed in contact with the extruded product (9) to detect the temperature thereof, in particular while it advances on the roller conveyor (2, 2a); wherein said device (10) is configured to move said at least one movable component (3, 3a) parallel to said axis (X), so that said at least one temperature sensor (31 a, 31 b) is in contact with the extruded product (9) to detect the temperature thereof while it is cooled by said cooling means (4); wherein said device (10) is configured to move said at least one component (3, 3a) parallel to said axis (X) from a starting position upstream of the cooling means (4) to a final position downstream of the cooling means (4); and wherein said device (10) is configured to move said at least one movable component (3, 3a) from the final position to the starting position.

Description

[0001] APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR COOLING EXTRUDED ALUMINUM OR ALUMINUM ALLOY PRODUCTS

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to field of production of extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy products, in particular profiles.

[0004] The invention relates in particular to a cooling apparatus, in particular for carrying out a quenching operation, for extruded aluminum and aluminum alloy profiled products. The apparatus is adapted to be arranged downstream of an extrusion press, in particular in line with an extrusion press.

[0005] The invention further relates to a cooling process for extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy profiled products.

[0006] Background art

[0007] An extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy profiled product at the outlet of the extrusion press typically has a temperature of about 550°C and must be suitably cooled in order to give it the desired mechanical properties.

[0008] In particular, the cooling curve for certain types of alloys is decisive for obtaining certain mechanical properties such as hardness, strength and resilience. Overly fast cooling can lead to product distortions, while overly slow cooling does not lead to the required result.

[0009] Based on the type of profile, on the aluminum alloy used and on the extrusion parameters, the product can be cooled by means of suitable air jets or water sprays or by means of air-mist systems.

[0010] To cool the product, a cooling apparatus is arranged as close as possible to the outlet of the extrusion press. The cooling apparatus is provided with a roller conveyor supporting the product exiting the extrusion press. The cooling apparatus is provided with a series of cooling mouths positioned above, below and on the sides of the extruded product, which direct jets of cooling fluid against the product at certain flow rates and pressures.

[0011] Currently, in the state of the art, it is not possible to measure the temperature of the product inside the cooling apparatus while it is being cooled, but only upstream and downstream of the cooling apparatus, making it impossible to correctly monitor the cooling curve.

[0012] In fact, due to the presence of nozzles, mouths and shielding to contain the water, it is not possible to measure the temperature of the product from outside the cooling apparatus and it is not even possible to use remote temperature measurement systems since, during the operation of the cooling apparatus, the large amount of water and steam generated makes it impossible to measure the thermal emissivity of the product.

[0013] Therefore, it is not possible to know if the settings of the cooling apparatus and of the extrusion speed are optimal for obtaining the correct mechanical properties of the product.

[0014] The need is therefore felt for a cooling apparatus for extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy profiled products which allows measuring more completely, in particular completely and reliably, the temperature of an extruded product coming from an extrusion press.

[0015] Summary of the invention

[0016] An object of the present invention is to make a cooling apparatus and process, in particular, for carrying out a quenching operation of extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy profiled products, which allows measuring the temperature of the product while it is cooled, in particular while transiting along the cooling apparatus to be cooled in a controlled manner.

[0017] In particular, an object of the invention is to make a cooling apparatus and process, in particular for carrying out a quenching operation of extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy profiled products, which allows measuring the temperature of the product upstream of the cooling means, during cooling, and downstream of the cooling means.

[0018] In particular, an object of the invention is to make an apparatus that allows tracking the cooling curve of an aluminum extruded product, in particular a cooling curve tracked as a function, in particular, of temperature measurements of the product while it is cooled.

[0019] Advantageously, the actual cooling curve can then be compared with a predetermined theoretical cooling curve. In particular, an object of the invention is to make an apparatus that allows cooling the extruded product according to a predetermined thermal curve, as a function of the mechanical properties that the extruded product is intended to have and as a function of the constituent chemistry of such an extruded product.

[0020] The present invention achieves at least one of such objects, and other objects, which will become apparent in the light of the present description, by means of an apparatus according to claim 1 for cooling, in particular for quenching, extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy products, the apparatus being adapted to be arranged downstream of an extrusion press, the apparatus comprising a roller conveyor adapted to support an extruded product while it advances along an axis; cooling means adapted to cool by means of a cooling fluid, in particular air and / or water, the extruded product arranged on the roller conveyor, in particular while it advances on the roller conveyor; a device for measuring the temperature of the extruded product comprising at least one (i.e., one or more) movable component, or measuring component, adapted to be moved parallel to said axis, provided with at least one temperature sensor adapted to be placed in contact with the extruded product to detect the temperature thereof, in particular while it is cooled by cooling means adapted to dispense a cooling fluid, in particular while it advances on the roller conveyor; wherein said device is configured to move said at least one movable component parallel to said axis so that said at least one temperature sensor is in contact with the extruded product to detect the temperature thereof while it is cooled by said cooling means; wherein said device is configured to move said at least one component parallel to said axis from a starting position upstream of the cooling means to a final position downstream of the cooling means; and wherein said device is configured to move said at least one movable component from the final position to the starting position.

[0021] Advantageously, the apparatus according to the invention allows obtaining a complete and reliable measurement of the product from upstream of the cooling means to downstream of the cooling means. In particular, the contact between said at least one temperature sensor and the product allows obtaining a particularly reliable measurement.

[0022] Advantageously, the apparatus according to the invention offers the possibility of continuously and / or intermittently measuring the temperature of the extruded product, in particular while it is cooled by the cooling apparatus, in particular while it is cooled by cooling means adapted to dispense a cooling fluid, in particular air and / or water.

[0023] Advantageously, the temperature of the extruded product can be measured in one or more zones of the extruded product, as a function of the number of temperature sensors.

[0024] Advantageously, the apparatus according to the invention offers the possibility of tracking the cooling curve of the extruded product, in particular as a function of the temperature measured by said at least one temperature sensor.

[0025] Advantageously, said at least one movable component is able to follow the extruded product inside the cooling (or quenching) apparatus and record, for example, the temperature change, preferably in real time, of the extruded product as it is cooled. Once the temperature measurement of the product has been completed, said at least one movable component can advantageously automatically return to a starting position, in particular proximal to the beginning of the roller conveyor, near the extrusion press, ready for a subsequent measurement of another product.

[0026] Advantageously, therefore, the aforesaid device, or system, allows measuring, preferably automatically, the cooling or quenching trend of an extruded product transiting in the cooling apparatus.

[0027] Advantageously, by means of thermal measurements, the apparatus according to the invention offers the possibility of optimizing the quenching operating parameters (i.e. , the operating parameters of the cooling apparatus) and / or of the extrusion press in order to optimize production.

[0028] The invention further relates to a cooling process, in particular quenching, according to claim 14, of an extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy product, wherein it is provided to a) advance the extruded product on the roller conveyor, and cool the extruded product while it advances on the roller conveyor, by cooling means adapted to cool the extruded product arranged on the roller conveyor by means of a cooling fluid, in particular air and / or water; b) bring said at least one temperature sensor in contact with the extruded product arranged on the roller conveyor, in particular while it advances on the roller conveyor; c) measure the temperature of the extruded product by means of said at least one temperature sensor, at least while the extruded product is cooled by said cooling means, in particular wherein in step c) the temperature of the extruded product is measured by said at least one temperature sensor upstream of the cooling means, while the extruded product is cooled by said cooling means, and downstream of the cooling means.

[0029] In particular, step b) and step c) are carried out while said at least one movable component moves parallel to said axis in the same direction as the extruded product, in particular at a speed substantially equal to the speed of the extruded product which advances on the roller conveyor.

[0030] Preferably, when said at least one movable component reaches said final position downstream of the cooling means (in particular, the final position is distal from the starting of the roller conveyor), said at least one movable component is returned to said starting position upstream of the cooling means (the starting position in particular is proximal to the start of the roller conveyor), in particular, in an automatic manner.

[0031] "Quenching" means in particular a controlled heat treatment that, in particular, cools the product according to a predetermined trend, within a window of maximum and minimum values, so as to give it the desired mechanical properties.

[0032] Advantageously, as already mentioned, an apparatus according to the invention allows the temperature of the extruded product to be measured in continuous and / or intermittent manner, in particular while it is being cooled, in particular from when it is upstream of the cooling means, while it is being cooled by the cooling means, and when it is downstream of the cooling means; the apparatus offers the possibility of tracking the cooling curve of the extruded product; and the apparatus offers the possibility of optimizing the cooling and / or extrusion parameters.

[0033] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in light of the detailed description of exemplary but non-exclusive embodiments.

[0034] The dependent claims describe particular embodiments of the invention.

[0035] Brief description of the drawings

[0036] The description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0037] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cooling apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of some components of an apparatus according to the invention, in a first configuration;

[0038] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the components of Figure 2, in a second configuration;

[0039] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the components of Figure 2, and further components of an apparatus according to the invention;

[0040] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the components of Figure 3, and further components of an apparatus according to the invention;

[0041] Figure 6 diagrammatically shows some components of a variant of an apparatus according to the invention.

[0042] The same elements or components have the same reference numerals.

[0043] Description of exemplary embodiments of the invention

[0044] With reference to the Figures, exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of an apparatus 1 for cooling, in particular for quenching, extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy products, and of a cooling process according to the invention are described.

[0045] In all the embodiments, the apparatus 1 is adapted to be arranged downstream of an extrusion press (not shown), in particular in line with the extrusion press, and comprises a roller conveyor 2, 2a adapted to support an extruded product 9 while it advances along an axis X, in particular wherein said axis X corresponds to the extrusion axis; cooling means 4 adapted to cool by means of a cooling fluid, in particular air and / or water, the extruded product 9 arranged on the roller conveyor 2, 2a, in particular while it advances on the roller conveyor 2, 2a; a device 10 for measuring the temperature of the extruded product 9 comprising at least one movable component 3, 3a, or measuring component, adapted to be moved parallel to said axis X, the movable component 3, 3a being provided with at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b, or temperature transducer, adapted to be placed in contact with the extruded product 9 to detect the temperature thereof, in particular while it advances on the roller conveyor 2, 2a; wherein said device 10 is configured to move said at least one movable component 3, 3a parallel to said axis X so that said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b is in contact with the extruded product 9 to detect the temperature thereof while it is cooled by said cooling means 4; wherein said device 10 is configured to move said at least one component 3, 3a parallel to said axis X from a starting position upstream of the cooling means 4 to a final position downstream of the cooling means 4; and wherein said device 10 is configured to move said at least one movable component 3, 3a from the final position to the starting position.

[0046] The movable component 3, 3a can for example be a carriage or a slide, in particular the movable part of a slide.

[0047] Said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b is preferably a contact temperature probe, e.g., by way of non-limiting example a thermocouple.

[0048] In the non-limiting examples shown, said at least one movable component 3, 3a is provided with at least two contact temperature probes 31 a, 31 b, preferably with at least two thermocouples.

[0049] As already mentioned, the apparatus 1 comprises cooling means 4 adapted to cool by air and / or water, or more generally by a cooling fluid, the extruded product 9 arranged on the roller conveyor 2, 2a, in particular while it advances on the roller conveyor 2, 2a.

[0050] The aforesaid cooling means 4, for example, comprise a plurality of rows of nozzles from which air and / or water can exit. One or more rows of cooling mouths (not shown) can also be included.

[0051] The apparatus 1 preferably also comprises shielding, for example bulkheads for containing water and steam. In particular, in all the embodiments, the device 10 is configured to move said at least one movable component 3, 3a parallel to said axis X so that said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b is in contact with the extruded product 9 to detect the temperature thereof upstream of the cooling means 4, while it is cooled by said cooling means 4 (i.e. , along an area where the cooling means 4 are arranged), and downstream of the cooling means 4.

[0052] In particular, said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b can pass from a starting position upstream of the cooling means 4 to a final position downstream of the cooling means 4.

[0053] Advantageously, in all the embodiments, the same temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b, coming into contact with the product 9, can measure the temperature of the product 9 upstream of the cooling means 4, during cooling with the cooling means 4 and downstream of the cooling means 4.

[0054] In particular, the device 10 is configured to move said at least one movable component 3, 3a parallel to said axis X so that said at least one movable component 3, 3a can follow the extruded product 9 while it advances, so that said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b can be in contact with the extruded product 9 while it advances on the roller conveyor 2 and while it is cooled by said cooling means 4, in particular so that said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b can be in contact with the extruded product 9 from when it is upstream of the cooling means 4 until it is downstream of the cooling means 4.

[0055] In particular, said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b can advantageously be in contact with a zone of the extruded product 9 that passes from a position upstream of the cooling means 4, that passes along the area where the cooling means 4 are arranged and reaches a position downstream of the cooling means 4.

[0056] In particular, the device 10 is configured to move said at least one movable component 3, 3a at substantially the same speed as the extruded product 9 advancing on the roller conveyor 2, 2a; said speed being in particular the extrusion speed of the extruded product 9.

[0057] For this purpose, the device 10 comprises movement means adapted to move said at least one movable component 3, 3a parallel to said axis X, in particular at said speed substantially equal to the speed of the extruded product 9 advancing on the roller conveyor 2, 2a.

[0058] For example, the movement means can comprise one or more motors, and rack guides, linear guides or chains.

[0059] The device 10 is configured to move said at least one movable component 3, 3a parallel to said axis X from said starting position, in particular proximal to the beginning of the roller conveyor 2, 2a (and therefore proximal to the extrusion press), to said final position, in particular distal with respect to the beginning of the roller conveyor 2, 2a; and the device 10 is configured to move said at least one movable component 3, 3a from the final position to the starting position, in particular by passing along the cooling means 4.

[0060] Advantageously, as already mentioned, the starting position is located upstream of the cooling means 4, and the final position is located downstream of the cooling means 4, in particular with respect to the axis X.

[0061] In particular, the component 3, 3a can be moved between the starting position and the final position, in particular from the starting position to the final position, in particular by passing along the area where the cooling means 4 are arranged.

[0062] The device 10 is configured to move said at least one movable component 3, 3a from the starting position to the final position by moving it along a first stretch, in a first direction that is the advancement direction of the extruded product 9 on the roller conveyor 2, 2a.

[0063] Furthermore, the device 10 is configured to move said at least one movable component 3, 3a from the final position to the starting position by moving it again along said first stretch, in a second direction opposite to said first direction, or by moving it along a second stretch, different from said first stretch. In the second case, in particular, the movable component 3, 3a is moved along a closed path comprising said first stretch and said second stretch. In particular, a carousel can be provided for the movement of one or more movable components 3, 3a.

[0064] The extruded product 9 can, for example, be moved on the roller conveyor 2, 2a by means of a device known per se, called a puller, i.e. , a movable arm which grips the extruded product 9 and drags it along the roller conveyor 2, 2a, releasing it at the end of cooling. Preferably, in all the embodiments, the apparatus 1 comprises a cooling hood 5 arranged above the roller conveyor 2, 2a. In particular, the cooling means 4 are arranged below the cooling hood 5. Said at least one movable component 3, 3a, can advantageously be moved, in particular, below the cooling hood 5. The aforesaid starting position, in particular, is upstream of the cooling hood 5, and the aforesaid final position is downstream of the cooling hood 5.

[0065] Preferably, said at least one movable component 3, 3a comprises a part 30, 30a to which said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b is fastened. The part 30, 30a is preferably adapted to be lowered and raised, in particular to be able to move said at least one temperature sensor 31a, 31 b towards and away from the extruded product 9 arranged on the roller conveyor 2, 2a.

[0066] In particular, the part 30, 30a can be raised or lowered to bring said at least one temperature sensor 31a, 31 b in contact with the extruded product 9.

[0067] The part 30, 30a can, for example, be raised and lowered in a linear and rotary motion, or combinations thereof.

[0068] The aforesaid part 30, 30a can, for example, comprise or be formed by one or more plates.

[0069] The device 10 preferably comprises one or more guides 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d to which said at least one movable component 3, 3a is constrained. Said at least one movable component 3, 3a is adapted to translate with respect to the one or more guides 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d.

[0070] Preferably, the one or more guides 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d are arranged laterally with respect to the roller conveyor 2, 2a, so as not to interfere with the cooling of the extruded product 9. In this case, said one or more guides 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d are lateral guides.

[0071] Preferably, the number of guides, preferably arranged laterally with respect to the roller conveyor 2, 2a, is two, so as to be able to adequately support the movable component 3, 3a, although a single guide can also be provided.

[0072] Preferably, the movable component 3, 3a comprises one or more sliding blocks 32, constrained to a respective lateral guide 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d, adapted to slide along the respective lateral guide 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d. Preferably, the movable component 3, 3a comprises at least one arm 33 hinged to a respective sliding block 32 and to said part 30, 30a to which the one or more temperature sensors 31 a, 31 b are fastened.

[0073] Optionally, in a variant not shown, said at least one movable component 3, 3a is provided with gripping means adapted to grip an extruded product 9 while advancing on the roller conveyor 2, 2a, in particular so as to integrally constrain the one or more temperature sensors 31 a, 31 b to the extruded product 9. In particular, the gripping means are fastened to the part 30, 30a of the movable component 3, 3a.

[0074] With particular reference to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, the apparatus 1 comprises at least one movable component 3 which is arranged above the roller conveyor 2, so that said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b can be placed in contact with an upper surface of the extruded product 9. In other words, the movable component 3 is adapted to take a temperature measurement of the extruded product 9 from above. In particular, preferably, the lateral guides 39a, 39b are arranged above the roller conveyor 2. The part 30 of the movable component 3 is adapted to be lowered to bring said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b in contact with the extruded product 9.

[0075] With particular reference to Figure 6, optionally, the device 10 comprises at least one further movable component 3a of said one or more movable components.

[0076] In particular, the further movable component 3a is also adapted to be moved along said axis X and is provided with at least one respective temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b adapted to be placed in contact with the extruded product 9 to detect the temperature thereof.

[0077] The further movable component 3a is arranged so that the relative one or more temperature sensors 31 a, 31 b can be placed in contact with a lower surface of the extruded product 9, i.e., the surface in contact with the rollers 21 of the roller conveyor 2a. In other words, the component 3a is adapted to take a temperature measurement of the extruded product 9 from below.

[0078] The movable component 3a is additional with respect to the component 3, and preferably is constrained to lateral guides 39c, 39d that are distinct from the lateral guides 39a, 39b of the component 3. Preferably, the lateral guides 39c, 39d of the component 3a are arranged below the roller conveyor 2a. Preferably, the rollers 21 of the roller conveyor 2a are pivotable, and a part 30a of said at least one further movable component 3a can be positioned above the rollers 21a, in particular between the rollers 21 and the extruded product 9, so as to bring the at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b of said at least one further movable component 3a into contact with the lower surface of the extruded product 9.

[0079] In particular, said part 30a, during the movement thereof along the axis X, is adapted to lower, in particular rotate and lower, one or more rollers 21 .

[0080] In more detail, each roller 21 can be constrained to the upper end of a respective arm 22. The arm 22 is hinged to a support structure (not shown in Figure 6), and the lower end of the arm 22 is provided with a suitable return system, for example a counterweight 23, a spring, an actuator or other means known to the person skilled in the art. When the part 30a moves along axis X, it pushes down, in particular by rotating, the rollers 21 on which it impacts. Once the part 30a has passed the rollers 21 that were lowered, the latter automatically return to a higher position, due to the counterweight 23.

[0081] Optionally, the part 30a of the component 3a is adapted to be lifted to bring said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b of the component 3a into contact with the extruded product 9.

[0082] Preferably, in all the embodiments, the apparatus 1 comprises a data storage device, in particular a data logger, and said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b is adapted to send measured temperature data to the data storage device; and / or a computer is provided which is configured to track, in particular by means of a software, the cooling curve of an extruded product 9 as a function, at least, of the temperature data detected by said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b of said at least one movable component 3, 3a.

[0083] Preferably, in all the embodiments, the apparatus 1 is configured to be able to modify one or more cooling settings (for example at least pressure and / or flow rate of the fluid dispensed by said cooling means 4) and / or one or more extrusion parameters (for example the extrusion speed) as a function of the temperature data detected by said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b of said at least one component 3, 3a. The invention further relates to a cooling process, in particular quenching, for an extruded product 9 of aluminum or aluminum alloy, carried out by means of an apparatus 1 , wherein it is provided to a) advance the extruded product 9 on the roller conveyor 2, 2a, and cool the extruded product 9 while it advances on the roller conveyor 2, 2a, by cooling means 4 adapted to cool the extruded product 9 arranged on the roller conveyor 2, 2a by means of a cooling fluid, in particular air and / or water; b) bring said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b in contact with the extruded product 9 arranged on the roller conveyor 2, 2a, in particular while it advances on the roller conveyor 2, 2a; c) measure the temperature of the extruded product 9 by means of said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b, at least while the extruded product 9 is cooled by said cooling means 4.

[0084] In particular, in step c) the temperature of the extruded product 9 is measured, by means of said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b, upstream of the cooling means 4, while the extruded product 9 is cooled by said cooling means 4 (i.e. along the area where the cooling means 4 are arranged), and downstream of the cooling means 4.

[0085] In particular, said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b is placed in contact with an area of the extruded product 9 that passes from a position upstream of the cooling means 4, that passes along the area where the cooling means 4 are arranged and reaches a position downstream of the cooling means 4.

[0086] In particular, step b) and step c) are carried out while said at least one movable component 3, 3a moves parallel to said axis X in the same direction as the extruded product 9, in particular at a speed equal or substantially equal to the speed of the extruded product 9 advancing on the roller conveyor 2, 2a.

[0087] Preferably, when said at least one movable component 3, 3a reaches said final position (in particular, distal from the start of the roller conveyor 2, 2a), said at least one movable component 3, 3a is returned to said starting position (in particular, proximal to the start of the roller conveyor 2, 2a), in particular, in an automatic manner. The invention further relates to a plant for producing aluminum or aluminum alloy profile products, comprising an extrusion press and a cooling apparatus 1. In particular, an electronic control unit, which preferably forms part of the extrusion press, is adapted to control the extrusion parameters as a function of the temperature data detected by said at least one temperature sensor 31a, 31 b.

[0088] The invention further relates to a method for measuring the temperature of an extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy product 9 carried out by a cooling apparatus 1 , wherein the temperature of the extruded product 9 is measured by said at least one temperature sensor 31 a, 31 b of said at least one component 3, 3a while the extruded product advances on the roller conveyor 2, 2a, the measurement being carried out upstream of the cooling means 4, while the product 9 is cooled by the cooling means 4, and downstream of the cooling means 4.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus (1 ) for cooling, in particular for quenching, extruded aluminum or aluminum alloy products, the apparatus (1 ) being adapted to be arranged downstream of an extrusion press, the apparatus (1 ) comprising a roller conveyor (2, 2a) adapted to support an extruded product (9) while it advances along an axis (X); cooling means (4) adapted to cool by means of a cooling fluid, in particular air and / or water, the extruded product (9) arranged on the roller conveyor (2, 2a), in particular while it advances on the roller conveyor (2, 2a); a device (10) for measuring the temperature of the extruded product (9) comprising at least one movable component (3, 3a) adapted to be moved parallel to said axis (X), provided with at least one temperature sensor (31a, 31 b) adapted to be placed in contact with the extruded product (9) to detect the temperature thereof, in particular while it advances on the roller conveyor (2, 2a); wherein said device (10) is configured to move said at least one movable component (3, 3a) parallel to said axis (X), so that said at least one temperature sensor (31 a, 31 b) is in contact with the extruded product (9) to detect the temperature thereof while it is cooled by said cooling means (4); wherein said device (10) is configured to move said at least one component (3, 3a) parallel to said axis (X) from a starting position upstream of the cooling means (4) to a final position downstream of the cooling means (4); and wherein said device (10) is configured to move said at least one movable component (3, 3a) from the final position to the starting position.

2. An apparatus (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one movable component (3, 3a) comprises a part (30, 30a) to which said at least one temperature sensor (31 a, 31 b) is fastened, adapted to be lowered and raised, in particular to be able to move said at least one temperature sensor (31 a, 31 b) towards and away with respect to the extruded product (9) arranged on the roller conveyor (2, 2a).

3. An apparatus (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said device (10) comprises at least one guide (39a, 39b, 39c, 39d) to which said at least one movable component (3, 3a) is constrained; wherein said at least one movablecomponent (3, 3a) is adapted to translate with respect to said at least one guide (39a, 39b, 39c, 39d).

4. An apparatus (1 ) according to claim 3, wherein said at least one guide (39a, 39b) is arranged laterally with respect to the roller conveyor (2, 2a); preferably wherein said device (10) comprises two guides arranged laterally with respect to the roller conveyor (2, 2a).

5. An apparatus (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said device (10) is configured to move said at least one movable component (3, 3a) at substantially the same speed as the extruded product (9) advancing on the roller conveyor (2, 2a); said speed being in particular the extrusion speed of the extruded product (9); in particular, wherein said device (10) comprises movement means adapted to move said at least one movable component (3, 3a) parallel to said axis (X), in particular at a speed substantially equal to the speed of the extruded product (9) advancing on the roller conveyor (2, 2a).

6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said device (10) is configured to move said at least one movable component (3, 3a) from the starting position to the final position by moving it along a first stretch; and wherein said device (10) is configured to move said at least one movable component (3, 3a) from the final position to the starting position by moving it along said first stretch, or by moving it along a second stretch different from said first stretch, in particular by moving said at least one movable component (3, 3a) along a closed path comprising said first stretch and said second stretch.

7. An apparatus (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one movable component (3) is arranged above the roller conveyor (2), so that said at least one temperature sensor (31 a, 31 b) can be placed in contact with an upper surface of the extruded product (9).

8. An apparatus (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said device (10) comprises at least one further movable component (3a), arranged so that the at least one temperature sensor (31 a, 31 b) of said further movable component (3a) can be placed in contact with a lower surface of the extruded product (9).

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the rollers (21 ) of the roller conveyor (2a) are pivotable, and wherein a part (30a) of said at least one further movable component (3a) can be positioned above the rollers (21 a), in particular between the rollers (21 ) and the extruded product (9), to bring the at least one temperature sensor (31 a, 31 b) of said at least one further movable component (3a) in contact with the lower surface of the extruded product (9); in particular wherein said part (30a), during the movement thereof along the axis (X), is adapted to lower, in particular rotate and lower, one or more rollers (21 ).

10. An apparatus (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one temperature sensor (31a, 31 b) is a contact temperature probe, preferably a thermocouple.

11. An apparatus (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a data storage device, in particular a data logger, and wherein said at least one temperature sensor (31 a, 31 b) is adapted to send measured temperature data to the data storage device; and / or wherein a computer is provided which is configured to track, in particular by means of a software, the cooling curve of an extruded product (9) as a function, at least, of the temperature data detected by said at least one temperature sensor (31 a, 31 b) of said at least one movable component (3, 3a).

12. An apparatus (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, configured to be able to modify one or more cooling settings and / or one or more extrusion parameters, in particular the extrusion speed, as a function of the temperature data detected by said at least one temperature sensor (31 a, 31 b) of said at least one movable component (3, 3a).

13. An apparatus (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said device (10) is configured to move said at least one movable component (3, 3a) parallel to said axis (X) so that said at least one temperature sensor (31a, 31 b) is in contact with the extruded product (9) to detect the temperature thereof upstream of the cooling means (4), while it is cooled by said cooling means (4), and downstream of the cooling means (4).

14. A cooling process, in particular a quenching process, for an extruded product (9) made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, carried out by means of an apparatus (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein it is provided to: a) advance the extruded product (9) on the roller conveyor (2, 2a), and cool the extruded product (9) while it advances on the roller conveyor (2, 2a), by cooling means (4) adapted to cool the extruded product (9) arranged on the roller conveyor (2, 2a) by means of a cooling fluid, in particular air and / or water; b) bring said at least one temperature sensor (31 a, 31 b) in contact with the extruded product (9) arranged on the roller conveyor (2, 2a), in particular while it advances on the roller conveyor (2, 2a); c) measure the temperature of the extruded product (9) by means of said at least one temperature sensor (31a, 31 b) at least while the extruded product (9) is cooled by said cooling means (4), in particular wherein in step c) the temperature of the extruded product (9) is measured by said at least one temperature sensor (31a, 31 b) upstream of the cooling means (4), while the extruded product (9) is cooled by said cooling means (4), and downstream of the cooling means (4).

15. A process according to claim 14, wherein step b) and step c) are carried out while said at least one movable component (3, 3a) moves parallel to said axis (X) in the same direction as the extruded product (9), in particular at a speed substantially equal to the speed of the extruded product (9) advancing on the roller conveyor (2, 2a).

16. A process according to claim 14 or 15, wherein when said at least one movable component (3, 3a) reaches said final position downstream of the cooling means (4), said at least one movable component (3, 3a) is returned to said starting position upstream of the cooling means (4), in particular, in an automatic manner.

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