Centering device, heating section, rolling mill, and use of a centering means

Abstract

The invention relates to a centering device for aligning a relative position of a metal slab or a metal strip, which is conveyed on a conveying path, with respect to an inductor. The inductor is supported such that it can be moved in at least one direction transverse to a conveying direction, and / or the metal slab or the metal strip conveyed on the conveying path is supported such that it can be moved in at least one direction transverse to the conveying direction. The centering device has a centering means, the centering means being designed to vary, in particular to center, the relative position of the metal slab or the metal strip conveyed on the conveying path, with respect to an inductor, in a direction transverse to the conveying direction by moving the inductor and / or by moving the metal slab or the metal strip conveyed on the conveying path.

Description

[0001] Page 1 / 40 Applicant: SMS group GmbH Our reference: P80745DE January 29, 2024 Centering device, heating section, rolling mill and use of a centering means The invention relates to a centering device for aligning a relative position. The invention further relates to a heating section for heating a metal slab conveyed on a conveyor section or a metal strip conveyed on a conveyor section. The invention further relates to a rolling mill comprising a heating section. The invention also relates to the use of a centering means. It is known from the prior art that when metal products, such as metal slabs, metal strips or the like, are processed along a conveyor section, for example at a rolling mill, the metal products are heated by means of inductors. By means of such inductive heating, process-optimized temperature increases or decreases can be achieved, in particular at different locations along the conveyor section, as required.Temperature compensation can be implemented in a simple design. This not only allows improvements in the quality of the metal products, but also in the productivity of a plant processing the metal products. In general, undesirable deformations or deformation patterns can temporarily occur on metal products. Depending on the extent to which such deformations are present on the metal product, disruptions can occur, particularly in the context of inductors on the conveyor line. This can severely disrupt operations on a rolling mill, for example. The invention is based on the object of providing an improvement or an alternative to the prior art in order to reduce the risk of such disruptions along the conveyor line. The object underlying the present invention is achieved by a centering device with the features of claim 1. AdvantageousEmbodiments of the centering device are described in the claims dependent on claim 1. More specifically, the object is achieved according to a first aspect of the invention by a centering device for aligning a relative position of a metal slab conveyed on a conveyor line or of a metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line to an inductor, wherein the inductor is configured to heat the metal slab conveyed on the conveyor line or of the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line, wherein the inductor has at least one coil, wherein the at least one coil is configured to enclose the metal slab conveyed on the conveyor line or the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line, or wherein a first coil is configured to be arranged below the metal slab conveyed on the conveyor line or below the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line, and wherein a secondCoil is designed to be arranged above the metal slab conveyed on the conveyor line or above the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line, wherein the inductor is mounted so as to be movable in at least one direction transverse to a conveying direction, and / or wherein the metal slab conveyed on the conveyor line or the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line is mounted so as to be movable in at least one direction transverse to the conveying direction, wherein the centering device has a centering means, wherein the centering means is designed to vary the relative position of the metal slab conveyed on the conveyor line or of the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line to an inductor in a direction transverse to the conveying direction by moving the inductor and / or by moving the metal slab conveyed on the conveyor line or the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line, in particular toCenter. The centering device described here makes it possible to make a conveyor line equipped with inductors significantly more reliable, so that the risk of production delays or even production downtimes is considerably reduced. The following terminology should also be explained: First, it should be expressly pointed out that, within the scope of this patent application, indefinite articles and numerical expressions such as "one," "two," etc., are generally to be understood as "at least" expressions, i.e., as "at least one...", "at least two...", etc., unless it is expressly clear from the respective context or it is obvious or technically imperative for the person skilled in the art that only "exactly one...", "exactly two...", etc., can be meant. Within the scope of this patent application, the expression "in particular" should always be understood to mean an optional, preferred feature. The expressionis not to be understood as "namely" or "namely." Page 4 / 40 P80745DE The centering device can be implemented in a variety of ways, since in the context of the invention, the term "centering device" refers to any device by means of which a critical relative position between the inductor and a semi-finished product to be treated by the inductor, i.e., a metal product, can be avoided. This not only provides advantageous alignment for more homogeneous heating of the metal product by the inductor, but also prevents unintentional critical proximity or even a collision between the inductor and the semi-finished product to be treated by the inductor, i.e., the metal product. In case of doubt, contact between the metal product and the inductor can cause irreversible damage to the inductor, which can lead to lengthy production delays, for example, on a rolling mill. This risk can be avoided with pre-lying centering device can be significantly reduced, if not completely eliminated. In the centering device according to the invention, on the one hand, the inductor is movably mounted in at least one direction transverse to a conveying direction, so that the inductor is arranged so as to be movable relative to the conveying path, whereby the inductor can almost always be positioned relative to the metal product in a treatment position that is as good as possible for the metal product, in particular a collision between the metal product and the inductor can be prevented. Cumulatively or alternatively, the metal slab or the metal strip conveyed on the conveying path are movably mounted in at least one direction transverse to the conveying direction, whereby the metal product can almost always be positioned relative to the inductor in a treatment position that is as good as possible for the metal product. Page 5 / 40 P80745DEIn particular, a collision between the metal product and the inductor can be prevented. In this respect, the present centering device is also a collision prevention device for protecting, in particular, the inductor from a collision with the metal product. In order to be able to vary the relative position between the metal product and the inductor in a structurally simpler manner, the centering device expediently has centering means by means of which the relative position of the metal product conveyed on the conveyor line to the inductor is varied or centered as required in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. As already explained, this can be done both by a suitable movement of the inductor and by a suitable movement of the metal slab or metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line. As will be explained below, passive and / or active centering means can be used forCentering of the relative position between the metal product and the inductor, in particular the coil of the inductor, can be advantageously used. An undesirable or critical relative position within the meaning of the invention can have various causes. Such metal products can exhibit undesirable deformation patterns, which often manifest themselves as critical sagging and / or critical subsidence in the longitudinal extension of the respective metal product. These deformation patterns can, in particular, lead to a ski deformation, a saber deformation, a scissor-shaped roof, a catenary, or the like on the metal product, to name just a few terms commonly used in specialist circles. For example, a ski deformation, or ski for short, is referred to when one end of the two end regions of a metal product is bent upwards or downwards, whereas a saber deformation, or saber for short, is characterized by a more bulbous shape.of a metal product. A catenary describes, for example, any transverse deformation of the metal strip in the direction of gravity (sagging), whereby, for example, different strip products, different thicknesses, or the like also cause different catenary lines. Such undesirable deformation patterns can cause critical relative positions of the metal product on the conveyor line, in particular with respect to the inductor, whereby such critical relative positions can be advantageously remedied by the centering device according to the invention. For example, a metal strip to be treated sags on the conveyor line due to gravity. However, this sagging metal strip should not come into contact with the inductor, which is successfully achieved by means of the centering device according to the invention. Preferably, aFree passage through the inductor or past the inductor must be ensured in a range of 140 mm to 150 mm in order to avoid a critical approach or a critical distance. Depending on the metal product, a critical relative position within the meaning of the invention can in particular already exist when a distance between the metal product and the inductor is less than or equal to 180 mm or less than or equal to 150 mm or 140 mm. Furthermore, a critical relative position can already exist at a distance of less than or equal to 100 mm, preferably less than or equal to 80 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 60 mm and particularly preferably less than or equal to 30 mm. In any case, a critical relative position exists if, in the extreme case, there is a risk of a collision between the metal product and the inductor. Any deformation patterns that may occur may also depend on the intended guidance of theMetal product on the conveyor line. For example, the conveyor line is arranged horizontally or vertically, at least in the area of ​​the inductor. The conveyor line can also be arranged obliquely, with an inclination of the conveying direction between horizontal and vertical. In this respect, the metal product can be guided both horizontally and vertically or in some other way relative to the inductor. A given metal product is, for example, a metal slab, a metal strip, or the like, such as billets, blocks, etc. The metal product can be in the form of a finished semi-finished product, such as metal slabs, or alternatively, as an endless semi-finished product, such as metal strips, and can be conveyed along the conveyor line. The term "relative position" in the sense of the invention describes a location or position of the metal product moving along the conveyor line relative to the inductor. Page 8 / 40 P80745DE In the present case,The conveyor line, in particular in the area of ​​one or more inductors, can be arranged in different orientations, for example with a horizontal or a vertical conveying direction. Due to the possibility of inductive heat input to the conveyor line by at least one inductor, the conveyor line is at least partially a heating line for a metal product to be processed, for example on a rolling mill. For example, the conveyor line is at least part of a processing line of a rolling mill or the like. Preferably, the conveyor line extends in the machine direction of a rolling mill or the like. The inductor can be designed in different ways, wherein the inductor is provided for generating a magnetic field which interacts with the metal product in order to effect heat input into the metal product. In this respect, the inductor is used for heating the metal slab conveyed on the conveyor line or themetal strip conveyed on the conveyor line. To generate a suitable magnetic field, the inductor comprises at least one coil through which a coil current can flow. For example, the inductor is designed such that the metal product is conveyed through the coil, wherein the current-carrying coil at least partially encloses the metal product in such a way that a magnetic field generates an eddy current within the metal product, thereby heating the latter. Page 9 / 40 P80745DE It is understood that, depending on the metal product to be treated, different coil shapes can be used. Depending on the coil shape, this is referred to as longitudinal field heating, in which the metal product is enclosed all around by the coil. In this respect, the at least one coil is designed to enclose the metal slab or the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line.Longitudinal field heating can be used for a metal strip. Alternatively, transverse field heating can be used for metal strip. Typically, opposing coils are arranged on both sides of the metal product. A first coil of the coils is designed to be arranged below the metal slab conveyed on the conveyor line or below the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line, and a further coil of the coils is designed to be arranged above the metal slab conveyed on the conveyor line or above the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line. Metal strips with a thickness greater than or equal to 3 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 5 mm, and particularly preferably with a thickness greater than or equal to 10 mm can be inductively heated, preferably when the Curie temperature is exceeded. The present centering means can be used as a passive or activeCentering means can be configured. An advantageous embodiment variant with a passive centering means provides that the centering means has a coarse protection, wherein the coarse protection has at least one impact plate, wherein the at least one impact plate extends at an opening angle both opposite to the conveying direction and in at least one direction transverse to the conveying direction, wherein the impact plate is designed to bring about an alignment of the relative position of the metal slab conveyed on the conveyor line or of the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line to the inductor upon contact between the impact plate and the metal slab conveyed on the conveyor line or the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line. Such centering means comprising a coarse protection can be designed differently. Preferably, the coarse protection is arranged with its impact plate on the inductor, whereinA housing part and / or a frame part can serve to fasten the coarse protection to the conveyor line. The coarse protection can be designed in a structurally simple manner on the conveyor line if the housing part and / or the frame part of the inductor at least partially form the coarse protection or its impact plate. It is understood that the coarse protection can also be placed on the conveyor line by means of a separate frame part or similar. It has proven advantageous if the centering means are designed and provided independently of any other roller table or related roller table elements of the conveyor line, in order to thereby be able to configure the conveyor line on the inductor even more individually. Alternative passive centering means can be provided on the inductor particularly expediently if the centering means have at least one support roller, wherein the support roller is designed tobetween the support roller Page 11 / 40 P80745DE and the metal slab or metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line, to align the relative position of the metal slab or metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line to the inductor. Such a support roller can also be designed in a variety of ways. Just like the coarse guard described above, it is advantageous if the support roller is attached to the inductor in order to ensure a design of the centering means that is almost independent of the usual roller conveyor or related roller conveyor elements. This allows the conveyor line in the area of ​​the inductor to be designed more individually. For example, the support roller can be arranged on a housing part and / or a frame part of the inductor, whereby the desired relative position of the metal product relative to the inductor can be varied much more easily.For example, the support roller is attached to the housing part or the frame part of the inductor, or the support roller is provided directly by the housing part or the frame part. In order to be able to adapt the centering device and / or the inductor more individually to the respective metal product, it can be advantageous if the centering means are designed independently of a roller table on the inductor. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the centering means is configured depending on the metal product to be treated, in particular selected or arranged in alignment with the conveyor line. Page 12 / 40 P80745DE. This also makes it possible to create an even more effective centering device on the inductor. For example, the coarse protection can have a closed impact plate with respect to the surface or a perforated impact plate, whereby the latter designFor example, the risk of heat build-up on the inductor can be reduced. At this point, it should be explicitly pointed out that the centering means, such as coarse protection, support rollers, or the like, can be arranged both vertically and horizontally on the conveyor line in order to achieve the best possible alignment of the relative position. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the centering means comprise different materials than other roller table elements of a conventional roller table of the conveyor line. For example, centering means comprise ceramic components that interact only negligibly or not at all with the inductor, so that centering means designed in this way can be placed closer to the inductor. This allows the relative position of the metal product relative to the inductor to be varied even more effectively and reliably, even in the immediate vicinity of the inductor. Since the centering means require on average lessSince the centering elements often come into contact with the heated metal product or are in its immediate vicinity, the centering elements are also exposed to lower thermal stress than conventional roller conveyor elements. Furthermore, the centering elements can advantageously be cooled to better withstand thermal stress. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the centering device has a suitable cooling system. Such a cooling system for the centering elements can be provided in a structurally simple manner if the cooling system can be connected to an almost always available inductor cooling system. If the cooling capacity of the inductor cooling system cannot guarantee additional cooling of the centering elements, or if an inductor cooling system is not available, it is advantageous if the centering device includes a self-sufficient cooling system. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the centering device operates contactlessly.is designed. For example, centering within the meaning of the invention can be achieved by an inductor performing an "evasive movement" directed transversely to the conveyor line in order to also avoid an undesired collision between the metal product and the indicator. Depending on how a relative position between the metal product and the inductor is to be aligned, the direction of the evasive movement can be arranged horizontally and / or vertically with respect to the conveyor direction. The term "lateral direction" describes a direction of movement of the inductor which is oriented vertically or at least predominantly vertically, thus additionally comprising a horizontal component in the movement. For example, the inductor itself can perform evasive movements if a critical approach of the metal product and the inductor threatens in a region of the conveyor line. With a substantially horizontally orientedConveyor line, the inductor can deflect laterally to the right or left with respect to the conveyor line. Page 14 / 40 P80745DE If the conveyor line is arranged vertically, for example, at least in the area of ​​the inductor, deflection movements laterally transverse to the conveyor line are particularly expedient. A relative position between the metal product and the inductor can be varied more advantageously if the inductor is mounted so as to be movable in a lateral direction transverse to the conveying direction. As a result, the centering device can be designed to be contactless, which is advantageous from a structural point of view. Cumulatively or alternatively, it is advantageous if the inductor and / or the second coil of the inductor is mounted so as to be movable in a vertical direction transverse to the conveying direction. A deflection movement of the inductor or the second coil in the vertical direction is particularly advantageous if the relative position of the metal product lying on the roller table of the conveyor line relative to the metal product abovethe inductor arranged on the conveyor line is critical. Spatial evasive movements can be particularly advantageous if the height direction and the lateral direction are arranged orthogonally to each other. Furthermore, actively controllable or adjustable centering means can also be advantageously provided. In this respect, a further advantageous embodiment provides that the centering device has an electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit and a sensor device, wherein the sensor device is electronically connected to the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit, and wherein the sensor device detects a relative position between the metal slab or the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line. Page 15 / 40 P80745DE. As a result, the relative position between the metal product and the inductor can be actively and thus varied even more specifically. The sensor device canbe equipped in a variety of ways to detect a relative position. To name just a first possible embodiment, it should be mentioned at this point that the sensor device can be equipped with an optical sensor, in particular a camera system or similar, which detects the actual relative position of the metal product relative to the inductor or another marker on the conveyor line. The present electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit can also be designed in various ways, in particular with hardware and / or software components, by means of which the information from the sensor device, such as the camera system, can be further processed, in particular to actively actuate centering means, advantageously in such a way that the metal product is moved from the actual relative position to a desired relative position. It is particularly advantageous if the sensor device is designed to detect a deformation pattern of theon the conveyor line or of the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line, in particular for detecting a ski and / or a saber and / or a scissor roof and / or a lowering of an end of the metal slab or the metal strip and / or a sagging of the metal slab or the metal strip. If the sensor device has a tactile sensor, an actual relative position can alternatively be detected by contact. Such tactile sensors can simplify the construction effort of the sensor device. Page 16 / 40 P80745DE If the sensor device has an optical sensor, in particular a laser distance meter, this optical sensor can detect an actual relative position of the metal component from a thermally safe distance. It is particularly advantageous that by means of the centering device not only a relative position with respect to a lateral direction in a conveyor plane or parallel toa conveying plane of the conveying path, but also in a height direction orthogonal to the conveying plane of the conveying path, so that the relative position can also be manipulated three-dimensionally in space. A further advantageous embodiment variant further provides that the centering device, in particular the sensor device, is configured to terminate a continuous conveying process upon detection of a deviation between an actual relative position and a target relative position between the metal slab conveyed on the conveying path or the metal strip conveyed on the conveying path and the inductor by means of the sensor device, in particular upon detection of a deviation which exceeds a maximum tolerated deviation, and / or upon detection of a deformation pattern by means of the sensor device, in particular a deformation pattern which exceeds a maximum tolerated deformation pattern, in particular byTransmission of a corresponding control signal. This virtually eliminates the risk of major damage to the conveyor line or the inductor. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the centering device has a quick-opening device, wherein the quick-opening device is configured for quickly raising the second coil, particularly upon detection by the sensor device of a deviation exceeding a tolerable deviation between an actual relative position and a target relative position between the metal slab or metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line and the inductor. By providing the present quick-opening device, it is possible to release an inductor or a coil of an inductor that is otherwise fixedly arranged on the conveyor line from its fixation in order to prevent an evasive movement relative to the metal product.to be able to carry out the work significantly faster. In this way, the inductor or a coil thereof can advantageously be transferred from an otherwise generally stationary working position into a mobile working state in order to be able to carry out advantageous evasive movements. It is also advantageous if, in the conveying direction, a pair of shears for cutting the metal slab or the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line is arranged in front of the centering device, wherein the shears are electronically connected to the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit, and wherein the shears are designed to cut off a head end of the metal slab or the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line, in particular when a ski is detected by means of the sensor device for cutting off the ski. Should a critical relative position of themetal product cannot be compensated solely by the centering means of the centering device described here, it is advantageous if an existing critical elevation, such as the ski deformation already described at the beginning of page 18 / 40 P80745DE, can be cut off at an end region of the metal product by a pair of shears. Shears suitable for this purpose are well known from the prior art, particularly in connection with rolling mills or the like, so that further explanations regarding the structural design of the shears and their function will not be discussed here. Furthermore, it is expedient if a pair of shears for cutting the metal slab or metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line is arranged downstream of the centering device in the conveying direction, wherein the shears are electronically connected to the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit, and wherein the shearsis configured to cut off a foot end of the metal slab or metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line, in particular upon detection of a scissor roof and / or a lowered foot end by means of the sensor device for cutting off the foot end. As already described above, it is also advantageous with regard to a scissor roof or a lowered foot end on the metal product if such deformations can be at least partially eliminated quickly before reaching the inductor, in particular if they are critical within the meaning of the invention. In this respect, it is advantageous if a shear for processing a metal product on a conveyor line can be actuated depending on a detected relative position of the metal product, in particular depending on a sensor device for detecting a deformation pattern on the metal product. Page 19 / 40P80745DE If the centering means further comprises means for changing the metal strip tension, an undesirable relative position of the metal product can be manipulated cumulatively or alternatively, in particular a critical sagging of a metal strip, at least in the area of ​​the inductor. Means for changing the metal strip tension on the centering means can be provided in a particularly simple manner if the centering means comprises at least one separately driven roller. In order to be able to introduce a sufficient amount of heat into the metal product in a relatively short time, it is advantageous if the inductor has a nominal power of greater than or equal to 2 MW, preferably greater than or equal to 5 MW, and particularly preferably greater than or equal to 10 MW. Using such nominal powers, most application areas for inductive heating of the metal product can be covered. Depending on the heat output, for example, an upstreamFurnace, such as a roller hearth furnace, inductors with other rated powers can also be operated. The required rated powers can depend cumulatively or alternatively on other conditions, such as the type of metal product. For example, rated powers of less than or equal to 2 MW, or less than or equal to 1.5 MW, or less than or equal to 1 MW, often appear sufficient for an inductor, for example, if less induction heating is required. Page 20 / 40 P80745DE On the other hand, rated powers of more than or equal to 15 MW or more, for example, more than or equal to 20 MW, are advantageous if higher induction heating is advantageous, for example, for special applications such as thin strip rolling or for certain materials, such as silicon steel, where higher slab temperatures are advantageous. The object underlying the present invention is further achieved by a heating section with the features ofClaim 16 is achieved. More specifically, the object is achieved according to a second aspect of the invention by a heating section for heating a metal slab conveyed on a conveyor line or a metal strip conveyed on a conveyor line, comprising a centering device according to one of the features described here. The present heating section is a partial section of the conveyor line, wherein the heating section is characterized by at least one inductor for inductively heating a metal product. In this respect, it is advantageous if the heating section has the centering device described here. It should be expressly noted that the subject matter of the second aspect can be advantageously combined with the subject matter of the preceding aspect of the invention, both individually or cumulatively in any combination. The object underlying the present invention is further achieved by a rolling mill having the features of claim17. Page 21 / 40 P80745DE In more detail, the object is achieved according to a third aspect of the invention by a rolling mill with a heating section according to at least one of the features described in this regard. The rolling mill can be constructed differently or, in addition to the present heating section, can comprise different processing stations, such as a coiling device, different rolling stands, such as a roughing stand, a reversing rolling stand, a finishing stand, a coiling device or the like, in order to be able to process a wide variety of metal products. For example, the present rolling mill is equipped with an upstream casting system or the like. In any case, a rolling mill which includes the present heating section can be operated more reliably, so that productivity at the rolling mill can be increased. The object underlying the present invention is also achieved by using aCentering means with the features of claim 18. More specifically, the object is achieved according to a fourth aspect of the invention by using a centering means according to one of the features described here for aligning a relative position of a metal slab conveyed on a conveyor line or of a metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line to an inductor. By means of the centering means described here, the inductor can be protected from damage, which can also increase operational reliability on the conveyor line. This can increase the productivity of a rolling mill, for example. Page 22 / 40 P80745DE Furthermore, the use of an inductor for aligning a relative position of a metal slab conveyed on a conveyor line or of a metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line to the inductor is also advantageous. In particular, if the inductor comprises the present centering device or at leastIf an essential functional component thereof, such as the centering means, is designed, the inductor can be used, for example, as a collision avoidance device. Such a compact design not only protects the inductor from damage, but also increases operational reliability on the conveyor line. This can increase the productivity of, for example, a rolling mill. Use of a drive roller on a conveyor line of a rolling mill as a centering means for aligning a relative position of a metal slab conveyed on a conveyor line or of a metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line to an inductor. By means of a separately driven roller, the centering means proposed in the sense of the invention can be arranged in a simple manner in a conveyor line in the area of ​​the inductor, which can also increase operational reliability on the conveyor line. This can increase the productivity of, for example, a rolling mill. FurtherAdvantages, details, and features of the invention will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments. These show in detail: Page 23 / 40 P80745DE Figure 1: schematically shows a view of a first centering device with respect to an inductor on a conveyor line of a rolling mill with a horizontally oriented conveying direction; Figure 2: schematically shows a view of a further centering device with respect to an inductor on a conveyor line with a vertically oriented conveying direction; Figure 3: schematically shows a view of a further centering device with alternative centering means, cumulatively or alternatively comprising a coarse guard with a baffle plate for moving the metal product conveyed on the conveyor line; Figure 4: schematically shows a view of a further centering device with other centering means, cumulatively or alternatively comprising a support roller for moving the metal product conveyed on the conveyor line; andFigure 5: schematically shows a view of a further centering device with further centering means, cumulatively or alternatively comprising a separately driven roller for changing a metal strip tension. In the following description, the same reference numerals denote the same components or the same features, so that a description given with reference to one figure regarding a component also applies to the other figures, thus avoiding a repetitive description. Furthermore, individual features that were described in connection with one embodiment can also be used separately in other embodiments. Page 24 / 40 P80745DE In the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, a rolling mill 1 comprises a horizontally oriented conveyor line 2, which extends with its conveyor plane 3 in a correspondingly horizontal conveyor direction 4. A roller table, which is not shown further here andis numbered. The conveying direction 4 corresponds to the machine direction 5 of the rolling mill 1. Metal products 6 (numbered only as an example) as semi-finished products (not numbered again) pass through the rolling mill 1 from left to right. In this embodiment, the metal products 6 are metal slabs 7 (also numbered only as an example). The rolling mill 1 comprises a series of serially arranged rolling stands 1A for the multifaceted rolling of the metal slabs 7 and an upstream inductor 8 for inductively heating the metal slabs 7 so that they can be rolled more precisely at an optimal temperature. The inductor 8 has at least one coil device 9, by means of which eddy currents can be generated in the metal slabs 7 as they pass through the inductor 8, so that the metal slabs 7 are inductively heated again before reaching the first rolling stand of the rolling mill 1. The inductor 8 has in thisIn this exemplary embodiment, a coil device 9 with a first coil 9A below the metal slabs 7 conveyed on the conveyor line 2 and with a second coil 9B above the metal slabs 7 conveyed on the conveyor line 2. The nominal power of the inductor 8 in this exemplary embodiment is 10 MW. Page 25 / 40 P80745DE Other coil arrangements of the coil device 9 on the conveyor line 2 are almost unlimitedly possible, such as, for example, with regard to a further exemplary embodiment of an alternative rolling mill 100 shown in Figure 2, in which a different coil 9C there encloses the conveyor line 2 and thus also the metal product 6 there in a ring shape when the latter passes through the inductor 8 there. The inductor 8 has a housing 8A or a casing (not separately numbered) or a frame (also not separately numbered) in order to convert the coil device 9, if necessary other functional components such as aCooling device (not shown) or the like. Furthermore, a centering device 10 for aligning a relative position 11 of the respective metal slab 7 to an inductor 8, or vice versa, is arranged on the conveyor line 2. For this purpose, the centering device 10 has centering means 12, which can be designed in different ways, wherein various centering means 12 can be present on the centering device 10 alone or in combination with one another. The first centering means 12 are provided in the form of an actuator unit 13, by means of which the inductor 8 with its two coils 9A and 9B can be displaced on the one hand in a lateral direction 15 transverse to the conveying direction 4, i.e. in a lateral movement 15A "out" of the paper plane 16 and in an opposite lateral movement 15B "into" the paper plane. The lateral direction 15 runs parallel to the conveying plane 3. Page 26 / 40 P80745DE On the other hand, by means of the actuator unit 13Centering means 12 are immediately implemented, which enable a vertical movement in the vertical direction 17 of the inductor 8, in particular of the second coil 9B, transversely to the conveying path 2. The vertical direction 17 runs essentially orthogonally to the lateral direction 15 or the conveying plane 3, i.e., parallel to the paper plane 16. Such centering means 12 allow the centering device 10 to be designed to operate at least partially without contact. Cumulatively or alternatively contact-operating centering means 11 are illustrated and described by way of example in Figures 3, 4, and 5. The centering device 10 further comprises a sensor device 20 in order to be able to detect, on the one hand, a relative position 11 between each metal product 6 conveyed along the conveyor line 2 and in particular the inductor 8 and, on the other hand, a critical deformation pattern (not explicitly shown or numbered here) on the metal product 6. The sensor device 20 comprisesFor this purpose, a tactile sensor element 21 is provided, by means of which the relative position 11 of the respective metal product 6 can be detected by contact. For example, the tactile sensor element 21 has one or more sensing elements (not shown here) in order to detect a critical relative position 11. Furthermore, the sensor device 20 is also characterized by an optical sensor element 22, by means of which the relative position 11 of the respective metal product 6 can be detected cumulatively or alternatively without contact. For example, page 27 / 40 P80745DE, the optical sensor element 22 has one or more laser distance meters (not shown here) in order to detect a critical relative position 11. Thus, the sensor device 20 is also configured, in particular by means of the tactile and / or optical sensor elements 21 and 22, to detect critical deformation patterns on the metal products 6. Such deformation patterns are particularly suitable asA ski deformation, a saber deformation, a scissor-shaped roof deformation, a lowering of an end of the metal product 6, a sagging of the metal product 6, or the like are well known from the prior art. The centering device 10 further comprises an electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit 25, by means of which the information detected by the sensor device 20 can be evaluated and the centering device 10 can be controlled or regulated. The sensor device 20 and the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit 25 can communicate with each other via a data connection 26, either wired or wireless. In order to be able to eliminate particularly critical deformation patterns on the respective metal product 6, such as a critical ski deformation, which can potentially damage the inductor 8 or components thereof, the centering device 10 or the inductor 8 is alsoa shear 30 is arranged upstream. By means of the shear 30, excessively deformed areas, for example a head end 31 of the metal product 6, can be cut off in advance on the respective metal product 6. Page 28 / 40 P80745DE Such a shear 30 can be arranged cumulatively or alternatively, but also advantageously, downstream of the centering device 10 (not explicitly shown again here), for example, for cutting off a critically deformed foot end 32 on the metal product 6 or a scissor roof (not shown here) or the like. The centering device 10 is further characterized by a quick-opening device 35, by means of which the inductor 8 or components thereof, such as the coil device 9, etc., are capable of reacting quickly depending on a detected critical relative position 11 and / or a critical deformation pattern, for example by the second coil 9B being able to be raised more quickly in the height direction 16.With the aid of the described inductor 8, a heating section 36 is created on the conveyor line 2 shortly before the inlet of the rolling mill 1 in order to be able to adjust the metal products 6 for the rolling mill 1 to an optimal processing temperature. Downstream of the rolling mill 1, a cooling section 37 is connected to the conveyor line 2, at the end 38 of which the treated metal products 6 are made available for further processing. It is understood that, depending on the semi-finished product to be processed, the rolling mill 1 can also have a different configuration with other or additional processing stations, and at which the centering device 10 can be provided. For this purpose, Figure 2 shows a further embodiment with an alternative rolling mill 100 on a vertically extending conveyor line 2. Since the structure of this further embodiment largely corresponds to the structure of the first embodiment from Figure 1, only the most essential details are described below.Differences of the further embodiment are explained, also to avoid repetition. Otherwise, page 29 / 40 P80745DE refers to the description of the first embodiment. The conveyor line 2 of the rolling mill 100 is arranged with a vertical conveying direction 4. The rolling mill 100 is configured to process a metal product 6 conveyed as a flat metal strip 40. The flat metal strip 40 is moved along the conveyor line 2 as a continuous product in the conveying direction 4. At the end 38 of the cooling line 37, the flat metal strip 40 is separated by means of a separating device 41 and made available for further processing. The inductor 8 used in this further embodiment has the aforementioned other coil 9C, which encloses the conveyor line 2 and thus also the metal product 6. The rated power of the inductor 8 in this further embodiment is 2 MW. In addition to the capabilityIn order to be able to carry out evasive movements of the inductor 8 in lateral directions 15 transverse to the conveyor line 2 or vertical direction 17 parallel to the conveyor line 2, the other coil 9C can additionally be opened in the sense of the present centering means 12 in order to be able to quickly enlarge a through-opening of the other coil 9C, so that a collision with a critically deformed metal product 6 can also be avoided. The quick-opening device 35 is used to quickly open the other coil 9C. The centering device 10, in particular of the exemplary embodiments described above, can alternatively be designed with other centering means 12 and / or additionally be equipped with further centering means 12, some of which are described in the following Figures 3, 4 and 5. Page 30 / 40 P80745DE The following centering devices 10 can be used as an independent unit separate from the inductor 8 and in particularalso be arranged on the conveyor line 2 from the roller table. The centering devices 10 or their centering means 12 are preferably integrated into the inductor 8, for example in the housing 8A or on the frame of the inductor 8. The alternative centering device 10 shown in Figure 3 has centering means 12, which are characterized by a coarse protection 50 with impact plate elements 51 (shown and numbered only as an example). The impact plate elements 51 are designed to align the relative position 11 of the metal product 6 conveyed on the conveyor line 2 to the inductor 8, in particular to coils 9A, 9B, 9C of the coil device 9, upon contact between one or more of the impact plate elements 51 and the metal product 6 conveyed on the conveyor line 2. The centering device 10 or at least its centering means 12 are in this embodiment from Figure 3 directly to the frame 8A of the inductor 8arranged in order to be able to follow the evasive movements of the inductor 8, which are also described above (shown only as an example). The other alternative centering device 10 shown in Figure 4 has centering means 12, which comprise at least one support roller device 55 with a plurality of support roller elements 56, 57. In the case of one or more contacts between one or more of the support roller elements 56, 57 and the metal products 6 conveyed on the conveyor line 2, an orientation of one or more relative positions 11 of metal products 6 can be varied within the meaning of the invention. The centering device 10 or at least its centering means 12 are arranged in this embodiment from Figure 4 directly on the frame 8A of the inductor 8 in order to be able to follow the evasive movements of the inductor 8 described above (only shown as an example). The centering device shown in Figure 5Another alternative centering device 10 has centering means 12, which in turn comprise means 60 for changing a metal strip tension 61. In this exemplary embodiment, these means 60 comprise at least one separately driven roller 62, which differs from other drive rollers (not shown here) for conveying the flat metal strip 40 along the conveyor line 2. The separately driven roller 62 preferably acts counter to the conveying direction 4, for example, to reduce or completely avoid critical sagging of the metal strip 40 at least in the region of the inductor 8. The separately driven roller 62 rotates about a rotary axis 63. In the present case, the different centering devices 10 can, with a suitable design, be provided on both a horizontally and a vertically running conveyor line 2.

[0002] Page 32 / 40 P80745EN List of reference symbols 1 Rolling mill 1A Rolling stands 2 Conveyor line 3 Conveyor level 4 Conveyor direction 5 Machine direction 6 Metal product 7 Metal slabs 8 Inductor 8A Enclosure, housing, frame 9 Coil device 9A First coil (lower coil) 9B Second coil (upper coil) 9C Other coil 10 Centering device 11 Relative position, actual relative position,Target relative position 12 Centering means 13 Actuator unit 15 Side direction 15A Sideways movement from paper plane 15B Sideways movement in paper plane 16 Paper plane 17 Height direction 20 Sensor device 21 Tactile sensor element 22 Optical sensor element 25 Electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit 30 Scissors 31 Head end 32 Foot end 35 Quick-opening device 36 Heating section 37 Cooling section Page 33 / 40 P80745EN 38 End of the cooling section 40 Metal belt 41 Separating device 44 Passage opening 5 50 Coarse protection 51 Baffle plate elements 55 Support roller device 56 First support roller elements 57 Further support roller elements, 10 60 Means for changing a metal strip tension 61 Metal strip tension 62 Separately driven roller 63 Rotation axis 100 Alternative rolling mill 15

Claims

Page 34 / 40 P80745DE Patent claims 1. Centering device (10) for aligning a relative position (11) of a metal slab (7) conveyed on a conveyor line (2) or of a metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) to an inductor (8), - wherein the inductor (8) is set up to heat the metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) or of the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveyor line (2); - wherein the inductor (8) has at least one coil (9A, 9B; 9C);- wherein the at least one coil (9C) is designed to enclose the metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) or the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveyor line (2), or wherein a first coil (9A) is designed to be arranged below the metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) or below the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveyor line (2), and wherein a second coil (9B) is designed to be arranged above the metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) or above the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveyor line (2);- wherein the inductor (8) is mounted so as to be movable in at least one direction (15, 15A, 15B, 17) transverse to a conveying direction (4), and / or wherein the metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on the conveying path (2) or the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveying path (2) is mounted so as to be movable in at least one direction (15, 15A, 15B, 17) transverse to the conveying direction (4); Page 35 / 40 P80745DE - wherein the centering device (10) has a centering means (12), - wherein the centering means (12) is configured to vary, in particular to center, the relative position (11) of the metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) or of the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) to an inductor (8) in a direction (15, 15A, 15B, 17) transverse to the conveying direction (4) by moving the inductor (8) and / or by moving the metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) or the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveyor line (2). 2.Centering device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the centering means (12) has a coarse protection (50), wherein the coarse protection (50) has at least one impact plate (51), wherein the at least one impact plate (51) extends at an opening angle both counter to the conveying direction (4) and in at least one direction transverse to the conveying direction (4), wherein the impact plate (51) is designed to bring about an alignment of the relative position (11) of the metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on the conveying path (2) or of the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveying path (2) to the inductor (8) upon contact between the impact plate (51) and the metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on the conveying path (2) or the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveying path (2).Centering device (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the centering means (12) has at least one support roller (55, 56, 57), wherein the support roller (55, 56, 57) is designed to, upon contact between the support roller (55, 56, 57) and the on the conveyor line (2). Page 36 / 40 P80745DE to align the relative position (11) of the metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) or the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) with the inductor (8).

4. Centering device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inductor (8) is mounted so as to be movable in a lateral direction (15, 15A, 15B) transverse to the conveying direction (4).

5. Centering device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inductor (8) and / or the second coil (9B) of the inductor (8) is movably mounted in a height direction (16) transverse to the conveying direction (4).Centering device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the centering device (10) - has an electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit (25); and - a sensor device (20); - wherein the sensor device (20) is electronically connected to the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit (25); and - wherein the sensor device (20) detects a relative position (11) between the metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) or the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveyor line (2).

7. Centering device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the sensor device (20) is designed to detect a deformation pattern of the metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) or of the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveyor line (2), in particular for. Page 37 / 40 P80745DE Detection of a ski and / or a saber and / or a scissor roof and / or a lowering of an end of the metal slab (6, 7) or the metal strip (6, 40) and / or a sagging of the metal slab (6, 7) or the metal strip (6, 40).

8. Centering device (10) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the sensor device (20) has a tactile sensor (21).

9. Centering device (10) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the sensor device (20) has an optical sensor (22), in particular a laser distance meter. 10.Centering device (10) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the centering device (10), in particular the sensor device (20), is configured to terminate continuous conveying, in particular by transmitting a corresponding control signal, upon detection of a deviation between an actual relative position (11) and a target relative position (11) between the metal slab conveyed on the conveyor line (2) or the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) and the inductor (8) by means of the sensor device (20), in particular upon detection of a deviation that exceeds a maximum tolerated deviation, and / or upon detection of a deformation pattern by means of the sensor device (20), in particular a deformation pattern that exceeds a maximum tolerated deformation pattern.Centering device (10) according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the centering device (10) has a quick-opening device (35), wherein the quick-opening device (35). Page 38 / 40 P80745DE is configured for rapidly raising the second coil (2B), in particular upon detection of a deviation exceeding a tolerable deviation between an actual relative position (11) and a target relative position (11) between the metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) or the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) and the inductor (8) by means of the sensor device (20). 12.Centering device (10) according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 11, characterized in that a shear (30) for cutting the metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) or the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) is arranged upstream of the centering device (10) in the conveying direction (4), wherein the shear (30) is electronically connected to the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit (25), and wherein the shear (30) is configured to cut off a head end (31) of the metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) or the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveyor line (2), in particular when a ski is detected by the sensor device (20) for cutting off the ski. 13.Centering device (10) according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 12, characterized in that a pair of scissors (30) for cutting the metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) or the metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveyor line (2) is arranged downstream of the centering device (10) in the conveying direction (4), wherein the scissors (30) are electronically connected to the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit (25), and wherein the scissors (30) are for cutting off a foot end (32) of the metal slab (6, 7) or. Page 39 / 40 P80745DE the metal strip conveyed on the conveyor line (2) is configured, in particular upon detection of a scissor roof and / or a lowered foot end (32) by means of the sensor device (20), for cutting off the foot end (32).

14. Centering device (10) according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 13, characterized in that the centering means (12) has a means (60) for changing a metal strip tension (61), in particular at least one separately driven roller (62).

15. Centering device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inductor (8) has a nominal power of greater than or equal to 2 MW, preferably greater than or equal to 5 MW, and particularly preferably greater than or equal to 10 MW. 16.Heating section for heating a metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on a conveyor section (2) or a metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on a conveyor section (2), comprising a centering device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 15.

17. Rolling mill (1; 100) comprising a heating section (36) according to claim 16.

18. Use of a centering means (12) according to one of claims 1 to 15 for aligning a relative position (11) of a metal slab (6, 7) conveyed on a conveyor section (2) or of a metal strip (6, 40) conveyed on the conveyor section (2) to an inductor (8).

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