Elastic Adapter-Flange Junction for Rolling Mill Axial Load Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load-damping systems for adapters in rolling mills are rigid, leading to the transmission of axial loads from the rolling operation to the motor, which can cause motor failure and plant shutdowns due to the lack of effective elastic and multi-directional response to these loads.
Innovation Solution
A junction device for skid adapters that includes a rotating block connected to a flange, paired skids with a mechanical coupling surface, and damper elements housed in the block to absorb and compensate for axial forces, allowing for relative rotation and reducing the axial forces transmitted to the motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid adapter junctions are used to connect the adapter to the flange, then structural strength and stability are improved, but axial loads are transmitted to the motor causing harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter junction is divided into multiple independent elements: the adapter body, flange, and elastic dampers. This segmentation allows the rigid structural components to maintain strength while the elastic dampers independently absorb axial loads, preventing their transmission to the motor.
Solution Approach 2:
Elastic damper elements are introduced as intermediary components between the rigid adapter junction and the motor. These dampers act as mediators that absorb and dissipate axial loads through deformation, protecting the motor from harmful load transmission while maintaining the structural integrity of the connection.
2Reliability
If axial bearing size is increased to prevent motor failure from axial loads, then motor reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Elastic damper elements serve as intermediary components that absorb axial loads before they reach the motor bearing. This intermediary mechanism protects the bearing from excessive loads, allowing the use of smaller, less complex bearings while maintaining motor reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic damper elements provide beforehand cushioning by absorbing and dissipating axial loads through controlled deformation. This prior cushioning prevents harmful loads from reaching the motor bearing, thereby protecting it from failure without requiring an oversized bearing design.
3Power
If rigid adapter systems are used for motion transmission, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but the system cannot absorb transverse and torsion stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter system is segmented into rigid power transmission components and elastic stress-absorbing dampers. This segmentation enables the rigid portions to efficiently transmit power while the elastic dampers independently absorb transverse and torsion stresses, providing both power efficiency and stress absorption capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes in the elastic dampers, which deform under transverse and torsion stresses. This parameter change (deformation) allows the dampers to absorb various types of stresses while the rigid adapter junction maintains efficient power transmission capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The junction device effectively reduces axial loads transmitted to the motor by more than 50% compared to previous solutions, preventing motor failure and allowing for the use of smaller, less expensive axial bearings, while maintaining system reliability and ease of manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
damper elements housed in the block to absorb and compensate for axial forces
Data Source
AI summary
An elastic junction device for the dynamic connection, in a rolling mill, between the motor side and the head of an adapter or between the adapter and one or more rolling rolls comprises a central body which can be connected to an end of said flange so that it can rotate integrally therewith. The device additionally comprises two skids through a connecting pin so that said block rotates integrally with said flange, said skids being mechanically couplable to said adapter to allow the rotation thereof upon the rotation of said flange and vice versa. The junction device comprises at least a first damper element and at least a second damper element housed in the block and which act on opposite parts of the connecting pin so as to absorb the axial tensions which are transmitted along the adapter as a result of the stresses caused by rolling.