Continuous Casting Roll Bearing Block With Integrated Outer Raceway Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Continuous casting machines face challenges in maintaining load-bearing capacity and high-temperature tolerance due to the limitations of bearing block design, which leads to premature bearing failure and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A bearing block unit with a complete and continuous inner ring and a partially formed outer ring raceway within the bearing block, allowing for increased radial size of the water cooling channel and rolling bodies without altering the bearing block's radial size, enhancing load-bearing capacity and temperature adaptation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the radial size of the water cooling channel is increased to improve cooling effect, then the temperature inside the bearing block is lowered, but the radial size of the bearing is compressed resulting in a drop in load-bearing capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature inside bearing blockVSAvoidload-bearing capacity of bearing
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of the bearing outer ring and the bearing block by making the bearing block's inner surface directly form the outer ring raceway. This eliminates the need for a separate outer ring, allowing the bearing block to serve dual purposes: supporting the bearing and providing cooling. The water cooling channel is integrated within the bearing block structure, enabling simultaneous optimization of both cooling capacity and bearing load-bearing capacity without the traditional trade-off.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If the radial size of the bearing block is increased to accommodate larger water cooling channel, then the cooling effect is improved, but the bearing block may touch the steel billet and be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectVSAvoidrisk of bearing block damage
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cooling function directly into the bearing block structure by forming the outer ring raceway on the bearing block's inner surface. This integration allows the cooling channel to be optimally sized for heat dissipation without requiring additional radial space that would increase the risk of contact with the steel billet. The bearing block's structural integrity is maintained while achieving effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If the radial size of the bearing is increased to improve load-bearing capacity, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the space for water cooling channel is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacity of bearingVSAvoidcooling capability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by eliminating the separate outer ring and making the bearing block itself form the outer ring raceway. This merging of functions allows the full radial space to be utilized for both bearing components and cooling channel without compromise. The bearing can achieve its required load-bearing capacity while the bearing block simultaneously provides adequate cooling channel space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design improves the load-bearing capacity and heat resistance of bearings, reducing maintenance frequency and operating costs by optimizing the bearing block's internal space for enhanced cooling and rolling body size.

Implementation Method 1

a water cooling channel 23 is provided inside the top end, as shown in Fig. 2, with the aim of lowering the temperature inside the bearing block by means of water circulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

lowering the temperature inside the bearing block by means of water circulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3901482A1Bearing block unit and use thereof
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT
  • EP3901482A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3901482A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c
  • EP3901482A1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4c

AI summary

A bearing block unit (30) for supporting a continuous casting roll (100), comprising a bearing block (20) and a roller bearing (10) disposed inside the bearing block (20). The bearing (10) comprises an inner ring raceway, an outer ring raceway, and at least one row of rolling bodies (13) disposed between the inner and outer ring raceways. The inner ring raceway is formed by a complete and continuous independent inner ring (11). The inner ring (11) is fitted on a roll shaft (101) of the continuous casting roll (100) during installation, for the purpose of supporting the continuous casting roll (100). The outer ring raceway is at least partially formed by processing of an inner surface (21, 22) of an inner hole of the bearing block (20). The present invention also relates to a continuous casting roll line (1000) and a continuous casting machine using the bearing block unit (30).