Bearing Box Cooling Jacket for Continuous Casting Roller Heat Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling methods for bearing boxes in continuous casting machines are inadequate as they either fail to cover the entire bearing and oil seal area effectively or provide insufficient cooling, leading to potential bearing damage and rotation failures in high-temperature environments.

Innovation Solution

A bearing box design featuring a cooling jacket at the outer periphery that covers at least a portion of the axial region of the bearing and seal unit, with a cooling water inlet and outlet, ensuring efficient cooling of the bearing and oil seal by introducing and discharging cooling water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cooling water grooves are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the housing and covered with a cover, then cooling effect is provided to the housing, but the bearing and oil seal cannot be cooled over the entire axial width, leading to insufficient protection against radiant heat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature of bearing and oil sealVSAvoidreliability of bearing and oil seal

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from cooling only the outer peripheral surface (2D surface cooling) to cooling the entire axial region including the inner regions where the bearing and oil seal are located (3D volumetric cooling coverage). The cooling water grooves are formed to extend axially along the housing, ensuring that cooling water flows through regions that directly shield the bearing and oil seal from radiant heat across the entire axial width.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling water grooves are strategically positioned and dimensioned to provide localized cooling coverage at the axial regions where the bearing and oil seal are located. The grooves are formed with specific depths and axial lengths to ensure that cooling water flows through the critical zones, providing enhanced cooling protection where it is most needed while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the bearing box is exposed to high-temperature atmosphere without adequate cooling coverage, then the structure remains simple, but the bearing and oil seal are damaged due to breakage of oil packings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of bearing and oil sealVSAvoidcomplexity of cooling structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing itself serves as the cooling structure by incorporating cooling water grooves directly into its outer peripheral surface. This eliminates the need for separate cooling jackets or additional cooling components, as the housing structure provides its own cooling function. The grooves are formed as integral features of the housing, allowing cooling water to flow through and protect the bearing and oil seal without adding external complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If cooling water grooves are formed to cover the entire axial region, then adequate cooling is provided, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to groove formation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling coverage of bearing and oil sealVSAvoidease of forming cooling water grooves

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling water grooves are formed to extend axially along the housing, providing cooling coverage that extends beyond the minimum required area. This excessive axial coverage ensures that the bearing and oil seal are adequately protected from radiant heat while maintaining manufacturability. The grooves are designed with practical dimensions and extensions that balance cooling effectiveness with manufacturing feasibility, avoiding overly complex groove patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 effectively blocks radiant heat transmission to the bearing and oil seals, preventing lubricating oil degradation and maintaining bearing function even in high-temperature environments, as demonstrated by reduced temperature measurements and improved casting outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling jacket is disposed at an outer periphery of the bearing box so that the cooling jacket covers at least a portion of an axial region of the bearing and at least a portion of an axial region of the seal unit, wherein the cooling jacket has a cooling water inlet and a cooling water outlet, and wherein the bearing box is cooled by cooling water supplied to the cooling jacket through the cooling water inlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12071983B2Bearing box for rotating roller, method for cooling bearing box for rotating roller, steel continuous casting machine, and steel continuous casting method

Publication Date: 2024.08.27 JFE STEEL CORP

AI summary

A bearing box for a rotating roller for supporting or transporting a high-temperature object. The bearing box includes a bearing and seal units disposed therein. A cooling jacket is disposed at an outer periphery of the bearing box so that the cooling jacket covers at least a portion of an axial region of the bearing and at least a portion of an axial region of the seal unit. The cooling jacket has a cooling water inlet and a cooling water outlet, and the bearing box is cooled by cooling water supplied to the cooling jacket through the cooling water inlet.