Hydrodynamic Pad Wringing for Rolled Strip Lubricant Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rolling mills face challenges in efficiently removing large quantities of lubricant from laminated strips without causing surface contamination, wear, and inefficiencies in current centrifuge systems, particularly for high-speed operations.
Innovation Solution
A spinning process using hydrodynamic pads that slide on a fluid layer to perform initial wringing, followed by suction and optional fluid injection and projection to ensure minimal contact and effective lubricant removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If roller centrifuges are used to remove lubricant from the strip, then lubricant removal efficiency is improved, but surface finish quality deteriorates due to contact marks and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid layer (intermediary substance) is introduced between the centrifuge rollers and the strip surface. This fluid layer allows the rollers to exert centrifugal force for lubricant removal while preventing direct contact that causes surface marks and contamination. The intermediary fluid acts as a protective barrier maintaining surface finish quality during the wringing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact between rollers and strip with a fluid-mediated interaction system. Instead of solid-to-solid contact causing surface damage, the system uses fluid dynamics (hydrodynamic or aerodynamic pressure) to transmit the wringing force, substituting mechanical contact with a non-contact or minimal-contact fluid interface.
2Reliability
If small-roller centrifuges with counter-rollers are used to maintain perfect contact, then lubricant retention is improved, but device complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex actuator and counter-roller subsystem from the centrifuge design. By eliminating these additional mechanical components, the system achieves lubricant retention through simpler means (fluid layer pressure and centrifugal force) without requiring complex hydraulic or mechanical actuation systems, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid layer system is self-regulating and requires no external actuators or control mechanisms. The hydrodynamic or aerodynamic pressure automatically adjusts based on the relative motion between rollers and strip, providing self-adjusting contact pressure and lubricant retention without complex control systems, embodying the self-service principle.
3Ease of operation
If large-roller centrifuges are used for robust and simple operation, then ease of operation is improved, but lubricant removal efficiency deteriorates due to imperfect contact
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid layer acts as an intermediary that compensates for the rigid, non-conforming nature of large rollers. It ensures uniform pressure distribution across the strip surface despite roller rigidity, enabling large rollers to achieve effective lubricant removal without requiring complex deformation mechanisms, thus maintaining operational simplicity while improving removal efficiency.
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 process effectively reduces lubricant residue on the strip, preserving the surface finish and minimizing pad wear, while maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
each hydrodynamic pad performing a first wringing operation by blocking at least part of a lubricant layer of the strip from upstream to downstream, the hydrodynamic pads sliding on the rolled strip via layers of fluid
Implementation Method 2
suction, through a suction orifice located downstream of the hydrodynamic pads, of at least part of a residual lubricant layer
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for wringing a rolled strip (2), the method comprising: - /A/ Providing a wringing installation comprising two hydrodynamic pads (6), extending lengthwise over a width of the rolled strip (2), - /B/ Advancing said rolled strip (2) between two hydrodynamic pads (6) in a defined direction (V) from upstream to downstream, - /C/ Applying pressure to the hydrodynamic pads (6) one towards the other on either side of the rolled strip (2), along a clamping plane transverse to the strip, during the advance of said rolled strip (2), the hydrodynamic pads (6) sliding on the rolled strip (2) by means of a layer of fluid, each of the hydrodynamic pads (6) performing a first wringing operation by blocking at least a portion of a lubricant layer of the strip coming From upstream to downstream, - /D/ Aspiration,via a suction orifice (9) located downstream of the hydrodynamic pads (6) of at least part of a residual layer of fluid, thus performing a second wringing operation on the belt. The invention also relates to an associated wringing installation.