Rolling Mill Coolant Header With Selective Nozzle Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rolling mill technologies face challenges in correcting local shape defects such as buckles and swellings in strip width quarters when using small diameter work rolls, as they require space for solenoid opening and closing valves and pipes that are not feasible in limited spaces.

Innovation Solution

A rolling mill coolant supply mechanism that uses coolant sprays with adjustable jetting nozzles, allowing selective coolant jetting without the need for solenoid valves and pipes, by employing sliding tubes or shielding bodies to control coolant flow to the work rolls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If solenoid opening and closing valves and pipes are provided to respective coolant supply lines of plurally provided jetting nozzles, then selective coolant jetting can be controlled, but space is required which is not available when using small diameter work rolls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselective coolant jetting controlVSAvoidspace for valves and pipes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control functions of multiple solenoid valves into a single rotary valve. The rotary valve has multiple openings that can be rotated to align with different coolant supply lines, allowing selective coolant jetting control without requiring multiple separate valves and their associated piping infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary valve serves multiple functions simultaneously - it controls coolant flow to multiple different jetting nozzles through its multiple openings. A single component (the rotary valve) replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate valve components, providing universal control capability across all coolant supply lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If a plurality of roll jetting nozzles are provided in strip width direction, then local shape defects can be corrected, but device complexity increases due to multiple solenoid valves and pipes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrip shape accuracyVSAvoidnumber of solenoid valves and pipes
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple valve functions into a single rotary valve assembly. Instead of having separate solenoid valves for each coolant supply line, one rotary valve with multiple rotatable openings controls all nozzle groups, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to correct local shape defects through selective coolant jetting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary valve is segmented into multiple openings, each capable of being rotated into position to control a specific coolant supply line. This segmentation allows the single valve to perform multiple control functions independently, enabling precise local shape correction without the complexity of multiple separate valve systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Extent of automation

If respective solenoid opening and closing valves are provided to respective coolant supply lines, then selective coolant jetting is achieved, but the number of parts increases requiring more space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselective coolant jettingVSAvoidnumber of valves and pipes
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary valve is designed as a universal control component with multiple openings that can be rotated to control different coolant supply lines. This single multi-functional component replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate solenoid valves and associated piping, reducing the quantity of parts while maintaining full automated selective coolant jetting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of multiple individual solenoid valves into one rotary valve mechanism. The multiple openings in the rotary valve correspond to different coolant supply lines, and by rotating the valve body, selective control is achieved without requiring multiple separate valve assemblies and their connecting pipes.

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

Enables effective shape control for small diameter work rolls, improving strip shape accuracy and reducing local defects by adjusting coolant jetting amounts, suitable for both soft and hard materials like stainless steel and aluminum alloys.

Implementation Method 1

a rolling mill coolant supply mechanism that jets a coolant to a work roll (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

a tube (11) that selectively shields or opens holes (9) within the header (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 3

a hydraulic cylinder (18) that moves the tube (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic press: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP4374982B1Rolling mill, tandem rolling mill, and coolant supply mechanism for rolling mill
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 NIPPON SENJIMIA
  • EP4374982B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4374982B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4374982B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A coolant supply mechanism that jets a coolant to work rolls 2 includes jetting nozzles 8 that jet the coolant, the jetting nozzles 8 being plurally provided so as to form a row in a strip width direction of a metal strip 1, holes 9 that supply the coolant to the respective jetting nozzles 8, a header 12 that houses the plurally provided jetting nozzles 8, a tube 11 that selectively shields or opens the holes 9 within the header 12, and a hydraulic cylinder 18 that adjusts respective coolant jetting amounts of the plurally provided jetting nozzles 8 by moving the tube 11. Thus, provided are a rolling mill, a tandem rolling mill, and a rolling mill coolant supply mechanism that include coolant sprays capable of selectively jetting a coolant, the coolant sprays being applicable also to a rolling mill that uses small diameter work rolls and has a limited space.