Adjustable Cooling Box Layout for Uniform Steel Section Rolling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steel section rolling processes face inefficiencies due to non-uniform temperature distribution and increased rolling time caused by the need to move the workpiece out of the rolling mill for selective cooling, leading to decreased productivity and higher operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A cooling arrangement integrated into the section mill stands, featuring a cooling box with adjustable spray heads and actuators, allowing for localized cooling during rolling passes without the need for additional cooling zones, utilizing existing mill infrastructure and enabling flexible positioning and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the workpiece is moved out of the rolling mill for selective cooling, then the temperature uniformity is improved, but the rolling time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidrolling time

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling arrangement is integrated into the rolling mill stands, merging the cooling function with the rolling process. The cooling boxes are mounted to the stand frames and positioned to cool the workpiece during the rolling passes themselves, eliminating the need for separate cooling zones and transit time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling process occurs continuously during the rolling passes rather than requiring the workpiece to be stopped and moved to a separate cooling zone. The cooling spray is applied throughout the rolling operation, maintaining continuous productive action while achieving temperature uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated cooling zones are installed adjacent to the rolling mill, then selective cooling capability is improved, but the investment cost and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective cooling capabilityVSAvoidinvestment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling boxes are mounted on the existing rolling mill stand frames, allowing the rolling mill infrastructure to serve dual purposes: rolling and cooling. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated cooling zones and reduces both investment and operational costs while maintaining selective cooling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling function is merged with the existing rolling mill structure by mounting cooling boxes to the stand frames. This integration utilizes existing infrastructure (stand frames, positioning mechanisms) to provide selective cooling without requiring separate dedicated cooling zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the cooling arrangement is integrated between the stands, then productivity is improved, but the versatility and ease of maintenance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction paceVSAvoidease of maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is divided into modular cooling boxes that can be independently mounted to or removed from the stand frames. Each cooling box functions as a separate module, allowing individual maintenance or replacement without affecting the entire system or stopping production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling boxes are mounted to allow adjustment of their position relative to the workpiece during rolling. This dynamic positioning capability enables optimization of cooling effectiveness for different section dimensions while maintaining ease of access for maintenance by allowing positional adjustment or removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution reduces rolling time, increases productivity, and simplifies maintenance by allowing for in-process cooling, maintaining optimal temperature uniformity and reducing the risk of collisions while utilizing existing mill resources.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling box (20) having a spray head (21) with spray openings (22) for spraying jets of pressurized cooling liquid (e.g. water) (24) against the workpiece (18)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpray cooling: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentUS11724295B2Steel section rolling mill

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 ARCELORMITTAL SA

AI summary

A section mill (10) for the rolling of steel sections is disclosed. The section mill includes a universal mill stand (12) and an edger mill stand (14) for rolling a workpiece (18) in a plurality of back-and-forth passes into a steel section having a web and one or more flanges. The section mill further includes a cooling arrangement (16) for cooling the workpiece while it undergoes rolling during one or more of the passes. The cooling arrangement includes a cooling box (20) having a spray head (21) with spray openings (22) for spraying jets of pressurized cooling liquid against the workpiece. The cooling arrangement further includes an actuator (38, 34) configured to move the cooling box relative to the stand frame (58) of the universal mill stand and/or of the edger mill stand for adjusting a distance between the spray openings and the workpiece.