Three-Roll Rolling Stand Lateral Extraction Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Three-roll rolling stands face challenges in efficiently managing tube sticking during the rolling process, leading to increased intervention time and labor due to limited space for cutting and the need for complex operations, which prolongs downtime and complicates the removal of stuck tubes.

Innovation Solution

A rolling stand design with a support structure allowing transverse movement of the roll holder cartridge, featuring hydraulic capsules with extended stroke for clearance, and a 'V'-shaped seat for suspending the yoke support, enabling easier extraction of the roll holder cartridge and improved accessibility for stuck tubes by releasing the vertical axis roll and maintaining balance during extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the roll holder cartridge is extracted laterally from the roll mill, then the rolls can be changed for maintenance, but the hydraulic capsule piston stroke must be extended to clear the extraction path

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroll change maintenanceVSAvoidhydraulic capsule piston stroke
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic capsule is designed with a retractable piston that can dynamically extend beyond its normal working stroke position to clear the extraction path of the roll holder cartridge, then retract to its compact working position during normal operation. This dynamic extension and retraction allows the same hydraulic capsule to serve both maintenance extraction and operational control functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the hydraulic capsule has a limited working stroke for control dynamics, then the tube wall thickness control is maintained, but the roll holder cartridge cannot be extracted laterally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetube wall thickness controlVSAvoidroll holder cartridge extraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic capsule operates in two distinct modes: during normal rolling operations, the piston remains retracted to maintain precise control dynamics and tube wall thickness; during maintenance operations, the piston extends to clear the path for roll holder cartridge extraction. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between precision control and ease of maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the yoke support is removed from the roll holder cartridge during tube sticking, then accessibility for cutting operations is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility for cutting operationsVSAvoidrelease mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The roll holder cartridge is segmented to allow independent removal of the yoke support from the cartridge body during tube sticking emergencies. This segmentation enables the yoke support to be released and repositioned to provide accessibility for cutting operations, while the main cartridge structure remains intact for continued operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The yoke support is extracted from the roll holder cartridge assembly during emergency tube sticking situations. This extraction allows the yoke support to be repositioned to clear the path for cutting operations, providing operators with necessary accessibility while maintaining the integrity of the overall rolling system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 reduces downtime and enhances operator safety by facilitating faster extraction of the roll holder cartridge and improved access to stuck tubes, allowing for quicker resolution of emergencies and reducing the complexity of cutting operations.

Implementation Method 1

hydraulic capsule with a piston and rod, configured to allow the rod to cover a sufficient distancing stroke from the rolling axis to allow the path of the roll holder cartridge to be cleared

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

when the head end passes within each stand, the pressure inside the main chamber of the hydraulic capsule suddenly increases, and because the oil itself can be elastically compressed, the piston of the capsule will normally retract by a few tens of a millimeter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic compression: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2983840B1Three-rolling stand with lateral change
Publication Date: 2017.06.07 DANIELI & C OFFICINE MECCANICHE SPA
  • EP2983840B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2983840B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2983840B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and a device for releasing a tube during a rolling process in a three-roll rolling stand in case of an emergency. The roll holder cartridge (3) has a longitudinal open slot (10) at the yoke support of the vertical axis roll so as to remove the roll holder cartridge according to a direction coinciding with the horizontal axis of the yoke support of the vertical axis roll while the support remains anchored to the fixed structure in the stand of the roll mill. In case of routine maintenance, the cartridge (3) is pulled out laterally with the yoke support of the vertical axis roll anchored to the cartridge itself as the other roll supports.