Variable-Length Cooling Jacket for Rolled Strip Profile Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling the profile or flatness of rolled metal strips using roll stands face inefficiencies due to low heat transfer in spray cooling and complex measurement challenges with cooling jackets, requiring more flexible and cost-effective heat management solutions.
Innovation Solution
A variable-length cooling jacket is used around the roller, adjustable in the circumferential direction based on heat flow control deviations, allowing for efficient heat dissipation by altering the effective length of the cooling jacket segments or using flexible materials and rotatable flaps to optimize heat discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If spray cooling is used for cooling rollers, then cooling effect is achieved, but heat transfer efficiency is low and large cooling medium flow is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces spray cooling (mechanical fluid dynamics system) with a cooling jacket system that uses thermal conduction through direct contact between the cooling medium and roller surface. This substitution improves heat transfer efficiency by eliminating spray atomization losses and achieving more consistent thermal contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling jacket acts as an intermediary element between the roller and the cooling medium. It provides a controlled interface for heat transfer, allowing efficient thermal exchange while reducing the overall volume of cooling medium needed compared to direct spray cooling.
2Loss of energy
If cooling jackets are used for cooling rollers, then heat removal efficiency is improved, but structural complexity increases and gap measurement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling jacket is designed to serve multiple functions: cooling the roller, providing a mounting structure for temperature sensors, and enabling controlled thermal exchange. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing structural complexity while maintaining heat removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling jacket system is designed to be self-regulating through integrated temperature measurement and control. The gap between the jacket and roller is maintained through the system's own operational characteristics, reducing the need for external measurement and adjustment mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cooling jackets are used with adjustable gap height, then heat discharge control is improved, but measurement and control implementation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that measure the roller surface temperature and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of the cooling jacket parameters (such as coolant flow rate or jacket position) to maintain the desired heat discharge, eliminating the need for direct gap height measurement while achieving comparable control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly measuring and controlling the gap height parameter, the system changes to controlling temperature parameters. By measuring temperature and adjusting cooling jacket parameters accordingly, the system achieves heat discharge control without the measurement difficulties associated with gap height.
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 approach enables simple, quick, and cost-effective heat management, improving energy efficiency and reducing heat flow control deviations, allowing for precise control of the rolled strip's parameters during operation.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling that is used according to prior art as cooling that is coupled to the control is as a rule spray cooling. Its disadvantage is the low heat transfer between the roller and the coolant.
Implementation Method 2
These are circular jackets that are curved in the cross-section whose curvature is adapted to the curvature or the diameter of the roller to be cooled.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for controlling a parameter, for example the profile or the flatness, of a rolled stock in strip form. A cooling jacket that can be brought up to the roll and is designed to be variable in its effective length b in the circumferential direction of the roll is used as a final controlling element.