Upper Work Roll Cooling With Water-Jet Pump Coolant Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roll stands face limitations in cooling liquid management, leading to reduced maximum strip width and product quality due to the need for drainage spaces on both sides of the stripper, which can result in coolant overflow and contamination of the rolled product.

Innovation Solution

A roll stand equipped with a water jet pump that temporarily connects to the coolant supply to suck off excess cooling liquid from the coolant lake, eliminating the need for drainage spaces and maintaining cooling efficiency without external power input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If drainage spaces are provided on both sides of the stripper to allow cooling liquid to flow off, then cooling liquid overflow is prevented, but the maximum strip width is reduced and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling liquid overflowVSAvoidmaximum strip width
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful function of cooling liquid draining is extracted from the conventional drainage space configuration and relocated to a suction device. The suction device actively removes cooling liquid from the coolant lake through suction openings, separating the draining function from the structural boundaries of the roll stand. This allows the stripper to be positioned closer to the rolled product edges without requiring lateral drainage spaces, thereby increasing the maximum producible strip width while still preventing cooling liquid overflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If drainage spaces are provided on both sides of the stripper, then cooling liquid is removed, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling liquid accumulationVSAvoiddrainage structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction device serves multiple functions: it removes cooling liquid from the coolant lake, creates a suction effect that prevents cooling liquid from reaching the rolled product, and can be integrated with the existing cooling liquid supply system through the water jet pump. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate drainage structures, simplifying the overall device while effectively managing cooling liquid accumulation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

A water jet pump is used to generate the suction effect for removing cooling liquid. The pump utilizes hydraulic principles to create a pressure difference that draws cooling liquid from the coolant lake through the suction openings. This hydraulic approach is more compact and cost-effective than conventional mechanical drainage systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective cooling liquid removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If cooling liquid flows off both sides of the scraper, then cooling liquid lake overflow is prevented, but cooling liquid may hit the lateral edge of the rolled product reducing quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling liquid lake overflowVSAvoidstrip quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The suction device acts as an intermediary between the coolant lake and the rolled product. Instead of allowing cooling liquid to flow freely off the scraper and potentially contaminate the product edges, the suction device actively intercepts and removes cooling liquid through suction openings. This intermediary mechanism prevents direct contact between cooling liquid and the rolled product, maintaining strip quality while still managing coolant lake levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 allows for a more robust and cost-effective removal of cooling liquid, enhancing cooling efficiency, increasing the maximum strip width, and preventing coolant from reaching the rolled product edges, thus improving product quality and reducing maintenance needs.

Implementation Method 1

The cooling device has at least one water jet pump (12), which has a pressurized water inlet (13) which is at least temporarily connected to a coolant supply of the cooling device and an intake inlet (14) which at least temporarily dips into the coolant lake (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater jet pump suction effect: Jet

Data Source

PatentEP3826779B1Roll stand and method for cooling the upper working roll of a roll stand
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 SMS GROUP GMBH
  • EP3826779B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a roll stand (1) comprising at least one upper working roll (2), at least one cooling device (5) for cooling the upper working roll (2), with which the upper working roll (2) can be supplied with a cooling fluid (6) on the barrel side, and at least one wiper (9) brought against the upper working roll (2) on the barrel side, with which the cooling fluid (6) flowing off the upper working roll (2), forming a cooling fluid pool (10) limited on one side by the upper working roll (2), can be collected on the wiper (9) and wiped off the upper working roll (2). In order to enable a more robust and cost-effective manner of conducting away cooling fluid from a cooling fluid pool on a wiper, the cooling device (5) comprises at least one water-jet pump (12) having a pressurised water inlet (13) that , which is connected at least intermittently to a cooling fluid supply of the cooling device (5), and a suction inlet (14) immersed in the cooling fluid pool (10).