U.S. patent application number 12/047675 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for winding assembly for a rolling mill.
This patent application is currently assigned to FATA S.P.A. Invention is credited to Daniele BERSIA.
Application Number | 20080257005 12/047675 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38268794 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080257005 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BERSIA; Daniele |
October 23, 2008 |
WINDING ASSEMBLY FOR A ROLLING MILL
Abstract
Please amend the Abstract of the Disclosure to read as follows.
In accordance with 37 CFR .sctn.1.72, the abstract is submitted
herewith on a separate sheet of paper, following page 6 of this
amendment. A winding assembly for a rolling mill for sheet metal,
comprising: which includes a winding spool, which turns about a
first axis, and wound on which is a coil (formed by a continuous
sheet of metals, An ironing roll, which turns about a second axis
parallel to the first axis. An oscillating support carries the
ironing roll and is associated to actuator means, which are
designed to push the ironing roll against the coil being formed. A
pass-line roll, turns about a third axis parallel to the first and
second axes. At least one deflector roll turns about a fourth axis
parallel to the first, second, and third axes and is set between
the pass-line roll and the ironing roll. The axis of rotation of
the at least one deflector roll is mobile parallel to itself, and a
control unit is provided, which, in operation, adjusts continuously
the position of the axis of the rotation of the deflector roll as a
function of the diameter of the coil.
Inventors: |
BERSIA; Daniele; (Torino,
IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HESLIN ROTHENBERG FARLEY & MESITI PC
5 COLUMBIA CIRCLE
ALBANY
NY
12203
US
|
Assignee: |
FATA S.P.A
Pianezza (Torino)
IT
|
Family ID: |
38268794 |
Appl. No.: |
12/047675 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
72/251 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21C 47/34 20130101;
B21C 47/3425 20130101; B21C 47/063 20130101; B21B 2015/0057
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
72/251 |
International
Class: |
B21C 47/24 20060101
B21C047/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 20, 2007 |
EP |
07425238.8 |
Claims
1. A winding spool, which turns about a first axis, wound on which
is a coil formed by a continuous sheet of metal comprising: a
winding spool, which turns about a first axis, wound on which is a
coil formed by a continuous sheet of metal; an ironing roll, which
turns about a second axis parallel to the first axis; an
oscillating support, carrying said ironing roll and associated to
actuator means, which are designed to push the ironing roll against
the coil being formed; a pass-line roll, which turns about a third
axis parallel to the first and second axes; and at least one
deflector roll, which turns about a fourth axis parallel to said
first, second, and third axes and is set between the pass-line roll
and the ironing roll, wherein the axis of rotation of said at least
one deflector roll is mobile from a first position to a second
position parallel to itself said first position and wherein a
control unit is provided, which, in operation, adjusts continuously
the position of the axis of rotation of the at least one deflector
roll as a function of the diameter of the coil.
2. The winding assembly according to claim 1, wherein the deflector
roll is provided with end bearings carried by slides mobile along
stationary linear guides.
3. The winding assembly according to claim 2, wherein said slides
are connected together by a cross-member associated to a control
device operating under the control of said control unit.
4. The winding assembly according to claim 3, wherein said control
device comprises a numerically controlled electric motor and a pair
of transmission devices with linearly mobile output members
associated to said cross member.
5. The winding assembly according to claim 3, wherein said control
device comprises a stabilization mechanism including two rack
devices associated to said cross-member and connected together by
means of a shaft.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a winding assembly for a
rolling mill.
[0002] The invention has been developed with particular reference
paid to rolling mills for rolling aluminium sheet. Rolling mills
for aluminium produce sheets with a thickness ranging from 8 mm to
5 .mu.m. Downstream of the rolling mill, the sheet is gathered in a
coil by means of a winding assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0003] A winding assembly for a rolling mill for aluminium sheets
generally comprises the following main components:
[0004] a winding spool, which turns about a first horizontal axis,
wound on which is a coil formed by a continuous sheet of metal;
[0005] an ironing roll, which turns about a second axis parallel to
the first axis;
[0006] an oscillating support, carrying the ironing roll and
associated to actuator means, which are designed to push the
ironing roll against the coil being formed;
[0007] a pass-line roll, which turns about a third axis parallel to
the first axis and to the second axis; and
[0008] at least one deflector roll, which turns about a fourth axis
parallel to the first, second, and third axes and is set between
the pass-line roll and the ironing roll.
[0009] The pass-line roll is tangential to the plane of the sheet
coming out of the rolling mill. In more traditional solutions, the
pass-line roll is constituted by a simple roll. In more modern
solutions, the pass-line roll is constituted by a
flatness-measuring roll, designed to detect possible errors of
flatness of the sheet immediately downstream of the rolling mill.
The signals provided by the flatness-measuring roll are used for
correcting the operating conditions of the rolling mill, according
to a technique in itself known in the sector.
[0010] The deflector roll has the purpose of ensuring that the
sheet will have a certain angle of winding with respect to the
pass-line roll.
[0011] The ironing roll has the task of expelling the air between
the sheet and the coil being formed. The air that remains trapped
between successive layers of the coil produces major problems of
flatness of the sheet and, given the same dimensions of the coil,
entails a reduction in the useful weight of the coil.
[0012] The ironing roll is pressed against the coil in a point
situated slightly further downstream with respect to the point of
tangency between the sheet and the coil. Defined as angle of
winding is the angle comprised between the radius of the coil
passing through the point of tangency between the sheet and the
coil and the radius of the coil passing through the point of
contact between the ironing roll and the coil. The angle of winding
is a very important process parameter for ensuring correct winding
of the sheet on the coil.
[0013] Since the ironing roll is carried by an oscillating
structure about a fixed axis, the angle of winding varies as a
function of the diameter of the coil. For example, in a winding
assembly of a known type, during formation of the coil, the angle
of winding can vary from a minimum of 1.6.degree. when the coil has
a diameter of approximately 665 mm up to a value of 7.6.degree.
when the coil reaches dimensions in the region of 2000 mm.
[0014] This variation of the angle of winding creates considerable
problems, amongst which the greater tendency to accumulate air
between the layers of the coil as the diameter of the coil
increases. Traditionally, formation of the coil is interrupted
when, on account of the increase in the angle of winding, a regular
winding of the sheet can no longer be ensured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The object of the present invention is to provide a winding
assembly for a rolling mill that will enable the aforesaid
drawbacks to be overcome. In particular, the purpose of the
invention is to provide a winding assembly that will enable control
and adjustment of the angle of winding during formation of the
coil.
[0016] According to the present invention, this object is achieved
by a winding assembly having the characteristics forming the
subject of claim 1.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0017] The present invention will now he described in detail with
reference to the attached drawings, which are provided purely by
way of non-limiting example and in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a winding assembly
according to the present invention associated to a rolling
mill;
[0019] FIGS. 2 and 3 are side views of the winding assembly
according to the present invention in the condition of minimum and
maximum diameter of the coil, respectively;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the winding assembly according to
the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a cross section according to the line V-V of FIG.
3; and
[0022] FIG. 6 is a detail at a larger scale of the part designated
by the arrow VI of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0023] With reference to FIG. 1, the reference number 10 designates
as a whole a rolling mill for aluminium sheets, comprising a sturdy
framework 12 carrying a pair of rolling rolls 14 and a pair of
contrast rolls 16. A continuous sheet F advances in the direction
indicated by the arrow 18 and is compressed by the rolling rolls 14
that produce a reduction of thickness of the sheet F. Downstream of
the rolling mill 10, a winding assembly 20 gathers the sheet F in a
coil 22.
[0024] The rolling mill 10 has been illustrated in a purely
schematic way merely to provide a framework for the present
invention. The invention regards specifically the winding assembly
20, which can be combined with rolling mills of any type.
[0025] In FIG. 1, the coil 22 is illustrated with a solid line in
the condition of minimum diameter and with a dashed line in the
condition of maximum diameter. The coil 22 is wound on a spool 24,
which turns about a first stationary horizontal axis 26, orthogonal
to the plane of representation of FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0026] With reference in particular to FIGS. 2 and 3, the winding
assembly 20 comprises a stationary base 28, fixed, for example, on
the output side of the framework 12 of the rolling mill 10.
[0027] The winding assembly 20 comprises an ironing role 30, which
turns about a second axis 32 parallel to the axis of rotation 26 of
the spool 24. The ironing roll 30 is carried by an oscillating
structure 34, which is articulated to the stationary base 28 about
an axis 36 parallel to the axis of rotation 32 of the ironing roll
30.
[0028] With reference to FIG. 4, the oscillating structure 34
comprises two arms 38, which carry the ends of the ironing roll 26
in such a way that they can turn. The two arms 38 are fixed to the
opposite ends of a shaft 40 articulated to the stationary base 28
about the axis 36. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the two arms 38
of the oscillating structure 34 have a rocker conformation and have
appendages 42, which co-operate with respective hydraulic actuators
44 articulated between the appendages 42 and the stationary base
38. The actuators 44 apply to the oscillating structure 34 a torque
in the direction indicated by the arrow 46 in FIGS. 2 and 3. Said
torque keeps the ironing roll 30 pressed against the coil 22.
[0029] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the point of contact
between the ironing roll 30 and the coil 22 is slightly displaced
with respect to the point of tangency between the sheet F and the
coil 22. Defined as angle of winding is the angle comprised between
the radius of the coil R1 passing through the point of tangency of
the sheet and the radius of the coil R2 passing through the point
of contact between the ironing roll 30 and the coil 22. The point
of tangency between the sheet and the coil and the point of contact
between the ironing roll and the coil are defined by She
intersection of the line of tangency between the sheet and the coil
and between the line of contact between the ironing roll 30 and the
coil 22 with a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation 26 of the
coil 22.
[0030] The winding assembly 20 comprises a pass-line roll 48
carried by the stationary base 28 in such a way that it turns about
a third axis 50 parallel to the first axis 26 and the second axis
30. In the example illustrated in the figures, the pass-line roll
48 is constituted by a flatness-measuring roll. This roll is in
itself known and is typically constituted by a plurality of
sections set side by side (FIG. 4), each of which supplies a signal
indicating the pressure applied by the sheet F. The signals
supplied by the different sections of the roll 48 enable
high-precision control of the flatness of the sheet F at output
from the rolling mill 10. The information supplied by the
flatness-measuring roll 48 is used, in a way in itself known, for
adjusting the operating parameters and the conditions of operation
of the rolling mill 10 so as to correct instantaneously possible
errors of flatness of the sheet F. Alternatively, the pass-line
roll 48 could be constituted by a simple roll.
[0031] The winding assembly 20 comprises a deflector roll 52 set,
with reference to the direction of advance of the sheet F, between
the pass-line roll 48 and the ironing roll 30. The deflector roll
52 turns about a fourth axis 54 parallel to the axes 26, 32 and 50.
The deflector roll 52 has the purpose of deflecting the sheet F
downstream of the pass-line roll 48 so as to ensure that the sheet
F will have an angle of winding with respect to the pass-line roll
48.
[0032] According to the present invention, the axis of rotation 54
of the deflector roll 52 is mobile parallel to itself, and the
position of said axis is adjustable as a function of the diameter
of the coil 22. The adjustment of the position of the axis 54 of
the deflector roll 52 enables control and adjustment of the angle
of winding.
[0033] Thanks to the present invention, the angle of winding is no
longer an uncontrollable parameter depending only upon the geometry
of the winding assembly but becomes a parameter adjustable by
varying the position of the deflector roll.
[0034] FIGS. 2 and 3 show two positions of the deflector roll 52
corresponding, respectively, to the position of minimum diameter
and that of maximum diameter of the coil 22. The deflector roll 52
is displaced in a progressive and continuous way during formation
of the coil 22 so as to maintain the angle of winding constant or
else so as to vary the angle of winding as a function of the
diameter of the coil according to a pre-set law.
[0035] The winding assembly according to the present invention
could also be provided with two deflector rolls, set in series with
respect to one another along the path of the sheet F. In this case,
the deflector roll immediately adjacent to the pass-line roll 48,
which turns about a fixed axis, would have the purpose of keeping
the angle of winding of the sheet constant on the pass-line roll
48, whilst the deflector roll 52 immediately adjacent to the
ironing roll 32 would be mobile for controlling the angle of
winding.
[0036] In what follows, an adjustment mechanism will be described
For adjusting the position of the deflector roll 52 during
formation of the coil 22. It is understood, however, that the
present invention is not limited to this particular adjustment
mechanism, it being possible to use various other systems for
adjusting the position of the deflector roll.
[0037] With reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the deflector roll 52 is
carried in such a way that it turns about its axis of rotation 54
by a pair of end bearings 56. The bearings 56 are carried by two
slides 58 that slidingly engage respective guides 60 fixed with
respect to the stationary base 28. The guides 60 are rectilinear
and orthogonal with respect to the axis of rotation 54 of the
deflector roll 52. Preferably, the guides 60 extend in a vertical
direction.
[0038] Preferably fixed to one of the two slides 58 is a flange 62
carrying an electric motor 64, which drives the deflector roll 52
in rotation about the axis of rotation 54 by means of a belt
transmission 66. The two slides 58 are fixed to one another by
means of a cross-member 68 that is associated to an actuation
device 70.
[0039] The actuation device 70 comprises an electric motor 72
numerically controlled by an electronic control unit 74, which,
among other things, receives information regarding the diameter of
the coil 22 being formed. The motor 72 is connected to two
transmission devices 76 carried by a fixed beam 78. The two
transmission devices 76 convert the rotary movement imparted by the
motor 72 into a linear movement of respective output members 80
connected to the cross-member 68. The two transmission devices 76
are connected together by means of a shaft 82.
[0040] Preferably, the actuation device 70 is moreover provided
with a stabilization mechanism designed to guarantee that the
cross-member 68 moves remaining always parallel to itself. Said
stabilization mechanism can be obtained by means of a pair of rack
devices 86 including respective racks 87 fixed to the cross-member
68. The two rack devices 86 are provided with respective toothed
gears that are fixed to one another by means of a tubular shaft 88
set coaxially on the outside with respect to the shaft 82 that
connects the actuation devices 76 to one another.
[0041] In operation, the electronic control unit 74 controls the
electric motor 72 as a function of the diameter of the coil 22. The
actuation device 70 controls the movement of the deflector roll 72
in the direction indicated by the arrow 90 in FIG. 5. As the
diameter of the coil 22 increases, the deflector roll 52 displaces
parallel to itself, with a speed of movement correlated to the
speed with which the diameter of the coil 22 increases.
[0042] From a comparison between FIGS. 2 and 3, it may be noted
that the displacement of the deflector roll 52 enables control of
the angle of winding (defined as the angle between the radii R1, R2
of the coil 22). The angle of winding can be kept constant or else
can be varied with a pre-set law as a function of the diameter of
the coil 22.
* * * * *