US2558055A

US2558055A - Metal strip uncoiler

Info

Publication number: US2558055A
Application number: US755268A
Authority: US
Inventors: William R Meredith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-06-17
Filing date: 1947-06-17
Publication date: 1951-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 1968-06-26

Description

June 26, 1951 w. R. MEREDITH METAL STRIP UNCOILER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 17, 1947 mm. Q

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www -11. I., :I+/ v WILLIAM R. MEREDITH June 26, 1951 w. R. MEREDITH METAL STRIP UNCOILERv 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 17, 1947 gmac/nto@ WILLIAM R. MEREDITH Patented June 26, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METAL STRIP NUOILER William R. Meredith, Youngstown, Ohio Application June 17, 1947,Se'rial No. '755,268

4 Claims. .1

This invention relates to the .art of uncoiling metal strip and more particularly to an improved machine for rotatably holding a coil of strip during the uncoiling thereof. It is now common practice to require the delivery of strip from -a coil at la high rate of speed in supplying strip to a working or processing line as a pickl-ing line or a rolling mill, for example, and in order to effect such delivery in a dependable manner it has heretofore been proposed to hold the coil tightly about its inner periphery by means of expanding chucks and by making provision for the controlled rotation of the chucks about the center axis of the coil. In this manner the coil may be rotated at a high rate of speed while the strip is being drawn cfr it and, additionally, the use of suitable braking means made possible by the tight holding of the coil enables back tension to be effected in the strip and prevents overrunning of the coil with respect to the strip being payed off as will be understood.

The various types of expansible and rotatable chucks now proposed for the above indicated purpose yare limited in their extent of expansion so that such apparatus is now quite difficult to construct and is limited to use only on coils having an internal diameter lying within 'a fairly narrow range. It is accordingly the primary ob. ject of the present invention to provide an improved rotatable expansible chuck for metal strip uncoiling apparatus which is of materially sirnplied and improved design and which nevertheless is operative to handle metal strip coils of widely varying internal diameter.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a metal strip uncoiling apparatus having a pair of expansible and rotatable .chucks for engaging the opposite ends of a coil of strip of an improved arrangement for moving the chucks inwardly into engagement with the ends of the coil and of an improved arrangement for synchronizing the movement of the two respective chucks whereby the strip will always be centered along a predetermined payoff` path relative of variation in the axial length of the coil of strip being handled.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved rotatable and expansible chuck for a metal strip uncoiling machine wherein the expanding forces are exerted hydraulically and wherein such forces may readily be continued to be exerted during the uncoiling of a coil of stripso that the coil may continue to be rigidly held during substantially the entire extent of the uncoiling operation.

`2 A -still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved rotatable and power- -operated expansible chuck for a metal strip uncoiling machine wherein novel and improved means is provided to synchronize the outward and inward movement of the respective seg-I mental sections of the chuck, such means bein-g also operative to draw the respective segmental sections of the chuck radially inward upon interruption of the chuck expanding power means.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed specification and the accompanying drawing wherein there i's disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a metal strip uncoiler constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 `is an enlarged front elevation of one of the chucks of the assembly of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a 'vertical section through the Achuck rof Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top view of the chuck of Figure 2, the view being taken along the line IV-IV of Figure 2 but with a cover plate removed; and,

Figures 5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional views taken along the lines V-V of Fig-ure 2 and VI-VI of Figure 1, respectively. y

The assembly of Figure 1 comprises a base lil mounting a pair of aligned guideways II and I2 in which are slideably mounted the supporting pedestals I3 and I4, respectively, which are oriented to have sliding movement toward and away from each other. Journaled in each of the supporting pedestals I3 and Il! is a shaft I5 carrying at its inner end a hub structure IS which in turn carries a chuck structure which will now be 'described in detail.

Referring more particularly to Figure 3 of the drawing it will be noted that the hub it has a iiat inner face II with a centrally projecting nib I8 and a cylindrical shoulder I9 on its opposite face which terminates at its inner edge at a flat annular surface 20. Formed in the body of the hub I6 are three equally circumferentially spaced and radially inwardly directed cylindrical bores 2| in each of which is received a ram-type of piston 22 having suitable packing 23. Projecting through the shaft I5 is a fluid-conducting bore 24 which at its end in the hub I6 is in communication with the spaces in the cylinders 2I.

Overlying the face Il and rigidly secured thereto by suitable Imeans is a heavily flanged circular disc 25 having three circumferentially spaced and radially extending guideways 26 which project inwardly from substantially the outer periphery of the disc 25. Slideably mounted in each of the guideways 26 is a chuck segment having an elongated central portion 21 carried in the guideway, an integral inwardly disposed foot portion 28 overlying the radially outward end of the adjacent piston 22, and an integral axially outward disposed leg 29 having a chamfered edge 30 and an arcuate peripheral contour as shown more clearly in Figure 2.

In order that the parts will be properly aligned when assembled the disc 25 is formed with a centrally disposed bore or recess to receive the nib I8 of the hub I6 and to enable the chuck segments 2'I--29 to be assembled in the disc 25 the guideways 26 are initially open at their radially outward ends thus enabling the segments to be slid radially inward from outside the periphery of the disc 25. To close ofi the radially outward ends of the slot-like guideways after the chuck segments are installed and to thus make continuous the cylindrical outer surface of the flange on the disc 25, I provide recesses :al in the outer periphery of the ilange of the disc 25 to receive covei` plates 32 which serve the purpose outlined. As shown in Figure 2 the outer surfaces of the plates 32 are arcuately formed in general continuation of the cylindrical outer surface of the ilange on the disc 25.

It will be apparent that admission of fluid pressure to the bore 24 and consequently to the inner ends of cylinders 2l will force the pistons 22 radially outward and if the projections 29 of the chuck segments have been moved axially into the center opening oi a coil or strip the projections 29 ,will be moved into tight engagement with the inner convolution of the coil upon outward movement of the chuck segments as caused by outward movement of the pistons 22. Since it is desirable however to rotate the coil of strip about its geometrical axis and to maintain such axis coincident with the axis of rotation of the shafts I during the uncoiling oi' the strip, I provide means herein to synchronize the radially outward movement of the chuck segments so that at all times each segment will be equidistantly spaced from the axis of rotation of the shaft I5. This is accomplished by a correlating disc 33 which is journaled on the shoulder I9 and which is formed with three circumferentially spaced but spirally extending slots 34 to receive the cam-following rollers 35, one oi which is rotatably mounted on each of the chuck segments 2l. See Figure 5. By referring to Figure 2 it will be apparent that as the chuck segments 27 move outwardly the disc 33 will be rotated in a clockwise direction with respect to the hub structure and since the slots 34 are each identical in plan and radial spacing and are angularly spaced 120 apart in exact coincidence with the angular spacing of the guideways 2t the chuck segments 2l will be closely held to equal radial spacing with respect to the axis of rotation of the shaft i5. In Figure 2 the dot-dash outline of the upper slot 34 represents the'relatlve position of this slot when the chuck segments are full radially outward. The disc 33 in addition to performing the quite important function of synchronizing the radial movement of the chuck segments is also conveniently utilized to draw the segments radially inward upon release of fluid pressure in the conduit or bore 24. This is accomplished by providing the circumferentially disposed coil springs 36 each of which has one of its ends connected to the disc 33 as by means of a post 3l, for example, While its other end is connected to a bracket 38 carried by the hub structure I6. As clearly evident in Figure 2 the springs 36 tend to rotate the disc 33 in a counterclockwise direction, as Viewed in this figure, and it will be apparent that upon such movement of the disc the slots 34 acting through the cam followers 35 will move the chuck segments radially inward and in doing so will also move pistons 22 radially inward. Disc 33 is held in position by a ring 39 which is bolted onto the face 20 of the hub structure I6.

To move the two supporting pedestals I3 and I4 and consequently the two rotatable and expansible chucks toward and away from each other to load onto the uncoiler a coil of strip of variable width I provide a double-acting hydraulic cylinder 40 below each of the pedestals I3 and I4 and as indicated in Figure 1 these cylinders are preferably housed in the base I0 and are aligned parallel with the direction of sliding movement of the pedestals. The cylinders 4G have inwardly directed piston rods 4I which are connected to the pedestals by means of bosses 42 which are integral with or rigidly connected to the respective pedestals I3 and I4 in depending relation therewith. Thus it will be apparent that upon the admission of fluid pressure to the left; end of the left cylinder 4I) the supporting pedestal I3 Will be moved to the right, while upon the admission of fluid pressure to the right end of the right cylinder 40 the pedestal I4 will be moved to the left. It is preferable to equalize such inward movement of the two chucks so that regardless of variations in the width of strip being uncoiled the coil will pay off along a iixed predetermined path with reference to the longitudinal central axis of the strip. I accomplish this object by mechanically interconnecting the two piston rods of the two cylinders so that the piston rods will have equal inward or outward movement as the case may be. Thus, coupled with the inner ends of the piston rods and in general continuation of the axes thereof is a pair of rack gears 43 which are laterally spaced and which are in common mesh with a pinion gear 44 which is journaled for rotation about a xed Vertical axis in the base III. Because of the interconnection through the gear 44 the two racks 43 which are connected to the respective cylinders 4B must have equal and opposite movement as will be understood and this of course requires that the two chucks have equal inward or outward movement as the case may be.

In accordance with usual practice I provide means in the lform of a cradle 45 to raise a coil of strip deposited between the two chuck assemblies into an elevated position wherein its geometric axis is generally coincident with the axis of rotation of the chucks so that upon inward movement of the chucks as caused by the application of uid pressure to the outer ends of the cylinders 40, the segments 29 of the chuck will readily enter in the ends of the opening through the coil.. To raise and lower the cradle 45 I provide a vertically disposed cylinder 46. The cylinders 40 are double-acting, of course, so that the rotatable chucks may be moved both inwardly and outwardly by the power means thus provided.

A dynamo-electric machine 41 supported on the pedestal I3 is mechanically coupled with the u shaft I5 journaled in this pedestal by means of reduction gearing 48, and the machine 41 may alternatively serve either as a driving motor or as a dynamic brake, as desired. Keyed to the shaft l5 in the other supporting pedestal I4 is a brake drum 49 having the usual brake band associated therewith having suitable electrical or hydraulic operating means whereby the brake may be remotely controlled. To the outer end of each of the shafts l5 is swiveled a connecting block 59 which is operative to conduct fluid pressure from a stationary conduit, not shown, into the bore 47 of the associated rotating shaft l5. By means of this construction I am able at all times to maintain elastic expansive forces on the chucks so that a coil of strip supported thereon will be tightly held during the entire uncoiling operation thereof. This feature is advantageous since the coils tend to loosen during the uncoiling thereof and while the coils may be tightly gripped internally at the start of uncoiling thereof they may become quite loose towards the end of the paying olf; and if the chuck segments are then held in their same radial positions, the coil begins to slip and it is impossible to maintain proper back tension in the strip. In the uncoiler construction of this invention the chuck segments exert a constant radially outward pressure on the inner convolutions of the coils and thus tend to grip the coils tightly until substantially the last convolution is reached in the uncoiling operations. It should also be particularly observed that this outward gripping force may be maintained and controlled quite independently of the driving or braking action of the electrical device 41 and of the braking action of the brake 49.

It should now be apparent that I have provided improved uncoiling apparatus for metal strip which accomplishes the objects initially set out. While the apparatus for gripping and rotating the coils of strip is quite simple in construction, it is operative to maintain a tight grip on the coil during substantially the entire extent of the uncoiling thereof and, moreover, by providing the chuck segment mounted in the adjacent guideway whereby upon radial outward movement of said pistons said chuck segments will have corresponding radial outward movement, and conduit means extending through said shaft from the outer end thereof to supply fluid under pressure to said cylindrical bores radially inward of said pistons.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including a disc rotatably mounted on said hub for rotation about the axis thereof, a plurality of spirally disposed slots in said disc, a cam follower mounted on each of said segments and received in one -of said slots, the arrangement being such that upon radial outward movement of said segments said disc is rotated in one direction relative to said hub, and spring means interconnecting said hub and disc and biasing said disc to rotational movement in the opposite direction relative to said hub to move said segments radially inward.

3. An expansible chuck for a metal strip uncoiler comprising a support and a shaft journaled in said support, a hub on one end of said shaft having a plurality of circumferentially spaced but radially inward extending cylindrical bores, a face plate overlying and rigidly secured to the outer end of said hub and having radially extending guideways adjacent said bores, a ram-type of piston slideable in each of said bores, a member slideable in each of said guideways and having at its radially outward end an integral axially extending portion overlying the outer end of the piston in the adjacent bore and having an integral axially extending portion at its radially inward end for entry into the center opening through a coil of strip, and an lopening extending through said shaft and said hub to admit fluid pressure to the radially inward ends of said bores.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 further inv cluding a disc rotatably mounted on said hub on for a much greater degree of expansion than heretofore provided in comparable devices, the range of usefulness of the apparatus is extended since coils of widely varying internal diameter may be handled.

The above specifically described embodiment of the invention should be considered as illustrative only as obviously many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, Reference should therefore be had to the appended claims in determining the scope of the invention.

What I clairn is:

1. In a metal strip uncoiler the combination of a base, a support slideably mounted on said base, a shaft having an outer end and an inner end journaled in said base, a hub on the inner end of said shaft and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially outward extending guideways each slideably mounting a radially disposed chuck segment having a foot portion projecting inwardly from the inner face of said hub for entry endwise into a coil of strip, a plurality of circumferentially spaced but radially outward extending bores in said hub each associated and aligned with one of said guideways, a ram-type of piston in each of said cylindrical bores having a connection at its outer end with the opposite sides of said bores from said face plate for rotation about the axis of rotation of said shaft and hub, said disc having a cam follower associated with each of said members,

each of said members mounting a cam follower for co-action with the adjacent cam surface of said disc, said cam surfaces being so shaped as to cause rotation of said disc in one direction relative y to said hub upon the said admission of said fluid pressure and outward movement of said members whereby said members will have equal outer increments of movement, and means to rotate said disc in the opposite direction relative to said f. hub to move said members radially inward upon release of said fluid pressure.

WILLIAM R. MEREDITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

` UNITED STATES PATENTS Number