CN112292217A

CN112292217A - Mixing rolling mill

Info

Publication number: CN112292217A
Application number: CN201980038878.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D·A·盖恩斯鲍尔; D·E·冈策尔
Original assignee: Novelis Inc Canada
Current assignee: Novelis Inc Canada
Priority date: 2018-06-13
Filing date: 2019-06-13
Publication date: 2021-01-29
Also published as: KR20200116508A; CA3091392A1; EP3755477A1; WO2019241512A1; BR112020017659A2; US20190381550A1; DE212019000312U1

Abstract

A hybrid rolling mill includes at least one work table and a lubrication system. The at least one work table includes an upper work roll and a lower work roll. The lubrication system includes a first lubricant applicator and a second lubricant applicator. The first lubricant applicator is configured to supply a first lubricant at an entry side of the table in a first rolling mode. The second lubricant applicator is configured to supply a second lubricant at the entry side of the table in a second rolling mode.

Description

Mixing rolling mill

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/684,437, entitled "hybrid rolling mill," filed on 2018, 6/13, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present application relates to rolling mills for rolling metal substrates, and more particularly, to hybrid rolling mills operable as hot rolling mills, warm rolling mills, cold rolling mills, or any combination thereof.

Background

Rolling is a metal forming process in which a metal feedstock, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, is passed through one or more pairs of work rolls of a rolling mill to reduce the thickness of the metal feedstock and/or make the thickness more consistent. Depending on the desired properties of the final metal product, the metal feedstock may be hot rolled, cold rolled, and/or warm rolled. Hot rolling generally refers to a rolling process in which the temperature of the metal is above the recrystallization temperature of the metal. Cold rolling generally refers to a rolling process in which the temperature of the metal is below the recrystallization temperature of the metal. Warm rolling generally refers to a rolling process in which the temperature of the metal is below the recrystallization temperature but above the temperature during cold rolling. Due to the differences between hot rolling and cold rolling, such as the required installation space, separate rolling mills are often dedicated to each rolling process.

Disclosure of Invention

The terms "invention," "the invention," "this invention," and "the invention" as used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all subject matter of this patent and the following patent claims. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the following patent claims. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the following claims, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments of the invention and introduces some concepts that are further described in the detailed description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to the entire specification of this patent, any or all of the drawings, and appropriate portions of each claim.

According to a particular example, a hybrid rolling mill includes a table and a lubrication system. The workbench comprises an upper working roll, a lower working roll, an upper supporting roll and a lower supporting roll. The lubrication system includes a first lubricant applicator and a second lubricant applicator. The first lubricant applicator is configured to supply a first lubricant at an entry side of the table in a first rolling mode, and the second lubricant applicator is configured to supply a second lubricant at the entry side of the table in a second rolling mode. In some examples, in the first rolling mode, the first lubricant applicator is activated and the second lubricant applicator is deactivated, and in the second rolling mode, the second lubricant applicator is activated and the first lubricant applicator is deactivated.

According to some examples, a hybrid rolling mill includes a table and a lubrication system. The workbench comprises an upper working roll, a lower working roll, an upper supporting roll and a lower supporting roll. The lubrication system includes a lubricant applicator and an injector. The lubricant applicator is configured to supply a first lubricant at an entry side of the table in a first rolling mode. The injector is configured to inject a second lubricant at the entry side of the table in the second rolling mode.

In a particular example, a method of rolling a metal substrate includes: feeding a metal substrate through a roll gap between an upper work roll and a lower work roll of a table of a hybrid rolling mill; and rolling the metal substrate in at least one of a first rolling mode or a second rolling mode. In some examples, rolling the metal substrate in the first rolling mode comprises: the lubrication system is activated such that a first lubricant applicator supplies a first lubricant at an entry side of the table while feeding the metal substrate through the roll gap. In various examples, rolling the metal substrate in the second rolling mode includes: a lubrication system is activated such that a second lubricant applicator supplies a second lubricant at the entry side of the table while feeding the metal substrate through the roll gap. In some cases, in the first rolling mode, the first lubricant applicator is activated and the second lubricant applicator is deactivated, and in the second rolling mode, the second lubricant applicator is activated and the first lubricant applicator is deactivated.

Various implementations described in this disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages that may not necessarily be explicitly disclosed herein, but will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this disclosure and be protected by the accompanying claims.

Drawings

The features and components of the following figures are drawn to emphasize the general principles of the disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the drawings may be indicated by matching reference characters for consistency and clarity.

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a hybrid rolling mill in a first rolling mode, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of one of the work stations of the hybrid rolling mill of fig. 1 in a first rolling mode.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the hybrid rolling mill of fig. 1 in a second rolling mode.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of one of the work stations of the hybrid rolling mill of fig. 1 in a second rolling mode.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the hybrid rolling mill and strip cooling system of FIG. 1 with the first work station in a first rolling mode and the second work station in a second rolling mode.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a hybrid rolling mill in a first rolling mode, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the hybrid rolling mill of fig. 6 in a second rolling mode.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the hybrid rolling mill of fig. 6 in a third rolling mode.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a hybrid rolling mill according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements, but such description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be read as implying any particular order or arrangement between or among various steps or elements herein unless and except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Directional references, such as "upward," "downward," "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "front," and "rear," as well as other references, are intended to refer to the orientation as drawn and described in the figure(s) to which the component and orientation are referenced.

Certain aspects and features of the present disclosure relate to a hybrid rolling mill for rolling a metal substrate in a hot rolling mode, a cold rolling mode, a warm rolling mode, or any combination thereof. With the hybrid rolling mill, a rolling plant can produce hot-rolled and cold-rolled metal coils with very high quality using the same rolling mill, which allows a wide variety of products to be produced with less equipment and at lower capital costs. In addition, the space saved in the rolling plant by the hybrid rolling mill can be used for other processing systems and/or additional hybrid rolling mills to increase the capacity and productivity of the plant and/or to reduce the size requirements on the rolling plant.

The aspects and features of the present disclosure may be used with any suitable metal substrate, however, may be particularly useful when rolling aluminum alloys. In particular, desirable results can be achieved when rolling alloys such as 1xxx series, 2xxx series, 3xxx series, 4xxx series, 5xxx series, 6xxx series, 7xxx series, or 8xxx series aluminum alloys. For an understanding of the most commonly used numbering system in naming and identifying aluminum and its alloys, see "international alloy designations and chemical composition limits for forged aluminum and forged aluminum alloys" or "registration records for alloy designations and chemical composition limits for cast and ingot form aluminum associations" issued by the aluminum association.

The hybrid rolling mill includes at least one work station, and in some examples, the hybrid rolling mill may include a plurality of work stations. For example, the hybrid rolling mill may include two stations, three stations, four stations, five stations, six stations, or any other number of stations as needed or desired. Each work station includes a pair of work rolls that are vertically aligned. In some cases, each work table includes a pair of backup rolls that support the pair of work rolls. In some examples, each station further comprises a pair of intermediate rollers. During rolling of the metal substrate, the metal substrate is passed through a roll gap defined between work rolls. Rolling the metal substrate reduces the thickness of the metal substrate to a desired thickness and imparts specific properties to the metal substrate depending on the composition of the metal substrate. Depending on the desired properties of the final metal article or other considerations, the hybrid rolling mill may be operated in a hot rolling mode, a cold rolling mode, a warm rolling mode, or any combination thereof. In some examples of hybrid rolling mills, all of the work stations may be operated in the same mode, or at least one work station may be operated in one mode and at least one work station may be operated in another mode.

Hot rolling generally occurs at a temperature above the recrystallization temperature of the metal. For example, in some cases where the metal substrate is aluminum or an aluminum alloy, hot rolling may occur at a temperature greater than about 250 ℃, such as from about 250 ℃ to about 550 ℃. In other examples, various other temperatures for hot rolling may be used.

Cold rolling generally occurs at a temperature below the recrystallization temperature of the metal, as compared to hot rolling. For example, in some cases where the metal substrate is aluminum or an aluminum alloy, cold rolling may occur at a temperature of less than about 200 ℃, such as about 20 ℃ to about 200 ℃. In other examples, various other temperatures for cold rolling may be used.

In some cases, the metal substrate may also be rolled by a warm rolling process that occurs at a temperature below the recrystallization temperature of the metal but above the cold rolling temperature. For example, in some cases where the metal substrate is aluminum or an aluminum alloy, warm rolling may occur at a temperature of about 200 ℃ to about 250 ℃. In other examples, various other temperatures for warm rolling may be used.

The hybrid rolling mill includes a lubrication system such that the hybrid rolling mill can operate in a hot rolling mode, a cold rolling mode, a warm rolling mode, or a combination thereof. The lubrication system also allows the hybrid rolling mill to quickly switch between rolling modes, such as from a hot rolling mode to a cold rolling mode.

In various examples, the lubrication system includes: a first lubricant applicator configured to supply a first lubricant at an entry side of the table in a hot rolling mode; and a second lubricant applicator configured to supply a second lubricant at the entry side of the table in a cold rolling mode. The lubrication system may include any number of first lubricant applicators or second lubricant applicators, as desired. During hot rolling, the first lubricant applicator may be activated and the second lubricant applicator may be deactivated, while during cold rolling, the first lubricant applicator may be deactivated and the second lubricant applicator may be activated. In other examples, the first lubricant applicator may be activated during both hot rolling and cold rolling, and the second lubricant applicator may be activated during cold rolling but deactivated during hot rolling.

In a particular example, a hybrid rolling mill includes a work roll cooling system configured to apply a coolant to an outer surface of a work roll to control a temperature of the work roll. In some cases, the cooling system includes a roller cooling header and a coolant containment tank at the exit side of the platen.

In some examples, a strip cooling system is provided after the at least one platen and is configured to reduce a temperature of the metal substrate during processing. In various examples, the strip cooling system includes a strip cooling header configured to apply a coolant to at least one surface of the metal substrate to control a temperature of the metal substrate. In some examples, the strip cooling system further comprises a coolant removal device for removing coolant or drying the metal substrate before the metal substrate enters the platen. In various examples, any number of belt cooling headers and coolant removal devices may be utilized depending on the configuration of the hybrid rolling mill. The strip cooling system may be provided at various locations within the mixing mill, such as before the first work station, after the last work station, between work stations, etc.

Fig. 1-4 illustrate a hybrid rolling mill 100 according to various aspects of the present disclosure. The hybrid rolling mill 100 is shown with two work stations 102A-B. In other examples, the hybrid rolling mill 100 may include any desired number of work stations 102, such as one work station 102, three work stations 102, four work stations 102, five work stations 102, six work stations 102, or any other number of work stations 102, as needed or desired.

Each work station 102A-B includes an upper work roll 104A and a lower work roll 104B vertically aligned with the upper work roll 104A. Each work roll 104A-B has an outer surface 106. A gap 108 is defined between the upper and lower work rolls 104A, 104B, which is configured to receive a metal substrate 110 during rolling of the metal substrate 110. During processing, upper work rolls 104A-B and lower work rolls 104A-B are configured to contact and apply work roll pressure to the outer surfaces 112 and 114 of metal substrate 110 as the metal substrate passes through gap 108. Each of the tables 102A-B has an entry side 116 and an exit side 118. The entry side 116 is generally upstream of the exit side 118 relative to a direction of movement 120 of the metal substrate 110. In various examples, each work station 102A-B can include intermediate and/or backup rolls 105A-B that support the work rolls 104A-B during processing. During rolling, the thickness of the metal substrate 110 is reduced to a desired thickness as the metal substrate 110 moves through the mixing mill 100 in the moving direction 120.

The hybrid rolling mill 100 includes a lubrication system 122. The lubrication system 122 includes: a first lubricant applicator 124 at the entry side 116 configured to selectively supply a first lubricant 128 (see FIG. 2) to each of the stations 102A-B; and a second lubricant applicator 126 at the access side 116 configured to selectively supply a second lubricant 130 (see fig. 3-4) to each of the stations 102A-B. Any desired number of first and

second lubricant applicators

124, 126 may be provided for each station 102A-B, including only one first lubricant applicator 124 and only one second lubricant applicator 126. In some examples, the first lubricant applicator 124 is activated and the second lubricant applicator 126 is deactivated in the hot rolling mode, and the second lubricant applicator 126 is activated and the first lubricant applicator 124 is deactivated in the cold rolling mode or the warm rolling mode. In other examples, the first lubricant applicator 124 is activated during both the hot rolling mode and the cold or warm rolling mode.

The first lubricant 128 is a lubricant suitable for hot rolling, including, but not limited to, various rolling oils, mechanical mixtures of oil and water, water-in-oil emulsions, vegetable oils, mineral oils, natural fatty acids or esters, synthetic esters, and base oils. The second lubricant is a lubricant suitable for cold or warm rolling, including, but not limited to, various rolling oils, natural fatty acids, fatty esters, and fatty alcohols. In certain examples, the second lubricant is different from the first lubricant.

The

lubricant applicators

124 and 126 are devices generally adapted to supply lubricant to the work table, such as various nozzles, manifold injectors, and the like, but they need not necessarily be the same type of lubricant applicator. For example, the first and

second lubricant applicators

124, 126 may utilize the same or different lubrication application techniques (e.g., flood lubrication, direct lubrication, etc.) to supply the respective lubricants. The lubrication application techniques include, but are not limited to, flood lubrication (e.g., neat oil, emulsion, dispersion), direct lubrication (e.g., neat oil), or various other suitable lubrication application techniques.

As one non-limiting example and as described in detail below, in fig. 1-4, each first lubricant applicator 124 is configured to apply a first lubricant 128 uniformly and as a thin layer directly onto the outer surface 106 of the work rolls 104A-B when activated ("direct lubrication," see fig. 2), and each second lubricant applicator 126 includes a nozzle or manifold to spray a second lubricant 130 into the gap 108 at the entry side 116 of the work tables 104A-B ("flood lubrication," see fig. 3). In other examples, the first lubricant applicator 124 may supply the first lubricant 128 during hot rolling using another suitable lubrication application technique (e.g., flood lubrication). Similarly, in other examples, the second lubricant applicator 126 may supply the second lubrication 130 during cold rolling using another suitable lubrication application technique (e.g., direct lubrication). Accordingly, the type of lubricant applicator used for the first lubricant applicator 124 and/or the second lubricant applicator 126 may be modified depending on the lubrication application technique utilized. In other examples, the

lubricant applicators

124 and 126 may utilize similar application techniques (e.g., both lubricant applicators utilize direct lubrication) (see fig. 6 and 7).

In some examples, the lubrication system includes valves or other regulators for quickly activating or deactivating the first and

second lubricant applicators

124, 126. In various examples, the valve may be controlled manually or by a controller.

In addition to the lubrication system 122, the hybrid rolling mill 100 also includes a cooling system 132. The cooling system 132 includes a cooling header 134 at the exit side 118 of each work table 104A-B that sprays coolant onto the outer surface 106 of the work rolls 104A-B. In some examples, the coolant sprayed by the cooling header 134 includes water, but various other coolants suitable for cooling the work rolls may be utilized, such as emulsions or various surfactant mixtures. In some examples, the cooling system 132 includes a coolant containment tank 136 configured to prevent coolant from the cooling header 134 from contacting the metal base plate 110. Any number of cooling headers 134 and coolant headers 136 may be used with cooling system 132. An example of a work roll cooling system that may be used with the hybrid rolling mill 100 is disclosed in U.S. patent application No. 14/707,460, filed on 8/5/2015 by Gaensbauer et al and entitled "mixed oil and water cooling rolling," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In various examples, the temperature of the work rolls 104A-B may be controlled by the cooling system 132 while the metal substrate 110 may achieve a desired temperature and/or surface quality (e.g., because the coolant is kept away from the metal substrate 110). Additionally, by separating the cooling system 132 from the lubrication system 122, the coolant from the cooling system 132 can be separated from the lubricant from the lubrication system 122, which can simplify handling of any fluid returned from the hybrid rolling mill 100. In some examples, separating the coolant from the lubricant also reduces lubricant consumption and may allow for simplified coolant container design and operation. In various aspects, separating the coolant from the lubricant also allows for better control of the temperature of the sheet, which may improve the metallurgical properties of the sheet. Separating the coolant may further allow for better selection of lubricants for a particular rolling mode under a particular rolling profile.

Depending on the desired properties of the final metal product or other considerations, the hybrid rolling mill 100 (or the individual work stations 102A-B of the rolling mill 100) may be operated in a hot rolling mode, a cold rolling mode, a warm rolling mode, or any combination thereof. In some examples, all of the stations 102A-B of the hybrid rolling mill 100 may operate in the same mode, or at least one station 102A may operate in one mode and at least one station 102B may operate in another mode.

Fig. 1 and 2 show the hybrid rolling mill 100 in a hot rolling mode. In the hot rolling mode, the metal substrate 110 is advanced in a direction of travel 120 while passing through the roll gap 108 defined between the work rolls 104A-B. As the metal substrate 110 advances in the direction of movement 120, the first lubricant applicator 124 of the lubrication system 122 is activated to supply the first lubricant 128 at the entry side 116 of the table 104A-B. In these examples, the second lubricant applicator 126 is deactivated when the first lubricant applicator 124 is activated, but they need not be. As discussed above, in one non-limiting example, the first lubricant applicator 124 is configured to uniformly apply the first lubricant 128 directly and as a thin layer on the outer surface 106 of the work rolls 104A-B using direct lubrication when activated (see FIG. 2). In some examples, each first lubricant applicator 124 includes an applicator 138 that applies the thin lubricant layer 128 directly to the outer surface 106 of the work rolls 104A-B. In some examples, when the first lubricant applicator 124 is activated, the applicator 138 contacts the outer surface 106 of the work rolls 104A-B (see FIGS. 1 and 2), although they need not be. The applicator 138 may be any of a variety of suitable devices or mechanisms for applying a thin lubricant layer directly onto the work rolls 104A-B, including, but not limited to, sprayers, wipers, roll applicators, electrostatic applicators, and various other types of applicators.

Fig. 3 and 4 illustrate the hybrid rolling mill 100 in a cold or warm rolling mode, wherein the second lubricant applicator 126 is activated to supply the second lubricant 130 at the entry side 116 of the stations 104A-B. In these examples, the first lubricant applicator 124 is deactivated when the second lubricant applicator 126 is activated, but they need not be (see fig. 6 and 7). As referenced above, in one non-limiting example, the second lubricant applicator 126 is configured to spray the second lubricant 130 into the roll gap 108 with overflow lubrication as the metal substrate 110 advances in the direction of movement 120.

In some examples, to switch from the hot rolling mode of fig. 1 and 2 to the cold or warm rolling mode of fig. 3 and 4, the first lubricant applicator 124 is deactivated and the second lubricant applicator 126 is activated. In various examples, deactivating the first lubricant applicator 124 includes adjusting the position of the applicator 138 (see fig. 3 and 4) such that the applicator 138 is spaced apart from the work rolls 104A-B, although in other examples they need not be adjusted. Deactivating the first lubricant applicator 124 and activating the second lubricant applicator 126 may include opening and closing valves or flow regulators associated with the

respective lubricant applicators

124 and 126. In various examples, switching between rolling modes also includes optionally changing work rolls 104A-B. As one non-limiting example, in some cases work rolls 104A-B are changed from work rolls 104A-B that are more suitable for hot rolling to work rolls 104A-B that are more suitable for cold or warm rolling. In other examples, the work rolls 104A-B may be unchanged to switch between rolling modes. As one non-limiting example, the work rolls 104A-B may not be changed when the hybrid rolling mill 100 is switched from the warm rolling mode to the cold rolling mode.

In some examples, to switch from the cold or warm rolling mode of fig. 3 and 4 to the hot rolling mode of fig. 1 and 2, the second lubricant applicator 126 is deactivated and the first lubricant applicator 124 is activated. In some examples, activating the first lubricant applicator 124 includes adjusting the position of the applicator 138 (see fig. 1 and 2) such that the applicator contacts the outer surface 106 of the work rolls 104A-B, but in other examples, the position may not be adjusted. Switching to hot rolling mode may also include opening and closing valves or flow regulators associated with the respective lubricant applicators and optionally altering the work rolls 104A-B.

Referring to fig. 5, in some examples, the hybrid rolling mill 100 optionally includes a strip cooling system 140 configured to control the temperature of the metal substrate 110 during rolling. Although the strip cooling system 140 is depicted between the work stations 102A-B in FIG. 5, the strip cooling system 104 may be located at various other locations within the hybrid rolling mill 100. For example, the belt cooling system 140 may be before the first stage 102A, after the last stage 102B, or between adjacent stages 102A-B. The hybrid rolling mill 100 may utilize any number of strip cooling systems 104, and any number of strip cooling systems may be at various locations within the hybrid rolling mill 100. In various examples, the strip cooling system 140 may be used to control the temperature of the metal substrate 110 during hot rolling, cold rolling, and/or warm rolling. In some optional examples, the strip cooling system 140 may be utilized to reduce the temperature of the metal substrate 110 from a hot rolled condition to a cold rolled or warm rolled condition for a subsequent work station. As one non-limiting example, fig. 5 depicts a hybrid rolling mill 100 in which the work station 102A is in a hot rolling mode and the work station 102B is in a cold or warm rolling mode, and the strip cooling system 140 is positioned such that it cools the metal substrate 110 from a hot rolled condition to a cold or warm rolled condition.

The strip cooling system 140 includes a nozzle 142 or manifold or other applicator that selectively sprays a coolant, such as water, or other suitable metal substrate coolant, such as an emulsion or surfactant mixture, onto the metal substrate 110 as the metal substrate 110 advances in the direction of travel 120. In fig. 5, nozzles 142 are provided above and below the metal substrate 110; however, in other examples, the nozzle 142 may be provided on only one side of the metal substrate 110 (e.g., only above the metal substrate 110 or only below the metal substrate 110). The belt cooling system 140 also includes a coolant removal device 144, which may be a variety of suitable devices for removing coolant from the metal substrate 110, including (but not limited to) scrapers, wipers, blowers, or a variety of other suitable devices.

Fig. 6 and 7 illustrate another example of a hybrid rolling mill 600. Hybrid rolling mill 600 is substantially similar to hybrid rolling mill 100 described above, except that in lubrication system 122 of hybrid rolling mill 600, first lubricant applicator 124 is a header and second lubricant applicator 126 is an injector. In a first rolling mode (such as a hot rolling mode) depicted in fig. 6, the first lubricant applicator 124 supplies a first lubricant 128 at the entry side 116 of the table 102A while the second lubricant applicator 126 is deactivated. As illustrated in fig. 7, during a second rolling mode (such as a cold rolling mode), the second lubricant applicator 126 sprays a second lubricant 130 at the entry side 116 of the table 102A. In one non-limiting example, in the hybrid rolling mill 600 of fig. 6 and 7, the first lubricant 128 may include a mechanical mixture of water and oil and the second lubricant 130 may include oil. In other examples, other lubricants discussed above may be used.

Fig. 8 depicts another example of the hybrid rolling mill 600 in a third rolling mode in which both the first lubricant applicator 124 and the second lubricant applicator 126 are activated.

Fig. 9 illustrates another example of a hybrid rolling mill 900. Hybrid rolling mill 900 is substantially similar to

hybrid rolling mills

100 and 600 except that a single lubricant applicator 924 is provided. As depicted in fig. 9, the lubricant applicator 924 is in fluid communication with a first lubricant supply 928 and a second lubricant supply 930. The control valve 901 is configured to control the flow of the first and second lubricants to the lubricant applicator 924. In one non-limiting example, the control valve 901 is activated such that during a first rolling mode (such as a hot rolling mode), only the first lubricant is supplied to the lubricant applicator 924 from the first lubricant supply 928. In a second rolling mode (such as a cold rolling mode), the control valve 901 is activated such that the second lubricant is injected into the first lubricant upstream of the lubricant applicator 924. In this example, the first lubricant may be water and the second lubricant may be oil. Other lubricants as discussed above may be used. In other examples, in the second rolling mode, the control valve 901 may be activated such that the second lubricant is only supplied to the lubricant applicator 924 from the second lubricant supply 930.

In various examples, a method of rolling a metal substrate 110 using a hybrid rolling mill 100 includes: feeding a metal substrate 110 through a roll gap 108 between an upper work roll 104A and a lower work roll 104B of a table 102A of the hybrid rolling mill 100; and rolling the metal substrate 110 in at least one of a hot rolling mode or a cold rolling mode or a warm rolling mode.

Rolling the metal substrate 110 in the hot rolling mode includes activating the lubrication system 122 such that the first lubricant applicator 124 supplies the first lubricant 128 at the entry side 116 of the table 102A as the metal substrate 110 is fed through the roll gap 108. In some examples, supplying the first lubricant 128 includes applying a coating of the first lubricant 128 on the outer surface 106 of the work rolls 104A-B via a direct lubrication technique.

Rolling the metal substrate 110 in either the cold or warm rolling mode includes activating the lubrication system 122 such that the second lubricant applicator 126 supplies the second lubricant 130 at the entry side 116 of the table 102A as the metal substrate 110 is fed through the roll gap 108. In various examples, supplying the second lubricant 130 includes spraying the second lubricant 130 into the roll gap 108 between the upper work roll 104A and the lower work roll 104B.

In some examples, in the hot rolling mode, the first lubricant applicator 124 is activated and the second lubricant applicator 126 is deactivated, and in the cold rolling mode, the second lubricant applicator 126 is activated and the first lubricant applicator 124 is deactivated. In other examples, in the hot rolling mode, both the first and

second lubricant applicators

124 and 126 are activated, and in the cold rolling mode or the warm rolling mode, the first lubricant applicator 124 is activated and the second lubricant applicator 126 is deactivated.

In a particular example, rolling the metal substrate 110 includes adjusting the work station 102A between a hot rolling mode and a cold or warm rolling mode by: deactivating the previously activated first lubricant applicator 124 or second lubricant applicator 126; activating the previously deactivated second lubricant applicator 126 or first lubricant applicator 124; replacing the upper work roll 104A with a replacement upper work roll; and replacing the lower work roll 104B with a replacement lower work roll.

In various instances, rolling the metal substrate 110 further includes cooling the upper work roll 104A and the lower work roll 104B using the cooling system 132 by: applying coolant to the outer surface 106 of the work rolls 104A-B at the exit side 118 of the work table 102A using a pair of cooling headers 134; and removing coolant from the outer surfaces 106 of the work rolls 104A-B using a pair of coolant containment tanks 136 to keep the coolant from the metal substrate 110. In some examples, the coolant reservoirs 136 may be under vacuum, but they need not be.

In some aspects, the method includes, after the work station 102A, feeding the metal substrate 110 through a roll gap 108 between the upper work roll 104A and the lower work roll 104B of the second work station 102B of the hybrid rolling mill 100. The method also includes rolling the metal substrate 110 at the second station 102B in at least one of a hot rolling mode or a cold rolling mode or a warm rolling mode. In some examples, the first station 102A is in a hot rolling mode and the second station 102B is in a cold rolling mode or a warm rolling mode.

According to some examples, the method optionally includes reducing the temperature of the metal substrate 110 between the first and

second stages

102A, 102B using the belt cooling system 140.

The following provides a list of exemplary embodiments, including at least some embodiments explicitly enumerated as "ECs" (exemplary combinations), thereby providing additional description of various embodiment types according to the concepts described herein. These examples are not intended to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive; and the invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments but covers all possible modifications and variations within the scope of the issued claims and their equivalents.

EC 1. a hybrid rolling mill comprising: the working table comprises an upper working roll and a lower working roll; and a lubrication system, the lubrication system comprising: a first lubricant applicator configured to supply a first lubricant at an entry side of the table in a first rolling mode; and a second lubricant applicator configured to supply a second lubricant at the entry side of the table in a second rolling mode, wherein in the first rolling mode the first lubricant applicator is activated and the second lubricant applicator is deactivated, and wherein in the second rolling mode the second lubricant applicator is activated and the first lubricant applicator is deactivated.

EC 2. the hybrid rolling mill according to any of the preceding or following example combinations, wherein the first rolling mode is a hot rolling mode and the second rolling mode is a cold rolling mode or a warm rolling mode.

The mixing mill according to any of the preceding or following example combinations, wherein the first lubricant applicator is a direct lubrication lubricant applicator including an applicator configured to apply a coating of the first lubricant on an outer surface of at least one of the upper work roll or the lower work roll.

The hybrid rolling mill according to any of the preceding or following example combinations, wherein the first lubricant is a hot rolling lubricant comprising at least one of oil or a mixture of oil and water.

EC 5. the mixing mill according to any of the preceding or following exemplary combinations, wherein the applicator comprises at least one of a sprayer, a wiper, a roller applicator, or an electrostatic applicator.

The mixing mill according to any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the second lubricant applicator is a flood lubrication lubricant applicator comprising a sprayer configured to spray the second lubricant into a roll gap between the upper work roll and the lower work roll.

The hybrid rolling mill according to any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the second lubricant is a cold rolling lubricant comprising at least one of oil or a mixture of oil and water.

EC 8. the hybrid rolling mill according to any one of the preceding or following exemplary combinations, wherein the first lubricant is different from the second lubricant.

EC 9. the hybrid rolling mill according to any of the preceding or subsequent exemplary combinations, further comprising a work roll cooling system comprising: a cooling header at an exit side of the platen and configured to coat a coolant on an outer surface of at least one of the upper work roll or the lower work roll; and a coolant housing box configured to keep the coolant from the metal substrate processed by the stage during rolling.

EC 10. the mixing mill according to any of the preceding or following exemplary combinations, wherein the coolant is water, an emulsion, or a surfactant mixture.

EC 11. the hybrid rolling mill according to any of the preceding or following exemplary combinations, wherein the coolant containment box is under vacuum.

EC 12. the hybrid rolling mill according to any of the preceding or following exemplary combinations, wherein the work roll cooling system comprises at least two cooling headers and at least one containment box at the top work roll.

EC 13. the hybrid rolling mill according to any of the preceding or following exemplary combinations, wherein the coolant containment box is not under vacuum.

The hybrid rolling mill according to any one of the preceding or following exemplary combinations, wherein the work station is a first work station, and wherein the lubrication system comprises at least two first lubricant applicators and at least two second lubricant applicators, and wherein the hybrid rolling mill further comprises: a second work table comprising an upper work roll and a lower work roll, wherein at least one lubricant applicator of the at least two first lubricant applicators of the lubrication system is configured to supply the first lubricant at an entry side of the second work table in the first rolling mode; and wherein at least one of the at least two second lubricant applicators of the lubrication system is configured to supply the second lubricant at the entry side of the second work table in a second rolling mode.

EC 15. the hybrid rolling mill according to any of the preceding or following example combinations, further comprising a strip cooling system between the first and second work tables, the strip cooling system configured to reduce a temperature of a metal substrate during rolling.

The hybrid rolling mill of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein in the first rolling mode the work table is configured to roll a metal substrate having a temperature of at least 250 ℃, and wherein in the second rolling mode the work table is configured to roll a metal substrate having a temperature of less than about 200 ℃.

The hybrid rolling mill according to any of the preceding or following exemplary combinations, wherein the lubrication system comprises at least two first lubricant applicators and at least two second lubricant applicators, wherein a first one of the at least two first lubricant applicators and a first one of the at least two second lubricant applicators are located above the metal substrate and proximate to the upper work roll during rolling, and wherein a second one of the at least two first lubricant applicators and a second one of the at least two second lubricant applicators are located below the metal substrate and proximate to the lower work roll during rolling.

The hybrid rolling mill according to any of the preceding or following example combinations, further comprising an upper backup roll and a lower backup roll, wherein the upper backup roll is configured to remove lubricant from the upper work roll and the lower backup roll is configured to remove lubricant from the lower work roll.

EC 19. a hybrid rolling mill comprising: the working table comprises an upper working roll and a lower working roll; and a lubrication system, the lubrication system comprising: a first lubricant applicator configured to supply a first lubricant at an entry side of the table in a first rolling mode; and a second lubricant applicator configured to supply a second lubricant at the entry side of the table in a second rolling mode, and wherein the second lubricant applicator is deactivated in the first rolling mode.

EC 20. the hybrid rolling mill according to any of the preceding or following example combinations, wherein the first rolling mode is a hot rolling mode and the second rolling mode is a cold rolling mode or a warm rolling mode.

The hybrid rolling mill according to any one of the preceding or following example combinations, wherein the first lubricant comprises oil, and wherein the second lubricant comprises a mixture of water and oil.

EC 22. the hybrid rolling mill according to any one of the preceding or following exemplary combinations, wherein the first lubricant is different from the second lubricant.

The mixing mill according to any of the preceding or following exemplary combinations, wherein the lubrication system comprises at least two lubricant applicators, wherein a first of the at least two lubricant applicators is positioned proximate the upper work roll, and wherein a second of the at least two lubricant applicators is positioned proximate the lower work roll.

EC 25. a method of rolling a metal substrate comprises: feeding a metal substrate through a roll gap between an upper work roll and a lower work roll of a table of a hybrid rolling mill; and rolling the metal substrate in at least one of a first rolling mode or a second rolling mode, wherein rolling the metal substrate in the first rolling mode comprises activating a lubrication system such that a first lubricant applicator supplies a first lubricant at an entry side of the table as the metal substrate is fed through the roll gap, and wherein rolling the metal substrate in the second rolling mode comprises activating the lubrication system, such that a second lubricant applicator supplies a second lubricant at the entry side of the table when the metal substrate is fed through the roll nip, wherein in the first rolling mode the first lubricant applicator is activated and the second lubricant applicator is deactivated, and wherein in the second rolling mode, the second lubricant applicator is activated and the first lubricant applicator is deactivated.

EC 26. the method according to any of the preceding or following example combinations, further comprising adjusting the work table between the first rolling mode and the second rolling mode by: deactivating the previously activated first lubricant applicator or second lubricant applicator; activating a previously deactivated second lubricant applicator or first lubricant applicator; replacing the upper work roll with a replacement upper work roll; and replacing the lower work roll with a replacement lower work roll.

EC 27. the method of any of the preceding or following example combinations, wherein the first rolling mode is a hot rolling mode and the second rolling mode is a cold rolling mode or a warm rolling mode.

The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the first lubricant applicator is a direct lubrication lubricant applicator, wherein the first lubricant applicator comprises an applicator, and wherein supplying the first lubricant comprises applying a coating of the first lubricant on an outer surface of the upper work roll or the lower work roll.

EC 29. the method of any of the preceding or following example combinations, wherein the first lubricant is a hot rolling lubricant comprising at least one of oil or a mixture of oil and water.

EC 30. the method according to any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the applicator comprises at least one of a nebulizer, a wiper, a roller applicator, or a static applicator.

The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the second lubricant applicator is an overflow lubrication lubricant applicator, wherein the second lubricant applicator comprises an atomizer, and wherein supplying the second lubricant comprises spraying the second lubricant into the roll gap between the upper work roll and the lower work roll.

The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the second lubricant is a cold rolling lubricant comprising at least one of oil or a mixture of oil and water.

The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the first lubricant is different than the second lubricant.

EC 34. the method according to any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, further comprising cooling the upper or lower work rolls using a cooling system by: applying a coolant on an outer surface of the upper or lower work roll using a cooling header at an exit side of the table; and removing the coolant from the outer surface using a coolant receiving box to keep the coolant from the metal substrate.

EC 35. the method according to any of the preceding or following example combinations, wherein the coolant is water.

EC 36. the method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the coolant storage tank is under vacuum.

EC 37. the method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the coolant storage tank is not under vacuum.

The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the table is a first table, the first lubricant applicator is a first table first lubricant applicator and the second lubricant applicator is a first table second lubricant applicator, and wherein the method further comprises: feeding the metal substrate through a roll gap between an upper work roll and a lower work roll of a second table of the hybrid rolling mill; and rolling the metal substrate at the second table in at least one of the first rolling mode or the second rolling mode, wherein rolling the metal substrate in the first rolling mode comprises activating a lubrication system such that a second table first lubricant applicator supplies a first lubricant at an entry side of the table when feeding the metal substrate through the roll gap, and wherein rolling the metal substrate in the second rolling mode comprises activating a lubrication system such that a second table second lubricant applicator supplies a second lubricant at an entry side of the table when feeding the metal substrate through the roll gap.

EC 39. the method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, further comprising reducing the temperature of the metal substrate between the first stage and the second stage using a belt cooling system.

EC 40. the method of any of the preceding or following example combinations, wherein in the first rolling mode the table rolls a metal substrate having a temperature of at least 250 ℃, and wherein in the second rolling mode the table rolls a metal substrate having a temperature of less than about 200 ℃.

EC 41. a hybrid rolling mill comprising: a first table including a first upper work roll and a first lower work roll; a second table downstream of the first table and comprising a second upper work roll and a second lower work roll; and a lubrication system, the lubrication system comprising: a first lubricant applicator configured to supply a first lubricant at an entry side of the second table in a first rolling mode; and a second lubricant applicator configured to supply a second lubricant at the entry side of the second table in a second rolling mode, and wherein the second lubricant applicator is deactivated in the first rolling mode.

EC 42. the hybrid rolling mill according to any of the preceding or following example combinations, wherein the first rolling mode is a hot rolling mode and the second rolling mode is a cold rolling mode or a warm rolling mode.

The hybrid rolling mill according to any of the preceding or following example combinations, wherein the first lubricant comprises oil, and wherein the second lubricant comprises a mixture of water and oil.

The hybrid rolling mill according to any one of the preceding or following exemplary combinations, wherein the first lubricant is different from the second lubricant.

The mixing mill according to any of the preceding or following exemplary combinations, wherein the lubrication system comprises at least two first lubricant applicators and at least two second lubricant applicators, wherein a first one of the at least two first lubricant applicators and a first one of the at least two second lubricant applicators are positioned proximate the second upper work roll, and wherein a second one of the at least two first lubricant applicators and a second one of the at least two second lubricant applicators are positioned proximate the second lower work roll.

The hybrid rolling mill according to any of the preceding or following example combinations, further comprising an upper backup roll adjacent to the second upper work roll and a lower backup roll adjacent to the second lower work roll, wherein the upper backup roll is configured to remove lubricant from the second upper work roll and the lower backup roll is configured to remove lubricant from the second lower work roll.

The foregoing aspects are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the embodiments may be practiced, and are presented only for the purposes of illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by this disclosure. In addition, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for purposes of limitation, the described invention, or the following claims.

Claims

1. A hybrid rolling mill, comprising:

the working table comprises an upper working roll and a lower working roll; and

a lubrication system, the lubrication system comprising:

a first lubricant applicator configured to supply a first lubricant at an entry side of the table in a first rolling mode; and

a second lubricant applicator configured to supply a second lubricant at the entry side of the work table in a second rolling mode,

wherein in the first rolling mode, the first lubricant applicator is activated and the second lubricant applicator is deactivated, and

wherein in the second rolling mode, the second lubricant applicator is activated and the first lubricant applicator is deactivated.

2. The hybrid rolling mill of claim 1, wherein the first rolling mode is a hot rolling mode and the second rolling mode is a cold rolling mode or a warm rolling mode.

3. The hybrid rolling mill of claim 2, wherein:

the first lubricant applicator is a direct lubrication lubricant applicator including an applicator configured to apply a coating of the first lubricant on an outer surface of at least one of the upper work roll or the lower work roll; and is

The second lubricant applicator is an overflow lubrication lubricant applicator that includes a sprayer configured to spray the second lubricant into a roll gap between the upper work roll and the lower work roll.

4. The hybrid rolling mill of claim 3, wherein the first lubricant is a hot rolling lubricant comprising at least one of oil or a mixture of oil and water, and wherein the second lubricant is a cold rolling lubricant comprising at least one of oil or a mixture of oil and water.

5. The mixing mill of claim 3, wherein the applicator comprises at least one of a sprayer, a wiper, a roller applicator, or an electrostatic applicator.

6. The hybrid rolling mill of claim 1, wherein the first lubricant is different than the second lubricant.

7. The hybrid rolling mill of claim 1, further comprising a work roll cooling system, the work roll cooling system comprising:

a cooling header at an exit side of the platen and configured to coat a coolant on an outer surface of at least one of the upper work roll or the lower work roll; and

a coolant containment tank configured to keep the coolant from metal substrates processed by the table during rolling.

8. The mixing mill of claim 7, wherein the coolant is water, an emulsion, or a surfactant mixture.

9. The hybrid rolling mill of claim 1, wherein the table is a first table, and wherein the lubrication system includes at least two first lubricant applicators and at least two second lubricant applicators, and wherein the hybrid rolling mill further comprises:

a second work table including an upper work roll and a lower work roll,

wherein at least one lubricant applicator of the at least two first lubricant applicators of the lubrication system is configured to supply the first lubricant at an entry side of the second work table in the first rolling mode; and is

Wherein at least one lubricant applicator of the at least two second lubricant applicators of the lubrication system is configured to supply the second lubricant at the entry side of the second work table in a second rolling mode.

10. The hybrid rolling mill of claim 1, wherein in the first rolling mode the work table is configured to roll a metal substrate having a temperature of at least 250 ℃, and wherein in the second rolling mode the work table is configured to roll a metal substrate having a temperature of less than about 200 ℃.

11. A hybrid rolling mill, comprising:

the working table comprises an upper working roll and a lower working roll; and

a lubrication system, the lubrication system comprising:

a second lubricant applicator configured to supply a second lubricant at the entry side of the table in a second rolling mode, and wherein the second lubricant applicator is deactivated in the first rolling mode.

12. The hybrid rolling mill of claim 11, wherein the first rolling mode is a hot rolling mode and the second rolling mode is a cold rolling mode or a warm rolling mode.

13. The hybrid rolling mill of claim 11, wherein the first lubricant is different than the second lubricant.

14. The hybrid rolling mill of claim 11, wherein the lubrication system includes at least two lubricant applicators, wherein a first of the at least two lubricant applicators is positioned proximate the upper work roll, and wherein a second of the at least two lubricant applicators is positioned proximate the lower work roll.

15. The hybrid rolling mill of claim 11, further comprising an upper backup roll and a lower backup roll, wherein the upper backup roll is configured to remove lubricant from the upper work roll and the lower backup roll is configured to remove lubricant from the lower work roll.

16. A method of rolling a metal substrate, the method comprising:

feeding a metal substrate through a roll gap between an upper work roll and a lower work roll of a table of a hybrid rolling mill; and

rolling the metal substrate in at least one of a first rolling mode or a second rolling mode,

wherein rolling the metal substrate in the first rolling mode comprises: activating a lubrication system such that a first lubricant applicator supplies a first lubricant at an entry side of the table while feeding the metal substrate through the roll gap, and

wherein rolling the metal substrate in the second rolling mode comprises: activating the lubrication system such that a second lubricant applicator supplies a second lubricant at the entry side of the table while feeding the metal substrate through the roll gap,

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising adjusting the work table between the first rolling mode and the second rolling mode by:

deactivating the previously activated first lubricant applicator or second lubricant applicator;

activating a previously deactivated second lubricant applicator or first lubricant applicator;

replacing the upper work roll with a replacement upper work roll; and

the lower work roll is replaced with a replacement lower work roll.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first rolling mode is a hot rolling mode and the second rolling mode is a cold rolling mode or a warm rolling mode.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the first lubricant applicator is a direct lubrication lubricant applicator;

supplying the first lubricant comprises applying a coating of the first lubricant on an outer surface of the upper or lower work rolls;

the second lubricant applicator is an overflow lubrication lubricant applicator; and is

Supplying the second lubricant comprises spraying the second lubricant into the roll gap between the upper work roll and the lower work roll.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the table is a first table, the first lubricant applicator is a first table first lubricant applicator, and the second lubricant applicator is a first table second lubricant applicator, and wherein the method further comprises:

feeding the metal substrate through a roll gap between an upper work roll and a lower work roll of a second table of the hybrid rolling mill; and

rolling the metal substrate at the second work station in at least one of the first rolling mode or the second rolling mode,

wherein rolling the metal substrate in the first rolling mode comprises: activating the lubrication system such that a second table first lubricant applicator supplies the first lubricant at the entry side of the table while feeding the metal substrate through the roll gap, and

wherein rolling the metal substrate in the second rolling mode comprises: the lubrication system is activated such that a second table second lubricant applicator supplies the second lubricant at the entry side of the table while feeding the metal substrate through the roll gap.