EP2303491B1 - Modular strand guide roller - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a strand guiding device of a continuous casting plant with a modular strand guiding roll according to the features of patent claim 1.

A strand guide role is from the EP 1 485 218 B1 known, however, starting from the object of the invention, on a rotary feedthrough for the Kühlwasserzu- and deduction of at least one end rotatably mounted with bearing pins in bearing blocks support and / or transport roller, in particular in a continuous casting. The water-cooled support and / or transport roller has, in the outer region, axially extending channels and channels leading into or out of them and leading to a central distribution system. The central distribution system consists of a central bore in the support and / or transport roller and arranged therein, a tubular conduit having a central supply channel for the cooling water and forms with the central bore an annular channel for the discharge of the cooling water.
The strand guide roller disclosed in this document consists of two or more roller sections, each roller section of which is mounted end-to-end.
Such end-side storage of the individual roller sections is costly and claimed in the maintenance of the strand guide device a considerable effort for assembly and disassembly of the storage units.

In addition, strand guide devices can not be converted to other casting machine widths without considerable effort because of such end-side mounting of the roller sections.

From the WO 2007/121821 A1 is a consisting of at least two roller sections strand guide role of a strand guide device is known, on which a casting cast by a strand strand is guided, after which a plug connection is formed between the two roller sections and only one bearing is provided, which is designed as an undivided single bearing.
In addition to a number of advantages over the above-mentioned document, the flow channel for the cooling medium that extends only substantially over the width of the strand guide roll does not exhibit a sufficient cooling effect of the strand guide roll. In particular, the near-surface region of the strand guide roller does not experience the necessary cooling in order to reduce the resulting wear of the strand guide roller from the chemical and mechanical stress. The centrically extending flow channel therefore serves primarily to cool the bearing inner rings in the journal region of the strand guide roller or the roller sections.

The further from the documents WO 2004/094087 A1 and EP 1 646 463 B1 known internally cooled strand guide roller comprises a central rotatable shaft and a plurality on the shaft against rotation secured and supported roller shells with integrated coolant channels.
From practice it is known that these strand guide rollers with deferred roller coats, in addition to an unsatisfactory cooling of the roller bales, have an enormously high proportion of sealing elements and thus do not represent a maintenance-friendly and reliable solution.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a method for operating a strand guiding device of a continuous casting with a modular strand guide roller in which the strand guiding device can be converted to different Stranggießbreiten without significant effort and in which, the life of the strand guide roller improving cooling effect and a Vergleichmäßigung the cooling effect on the strand or slabs is achieved.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a method with which a relatively inexpensive maintenance can be achieved by the modular strand guide roller.
The invention is further based on the object to provide a method for operating a strand guiding device, which, in view of an increase in service life and easier maintenance, has improved strand guide rollers.

• mindestens ein erstes und zweites axial nebeneinander angeordnetes Rollenmodul, wobei das erste Rollenmodul an seiner dem zweiten Rollenmodul zugewandten Stirnseite einen zentrisch gelegenen Rollenzapfen aufweist, und
• ein Mittenlager, das zwischen dem ersten und zweiten Rollenmodul zum Aufnehmen und Lagern des Rollenzapfens des ersten Rollenmoduls positioniert ist, und
• eine zwischen dem zweiten Rollenmodul und dem Rollenzapfen des ersten Rollenmoduls ausgebildete Steckverbindung zum Steckverbinden des ersten und zweiten Rollenmoduls miteinander und einen zentrisch in den Rollenmodulen axial verlaufenden Strömungskanal zum Hindurchleiten eines Kühlmittels, und
• einen zentrisch angeordneten und axial verlaufenden Strömungskanal, der aus einem ersten separaten Strömungskanal und einem zweiten separaten Strömungskanal besteht, und
• Strömungskanäle im oberflächennahen Bereich des den Metallstrang führenden und stützenden Außenumfangs jedes Rollenmoduls und
• erste Verbindungskanäle, die die betreffenden Strömungskanäle mit dem ersten separaten Strömungskanal und zweite Verbindungskanäle, die die betreffenden Strömungskanäle mit dem separaten zweiten Strömungskanal verbinden. Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Kühlmittel bei benachbarten Strangführungsrollen, benachbarten Rollensegmenten oder bei dem Ober- und Unterrahmen eines Segmentes jeweils in entgegen gesetzter Richtung fließt.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1. The invention describes a method for operating a strand guide device with a modular strand guide roller for a metal strand emerging from a mold of a continuous casting plant, in which the strand guide roll comprises the following features:

• at least a first and second axially juxtaposed roller module, wherein the first roller module has on its second roller module facing the end face a centrally located roller journal, and
• a center bearing positioned between the first and second roller modules for receiving and supporting the roller pin of the first roller module, and
• a connector formed between the second roller module and the roller journal of the first roller module for plugging the first and second roller module together and a centrally in the roller modules axially extending flow channel for passing a coolant, and
• a centrally arranged and axially extending flow channel, which consists of a first separate flow channel and a second separate flow channel, and
• Flow channels in the near-surface region of the metal strand leading and supporting outer circumference of each roller module and
• first connecting channels connecting the respective flow channels with the first separate flow channel and second connecting channels connecting the respective flow channels with the separate second flow channel. The inventive method is characterized in that the coolant in adjacent strand guide rollers, adjacent roller segments or flows in the upper and lower frame of a segment in each case in the opposite direction.

The characteristic features of the method according to the invention lead to a homogenization of the cooling effect on the strand or on the slabs.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the flow channels formed in the near-surface region of each roller module are present in pairs. In this case, in a first flow channel of the paired flow channels, the coolant flows counter to the flow direction of the flowing in the centrally extending flow channels coolant and in a second flow channel of the paired flow channels, the coolant flows in the flow direction of flowing in the centrally extending flow channels coolant.
Thus, an open cooling circuit is formed in each roller module.
At one end of the paired flow channels, a chamber is formed, which serves for the deflection of the coolant within the first and the following roller modules. The chambers are sealed to the outside with a lid sealing, so that no coolant can escape.
The respective first flow channel of the paired flow channels is further connected via a corresponding first connecting channel with the first concentrically extending flow channel and the respective second flow channel of the paired flow channels is connected via a corresponding second connecting channel with the second concentrically extending flow channel.
The connection is on the one hand made such that the first connection channel connects the inflow-side outlet of the first centrally extending flow channel with the downstream inlet of the relevant flow channel of the paired flow channels and on the other such that the second connection channel the inlet side of the second respective flow channel of the pair Flow channels with the downstream inlet of the second centrically extending flow channel connects.
Such a course according to the invention of the flow channels within a roller module not only, as known from the prior art, the Core area and the area of storage sufficiently cooled, but also its near-surface area.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the second centrically extending flow channel of the first roller module and the first centrically extending flow channel of the second roller module are connected via a sleeve with a plug connection between the first and second roller module, so that from the second centrically extending flow channel of the first roller module, the coolant can flow into the first centric flow channel of the second roller module.
The second roller module and each further roller module of the strand guide roller is, as far as the entirety of the formation of the flow and connection channels, formed in an identical manner to the first roller module.
In, for example, a strand guide roller having a first and second roller module, a first open coolant circuit is combined with a second open coolant circuit to a common open coolant circuit, wherein the first coolant circuit to a coolant inlet and the second coolant circuit can be connected to a coolant outlet.

With the modular trained strand guide roller, it is advantageously possible for the first time to form a strand guide roller for different casting widths, which is sufficiently cooled both in the core area and in the near-surface area.

Due to the small axial extent of the bearing gaps between the individual roller modules, it is advantageously achieved that in the regions of a slab not supported by the strand guide rollers, only significantly reduced or minimized bulging of the slab occurs.

With the formation according to the invention of the flow channels within the strand guide roll, a process is overall provided which leads to an increase in the roller life and the expansion of the steel grade spectrum to be cast by the improved cooling of the strand guide roll.

The provision of removable covers for the peripheral flow channels or the chambers has the advantage that they would each be accessible and could be cleaned.

With a helical arrangement of the peripheral flow channels, these could be groupwise, e.g. as multi-thread, be arranged and operated. A first group could then serve for the flow and a second group for the return of the coolant.

Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description of an embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.

Fig. 1

eine aus drei Rollenmodule bestehende Strangführungsrolle in Schnittdarstellung nach der Linie A-A in Fig. 4,

Fig. 2

ein Ausschnitt "Z" in Fig.1 mit vergrößerter Darstellung der den Kühlmittelstrom aus dem Kernbereich in den oberflächennahen Bereich leitenden Strömungs- und Verbindungskanäle,

Fig. 3

einen Querschnitt der Strangführungsrolle in vergrößerter Darstellung nach der Linie D-D in Fig.1,

Fig. 4

einen Querschnitt der Strangführungsrolle in vergrößerter Darstellung nach der Linie B-B in Fig.1,

Fig. 5

die Ansicht des zweiten oder mittleren Rollenmoduls nach Richtung "A" in Fig.6

Fig. 6

das zweite oder mittlere Rollenmodul der Strangführungsrolle im Längsschnitt nach der Linie C-C in Fig. 5,

Fig. 7

eine Seitenansicht des zweiten oder mittleren Rollenmoduls der Strangführungsrolle gem. Fig.6.

In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a consisting of three roller modules strand guide roller in a sectional view along the line AA in Fig. 4 .

Fig. 2

a section "Z" in Fig.1 with an enlarged representation of the flow of coolant and the flow of coolant from the core region into the near-surface region, flow and connection channels,

Fig. 3

a cross section of the strand guide roller in an enlarged view along the line DD in Fig.1 .

Fig. 4

a cross section of the strand guide roller in an enlarged view along the line BB in Fig.1 .

Fig. 5

the view of the second or middle roller module in direction "A" in Figure 6

Fig. 6

the second or middle roller module of the strand guide roller in longitudinal section along the line CC in Fig. 5 .

Fig. 7

a side view of the second or middle roller module of the strand guide roller acc. Figure 6 ,

In the Fig. 1 shown strand guide roller 1 consists of a first roller module 2, a second roller module 3 and a third roller modules 4. All roller modules are according to the prior art document WO 2007/121821 A1 mounted to a strand guide roller, by a first connector between the second or middle roller module 3 and the inner roller journal 2.1 of the first roller module 2 and a second connector between the third roller module 4 and the inner roller journal 3.1 of the second or middle roller module. 3
The inner roller journal 2.1 of the first roller module 2 is in an undivided center bearing 5 and the inner roller journal 3.1 of the second or middle roller module 3 is received in an undivided center bearing 6. Both center bearings 5, 6 are advantageously formed relatively short in their axial extent, whereby the transition region 7 between the roller modules 2, 3 and 3, 4 is also relatively short, so that advantageously a bulge of the cast metal strand (slab) minimized or significantly reduced.

The outer roller journal 2.2 of the roller module 2 and the outer roller journal 4.1 of the roller module 4 of the strand guide roller 1 is received in a respective outer bearing 8 and 9 respectively.
The second or middle roller module 3 is not in the center bearing 5 and the third roller module 4 is not accommodated in the center bearing 6. As a connection between the respective roller modules 2, 3 and 3, 4, for example, a plug connection is provided. In this case, the roller modules 3 and 4 on their the first roller module 2 and the second roller module 3 facing end face a recess 10, best seen in Fig. 6 , in which a, for example, ring-shaped component 23 is used against rotation. A twisted against the actual roller pin extension 2.1.1 or 3.1.1 of the respective roller pin is positively connected to the device 23 connectable. On further details of the positive or plug connection should not be discussed at this point, since they are not the subject of the present invention.
As further from the Fig.1 shows, each roller module 2, 3, 4, a first and second centrally extending flow channel 11 and 12, respectively. In this case, the flow channel 11 of the roller module 2 can be connected to a coolant inlet 13 and the flow channel 12 of the roller module 4 to a coolant outlet 14.
For comprehensive cooling of each roller module of the strand guide roller 1, so not only the cooling of the core and bearing area but also the near-surface region, each of the roller modules further flow and connection channels, which together with the centrally extending flow channels 11, 12 in each roller module. 2 , 3, 4 and finally in each inventively designed strand guide roller 1 form an open cooling circuit.
These are, as in Fig.2 axially extending flow channels 15, 16 are formed in the near-surface region of the metal strand leading and supporting outer circumference of each roller module 2, 3, via first connecting channels 17 and second connecting channels 18, the axially extending flow channels 15, 16 with the centrally extending flow channels 11, 12 connect to an open cooling circuit.
The cooling circuit is designed such that, as from Figure 3 shows, on the one hand, the flow channels 15, 16 pairs in the near-surface region, and are preferably distributed circumferentially distributed within each roller module 2, 3, 4, preferably, the one flow channel of the paired Flow channels 15, 16 is connected via the connecting channel 17 with the inflow-side outlet 11.1 of the flow channel 11 and the other flow channel of the paired flow channels 15, 16 is connected via the connecting channel 18 with the downstream inlet 12.1 of the flow channel 12.
The paired flow channels 15, 16 are each end individually or together by a lid 19 and 27, best seen in the Figures 2 . 5 and 6 sealed in such a way that they ensure a change in the flow direction of the coolant, in conjunction with corresponding chambers 20 formed on the front side in the relevant roller module.

Of particular advantage in such a cooling circuit is that the connecting channels 17, 18 pin side in the direction of the coolant inlet 13 in each roller module 2, 3, 4 are introduced and thus the peripheral surface of each roller module free of any mechanical processing for forming connecting channels with necessarily existing sealing elements is.
In the assembled state of the strand guide roller 1, the respectively second centrically extending flow channel 12 of the roller modules 2 and 3 is connected by a connecting sleeve 21 to the respective first centrically extending flow channel 11 of the roller module 3 and 4 respectively. Thus, the open cooling circuit of each roller module is brought together to form an open cooling circuit of the strand guide roller 1.

For a better understanding of the cooling circuit within the strand guide roller 1, the flow direction of the coolant 22 from the coolant inlet 13 to the coolant outlet 14 is represented by directional arrows.

The coolant 22 flowing into the flow channel 11 of the roller module 2 flows into the connection channel 17 at the end of the flow channel 11 and enters the flow channel 15 of the paired flow channels 15, 16. At the end of the flow channel 15, the coolant 22 enters the flow channel 16 of the paired flow channels 15, 16 headed and passes via the connecting channel 18 in the downstream inlet 12.1 of the second centrally extending flow channel 12, from where it passes via the connecting sleeve 21 in the first centrally extending flow channel 11 of the roller module 3.
The further course of the flow of the coolant 22 in the roller modules 3 and 4 is analogous to the flow path to the flow pattern shown in the roller module 2, so that it can be dispensed with further explanations thereto.

In Fig. 2 is the relevant design of the flow and connection channels of the roller module 2 with the representation of the flow direction of the coolant 22 according to the cutout "Z" in Fig. 1 shown enlarged. For equal parts of Fig. 1 and 2 the same reference numerals are used.

In the Figure 3 shown sectional view along the line DD in Fig. 1 discloses the region of the connector between the roller module 2 and the roller module 3 and the paired in the near-surface region of the roller module 3 and axially extending flow channels 15 and 16 with removed cover 27. The paired flow channels are each a flow channel 15 with inflowing coolant 22 and a flow channel 16 with outflowing coolant 22. The paired flow channels 15, 16 are connected to each other by a respectively introduced in the roller module chamber 20. In the roller journal 2.1 of the roller module 2, the second centrically extending flow channel 12 is also shown.

The Figure 4 shows the roller module 3 in a sectional view along the line BB in Fig.1 arranged with the near-surface, paired flow channels 15 and 16 and the centrally disposed, first flow channel eleventh

Figure 5 shows a side view of the in Figure 6 3. The roller channels in the near-surface region of the roller module 3 arranged and axially extending flow channels 15, 16 are the end with one or a common cover 27 sealingly, preferably releasably, closed. Furthermore, the centrally extending flow channel 11; 12 of the roller module 3 shown.
The flow channel 11 is connected via the acute-angled connecting channels 17 with the relevant flow channels 15 of the paired flow channels 15, 16, while the flow channel 12 is connected via the acute-angled connecting channels 18 with the relevant flow channels 16 of the paired flow channels 15, 16.

The Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal section along the line CC in Figure 5 , In a clear form here again the roller module 3 with roller pins 3.1 and 3.1 arranged in continuation of the roller pin 3.1 selbigem, preferably polygonal extension 3.1.1 shown.
The roller module 3, in addition to the already described in detail above arrangement of the flow and connection channels, a recess 10 which is located on the side facing away from the roller pin 3.1 end face. In the recess 10, an annular member 23 is inserted, which is secured by suitable securing means 24, for example, dowel pins against rotation. The interior of the annular component 23 has, corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the extension 2.1.1 of the roller journal 2.1, a corresponding cross-section, for example in the manner of a polygon. At the recess 10, the inlet side of the central flow channel 11 is followed by a receiving bore 25 for the sleeve 21, sa Fig.1 , The receiving bore 25 is larger in diameter than the diameter of the centrally extending flow channel 11. A receiving bore 26 serving the same purpose further comprises the extension 3.1.1 of the roller journal 3.1 from the roller module 3.

Figure 7 shows another side view of the in Figure 6 3 are shown in the near-surface area, analogous to the training gem. Figure 5 , the paired flow channels 15, 16 arranged around the flow channel 11 and 12 and closed by cap 19. A purely in Figure 6 shown chamber 20 connects the two paired flow channels 15, 16, so that the flow of the coolant 22 undergoes a deflection therein.
The side view further shows the polygonal formation of the extension 3.1.1, the receiving bore 26 for the sleeve 21 and the centrally extending flow channel 12; 11th

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Strand guide roller

2

roller module

2.1

Roller pin inside

2.1.1

extension

2.2

Roller pin outside

3

roller module

3.1

roller pin

3.1.1

extension

4

roller module

4.1

Roller pin outside

5

center support

6

center support

7

Transition area

8th

external storage

9

external storage

10

recess

11

flow channel

11.1

upstream outlet

12

flow channel

12.1

downstream entrance

13

Coolant inlet

14

Coolant flow

15

flow channel

15.1

downstream entrance

16

flow channel

16.1

upstream outlet

17

connecting channel

18

connecting channel

19

cover

20

chamber

21

sleeve

22

coolant

23

module

24

securing means

25

location hole

26

location hole

27

cap

Claims (12)

1. Method of operating a strip guide device with modular strip guide rollers (1) for a metal strip issuing from a mould of a continuous casting plant, in which at least one strip guide roller (1) has the following features:

   at least one first roller module (2) and second roller module (3) arranged axially adjacent to one another, wherein the first roller module (2) has a centrally positioned roller pin (2.1) at its end face facing the second roller module (2),

   a centre bearing (5) positioned between the first and second roller modules (2, 3) for receiving and mounting the roller pin (2.1) of the first roller module (2),

   a plug connection, which is formed between the second roller module (3) and the roller pin (2.1) of the first roller module (2), for plug-connecting the first and second roller modules (2, 3) with one another and

   a flow channel, which extends axially centrally in the roller modules (2, 3) for conducting through a coolant (21),

   a centrally arranged and axially extending flow channel, which consists of a first separate flow channel (11) and a second separate flow channel (12),

   flow channels (15, 16) in the region, which is near the surface, of the outer circumference, which guides and supports the metal strip, of each roller module (2, 3),

   first connecting channels (17) connecting the respective flow channels (15) with the first separate flow channel (11) and second connecting channels (18) connecting the respective flow channels (16) with the second separate flow channel (12),

   characterised in that the coolant in the case of adjacent strip guide rollers, in the case of adjacent roller segments or in the case of the upper frame and lower frame of a segment respectively flows in opposite direction.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the flow channels (15, 16) run in pairs.
3. Method according to claim 2, characterised in that the coolant (22) is deflected at at least one end of each of the paired flow channels (15, 16) at a chamber (20).
4. Method according to claim 3, characterised in that the flow channels (15, 16) and the chambers (20) are sealably, preferably separably, closed outwardly by a respective individual or by a common annular cover (19 or 27).
5. Method according to claim 2, characterised in that the respective flow channels (15) of the paired flow channels (15, 16) are connected with the respective first flow channel (11) by way of the connecting channels (17) and the respective flow channels (16) of the paired flow channels (15, 16) are connected with the respective second flow channel (12) by way of the connecting channels (18).
6. Method according to claim 5, characterised in that the outflow-side inlet (15.1) of the respective flow channels (15) of the paired flow channels (15, 16) is connected with the respective connecting channel (17) of the inflow-side outlet (11.1) of the first flow channel (11).
7. Method according to claim 5, characterised in that the outflow-side inlet (12.1) of the second flow channel (12) is connected with the respective connecting channel (18) of the inflow-side outlet (16.1) of the respective flow channel (16) of the paired flow channels (15, 16).
8. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the flow channel (11) of the first roller module (2) is connected with a coolant entry (13) and the second flow channel (12) of the respective roller module is connected with a coolant exit (14).
9. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the second flow channel (12) of the first roller module (2) is connected with the first flow channel (11) of the second roller module (3) by way of a sleeve (21).
10. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the flow direction of the coolant (21) of the respective roller module (2, 3) is diverted.
11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and second separate flow channels (11, 12) are respectively constructed as sections of one and the same central flow channel and are separated from one another merely by a barrier, for example a plug.
12. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coolant is conducted through the flow channels (15, 16) axially parallelly, helically or in the form of an annular gap in the region of the roller module near the surface.

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