EP3445506B1 - Method and device for changing the rolls on a rolling mill - Google Patents

Description

The subject of the invention is a method for changing the rolls of a rolling mill for metal strip, as well as a rolling installation comprising a rolling mill and a system for changing rolls advantageously allowing the implementation of the method according to the invention.

The field of the invention is that of Quarto stand rolling mills which find a particular application, for example in annealing lines, or even galvanizing lines, or alternatively, off-line rolling mills, reversible or not, for metal strip. . The rolling mill according to the invention finds a particular application, in particular after annealing of the strip, to perform a skin-pass, very often with the aim of eliminating the elastic bearing of the metal strip to impart roughness to it and / or d 'to improve the gloss and / or improve the flatness thereof.

A Quarto stand rolling mill has a retaining stand comprising two pairs of uprights, at the two ends of the stand between which are provided four cylinders with parallel axes, namely two working rolls, lower and upper, defining the passage air gap of the strip to be rolled, as well as two support rolls, upper and lower, bearing respectively on the working rolls, on the side opposite to that of the passage air gap. The motorization of the cylinders is provided on one side of the cage, the other side, called the operator side being the one where maintenance operations are carried out, in particular the operations of changing cylinders through the access window present between the two uprights of the cage on this operator side.

In such rolling mills, each support or working roll is rotatably mounted at its ends on chocks, by means of bearings, for example rolling bearings or hydrostatic bearings. These chocks are supports which can be moved in a direction parallel to the clamping plane, between the two uprights of the cage.

A Quarto type rolling mill comprises means for applying a clamping force between the chocks of the support rolls, in the form of two hydraulic jacks, very often at the lower end of the stand, resting respectively on the two chocks of one of the support rollers, often lower. When retracted, these two hydraulic cylinders allow the opening of the cage, namely the spacing of the upper cylinders (upper support cylinder and working cylinder) relative to the lower cylinders (lower support cylinder and working cylinder) , and in a position where they can be extracted from the cage.

The chocks of the working rolls, and the chocks of the support rolls are thus mounted to slide in a direction parallel to the clamping plane, so as to allow the opening of the cage or its closing, or even to facilitate the operations of maintenance and disassembly.

To this end, each chock typically comprises two sliding plates, parallel and opposite, on either side of the axis of rotation of the cylinder, and cooperating with sliding plates integral with the uprights and parallel to the latter, at the level on both sides of the window. However, these sliding plates do not ensure the blocking of the chocks (and of their cylinder) along the axis of the supported cylinder.

In the field of rolling mills, this blocking of the chocks of the cylinder along the axis of the cylinder is called " clamage " of the chocks. In a Quarto stand rolling mill, the chock clamping system of the working or support rolls typically comprises, for each chock, two vertical grooves of the chocks, opposite, located on either side of the axis of rotation. of the cylinder, as well as two associated locking members, respectively integral with the uprights, movable horizontally. Each locking member can move from a locking position in which the locking member penetrates the vertical groove, to an unlocked position in which the locking member is retracted out of this groove.

In the locking position, the locking member, integral with the upright, prevents movement of the chock along the axis of the cylinder, while allowing the chock to slide along the vertical axis of the uprights, by displacement of the locking member along the vertical groove of the chock.

To allow the working rolls and support rolls to be changed, it is necessary to open the rolling mill, by retracting the clamping cylinders, and unlock the clamage system. It is only after these two actions that the rolls and their chocks can be extracted from the rolling mill stand.

• un premier système d'extraction comprenant un actionneur, typiquement un vérin hydraulique, dont la course est suffisante pour permettre l'extraction des cylindres de travail hors de la cage de maintien, par une action de poussée et déplacement du cylindre de travail suivant son axe longitudinal, et
• un deuxième système d'extraction, indépendant, comprenant un autre actionneur, typiquement un autre vérin hydraulique, dont la course permet l'extraction des cylindres d'appui hors de la cage de maintien, par une action de poussée et déplacement du cylindre d'appui suivant son axe longitudinal.

The support rolls and the working rolls of the Quarto type rolling mills of the state of the art are extracted from the support stand, through the access window on the operator's side, using two independent extraction systems. , in parallel, superimposed one above the other, located on the motorization side of the rolling mill, namely:

• a first extraction system comprising an actuator, typically a hydraulic cylinder, the stroke of which is sufficient to allow the extraction of the working rolls from the retaining cage, by a pushing action and movement of the working cylinder along its axis longitudinal, and
• a second extraction system, independent, comprising another actuator, typically another hydraulic cylinder, the stroke of which allows the extraction of the support cylinders out of the retaining cage, by a pushing action and displacement of the cylinder of support along its longitudinal axis.

Once extracted from the rolling mill, these two extraction systems then make it possible to insert new rolls (respectively the working rolls and the support rolls), into the rolling mill support stand.

According to the observations of the Applicant, there is a need, in Quarto stand rolling mills, for a process for changing the rolls of the rolling mill which would make it possible to significantly reduce the cost of the rolling installation.

However, it is known from the state of the art of the document WO03 / 099479A1 a Quarto cage rolling installation equipped with an extraction system which comprises an actuator marked 7, in this case a jack, substantially horizontal, provided with a coupling head comprising two arms 17a, 17b, superimposed, respectively arranged at the height of the upper working cylinder 2a and the lower working cylinder 2b. Hydraulic (or electric) grippers, marked 18, are associated with these two arms.

The document WO03 / 099479A1 further discloses a process for the extraction of the cylinders, which ensures the extraction of the work rolls marked 2a and 2b, but also the extraction of the support rolls 3a, 3b using as the only actuator with stroke horizontal the actuator marked 7 for pushing the working rolls out of the cage, then for pushing the support rolls out of the cage.

The process allowing the extraction of the four cylinders is as follows, and is broken down into two stages, with first the extraction of the working rolls, then the extraction of the support rolls. In the open position of the rolling mill stand, the two grippers (hydraulic or electric) first of all make it possible to simultaneously grip the two ends of the working rolls marked 2a and 2b, then the actuator marked 7 is used at the thrust to simultaneously extract the two working rolls 2a and 2b, which are then extracted from the stand of the rolling mill, and while the support rolls 3a and 3b are still present in the stand.

For the output of the support rolls, support equipment (marked 11) is used, which is inserted into the stand of the rolling mill, placed between the upper support roll and the lower support roll. Once this support equipment 11 and the upper support cylinder 3a rest on the lower support cylinder 3a, the support equipment 11 is connected to the actuator 7. For this purpose, the upper clamp 18 of the upper arm (17a ) engages with a specific part 19 of the support equipment 11. The stroke of the actuator is then used to remove the lower support cylinder 3b / support equipment 11 / lower support cylinder assembly, in one piece .

• la nécessité d'insérer l'équipement support repéré 11 directement dans l'inter-espace entre le cylindre d'appui supérieur 3a et le cylindre d'appui inférieur 3b (alors présents dans la cage du laminoir), ce qui nécessite un équipement de manutention dédié à cette opération,
• l'utilisation d'un système d'extraction qui comprend non seulement un actionneur repéré 7, dont la course horizontale est utilisée pour pousser les cylindres hors de la cage, mais encore deux actionneurs dédiés (pinces hydrauliques ou électriques) respectivement pour les deux bras, et afin de saisir les deux extrémités des deux cylindres de travail, ce qui grève le coût de l'installation.

According to the observations of the Applicant, the installation of this prior art has certain drawbacks, however, and in particular:

• the need to insert the support equipment marked 11 directly into the inter-space between the upper support roll 3a and the lower support roll 3b (then present in the stand of the rolling mill), which requires equipment for handling dedicated to this operation,
• the use of an extraction system which includes not only an actuator marked 7, the horizontal stroke of which is used to push the cylinders out of the cage, but also two dedicated actuators (hydraulic or electric grippers) respectively for the two arms , and in order to grasp the two ends of the two working rolls, which adds to the cost of the installation.

We still know of the document US 2002/0078728 a Quarto cage rolling mill installation and a method for changing the working rolls and the support rolls implemented in such an installation.

The extraction system comprises a single actuator (marked 54) with horizontal stroke, fitted with a coupling head (a hook marked 54a) which allows all the cylinders (working and support) to be removed, and in a sequence illustrated in Figures 6 (A) to 6 (D).

FIG. 6 (A) illustrates the step of extracting the two working rolls (jointly) by the pushing action of the actuator 54. Subsequently, to this extraction, the lower support cylinder 53 is lifted by jacks 16, allowing the chock of the lower support cylinder 54 to be taken with the hook 54a of the horizontal actuator 54. The same actuator 54 with horizontal stroke is then used to take out the lower support roll 53, and while the upper support roll is still present in the stand of the rolling mill.

FIG. 6 (B) illustrates the next step for which a support device, marked 59 (" roll changing stool ") is positioned resting on the chocks of the lower support rollers (then outside the cage), before insert the assembly into the rolling mill stand, namely the lower back-up roll and the support equipment by the pulling action of the actuator 54, and as shown in Figure 6 (C).

The upper support cylinder is then lowered onto the support equipment 59, resting by its chocks, the actuator 54 then being used for the joint thrust of the assembly comprising the lower support cylinder, the support equipment and the upper support cylinder (superimposed).

Thus, the extraction process implemented in this prior art US 2002/0078728 use as document WO 03 / 099479A1 a support equipment (" roll changing stool ") comparable to the equipment marked 11 in the prior art WO03 / 099479A1 allowing the joint exit of the upper and lower support rolls.

According to the observations of the Applicant, the method previously described in this prior art US 2002/0078728 is advantageous compared to that of the document WO03 / 099479A1 in that the horizontal actuator marked 54 is used, as well as the lower support roll (temporarily extracted) to allow the insertion of this equipment in the stand of the rolling mill, and as illustrated in Figures 6 (B) and 6 (C), and unlike the document WO 03 / 099479A1 which requires inserting this support equipment directly between the support rolls present in the rolling mill stand.

According to the observations of the Applicant, the installation of this prior art US 2002/0078728 However, there are certain drawbacks, and in particular the need to provide in the stand of the rolling mill support rails for the lower support roll 53 of variable level, called " up-and-down rails 15 ", which can be actuated on descent or ascent by to jacks 16.

In the low position of the rails, the hook 54a of the horizontal actuator is aligned with the complementary hook of the chock 57 of the lower working cylinder, and as shown in Figure 6 (A), allowing the actuator to be engaged with the work rolls to allow its extraction.

In their upper position, the support rails 15 of the lower support cylinder are aligned with the rails marked 18 allowing the exit of the lower support cylinder. The rise of the rails from the low position to the high position still allows the hook 54a to engage with a complementary hook of the chock of the lower support cylinder.

In other words, and for the extraction of all the cylinders ( ie the working cylinders and the support cylinders), the actuator 54 (with horizontal stroke) for the thrust of the cylinders must necessarily be combined with a control system. rails, intended for supporting the chocks of the lower support cylinder and whose jacks marked 16 allow the level of the lower support cylinder to be changed (and therefore of the lower working cylinder resting on the latter) to allow the same hook 54a of the horizontal actuator to engage respectively with a hook 54b of the chock of the working cylinder (in the down position of the rails 15 shown in Figure 6 (A), and engage with a hook 24 of the chock of the lower back-up roll (in the upper position of the rails shown in Figures 6 (B) to 6 (C)).

The present invention meets this objective by proposing a method for changing the rolls which advantageously makes it possible to use an extraction system using a single actuator to extract all of the rolls from the rolling mill.

More particularly, the aim of the present invention is such a method with a single actuator, the coupling head of which can be linked, firstly to the chock of a working cylinder, then secondly to the chock. a support cylinder, to allow extraction of all the cylinders (ie namely the working rolls and the backup rolls) limiting the installation costs necessary for these operations, and by comparing to the state of the art disclosed by the document US 2002/0078728 .

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a rolling installation comprising a rolling mill, as well as a system for extracting the rolls, of lower cost compared to the installations of the state of the art, suitable in particular for setting up. implementation of the process.

Other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which is given only as an indication and which is not intended to limit it.

• un laminoir comprenant :
  • une cage de maintien,
  • un ensemble de cylindres superposés à axes sensiblement parallèles comprenant deux cylindres de travail inférieur et supérieur, définissant l'entrefer de passage, et deux cylindres d'appui respectivement inférieur et supérieur, destinés à prendre respectivement appui sur les cylindres de travail du côté opposé à celui de l'entrefer de passage,
  • chaque cylindre ayant deux extrémités montées rotatives, chacune sur un palier porté par une empoise,
  • des moyens de guidage entre les empoises des cylindres et la cage de maintien suivant le plan de serrage,
  • des moyens d'application d'un effort de serrage entre les empoises des cylindres d'appui, comprenant des vérins hydrauliques,
  • un système de clamage des empoises des cylindres, assurant le blocage des empoises par rapport à la cage de maintien, suivant l'axe du cylindre, tout en autorisant le coulissement des empoises le long des moyens de guidage, suivant le plan de serrage,
  • des moyens de motorisation des cylindres d'appui, d'un côté de la cage de maintien du laminoir,
• un système d'extraction des cylindres de travail et des cylindres d'appui pourvu, côté motorisation dudit laminoir, comprenant :
  • un actionneur configuré pour pousser les cylindres hors de la cage de maintien du laminoir lors de l'extraction des cylindres, ou au contraire tirer les cylindres dans la cage de maintien lors de l'insertion des cylindres,
  • une tête d'attelage solidaire dudit actionneur, située en position d'ouverture de la cage de maintien, à un niveau de hauteur intermédiaire entre le cylindre de travail inférieur et le cylindre d'appui inférieur, déplaçable suivant une direction parallèle aux cylindres, depuis une première position escamotée pour laquelle la tête d'attelage est située coté motorisation, vers une deuxième position déployée pour laquelle la tête d'attelage ayant traversée la cage de maintien est située côté opérateur, ladite tête d'attelage comprenant :
  • des premiers moyens de couplage configurés pour entrainer l'empoise ou l'extrémité du cylindre de travail inférieur, côté motorisation du laminoir,
  • des seconds moyens de couplage configurés pour entrainer l'empoise du cylindre d'appui inférieur, côté motorisation du laminoir, présentant un état escamoté dans lequel ils n'entrainent pas l'empoise du cylindre d'appui inférieur et un état déployé dans lequel ils entraînent à la poussée l'empoise dudit cylindre d'appui inférieur,

et dans lequel les empoises des cylindres de travail supérieur et inférieur présentent des moyens de liaisons, du côté opérateur, assurant une liaison mécanique entre ces empoises du côté opérateur,
et dans lequel on procède à l'extraction des cylindres de travail et des cylindres d'appui, après ouverture de la cage de maintien dudit laminoir au cours de laquelle le cylindre de travail inférieur et le cylindre d'appui inférieur sont écartés du cylindre de travail supérieur et du cylindre d'appui supérieur, alors que la bande métallique est présente le long du plan de défilement dudit laminoir par la mise en œuvre des étapes successives suivantes :

• une première étape d'extraction au cours de laquelle sont extraits le cylindre de travail supérieur et le cylindre de travail inférieur, par une action de poussée dudit actionneur sur l'empoise du cylindre de travail inférieur, côté motorisation, la tête d'attelage passant de la première position escamotée vers la deuxième position déployée, ledit cylindre de travail supérieur étant entrainé conjointement avec le cylindre de travail inférieur par la liaison mécanique créée, côté opérateur, entre les empoises des cylindres de travail inférieur et supérieur, lesdits seconds moyens de couplage de la tête d'attelage étant dans ledit état escamoté où ils n'entrainent pas les empoises des cylindres d'appui lors de cette action de poussée,
• une étape de retour au cours de laquelle la tête d'attelage est retournée depuis la deuxième position déployée en direction du côté motorisation vers la première position escamotée,
• une deuxième étape d'extraction au cours de laquelle est extrait le cylindre d'appui inférieur hors de la cage de maintien par une action de poussée dudit actionneur sur l'empoise du cylindre d'appui inférieur côté motorisation, la tête d'attelage passant de la première position escamotée vers la deuxième position déployée, lesdits seconds moyens de couplage étant dans ledit état déployé permettant d'entrainer la poussée de l'empoise dudit cylindre d'appui inférieur,
• une étape de positionnement au cours de laquelle est positionné un équipement support sur le cylindre d'appui inférieur, dont la partie basse est en appui sur les empoises du cylindre d'appui inférieur, et dont la partie haute est destinée à servir de support pour les empoises du cylindre d'appui supérieur, ledit équipement support étant insérable dans la cage de maintien,
• une étape d'insertion au cours de laquelle le cylindre d'appui inférieur et ledit équipement support sont insérés dans la cage de maintien, par l'action de traction provoquée par le retour de la tête d'attelage en direction du côté motorisation depuis la deuxième position déployée vers la première position escamotée, ledit équipement support présentant un dégagement traversé par la bande métallique lorsqu'inséré dans la cage de maintien,
• une étape de dépose au cours de laquelle le cylindre d'appui supérieur est déposé sur la partie haute de l'équipement support, par une action de descente dudit cylindre d'appui supérieur,
• une troisième étape d'extraction au cours de laquelle est extrait l'ensemble comprenant le cylindre d'appui inférieur, l'équipement support, et ledit cylindre d'appui supérieur par une action de poussée dudit actionneur sur l'empoise du cylindre d'appui inférieur, côté motorisation.

Also the invention relates first of all to a method of changing the rolls of a rolling mill for metal strip, implemented in an installation having:

• a rolling mill comprising:
  • a retaining cage,
  • a set of superimposed cylinders with substantially parallel axes comprising two lower and upper working rolls, defining the passage air gap, and two respectively lower and upper support rolls, intended to rest respectively on the working rolls on the side opposite to that of the passage air gap,
  • each cylinder having two rotatably mounted ends, each on a bearing supported by a chock,
  • guide means between the chocks of the cylinders and the retaining cage according to the clamping plane,
  • means for applying a clamping force between the chocks of the support rolls, comprising hydraulic jacks,
  • a clamping system for the chocks of the cylinders, ensuring the blocking of the chocks relative to the retaining cage, along the axis of the cylinder, while allowing the chocks to slide along the guide means, according to the clamping plane,
  • means for driving the support rolls, on one side of the rolling mill support stand,
• a system for extracting the working rolls and the support rolls provided, on the motor side of said rolling mill, comprising:
  • an actuator configured to push the rolls out of the rolling mill holding stand during the extraction of the rolls, or on the contrary to pull the rolls into the holding stand when inserting the rolls,
  • a coupling head integral with said actuator, located in the open position of the retaining cage, at an intermediate height level between the lower working cylinder and the lower support cylinder, movable in a direction parallel to the cylinders, from a first retracted position for which the coupling head is located on the engine side, towards a second deployed position for which the coupling head having passed through the retaining cage is located on the operator side, said coupling head comprising:
  • first coupling means configured to drive the chock or the end of the lower working roll, on the motor side of the rolling mill,
  • second coupling means configured to drive the chock of the lower support roll, motorization side of the rolling mill, having a retracted state in which they do not cause the chock of the lower support roll and a deployed state in which they cause the choke of said lower support cylinder to thrust,

and in which the chocks of the upper and lower working rolls have connection means, on the operator side, providing a mechanical connection between these chocks on the operator side,
and in which one proceeds to the extraction of the working rolls and the support rolls, after opening of the retaining cage of said rolling mill during which the lower working roll and the lower support roll are separated from the pressure roll. upper work and the upper support roll, while the metal strip is present along the travel plane of said rolling mill by the implementation of the following successive steps:

• a first extraction step during which are extracted the upper working cylinder and the lower working cylinder, by a pushing action of said actuator on the chock of the lower working cylinder, motor side, the coupling head passing from the first retracted position towards the second deployed position, said upper working cylinder being driven jointly with the lower working cylinder by the mechanical connection created, on the operator side, between the chocks of the lower and upper working cylinders, said second coupling means the coupling head being in said retracted state where they do not cause the chocks of the support rolls during this pushing action,
• a return step during which the coupling head is returned from the second deployed position in the direction of the engine side towards the first retracted position,
• a second extraction step during which the lower support cylinder is extracted from the retaining cage by a pushing action of said actuator on the chock of the lower support cylinder on the engine side, the coupling head passing from the first retracted position to the second deployed position, said second coupling means being in said deployed state making it possible to drive the thrust of the chock of said lower support cylinder,
• a positioning step during which a support device is positioned on the lower support cylinder, the lower part of which bears on the chocks of the lower support cylinder, and the upper part of which is intended to serve as a support for the chocks of the upper support cylinder, said support equipment being insertable into the retaining cage,
• an insertion step during which the lower support cylinder and said support equipment are inserted into the retaining cage, by the pulling action caused by the return of the coupling head towards the motorization side from the second position deployed towards the first retracted position, said support equipment having a clearance through which the metal strip passes when inserted into the retaining cage,
• a removal step during which the upper support cylinder is deposited on the upper part of the support equipment, by a lowering action of said upper support cylinder,
• a third extraction step during which the assembly comprising the lower support cylinder, the support equipment, and said upper support cylinder is extracted by a pushing action of said actuator on the chock of the cylinder of lower support, motorization side.

According to a notable characteristic of the invention, the second coupling means are passed from the retracted state in which they do not cause the chock of the lower support cylinder to the deployed state in which they cause the thrust l '' chocks said lower support roll by manual action on said second coupling means, successively at said first extraction step, the coupling head being in said second deployed position, accessible from the operator side of said rolling mill, and prior to said rolling mill step back.

Also, and according to the invention, the coupling head can be coupled to the working cylinder (and while the second coupling means are in the retracted state and do not drive the lower support cylinder) to allow the implementation of the first step of extracting the working rolls, then be coupled to the lower support cylinder for the implementation of the following steps, this change being made manually, in other words without using an actuator (such as the jacks marked 16 as in the prior art US 2002/0078728 ) to allow this change of coupling.

In the invention, the coupling change of the coupling head (from the retracted state of the second coupling means to the deployed state) is obtained by manual action by an operator (and therefore without the use of a electric actuator, hydraulic pneumatic or other which increases the cost of the installation).

• lors de ladite étape de retour de la tête d'attelage, ledit passage de la tête d'attelage de la deuxième position déployée vers la première position escamotée provoque l'engagement de la partie saillante contre l'élément mobile, qui pivote autour de son articulation sous l'action de la partie saillante, pour échapper ladite partie saillante, avant de revenir, sous l'effet de la gravité, en position dans laquelle ledit élément mobile projette vers le bas, de l'autre côté de la partie saillante,
• lors de la deuxième étape d'extraction, ledit élément mobile vient en butée contre ladite partie saillante, de l'autre côté de la partie saillante, sous l'action de poussée de l'actionneur et de manière à permettre la sortie dudit cylindre d'appui inférieur.

For example, and according to one embodiment, the second coupling means comprise at least one movable element, articulated to the frame of the coupling head, suitable for cooperating in the thrust with the chock of the lower support cylinder, which , on the one hand, in the retracted state of the second coupling means, is raised and locked in a retracted position where said movable element does not engage with the chock, of the lower support cylinder, motorization side, and which on the other hand, in the deployed state of the second coupling means is in a deployed position where said movable element projects downward under the action of gravity,
and wherein said movable element is configured in said deployed position to engage with a protruding part on the upper face the chock of the lower support cylinder on the motor side,
and in which:

• during said step of returning the coupling head, said passage of the coupling head from the second deployed position to the first retracted position causes the engagement of the protruding part against the movable element, which pivots around its articulation under the action of the protruding part, to escape said protruding part, before returning, under the effect of gravity, to the position in which said movable element projects downwards, on the other side of the protruding part,
• during the second extraction step, said movable element comes into abutment against said protruding part, on the other side of the protruding part, under the thrust action of the actuator and so as to allow the exit of said cylinder d 'lower support.

• la cage de maintien du laminoir comprend des rails de soutien sur lesquels reposent les empoises des cylindres de travail supérieur et inférieur, en position d'ouverture de la cage de maintien, lesdits rails de soutien assurant le guidage des cylindres de travail et de leur empoise lors de l'extraction des cylindres dans ladite cage de maintien,
• ladite installation de laminage comprend un chariot support présentant des rails de soutien convenant pour le support et le guidage des empoises des cylindres de travail inférieur et supérieur, qui, dans une position relative du chariot par rapport au laminoir prolongent les rails de soutien du laminoir, et de telle manière à ce que les cylindres de travail inférieur et supérieur soient chargés sur le chariot support lorsque la tête d'attelage atteint ladite deuxième position déployée lors de la première étape d'extraction.

According to one embodiment of the method:

• the rolling mill retaining cage comprises support rails on which rest the chocks of the upper and lower working rolls, in the open position of the holding cage, said support rails guiding the working rolls and their chocks during the extraction of the cylinders in said retaining cage,
• said rolling installation comprises a support carriage having support rails suitable for supporting and guiding the chocks of the lower and upper working rolls, which, in a relative position of the carriage with respect to the rolling mill, extend the support rails of the rolling mill, and such that the lower and upper work rolls are loaded onto the support carriage when the coupling head reaches said second deployed position during the first extraction step.

• les premiers moyens de couplage comprennent un crochet rigidement solidaire de la tête d'attelage destiné à engager avec un crochet correspondant solidaire de l'extrémité côté motorisation du cylindre de travail inférieur, et convenant pour exercer un effort de poussée sur le cylindre de travail inférieur lors de la première étape d'extraction et le passage de la tête d'attelage de la première position escamotée vers la deuxième position déployée et pour exercer un effort de traction sur le cylindre de travail lors du passage de la tête d'attelage de la deuxième position déployée vers la première position escamotée ;
• l'accrochage et le décrochage entre, d'une part, le crochet des premiers moyens de couplage de la tête d'attelage, et d'autre part le crochet correspondant du cylindre de travail inférieur sont provoqués par les mouvements du chariot, suivant une direction perpendiculaire aux rails de soutien ;

Selon un mode de réalisation, les seconds moyens de couplage comprennent au moins un élément repliable convenant pour coopérer à la traction avec l'empoise du cylindre d'appui inférieur, qui

• dans ladite position déployée dudit élément repliable, permet d'engager en butée avec l'empoise côté motorisation du cylindre d'appui inférieur pour exercer une traction, permettant l'insertion du cylindre d'appui inférieur et de l'équipement support lors de ladite étape d'insertion,
• dans la position repliée dudit élément repliable, permet, successivement à ladite troisième étape d'extraction de découpler la tête d'attelage dudit cylindre d'appui inférieur extrait de la cage de maintien, lors du mouvement de retour de la tête d'attelage de la deuxième position déployée vers la première position escamotée.

According to optional characteristics of the process, taken alone or in combination:

• the first coupling means comprise a hook rigidly secured to the coupling head intended to engage with a corresponding hook secured to the motor side end of the lower working cylinder, and suitable for exerting a thrust force on the lower working cylinder during the first extraction step and the passage of the coupling head from the first retracted position to the second deployed position and to exert a tensile force on the working cylinder during the passage of the coupling head from the second position deployed towards the first retracted position;
• the hooking and unhooking between, on the one hand, the hook of the first coupling means of the coupling head, and on the other hand the corresponding hook of the lower working cylinder are caused by the movements of the carriage, following a direction perpendicular to the support rails;

According to one embodiment, the second coupling means comprise at least one folding element suitable for cooperating in traction with the chock of the lower support cylinder, which

• in said deployed position of said folding element, makes it possible to engage in abutment with the chock on the motor side of the lower support cylinder to exert traction, allowing the insertion of the lower support cylinder and the support equipment during said insertion step,
• in the folded position of said folding element, allows, successively to said third extraction step to decouple the coupling head from said lower support cylinder extracted from the retaining cage, during the return movement of the coupling head from the second position deployed towards the first retracted position.

• un laminoir comprenant :
  • une cage de maintien,
  • un ensemble de cylindres superposés à axes sensiblement parallèles comprenant deux cylindres de travail inférieur et supérieur, définissant l'entrefer de passage, et deux cylindres d'appui respectivement inférieur et supérieur, destinés à prendre respectivement appui sur les cylindres de travail du côté opposé à celui de l'entrefer de passage,
  • chaque cylindre ayant deux extrémités montées rotatives, chacune sur un palier porté par une empoise,
  • des moyens de guidage entre les empoises des cylindres et la cage de maintien suivant le plan de serrage,
  • des moyens d'application d'un effort de serrage entre les empoises des cylindres d'appui, comprenant des vérins hydrauliques,
  • un système de clamage des empoises des cylindres, assurant le blocage des empoises par rapport à la cage de maintien, suivant l'axe du cylindre, tout en autorisant le coulissement des empoises le long des moyens de guidage, suivant le plan de serrage,
  • des moyens de motorisation des cylindres d'appui, d'un côté de la cage de maintien du laminoir,
• un système d'extraction des cylindres de travail et des cylindres d'appui situé côté motorisation dudit laminoir, comprenant :
  • un actionneur configuré pour pousser les cylindres hors de la cage de maintien du laminoir lors de l'extraction des cylindres, ou au contraire tirer les cylindres dans la cage de maintien lors de l'insertion des cylindres,
  • une tête d'attelage solidaire dudit actionneur, située en position d'ouverture de la cage de maintien, à un niveau de hauteur intermédiaire entre le cylindre de travail inférieur et le cylindre d'appui inférieur, déplaçable suivant une direction parallèle aux cylindres, depuis une première position escamotée pour laquelle la tête d'attelage est située coté motorisation, vers une deuxième position déployée pour laquelle la tête d'attelage ayant traversée la cage de maintien est située côté opérateur, ladite tête d'attelage comprenant :
  • des premiers moyens de couplage configurés pour entrainer l'empoise ou l'extrémité du cylindre de travail inférieur, côté des moyens de motorisation du laminoir,
  • des seconds moyens de couplage configurés pour entrainer l'empoise du cylindre d'appui inférieur, côté motorisation du laminoir, présentant un état escamoté dans lequel ils n'entrainent pas l'empoise du cylindre d'appui inférieur et un état déployé dans lequel ils entraînent à la poussée l'empoise dudit cylindre d'appui inférieur,

et dans lequel les empoises des cylindres de travail supérieur et inférieur présentent des moyens de liaisons, du côté opérateur, opposé des moyens de motorisation, assurant une liaison mécanique entre ces empoises du côté opérateur,
et dans lequel les premiers moyens de couplage et les seconds moyens de couplage dudit système d'extraction sont configurés de manière à permettre :

• les extractions successives des cylindres de travail, puis des cylindres d'appui hors de la cage de maintien,
• les insertions successives des cylindres d'appui, puis des cylindres de travail dans la cage de maintien.

The invention also relates to a rolling installation having:

• a rolling mill comprising:
  • a retaining cage,
  • a set of superimposed cylinders with substantially parallel axes comprising two lower and upper working rolls, defining the passage air gap, and two respectively lower and upper support rolls, intended to rest respectively on the working rolls on the side opposite to that of the passage air gap,
  • each cylinder having two rotatably mounted ends, each on a bearing supported by a chock,
  • guide means between the chocks of the cylinders and the retaining cage according to the clamping plane,
  • means for applying a clamping force between the chocks of the support rolls, comprising hydraulic jacks,
  • a clamping system for the chocks of the cylinders, ensuring the blocking of the chocks relative to the retaining cage, along the axis of the cylinder, while allowing the chocks to slide along the guide means, according to the clamping plane,
  • means for driving the support rolls, on one side of the rolling mill support stand,
• a system for extracting the working rolls and the support rolls located on the motor side of said rolling mill, comprising:
  • an actuator configured to push the rolls out of the rolling mill holding stand during the extraction of the rolls, or on the contrary to pull the rolls into the holding stand when inserting the rolls,
  • a coupling head integral with said actuator, located in the open position of the retaining cage, at an intermediate height level between the lower working cylinder and the lower support cylinder, movable in a direction parallel to the cylinders, from a first retracted position for which the coupling head is located on the engine side, towards a second deployed position for which the coupling head having passed through the retaining cage is located on the operator side, said coupling head comprising:
  • first coupling means configured to drive the chock or the end of the lower working roll, side of the rolling mill motorization means,
  • second coupling means configured to drive the chock of the lower support roll, motorized side of the rolling mill, having a retracted state in which they do not cause the chock of the lower support roll and a deployed state in which they cause the chock of said lower support cylinder to thrust,

and in which the chocks of the upper and lower working rolls have connection means, on the operator side, opposite the motorization means, ensuring a mechanical connection between these chocks on the operator side,
and wherein the first coupling means and the second coupling means of said extraction system are configured so as to allow:

• the successive extractions of the working rolls, then of the support rolls out of the retaining cage,
• the successive insertions of the support rolls, then of the working rolls into the retaining cage.

• dans l'état escamoté des seconds moyens de couplage, ledit au moins élément mobile est remonté et bloqué dans une position escamotée où ledit élément mobile n'engage pas avec l'empoise, du cylindre d'appui inférieur, coté motorisation du laminoir,
• dans l'état déployé des seconds moyens de couplage est dans une position déployée dans laquelle ledit élément mobile projette vers le bas sous l'action de la gravité.

According to the invention, the second coupling means comprise at least one movable element, articulated to the frame of the coupling head, suitable for cooperating in the thrust with the chock of the lower support cylinder, which:

• in the retracted state of the second coupling means, said at least mobile element is raised and locked in a retracted position where said mobile element does not engage with the chock, of the lower support roll, motorization side of the rolling mill,
• in the deployed state the second coupling means is in a deployed position in which said movable member projects downward under the action of gravity.

• ledit passage de la tête d'attelage de la deuxième position déployée vers la première position escamotée provoque l'engagement de la partie saillante contre l'élément mobile, qui pivote autour de son articulation sous l'action de la partie saillante, pour échapper ladite partie saillante, avant de revenir, sous l'effet de la gravité, en position où ledit élément mobile projette vers le bas, de l'autre côté de la partie saillante;
• ledit élément mobile, alors en position de l'autre côté de la partie saillante vient en butée contre ladite partie saillante sous l'action de poussée de l'actionneur et de manière à permettre la sortie dudit cylindre d'appui inférieur.

Advantageously, said movable member is a member with manual actuation to move from the retracted position to the deployed position of said movable member, or vice versa, said movable member being configured in said deployed position to engage with a projecting part on the upper face of the chocks the lower support cylinder on the motor side, present in the retaining cage, and in such a way that:

• said passage of the coupling head from the second deployed position to the first retracted position causes the engagement of the protruding part against the movable element, which pivots around its articulation under the action of the protruding part, to escape said protruding part, before returning, under the effect of gravity, to the position where said movable element projects downwards, on the other side of the protruding part;
• said movable element, then in position on the other side of the protruding part, abuts against said protruding part under the thrust action of the actuator and so as to allow the exit of said lower support cylinder.

• la cage de maintien du laminoir comprend des rails de soutien sur lesquels reposent les empoises des cylindres de travail supérieur et inférieur, en position d'ouverture de la cage de maintien, lesdits rails de soutien assurant le guidage des cylindres de travail et de leur empoise lors de l'extraction des cylindres dans ladite cage de maintien,
• ladite installation de laminage comprenant un chariot support présentant des rails de soutien convenant pour le support et le guidage des empoises des cylindres de travail inférieur et supérieur, qui, dans une position relative du chariot par rapport au laminoir, prolongent les rails de soutien du laminoir et de telle manière à ce que les cylindres de travail inférieur et supérieur soient chargés sur le chariot lors de l'action de poussée de l'actionneur sur les cylindres de travail.

According to one embodiment:

• the rolling mill retaining cage comprises support rails on which rest the chocks of the upper and lower working rolls, in the open position of the holding cage, said support rails guiding the working rolls and their chocks during the extraction of the cylinders in said retaining cage,
• said rolling installation comprising a support carriage having support rails suitable for supporting and guiding the chocks of the lower and upper working rolls, which, in a relative position of the carriage with respect to the rolling mill, extend the support rails of the rolling mill and such that the lower and upper work rolls are loaded onto the carriage during the pushing action of the actuator on the work rolls.

• les premiers moyens de couplage comprennent un crochet rigidement solidaire de la tête d'attelage destiné à engager avec un crochet correspondant solidaire à l'une des extrémités du cylindres de travail inférieur et convenant pour exercer un effort de poussée sur le cylindre de travail inférieur lors de l'action de poussée de la tête d'attelage de la première position escamotée vers la deuxième position déployée, et pour exercer un effort de traction sur le cylindre de travail inférieur lors du passage de la tête d'attelage de la deuxième position déployée vers la première position escamotée ;
• l'accrochage et le décrochage entre, d'une part, le crochet des premiers moyens de couplage de la tête d'attelage, d'une part, et le crochet correspondant du cylindre de travail inférieur sont provoqués par les mouvements du chariot, suivant une direction perpendiculaire aux rails de soutien.

Depending on the optional characteristics of the installation, taken alone or in combination:

• the first coupling means comprise a hook rigidly secured to the coupling head intended to engage with a corresponding hook secured to one of the ends of the lower working rollers and suitable for exerting a thrust force on the lower working roll during the pushing action of the coupling head from the first retracted position to the second deployed position, and to exert a tensile force on the lower working cylinder when the coupling head passes from the second deployed position towards the first retracted position;
• the hooking and unhooking between, on the one hand, the hook of the first coupling means of the coupling head, on the one hand, and the corresponding hook of the lower working cylinder are caused by the movements of the carriage, according to a direction perpendicular to the support rails.

• dans ladite position déployée dudit élément repliable, permet d'engager en butée avec l'empoise côté motorisation du cylindre d'appui inférieur pour exercer une traction, permettant l'insertion du cylindre d'appui inférieur dans la cage du laminoir,
• dans la position repliée dudit élément repliable, permet, de découpler la tête d'attelage dudit cylindre d'appui inférieur extrait de la cage de maintien, lors du mouvement de retour de la tête d'attelage de la deuxième position déployée vers la première position escamotée.

According to one embodiment, the second coupling means comprise at least one folding element suitable for cooperating in traction with the chock of the lower support cylinder on the motor side, which

• in said deployed position of said folding element, makes it possible to engage in abutment with the chock on the motor side of the lower support roll to exert traction, allowing the insertion of the lower support roll into the stand of the rolling mill,
• in the folded position of said folding element, makes it possible to decouple the coupling head from said lower support cylinder extracted from the retaining cage, during the return movement of the coupling head from the second deployed position to the first position retracted.

According to an advantageous embodiment, said folding element is a manually actuated member for
move from the deployed position to the folded position of said folding member, or vice versa.

According to one embodiment, the chocks on the operator side of the working rolls having sliding plates, parallel and distributed on either side of the axis of the cylinder, intended to cooperate with sliding plates integral with two uprights on the operator side. of the rolling mill, the connecting means comprise at least one blade the proximal end of which is integral with one of the lower or upper chocks, received in a lateral groove, made in the body of the chock, on the back of a plate sliding, and the distal end of which penetrates into a groove of the other chock, at least in an extended position of said blade, in said open position of the retaining cage.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'ensemble illustrant le laminoir du type Quarto, y compris la cage de maintien dans laquelle sont présents les cylindres d'appui et de travail, la motorisation des cylindres d'appui du laminoir, ainsi que le système d'extraction à actionneur unique, du type pignon motorisé/crémaillère, situé côté motorisation du laminoir, la vue en perspective illustrant encore, côté opérateur de la cage de maintien (opposé à celui de la motorisation), le chariot support des cylindres de travail, un équipement support en U (amovible), insérable dans la cage de maintien destiné pour sortir conjointement les deux cylindres d'appui, et encore des organes de manutention destiné à permettre le levage des cylindres d'appui et de travail, voire dudit équipement support,
• La figure 2 est une vue de coupe selon un plan passant par le plan de serrage du laminoir, illustrant plus particulièrement le système d'extraction, dans ladite première position escamotée de la tête d'attelage,
• La figure 3 est une vue de détail de la figure 3 illustrant plus particulièrement le crochet des premiers moyens de couplage de la tête d'attelage, en prise avec un crochet correspondant solidaire de l'extrémité (côté motorisation) du cylindre de travail inférieur, dans la première position escamotée de la tête d'attelage,
• La figure 4 est une vue de coupe du laminoir, selon un plan vertical perpendiculaire aux cylindres,
• La figure 5 est une vue de la cage de maintien du laminoir, à nu,
• Les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues des cylindres de travail et d'appui, respectivement dans la position de fermeture et d'ouverture de la cage de maintien,
• Les figures 8 et 9 sont des vues partielles de l'installation de laminage, côté opérateur, illustrant le chariot support des cylindres de travail, respectivement dans une position escamotée de la zone d'extraction, et dans une position du chariot permettant la réception des cylindres de travail lors de leur extraction,
• La figure 10 est une vue de détail des empoises (côté opérateur) des cylindres de travail, et plus particulièrement des organes permettant la création d'une liaison mécanique assurant la sortie conjointe des deux cylindres de travail lorsque l'actionneur du système d'extraction exerce seulement une poussée (côté motorisation) sur le cylindre de travail inférieur,
• La figure 11 est une vue, coté motorisation du laminoir, dans la première position escamotée de la tête d'attelage, lesdits premiers moyens de couplage alors en prise avec l'extrémité du cylindre d'appui inférieur, lesdits seconds moyens de couplage dans l'état escamoté dans lequel ils n'entrainent pas à la poussée le cylindre d'appui inférieur,
• La figure 12 est une vue successive de la figure 11, illustrant la première étape d'extraction dans laquelle l'actionneur entraine la tête d'attelage à la poussée, alors en prise avec le cylindre de travail inférieur, provoquant ainsi l'extraction du cylindre de travail inférieur et, conjointement, du cylindre de travail supérieur grâce à la liaison mécanique illustré à la figure 10, les cylindres de travail supérieur et inférieur étant ainsi chargés sur les rails de soutien du chariot support, les cylindres d'appui, non entrainés maintenus dans la cage de maintien,
• La figure 13 est une vue consécutive de la figure 12 les cylindres de travail supérieur et inférieur alors extraits de la cage de maintien et totalement supportés par le chariot lorsque ladite tête d'attelage est dans sa deuxième position déployée,
• La figure 14 est une vue consécutive de la figure 13, pour laquelle le chariot support est déplacé latéralement, libérant la zone d'extraction, côté opérateur de la cage de maintien,
• Les figures 15 et 16 sont respectivement deux vues de la tête d'attelage alors située, côté opérateur, dans ladite deuxième position déployée, ledit élément mobile articulé au châssis de la tête d'attelage suivant un axe de pivot horizontal, étant basculé manuellement à partir d'une position escamotée illustrée à la figure 15 pour laquelle ledit élément mobile, n'est pas susceptible d'interagir avec l'empoise du cylindre d'appui inférieur, vers une position déployée, illustrée à la figure 16, permettant d'engager en butée avec l'empoise (côté motorisation) du cylindre d'appui inférieur, lors du retour de la tête d'attelage vers le côté motorisation,
• Les figures 17 et 18 sont deux vues de détail illustrant le passage du système de clamage des empoises des cylindres d'appui d'une position de verrouillage des empoises, vers une position déverrouillée, libérant le déplacement axial des cylindres d'appui,
• La figure 19 est une vue illustrant l'étape de retour de la tête d'attelage en direction de la première position escamotée,
• Les figures 20 à 23 sont respectivement des vues successives de détail du retour de la tête d'attelage depuis la deuxième position déployée vers la première position escamotée, les figures illustrant respectivement l'engagement d'une partie saillante sur la face supérieure de l'empoise contre l'élément mobile, librement articulé, qui, lors du retour de la tête d'attelage, pivote autour de son articulation sous l'action de la partie saillante pour échapper ladite partie saillante, avant de revenir, sous l'effet de la gravité, en position où ledit élément mobile projette vers le bas, de l'autre côté de la partie saillante de l'empoise, dans ladite première position de la tête d'attelage;
• La figure 24 est une vue consécutive de la figure 23, illustrant la deuxième étape d'extraction pour laquelle le cylindre d'appui inférieur est extrait par l'action de poussée de la tête d'attelage, grâce à l'organe mobile des seconds moyens de couplage qui vient en butée contre la partie saillante de l'empoise côté motorisation,
• La figure 25 est une vue consécutive de la figure 24, le cylindre d'appui totalement extrait dans ladite deuxième position déployée de la tête d'attelage,
• La figure 26 est une vue consécutive de la figure 25 illustrant le positionnement d'un élément support, insérable dans la cage de maintien, dont la partie basse repose sur les empoises du cylindre d'appui inférieur, et dont la partie haute est prévue pour soutenir les empoises du cylindre d'appui supérieur,
• La figure 27 est une vue de détail de la tête d'attelage, illustrant plus particulièrement deux éléments repliables dans leur position déployée, permettant d'engager en butée avec l'empoise (côté motorisation) du cylindre d'appui inférieur pour exercer une traction, et afin de permettre l'insertion du cylindre d'appui inférieur dans la cage du laminoir,
• La figure 28 est une vue illustrant l'étape d'insertion au cours de laquelle le cylindre d'appui inférieur et ledit équipement support sont insérés conjointement dans la cage de maintien, par l'action de traction provoquée par le retour de la tête d'attelage en direction du côté motorisation la bande métallique alors reçue dans un dégagement intermédiaire de l'équipement support,
• Les figures 29 et 30 sont des vues consécutives illustrant l'étape de dépose au cours de laquelle le cylindre d'appui supérieur est déposé sur la partie haute de l'équipement support par une action de descente dudit cylindre d'appui supérieur,
• La figure 31 est une vue illustrant la troisième étape d'extraction au cours de laquelle la tête d'attelage extrait conjointement, lors de l'action de poussée de l'actionneur, le cylindre d'appui inférieur, l'équipement support et le cylindre d'appui supérieur,
• La figure 32 est une vue de détail de la tête d'attelage, illustrant plus particulièrement les éléments repliables dans leur position repliée, suite à une action manuelle côté opérateur, permettant, de découpler la tête d'attelage dudit cylindre d'appui inférieur lors du mouvement de retour de la tête d'attelage en direction du côté motorisation.
• La figure 33 est une vue successive de la figure 32 illustrant l'étape de découplage de la tête d'attelage dudit cylindre d'appui inférieur.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description accompanied by the appended drawings, among which:

• The figure 1 is an overall perspective view illustrating the Quarto type rolling mill, including the retaining cage in which the support and working rolls are present, the motorization of the support rolls of the rolling mill, as well as the system of extraction with a single actuator, of the motorized pinion / rack type, located on the motorization side of the rolling mill, the perspective view also illustrating, on the operator side of the retaining cage (opposite to that of the motorization), the support carriage for the work rolls, U-shaped support equipment (removable), insertable in the retaining cage intended to jointly remove the two support rolls, and also handling members intended to allow the lifting of the support and work rolls, or even said support equipment,
• The figure 2 is a sectional view along a plane passing through the clamping plane of the rolling mill, illustrating more particularly the extraction system, in said first retracted position of the coupling head,
• The figure 3 is a detail view of the figure 3 illustrating more particularly the hook of the first coupling means of the coupling head, engaged with a corresponding hook integral with the end (motorization side) of the lower working cylinder, in the first retracted position of the coupling head,
• The figure 4 is a sectional view of the rolling mill, along a vertical plane perpendicular to the rolls,
• The figure 5 is a view of the rolling mill retaining stand, exposed,
• The figures 6 and 7 are views of the working and support rolls, respectively in the closed and open position of the retaining cage,
• The figures 8 and 9 are partial views of the rolling installation, operator side, illustrating the support carriage of the working rolls, respectively in a retracted position of the extraction zone, and in a position of the carriage allowing the reception of the working rolls during their extraction,
• The figure 10 is a detailed view of the chocks (operator side) of the work rolls, and more particularly of the members allowing the creation of a mechanical connection ensuring the joint exit of the two work rolls when the actuator of the extraction system exerts only one thrust (motorization side) on the lower working cylinder,
• The figure 11 is a view, motorization side of the rolling mill, in the first retracted position of the coupling head, said first coupling means then engaged with the end of the lower support roll, said second coupling means in the retracted state in which they do not cause the lower support cylinder to thrust,
• The figure 12 is a successive view of the figure 11 , illustrating the first extraction step in which the actuator drives the coupling head to the thrust, then in engagement with the lower working cylinder, thus causing the extraction of the lower working cylinder and, jointly, of the superior work thanks to the mechanical link shown in figure 10 , the upper and lower working rolls being thus loaded on the support rails of the support carriage, the support rolls, not driven, held in the support cage,
• The figure 13 is a consecutive view of the figure 12 the upper and lower working rolls then extracted from the retaining cage and fully supported by the carriage when said coupling head is in its second deployed position,
• The figure 14 is a consecutive view of the figure 13 , for which the support carriage is moved laterally, freeing the extraction zone, on the operator side of the retaining cage,
• The figures 15 and 16 are respectively two views of the coupling head then located, on the operator side, in said second deployed position, said movable element articulated to the frame of the coupling head along a horizontal pivot axis, being tilted manually from a position retracted illustrated in the figure 15 for which said movable element is not capable of interacting with the chock of the lower support cylinder, towards a deployed position, illustrated on figure 16 , making it possible to engage in abutment with the chock (engine side) of the lower support cylinder, when the coupling head returns to the engine side,
• The figures 17 and 18 are two detail views illustrating the passage of the clamping system of the chocks of the support rolls from a locking position of the chocks, to an unlocked position, freeing the axial displacement of the support rolls,
• The figure 19 is a view illustrating the step of returning the coupling head towards the first retracted position,
• The figures 20 to 23 are respectively successive detail views of the return of the coupling head from the second deployed position to the first retracted position, the figures respectively illustrating the engagement of a projecting part on the upper face of the chock against the element mobile, freely articulated, which, when the coupling head returns, pivots around its articulation under the action of the protruding part to escape said protruding part, before returning, under the effect of gravity, into position wherein said movable member projects downward, on the other side of the protrusion of the chock, in said first position of the coupling head;
• The figure 24 is a consecutive view of the figure 23 , illustrating the second extraction step for which the lower support cylinder is extracted by the pushing action of the coupling head, thanks to the movable member of the second coupling means which abuts against the protruding part choke on the engine side,
• The figure 25 is a consecutive view of the figure 24 , the support cylinder fully extracted in said second deployed position of the coupling head,
• The figure 26 is a consecutive view of the figure 25 illustrating the positioning of a support element, which can be inserted into the retaining cage, the lower part of which rests on the chocks of the lower support cylinder, and the upper part of which is designed to support the chocks of the upper support cylinder,
• The figure 27 is a detail view of the coupling head, illustrating more particularly two folding elements in their deployed position, making it possible to engage in abutment with the chock (engine side) of the lower support cylinder to exert traction, and in order to to allow the insertion of the lower support roll into the rolling mill stand,
• The figure 28 is a view illustrating the insertion step during which the lower support cylinder and said support equipment are inserted together in the retaining cage, by the pulling action caused by the return of the coupling head in direction of the motorization side the metal strip then received in an intermediate clearance of the support equipment,
• The figures 29 and 30 are consecutive views illustrating the removal step during which the upper support cylinder is deposited on the upper part of the support equipment by a lowering action of said upper support cylinder,
• The figure 31 is a view illustrating the third extraction step during which the coupling head extracts jointly, during the pushing action of the actuator, the lower support cylinder, the support equipment and the cylinder. upper support,
• The figure 32 is a detail view of the coupling head, illustrating more particularly the folding elements in their folded position, following a manual action on the operator's side, making it possible to decouple the coupling head from said lower support cylinder during the movement of return of the coupling head towards the motorization side.
• The figure 33 is a successive view of the figure 32 illustrating the step of decoupling the coupling head from said lower support cylinder.

The invention also relates to a rolling mill 1, in particular of the Quarto type, for a metal strip comprising a retaining cage 2, comprising two pairs of uprights, at the two ends of the stand between which are provided a set of superimposed rolls, with substantially axes. parallel, comprising two work rolls 3, 4, lower and upper, defining the passage air gap, and two support rolls 5,6 respectively lower and upper, intended to bear respectively on the work rolls on the side opposite to that of the passage air gap.

Each working or support cylinder has two ends, typically called journals, rotatably mounted, each on a bearing carried by a chock 30, 40, 50, 60.

The rolling mill further comprises guide means between the chocks 30, 40, 50, 60 of the rolls and the retaining stand 2, according to the clamping plane. These guide means may comprise sliding surfaces between the chocks and the frame (in particular the uprights) of the retaining cage 2.

• chaque empoise 30 du cylindre de travail supérieur 3 présente deux plaques de glissement 31, parallèles et opposées, réparties de part et d'autre de l'axe de rotation du cylindre de travail 3, coopérant avec deux plaques de glissement 27, respectivement rigidement solidaires des montants d'une même paire à une extrémité de la cage de maintien,
• chaque empoise 40 du cylindre de travail inférieur 4 présente deux plaques de glissement 41, parallèles et opposées, réparties de part et d'autre de l'axe de rotation du cylindre de travail 4, coopérant avec les plaques de glissement 27, respectivement rigidement solidaire des montants d'une même paire à une extrémité de la cage de maintien.

For example :

• each chock 30 of the upper working cylinder 3 has two sliding plates 31, parallel and opposite, distributed on either side of the axis of rotation of the working cylinder 3, cooperating with two sliding plates 27, respectively rigidly integral uprights of the same pair at one end of the retaining cage,
• each chock 40 of the lower working cylinder 4 has two sliding plates 41, parallel and opposite, distributed on either side of the axis of rotation of the working cylinder 4, cooperating with the sliding plates 27, respectively rigidly integral uprights of the same pair at one end of the retaining cage.

For example, the two sliding plates 27 are respectively secured to the internal walls of two blocks of the bending jacks Vc3, Vc4, themselves respectively secured by their external wall to the two internal walls of the uprights of the same pair of uprights. the cage.

• chaque empoise 50 du cylindre d'appui supérieur 5 peut présenter deux plaques de glissement 51, parallèles et opposées, réparties de part et d'autre de l'axe de rotation du cylindre d'appui 5, coopérant avec des plaques de glissement 25, rigidement solidaires des montants d'une même paire à une extrémité de la cage de maintien, et
• chaque empoise 60 du cylindre d'appui inférieur 6 peut présenter deux plaques de glissement 61, parallèles et opposées, réparties de part et d'autre de l'axe de rotation du cylindre d'appui 6, coopérant avec des plaques de glissement 26, rigidement solidaires des montants d'une même paire à une extrémité de la cage de maintien.

Likewise:

• each chock 50 of the upper support cylinder 5 may have two sliding plates 51, parallel and opposite, distributed on either side of the axis of rotation of the support cylinder 5, cooperating with sliding plates 25, rigidly secured to the uprights of the same pair at one end of the retaining cage, and
• each chock 60 of the lower support cylinder 6 may have two sliding plates 61, parallel and opposite, distributed on either side of the axis of rotation of the support cylinder 6, cooperating with the sliding plates 26, rigidly secured to the uprights of the same pair at one end of the retaining cage.

The rolling mill also comprises means for applying a clamping force between the chocks of the support rolls, typically comprising hydraulic jacks Vs. These hydraulic jacks Vs, two in number, can be arranged in the lower part of the stand. holding and resting respectively on the two chocks 60 of the lower support cylinder 6. According to an embodiment not shown, these jacks hydraulic Vs can also be provided in the upper part of the retaining cage 2 and rest respectively on the chocks of the upper support cylinder.

The rolling mill also comprises a clamping system for chocks 30, 40 of the working rolls 3 and 4, and a clamping system 9 for chocks 50,60 of the support rolls 5,6.

The clamping system for the working rolls illustrated in the examples is that which has been the subject of the filing of the French patent application by the Applicant. FR 1652265 of March 17, 2016 which makes it possible to lock the chocks of the working rolls, or on the contrary to free the axial displacement of the working rolls by the actions of opening and closing of the retaining cage. The description of this system for clamping the work rolls is not explicitly repeated in the present application. Those skilled in the art can however refer to this document for its execution. In the context of the present application, other systems for clamping the work rolls can be envisaged and in particular that with dedicated jacks described as state of the art in the application. FR 1652265 .

The clamping system 9 of the chocks of the support rolls to pass from a retracted state, allowing the withdrawal along their axis of the support rolls out of the retaining cage towards a blocked state ensuring the blocking of the chocks with respect to the cage, along the axis of the cylinder, while allowing the chocks to slide along the guide means, along the clamping plane.

This clamping system 9 can comprise vertical grooves of chocks 50, 60 of the upper support cylinder 5 and of the lower support cylinder 6, as well as locking members 90, mounted to slide horizontally. Each locking member can move from a position where it penetrates the vertical groove of the chocks 50 or 60, blocking the axial movement of the support cylinder, to a retracted position where the axial movement is released. Taking into account the frequency of maintenance of the support rolls, the clamping system can be manual, the passage from the retracted position to the blocking position is manual being obtained by actuation of a handle 91. The rolling mill further comprises motorization means 10 for the support rolls, on one side of the rolling mill support stand, referred to as the motorization side in the remainder of the invention.

Conventionally for those skilled in the art, an electric motor M makes it possible to drive the lower and upper support rolls, by virtue of a transmission connecting the output of the engine to the ends of the support rolls, on the motor side.

The invention relates here more particularly to the system for extracting the working rolls and the support rolls, and which is located on the motor side of said rolling mill.

This extraction system allows, as will be developed subsequently, the extraction of used rolls out of the rolling mill holding stand, in particular with a view to their rectification, but also the insertion of rectified (or new) rolls in the retaining cage.

• un actionneur 70 configuré pour pousser les cylindres hors de la cage de maintien 2 du laminoir lors de l'extraction des cylindres, ou au contraire tirer les cylindres dans la cage de maintien 2 lors de l'insertion des cylindres,
• une tête d'attelage 8 solidaire dudit actionneur 70, située en position d'ouverture de la cage de maintien 2, à un niveau de hauteur intermédiaire entre le cylindre de travail inférieur 4 et le cylindre d'appui inférieur 6, déplaçable suivant une direction parallèle aux cylindres 3,4,5,6.

For this purpose the extraction system comprises:

• an actuator 70 configured to push the rolls out of the holding stand 2 of the rolling mill during the extraction of the rolls, or on the contrary to pull the rolls into the holding stand 2 during the insertion of the rolls,
• a coupling head 8 integral with said actuator 70, located in the open position of the retaining cage 2, at an intermediate height level between the lower working cylinder 4 and the lower support cylinder 6, movable in one direction parallel to cylinders 3,4,5,6.

The actuator may include a motorized rack 71 and pinion 72 pair, the frame of the coupling head 8 being rigidly secured to the distal end of the rack 71. The rotation of the pinion 72 in a first direction allows translation along its path. axis of the rack, as well as of the coupling head 8.

The coupling head 8 can be moved from a first retracted position P1 for which the coupling head is located on the motor side, to a second deployed position P2 for which the coupling head 8 having passed through the retaining cage 2 is located on the side. operator, accessible to them.

• des premiers moyens de couplage configurés pour entrainer l'empoise 40 ou l'extrémité du cylindre de travail inférieur 4, côté motorisation du laminoir,
• des seconds moyens de couplage configurés pour entrainer l'empoise 60 du cylindre d'appui inférieur 6, côté motorisation du laminoir : les seconds moyens de couplage présentant un état escamoté dans lequel ils n'entrainent pas l'empoise du cylindre d'appui inférieur 6 vers un état déployé dans lequel ils entraînent à la poussée l'empoise 60 dudit cylindre d'appui inférieur 6.

Furthermore, said coupling head 8 comprises

• first coupling means configured to drive the chock 40 or the end of the lower working roll 4, motor side of the rolling mill,
• second coupling means configured to drive the chock 60 of the lower support roll 6, motorization side of the rolling mill: the second coupling means having a retracted state in which they do not cause the chock of the lower support roll 6 to a deployed state in which they push the chock 60 of said lower support cylinder 6 on thrust.

Notably, the chocks 30,40 of the upper and lower working rolls have connection means 11, on the operator side, opposite the motorization means, providing a mechanical connection 12 between these chocks on the operator side.

This mechanical connection 12 makes it possible to ensure the joint output of the two working rolls 3, 4 when the actuator 70 of the extraction system exerts only a thrust (motorization side) on the lower working roll, and as will be explained thereafter.

For example, and as shown in figure 10 , the chocks on the operator side of the working rolls having said sliding plates 31,41 (not shown), parallel and distributed on either side of the axis of the cylinder, intended to cooperate with the sliding plates 27 integral with two uprights on the operator side of the rolling mill, the connecting means 11 may comprise at least one blade 15 (or even two blades 15), the proximal end of which is integral with one marked with the lower or upper chocks, received in a lateral groove, made in the chock body, on the back of a slide plate 31 or 41, and the distal end 16 of which enters a groove in the other chock, on the back of the slide plate, at least in a deployed position of said blade, in said open position of the retaining cage.

Note that the (or each) blade 15 is substantially parallel to the sliding plates 31 or 41 the distal end 16 of the blade may have a rounded contour so as to allow a slight pivoting of the distal end in the groove which will be in particular observed during bending action on the work rolls.

The blade 15 can also be provided for retracting, in a position retracted into the chock 30 (position not shown), the chock 30 having means for locking said blade 15 in the deployed position. These means can include a spring ball system. An oblong opening 17 of the blade intended to be crossed by a stud 18, integral with the chock, can also be provided to prevent the disassembly of the blade.

• les extractions successives des cylindres de travail puis des cylindres d'appui hors de la cage de maintien.
• les insertions successives des cylindres d'appui puis des cylindres de travail dans la cage de maintien.

Advantageously, the first coupling means and the second coupling means of said extraction system are configured so as to allow:

• the successive extractions of the working rolls then of the support rolls out of the retaining cage.
• the successive insertions of the support rolls then of the working rolls in the retaining cage.

• l'extraction de l'ensemble des cylindres du laminoir (i.e cylindres de travail, puis cylindres d'appui) au moyen d'un unique actionneur, et contrairement à l'état de la technique connu de la Demanderesse,
• l'insertion de l'ensemble des cylindres du laminoir (i.e cylindres d'appui, puis cylindres de travail) au moyen d'un unique actionneur, et contrairement à l'état de la technique connu de la Demanderesse.

In other words, the invention advantageously allows:

• the extraction of all the rolls of the rolling mill (ie working rolls, then support rolls) by means of a single actuator, and unlike the state of the art known to the Applicant,
• the insertion of all the rolls of the rolling mill (ie support rolls, then working rolls) by means of a single actuator, and unlike the state of the art known to the Applicant.

As will be understood from the following description, the extraction system optionally makes it possible to extract only the working rolls, then to insert new working rolls (new or rectified), in said retaining stand (the cylinders of support remaining in the retaining cage).

We then describe the process for changing the rolls implemented in such a rolling installation, and more particularly the various steps implemented to extract all of the working rolls and the support rolls using the system of single actuator extraction. These different steps are illustrated in detail from the figures 6 to 33 .

Those skilled in the art understand that the steps of the method allowing the insertion of the support rolls, then the working rolls, are essentially the same, but carried out in the reverse order of the steps allowing the extraction of the rolls.

Also one proceeds to the extraction of the working rolls 3,4 and the support rolls 5,6, after opening of the holding cage of said rolling mill during which the lower working roll 4 and lower support roll 6 are separated from the upper working roll 4 and from the upper support roll 5, while the metal strip B is present along the travel plane of said rolling mill.

This step of opening the rolling mill stand is illustrated in figures 6 and 7 , caused by the retraction of the hydraulic cylinders Vs. Where appropriate, and according to one embodiment, this opening automatically causes the chocks 30,40 of the work rolls 3, 4 to declaim.

• une première étape d'extraction E1 (voir figures 11 à 13) au cours de laquelle sont extraits le cylindre de travail supérieur 3 et le cylindre de travail inférieur 4, par une action de poussée dudit actionneur 70 sur l'empoise 40 du cylindre de travail inférieur 4, côté motorisation, la tête d'attelage 8 passant de la première position escamotée P1 vers la deuxième position déployée P2, ledit cylindre de travail supérieur 3 étant entrainé conjointement avec le cylindre de travail inférieur 4 par la liaison mécanique créée 12, côté opérateur, entre les empoises 30,40 des cylindres de travail inférieur et supérieur, lesdits seconds moyens de couplage de la tête d'attelage 8 étant dans ledit état escamoté où ils n'entrainent pas les empoises des cylindres d'appui lors de cette action de poussée,
• une étape de retour E2 (voir figures 19 à 24) au cours de laquelle la tête d'attelage 8 est retournée depuis la deuxième position déployée P2 en direction du côté motorisation vers la première position escamotée P1,
• une deuxième étape d'extraction E3 (voir figures 24 et 25) au cours de laquelle est extrait le cylindre d'appui inférieur 6 hors de la cage de maintien 2 par une action de poussée dudit actionneur sur l'empoise 60 du cylindre d'appui inférieur 6 côté motorisation, le tête d'attelage 8 passant de la première position escamotée P1 vers la position déployée P2, lesdits seconds moyens de couplage étant dans ledit état déployé permettant d'entrainer la poussée de l'empoise 60 dudit cylindre d'appui inférieur 6,
• une étape de positionnement E4 (voir figures 26 et 27) au cours de laquelle est positionné un équipement support 13 sur le cylindre d'appui inférieur 6, dont la partie basse est en appui sur les empoises 60 du cylindre d'appui inférieur 6, et dont la partie haute est destinée à servir de support pour les empoises 50 du cylindre d'appui supérieur), ledit équipement support 13 étant insérable dans la cage de maintien 2,
• une étape d'insertion E5 (voir figure 28) au cours de laquelle le cylindre d'appui inférieur 6 et ledit équipement support 13 sont insérés dans la cage de maintien 2, par l'action de traction provoquée par le retour de la tête d'attelage 8 en direction du côté motorisation depuis la position déployée P2 vers la position escamotée P1, ledit équipement support 13 présentant un dégagement 14 traversé par la bande métallique B lorsqu'inséré dans la cage de maintien 2,
• une étape de dépose E6 (voir figures 29 et 30) au cours de laquelle le cylindre d'appui supérieur 5 est déposé sur la partie haute de l'équipement support 13, par une action de descente dudit cylindre d'appui supérieur 5,
• une troisième étape d'extraction E7 (voir figure 31) au cours de laquelle est extrait l'ensemble comprenant le cylindre d'appui inférieur 6, l'équipement support 13, et ledit cylindre d'appui supérieur 5 par une action de poussée dudit actionneur 70 sur l'empoise 60 du cylindre d'appui inférieur 6, côté motorisation.

Further still, the work rolls 3,4 and the support rolls 5,6 are extracted by carrying out the following successive steps:

• a first extraction step E1 (see figures 11 to 13 ) during which are extracted the upper working cylinder 3 and the lower working cylinder 4, by a pushing action of said actuator 70 on the chock 40 of the lower working cylinder 4, motor side, the coupling head 8 passing from the first retracted position P1 to the second deployed position P2, said upper working cylinder 3 being driven jointly with the lower working cylinder 4 by the mechanical connection 12 created, on the operator side, between the chocks 30,40 of the working rolls lower and upper, said second coupling means of the coupling head 8 being in said retracted state where they do not cause the chocks of the support rolls during this pushing action,
• a return step E2 (see figures 19 to 24 ) during which the coupling head 8 is returned from the second deployed position P2 towards the drive side towards the first retracted position P1,
• a second extraction step E3 (see figures 24 and 25 ) during which the lower support cylinder 6 is extracted from the retaining cage 2 by a pushing action of said actuator on the chock 60 of the lower support cylinder 6 on the engine side, the coupling head 8 passing from the first retracted position P1 to the deployed position P2, said second coupling means being in said deployed state making it possible to drive the thrust of the chock 60 of said lower support cylinder 6,
• a positioning step E4 (see figures 26 and 27 ) during which a support equipment 13 is positioned on the lower support cylinder 6, the lower part of which is supported on the chocks 60 of the lower support cylinder 6, and the upper part of which is intended to serve as a support for the chocks 50 of the upper support cylinder), said support equipment 13 being insertable into the retaining cage 2,
• an insertion step E5 (see figure 28 ) during which the lower support cylinder 6 and said support equipment 13 are inserted into the retaining cage 2, by the pulling action caused by the return of the coupling head 8 towards the motorization side from the deployed position P2 towards the retracted position P1, said support equipment 13 having a clearance 14 through which the metal strip B passes when inserted into the retaining cage 2,
• an E6 removal step (see figures 29 and 30 ) during which the upper support cylinder 5 is placed on the upper part of the support equipment 13, by a lowering action of said upper support cylinder 5,
• a third extraction step E7 (see figure 31 ) during which is extracted the assembly comprising the lower support cylinder 6, the support equipment 13, and said upper support cylinder 5 by a pushing action of said actuator 70 on the chock 60 of the cylinder of lower support 6, motorization side.

The support stand 2 of the rolling mill typically comprises support rails R3, R4 on which rest the chocks 30, 40 of the upper working rolls and lower 3,4, in the open position of the retaining cage 2, said support rails R3, R4 ensuring the guidance of the work rolls 3, 4 and their chock 30,40 during the extraction of the work rolls out of said retaining cage or when inserting the working rolls into the retaining cage.

The retaining cage further comprises support rails R6 on which rest the chocks 60 of said lower support cylinder 6 in the open position of the retaining cage 2, the chocks 60 having rollers 63 intended to roll along the rails R6, other rails extending the R6 rails at the level of the extraction zone on the operator side.

The rolling installation may comprise a support carriage 20 comprising support rails R3 ', R4' suitable for supporting and guiding the chocks 30, 40 of the lower and upper working rolls 3,4 which, in a relative position of the carriage relative to the rolling mill, extend the supporting rails R3, R4 of the rolling mill and in such a way that the lower and upper working rolls are loaded jointly on the carriage 20 during the pushing action of the actuator on the work rolls 3, 4, or on the contrary unloaded from the carriage to be inserted into the retaining cage during the insertion of rolls.

This support trolley 20 is movable along rails perpendicular to the support rails, to allow the trolley to be retracted laterally to a position outside the extraction zone, and as illustrated in figure 8 .

An M _T handling frame makes it possible to evacuate the work rolls 3, 4 from above, using a workshop crane.

This carriage 20 is maintained in this retracted position outside the extraction zone, in particular during the steps for which the support rolls are extracted or inserted.

As illustrated in the figures, the carriage can have, in parallel, four pairs of support rails, and so as to be able to support two pairs of upper and lower working rolls, side by side.

When only the work rolls 3, 4 are to be changed, it is then possible to jointly extract a pair of upper and lower work rolls on the support carriage 20 and immediately load another pair of work rolls (new or rectified. ) previously positioned on the support carriage, just after a slight lateral movement of the carriage so as to align the support rails R3 'and R'4 of these new cylinders with those R3 and R4 of the retaining cage 2.

• exercer un effort de poussée sur le cylindre de travail inférieur 4 lors de l'action de poussée de la tête d'attelage 8 de la première position escamotée P1 vers la deuxième position déployée P2,
• exercer un effort de traction sur le cylindre de travail inférieur 4 lors du passage de la tête d'attelage 8 de la deuxième position déployée P2 vers la première position escamotée P1.

The first coupling means may essentially comprise a hook 81 rigidly secured to the coupling head 8 intended to engage with a corresponding hook 42 secured to the motor side end of the lower working cylinder 4, and suitable for:

• exert a pushing force on the lower working cylinder 4 during the pushing action of the coupling head 8 from the first retracted position P1 towards the second deployed position P2,
• exerting a tensile force on the lower working cylinder 4 during the passage of the coupling head 8 from the second deployed position P2 to the first retracted position P1.

This hook 81 is initially engaged with the corresponding hook 42 at the end of the lower working cylinder, in said first retracted position P1 of the coupling head, and as illustrated in figures 3 or 11 .

Advantageously, the two mutually engaging hooks 81 and 82 are configured so that the hooking and unhooking between, on the one hand, the hook 81 of the first coupling means of the coupling head 8, and on the other hand, the corresponding hook 42 of the lower working cylinder 4, are caused by the movements of the carriage 20, in a direction perpendicular to the support rails R3 ', R4'.

The coupling (or decoupling) of the coupling head 8 with the lower working cylinder 4 is therefore automatic thanks to the motorized movement of the support carriage, and without requiring a dedicated actuator for this action.

As shown in figures 12 and 13 , the support rails R3 'and R4' of the support carriage are aligned with the support rails R3 and R4 during the first extraction step E1.

At the end of the extraction step, the carriage 20 is retracted into a position outside the extraction zone, on the operator side, and as illustrated in figure 14 , and while the coupling head is in the second deployed position P2, accessible from the operator side.

This access to the coupling head 8 advantageously allows, according to the invention, an operator to pass the second coupling means from the retracted state in which they do not cause the chock of the lower support cylinder towards the 'deployed state in which they cause the thrust to the choke of said lower support cylinder by manual action by the operator on said second coupling means. This manual action is successive to said first extraction step, performed while the coupling head is in said second deployed position accessible from the operator side of said rolling mill, and prior to said coupling head return step.

• dans l'état escamoté des seconds moyens de couplage, ledit au moins élément mobile 82 est remonté et bloqué dans une position escamotée P3, illustrée à titre d'exemple à la figure 15 où ledit élément mobile 82 n'engage pas avec l'empoise 60, du cylindre d'appui inférieur 6, coté motorisation du laminoir,
• dans l'état déployé des seconds moyens de couplage, ledit au moins élément mobile 82 est dans une position déployée P4, illustré à titre indicatif à la figure 16, dans laquelle ledit élément mobile 82 projette vers le bas sous l'action de la gravité.

For this purpose, the second coupling means may comprise at least one movable element 82, articulated to the frame of the coupling head, suitable for cooperating in the thrust with the chock 60 of the lower support cylinder 6.

• in the retracted state of the second coupling means, said at least movable element 82 is raised and locked in a retracted position P3, illustrated by way of example in figure 15 where said movable element 82 does not engage with the chock 60, of the lower support roll 6, motorization side of the rolling mill,
• in the deployed state of the second coupling means, said at least mobile element 82 is in a deployed position P4, illustrated by way of indication in figure 16 , wherein said movable member 82 projects downward under the action of gravity.

The passage from the retracted position P3 to the deployed position is thus possible by manual action by the operator, when the coupling head 8 is accessible on the operator side. In the retracted position, the movable member 82 can be locked in position by any suitable means, and for example, by means of a fork 85, articulated to the frame, which in a position makes it possible to keep the movable member 82 in position. raised by engagement with a tab 84 rigidly secured to the movable member. Unlocking is obtained by moving the fork 85 around its pivot, this displacement causing the release of the movable member which pivots upside down, for example half a turn under the effect of gravity.

This movable element 82 is configured in said deployed position P4 to engage with a projecting portion 62 on the upper face the chock 60 of the lower support cylinder 6 on the motor side, present in the retaining cage.

As illustrated by figures 20 to 23 , said passage of the coupling head 8 from the second deployed position P2 to the first retracted position P1 causes the projecting part 62 to engage against the movable element 82, which pivots around its articulation under the action of the protruding part 62 (see figures 20 to 22 ), to escape said protruding part 6 before returning, under the effect of gravity, into position (see figure 23 ) where said movable member 82 projects downward, on the other side of the protrusion 62. In other words, upon the return of the coupling head, said movable member 82 is configured to escape a protrusion 62 on the face of the chock 60 of the lower support cylinder 6, thanks to the possibility of rotation of said at least one movable element (in the clockwise direction to figures 21 and 22 ).

As shown in figure 24 , said movable element 82, then in position on the other side of the protruding part 62 abuts against said protruding part 62 under the thrust action of the actuator 70 and so as to allow the exit of said support cylinder lower 6 during the second extraction step E3. During the extraction E3, it is noted that the possibility of rotation of said movable element 82 (in the anti-clockwise direction) is blocked by a stop 86, which allows said movable element 82 to transmit the force to the chock 60. thrust required to extract the lower support cylinder 6.

Prior to the extraction of the support rolls, it is of course necessary to release the axial displacement of the cylinders by unlocking the clamping system 9 from the chocks of the support rolls.

The second coupling means may comprise, as illustrated in the figures, two mobile elements 82 which are substantially parallel and rigidly secured to the same rotation shaft to the frame of the head. The rotation shaft is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the axis of the lower support cylinder. The two moving parts are intended to cooperate respectively with two protruding parts on the upper face of the chock 60 of the lower support cylinder 6.

At the end of the second extraction step E3, the lower support cylinder 6 is extracted from the retaining cage 2, and as illustrated by way of indication on figure 25 . The next step is said positioning step E4 during which a support device 13 is positioned by means of a handling device (ie an overhead crane) on the lower support cylinder 6.

The lower part of this equipment rests on the chocks 60 of the lower support cylinder 6. The upper part is intended to serve as a support for the chocks 50 of the upper support cylinder 5. This support equipment 13 is notable in this respect. that it can be inserted (once the working rolls have been removed) into the retaining cage 2, together with the lower backup roll.

• dans une position déployée P5 dudit élément repliable 83, permet d'engager en butée avec l'empoise 60 côté motorisation du cylindre d'appui inférieur 6 pour exercer une traction, permettant l'insertion du cylindre d'appui inférieur 6 dans la cage du laminoir, en particulier lors de l'étape E5.
• dans une position repliée P6 dudit élément repliable 83, permet, de découpler la tête d'attelage dudit cylindre d'appui inférieur 6, extrait de la cage de maintien, lors du mouvement de retour de la tête d'attelage de la deuxième position déployée P2 vers la première position escamotée P1.

To this end, the second coupling means comprise at least one folding element 83 suitable for cooperating in traction (only) with the chock 60 of the lower support cylinder 6 on the motor side, which

• in a deployed position P5 of said folding element 83, makes it possible to engage in abutment with the chock 60 on the motor side of the lower support cylinder 6 in order to exert traction, allowing the insertion of the lower support cylinder 6 in the cage of the rolling mill, in particular during step E5.
• in a folded position P6 of said folding element 83, makes it possible to decouple the coupling head from said lower support cylinder 6, extracted from the retaining cage, during the return movement of the coupling head from the second deployed position P2 to the first retracted position P1.

Notably, said at least one foldable movable element 83 can be initially in the deployed position P5 in that it does not make it possible to exert a thrust force on the cylinder.

The foldable elements 83, can be two in number, and engage in abutment with the two protruding parts 62. The passage from the deployed position P5 to the folded position P6 can be obtained manually, for example by a rotation according to an angle limited, for example by a quarter of a turn of said element 83. For this purpose, the or each element may have an indentation intended for a tool such as a wrench.

The two folding elements in their deployed position P5 allow, during the insertion step E5 to enter jointly into the retaining cage the lower support cylinder 6, as well as said support equipment 13 supported by the chocks 60, and as illustrated at figure 28 . Note that the metal strip present in the rolling plane of the rolling mill is housed in an intermediate clearance 14 of said support equipment 13.

This then allows the removal of the upper support cylinder 5 on said support equipment, by lowering the upper support cylinder 5, this action being able to be operated by deployment of the hydraulic cylinder V _R and until the chocks 50 of the upper support cylinder 5 rest on said support equipment 13, these cylinders V _R typically being used otherwise for the adjustment of the pass line.

Then there follows the third extraction step E7 during which, by a new pushing action of said actuator 70 on the chock 60 on the motor side of the lower support cylinder 6, the assembly comprising the cylinder 6 is extracted. lower support 6, the support equipment 13, and said upper support cylinder 5, said coupling head then being in its second deployed position P2.

The coupling head 8 is decoupled by manual action on the folding elements 83 which have passed into their folded position P6, then by the return of the coupling head towards the first retracted position P1.

The upper support cylinder 5, said support equipment 13, then the lower support cylinder 6 can then be evacuated from the extraction zone, from the top, by a handling frame M _A , illustrated in figure 1 , lifted by an overhead crane.

Naturally, other embodiments could have been envisaged by a person skilled in the art without however departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims below.

NOMENCLATURE.

• 1. Rolling plant,
• 2. Support cage,
• 3.4. Working cylinders, upper and lower respectively,
• 5.6. Support rollers, upper and lower respectively,
• 30.40. Chocks of the working rolls, respectively upper and lower,
• 42. Hook on the motor side end of the lower working cylinder,
• 50, 60. Chocks of the support rolls, respectively upper and lower,
• 31, 41, 51, 61. Sliding plates chocks,
• 62. Projecting parts on the upper face of the chock 60 of the support cylinder (motorization side),
• 63. Pebbles (chocks 60)
• 25, 26, 27. Sliding plates (frame),
• 7. Extraction system,
• 70. Actuator (extraction system)
• 71, 72. Motorized rack and pinion (extraction system actuator),
• 8. Coupling head (extraction system),
• 81. First coupling means (hook rigidly secured to the body of the coupling head) suitable for exerting (only) a pushing force and a tensile force on the lower working cylinder 4
• 82.83. Second coupling means, including the manually retractable movable element 82 suitable for exerting a pushing force on the chock 60 of the lower support cylinder, and the manually folding elements 83 suitable for exerting (only) a tensile force on this choke.
• 84. Paw,
• 85. Fork,
• 86. Stopper,
• 9. Clamping system for the support rolls,
• 90. Locking device (clamping system 9),
• 91. Handle (clamping system)
• 10. Means of motorization (support cylinders),
• 11. Means of connection, operator side, between chocks 30,40 of the work rolls,
• 12. Mechanical connection
• 13. Support equipment,
• 14. Clearance of the support equipment intended to be crossed by the metal strip,
• 15. Blades,
• 16. Distal Ends (Blades)
• 17. Oblong opening
• 18. Plot
• 20. Support trolley (work rolls)
• B. Metal band,
• E1. First extraction step (of the lower and upper working rolls 34),
• E2. Return step (coupling head),
• E3. Second extraction step (lower support cylinder 6),
• E4. Positioning step of the support equipment 13 on the chocks of the lower support cylinder then extracted from the retaining cage,
• E5. Joint insertion step of the lower support cylinder 6 and the support equipment 13 in the retaining cage,
• E6. Step of removing the upper support cylinder 5 on the support equipment 13,
• E7. Third step of extracting the assembly comprising the lower support cylinder 6, said support equipment 13 and the upper support cylinder 5
• P1, P2. Retracted positions (motor side) and deployed (operator side) respectively of the coupling head,
• P3, P4. Retracted and deployed positions respectively of said at least one movable element 82, said deployed position suitable for exerting a pushing action on the chock of said support cylinder, on the motor side,
• R3, R4, R6. Support rails of the retaining cage suitable for guiding the upper working rolls, lower working rolls and lower supporting rolls respectively.
• R3 ', R4'. Support rails for the support trolley 20,
• Vc3, Vc4. Camber cylinders
• V _R. Pass line adjustment cylinder
• Vs. Hydraulic cylinders (means of applying a clamping force between the chocks of the support rolls),
• M _A. Handling frame (support cylinders),
• M _T. Handling frame (work cylinders).

Claims (13)

1. A method for changing the rolls of a rolling mill for a metal strip, implemented in an installation (1) having:

   - a rolling mill comprising:

   - a holding cage (2),

   - a set of superimposed rolls with substantially parallel axes comprising two lower and upper working rolls (3, 4), defining the passage air gap, and two respectively lower and upper bearing rolls (5, 6), intended to respectively bear on the working rolls on the side opposite to that of the passage air gap,

   - each roll having two ends which are rotatably mounted, each on a bearing carried by a chock (30, 40, 50, 60)

   - means for guiding the rolls between the chocks and the holding cage according to the tightening plane,

   - means for applying a tightening force between the chocks of the bearing rolls, comprising hydraulic cylinders (Vs),

   - a system (9) for clamping the chocks of the rolls, ensuring the blocking of the chocks relative to the holding cage, along the axis of the roll, while allowing the chocks to slide along the guide means, according to the tightening plane,

   - means (10) for motorising the bearing rolls, on one side of the holding cage of the rolling mill, called motorisation side,

   - a system for extracting working rolls and bearing rolls provided, on the motorisation side of said rolling mill, comprising:

   - an actuator (70) configured to push the rolls out of the holding cage (2) of the rolling mill during the extraction of the rolls, or on the contrary pull the rolls into the holding cage (2) during the insertion of the rolls,

   - a coupler head (8) integral with said actuator (70), located in the open position of the holding cage (2), at an intermediate height level between the lower working roll (4) and the lower bearing roll (6), displaceable in a direction parallel to the rolls (3, 4, 5, 6), from a first retracted position (PI) for which the coupler head is located on the motorisation side, to a second deployed position (P2) for which the coupler head (8) having passed through the holding cage (2) is located on the operator side, said coupler head (8) comprising

   - first coupling means configured to drive the chock (40) or the end of the lower working roll (4), on the motorisation side of the rolling mill,

   - second coupling means configured to drive the chock of the lower bearing roll (6), on the motorisation side of the rolling mill, having a retracted state wherein they do not drive the chock of the lower bearing roll (6) and a deployed state wherein they drive the pushing of the chock (60) of said lower bearing roll (6),

   and wherein the chocks (30, 40) of the upper and lower working rolls have connecting means (11), on the operator side, opposite the motorisation means, ensuring a mechanical connection (12) between these chocks on the operator side,
   and wherein the working rolls (3, 4) and the bearing rolls (5, 6) are extracted, after opening the holding cage of said rolling mill during which the lower working roll (4) and lower bearing roll (6) are separated from the upper working roll (3) and the upper bearing roll (5), while the metal strip (B) is present along the plane of travel of said rolling mill by the implementation of the following successive steps:

   - a first extraction step (El) during which the upper working roll (3) and the lower working roll (4) are extracted, by a pushing action of said actuator (70) on the chock (40) from the lower working roll (4), on the motorisation side, the coupler head (8) switching from the first retracted position (P1) to the second deployed position (P2), said upper working roll (3) being driven jointly with the lower working roll (4) by the mechanical connection created (12), on the operator side, between the chocks (30, 40) of the lower and upper working rolls, said second coupling means (81, 82) of the coupler head (8) being in said retracted state where they do not drive the chocks of the bearing rolls during this pushing action,

   - a return step (E2) during which the coupler head (8) is returned from the second deployed position (P2) in the direction of the motorisation side to the first retracted position (P1),

   - a second extraction step (E3) during which the lower bearing roll (6) is extracted from the holding cage (2) by an action of pushing said actuator on the chock (60) of the lower bearing roll (6) on the motorisation side, the coupler head (8) switching from the first retracted position (P1) to the second deployed position (P2), said second coupling means being in said deployed state allowing to drive the pushing of the chock (60) of said lower bearing roll (6)

   - a positioning step (E4) during which a support equipment (13) is positioned on the lower bearing roll (6), the lower part of which is bearing on the chocks (60) of the lower bearing roll (6), and the upper part of which is intended to serve as a support for the chocks (50) of the upper bearing roll (5), said support equipment (13) being able to be inserted into the holding cage (2),

   - an insertion step (E5) during which the lower bearing roll (6) and said support equipment (13) are inserted into the holding cage (2), by the traction action caused by the return of the coupler head (8) in the direction of the motorisation side from the second deployed position (P2) to the first retracted position (P1), said support equipment (13) having a clearance (14) traversed by the metal strip (B) when inserted into the holding cage (2)

   - a deposition step (E6) during which the upper bearing roll (5) is deposited on the upper part of the support equipment (13), by an action of lowering said upper bearing roll (6),

   - a third extraction step (E7) during which the assembly comprising the lower bearing roll (6), the support equipment (13), and said upper bearing roll (5) is extracted by an action of pushing said actuator (70) on the chock (60) of the lower bearing roll (6), on the motorisation side

   and wherein the second coupling means are switched from the retracted state wherein they do not drive the chock of the lower bearing roll (6) to the deployed state wherein they drive the pushing of the chock (60) of said lower bearing roll (6) by manual action on said second coupling means, successively to said first extraction step (E1), the coupler head (8) being in said second deployed position (P2), accessible from the operator side of said rolling mill, and prior to said return step (E2).
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

   - the holding cage (2) of the rolling mill comprises support rails (R3, R4) on which the chocks (30, 40) of the upper and lower working rolls (3, 4) rest, in the open position of the holding cage (2), said support rails (R3, R4) ensuring guiding the working rolls (3, 4) and their chocks (30, 40) during the extraction of the rolls in said holding cage,

   - said rolling installation comprising a support carriage (20) comprising support rails (R3', R4') suitable for supporting and guiding chocks (30, 40) of the upper and lower working rolls (3), which, in a relative position of the carriage relative to the rolling mill extend the support rails (R3, R4) of the rolling mill, and in such a way that the lower and upper working rolls are loaded on the carriage (20) when the coupler head reaches said second deployed position (P2) during the first extraction step (E1).
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first coupling means (81) comprise a hook rigidly integral with the coupler head (8) intended to engage with a corresponding hook (42) integral with the end on the motorisation side of the lower working roll (4), and suitable for:

   - exerting a pushing force on the lower working roll (4) during the first extraction step (E1) and switching the coupler head (8) from the first retracted position (P1) to the second deployed position (P2),

   - exerting a traction force on the working roll when switching the coupler head (8) from the second deployed position (P2) to the first retracted position (P1).
4. The method according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the hooking and the unhooking between, on the one hand, the hook (81) of the first coupling means of the coupler head (8), and on the other hand, the corresponding hook (42) of the lower working roll (4) are caused by the movements of the carriage (20), in a direction perpendicular to the support rails (R3', R4').
5. The method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second coupling means (82, 83) comprise at least one movable element (82), articulated to the chassis of the coupler head, suitable for cooperating in the pushing with the chock (60) of the lower bearing roll (6), which:

   - in the retracted state of the second coupling means, said at least one movable element (82) is raised and blocked in a retracted position (P3) where said movable element (82) does not engage with the chock (60), of the lower bearing roll (6), on the motorisation side,

   - in the deployed state of the second coupling means is in a deployed position (P4) wherein said movable element (82) projects downward under the action of gravity, and wherein said movable element (82) is configured in said deployed position (P4) for engaging with a protruding part (62) on the upper face of the chock (60) of the lower bearing roll (6) on the motorisation side,

   and wherein:

   - during said step (E2) of returning the coupler head, said switching of the coupler head (8) from the second deployed position (P2) to the first retracted position (P1) causes the engagement of the protruding part (62) against the movable element (82), which pivots about its articulation under the action of the protruding part (62), to escape said protruding part (62), before returning, under the effect of gravity, in the position wherein said movable element (82) projects downward, on the other side of the protruding part (62);

   - during the second extraction step (E3), said movable element (82) abuts against said protruding part (82), on the other side of the protruding part, under the pushing action of the actuator and so as to allow the exit of said lower bearing roll (6).
6. The method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second coupling means comprise at least one foldable element (83) suitable for cooperating in traction with the chock (60) of the lower bearing roll (6), which

   - in said deployed position (P5) of said foldable element, allows engaging in abutment with the chock (60) on the motorisation side of the lower bearing roll (6) to exert a traction, allowing the insertion of the lower bearing roll (6) and said support equipment (13) during said insertion step (E5),

   - in the folded position (P6) of said foldable element (83), allows, successively to said third extraction step (E7) decoupling the coupler head from said lower bearing roll (6) extracted from the holding cage, during return movement of the coupler head from the second deployed position (P2) to the first retracted position (P1).
7. A rolling installation (1) having:

   - a rolling mill comprising:

   - a holding cage (2),

   - a set of superimposed rolls with substantially parallel axes comprising two lower and upper working rolls (3, 4), defining the passage air gap, and two respectively upper and lower bearing rolls (5, 6), intended to respectively bear on the working rolls on the side opposite to that of the passage air gap,

   - each roll having two ends which are rotatably mounted, each on a bearing carried by a chock (30, 40, 50, 60),

   - means for guiding the rolls between the chocks and the holding cage according to the tightening plane,

   - means for applying a tightening force between the chocks of the bearing rolls, comprising hydraulic cylinders (Vs),

   - a system (9) for clamping the chocks of the rolls, ensuring the blocking of the chocks relative to the holding cage, along the axis of the roll, while allowing the chocks to slide along the guide means, according to the tightening plane,

   - means (10) for motorising the bearing rolls, on one side of the holding cage of the rolling mill,

   - a system for extracting working rolls and bearing rolls provided, on the motorisation side of said rolling mill, comprising:

   - an actuator (70) configured to push the rolls out of the holding cage (2) of the rolling mill during the extraction of the rolls, or on the contrary pull the rolls into the holding cage (2) during the insertion of the rolls,

   - a coupler head (8) integral with said actuator (70), displaceable in a direction parallel to the rolls (3, 4, 5, 6), from a first retracted position (P1) for which the coupler head is located on the motorisation side, to a second deployed position (P2) for which the coupler head (8) having traversed the holding cage (2) is located on the operator side, comprising first coupling means configured to drive the chock (40) or the end of the lower working roll, on the side of the motorisation means of the rolling mill, characterised in that said coupler head (8) is located in the open position of the holding cage (2), at an intermediate height level between the lower working roll (4) and the lower bearing roll (6), said coupler head comprising, second coupling means configured to drive the chock (60) of the lower bearing roll (6), on the motorisation side of the rolling mill, having a retracted state wherein they do not drive the chock of the lower bearing roll (6) and a deployed state wherein they drive the pushing of the chock (60) of said lower bearing roll (6),

   and wherein the chocks (30, 40) of the upper and lower working rolls have connecting means (11), on the operator side, opposite the motorisation means, ensuring a mechanical connection (12) between these chocks on the operator side,
   and wherein the first coupling means and the second coupling means of said extraction system are configured so as to allow:

   - successive extractions of the working rolls (3, 4), then of the bearing rolls (5, 6) out of the holding cage (2),

   - successive insertions of the bearing rolls (5, 6), then of the working rolls (3, 4) into the holding cage (2),

   and wherein the second coupling means comprise at least one movable element (82), articulated to the chassis of the coupler head, suitable for cooperating in the pushing with the chock (60) of the lower bearing roll (6), which:

   - in said retracted state of the second coupling means, said at least movable element (82) is raised and locked in a retracted position (P3) where said movable element (82) does not engage with the chock (60), of the lower bearing roll (6), on the motorised side of the rolling mill,

   - in said deployed state of the second coupling means is in a deployed position (P4) wherein said movable element (82) projects downwards under the action of gravity, and wherein said movable member (82) is a manually actuated member to switch from the retracted position (P3) to the deployed position (P4) of said movable member (82), or vice versa, said movable element (82) being configured in said deployed position (P4) to engage with a protruding part (62) on the upper face of the chock (60) of the lower bearing roll (6) on the motorisation side, present in the holding cage, and in such a way that:

   - said switching of the coupler head (8) from the second deployed position (P2) to the first retracted position (P1) causes the protruding part (62) to engage against the movable element (82), which pivots about its articulation under the action of the protruding part (62), to escape said protruding part (62), before returning, under the effect of gravity, to the position where said movable element (82) projects downwards, on the other side of the protruding part (62);

   - said movable element (82), then in position on the other side of the protruding part (62) abuts against said protruding part (82) under the pushing action of the actuator and so as to allow the exit of said lower bearing roll (6).
8. The installation according to claim 7, wherein:

   - the holding cage (2) of the rolling mill comprises support rails (R3, R4) on which the chocks (30, 40) of the upper and lower working rolls (3, 4) rest, in the open position of the holding cage (2), said support rails (R3, R4) ensuring guiding the working rolls (3, 4) and their chocks (30, 40) during the extraction of the rolls in said holding cage,

   - said rolling installation comprising a support carriage (20) comprising support rails (R3', R4') suitable for supporting and guiding the chocks (30, 40) of the upper and lower working rolls (3, 4), which, in a relative position of the carriage relative to the rolling mill, extend the support rails (R3, R4) of the rolling mill and in such a way that the lower and upper working rolls are loaded on the carriage (20) during the pushing action of the actuator on the working rolls (3, 4).
9. The installation according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first coupling means (81) comprise a hook rigidly integral with the coupler head (8) intended to engage with a corresponding hook (42) integral with one of the ends of the lower working roll (4), and suitable for:

   - exerting a pushing force on the lower working roll (4) during the pushing action of the coupler head (8) from the first retracted position (P1) to the second deployed position (P2),

   - exerting a traction force on the lower working roll (4) when the coupler head (8) switches from the second deployed position (P2) to the first retracted position (P1).
10. The installation according to claims 8 and 9, wherein the hooking and the unhooking between, on the one hand, the hook of the first coupling means (81) of the coupler head (8), and on the other hand, the corresponding hook (42) of the lower working roll (4) are caused by the movements of the carriage (20), in a direction perpendicular to the support rails (R3', R4').
11. The installation according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the second coupling means comprise at least one foldable element (83) suitable for cooperating in traction with the chock (60) of the lower bearing roll (6) on the motorisation side, which:

    - in said deployed position (P5) of said foldable element, allows engaging in abutment with the chock (60) on the motorisation side of the lower bearing roll (6) to exert traction, allowing the insertion of the lower bearing roll (6) into the cage of the rolling mill,

    - in the folded position (P6) of said foldable element (83), allows decoupling the coupler head from said lower bearing roll (6) extracted from the holding cage, during return movement of the coupler head from the second deployed position (P2) to the first retracted position (P1).
12. The installation according to claim 11 wherein said foldable element (83) is a manually actuated member for switching from the deployed position (P5) to the folded position (P6) of said foldable member (83), or vice versa.
13. The installation according to one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the chocks on the operator side of the working rollers having sliding plates (31, 41), which are parallel and distributed on either side of the roll axis , intended to cooperate with sliding plates (27) integral with two uprights on the operator side of the rolling mill, the connecting means (11) comprise at least one blade (15) whose proximal end is integral with one of the lower or upper chocks, received in a lateral groove, formed in the body of the chock, on the back of a sliding plate, and the distal end (16) of which penetrates into a groove of the other chock, at least in a deployed position of said blade, in said open position of the holding cage.

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