EP3743223B1 - Rolling mill with cooling or lubricating device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a rolling mill, and relates more particularly to the aspect of cooling and/or lubricating the rolls of such a rolling mill.

The field of the invention is more particularly that of laterally supported Sexto cage rolling mills, and in particular the rolling mills known under the name “ Z High ” .

These rolling mills find their application, in line, for example, in pickling annealing lines or, offline, as reversible rolling mills, for metal strip.

A Quarto stand rolling mill comprises a holding stand in which are provided four cylinders with parallel axes, i.e. respectively two working rolls, lower and upper, defining the air gap for the passage of the strip to be rolled, as well as two support, upper and lower, bearing respectively on the work rolls on the side opposite to that of the passage gap.

A Sexto rolling mill comprises two additional rolls compared to a Quarto, namely two intermediate rolls interposed respectively between each working roll and the corresponding support roll.

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

Conventionally, balancing cylinders allow the movement of the chocks of the intermediate rolls. These balancing cylinders make it possible to change the relative position of the chocks and their cylinder, making it possible, among other things, to open the stand to facilitate the engagement of the product to be rolled, or even to move these elements to facilitate the dismantling of the cylinders. These balancing cylinders can also make it possible to arch the intermediate cylinders.

An advantage of a Sexto stand rolling mill is the possibility of using, in comparison with a Quarto stand, work rolls of smaller diameter, which allows to obtain a greater reduction in thickness of the product to be rolled, for the same rolling force.

A Sexto rolling mill also offers the possibility of axially shifting the two intermediate rolls, and in order to apply the rolling force only over the width of the strip to be rolled, and not over the entire length of the working rolls. In a Sexto rolling mill called " laterally supported ", very often, the work rolls are not mounted on chocks, but on the contrary provided floating. It is then necessary to maintain their axial position, by means of axial stops, but also to maintain their lateral position by means of lateral support members, such as rollers or lateral support rollers arranged on either side. other side of the clamping plane.

We know, for example, from the document EP 0 121 811 , in particular of the embodiment of the figure 2 , such a rolling mill of the Sexto type which comprises two work rolls, two support rolls and two intermediate rolls, interposed respectively between one of the work rolls and the corresponding support roll. In this document, the work rolls, the intermediate rolls and the back-up rolls are all mounted on chocks.

Each work roll is supported laterally, on either side of the work roll, by two pairs of rollers. The rollers of the same pair are provided at the two ends of each working roll, at the ends of the roll which are not in contact with the strip to be rolled. The rollers are pivotally mounted on forks that move in translation relative to the upright of the cage, under the action of hydraulic cylinders.

In Figure 6 of this document, there are provided nozzles on board the support part of the rollers, movable relative to the upright of the cage. For this purpose, flexible hoses are used to supply the nozzles with cooling and/or lubricating products, the flexible hoses making it possible to take account of the displacements between the mobile support part and the uprights of the cage. These nozzles allow the lubrication and cooling of the rollers and of the working cylinder, at the level of the support zone of the rollers.

We still know of the document US 4,531,394 another rolling mill design, of the laterally supported Sexto type. Such a rolling mill always comprises two work rolls, two support rolls and two intermediate rolls, inserted respectively between one of the work rolls and the corresponding support roll.

In this document, the support rolls and the intermediate rolls are mounted at their ends on chocks, while the working rolls are provided floating. Each work roll is supported laterally, on each side of the work roll, by a lateral support roll, itself resting on two series of rollers arranged along the length of the roll.

In this rolling mill design, for each working roll, the two corresponding side support rolls are secured to the two chocks of said intermediate roll. Each lateral support cylinder, as well as its support rollers, are mounted on a support arm which extends between the two chocks of the intermediate cylinder, each support arm being pivotally mounted around a shaft whose ends are integral with the chocks. .

The intermediate cylinder assembly, intermediate cylinder chocks, support arm (right and left), rollers and lateral support cylinders, right and left, form a self-supporting assembly, commonly called " cassette " or " insert " which can be introduced into the cage, or removed from the cage, during maintenance, by sliding the assembly in the direction of the cylinders.

Four force distribution beams extend rigidly between the two uprights of the cage, respectively, vis-à-vis each support arm. Each force distribution beam supports a so-called preload beam, movable in translation with respect to the corresponding force distribution beam, movable towards the inside of the cage in a substantially horizontal direction. Preload cylinders make it possible to force the movable beam into contact with the pivoting support arm to preload the lateral support cylinder on the working cylinder.

In such a rolling mill, the cooling and the lubrication of the working roll and of the intermediate roll are carried out by means of nozzles, marked respectively 73 and 72 on the figure 2 of the document US 4,531,394 , physically remote from the working cylinder, located outside the " insert " or the " cassette ". On the figure 2 , these nozzles are secured to the force distribution beam, or even to the mobile preload beam. So that the jet can reach the intermediate cylinder, the nozzles, marked 72, face bores passing through the support arms. In practice and to the knowledge of the inventors, this solution of sprinkling via the bores of the support arms does not seem to be retained in the rolling mills implemented industrially.

According to the findings of the inventors, the spray nozzles, marked 73, are unable to properly cool the working roller because they are located too far from it, their jets coming too quickly into interference with the side support arms, rollers and rollers. lateral supports and therefore unable to reassemble the scrolling of the band. On the other hand, according to the findings of the inventors, the nozzles marked 72 are unable to properly lubricate the contact between the working roller and the intermediate cylinder because they are located too far from the latter. In use, such insert rolling mills have a limited lifetime for the working roll, due to its poor cooling.

We still know of the document US.6,041,636 another design of a rolling mill of the laterally supported sexto type, with " insert " or " cassette ". As in the previous document, the intermediate cylinder assembly, intermediate cylinder chocks, support arm (right and left), rollers and lateral support cylinders, right and left, form a self-supporting assembly which can be introduced into the cage or removed from the cage during maintenance, by sliding the assembly in the direction of the cylinders.

In this document US.6,041,636 , the chocks of the intermediate rolls are mounted on bending blocks. The cylinders of the bending blocks make it possible, during operation, to bring the intermediate cylinders closer together, in a working position illustrated in figure 5 of this document, or even to separate the intermediate cylinders to a position, illustrated in figure 4 , allowing the inserts to be removed by sliding. These jacks can also make it possible, in operation, to arch the intermediate cylinder.

In this document, it is known to supply the bearings of the rollers of the support arms of the insert with lubricant, from a source of lubricant. Connection/disconnection devices make it possible, in the working position of the cylinders, to connect the source of lubricant to the lubrication bores provided in the chocks, and to automatically disconnect the bores when the intermediate cylinders and their chocks are separated vertically by the bending blocks. This automatic connection/disconnection is advantageous. No additional operation to connect/disconnect the source of lubricant is necessary during maintenance, in particular when the inserts must be removed or introduced into the cage. To this end, each connection device comprises an element, identified 57 called " plunge ", hollow, intended to conduct the lubricant, and which allows, in the working position of the intermediate cylinders, as illustrated in Figure 9, to join in a relatively tight manner the bore of the chock by through a seal. This element is movable, vertically in translation, forced towards its sealing position by means of a spring, marked 58. In the connection position, the lubricant flows from the source of lubricant through the element mobile and up to the bore of the insert. The lubricant then flows from the bore of the chock, and to the bearings through the hollow of the shaft, marked 17, on which the support arm is pivotally mounted.

When the intermediate cylinders are moved apart by the bending blocks to their retracted position, the travel of the movable element is limited, less than the displacement travel of the bending blocks, thus making it possible to guarantee an inter-space between the mobile element and the chock, as illustrated in figure 8 of the document US 6,041,636 . It is then possible to remove the insert, without friction between the chocks and the movable element.

Such a connection/disconnection device allows the bearings of the support arms to be lubricated. However, this document does not address the problem of cooling the work rolls. To the knowledge of the inventors, even today the cooling of the intermediate and working rolls and the lubrication of the intermediate roll/working roll contact in a reversible rolling mill with “ inserts ” is still carried out by providing nozzles physically at a distance from the rolls.

However, we know from the document EP 1 721 685 a rolling mill of the sexto type laterally, perfecting the cooling of a working roll. This document proposes to improve the rolling mills of the state of the art with “ cassettes ”, for which there would be no place to place cooling nozzles as close as possible to the rolls.

The figure 2 illustrates the object of the improvement of the prior art EP 1 721 685 .

The rolling mill is now a one-way (non-reversible) rolling mill which comprises, upstream, in the direction of travel of the strip, a lateral support roll, as previously described, supported by a support arm. Downstream, the support arm has no roller or support cylinder. This support cylinder is replaced by a pad called " support pad " which can be made of bronze or a self-lubricating graphite material, intended to slide on the surface of the working roller, without exerting substantial effort on the latter.

This skid support arm embeds several nozzles for a cooling liquid which allow the working roller to be cooled directly, on the downstream side. Downstream, the lubricant liquid is supplied to the nozzles via the hollow shaft of the corresponding support arm. Upstream, the hollow shaft of the support arm is used to convey the lubricant to the bearings of the rollers supporting the side support cylinder. This document thus teaches how to improve the cooling of the work rolls. However, this improvement is made to the detriment of the support of the working roll on one of its sides, by removing a lateral support roll and replacing it with a pad, the rolling mill then no longer being a reversible rolling mill.

We still know of the document WO 2010/086514 a method and a device for spraying a rolling plant. This document is more particularly concerned with the spraying of the work rolls each supported laterally by a pair of rolls, and comprising at least one pair of support rolls for the transmission of a rolling force. This document is intended in particular as an improvement of the document previously described EP 1 721 685 , a solution which would remain prohibited for reversible rolling mills.

According to this document, provision is made for direct spraying of at least part of the working rolls, on either side of said plane perpendicular to the running direction of the strip.

According to this document, the nozzles are positioned on the supports of the side support cylinders in order to spray the working cylinder directly from both sides, laterally.

However, the technology described in this document WO 2010/086514 is not a " cassette " technology as taught by the documents US 4,531,394 , US.6,041,636 , EP 1 721 685 for which the intermediate cylinder assembly, intermediate cylinder chocks, support arm (right and left), rollers and lateral support cylinders, right and left, form a self-supporting assembly, called " insert " which can be introduced into the cage or removed from the cage during maintenance, by sliding the assembly in the direction of the cylinders.

The real difficulty in improving the spraying of work rolls and intermediate rolls in a cassette mill is not to place the nozzles in the cassette, but to know how to supply them with lubricating/cooling fluid, and without increasing the maintenance time during the operations of removing or inserting the cassette into the rolling mill stand. For example, it is not possible to use flexible hoses between the cassette and the rolling mill stand to supply the nozzles, since these would need to be disassembled and reassembled during the operations of removing or inserting the cassette, which considerably lengthen the time required for these maintenance operations.

Furthermore, and according to the findings of the inventor, placing the nozzles on the support of the side support cylinder in order to spray the working cylinder directly is not always possible, in particular when the working cylinder and the cylinder intermediate are of small diameter.

As previously described, the document US.6,041,636 discloses automatic connection devices allowing, in the working position of the rolls, to connect the source of lubricant to lubricating bores provided in the chocks, and to automatically disconnect the bores when the intermediate rolls are moved apart vertically by the bending blocks . However, such a device can only be used to supply lubricant, either solely to the bearings of the rollers of the lateral support cylinder of a support arm, or solely to supply fluid to the nozzles of a support arm. This is the reason why the nozzle support arm does not have a side support cylinder in the document EP 1 721 685 , this being replaced by a pad which does not require a bearing to be lubricated. Furthermore, the connection device in this prior art is connected to the chocks, which makes it necessary to convey the fluid along a complex trajectory via the hollow shaft and as far as the lower end of the support arm. This complex fluid trajectory, from the chock to the support arm, via the hollow shaft, generates pressure drops, limiting flow rates.

In summary, and according to the state of the art to the applicant's knowledge, in the reversible rolling mills of the aforementioned laterally supported sexto type, with cassettes, the cooling of the working rolls and of the intermediate rolls is carried out by means of nozzles placed outside of the cassette, physically at a distance from the work rolls and the intermediate rolls and whose jets cannot directly reach the work rolls. In this type of rolling mill implemented industrially, it is conventional to place a spray bar, on each side of the clamping plane, on board the force distribution beam of the cage and whose jets are directed at the level of contact between the support cylinder and the intermediate cylinder. According to this arrangement, the lubrication of the working cylinder is therefore obtained, indirectly, by the fact that the intermediate cylinder has been wetted and that this cylinder transports this lubrication during its rotation of a half turn, to the working cylinder . According to the findings of the inventors, this lubrication is insufficient, in particular for the cylinders placed under the band.

Furthermore, and when the speed of the rolling mill becomes high, the centrifugal force at the circumference of the intermediate roll tends to squeeze the roll so that little cooling fluid reaches the work roll.

However, we know from the document WO 2015/011373 of the present Applicant, a rolling mill of the supported Sexto type, with cassette technology which brings a notable progress for the cooling of the work rolls, and compared to the aforementioned state of the art.

• une cage de maintien comprenant deux paires de montants écartées entre-elles aux deux extrémités de la cage, au moins deux montants d'une même paire définissant une fenêtre d'accès,
• deux cylindres de travail, aptes à enserrer une bande à laminer, deux cylindres d'appui, et deux cylindres intermédiaires, les cylindres d'appui et les cylindres intermédiaires étant montés rotatifs à leurs extrémités sur des empoises,
• des cylindres d'appui latéraux, aptes à supporter latéralement les cylindres de travail, chaque cylindre d'appui latéral étant porté par un bras support, monté pivotant sur un axe,
• des poutres de répartition d'effort s'étendant entre les montants correspondants de chaque paire, et des moyens d'application d'un effort de précharge sur chaque bras support, destinés à engager avec l'un des bras support au niveau d'une surface d'appui, et comprenant au moins un vérin de précharge solidaire de l'une des poutres de répartition d'effort,
• une ou plusieurs buses de pulvérisation pour un fluide lubrifiant/ refroidissant.

This is a laterally supported Sexto rolling mill which features:

• a support cage comprising two pairs of uprights separated from each other at the two ends of the cage, at least two uprights of the same pair defining an access window,
• two work rolls, capable of gripping a strip to be rolled, two back-up rolls, and two intermediate rolls, the back-up rolls and the intermediate rolls being rotatably mounted at their ends on chocks,
• lateral support cylinders, capable of laterally supporting the working cylinders, each lateral support cylinder being carried by a support arm, pivotally mounted on an axis,
• force distribution beams extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means for applying a preload force to each support arm, intended to engage with one of the support arms at a bearing surface, and comprising at least one preload cylinder integral with one of the force distribution beams,
• one or more spray nozzles for lubricating/cooling fluid.

Each support arm of a side support cylinder is pivotally mounted on said axis, consisting of a shaft integral with the chocks of one of the intermediate cylinders, each intermediate cylinder, chocks of the intermediate cylinder, side support cylinders and corresponding support arms forming a self-supporting assembly, called insert (or " cassette "), which can be removed or introduced by sliding through the access window during maintenance, in the open position of the cage.

The hollow of the shaft can possibly be used, as in the state of the art (see US 6,041,636 ) to channel a fluid intended to lubricate the bearings of the rollers (marked 52 on the figure 1 ) laterally supporting the side support cylinder.

According to the document WO 2015/011373 , at least one of the nozzles is mounted on one of the support arms in particular to allow the lubrication/cooling of the working rolls and/or the intermediate rolls.

• une conduite du bras support, destinée à canaliser le fluide, présentant une ouverture d'alimentation débouchant sur la surface d'appui 10 du bras support 6 destinée à engager les moyens d'application d'un effort de précharge,
• une partie creuse, mobile par rapport à la poutre de répartition d'effort, déplaçable par rapport à ladite poutre de répartition d'effort 8 sous l'action desdits moyens 9 d'application d'un effort de précharge.

Advantageously, the fluid supply circuit of said at least one nozzle comprises a marked connection/disconnection device 13 having:

• a conduit of the support arm, intended to channel the fluid, having a supply opening opening onto the support surface 10 of the support arm 6 intended to engage the means for applying a preload force,
• a hollow part, movable relative to the force distribution beam, movable relative to said force distribution beam 8 under the action of said means 9 for applying a preload force.

According to the document WO 2015/011373 , this hollow part is configured to form a sealed connection with the supply opening on the support surface in a first connection position, or on the contrary, to retract into a second disconnection position, at a distance from the surface of support.

In the first connection position, as shown in picture 2 , the cooling fluid can be channeled from the source to said at least one nozzle marked 12 (shown) or even to said at least one nozzle marked 12' (not shown), via said connection device /disconnect.

In the second disconnection position, the means for applying a preload force are retracted, in the retracted position, said hollow part being at a distance from the support arm.

This position makes it possible, in particular when the design of the rolling mill is of the insert (or cassette) type, to be able to remove or introduce the insert, without requiring additional maintenance time to disconnect/connect the source of fluid.

Another advantage of such a connection/disconnection device is that it is connected directly to the support arm, and not to the chocks of the intermediate cylinder as taught in the prior art known from the document US.6,041,636 .

To get to the nozzle or in an insert type rolling mill WO 2015/011373 , the fluid does not need to pass through the hollow shaft on which the support arm is pivotally mounted. It is then possible to substantially limit the pressure drops, and thus to obtain much higher fluid flow rates than those obtained in this state of the art, and thus to substantially improve the cooling of the working rolls.

The document WO 2015/011373 discloses a rolling mill according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

In summary the solution of the document WO 2015/011373 is advantageous in that the cooling/lubrication system does not complicate the rolling mill maintenance operations, and in particular the removal of the inserts (or cassettes) from a laterally supported Sexto rolling mill, thanks to its connection/disconnection device while allowing high fluid flow rates required to ensure optimum cooling performance in that the fluid can be channeled from the hollow part to the conduct of the support arm, and without passing through the hollow of the shaft.

• lors du laminage, les contraintes de la bande laminée sur les cylindres (de travail et latéraux) peuvent engendrer des déplacements relatifs (i.e. des glissements) entre le bras support repéré 6 de la cassette, d'une part, et la partie creuse repérée 14 du dispositif de connexion. Ces glissements nuisent à l'étanchéité de la connexion et sont à l'origine de fuite de fluide de refroidissement, et encore,
• une telle solution selon le document WO 2015/011373 est bien souvent prévue native au laminoir, mais devient coûteuse lorsqu'il s'agit d'améliorer le refroidissement d'un laminoir existant, notamment en ce qu'elle nécessite de retravailler la poutre de répartition et les moyens d'application d'un effort de précharge.

According to the findings of the inventor, such a design according to the document WO 2015/011373 can still be improved in that it nevertheless has certain drawbacks:

• during rolling, the stresses of the rolled strip on the cylinders (working and lateral) can generate relative displacements ( ie sliding) between the support arm marked 6 of the cassette, on the one hand, and the hollow part marked 14 of the connecting device. These slips affect the tightness of the connection and are the cause of coolant leaks, and again,
• such a solution according to the document WO 2015/011373 is very often provided native to the rolling mill, but becomes costly when it comes to improving the cooling of an existing rolling mill, in particular in that it requires reworking the distribution beam and the means of applying a preload force.

The object of the present invention is to propose a rolling mill making it possible to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing such a rolling mill whose system for cooling/lubrication of the strip or of the rolls does not complicate the maintenance operations of the rolling mill, and in particular the removal side support rolls, while allowing high fluid flow rates and which can be easily implemented on an existing rolling mill to improve the cooling of the strip and/or the rolls.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rolling mill which allows effective cooling of the working rolls, even when the working roll or even the intermediate roll are of small diameter.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rolling mill which allows effective cooling of the working rolls, even when the rolling mill is required to operate at high speed.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a process for obtaining a rolling mill in accordance with the invention from an existing rolling mill.

Other objects and advantages will appear during the description which will follow and which is not intended to limit it.

• une cage de maintien comprenant deux paires de montants écartées entre-elles aux deux extrémités de la cage, au moins deux montants d'une même paire définissant une fenêtre d'accès,
• deux cylindres de travail, aptes à enserrer une bande à laminer, deux cylindres d'appui, et deux cylindres intermédiaires, les cylindres d'appui et les cylindres intermédiaires étant montés rotatifs à leurs extrémités sur des empoises,
• des cylindres d'appui latéraux, aptes à supporter latéralement les cylindres de travail, chaque cylindre d'appui latéral étant porté par un bras support, monté pivotant sur un axe,
• des poutres de répartition d'effort s'étendant entre les montants correspondants de chaque paire, et des moyens d'application d'un effort de pré-charge sur chaque bras support, destinés à engager avec l'un des bras support au niveau d'une surface d'appui, et comprenant au moins un vérin de précharge solidaire de l'une des poutres de répartition d'effort,
• une ou plusieurs buses de pulvérisation pour un fluide lubrifiant/ refroidissant, et dans lequel au moins une des buses est embarquée sur l'un des bras supports et dans lequel le circuit d'alimentation en fluide de ladite au moins une buse comprend un dispositif de connexion/déconnexion comprenant :
• une conduite du bras support, destinée à canaliser le fluide, présentant une ouverture d'alimentation débouchant sur la surface extérieure du bras support située du côté des moyens d'application d'un effort de précharge,
• un connecteur creux, mobile par rapport à la cage de maintien, déplaçable sous l'action d'un actionneur apte à réaliser une liaison étanche avec l'ouverture d'alimentation sur la surface extérieure dans une première position de connexion, ou au contraire s'escamoter dans une deuxième position de déconnexion, à distance de la surface extérieure.

The invention also relates to a Rolling Mill comprising:

• a support cage comprising two pairs of uprights separated from each other at the two ends of the cage, at least two uprights of the same pair defining an access window,
• two work rolls, capable of gripping a strip to be rolled, two back-up rolls, and two intermediate rolls, the back-up rolls and the intermediate rolls being rotatably mounted at their ends on chocks,
• lateral support cylinders, capable of laterally supporting the working cylinders, each lateral support cylinder being carried by a support arm, pivotally mounted on an axis,
• force distribution beams extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means for applying a preload force to each support arm, intended to engage with one of the support arms at the level of a support surface, and comprising at least one preload cylinder integral with one of the force distribution beams,
• one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating/cooling fluid, and in which at least one of the nozzles is mounted on one of the support arms and in which the fluid supply circuit of the said at least one nozzle comprises a device for connection/disconnection including:
• a conduit of the support arm, intended to channel the fluid, having a supply opening opening onto the outer surface of the support arm located on the side of the means for applying a preload force,
• a hollow connector, movable relative to the retaining cage, movable under the action of an actuator capable of producing a sealed connection with the supply opening on the outer surface in a first connection position, or on the contrary s retract into a second disconnection position, away from the outer surface.

According to the invention, said actuator is a separate actuator from the cylinder of said means for applying a preload force.

• l'extrémité de connexion du connecteur creux et le siège autour de l'ouverture d'alimentation destiné à recevoir en appui ladite extrémité de connexion comportent des reliefs complémentaires, mutuellement emboîtant, interdisant tout glissement relatif entre l'extrémité de connexion du connecteur creux et le siège, dans ladite première position de connexion ;
• le connecteur creux est prévu flottant par rapport au bâti de la cage, susceptible d'accompagner les mouvements du bras support lors des opérations de laminage dans la première position de connexion, ledit connecteur creux étant configuré pour être articulé par rapport à la cage du laminoir afin de permettre à l'extrémité de connexion du connecteur creux de suivre les mouvements du bras support ;
• le connecteur creux est un corps rigide formant une conduite présentant une extrémité longitudinale, libre destinée à être connectée ou déconnectée à l'ouverture d'alimentation du bras support, l'autre extrémité longitudinale étant solidaire de l'actionneur ;
• ledit actionneur est un vérin dont le corps du vérin est fixé à une partie fixe de cage, et la tige du vérin est solidaire de ladite autre extrémité de la partie creuse, via une articulation ;
• le connecteur creux comporte en extrémité de connexion un système de rotule, y compris une première pièce tubulaire et une deuxième pièce tubulaire présentant des surfaces de contact hémisphériques, la première pièce rigidement solidaire du corps formant connecteur creux, la deuxième pièce, libre de s'orienter par rapport au corps du connecteur creux ;
• le laminoir comprend des moyens de réglage de la position horizontale de chaque poutre de répartition d'effort, tels qu'un actionneur vis/écrou, convenant pour rapprocher ou éloigner la poutre de répartition d'un bras support en vis à vis, ladite poutre de répartition étant de position réglable par rapport à une poutre fixe solidaire par ses extrémités à deux des montants aux deux extrémités de la cage, et dans lequel ledit actionneur est fixé à la poutre fixe, reliant la poutre fixe et le connecteur creux,
• chaque cylindre d'appui latéral est supporté par des galets d'appui, les galets d'appui étant montés sur des axes des bras support par l'intermédiaire de roulements, et dans lequel le bras support comprend un circuit d'alimentation en lubrifiant pour les roulements, distinct du circuit d'alimentation de ladite au moins une buse ;
• le circuit d'alimentation en lubrifiant pour les roulements comprend l'arbre sur lequel est monté pivotant le bras support, ledit arbre étant creux..

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

• the connection end of the hollow connector and the seat around the supply opening intended to receive said connection end in abutment comprise complementary reliefs, mutually interlocking, preventing any relative sliding between the connection end of the hollow connector and the seat, in said first connection position;
• the hollow connector is provided to float relative to the frame of the stand, capable of accompanying the movements of the support arm during the rolling operations in the first connection position, said hollow connector being configured to be articulated relative to the stand of the rolling mill in order to allow the connection end of the hollow connector to follow the movements of the support arm;
• the hollow connector is a rigid body forming a pipe having a free longitudinal end intended to be connected or disconnected to the supply opening of the support arm, the other longitudinal end being integral with the actuator;
• said actuator is a jack whose body of the jack is fixed to a fixed part of the cage, and the rod of the jack is integral with said other end of the hollow part, via an articulation;
• the hollow connector comprises at the connection end a ball joint system, including a first tubular part and a second tubular part having hemispherical contact surfaces, the first part rigidly fixed to the body forming the hollow connector, the second part, free to orient relative to the body of the hollow connector;
• the rolling mill comprises means for adjusting the horizontal position of each force distribution beam, such as a screw/nut actuator, suitable for bringing the distribution beam closer to or further away from a support arm facing each other, said distribution beam being of adjustable position relative to a fixed beam integral at its ends with two of the uprights at the two ends of the cage, and in which said actuator is fixed to the fixed beam, connecting the fixed beam and the hollow connector,
• each lateral support cylinder is supported by support rollers, the support rollers being mounted on axes of the support arms via bearings, and in which the support arm comprises a lubricant supply circuit for the bearings, separate from the supply circuit of said at least one nozzle;
• the lubricant supply circuit for the bearings comprises the shaft on which the support arm is pivotally mounted, said shaft being hollow.

• ledit laminoir comprenant un insert inférieur et un insert supérieur, lesdits inserts pouvant être retirés ou introduits par coulissement au travers de la fenêtre d'accès lors de la maintenance dans une position d'ouverture de la cage de maintien pour laquelle les inserts supérieur et inférieur sont écartés du plan de laminage, les inserts supérieur et inférieur pouvant passer à une position de travail dans une position de fermeture de cage et dans lequel le dispositif de connexion est configuré de manière à ce que le passage de la deuxième position de déconnexion vers la première position de connexion, est obtenu sous l'action du déploiement de l'actionneur en position d'ouverture de la cage, dans la position écartée des inserts inférieur et supérieur,
• et dans lequel ledit connecteur creux, voire ledit actionneur du dispositif de connexion sont articulés et configurés de sorte que ledit connecteur creux, voire ledit actionneur accompagnent le mouvement du bras support auquel ledit connecteur creux est connecté, depuis la position d'ouverture de la cage vers la position de fermeture de la cage, ledit connecteur creux passant alors d'une position écartée de la poutre de répartition d'effort vers une position rapprochée de la poutre de répartition d'effort.

According to an advantageous embodiment, each support arm of a lateral support cylinder is pivotally mounted on said axis, consisting of a shaft integral with the chocks of one of the intermediate cylinders, each intermediate cylinder, chocks of the intermediate cylinder, cylinders of side supports and corresponding support arms forming a self-supporting assembly, called an insert,

• said rolling mill comprising a lower insert and an upper insert, said inserts being able to be removed or introduced by sliding through the access window during maintenance in an open position of the holding cage for which the upper and lower inserts are separated from the rolling plane, the upper and lower inserts being able to pass to a working position in a cage closing position and in which the connection device is configured so that the passage from the second disconnection position to the first connection position, is obtained under the action of the deployment of the actuator in the open position of the cage, in the separated position of the lower and upper inserts,
• and in which said hollow connector, indeed said actuator of the connection device, are articulated and configured so that said hollow connector, indeed said actuator, accompany the movement of the support arm to which said hollow connector is connected, from the open position of the cage towards the closed position of the cage, said hollow connector then passing from a position separated from the force distribution beam towards a position close to the force distribution beam.

According to this embodiment, said actuator is said to be the first actuator configured to deploy or retract said hollow connector in order to ensure passage from the second disconnection position to the first connection position, or vice versa, to the open position of the holding cage and in which a second actuator, independent of the first actuator (or alternatively a spring means) cooperates with said hollow connector and is configured to force said hollow connector into the first position separated from the force distribution beam when said connector hollow is in said second disconnection position. The second actuator can be fixed on a support secured to the force repair beam.

• une cage de maintien comprenant deux paires de montants écartées entre-elles aux deux extrémités de la cage, au moins deux montants d'une même paire définissant une fenêtre d'accès,
• deux cylindres de travail, aptes à enserrer une bande à laminer, deux cylindres d'appui, et deux cylindres intermédiaires, les cylindres d'appui et les cylindres intermédiaires étant montés rotatifs à leurs extrémités sur des empoises,
• des cylindres d'appui latéraux, aptes à supporter latéralement les cylindres de travail, chaque cylindre d'appui latéral étant porté par un bras support, monté pivotant sur un axe,
• des poutres de répartition d'effort s'étendant entre les montants correspondants de chaque paire, et des moyens d'application d'un effort de pré-charge sur chaque bras support, destinés à engager avec l'un des bras support au niveau d'une surface d'appui, et comprenant au moins un vérin de précharge solidaire de l'une des poutres de répartition d'effort,
• une ou plusieurs buses de pulvérisation pour un fluide lubrifiant/ refroidissant, procédé dans lequel on ajoute le dispositif de connexion/déconnexion au laminoir existant par la mise en œuvre des étapes suivantes ;
  • on remplace tout ou partie des bras support existant du laminoir par des bras embarquant ladite moins une des buses, et comportant la conduite présentant une ouverture d'alimentation (débouchant sur la surface extérieure est embarquée sur l'un des bras supports,
  • on ajoute le connecteur creux, mobile par rapport à la cage de maintien ainsi que l'actionneur, le cas échéant premier actionneur, pour le déplacement du connecteur creux, apte à réaliser une liaison étanche avec l'ouverture d'alimentation sur la surface extérieure dans la première position de connexion, ou au contraire s'escamoter dans la deuxième position de déconnexion, à distance de la surface extérieure, et le cas échéant le deuxième actionneur, indépendant du premier actionneur coopère avec ledit connecteur creux et est configuré pour contraindre ledit connecteur creux dans la première position écartée de la poutre de répartition d'effort.

The invention also relates to a process for obtaining a rolling mill according to the invention from an existing rolling mill comprising:

• a support cage comprising two pairs of uprights separated from each other at the two ends of the cage, at least two uprights of the same pair defining an access window,
• two work rolls, capable of gripping a strip to be rolled, two back-up rolls, and two intermediate rolls, the back-up rolls and the intermediate rolls being rotatably mounted at their ends on chocks,
• lateral support cylinders, capable of laterally supporting the working cylinders, each lateral support cylinder being carried by a support arm, pivotally mounted on an axis,
• force distribution beams extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means for applying a preload force to each support arm, intended to engage with one of the support arms at the level of a support surface, and comprising at least one preload cylinder integral with one of the force distribution beams,
• one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating/cooling fluid, a method in which the connection/disconnection device is added to the existing rolling mill by carrying out the following steps;
  • all or part of the existing support arms of the rolling mill are replaced by arms carrying said at least one of the nozzles, and comprising the pipe having a feed opening (opening onto the outer surface is mounted on one of the support arms,
  • the hollow connector, movable with respect to the holding cage, is added, as well as the actuator, if necessary the first actuator, for the movement of the hollow connector, capable of forming a sealed connection with the supply opening on the outer surface in the first connection position, or on the contrary retract into the second disconnection position, at a distance from the outer surface, and where applicable the second actuator, independent of the first actuator cooperates with said hollow connector and is configured to constrain said hollow connector in the first position separated from the force distribution beam.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective, de coupe d'un laminoir conforme à l'invention selon un plan perpendiculaire à la direction des cylindres, illustrant le laminoir dans la position d'ouverture de la cage pour laquelle les inserts supérieur et inférieur sont écartés du plan de laminage, et dans la première position de connexion du connecteur creux,
• La figure 2 est une vue de détail de la figure 1, illustrant le laminoir dans la position d'ouverture de la cage pour laquelle les inserts supérieur et inférieur sont écartés du plan de laminage, et dans la première position de connexion du connecteur creux, le connecteur creux étant incliné dans une position écartée de la poutre de répartition d'effort,
• La figure 3 est une vue selon la figure 2, après fermeture de la cage du laminoir pour laquelle les inserts supérieur et inférieur sont rapprochés l'un de l'autre, le connecteur creux connecté à l'ouverture d'alimentation du bras accompagnant le déplacement du bras, le connecteur creux étant alors dans une position rapprochée de la poutre de répartition d'effort,
• La figure 4 est une vue en perspective de la cage de maintien laminoir, vue de dessus.

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

• The figure 1 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of a rolling mill according to the invention along a plane perpendicular to the direction of the rolls, illustrating the rolling mill in the open position of the stand for which the upper and lower inserts are separated from the plane lamination, and in the first connection position of the hollow connector,
• The figure 2 is a detail view of the figure 1 , illustrating the rolling mill in the open position of the stand for which the upper and lower inserts are separated from the rolling plane, and in the first connection position of the hollow connector, the hollow connector being inclined in a position separated from the beam effort distribution,
• The picture 3 is a view according to figure 2 , after closing the rolling mill stand for which the upper and lower inserts are moved closer to each other, the hollow connector connected to the feed opening of the arm accompanying the movement of the arm, the hollow connector then being in a position close to the force distribution beam,
• The figure 4 is a perspective view of the rolling mill holding stand, seen from above.

• une cage de maintien 30 comprenant deux paires de montants 31 écartées entre-elles aux deux extrémités de la cage, au moins deux montants d'une même paire définissant une fenêtre d'accès,
• deux cylindres de travail 2, aptes à enserrer une bande à laminer, deux cylindres d'appui 4, et deux cylindres intermédiaires 3, les cylindres d'appui 4 et les cylindres intermédiaires 3, étant montés rotatifs à leurs extrémités sur des empoises,
• des cylindres d'appui latéraux 5, aptes à supporter latéralement les cylindres de travail 2, chaque cylindre d'appui latéral étant porté par un bras support 6, monté pivotant sur un axe 7,
• des poutres de répartition d'effort 8 s'étendant entre les montants correspondants de chaque paire, et des moyens 9 d'application d'un effort de précharge sur chaque bras support 6, destinés à engager avec l'un des bras support au niveau d'une surface d'appui 10, et comprenant au moins un vérin de précharge 11 solidaire de l'une des poutres de répartition d'effort 8,
• une ou plusieurs buses de pulvérisation pour un fluide lubrifiant/refroidissant.

The invention also relates first of all to a rolling mill 1 comprising:

• a holding cage 30 comprising two pairs of uprights 31 spaced apart at the two ends of the cage, at least two uprights of the same pair defining an access window,
• two work rolls 2, capable of enclosing a strip to be rolled, two support rolls 4, and two intermediate rolls 3, the support rolls 4 and the intermediate rolls 3, being rotatably mounted at their ends on chocks,
• lateral support cylinders 5, able to laterally support the working cylinders 2, each lateral support cylinder being carried by a support arm 6, pivotally mounted on an axis 7,
• force distribution beams 8 extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means 9 for applying a preload force to each support arm 6, intended to engage with one of the support arms at a support surface 10, and comprising at least one preload cylinder 11 secured to one of the force distribution beams 8,
• one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating/cooling fluid.

The work rolls 2, the intermediate rolls 3 and the support rolls 4 have substantially parallel axes, the axes of the rolls 2,3,4 being contained in a clamping plane substantially perpendicular to the strip to be rolled B. Both work rolls 2 are located on either side of the strip to be rolled, their spacing defining the passage gap in operation. Each intermediate cylinder 3 is interposed between the working cylinder 2 and the corresponding support cylinder 4. The work cylinder driven in rotation, indirectly by the rotation of the intermediate cylinder 3.

The lateral support cylinders 5 are preferably two in number per working cylinder 2 and make it possible to hold the working cylinder 2, laterally on both sides of the clamping plane. It is thus preferably a reversible rolling mill. Each lateral support cylinder 5 is mounted on a support arm 6 pivotally mounted on an axis 7. According to a preferred embodiment, each support arm 6 can be pivotally mounted on a shaft integral at its ends with the chocks of the intermediate cylinders, such as than taught by the document US 4,531,394 or the document US 6,041,636 . In this rolling mill design, each intermediate roll 3, chocks of the intermediate roll, side support rolls 5 and corresponding support arms 6 form a self-supporting assembly, commonly called " insert " or " cassette ", which can be removed or introduced by sliding at the through the access window during maintenance, at least in an open position Po of the retaining cage for which the upper insert Isup and the lower Iinf are separated from each other, typically at means of the balancing cylinders of the rolling mill.

The force distribution beams 8 extend between the corresponding uprights of each pair, respectively opposite each support arm 6, at least during operation. The means 9 for applying a preload force to each support arm 6 are intended to engage with one of the support arms at the level of a bearing surface 10, and comprise at least one preload cylinder 11 integral with one of the force distribution beams 8. The position of the force distribution beam 8 can be adjusted horizontally with respect to the uprights 31. To this end, the rolling mill comprises means for adjusting the horizontal position of each force distribution beam, such as an actuator 81 including screw / nut, suitable for bringing or moving the distribution beam 8 of a support arm 6 vis-à-vis. This distribution beam 8 is of adjustable position typically with respect to a fixed beam 18, itself secured by its ends to two of the uprights 31 at the two ends of the cage. The actuator 81 is interposed between the force distribution beam 8 and this fixed beam 18. The screw/nut actuators 81 synchronized can be provided to bring the force distribution beam closer to the support arm 6, or on the contrary move away the force distribution beam 8 of said support arm 6.

In operation, the work roll is generally forced to press the lateral support roll 5 upstream, in the running direction of the strip B. The force distribution beam 8, downstream, is positioned a few millimeters from the arm support 6, downstream. The means 9 for applying a preload force are then used to take up play and ensure contact with the lateral support cylinder 5, downstream.

The rolling mill comprises said spray nozzle or nozzles for a lubricating/cooling fluid, these nozzles being in particular intended to cool/lubricate the working rolls, directly or indirectly and/or the other rolls of the rolling mill.

According to the invention, at least one of the nozzles 12 is mounted on one of the support arms 6, in particular to allow the lubrication/cooling of the working rolls and/or the intermediate rolls.

• une conduite 14 du bras support 6, destinée à canaliser le fluide, présentant une ouverture d'alimentation 15 débouchant sur la surface extérieure du bras support située du côté des moyens 9 d'application d'un effort de précharge,
• un connecteur creux 16 , mobile par rapport à la cage de maintien 30, déplaçable sous l'action d'un actionneur 17, apte à réaliser une liaison étanche avec l'ouverture d'alimentation 15, sur la surface extérieure 10, dans une première position de connexion P1, ou au contraire s'escamoter dans une deuxième position de déconnexion à distance de la surface extérieure 10.

Advantageously, the fluid supply circuit of said at least one nozzle 12 comprises a connection/disconnection device 13 comprising:

• a pipe 14 of the support arm 6, intended to channel the fluid, having a supply opening 15 opening onto the outer surface of the support arm located on the side of the means 9 for applying a preload force,
• a hollow connector 16, movable relative to the retaining cage 30, movable under the action of an actuator 17, capable of forming a sealed connection with the supply opening 15, on the outer surface 10, in a first connection position P1, or on the contrary retract into a second disconnection position remote from the outer surface 10.

According to the invention, the hollow connector 16 is capable of making a sealed connection with the supply opening 15 on the outer surface 10 in a first connection position P1, or on the contrary, retracting into a second disconnection position. , at a distance from the outer surface 10.

In the first connection position P1, the cooling fluid can be channeled from the source to said at least one nozzle marked 12 via said connection/disconnection device 13. In the second disconnection position (not shown) , the actuator 17 in the retracted position, said hollow connector 16 is at a distance from the support arm 6. This position makes it possible, in particular when the design of the rolling mill is of the insert (or cassette) type, to be able to withdraw or introduce the insert , without requiring additional maintenance time to disconnect/connect the fluid source.

Another advantage of such a connection/disconnection device is that it is connected directly to the support arm, and not to the chocks of the intermediate cylinder as taught in the prior art known from the document US.6,041,636 . To reach the nozzle 12, in an insert-type rolling mill according to the invention, the fluid does not need to pass through the hollow shaft on which the support arm is pivotally mounted. It is then possible to obtain fluid flow rates much higher than those obtained in this state of the art.

In the invention, the hollow of the shaft can optionally be used, as in the state of the art, to channel a fluid intended to lubricate the bearings of the rollers 52 laterally supporting the lateral support cylinder 5. Also and according to one mode embodiment, each side support cylinder 5 is supported by rollers 52, the rollers 52 being mounted on axes 50,51, parallel, of the support arm 6 via bearings. The support arm 6 comprises a lubricant supply circuit for the bearings, separate from the supply circuit of said at least one nozzle 12. The lubricant supply circuit for the bearings may comprise the shaft on which is pivotally mounted the support arm 6, said shaft being hollow, traversed at least in part by the lubricant. According to another embodiment (not shown), the nozzle supply circuit (comprising the connection/disconnection device 13) can also make it possible to convey a fluid to the bearings of the rollers 52 in order to ensure their lubrication. . In general, the supply circuit comprising the connection/disconnection device 13 can be applied to any fluid requiring transit via the support arm 6 (and other than the cylinder cooling fluid).

According to a notable feature of the invention, said actuator 17 is a separate actuator from the cylinder 11 of said means 9 for applying a preload force.

Note that the supply opening 15 may be provided on the outer surface 10 of the arm 6 in the immediate vicinity of the axis 7 of rotation of the arm.

An advantage of providing the actuator of the connection device 13 as a separate element from the preload cylinder is to improve the cooling of an existing rolling mill, advantageously without having to modify the force distribution beam, nor the means for applying a preload force of the existing rolling mill.

• l'extrémité de connexion du connecteur creux 16 et le siège autour de l'ouverture d'alimentation 15 destiné à recevoir en appui l'extrémité de connexion peuvent avantageusement comporter des reliefs complémentaires, mutuellement emboîtant, interdisant tout glissement relatif entre l'extrémité de connexion du connecteur creux 16 et le siège, dans ladite première position de connexion P1, et dans ce cas,
• le connecteur creux 16 est alors de préférence prévu flottant par rapport au bâti fixe de la cage de maintien, susceptible d'accompagner les (légers) mouvements du bras support 6 lors des opérations de laminage : à cet effet le connecteur creux 16 peut être un élément librement articulé par rapport au bâti à la cage afin de permettre à l'extrémité de connexion du connecteur creux 16 de suivre les mouvements du bras support 6.

It is still possible to significantly improve the seal between the supply opening 15 and the hollow connector 16, in the first connection position P1 with the following provisions:

• the connection end of the hollow connector 16 and the seat around the supply opening 15 intended to receive the connection end in abutment can advantageously comprise complementary reliefs, mutually interlocking, preventing any relative sliding between the end of connection of the hollow connector 16 and the seat, in said first connection position P1, and in this case,
• the hollow connector 16 is then preferably provided floating relative to the fixed frame of the holding cage, capable of accompanying the (slight) movements of the support arm 6 during rolling operations: for this purpose the hollow connector 16 can be a element freely articulated relative to the frame to the cage in order to allow the connection end of the hollow connector 16 to follow the movements of the support arm 6.

The hollow connector 16 may further comprise, at the connection end, a ball joint system, including a first tubular part 20 and a second tubular part 21 having hemispherical contact surfaces forming a ball joint: the first part 20 is rigidly secured to the body forming hollow connector 16, the second part 21 being free to orient itself relative to the body under stress.

According to the embodiment (illustrated), the second part 21 can be sized to be housed in a cavity forming a seat for the connection end of the hollow connector, in the first position P1 of the hollow connector.

The hollow connector 16 may be a rigid body forming a conduit having a free longitudinal end intended to be connected or disconnected to the supply opening 15 of the support arm 6, and another longitudinal end secured to the actuator 17. The actuator 17 is a jack whose body of the jack is fixed to a fixed part of the holding cage such as the fixed beam 18. The rod of the jack is secured to said other end of the connector 16, via a articulation 19, such as a pivot (with an axis parallel to the work cylinders), allowing free inclination of the hollow connector 16 with respect to the actuator 17.

It is preferably a rolling mill design with an insert (or cassette): preferably, each support arm 6 of a lateral support roll 5 is thus pivotally mounted on said axis 7, consisting of a shaft integral with the chocks of one of the intermediate rolls 3, each intermediate roll 3, chocks of the intermediate roll, side support rolls 5 and corresponding support arms 6 forming a self-supporting assembly. The insert is called upper insert Isup when positioned above the rolling plane, or lower insert Iinf when positioned below the rolling plane.

In a manner well known to those skilled in the art, these inserts Iinf and Isup can be removed or introduced by sliding through the access window during maintenance in the open position Po of the holding cage for which the upper and lower inserts Isup, Iinf are moved away from the rolling plane, typically under the action of balancing jacks.

The upper and lower inserts can pass towards a working position in the stand closing position Pc: the axial locking of the upper and lower inserts (Isup and Iinf) with respect to the rolling mill stand is then typically obtained during the closing of the holding stand, during the movement of the lower and upper inserts from their separated position in the open position of the stand Po to their close position, namely in the closed position Pc of the stand of the rolling mill, and so well known to those skilled in the art.

Advantageously, the connection device is configured so that the passage from the second disconnection position to the first connection position P1 is obtained under the action of the deployment of the actuator 17 in the open position. Po of the cage in the open position of the lower and upper inserts (open position shown in figure 1 Where 2 ).

The hollow connector 16, (or even said actuator 17) of the connection device are articulated and configured in such a way that said hollow connector 16, or even said actuator 17 accompany the movement of the support arm 6 to which said hollow connector 16 is connected (according to the first connection position) from the open position Po of the rolling mill holding stand to the closed position Pc of the stand, said hollow connector 16 then passing from a spaced position Pe from the force distribution beam 8 (see picture 2 ) to a close position Pr of the force distribution beam 8 (see Figure 3 ).

The hollow connector(s) 16 associated with the upper insert Isup, or even those associated with the lower insert Iinf, can be fitted with second actuators 23. These second actuators 23 are used to hold the hollow connectors 16 in their separated position Pe, in particular when the hollow connectors 16 are in the second disconnection position (ie not linked to the insert).

The actuator 17, namely the first actuator is thus configured to deploy or retract said hollow connector 16 in order to ensure passage from the second disconnection position to the first connection position P1, or vice versa, to the open position Po of the retaining cage, the hollow connectors 16 then in their separated position Pe. The second actuator 23 is an actuator independent of the first actuator 17 which cooperates with said hollow connector 16 and is configured to force said hollow connector 16 into the first position Pe separated from the force distribution beam during connection.

When the cage is closed, the second actuator 23 is in a state allowing free movement of the hollow connector then connected to the arm of the insert, when the insert moves towards its working position. The second actuator 23 can be fixed on a support secured to the force distribution beam 8.

As shown in picture 3 , the (or each) second actuator 23 can be provided to accompany the movements of the hollow connector 16 associated with the upper insert Isup to force the hollow connector 16 upwards into the separated position Pe, against gravity. It should be noted that, in general, the second actuator 23 can still be replaced by a spring means (leaf spring, torsion spring, pneumatic spring, etc.) whose return force constrains the hollow connector 16 from the close position towards the split position Pe. It will be noted that the lower insert Iinf may not have such a second actuator (or spring means), in that gravity naturally forces the hollow connector(s) 16 associated with the lower insert downwards, and therefore towards its separated position Pe.

The supply circuit may comprise a hose (not shown) connected to a fluid inlet 24 of the hollow connector 16. In operation, in said first connection position P1, the fluid arrives from the source, passes through the hose to the inlet 24 then flows into pipe 21, through along hollow connector 16, until it reaches supply opening 15. From this opening, the fluid flows into support arm 6 at the through the pipe 14 to said at least one nozzle 12 which can be fixed to the support of the rollers 52, or even said at least one nozzle 12 which can be fixed directly to the body of the support arm 6.

Preferably, a plurality of nozzles 12 can be arranged along the length of the support arm 6 so as to be able to cool the working roll and/or the intermediate roll over its entire length. Preferably, said at least one nozzle 12 can be directed in such a way that the jet is directed directly onto the strip to be rolled, and not directly onto the work roll, and in such a way that the jet slides over the strip to be rolled in direction of the work cylinder 2.

Such an orientation of the nozzles 12 advantageously makes it possible to effectively cool the working cylinder when the working cylinder and the intermediate cylinder are of small diameter and prevent spraying the working cylinder directly.

This orientation of said at least one nozzle 12 makes it possible to cool the working roll, even when the jet is sprayed against the current of the running direction of the strip to be rolled, as illustrated in figure 2 . This is made possible in that said at at least one nozzle 12, supported by the pivoting arm 6 is located close to the working cylinder, and in that the invention makes it possible to obtain a high fluid flow rate. This proximity and such flow rates allow the jet to slide on the strip against the current of the running direction of the strip until it reaches the work cylinder.

Alternatively or additionally, said at least one nozzle 12 can be directed in such a way that the jet is directed onto the intermediate cylinder 3, close to the contact zone Z between the working cylinder 2 and the intermediate cylinder 3, and in such a way so that, driven by the intermediate cylinder, the jet fluid reaches the working cylinder 2.

The invention thus makes it possible to place one or more nozzles 12 on the support arms 6, close to this zone and thus to spray the intermediate cylinder 3, as close as possible to this zone, and not only at the level of the zone of contact of the support cylinder 4/intermediate cylinder 3. When the intermediate cylinder 3 is driven in rotation at high speed, the major part of the fluid of the jet reaches the working cylinder 2, whatever the action of the centrifugal force .

Such nozzles 12 can be provided on all or part of the two support arms of the upper lateral support cylinders and on all or part of the two support arms of the lower lateral support cylinders.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the nozzles 12 are provided on the four support arms, a connection/disconnection device being provided between each support arm and the corresponding force distribution beam.

• chacun des deux cylindres de travail, supérieur et inférieur, de part et d'autre du plan de serrage du laminoir,
• chacun des deux cylindres intermédiaires, supérieur et inférieur, et également,
• les zones de contacts cylindres intermédiaires 3 et cylindres de travail 2, notamment de part et d'autre du plan de serrage du laminoir.

According to this last embodiment, the invention makes it possible to cool/lubricate:

• each of the two working rolls, upper and lower, on either side of the clamping plane of the rolling mill,
• each of the two intermediate cylinders, upper and lower, and also,
• the contact zones intermediate rolls 3 and working rolls 2, in particular on either side of the clamping plane of the rolling mill.

• une cage de maintien 30 comprenant deux paires de montants 31 écartées entre-elles aux deux extrémités de la cage, au moins deux montants d'une même paire définissant une fenêtre d'accès,
• deux cylindres de travail 2, aptes à enserrer une bande à laminer, deux cylindres d'appui 4, et deux cylindres intermédiaires 3, les cylindres d'appui 4 et les cylindres intermédiaires 3 étant montés rotatifs à leurs extrémités sur des empoises,
• des cylindres d'appui latéraux 5, aptes à supporter latéralement les cylindres de travail 2 chaque cylindre d'appui latéral étant porté par un bras support 6, monté pivotant sur un axe 7,
• des poutres de répartition d'effort 8 s'étendant entre les montants correspondants de chaque paire, et des moyens 9 d'application d'un effort de pré-charge sur chaque bras support 6, destinés à engager avec l'un des bras support au niveau d'une surface d'appui 10, et comprenant au moins un vérin de précharge 11 solidaire de l'une des poutres de répartition d'effort 8,
• une ou plusieurs buses de pulvérisation pour un fluide lubrifiant/ refroidissant.

The invention also relates to a process for obtaining a rolling mill in accordance with the invention from an existing rolling mill comprising:

• a holding cage 30 comprising two pairs of uprights 31 spaced apart at the two ends of the cage, at least two uprights of the same pair defining an access window,
• two work rolls 2, capable of enclosing a strip to be rolled, two support rolls 4, and two intermediate rolls 3, the support rolls 4 and the intermediate rolls 3 being rotatably mounted at their ends on chocks,
• lateral support cylinders 5, able to laterally support the working cylinders 2, each lateral support cylinder being carried by a support arm 6, pivotally mounted on an axis 7,
• force distribution beams 8 extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means 9 for applying a preload force to each support arm 6, intended to engage with one of the support arms at a support surface 10, and comprising at least one preload cylinder 11 secured to one of the force distribution beams 8,
• one or more spray nozzles for lubricating/cooling fluid.

• on remplace tout ou partie des bras support existant du laminoir par des bras support 6 embarquant ladite moins une des buses 12, et comportant la conduite 14 présentant une ouverture d'alimentation 15 débouchant sur la surface extérieure 10,
• on ajoute le connecteur creux 16, mobile par rapport à la cage de maintien 30, ainsi que l'actionneur 17, le cas échéant premier actionneur, pour le déplacement du connecteur creux, apte à réaliser une liaison étanche avec l'ouverture d'alimentation 15 sur la surface extérieure 10 dans la première position de connexion P1, ou au contraire s'escamoter dans la deuxième position de déconnexion, à distance de la surface extérieure 10, et le cas échéant on ajoute le deuxième actionneur 23, indépendant du premier actionneur 17 coopérant avec ledit connecteur creux 16 et étant configuré pour contraindre ledit connecteur creux 16 vers la première position écartée Pe de la poutre de répartition d'effort. L'actionneur 17, notamment le premier actionneur peut être fixé à la poutre fixe 18, et le second actionneur 23 à la poutre de répartition d'effort 8.

According to the method according to the invention, the connection/disconnection device 13 is added to the existing rolling mill by implementing the following steps:

• all or part of the existing support arms of the rolling mill are replaced by support arms 6 carrying said at least one of the nozzles 12, and comprising the pipe 14 having a supply opening 15 opening onto the outer surface 10,
• the hollow connector 16, movable with respect to the holding cage 30, is added, as well as the actuator 17, if necessary the first actuator, for the displacement of the hollow connector, capable of forming a sealed connection with the supply opening 15 on the outer surface 10 in the first connection position P1, or on the contrary retract into the second disconnection position, away from the outer surface 10, and if necessary the second actuator 23 is added, independent of the first actuator 17 cooperating with said hollow connector 16 and being configured to force said hollow connector 16 towards the first spaced position Pe from the beam effort distribution. The actuator 17, in particular the first actuator can be fixed to the fixed beam 18, and the second actuator 23 to the force distribution beam 8.

It is then sufficient to connect the hoses to the fluid inlets 24 of the hollow connectors 16.

Naturally, other embodiments could have been envisaged by those skilled in the art without thereby departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims below.

NOMENCLATURE

1.

Rolling mill,

2.

working cylinder,

3.

intermediate cylinder,

4.

support cylinder

5.

side support cylinder,

6.

Support arm (side support cylinder 5),

7.

Pivot axis (support arm 6),

8.

Force distribution beam,

9.

Means of applying a preload force,

10.

Outer surface (support arm 6),

11.

Cylinder (Means of applying a preload force),

12.

Spray nozzles

13.

Connect/disconnect device,

14.

Driving (support arm),

15.

feed opening,

16.

hollow connector,

17.

Actuator (first actuator),

18.

fixed beam,

19.

Articulation connecting the actuator 17 to the hollow connector 16,

23.

Second actuator,

81.

Screw/nut actuator (adjustment of the horizontal position of the force distribution beam)

20.21.

First part and second tubular part of the ball joint system

30.

holding cage,

31.

Amounts,

50.51

Axes (roller support),

52.

Pebbles,

81.

Screw/nut actuators,

B.

rolling strip,

P1.

First connection position

Pe.

Remote position of the hollow connector relative to the force distribution beam,

Prof.

Reproached position of the hollow connector relative to the force distribution beam,

Po.

Open position of the rolling mill stand,

pc.

Roll stand closing position

Claims (13)

1. Rolling mill (1) comprising:

   - a holding cage (30) comprising two pairs of uprights (31) spaced apart from each other at the two ends of the cage, at least two uprights of the same pair defining an access window,

   - two working rolls (2), able to grip a strip to be rolled, two support rolls (4) and two intermediate rolls (3), the support rolls (4) the intermediate rolls (3) being rotatably mounted at their ends on chocks,

   - lateral support rolls (5) able to support the working rolls (2) laterally, each lateral support roll being borne by a support arm (6), mounted pivoting about an axis (7),

   - load spreading beams (8) extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means (9) for applying a preload to each support arm (6), intended to engage with one of the support arms at a support surface (10), and comprising at least one preload cylinder (11) secured to one of the load spreading beams (8),

   - one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating/cooling fluid, and wherein at least one of the nozzles (12) is carried on one of the support arms (6) and wherein the fluid supply circuit for said at least one nozzle (12) comprises a device (13) for connection/disconnection comprising:

   - a pipe (14) of the support arm (6), intended to channel fluid, having a supply opening (15) that opens on the outer surface of the support arm located on the side of the means (9) for applying a preload force,

   - a hollow connector (16), movable with respect to the holding cage (30), movable under the action of an actuator (17) capable of producing a sealed connection with the supply opening (15) on the outer surface (10) in a first connection position (P1) or, by contrast, retracting into a second disconnection position away from the outer surface (10),

   characterised in that said actuator (17) is an actuator separate from the cylinder (11) of said means (9) for applying a preload force.
2. Rolling mill according to claim 1, wherein the connecting end of the hollow connector (16) and the seat around the supply opening (15) intended to receive, in abutment, said connecting end include complementary mutually fitting reliefs, preventing any relative sliding between the connecting end of the hollow connector (16) and the seat, in said first connection position (P1).
3. Rolling mill according to claim 2, wherein the hollow connector (16) is provided floating with respect to the frame of the cage, able to accompany the movements of the support arm (6) during rolling operations in the first connection position (P1), said hollow connector (16) being configured to be articulated with respect to the cage of the rolling mill in order to allow the connecting end of the hollow connector (16) to follow the movements of the support arm (6).
4. Rolling mill according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hollow connector (16) is a rigid body forming a pipe having a free longitudinal end, intended to be connected or disconnected to the supply opening (15) of the support arm (6), the other longitudinal end being secured to the actuator (17).
5. Rolling mill according to claim 4, wherein said actuator (17) is a cylinder, the cylinder rod of which is fixed to a cage fixed part, and the cylinder rod is secured to said other end of the hollow part (16), via an articulation (19).
6. Rolling mill according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the hollow connector (16) has a ball joint system at the connecting end, including a first tubular part (20) and a second tubular part (21) having hemispherical contact surfaces, the first part (20) rigidly secured to the body forming the hollow connector (16), the second part (21) being free to orient with respect to the body of the hollow connector (16).
7. Rolling mill according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising means for controlling the horizontal position of each load spreading beam (8), such as a screw-and-nut actuator (81), suitable for moving together or apart the spreading beam (8) of a facing support arm (6), said spreading beam being position adjustable with respect to a fixed beam (18) secured by its ends to two of the uprights at the two ends of the cage, and wherein said actuator (17) is fixed to the fixed beam (18), connecting the fixed beam (18) and the hollow connector (16).
8. Rolling mill according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein each support arm (6) of a lateral support roll (5) is mounted pivoting on said axis (7), formed by a shaft secured to the chocks of one of the intermediate rolls (3), each intermediate roll (3), chocks of the intermediate roll, lateral support cylinders (5) and corresponding support arms (6) forming a self-supporting assembly, referred to as an insert,

   said rolling mill comprising a lower insert (Iinf) and an upper insert (Isup), said inserts being able to be withdrawn or introduced by sliding through the access window during holding in an open position (Po) of the holding cage for which the upper and lower inserts (Isup, linf) are spaced apart from the rolling plane, the upper and lower inserts (Isup, linf) being able to pass to a working position in a closed position of the cage (Pc)

   and wherein the connection device is configured so that the passage from the second disconnection position to the first connection position (P1), is obtained under the deployment action of the actuator (17) in open position (Po) of the cage, in the position spaced apart from the lower and upper inserts,

   and wherein said hollow connector (16), or even said actuator (17) of the connection device is articulated and configured so that said hollow connector (16), or even said actuator (17) accompany the movement of the support arm (6) to which said hollow connector (16) is connected, from the open position (Po) of the cage to the closed position (Pc) of the cage, said hollow connector (16) thus passing from a position (Pe) spaced apart from the load-spreading beam (8) to a position (Pr) close to the load spreading beam (8).
9. Rolling mill according to claim 8, wherein said actuator (17) is said first actuator configured to deploy or retract said hollow connector (16) in order to ensure the passage from the second disconnection position to the first connection position (P1), or vice versa, in the open position (Po) of the holding cage and wherein a second actuator (23), independent of the first actuator (17) or else a spring means, cooperates with said hollow connector (16) and is configured to force said hollow connector (16) into the first spaced apart position (Pe) of the load spreading beam when said hollow connector (16) is in said second disconnection position.
10. Rolling mill according to claim 9, wherein said second actuator (23) is fixed on a support secured to the load spreading beam (8).
11. Rolling mill according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each lateral support roll (5) is supported by support rollers, the support rollers being mounted on axes (50, 51) of the support arms (6) by means of bearings, and wherein the support arm (6) comprises a lubricant supply circuit for the bearings, separate from the supply circuit of said at least one nozzle (12).
12. Rolling mill according to claim 11, wherein the lubricant supply circuit for the rollers comprises the shaft on which the support arm (6) is pivotably mounted, said shaft being hollow.
13. Method for obtaining a rolling mill according to any one of claims 1 to 12 from an existing rolling mill having:

    - a holding cage (30) comprising two pairs of uprights (31) spaced apart from each other at the two ends of the cage, at least two uprights of the same pair defining an access window,

    - two working rolls (2), able to grip a strip to be rolled, two support rolls (4) and two intermediate rolls (3), the support rolls (4) the intermediate rolls (3) being rotatably mounted at their ends on chocks,

    - lateral support rolls (5) able to support the working rolls (2) laterally, each lateral support roll being borne by a support arm (6), mounted pivoting about an axis (7),

    - load spreading beams (8) extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means (9) for applying a preload to each support arm (6), intended to engage with one of the support arms at a support surface (10), and comprising at least one preload cylinder (11) secured to one of the load spreading beams (8),

    - one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating/cooling fluid, in which method the device (13) for connection/disconnection is added to the existing rolling mill by implementing the following steps:

    - replacing all or part of the existing support arms of the rolling mill by arms carrying said at least one of the nozzles (12), and including the pipe (14) having a supply opening (15) that opens on the outer surface is installed on one of the support arms (6),

    - adding the hollow connector (16), movable with respect to the holding cage (30), as well as the actuator (17), optionally the first actuator, for the movement of the hollow connector, capable of producing a sealed connection with the supply opening (15) on the outer surface (10) in the first connection position or, by contrast, retracting into the second disconnection position, away from the outer surface (10), and optionally the second actuator (23), independent of the first actuator (17) cooperating with said hollow connector (16) and is configured to force said hollow connector (16) into the first position (Pe) spaced apart from the load spreading beam.

Images