GB928489A - Improved automatic control apparatus for the width profile of a material flow - Google Patents

Abstract

928,489. Automatic control of rolling mills. INDUSTRIAL NUCLEONICS CORPORATION. July 28, 1961, No. 27567/61. Class 38 (4). In a system for maintaining a predetermined linear dimension profile across the width of a material formed by coacting flow regulating elements, first, second and third actuators controlling the linear dimension are energized in sequence with an inspection sequence carried out by a gauge located at the output of the elements. As shown, a strip 10 is processed by a rolling mill having an axially fixed roll 16 and a roll 14 which is positioned vertically by motors 42, 46 operating independently to control the edge thickness of the strip 10. The motor 42, through a reduction gearing 44 and a screw 40, vertically positions a shuttle block 22 carrying a bearing block 20 for one end of the roll 14. The motor 46 similarly positions a bearing block 18 for the other end of the roll 14. A motor 56 through gearing 58, 60, 62, 64 cross-axially positions roll 14 with respect to roll 16 by displacing the bearing blocks 18, 20 horizontally in opposite directions to equal extents, to simultaneously vary the edge thicknesses while maintaining the centre thickness constant. A timer 122 controls a stepping switch actuator 120 positioning switch-arms 120a, 120b. The switch-arm 120a selects the reference potential, from a potentiometer 114, 116, 118, representative of the desired position L, C, R of a radiation-type thickness gauge 100. The gauge 100 is carried on an arm 104 positioned by a motor 108 energized by a positioning device 110 responsive to the difference between the reference potential and a position-dependent potential derived from a potentiometer 112 driven by the arm 104. The output of the gauge is fed to an indicator 102 and a thickness signal fed to a controller 126 which compares this signal with a desired-thickness signal and the error signal controls a relay system to apply power to a motor 42, 46 or 56. An actuator selector device 130 controlled by the switch 120a routs the output of the controller 126 to each of the motors 42, 46, 56 in accordance with the measuring position of the detector 100. Since the error signal at position C is not indicative of a need for a cross-axis adjustment unless the thicknesses at positions L, R are correct, a disabling circuit 132 prevents the energizing of motor 56 except when both left and right edges of the strip have been measured and no corrective action has taken place. U.S.A. Specifications 1,969,536, 2,573,353, 2,792,730 and 2,829,268 are referred to.