JP2009527649A - Method and apparatus for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line - Google Patents

Abstract

In a method for cooling a metal strip by means of a cooling box that cools a gas, in particular air or a mixture composed of nitrogen and hydrogen, by blowing it into a continuous heat treatment line,
The box (4, 4a, ... 4 ', 4'a, ...) has a unit dimension (h) of less than 2m in the running direction (X) of the strip, and the running direction (X) of the strip 4aα, 4β, 4γ,... 4aα, 4aβ, 4aγ,..., 4′α, 4′β, 4′γ,..., 4′aα, 4′aβ, 4 ′. aγ, ...)
Each unit blowing sector comprises at least one actuator (6; 2) that regulates the pressure of each of these unit blowing sectors,
The control / regulation system (R) allows the theoretical longitudinal pressure distribution in the blowing sector, corresponding to the intended strip cooling curve F, to correct the cooling zone F without modifying the cooling curve F. In order to avoid any contact between the strip and the wall of the device, the method is controlled to be adapted to take into account changes in the position of the strip relative to the blowing sector.

Description

  The present invention relates to a line for continuous heat treatment of a metal strip, such as an annealing line or a metal or organic coating line.

  In these lines, the strips are in accordance with the prior art by blowing a gas, for example a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen, into the closed cooling chamber of the annealing line or galvanizing line upstream of the zinc bath or by air For example, after the galvanization, it is cooled using a cooling box that cools by blowing into the cooling tower.

  The phenomenon of strip instability in the cooling zone is known, for example represented by the torsional offset of the strip about its longitudinal axis until a stable position is reached, or alternatively in the form of torsional vibrations, It is represented.

  The case of strip edges longer than the center due to the type of rolling process is also a routine experience. In this case, the center of the strip is taut while its edge is “floating”, and touches one of the surfaces of the cooling box when in an overshoot position of vibration. there is a possibility. The strip can also have a long center and edges that are taut, which provides the possibility for the strip to touch one of the surfaces of the cooling box at its center.

  The formation of thermally induced undulations at the surface of the strip is a problem that routine operators face, particularly in the case of wide strips with small thickness. The cause of the waving is also well known. As described in French Patent No. 2802552 (99/16011) or European Patent No. 1108795, the formation of the undulation is caused by a gradient discontinuity in the cooling curve that results in compressive stress in the strip. . Rippling at the surface of the strip occurs when the compressive stress caused by the cooling discontinuity is greater than the limit value.

  The object of the present invention is to prevent the strip from touching the wall of the device in the cooling zone and to follow the theoretical cooling curve in accordance with the intended thermal target, To reduce the risk, it is to provide a method and apparatus for controlling the position of a strip in a cooling zone in air or in the atmosphere, for example in a reducing atmosphere.

  The strip is typically cooled by a box fed with air or a reducing atmosphere under pressure through a hole or slit, by an independent recirculating fan, or by a fan common to several boxes. Within the circuit, one or more heat exchangers are arranged to cool the gas after injection onto the strip.

  In general, the boxes are identical and are delivered at a constant pressure.

  For a given shape of the hole or slit and for a gas blown at a given composition and temperature, the blowing rate in the hole or slit and the heat exchange between the gas and the strip, and the gas The air pressure exerted on the strip is directly dependent on the pressure present in the cooling box.

  For example, in an installation having three or more cooling boxes that follow one another in the longitudinal direction of the strip, different cooling curves may occur depending on the different pressure settings in those boxes. In the first case, the pressure setting in the three boxes can make a slight difference in the cooling gradient over the entire duration of the process, thereby preventing the occurrence of undulations in the strip. In other cases, on the contrary, the cooling of the middle box can be greater than, for example, the cooling of the outermost box, resulting in a large difference in cooling gradient, which is There is a possibility of generating undulations.

  French Patent No. 2 796 139 (99/08709) or European Patent No. 1 067 204 discloses an apparatus for controlling the position of a strip within a cooling section in the case of vibrations or offsets relative to the center position. is doing. This configuration can achieve a pressure setting that allows the flow rate of the blown gas to be varied along the transverse direction of the strip. This solution makes it possible to vary the supply pressure in the various transverse zones of a given box on both sides of the strip in order to resist rotation about the longitudinal axis of the strip. These adjustments are typically made manually by an operator. It often happens that the desire to prevent any contact between the strip and the cooling box induces heat-derived rippling defects caused by improper cooling resulting from improper setting of the cooling distribution. Thus, despite the fact that there is a means for setting the transverse direction of the supply pressure in the box, operators often set it to be considered good, either not using it or fearing the situation getting worse. Is not corrected. As a result, thermal or contact defects on the surface of the strip limit the width of the strip to be manufactured or by reducing the speed of the line, since the available setting means are not effectively utilized. This reduces the tonnage produced by the line.

  Thus, prior art methods and apparatus cannot simultaneously and effectively control the cooling curve of the strip and hold it in place in the cooling zone. In addition, due to shortcomings in the prior art, these methods and apparatus can cause defects in the product if not performed correctly.

  The proposed invention provides a solution to this problem.

According to the present invention, a method for cooling a metal strip by means of a cooling box that cools a gas, in particular air or a mixture composed of nitrogen and hydrogen, by blowing it into a continuous heat treatment line comprises:
The box has a unit dimension of less than 2 m in the running direction of the strip and is divided into a plurality of unit blowing sectors in a direction perpendicular to the running direction of the strip;
Each unit blowing sector comprises at least one actuator that regulates the pressure of each of these unit blowing sectors;
The control / regulation system allows the theoretical longitudinal pressure distribution in the blowing sector, corresponding to the intended strip cooling curve, to adjust the strip in the cooling zone without modifying the cooling curve, and In order to avoid any contact with the wall of the device, the actuator is controlled to be adapted to take into account changes in the position of the strip relative to the blowing sector.

  As a result, the theoretical longitudinal pressure distribution in the continuous blowing sector in the strip travel direction corresponding to the intended strip cooling curve is not corrected for the cooling curve in the cooling zone. In order to avoid any contact between the strip and the wall of the device, it is adapted to take into account changes in the position of the strip relative to the blowing sector.

  The desired theoretical cooling curve has no breaks in the slope.

Each unit blowing sector may comprise at least one sensor that measures the blowing pressure, and at least one actuator that regulates the pressure in each of these unit sectors, and the information coming from the sensors is intended The theoretical longitudinal pressure distribution in the blowing sector corresponding to the strip cooling curve avoids any contact between the strip and the wall of the device in the cooling zone without modifying the cooling curve. In order to do so, it is sent to a control / adjustment system that controls the actuator to be adapted to take into account changes in the position of the strip relative to the blowing sector.

As a variant, each unit blowing sector can comprise at least one device for measuring the blowing flow rate and at least one actuator for adjusting the pressure in each of these unit sectors, and measuring the blowing flow rate The information coming from the device indicates that the theoretical longitudinal pressure distribution in the blowing sector corresponding to the intended strip cooling curve, and the strip in the cooling zone without modifying the cooling curve, and the In order to avoid any contact with the wall of the device, it is sent to a control / adjustment system that controls the actuator to be adapted to take into account changes in the position of the strip relative to the blowing sector.

  Preferably, each box is divided into at least two and advantageously three unit blow sectors that exceed the width of the strip.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control / regulation system comprises:
In the first step, according to the cooling curve to be obtained, for each “longitudinal slice”, a pressure set point for each box is defined, and in the second step, a correction for the position of the strip is required. Depending on the type of correction introduced and the desired strip position correction as well as keeping the selected cooling curve intact, the pressure distribution in a given longitudinal “slice” of the cooler can be manually or automatically To correct,
Programmed.

  A “longitudinal slice” is a set of blown sectors located on either side of the strip and at the same distance from the axis of the strip along the cooling zone in the direction of travel of the strip.

  According to one exemplary embodiment, the control / regulation system can take into account a manual or automatic set point that sets the pressure of one or more blowing sectors.

  In order to correct the position of the strip when pressure changes are required manually or automatically in one or more blowing sectors, the control / adjustment system allows the strip to move the device in the cooling zone. Pressure setting in other blowing sectors so that any contact with the wall of the strip is avoided and at any point of the strip so that the temperature follows the desired theoretical cooling curve Adjust the point.

  The pressure adjusted on either side of the strip to correct the position of the strip is defined for the problematic part and the part beyond the full width of the strip by the desired theoretical cooling curve. Defined to achieve the overall thermal goal.

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the automatic control / regulation system comprises:
In a first step, according to the theoretical cooling curve, the characteristics of the strip, the data about the entire installation, and the overall cooling power for two pairs of unit cooling sectors located on either side of a given zone of the strip , And in the second step, the desired position of the strip in the zone, and two of each pair that can be varied to adjust the position of the strip while performing the desired overall cooling. According to the blowing pressure for the unit sector,
Can be determined.

  The pressure in the unit sector of several boxes arranged on one side of the strip can be increased or decreased simultaneously so that a correction is made for the position of the strip parallel to itself.

  The pressure adjusted to correct the position of the strip is such that the overall result is defined for the problem part and the part beyond the full width of the strip according to the desired theoretical cooling curve. It is defined to correspond to the thermal goal.

  According to another method, the pressure at a given level of unit sector located on each side of the strip is adjusted to compensate for the position of the strip as a twist about its major axis.

  According to another method, in order to hold the strip in place, the alternating setting of the pressure along the direction of travel of the strip follows a low pressure in the next box located on the same side as the strip. The cooling box is set with one box at high pressure, and the high pressure in one box causes the one box to face the other side of the strip so as to cause alternating deformation of the strip. Corresponds to low pressure in the box.

  Thus, by implementing the present invention, it is possible to apply a “multi-program” correction to the position of the strip without changing the thermal cooling cycle applied to the strip. This correction can be introduced manually into the system or may be controlled by a strip position sensor in the furnace.

  The set point that sets the pressure in the blowing sector can be supplied by a computer based on a thermomechanical model that takes into account the material properties of the strip and the heat treatment to be applied to the strip.

  Algorithms for controlling the cooling curve and for stabilizing the position of the strip can use fuzzy logic and / or neural systems.

The present invention also relates to an apparatus for cooling a metal strip in a continuous heat treatment line, in which a gas, in particular air, or a mixture composed of nitrogen and hydrogen, which continues in the direction of travel of the strip, is blown. In an apparatus comprising a cooling box cooled by
The box has a unit dimension of less than 2 m in the running direction of the strip and is divided into a plurality of unit blowing sectors in a direction perpendicular to the running direction of the strip;
Each unit blowing sector comprises at least one actuator that regulates the pressure in each of these unit blowing sectors;
A control / adjustment system is provided that is positioned so that the strip is in a position that avoids any contact of the strip with the strip in the cooling zone and the wall of the device. The actuator is controlled so that the temperature follows a desired theoretical cooling curve at any point of
Relates to the device.

  Each blowing sector comprises at least one sensor for measuring the blowing pressure and / or a device for measuring the blowing flow, and the information coming from and / or from the blowing flow measuring device is the control / regulation system Sent to.

  Preferably, the box has a unit dimension of the order of 1 meter in the direction of travel, and each box has at least two unit blow sectors across the width of the strip for left and right correction, or For the center / edge correction, it is divided into at least three sectors.

  The control / adjustment system selects the setpoints introduced into the system so that the resulting settings are adapted according to the properties of the strip and according to the transverse profile of the strip as it enters the cooling section. Is designed to adjust all the pressures in the unit sectors of the cooling zone according to a given pressure map in directions parallel and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the strip.

  The control / regulation system is designed to perform adjustments to all pressures in the box in the cooling zone, if necessary, for example based on manual set points introduced into the system. This mainly results in a correction for the position of the strip as a twist about its main axis.

  The control / regulation system is also designed to perform adjustments to all pressures in the box of the cooling zone, if necessary, for example based on manual set points introduced into the system. This mainly results in a correction to the position of the strip that causes alternating deformation of the strip along its length.

The automatic control / regulation system
In a first step, according to the theoretical cooling curve of the strip, the overall data and characteristics, the overall cooling power for two unit cooling sector pairs located on either side of a given zone of the strip, and In a second step, the desired position of the strip in the zone, and the two units of each pair that can be varied to adjust the position of the strip while performing the desired overall cooling According to the blowing pressure on the sector,
Programmed to determine.

  The present invention, apart from the configurations described above, consists of a number of other configurations described in detail below with respect to exemplary embodiments, which are described in connection with the accompanying drawings and are in no way limiting.

  The drawings, in particular FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 6, show in this embodiment an apparatus for cooling a metal strip 1 traveling vertically from top to bottom along the arrow X. FIG. This embodiment is not limited, and the traveling direction may be changed from the bottom to the top, or may be a direction other than the vertical direction, in particular, an oblique direction.

  The cooling device is a fan which is common to several boxes as shown in FIG. 4 by means of independent recirculation fans 2 dedicated to each box on either side of the strip 1 as shown schematically in these drawings. , 4 ′, 4′a, 4′b,... For blowing air or reducing atmosphere supplied under pressure through holes t or slits. One or more heat exchangers 3 are provided in this circuit to cool the gas after it has affected the strip. In general, these boxes are supplied at a constant pressure. Boxes 4, 4 a, 4 b,... 4 ′, 4 ′ a, 4 ′ b,.

  According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 11, the boxes 4,... 4 ',... Arranged on both sides of the strip are not directly opposite each other, and the length of the box They are offset from each other in the direction of travel by a fraction of that.

  FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the cooling tower of the galvanizing line shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, a return path to the intake side of the fan 2 is provided, but in FIG. 12, there is no such circuit for returning the blown air to the intake side of the fan 2.

  In general, the boxes 4, 4a, ... 4 ', 4'a, ... extend beyond the entire width of the strip. However, it is possible to juxtapose several boxes with a width smaller than the width of the strip, the full width of the box covering the width of the strip.

  For a given hole or slit shape, and for a blow gas of a given composition and temperature, the blow rate through the hole or slit, and the heat exchange between the gas and the slit, and the gas The pressure applied to the strip depends directly on the pressure in the cooling boxes 4, 4a,... 4 ', 4'a,.

  According to the invention, the blowing boxes 4, 4a,... 4'4'a, ... are divided into a plurality of unit blowing sectors in a direction perpendicular to the running direction X of the strip. Each box has a unit dimension h as small as less than 2 meters, preferably on the order of 1 meter (closer or equal), along the running direction X of the strip, from several blow nozzles or holes. Is provided.

  Each box is divided into at least two, preferably three or five unit blow sectors over the width of the strip. Each sector comprises at least one pressure sensor 7 and at least one actuator, for example in the form of a control valve 6 or similar member. Alternatively, for each unit sector, the actuator may be an independent fan 2 as shown in FIG. 1, and the rotational speed of the fan's turbine is variable to obtain the desired pressure. Controlled by speed drive. Actuators 6 make it possible to adjust the pressure in each of the unit sectors in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the direction of travel of the strip.

  In order to complement the pressure sensor 7, it is also possible to integrate a probe for measuring the temperature of the blowing gas in each blowing sector.

  Further, instead of the pressure sensor or as a complement to the pressure sensor, a device 8 (FIG. 1) for measuring the blowing flow rate can be provided on the supply side of the fan 2 for each unit blowing sector. . In FIG. 1, such a measuring device 8 is shown only on the top and on the fan just below it. Naturally, such a measuring device may be provided in each independent fan 2.

  These pressure, temperature and / or flow measurements are determined by the pressure in each blowing sector, for example, according to the nature of the material being processed or according to a theoretical or calculated cooling curve depending on the type of heat treatment cycle desired. To the control / regulation system R (FIGS. 3 and 6) that adjusts the rotational speed of the turbine of the fan 2 or the position of the pressure regulator 6.

  This results in the formation of a truly meshing mechanism (FIG. 3) of cooling supply on each side of the strip, which provides cooling supply in both the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction T of the strip. Therefore, it is possible to control with very high accuracy. This complex mechanism consists of horizontal rows corresponding to boxes 4, 4a, 4b, 4c, ... 4 ', 4'a, ... and vertical columns α, β, γ, ... corresponding to sectors of each box. , Physically represented by a matrix of blown sectors facing each side of the strip. The unit sector is indicated by the reference numeral 4, 4a, ... or 4 ', 4'a, ... in the box, depending on which side of the strip 1 is followed by the Greek letters of the column, eg This is the sector 4aβ in FIG. A horizontal row generally corresponds to a single box.

  The sensor 7 and the actuator 6 are connected to a control / regulation system R.

  Two examples of cooling curves C and D obtained using a box 4 with a unit length as short as 1 meter are shown in FIG. 5 on the right side of FIG. FIG. 5 shows that it is possible to form a continuous cooling curve that does not produce undulations, with very different profiles depending on the desired theoretical cooling curve.

  The control / regulation system R controls the actuator 6 so that the temperature follows the desired theoretical cooling curve at any point on the strip, but the gradient is uninterrupted, manually introduced, or It incorporates strip position correction with information received from strip position sensors on the line so that the strip does not have any contact between the strip in the cooling zone and the wall of the facility. It is held at a position to avoid.

  Pressure and temperature measurements can be used to account for controlled differences in flow rate on the strip, so that there is no difference in flow rate at various parts of the strip, or at the risk of deforming the strip. As a result, it is possible to adjust the blowing speed in each sector so that strips in the wrong position can be corrected.

System R comprises a computer, which is
Based on the desired theoretical cooling curve, the initial setting of the matrix is determined by assigning the required pressure to the blowing sector so that the desired cooling is obtained at some point, and following this setting, the intention Against a blowing sector located on either side of the strip so as to stabilize the strip and prevent any contact between the strip and the equipment wall in the cooling zone without departing from the thermal curve Adjust the pressure setting.

This adjustment to the pressure setting on both sides of the strip results in the same overall cooling of the zone of the strip,
In this case, with the same blowing pressure on both sides of the strip, no pressure is applied to move the strip in a direction transverse to the running direction X of the strip,
Alternatively, one side of the strip has a higher blowing pressure than the other side, and the pressure in this case is applied so that the strip moves in a direction transverse to its running direction X,
This is possible without detrimental to the desired cooling curve to follow.

In other words, the control system R
In a first step, according to the theoretical cooling curve, the data relating to the loading and properties of the entire device and the strip 1, in particular its input temperature and its composition, 2 arranged on both sides of a given zone of the strip While supplying the desired overall cooling for the pair of unit cooling sectors, and in a second step, according to the selected correction for the position of the strip in the zone The blowing pressure for the two unit sectors of each pair, which can be varied to adjust the position of the strip,
Programmed with appropriate software to determine.

  According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the control system R is programmed to process a unit cooling sector for each longitudinal “slice” parallel to the direction of travel of the strip.

  FIG. 9 shows in detail how cooling is controlled by the action of correcting torsional deformation of the strip without forming undulations on the strip. The temperature graph shown in FIG. 8 shown in solid lines includes a theoretical curve F for the process to be performed on the strip, for example due to the nature of the metallurgical process applied to the strip.

  Depending on the temperature of the blown gas, the efficiency or power of heat exchange for each pair of unit sectors located at a given position along the length of the cooling zone (in the same horizontal row) on both sides of the strip is Obtained from curve F. The control system R generates a pressure set point for each box 4, 4a,... 4 ', 4'a and each unit sector 4α, 4β,. This pressure set point can be used to control the rotational speed of each fan 2 or the position of the pressure regulating valve 6. The pressure set points for the various blowing sectors not only provide the desired cooling, but also allow the strip to be positioned.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the strip misalignment in one cooling section and the actions it takes to correct this misalignment. Specifically, the system R reduces the pressure in the lower left portion 4′aβ and the upper right portion 4aα of FIG. 9 to correct the position of the strip while performing the desired cooling, and Increase for the upper left portion 4'aα and the lower right portion 4aβ. It is understood that this principle can be applied to any kind of section of boxes on the transverse direction of the strip.

  The system R that controls and adjusts the cooling section is “+” corresponding to the curves E and G of FIG. 8 on demand by the operator or by receiving information from a sensor that measures the position of the strip on the line. Recalculate the pressure set points for each part at each level of the cooling zone to obtain pressure curves for the “sector” and “−” sector.

  FIG. 8 shows that since the “+ −” curve E and the “− +” curve G do not have a singular point of a property that causes undulations, the operation of compensating for the deformation of the strip is a risk of undulations. And that the sum of the “+” and “−” cooling actions for the two faces of the strip at each point on the curve substantially follows the theoretical curve F defined first. Yes.

  In this way, in order to eliminate any risk of contact with the blowing box, the cooling of one side of the strip according to curves E and G, so as to move the strip parallel to itself. Can be continuously reduced and increased proportionally with respect to the other side over the length of the cooling zone.

  FIG. 10 shows another means of correcting the position of the strip between items of the equipment in the cooling zone by means of the pressure in the cooling box set alternately along the direction of travel of the strip; The pressure in the box 4a is high (+) pressure and the next box 4b located on the same side of the strip has low pressure so as to produce a sinusoidal alternating deformation along its length. And a high (+) pressure in the boxes 4aα, 4′bα corresponds to a low pressure on the other side of the strip against the boxes 4′a, 4b facing the strip.

  The present invention also adjusts all the pressures in the box of the cooling zone along the direction parallel and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the strip according to a given pressure map by selecting a manual setting. So that the resulting setting is adapted to the nature of the strip and to the transverse profile of the strip as it enters the cooling zone. For example, the first set point is adapted to strips having edges that are longer than the center, and the second set point is adapted to strips having a long center.

Adjusting all the pressures in the box and unit sectors in the cooling zone, for example, mainly
Correction for the position of the strip parallel to the strip 1 itself, or
Correction for the position of the strip 1 as a twist around its main axis, or
Center / edge correction with different correction for each edge, or
Correction to the position of the strip 1 to cause alternating deformation of the strip, or
For example, correction combining various correction principles such as adding correction parallel to the strip to twist,
Is brought about.

  According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the set point for setting the pressure in the blowing sector is a thermomechanical taking into account the material properties of the strip and the heat treatment applied to the strip. Based on the model, obtained by a computer. Algorithms for controlling the cooling curve and stabilizing the position of the strip use, for example, fuzzy logic and / or neural systems.

  Thus, the method of the present invention adjusts the cooling pressure over the entire length of the cooling section according to a theoretical curve or an optimal practical curve without the risk of the appearance of undulations or with the minimum risk of the appearance of undulations. Incorporate manual setpoints or setpoints obtained from position sensors in terms of shape or twist without incurring the risk of additional waving and without reducing the productivity of the line Allows the adjustment by correcting for errors in the position of the strip.

1 is a vertical sectional view of a strip cooling device according to the present invention. 2 is a curve showing the change in temperature of a strip plotted on the Oy axis as a function of position in the apparatus of FIG. 1 plotted on the Ox axis. FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view of the device and strip on line III-III of FIG. 1. It is vertical direction sectional drawing of the modification of a strip cooling device. 5 is a curve showing the change in temperature of a strip plotted on the Oy axis as a function of position in the apparatus of FIG. 4 plotted on the Ox axis. It is a figure of the horizontal direction part of the modification of a strip cooling device. FIG. 6 is a view of a vertical portion of another variation of the strip cooling device. Fig. 4 shows a curve showing the change in temperature of a strip plotted on the Oy axis as a function of position in the cooling device plotted on the Ox axis. It is a figure of the horizontal direction part of another modification of a strip cooling device. It is a figure of the vertical direction part of the other modification of a strip cooling device. FIG. 6 is a view of a vertical portion of another variation of the strip cooling device. FIG. 5 is a diagram of a vertical portion in which a modification of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is reduced.

Explanation of symbols

1 Metal strip 2 Recirculation fan (independent fan)
3 heat exchangers 4, 4a, 4b, ... 4 ', 4'a, 4'b, ... boxes 4α, 4β, ... 4aα, 4β, etc. Each unit sector 6 At least one in the form of a control valve 6 or a similar member Actuator (pressure regulator)
7 Pressure sensor 8 Device for measuring blowing flow h Unit dimension F Strip cooling curve t Hole or slit X Traveling direction (longitudinal direction of strip)
T transverse direction R control / adjustment system α, β, γ, ... vertical columns C and D corresponding to the sectors of each box cooling curve E "+-" curve G "-+" curve

Claims (22)

In a method for cooling a metal strip by means of a cooling box that cools a gas, in particular air or a mixture composed of nitrogen and hydrogen, by blowing it into a continuous heat treatment line,
The box (4, 4a, ... 4 ', 4'a, ...) has a unit dimension (h) of less than 2m in the running direction (X) of the strip, and the running direction (X) of the strip 4aα, 4β, 4γ,... 4aα, 4aβ, 4aγ,..., 4′α, 4′β, 4′γ,..., 4′aα, 4′aβ, 4 ′. aγ, ...)
Each unit blowing sector comprises at least one actuator (6) for adjusting the pressure of each of these unit blowing sectors;
The control / regulation system (R) allows the theoretical longitudinal pressure distribution in the blowing sector, corresponding to the intended strip cooling curve F, to correct the cooling zone F without modifying the cooling curve F. In a continuous line, characterized in that the strip is adapted and controlled to take into account changes in the position of the strip relative to the blowing sector in order to avoid any contact between the strip and the wall of the device. How to cool and stabilize. Each unit blowing sector comprises at least one sensor (7) for measuring the blowing pressure and at least one actuator (6) for adjusting the pressure in each of these unit sectors, and the information coming from the sensor (7) The theoretical longitudinal pressure distribution in the blowing sector corresponding to the intended strip cooling curve (S), without modifying the cooling curve F, the strip in the cooling zone, and the device In order to avoid any contact with the wall of the air-conditioner, it is sent to a control / adjustment system (R) that controls the actuator (6) to take account of changes in the position of the strip relative to the blowing sector. A method for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line according to claim 1. Each unit blowing sector comprises at least one device 8 for measuring the blowing flow rate and at least one actuator (6) for adjusting the pressure in each of these unit sectors, and a device for measuring said blowing flow rate (8 ), The theoretical longitudinal pressure distribution in the blown sector, corresponding to the intended strip cooling curve (F), can be calculated in the cooling zone without modifying the cooling curve (F). A control / adjustment system (R) adapted to control the actuator (6) to take into account changes in the position of the strip relative to the blowing sector in order to avoid any contact between the strip and the wall of the device. In a continuous line according to claim 1, characterized in that How to cool and stabilize.   Each box (4, 4a,... 4 ', 4'a,...) Has at least two unit blowing sectors beyond the width of the strip for right / left correction, or for center / edge correction. A method for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is divided into at least three blowing sectors. The control / regulation system comprises:
In a first step, according to the cooling curve to be obtained, for each “longitudinal slice”, to define a pressure set point for each box (4, 4a,... 4 ′, 4′a,. In this step, if a correction to the position of the strip (1) is necessary and the type of correction to be introduced, a desired strip position correction is obtained and a predetermined cooler is selected to keep the selected cooling curve intact. To manually or automatically correct the pressure distribution in the longitudinal “slice” of
A method for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is programmed.   The control / regulation system (R) is arranged so that the strip (1) is positioned in a position that avoids any contact with the wall of the device in the cooling zone and at any point of the strip. Also consider the set point for setting the pressure in one or more blowing sectors to adjust the pressure set point in other blowing sectors so that the temperature follows the desired theoretical cooling curve A method for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that   The pressure adjusted on either side of the strip so as to correct the position of the strip (1) depends on the desired theoretical cooling curve, the part in question and the part beyond the full width of the strip (1). The strip is cooled and stabilized in a continuous line according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the result is defined so as to reach the overall thermal object defined for how to. Automatic control / adjustment system (R)
In the first step, the theoretical cooling curve (F), the properties of the strip (1), the data for the entire installation, and the overall for two unit cooling sector pairs located on either side of a given zone of the strip According to the desired cooling power, and in the second step, each of the strips in the zone can be varied to adjust the desired position of the strip, and while performing the desired overall cooling, According to the blowing pressure for the two unit sectors of the pair,
Method for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it can be determined.   The pressure in the unit sectors (4α, 4β,... 4aα, 4′aβ,...) Of several boxes arranged on one side of the strip is corrected for the position of the strip (1) parallel to itself. A method for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is adjusted simultaneously, i.e. increased or decreased simultaneously.   The pressure in a given level of unit sectors (4α, 4β,... 4aα, 4aβ,...) Arranged on each side of the strip will be corrected for the position of the strip (1) as a twist around its main axis. A method for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is adjusted to:   The alternating setting of the pressure along the direction of travel of the strip (1) is set in the cooling box with one box followed by a low pressure in the next box located on the same side as the strip being a high pressure. 9. The high pressure in the box corresponds to the low pressure in the box facing one box on the other side of the strip so as to cause alternating deformation of the strip. A method for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line according to any one of the preceding claims.   The preceding claim, characterized in that the set point for setting the pressure in the blowing sector is supplied by a computer based on a thermomechanical model taking into account the material properties of the strip and the heat treatment to be applied to the strip. A method for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line according to any one of the preceding claims.   13. A continuous line strip according to claim 12, characterized in that the algorithm for controlling the cooling curve and for stabilizing the position of the strip uses fuzzy logic and / or neural systems. How to cool and stabilize. A device for cooling a metal strip in a continuous heat treatment line, wherein the cooling is performed by blowing a gas, in particular air, or a mixture composed of nitrogen and hydrogen, one after the other in the running direction (X) of the strip. In an apparatus comprising boxes (4, 4a, ... 4 ', 4'a, ...)
A box (4, 4a, ... 4 ', 4'a, ...) having a unit dimension of less than 2m in the strip travel direction (X) and perpendicular to the strip travel direction (X) And divided into a plurality of unit blowing sectors (4α, 4β,... 4aα, 4aβ,...; 4′α, 4′β, 4′aα, 4′aβ,...)
Each unit blowing sector comprises at least one actuator (6) for adjusting the pressure in each of these unit blowing sectors along a direction parallel and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the strip,
A control / regulation system (R) is provided, the system being positioned such that the strip is in a position that avoids any contact between the strip and the wall of the device in the cooling zone; and Cool and stabilize the strip in a continuous line, characterized by controlling the actuator (6) so that the temperature follows the desired theoretical cooling curve (F) at any point on the strip. Device.   Each blowing sector comprises at least one sensor (7) that measures the blowing pressure, and at least one actuator (6) that regulates the pressure in each of these unit sectors, the information coming from the sector (7) is The theoretical longitudinal pressure distribution in the blowing sector corresponding to the intended strip cooling curve (F), without modifying the cooling curve (F), the strip and the wall of the device in the cooling zone Sent to a control / adjustment system (R) that controls the actuator (6) to be adapted to take into account changes in the position of the strip relative to the blowing sector in order to avoid any contact of the part 15. A device for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line as claimed in claim 14.   Each unit blowing sector comprises at least one device (8) for measuring the blowing flow rate, and at least one actuator (6) for adjusting the pressure in each of these unit sectors, the device for measuring the blowing flow rate The information from (8) shows that the theoretical longitudinal pressure distribution in the blown sector corresponding to the intended strip cooling curve (F) can be adjusted within the cooling zone without modifying the cooling curve (F). A control / adjustment system (R) that controls the actuator (6) to be adapted to account for changes in the position of the strip relative to the blowing sector in order to avoid any contact between the strip and the wall of the device. In a continuous line according to claim 14, the strips And retirement, the stabilizing device.   The box is divided into at least two unit blow sectors across the width of the strip for left and right correction, or at least three sectors for center / edge correction. Item 17. A device for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line according to one of Items 14-16.   The control / adjustment system (R) is introduced into the system (R) so that the resulting settings are adapted according to the properties of the strip and according to the transverse profile of the strip as it enters the cooling section. It is designed to adjust all the pressures in the unit sectors of the cooling zone according to a given pressure map in the direction parallel and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the strip by the selection of the set points. An apparatus for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line according to one of claims 14-17.   The control / regulation system (R) is designed to perform adjustments for all pressures in the box in the cooling zone, if necessary, which is mainly the strip parallel to itself. Apparatus for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line according to one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that it produces a correction for the position of (1).   The control / adjustment system (R) is designed to perform adjustments to all the pressures in the cooling zone box, if necessary, which mainly results in the strip ( Apparatus for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line according to one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that it produces a correction for the position of 1).   The control / regulation system (R) is designed to perform adjustments to all pressures in the box of the cooling zone, if necessary, which is mainly for the strip along its length. Device for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line according to one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that it produces a correction for the position of the strip (1) which causes an alternating deformation. Automatic control / adjustment system (R)
In the first step, the theoretical cooling curve (F) of the strip (1), the overall data and characteristics, the total for each of the two unit cooling sector pairs located on either side of a given zone of the strip According to the typical cooling power and in the second step can be varied to adjust the desired position of the strip in the zone and the position of the strip while performing the desired overall cooling. According to the blowing pressure for the two unit sectors of each pair
Device for cooling and stabilizing a strip in a continuous line according to one of claims 14 to 21, characterized in that it is programmed to determine.

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