JPH0474840B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating a longitudinally moving metal strip by means of a transverse flux induction heating apparatus and a method of using the same.

The principle of transverse flux induction heating is well known. Two inductor elements, each including an induction coil, are arranged in spaced parallel relationship, and a heated metal strip is arranged between the two elements. When the coil is energized, magnetic flux passes through the strip perpendicular to the flat surface of the strip. As a result, an induced current circulates in the plane of the strip. Special magnetic poles are used to control the distribution of the induced current and determine the pattern that results from it. Uniform heating is achieved when the strip moves between the two elements moving the heat pattern together. Transverse flux induction heating operates at a relatively low electrical frequency, which frequency is selected in conjunction with the thickness and nature of the strip to provide the most efficient heating.

When heating strips of varying widths, steps must be taken to make the heating uniform across the width of the strip. By using a heating device with a width equal to the maximum width of the strip that can be accommodated, the heating device is wasted when processing narrower strips. Also, the use of narrower heating devices does not provide uniform heating for wider strips.

One aim of the invention is to provide an installation that can overcome these disadvantages.

That is, the present invention provides a support frame having at least two locations, each location having means for supporting a transverse flux induction heating device having a pair of heating elements, and a longitudinally moving heated metal strip. means for moving the loci such that each locus can be moved alternately to a position proximate to the path taken by the locus; and moving the heating device between said position of the locus and an operative position in which the heating element is disposed across the path. and guide means for supporting the heating device in its operating position and when moving the heating device between said positions.

By providing such a facility, the spaces in the support frame support transverse flux induction heating devices of different widths. Depending on the width of the strip to be heated, a suitable residence is moved to said position close to the path taken when the metal strip is heated, and the heating device is moved from said position in the residence with its elements across the path. to the operating position where it is located. At this position the element is energized and heats the metal strip moving longitudinally along said path. The heating device is supported by the guide means when in its operating position and when moving between its operating position and its normally stored home position.

In some cases, when a change in strip width occurs, the previously used heating device is returned to its home on the support frame and moved so that a space containing a heating device of a more appropriate width is in the path of the strip. Once brought into close proximity, the second heating device is moved to the operative position so that the elements are placed across the path.

While moving along the processing line, the metal strip may sometimes move horizontally, sometimes vertically, and at other times at an angle oblique to both the horizontal and vertical; Advantageously, the path taken when the metal strip is heated is vertical. If the path taken by the metal strip is vertical, the support frame may include a fixed horizontal track, and each station includes a wheeled trolley movable along the track. Each wheeled trolley conveniently has a pair of horizontal support rails extending perpendicular to the track, the support rails in turn serving to support a transverse flux induction heating device suspended via the wheels. do.

Furthermore, if the path taken by the heated metal strip is vertical, the support frame is configured such that the residences are arranged in at least two horizontal rows, each row having at least two residences therein. The support frame may be vertically and horizontally movable, thereby making it possible to alternately shift each locus into said position adjacent to the path.

In another configuration, the support frame provides a continuous track and each station includes a wheeled trolley movable around the path.

In another embodiment of the invention, the support frame is in the form of a turntable and the locations are arranged radially about the axis of rotation of the turntable. By rotating the turntable, each location is alternately moved to a certain position, and from there the heating device supported at that location is moved to the operating position, and the heating elements are placed across the path taken by the heated strip. You can make it happen.

If changes in the width of the heated strip occur only infrequently, switching between heating devices of different widths can take place when the strip is at rest. Alternatively, if the strip continues to move, the part that passes through the heating device during the switching period can be discarded later. On the other hand, if the width of the heated strip changes quite frequently, minimizing the time required to switch the heating device eliminates the need to stop the strip movement and allows uniform heating. It is necessary to minimize the amount of strip that is wasted because it is not heated. To this end, the installation comprises a support frame having at least two locations, each having means for supporting a transverse flux induction heating device having a pair of heating elements, and a path taken by a longitudinally moving metal strip. means for moving the residences such that each residence can be alternately transferred to adjacent first and second positions;
means for moving a heating device between said first position and a first operative position in which a heating element is disposed across the path; guide means for supporting the heating device during movement between said first operating position and said heating device between said second position and a second operating position in which the heating element is disposed across the path; and guide means for supporting the heating device in the second operative position and when moving the heating device between the second position and the second operative position.

When using such equipment to heat a longitudinally moving metal strip, a first transverse flux induction heating device is moved from a first position to said first operating position and said energizing a strip moving along a path to heat the strip, detecting a change in strip width before it reaches the first induction heating device, and applying a second induction heating device having an appropriate width to the second induction heating device; 2 to the second operating position, and when the change in strip width reaches the second heating device, the second heating device is energized and the first heating device is deenergized. do.

In order that the invention may be more easily understood, it will be described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

The metal strip, which may be aluminum or steel, for example, is moved longitudinally through a processing line, where there are fixed positions where the strip is rapidly heated. This may be for annealing or for drying material deposited on the strip. While passing through the processing line, the strip may be moved sometimes horizontally, sometimes vertically, and sometimes at an angle inclined to both the horizontal and vertical, as shown in FIG. In the arrangement, in the fixed position to be heated, the strip 1 is moving along a vertical path 2. At the upper end of the path the strip material passes around a roller 3 and at the lower end of the path around another roller 4. As the strip passes along the path 2, it is rapidly heated by the transverse flux electric induction heating device 5. The heating device has two heating elements 5
A, 5B, each of which consists of a plate-like structure containing an electric coil, so when the coil is energized by an alternating power supply, magnetic flux passes in a direction transverse to the metal strip, creating an eddy current in the strip. heating the strip. The moving strip reaches a precisely controlled temperature in the time it takes to traverse the length of the heating element. Each heating element requires a high current source and cooling water delivered through water cooling cables (not shown). The frequency of the power supply for the heating device depends on the material and thickness of the strip. As an example, 0.5~1.5mm
For aluminum thicknesses in the range of , a frequency of approximately 200Hz is required. Ferrous materials require significantly higher frequencies. The width of each heating element is closely related to the width of the heated strip. If the width of the strip varies, the heating element 5A may be of an inadequate width to provide uniform heating across the width of the strip. Therefore, it may be necessary to replace the heating device with another heating element 6 or 7 with a suitable width. The heating device is supported in a support frame located on one side of the path taken by the metal strip. The support frame is configured to facilitate movement of each heating device alternately to a position and from there to a position in which the heating elements are disposed across the strips moving along the path. be done. Therefore, it is a relatively simple task to replace one heating device with another when the width of the strip being heated changes.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the support frame 11 is disposed on one side of the vertical path 2 taken by the heated strip 1. As shown in FIG. The support frame 11 has a fixed horizontal track 13 on which a plurality of wheeled trolleys 14 are supported. Each trolley constitutes a home capable of supporting a transverse flux induction heating device 15. Each heating device has two heating elements A, B, each heating element having at its upper end a pair of wheels 16 extending perpendicularly to the track 13 below the trolley. It is supported by horizontal support rails 17. A fluid actuatable piston-cylinder arrangement (not shown) as a position displacement means engages the trolleys and moves them along the track 13, so that each locus is moved to one side of the path 2. It is arranged so that it can occupy a position 14A close to the path 2. In this position,
A support rail 17 on the trolley is suspended from the support frame 11 and has a pair of horizontal tracks 1 as heating device guide means, one on each side of the path 2.
It is aligned with 8. When the trolley is in position 14A, the heating elements sandwich the vertical path 2 by forcing the induction heating device from the trolley onto the horizontal track 18 by means of a fluid-actuated piston-cylinder device 19 as heating device displacement means. can be made to occupy a position. After that it is only a matter of supplying power to the heating device. If it is necessary to make changes to the heating device used, after the heating device in the operating position is pulled back onto the trolley in position 14A, the trolley carrying a more appropriately sized heating device is moved to position 14A. Move the residence sideways until you move to 14A. The two heating elements of the heating device are then pushed into the operating position and connected to a power source. Although the heating elements are shown as completely separate in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, they can be joined at one end so that the general plan view is U-shaped. According to such an arrangement, the heating device is initially positioned at the location of the support means and is moved directly from that location to the heating position.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 4, in order to obtain a compact installation, the residences in the support frame 20 are arranged one above the other in at least two rows, with at least two residences in each row. It consists of
In the illustrated configuration, the residences are divided into two columns 21A,
21B, the support frame 20 has several sets of wheels 22
, thereby allowing the support frame to move vertically within the guide frame 23. By moving the support frame in the vertical direction, row 21A
or 21B can be brought to the position 24, where it can be transferred to the operating position for heating the metal strip. The guide frame 23 also has wheels 25 and can move horizontally within a horizontal guide frame 26. Thus, once the appropriate column of residences has been determined, the guide frame can be moved sideways to position the selected residence in that column at position 24.
from there, the heating device at that location can be transferred to the operating position. According to this configuration, many heating devices can be housed in a predetermined space, which has the effect of making the device compact.

In the configuration shown in FIG.
0 has a pair of wheels 31 on its upper end. The wheels at one end of each heating device are placed in a continuous slot 32 in a guide 33 having a vertical section and a curved section. Similarly, a vertically inclined guide 34 is disposed parallel to the guide 33, and the guide 34 is arranged parallel to the guide 33.
A slot 35 provided by 4 receives a wheel at the other end of each heating device. These guides 33,
34 and the slots 32 and 35 constitute a position moving means. The heating device can thus be moved continuously around the trajectory provided by these two guides, and any of the heating devices can be moved to position 3.
6 and from there it can be moved along a pair of horizontal guide rails 37 as guide means into the operating position indicated by reference numeral 38. To replace the heating device, the old heating device can be returned to its proper home along the rails 37 and the new home can be carried to location 36, from where it can be separated from its supporting wheels and moved. It can be moved along a support rail 37 into an operating position 38 . Such a configuration has the advantage that the heating device can be moved horizontally in a continuous manner.

In FIG. 6, support frame 40 is rotatable about a horizontal axis 41 and various heating devices 42 extend radially outwardly of axis 41 of support frame 40. In FIG. Guide rail 44 serves to guide the heating device to be moved from position 45 to the operating position. Movement of the heating device is effected by a fluid actuatable piston-cylinder arrangement 46. Here guide rail 4
4 and the piston-cylinder device 46 serve as guide means and heating device moving means, respectively. According to this configuration, since the heating device is rotated about the horizontal axis, there is an effect that the heating device from a suitable rotational position can be moved to the operating position.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the support frame 50 is rotatable about a vertical axis 51, again with the seats extending radially outwardly of the axis 51. A heating device 52 is supported at each station, and by rotating the support frame about its axis 51, the station is brought into a position in which the heating device supported at that station can be moved to an operating position 54. carried alternately.

The embodiments of the invention described so far have all concerned configurations in which heating occurs while the strip is moving along a vertical path.

In the configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,
The installation is such that a selected one of a number of transverse flux induction heating devices can be used to heat a metal strip moving along a path that is part of a parabola. When moving the strip horizontally, it assumes a parabolic position unless it is supported very well. It is very difficult to support the strips so that they do not take at least some parabolic path. Such difficulties will be overcome by the following two embodiments.

First, referring to FIG. 9, the support frame 61 has rollers 62 and can be easily moved in the vertical direction within a fixed vertical frame 63.
Vertical movement is accomplished by means including ropes or wires 64. Inside the support frame 61 are 3
There are two housings, each supporting a transverse flux induction heating device 65. Each heating device has two heating elements A, B, each heating element having a roller 66 so that it can be supported on a guide rail 67 and can be moved along it.
The strip is indicated by reference numeral 68 and in this position is slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. A pair of horizontal guide rails 69 extend from the guide frame 63. The two heating elements of each home heating device can be moved onto the guide rail 69 from a position in the support frame where the home guide rail 67 is aligned with the guide rail 69 . A fluid-operable piston-cylinder device 6 mounted on a guide frame 63
0 serves to move the heating device between the position within the support frame and the operating position.

Referring now to FIG. 8, each of the heating devices has a pair of heating elements having inclined surfaces 70, the two heating elements of each heating device having a portion of the strip when in the position to be heated. A gap 71 is defined which is inclined at approximately the same angle as the above. The strip 68 passes through the gap 71 between the heating elements of the heating device 72, which is pulled out of the support frame into the working position.

10 and 11, the metal strip S is moved vertically downward between two heating elements of a transverse flux induction heating device connected to a power source to heat the strip. There is. The support frame adjacent to the strip holds a number of heating devices of different widths, and by moving the support frame horizontally and vertically, the appropriate heating device can be moved from the support frame into the working position by piston-cylinder. It can be transported by a device. When changing the strip width,
The leading edge of the new strip is attached to the rear end of the preceding strip, and this can be done without stopping the strip movement. If the strip is changed and the strip of different width reaches the heating device in use, a second strip of the appropriate width is
moving the heating device from the storage to a second operative position adjacent the first operative position.

The changeover switch 78 has a base plate member 79, to which terminals 80, 81 of a pair of receivers 82, 83 are attached. To the terminal of the incoming power supply 8
A connecting blade 84, pivoted at 5, can be quickly moved to switch power from one receiver to another, and can also be used to switch power over the heating device when the heating device is positioned in the correct operating position. Insert the plug into the receiver.

According to the configuration of the two embodiments described above, it is clear that even when the strip is moved obliquely, the above-mentioned difficulties can be overcome by application of the invention.

Next, an embodiment will be described in which the heater is replaced when the width of the heater changes fairly frequently.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, heating devices A-F are stored in their respective locations in a support frame similar to that shown in FIG. In operating position for heating the plate. When it is detected that a part of the strip S ₁ that is wider than the strip S has approached the heating device, the heating device suitable for the strip S ₁ (heating device E in this case) is moved as a heating device moving means. Piston-cylinder device 7
6 to the second operating position. When strip S ₁ reaches heating device B, switch 78 is actuated to supply power to heating device E. A quick changeover from one heating device to another can therefore be carried out without having to stop the strip from running, and the amount of waste due to untreated strips is very low. The deenergized heating device B is then returned to its home within the support frame.

In all embodiments of the invention, it is possible to easily adapt strips of different widths without the disadvantages that arise when strips of different widths are heated by one transverse flux induction heating device of a specific width. I can do it. The heating device can be easily moved from its home in its support frame to its operating position and, in particular in the embodiment shown in FIGS. Induction heating of strips of different widths can be performed without causing uneven heating.

As described above, according to the first invention described in the claims, the device for heating a metal band plate can be
Since the support means is configured to support a plurality of types of heating devices and to set one of the heating devices in an operating position for heating the metal strip, the width of the metal strip can be changed. In this case, the metal strip can always be heated using a heating device suitable for the width of the metal strip, which has the effect of eliminating wasteful heating and heating defects on the metal strip.

Further, according to the second invention described in the claims, the device for heating a metal strip is supported by a supporting means for a plurality of types of heating devices, and
Two of the heating devices are configured so that they can be set in two operating positions for heating the metal strip, so that the metal strip can always be heated using the heating device that matches the width of the metal strip. This has the effect of minimizing the time required to switch the heating device and eliminating portions of the metal strip that are not uniformly heated.

According to the third invention described in the claims, the method for heating the metal strip is changed to a second heating device when a change in the width of the metal strip is detected.
After setting the first heating device to the operating position, the operation of the first heating device is stopped and the operation of the second heating device is started, so it is possible to switch to the heating device without stopping the movement of the metal strip. Moreover, there is an effect that a method is obtained in which no portion of the metal band plate is heated uniformly.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the equipment according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view taken along line 2-2 of the equipment shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the equipment shown in FIG. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are respectively schematic perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway side view of yet another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a 9-- 9
10 is a schematic diagram showing a further embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the equipment of FIG. 10. 1,68...Metal strip plate, 2...Route of the strip plate,
5, 6, 7, 15, 52, 65, 72... Heating device, 5A, 5B... Heating element, 11, 20, 4
0,61...Support frame, 13,18,32,35...
... Track, 14 ... Wheeled trolley, 14A, 24
...First position, 16...Wheel, 17,37...
Support rail, 19, 46, 60... Piston-cylinder device, 21A, 21B... Housing row, 2
3, 33, 34, 44, 67, 69... guide means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. At least two heating devices having different heating widths each consisting of a pair of heating elements each having a magnetic flux induction coil that generates magnetic flux when electrical energy is supplied;
a supporting means having a moving part that is movable while supporting a fixed part and each of the heating devices; means for moving each of the moving parts to a position near the path of the metal strip moving in the length direction; a heating device located along the guide means from said position to a position where the heating element is across the path of said metal strip for generating eddy currents in said metal strip for heating said metal strip; means for moving the device to an operating position. 2. The path of the metal strip is vertical, the fixed part of the support means has a horizontal track 11, and each moving part has a wheeled trolley 14 for transporting the heating device.
An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which each wheeled trolley (14) has a pair of horizontal support rails (17) which support a heating device suspended via wheels (16). 4. The guide means connects the pair of horizontal support rails 1 of the wheeled trolley 14 at a position close to the path of the metal strip.
Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising a pair of horizontal tracks 18 aligned with 7. 5. The means for moving the heating device to the operating position are:
Device 6 according to claim 4, comprising a fluid-operable piston-cylinder device 19.The path of the metal strip is vertical and the moving part of the support means has at least two heating devices supporting at least two heating devices. Device 7 according to claim 1, having two rows 21A, 21B and movable vertically and horizontally so that the heating device moves into a position close to the path of the metal strip. The part includes a guide frame 23 having wheels 25 and a support frame 20 having wheels 22 and movable in the vertical direction within the guide frame 23. 7. The device according to claim 6, comprising a horizontal guide frame 26 that moves in the horizontal direction. 8 The fixed part of the support means is a continuous slot 32, 35
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the moving part comprises a trolley with wheels (31) supporting the heating device and moving in said continuous slot. 9. The path of the metal strip is vertical, the continuous slots 32, 35 are defined by guides 33, 34 having a vertical part and a curved part, and each wheel 31 moves on each guide 33, 34. Range 8th
Apparatus described in section. 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the support means is in the shape of a rotating table, and the heating device is arranged radially with respect to the rotating shafts 41, 51 of the rotating table. 11 The path of the metal strip is vertical, and the rotating shaft 41 of the rotating table is horizontal.
Apparatus described in section. 12 The path of the metal strip is vertical, and
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the rotation axis 51 of the rotary table is horizontal, and the rotary table has a plurality of radial arms from which heating devices are suspended. 13 The path of the metal strip is approximately horizontal, the moving part of the support means includes a support frame 61 that supports a plurality of heating devices in corresponding pairs with guide rails 67, and the fixed part moves along the support frame 61 as described above. 2. The device according to claim 1, comprising a fixed vertical frame 63 on which the moving part moves. 14 The guide means is a pair of guide rails 69 arranged above and below, which can be aligned with a pair of guide rails 67 corresponding to the heating device.
14. A device according to claim 13, comprising: 15. The path of the metal strip is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and the gap 71 between the two heating elements is inclined according to the inclination of the metal strip.
The device according to item 3. 16 Heating device A with at least two different heating widths, consisting of a pair of heating elements each having a magnetic flux induction coil that generates magnetic flux when electrical energy is supplied
~F, a supporting means having a movable part that is movable while supporting a fixed part and the heating device, and a first or second part that is close to the path of the metal strip S that moves in the length direction. means for moving the
The heating device at each of the aforementioned positions is moved along the guide means from each of the aforementioned positions to a position where the heating element is located across the path of the metal strip and is arranged in a spiral in the metal strip for heating the metal strip. the first that produces the current
or to a second operating position. 17 A method using a device for heating a metal strip moving in the longitudinal direction, the heating adapted to a metal strip having a first width from a support device on which a plurality of transverse flux induction heating devices are supported. After selecting a first heating device having a width and moving the first heating device to a first position close to the path of the metal strip,
The metal strip is moved to a first operating position for heating, a change in the width of the metal strip is detected, and a second heating width is adapted to the second width of the metal strip after the change. a second heating device from the support device and moving the second heating device to a second position close to the path of the metal strip, and then a second operating position for heating the metal strip; a method of moving the heating device to the first position, starting power supply to the second heating device, stopping power supply to the first heating device, and moving the first heating device to the first position.