US1647693A

US1647693A - Plug-bar mechanism for piercing mills

Info

Publication number: US1647693A
Application number: US724024A
Authority: US
Inventors: James J Harkins
Original assignee: OTTO F ORMAN
Current assignee: OTTO F ORMAN
Priority date: 1924-07-03
Filing date: 1924-07-03
Publication date: 1927-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 1944-11-01

Description

Nov. 1, 1927.

J. J. HARKINS PLUG BAR MECHANISM FOR PIERCING MILLS I Filed July 3, 192 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR In w a Nov. 1, 1927. 1,647,693

I J. J. HARKINS PLUG BAR MECHANISM FOR PIERGING MILLS Filed July 5, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 n nnuun.

Patented Nov. 1, 1927.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE,

JAMES J. HARKINS, F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FIFTH T0 OTTO EORMAN, 0F SANDY LAKE, PENNSYLVANIA.

PLUG-BAR MECHANISM FOR. II ERGING MILLS.

Application filed July 3,

i This invention. relates to an improvement in plug bar mechanismusedin seamless tube making processes, the invention being particularly adapted for cooperation with a piercing mill ofany usual or preferred yp a The invention is particularly designed for use in connection with a continuous seamless tube rolling mill of the type shown inmy joint co-pending application with O. F. Or-

man, Serial No. 341,931, filed December 2,

In the operation of forming seamless tubes, a billet is passed through piercing rolls over a ball or plug carried on the free end of a long bar or rod whose opposite end is supported against endwise movement, that is, against the thrust of the oncoming shell, ina thrust bearing designed to allow the plug bar torotate with the rotative movement of the shell imparted to it by the action of the piercing mill. I

Heretofore it has been the common prac tice to withdraw the plug bar from the pierced shell after the piercing operation is completed.

The present invention has for its principal object to provide plug bar mechanism adapted to support the plug bar and. receive the pierced shell at the front end thereof in the usual manner, but which may be operated to enable the shell to be'passed off the opposite end of the plug bar, through the thrust bearing without removing the plug bar from operative position, so that ingots may be pierced in rapid succession, a feature particularly valuable where continuous rolling is sought, as described in the above noted application. but not necessarily confined to use in continuous mills.

Further important objects are to provide. in combination with the thrust bearing mechanism per se a receiving and pushing mechanism for simultaneous cooperation therewith. These and other objects and advantages are attained by my invention, which may be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in

which: I j r Fig. 1 is a plan view of the thrust bearing mechanism assembly, without the auxiliary pusher mechanism;

4 Fig. is a longitudinal section-through 1924. Serial No. 724,024.

the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, showingthe auxiliary pushing mechanism;

Fig. 3' is a transverse section in the plane of line IIIIII of Fig. 1 I b Fig. 4 is a similar section in the plane, of line IV-IV of 'Figj 1, showing the plug bar engaging means in closed. position;

Fig.5 isa similar view showingthe plug barengaging means open position; I Fig. 6 is a detail view ofthejaw controlling and operating means;

Fig. 7 is a section in the plane of line VIIVII of- Fig. 6; and I Fig. 8- is a section in the plane of line VIIIVIII of Fig. 1.

The invention is designed for use in connection with a piercing mill of any commercial or preferred type, and this, therefore, has not been shown in the drawings.

In the drawings, X designates a' suitable foundation on which a base member is mounted, this base

member having platforms

6, 7 and 8 stepped one below the other re spectively. I

Slidably mounted on platform 6 is a jawcarrying head or frame 9, to which piston rod 10 connects, the piston rod entering a hydraulic or. pneumatic cylinder 11 on the lowermost platform 8. By suitable control of this cylinder, control means not being shown but being of the usual type, the head 9 may be reciprocated toward and away from the forward end of the base, the head being shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in its foremost position.

011 the extreme forward end of the base is a stand 12 having a recess 13 therein in which sets a slidable wedge 14 cooperating With an inclined surface 15 on the under 7 side of a saddle shaped member 15 in which connect

shafts

21 and 21 lVhen piston rod 27 is moved downwardly, it being shown in its uppermost position,

shafts

21 and 21 are rocked in opposite directions, thereby opening jaws and 25. The jaws are closed upon reverse movement of the piston rod 27.

ltiounted on piston rod 10 is an arm which carries hood 38 and guide support 34 which obviously will move with the head 9. Arched over the cylinder 11 and secured to the base 5 is'a support 35 having a transverse channel 36 at the top thereof, in which is a fixed lower wedge 37 and a transversely movable wedge 88. On the upper wedge rests a. depending rib of a block 39, to which are secured the guide strips 16. The strips are sloped downwardly toward each other to form a trough.

Block 39 forms part of a supporting frame 40 whose other end is similarly supported at two other points on wedge blocks ll4e2 similar to 537 538 in the base member 1-3. The upper wedge blocks may be shifted transversely to raise or lower the frame through screws 44.

The frame 40 carries troughed feed rollers 4-5 and troughed guide sections 46. The feed rollers are all driven through miter gears from a longitudinal shaft t? which is in turn driven through reduction gearing 4:8 by motor 49, which motor is pivot-ally carried on shaft 50, so that it may maintain a driving relation with the gearing upon adjust ment of the frame a: to difierent heights. The adjustment of the frame 40 to different heights enables the diameter of theshells to be varied.

Supported above the frame 40 with its associated rolls, on standards 51 and brace members 52 is a pusher frame comprising longitudinally extending spaced apart angle bars 53 having toothed racks 59 secured to the top thereof. Suspended from the frame is an arched heat retaining cover 55 having a longitudinal slot along its top. A carriage or trolley comprising frame 56 is mounted on the angle bars, this frame carrying a transverse shaft 57 on which are driving gears 58 for engagement with the racks. Mounted in a plane below 58 are rollers 58 for engagement with the under surfaces of the llOllZODljtl] flanges of the ca'ried in guides on the top of head.

menses bars to hold the trolley against vertical movement on the track. At 60 are other guide rollers.

A reversiblemotor 61 with gearing is mounted on the carriage to drive pinions 58 to propel the carriage back and forth. Extending across the interior of the carriage frame is a transverse fixed bar 62. Pivotally hung from a cross shaft 63 is a pusher arm 6% having a curved shell engaging portion at its lower end. The upper end of the lever is adapted to contact with bar 62. By this arrangement, the pusher arm is free to swing in the direction of an oncoming shell so as to move out of its way When, however, the pusher is moved against the rear end of a shell to push the shell in the direction of its travel, through the thrust-bearing hereinafter described, rod 62 will form a positive stop to hold the lever against swinging in the direction the push is to be exertec.

Immediately at the end of the receiving table is the thrust bearing for rotatably holding the plug bar and which is so constructed that the plug bar holding means may be released and the pierced shell be passed longitudinally off the bar at the end opposite the plugor ball end.

The thrust bearing includes a supporting pedestal 65, having semi-circular part 66 and semi-circular cap 67 fitting thereon, the cap preferably having an oil box 68 formed on the top thereof. Threaded within the circular opening formed within part and cap. 6'? is an adjusting sleeve 69 having hand wheel 70 formed integrally with its rear end, by means of which the sleeve may be turned, a locking sleeve or nut being pro vided at 71. The interior of the adjusting sleeve 6.) is provided with a series of iriternal ribs and grooves 72, in which are in teriitted similar ribs and grooves 73 on the exterior of a hollow slip gear sleeve 7%,

The outer end of sleeve 74 is flanged, and surroiniding the periphery of the flange is an externally toothed slip ring 75 having internal pockets 76 formed therein, in advance of the annular toothed portion thereof. At 76 are ball bearings which, with the inter fitting ribs and grooves, take up the endwise thrust between parts. Slidably supported by the sleeve Tl are clamping aws T7 adapted to be actuated by pivoted levers 78 pivoted at T9, and having inner ends'which'are re-' ceived in pockets in the jaws. T ie other Fad ends of levers 78 extend into pockets 7 6. By

rotating of the slip gear ring 75 relatively to sleeve 74', while the latter is held stationary, the jaws may be opened or closed, depending upon the direotion of rotation of ring 7 5, the pockets transmitting actuatingmovement to the jaws through the pivoted levers.

For permitting the ring to rotate with the ciprocable travel.

7 round opening.

sleeve or independently thereof, I have derod 81, the outer end of this rod being bifurcated, as shown in Fig. 6. The cylinder is carried on bracket 83 on the pedestal 65.

Carried between the two arms of the bifurcated end of the rod is a pinion 84 rotatably mounted on two

non-rotatable sleeves

85 and 86 one sleeve being carried by one. arm of the bifurcated: end and one sleeve by the other arm. Sleeve 85 has a square opening therethrough, and sleeve 86 has a Interposed between thet'wo sleeves is a series of segmental blocks 87, the outer ends of which extend into an} annular groove in the gear wheel 84:. The periphery of the series of blocks and the groove may be very slightly eccentric.

Passing through the sleeves is a central pin 88 having a rounded part in sleeve 86, and a squared tapered part 88 passing through the other sleeve 85 and through the opening formed at the centerof the seriesof segments. The length of pin 88 is greater than the combined width of the bifurcated end of the rod, including the stationary arched member 89, through the downwardly turned arms of which the sleeves extend.

The taper of the squared part of the pin is toward the center.

Extending from the top of tliecylinder is a rigid frame member 90 having downwardly turned flanges to which are formed oppositely extending

horizontal slots

91 and 92 ternnn'ating at their inner overlapping ends in oppositely inclined cam surfaces 93 and 94, respectively.

The ends of the operating levers 78 are permanently received in the pockets 76 and they never ride out of these pockets. The relative rotation between the outer ring 75 and the inner sleeve which supports the operating levers 78 is only such movement as may be imparted to the ring 75 by the reciprocation of the pinion 84 from its retracted to its extended position. This is controlled by the movement of the piston in the cylinder 80 which is a relatively short cyan; der. In Figure 5, the closing of the jaws will be effected by the projection of the pinion 84 to the position shown in'Figure 4. As the pinion is projected, it is held against rotation, whereuponit tends to rotate the ring 75 a distance corresponding to its re- Whenthe ring 75 moves in this direction, the pockets in the ring, of course, also move. Since the ends of the levers 78 are permanently retained in these pockets, they are rocked to the position shown in Figure 4:. j V

Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Fig. 6, the projecting end of pin 88 being in groove 91, this is the normal op erating position, and the gear ring is rotated with the sleeve throughthe rotation of the plug bar. so that it is driven by the gear ring. Now, if the piercing operation has been completed, and it is necessary to open jaws 77, the piston'rod is actuated through the cylinder to'moverod 81to'retracted position, that is, move it in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 6. Cam surface 91 will force pin 88 transversely until the other end of the pin projects into slot 92. As it moves in this ,mannensegmenta'l blocks 87 are forced outwardly into non-slippingengagement with the recess in the pinion, this recess prefer ably being slightly eccentric, holding the pinion f'romrot'ation. Then, as rod 81 continues to move, the non-rotatablepinion moving with the arm will partially rotate the gear ring to open'the jaws. v

l/Vh'en' it is desired to close thejaws, the action is just reversed throughout, returning the parts to the position shown-in Fig. 6.

The operation of the entire machine may now be followed; The ingot passing through the piercing mill is rotated and" elongated. Passing over the ball or plug B on-the end of bar A, the ingot is pierced to form the shell. During the time the ingot is being pierced, the thrust bearing allows the plug bar and jaws 77 to rotate at the same time that it assumes the end thrust on the bar. With the aidof the power driven troughed feed rollers 45', the shell is advanced until itscomp'leted' length is onthe plug bar and its front end immediately adjacent the aws 77 of the thrust bearing.

7 By means of cylinder 28, the

jaws

25 and 25 may be moved into clamping engagenient with the forward end of the plug bar and so held. Jaws 77 of the thrust bearing are'then opened in the manner hereinbefore described, the gear ring being rotated relatively to the gear ring sleeve.

When the jaws 77 are opened, the shell, with the aid of power driven rollers 45, and, if necessary, the overhead pusher including the motor driven trolley, may be passed through the hollow thrust bearing, the jaws 25'25 holding the pliig bar. the same time, or after the shell hasbeen passed off The'p'inion 84: is rotatable,

the plug b'ar through the thrust bearing, the

many of the time consuming operations inherent in present methods, and to greatly facilitate and expedite the piercing and manipulation of pierced shells, and that the apparatus is especially useful in connection with a continuous tube mill.

Various changes and modifications may be made in the structure of the mechanism shown within the contemplation of my invention and under tile scope of the appended claims.

I I claim my invention:

1. A thrust bearing for supporting a plug bar comprising a supporting structure, a plug bar engaging means rotatably carried on the supporting structure, said means bf ing movable out of plug bar engaging posi tion whereby shell may be passed oi? the plug bar through the thrust bearing 2. A thrust bearing for supporting a plug bar including a supporting structure, a hollow jaw carrying member rotatably mounted in the supporting structure, and movable jaws on said carrying member, said jaws being movable into and out of plug bar engaging position to permit of the passage of shells through the hollow jaw carrying member.

8. A thrust bearing for supporting a plug bar including a supporting structure, a hollow jaw carrying member rotatably mounted in-the supporting structure, movable jaws on said carrying member, said jaws being movable into and out of plug bar engaging position to permit of the passage of shells through the hollow jaw carrying member, and means for operating the jaws.

i. A thrust bearing for supporting a plug bar including a supportin structure, a hollow jaw carrying member rotatably mounted in the supporting structure, movable on said carrying member, said jaws being movable into and out of plug bar engaging position to permit of the passage of shells through the hollow jaw carrying member, and power driven means for operating the aws. V

A thrust bearing comprising a supportii a; structure, a rotatable sleeve carried in said i carried by the sleeve, a gear ring rotatably liounte'd on said sleeve, means connecting the gear ring and jaws for moving the latter upon rotation of the torr er relatively to the sleeve, and means 'for effecting the relative rotation 01" the ring.

6. A thrust bearing comprising a suppor ing structure, a rotatable sleeve carried in said structure, transversely movable jaws carried'by the sleeve, a gear ring rotatably mounted on said sleeve, means connecting the gear ring and aws for moving the latter ipon rotation of the former relatively to the sleeve, means for effecting the relative rotation of the ring, including a pinion in structure, transversely movable jaws mesh with the gear wheel, means {or reciprocating the pinion, and means for locking the pinion agaist rotation when reciprocated in one direction and releasing it when it is moved in the opposite direction. 7

7. A thrust bearing comprising a support ing structure, a rotatable sleeve carried in said structure, transversely movable jaws carried by the sleeve, :1 gear ring rotatably mounted on said sleeve, means connecting the gear ring and jaws for moving the latter upon rotation of the former relatively to the sleeve, and means including a reciprocable toothed member and operating means therefor for effecting the movement of thegear ring relatively to the sleeve.

8. A thrust bearing comprising a supportinp; structure, a rotatable sleeve carried in said structure, transversely movable jaws carried by the sleeve, means providing a bearing for the. sleeve, said bearing means being longitudinally adjustable, a gear ring rotatably mounted on said sleeve, means connecting the gear ring and jaws for moving the latter upon rotation of the former relatively to the sleeve, and means for effecting the relative rotation of the ring.

9. The combination with a rotatable thrust bearing for supporting a plug bar,said beau ing having jaws movable into and out of operative position to permit of the passage of shells through the bearing, of means disposed in advance thereof including a support, plug bar engaging jaws on the support, and means for operating said second jaws, the second jaws enabling the plug bar to be supported when the thrust bearing aws are opened.

10. The combination with a rotatable thrust bearing designed to permit of the patsage of shells therethrough, and having plug bar engaging jaws thereon movable in to and out of plug bar engaging position, of a plug bar, and a supporting structure having plug bar engaging jaws tor engage ment with the forward portion of said plug bar, said jaws being movable into and out of bar engaging position, whereby the front end ot-the bar may be held when the j aws'of the thrust'bearing at the rear end of the bar is released. V

i 11'. The combination with a rotatable thrust bearing designed to permit of the pas bar engaging jaws thereon movable into and out of plug bar engagingpositions, of a plug bar, and a supporting structure having plug bar engaging aws for engagement with the forward portion of said plug bar, said jaws being movable into and out of bar engaging position, and power driven operating means for said second named jaws, whereby the front end of the bar may be heldwhen the jaws of the thrust bearingat the rear end of the bar is released, I r

sage of shells therethrough, and having plug 12. The combination with a rotatable thrust bearing designed to permit of the passage of shells therethrough, and having plug bar engaging aws thereon movable into and out of plug bar engaging positions, of a plug bar, and means for releasably supporting the forward end of the bar, whereby the bar may be supported when the jaws of the thrust bearing are released.

13. The combination with a thrust bearing designed to permit of the passage of shells therethrough, and having plug bar en-' gaging jaws thereon movable into and out of plug bar engaging positions, of a plug bar, and means for releasably supporting the forward end of the bar, whereby the bar may be supported when the jaws of'the thrust bearing are released, said supporting means being reciprocable longitudinally of the plug bar, and means for effecting such reciprocation.

14. The combination with a thrust bearing designed to permit of the passage of shells therethrough, and having plug bar engaging jaws thereon movable into and out of plug bar engaging positions, of a plug bar, and a supporting structure having plug bar engaging jaws for engagement with the forward portion of said plug bar, said jaws bein movable into and out of bar en a in t) b b b position, means for operating the second jaws, whereby the front end of the bar may be held when the jaws of the thrust bearing are open, and means for effecting longitudinal reciprocation of the said second jaws to reciprocate the plug bar.

15. The combination with a rotatable thrust bearing for use in connection with piercing mills for supporting the rear end of a plug bar, said thrust bearing being designed to permit of the passage of pierced shells therethrough and having jaws movable into and out of plug bar engaging posi tion, of a plug bar, means near the forward end of the plug bar for releasably holding it, and a receiving table interposed between the front plug bar engaging means and the thrust bearing.

16. The combination with a rotatable thrust bearing for use in connection with piercing mills for supporting the rear end of a plug bar, said thrust bearing being designed to permit of the passage of pierced shells therethrough and having aws movable into and out of plug bar engaging position, of a plug bar, means near the forward end of the plug bar for releasably holding it, and a receiving table interposed between the front plug bar engaging means and the thrust bearing, said receiving table having power driven feed rolls associated therewith to assist in moving a shell along the plug bar toward and through the thrust bearing.

17. The combination with a thrust bearing for use in connection with piercing mills for supporting the rear end of a plug bar, said thrust bearing being designed to permit of the passage of pierced shells therethrough and having jaws movable into and out of plug bar engaging position, of a plug bar, means near the forward end of the plug bar for releasably holding it, and a receiving table interposed bet-ween the front plug bar engaging means and the thrust bearing, said receiving table having a trolley associated therewith movable therealong, and which carries a pusher for engaging the ends of the shells and pushing them in the direction of their travel.

18. The combination with a thrust bearing for use in connection with piercing mills for supporting the rear end of a plug bar,

said thrust bearing being designed to permit of the passage of pierced shells therethrough and having jaws movable into and out of plug bar engaging position, of a plug bar, means near the forward end of the plug bar for releasably holding it, a receiving table interposed between the front plug bar engaging means and the thrust bearing, said receiving table having power driven feed rolls thereon for engaging the shells, and a reciprocable pusher mechanism associated with the receiving table.

19. The combination with a thrust bearing for use in connection with piercing mills for supporting the rear end of a plug bar, said thrust bearing being designed to permit of the passage of pierced shells therethrough and having jaws movable into and out of plug bar engaging position, of a plug bar, means near the forward end of the plug bar for releasably holding it, and a receiving table interposed between the front plug bar engaging means and the thrust bearing,

said receiving table having a shell receiving guideway, said guideway being adjustable vertically for accommodation of shells of different diameters.

20. The combination with a thrust bearing for use in connection with piercing mills for supporting the rear end of a plug bar, said thrust bearing being designed to permit of the passage of pierced shells therethrough and having jaws movable into and out of plug bar engaging position, of a plug bar, a support disposed near the frontend of the plug bar, means for reciprocating said support longitudinally of the plug bar, jaws on said support movable into and out of plug bar clamping position, means for op-. erating the jaws, a receiving table interposed between the front support and thrust bearing, said receiving table having power driven shell feeding mechanism thereon, and guide means on the table extending in advance of the table and slidably supported on said r-eciprocable jaw carrying supports.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JAMES J. HARKINS.