CA2093487A1 - Process and apparatus for the temporary storage of flexible metal strip - Google Patents
Process and apparatus for the temporary storage of flexible metal stripInfo
- Publication number
- CA2093487A1 CA2093487A1 CA002093487A CA2093487A CA2093487A1 CA 2093487 A1 CA2093487 A1 CA 2093487A1 CA 002093487 A CA002093487 A CA 002093487A CA 2093487 A CA2093487 A CA 2093487A CA 2093487 A1 CA2093487 A1 CA 2093487A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- strip material
- convolutions
- strip
- innermost turn
- guide roller
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 28
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 title claims description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 title abstract description 11
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 74
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000872 buffer Substances 0.000 abstract description 34
- 238000012432 intermediate storage Methods 0.000 abstract description 5
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- WQGWDDDVZFFDIG-UHFFFAOYSA-N pyrogallol Chemical compound OC1=CC=CC(O)=C1O WQGWDDDVZFFDIG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005555 metalworking Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002226 simultaneous effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H20/00—Advancing webs
- B65H20/26—Mechanisms for advancing webs to or from the inside of web rolls
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21C—MANUFACTURE OF METAL SHEETS, WIRE, RODS, TUBES OR PROFILES, OTHERWISE THAN BY ROLLING; AUXILIARY OPERATIONS USED IN CONNECTION WITH METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL
- B21C37/00—Manufacture of metal sheets, bars, wire, tubes or like semi-manufactured products, not otherwise provided for; Manufacture of tubes of special shape
- B21C37/06—Manufacture of metal sheets, bars, wire, tubes or like semi-manufactured products, not otherwise provided for; Manufacture of tubes of special shape of tubes or metal hoses; Combined procedures for making tubes, e.g. for making multi-wall tubes
- B21C37/08—Making tubes with welded or soldered seams
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21C—MANUFACTURE OF METAL SHEETS, WIRE, RODS, TUBES OR PROFILES, OTHERWISE THAN BY ROLLING; AUXILIARY OPERATIONS USED IN CONNECTION WITH METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL
- B21C49/00—Devices for temporarily accumulating material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
- B65H2301/30—Orientation, displacement, position of the handled material
- B65H2301/33—Modifying, selecting, changing orientation
- B65H2301/332—Turning, overturning
- B65H2301/3321—Turning, overturning kinetic therefor
- B65H2301/33212—Turning, overturning kinetic therefor about an axis parallel to the direction of displacement of material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2408/00—Specific machines
- B65H2408/20—Specific machines for handling web(s)
- B65H2408/21—Accumulators
- B65H2408/211—Coil type accumulator
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Winding, Rewinding, Material Storage Devices (AREA)
- Advancing Webs (AREA)
- Registering, Tensioning, Guiding Webs, And Rollers Therefor (AREA)
- Bending Of Plates, Rods, And Pipes (AREA)
Abstract
PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE TEMPORARY STORAGE
OF FLEXIBLE METAL STRIP
ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
This invention relates to a process for the intermediate storage of a flexible metal strip in a spiral strip buffer, and to a spiral strip buffer for the performance of the process, in which the innermost turn of the strip standing on one edge wound into a spiral is guided past and over the other windings in a spiral fashion by means of a deflector apparatus. To create the most economical process and apparatus possible, in which a long take-off twist trough is unnecessary and the entire spiral strip buffer can be made significantly smaller and flatter, the invention proposes that the strip, while being guided in a spiral fashion in the vicinity of the innermost turn, makes a gradual transition from its vertical position to a horizontal position. The spiral strip buffer is thereby designed so that the deflector apparatus for the spiral guidance of the strip consists of several sized or grooved rollers which are in contact with the strip on the inside and outside of the innermost turn.
OF FLEXIBLE METAL STRIP
ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
This invention relates to a process for the intermediate storage of a flexible metal strip in a spiral strip buffer, and to a spiral strip buffer for the performance of the process, in which the innermost turn of the strip standing on one edge wound into a spiral is guided past and over the other windings in a spiral fashion by means of a deflector apparatus. To create the most economical process and apparatus possible, in which a long take-off twist trough is unnecessary and the entire spiral strip buffer can be made significantly smaller and flatter, the invention proposes that the strip, while being guided in a spiral fashion in the vicinity of the innermost turn, makes a gradual transition from its vertical position to a horizontal position. The spiral strip buffer is thereby designed so that the deflector apparatus for the spiral guidance of the strip consists of several sized or grooved rollers which are in contact with the strip on the inside and outside of the innermost turn.
Description
~93~7 PROCESS AND APP~RATUS FOR T~E TEMPORARY STORAGE
OF FLEXIBLE METAL STRIP
F '.!-'' BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l~'a 1. Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the performance of the process for the intermediate storage of flexible metal strip in a spiral strip buffer, in particular in tube forming mills, in which the innermost winding or turn of the strip standing on one edge and wound into a spiral is guided over the other turns in spiral fashion.
OF FLEXIBLE METAL STRIP
F '.!-'' BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l~'a 1. Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the performance of the process for the intermediate storage of flexible metal strip in a spiral strip buffer, in particular in tube forming mills, in which the innermost winding or turn of the strip standing on one edge and wound into a spiral is guided over the other turns in spiral fashion.
2. Backaround of the Invention:
Spiral strip buffers are used, for example, in metalworking or forming mills, where steel strip is to be shaped into a tube as in a shaping or production process. A specified number of spirally-wound strip turns are accumulated in the spiral strip buffer, and represent a reserve which can be used to feed the metalworking line when a new strip must be inserted at the other end.
The strip turns are generally wound vertically into a horizontal spiral, whereby the strip is generally fed onto the outside and taken off from the inside of the wound spiral.
Therefore, it is usually necessary for the innermost turn to be removed from the spiral in the manner of a spiral staircase, i.e. in a helical fashion, so that the strip can be guided away from the outermost turns. In conventional installations, this is usually done with the strip in a vertical position, whereby the strip conducted vertically over the other turns is moved, outside the spiral in an outlet twist trough, into the horizontal position of the strip. Normally, the strip must be guided so that differential strains are not exerted on the edges of the ~trip.
NHL: jlt/iks 1 MAG-72 01/MAG070 ~93~7 N~L-MAG--72 Known proce~ses and apparatu~ for the intermediate storage of strip tend to have the disadvantage that the inner turns mu~t generally be wound relatively large, so that the strip can be guided vertically over the outer turns. That in turn tends to require large diameters for the outer turn~, which usually means that the entire installation is relatively large.
A complex t~ke-off twist trough connected to the in~tallation i~
usually nece~sary, which further tend~ to increase the space required for the system.
OBJECT OF TBE INVENTION
The object of the pre~ent invention i8 to solve the problem~
described above, and in particular to create an economical process and an apparatus for intermediate storage of the type de~cribed above, in which the long take-off twist trough is essentially eliminated, and which apparatus is significantly smaller and flatter overall.
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The propo~ed solution is a process preferably characterized by the fact that the strip, while being guided in a spiral fashion in the vici~ity of the innermost winding, makes a gradual tran~ition from its vertical po6ition into a horizontal posit~on~ Ar a re~lt of the present invention, it becomes po~sible to combine the area where the innermost turn i~ guided in ~ spiral fashion and the area of the take-off twist trough, BO that, immedi~tely outside the spiral of the spiral strip buffer, the strip is already being guided in the horizontal position. The height and also the diameter of the installation can thereby be reduced.
In other words, the proposed solution of the present invention i~ a proces~ wherein the strip is guided vertically in a helical path over the other turns of the strip buffer and simultaneou~ly twisted ~uch that the orientation of the strip 2093~7 NHL-MAG-72 makes a gradual tran6ition from vertical towards horizontal.
The present invention is in contrast to a conventional proce~s wherein the strip is twisted only after the strip is guided vertically in a helical path to a height above the other turn~
of the strip buffer. A result of the colution of the present invention, of raising and twisting the strip simultaneously rather than sequentially, is that the steps of raising the strip and twisting the strip from a vertical to a horizontal orientation may essentially be accomplished over a shorter total distance than tends to be required in a process wherein the raising and twisting steps are done sequentially. The present invention es~entially reduces the length of any required twist trough outside the outermost turns. Thus, the diameter of the in6tallation can thereby be reduced. Also, 6ince twisting the strip from a vertical orientation, as in the present invention, tends to reduce the vertical extent of the strip, it may not be nece~ary to raise a twisted strip as high as a vertically 3 oriented strip in order for the strip to vertically clear the other turns of the strip buffer. Thus the overall height of the in~tallation may therefore be reduced.
A ~piral ~trip buffer for the performance of the process is preferably characterized by the fact that the deflection apparatu~ for the helical guidance of the strip essentially con~i~t~ of several 6ized or grooved rolls in contact on the in~lde and out~ide with the innermost turn of the strip.
Because the 6trip i6 guided by these sized rolls, excessive 6train on the edges of the strip can be avoided by using rolls with an appropriate configuration. The sized rolls are preferably appropriately cambered, and are preferably located directly oppo~ite one another on the inside and out6ide of the innermo~t turn.
In other word6, a 6piral strip buffer for the performance of N~ MAG- 7 2 2~93~7 the process is preferably characterized by the fact that the deflection apparatus for the helical guidance of the ~trip essentially consists of several sized or grooved rolls in contact on the inside and outside with the innermost turn of the strip. Pairs of the grooved rolls may be located such that one roll is on the inside of the innermost turn and the other roll is directly opposite the first roll on the outside of the innermost turn. The grooved rolls may be configured to avoid exces~ive strain on the edges of the strip. Such a configuration might involve orienting the longitudinal axes of rolls which are farther downstream along the helical path more towards the horizontal than the longitudinal axes of rolls more upstream along the helical path.
In one favorable configuration of the invention, several rolls are preferably combined into a roller cage. As a result of this measure, a space-saving guidance system for the strip can be achieved, whereby preferably three rolls on the inside and three rolls on the outside are combined into one roller cage.
Overall, the invention essentially results in a spiral strip buffer of smaller size with an integrated take-off twist trough.
The present invention is described in terms of a strip being fed to the outside of a spiral coil and withdrawn from the inside. ~owever, the present invention can also encompass a ~piral ~trip buffer wherein the direction of travel of the strip is reversed with respect to the direction of travel contemplated hereinabove; i.e., the Qtrip may be fed into the inside of a spiral coil and withdrawn from the outside.
One aspect of the invention resides broadly in a continuous strip accumulator comprising: a support device for supporting a r , .
~piral coil con~i~ting o a plurality of convolutions of strip material with the axes of the convolutions ~ubstantially A 7~r_7'~ nl /M~n7n N~L-MAG-72 2~93~7 vertical; an in-feed device for feeding strip material to the outermost turn ~f the 6piral coil; a withdrawal device ~or withdrawing strip material from the innermost turn of the spiral coil; the support device including radial inner and outer ~ection~ for storage of the inner and outer convolutions, respectively, of ~uch spiral coil which inner convolution~ are closer to its center of rotation than the outer convolutions; a guide device for supporting and guiding the strip material during movement of the strip material between the outer and J inner ~ections; the guide device including a device for po~itively transferring ~uch convolutions between the outer and inner sections for expansion and contraction of such convolutions; the device for positively transferring comprising a c,onvolution transfer annulus between the inner and outer section~; the convolution transfer annulus being mounted for rotation and including a device engageable with such strip material for transferring such convolutions from the outer .
section to the inner section during rotation of the annulus in one direction and for transferring such convolutions from the inner ~ection to the outer section during rotation of the convolution transfer annulu~ in the opposite direction; the convolution transfer annulus having a plurality of circumferentially spaced pairs of spaced containment rollers for tefining the outer and inner boundaries, respectively, of the inner and outer ~ections; the spiral coil supporting device comprising an axis extending on each side of the spiral coil;
the ~piral coil supporting device comprising outer bounds extending axially from the spiral coil; a device for guiding strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
the guiding device comprising a device for turning the strip material from the innermost turn by about 90; the turning device comprising a device for twi~ting the strip material from 2V93~7 NHL--MAG-72 the innermost turn; the twisting device comprising a device for initiating and continuing twisting the strip material from within the innermost turn.
Another aspect of the invention resides broadly in a continuous strip accumulator for use with a rolling mill, the continuous 6trip accumulator comprising: ~upport means for ~upporting a spiral coil consisting of a plurality of convolutions of strip material with the axes of the convolutions substantially vertical; in-feed means for feeding strip material J to the outermost turn of the spiral coil; withdrawing mean~ for withdrawing strip material from the innermost turn of the spiral coil; means for guiding strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil; the guiding means comprising means for turning the ~trip material from the innermost turn by a ~ubstantial angle from the axes of the convolutionæ; the turning mean~ compri~ing means for twisting the strip material from tne innermo~t turn; and the twisting means comprising means for initiating and continuing twisting the strip material from within the innermost turn.
Yet another aspect of the invention resides broadly in a method for accumulating continuous strip in a rolling mill, the method compri~ing the ~tep~ of: providing support means for ~upporting a ~piral coil consisting of a plurality of convolutions of strip material with the axes of the convolutions ~ub~tantially vertical; providing in-feed means for feeding ~trip material to the outermost turn of the spiral coil;
providing withdrawing means for withdrawing strip material from the innermo~t turn of the spiral coil; providing means for guiding strip material away from the innermost turn of the ~piral coil; configuring the guiding means to comprise means for turning the ~trip material from the innermost turn by a ~ub~tantial angle from the axe~ of the convolutions; configuring NHL:jlt/iks ~ 6 MAG-72 01/MAG070 N~L-MAG-72 2~93~7 the turning means to compriRe meanR for twisting the ~trip material from the innermost turn; configuring the twi~ting mean~
to comprise mean~ for initiating and continuing twisting the strip mzterial from within the innermost turn; ~upporting the ~piral coil; feeding strip material to the outermo~t turn of the spiral coil; withdrawing strip material from the innermo~t turn of the spiral coil; guiding strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil; turning the strip material from the innermost turn by a substantial angle from the axes of the convolutions; the step of turning comprising twisting the strip material from the innermost turn; and the step of twisting comprising initiating and continuing twisting the strip material from within the innermost turn.
BRIEF DBSCRIPTION~ _GS
The accompanying drawings illustrate one e~bodiment of the present invention, and are de~cribed further below in greater detail, wherein:
Figure la shows a schematic side view of a spiral strip buffer according to the invention;
Figure lb ~how~ a schematic top view of the spiral strip buffer of Figure la:
Figure lc ~how~ ~ame view as Figure lb, with additional feature~;
Figure 2a shows a schematic side view of a spiral strip buffer of the prior art;
Figure 2b shows a schematic top view of the 6piral strip buffer of Figure la; and DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ErM~ODIM-~NT
Figures la, lb and lc show views of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The discussion of Figures la, lb and Ml~r_7~ nl /M~n7n 2ag 3 ~7 N~L-MAG-72 lc follow- a discussion of Figures 2a and 2b, which illustrate prior art.
Figures 2a and 2b are highly schematic illustrations of a spiral strip buffer of the prior art into which a ~teel strip 1~
i8 fed. Then, in the vicinity of the entry twist trough 2~, the strip i8 rotated from the horizontal into a vertical plane. The strip, thu~ ~tanding upright, is guided as the outer turn to the spiral ~trip buffer 3~, and sfter several outer turns 4' and 5', makes the transition into the inner core, where ~everal turns form an internal bundle 10', whose innermost turn (in~ide loop 6') is guided spirally upward, past the turns of the internal bundle 10' and the outer turns 4'. Out~ide the spiral strip buffer 3', in a take-off twist trough 7', the strip i5 tran~ferred by means of guide rollers, of which rolls 8' and 9' are shown, from the vertical po~ition into the horizontal po~ition. This is usually neces~ary becau~e a horizontal po~ition is a pre-requi6ite for the further proce~sing of the ~trip.
A~ shown in the example of Figures 2a and 2b, the take-off twi~t trough 7' take~ up a great deal of space, e.g. about 7.5 meter~. ~ a ro-ult of the vertical upright guidance of the ~trip 1' ~n the vicinity of the inner loop 6', there is also a relatively ~mall angle of inclination or angle of twist, which make~ it necessary to wind both the internal bundle 10' and also the outer turn~ 4' with large radii. Overall, the prior art repre~ent6 a spiral strip buffer 3' and take-off twist trough 7' which take up a very great deal of space, and which ~hould be made ~maller.
Typically, take-off twist trough 7' can be defined as extending, in a horizontal direction, from an outermost turn of the outer turns 4' to guide roller 9', at which guide roller 9' the ~trip a~sumes its final, horizontal orientation. Thus, a 2(~93~7 dimensiGn which can represent the horizontal extent of take-off twist trough 7' is indicated by "7500" in Figure 2b. The "7500" dimension in Figure 2b is typically 7500 millimeters;
i.e., 7.5 meters. Thus, in arrangements of the prior art, such as that illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b, the horizontal extent of take-off ~wist trough 7' can typically be about 7.5 meters.
A more detailed description of a spiral strip buffer of the prior art may be found in United States Patent No.
Spiral strip buffers are used, for example, in metalworking or forming mills, where steel strip is to be shaped into a tube as in a shaping or production process. A specified number of spirally-wound strip turns are accumulated in the spiral strip buffer, and represent a reserve which can be used to feed the metalworking line when a new strip must be inserted at the other end.
The strip turns are generally wound vertically into a horizontal spiral, whereby the strip is generally fed onto the outside and taken off from the inside of the wound spiral.
Therefore, it is usually necessary for the innermost turn to be removed from the spiral in the manner of a spiral staircase, i.e. in a helical fashion, so that the strip can be guided away from the outermost turns. In conventional installations, this is usually done with the strip in a vertical position, whereby the strip conducted vertically over the other turns is moved, outside the spiral in an outlet twist trough, into the horizontal position of the strip. Normally, the strip must be guided so that differential strains are not exerted on the edges of the ~trip.
NHL: jlt/iks 1 MAG-72 01/MAG070 ~93~7 N~L-MAG--72 Known proce~ses and apparatu~ for the intermediate storage of strip tend to have the disadvantage that the inner turns mu~t generally be wound relatively large, so that the strip can be guided vertically over the outer turns. That in turn tends to require large diameters for the outer turn~, which usually means that the entire installation is relatively large.
A complex t~ke-off twist trough connected to the in~tallation i~
usually nece~sary, which further tend~ to increase the space required for the system.
OBJECT OF TBE INVENTION
The object of the pre~ent invention i8 to solve the problem~
described above, and in particular to create an economical process and an apparatus for intermediate storage of the type de~cribed above, in which the long take-off twist trough is essentially eliminated, and which apparatus is significantly smaller and flatter overall.
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The propo~ed solution is a process preferably characterized by the fact that the strip, while being guided in a spiral fashion in the vici~ity of the innermost winding, makes a gradual tran~ition from its vertical po6ition into a horizontal posit~on~ Ar a re~lt of the present invention, it becomes po~sible to combine the area where the innermost turn i~ guided in ~ spiral fashion and the area of the take-off twist trough, BO that, immedi~tely outside the spiral of the spiral strip buffer, the strip is already being guided in the horizontal position. The height and also the diameter of the installation can thereby be reduced.
In other words, the proposed solution of the present invention i~ a proces~ wherein the strip is guided vertically in a helical path over the other turns of the strip buffer and simultaneou~ly twisted ~uch that the orientation of the strip 2093~7 NHL-MAG-72 makes a gradual tran6ition from vertical towards horizontal.
The present invention is in contrast to a conventional proce~s wherein the strip is twisted only after the strip is guided vertically in a helical path to a height above the other turn~
of the strip buffer. A result of the colution of the present invention, of raising and twisting the strip simultaneously rather than sequentially, is that the steps of raising the strip and twisting the strip from a vertical to a horizontal orientation may essentially be accomplished over a shorter total distance than tends to be required in a process wherein the raising and twisting steps are done sequentially. The present invention es~entially reduces the length of any required twist trough outside the outermost turns. Thus, the diameter of the in6tallation can thereby be reduced. Also, 6ince twisting the strip from a vertical orientation, as in the present invention, tends to reduce the vertical extent of the strip, it may not be nece~ary to raise a twisted strip as high as a vertically 3 oriented strip in order for the strip to vertically clear the other turns of the strip buffer. Thus the overall height of the in~tallation may therefore be reduced.
A ~piral ~trip buffer for the performance of the process is preferably characterized by the fact that the deflection apparatu~ for the helical guidance of the strip essentially con~i~t~ of several 6ized or grooved rolls in contact on the in~lde and out~ide with the innermost turn of the strip.
Because the 6trip i6 guided by these sized rolls, excessive 6train on the edges of the strip can be avoided by using rolls with an appropriate configuration. The sized rolls are preferably appropriately cambered, and are preferably located directly oppo~ite one another on the inside and out6ide of the innermo~t turn.
In other word6, a 6piral strip buffer for the performance of N~ MAG- 7 2 2~93~7 the process is preferably characterized by the fact that the deflection apparatus for the helical guidance of the ~trip essentially consists of several sized or grooved rolls in contact on the inside and outside with the innermost turn of the strip. Pairs of the grooved rolls may be located such that one roll is on the inside of the innermost turn and the other roll is directly opposite the first roll on the outside of the innermost turn. The grooved rolls may be configured to avoid exces~ive strain on the edges of the strip. Such a configuration might involve orienting the longitudinal axes of rolls which are farther downstream along the helical path more towards the horizontal than the longitudinal axes of rolls more upstream along the helical path.
In one favorable configuration of the invention, several rolls are preferably combined into a roller cage. As a result of this measure, a space-saving guidance system for the strip can be achieved, whereby preferably three rolls on the inside and three rolls on the outside are combined into one roller cage.
Overall, the invention essentially results in a spiral strip buffer of smaller size with an integrated take-off twist trough.
The present invention is described in terms of a strip being fed to the outside of a spiral coil and withdrawn from the inside. ~owever, the present invention can also encompass a ~piral ~trip buffer wherein the direction of travel of the strip is reversed with respect to the direction of travel contemplated hereinabove; i.e., the Qtrip may be fed into the inside of a spiral coil and withdrawn from the outside.
One aspect of the invention resides broadly in a continuous strip accumulator comprising: a support device for supporting a r , .
~piral coil con~i~ting o a plurality of convolutions of strip material with the axes of the convolutions ~ubstantially A 7~r_7'~ nl /M~n7n N~L-MAG-72 2~93~7 vertical; an in-feed device for feeding strip material to the outermost turn ~f the 6piral coil; a withdrawal device ~or withdrawing strip material from the innermost turn of the spiral coil; the support device including radial inner and outer ~ection~ for storage of the inner and outer convolutions, respectively, of ~uch spiral coil which inner convolution~ are closer to its center of rotation than the outer convolutions; a guide device for supporting and guiding the strip material during movement of the strip material between the outer and J inner ~ections; the guide device including a device for po~itively transferring ~uch convolutions between the outer and inner sections for expansion and contraction of such convolutions; the device for positively transferring comprising a c,onvolution transfer annulus between the inner and outer section~; the convolution transfer annulus being mounted for rotation and including a device engageable with such strip material for transferring such convolutions from the outer .
section to the inner section during rotation of the annulus in one direction and for transferring such convolutions from the inner ~ection to the outer section during rotation of the convolution transfer annulu~ in the opposite direction; the convolution transfer annulus having a plurality of circumferentially spaced pairs of spaced containment rollers for tefining the outer and inner boundaries, respectively, of the inner and outer ~ections; the spiral coil supporting device comprising an axis extending on each side of the spiral coil;
the ~piral coil supporting device comprising outer bounds extending axially from the spiral coil; a device for guiding strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
the guiding device comprising a device for turning the strip material from the innermost turn by about 90; the turning device comprising a device for twi~ting the strip material from 2V93~7 NHL--MAG-72 the innermost turn; the twisting device comprising a device for initiating and continuing twisting the strip material from within the innermost turn.
Another aspect of the invention resides broadly in a continuous strip accumulator for use with a rolling mill, the continuous 6trip accumulator comprising: ~upport means for ~upporting a spiral coil consisting of a plurality of convolutions of strip material with the axes of the convolutions substantially vertical; in-feed means for feeding strip material J to the outermost turn of the spiral coil; withdrawing mean~ for withdrawing strip material from the innermost turn of the spiral coil; means for guiding strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil; the guiding means comprising means for turning the ~trip material from the innermost turn by a ~ubstantial angle from the axes of the convolutionæ; the turning mean~ compri~ing means for twisting the strip material from tne innermo~t turn; and the twisting means comprising means for initiating and continuing twisting the strip material from within the innermost turn.
Yet another aspect of the invention resides broadly in a method for accumulating continuous strip in a rolling mill, the method compri~ing the ~tep~ of: providing support means for ~upporting a ~piral coil consisting of a plurality of convolutions of strip material with the axes of the convolutions ~ub~tantially vertical; providing in-feed means for feeding ~trip material to the outermost turn of the spiral coil;
providing withdrawing means for withdrawing strip material from the innermo~t turn of the spiral coil; providing means for guiding strip material away from the innermost turn of the ~piral coil; configuring the guiding means to comprise means for turning the ~trip material from the innermost turn by a ~ub~tantial angle from the axe~ of the convolutions; configuring NHL:jlt/iks ~ 6 MAG-72 01/MAG070 N~L-MAG-72 2~93~7 the turning means to compriRe meanR for twisting the ~trip material from the innermost turn; configuring the twi~ting mean~
to comprise mean~ for initiating and continuing twisting the strip mzterial from within the innermost turn; ~upporting the ~piral coil; feeding strip material to the outermo~t turn of the spiral coil; withdrawing strip material from the innermo~t turn of the spiral coil; guiding strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil; turning the strip material from the innermost turn by a substantial angle from the axes of the convolutions; the step of turning comprising twisting the strip material from the innermost turn; and the step of twisting comprising initiating and continuing twisting the strip material from within the innermost turn.
BRIEF DBSCRIPTION~ _GS
The accompanying drawings illustrate one e~bodiment of the present invention, and are de~cribed further below in greater detail, wherein:
Figure la shows a schematic side view of a spiral strip buffer according to the invention;
Figure lb ~how~ a schematic top view of the spiral strip buffer of Figure la:
Figure lc ~how~ ~ame view as Figure lb, with additional feature~;
Figure 2a shows a schematic side view of a spiral strip buffer of the prior art;
Figure 2b shows a schematic top view of the 6piral strip buffer of Figure la; and DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ErM~ODIM-~NT
Figures la, lb and lc show views of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The discussion of Figures la, lb and Ml~r_7~ nl /M~n7n 2ag 3 ~7 N~L-MAG-72 lc follow- a discussion of Figures 2a and 2b, which illustrate prior art.
Figures 2a and 2b are highly schematic illustrations of a spiral strip buffer of the prior art into which a ~teel strip 1~
i8 fed. Then, in the vicinity of the entry twist trough 2~, the strip i8 rotated from the horizontal into a vertical plane. The strip, thu~ ~tanding upright, is guided as the outer turn to the spiral ~trip buffer 3~, and sfter several outer turns 4' and 5', makes the transition into the inner core, where ~everal turns form an internal bundle 10', whose innermost turn (in~ide loop 6') is guided spirally upward, past the turns of the internal bundle 10' and the outer turns 4'. Out~ide the spiral strip buffer 3', in a take-off twist trough 7', the strip i5 tran~ferred by means of guide rollers, of which rolls 8' and 9' are shown, from the vertical po~ition into the horizontal po~ition. This is usually neces~ary becau~e a horizontal po~ition is a pre-requi6ite for the further proce~sing of the ~trip.
A~ shown in the example of Figures 2a and 2b, the take-off twi~t trough 7' take~ up a great deal of space, e.g. about 7.5 meter~. ~ a ro-ult of the vertical upright guidance of the ~trip 1' ~n the vicinity of the inner loop 6', there is also a relatively ~mall angle of inclination or angle of twist, which make~ it necessary to wind both the internal bundle 10' and also the outer turn~ 4' with large radii. Overall, the prior art repre~ent6 a spiral strip buffer 3' and take-off twist trough 7' which take up a very great deal of space, and which ~hould be made ~maller.
Typically, take-off twist trough 7' can be defined as extending, in a horizontal direction, from an outermost turn of the outer turns 4' to guide roller 9', at which guide roller 9' the ~trip a~sumes its final, horizontal orientation. Thus, a 2(~93~7 dimensiGn which can represent the horizontal extent of take-off twist trough 7' is indicated by "7500" in Figure 2b. The "7500" dimension in Figure 2b is typically 7500 millimeters;
i.e., 7.5 meters. Thus, in arrangements of the prior art, such as that illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b, the horizontal extent of take-off ~wist trough 7' can typically be about 7.5 meters.
A more detailed description of a spiral strip buffer of the prior art may be found in United States Patent No.
4,529,140, issued to Cooper et al.
In Figures la, lb and lc, parts identical to those in Figures 2a and 2b are identified by the same reference numbers.
In reference to Figures la, lb and lc, as specified by the present invention, in reference to Figures la, lb and lc, the spiral strip buffer 3' according to the invention is preferably characterized by the fact that beginning even in the vicinity of the inner bundle and over the length of the inner loop 6', the strip 1' is gradually rotated into a horizontal posltion, so that the strip has reached its horizontal position immediately after the outer turns 4' of the strip 1' at 11'.
Not only can the take-off twist trough 7' thus be moved into the vicinity of the spiral strip buffer 3', but the diameter of the inner bundle 10' and of the outer bundle 4' can also be reduced, since larger angles of inclination or twist can be realized in the vicinity of the inner loop 6', because the strip has a practically horizontal position even in the vicinity of the inner bundle 10'.
It will now be understood that, in the context of the present invention, a dimension which can represent the horizontal extent of take-off twist trough 7' is indicated by "1000" in Figures lb and lc. The "1000" dimension in Figures lb and lc is typically 1000 mtllimeters; i.e., 1 meter. Thus, ~093~7 by virtue of the present invention, the horizontal extent of take-off twist trough can typically be about 1 meter.
Figure lc is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention similar in some structural details to the spiral strip buffer described in aforementioned United States Patent 4,529,140. Also, Figure lc shows the same view as Figure lb, with additional features. Features shown in Figure lc not shown in Figure lb include entry pinch rolls 34', exit pinch rolls 30', strip guides 22', and a helical feed-out mechanism 20'.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Flgure lc, the helical feed-out mechanism 20' is not necessarily located directly over the exit pinch rolls 30'.
In fact, the relative posltioning of the helical feed-out mechanlsm 20' and the exit pinch rolls 30' with respect to each other is preferably such that the generally helical path of travel of the strlp 1' between those polnts ls, with respect to the circumferential extent of the spiral strip buffer 3', preferably substantially less than 360, for example, about 180. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure lc, the exit plnch rolls 30', the ~trlp guldes 22', and the helical feed-out mechani~m 20' are preferably not oriented vertically as are the corre~pondlng exit pinch rolls, the strip guides, and the helical feed-out mechanism of the prior art example described in United ~tates Patent 4,529,140. Rather, in accordance with the present invention, proceeding from the exit pinch rolls 30' to the helical feed-out 2~3~7 NHL-MAG-72 mechanism 20', the longitudinal axes of the exit pinch rolls 30', the strip guides 22', and the helical feed-out mechanism 20~ are preferably oriented increacingly away from the vertical.
Additionally, the longitudinal axes of the exit pinch roll~ 30', the strip guides 22', and the helical feed-out mechanism 20' are preferably oriented such that upper portions, or the "tops", of the exit pinch roll~ 30~, the strip guides 22', and the helical feed-out mechanism 20~ are closer to the center of the ~piral strip buffer 3' than are lower portions, or the "bottoms", of ) the exit pinch rolls 30', the strip guides 22', and the helical feed-out mechanism 20'. In other words, the exit pinch rolls 30', the strip guides 22' and the helical feed-out mechanism 20' are all preferably inclined towards the center of the spiral strip buffer 3'.
In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure lc, the degree of inclination, from the vertical, of the longitudinal axes of the exit pinch rolls 30', the strip guides 22', and the helical feed-out mechanism 20' i8 preferably a function of, and approximately proportional to, the corresponding downstream distance along the strip from the exit pinch rolls 30'. For example, in an embodiment having three strip guides 22' approximately egually spaced between the exit pinch rolls 30' and the helical feed-out mechani~m 20', the inclination from vertical of the longitudinal axis of the exit pinch rolls 30' might be about 5. Accordingly, the inclination from vertical of the longitudinal axis of the strip guide 22' nearest to the exit pinch roll~ 30' might be about 25, the inclination from vertical of the longitudinal axis of the strip guide 22' second from the exit pinch rolls 30' might be about 45, the inclination from vertical of the longitudinal axis of the strip guide 22' third from the exit pinch rolls 30' might be about 65, and the inclination from vertical of the longitudinal axis of the helical feed-out mechanism 20' might be about 85.
It should be understood that the angles of inclination li~ted immediately above are given only as examples in the NHL:jlt/iks ~ 11 MAG-72 01/MAG070 20934g7 NHL-MAG-72 context of an embodiment in which there are three strip guides 22~. It i8, of course, poAsible within the scope of the pre_ent invention, for those angles of inclination to be varied by about + 5. Particularly, the inclination from vertical of the longitudinal axe_ of the exit pinch rollA 30~, the strip guides 22~, and the helical feed-out mechanism 20~ might be 5+ 5, 25+ 5, 45+ 5, 65~ 5, and 85+ 5, respectively. PoDsibly, aDsuming that three strip guides 22' are used, the inclination from vertical of the longitudinal axes of the exit pinch rolls 30', the strip guides 22', and the helical feed-out mechanism 20' might be 0 to 15, 15 to 35, 35 to ~5, 55 to 75, and 75 to 90, respectively. In some embodiments of the present invention using three strip guides 22~, there may even be greater deviations in the ranges of angles just listed.
It should also be understood that it is possible, within the scope o the present invention, to utilize a number of strip guides 22' other than three, such as one, two, four, five, or 3 even six or more. In any of those instances, angles of inclination of the exit pinch rolls 30', the strip guides 22' and the helical feed-out mechanism 20', are preferably chosen to properly enDure, in a manner commensurate with that illustrated in Figure lc, a transition of the orientation of strip 1' from an es~entially vertical orientation to an essentially horizontal orientation.
One feature of the invention resides broadly in the process for the intermediate storage of flexible metal strip in a spiral strip buffer, in particular in tube forming mills, in which the inner loop (innermost turn) of the strip standing on one edge to be wound into a spiral is guided away from the other turns by meanD of a deflecting apparatus in a spiral or helical form, chnracterized by the fact that during the spiral guidance in the vicinity of the inner loop (innermost turn), the strip makes a ~T~T . _ 1 ' t 1, A 1 ~ M~_ 7 7 n 1 /M~l--n 7 n 2093~7 N~L-MAG-72 gradual transition from its vertical position into a horizontal position.
Another feature of the invention resides broadly in the spiral strip buffer for the performance of the process, characterized by the fact that the deflector apparatus for the spiral guidance of the strip consists of several sized or grooved rolls which are in contact on the inside and outside with the inner loop (inner turn).
Yet another feature of the invention resides broadly in the spiral strip buffer, characterized by the fact that several rolls are combined in one roller cage.
Examples of rolling mills and apparatus which could be used in conjunction with the present invention may be found in U.S.
Patent Nos. 5,016,806, issued to Yapp et al., entitled "Tube weld mill"; 4,644,774, issued to van Steden, entitled "Apparatus for cooling a work roll in a rolling mill for rolling metal strip"; 4,519,118, issued to Shinopulos et al., entitled "Hot mill self-centering roll design"; 4,081,649, issued to Tonkovich, entitled "Seam roller for tube mill"; and 4,022,073, issued to Sendzimir, entitled "Roll drive for cluster mills".
Examples of spiral 6trip buffers may be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,529,140, issued to Cooper et al., entitled "Continuous ~trip accumulator"; and 3,860,188, issued to Bradshaw.
Examples of roller cages which could be used in conjunction with the present invention may be found in U.S. Patent Nos.
4,838,398, issued to Lederman, entitled "Metal roller clutch cage"; 4,787,490, issued to Lederman et al., entitled "Metal and plastic combination roller clutch cage"; and 4,522,516, issued to Neese, entitled "Roller bearing support structure with metal window cage".
~ xamples of grooved rolls which could be used in conjunction with the present invention may be found in U.S. Patent Nos.
2~93~7 5,144,827, issued to Iio, entitled "Rolling mill stand";
4,457,154, issued to Ohba, entitled "Control method for multi-strand rolling mill"; and 4,009,610, issued to Hien et al., entitled "Roll mount for plug rolling mill".
Examples of cambered rolls which could be used in conjunction with the present invention may be found in United States Patent Nos. 4,912,956, issued to Matricon et al., entitled "Process and apparatus for rolling a metal sheet or strip"; and 4,651,547, issued to Morel et al., entitled "Process for adjusting the thickness and profile of a flat product in the course of rollingn.
All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various embodiments may be used in any combination with at least one embodiment or all of the embodiments, if any, described herein.
The inventlon as described hereinabove in the context of the preferred embodiments is not to be taken as limited to all of the provlded details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In Figures la, lb and lc, parts identical to those in Figures 2a and 2b are identified by the same reference numbers.
In reference to Figures la, lb and lc, as specified by the present invention, in reference to Figures la, lb and lc, the spiral strip buffer 3' according to the invention is preferably characterized by the fact that beginning even in the vicinity of the inner bundle and over the length of the inner loop 6', the strip 1' is gradually rotated into a horizontal posltion, so that the strip has reached its horizontal position immediately after the outer turns 4' of the strip 1' at 11'.
Not only can the take-off twist trough 7' thus be moved into the vicinity of the spiral strip buffer 3', but the diameter of the inner bundle 10' and of the outer bundle 4' can also be reduced, since larger angles of inclination or twist can be realized in the vicinity of the inner loop 6', because the strip has a practically horizontal position even in the vicinity of the inner bundle 10'.
It will now be understood that, in the context of the present invention, a dimension which can represent the horizontal extent of take-off twist trough 7' is indicated by "1000" in Figures lb and lc. The "1000" dimension in Figures lb and lc is typically 1000 mtllimeters; i.e., 1 meter. Thus, ~093~7 by virtue of the present invention, the horizontal extent of take-off twist trough can typically be about 1 meter.
Figure lc is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention similar in some structural details to the spiral strip buffer described in aforementioned United States Patent 4,529,140. Also, Figure lc shows the same view as Figure lb, with additional features. Features shown in Figure lc not shown in Figure lb include entry pinch rolls 34', exit pinch rolls 30', strip guides 22', and a helical feed-out mechanism 20'.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Flgure lc, the helical feed-out mechanism 20' is not necessarily located directly over the exit pinch rolls 30'.
In fact, the relative posltioning of the helical feed-out mechanlsm 20' and the exit pinch rolls 30' with respect to each other is preferably such that the generally helical path of travel of the strlp 1' between those polnts ls, with respect to the circumferential extent of the spiral strip buffer 3', preferably substantially less than 360, for example, about 180. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure lc, the exit plnch rolls 30', the ~trlp guldes 22', and the helical feed-out mechani~m 20' are preferably not oriented vertically as are the corre~pondlng exit pinch rolls, the strip guides, and the helical feed-out mechanism of the prior art example described in United ~tates Patent 4,529,140. Rather, in accordance with the present invention, proceeding from the exit pinch rolls 30' to the helical feed-out 2~3~7 NHL-MAG-72 mechanism 20', the longitudinal axes of the exit pinch rolls 30', the strip guides 22', and the helical feed-out mechanism 20~ are preferably oriented increacingly away from the vertical.
Additionally, the longitudinal axes of the exit pinch roll~ 30', the strip guides 22', and the helical feed-out mechanism 20' are preferably oriented such that upper portions, or the "tops", of the exit pinch roll~ 30~, the strip guides 22', and the helical feed-out mechanism 20~ are closer to the center of the ~piral strip buffer 3' than are lower portions, or the "bottoms", of ) the exit pinch rolls 30', the strip guides 22', and the helical feed-out mechanism 20'. In other words, the exit pinch rolls 30', the strip guides 22' and the helical feed-out mechanism 20' are all preferably inclined towards the center of the spiral strip buffer 3'.
In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure lc, the degree of inclination, from the vertical, of the longitudinal axes of the exit pinch rolls 30', the strip guides 22', and the helical feed-out mechanism 20' i8 preferably a function of, and approximately proportional to, the corresponding downstream distance along the strip from the exit pinch rolls 30'. For example, in an embodiment having three strip guides 22' approximately egually spaced between the exit pinch rolls 30' and the helical feed-out mechani~m 20', the inclination from vertical of the longitudinal axis of the exit pinch rolls 30' might be about 5. Accordingly, the inclination from vertical of the longitudinal axis of the strip guide 22' nearest to the exit pinch roll~ 30' might be about 25, the inclination from vertical of the longitudinal axis of the strip guide 22' second from the exit pinch rolls 30' might be about 45, the inclination from vertical of the longitudinal axis of the strip guide 22' third from the exit pinch rolls 30' might be about 65, and the inclination from vertical of the longitudinal axis of the helical feed-out mechanism 20' might be about 85.
It should be understood that the angles of inclination li~ted immediately above are given only as examples in the NHL:jlt/iks ~ 11 MAG-72 01/MAG070 20934g7 NHL-MAG-72 context of an embodiment in which there are three strip guides 22~. It i8, of course, poAsible within the scope of the pre_ent invention, for those angles of inclination to be varied by about + 5. Particularly, the inclination from vertical of the longitudinal axe_ of the exit pinch rollA 30~, the strip guides 22~, and the helical feed-out mechanism 20~ might be 5+ 5, 25+ 5, 45+ 5, 65~ 5, and 85+ 5, respectively. PoDsibly, aDsuming that three strip guides 22' are used, the inclination from vertical of the longitudinal axes of the exit pinch rolls 30', the strip guides 22', and the helical feed-out mechanism 20' might be 0 to 15, 15 to 35, 35 to ~5, 55 to 75, and 75 to 90, respectively. In some embodiments of the present invention using three strip guides 22~, there may even be greater deviations in the ranges of angles just listed.
It should also be understood that it is possible, within the scope o the present invention, to utilize a number of strip guides 22' other than three, such as one, two, four, five, or 3 even six or more. In any of those instances, angles of inclination of the exit pinch rolls 30', the strip guides 22' and the helical feed-out mechanism 20', are preferably chosen to properly enDure, in a manner commensurate with that illustrated in Figure lc, a transition of the orientation of strip 1' from an es~entially vertical orientation to an essentially horizontal orientation.
One feature of the invention resides broadly in the process for the intermediate storage of flexible metal strip in a spiral strip buffer, in particular in tube forming mills, in which the inner loop (innermost turn) of the strip standing on one edge to be wound into a spiral is guided away from the other turns by meanD of a deflecting apparatus in a spiral or helical form, chnracterized by the fact that during the spiral guidance in the vicinity of the inner loop (innermost turn), the strip makes a ~T~T . _ 1 ' t 1, A 1 ~ M~_ 7 7 n 1 /M~l--n 7 n 2093~7 N~L-MAG-72 gradual transition from its vertical position into a horizontal position.
Another feature of the invention resides broadly in the spiral strip buffer for the performance of the process, characterized by the fact that the deflector apparatus for the spiral guidance of the strip consists of several sized or grooved rolls which are in contact on the inside and outside with the inner loop (inner turn).
Yet another feature of the invention resides broadly in the spiral strip buffer, characterized by the fact that several rolls are combined in one roller cage.
Examples of rolling mills and apparatus which could be used in conjunction with the present invention may be found in U.S.
Patent Nos. 5,016,806, issued to Yapp et al., entitled "Tube weld mill"; 4,644,774, issued to van Steden, entitled "Apparatus for cooling a work roll in a rolling mill for rolling metal strip"; 4,519,118, issued to Shinopulos et al., entitled "Hot mill self-centering roll design"; 4,081,649, issued to Tonkovich, entitled "Seam roller for tube mill"; and 4,022,073, issued to Sendzimir, entitled "Roll drive for cluster mills".
Examples of spiral 6trip buffers may be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,529,140, issued to Cooper et al., entitled "Continuous ~trip accumulator"; and 3,860,188, issued to Bradshaw.
Examples of roller cages which could be used in conjunction with the present invention may be found in U.S. Patent Nos.
4,838,398, issued to Lederman, entitled "Metal roller clutch cage"; 4,787,490, issued to Lederman et al., entitled "Metal and plastic combination roller clutch cage"; and 4,522,516, issued to Neese, entitled "Roller bearing support structure with metal window cage".
~ xamples of grooved rolls which could be used in conjunction with the present invention may be found in U.S. Patent Nos.
2~93~7 5,144,827, issued to Iio, entitled "Rolling mill stand";
4,457,154, issued to Ohba, entitled "Control method for multi-strand rolling mill"; and 4,009,610, issued to Hien et al., entitled "Roll mount for plug rolling mill".
Examples of cambered rolls which could be used in conjunction with the present invention may be found in United States Patent Nos. 4,912,956, issued to Matricon et al., entitled "Process and apparatus for rolling a metal sheet or strip"; and 4,651,547, issued to Morel et al., entitled "Process for adjusting the thickness and profile of a flat product in the course of rollingn.
All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various embodiments may be used in any combination with at least one embodiment or all of the embodiments, if any, described herein.
The inventlon as described hereinabove in the context of the preferred embodiments is not to be taken as limited to all of the provlded details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (20)
1. A continuous strip accumulator for use with a rolling mill, said continuous strip accumulator comprising:
support means for supporting a spiral coil consisting of a plurality of convolutions of strip material with the axes of the convolutions substantially vertical;
in-feed means for feeding strip material to the outermost turn of the spiral coil;
withdrawing means for withdrawing strip material from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
said support means including radial inner and outer sections for storage of the inner and outer convolutions, respectively, of such spiral coil which inner convolutions are closer to its center of rotation than the outer convolutions;
guide means for supporting and guiding the strip material during movement of the strip material between said outer and inner sections;
said guide means including means for positively transferring such convolutions between said outer and inner sections for expansion and contraction of such convolutions;
said means for positively transferring comprising a convolution transfer annulus between said inner and outer sections;
said convolution transfer annulus being mounted for rotation and including means engageable with such strip material for transferring such convolutions from said outer section to said inner section during rotation of said annulus in one direction and for transferring such convolutions from said inner section to said outer section during rotation of said convolution transfer annulus in the opposite direction;
said convolution transfer annulus having a plurality of circumferentially spaced pairs of spaced containment rollers for defining the outer and inner boundaries, respectively, of said inner and outer sections;
said withdrawing means comprising means for guiding strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
said guiding means comprising means for turning the strip material from said innermost turn by a substantial angle from the axes of the convolutions;
said turning means comprising means for twisting the strip material from the innermost turn;
said twisting means comprising means for initiating and continuing twisting the strip material from within the innermost turn.
support means for supporting a spiral coil consisting of a plurality of convolutions of strip material with the axes of the convolutions substantially vertical;
in-feed means for feeding strip material to the outermost turn of the spiral coil;
withdrawing means for withdrawing strip material from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
said support means including radial inner and outer sections for storage of the inner and outer convolutions, respectively, of such spiral coil which inner convolutions are closer to its center of rotation than the outer convolutions;
guide means for supporting and guiding the strip material during movement of the strip material between said outer and inner sections;
said guide means including means for positively transferring such convolutions between said outer and inner sections for expansion and contraction of such convolutions;
said means for positively transferring comprising a convolution transfer annulus between said inner and outer sections;
said convolution transfer annulus being mounted for rotation and including means engageable with such strip material for transferring such convolutions from said outer section to said inner section during rotation of said annulus in one direction and for transferring such convolutions from said inner section to said outer section during rotation of said convolution transfer annulus in the opposite direction;
said convolution transfer annulus having a plurality of circumferentially spaced pairs of spaced containment rollers for defining the outer and inner boundaries, respectively, of said inner and outer sections;
said withdrawing means comprising means for guiding strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
said guiding means comprising means for turning the strip material from said innermost turn by a substantial angle from the axes of the convolutions;
said turning means comprising means for twisting the strip material from the innermost turn;
said twisting means comprising means for initiating and continuing twisting the strip material from within the innermost turn.
2. The continuous strip accumulator according to Claim 1, wherein said initiating means comprises at least one guide roller inclined at at least one non-zero angle to the axes of the convolutions.
3. The continuous strip accumulator according to Claim 2, wherein said at least one guide roller comprises a plurality of guide rollers.
4. The continuous strip accumulator according to Claim 3, wherein:
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed for guiding the strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil in a substantially helical path;
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed along the substantially helical path;
a first guide roller is inclined at a first inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
a second guide roller is inclined at a second inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
said first guide roller is disposed between the innermost turn of the spiral coil and the second guide roller along the substantially helical path;
said second inclination angle is greater than said first inclination angle.
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed for guiding the strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil in a substantially helical path;
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed along the substantially helical path;
a first guide roller is inclined at a first inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
a second guide roller is inclined at a second inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
said first guide roller is disposed between the innermost turn of the spiral coil and the second guide roller along the substantially helical path;
said second inclination angle is greater than said first inclination angle.
5. The continuous strip accumulator according to Claim 4, wherein:
said guide rollers comprise pairs of guide rollers;
each pair of guide rollers being disposed for one of each pair of guide rollers to contact the inner surface of the strip material and the other of each pair of guide rollers to contact the outer surface of the strip material;
some of said guide rollers comprise at least one roller cage.
said guide rollers comprise pairs of guide rollers;
each pair of guide rollers being disposed for one of each pair of guide rollers to contact the inner surface of the strip material and the other of each pair of guide rollers to contact the outer surface of the strip material;
some of said guide rollers comprise at least one roller cage.
6. The continuous #trip accumulator according to Claim 5, wherein said guiding means comprises means for turning the strip material from the innermost turn by about 90° within about 1 meter outside the outer convolutions.
7. The continuous strip accumulator according to Claim 6, wherein:
said guiding means further comprises exit pinch rolls, said exit pinch rolls defining an end of the innermost turn and an end of the substantially helical path;
said withdrawing means comprises a helical feed-out mechanism;
the strip material is turned at said substantial angle from the axes of the convolutions at said helical feed-out mechanism;
said in-feed means comprises entry pinch rolls;
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed at substantially equal intervals along the substantially helical path between said exit pinch rolls and said helical feed-out mechanism;
said first guide roller is adjacent along the substantially helical path to said second guide roller;
said second guide roller is adjacent along the substantially helical path to a third guide roller;
said third guide roller is inclined at a third inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
the difference between said first inclination angle and said second inclination angle is substantially equal to the difference between said second inclination angle and said third inclination angle;
said substantially helical path extends substantially less than 360°.
said guiding means further comprises exit pinch rolls, said exit pinch rolls defining an end of the innermost turn and an end of the substantially helical path;
said withdrawing means comprises a helical feed-out mechanism;
the strip material is turned at said substantial angle from the axes of the convolutions at said helical feed-out mechanism;
said in-feed means comprises entry pinch rolls;
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed at substantially equal intervals along the substantially helical path between said exit pinch rolls and said helical feed-out mechanism;
said first guide roller is adjacent along the substantially helical path to said second guide roller;
said second guide roller is adjacent along the substantially helical path to a third guide roller;
said third guide roller is inclined at a third inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
the difference between said first inclination angle and said second inclination angle is substantially equal to the difference between said second inclination angle and said third inclination angle;
said substantially helical path extends substantially less than 360°.
8. A continuous strip accumulator for use with a rolling mill, said continuous strip accumulator comprising:
support means for supporting a spiral coil consisting of a plurality of convolutions of strip material with the axes of the convolutions substantially vertical;
in-feed means for feeding strip material to the outermost turn of the spiral coil;
withdrawing means for withdrawing strip material from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
means for guiding strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
said guiding means comprising means for turning the strip material from said innermost turn by a substantial angle from the axes of the convolutions;
said turning means comprising means for twisting the strip material from the innermost turn; and said twisting means comprising means for initiating and continuing twisting the strip material from within the innermost turn.
support means for supporting a spiral coil consisting of a plurality of convolutions of strip material with the axes of the convolutions substantially vertical;
in-feed means for feeding strip material to the outermost turn of the spiral coil;
withdrawing means for withdrawing strip material from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
means for guiding strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
said guiding means comprising means for turning the strip material from said innermost turn by a substantial angle from the axes of the convolutions;
said turning means comprising means for twisting the strip material from the innermost turn; and said twisting means comprising means for initiating and continuing twisting the strip material from within the innermost turn.
9. The continuous strip accumulator according to Claim 8, wherein said initiating means comprises at least one guide roller inclined at at least one non-zero angle to the axes of ? ?
the convolutions.
the convolutions.
10. The continuous strip accumulator according to Claim 9, wherein said at least one guide roller comprises a plurality of guide rollers.
11. The continuous strip accumulator according to Claim 10, wherein:
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed for guiding the strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil in a substantially helical path;
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed along the substantially helical path;
a first guide roller is inclined at a first inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
a second guide roller is inclined at a second inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
said first guide roller is disposed between the innermost turn of the spiral coil and the second guide roller along the substantially helical path;
said second inclination angle is greater than said first inclination angle.
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed for guiding the strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil in a substantially helical path;
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed along the substantially helical path;
a first guide roller is inclined at a first inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
a second guide roller is inclined at a second inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
said first guide roller is disposed between the innermost turn of the spiral coil and the second guide roller along the substantially helical path;
said second inclination angle is greater than said first inclination angle.
12. The continuous strip accumulator according to Claim 11, wherein:
said guide rollers comprise pairs of guide rollers;
each pair of guide rollers being disposed for one of each pair of guide rollers to contact the inner surface of the strip material and the other of each pair of guide rollers to contact the outer surface of the strip material;
some of said guide rollers comprise at least one roller cage.
said guide rollers comprise pairs of guide rollers;
each pair of guide rollers being disposed for one of each pair of guide rollers to contact the inner surface of the strip material and the other of each pair of guide rollers to contact the outer surface of the strip material;
some of said guide rollers comprise at least one roller cage.
13. The continuous strip accumulator according to Claim 12, wherein said guiding means comprises means for turning the strip material from the innermost turn by about 90° within about 1 meter outside the convolutions.
14. The continuous strip accumulator according to Claim 13, wherein:
said guiding means further comprises exit pinch rolls, said exit pinch rolls defining an end of the innermost turn and an end of the substantially helical path;
said withdrawing means comprises a helical feed-out mechanism;
the strip material is turned at said substantial angle from the axes of the convolutions at said helical feed-out mechanism;
said in-feed means comprises entry pinch rolls;
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed at substantially equal intervals along the substantially helical path between said exit pinch rolls and said helical feed-out mechanism;
said first guide roller is adjacent along the substantially helical path to said second guide roller;
said second guide roller is adjacent along the substantially helical path to a third guide roller;
said third guide roller is inclined at a third inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
the difference between said first inclination angle and said second inclination angle is substantially equal to the difference between said second inclination angle and said third inclination angle;
said substantially helical path extends substantially less than 360°.
said guiding means further comprises exit pinch rolls, said exit pinch rolls defining an end of the innermost turn and an end of the substantially helical path;
said withdrawing means comprises a helical feed-out mechanism;
the strip material is turned at said substantial angle from the axes of the convolutions at said helical feed-out mechanism;
said in-feed means comprises entry pinch rolls;
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed at substantially equal intervals along the substantially helical path between said exit pinch rolls and said helical feed-out mechanism;
said first guide roller is adjacent along the substantially helical path to said second guide roller;
said second guide roller is adjacent along the substantially helical path to a third guide roller;
said third guide roller is inclined at a third inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
the difference between said first inclination angle and said second inclination angle is substantially equal to the difference between said second inclination angle and said third inclination angle;
said substantially helical path extends substantially less than 360°.
15. A method for accumulating continuous strip in a rolling mill, said method comprising the steps of:
providing support means for supporting a spiral coil consisting of a plurality of convolutions of strip material with the axes of the convolutions substantially vertical;
? ? ?
providing in-feed means for feeding strip material to the outermost turn of the spiral coil;
providing withdrawing means for withdrawing strip material from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
providing means for guiding strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
configuring the guiding means to comprise means for turning the strip material from the innermost turn by a substantial angle from the axes of the convolutions;
configuring the turning means to comprise means for twisting the strip material from the innermost turn;
configuring the twisting means to comprise means for initiating and continuing twisting the strip material from within the innermost turn;
supporting the spiral coil;
feeding strip material to the outermost turn of the spiral coil;
withdrawing strip material from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
guiding strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
turning the strip material from the innermost turn by a substantial angle from the axes of the convolutions;
said step of turning comprising twisting the strip material from the innermost turn; and said step of twisting comprising initiating and continuing twisting the strip material from within the innermost turn.
providing support means for supporting a spiral coil consisting of a plurality of convolutions of strip material with the axes of the convolutions substantially vertical;
? ? ?
providing in-feed means for feeding strip material to the outermost turn of the spiral coil;
providing withdrawing means for withdrawing strip material from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
providing means for guiding strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
configuring the guiding means to comprise means for turning the strip material from the innermost turn by a substantial angle from the axes of the convolutions;
configuring the turning means to comprise means for twisting the strip material from the innermost turn;
configuring the twisting means to comprise means for initiating and continuing twisting the strip material from within the innermost turn;
supporting the spiral coil;
feeding strip material to the outermost turn of the spiral coil;
withdrawing strip material from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
guiding strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil;
turning the strip material from the innermost turn by a substantial angle from the axes of the convolutions;
said step of turning comprising twisting the strip material from the innermost turn; and said step of twisting comprising initiating and continuing twisting the strip material from within the innermost turn.
16. The method according to Claim 15, further comprising:
configuring the initiating means to comprise at least one guide roller inclined at at least one non-zero angle to the axes of the convolutions.
configuring the initiating means to comprise at least one guide roller inclined at at least one non-zero angle to the axes of the convolutions.
17. The method according to Claim 16, wherein said at least one guide roller comprise a plurality of guide rollers.
18. The method according to Claim 17, wherein:
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed for guiding the strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil in a substantially helical path;
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed along the substantially helical path;
a first guide roller is inclined at a first inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
a second guide roller is inclined at a second inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
said first guide roller is disposed between the innermost turn of the spiral coil and the second guide roller along the substantially helical path;
said second inclination angle is greater than said first inclination angle.
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed for guiding the strip material away from the innermost turn of the spiral coil in a substantially helical path;
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed along the substantially helical path;
a first guide roller is inclined at a first inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
a second guide roller is inclined at a second inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
said first guide roller is disposed between the innermost turn of the spiral coil and the second guide roller along the substantially helical path;
said second inclination angle is greater than said first inclination angle.
19. The method according to Claim 18, wherein:
said guide rollers comprise pairs of guide rollers;
each pair of guide rollers being disposed for one of each pair of guide rollers to contact the inner surface of the strip material and the other of each pair of guide rollers to contact the outer surface of the strip material;
some of said guide rollers comprise at least one roller cage.
said guide rollers comprise pairs of guide rollers;
each pair of guide rollers being disposed for one of each pair of guide rollers to contact the inner surface of the strip material and the other of each pair of guide rollers to contact the outer surface of the strip material;
some of said guide rollers comprise at least one roller cage.
20. The method according to Claim 19, wherein:
said guiding means comprises means for turning the strip material from the innermost turn by about 90° within about 1 meter outside the convolutions;
said guiding means further comprises exit pinch rolls, said exit pinch rolls defining an end of the innermost turn and an end of the substantially helical path;
said withdrawing means comprises a helical feed-out ? ? ?
mechanism;
the strip material is turned at said substantial angle from the axes of the convolutions at said helical feed-out mechanism;
said in-feed means comprises entry pinch rolls;
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed at substantially equal intervals along the substantially helical path between said exit pinch rolls and said helical feed-out mechanism;
said first guide roller is adjacent along the substantially helical path to said second guide roller;
said second guide roller is adjacent along the substantially helical path to a third guide roller;
said third guide roller is inclined at a third inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
the difference between said first inclination angle and said second inclination angle is substantially equal to the difference between said second inclination angle and said third inclination angle;
said substantially helical path extends substantially less than 360°.
said guiding means comprises means for turning the strip material from the innermost turn by about 90° within about 1 meter outside the convolutions;
said guiding means further comprises exit pinch rolls, said exit pinch rolls defining an end of the innermost turn and an end of the substantially helical path;
said withdrawing means comprises a helical feed-out ? ? ?
mechanism;
the strip material is turned at said substantial angle from the axes of the convolutions at said helical feed-out mechanism;
said in-feed means comprises entry pinch rolls;
said plurality of guide rollers are disposed at substantially equal intervals along the substantially helical path between said exit pinch rolls and said helical feed-out mechanism;
said first guide roller is adjacent along the substantially helical path to said second guide roller;
said second guide roller is adjacent along the substantially helical path to a third guide roller;
said third guide roller is inclined at a third inclination angle to the axes of the convolutions;
the difference between said first inclination angle and said second inclination angle is substantially equal to the difference between said second inclination angle and said third inclination angle;
said substantially helical path extends substantially less than 360°.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE4212049A DE4212049C2 (en) | 1992-04-07 | 1992-04-07 | Process for the temporary storage of flexible metal strip |
| DEP4212049.7 | 1992-04-07 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2093487A1 true CA2093487A1 (en) | 1993-10-08 |
Family
ID=6456526
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002093487A Abandoned CA2093487A1 (en) | 1992-04-07 | 1993-04-06 | Process and apparatus for the temporary storage of flexible metal strip |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH067844A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2093487A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE4212049C2 (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1272151B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN114210762A (en) * | 2021-12-16 | 2022-03-22 | 北京北科佳泰科技有限公司 | Method for detecting sleeving amount of spiral loop sleeving device |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19917788A1 (en) * | 1999-04-20 | 2000-10-26 | Smb Schwede Maschinenbau Gmbh | Intermediate storage appliance for to and fro moving belt, has feeder, storage drum. sprung ring, take-down appliance, feeder duct and deflector |
| DE10030606A1 (en) * | 2000-06-21 | 2002-01-03 | Sms Demag Ag | Strip storage for metal strips, in particular spiral strip storage for thicker steel strips |
| DE10323694A1 (en) | 2003-05-22 | 2005-01-27 | Muhr Und Bender Kg | Method for producing pipes and profiles |
| EP2669022A1 (en) * | 2012-05-29 | 2013-12-04 | Passat Stal S.A. | Method for producing longitudinally welded tubes |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2280450A1 (en) * | 1974-08-02 | 1976-02-27 | Comec Const Meca Creil | SPIRAL ACCUMULATOR FOR FLEXIBLE METAL BAND |
| DE2532901C2 (en) * | 1975-07-23 | 1981-09-17 | Estel Hoesch Werke Ag, 4600 Dortmund | Pipe welding system |
-
1992
- 1992-04-07 DE DE4212049A patent/DE4212049C2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1993
- 1993-03-26 IT ITMI930584A patent/IT1272151B/en active IP Right Grant
- 1993-04-06 CA CA002093487A patent/CA2093487A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-04-06 JP JP5103597A patent/JPH067844A/en active Pending
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN114210762A (en) * | 2021-12-16 | 2022-03-22 | 北京北科佳泰科技有限公司 | Method for detecting sleeving amount of spiral loop sleeving device |
| CN114210762B (en) * | 2021-12-16 | 2023-10-27 | 北京北科佳泰科技有限公司 | Method for detecting sleeve amount of spiral loop sleeve amount device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE4212049C2 (en) | 1996-04-25 |
| ITMI930584A1 (en) | 1994-09-26 |
| JPH067844A (en) | 1994-01-18 |
| DE4212049A1 (en) | 1993-10-14 |
| ITMI930584A0 (en) | 1993-03-26 |
| IT1272151B (en) | 1997-06-11 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |