EP3743223A1 - Rolling mill with cooling or lubricating device - Google Patents

Rolling mill with cooling or lubricating device

Info

Publication number
EP3743223A1
EP3743223A1 EP19710005.0A EP19710005A EP3743223A1 EP 3743223 A1 EP3743223 A1 EP 3743223A1 EP 19710005 A EP19710005 A EP 19710005A EP 3743223 A1 EP3743223 A1 EP 3743223A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
support
actuator
hollow connector
rolling mill
cage
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP19710005.0A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3743223B1 (en
Inventor
Conrad ERNST DE LA GRAETE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fives DMS SA
Original Assignee
Fives DMS SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fives DMS SA filed Critical Fives DMS SA
Publication of EP3743223A1 publication Critical patent/EP3743223A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3743223B1 publication Critical patent/EP3743223B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21B—ROLLING OF METAL
    • B21B13/00—Metal-rolling stands, i.e. an assembly composed of a stand frame, rolls, and accessories
    • B21B13/14—Metal-rolling stands, i.e. an assembly composed of a stand frame, rolls, and accessories having counter-pressure devices acting on rolls to inhibit deflection of same under load; Back-up rolls
    • B21B13/147—Cluster mills, e.g. Sendzimir mills, Rohn mills, i.e. each work roll being supported by two rolls only arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane passing through the working rolls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21B—ROLLING OF METAL
    • B21B45/00—Devices for surface or other treatment of work, specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, metal-rolling mills
    • B21B45/02—Devices for surface or other treatment of work, specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, metal-rolling mills for lubricating, cooling, or cleaning
    • B21B45/0239—Lubricating
    • B21B45/0245—Lubricating devices
    • B21B45/0248—Lubricating devices using liquid lubricants, e.g. for sections, for tubes
    • B21B45/0251—Lubricating devices using liquid lubricants, e.g. for sections, for tubes for strips, sheets, or plates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21B—ROLLING OF METAL
    • B21B13/00—Metal-rolling stands, i.e. an assembly composed of a stand frame, rolls, and accessories
    • B21B13/02—Metal-rolling stands, i.e. an assembly composed of a stand frame, rolls, and accessories with axes of rolls arranged horizontally
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21B—ROLLING OF METAL
    • B21B13/00—Metal-rolling stands, i.e. an assembly composed of a stand frame, rolls, and accessories
    • B21B13/14—Metal-rolling stands, i.e. an assembly composed of a stand frame, rolls, and accessories having counter-pressure devices acting on rolls to inhibit deflection of same under load; Back-up rolls
    • B21B13/145—Lateral support devices for rolls acting mainly in a direction parallel to the movement of the product
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21B—ROLLING OF METAL
    • B21B27/00—Rolls, roll alloys or roll fabrication; Lubricating, cooling or heating rolls while in use
    • B21B27/06—Lubricating, cooling or heating rolls
    • B21B27/10—Lubricating, cooling or heating rolls externally
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21B—ROLLING OF METAL
    • B21B45/00—Devices for surface or other treatment of work, specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, metal-rolling mills
    • B21B45/02—Devices for surface or other treatment of work, specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, metal-rolling mills for lubricating, cooling, or cleaning
    • B21B45/0203—Cooling
    • B21B45/0209—Cooling devices, e.g. using gaseous coolants
    • B21B45/0215—Cooling devices, e.g. using gaseous coolants using liquid coolants, e.g. for sections, for tubes
    • B21B45/0233—Spray nozzles, Nozzle headers; Spray systems

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a rolling mill, and more particularly relates to the appearance of the cooling and / or lubrication of the rolls of such a rolling mill.
  • the field of the invention is more particularly that of Sexto cage mills supported laterally, and in particular the rolling mills known under the name "Z High”.
  • mills find their application online, for example, in stripping annealing lines or, offline, as reversible mills, for metal strip.
  • a Quarto cage mill comprises a holding cage in which are provided four cylinders with parallel axes, namely respectively two working rolls, lower and upper, defining the gap of passage of the strip to be rolled, and two rolls of support, upper and lower, respectively bearing on the working cylinders on the opposite side to that of the gap air passage.
  • a Sexto mill comprises two additional cylinders with respect to a Quarto, namely two intermediate cylinders interposed respectively between each working roll and the corresponding support roll.
  • each support cylinder and each intermediate cylinder is rotatably mounted at its ends on chocks, by means of bearings, for example bearings or hydrostatic bearings.
  • bearings for example bearings or hydrostatic bearings.
  • These chocks are supports that can be moved in a direction parallel to the clamping plane, between the two amounts of the cage.
  • balancing cylinders allow the displacement of the chocks of the intermediate rolls. These balancing cylinders allow to change the relative position of the chocks and their cylinder, allowing among other things, to open the cage to facilitate the engagement of the product to be rolled, or to move these elements to facilitate disassembly of the cylinders. These balancing cylinders can also help to arch the intermediate cylinders.
  • Sexto cage mill An advantage of a Sexto cage mill is the ability to use smaller diameter work rolls compared to a Quarto cage, resulting in a greater reduction in the thickness of the product to be rolled. the same rolling force.
  • a Sexto mill also offers the possibility of axially shifting the two intermediate cylinders, and for the purpose of applying the rolling force only over the width of the strip to be rolled, and not over the entire length of the working rolls.
  • laterally supported In a Sexto mill called “laterally supported”, often, the working rolls are not mounted on chocks, but instead provided floating. It is then necessary to maintain their axial position, by means of axial stops, but also to maintain their lateral position by means of lateral support members, such as rollers or lateral support rollers arranged on either side. else of the clamping plane.
  • Each working roll is supported laterally, on both sides of the working roll, by two pairs of rollers.
  • the rollers of the same pair are provided at the two ends of each work roll, at the ends of the cylinder which are not in contact with the strip to be rolled.
  • the rollers are pivotally mounted on forks movable in translation relative to the amount of the cage, under the action of hydraulic cylinders.
  • nozzles on the support portion of the rollers, movable relative to the amount of the cage.
  • hoses are used to supply the nozzles with cooling and / or lubrication products, the hoses making it possible to take account of displacements between the mobile support part and the amounts of the cage.
  • These nozzles allow the lubrication and cooling of the rollers and the working roll, at the level of the support zone of the rollers.
  • No. 4,531,394 discloses another rolling mill design of the Sexto type supported laterally.
  • Such a mill always comprises two working rolls, two support rolls and two intermediate rolls interposed respectively between one of the work rolls and the corresponding support roll.
  • the support cylinders and the intermediate cylinders are mounted at their ends on chocks, while the working rolls are provided floating.
  • Each working roll is supported laterally, on each side of the work roll, by a lateral support roll, itself bearing on two sets of rollers arranged along the length of the roll.
  • each work roll the two corresponding lateral support rollers are integral with the two chocks of said intermediate roll.
  • Each lateral support cylinder and its support rollers are mounted on a support arm which extends between the two chocks of the intermediate cylinder, each support arm being pivotally mounted around a shaft whose ends are integral with the chocks. .
  • Each force distribution beam extend rigidly between the two uprights of the cage, respectively, vis-à-vis each support arm.
  • Each force distribution beam supports a beam, said preload, movable in translation relative to the corresponding force distribution beam, movable towards the interior of the cage in a substantially horizontal direction.
  • Precharge cylinders make it possible to constrain the movable beam in contact with the pivoting support arm in order to precharge the lateral support cylinder on the working cylinder.
  • the cooling and lubrication of the working roll and the intermediate roll are performed by means of nozzles, respectively marked 73 and 72 in FIG. 2 of US 4,531,394, physically remote from the working roll, located outside G “insert” or “cassette".
  • these nozzles are secured to the force distribution beam or to the mobile precharge beam. So that the jet can reach the intermediate cylinder, the nozzles, marked 72 are opposite bores through the support arms. In practice and to the knowledge of the inventors, this solution of watering through bores of the support arms would not seem to be retained in the rolling mills implemented industrially.
  • the spray nozzles, identified 73 are unable to properly cool the working roller because they are located too far from it, their jets coming too quickly in interference with the lateral support arms, rollers and rollers. side supports and therefore unable to trace the scroll of the band.
  • the marked nozzles 72 are unable to properly lubricate the contact between the working roller and the intermediate cylinder because they are located too far from it. In use, such insert mills have a limited life for the work roll, due to poor cooling.
  • No. 6,441,636 discloses another design of a laterally supported sexto type mill with "insert” or "cassette".
  • the intermediate cylinder assembly, chocks of the intermediate cylinder, support arm, (right and left), rollers and lateral bearing cylinders, right and left form a self-supporting assembly that can be introduced into the cage or removed from the cage during maintenance, by sliding the assembly in the direction of the cylinders.
  • the chocks of the intermediate rolls are mounted on bending blocks.
  • the cylinders of the bending blocks allow, during operation, to bring the intermediate cylinders, in a working position illustrated in Figure 5 of this document, or to move the intermediate cylinders to a position, illustrated in FIG. 4, allowing the withdrawal of the inserts by sliding.
  • These cylinders can also, in operation to arch the intermediate cylinder.
  • Connecting / disconnecting devices allow, in the working position of the cylinders, to connect the lubricant source to lubrication bores provided in the chocks, and to automatically disconnect the bores when the intermediate cylinders and their chocks are spaced vertically by the bending blocks.
  • This automatic connection / disconnection is advantageous. No additional operation to connect / disconnect the lubricant source is required during maintenance, especially when the inserts are to be removed or inserted into the cage.
  • each connection device comprises an element, identified 57 called “plunger”, hollow, intended to drive the lubricant, and which allows, in the working position of the intermediate cylinders, as illustrated in FIG. 9, to seal in a relatively tight manner the bore of the chocker by through a joint.
  • This element is movable, vertically in translation, forced towards its sealing position by means of a spring, marked 58.
  • the lubricant flows from the lubricant source through the element. mobile and up to the bore of the insert.
  • the lubricant then flows from the bore of the chock, and up to the bearings through the hollow of the shaft, identified 17, on which the support arm is pivotally mounted.
  • connection / disconnection device allows the lubrication of the bearings of the support arms.
  • this document does not address the problem of cooling the work rolls. To the inventors' knowledge, still today the cooling of the intermediate and working rolls and the lubrication of the intermediate roll / work roll contact in a reversible "insert" mill is always carried out by providing nozzles physically remote from the rolls.
  • document EP 1 721 685 discloses a sexto type mill laterally, improving the cooling of a working cylinder. This document proposes to improve the rolling mills of the state of the art "cassettes", for which there would be no place to place cooling nozzles closer to the rollers.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the object of the improvement of the prior art EP 1 721 685.
  • the rolling mill is now a unidirectional mill (non-reversible) which comprises, upstream, in the direction of travel of the web, a lateral support cylinder, as previously described, supported by a support arm. Downstream, the support arm is devoid of roller or support cylinder. This support cylinder is replaced by a pad called "support pad” which may be bronze or a graphite material self-supporting. lubricant, intended to slide on the surface of the working roller, without exerting a substantial effort on it.
  • This pad support arm has several nozzles for a coolant that can directly cool the working roller on the downstream side. Downstream, the lubricant liquid is supplied to the nozzles via the hollow shaft of the corresponding support arm. Upstream, the hollow shaft of the support arm is used to route the lubricant to the roller bearings supporting the lateral support cylinder.
  • This document teaches how to improve the cooling of work rolls. However, this improvement is to the detriment of the support of the working cylinder on one of its sides, removing a lateral support cylinder and replacing it with a pad, the mill then no longer a reversible mill.
  • Document WO 2010/086514 discloses a method and a device for watering a rolling installation. This document is more particularly concerned with the watering of the working cylinders each laterally supported by a pair of rolls, and comprising at least one pair of support rollers for transmitting a rolling force. This document is intended in particular as an improvement of the previously described document EP 1 721 685, a solution which would remain prohibited to reversible mills.
  • the nozzles are positioned on the supports of the lateral support cylinders in order to directly water the working cylinder on both sides, laterally.
  • WO 2010/086514 is not a "cassette” technology as taught by documents US Pat. No. 4,531,394, US Pat. No. 6,041,636 and EP 1 721 685 for which the intermediate cylinder assembly, chocks of intermediate cylinder, support arm, (right and left), rollers and lateral support cylinders, right and left, form a self-supporting assembly, called “insert” which can be introduced into the cage or removed from the cage during maintenance, by sliding the assembly according to the direction of the cylinders.
  • the real difficulty in improving the watering of working cylinders and intermediate cylinders in a cassette mill is not placing the nozzles in the cassette, but to know how to supply lubricating fluid / cooling, and without increasing the maintenance time during removal operations or insertion of the cassette in the roll stand. For example, it is excluded to use hoses between the cassette and the roll stand to feed the nozzles, as these would need to be disassembled and reassembled during removal or insertion of the cassette, which considerably lengthen the time required for these maintenance operations.
  • the document US.6, 041, 636 discloses automatic connection devices allowing, in the working position of the rolls, to connect the lubricant source to the lubrication bores provided in the chocks, and to automatically disconnect the bores when the intermediate cylinders are spaced vertically by the bending blocks.
  • a device can be used only to supply lubricant, or only the roller bearings of the lateral support cylinder of a support arm, or only to supply fluid to the nozzles of a support arm. This is why the nozzle support arm does not have a lateral support cylinder in the document
  • connection device in this anteriority is connected to the chocks which requires to route the fluid along a complex path through the hollow shaft and to the lower end of the support arm. This fluid path, complex, from the chock to the support arm, through the hollow shaft generates losses, limiting flow rates.
  • the lubrication of the working roll is thus obtained, indirectly, by the fact that the intermediate roll has been wet and that this roll carries this lubrication during its rotation by half a turn, to the work roll. .
  • this lubrication is insufficient, in particular for the cylinders placed under the band.
  • the centrifugal force at the circumference of the intermediate roll tends to wring the roll so that little cooling fluid reaches the work roll.
  • a holding cage comprising two pairs of amounts spaced apart at the two ends of the cage, at least two posts of the same pair defining an access window
  • each lateral support roll being carried by a support arm, pivotally mounted on an axis,
  • stress distribution beams extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means for applying a preload force on each support arm intended to engage with one of the support arms at the level of a bearing surface, and comprising at least one preload jack integral with one of the force distribution beams,
  • Each support arm of a lateral support cylinder is pivotally mounted on said axis, constituted by a shaft integral with the chocks of one of the intermediate cylinders, each intermediate cylinder, chocks of the intermediate cylinder, lateral bearing cylinders and corresponding support arms forming a self-supporting assembly, called insert (or "cassette”), which can be removed or slidably introduced through the access window during maintenance, in the open position of the cage.
  • the hollow of the shaft may possibly be used, as in the state of the art (see US Pat. No. 6,041,636) for channeling a fluid intended to lubricate the roller bearings (marked 52 in FIG. 1) supporting laterally the lateral support cylinder. .
  • the fluid supply circuit of said at least one nozzle comprises a marked device 13 of connection / disconnection having:
  • conduit of the support arm intended to channel the fluid, having a feed opening opening on the bearing surface of the support arm intended to engage the means for applying a precharge force
  • this hollow part is configured to make a tight connection with the supply opening on the bearing surface in a first connection position, or on the contrary, to retract into a second position of disconnection, away from the support surface.
  • the cooling fluid can be channeled from the source to the said at least one marked nozzle 12 (illustrated) or to the said at least one marked nozzle. 12 '(not shown), via said connection / disconnection device.
  • the means for applying a precharge force are retracted, in the retracted position, said hollow portion being at a distance from the support arm.
  • This position makes it possible, in particular when the design of the rolling mill is of the insert (or cassette) type, to be able to remove or insert the insert, without requiring additional maintenance time to disconnect / connect the source of fluid.
  • connection / disconnection device Another advantage of such a connection / disconnection device is that it connects directly to the support arm, and not to the chocks of the intermediate cylinder as taught in the state of the art known from US.6, 041, 636 .
  • the fluid does not need to pass through the hollow shaft on which the support arm is pivotally mounted. It is then possible to substantially limit the pressure drops, and thus to obtain fluid flow rates much higher than those obtained in this state of the art, and thus to substantially improve the cooling of the work rolls.
  • the solution of the document WO 2015/011373 is advantageous in that the cooling / lubrication system does not complicate the maintenance operations of the rolling mill, and in particular the removal of the inserts (or cassettes) of a Sexto mill supported laterally, thanks to its connection / disconnection device while allowing large fluid flows required to ensure optimal cooling performance in that the fluid can be channeled from the hollow portion to the pipe of the support arm, and without passing through the hollow of the tree.
  • such a design according to document WO 2015/011373 can be further improved in that it nevertheless has certain drawbacks:
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a rolling mill to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by providing such a rolling mill whose cooling / lubrication system of the strip or rolls does not complicate the mill maintenance operations, and in particular the withdrawal lateral support cylinders, while allowing large fluid flow rates and which can easily be implemented on an existing mill to improve the cooling of the strip and / or cylinders.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a rolling mill which allows efficient cooling of the working rolls, even when the working roll or the intermediate roll, are small diameters.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a rolling mill which allows efficient cooling of the working rolls, even when the mill is made to operate at high speed.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for obtaining a rolling mill according to the invention from an existing mill.
  • the invention relates to a rolling mill comprising:
  • a holding cage comprising two pairs of amounts spaced apart at the two ends of the cage, at least two posts of the same pair defining an access window
  • each lateral support roll being carried by a support arm, pivotally mounted on an axis,
  • stress distribution beams extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means for applying a pre-load force on each support arm intended to engage with one of the support arms at the level of a bearing surface, and comprising at least one preload jack integral with one of the force distribution beams,
  • one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating / cooling fluid and wherein at least one of the nozzles is on one of the support arms and wherein the fluid supply circuit of said at least one nozzle comprises a device connection / disconnection device comprising:
  • conduit of the support arm intended to channel the fluid, having a feed opening opening onto the outer surface of the support arm situated on the side of the means for applying a precharge force
  • a hollow connector movable relative to the holding cage, movable under the action of an actuator adapted to make a tight connection with the supply opening on the outer surface in a first connection position, or on the contrary retract into a second disconnection position, away from the outer surface.
  • said actuator is an actuator separate from the jack of said means for applying a precharge force.
  • connection end of the hollow connector and the seat around the feed opening for receiving said support end comprise complementary reliefs, mutually interlocking, preventing any relative sliding between the connection end of the hollow connector and the seat, in said first connection position;
  • the hollow connector is provided floating relative to the frame of the cage, capable of accompanying the movements of the support arm during rolling operations in the first connection position, said hollow connector being configured to be articulated with respect to the cage of the rolling mill to allow the connection end of the hollow connector to follow the movements of the support arm;
  • the hollow connector is a rigid body forming a pipe having a longitudinal end, free to be connected or disconnected to the feed opening of the support arm, the other longitudinal end being secured to the actuator;
  • said actuator is a jack whose cylinder body is fixed to a fixed part of a cage, and the rod of the jack is integral with said other end of the hollow part, via a hinge;
  • the hollow connector comprises at the end of connection a ball joint system, including a first tubular piece and a second tubular piece having hemispherical contact surfaces, the first piece rigidly integral with the hollow connector body, the second piece, free from orient relative to the body of the hollow connector;
  • the rolling mill comprises means for adjusting the horizontal position of each force distribution beam, such as a screw / nut actuator, suitable for moving the distribution beam closer to or away from a supporting arm opposite said distribution beam being of adjustable position relative to a fixed beam secured by its ends to two of the uprights at both ends of the cage, and wherein said actuator is fixed to the fixed beam, connecting the fixed beam and the hollow connector,
  • a screw / nut actuator suitable for moving the distribution beam closer to or away from a supporting arm opposite said distribution beam being of adjustable position relative to a fixed beam secured by its ends to two of the uprights at both ends of the cage
  • each lateral support cylinder is supported by support rollers, the support rollers being mounted on the axes of the support arms by means of bearings, and in which the support arm comprises a lubricant supply circuit; for bearings, separate from the supply circuit of said at least one nozzle;
  • the lubricant supply circuit for the bearings comprises the shaft on which is pivotally mounted the support arm, said shaft being hollow ..
  • each support arm of a lateral support cylinder is pivotally mounted on said axis, constituted by a shaft secured to the chocks of one of the intermediate cylinders, each intermediate cylinder, chocks of the intermediate cylinder, cylinders d lateral support and corresponding support arms forming a self-supporting assembly, called an insert,
  • said rolling mill comprising a lower insert and an upper insert, said inserts being removable or slidably introduced through the access window during maintenance into an open position of the holding cage for which the upper and lower inserts are spaced apart from the rolling plane, the upper and lower inserts being able to move to a working position in a cage closing position and in which the connecting device is configured so that the passage of the second disconnection position to the first connection position, is obtained under the action of the deployment of G actuator in the open position of the cage, in the spaced apart position of the lower and upper inserts, and wherein said hollow connector, or said actuator of the connection device are articulated and configured so that said hollow connector or said actuator accompany the movement of bra s support to which said hollow connector is connected, from the open position of the cage to the closed position of the cage, said hollow connector then passing from a position spaced from the force distribution beam to a close position of the force distribution beam.
  • said actuator is said first actuator configured to deploy or retract said hollow connector to ensure the passage of the second disconnection position to the first connection position, or vice versa, in the open position of the holding cage and wherein a second actuator, independent of the first actuator (or a spring means) cooperates with said hollow connector and is configured to constrain said hollow connector in the first position away from the force distribution beam when said connector hollow is in said second disconnection position.
  • the second actuator can be fixed on a support integral with the force repair beam.
  • the invention also relates to a method for obtaining a rolling mill according to the invention from an existing rolling mill comprising:
  • a holding cage comprising two pairs of amounts spaced apart at the two ends of the cage, at least two posts of the same pair defining an access window
  • each lateral support roll being carried by a support arm, pivotally mounted on an axis,
  • stress distribution beams extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means for applying a pre-load force on each support arm intended to engage with one of the support arms at the level of a bearing surface, and comprising at least one preload jack integral with one of the force distribution beams,
  • connection / disconnection device is added to the existing rolling mill by carrying out the following steps;
  • all or some of the existing support arms of the rolling mill are replaced by arms embarking said at least one of the nozzles, and comprising the pipe presenting a feed opening (opening on the outer surface is embedded on one of the support arms,
  • the hollow connector is added, movable relative to the holding cage and the actuator, if necessary first actuator for the displacement of the hollow connector, adapted to make a tight connection with the feed opening on the surface external in the first connection position, or on the contrary retract into the second disconnection position, away from the outer surface, and if necessary the second actuator, independent of the first actuator cooperates with said hollow connector and is configured to constrain said hollow connector in the first position away from the force distribution beam.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective sectional view of a rolling mill according to the invention in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the rolls, illustrating the rolling mill in the open position of the cage for which the upper and lower inserts are spaced apart from the rolling plane, and in the first connection position of the hollow connector,
  • FIG. 2 is a detailed view of FIG. 1, illustrating the rolling mill in the open position of the cage for which the upper and lower inserts are spaced apart from the rolling plane, and in the first connection position of the hollow connector. the hollow connector being inclined at a position spaced from the force distribution beam,
  • FIG. 3 is a view according to FIG. 2, after closing of the roll stand for which the upper and lower inserts are brought closer to each other, the hollow connector connected to the supply opening of the accompanying arm the movement of the arm, the hollow connector then being in a position close to the force distribution beam,
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rolling mill support cage, seen from above.
  • a rolling mill 1 comprising: a holding cage 30 comprising two pairs of uprights 31 spaced apart from each other at the two ends of the cage, at least two uprights of the same pair defining an access window,
  • two working rolls 2 capable of gripping a strip to be rolled
  • two support rolls 4 and two intermediate rolls 3 the support rollers 4 and the intermediate rollers 3 being rotatably mounted at their ends on chocks
  • each lateral support roll being carried by a support arm 6, pivotally mounted on an axis 7,
  • stress distribution beams 8 extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means 9 for applying a preload force to each support arm 6, intended to engage with one of the support arms at level of a bearing surface 10, and comprising at least one preloading jack 11 secured to one of the force distribution beams 8,
  • one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating / cooling fluid are provided.
  • the working cylinders 2, the intermediate cylinders 3 and the support rollers 4 are substantially parallel axes, the axes of the cylinders 2,3,4 being contained in a clamping plane substantially perpendicular to the strip to be rolled B.
  • Both Work rolls 2 are located on either side of the strip to be rolled, their spacing defining the operating gap.
  • Each intermediate cylinder 3 is interposed between the working cylinder 2 and the corresponding support cylinder 4. The working roll rotated indirectly by rotating the intermediate roll 3.
  • the lateral support rollers 5 are preferably two in number per work roll 2 and serve to hold the work roll 2 laterally on both sides of the clamping plane. It is thus preferably a reversible mill.
  • Each lateral support cylinder 5 is mounted on a support arm 6 pivotally mounted on an axis 7.
  • each support arm 6 can be pivotally mounted on a shaft integral at its ends with the chocks of the intermediate cylinders, as shown in FIG. as taught by US 4,531,394 or US 6,041,636.
  • each intermediate cylinder 3, chocks of the intermediate cylinder, lateral support rollers 5 and corresponding support arms 6 form a self-supporting assembly, commonly called “insert” or “cassette”, which can be removed or slidably introduced at through the access window during maintenance, at least in an open position Po of the holding cage for which G upper insert Isup and the lower Iinf are spaced from each other, typically by means of Balancing cylinder of the mill.
  • the force distribution beams 8 extend between the corresponding amounts of each pair, respectively vis-à-vis each support arm 6, at least during operation.
  • the means 9 for applying a preload force on each support arm 6 are intended to engage with one of the support arms at a bearing surface 10, and comprise at least one integral preload jack 11 of one of the force distribution beams 8.
  • the position of the force distribution beam 8 can be adjusted horizontally relative to the uprights 31.
  • the rolling mill comprises means for adjusting the horizontal position of each force distribution beam, such as an actuator 81 including screw / nut, suitable for moving the distribution beam 8 closer to or away from a support arm 6 facing each other.
  • This distribution beam 8 is typically adjustable position relative to a fixed beam 18, itself secured by its ends to two of the uprights 31 at both ends of the cage.
  • the actuator 81 is interposed between the force distribution beam 8 and this fixed beam 18.
  • the synchronized screw / nut 81 actuators may be provided to bring the force distribution beam closer to the support arm 6, or on the contrary to move it away. the force distribution beam 8 of said support arm 6.
  • the working roll is generally forced to press the lateral support roll 5 upstream, in the running direction of the band B.
  • the force distribution beam 8, downstream is positioned a few millimeters from the arm support 6, downstream.
  • the means 9 for applying a preload force are then used to make up the play and ensure contact of the lateral support cylinder 5, downstream.
  • the rolling mill comprises the one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating / cooling fluid, these nozzles being in particular intended to cool / lubricate the working rolls, directly or indirectly and / or the other rolls of the rolling mill.
  • At least one of the nozzles 12 is embarked on one of the support arms 6, in particular to allow the lubrication / cooling of the working rolls and / or the intermediate rolls.
  • the fluid supply circuit of said at least one nozzle 12 comprises a connection / disconnection device 13 comprising:
  • the hollow connector 16 is able to make a tight connection with the supply opening 15 on the outer surface 10 in a first connection position P1, or on the contrary, to retract into a second disconnection position. away from the outer surface 10.
  • the cooling fluid can be channeled from the source to said at least one nozzle 12 identified via said connection / disconnection device 13.
  • G actuator 17 in the retracted position said hollow connector 16 is at a distance from the support arm 6. This position makes it possible, in particular when the design of the rolling mill is of the insert type (or cassette) to be able to remove or insert the insert, without requiring additional maintenance time to disconnect / connect the fluid source.
  • connection / disconnection device Another advantage of such a connection / disconnection device is that it connects directly to the support arm, and not to the chocks of the intermediate cylinder as taught in the state of the art known from US.6, 041, 636 To reach the nozzle 12, in an insert type mill according to the invention, the fluid does not need to pass through the hollow shaft on which the support arm is pivotally mounted. It is then possible to obtain fluid flow rates much higher than those obtained in this state of the art.
  • the hollow of the shaft may possibly be used, as in the state of the art, for channeling a fluid intended to lubricate the bearings of the rollers 52 laterally supporting the lateral support cylinder 5.
  • each lateral support cylinder 5 is supported by rollers 52, the rollers 52 being mounted on parallel axes 50, 51, of the support arm 6 by means of bearings.
  • the support arm 6 comprises a lubricant supply circuit for the bearings, distinct from the supply circuit of the at least one nozzle 12.
  • the lubricant supply circuit for the bearings may comprise the shaft on which is mounted pivoting the support arm 6, said shaft being hollow, traversed at least in part by the lubricant.
  • the nozzle supply circuit (comprising the connection / disconnection device 13) can also make it possible to convey a fluid to the roller bearings 52 in order to ensure their lubrication.
  • the supply circuit comprising the connection / disconnection device 13 may be applied to any fluid requiring transit through the support arm 6 (and other than the cylinder cooling fluid).
  • said actuator 17 is an actuator separate from the cylinder 11 of said means 9 for applying a precharge force.
  • the feed opening 15 may be provided on the outer surface 10 of the arm 6 in the immediate vicinity of the axis 7 of rotation of the arm.
  • An advantage of providing G actuator of the connection device 13 as a separate element of the precharge jack is to improve the cooling of an existing mill, advantageously without having to modify the force distribution beam, nor the means for applying a precharge force to the existing mill.
  • connection end of the hollow connector 16 and the seat around the feed opening 15 for receiving the end of the connection end may advantageously comprise complementary embossments, mutually interlocking, preventing any relative sliding between the end connection of the hollow connector 16 and the seat, in said first connection position P1, and in this case,
  • the hollow connector 16 is then preferably provided floating relative to the fixed frame of the holding cage, capable of accompanying the (slight) movements of the support arm 6 during rolling operations: for this purpose the hollow connector 16 may be a member freely articulated relative to the frame to the cage to allow the connecting end of the hollow connector 16 to follow the movements of the support arm 6.
  • the hollow connector 16 may further comprise, at the connection end, a ball joint system , including a first tubular part 20 and a second tubular part 21 having ball-shaped hemispherical contact surfaces: the first part 20 is rigidly secured to the hollow connector body 16, the second part 21 being free to orient relative to to the body under duress.
  • the second piece 21 may be dimensioned to be housed in a seat cavity for the connection end of the hollow connector, in the first position Pl of the hollow connector.
  • the hollow connector 16 may be a rigid body forming a pipe having a free longitudinal end intended to be connected or disconnected to the feed opening 15 of the support arm 6, and another longitudinal end secured to the actuator 17.
  • the actuator 17 is a jack whose body of the jack is fixed to a fixed portion of the holding cage such as the fixed beam 18.
  • the rod of the jack is secured to said other end of the connector 16, via a articulation 19, such as a pivot (axis parallel to the working rolls), allowing the free inclination of the hollow connector 16 relative to the actuator 17.
  • each support arm 6 of a lateral support cylinder 5 is thus pivotally mounted on said axis 7, consisting of a shaft integral with chocks of one of the intermediate cylinders 3, each intermediate cylinder 3, chocks of the intermediate cylinder, lateral bearing cylinders 5 and corresponding support arms 6 forming a self-supporting assembly.
  • the insert is referred to as the upper Isup insert when positioned above the rolling plane, or lower insert Iinf when positioned below the rolling plane.
  • these inserts Iinf and Isup can be removed or slidably introduced through the access window during maintenance in the open position Po of the holding cage for which the Upper and lower inserts Isup, Iinf are spaced apart from the rolling plane, typically under the action of balancing cylinders.
  • the upper and lower inserts can pass to a working position in the cage closing position Pc: the axial locking of the upper and lower inserts (Isup and Iinf) with respect to the rolling mill cage is then typically obtained during the closing of the holding cage, during the movement of the lower and upper inserts from their position apart in the open position of the cage Po to their close position, namely in the closed position Pc of the roll stand, and well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the connection device is configured so that the passage of the second disconnection position to the first connection position P1 is obtained under the action of the deployment of the actuator 17 in the open position Po of the cage in the spaced apart position of the lower and upper inserts (open position shown in Figure 1 or 2).
  • the hollow connector 16, (or even said actuator 17) of the connection device are articulated and configured so that said hollow connector 16, or even said actuator 17 accompany the movement of the support arm 6 to which said hollow connector 16 is connected (according to the first connection position) from the open position Po of the rolling mill holding cage to the closed position Pc of the cage, said hollow connector 16 then passing from a spaced apart position Pe of the force distribution beam 8 (see FIG. 2) to a close position Pr of the force distribution beam 8 (see FIG. 3).
  • the hollow connector or connectors 16 associated with the upper insert Isup, or those associated with the lower insert Iinf, may be equipped with second actuators 23. These second actuators 23 are used to hold the hollow connectors 16 in their spaced apart position Pe, especially when the hollow connectors 16 are in the second disconnected position (ie not linked to the insert).
  • the actuator 17, namely the first actuator is thus configured to deploy or retract said hollow connector 16 to ensure the passage of the second disconnection position to the first connection position P1, or vice versa, in the open position Po of the holding cage, the hollow connectors 16 then in their spaced apart position Pe.
  • the second actuator 23 is an independent actuator of the first actuator 17 which cooperates with said hollow connector 16 and is configured to constrain said hollow connector 16 in the first spaced apart position Pe of the force distribution beam during the connection.
  • the second actuator 23 When the cage is closed, the second actuator 23 is in a state allowing the free movement of the hollow connector then connected to the arm of the insert, during the displacement of the insert towards its working position.
  • the second actuator 23 can be fixed on a support secured to the force distribution beam 8.
  • the (or each) second actuator 23 may be provided to accompany the movements of the hollow connector 16 associated with the upper insert Isup in order to constrain the hollow connector 16 upwards in the remote position Pe, to the against gravity.
  • the second actuator 23 can be further replaced by a spring means (leaf spring, torsion spring, air spring ..) whose restoring force forces the hollow connector 16 from the close position towards the spread position Pe.
  • the lower insert Iinf may be devoid of such a second actuator (or spring means), in that the gravity naturally constrains the hollow connector (s) 16 associated with the lower insert downwards, and therefore to his distant position Pe.
  • the supply circuit may comprise a hose (not shown) connected to a fluid inlet 24 of the hollow connector 16.
  • the fluid arrives from the source, passes through the hose to 24, then flows into the pipe 21, through the hollow connector 16, until it reaches the feed opening 15. From this opening, the fluid flows into the support arm 6 through line 14 to said at least one nozzle 12 which can be integral with the support of the rollers 52, or said at least one nozzle 12 which can be integral directly on the body of the support arm 6.
  • a plurality of nozzles 12 may be arranged along the length of the support arm 6 so as to be able to cool the working roll and / or the intermediate roll over its entire length.
  • said at least one nozzle 12 can be directed in such a way that the jet is directed directly on the strip to be rolled, and not directly on the working roll, and in such a way that the jet slides on the strip to be rolled. work roll direction 2.
  • Such orientation of the nozzles 12 advantageously allows to effectively cool the working cylinder when the working cylinder and the intermediate cylinder are small diameters and prohibit directly spraying the working cylinder.
  • This orientation of the at least one nozzle 12 makes it possible to cool the working roll, even when the jet is sprayed against the flow direction of the strip to be rolled, as shown in FIG. 2.
  • said at least one nozzle 12 may be directed so that the jet is directed on the intermediate cylinder 3, close to the contact zone Z between the working cylinder 2 and the intermediate cylinder 3, and of such in the way of the intermediate cylinder, the jet fluid reaches the working cylinder 2.
  • the invention thus makes it possible to place one or more nozzles 12 on the support arms 6, close to this zone and thus to water the intermediate cylinder 3, as close as possible to this zone, and not only at the level of the zone when the intermediate cylinder 3 is rotated at a high speed, most of the jet fluid reaches the working cylinder 2, whatever the action of the centrifugal force. .
  • Such nozzles 12 may be provided on all or part of the two support arms of the upper lateral support cylinders and on all or part of the two support arms of the lower lateral support cylinders.
  • the nozzles 12 are provided on the four support arms, a connection / disconnection device being provided between each support arm and the corresponding force distribution beam.
  • the invention makes it possible to cool / lubricate:
  • the invention also relates to a method for obtaining a rolling mill according to the invention from an existing rolling mill comprising:
  • a holding cage 30 comprising two pairs of uprights 31 spaced apart from each other at the two ends of the cage, at least two uprights of the same pair defining an access window,
  • each lateral support roll being carried by a support arm 6, pivotally mounted on an axis 7,
  • stress distribution beams 8 extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means 9 for applying a pre-load force on each support arm 6 intended to engage with one of the arms support at a bearing surface 10, and comprising at least one preloading cylinder 11 integral with one of the force distribution beams 8,
  • one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating / cooling fluid are provided.
  • connection / disconnection device 13 is added to the existing rolling mill by implementing the following steps:
  • the hollow connector 16 movable relative to the holding cage 30, and the actuator 17, if necessary the first actuator, for the displacement of the hollow connector, capable of making a tight connection with the opening of the hollow connector, are added; supply 15 on the outer surface 10 in the first connection position P1, or on the contrary retract in the second disconnection position, away from the outer surface 10, and if necessary the second actuator 23 is added, independent of the first actuator 17 cooperating with said hollow connector 16 and being configured to constrain said hollow connector 16 to the first open position Pe of the beam of stress distribution.
  • the actuator 17, in particular the first actuator can be fixed to the fixed beam 18, and the second actuator 23 to the force distribution beam 8.
  • Support Arm (Lateral Support Cylinder 5),

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Abstract

Rolling mill (1) comprising: – a stand, – two working rolls (2), two press rolls (4) and two intermediate rolls (3), – lateral support rolls (5) able to support the working rolls(2) laterally, each lateral support roll being borne by a support arm (6), mounted with the ability to pivot, – load spreading beams (8) and means (9) for applying a preload to each support arm (6), comprising at least one preload actuating cylinder (11), – one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating/cooling fluid, and in which at least one of the nozzles (12) is carried on one of the support arms (6) and in which the fluid supply circuit for the said at least one nozzle (12) comprises a device (13) for connection/disconnection with the support arm (6) with actuator (17). According to the invention, the said actuator (17) is an actuator distinct from the actuating cylinder (11) of the said means (9) of applying a preload.

Description

LAMINOIR AVEC DISPOSITIF DE REFROIDISSEMENT OU LUBRIFICATION  ROLLING MACHINE WITH COOLING OR LUBRICATION DEVICE
L’invention est relative à un laminoir, et concerne plus particulièrement l’aspect du refroidissement et/ou de la lubrification des cylindres d’un tel laminoir. The invention relates to a rolling mill, and more particularly relates to the appearance of the cooling and / or lubrication of the rolls of such a rolling mill.
Le domaine de l’invention est plus particulièrement celui des laminoirs à cage Sexto supporté latéralement, et en particulier les laminoirs connus sous l’appellation « Z High ». The field of the invention is more particularly that of Sexto cage mills supported laterally, and in particular the rolling mills known under the name "Z High".
Ces laminoirs trouvent leur application, en ligne, par exemple, dans les lignes de recuit décapage ou, hors ligne, comme laminoirs réversibles, pour bande métallique.  These mills find their application online, for example, in stripping annealing lines or, offline, as reversible mills, for metal strip.
Un laminoir à cage Quarto comprend une cage de maintien dans laquelle sont prévus quatre cylindres à axes parallèles, à savoir respectivement deux cylindres de travail, inférieur et supérieur, définissant l’entrefer de passage de la bande à laminer, ainsi que deux cylindres d’appui, supérieur et inférieur, prenant respectivement appui sur les cylindres de travail du côté opposé à celui de l’entrefer de passage. A Quarto cage mill comprises a holding cage in which are provided four cylinders with parallel axes, namely respectively two working rolls, lower and upper, defining the gap of passage of the strip to be rolled, and two rolls of support, upper and lower, respectively bearing on the working cylinders on the opposite side to that of the gap air passage.
Un laminoir Sexto comprend deux cylindres supplémentaires par rapport à un Quarto, à savoir deux cylindres intermédiaires interposés respectivement entre chaque cylindre de travail et le cylindre d’appui correspondant. A Sexto mill comprises two additional cylinders with respect to a Quarto, namely two intermediate cylinders interposed respectively between each working roll and the corresponding support roll.
Dans de tels laminoirs, chaque cylindre d’appui et chaque cylindre intermédiaire, est monté rotatif à ses extrémités sur des empoises, par l’intermédiaire de paliers, par exemple à roulements ou encore paliers hydrostatiques. Ces empoises sont des supports qui peuvent être déplacés selon une direction parallèle au plan de serrage, entre les deux montants de la cage.  In such rolling mills, each support cylinder and each intermediate cylinder, is rotatably mounted at its ends on chocks, by means of bearings, for example bearings or hydrostatic bearings. These chocks are supports that can be moved in a direction parallel to the clamping plane, between the two amounts of the cage.
Classiquement, des vérins d’équilibrage permettent le déplacement des empoises des cylindres intermédiaires. Ces vérins d’équilibrage permettent de changer la position relative des empoises et de leur cylindre, permettant entre autre, d’ouvrir la cage pour faciliter l’engagement du produit à laminer, ou encore de déplacer ces éléments pour faciliter le démontage des cylindres. Ces vérins d’équilibrage peuvent également permettre de cambrer les cylindres intermédiaires.  Conventionally, balancing cylinders allow the displacement of the chocks of the intermediate rolls. These balancing cylinders allow to change the relative position of the chocks and their cylinder, allowing among other things, to open the cage to facilitate the engagement of the product to be rolled, or to move these elements to facilitate disassembly of the cylinders. These balancing cylinders can also help to arch the intermediate cylinders.
Un avantage d’un laminoir à cage Sexto est la possibilité d’utiliser, par comparaison avec une cage Quarto, des cylindres de travail de plus petit diamètre, ce qui permet d’obtenir une réduction d’épaisseur supérieure du produit à laminer, pour une même force de laminage. Un laminoir Sexto offre par ailleurs la possibilité de décaler axialement les deux cylindres intermédiaires, et dans le but d’appliquer l’effort de laminage seulement sur la largeur de la bande à laminer, et non sur toute la longueur des cylindres de travail. An advantage of a Sexto cage mill is the ability to use smaller diameter work rolls compared to a Quarto cage, resulting in a greater reduction in the thickness of the product to be rolled. the same rolling force. A Sexto mill also offers the possibility of axially shifting the two intermediate cylinders, and for the purpose of applying the rolling force only over the width of the strip to be rolled, and not over the entire length of the working rolls.
Dans un laminoir Sexto dit « supporté latéralement », bien souvent, les cylindres de travail ne sont pas montés sur empoises, mais au contraire prévus flottants. Il est alors nécessaire de maintenir leur position axiale, par l’intermédiaire de butées axiales, mais également de maintenir leur position latérale au moyen d’organes d’appui latéraux, tels que des galets ou des rouleaux d’appui latéraux disposés de part et d’autre du plan de serrage.  In a Sexto mill called "laterally supported", often, the working rolls are not mounted on chocks, but instead provided floating. It is then necessary to maintain their axial position, by means of axial stops, but also to maintain their lateral position by means of lateral support members, such as rollers or lateral support rollers arranged on either side. else of the clamping plane.
On connaît, par exemple, du document EP O 121 811, en particulier du mode de réalisation de la figure 2, un tel laminoir du type Sexto qui comprend deux cylindres de travail, deux cylindres d’appui et deux cylindres intermédiaires, intercalés respectivement entre l’un des cylindres de travail et le cylindre d’appui correspondant. Dans ce document, les cylindres de travail, les cylindres intermédiaires et les cylindres d’appui sont tous montés sur empoises.  It is known, for example, from EP 0 121 811, in particular from the embodiment of FIG. 2, such a Sexto type mill which comprises two work rolls, two support rolls and two intermediate rolls interposed respectively between one of the working cylinders and the corresponding support cylinder. In this document, the work rolls, the intermediate rolls and the support rollers are all mounted on chocks.
Chaque cylindre de travail est supporté latéralement, de part et d’autre du cylindre de travail, par deux paires de galets. Les galets d’une même paire sont prévus au niveau des deux extrémités de chaque cylindre de travail, au niveau des extrémités du cylindre qui ne sont pas en contact avec la bande à laminer. Les galets sont montés en pivot sur des fourches mobiles en translation par rapport au montant de la cage, sous l’action de vérins hydrauliques.  Each working roll is supported laterally, on both sides of the working roll, by two pairs of rollers. The rollers of the same pair are provided at the two ends of each work roll, at the ends of the cylinder which are not in contact with the strip to be rolled. The rollers are pivotally mounted on forks movable in translation relative to the amount of the cage, under the action of hydraulic cylinders.
A la figure 6 de ce document, il est prévu des buses embarquées sur la partie de support des galets, mobile par rapport au montant de la cage. A cet effet, on utilise des flexibles pour alimenter les buses en produits de refroidissement et/ou de lubrification, les flexibles permettant de tenir compte des déplacements entre la partie de support, mobile, et les montants de la cage. Ces buses permettent la lubrification et le refroidissement des galets et du cylindre de travail, au niveau de la zone d’appui des galets.  In Figure 6 of this document, there are provided onboard nozzles on the support portion of the rollers, movable relative to the amount of the cage. For this purpose, hoses are used to supply the nozzles with cooling and / or lubrication products, the hoses making it possible to take account of displacements between the mobile support part and the amounts of the cage. These nozzles allow the lubrication and cooling of the rollers and the working roll, at the level of the support zone of the rollers.
On connaît encore du document US 4,531,394 une autre conception de laminoir, du type Sexto supporté latéralement. Un tel laminoir comprend toujours deux cylindres de travail, deux cylindres d’appui et deux cylindres intermédiaires, intercalés respectivement entre l’un des cylindres de travail et le cylindre d’appui correspondant. Dans ce document, les cylindres d’appui et les cylindres intermédiaires sont montés à leurs extrémités sur des empoises, tandis que les cylindres de travail sont prévus flottants. Chaque cylindre de travail est supporté latéralement, de chaque côté du cylindre de travail, par un cylindre d’appui latéral, lui-même en appui sur deux séries de galets disposés sur la longueur du cylindre. No. 4,531,394 discloses another rolling mill design of the Sexto type supported laterally. Such a mill always comprises two working rolls, two support rolls and two intermediate rolls interposed respectively between one of the work rolls and the corresponding support roll. In this document, the support cylinders and the intermediate cylinders are mounted at their ends on chocks, while the working rolls are provided floating. Each working roll is supported laterally, on each side of the work roll, by a lateral support roll, itself bearing on two sets of rollers arranged along the length of the roll.
Dans cette conception de laminoir, pour chaque cylindre de travail, les deux cylindres d’appui latéraux correspondants sont solidaires des deux empoises dudit cylindre intermédiaire. Chaque cylindre d’appui latéral, ainsi que ses galets d’appui sont montés sur un bras support qui s’étend entre les deux empoises du cylindre intermédiaire, chaque bras support étant monté pivotant autour d’un arbre dont les extrémités sont solidaires des empoises.  In this rolling mill design, for each work roll, the two corresponding lateral support rollers are integral with the two chocks of said intermediate roll. Each lateral support cylinder and its support rollers are mounted on a support arm which extends between the two chocks of the intermediate cylinder, each support arm being pivotally mounted around a shaft whose ends are integral with the chocks. .
L’ensemble cylindre intermédiaire, empoises du cylindre intermédiaire, bras support, (droite et gauche), galets et cylindres d’appui latéral, droite et gauche, forme un ensemble autoportant, couramment appelé « cassette » ou encore « insert » qui peut être introduit dans la cage, ou retiré de la cage, lors de la maintenance, par coulissement de l’ensemble selon la direction des cylindres.  The intermediate cylinder assembly, chocks of the intermediate cylinder, support arm, (right and left), rollers and lateral support cylinders, right and left, form a self-supporting assembly, commonly called "cassette" or "insert" which can be introduced into the cage, or removed from the cage during maintenance, by sliding the assembly in the direction of the cylinders.
Quatre poutres de répartition d’effort s’étendent de manière rigide entre les deux montants de la cage, respectivement, en vis-à-vis de chaque bras support. Chaque poutre de répartition d’effort supporte une poutre, dite de précharge, mobile en translation par rapport à la poutre de répartition d’effort correspondante, déplaçable vers l’intérieur de la cage selon une direction sensiblement horizontale. Des vérins de précharge permettent de contraindre la poutre mobile en contact avec le bras support pivotant pour précharger le cylindre d’appui latéral sur le cylindre de travail.  Four force distribution beams extend rigidly between the two uprights of the cage, respectively, vis-à-vis each support arm. Each force distribution beam supports a beam, said preload, movable in translation relative to the corresponding force distribution beam, movable towards the interior of the cage in a substantially horizontal direction. Precharge cylinders make it possible to constrain the movable beam in contact with the pivoting support arm in order to precharge the lateral support cylinder on the working cylinder.
Dans un tel laminoir, le refroidissement et la lubrification du cylindre de travail et du cylindre intermédiaire sont effectués au moyen de buses, repérées respectivement 73 et 72 à la figure 2 du document US 4,531,394, physiquement à distance du cylindre de travail, situées en dehors de G « insert » ou de la « cassette ». Sur la figure 2, ces buses sont solidarisées à la poutre de répartition d’effort, ou encore, à la poutre de précharge mobile. Afin que le jet puisse atteindre le cylindre intermédiaire, les buses, repérées 72 sont en regard d’alésages traversant les bras support. En pratique et à la connaissance des inventeurs, cette solution d’arrosage par l’intermédiaire d’alésages des bras support ne semblerait pas être retenue dans les laminoirs mis en œuvre industriellement. Selon les constatations des inventeurs, les buses de pulvérisation, repérées 73 sont incapables de refroidir correctement le rouleau de travail car elles sont situées trop loin de celui-ci, leurs jets venant trop vite en interférence avec les bras supports latéraux, galets et rouleaux d’appuis latéraux et donc incapables de remonter le défilement de la bande. D’autre part, selon les constatations des inventeurs, les buses repérées 72 sont incapables de lubrifier correctement le contact entre le rouleau de travail et le cylindre intermédiaire car elles sont situées trop loin de celui-ci. A l’usage, de tels laminoirs à insert, présentent une durée de vie limitée pour le cylindre de travail, en raison de son mauvais refroidissement. In such a mill, the cooling and lubrication of the working roll and the intermediate roll are performed by means of nozzles, respectively marked 73 and 72 in FIG. 2 of US 4,531,394, physically remote from the working roll, located outside G "insert" or "cassette". In Figure 2, these nozzles are secured to the force distribution beam or to the mobile precharge beam. So that the jet can reach the intermediate cylinder, the nozzles, marked 72 are opposite bores through the support arms. In practice and to the knowledge of the inventors, this solution of watering through bores of the support arms would not seem to be retained in the rolling mills implemented industrially. According to the findings of the inventors, the spray nozzles, identified 73 are unable to properly cool the working roller because they are located too far from it, their jets coming too quickly in interference with the lateral support arms, rollers and rollers. side supports and therefore unable to trace the scroll of the band. On the other hand, according to the findings of the inventors, the marked nozzles 72 are unable to properly lubricate the contact between the working roller and the intermediate cylinder because they are located too far from it. In use, such insert mills have a limited life for the work roll, due to poor cooling.
On connaît encore du document US.6, 041, 636 une autre conception d’un laminoir du type sexto supporté latéralement, à « insert » ou « cassette ». Comme dans le document précédent, l’ensemble cylindre intermédiaire, empoises du cylindre intermédiaire, bras support, (droite et gauche), galets et cylindres d’appui latéral, droite et gauche, forme un ensemble autoportant qui peut être introduit dans la cage ou retiré de la cage lors de la maintenance, par coulissement de l’ensemble selon la direction des cylindres.  No. 6,441,636 discloses another design of a laterally supported sexto type mill with "insert" or "cassette". As in the previous document, the intermediate cylinder assembly, chocks of the intermediate cylinder, support arm, (right and left), rollers and lateral bearing cylinders, right and left, form a self-supporting assembly that can be introduced into the cage or removed from the cage during maintenance, by sliding the assembly in the direction of the cylinders.
Dans ce document US.6, 041, 636, les empoises des cylindres intermédiaires sont montées sur des blocs de cambrage. Les vérins des blocs de cambrage permettent, lors du fonctionnement, de rapprocher les cylindres intermédiaires, dans une position de travail illustrée à la figure 5 de ce document, ou encore d’écarter les cylindres intermédiaires jusqu’à une position, illustrée à la figure 4, permettant le retrait des inserts par coulissement. Ces vérins peuvent permettre également, en fonctionnement de cambrer le cylindre intermédiaire.  In this document US.6, 041, 636, the chocks of the intermediate rolls are mounted on bending blocks. The cylinders of the bending blocks allow, during operation, to bring the intermediate cylinders, in a working position illustrated in Figure 5 of this document, or to move the intermediate cylinders to a position, illustrated in FIG. 4, allowing the withdrawal of the inserts by sliding. These cylinders can also, in operation to arch the intermediate cylinder.
Dans ce document, il est connu d’alimenter en lubrifiant les roulements des galets des bras support de l’insert, à partir d’une source de lubrifiant. Des dispositifs de connexion/déconnexion permettent, dans la position de travail des cylindres, de connecter la source de lubrifiant à des alésages de lubrification prévus dans les empoises, et de déconnecter automatiquement les alésages lorsque les cylindres intermédiaires et leurs empoises sont écartés verticalement par les blocs de cambrage. Cette connexion/déconnexion automatique est avantageuse. Aucune opération supplémentaire pour connecter/déconnecter la source de lubrifiant n’est nécessaire lors de la maintenance, en particulier lorsque les inserts doivent être retirés ou introduits dans la cage. A cet effet, chaque dispositif de connexion comprend un élément, repéré 57 nommé « plunger », creux, destiné à conduire le lubrifiant, et qui permet, dans la position de travail des cylindres intermédiaires, telle qu’illustrée à la figure 9, de joindre de manière relativement étanche l’alésage de l’empoise par l’intermédiaire d’un joint. Cet élément est mobile, verticalement en translation, contraint vers sa position d’étanchéité au moyen d’un ressort, repéré 58. Dans la position de connexion, le lubrifiant s’écoule à partir de la source de lubrifiant au travers de l’élément mobile et jusqu’à l’alésage de l’insert. Le lubrifiant s’écoule ensuite depuis l’alésage de l’empoise, et jusqu’aux roulements par l’intermédiaire du creux de l’arbre, repéré 17, sur lequel le bras support est monté pivotant. In this document, it is known to supply the bearings of the rollers of the support arms of the insert with lubricant from a source of lubricant. Connecting / disconnecting devices allow, in the working position of the cylinders, to connect the lubricant source to lubrication bores provided in the chocks, and to automatically disconnect the bores when the intermediate cylinders and their chocks are spaced vertically by the bending blocks. This automatic connection / disconnection is advantageous. No additional operation to connect / disconnect the lubricant source is required during maintenance, especially when the inserts are to be removed or inserted into the cage. For this purpose, each connection device comprises an element, identified 57 called "plunger", hollow, intended to drive the lubricant, and which allows, in the working position of the intermediate cylinders, as illustrated in FIG. 9, to seal in a relatively tight manner the bore of the chocker by through a joint. This element is movable, vertically in translation, forced towards its sealing position by means of a spring, marked 58. In the connection position, the lubricant flows from the lubricant source through the element. mobile and up to the bore of the insert. The lubricant then flows from the bore of the chock, and up to the bearings through the hollow of the shaft, identified 17, on which the support arm is pivotally mounted.
Lorsque les cylindres intermédiaires sont écartés par les blocs de cambrage jusqu’à leur position de retrait, la course de l’élément mobile est limitée, inférieure à la course de déplacement des blocs de cambrage, permettant ainsi de garantir un inter-espace entre l’élément mobile et l’empoise, tel qu’illustré à la figure 8 du document US 6,041,636. Il est alors possible de retirer l’insert, sans frottement entre les empoises et l’élément mobile. When the intermediate rolls are moved apart by the bending blocks to their retracted position, the travel of the movable element is limited to less than the displacement stroke of the bending blocks, thus ensuring an inter-space between the bending blocks. movable element and the chock, as shown in Figure 8 of US 6,041,636. It is then possible to remove the insert, without friction between the chocks and the movable element.
Un tel dispositif de connexion/déconnexion permet la lubrification des roulements des bras supports. Toutefois ce document n’aborde pas le problème du refroidissement des cylindres de travail. A la connaissance des inventeurs, encore aujourd’hui le refroidissement des cylindres intermédiaires et de travail et la lubrification du contact cylindre intermédiaire/cylindre de travail dans un laminoir réversible à « inserts » est toujours effectué en prévoyant des buses physiquement à distance des cylindres.  Such a connection / disconnection device allows the lubrication of the bearings of the support arms. However, this document does not address the problem of cooling the work rolls. To the inventors' knowledge, still today the cooling of the intermediate and working rolls and the lubrication of the intermediate roll / work roll contact in a reversible "insert" mill is always carried out by providing nozzles physically remote from the rolls.
On connaît toutefois du document EP 1 721 685 un laminoir du type sexto latéralement, perfectionnant le refroidissement d’un cylindre de travail. Ce document se propose d’améliorer les laminoirs de l’état de la technique à « cassettes », pour lesquels il n’y aurait pas de place pour placer des buses de refroidissement au plus près des rouleaux. La figure 2 illustre l’objet du perfectionnement de l’antériorité EP 1 721 685.  However, document EP 1 721 685 discloses a sexto type mill laterally, improving the cooling of a working cylinder. This document proposes to improve the rolling mills of the state of the art "cassettes", for which there would be no place to place cooling nozzles closer to the rollers. FIG. 2 illustrates the object of the improvement of the prior art EP 1 721 685.
Le laminoir est désormais un laminoir unidirectionnel (non réversible) qui comprend, en amont, selon le sens de défilement de la bande, un cylindre d’appui latéral, tel que précédemment décrit, supporté par un bras support. En aval, le bras support est dépourvu de galet ou de cylindre d’appui. Ce cylindre d’appui est remplacé par un patin dénommé « support pad » qui peut être en bronze ou en un matériau en graphite auto- lubrifiant, destiné à glisser sur la surface du rouleau de travail, sans exercer d’effort substantiel sur celui-ci. The rolling mill is now a unidirectional mill (non-reversible) which comprises, upstream, in the direction of travel of the web, a lateral support cylinder, as previously described, supported by a support arm. Downstream, the support arm is devoid of roller or support cylinder. This support cylinder is replaced by a pad called "support pad" which may be bronze or a graphite material self-supporting. lubricant, intended to slide on the surface of the working roller, without exerting a substantial effort on it.
Ce bras support à patin embarque plusieurs buses pour un liquide de refroidissement qui permettent de refroidir directement le rouleau de travail, du côté aval. En aval, le liquide de lubrifiant est alimenté jusqu’aux buses par l’intermédiaire de l’arbre creux du bras support correspondant. En amont, l’arbre creux du bras support est utilisé pour acheminer le lubrifiant jusqu’aux roulements des galets supportant le cylindre d’appui latéral. Ce document enseigne ainsi comment améliorer le refroidissement des cylindres de travail. Toutefois cette amélioration se fait au détriment du supportage du cylindre de travail sur l’un de ses côtés, en supprimant un cylindre d’appui latéral et en le remplaçant par un patin, le laminoir n’étant alors plus un laminoir réversible.  This pad support arm has several nozzles for a coolant that can directly cool the working roller on the downstream side. Downstream, the lubricant liquid is supplied to the nozzles via the hollow shaft of the corresponding support arm. Upstream, the hollow shaft of the support arm is used to route the lubricant to the roller bearings supporting the lateral support cylinder. This document teaches how to improve the cooling of work rolls. However, this improvement is to the detriment of the support of the working cylinder on one of its sides, removing a lateral support cylinder and replacing it with a pad, the mill then no longer a reversible mill.
On connaît encore du document WO 2010/086514 une méthode et un dispositif d’arrosage d’une installation de laminage. Ce document s’intéresse plus particulièrement à l’arrosage des cylindres de travail supportés latéralement chacun par une paire de cylindres, et comprenant au moins une paire de cylindres d’appui pour la transmission d’un effort de laminage. Ce document se veut notamment comme une amélioration du document précédemment décrit EP 1 721 685, solution qui resterait interdite aux laminoirs réversibles.  Document WO 2010/086514 discloses a method and a device for watering a rolling installation. This document is more particularly concerned with the watering of the working cylinders each laterally supported by a pair of rolls, and comprising at least one pair of support rollers for transmitting a rolling force. This document is intended in particular as an improvement of the previously described document EP 1 721 685, a solution which would remain prohibited to reversible mills.
Selon ce document, on prévoit une aspersion directe d’au moins une partie des cylindres de travail, de part et d’autre dudit plan perpendiculaire à la direction de défilement de la bande.  According to this document, there is provided a direct spray of at least a portion of the working rolls, on either side of said plane perpendicular to the running direction of the strip.
Selon ce document, les buses sont positionnées sur les supports des cylindres d’appui latéraux afin d’arroser directement le cylindre de travail des deux côtés, latéralement. Toutefois, la technologie décrite dans ce document WO 2010/086514 n’est pas une technologie à « cassettes » comme enseignée par les documents US 4,531,394, US.6, 041,636, EP 1 721 685 pour laquelle l’ensemble cylindre intermédiaire, empoises du cylindre intermédiaire, bras support, (droite et gauche), galets et cylindres d’appui latéral, droite et gauche, forme un ensemble autoportant, appelé « insert » qui peut être introduit dans la cage ou retiré de la cage lors de la maintenance, par coulissement de l’ensemble selon la direction des cylindres.  According to this document, the nozzles are positioned on the supports of the lateral support cylinders in order to directly water the working cylinder on both sides, laterally. However, the technology described in this document WO 2010/086514 is not a "cassette" technology as taught by documents US Pat. No. 4,531,394, US Pat. No. 6,041,636 and EP 1 721 685 for which the intermediate cylinder assembly, chocks of intermediate cylinder, support arm, (right and left), rollers and lateral support cylinders, right and left, form a self-supporting assembly, called "insert" which can be introduced into the cage or removed from the cage during maintenance, by sliding the assembly according to the direction of the cylinders.
La réelle difficulté de l’amélioration de l’arrosage des cylindres de travail et des cylindres intermédiaires dans un laminoir à cassettes n’est pas de placer les buses d’arrosage dans la cassette, mais de savoir comment les alimenter en fluide de lubrification/refroidissement, et sans augmenter la durée de maintenance lors des opérations de retrait ou d’insertion de la cassette dans la cage du laminoir. Par exemple, il est exclu d’utiliser des flexibles entre la cassette et la cage du laminoir pour alimenter les buses, car ceux-ci nécessiteraient d’être démontés et remontés lors des opérations de retrait ou d’introduction de la cassette, ce qui allongerait considérablement le temps nécessaire pour ces opérations de maintenance. The real difficulty in improving the watering of working cylinders and intermediate cylinders in a cassette mill is not placing the nozzles in the cassette, but to know how to supply lubricating fluid / cooling, and without increasing the maintenance time during removal operations or insertion of the cassette in the roll stand. For example, it is excluded to use hoses between the cassette and the roll stand to feed the nozzles, as these would need to be disassembled and reassembled during removal or insertion of the cassette, which considerably lengthen the time required for these maintenance operations.
En outre, et selon les constatations de l’inventeur, placer les buses sur le support du cylindre d’appui latéral afin d’arroser directement le cylindre de travail n’est pas toujours possible, en particulier lorsque le cylindre de travail et le cylindre intermédiaire sont de petit diamètre.  In addition, and according to the findings of the inventor, placing the nozzles on the support of the lateral support cylinder to directly water the working cylinder is not always possible, especially when the working cylinder and the cylinder intermediate are small diameter.
Comme précédemment décrit, le document US.6, 041, 636 divulgue des dispositifs de connexion automatique permettant, dans la position de travail des cylindres, de connecter la source de lubrifiant à des alésages de lubrification prévus dans les empoises, et de déconnecter automatiquement les alésages lorsque les cylindres intermédiaires sont écartés verticalement par les blocs de cambrage. Toutefois, un tel dispositif ne peut être utilisé que pour alimenter en lubrifiant, soit uniquement les roulements des galets du cylindre d’appui latéral d’un bras support, soit uniquement pour alimenter en fluide les buses d’un bras support. C’est la raison pour laquelle le bras support des buses est dépourvu de cylindre d’appui latéral dans le document As previously described, the document US.6, 041, 636 discloses automatic connection devices allowing, in the working position of the rolls, to connect the lubricant source to the lubrication bores provided in the chocks, and to automatically disconnect the bores when the intermediate cylinders are spaced vertically by the bending blocks. However, such a device can be used only to supply lubricant, or only the roller bearings of the lateral support cylinder of a support arm, or only to supply fluid to the nozzles of a support arm. This is why the nozzle support arm does not have a lateral support cylinder in the document
EP 1 721 685, celui-ci étant remplacé par un patin qui ne nécessite pas de roulement à lubrifier. Par ailleurs, le dispositif de connexion dans cette antériorité vient se connecter aux empoises ce qui oblige d’acheminer le fluide selon une trajectoire complexe par l’intermédiaire de l’arbre creux et jusqu’à l’extrémité inférieure du bras support. Cette trajectoire du fluide, complexe, depuis l’empoise jusqu’au bras support, par l’intermédiaire de l’arbre creux, engendre des pertes de charge, limitant les débits. EP 1 721 685, the latter being replaced by a pad which does not require a bearing to lubricate. Furthermore, the connection device in this anteriority is connected to the chocks which requires to route the fluid along a complex path through the hollow shaft and to the lower end of the support arm. This fluid path, complex, from the chock to the support arm, through the hollow shaft generates losses, limiting flow rates.
En résumé, et selon l’état de la technique à la connaissance du demandeur, dans les laminoirs réversibles du type sexto supporté latéralement précités, à cassettes, les refroidissements des cylindres de travail et des cylindres intermédiaires sont effectués au moyen de buses placées en dehors de la cassette, physiquement à distance des cylindres de travail et des cylindres intermédiaires et dont les jets ne peuvent atteindre directement les cylindres de travail. Dans ce type de laminoir mis en œuvre industriellement, il est classique de placer une rampe de pulvérisation, de chaque côté du plan de serrage, embarquée sur la poutre de répartition d’effort de la cage et dont les jets sont dirigés au niveau du contact entre le cylindre d’appui et le cylindre intermédiaire. Selon cet agencement, la lubrification du cylindre de travail est donc obtenue, indirectement, par le fait que le cylindre intermédiaire a été mouillé et que ce cylindre transporte cette lubrification lors de sa rotation d’un demi-tour, jusqu’au cylindre de travail. Selon les constatations des inventeurs, cette lubrification est insuffisante, en particulier pour les cylindres placés sous la bande. En outre, et lorsque la vitesse du laminoir devient importante, la force centrifuge à la circonférence du cylindre intermédiaire tend à essorer le cylindre de sorte que peu de fluide de refroidissement atteint le cylindre de travail. In summary, and according to the state of the art to the knowledge of the applicant, in reversible mills of the type laterally supported sexto supra, cassettes, the cooling of the working rolls and intermediate rolls are performed by means of nozzles placed outside the cassette, physically remote from the working cylinders and intermediate cylinders and whose jets can not reach the working cylinders directly. In this type of rolling mill implemented industrially, it is conventional to place a spray boom, on each side of the clamping plane, embarked on the load distribution beam of the cage and whose jets are directed at the contact between the support cylinder and the intermediate cylinder. According to this arrangement, the lubrication of the working roll is thus obtained, indirectly, by the fact that the intermediate roll has been wet and that this roll carries this lubrication during its rotation by half a turn, to the work roll. . According to the findings of the inventors, this lubrication is insufficient, in particular for the cylinders placed under the band. In addition, and as the speed of the mill becomes large, the centrifugal force at the circumference of the intermediate roll tends to wring the roll so that little cooling fluid reaches the work roll.
On connaît toutefois du document WO 2015/011373 de la présente Demanderesse, un laminoir du Type Sexto supporté, à technologie à cassette qui apporte un progrès notable pour le refroidissement des cylindres de travail, et par rapport à l’état de la technique précité. Document WO 2015/011373 of the present Applicant, however, discloses a Cassette-type Type Sexto-supported rolling mill which provides a noticeable improvement in the cooling of work rolls and with respect to the state of the art mentioned above.
Il s’agit d’un laminoir Sexto supporté latéralement qui comporte : It is a laterally supported Sexto rolling mill which comprises:
- une cage de maintien comprenant deux paires de montants écartées entre-elles aux deux extrémités de la cage, au moins deux montants d’une même paire définissant une fenêtre d’accès, a holding cage comprising two pairs of amounts spaced apart at the two ends of the cage, at least two posts of the same pair defining an access window,
- deux cylindres de travail, aptes à enserrer une bande à laminer, deux cylindres d’appui, et deux cylindres intermédiaires, les cylindres d’appui et les cylindres intermédiaires étant montés rotatifs à leurs extrémités sur des empoises,  two work rolls, capable of gripping a strip to be rolled, two support rolls, and two intermediate rolls, the support rolls and the intermediate rollers being rotatably mounted at their ends on chocks,
- des cylindres d’appui latéraux, aptes à supporter latéralement les cylindres de travail, chaque cylindre d’appui latéral étant porté par un bras support, monté pivotant sur un axe,  - Lateral support cylinders, able to support laterally the working rolls, each lateral support roll being carried by a support arm, pivotally mounted on an axis,
- des poutres de répartition d’effort s’étendant entre les montants correspondants de chaque paire, et des moyens d’application d’un effort de précharge sur chaque bras support , destinés à engager avec l’un des bras support au niveau d’une surface d’appui, et comprenant au moins un vérin de précharge solidaire de l’une des poutres de répartition d’effort, stress distribution beams extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means for applying a preload force on each support arm intended to engage with one of the support arms at the level of a bearing surface, and comprising at least one preload jack integral with one of the force distribution beams,
- une ou plusieurs buses de pulvérisation pour un fluide lubrifiant/ refroidissant. Chaque bras support d’un cylindre d’appui latéral est monté pivotant sur ledit axe, constitué par un arbre solidaire des empoises d’un des cylindres intermédiaires, chaque cylindre intermédiaire, empoises du cylindre intermédiaire, cylindres d’appui latéraux et bras supports correspondants formant un ensemble autoportant, appelé insert (ou « cassette »), qui peut être retiré ou introduit par coulissement au travers de la fenêtre d’accès lors de la maintenance, dans la position d’ouverture de la cage.  one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating / cooling fluid. Each support arm of a lateral support cylinder is pivotally mounted on said axis, constituted by a shaft integral with the chocks of one of the intermediate cylinders, each intermediate cylinder, chocks of the intermediate cylinder, lateral bearing cylinders and corresponding support arms forming a self-supporting assembly, called insert (or "cassette"), which can be removed or slidably introduced through the access window during maintenance, in the open position of the cage.
Le creux de l’arbre peut éventuellement servir, comme dans l’état de la technique (voir US 6,041,636) pour canaliser un fluide destiné à lubrifier les roulements des galets (repérés 52 à la figure 1) supportant latéralement le cylindre d’appui latéral. The hollow of the shaft may possibly be used, as in the state of the art (see US Pat. No. 6,041,636) for channeling a fluid intended to lubricate the roller bearings (marked 52 in FIG. 1) supporting laterally the lateral support cylinder. .
Selon le document WO 2015/011373, au moins une des buses est embarquée sur l’un des bras support en particulier pour permettre la lubrification/refroidissement des cylindres de travail et/ou des cylindres intermédiaires. Avantageusement, le circuit d’alimentation en fluide de ladite au moins une buse comprend un dispositif repéré 13 de connexion/déconnexion présentant : According to the document WO 2015/011373, at least one of the nozzles is embedded on one of the support arms, in particular to allow the lubrication / cooling of the working rolls and / or the intermediate rolls. Advantageously, the fluid supply circuit of said at least one nozzle comprises a marked device 13 of connection / disconnection having:
- une conduite du bras support, destinée à canaliser le fluide, présentant une ouverture d’alimentation débouchant sur la surface d’appui 10 du bras support 6 destinée à engager les moyens d’application d’un effort de précharge,  a conduit of the support arm, intended to channel the fluid, having a feed opening opening on the bearing surface of the support arm intended to engage the means for applying a precharge force,
- une partie creuse, mobile par rapport à la poutre de répartition d’effort, déplaçable par rapport à ladite poutre de répartition d’effort 8 sous l’action desdits moyens 9 d’application d’un effort de précharge. - A hollow portion, movable relative to the force distribution beam, movable relative to said force distribution beam 8 under the action of said means 9 for applying a precharge force.
Selon le document WO 2015/011373, cette partie creuse est configurée pour réaliser une liaison étanche avec l’ouverture d’alimentation sur la surface d’appui dans une première position de connexion, ou au contraire, s’escamoter dans une deuxième position de déconnexion, à distance de la surface d’appui. Dans la première position de connexion, telle qu’illustrée à la figure 2, le fluide de refroidissement peut être canalisé depuis la source jusqu’à ladite au moins une buse repérée 12 (illustré) ou encore jusqu’à ladite au moins une buse repérée 12’ (non illustré), par l’intermédiaire dudit dispositif de connexion/déconnexion. According to the document WO 2015/011373, this hollow part is configured to make a tight connection with the supply opening on the bearing surface in a first connection position, or on the contrary, to retract into a second position of disconnection, away from the support surface. In the first connection position, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the cooling fluid can be channeled from the source to the said at least one marked nozzle 12 (illustrated) or to the said at least one marked nozzle. 12 '(not shown), via said connection / disconnection device.
Dans la deuxième position de déconnexion, les moyens d’application d’un effort de précharge sont escamotés, en position rétractée, ladite partie creuse étant à distance du bras support. In the second disconnection position, the means for applying a precharge force are retracted, in the retracted position, said hollow portion being at a distance from the support arm.
Cette position permet, en particulier lorsque la conception du laminoir est du type à insert (ou à cassette) de pouvoir retirer ou introduire l’insert, sans nécessiter de temps de maintenance supplémentaire pour déconnecter/connecter la source de fluide. This position makes it possible, in particular when the design of the rolling mill is of the insert (or cassette) type, to be able to remove or insert the insert, without requiring additional maintenance time to disconnect / connect the source of fluid.
Un autre avantage d’un tel dispositif de connexion/déconnexion est qu’il vient se connecter directement au bras support, et non aux empoises du cylindre intermédiaire comme enseigné dans l’état de la technique connu du document US.6, 041, 636. Another advantage of such a connection / disconnection device is that it connects directly to the support arm, and not to the chocks of the intermediate cylinder as taught in the state of the art known from US.6, 041, 636 .
Pour arriver jusqu’à la buse ou dans un laminoir de type à insert WO 2015/011373, le fluide n’a pas besoin de traverser l’arbre creux sur lequel le bras support est monté pivotant. Il est alors possible de limiter sensiblement les pertes de charge, et ainsi d’obtenir des débits de fluide bien supérieurs à ceux obtenus dans cet état de la technique, et ainsi d’améliorer sensiblement le refroidissement des cylindres de travail. To reach the nozzle or an insert type mill WO 2015/011373, the fluid does not need to pass through the hollow shaft on which the support arm is pivotally mounted. It is then possible to substantially limit the pressure drops, and thus to obtain fluid flow rates much higher than those obtained in this state of the art, and thus to substantially improve the cooling of the work rolls.
En résumé la solution du document WO 2015/011373 est avantageuse en ce que le système de refroidissement/lubrification ne complique pas les opérations de maintenance du laminoir, et en particulier le retrait des inserts (ou cassettes) d’un laminoir Sexto supporté latéralement, grâce à son dispositif de connexion/déconnexion tout en autorisant des débits de fluide importants requis pour garantir des performances optimales de refroidissement en ce que le fluide peut être canalisé depuis la partie creuse jusqu’à la conduite du bras support, et sans passer par le creux de l’arbre. Selon les constatations de l’inventeur, une telle conception selon le document WO 2015/011373 peut encore être améliorée en ce qu’elle présente toutefois certains inconvénients : In summary the solution of the document WO 2015/011373 is advantageous in that the cooling / lubrication system does not complicate the maintenance operations of the rolling mill, and in particular the removal of the inserts (or cassettes) of a Sexto mill supported laterally, thanks to its connection / disconnection device while allowing large fluid flows required to ensure optimal cooling performance in that the fluid can be channeled from the hollow portion to the pipe of the support arm, and without passing through the hollow of the tree. According to the findings of the inventor, such a design according to document WO 2015/011373 can be further improved in that it nevertheless has certain drawbacks:
- lors du laminage, les contraintes de la bande laminée sur les cylindres (de travail et latéraux) peuvent engendrer des déplacements relatifs (i.e. des glissements) entre le bras support repéré 6 de la cassette, d’une part, et la partie creuse repérée 14 du dispositif de connexion. Ces glissements nuisent à l’étanchéité de la connexion et sont à l’origine de fuite de fluide de refroidissement, et encore,  during rolling, the stresses of the rolled strip on the rolls (working and lateral) can cause relative displacements (ie slips) between the marked support arm 6 of the cassette, on the one hand, and the hollow part identified 14 of the connection device. These slips affect the sealing of the connection and cause leakage of coolant, and again
- une telle solution selon le document WO 2015/011373 est bien souvent prévue native au laminoir, mais devient coûteuse lorsqu’il s’agit d’améliorer le refroidissement d’un laminoir existant, notamment en ce qu’elle nécessite de retravailler la poutre de répartition et les moyens d’application d’un effort de précharge.  - Such a solution according to WO 2015/011373 is often provided native mill, but becomes expensive when it comes to improving the cooling of an existing mill, especially in that it requires reworking the beam of distribution and means for applying a precharge force.
Le but de la présente invention est de proposer un laminoir permettant de pallier les inconvénients précités en proposant un tel laminoir dont le système de refroidissement/lubrification de la bande ou des cylindres ne complique pas les opérations de maintenance du laminoir, et en particulier le retrait des cylindres d’appui latéraux, tout en autorisant des débits de fluide importants et qui peut être facilement implémentée sur un laminoir existant pour améliorer le refroidissement de la bande et/ou des cylindres. The object of the present invention is to provide a rolling mill to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by providing such a rolling mill whose cooling / lubrication system of the strip or rolls does not complicate the mill maintenance operations, and in particular the withdrawal lateral support cylinders, while allowing large fluid flow rates and which can easily be implemented on an existing mill to improve the cooling of the strip and / or cylinders.
Un autre but de la présente invention est de proposer un laminoir qui autorise un refroidissement efficace des cylindres de travail, même lorsque le cylindre de travail voire le cylindre intermédiaire, sont de petits diamètres. Another object of the present invention is to provide a rolling mill which allows efficient cooling of the working rolls, even when the working roll or the intermediate roll, are small diameters.
Un autre but de la présente invention est de proposer un laminoir qui autorise un refroidissement efficace des cylindres de travail, même lorsque le laminoir est amené à fonctionner à vitesse importante. Another object of the present invention is to provide a rolling mill which allows efficient cooling of the working rolls, even when the mill is made to operate at high speed.
Un autre but de la présente invention est de proposer un procédé d’obtention d’un laminoir conforme à l’invention à partir d’un laminoir existant. D’autres buts et avantages apparaîtront au cours de la description qui va suivre et qui n’a pas pour but de la limiter. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for obtaining a rolling mill according to the invention from an existing mill. Other goals and advantages will become apparent from the following description which is not intended to limit it.
Aussi l’invention concerne un Laminoir comprenant: Also the invention relates to a rolling mill comprising:
- une cage de maintien comprenant deux paires de montants écartées entre-elles aux deux extrémités de la cage, au moins deux montants d’une même paire définissant une fenêtre d’accès,  a holding cage comprising two pairs of amounts spaced apart at the two ends of the cage, at least two posts of the same pair defining an access window,
- deux cylindres de travail, aptes à enserrer une bande à laminer, deux cylindres d’appui, et deux cylindres intermédiaires, les cylindres d’appui et les cylindres intermédiaires étant montés rotatifs à leurs extrémités sur des empoises,  two work rolls, capable of gripping a strip to be rolled, two support rolls, and two intermediate rolls, the support rolls and the intermediate rollers being rotatably mounted at their ends on chocks,
- des cylindres d’appui latéraux, aptes à supporter latéralement les cylindres de travail, chaque cylindre d’appui latéral étant porté par un bras support, monté pivotant sur un axe,  - Lateral support cylinders, able to support laterally the working rolls, each lateral support roll being carried by a support arm, pivotally mounted on an axis,
- des poutres de répartition d’effort s’étendant entre les montants correspondants de chaque paire, et des moyens d’application d’un effort de pré-charge sur chaque bras support, destinés à engager avec l’un des bras support au niveau d’une surface d’appui, et comprenant au moins un vérin de précharge solidaire de l’une des poutres de répartition d’effort,  stress distribution beams extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means for applying a pre-load force on each support arm intended to engage with one of the support arms at the level of a bearing surface, and comprising at least one preload jack integral with one of the force distribution beams,
- une ou plusieurs buses de pulvérisation pour un fluide lubrifiant/ refroidissant, et dans lequel au moins une des buses est embarquée sur l’un des bras supports et dans lequel le circuit d’alimentation en fluide de ladite au moins une buse comprend un dispositif de connexion/déconnexion comprenant :  one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating / cooling fluid, and wherein at least one of the nozzles is on one of the support arms and wherein the fluid supply circuit of said at least one nozzle comprises a device connection / disconnection device comprising:
- une conduite du bras support, destinée à canaliser le fluide, présentant une ouverture d’alimentation débouchant sur la surface extérieure du bras support située du côté des moyens d’application d’un effort de précharge,  a conduit of the support arm, intended to channel the fluid, having a feed opening opening onto the outer surface of the support arm situated on the side of the means for applying a precharge force,
- un connecteur creux, mobile par rapport à la cage de maintien, déplaçable sous l’action d’un actionneur apte à réaliser une liaison étanche avec l’ouverture d’alimentation sur la surface extérieure dans une première position de connexion, ou au contraire s’escamoter dans une deuxième position de déconnexion, à distance de la surface extérieure.  - A hollow connector, movable relative to the holding cage, movable under the action of an actuator adapted to make a tight connection with the supply opening on the outer surface in a first connection position, or on the contrary retract into a second disconnection position, away from the outer surface.
Selon l’invention, ledit actionneur est un actionneur distinct du vérin desdits moyens d’application d’un effort de précharge. Selon des caractéristiques optionnelles de l’invention, prises seules ou en combinaison :According to the invention, said actuator is an actuator separate from the jack of said means for applying a precharge force. According to optional features of the invention, taken alone or in combination:
- l’extrémité de connexion du connecteur creux et le siège autour de l’ouverture d’alimentation destiné à recevoir en appui ladite extrémité de connexion comportent des reliefs complémentaires, mutuellement emboîtant, interdisant tout glissement relatif entre l’extrémité de connexion du connecteur creux et le siège, dans ladite première position de connexion ; - The connection end of the hollow connector and the seat around the feed opening for receiving said support end comprise complementary reliefs, mutually interlocking, preventing any relative sliding between the connection end of the hollow connector and the seat, in said first connection position;
- le connecteur creux est prévu flottant par rapport au bâti de la cage, susceptible d’accompagner les mouvements du bras support lors des opérations de laminage dans la première position de connexion, ledit connecteur creux étant configuré pour être articulé par rapport à la cage du laminoir afin de permettre à l’extrémité de connexion du connecteur creux de suivre les mouvements du bras support ; - The hollow connector is provided floating relative to the frame of the cage, capable of accompanying the movements of the support arm during rolling operations in the first connection position, said hollow connector being configured to be articulated with respect to the cage of the rolling mill to allow the connection end of the hollow connector to follow the movements of the support arm;
- le connecteur creux est un corps rigide formant une conduite présentant une extrémité longitudinale, libre destinée à être connectée ou déconnectée à l’ouverture d’alimentation du bras support, l’autre extrémité longitudinale étant solidaire de l’actionneur ; - The hollow connector is a rigid body forming a pipe having a longitudinal end, free to be connected or disconnected to the feed opening of the support arm, the other longitudinal end being secured to the actuator;
- ledit actionneur est un vérin dont le corps du vérin est fixé à une partie fixe de cage, et la tige du vérin est solidaire de ladite autre extrémité de la partie creuse, via une articulation ; said actuator is a jack whose cylinder body is fixed to a fixed part of a cage, and the rod of the jack is integral with said other end of the hollow part, via a hinge;
- le connecteur creux comporte en extrémité de connexion un système de rotule, y compris une première pièce tubulaire et une deuxième pièce tubulaire présentant des surfaces de contact hémisphériques, la première pièce rigidement solidaire du corps formant connecteur creux, la deuxième pièce, libre de s’orienter par rapport au corps du connecteur creux ; the hollow connector comprises at the end of connection a ball joint system, including a first tubular piece and a second tubular piece having hemispherical contact surfaces, the first piece rigidly integral with the hollow connector body, the second piece, free from orient relative to the body of the hollow connector;
- le laminoir comprend des moyens de réglage de la position horizontale de chaque poutre de répartition d’effort, tels qu’un actionneur vis/écrou, convenant pour rapprocher ou éloigner la poutre de répartition d’un bras support en vis à vis, ladite poutre de répartition étant de position réglable par rapport à une poutre fixe solidaire par ses extrémités à deux des montants aux deux extrémités de la cage, et dans lequel ledit actionneur est fixé à la poutre fixe, reliant la poutre fixe et le connecteur creux, the rolling mill comprises means for adjusting the horizontal position of each force distribution beam, such as a screw / nut actuator, suitable for moving the distribution beam closer to or away from a supporting arm opposite said distribution beam being of adjustable position relative to a fixed beam secured by its ends to two of the uprights at both ends of the cage, and wherein said actuator is fixed to the fixed beam, connecting the fixed beam and the hollow connector,
- chaque cylindre d’appui latéral est supporté par des galets d’appui, les galets d’appui étant montés sur des axes des bras support par l’intermédiaire de roulements, et dans lequel le bras support comprend un circuit d’alimentation en lubrifiant pour les roulements, distinct du circuit d’alimentation de ladite au moins une buse ; each lateral support cylinder is supported by support rollers, the support rollers being mounted on the axes of the support arms by means of bearings, and in which the support arm comprises a lubricant supply circuit; for bearings, separate from the supply circuit of said at least one nozzle;
- le circuit d’alimentation en lubrifiant pour les roulements comprend l’arbre sur lequel est monté pivotant le bras support, ledit arbre étant creux.. - The lubricant supply circuit for the bearings comprises the shaft on which is pivotally mounted the support arm, said shaft being hollow ..
Selon un mode de réalisation avantageux, chaque bras support d’un cylindre d’appui latéral est monté pivotant sur ledit axe, constitué par un arbre solidaire des empoises d’un des cylindres intermédiaires, chaque cylindre intermédiaire, empoises du cylindre intermédiaire, cylindres d’appui latéraux et bras supports correspondants formant un ensemble autoportant, appelé insert, According to an advantageous embodiment, each support arm of a lateral support cylinder is pivotally mounted on said axis, constituted by a shaft secured to the chocks of one of the intermediate cylinders, each intermediate cylinder, chocks of the intermediate cylinder, cylinders d lateral support and corresponding support arms forming a self-supporting assembly, called an insert,
ledit laminoir comprenant un insert inférieur et un insert supérieur, lesdits inserts pouvant être retirés ou introduits par coulissement au travers de la fenêtre d’accès lors de la maintenance dans une position d’ouverture de la cage de maintien pour laquelle les inserts supérieur et inférieur sont écartés du plan de laminage, les inserts supérieur et inférieur pouvant passer à une position de travail dans une position de fermeture de cage et dans lequel le dispositif de connexion est configuré de manière à ce que le passage de la deuxième position de déconnexion vers la première position de connexion, est obtenu sous l’action du déploiement de G actionneur en position d’ouverture de la cage, dans la position écartée des inserts inférieur et supérieur, et dans lequel ledit connecteur creux, voire ledit actionneur du dispositif de connexion sont articulés et configurés de sorte que ledit connecteur creux, voire ledit actionneur accompagnent le mouvement du bras support auquel ledit connecteur creux est connecté, depuis la position d’ouverture de la cage vers la position de fermeture de la cage, ledit connecteur creux passant alors d’une position écartée de la poutre de répartition d’effort vers une position rapprochée de la poutre de répartition d’effort. Selon ce mode de réalisation, ledit actionneur est dit premier actionneur configuré pour déployer ou rétracter ledit connecteur creux afin d’assurer le passage de la deuxième position de déconnexion vers la première position de connexion, ou inversement, dans la position d’ouverture de la cage de maintien et dans lequel un deuxième actionneur, indépendant du premier actionneur (ou encore un moyen ressort) coopère avec ledit connecteur creux et est configuré pour contraindre ledit connecteur creux dans la première position écartée de la poutre de répartition d’effort lorsque ledit connecteur creux est dans ladite deuxième position de déconnexion. Le deuxième actionneur peut être fixé sur un support solidaire de la poutre de réparation d’effort. said rolling mill comprising a lower insert and an upper insert, said inserts being removable or slidably introduced through the access window during maintenance into an open position of the holding cage for which the upper and lower inserts are spaced apart from the rolling plane, the upper and lower inserts being able to move to a working position in a cage closing position and in which the connecting device is configured so that the passage of the second disconnection position to the first connection position, is obtained under the action of the deployment of G actuator in the open position of the cage, in the spaced apart position of the lower and upper inserts, and wherein said hollow connector, or said actuator of the connection device are articulated and configured so that said hollow connector or said actuator accompany the movement of bra s support to which said hollow connector is connected, from the open position of the cage to the closed position of the cage, said hollow connector then passing from a position spaced from the force distribution beam to a close position of the force distribution beam. According to this embodiment, said actuator is said first actuator configured to deploy or retract said hollow connector to ensure the passage of the second disconnection position to the first connection position, or vice versa, in the open position of the holding cage and wherein a second actuator, independent of the first actuator (or a spring means) cooperates with said hollow connector and is configured to constrain said hollow connector in the first position away from the force distribution beam when said connector hollow is in said second disconnection position. The second actuator can be fixed on a support integral with the force repair beam.
L’invention concerne encore un procédé d’obtention d’un laminoir selon l’invention à partir d’un laminoir existant comportant : The invention also relates to a method for obtaining a rolling mill according to the invention from an existing rolling mill comprising:
- une cage de maintien comprenant deux paires de montants écartées entre-elles aux deux extrémités de la cage, au moins deux montants d’une même paire définissant une fenêtre d’accès,  a holding cage comprising two pairs of amounts spaced apart at the two ends of the cage, at least two posts of the same pair defining an access window,
- deux cylindres de travail, aptes à enserrer une bande à laminer, deux cylindres d’appui, et deux cylindres intermédiaires, les cylindres d’appui et les cylindres intermédiaires étant montés rotatifs à leurs extrémités sur des empoises,  two work rolls, capable of gripping a strip to be rolled, two support rolls, and two intermediate rolls, the support rolls and the intermediate rollers being rotatably mounted at their ends on chocks,
- des cylindres d’appui latéraux, aptes à supporter latéralement les cylindres de travail, chaque cylindre d’appui latéral étant porté par un bras support, monté pivotant sur un axe,  - Lateral support cylinders, able to support laterally the working rolls, each lateral support roll being carried by a support arm, pivotally mounted on an axis,
- des poutres de répartition d’effort s’étendant entre les montants correspondants de chaque paire, et des moyens d’application d’un effort de pré-charge sur chaque bras support, destinés à engager avec l’un des bras support au niveau d’une surface d’appui, et comprenant au moins un vérin de précharge solidaire de l’une des poutres de répartition d’effort,  stress distribution beams extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means for applying a pre-load force on each support arm intended to engage with one of the support arms at the level of a bearing surface, and comprising at least one preload jack integral with one of the force distribution beams,
- une ou plusieurs buses de pulvérisation pour un fluide lubrifiant/ refroidissant, procédé dans lequel on ajoute le dispositif de connexion/déconnexion au laminoir existant par la mise en œuvre des étapes suivantes ;  one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating / cooling fluid, in which method the connection / disconnection device is added to the existing rolling mill by carrying out the following steps;
- on remplace tout ou partie des bras support existant du laminoir par des bras embarquant ladite moins une des buses, et comportant la conduite présentant une ouverture d’alimentation (débouchant sur la surface extérieure est embarquée sur l’un des bras supports, all or some of the existing support arms of the rolling mill are replaced by arms embarking said at least one of the nozzles, and comprising the pipe presenting a feed opening (opening on the outer surface is embedded on one of the support arms,
- on ajoute le connecteur creux, mobile par rapport à la cage de maintien ainsi que l’actionneur, le cas échéant premier actionneur, pour le déplacement du connecteur creux, apte à réaliser une liaison étanche avec l’ouverture d’alimentation sur la surface extérieure dans la première position de connexion, ou au contraire s’escamoter dans la deuxième position de déconnexion, à distance de la surface extérieure, et le cas échéant le deuxième actionneur, indépendant du premier actionneur coopère avec ledit connecteur creux et est configuré pour contraindre ledit connecteur creux dans la première position écartée de la poutre de répartition d’effort.  - The hollow connector is added, movable relative to the holding cage and the actuator, if necessary first actuator for the displacement of the hollow connector, adapted to make a tight connection with the feed opening on the surface external in the first connection position, or on the contrary retract into the second disconnection position, away from the outer surface, and if necessary the second actuator, independent of the first actuator cooperates with said hollow connector and is configured to constrain said hollow connector in the first position away from the force distribution beam.
L’invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description suivante, accompagnée des figures en annexe, parmi lesquelles : The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, accompanied by the appended figures, among which:
- La figure 1 est une vue en perspective, de coupe d’un laminoir conforme à l’invention selon un plan perpendiculaire à la direction des cylindres, illustrant le laminoir dans la position d’ouverture de la cage pour laquelle les inserts supérieur et inférieur sont écartés du plan de laminage, et dans la première position de connexion du connecteur creux,  FIG. 1 is a perspective sectional view of a rolling mill according to the invention in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the rolls, illustrating the rolling mill in the open position of the cage for which the upper and lower inserts are spaced apart from the rolling plane, and in the first connection position of the hollow connector,
- La figure 2 est une vue de détail de la figure 1, illustrant le laminoir dans la position d’ouverture de la cage pour laquelle les inserts supérieur et inférieur sont écartés du plan de laminage, et dans la première position de connexion du connecteur creux, le connecteur creux étant incliné dans une position écartée de la poutre de répartition d’effort,  FIG. 2 is a detailed view of FIG. 1, illustrating the rolling mill in the open position of the cage for which the upper and lower inserts are spaced apart from the rolling plane, and in the first connection position of the hollow connector. the hollow connector being inclined at a position spaced from the force distribution beam,
- La figure 3 est une vue selon la figure 2, après fermeture de la cage du laminoir pour laquelle les inserts supérieur et inférieur sont rapprochés l’un de l’autre, le connecteur creux connecté à l’ouverture d’alimentation du bras accompagnant le déplacement du bras, le connecteur creux étant alors dans une position rapprochée de la poutre de répartition d’effort,  FIG. 3 is a view according to FIG. 2, after closing of the roll stand for which the upper and lower inserts are brought closer to each other, the hollow connector connected to the supply opening of the accompanying arm the movement of the arm, the hollow connector then being in a position close to the force distribution beam,
- La figure 4 est une vue en perspective de la cage de maintien laminoir, vue de dessus.  - Figure 4 is a perspective view of the rolling mill support cage, seen from above.
Aussi l’invention concerne tout d’abord un laminoir 1 comprenant : - une cage de maintien 30 comprenant deux paires de montants 31 écartées entre-elles aux deux extrémités de la cage, au moins deux montants d’une même paire définissant une fenêtre d’accès, Also the invention relates first of all to a rolling mill 1 comprising: a holding cage 30 comprising two pairs of uprights 31 spaced apart from each other at the two ends of the cage, at least two uprights of the same pair defining an access window,
- deux cylindres de travail 2, aptes à enserrer une bande à laminer, deux cylindres d’appui 4, et deux cylindres intermédiaires 3, les cylindres d’appui 4 et les cylindres intermédiaires 3, étant montés rotatifs à leurs extrémités sur des empoises,  two working rolls 2 capable of gripping a strip to be rolled, two support rolls 4 and two intermediate rolls 3, the support rollers 4 and the intermediate rollers 3 being rotatably mounted at their ends on chocks,
- des cylindres d’appui latéraux 5, aptes à supporter latéralement les cylindres de travail 2, chaque cylindre d’appui latéral étant porté par un bras support 6, monté pivotant sur un axe 7,  - Lateral support rollers 5, able to support laterally the working rolls 2, each lateral support roll being carried by a support arm 6, pivotally mounted on an axis 7,
- des poutres de répartition d’effort 8 s’étendant entre les montants correspondants de chaque paire, et des moyens 9 d’application d’un effort de précharge sur chaque bras support 6, destinés à engager avec l’un des bras support au niveau d’une surface d’appui 10, et comprenant au moins un vérin de précharge 11 solidaire de l’une des poutres de répartition d’effort 8, stress distribution beams 8 extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means 9 for applying a preload force to each support arm 6, intended to engage with one of the support arms at level of a bearing surface 10, and comprising at least one preloading jack 11 secured to one of the force distribution beams 8,
- une ou plusieurs buses de pulvérisation pour un fluide lubrifiant/refroidissant. one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating / cooling fluid.
Les cylindres de travail 2, les cylindres intermédiaires 3 et les cylindres d’appui 4 sont sensiblement à axes parallèles, les axes des cylindres 2,3,4 étant contenus dans un plan de serrage sensiblement perpendiculaire à la bande à laminer B. Les deux cylindres de travail 2 sont situés de part et d’autre de la bande à laminer, leur écartement définissant l’entrefer de passage en fonctionnement. Chaque cylindre intermédiaire 3 est interposé entre le cylindre de travail 2 et le cylindre d’appui 4 correspondant. Le cylindre de travail entraîné en rotation, indirectement par la mise en rotation du cylindre intermédiaire 3. The working cylinders 2, the intermediate cylinders 3 and the support rollers 4 are substantially parallel axes, the axes of the cylinders 2,3,4 being contained in a clamping plane substantially perpendicular to the strip to be rolled B. Both Work rolls 2 are located on either side of the strip to be rolled, their spacing defining the operating gap. Each intermediate cylinder 3 is interposed between the working cylinder 2 and the corresponding support cylinder 4. The working roll rotated indirectly by rotating the intermediate roll 3.
Les cylindres d’appui latéraux 5 sont de préférence au nombre de deux par cylindre de travail 2 et permettent de maintenir le cylindre de travail 2, latéralement des deux côtés du plan de serrage. Il s’agit ainsi de préférence d’un laminoir réversible. Chaque cylindre d’appui latéral 5 est monté sur un bras support 6 monté pivotant sur un axe 7. Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, chaque bras support 6 peut être monté pivotant sur un arbre solidaire à ses extrémités des empoises des cylindres intermédiaires, tel qu’enseigné par le document US 4,531,394 ou encore le document US 6,041,636. Dans cette conception de laminoir, chaque cylindre intermédiaire 3, empoises du cylindre intermédiaire, cylindres d’appui latéraux 5 et bras supports correspondants 6 forment un ensemble autoportant, couramment appelé « insert » ou « cassette », qui peut être retiré ou introduit par coulissement au travers de la fenêtre d’accès lors de la maintenance, au moins dans une position d’ouverture Po de la cage de maintien pour laquelle G insert supérieur Isup et l’inférieur Iinf sont écartés l’un de l’autre, typiquement au moyen des vérin d’équilibrage du laminoir. The lateral support rollers 5 are preferably two in number per work roll 2 and serve to hold the work roll 2 laterally on both sides of the clamping plane. It is thus preferably a reversible mill. Each lateral support cylinder 5 is mounted on a support arm 6 pivotally mounted on an axis 7. According to a preferred embodiment, each support arm 6 can be pivotally mounted on a shaft integral at its ends with the chocks of the intermediate cylinders, as shown in FIG. as taught by US 4,531,394 or US 6,041,636. In this rolling mill design, each intermediate cylinder 3, chocks of the intermediate cylinder, lateral support rollers 5 and corresponding support arms 6 form a self-supporting assembly, commonly called "insert" or "cassette", which can be removed or slidably introduced at through the access window during maintenance, at least in an open position Po of the holding cage for which G upper insert Isup and the lower Iinf are spaced from each other, typically by means of Balancing cylinder of the mill.
Les poutres de répartition d’effort 8 s’étendent entre les montants correspondants de chaque paire, respectivement en vis-à-vis de chaque bras support 6, au moins lors du fonctionnement. Les moyens 9 d’application d’un effort de précharge sur chaque bras support 6 sont destinés à engager avec l’un des bras support au niveau d’une surface d’appui 10, et comprennent au moins un vérin 11 de précharge solidaire de l’une des poutres de répartition d’effort 8. La position de la poutre de répartition d’effort 8 peut être réglée horizontalement par rapport aux montants 31. A cet effet, le laminoir comprend des moyens de réglage de la position horizontale de chaque poutre de répartition d’effort, tels qu’un actionneur 81 notamment vis/écrou, convenant pour rapprocher ou éloigner la poutre de répartition 8 d’un bras support 6 en vis-à-vis. Cette poutre de répartition 8 est de position réglable typiquement par rapport à une poutre fixe 18, elle-même solidaire par ses extrémités à deux des montants 31 aux deux extrémités de la cage. L’actionneur 81 est interposé entre la poutre de répartition d’effort 8 et cette poutre fixe 18. Les actionneurs vis/écrou 81 synchronisés peuvent être prévus pour rapprocher la poutre de répartition d’effort vers le bras support 6, ou au contraire éloigner la poutre de répartition d’effort 8 dudit bras support 6. The force distribution beams 8 extend between the corresponding amounts of each pair, respectively vis-à-vis each support arm 6, at least during operation. The means 9 for applying a preload force on each support arm 6 are intended to engage with one of the support arms at a bearing surface 10, and comprise at least one integral preload jack 11 of one of the force distribution beams 8. The position of the force distribution beam 8 can be adjusted horizontally relative to the uprights 31. For this purpose, the rolling mill comprises means for adjusting the horizontal position of each force distribution beam, such as an actuator 81 including screw / nut, suitable for moving the distribution beam 8 closer to or away from a support arm 6 facing each other. This distribution beam 8 is typically adjustable position relative to a fixed beam 18, itself secured by its ends to two of the uprights 31 at both ends of the cage. The actuator 81 is interposed between the force distribution beam 8 and this fixed beam 18. The synchronized screw / nut 81 actuators may be provided to bring the force distribution beam closer to the support arm 6, or on the contrary to move it away. the force distribution beam 8 of said support arm 6.
En fonctionnement, le cylindre de travail est généralement contraint à appuyer le cylindre d’appui latéral 5 en amont, suivant le sens de défilement de la bande B. La poutre de répartition d’effort 8, aval, est positionnée de quelques millimètres du bras support 6, aval. Les moyens 9 d’application d’un effort de précharge sont alors utilisés pour rattraper le jeu et assurer le contact du cylindre d’appui latéral 5, aval. Le laminoir comprend la ou lesdites buses de pulvérisation pour un fluide lubrifiant/ refroidissant, ces buses étant notamment destinées à refroidir/lubrifier les cylindres de travail, directement ou indirectement et/ ou les autres cylindres du laminoir. In operation, the working roll is generally forced to press the lateral support roll 5 upstream, in the running direction of the band B. The force distribution beam 8, downstream, is positioned a few millimeters from the arm support 6, downstream. The means 9 for applying a preload force are then used to make up the play and ensure contact of the lateral support cylinder 5, downstream. The rolling mill comprises the one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating / cooling fluid, these nozzles being in particular intended to cool / lubricate the working rolls, directly or indirectly and / or the other rolls of the rolling mill.
Selon l’invention, au moins une des buses 12, est embarquée sur l’un des bras supports 6, en particulier pour permettre la lubrification/refroidissement des cylindres de travail et/ou des cylindres intermédiaires.  According to the invention, at least one of the nozzles 12 is embarked on one of the support arms 6, in particular to allow the lubrication / cooling of the working rolls and / or the intermediate rolls.
Avantageusement, le circuit d’alimentation en fluide de ladite au moins une buse 12, comprend un dispositif 13 de connexion/déconnexion comprenant : Advantageously, the fluid supply circuit of said at least one nozzle 12 comprises a connection / disconnection device 13 comprising:
- une conduite 14 du bras support 6, destinée à canaliser le fluide, présentant une ouverture d’alimentation 15 débouchant sur la surface extérieure du bras support située du côté des moyens 9 d’application d’un effort de précharge, a line 14 of the support arm 6, intended to channel the fluid, having a feed opening 15 opening on the outer surface of the support arm located on the side of the means 9 for applying a precharge force,
- un connecteur creux 16 , mobile par rapport à la cage de maintien 30, déplaçable sous l’action d’un actionneur 17, apte à réaliser une liaison étanche avec l’ouverture d’alimentation 15, sur la surface extérieure 10, dans une première position de connexion Pl, ou au contraire s’escamoter dans une deuxième position de déconnexion à distance de la surface extérieure 10.  - A hollow connector 16, movable relative to the holding cage 30, movable under the action of an actuator 17, adapted to make a tight connection with the feed opening 15, on the outer surface 10, in a first connection position P1, or on the contrary retract into a second remote disconnection position of the outer surface 10.
Selon l’invention, le connecteur creux 16 est apte à réaliser une liaison étanche avec l’ouverture d’alimentation 15 sur la surface extérieure 10 dans une première position de connexion Pl, ou au contraire, s’escamoter dans une deuxième position de déconnexion, à distance de la surface extérieure 10. According to the invention, the hollow connector 16 is able to make a tight connection with the supply opening 15 on the outer surface 10 in a first connection position P1, or on the contrary, to retract into a second disconnection position. away from the outer surface 10.
Dans la première position de connexion Pl, le fluide de refroidissement peut être canalisé depuis la source jusqu’à ladite au moins une buse repérée 12 par l’intermédiaire dudit dispositif de connexion/déconnexion 13. Dans la deuxième position de déconnexion (non illustrée), G actionneur 17 en position rétractée, ledit connecteur creux 16 est à distance du bras support 6. Cette position permet, en particulier lorsque la conception du laminoir est du type à insert (ou à cassette) de pouvoir retirer ou introduire l’insert, sans nécessiter de temps de maintenance supplémentaire pour déconnecter/connecter la source de fluide. Un autre avantage d’un tel dispositif de connexion/déconnexion est qu’il vient se connecter directement au bras support, et non aux empoises du cylindre intermédiaire comme enseigné dans l’état de la technique connu du document US.6, 041, 636. Pour arriver jusqu’à la buse 12, dans un laminoir de type à insert selon l’invention, le fluide n’a pas besoin de traverser l’arbre creux sur lequel le bras support est monté pivotant. Il est alors possible d’obtenir des débits de fluide bien supérieurs à ceux obtenus dans cet état de la technique. In the first connection position P1, the cooling fluid can be channeled from the source to said at least one nozzle 12 identified via said connection / disconnection device 13. In the second disconnection position (not shown) , G actuator 17 in the retracted position, said hollow connector 16 is at a distance from the support arm 6. This position makes it possible, in particular when the design of the rolling mill is of the insert type (or cassette) to be able to remove or insert the insert, without requiring additional maintenance time to disconnect / connect the fluid source. Another advantage of such a connection / disconnection device is that it connects directly to the support arm, and not to the chocks of the intermediate cylinder as taught in the state of the art known from US.6, 041, 636 To reach the nozzle 12, in an insert type mill according to the invention, the fluid does not need to pass through the hollow shaft on which the support arm is pivotally mounted. It is then possible to obtain fluid flow rates much higher than those obtained in this state of the art.
Dans l’invention, le creux de l’arbre peut éventuellement servir, comme dans l’état de la technique pour canaliser un fluide destiné à lubrifier les roulements des galets 52 supportant latéralement le cylindre d’appui latéral 5. Aussi et selon un mode de réalisation, chaque cylindre d’appui latéral 5 est supporté par des galets 52, les galets 52 étant montés sur des axes 50,51, parallèles, du bras support 6 par l’intermédiaire de roulements. Le bras support 6 comprend un circuit d’alimentation en lubrifiant pour les roulements, distinct du circuit d’alimentation de ladite au moins une buse 12. Le circuit d’alimentation en lubrifiant pour les roulements peut comprendre l’arbre sur lequel est monté pivotant le bras support 6, ledit arbre étant creux, traversé au moins en partie par le lubrifiant. Selon un autre mode de réalisation (non illustré), le circuit d’alimentation de la buse (comprenant le dispositif 13 de connexion/déconnexion) peut permettre également d’acheminer un fluide jusqu’aux roulements des galets 52 afin d’assurer leur lubrification. De manière générale, le circuit d’alimentation comprenant le dispositif 13 de connexion/déconnexion peut être appliqué à tout fluide nécessitant de transiter via le bras support 6 (et autre que le fluide de refroidissement des cylindres). In the invention, the hollow of the shaft may possibly be used, as in the state of the art, for channeling a fluid intended to lubricate the bearings of the rollers 52 laterally supporting the lateral support cylinder 5. Also and according to one embodiment embodiment, each lateral support cylinder 5 is supported by rollers 52, the rollers 52 being mounted on parallel axes 50, 51, of the support arm 6 by means of bearings. The support arm 6 comprises a lubricant supply circuit for the bearings, distinct from the supply circuit of the at least one nozzle 12. The lubricant supply circuit for the bearings may comprise the shaft on which is mounted pivoting the support arm 6, said shaft being hollow, traversed at least in part by the lubricant. According to another embodiment (not shown), the nozzle supply circuit (comprising the connection / disconnection device 13) can also make it possible to convey a fluid to the roller bearings 52 in order to ensure their lubrication. . In general, the supply circuit comprising the connection / disconnection device 13 may be applied to any fluid requiring transit through the support arm 6 (and other than the cylinder cooling fluid).
Selon une caractéristique notable de l’invention, ledit actionneur 17 est un actionneur distinct du vérin 11 desdits moyens 9 d’application d’un effort de précharge. According to a notable feature of the invention, said actuator 17 is an actuator separate from the cylinder 11 of said means 9 for applying a precharge force.
On remarque que l’ouverture d’alimentation 15 peut être prévue sur la surface extérieure 10, du bras 6 à proximité immédiate de l’axe 7 de rotation du bras. Note that the feed opening 15 may be provided on the outer surface 10 of the arm 6 in the immediate vicinity of the axis 7 of rotation of the arm.
Un intérêt de prévoir G actionneur du dispositif de connexion 13 comme un élément distinct du vérin de précharge est d’améliorer le refroidissement d’un laminoir existant, avantageusement sans avoir à modifier la poutre de répartition d’effort, ni les moyens d’application d’un effort de précharge du laminoir existant. An advantage of providing G actuator of the connection device 13 as a separate element of the precharge jack is to improve the cooling of an existing mill, advantageously without having to modify the force distribution beam, nor the means for applying a precharge force to the existing mill.
Il est encore possible d’améliorer sensiblement l’étanchéité entre l’ouverture d’alimentation 15 et le connecteur creux 16, dans la première position de connexion Pl avec les dispositions suivantes : It is still possible to substantially improve the seal between the supply opening 15 and the hollow connector 16, in the first connection position P1 with the following provisions:
- l’extrémité de connexion du connecteur creux 16 et le siège autour de l’ouverture d’alimentation 15 destiné à recevoir en appui l’extrémité de connexion peuvent avantageusement comporter des reliefs complémentaires, mutuellement emboîtant, interdisant tout glissement relatif entre l’extrémité de connexion du connecteur creux 16 et le siège, dans ladite première position de connexion Pl, et dans ce cas,  - The connection end of the hollow connector 16 and the seat around the feed opening 15 for receiving the end of the connection end may advantageously comprise complementary embossments, mutually interlocking, preventing any relative sliding between the end connection of the hollow connector 16 and the seat, in said first connection position P1, and in this case,
- le connecteur creux 16 est alors de préférence prévu flottant par rapport au bâti fixe de la cage de maintien, susceptible d’accompagner les (légers) mouvements du bras support 6 lors des opérations de laminage : à cet effet le connecteur creux 16 peut être un élément librement articulé par rapport au bâti à la cage afin de permettre à l’extrémité de connexion du connecteur creux 16 de suivre les mouvements du bras support 6. Le connecteur creux 16 peut comporter encore, en extrémité de connexion, un système de rotule, y compris une première pièce tubulaire 20 et une deuxième pièce tubulaire 21 présentant des surfaces de contact hémisphériques formant rotule : la première pièce 20 est rigidement solidaire du corps formant connecteur creux 16, la deuxième pièce 21, étant libre de s’orienter par rapport au corps sous contrainte. - The hollow connector 16 is then preferably provided floating relative to the fixed frame of the holding cage, capable of accompanying the (slight) movements of the support arm 6 during rolling operations: for this purpose the hollow connector 16 may be a member freely articulated relative to the frame to the cage to allow the connecting end of the hollow connector 16 to follow the movements of the support arm 6. The hollow connector 16 may further comprise, at the connection end, a ball joint system , including a first tubular part 20 and a second tubular part 21 having ball-shaped hemispherical contact surfaces: the first part 20 is rigidly secured to the hollow connector body 16, the second part 21 being free to orient relative to to the body under duress.
Selon le mode de réalisation (illustré), la deuxième pièce 21 peut être dimensionnée pour venir se loger dans une cavité formant siège pour l’extrémité de connexion du connecteur creux, dans la première position Pl du connecteur creux. Le connecteur creux 16 peut être un corps rigide formant une conduite présentant une extrémité longitudinale, libre destinée à être connectée ou déconnectée à l’ouverture d’alimentation 15 du bras support 6, et une autre extrémité longitudinale solidaire de l’actionneur 17. L’actionneur 17 est un vérin dont le corps du vérin est fixé à une partie fixe de cage de maintien telle que la poutre fixe 18. La tige du vérin est solidaire de ladite autre extrémité du connecteur 16, via une articulation 19, tel qu’un pivot (d’axe parallèle aux cylindres de travail), autorisant la libre inclinaison du connecteur creux 16 par rapport à l’actionneur 17. According to the embodiment (illustrated), the second piece 21 may be dimensioned to be housed in a seat cavity for the connection end of the hollow connector, in the first position Pl of the hollow connector. The hollow connector 16 may be a rigid body forming a pipe having a free longitudinal end intended to be connected or disconnected to the feed opening 15 of the support arm 6, and another longitudinal end secured to the actuator 17. The actuator 17 is a jack whose body of the jack is fixed to a fixed portion of the holding cage such as the fixed beam 18. The rod of the jack is secured to said other end of the connector 16, via a articulation 19, such as a pivot (axis parallel to the working rolls), allowing the free inclination of the hollow connector 16 relative to the actuator 17.
Il s’agit de préférence d’une conception de laminoir à insert (ou cassette) : de préférence, chaque bras support 6 d’un cylindre d’appui latéral 5 est ainsi monté pivotant sur ledit axe 7, constitué par un arbre solidaire des empoises d’un des cylindres intermédiaires 3, chaque cylindre intermédiaire 3, empoises du cylindre intermédiaire, cylindres d’appui latéraux 5 et bras supports correspondants 6 formant un ensemble autoportant. L’ insert est appelé insert supérieur Isup lorsque positionné au-dessus du plan de laminage, ou insert inférieur Iinf lorsque positionné au-dessous du plan de laminage. It is preferably an insert mill (or cassette): preferably, each support arm 6 of a lateral support cylinder 5 is thus pivotally mounted on said axis 7, consisting of a shaft integral with chocks of one of the intermediate cylinders 3, each intermediate cylinder 3, chocks of the intermediate cylinder, lateral bearing cylinders 5 and corresponding support arms 6 forming a self-supporting assembly. The insert is referred to as the upper Isup insert when positioned above the rolling plane, or lower insert Iinf when positioned below the rolling plane.
De manière bien connue pour l’homme du métier, ces inserts Iinf et Isup pouvant être retirés ou introduits par coulissement au travers de la fenêtre d’accès lors de la maintenance dans la position d’ouverture Po de la cage de maintien pour laquelle les inserts supérieur et inférieur Isup, Iinf sont écartés du plan de laminage, typiquement sous l’action de vérins d’équilibrage. In a manner well known to those skilled in the art, these inserts Iinf and Isup can be removed or slidably introduced through the access window during maintenance in the open position Po of the holding cage for which the Upper and lower inserts Isup, Iinf are spaced apart from the rolling plane, typically under the action of balancing cylinders.
Les inserts supérieur et inférieur peuvent passer vers une position de travail dans la position de fermeture de cage Pc : le verrouillage axial des inserts supérieur et inférieur (Isup et Iinf) par rapport à la cage du laminoir est alors typiquement obtenu lors de la fermeture de la cage de maintien, lors du déplacement des inserts inférieur et supérieur depuis leur position écartée dans la position d’ouverture de la cage Po vers leur position rapprochée, à savoir dans la position de fermeture Pc de la cage du laminoir, et de manière bien connue par l’homme du métier. Avantageusement, le dispositif de connexion est configuré de manière à ce que le passage de la deuxième position de déconnexion vers la première position de connexion Pl est obtenu sous l’action du déploiement de l’actionneur 17 en position d’ouverture Po de la cage dans la position écartée des inserts inférieur et supérieur (position d’ouverture illustrée à la figure 1 ou 2). The upper and lower inserts can pass to a working position in the cage closing position Pc: the axial locking of the upper and lower inserts (Isup and Iinf) with respect to the rolling mill cage is then typically obtained during the closing of the holding cage, during the movement of the lower and upper inserts from their position apart in the open position of the cage Po to their close position, namely in the closed position Pc of the roll stand, and well known to those skilled in the art. Advantageously, the connection device is configured so that the passage of the second disconnection position to the first connection position P1 is obtained under the action of the deployment of the actuator 17 in the open position Po of the cage in the spaced apart position of the lower and upper inserts (open position shown in Figure 1 or 2).
Le connecteur creux 16, (voire même ledit actionneur 17) du dispositif de connexion sont articulés et configurés de ce sorte que ledit connecteur creux 16, voire même ledit actionneur 17 accompagnent le mouvement du bras support 6 auquel ledit connecteur creux 16 est connecté (selon la première position de connexion) depuis la position d’ouverture Po de la cage de maintien du laminoir vers la position de fermeture Pc de la cage, ledit connecteur creux 16 passant alors d’une position écartée Pe de la poutre de répartition d’effort 8 (voir figure 2) vers une position rapprochée Pr de la poutre de répartition d’effort 8 (voir Figure 3). The hollow connector 16, (or even said actuator 17) of the connection device are articulated and configured so that said hollow connector 16, or even said actuator 17 accompany the movement of the support arm 6 to which said hollow connector 16 is connected (according to the first connection position) from the open position Po of the rolling mill holding cage to the closed position Pc of the cage, said hollow connector 16 then passing from a spaced apart position Pe of the force distribution beam 8 (see FIG. 2) to a close position Pr of the force distribution beam 8 (see FIG. 3).
Le ou les connecteurs creux 16 associés à l’insert supérieur Isup, voire ceux associés à l’insert inférieur Iinf, peuvent être équipés de seconds actionneurs 23. Ces seconds actionneurs 23 sont utilisés pour maintenir les connecteurs creux 16 dans leur position écartée Pe, en particulier lorsque les connecteurs creux 16 sont dans la deuxième position de déconnexion (à savoir non lié à l’insert). The hollow connector or connectors 16 associated with the upper insert Isup, or those associated with the lower insert Iinf, may be equipped with second actuators 23. These second actuators 23 are used to hold the hollow connectors 16 in their spaced apart position Pe, especially when the hollow connectors 16 are in the second disconnected position (ie not linked to the insert).
L’ actionneur 17, à savoir le premier actionneur est ainsi configuré pour déployer ou rétracter ledit connecteur creux 16 afin d’assurer le passage de la deuxième position de déconnexion vers la première position de connexion Pl, ou inversement, dans la position d’ouverture Po de la cage de maintien, les connecteurs creux 16 alors dans leur position écartée Pe. Le deuxième actionneur 23 est un actionneur indépendant du premier actionneur 17 qui coopère avec ledit connecteur creux 16 et est configuré pour contraindre ledit connecteur creux 16 dans la première position écartée Pe de la poutre de répartition d’effort lors de la connexion. The actuator 17, namely the first actuator is thus configured to deploy or retract said hollow connector 16 to ensure the passage of the second disconnection position to the first connection position P1, or vice versa, in the open position Po of the holding cage, the hollow connectors 16 then in their spaced apart position Pe. The second actuator 23 is an independent actuator of the first actuator 17 which cooperates with said hollow connector 16 and is configured to constrain said hollow connector 16 in the first spaced apart position Pe of the force distribution beam during the connection.
Lors de la fermeture de cage, le deuxième actionneur 23 est dans un état autorisant le libre déplacement du connecteur creux alors connecté au bras de l’insert, lors du déplacement de l’insert vers sa position de travail. Le deuxième actionneur 23 peut être fixé sur un support solidaire de la poutre de répartition d’effort 8. Comme illustré à la figure 3, le (ou chaque) deuxième actionneur 23 peut être prévu pour accompagner les mouvements du connecteur creux 16 associé à l’insert supérieur Isup pour contraindre le connecteur creux 16 vers le haut dans la position écartée Pe, à l’encontre de la gravité. Il est à noter que, de manière général, le deuxième actionneur 23 peut encore être remplacé par un moyen ressort (lame ressort, ressort de torsion, ressort pneumatique..) dont la force de rappel contraint le connecteur creux 16 depuis la position rapprochée vers la position écartée Pe. On remarquera que l’insert inférieur Iinf peut être dépourvu un tel deuxième actionneur (ou moyen ressort), en ce que la gravité contraint naturellement le (ou les) connecteur creux 16 associé(s) à l’insert inférieur vers le bas, et donc vers sa position écartée Pe. When the cage is closed, the second actuator 23 is in a state allowing the free movement of the hollow connector then connected to the arm of the insert, during the displacement of the insert towards its working position. The second actuator 23 can be fixed on a support secured to the force distribution beam 8. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the (or each) second actuator 23 may be provided to accompany the movements of the hollow connector 16 associated with the upper insert Isup in order to constrain the hollow connector 16 upwards in the remote position Pe, to the against gravity. It should be noted that, in general, the second actuator 23 can be further replaced by a spring means (leaf spring, torsion spring, air spring ..) whose restoring force forces the hollow connector 16 from the close position towards the spread position Pe. It will be noted that the lower insert Iinf may be devoid of such a second actuator (or spring means), in that the gravity naturally constrains the hollow connector (s) 16 associated with the lower insert downwards, and therefore to his distant position Pe.
Le circuit d’alimentation peut comprendre un flexible (non illustré) connecté à une entrée de fluide 24 du connecteur creux 16. En fonctionnement, dans ladite première position de connexion Pl, le fluide arrive de la source, traverse le flexible jusqu’à l’entrée 24 puis s’écoule dans la conduite 21, au travers le long du connecteur creux 16, jusqu’à atteindre l’ouverture d’alimentation 15. A partir de cette ouverture, le fluide s’écoule dans le bras support 6 au travers de la conduite 14 jusqu’à ladite au moins une buse 12 qui peut être solidaire du support des galets 52, ou encore ladite au moins une buse 12 qui peut être solidaire directement sur le corps du bras support 6. The supply circuit may comprise a hose (not shown) connected to a fluid inlet 24 of the hollow connector 16. In operation, in said first connection position P1, the fluid arrives from the source, passes through the hose to 24, then flows into the pipe 21, through the hollow connector 16, until it reaches the feed opening 15. From this opening, the fluid flows into the support arm 6 through line 14 to said at least one nozzle 12 which can be integral with the support of the rollers 52, or said at least one nozzle 12 which can be integral directly on the body of the support arm 6.
De préférence, une pluralité de buses 12 peuvent être agencées sur la longueur du bras support 6 de telle façon à pouvoir refroidir le cylindre de travail et/ou le cylindre intermédiaire sur toute sa longueur. De préférence, ladite au moins une buse 12 peut être dirigée de telle façon que le jet soit dirigé directement sur la bande à laminer, et non directement sur le cylindre de travail, et de telle façon que le jet glisse sur la bande à laminer en direction du cylindre de travail 2.  Preferably, a plurality of nozzles 12 may be arranged along the length of the support arm 6 so as to be able to cool the working roll and / or the intermediate roll over its entire length. Preferably, said at least one nozzle 12 can be directed in such a way that the jet is directed directly on the strip to be rolled, and not directly on the working roll, and in such a way that the jet slides on the strip to be rolled. work roll direction 2.
Une telle orientation des buses 12 permet avantageusement de refroidir efficacement le cylindre de travail lorsque le cylindre de travail et le cylindre intermédiaire sont de petits diamètres et interdisent d’asperger directement le cylindre de travail. Such orientation of the nozzles 12 advantageously allows to effectively cool the working cylinder when the working cylinder and the intermediate cylinder are small diameters and prohibit directly spraying the working cylinder.
Cette orientation de ladite au moins une buse 12 permet de refroidir le cylindre de travail, même lorsque le jet est aspergé à contre-courant du sens de défilement de la bande à laminer, tel qu’illustré à la figure 2. Ceci est rendu possible en ce que ladite au moins une buse 12, supportée par le bras pivotant 6 est située à proximité du cylindre de travail, et en ce que l’invention permet l’obtention de débit de fluide important. Cette proximité et de tels débits permettent que le jet glisse sur la bande à contre-courant du sens de défilement de la bande jusqu’à atteindre le cylindre de travail. This orientation of the at least one nozzle 12 makes it possible to cool the working roll, even when the jet is sprayed against the flow direction of the strip to be rolled, as shown in FIG. 2. This is made possible in that said at less a nozzle 12, supported by the pivoting arm 6 is located near the working cylinder, and in that the invention allows to obtain significant fluid flow. This proximity and such flow rates allow the jet to slide on the web counter-current of the direction of travel of the web until it reaches the work roll.
Alternativement ou additionnellement, ladite au moins une buse 12 peut être dirigée de telle façon que le jet soit dirigé sur le cylindre intermédiaire 3, à proximité de la zone de contact Z entre le cylindre de travail 2 et le cylindre intermédiaire 3, et de telle façon qu’entraîné par le cylindre intermédiaire, le fluide du jet arrive jusqu’au cylindre de travail 2. Alternatively or additionally, said at least one nozzle 12 may be directed so that the jet is directed on the intermediate cylinder 3, close to the contact zone Z between the working cylinder 2 and the intermediate cylinder 3, and of such in the way of the intermediate cylinder, the jet fluid reaches the working cylinder 2.
L’invention permet ainsi de placer une ou plusieurs buses 12 sur les bras support 6, à proximité de cette zone et d’ainsi d’arroser le cylindre intermédiaire 3, au plus près de cette zone, et non seulement au niveau de la zone de contact du cylindre d’appui 4/cylindre intermédiaire 3. Lorsque le cylindre intermédiaire 3 est animé en rotation à vitesse importante, la majeure partie du fluide du jet atteint le cylindre de travail 2, quelle que soit l’action de la force centrifuge. The invention thus makes it possible to place one or more nozzles 12 on the support arms 6, close to this zone and thus to water the intermediate cylinder 3, as close as possible to this zone, and not only at the level of the zone when the intermediate cylinder 3 is rotated at a high speed, most of the jet fluid reaches the working cylinder 2, whatever the action of the centrifugal force. .
De telles buses 12, peuvent être prévues sur tout ou partie des deux bras support des cylindres d’appui latéraux supérieurs et sur tout ou partie des deux bras support des cylindres d’appui latéraux inférieurs. Such nozzles 12 may be provided on all or part of the two support arms of the upper lateral support cylinders and on all or part of the two support arms of the lower lateral support cylinders.
Selon un mode de réalisation avantageux, les buses 12 sont prévues sur les quatre bras support, un dispositif de connexion/déconnexion étant prévu entre chaque bras support et la poutre de répartition d’effort correspondante. According to an advantageous embodiment, the nozzles 12 are provided on the four support arms, a connection / disconnection device being provided between each support arm and the corresponding force distribution beam.
Selon ce dernier mode de réalisation, l’invention permet de refroidir/lubrifier : According to this last embodiment, the invention makes it possible to cool / lubricate:
- chacun des deux cylindres de travail, supérieur et inférieur, de part et d’autre du plan de serrage du laminoir,  each of the two working cylinders, upper and lower, on each side of the clamping plane of the rolling mill,
- chacun des deux cylindres intermédiaires, supérieur et inférieur, et également, - each of the two intermediate cylinders, upper and lower, and also,
- les zones de contacts cylindres intermédiaires 3 et cylindres de travail 2, notamment de part et d’autre du plan de serrage du laminoir. L’invention concerne encore un procédé d’obtention d’un laminoir conforme à l’invention à partir d’un laminoir existant comportant : the zones of intermediate cylinder contact 3 and working rolls 2, in particular on either side of the clamping plane of the rolling mill. The invention also relates to a method for obtaining a rolling mill according to the invention from an existing rolling mill comprising:
- une cage de maintien 30 comprenant deux paires de montants 31 écartées entre-elles aux deux extrémités de la cage, au moins deux montants d’une même paire définissant une fenêtre d’accès,  a holding cage 30 comprising two pairs of uprights 31 spaced apart from each other at the two ends of the cage, at least two uprights of the same pair defining an access window,
- deux cylindres de travail 2, aptes à enserrer une bande à laminer, deux cylindres d’appui 4, et deux cylindres intermédiaires 3, les cylindres d’appui 4 et les cylindres intermédiaires 3 étant montés rotatifs à leurs extrémités sur des empoises,  two working rolls 2, capable of gripping a strip to be rolled, two support rolls 4, and two intermediate rolls 3, the support rollers 4 and the intermediate rollers 3 being rotatably mounted at their ends on chocks,
- des cylindres d’appui latéraux 5, aptes à supporter latéralement les cylindres de travail 2 chaque cylindre d’appui latéral étant porté par un bras support 6, monté pivotant sur un axe 7,  - Lateral support cylinders 5, able to support laterally the working rolls 2 each lateral support roll being carried by a support arm 6, pivotally mounted on an axis 7,
- des poutres de répartition d’effort 8 s’étendant entre les montants correspondants de chaque paire, et des moyens 9 d’application d’un effort de pré-charge sur chaque bras support 6, destinés à engager avec l’un des bras support au niveau d’une surface d’appui 10, et comprenant au moins un vérin de précharge 11 solidaire de l’une des poutres de répartition d’effort 8,  stress distribution beams 8 extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means 9 for applying a pre-load force on each support arm 6 intended to engage with one of the arms support at a bearing surface 10, and comprising at least one preloading cylinder 11 integral with one of the force distribution beams 8,
- une ou plusieurs buses de pulvérisation pour un fluide lubrifiant/ refroidissant.  one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating / cooling fluid.
Selon le procédé conforme à l’invention, on ajoute le dispositif 13 de connexion/déconnexion au laminoir existant par la mise en œuvre des étapes suivantes : According to the process according to the invention, the connection / disconnection device 13 is added to the existing rolling mill by implementing the following steps:
- on remplace tout ou partie des bras support existant du laminoir par des bras support 6 embarquant ladite moins une des buses 12, et comportant la conduite 14 présentant une ouverture d’alimentation 15 débouchant sur la surface extérieure 10, all or some of the existing support arms of the rolling mill are replaced by support arms 6 embodying said minus one of the nozzles 12, and comprising the pipe 14 having a feed opening opening onto the outer surface 10,
- on ajoute le connecteur creux 16, mobile par rapport à la cage de maintien 30, ainsi que l’actionneur 17, le cas échéant premier actionneur, pour le déplacement du connecteur creux, apte à réaliser une liaison étanche avec l’ouverture d’alimentation 15 sur la surface extérieure 10 dans la première position de connexion Pl, ou au contraire s’escamoter dans la deuxième position de déconnexion, à distance de la surface extérieure 10, et le cas échéant on ajoute le deuxième actionneur 23, indépendant du premier actionneur 17 coopérant avec ledit connecteur creux 16 et étant configuré pour contraindre ledit connecteur creux 16 vers la première position écartée Pe de la poutre de répartition d’effort. L’actionneur 17, notamment le premier actionneur peut être fixé à la poutre fixe 18, et le second actionneur 23 à la poutre de répartition d’effort 8. the hollow connector 16, movable relative to the holding cage 30, and the actuator 17, if necessary the first actuator, for the displacement of the hollow connector, capable of making a tight connection with the opening of the hollow connector, are added; supply 15 on the outer surface 10 in the first connection position P1, or on the contrary retract in the second disconnection position, away from the outer surface 10, and if necessary the second actuator 23 is added, independent of the first actuator 17 cooperating with said hollow connector 16 and being configured to constrain said hollow connector 16 to the first open position Pe of the beam of stress distribution. The actuator 17, in particular the first actuator can be fixed to the fixed beam 18, and the second actuator 23 to the force distribution beam 8.
Il suffit alors de raccorder les flexibles au entrées de fluides 24 des connecteurs creux 16. It is then sufficient to connect the hoses to the fluid inlets 24 of the hollow connectors 16.
Naturellement, d’autres modes de réalisation, auraient pu être envisagés par l’homme du métier sans pour autant sortir du cadre de l’invention définie par les revendications ci- après. Naturally, other embodiments could have been envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims below.
NOMENCLATURE NOMENCLATURE
1. Laminoir, 1. Rolling mill,
2. Cylindre de travail,  2. Working cylinder,
3. Cylindre intermédiaire, 3. Intermediate cylinder,
4. Cylindre d’appui  4. Support cylinder
5. Cylindre d’appui latéral,  5. Lateral support cylinder,
6. Bras support (Cylindre d’appui latéral 5),  6. Support Arm (Lateral Support Cylinder 5),
7. Axe de pivotement (Bras support 6),  7. Pivot axis (support arm 6),
8. Poutre de répartition d’effort, 8. Stress distribution beam,
9. Moyens d’application d’un effort de précharge,  9. Means for applying a preload force,
10. Surface extérieure (Bras support 6),  10. Outside surface (support arm 6),
11. Vérin (Moyen d’application d’un effort de précharge),  11. Cylinder (means of application of a preload force),
12. Buses de pulvérisation  12. Spray nozzles
13. Dispositif de connexion/déconnexion, 13. Connection / disconnection device,
14. Conduite (Bras support),  14. Driving (Support arm),
15. Ouverture d’alimentation,  15. Feed opening,
16. Connecteur creux,  16. Hollow connector,
17. Actionneur (premier actionneur),  17. Actuator (first actuator),
18. Poutre fixe, 18. Fixed beam,
19. Articulation reliant l’actionneur 17 au connecteur creux 16,  19. Articulation connecting the actuator 17 to the hollow connector 16,
23. Deuxième actionneur,  23. Second actuator,
81. Actionneur vis/écrou (réglage de la position horizontale de la poutre de répartion d’effort)  81. Screw / nut actuator (adjustment of the horizontal position of the force distribution beam)
20,21. Première pièce et deuxième pièce tubulaire du système de rotule 20.21. First piece and second tubular part of the patella system
30. Cage de maintien, 30. Holding cage,
31. Montants,  31. Amounts,
50,51 Axes (support des galets),  50,51 Axes (support of the rollers),
52. Galets, 52. Rollers,
81. Actionneurs vis/écrou,  81. Actuators screw / nut,
B. Bande à laminer, PL Première position de connexion B. Lamination tape, PL First connection position
Pe. Position écartée du connecteur creux par rapport à la poutre de répartition d’effort, Pr. Position reprochée du connecteur creux par rapport à la poutre de répartition d’effort, Pe. Position spaced from the hollow connector with respect to the force distribution beam, Pr. Position reproached of the hollow connector with respect to the force distribution beam,
Po. Position d’ouverture de la cage du laminoir, Po. Opening position of the roll stand,
Pc. Position de fermeture de cage du laminoir  Pc. Cage closure position of the rolling mill

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Laminoir (1) comprenant: 1. Rolling mill (1) comprising:
- une cage de maintien (30) comprenant deux paires de montants (31) écartées entre- elles aux deux extrémités de la cage, au moins deux montants d’une même paire définissant une fenêtre d’accès,  - a holding cage (30) comprising two pairs of uprights (31) spaced apart at both ends of the cage, at least two amounts of the same pair defining an access window,
- deux cylindres de travail (2), aptes à enserrer une bande à laminer, deux cylindres d’appui (4), et deux cylindres intermédiaires (3), les cylindres d’appui (4) et les cylindres intermédiaires (3) étant montés rotatifs à leurs extrémités sur des empoises, - des cylindres d’appui latéraux (5), aptes à supporter latéralement les cylindres de travail (2), chaque cylindre d’appui latéral étant porté par un bras support (6), monté pivotant sur un axe (7),  two work rolls (2) capable of gripping a strip to be rolled, two support rollers (4) and two intermediate rollers (3), the support rollers (4) and the intermediate rollers (3) being rotatably mounted at their ends on chocks, - lateral support cylinders (5), able to support laterally the work rolls (2), each lateral support roll being carried by a support arm (6), pivotally mounted on an axis (7),
- des poutres de répartition d’effort (8) s’étendant entre les montants correspondants de chaque paire, et des moyens (9) d’application d’un effort de pré-charge sur chaque bras support (6), destinés à engager avec l’un des bras support au niveau d’une surface d’appui (10), et comprenant au moins un vérin de précharge (11) solidaire de l’une des poutres de répartition d’effort (8),  stress distribution beams (8) extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means (9) for applying a pre-load force on each support arm (6) intended to engage with one of the support arms at a bearing surface (10), and comprising at least one precharging cylinder (11) integral with one of the force distribution beams (8),
- une ou plusieurs buses de pulvérisation pour un fluide lubrifiant/ refroidissant, et dans lequel au moins une des buses (12), est embarquée sur l’un des bras supports (6) et dans lequel le circuit d’alimentation en fluide de ladite au moins une buse (12) comprend un dispositif (13) de connexion/déconnexion comprenant :  one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating / cooling fluid, and in which at least one of the nozzles (12) is embarked on one of the support arms (6) and in which the fluid supply circuit of said at least one nozzle (12) comprises a connection / disconnection device (13) comprising:
- une conduite (14) du bras support (6), destinée à canaliser le fluide, présentant une ouverture d’alimentation (15) débouchant sur la surface extérieure du bras support située du côté des moyens (9) d’application d’un effort de précharge,  a duct (14) of the support arm (6) intended to channel the fluid, having a supply opening (15) opening on the outer surface of the support arm situated on the side of the means (9) for applying a preload force,
- un connecteur creux (16), mobile par rapport à la cage de maintien (30), déplaçable sous l’action d’un actionneur (17) apte à réaliser une liaison étanche avec l’ouverture d’alimentation (15) sur la surface extérieure (10) dans une première position de connexion (Pl), ou au contraire s’escamoter dans une deuxième position de déconnexion, à distance de la surface extérieure (10), - A hollow connector (16), movable relative to the holding cage (30), movable under the action of an actuator (17) adapted to make a tight connection with the feed opening (15) on the outer surface (10) in a first connection position (P1), or on the contrary retract into a second disconnection position, away from the outer surface (10),
caractérisé en ce que ledit actionneur (17) est un actionneur distinct du vérin (11) desdits moyens (9) d’application d’un effort de précharge. characterized in that said actuator (17) is an actuator separate from the jack (11) of said means (9) for applying a precharge force.
2. Laminoir selon la revendication 1 dans lequel l’extrémité de connexion du connecteur creux (16) et le siège autour de l’ouverture d’alimentation (15) destiné à recevoir en appui ladite extrémité de connexion comportent des reliefs complémentaires, mutuellement emboîtant, interdisant tout glissement relatif entre l’extrémité de connexion du connecteur creux (16) et le siège, dans ladite première position de connexion (Pl). 2. Rolling mill according to claim 1 wherein the connection end of the hollow connector (16) and the seat around the feed opening (15) intended to receive in abutment with said connection end comprise complementary, mutually fitting reliefs. , prohibiting any relative sliding between the connection end of the hollow connector (16) and the seat, in said first connection position (P1).
3. Laminoir selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le connecteur creux (16) est prévu flottant par rapport au bâti de la cage, susceptible d’accompagner les mouvements du bras support (6) lors des opérations de laminage dans la première position de connexion (Pl), ledit connecteur creux (16) étant configuré pour être articulé par rapport à la cage du laminoir afin de permettre à l’extrémité de connexion du connecteur creux (16) de suivre les mouvements du bras support (6). 3. Rolling mill according to claim 2, wherein the hollow connector (16) is provided floating relative to the frame of the cage, adapted to accompany the movements of the support arm (6) during rolling operations in the first connection position. (Pl), said hollow connector (16) being configured to be articulated relative to the roll stand to allow the connecting end of the hollow connector (16) to follow the movements of the support arm (6).
4. Laminoir selon l’une des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel le connecteur creux (16) est un corps rigide formant une conduite présentant une extrémité longitudinale, libre destinée à être connectée ou déconnectée à l’ouverture d’alimentation (15) du bras support (6), l’autre extrémité longitudinale étant solidaire de l’actionneur (17). 4. Rolling mill according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hollow connector (16) is a rigid body forming a pipe having a longitudinal end, free to be connected or disconnected to the feed opening (15) of the support arm (6), the other longitudinal end being integral with the actuator (17).
5. Laminoir selon la revendication 4, dans lequel ledit actionneur (17) est un vérin dont le corps du vérin est fixé à une partie fixe de cage, et la tige du vérin est solidaire de ladite autre extrémité de la partie creuse (16), via une articulation (19). 5. Rolling mill according to claim 4, wherein said actuator (17) is a jack whose body of the jack is fixed to a fixed portion of the cage, and the rod of the jack is secured to said other end of the hollow portion (16). via a hinge (19).
6. Laminoir selon la revendication 4 ou 5, dans lequel le connecteur creux (16) comporte en extrémité de connexion un système de rotule, y compris une première pièce tubulaire (20) et une deuxième pièce tubulaire (21) présentant des surfaces de contact hémisphériques, la première pièce (20) rigidement solidaire du corps formant connecteur creux (16), la deuxième pièce (21), libre de s’orienter par rapport au corps du connecteur creux (16). 6. Rolling mill according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the hollow connector (16) has at the connection end a ball joint system, including a first tubular piece (20) and a second tubular piece (21) having contact surfaces. hemispherical, the first piece (20) rigidly secured to the hollow connector body (16), the second piece (21), free to orient relative to the body of the hollow connector (16).
7. Laminoir selon l’une des revendications 1 à 6, comprenant des moyens de réglage de la position horizontale de chaque poutre de répartition d’effort (8), tels qu’un actionneur vis/écrou (81), convenant pour rapprocher ou éloigner la poutre de répartition (8) d’un bras support (6) en vis à vis, ladite poutre de répartition étant de position réglable par rapport à une poutre fixe (18) solidaire par ses extrémités à deux des montants aux deux extrémités de la cage, et dans lequel ledit actionneur (17) est fixé à la poutre fixe (18), reliant la poutre fixe (18) et le connecteur creux (16). 7. Rolling mill according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising means for adjusting the horizontal position of each force distribution beam (8), such as an actuator screw / nut (81), suitable for bringing the distribution beam (8) closer to or away from a supporting arm (6) opposite, said distribution beam being of adjustable position with respect to a fixed beam (18) secured to by its ends to two of the uprights at both ends of the cage, and wherein said actuator (17) is fixed to the fixed beam (18), connecting the fixed beam (18) and the hollow connector (16).
8. Laminoir selon l’une des revendications 1 à 7 dans lequel chaque bras support (6) d’un cylindre d’appui latéral (5) est monté pivotant sur ledit axe (7), constitué par un arbre solidaire des empoises d’un des cylindres intermédiaires (3), chaque cylindre intermédiaire (3), empoises du cylindre intermédiaire, cylindres d’appui latéraux (5) et bras supports correspondants (6) formant un ensemble autoportant, appelé insert, ledit laminoir comprenant un insert inférieur (bnf) et un insert supérieur (Isup), lesdits inserts pouvant être retirés ou introduits par coulissement au travers de la fenêtre d’accès lors de la maintenance dans une position d’ouverture (Po) de la cage de maintien pour laquelle les inserts supérieur et inférieur (Isup, Iinf) sont écartés du plan de laminage, les inserts supérieur et inférieur (Isup, Iinf) pouvant passer à une position de travail dans une position de fermeture de cage (Pc) 8. Rolling mill according to one of claims 1 to 7 wherein each support arm (6) of a lateral support cylinder (5) is pivotally mounted on said axis (7), consisting of a shaft integral with the chocks of one of the intermediate cylinders (3), each intermediate cylinder (3), chocks of the intermediate cylinder, lateral bearing cylinders (5) and corresponding support arms (6) forming a self-supporting assembly, called an insert, said mill comprising a lower insert ( bnf) and an upper insert (Isup), said inserts being removable or slidably introduced through the access window during maintenance into an open position (Po) of the holding cage for which the upper inserts and lower (Isup, Iinf) are spaced apart from the rolling plane, the upper and lower inserts (Isup, Iinf) being able to pass to a working position in a cage closing position (Pc)
et dans lequel le dispositif de connexion est configuré de manière à ce que le passage de la deuxième position de déconnexion vers la première position de connexion (Pl), est obtenu sous l’action du déploiement de l’actionneur (17) en position d’ouverture (Po) de la cage, dans la position écartée des inserts inférieur et supérieur, and wherein the connecting device is configured so that the passage from the second disconnection position to the first connection position (P1) is obtained by the action of the deployment of the actuator (17) in position d opening (Po) of the cage, in the spaced apart position of the lower and upper inserts,
et dans lequel ledit connecteur creux (16), voire ledit actionneur (17) du dispositif de connexion sont articulés et configurés de sorte que ledit connecteur creux (16), voire ledit actionneur (17) accompagnent le mouvement du bras support (6) auquel ledit connecteur creux (16) est connecté, depuis la position d’ouverture (Po) de la cage vers la position de fermeture (Pc) de la cage, ledit connecteur creux (16) passant alors d’une position écartée (Pe) de la poutre de répartition d’effort (8) vers une position rapprochée (Pr) de la poutre de répartition d’effort (8). and wherein said hollow connector (16), or said actuator (17) of the connecting device is hinged and configured so that said hollow connector (16), or said actuator (17) accompany the movement of the support arm (6) to which said hollow connector (16) is connected, from the open position (Po) of the cage to the closed position (Pc) of the cage, said hollow connector (16) then passing from a remote position (Pe) of the force distribution beam (8) to a close position (Pr) of the force distribution beam (8).
9. Laminoir selon la revendication 8, dans lequel ledit actionneur (17) est dit premier actionneur configuré pour déployer ou rétracter ledit connecteur creux (16) afin d’assurer le passage de la deuxième position de déconnexion vers la première position de connexion (Pl), ou inversement, dans la position d’ouverture (Po) de la cage de maintien et dans lequel un deuxième actionneur (23), indépendant du premier actionneur (17) ou encore un moyen ressort coopère avec ledit connecteur creux (16) et est configuré pour contraindre ledit connecteur creux (16) dans la première position écartée (Pe) de la poutre de répartition d’effort lorsque ledit connecteur creux (16) est dans ladite deuxième position de déconnexion. A rolling mill according to claim 8, wherein said actuator (17) is said first actuator configured to deploy or retract said hollow connector (16) to provide passage from the second disconnect position to the first position connection (P1), or vice versa, in the open position (Po) of the holding cage and in which a second actuator (23) independent of the first actuator (17) or a spring means cooperates with said hollow connector (16) and is configured to constrain said hollow connector (16) in the first spread position (Pe) of the force distribution beam when said hollow connector (16) is in said second disconnect position.
10. Laminoir selon la revendication 9, dans lequel ledit deuxième actionneur (23) est fixé sur un support solidaire de la poutre de répartition d’effort (8). 10. Rolling mill according to claim 9, wherein said second actuator (23) is fixed on a support integral with the force distribution beam (8).
11. Laminoir selon l’une des revendications 1 à 10, dans lequel chaque cylindre d’appui latéral (5) est supporté par des galets d’appui, les galets d’appui étant montés sur des axes (50,51) des bras support (6) par l’intermédiaire de roulements, et dans lequel le bras support (6) comprend un circuit d’alimentation en lubrifiant pour les roulements, distinct du circuit d’alimentation de ladite au moins une buse (12). 11. Rolling mill according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each lateral support cylinder (5) is supported by support rollers, the support rollers being mounted on the axes (50,51) of the arms support (6) via bearings, and wherein the support arm (6) comprises a lubricant supply circuit for the bearings, separate from the supply circuit of said at least one nozzle (12).
12. Laminoir selon la revendication 11, dans lequel le circuit d’alimentation en lubrifiant pour les roulements comprend l’arbre sur lequel est monté pivotant le bras support (6), ledit arbre étant creux. 12. Rolling mill according to claim 11, wherein the lubricant supply circuit for the bearings comprises the shaft on which is pivotally mounted the support arm (6), said shaft being hollow.
13. Procédé d’obtention d’un laminoir selon l’une des revendications 1 à 12 à partir d’un laminoir existant comportant : 13. Process for obtaining a rolling mill according to one of claims 1 to 12 from an existing rolling mill comprising:
- une cage de maintien (30) comprenant deux paires de montants (31) écartées entre- elles aux deux extrémités de la cage, au moins deux montants d’une même paire définissant une fenêtre d’accès,  - a holding cage (30) comprising two pairs of uprights (31) spaced apart at both ends of the cage, at least two amounts of the same pair defining an access window,
- deux cylindres de travail (2), aptes à enserrer une bande à laminer, deux cylindres d’appui (4), et deux cylindres intermédiaires (3), les cylindres d’appui (4) et les cylindres intermédiaires (3) étant montés rotatifs à leurs extrémités sur des empoises, two work rolls (2) capable of gripping a strip to be rolled, two support rollers (4) and two intermediate rollers (3), the support rollers (4) and the intermediate rollers (3) being rotatably mounted at their ends on chocks,
- des cylindres d’appui latéraux (5), aptes à supporter latéralement les cylindres de travail (2), chaque cylindre d’appui latéral étant porté par un bras support (6), monté pivotant sur un axe (7), - des poutres de répartition d’effort (8) s’étendant entre les montants correspondants de chaque paire, et des moyens (9) d’application d’un effort de pré-charge sur chaque bras support (6), destinés à engager avec l’un des bras support au niveau d’une surface d’appui (10), et comprenant au moins un vérin de précharge (11) solidaire de l’une des poutres de répartition d’effort (8), - Lateral support cylinders (5), able to support laterally the working rolls (2), each lateral support roll being carried by a support arm (6), pivotally mounted on an axis (7), stress distribution beams (8) extending between the corresponding uprights of each pair, and means (9) for applying a pre-load force on each support arm (6) intended to engage with one of the support arms at a bearing surface (10), and comprising at least one precharging cylinder (11) integral with one of the force distribution beams (8),
- une ou plusieurs buses de pulvérisation pour un fluide lubrifiant/ refroidissant, procédé dans lequel on ajoute le dispositif (13) de connexion/déconnexion au laminoir existant par la mise en œuvre des étapes suivantes :  one or more spray nozzles for a lubricating / cooling fluid, in which method the connection / disconnection device (13) is added to the existing rolling mill by carrying out the following steps:
- on remplace tout ou partie des bras support existant du laminoir par des bras embarquant ladite moins une des buses (12), et comportant la conduite (14) présentant une ouverture d’alimentation (15) débouchant sur la surface extérieure est embarquée sur l’un des bras supports (6),  all or part of the existing support arms of the rolling mill are replaced by arms carrying the said one minus one of the nozzles (12), and comprising the pipe (14) having a feed opening (15) opening on the outer surface is embarked on the one of the support arms (6),
- on ajoute le connecteur creux (16), mobile par rapport à la cage de maintien (30), ainsi que l’actionneur (17), le cas échéant premier actionneur, pour le déplacement du connecteur creux, apte à réaliser une liaison étanche avec l’ouverture d’alimentation (15) sur la surface extérieure (10) dans la première position de connexion, ou au contraire s’escamoter dans la deuxième position de déconnexion, à distance de la surface extérieure (10), et le cas échéant le deuxième actionneur (23), indépendant du premier actionneur (17) coopérant avec ledit connecteur creux (16) et est configuré pour contraindre ledit connecteur creux (16) dans la première position écartée (Pe) de la poutre de répartition d’effort.  the hollow connector (16), which is movable with respect to the holding cage (30), and the actuator (17), possibly the first actuator, are added for the displacement of the hollow connector, capable of making a tight connection with the supply opening (15) on the outer surface (10) in the first connection position, or on the contrary retracting into the second disconnection position, away from the outer surface (10), and the case optionally the second actuator (23), independent of the first actuator (17) cooperating with said hollow connector (16) and is configured to constrain said hollow connector (16) in the first spread position (Pe) of the force distribution beam .
EP19710005.0A 2018-01-25 2019-01-23 Rolling mill with cooling or lubricating device Active EP3743223B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1850594A FR3077015B1 (en) 2018-01-25 2018-01-25 ROLLER WITH COOLING OR LUBRICATING DEVICE
PCT/FR2019/050148 WO2019145639A1 (en) 2018-01-25 2019-01-23 Rolling mill with cooling or lubricating device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3743223A1 true EP3743223A1 (en) 2020-12-02
EP3743223B1 EP3743223B1 (en) 2022-03-02

Family

ID=61873551

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19710005.0A Active EP3743223B1 (en) 2018-01-25 2019-01-23 Rolling mill with cooling or lubricating device

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US11420244B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3743223B1 (en)
CN (1) CN111727088B (en)
ES (1) ES2920450T3 (en)
FR (1) FR3077015B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2019145639A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4531394A (en) 1982-03-26 1985-07-30 T. Sendzimir, Inc. Six-high rolling mills
DE3323641A1 (en) 1983-04-02 1984-10-04 SMS Schloemann-Siemag AG, 4000 Düsseldorf MULTI-ROLLER FRAME
US6041636A (en) 1998-02-20 2000-03-28 T. Sendzimir, Inc. Side supported 6-high rolling mill
US7185522B2 (en) * 2005-05-10 2007-03-06 T. Sendzimir, Inc. Side supported 6-high rolling mill
US8966951B2 (en) * 2009-02-02 2015-03-03 Siemens Vai Metals Technologies Sas Spraying method and device for a rolling plant
EP2676744A1 (en) * 2012-06-22 2013-12-25 Siemens VAI Metals Technologies GmbH Device for sprinkling a rolling plant and method for extracting/inserting said system from/in said rolling cage
FR3008633B1 (en) * 2013-07-22 2015-08-07 Fives Dms ROLLER EQUIPPED WITH AT LEAST ONE COOLING NOZZLE
FR3023192B1 (en) * 2014-07-01 2016-08-05 Fives Dms ROLLING MILL FOR EXAMPLE COLD ROLLING MILL

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN111727088A (en) 2020-09-29
US20210060631A1 (en) 2021-03-04
CN111727088B (en) 2022-07-26
ES2920450T3 (en) 2022-08-04
FR3077015A1 (en) 2019-07-26
FR3077015B1 (en) 2020-01-24
US11420244B2 (en) 2022-08-23
EP3743223B1 (en) 2022-03-02
WO2019145639A1 (en) 2019-08-01

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