US2025562A - Control for sheet rolling mills - Google Patents

Description

24; 1935. H, E, BALSIGER "2,025,562

CONTROL FOR SHEET ROLLING MILLS Filed Jim 24, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 24, 1935. BALslGER I 2,025,562

CONTROL FOR SHEET ROLLING MILLS Filed June 24, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q PM T INVENTO W ATTO NEY Dec. 24, 1935. E. BALSIGER 2,025,562

CONTROL FOR SHEET ROLLING MILLS v Filed June 24, 1952 C 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Dec. 24, 1935. H. E. BALSIGER 2,025,562

CONTROL FOR SHEET ROLLING MILLS Filed June 24, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 /fl5 m2 urn k N M m x K INVENTOR MCM Dec. 24, 1935. B E 2,025,562

CONTROL FOR SHEET ROLLING M ILLS Filed June 24, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I J 1 J l 1 d l /56 H 5/ Q 1 1 me if 5 505 5x5 E INVENTOR L '-FEI4',BYWFY qwawo w Patented Dec. 24, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTROL FOR SHEET ROLLING IWILLS Application June 24, 1932, Serial No. 619,156

8 Claims.

Due to variations in the materials being operated on, the temperature and also for other reasons the thickness of the product coming from the rolls varies widely for any given setting of the roll. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic control which is responsive to'variation in the thickness of the strip to keep the thickness within predetermined limits. The object of the invention therefore is to provide automatic mechanically operated mechanism for controlling the rolls of a machine which is operating upon material to render it into sheet form.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the description which follows:

Referring to the accompanying drawings which are made a part hereof and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a rolling mill showing my invention adapted to the rolls,

Figure 2, a section on line 2-2 of Figure 3, and

Figure 3, a plan view of Figure 2, both figures showing means for keeping a sizing device in contact with the work,

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 5, and

Figure 5, a section on line 5-5 of Figure 4, both of these figures showing in detail means for adjusting the rolls relative to each other,

Figure 6 is a detail view showing means for operating mechanism for moving the rolls relative to each other,

Figure 7, a section of a cushioning device taken on line 'I 'l of Figure 6, and

Figure 8, a diagrammatic view of the control circuits forming a part of the invention,

Figure 9 is a modified form showing hydraulic means for adjusting the rolls,

Figure 10 is still a further modified form showing a. continuously operating motor with a clutch for changing the direction of operation of the rolls and for initiating operation of the direction changing means,

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic showing of a further modified form in which a reversible motor is used for operating roll adjusting means,

Figure 12 is a detail view of a modified form of roll adjusting screw, and

Figures 13 and 14 are horizontal sectional views of a modified form in which the reversible motor shown diagrammatically in Figure 11 is used for adjusting the rolls relatively to each other.

In the drawings numeral Ill indicates mill rolls of a type used for forming rubber into sheets of any suitable sort which are mounted in supports I I and are adjustable toward and from each other by means of shafts I2. Obviously applicants device may be applied to the adjustment of mills which form other materials into sheets. These shafts are screw threaded on their upper ends 10 and have mounted thereon worm wheels l3, the rotation of which worm wheels will adjust the shafts vertically. The worm wheels are mounted in suitable ball bearings I l upon the supports II. Shafts I5 and I6 provide means for rotating the worm wheel I3. The shaft I8 is provided with a worm H which engages the Worm wheel I3 and this shaft is manually operable by means of a hand wheel I8. The shaft I5 is provided with Worm teeth I9 engageable with corresponding 20 teeth on the worm I3 and the shaft I5 is mechanically operated by mechanism which will be later described. Shafts I5 and I6 are provided with interengaging beveled gears 20 and 2| so that each shaft is driven by the other. Secured in the hub of the worm wheel I3 is a short stub shaft 22 which carries a head 23. The hub portion 24 of the head 23 may be calibrated as shown at 25 to indicate the vertical position of the shaft l2. The outer end of the shaft I5 carries a toothed wheel 26 by means of which the shaft I5 is rotated. On the outer end of the shaft I5 also is loosely mounted a T-shaped arm 2'7 which is biased to a balanced position by means of springs 28 and 29 under the opposite arms so 5 that the arms will be held normally in a given position. On the third arm of the T there is pivoted a ratchet 30 which has two dog portions El and 32 engageable with the teeth of the gear wheel 26. The upper end of the ratchet 3c is 40 pivoted at 33 to a link 34 which link is attached at each end to core plungers 35 and 33 of solenoids 31 and 38.

The core 35 is attached to a piston rod 39 to which is secured a piston 40 movable in a cylinder 4| The chambers on opposite sides of the piston M are connected by a fluid passage 42 in which passage is a needle valve 43. The valve 43 regulates the flow of fluid from one side of the piston All to the other and hence cushions movement of the solenoid core. The solenoids are energized by circuits which will now be described.

A nozzle 44 is positioned adjacent the surface of the strip t5 which strip is being formed between the rolls. A line 45 is connected with some source of pressure fluid of a constant pressure. Fluid from the line 46 flows through a restriction 41 into a pipe 48 from which latter pipe it issues through the nozzle 44 escaping between the end of the nozzle and the surface of the work on strip 45. Due to the Velocity of the fluid, issuing through the restriction at 41 there will be an area of reduced pressure in the pipe 49 and in the chamber 50 in one leg of a U-tube This reduced pressure is the result of the Venturi action of the jet of fluid at 41. The U-tube 5| will be partially filled with some liquid such as mercury 52. One leg of the U-tube will contain a contact element 53 which is connected to a wire 54. 'Within the other leg of the U-tube are positioned contact elements 55 and 56. The element 55 is within the body of mercury while the contact element 56 is normally above the mercury. Element 56 is connected by wire 5'I'to a post 58 carof convenience in describing the invention we will assume that wires BI and 62 are direct current lines. This current is at high potential and must be reduced either by a transformer or a resistance. 63, 64' and 65 designate a series of resistors so that between point 66 and point .61 there is a total voltage drop substantially equal to the line voltage. Assume that contacts 55 and 56 have been closed by the mercury in the left leg of the -U-tube the circuit then will be closed from contact 56 through wires 51, 68, coil 69,

wire 10, point 61 andthrough wire H to wire 6|. From contact point 55 the circuit is closed through wire 12 through switch 13, wire I4 through resistance 65,- resistance 63, point 66 and wire 15 to connect with line wire'62. This energizes the coil 69 and. closes the switch 16. When the switch 16 is closed the circuit is closed with lead-in lines 6| and 62 through wires 11, 18 and 19. This energizes the solenoid 38 and moves the ratchet 30 to the left to rotate the wheel 26 counterclockwise as shown in Figure 6. The'circuit through the line 12 and 14 can only be closed when the switch at 73 is closed. This switch will be closed o-nly'for a short time and that is when a cam 86 engages an element 8| 7 on the'switch to lift the switch to closed position.

The cam 86 is on a wheel or disk 82 which is rotated at a constant speed and continuously, and switch 13 therefore is continuously opened and closed. If contacts 56 and 55 are closed at the 7 'same time. then the circuits will be set up as indicated and the solenoid 38 will be energized.

The energizing will be intermittent so that the core of the solenoid will be reciprocated to rock the wheel 26 toward the left. The parts are so arranged that it will be apparent from the drawings that contacts 55 and 56 will only be closed when there is suflicient pressure in the chamber 5!) to raise the column of mercury in the left leg ofthe U-tube. The device will be set so that 'fluid may issue from the nozzle 44 at a given rate and so that contacts 56 and 53 will be out of the body of mercury. If the material 45 should become thicker so that the space between the sure in the pipe 49 and in the chamber 58.

nozzle and the surface of the work decreases then fluid cannot escape as freely. This will cause pressure to build up in the tube 48 and will decrease the velocity of the fluid issuing through the restricted passage at 41. The reduced velocity at 41 will decrease the aspirating effect of the fluid in pipe 49 and hence increase the. pressure in the chamber 50 to move the column of mercury in the left leg of the tube upward until it closes contact between points 55 and 55. When this occurs the material being formed is too thick. The solenoid 38 is energized at this time to rock the wheel 26 counterclockwise. The wheel 26 in turn will rotate the worm wheel I3 to move the shaft so as to bring the working rolls closer together. If the solenoid 38 were continuously energized there would be no racking of the wheel 26. It is necessary to have the circuit continuously interrupting in order to provide this racking. The cam 80 provides for intermittently 2-0 breaking and closing contacts which interrupt the circuit. 4 a

Contact 53 is connected through wire 54 through coil 83.

When the sheet of material 45 becomes thinner than the predetermined amount the space between the end of the nozzle 44 and the surface of the work becomes wider so that air may issue faster from the pipe 48. This increases the velocity of the air through the restricted line 41 and the aspirating effect of the air reduces the pres- The column of mercury arises in the right leg of the U-tube and makes contact between points 53 and 55. A circuit then is closed through line 54, coil 83, line 84, binding post 85, resistance 63 and point 66 to connect with wire 15 and to lead-in wire 62. The circuit is closed from point 55 through wire 12, switch I3, wire 14, resistance 64 and wire H which connects the lead-in wire 6 I. This circuit energizes coil 83 and closes switch 86. When 86 is closed the circuit will be closed from lead-in wires 6| and 62 through wires 11 and 18, switch 86 and wires 8'! and 88 to energize solenoid 31. This actuates the plunger 35 to move it to the right as shown in Figure 6 to operate the gear wheel 26 in a clockwise direction. Of course the cam 80 will intermittently make and break the switch 13 so that the solenoid will be operated intermittently. When the gear wheel 26 is rotated clockwise worm gear 13 will be rotated so as to raise the shaft l2 and to move the rolls away from each other to increase the thickness of the sheet of material which is being formed between the rolls.

The second U-tube shown in Figure 8 is a dupli- .cate of that just described. It is advisable to have moved independently of the other by its own siz- 603 ing device and control mechanism associated therewith. The circuits are identical with those just described. It is therefore thought unnecessary to repeat the description. At 89 are shown condensers which are provided to prevent sparking between the contact points 56 and 53 and the surface of the body of mercury. The circuit through the condensers'is closed through line 68, condenser 89, line 90, resistance 9|, line 14 and line This reduces arcing across contact points. Four such condensers are shown in circuit with each of the solenoids. The condensers all operate in the same manner so it is thought unnecessary to describe more than one.

In order to determine the thickness of the material being formed a plate 92 (Fig. 2) is provided which rests against the periphery of the roll as shown'a't 93. This plate is carried on a block 94 which is adjustably supported on an arm 95. The nozzle 44 is adjustably mounted in the block 94 and may be moved toward and from the surface of the work by an adjustable nut 96. The space between the surface of the work and the end of the nozzle will at all times be just slightly in excess of the desired thickness of the work. i The arm 94 is one arm of a rock arm which is pivoted at 91 to some stationary portion of the machine. Weights 98 are suspended from the other arm 99 of the rock arm and these weights maintain the plate 92 in contact with a surface of the roll.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figure 9 a piston I00 is carried in a cylinder IOI and is operated by fluid from lines I02 and I03. A lever I04 which corresponds to lever 30 in Figure 6 engages a notch in the piston I00 so that the lever is rocked upon operation of the piston. Springs I05 and I06 hold the lever in central position when pressure fluid is released from lines I02 and I03. When in the position shown in Figure 9 lines I02 and I03 are open to exhaust lines I01 through which lines pressure .fluidmay exhaust to a reservoir I08. When valves I09 are shifting either to the right or to the left by solenoids I I0, I I I, pressure fluid line 'I I2 is put in communication with line I03 or I02 depending on whether solenoid H0 or III is energized. Solenoids IIO, III correspond to solenoids 83 and 69 shown in Figure 8, which solenoids are energized when contact is made between points 53 and 55 or 56 and 55 respectively.

In Figure 10 there is provided a continuously operating electric motor I I3 which drives the bevel gear I'I4 through speed reducing gears I15, H6, I I1, I I8. Bevel gear I I4 meshes with corresponding bevel gears H9 and I20 which latter bevel gears are loosely mounted upon the shaft I2I which carries a Worm gear I22 by means of which the roll adjusting shaft is operated. Clutch elements I23 are keyed to the shaft I2I and are shifted into engagement with beveled gears II9 and I20 by a lever I24. The lever is held in neutral position normally between springs I25. When solenoid I25 is energized the lever I24 is rocked clockwise to bring the clutch I23 into engagement with the clutch I20 so that the shaft I2I may be rotated. When solenoid I21 is energized the clutch will be brought into engagement with beveled gear I I9 to rotate theshaft I2I in the reverse direction. The rollstherefore will be adjusted toward each other or from each other in accordance with whether solenoid I26 or I21 is energized. The contact points in the mercury tube will determine which of solenoids I26 or I21 is energized. When material of the correct thickness is passing between the rolls as determined by the sizing device at 44 in Figure 8 neither of the solenoids will be energized so that the lever I24 will be maintained in the neutral position by springs I25. When the thickness of the sheet varies beyond a predetermined limit, either one or the other solenoids will be energized to shift the rolls to bring the sheet back to the desired thickness.

In Figure 11 a reversible motor I21 is provided which is controlled by switches I28, I29, I30, I3I. Lines I32 and I33 correspond respectively to lines 68 and 54 in Figure 8.

When the circuit is closed across lines I32 and I33 solenoid I34 is energized to close switches I28 and I29. This will close the circuit through power line I35, switch I29, through line I36, motor I21, line I31, switch I29, line I38 to lead-in line I39. This will operate the motor I21 in one direction. When the circuit is closed. across lines I40 and MI solenoid I42 will be energized to close switches I30--I3I and to open switches I28 and I29. The circuit will be closed from line I35 through switch I30, line I31, motor I21, line I36, line I43, switch I3I, line I38 to power line I39. When in this position it will be apparent that the terminals of the motor I21 are connected opposite to the way in which they are connected when switches I28 and I29 are closed. The motor I21 therefore will be rotated in the opposite direction in a manner which is well known. Dynamic braking is provided in the motor by contactor I56 closing circuit between contacts I54 and I55. Contactor I56 is carried on. interlocking bar I58 and so proportioned that contactor I56 is opened before either the forward or reverse contactors close. The motor I21 controls adjustment of the rolls through which the sheet of material is passing. When the thickness of the sheet varies beyond predetermined limits the position of the rolls is adjusted by rotating motor I21 in one direction or the other depending on whether the sheet is too thick or too thin. The motor I21 may be connected for adjusting the rolls in the manner shown in Figures 13 and 14 in which the motor operated through a shaft I44, i

a worm I45 which meshes with a worm wheel I46. Worm wheel I46 is on a shaft I41 and carries a worm I48 which meshes with a worm wheel I49. The worm wheel I49 in turn is mounted on a shaft I50 which carries a worm meshing with a worm wheel I5I which latter wheel is on a shaft which adjusts the working rolls relative to each "other. The worm drive connection just described provides aspeed'reduction between the motor I21 and. the shaft which is connected to the rolls which are to be adjusted.

In the form shown in Figure 12 a spring I52 is provided to insure a yielding element to permit the rolls to separate slightly when objects beyond a predetermined thickness are ,carried between the rolls. The shaft I53 may be rotated in any of the manners described above. For more detailed description of some features of the device reference may be had to my copending application Ser. No. 598,498, filed March 12, 1932.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in my device without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore I do not limit myself to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated by the appended claims. 7

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a machine for forming material into sheet form having a plurality of-rolls, means for adjusting the rolls toward and from each other to vary the thickness of the sheet, and a control means for said adjusting means including a nozzle having a fixed position relative to the sheet, a fluid supply line connected-to said nozzle where by fluid is discharged against the sheet, means associated with said nozzle and responsive to variations in pressure in the fluid for causingsaicl adjusting means to separate the rolls when the sheet decreases below a predetermined desired thickness and to move the rolls toward each other when said sheet increases above the said desired thickness.

2. In a machine for forming material into sheet form having a plurality of rolls, means for adjusting the rolls toward and from each other to vary the thickness of the sheet, and an electrically actuated control means for said adjusting means including a nozzle having a fixed position relative to the sheet, a fluid supply line connected to said nozzle whereby fluid is discharged against the sheet, means associated with said nozzle and responsive to variations in pressure in the fluid for controlling circuits of said control means for causing said adjusting means to separate the rolls when the sheet decreases below a predetermined desired thickness and for controlling other circuits of said control means for causing the rolls to move toward each other when said sheet increases above said desired thickness.

3. In a machine for forming material into sheet form having a plurality of rolls, means for adjusting the rolls toward and from each other to vary the thickness of the sheet, and an electrically actuated control means for said adjusting means including a nozzle having a fixed position relative to the sheet, a fluid supply line connected to said nozzle whereby fluid is discharged against the sheet, means associated with said nozzle and responsive to variations in pressure in the fluid for controlling circuits of said control'means for causing said adjusting means to separate the rolls when the sheet decreases below a predetermined desired thickness and for controlling circuits of said control means for causing the rolls to move toward each other when said sheet increases above said desired thickness, and an intermittently operated control switch in said circuits of the control means whereby said adjusting means is operated to intermittently move the roll during the adjusting of the same. V

4. In a machine for forming material into sheet form having a plurality of rolls, means for adjusting the rolls toward and from each other to vary the thickness of the sheet, and an electrically actuated control means for said adjusting means including a nozzle having a fixed position relative to the sheet, a fluid supply line connected to said nozzle whereby fluid is discharged against the sheet, said electrically, controlled means including independent circuits operating respectively to cause said adjusting means to move the rolls toward each other or from each other, means associated with said nozzle and responsive to variations in pressure in the fluid for controlling the respective circuit for moving the rolls toward each other when the sheet increases above a predetermined desired thickness and for controlling the other respective circuit for moving said rolls away from each other when said sheet decreases below the predetermined desired thickness. r a

5. In a machine for forming material into sheet form having a plurality of rolls, means for adjusting the rolls toward and from each other to vary the thickness of the sheet, including a shaft, a pawl and ratchet mechanism for rotating said shaft in one direction or theother, means for actuating said pawl, means operating when moved 1 in'one direction for causing said pawl to operate through said adjusting means to separate the rollsandwhen moved in the other direction opcrating through said pawl to cause said rolls to operate through said adjusting means to move tion when said sheet decreases from the desired thickness.

6. In a machine for forming material into sheet form having a plurality of rolls, means for adjusting the rolls toward and from each other to vary the thickness of the sheet, including a shaft,

a pawl and ratchet mechanism for rotating said shaft in one direction or the other, means for actuating said pawl, a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder and connected to said pawl for moving it in one direction or the other, a fluid pressure means connected with theiopposite ends of said cylinder, a valve for controlling the fluid pressure means, whereby fluid under pressure is selectively admitted to the opposite ends of said cylinder, and a control means for shifting said valve including a nozzle having a fixed position relative to the sheet, a fluid supply line connected to the nozzle whereby fluid is discharged against the sheet, and means associated withthe nozzle and responsive to variations in pressure in the fluid for causing said valve to shift in one direction when the sheet decreases below a predetermined desired thickness and to shift in the other direction when said sheet increases above the desired thickness.

7. In a machine for forming material into sheet form having a plurality of rolls, means for adjusting the rolls toward and from each other to vary the thickness of the sheet, including a shaft, a pawl and ratchet mechanism for rotating said shaft in one direction or the other, means for actuating said pawl, a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder and connected to said pawl for moving it in one direction or the other, a fluid pressure means connected with the opposite ends in pressure in the fluid for establishing a circuit 7 and causing the valve to shift in one direction upon an increase in thickness of the sheet above a predetermined thickness and for establishing a a circuit to cause said valve to shift in the other direction when said sheet decreases below the predetermined desired thickness. V

8. In a machine for forming material into sheet form having a plurality of rolls, means for adjusting the rolls toward and from each other to vary the thickness of the sheet, including a shaft, a pawl and ratchet mechanism for rotate ing said shaft in one direction or the other, means for actuating said pawl, a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder and connected to said pawl for moving, it in one direction or the other, a

fluid pressure means connected with the opposite ends of said cylinder,'a valve for controlling the fluid pressure means whereby pressure fluid is selectively admitted to the opposite ends of said cylinder, an electrically actuated control means for shifting said valve including a nozzle having a fixed position relative to the sheet, a fluid supply line connected to said nozzle whereby fluid is discharged against the sheet, and means associated with the nozzle and responsive to variations in pressure in the fluid for establishing a circuit and causing the valve to shift in one direction upon an increase in thickness of the 10 sheet above a predetermined thickness and for

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