Apparatus, system and method for handling long rolled products coming from different strands of a rolling mill

[0001] The invention relates to a device comprising a cooling grate and a drum and a method for moving rolled long products coming from different rolling strands, see for example IT document 1225986 B. The invention also relates to a system comprising such a device.

[0002] The invention can be used in particular, but not exclusively in hot mills for the production of long iron products, such as rods and the like.

[0003] In order to produce finished long metal products, such as rods or the like, a plant for producing long metal products includes, amongst other devices, a plurality of rolling stands arranged along the mill line to continuously billow from a furnace or other similar Source a.

[0004] After the last rolling stand the product is generally cut into rod segments which are then cooled at ambient temperature, for example on a cooling grid.

[0005] The long product can be discharged to the cooling grid by a device called a drum.

[0006] A plant for the production of long products can be configured to process multiple bands simultaneously. The strand is obtained by boldly or longitudinally cutting the product when it is still hot at a certain place in the plant after a certain number of rolling passes.

Cutting is performed to increase the production efficiency of the plant without increasing the rolling speed of the last rolling stands. After this cutting operation, the long metal product is divided into different bands that require further processing.

[0007] In EP 1 877 203 B1, in order to be able to process long segments of products coming from different production bands, at least two band drums are used. Each drum receives alternately one segment of a long product which has been previously cut. This means that two drums are allocated per strand of the product. In addition, switching means are needed to direct the long product segments to the respective drum. The above-mentioned elements make the device rather complicated, increase its complexity and require a large amount of maintenance.

[0008] Document WO 02 070156 A1 discloses a device for receiving and unloading rolls coming from a rolling mill. In this document, two pairs of drums are used to carry rods coming from a single band. This again means that two pairs of drums are assigned per band, which means that four drums are needed for the band of the product.

[0009] The main object of the invention is to simplify the transfer of rods, coming from different strands of the rolling mill, before they are loaded onto the cooling device.

[0010] A complementary purpose of the present invention is to reduce the number of drums, drive systems and switches needed to carry rod segments coming from multiple bands.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to increase the productivity of the mill and to obtain a more compact plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] The above-mentioned problems are solved by a device according to claim 1.

[0013] According to other optional features of the invention, treated separately or in combination:

[0014] - the drum comprises a plurality of channel pairs, each channel pair being spaced apart from adjacent channel pairs.

[0015] - each pair of channels is angularly spaced from adjacent channel pairs by an angle greater than or equal to 12 ° and preferably ranging from 12 ° to 45 °.

[0016] - the drum comprises a plurality of channel pairs, each channel pair being spaced apart from adjacent channel pairs by a channel-free portion.

[0017] said channel-free portion has an angular width α, ranging from 12 ° to 18 °.

[0018] The drum comprises a plurality of channel pairs, wherein each channel of each pair of channels has a first size, and wherein the drum between each of the channel pairs further comprises a channel having a second size other than the first size.

[0019] - the angular width and depth of each channel in having the second size are respectively greater than the angular width and depth of each channel having a first size.

[0020] - each channel extends along a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of the drum, and wherein the angular distance between the two axes of the channel pair is greater than or equal to 30 °, and preferably ranges from 30 ° to 45 °.

[0021] - the angular distance between the two vapor channels depends on the linear distance between the two long products that the channel pair is to receive.

[0022] - the angle B between the two vapor channels is between 14 ° and 24 °, and preferably between 16 ° and 20 °.

[0023] The invention also relates to a system for conveying a plurality of long products, preferably coming from a plurality of hot strip mills, characterized in that said system comprises:

a. at least one device defined above,

b. at least one guard designed to cooperate with each channel of said drum to form a chamber for closing each long product temporarily,

c. at least one guide having at least two input sections leading to a common output section, the entry sections being designed to receive and guide at least two long products, coming from two different strands from the rolling mill, towards the outlet section, and wherein the outlet section faces the channels of said drum and is intended to align said at least two long products in a parallel manner before being introduced into the channels of said drum,

d. braking means for braking said two parallel long products coming from said guide.

[0024] The invention also relates to a method for conveying at least two long products, preferably coming from two different strips from a rolling mill, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

a) introducing said at least two long products into different channels of the same drum simultaneously, and

b) then discharging said at least two long products into the same notch of the cooling grid.

[0025] Preferably, before the step a) the method comprises the following step:

carrying said at least two long products to set said two long products in a parallel manner, and braking said at least two long products.

[0026] A drum as defined above is preferably used.

[0027] The invention provides a drum capable of conveying at least two rods simultaneously in a simple manner and therefore minimizes the number of drums needed to process multiple strands in the rolling mill.

[0028] The drum of the invention is particularly advantageous when there are a plurality of strands coming from the rolling mill, but it can also be used where only one strand is produced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The disclosure of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following, non-limiting, detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a cross-section of the invention, located above the grate, wherein the drums are loaded with long products diameter;

drums, by cooling, with the first

Fig. 2 is an enlargement of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, wherein the drums are loaded with long articles having a second diameter;

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a system for transferring a plurality of long strand products coming from a rolling mill;

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of a system for transferring a plurality of long strand products coming from a rolling mill;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the drums according to the invention.

[0030] To facilitate the understanding, identical numerals have been used where possible to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.

Furthermore, since in the same drawing the drums are identical, in most cases, all numerical marks for one drum have not been repeated twice for the brightness of the image.

[0032] Figures 1 and 2 show generally a pair of drums 10 and 12 located above the cooling grid 14. Each drum or 12 has a cylindrical shape and is driven such that it rotates stepwise around its axis X. Each drum 10, 12 comprises a plurality of channels from C1 to Cn. Each C1-Cn channel along and parallel to the axis of its drum 10 or 12 and around the periphery

DETAILED DESCRIPTION extends to the respective drum. [0033] As can best be seen in figures 2, 3 and 6, each C1-Cn channel is designed to cyclically receive at once one long product P, coming from the mill.

[0034] Each drum also cooperates with a skirt 16 extending partially around and outside said drum 10 or 12. More precisely, the cover 16 is adapted to briefly close each C1-Cn channel and form in each closed channel from C1 to Cn the chamber Ch, in which each long one, the metal article P is closed before being discharged on the cooling grate 14. Each sheath 16 extends in a given angle segment with the tip in the middle X of the drum 10 or 12.

[0035] According to the invention, in order to be able to handle long products derived from different bands, obtained for example due to the cutting process, each drum 10 or 12 comprises at least two C1-C2 channels forming a pair of channels. Each channel of said pair is located close enough to one another, so that each steam channel can receive simultaneously one long product at a time. In other words, a pair of channels receive two long products at the same time. In other words, said channel pair is adapted to receive two long products simultaneously, i.e. one long product in each channel from a part or pair of channels.

The angle B (see figure 2 drum 12) between two steam channels - which can be defined as being an angle between the axis of the steam channels measured from the X axis of the channel depends on the linear distance C (see figure 5) between the two long products, before their entering into each pair of channels. Said angle may, for example, be in the range from 14 ° to 24 °, and preferably from 16 ° to 20 °. In one embodiment of the invention, the angle B is equal to 18 °.

[0037] As can be seen in figures 2, 3 and 6, each drum 10 or 12 comprises a plurality of channel pairs as defined above. Each pair of channels is angularly spaced from the adjacent channel pair by a defined angle α (with a vertex in the center X of the drum 10 or 12). This angle may, for example, be greater than or equal to 30 °. In the embodiment of figure 2, α can preferably be between 30 ° and 45 °. In one embodiment, α is equal to 42 °. Of course, this angle depends on the diameter of the largest product transferred and on the maximum rotational speed of the drum.

[0038] In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, each pair of channels is angularly spaced from its channel in relation to their adjacent channels. This part has an angle α '(with a peak in the middle X of the drum 10 or 12), which may be, for example, greater than or equal to 12 ° and preferably in the range of 12 ° to 18 °. In one embodiment, α 'is equal to 15 °. More specifically, each drum defines a plurality of longitudinal depressions 18. Each recess 18 has a pair of U-shaped pipe halves, with each U-shaped tube half being a channel for receiving a long product.

A system of two channels (e.g. C1 and C2) of a pair of parts close to each other also allows the discharge of two long products on the same notch of the cooling grid 14, as can be seen in figures 3 and 6.

[0040] The vapor channels generally have the same or a completely similar cross-section.

In the embodiment shown in figures 2 to 4, each drum comprises, between each channel pair, e.g. between channels C1-C2 and C3-C4, channel C1 'having a cross-section of said drum having a shape other than the shape of the channels, for example, C1-C4, parts of a pair. In other words, in this embodiment, each drum has two different types of channels with two different sizes.

[0042] The first size channels, called small channels (e.g. C1-C4), are intended for receiving long products with a diameter of up to 16 mm, for example, and the second size channels called large channels (e.g. C1 ') are intended for receiving long products with a diameter of e.g. greater than 16 mm to e.g. 42 mm in diameter. The angular width β and the depth "d" of each large channel is correspondingly greater than the angular width and depth of each small channel.

[0043] In addition to the fact that the drum according to the invention can carry a plurality of bands at the same time, the various channel sizes also allow to widen the range of long products that can be conveyed by the drum of the invention compared to a known drum. In other words, thanks to this embodiment, the same drum can handle different types of long products having a wide range of diameters.

[0044] Furthermore, the fact that the sizes of the channels are adapted to the side of the product guarantees the stability of the product during movement within the channel.

[0045] In addition, when traditional drums are used, the long products introduced to the inside of the channel cause abrasion. In the case where abrasion occurs in a compartment intended for a long product having an important diameter, e.g. greater than 32 mm, abrasion changes the shape of the channel. This may lead to the cessation of another long product having a smaller diameter using the same channel. This problem is avoided in the drum according to the invention because channels associated with a small diameter long product and long products with a larger diameter are used. In this way, all types of products are always well-maintained, even when rubbing in one of the channels.

[0046] Furthermore, under certain circumstances, the use of the drum of the present embodiment may avoid the use of aprons typically needed before the cooling grid in the prior art.

[0047] Figure 4 is a schematic view showing a system for conveying a plurality of strips of long articles, preferably incoming from a mill, in accordance with the invention. In a first embodiment, the system includes at least one drum 10 or 12. Before each drum 10 or 12 there is a guide 20 or 20 '. each guide 20 or 20 'is V-shaped and includes two branches spaced apart or input portions 20a, 20b converging towards the end branch or end portion 20c. During the mill's operation, each remote branch receives P1 or P2 segments of a long product coming from two different rolling strips. Each branch 20, 20b guides the long product segment towards the leading end portion 20c, where two segments P1 and

P2 of the second product are set in a parallel manner.

Then, each segment P1 and P2 of the long product are introduced simultaneously into the pair of drum channels through the braking pressure roll 22 or 22 '.

[0048] As shown above, the drum 10 or 12 according to the invention is adapted and capable of cooperating with a system supplying simultaneously two parallel long products coming from two different strips of the rolling mill.

[0049] In the embodiment shown in figure 4, each braking pressure roller 22, 22 'is a single groove pressure roller and is driven by one motor (not shown in the figure).

[0050] In the embodiment shown in figure 5, a single double-groove pressure-sensitive clamping roller 24 or 24 'is used to insert two strands into a pair of channels 10 or 12, said pressure roll 24 or 24' being driven by a single motor. . This embodiment can be used in cases where the available space is limited at this location of the plant.

[0051] As can be seen in figures 2, 3 and 6, after introducing a pair of long products with a small diameter or one large diameter product, each drum is rotated stepwise and provides a pair of long products simultaneously on a cooling grid or one long product with a large diameter at the same time on the cooling grate.

[0052] Even if not shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that the system according to the invention comprises control means for rotating the drum such that the channel pair faces the loading means 20, 22 and 22 'and also synchronizes braking by the pressure rollers and movements of the cooling grid to move forward long unloaded goods.

incoming two [0053] When the two long products, the different mill strands, appear in the transfer system (driven by the upper pressure rollers not shown according to the invention, they are in the first step through the two entry sections 20a and 20b of the figures) guiding the guide 20 or 20 [0054] In the second step, the two long products are positioned in a parallel manner through the outlet section 20c of the guide 20 or 20 '.

In the third step, the two long products are braked by the pressure rollers 22, 22 'and are introduced into a pair of drum channels 10 or 12 facing the pressure rollers.

In the fourth step, the drum 10 or 12 is driven to rotate one step so that the two long products that were previously closed in the two chambers Ch closed by the cover 16 are discharged by the action of gravity at the same notch cooling grid 14.

Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH

Proxy:

77P38131PL00

EP 2 821 154 B1