HYDRAULIC CONTROL DEVICE IN ROLLING MILLS

Abstract

A control unit for a distributor network of liquid and/or gaseous media, in particular for a roll stand, a media module, and a roll stand. The control unit has: a base plate having one or more media transport lines of the distributor network, which extend at least in sections in the plane of the base plate; and one or more functional blocks having an internal piping and one or more control elements having a functional connection thereto. The functional blocks are configured to be installable on the base plate so that the internal piping has a fluid connection to one or more of the media transport lines, and to be detachable from the base plate.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A control unit for a distributor network of liquid and/or gaseous media for a roll stand, comprising: a base plate having one or more media transport lines of the distributor network, which extend at least in sections in the plane of the base plate; and one or more functional blocks having an internal piping and one or more control elements having a functional connection thereto, wherein the functional blocks are configured to be installable on the base plate so that the internal piping has a fluid connection to one or more of the media transport lines, and to be detachable from the base plate.

18. The control unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the base plate and/or an intermediate plate arranged between the functional blocks and the base plate has multiple openings, which are configured for the screw connection of the functional blocks by fastening screws, preferably lag screws.

19. The control unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the control elements comprise valves and/or actuating elements thereof.

20. The control unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the media transport lines comprise one or more supply lines and one or more removal lines, which are configured to transport the corresponding media from a main supply to the functional blocks and from there to consumers.

21. The control unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the media transport lines are embedded at least in sections in the base plate.

22. The control unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the base plate and the functional blocks are modularly constructed so that the functional blocks are configurable differently on the base plate.

23. A media module for operating, control, regulation, maintenance, and/or monitoring, of a distributor network of liquid and/or gaseous media for a roll stand, which has one or more control units the one or more control units including a base plate having one or more media transport lines of the distributor network, which extend at least in sections in the plane of the base plate; and one or more functional blocks having an internal piping and one or more control elements having a functional connection thereto, wherein the functional blocks are configured to be installable on the base plate so that the internal piping has a fluid connection to one or more of the media transport lines, and to be detachable from the base plate.

24. The media module as claimed in claim 23, which is configured as a media stage, preferably having a safety railing and an access, via which maintenance personnel can step onto the media stage.

25. The media module as claimed in claim 23, further comprising an energy supply device.

26. The media module as claimed in claim 25, wherein the energy supply device has at least one pump and at least one media container for supplying one or more consumers.

27. The media module as claimed in claim 23, further comprising a hoist, step wedge, sling or installation points for attaching slings, and/or a step tread extension device.

28. The media module as claimed in claim 23, further comprising one or more support crossbeams, which are preferably embodied as hollow girders and function in this case as a suction channel, water connection, and/or distributor pipe for a roll cooling.

29. A roll stand, which has at least one media module the media module operating, control, regulation, maintenance, and/or monitoring, of a distributor network of liquid and/or gaseous media for the roll stand, the media module including one or more control units the one or more control units including a base plate having one or more media transport lines of the distributor network, which extend at least in sections in the plane of the base plate; and one or more functional blocks having an internal piping and one or more control elements having a functional connection thereto, wherein the functional blocks are configured to be installable on the base plate so that the internal piping has a fluid connection to one or more of the media transport lines, and to be detachable from the base plate

30. The roll stand as claimed in claim 29, further comprising one or more roll supports, on which the media module is fastened, preferably above rolls supported by the roll supports.

31. The roll stand as claimed in claim 30, wherein the media module is fastened, preferably screwed on one or more vertical surfaces of the roll support.

32. The roll stand as claimed in claim 29, wherein the media module is fastened on one or more supports which are decoupled from the roll stand.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0052] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a control unit for a distributor network of liquid and/or gaseous operating media.

[0053] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary control unit having a plurality of functional blocks.

[0054] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a media module configured as a media stage having control units on a roll stand.

[0055] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a media module configured as a media stage having reduced structure and base plate shown as transparent.

[0056] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a media module configured as a media stage, equipped with an energy supply device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Preferred exemplary embodiments are described hereinafter on the basis of the figures. Identical, similar, or identically acting elements are provided with identical reference signs, and a repeated description of these elements is partially omitted to avoid redundancies.

[0058] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a control unit 10 for a distributor network of liquid and/or gaseous operating media, in particular for a roll stand.

[0059] The control unit 10 has a base plate 11 and multiple functional blocks 12, which are installable by means of fastening screws 13 (only schematically shown by the center lines thereof in FIG. 1) on the base plate 11 and are detachable therefrom. For this purpose, the base plate 11 is preferably penetrated by a plurality of bores (not shown for the sake of comprehensibility in the figures), which enable a flexibly configurable arrangement of functional blocks 12. A functional block 12 is shown raised for maintenance and/or repair purposes in FIG. 1.

[0060] It is to be noted that the functional blocks 12 do not necessarily have to be designed as cubical or cuboid, although this can be advantageous with regard to possible standardization.

[0061] The base plate 11 is to be arranged essentially horizontally and in its plane guides one or more media transport lines 11a of a distributor network for liquid and/or gaseous operating media, such as lubricants and coolants, hydraulic and/or pneumatic pressure media for positioning elements, drives, and the like. The media transport lines 11a comprise, for example, feed, discharge, and/or distributor lines. Supply lines and removal lines (for example P, T, X, Y, A, B fittings) are particularly preferably comprised and embedded in the base plate 11, which conducts the corresponding media from a main supply to the functional blocks 12 and back in the direction of the consumers. The main supply and the individual consumers are not shown in the figures.

[0062] The functional blocks 12 each have an internal piping 12a and control elements 12b, preferably valves, valve groups, or actuating elements thereof. The piping 12a of the functional blocks branches upward out of the plane of the base plate 11. In other words, the functional blocks 12 are configured to be installable on the base plate 11 so that the internal piping 12a has a fluid connection to one or more of the media transport lines 11a, and to be detachable from the base plate 11. The installation and removal of the functional blocks 12 on the base plate 11 is preferably carried out by the above-mentioned screw connection using the fastening screws 13, which have a sufficient clamping length.

[0063] Since the functional blocks 12 are installable on the base plate 11 along two axes and the functional blocks 12 in turn have multiple sides, for example five cube sides, for connecting control elements 12b, a large number of connections and branches can be produced without additional fittings and pipes. Possible leak points are thus reduced. A more extensive supply can thus be provided using the base plate 11 as the base and the configurable functional blocks 12 than is possible, for example, using a vertical control column or control panel.

[0064] A more detailed exemplary structure of a control unit 10 having a plurality of functional blocks 12 is shown in the perspective illustration of FIG. 2. The functional blocks 12 are preferably constructed and usable modularly, i.e., a plurality of hydraulic/pneumatic interconnections may be implemented using prefinished and/or preconfigured functional blocks 12.

[0065] The control unit 10 itself can also be constructed modularly. FIG. 2 thus shows a control unit module, which can also be referred to as a “control plate”, having a base plate 11 and a plurality of functional blocks 12 screwed thereon.

[0066] One or more of these control units 10 can now be used or installed, for example, in a media module 1, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0067] The media module 1 is implemented by way of example in FIG. 3 as a media stage. The media stage itself is an open space having safety railing(s) 1a and one or more accesses 1b, via which the maintenance personnel can step onto the media stage, for example, via ladders (not shown in the figures), for example when the media stage is placed on a roll stand 2.

[0068] It is to be noted that the media module 1 can also be constructed in another way. The media module 1 can thus be a ground-level control center having one or more control units 10, an open or closed control room having one or more control units 10, etc.

[0069] In FIG. 4, the media module 1 embodied as a media stage is shown in a perspective view from above, wherein the media module 1 is shown in a reduced structure and the base plate thereof is shown transparent to make supply lines visible, such as feed, discharge, and/or distributor lines, for a distributor network of the roll stand 2.

[0070] The media module 1 is preferably screwed onto the roll supports of the roll stand 2. Alternatively, the media module 1 can be mounted decoupled from the roll stand 2, preferably on separate supports, which are fastened, for example, in the foundation of the facility. This prevents oscillations and shocks of the mechanism, for example in the event of broaching processes or strip thickness changes, from being introduced into the media module 1 and thus into the sensitive valve technology. Alternatively, the media module 1 can also be placed on supports of possible other media modules, for example side wall modules, or fastened thereon. These other media modules or side walls can then in turn stand on the foundation and thus also decouple the roll stand from the media module 1, wherein the possible side wall modules are additionally also decoupled.

[0071] The media module 1, in particular in the construction of a media stage, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, can thus be secured completely decoupled on supports on the foundation. Vibrations in the roll stand are thus not passed on to the valve technology. The valves are protected and their lifetime is lengthened. However, an attachment via supports to the foundation can also only be partially provided. For example, cantilevers can be attached to the supports of the roll stand, wherein supports down to the foundation are only provided in front.

[0072] The level of the media module 1 can be brought flexibly at the technologically optimal height to the consumers by the installation forms mentioned here, since the media module 1, in particular in the construction of a media stage, can be “pulled” via the supports of the roll stand and fixed in any vertical position. The ideal height of the media module 1, for example based on experiential values or ascertained by simulation, permits the hydraulic and/or pneumatic path to be kept sufficiently short to optimize the dynamics. Moreover, a second level having saddlebags to place the media stage on the supports and to move as close as possible to the critical consumers at the same time is not necessary. The necessity for operating personnel to have to climb back and forth between two levels via ladder in order to reach the controllers is thus dispensed with. A decentralized arrangement of control elements, such as valves, outside the media module 1, in particular at points which are difficult to access, can thus possibly be completely dispensed with.

[0073] FIG. 5 shows the media module 1 of FIG. 4 equipped with an energy supply device 20, also referred to as a “power unit”, which is arranged by way of example here essentially centrally in the inner region of the media module 1. The energy supply device 20 preferably comprises at least one pump and at least one container having the corresponding operating medium for the independent supply of one or more consumers. Furthermore, the energy supply device 20 can comprise filters, a heater, and/or a cooler. In other words, according to this exemplary embodiment the media module 1 comprises a pump station, whereby an external energy supply, for example in the cellar below the facility, and lines and pipe routes therein can be omitted. The media module 1 is autonomously functional and is thus particularly flexibly usable and is installable with reduced work expenditure.

[0074] The control unit 10 described herein, and the media module 1, which has one or more such control units 10, are installation units of fluidic technology and piping technology modularly constructed on multiple levels. In addition to improved configurability, installability, and expandability, the technical solution is space-saving and has particularly few pipes. The construction safety and operational safety are thus strengthened. The manufacturing demands are reduced, and the comprehensibility of the control elements 12b and the functionality are increased. A targeted shutdown of selected functions is possible with minimal material and work expenditure and without piping inside the control unit 10. The structure of the functional blocks 12 can also be standardized. The modular structure moreover enables disassembly of the facility suitable for containers, whereby the transport can be carried out in a rapid and resource-efficient manner without heavy transports.

[0075] The above-mentioned technical effects moreover contribute to a reduction of possible leak points. Coolant lubricants, water, and the like are potentially stressed less. The cleaning expenditure sinks. External piping can be omitted, since each function can be supplied with pressure medium by internal bores.

[0076] Due to the modular structure of the control unit 10 and the media module 1, leaks which possibly still occur may be assigned to precisely the respective functional block 12 or the respective control unit 10, whereby accurate maintenance and repair can be carried out. Other functional blocks 12 or control units 10 which are not affected do not have to be removed and possibly do not even have to be shut down, whereby the facility can continue to run in the latter case.

[0077] To change functional blocks 12, the screw connection between the functional blocks 12 and the base plate 11 is detached, and the relevant functional block 12 can be raised. No additional connecting pipelines or the like have to be taken into consideration during this work. The adjacent functional blocks 12 remain untouched in their function and position.

[0078] Due to the flat arrangement, separate P & T bores can be provided for each functional block 12. This permits isolated switching, in particular switching off, of controllers or control functions.

[0079] Climbing aids or special safety equipment are not required for the maintenance.

[0080] An intermediate plate, which is used for the fastening of the functional blocks 12 or assists it, can be inserted if needed between the functional blocks 12 and the base plate 11. The complexity of the bores in the base plate 11 can thus be reduced, since the screw bores and the connecting lines of the relevant functional blocks 12 are thus adaptable to the base plate 11. Fastening screws 13, which are preferably implemented as strong lag screws, connect the base plate 11 and the intermediate plate without leaks in this case.

[0081] A collecting device, such as a trough, can be provided for possibly occurring residual leaks.

[0082] The control unit 10 described herein, and the media module 1 equipped therewith, are preferably used in metal processing, particularly preferably especially in rolling mills.

[0083] This is because due to the flat construction, the control units 10 are particularly suitable for hydraulic controllers, which are arranged on a media stage. The media stage can be arranged above the stand supports. The control elements, which are conventionally arranged on multiple levels due to the structural height of the control columns and have comparatively poor accessibility, are arranged in a comprehensible and easily accessible manner in this way. Pipelines possibly obstructing the accessibility can be omitted. The resulting stage height can be less overall. The work safety can be significantly improved in that confined hydraulic spaces and the work therein are omitted. Possible safety precautions and the costs linked thereto can be reduced.

[0084] Machine piping in the stand region and on the media stage can be significantly reduced in that the modularly constructed media stage itself is arranged as a module on the roll stand 2. The media stage can be arranged and fastened on the typically four support pillars of the roll stand 2 on the stand outer side, so that the pipelines from the control elements 12b up to the consumers can be shortened and a significantly lower piping expenditure is implementable overall. The laying and bundling of the control elements 12b on the media stage conserves the distance from the stand center to the support pillars as a piping section.

[0085] For this purpose, girders for fastening the media stage can be flanged onto the supports of the roll stand, whereby the media stage can be placed particularly low. A low overall structural height and an attachment location of the control elements 12b technologically very close to the consumers, such as adjusting cylinders of the rolls, are thus implementable, without the maintenance personnel having to negotiate confined spaces directly at the consumers, for example climb down from the media stage through a hatch. A sufficient movement freedom and thus an increase in safety are always given by the open structure in the case of a media stage equipped with the control units 10.

[0086] The reduction of the piping expenditure additionally results in a lower weight of the overall facility, which contributes to increasing cost-effectiveness both in installation and also in operation. Together with the comparatively low structure, the resulting facility, also linked thereto the hall size etc., can be more compact. The costs and the work expenditure for the manufacturing and installation of the connecting pipelines on the construction site can be reduced. This is further assisted by a possible integration of the energy supply device 20.

[0087] In addition to the described control and energy supply functions, the media module 1, in particular in the embodiment of the media stage according to FIGS. 3 to 5, can comprise further functions. The media module 1 can thus also be used, for example, as a carrier of further elements which were originally associated with the mechanism of the roll stand 2.

[0088] For example, a hoist can be integrated on the media module 1 or attached thereon to transport loads, for example for maintenance of the roll stand 2. A step wedge and/or sling or installation points for attaching slings can be provided, which can be used, for example, for installation or maintenance work in the roll stand 2. The media module 1 can have an integrated step tread extension device for the same purpose.

[0089] Support crossbeams can be integrated on the media module 1, which are in turn usable as girders of various functionality. If the support crossbeams are embodied as hollow girders, they can function synergistically, for example, as a suction channel, water connection, and/or distributor pipe for the roll cooling in hot strip facilities.

[0090] Furthermore, safety devices, such as fire extinguishing devices, can be integrated in the media module.

[0091] If applicable, all individual features which are represented in the exemplary embodiments can be combined and/or exchanged with one another without leaving the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0092] 1 media module [0093] 1a safety railing [0094] 1b access [0095] 2 roll stand [0096] 10 control unit [0097] 11 base plate [0098] 11a media transport line [0099] 12 functional block [0100] 12a internal piping [0101] 12b control element [0102] 13 fastening screw [0103] 20 energy supply device