ROLL STAND

Abstract

The invention relates to a roll stand, comprising: a working roll, which is mounted in the roll stand floatingly and for rotation about an axis of rotation extending axially and which has two axially opposite end faces; and at least one bearing assembly, which is arranged on one of the two end faces of the working roll and by means of which the working roll is floatingly supported in the roll stand and which has a housing, in which the working roll is mounted using a fixed bearing. According to the invention, the bearing assembly has a supporting device, by means of which the bearing assembly can be axially supported in the roll stand.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A roll stand, comprising: a working roll mounted in the roll stand in a floating manner and rotatable about an axially extending axis of rotation and which has two axially opposite end faces; and at least one bearing module arranged on one of the two end faces of the working roll and supporting the working roll in a floating manner in the roll stand, the at least one bearing module having a casing in which the working roll is mounted using a fixed bearing assembly; wherein the at least one bearing module has a supporting device supporting the at least one bearing module axially in the roll stand.

17. The roll stand according to claim 16, wherein the fixed bearing assembly is implemented using a rolling bearing arrangement.

18. The roll stand according to claim 16, wherein the rolling bearing arrangement is a preloaded rolling bearing arrangement.

19. The roll stand according to claim 16, wherein the bearing module is sealed off with respect to an environment by using at least one of a radial shaft seal, a V-ring seal, an O-ring seal, and a labyrinth seal.

20. The roll stand according to claim 16, wherein: the supporting device is arranged on the casing of the bearing module; and the casing is adapted to be supported axially in the roll stand by the supporting device.

21. The roll stand according to claim 16, wherein the supporting device has a cambered end face for axial support.

22. The roll stand according to claim 16, wherein: the bearing module comprises a spring element; and the supporting device has a first and a second component, wherein the two components are movable relative to one another in the axial direction and can be clamped in the axial direction using the spring element.

23. The roll stand according to claim 22, wherein: the first component is a hollow cylinder open at one end, and having a radially projecting rim at its open end; and the second component is a hollow cylinder open at one end, an inner extent of the second component adapted to fit around the rim of the first component.

24. The roll stand according to claim 23, wherein an annular washer, an inside diameter of the annular washer being smaller than a diameter of the rim of the first component, is secured on a radially outer end face of the second component facing the working roll.

25. The roll stand according to claim 22, wherein the spring element is supported by its first end against the casing of the bearing module and by its second end against a radially inner end face of the second component facing the working roll.

26. The roll stand according to claim 16, wherein the fixed bearing assembly has a substantially axially extending roll extension, which is arranged on one of the two ends of the working roll and on which bearings of the fixed bearing assembly are arranged.

27. The roll stand according to claim 26, wherein inner rings of rolling bearings are clamped on the roll extension.

28. The roll stand according to claim 27, wherein the inner rings of rolling bearings are clamped on the roll extension using at least one of distance rings arranged between the inner rings on the roll extension and a shaft nut.

29. The roll stand according to claim 26, wherein the roll extension is one of screwed to the working roll and formed integrally with the working roll.

30. The roll stand according to claim 16, wherein the casing has at least one holding element with a supporting surface for a movable support on a carrying element.

31. The roll stand according to claim 16, wherein the casing is of multi-part construction.

32. The roll stand according to claim 31, wherein the casing is formed from two covers and an intermediate piece accommodated between the two covers.

33. The roll stand according to claim 16, wherein: the at least one bearing module is two bearing modules; one of the two bearing modules is arranged on one of the two ends of the working roll; and the other of the two bearing modules is arranged on the other of the two ends of the working roll.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] In the drawings:

[0076] FIG. 1 shows schematically a structure of a roll stand having two working rolls mounted therein;

[0077] FIG. 2 shows part of a working roll with a bearing module (illustrated in section);

[0078] FIG. 3 shows part of a working roll with a bearing module (in perspective).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0079] FIG. 1 shows schematically a structure of a roll stand 1 having—two—working rolls 2 mounted (in a floating manner)—at that location—in such a way as to be rotatable about their respective axially extending axis of rotation 9, for shaping, i.e. rolling, rolling stock, in this case high-strength steel.

[0080] Here, the two working rolls 2, which each have a diameter of about 180 mm, are arranged parallel to one another (in respect of their axes of rotation)—at a pre-adjustable or adjustable spacing—in the roll stand 1 (substantially vertically one above the other), thereby forming a roll nip between the two working rolls 2, through which the rolling stock passes and is deformed, i.e. rolled, as it does so.

[0081] Since the (driving) torque can no longer be transmitted directly via drive journals arranged on the (axial ends of the) rolls in the case of such rolls of small diameter, the two working rolls 2 are driven, as FIG. 1 shows, by means of intermediate rolls 34 that are arranged parallel to the working rolls 2 (in respect of their respective axes of rotation 9) and are in nonpositive or frictional contact via their respective lateral surfaces/surfaces with the working rolls 2 (to be driven).

[0082] The two working rolls 2 (referred to for short just as rolls 2 below) are of substantially identical construction and, as FIG. 1 shows, have only slight differences in respect of their installation environment in accordance with their arrangement as “upper” and “lower” rolls 2. However, the functional structural elements on both rolls 2 are fundamentally identical.

[0083] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 each show part of the roll 2—with the bearing module 6 thereof arranged on the (axial) end 3 (or 4) of the roll 2, using which module the roll 2 is mounted or accommodated (in a floating manner) in the roll stand 1.

[0084] A second (symmetrically identical) bearing module 6 is arranged (but not illustrated) on the other (axial) end 4 (or 3) (not visible) of the roll 2—in a manner corresponding to the first bearing module 6.

[0085] As FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show, the bearing module 6 provides a—sealed or enclosed—(multi-part and screw fastenable/fastened) casing 7, in which the roll 2 is—rotatably—accommodated/mounted by means of a fixed bearing assembly 8 at that location in a manner positioned precisely in the axial direction 5 and in the radial direction 39.

[0086] The casing 7 (and thus the roll 2), in turn, is supported in the roll stand 1 or on a roll housing (not illustrated) via its end 35 remote from the roll 2 by means of a supporting device 17 (“casing stopper”) arranged at that end.

[0087] In order to reduce the supporting contact (between the supporting device 17 and the roll housing)—ideally—two point contact, the supporting device 17, as FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate, has an axial, cambered end face 18 for axially supporting 10 the roll 2/the bearing module 6 or the casing 7 on the roll housing.

[0088] As FIG. 2 shows, the supporting device 17 or “casing stopper” has two components 19, 20 that can be moved in the axial direction 5 relative to one another (and in this way/thereby implements axially movable or axially floating mounting/support 10 of the roll 2 in the roll stand 1), which two components 19, 20 can be clamped in the axial direction 5 using a spring element 21, in this case a helical spring 21, (thereby enabling the roll 2 to be clamped or clamped in axially in the roll stand 1). In this way, it is possible to absorb mechanical or thermal changes in length, in particular of the roll 2, without the occurrence of jamming and the like. Even displacements—caused by the interaction that occurs during rolling itself between the roll 2 with the intermediate rolls 34 and the rolling stock—can thereby be absorbed.

[0089] As FIG. 3 shows, the supporting device 17 has a first, flange-like, axially extending component 19, which is formed integrally with/on an—axially outer (i.e. facing away in the axial direction 5 of the roll 2; “inner” and “outer” understood to be in the axial direction 5 in relation to the roll 2)—casing cover 31 of the casing 7.

[0090] This first component 19 of the supporting device 17 is similar to a hollow cylinder open at one end, which has a radially projecting rim 36 (similar to a flange) at its axially open (axially outer) end.

[0091] As FIG. 2 illustrates, the second component 20 of the supporting device 17, which is likewise of substantially cylindrical design and the axially outer end 18 of which provides or forms the cambered surface 18 of the supporting device 17 (for axial support in the roll stand 1 or against the roll housing) fits around the rim 36 of the first component 19 from the outside on or with its inner extent 37—by means of a (screwed-on) annular washer 38.

[0092] Within the area in which it fits around the rim, the second component 20, as FIG. 2 shows, makes available an axial movement path 40 on which the first component 19 or the radial rim 36 thereof can be moved (“in an axially floating manner”) axially relative to the second component 20.

[0093] If the axial thickness 41 of the radial rim 36 of the first component 19 is about 7 mm with an envisaged movement path 40 of about 12 mm, a free axial mobility of the first component 19 relative to the second component 20 of approximately 5 mm is obtained.

[0094] As FIG. 2 also shows, in order to be able to clamp the first component 19 of the supporting device 17 against the second component 20 of the supporting device 17 and, at the same time, to be able to compensate length changes, the helical spring 21 is provided, which is arranged within the hollow cylindrical part, open at one end, of the first component 19 and the first (axially inner) end 42 of which is supported against the axially outer end 43 of the outer casing cover 31 and the second (axially outer) end 44 of which is supported against the (axially inner) end face 45 of the second component 20.

[0095] As FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show, the casing 7 has three casing parts 31, 32, 33, namely the abovementioned axially outer casing cover 31, an axially inner casing cover 32 and an intermediate piece 33 arranged (axially) between the axially outer 31 and the axially inner casing cover 32.

[0096] The three casing parts 31, 32, 33 are screw to one another—by means of a plurality of stud bolts 27—and are sealed off by means of sealing elements 16 (at the joints), in this case using rubber sealing rings 16.

[0097] As FIGS. 1 to 3 also show, the casing 7 (and thus the roll 2) is provided with further—vertical or vertically movable/floating—support 11 in the roll stand 1 by means of two holding arms 28 (“ear lobes”) (cf. especially FIG. 3), which are screwed to the casing 7 or intermediate piece 33, which holding arms 28, as FIG. 1 shows, rest by means of supporting surfaces 29 on bending cylinders 30 or cylinder rods thereof arranged in the roll stand 1 (thus making the bearing module 6/the casing 7 and the roll 2 horizontally (translationally) movable (“floating”) (which (also) allows the roll 2 a certain freedom of movement in the direction of strip running).

[0098] The—vertical or vertically floating—support 11 of the roll 2 on the bending cylinders 30 also makes it possible to dispense with the previous “balancing arms”.

[0099] As FIG. 2, the roll 2 is mounted in the bearing module 6 or in the casing 7 by means of a roll extension 22, which is screwed at the (axial) end onto the (axial) roll end 3 (or 4)—being centered by means of a centering journal 46—by means of stud bolts 27 via a flange 47 formed on the roll extension 22.

[0100] Via an opening 49 formed in the inner casing cover 32, the roll extension 22 or the axially free end 48 thereof then enters the casing 7, where it is rotatably mounted by means of a fixed bearing assembly 8.

[0101] By means of seals 16, in this case a plurality of radial shaft seals or shaft sealing rings 16 (in radial and axial configurations and arrangements), the casing 7, i.e. the axially inner casing cover 32 is, as FIG. 3 shows, sealed off with respect to the roll extension 22 or the free end 48 thereof (from the environment 15, i.e. moisture, rolling oil, dust and the like), with the result that a fully enclosed “bearing casing” 7 for the bearing module 6 is formed.

[0102] As FIG. 2 shows, (a (preloaded) rolling bearing arrangement 12 comprising) four taper roller bearings 13, 14 (is) are arranged on this roll extension 22 (within the sealed/enclosed casing 7), wherein the two taper roller bearings 13, 14 that are—axially—outermost or situated axially furthest out are arranged in an O arrangement. The two other (axially inner) taper roller bearings 14 are arranged/aligned in a manner corresponding to their—axially—outer neighbors 14.

[0103] As FIG. 2 also shows, the taper roller bearings 13, 14, i.e. the inner rings 23 thereof, are pressed against a (radial) offset 50 on the roll extension 22 by means of a shaft nut 26.

[0104] Precision-manufactured spacer/distance rings 25—for optimized (i.e. uniformly distributed) force distribution to the individual bearings—are arranged between the inner rings 23 of the taper roller bearings 13, 14.

[0105] Precision-manufactured spacer/distance rings 25—for optimized (i.e. uniformly distributed) force distribution to the individual bearings—are likewise arranged between the outer rings 24 of the three axially inner taper roller bearings 14 forming a supporting direction.

[0106] The outer ring 24 of the axially outermost taper roller bearing 14 of these three axially inner taper roller bearings 14 forming a supporting device rests—axially on the inside—against a radially inward-extending offset (shoulder) 51 on the casing intermediate piece 33; the outer ring 24 of the axially outermost taper roller bearing 13 rests—space axially on the outside—against the radially inward-extending offset 51 on the casing intermediate piece 33 and is held by means of the axially outer casing cover 31.

[0107] By virtue of the matching of the “inner” and “outer” precision-manufactured spacer/distance rings 25, supporting forces are dissipated into the casing 7 via the radially inward-extending offset (shoulder) 51—in a manner uniformly distributed over the outer rings 24 of the taper roller bearings 14.

[0108] By virtue of the vertical/vertically floating support 11 of the bearing module 6, by means of the holding arms 28 thereof, in the roll stand 1, or by virtue of this horizontal (translational) mobility of the bearing module 6 or roll 2 and of the axial mobility of the bearing module 6 or roll 2 by means of the supporting device 17 relative to the roll stand 1 or roll housing, on the one hand, and the fixed bearing assembly 8 of the roll 2 and the bearing module 6, the “support” and the “rotation/rotational degree of freedom” are decoupled at the roll 2, and this has a wear-reducing effect on the mounting of the roll 2.

[0109] With this mounting of the roll 2 by means of this bearing module 6, the roll 2 is held in the roll stand 1 by the bending cylinders 30 via the holding arms 28 on the casing 7 of the bearing module 6—even after the lateral opening of the roll stand 1—when there is a change of roll, and can subsequently be removed by an appropriate device (slide or the like), thereby significantly simplifying roll exchange.

[0110] If the roll extension 22 is “only” screwed to the roll 2, it can be screwed to the next roll 2 that is ready for use “immediately”—after the removal of the roll 2 from the roll stand 1—while the “used” roll 2 can be taken for reconditioning.

[0111] As a result, it is advantageously only necessary to exchange the actual worn part (namely the roll 2 itself), while the roll extension 22 can be immediately screwed to the next roll 2 that is ready for use, and the arrangement comprising the roll 2, the roll extension 22 and the bearing module 6 can be reinstalled in the roll stand 1.

[0112] Moreover, the roll extension 22 can be screwed to rolls 2 of different diameters and is “continuously in use”. That is to say, only the number of roll extensions 22 that is actually required in the roll stands 1 (plus one possibly in reserve) need be procured, while a relatively large number of rolls 2 (e.g. of different diameters for different rolling requirements and matched to the expected time required for adaptation work after exchange) can be held ready.

[0113] Moreover, the bearing module 6 or the mounting of the roll 2 implemented in this regard furthermore offers an additional advantage when threading a new piece of rolling stock into the roll stand 1. During this process, namely, the “upper” and “lower” roll 2 must, on the one hand, be moved apart in order to avoid a mechanical shock due to the end of the new piece of rolling stock (risk of damage). This moving apart of the rolls 2 is supported by the bending cylinders 30, which raise the “upper” roll 2 in an appropriate manner and lower the “lower” roll 2 in an appropriate manner by way of their holding arms.

[0114] In addition—and in contrast to previous overhung working rolls—the rolls 2 can be pressed against the intermediate rolls 34 (driving the rolls 2) by the bending cylinders 30, with the result that they are accelerated by these to the rolling stock speed, thus ensuring that, during the subsequent moving together of the roll nip to the setpoint rolling thickness, correspondingly gentle and roll-sparing contacting of the rolls 2 with the rolling stock occurs.

[0115] If the casing 7 of the bearing module 6 is enclosed and sealed off—and thus the inner fixed bearing assembly 8 protected from external influences, the life of the bearing elements is thereby increased many times over.

[0116] Although the invention has been illustrated and described more specifically in detail by means of the preferred illustrative embodiment/s, the invention is not restricted by the example/s disclosed, and other variations can be derived therefrom without exceeding the scope of protection of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0117] 1 rolling stand [0118] 2 working roll, roll [0119] 3 (axial) end of 2 [0120] 4 (axial) end of 2 [0121] 5 axial direction [0122] 6 bearing module [0123] 7 (sealed and enclosed) (bearing) casing [0124] 8 fixed bearing assembly [0125] 9 axis of rotation [0126] 10 (axial) floating mounting/(axial) support [0127] 11 (vertical) floating mounting/(vertical) support [0128] 12 (preloaded) rolling bearing arrangement, bearing [0129] 13 (first) taper roller bearing(s) [0130] 14 (second) taper roller bearing(s) [0131] 15 environment [0132] 16 seal/sealing element, radial shaft seal, V-ring seal, O-ring seal, labyrinth seal [0133] 17 supporting device [0134] 18 axial, cambered end face of 17, axially outer end of 20 [0135] 19 first component of 17 [0136] 20 second component of 17 [0137] 21 spring element, helical spring [0138] 22 roll extension [0139] 23 inner ring (of 12, 13 and 14) [0140] 24 outer ring (of 12, 13 and 14) [0141] 25 precision-manufactured spacer/distance ring [0142] 26 shaft nut [0143] 27 (centered) screw fastening, (stud) bolt [0144] 28 holding element/arm (“ear lobe”) [0145] 29 supporting surface [0146] 30 carrying element, bending cylinder [0147] 31 (axially outer) casing cover [0148] 32 (axially inner) casing cover [0149] 33 intermediate piece [0150] 34 intermediate roll [0151] 35 (axial) end of 7 [0152] 36 (radially projecting) rim of 19, flange [0153] 37 inner extent of 20 [0154] 38 annular washer [0155] 39 radial direction [0156] 40 axial movement path [0157] 41 axial thickness of 36 [0158] 42 first (axially inner) end of 21 [0159] 43 axially outer end of 31 [0160] 44 second (axially outer) end of 21 [0161] 45 axially inner end face of 20 [0162] 46 centering journal [0163] 47 flange on 22 [0164] 48 axially free end of 22 [0165] 49 opening in 32 [0166] 50 (radial) offset on 22 [0167] 51 radially inward-extending offset on 33