COIL VIBRATION SYSTEM

Abstract

A system is disclosed for vibrating a coil carried on a pallet, with the pallet being supported on and movable along a conveyor. The system includes an elevator mechanism for lifting and supporting the pallet in a raised position spaced above the conveyor. Vibration motors serve to vibrate the elevator mechanism, thereby also serving to vibrate the raised pallet and the coil carried thereon.

Claims

1. A system for vibrating a coil carried on a pallet, with the pallet being movable along a conveyor, said system comprising: an elevator mechanism for lifting and supporting the pallet at a raised position spaced above said conveyor; and means for vibrating said elevator mechanism to thereby vibrate the pallet and the coil carried thereon.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said elevator mechanism comprises a lift frame vertically adjustable between a lower position spaced beneath the pallet supported on said conveyor, and an upper position supporting the pallet in said raised positions.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising clamps for releasably securing said pallet to said lift frame when said lift frame is in said raised position.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said lift frame is vertically adjustable by wedge assemblies.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising vibration isolation mounts interposed between said lift frame and said wedge assemblies.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein said means for vibrating comprises vibration motors configured and arranged to vibrate said lift frame.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said coil is internally supported by a stem projecting vertically from said pallet.

8. A system for vibrating a coil carried on a pallet, with the pallet being movable along a conveyor, said system comprising: a lift frame vertically adjustable between a lower position spaced beneath the pallet supported on said conveyor, and an upper position supporting the pallet in a raised position spaced above said conveyor; and vibrating motors configured and arranged to vibrate said lift frame in said upper position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a front view of a coil vibration station in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing the pallet at rest on the conveyor prior to the coil undergoing vibration;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the pallet lifted from the conveyor in readiness for a vibration cycle;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the addition of vertical guides in their open positions;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the guides in their closed positions; and

[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vibration isolation mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] With reference initially to FIG. 1, a coil C is shown supported on a pallet 10. The pallet has a stem 12 projecting vertically through the center of the coil. The pallet is in turn supported as at 14 on the rollers 16 of a conveyor generally indicated at 18. In a typical installation, conveyor 18 will extend from the mill's pouring reels or reform station (not shown) to coil compactors (also not shown).

[0019] A vibration station S at a location along the conveyor includes a lift frame 20 supported by vibration isolation mounts 22, which may be of the type depicted in FIG. 5. The vibration isolation mounts serve to support the lift frame on wedge assemblies 23.

[0020] Spring applied hydraulically releasable clamps 24 are provided on the lift frame 20 on opposite sides of the pallet 10. At the stage shown in FIG. 1, the clamps 24 are hydraulically released to accommodate freedom of movement of the pallet 10 along the conveyor 18.

[0021] The wedge assemblies 23 may comprise upper and lower wedge components 23a, 23b, with the lower wedge components being joined by a connecting rod 26 and operated by a hydraulic cylinder 28.

[0022] Vibration motors 30, which may for example be electric external vibrators of the type supplied by Netter GmbH, are mounted on either side of the lift frame 20.

[0023] As depicted in FIG. 1, the coil C has been received from a pouring reel or reform station and carried on the pallet 10 to the vibration station S.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the lower wedge components 23b of the wedge assemblies 23 are activated by the hydraulic cylinder 28 (pulled to the left) to lift the frame 20, resulting in the pallet 10 being raised off of the conveyor rollers 16.

[0025] The clamps 24 are closed to firmly anchor the pallet 10 on the frame 20, after which the vibration motors 30 are activated to vibrate the frame 20 along with the pallet 10 and the coil C carried thereon. Coil vibration serves to more uniformly re-order the rings without external force, thereby decreasing coil height and avoiding potential internal ring damage.

[0026] Advantageously, the vibration station S may be equipped with means in the form of pivotal side guides 32, shown in open positions in FIG. 3 on opposite sides of the conveyor 18. When the pallet is in its raised position, as shown in FIG. 4, the side guides may be closed to enclose and radially confine the coil as it is being vibrated.