A MONITORING SYSTEM FOR MONITORING PARAMETERS REPRESENTATIVE OF OPERATING CONDITIONS OF AN OIL FILM BEARING

Abstract

A system for monitoring the parameters representative of operating conditions of an oil film bearing, wherein an oil film is arranged between a static component and at least one rotating component defining an axis, said at least one rotating component being arranged inside said static component, the system comprising at least one pressure sensor to detect the oil pressure of said oil film; at least one distance sensor to detect the thickness of said oil film; at least one temperature sensor to detect the temperature of said oil film;
wherein the at least one pressure sensor, the at least one distance sensor, and the at least one temperature sensor are housed in said at least one rotating component.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for monitoring parameters representative of operating conditions of an oil film bearing, wherein an oil film is present between a static component and at least one rotating component both defining an axis X, said at least one rotating component being arranged inside said static component and adapted to rotate about said axis X, the monitoring system comprising at least one pressure sensor to detect an oil pressure of said oil film; at least one distance sensor to detect a distance between said static component and said at least one rotating component and thereby a thickness of said oil film; at least one temperature sensor to detect a temperature of said oil film; characterized in that the at least one pressure sensor, the at least one distance sensor and the at least one temperature sensor are housed in said at least one rotating component.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure sensor is housed in a first hole or cavity obtained in said at least one rotating component; wherein the at least one distance sensor is housed in a second hole or cavity obtained in said at least one rotating component; and wherein the at least one temperature sensor is housed in a third hole or cavity obtained in said at least one rotating component; or wherein two of either the at least one pressure sensor, the at least one distance sensor or the at least one temperature sensor are housed in a first hole or cavity obtained in said at least one rotating component, and the other one is housed in a second hole or cavity obtained in said at least one rotating component; or wherein the at least one pressure sensor, the at least one distance sensor and the at least one temperature sensor are housed in a single hole or cavity obtained in said at least one rotating component.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein there are provided only one pressure sensor, only one distance sensor and only one temperature sensor arranged along a periphery of said at least one rotating component, preferably in a zone corresponding to a convex central angle; preferably wherein said pressure sensor, said distance sensor and said temperature sensor are arranged along a same portion of a circumference having its center on the axis X.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein there are provided a first row of pressure sensors, a second row of distance sensors and a third row of temperature sensors, each row being arranged along a direction parallel to the axis X.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said first row, said second row and said third row are arranged along a periphery of said at least one rotating component, preferably in a zone corresponding to a convex central angle; preferably wherein each triad of sensors consisting of one pressure sensor, one distance sensor and one temperature sensor is arranged along a portion of a respective circumference having its center on the axis X.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein each row comprises two or more sensors, preferably equally spaced from one another.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure sensor, the at least one distance sensor and the at least one temperature sensor are connected by means of a respective cable to a digitalization device for digitizing signals generated by the respective sensors; preferably wherein said digitalization device is adapted to transmit digitized signals either by means of a rotary joint or wirelessly.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said static component is a bushing, and said at least one rotating component consists of a shaft pin, or a sleeve in which a shaft pin is inserted.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said shaft pin is a neck or pin of a roll for use in a rolling mill stand or continuous casting device or coil forming system.

10. The A-system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure sensor, the at least one distance sensor, and the at least one temperature sensor are powered by means of sliding contacts, batteries, wirelessly, or by means of a device provided with an alternator and a flywheel.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure sensor, the at least one distance sensor and the at least one temperature sensor are housed in holes or cavities defining axes J either radial to the axis X or inclined at an angle other than 90 with respect to the axis X.

12. A rolling mill stand wherein each roll has end pins supported by a respective chock, wherein a static component, crossed internally by at least one rotating component, is housed in a through-hole of each chock, said static component and said at least one rotating component defining an axis X, wherein an oil film is arranged between said static component and said at least one rotating component, wherein said at least one rotating component consists of an end pin of a respective roll or a sleeve into which said end pin is inserted; and wherein a monitoring system, according to claim 1, is provided for monitoring parameters representative of the operating conditions of the oil film.

13. A continuous roll casting device, wherein each roll has end pins supported by a respective chock, wherein a static component, crossed internally by at least one rotating component is housed in a through-hole of each chock, said static component and said at least one rotating component defining an axis X, wherein an oil film is arranged between said static component and said at least one rotating component, wherein said at least one rotating component consists of an end pin of a respective roll or a sleeve into which said end pin is inserted; and wherein a monitoring system, according to claim 1, is provided for monitoring parameters representative of the operating conditions of the oil film.

14. A coil forming system, wherein each roll has end pins supported by a respective chock, wherein a static component, crossed internally by at least one rotating component is housed in a through-hole of each chock, said static component and said at least one rotating component defining an axis X, wherein an oil film is arranged between said static component and said at least one rotating component, wherein said at least one rotating component consists of an end pin of a respective roll or a sleeve into which said end pin is inserted; and wherein a monitoring system, according to claim 1, is provided for monitoring parameters representative of the operating conditions of the oil film.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0041] The description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a section view of a monitoring system according to the invention;

[0043] FIG. 2 show a section view taken along a plane vertical and perpendicular to the sheet of FIG. 1.

[0044] The same elements or components are referred to using the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0045] Exemplary embodiments of a monitoring system according to the invention are described with reference to the figures.

[0046] The monitoring system can advantageously be used, in particular it can be implemented, e.g., in a rolling mill stand, in a continuous roll casting device, or in a coil forming system.

[0047] The monitoring system is used, in particular, for monitoring the parameters representative of operating conditions of an oil film bearing, wherein an oil film is arranged between a static component 2 and at least one rotating component 3, 4 defining an axis X, said at least one rotating component 3, 4 being arranged inside said static component 2.

[0048] The term rotating component in particular refers to a component which is capable of rotation, i.e., a rotatable component. More in particular, the component is capable of rotating about the axis X.

[0049] The term static component in particular means a component which remains fixed in position, in particular during rotation of the rotating component.

[0050] In all embodiments, the monitoring system comprises: [0051] at least one pressure sensor 5 to detect the oil pressure of said oil film; [0052] at least one distance sensor 8 to detect the distance between said static component 2 and said [0053] at least one rotating component 3, 4 and thus the thickness of said oil film; [0054] at least one temperature sensor 9 to detect the temperature of said oil film.

[0055] Advantageously, the at least one pressure sensor 5, the at least one distance sensor 8 and the at least one temperature sensor 9 are housed in said at least one rotating component 3, 4.

[0056] In particular, said at least one pressure sensor 5, said at least one distance sensor 8 and said at least one temperature sensor 9 are housed in said at least one rotatable component 3, 4 so as to be able to rotate together with said at least one rotatable component 3, 4, e.g., so as to be able to rotate integrally with said at least one rotatable component 3, 4.

[0057] Advantageously, when each sensor 5, 8, 9 makes a full rotation about the axis X, a measurement of the parameter detected by the sensor along the circumference it has traveled can be obtained. Therefore, advantageously, each sensor 5, 8, 9 can detect the respective parameter at different angular positions.

[0058] Preferably, each sensor 5, 8, 9 is arranged in a peripheral zone of the rotating component 3, 4.

[0059] Preferably, but not exclusively, part of each sensor 5, 8, 9 defines a portion of the periphery of the rotating component 3, 4. The periphery of the rotating component 3, 4 is the portion of the rotating component 3, 4 proximal to the static component 2.

[0060] Said at least one pressure sensor 5, said at least one distance sensor 8, and said at least one temperature sensor 9 are preferably arranged in one or more holes or cavities of said at least one rotating component 3, 4.

[0061] Preferably, each hole or cavity is appropriately plugged to prevent unwanted infiltration of oil. For example, each hole or cavity can be plugged by a respective sensor 5, 8, 9 and/or by sealing means.

[0062] In particular, the wall which delimits each hole or cavity extends about a respective axis J (one of which is shown in FIG. 1), which is preferably transverse to the axis X. Preferably, said axes J of the holes or cavities are mutually parallel. In a first variant, the axes J of the holes, or cavities, are perpendicular to the axis X, whereby the sensors are arranged radially with respect to the axis X.

[0063] In a second variant each of said axes J of holes, or cavities, forms an angle other than 90 with respect to the axis X, whereby the sensors are not arranged radially with respect to the axis X.

[0064] Preferably, said at least one pressure sensor 5 is housed in a first hole or cavity obtained in said at least one rotating component 3, 4; said at least one distance sensor 8 is housed in a second hole or cavity obtained in said at least one rotating component 3, 4; and said at least one temperature sensor 9 is housed in a third hole or cavity obtained in said at least one rotating component 3, 4. In particular, the first hole, or cavity, the second hole, or cavity, and the third hole, or cavity, are mutually distinct.

[0065] Alternatively, two of either the at least one pressure sensor 5, the at least one distance sensor 8 or the at least one temperature sensor 9 are housed in a first hole or cavity obtained in said at least one rotating 3, 4, and the other one is housed in a second hole or cavity obtained in said at least one rotating component 3, 4. For example, one or more pressure sensors 5 and one or more distance sensors 8 are housed in the first hole or cavity; and one or more temperature sensors 9 are housed in the second hole or cavity.

[0066] Alternatively, the at least one pressure sensor 5, the at least one distance sensor 8, and the at least one temperature sensor 9 are housed in a single hole or cavity obtained in said at least one rotating component 3, 4. For example, a pressure sensor 5, a distance sensor 8, and a temperature sensor 9 can be arranged in a same hole or cavity. For example, two or more holes, or cavities, can be provided, in each of which a pressure sensor 5, a distance sensor 8, and a temperature sensor 9 are housed.

[0067] Preferably, two or more pressure sensors 5, two or more distance sensors 8, and two or more temperature sensors 9 are provided.

[0068] Preferably, the two or more pressure sensors 5 are axially separated from each other with respect to the axis X; and/or the two or more distance sensors 8 are axially separated from each other with respect to the axis X; and/or the two or more temperature sensors 9 are axially separated from each other with respect to the axis X.

[0069] Preferably, there are provided a row of pressure sensors 5, a row of distance sensors 8, and a row of temperature sensors 9, each row being arranged along a direction parallel to the axis X.

[0070] In other words, two or more pressure sensors 5 are arranged to form a row. In particular, the two or more pressure sensors 5 are aligned with each other, in particular along a direction parallel to the axis X. Similarly for the distance sensors 8 and the temperature sensors 9.

[0071] Advantageously, the three parameters can thus be measured at different positions along the axis X.

[0072] Preferably, the row of pressure sensors 5, the row of distance sensor 8, and the row of temperature sensors 9 are arranged along the periphery of said at least one rotating component 3, 4, preferably in a zone which corresponds to a convex central angle.

[0073] Preferably, the pressure sensors 5 are at a same distance from each other; the distance sensors 8 are at a same distance from each other; and the temperature sensors 9 are at a same distance from each other.

[0074] In a preferred variant, the distance between one pressure sensor 5 and the next is equal to both the distance between one distance sensor 8 and the next and the distance between one temperature sensor 9 and the next.

[0075] Preferably, each triad consisting of a pressure sensor 5, a distance sensor 8, and a temperature sensor 9 is arranged along a portion of circumference having its center on the axis X.

[0076] However, it is possible to provide only one pressure sensor 5, only one distance sensor 8, and only one temperature sensor 9, in particular arranged along the periphery of said at least one rotating component 3, 4, preferably in a zone which corresponds to a convex central angle. Preferably, this single triad of sensors 5, 8, 9 is arranged along a portion of a circumference having its center on the axis X.

[0077] In all the embodiments, the at least one pressure sensor 5, the at least one distance sensor 8, and the at least one temperature sensor 9 are connected by means of a respective cable 6, in particular an electrical cable, to a digitalization device 7. The digitalization device 7 is configured to digitize the signals generated by the respective sensors 5, 8, 9. Preferably, the digitalization device 7 is adapted to transmit the digitized signals either by means of a rotary joint, or wirelessly.

[0078] The digitalization device 7 preferably comprises a casing containing electronic hardware capable of amplifying and transforming, in particular digitizing, the signals of the sensors 5, 8, 9.

[0079] The digitalization device 7, in particular its casing, is preferably mounted on the rotating component 3, 4, in particular on the rotating component 4 which, for example, is a shaft pin. More in detail, the digitalization device 7 is preferably fixed to the rotating component 4 so that it can rotate therewith, e.g., integrally therewith.

[0080] Preferably, the digitalization device 7 is fixed to an axial end (axial relative to the axis X) of the rotating component 4. Preferably, the digitalization device 7 is arranged so as to be crossed by the axis X.

[0081] In all the embodiments, the at least one pressure sensor 5, the at least one distance sensor 8, and the at least one temperature sensor 9 can be powered by means of sliding contacts, batteries, wirelessly, or by means of a device provided with an alternator and a flywheel.

[0082] In particular, said device is fixed to the rotating component 4 so that it can rotate integrally therewith. The rotating component 4 and the device are arranged to be mutually coaxial (with respect to the axis X).

[0083] When the rotating component 4 rotates about the axis X, the flywheel is placed in rotation and, as it rotates, generates energy by means of the alternator. In this manner, the sensors 5, 8, 9 can be powered without the need for batteries.

[0084] The static component 2 is, for example, a bushing 2.

[0085] Said at least one rotating component 3, 4, for example, consists of a shaft pin 4 (or end pin) or a sleeve 3 into which a shaft pin 4 is inserted.

[0086] The shaft pin 4 is, for example, a neck or pin of a roll 11 of a rolling mill stand or continuous casting device or coil forming system.

[0087] In the illustrated example, said sensors 5, 8, 9 are housed in a sleeve 3. The oil film is present between the sleeve 3 and the bushing 2. In particular, the oil film is in contact with the sleeve 3 and the bushing 2. Preferably, the surface of the sleeve 3 and the surface of the bushing 2, between which the oil film is present, are cylindrical or substantially cylindrical.

[0088] A pin is inserted into the sleeve 3, in particular a shaft pin 4 or end pin.

[0089] Preferably, the sleeve 3 is arranged about a portion of the shaft pin 4 the outer surface of which is tapered, e.g., conical-frustum shaped. In this case, the inner surface of the sleeve 3 is also tapered, e.g., conical-frustum shaped, in particular in a direction opposite to the tapering direction of the surface portion of the shaft pin 4. Preferably, the thickness, parallelly to axis Y, of the sleeve wall 3 is increasing outwardly along the axis X. The axis Y is orthogonal to the axis X.

[0090] The shaft pin 4 is adapted to rotate. The sleeve 3 and the shaft pin 4 are fixed to each other, in particular so that the sleeve 3 and the shaft pin 4 are adapted to rotate integrally with each other.

[0091] If the sensors 5, 8, 9 are housed in the sleeve 3 the axes J of the holes, or cavities, are preferably perpendicular to the axis X, whereby the sensors are arranged in said holes radially with respect to the axis X.

[0092] If the overall dimensions of the sensors used exceed the thickness of the sleeve 3 along the axis Y, it is preferable that the axes J of the holes, or cavities (FIG. 1), are inclined forming an angle other than 90 with respect to the axis X so that the sensors are not arranged radially with respect to the axis X. This solution makes it possible to leave the shaft pin 4 unchanged and modify only the sleeve 3, whereby this solution can be applied in case of retrofitting.

[0093] In an alternative example (not shown), said sensors 5, 8, 9 are housed in the rotating component 4 which is, for example, a pin, in particular a shaft pin 4, or end pin 4. In particular, the sleeve 3 is not provided. The oil film is present between the shaft pin 4 and the bushing 2. In particular, the oil film is in contact with the shaft pin 4 and the bushing 2. Again, it is preferable for the axes J of the holes, or cavities, to be perpendicular to the axis X. However, the axes J of the holes, or cavities, can be inclined to form an angle other than 90 with respect to the axis X.

[0094] FIG. 1 shows part of a roll 11. The roll 11 has a portion which is adapted to come into contact with the material to be processed.

[0095] The roll 11 is provided with two shaft pins 4, or end pins 4, one of which is shown in FIG. 1. The shaft pins 4 are in particular the axial (relative to the axis X) end portions of the roll 11. The aforesaid portion adapted to come into contact with the material to be processed extends between the two shaft pins 4.

[0096] Each end pin 4 is supported by a respective chock 1. The static component 2 is housed in each chock 1, in particular in a through hole of each chock 1, and is internally crossed by said at least one rotating component 3, 4.

[0097] For each roll 11, the monitoring system can be implemented for both pairs of static component 2 and rotating component 3, 4, opposite to each other relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis X, in particular parallel with respect to the axis Y drawn in FIG. 1. The two monitoring systems implemented for each roll 11 preferably comprise the same components which are preferably arranged symmetrically relative to said plane.

[0098] As anticipated above, the invention further relates to a rolling mill stand or continuous roll casting device or coil forming system, wherein each roll 11 has end pins 4 supported by a respective chock 1, [0099] wherein a static component 2, crossed internally by at least one rotating component 3, 4, is housed in a through-hole of each chock 1, said static component 2 and said at least one rotating component 3, 4 defining an axis X; [0100] wherein an oil film is arranged between said static component 2 and said at least one rotating component 3, 4; [0101] wherein said at least one rotating component 3, 4 consists of an end pin 4 of a respective roll 11 or a sleeve 3 into which said end pin 4 is inserted; [0102] and wherein a monitoring system of parameters representative of the operating conditions of the oil film, as described above, is provided.

[0103] The rolling mill stand, the continuous roll casting device, and the coil forming system each comprise one or more rolls 11.