THERMAL INSULATION DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal insulation device (1) for thermal insulation of a metal product in a rolling mill, comprising a support element (2), on which a number of thermal insulation elements (3) is arranged. To extend the service life of such a device, the invention makes provision that at least one thermal insulation device (3) is formed by multiple side parts (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), which enclose within them an accommodating space for a thermal insulation material, wherein at least two of the side parts (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) are connected with each other at their adjoining side areas by a hinge-like connection (10).

Claims

1. A thermal insulation device (1) for thermal insulation of a metallic product in a rolling mill, comprising a support element (2), on which a number of thermal insulation elements (3) is arranged, characterized in that at least one thermal insulation element (3) is formed by multiple side parts (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), which enclose within themselves an accommodating space for a thermal insulation material, wherein at least two of the side parts (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) on their adjoining side areas are connected with each other by a hinge-like connection (10).

2. The thermal insulation device of claim 1, characterized in that the hinge-like connection (10) is formed by a number of hinges (10), which are arranged along the adjoining side areas.

3. The thermal insulation device of claim 2, characterized in that a hinged partial length (L.sub.S) amounts at most to 10 times of the hinge diameter (D.sub.S).

4. The thermal insulation device of claim 1, characterized in that the hinge-like connection (10) is formed by at least one spiral-shaped wire (10), which is threaded into boreholes that are made along the adjoining side areas.

5. The thermal insulation device of claim 1, characterized in that the hinge-like connection (10) is formed by an at least sectional weakening of the mechanical strength, especially of the flexural strength, of at least one side part (6, 7, 8, 9).

6. The thermal insulation device of claim 5, characterized in that the weakening is produced by at least one recess (22) in the side part (6, 7).

7. The thermal insulation device of claim 5, characterized in that the weakening is produced by the assembling of the side part (6, 7) by at least two separate side piece sections (6, 6, 6) connected with each other.

8. The thermal insulation device of claim 1, characterized in that the hinge-like connection (10) is formed by sections of the side areas and recesses in the side areas, with deformed sections being inserted in recesses in the area of the joined side areas.

9. The thermal insulation device of claim 1, characterized in that the side parts (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) are formed by metal plates.

10. The thermal insulation device of claim 1, characterized in that the thermal insulation material is formed at least in part by ceramic fibers.

11. The thermal insulation device of claim 1, characterized in that a number of thermal insulation elements (3) are arranged both in the direction (Q) transverse to the feed direction (F) of the metallic product and also in the feed direction (F) of the metallic product.

12. The thermal insulation device of claim 1, characterized in that at least one thermal insulation element (3) viewed in the feed direction (F) of the metallic product, has a square, rectangular or trapezoidal shape.

13. The thermal insulation device of claim 1, characterized in that multiple thermal insulation elements (3) are present, arranged next to each other in a direction (Q) transverse to the feed direction (F) of the metallic product, wherein at least two adjoining thermal insulation elements (3) have a joint side part (6, 7).

14. The thermal insulation device of claim 1, characterized in that multiple thermal insulation elements (3) arranged in the direction (Q) transverse to the feed direction (F) of the metallic product are penetrated by at least one rod (11).

15. The thermal insulation device of claim 14, characterized in that the rod (11) penetrates lateral sections of the support element (2) extending in the vertical direction, and here is secured by attachment elements (12), especially by bolts.

16. The thermal insulation device of claim 1, characterized in that a gap (13) is present in the vertical direction between the thermal insulation elements (3) and the support element (2), which preferably at most is 30 mm wide.

17. The thermal insulation device of claim 16, characterized in that when the insulating wool is placed in the gap (13), the extension of the gap (13) in the vertical direction at most is 100 mm.

18. The thermal insulation device of claim 16, characterized in that the gap (13) is at least partially filled with insulating wool, preferably with biocompatible ceramic fibers.

19. The thermal insulation device of claim 16, characterized in that the gap (13) is penetrated in the vertical direction by a number of connection elements, preferably spacer bolts (14), which are attached on the support element (2) and on the thermal insulation element (3).

20. The thermal insulation device of claim 1, characterized in that the plate thickness of the side parts (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) differs at least in part, wherein especially the side parts (4, 5, 6, 7) extending in the feed direction (F) are thicker than the side parts (8, 9) to which the feed direction (F) is perpendicular.

21. The thermal insulation device of claim 1, characterized in that the thermal insulation elements (3) in the transverse direction (Q) at least in part differ in width.

22. The thermal insulation device of claim 1, characterized in that in the feed direction (F) at least two thermal insulation elements (3) are arranged to follow each other, wherein the two thermal insulation elements (3) following each other in the feed direction (F) have corresponding side parts (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) that are configured to be different in thickness.

Description

[0037] The drawings show embodiments of the invention.

[0038] FIG. 1: a schematic view of a thermal insulation device, viewed in the feed direction of the metallic product to be thermally screened, wherein two slabs are shown beneath the thermal insulation device.

[0039] FIG. 2: a perspective view of two embodiments of a thermal insulation element of the thermal insulation device.

[0040] FIG. 3: a schematic view of the thermal insulation device with two thermal insulation elements, viewed in the feed direction of the metallic product to be thermally screened.

[0041] FIG. 4: showing a variant of the thermal insulation device shown in FIG. 3.

[0042] FIG. 5: a schematic view of another variant of the thermal insulation device, viewed in the feed direction of the metallic product to be thermally screened.

[0043] FIG. 6: a schematic view of the configuration of a thermal insulation device, wherein thermal insulation elements are equipped with varying thicknesses of the used plates.

[0044] FIG. 7a: a thermal insulation element viewed in the feed direction as per another embodiment of the invention.

[0045] FIG. 7b: the side view of the thermal insulation element shown in FIG. 7a.

[0046] FIG. 8a: a thermal insulation element viewed in the feed direction as per another embodiment of the invention.

[0047] FIG. 8b: the side view of the thermal insulation element shown in FIG. 8a.

[0048] In FIG. 1, a thermal insulation device 1 is seen, which has a support element 2 on which a number of thermal insulation elements 3 are arranged. The width of a thermal insulation element 3 is indicated by B, and in fact in a horizontal direction Q transverse to the feed direction F of the belt to be fed or of the slab 19 to be fed. Maximum and minimum values for the slab or belt to be thermally insulated are indicated by B.sub.min and B.sub.max.

[0049] The width of thermal insulation element 3 transverse to the transport direction (feed direction F) determines the temperature difference within the element and thus the level of thermal stresses in the membrane plate (what is to be understood by this is the side plate of thermal insulation element 3 facing the belt or slab, see below). Therefore, as narrow an element width as possible is to be preferred. On the other hand, many small thermal insulation units are more expensive to manufacture. Therefore, preferably only narrow elements are used there where it makes sense in order to increase service life. This is in the range from about 90% of the minimum up to the maximum belt width, i.e. the range in which the belt edges are to be expected. Areas in the middle of the rolling path, below the minimum width of the slab or of the belt as well as possible areas outside the edge can be designed to be wider.

[0050] The minimum thermal insulation element width in the belt edge areas is dependent on the interval between belt or slab and the metallic membrane of the thermal insulation elements and the expected maximum temperature level of the cover or of the belt or slab temperature and loading time and is determined when configuring the thermal cover section.

[0051] The closer, for example, the cover is positioned in front of the belt or the slab, the steeper the temperature transition is, and therefore the narrower the element is to be designed. A minimal thermal element width of less than 200 mm is to be preferred. Such an optimized thermal cover arrangement over the width is therefore advantageous.

[0052] As is seen in FIG. 1, in the middle of thermal insulation device 1, a relatively wide thermal insulation element 3 is used, while toward the sides, reduced widths of the insulation elements are provided. The nearer, for example, thermal insulation device 1 is positioned in front of slab 19, the steeper the temperature transition and the narrower the thermal insulation element 3 is to be designed. This is seen from FIG. 1 from the course of the membrane temperature in the image center, which is recorded over direction Q, and in particular in the case of a slab 19 with a minimum width B.sub.min.

[0053] At the bottom in FIG. 1, the minimum and maximum widths of the slab or plate 19 are shown, which are processed in the present installation.

[0054] In FIG. 2, embodiments of narrow cuboid thermal insulation elements 3 are seen, which are placed on support element 2.

[0055] As is perceived, thermal insulation element 3 is formed by multiple side parts 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, which enclose within them an accommodating space for a thermal insulation material (the front plates 8 and 9 are not mandatory), wherein at least two of the side parts 4, 5, 6, 7 are connected with each other by a hinge-like connection 10 on their adjoining side areas.

[0056] In a thermal insulation device 1, a plurality of these thermal insulation elements 3 are arranged next to each other and behind each other. Thermal insulation element 3 can have a square, rectangular or also trapezoidal cross section as seen in feed direction F, as well as be designed with sloping geometry or the like. Additionally, provision is made in advantageous fashion that thermal insulation elements 3 are installed so as to turn, i.e. side parts 4 or 5 can as desired be turned toward the hot side or function as the hot side. By this means, the flexibility and the utilization factor of an element 3 increases, i.e. after the one side fails (for example due to damage), following turning, it can be used for twice as long, until it is ultimately replaced.

[0057] Along with the width of insulation element 3 mentioned in connection with FIG. 1, suspension or attachment of the membrane (i.e. of the side parts) onto support element 2 in a manner as free of force as possible is important for the service life of the overall device. Especially advantageous is a swinging or flexible attachment of the membrane on the hot side as well as the longitudinal side surfaces (side part 6 and 7). The hot side (side part 5, and after turning of element 3, side part 4) can expand freely and the longitudinal side surfaces (side part 6 and 7) can swing freely in a preset range and carry the hot side. The swinging or flexible attachment is implemented through the above-mentioned hinge-like connection 10.

[0058] In the two embodiments seen in FIG. 2, in the upper case, the hinges 10 are used, and in the lower case, spiral-shaped wires 10. Further alternatives are, for example, a plate recess, deformed and inserted into one another, in an adjoining plate or a similarly acting turning connection, which makes possible a flexible, mobile connection of two adjoining plates.

[0059] To cause less hindrance to stretching of the side parts (membrane plates), on the hot side, provision is made alternatively for a different, preferably smaller thickness of membrane plate for the longitudinal and head-side plates (side part 6, 7, 8, 9) as compared to side parts 4 and 5.

[0060] For reasons of thermal stresses preferably the hinge part lengths L.sub.S are designed to be relatively short (see FIG. 2 top). A hinge part length L.sub.S should not exceed ten times the hinge diameter D.sub.S. Preferably the hinge diameter is chosen to be smaller than 10 mm.

[0061] Side parts 8 and 9 of a thermal insulation element 3 are head sides, the side edges of which have no connections to the guiding side surfaces, so as not to interfere with the possibility of these surfaces to swing. Additionally, the play in the hinge on the head sides is selected to be greater than on the other sides (upper, lower and longitudinal side), to make allowance for the different amount of swing of the various sides.

[0062] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which thermal insulation device 1 is shown with two thermal insulation elements 3. The two thermal insulation elements 3 are insulating boxes, which are seen in section perpendicular to feed direction F. Here the thermal insulation elements 3 are secured onto the carrier structure, i.e. on support element 2, via at least one rod 11, which are attached by attachment elements in the form of screws 12 onto support element 2 on the outside; support element 2 here is designed to be U-shaped in cross-section perpendicular to feed direction F. The membrane plates (side parts) here are provided with hinge-like connections 10 on all four sides, to ensure free expansion and an option of the side surfaces to swing. The said swinging or pivoting motion is indicated in FIG. 3 by S. The expansion option of membrane plate 5 is indicated. Accordingly, a high-temperature-stable straight wire as the core of hinge 10 forms the confining component of the individual side parts 4, 5, 6, 7. The diameter D.sub.S of the hinge is understood to be the outer diameter of the bent hinge plate.

[0063] Sufficient play allows a motion in the hinge in all directions. A stretch joint 16 in direction Q is provided between two thermal insulation elements 3.

[0064] If a side part (side part 5) facing the slab or the plate should become damaged, then through turning of thermal insulation element 3, during maintenance down time, the opposite side part 4 can be turned to the hot side. A possible deformation of the membrane on the formerly used side takes place in the turned state in gap 13 between thermal insulation element 3 and support element 2. Preferably, this gap 13 is between 0 and 30 mm. Alternately, the gap can also be filled with soft, easily deformed insulating wool. The insulation material 15 (ceramic fibers) within the box, i.e., within thermal insulating element 3, is so arranged that an unnecessary disturbing pressure loading on the hot-side membrane is avoided, as seen in FIG. 3. In an advantageous fashion, the ceramic fibers are braced in the area of hinges 10, of spiral-shaped wired 10 (not shown in FIG. 3) and/or of rod 11. If required, the ceramic insulation fibers in thermal insulation element 3 can consist of various materials with different strength.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows the same arrangement as in FIG. 3 in principle. Here, though, as an alternative, two adjoining boxes (thermal insulation elements 3) are separated laterally only by a joint side piece capable of swinging, and thus a connection is formed between the upper sides and lower sides of the adjoining boxes. Here as an alternative, the design of the thermal insulation elements 3 is such that the relatively solid insulating material 15 bears thermal insulation element 3 at the top, for example, and is braced on rod 11.

[0066] FIG. 5 shows a combination of a thermal insulation element 3 with the properties mentioned previously, i.e., consisting of the insulating box (thermal insulation element 3) with high-temperature-resistant membrane plates (side parts) and a flexible swinging attachment of membrane sides as well as a low-temperature insulation 17 (for example, biocompatible ceramic fibers) securely fixed on support element 2. Here the share of expensive, thermally resistant membrane plates 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and high temperature ceramics is minimized. The individual thermal insulation elements 3 are attached for example by means of spacer bolts 14 or similar connection elements to support element 2 and are individually able to be changed out. The spacer bolts 14 are for example screwed or welded onto the cold-side plate, see the attachment means 18. The degree of filling of the insulating material is limited so that the swinging motion is not negatively hindered and the metallic membrane facing the belt or slab 19 is subject to a minimum load, or no load at all.

[0067] FIG. 5 shows, as an example, thermal insulation elements 3 with trapezoidal contours seen in cross-section.

[0068] The structures explained above of the thermal insulation device are described in connection with the thermal insulation of the upper side of the belt or of the slab.

[0069] For thermal insulation of the underside of the belt or of the slab, an analogous concept holds true according to the same principles presented.

[0070] Within a rolling mill, the thermal insulation cover 1 can be designed with varying membrane plate thicknesses d (see FIG. 6). It makes technological sense to design the membranes (side parts) to be thicker when there is greater thermal loading, i.e., surface temperatures of the membrane expected to be higher, or high belt temperature combined with long-duration heating. Conversely, with a relatively short loading time, quick heating of the insulation cover to as high a membrane temperature as possible is desirable. Here a thin membrane should be used. In a special case it is also advantageous to not use a membrane and to use only ceramic fibers. Preferably the membrane thickness is designed to be between 0 and 4 mm.

[0071] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a sensible choice of different areas for membrane plate thickness d between the preliminary and final path. Shown are the last blooming stand 20 of the preliminary path and the first blooming stand 21 of the final path. Between, a thermal insulation device 1 is placed.

[0072] The preliminary strip thus has a relatively long dwell time just before the final path (time t, increasing toward the right); consequently, here a thicker membrane plate (side part) is advantageous. After the preliminary path, the thermal loading (temperature T, increasing toward the right) of the plates is brief; consequently, here a thin membrane plate (side part) is advantageous. In technological terms, the insulation effect can be increased while optimizing maintenance expense.

[0073] Instead of using a thin membrane plate or an insulating cover without a membrane plate, also a specular reflection insulating cover (here the thermal radiation is reflected and the insulating effect acts directly) with insulating elements with membrane plates having greater plate thickness can be advantageously combined within an installation.

[0074] Naturally, the described design is not limited to the application example of FIG. 6, but is also able to be transferred to other designs of installations as well as to other aggregates (framework, shearing device, etc.) between the various types of insulation covers or membrane plate thicknesses.

[0075] FIGS. 7 and 8 show two additional embodiments of the invention, from which it is seen how the hinge-like connection 10 can be produced.

[0076] For this it is seen in FIG. 7 that in the two side parts 6 and 7, in their upper area, recesses 22 are created (stamped in, for example), which are so manufactured that between two recesses 22 only a thin strip 23 remains. In the area of the transition of side part 6 to side part 4, or from side part 7 to side part 4, consequently a hinge-like function is created in the basin area.

[0077] A hinge-like connection 10 can also be attained by weakening of the longitudinal side plates of thermal insulation element 3 by creating the said recesses or blanks 22. Through this, the longitudinal side plate is bendable with mild elasticity, and actsrelated to the conditions on the hot sidelike a hinge.

[0078] Another possible solution is shown in FIG. 8. Here, side parts 6 and 7 are not configured as continuous plates, but rather they both consist of 3 side part sections 6, 6 and 6 (side part 7 is also analogous). The connections 24 between the individual side part sections, which can be configured to be relatively loose, thus create a mechanical weakening and the desired hinge effect.

[0079] Also able to be provided is a side part section 6, which is configured as a thin intermediate plate (for example with a thickness of 0.5 mm, while the other side parts have a thickness of 1.5 mm, for example), which likewise acts with bending elasticity. The intermediate plates 6 can deliberately be attached in loose fashion (with play in connection element 24), by which alternatively, or in supplemental fashion, the desired mobility becomes possible and thus the hinge effect is produced. If one combines the above-mentioned measures, the effect equivalent to a hinge is correspondingly amplified.

[0080] Through the additional installation of the preferably substantially thinner, and thus more bending-elastic intermediate plate 6 on the longitudinal side (with a plate thickness markedly thinner than that of the adjoining side parts), a comparable effect can thus be generated.

[0081] The connection elements 24 in FIG. 8 can, as mentioned, be deliberately configured or installed to be loose, so that in addition, or alternatively, a possibility for motion is produced.

[0082] The above-mentioned measures for producing a hinge effect can also be combined, so that the effect equivalent to a hinge is further amplified.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0083] 1 Thermal insulation device [0084] 2 Support element [0085] 3 Thermal insulation element [0086] 4 Side part [0087] 5 Side part [0088] 6 Side part [0089] 6 Side part section [0090] 6 Side part section [0091] 6 Side part section [0092] 7 Side part [0093] 8 Side part [0094] 9 Side part [0095] 10 hinge-like connection [0096] 10 hinge [0097] 10 spiral-shaped wire [0098] 11 rod [0099] 12 Attachment element (screw) [0100] 13 gap [0101] 14 spacer bolt [0102] 15 insulation material (ceramic fibers) [0103] 16 stretch joint [0104] 17 low temperature insulation [0105] 18 Attachment means (screwing or welding) [0106] 19 thermal belt or slab [0107] 20 last blooming stand [0108] 21 first final-path blooming stand [0109] 22 recess [0110] 23 strip [0111] 24 connection [0112] B Width of thermal insulation element in transverse direction Q [0113] L.sub.S hinge partial length [0114] D.sub.S hinge diameter [0115] F feed device [0116] Q horizontal direction transverse to feed direction [0117] S pivoting motion [0118] d membrane plate thickness