DE202024000174U1 - Sealing element in a rolling mill for rolling a metallic product - Google Patents

Abstract

Sealing element (1) in a rolling mill for rolling a metallic material (2), with which a first region (3), in which the metallic material (2) is exposed to water, is sealed from an adjacent second region (4), characterized in that the sealing element (1) comprises: a suspension (5) which extends horizontally and transversely (Q) to the conveying direction (F) of the metallic material (2), an axis (6) with an axial direction (a) which is connected to the suspension (5) at at least two connection points (7, 8, 9) spaced apart in the direction transversely (Q) to the conveying direction (F) by means of connecting means (10), and a number of strip-shaped sealing lamellae (11, 12) which are arranged next to one another and rotatable about the axial direction (a) on the axis (6).

Description

The invention relates to a sealing element in a rolling mill for rolling a metallic product, with which a first region in which the metallic product is exposed to water is sealed from an adjacent second region. Furthermore, the invention relates to a scale washer of a rolling mill with such a sealing element.

A sealing element of the generic type is known, for example, from EP 3 471 902 B1 known. Here, a seal between two areas of a rolling mill is provided by a number of plate-shaped sealing elements being suspended from chains, with the individual sealing elements being suspended in an overlapping manner in a direction transverse to the conveying direction of the metallic material.

Another solution is shown by the US 5 461 763 A , in which each sealing element in a row is formed by a metallic curtain designed like a fabric.

Sealing elements such as chain curtains hang down only due to their own weight. Sufficient overlap of the individual chain links to achieve a good sealing effect cannot therefore be guaranteed. For example, the chains can be pushed off by strong spray jets, which means that the sealing effect is lost. It can also happen that the belt or the edge of the belt takes chain links with it.

Finally, when worn, individual chain links can come loose and be carried away by the belt, which can disrupt the rolling process.

If, as explained above, plate-shaped sealing elements are used that are suspended from chains, the sealing element can tilt sideways when exposed to a strong spray jet, which in turn impairs the sealing effect. Due to this type of suspension of the sealing plates and their relatively large width, wear on the sealing plates has a negative effect on the tightness. Wear can cause gaps to form in the originally straight lower sealing edge of the sealing plates, which in turn has a negative effect on the tightness. The loose suspension also gives the sealing plate a relatively high degree of freedom, which has a negative effect on the tightness. In particular, the sealing plate can twist around a vertical axis.

Thus, in the previously known solutions, the sheets have relatively large possibilities for movement, which can lead to gaps forming that have a negative impact on the tightness of the arrangement.

The invention is based on the object of developing a sealing element of the type mentioned at the beginning in such a way that an improved seal can be achieved against the conveying direction of the metallic material. Stray and highly energetic spray water should thus be able to be efficiently held back. Furthermore, the sealing element should be made as resistant to wear as possible.

The solution to this problem by the invention is characterized in that the sealing element comprises: a suspension which extends horizontally and transversely to the conveying direction of the metallic material, an axis with an axial direction which is connected to the suspension at at least two connection points spaced apart in the direction transverse to the conveying direction by means of connecting means, and a number of strip-shaped sealing lamellae which are arranged next to one another and rotatable about the axial direction on the axis.

The suspension is arranged in particular above the metallic goods.

The suspension can have contact points for the axle at the connection points. This provides a defined, optimally sealing position for the sealing lamellas when no external forces act on them.

The connecting means are preferably designed as a chain; alternatively, the connecting means can also be one or more links (in particular wire-shaped) or a swing arm. In the case of the chain, this preferably has two, three or four chain links; the length ratio of the individual chain links is selected so that the function explained in more detail below can be optimally fulfilled. The length or flexibility of the connecting means is selected so that a degree of freedom for movement is ensured, but at the same time a blockage of the axis with its sealing lamellas is avoided.

A preferred embodiment provides that the sealing lamellae are arranged in two groups on the axis, with one group being arranged in front of the other group in the conveying direction of the metallic material. The sealing lamellae of the two groups are preferably arranged alternately on the axis in the axial direction of the axis. The alternating arrangement allows the sealing and the individual position of the sealing lamellae to be can be adapted particularly efficiently to the geometry of the metallic goods.

The sealing lamellas can have a ring section at one of their axial ends which surrounds the axis, wherein the ring section enables the sealing lamella to be rotatably mounted on the axis.

Furthermore, a transverse blow-off and/or transverse spraying device can be provided on or near the sealing element, which is arranged in the adjacent second region in order to be able to remove any water which escapes from the first region in which the metallic material is exposed to water into the adjacent second region.

The invention also relates to a scale washer of a rolling mill, which comprises at least one sealing element of the type described. The scale washer is preferably used in a hot rolling mill, in particular in a hot flat rolling mill.

The proposed solution is based on a suspension of sealing lamellas that can pivot around a (single) axis. The axis that forms the pivot axis for the sealing lamellas is itself movable, for example suspended from a crossbeam using the chains mentioned above, in order to enable the strip or slab to be pulled back. The overlapping mobility of the sealing lamellas relative to one another and also of the sealing lamellas around the axis in conjunction with the flexible connecting means can achieve an optimal sealing result. Possible wear of one or more sealing lamellas can be compensated for by the interactions and overlapping mobility.

If a strong spray jet hits a sealing lamella, the latter is held rigidly due to its suspension according to the invention and cannot evade the spray jet; only pivoting around the aforementioned axis is possible.

The preferred two-row arrangement of the sealing lamellas always ensures optimal coverage of the gaps between the lamellas, even if wear should occur on the sealing lamellas.

Furthermore, the design saves space.

Due to the suspension and a relatively narrow design of the slats (in the direction transverse to the conveying direction of the metallic material), different widths of the metallic material to be processed can be very well sealed laterally.

Water drops or puddles that do penetrate the slatted curtain can be removed from the surface of the metal object by spraying or blowing. This means that water can be efficiently retained and directed into the sinter channel (i.e. into the water drain).

The axis together with the sealing lamellae is arranged in such a way that when the metallic material skims up, the lamellae form a kind of funnel, which guides the beginning of the strip into the scale washer.

The proposed solution ensures that the scale washer is sealed against the direction of travel of the strip, which protects the machines and components in front of it from abrasive wear. This makes the use of such machines and components possible in some cases.

The proposed solution is used in particular in a scale washer or another system in which the metal is processed using high-pressure water. This is particularly intended for a hot rolling mill and especially a hot flat rolling mill.

• 1 in der Ansicht quer zur Förderrichtung eines metallischen Bandes bzw. einer Bramme einen Abschnitt eines Walzwerks, bei dem ein erster Bereich eines Zunderwäschers von einem benachbarten zweiten Bereich durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Abdichtelement getrennt ist,
• 2a das Abdichtelement, gesehen in Förderrichtung des metallischen Bandes,
• 2b das Abdichtelement, gesehen in der Draufsicht,
• 2c das Abdichtelement, gesehen im Schnitt B-B gemäß 2b,
• 2d das Abdichtelement, gesehen in der Seitenansicht zu 2a,
• 2e das Abdichtelement in perspektivischer Darstellung,
• 3 in der Ansicht analog zu 1 das Abdichtelement in einer durch einen Ski-Up des metallischen Guts ausgelenkten Stellung,
• 4 das Abdichtelement, gesehen in Förderrichtung des metallischen Bandes, wobei eine im zweiten Bereich angeordnete Querabspritzung dargestellt ist, und
• 5 das Abdichtelement, gesehen in der Draufsicht, wobei die im zweiten Bereich angeordnete Querabspritzung dargestellt ist.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing. It shows:

• 1 in the view transverse to the conveying direction of a metallic strip or slab, a section of a rolling mill in which a first region of a scale washer is separated from an adjacent second region by a sealing element according to the invention,
• 2a the sealing element, seen in the conveying direction of the metallic strip,
• 2 B the sealing element, seen from above,
• 2c the sealing element, seen in section BB according to 2 B ,
• 2d the sealing element, seen in side view 2a ,
• 2e the sealing element in perspective view,
• 3 in the view analogous to 1 the sealing element in a position deflected by a ski-up of the metallic goods,
• 4 the sealing element, seen in the conveying direction of the metallic strip, showing a transverse spray arranged in the second region, and
• 5 the sealing element, seen from above, showing the transverse spraying arranged in the second area.

In 1 a part of a rolling mill is shown in which metallic material is rolled in the form of a strip or a slab 2. A first area 3 can be seen in which a scale washer can be arranged, with which the metallic material is descaled by exposure to high-pressure water. Adjacent to the first area 3 is a second area 4, which is to be kept free of water, which in particular tries to penetrate from the first area 3 against the conveying direction F of the material 2. To seal against water in this regard, a sealing element 1 is provided, which separates the two areas 3, 4 from one another or seals them against one another. 1 represents a view seen in direction Q, ie horizontal and transverse to the conveying direction F. In 1 Also shown is a guide plate 21, which collects water running off the sides and leads it into a sintering channel.

How the sealing element 1 is designed and constructed is best explained in the 2a to 2e out.

According to this, the sealing element 1 initially comprises a suspension 5, which in this case is designed as a rod, tube or shaft and which is located above the item 2. The suspension 5 extends with its longitudinal axis in the direction Q. The sealing element 1 also comprises an axis 6 which has an axial direction a which runs parallel to the direction Q. In the exemplary embodiment, the axis 6 is connected to the suspension 5 at three connection points 7, 8 and 9 via connecting means 10. The connecting means 10 are designed as a short chain (in the exemplary embodiment with three chain links). The axis 6 can therefore move (slightly) relative to the suspension 5, but is held essentially parallel to the direction Q with regard to its axial direction a. In order for the axle 6 to assume a defined position on the suspension 5, provided that the axle and the sealing lamellas arranged on it are not subjected to external forces, contact points 13 for the axle 6 are provided on the suspension 5, as can be seen from 2d (and 3 ).

Two groups of sealing lamellae are arranged on the axis 6, namely a first group 11 and a second group 12. The sealing lamellae 11, 12 have a ring section 14 at their upper axial end, which forms an inner bore with which the individual sealing lamellae 11, 12 are arranged on the axis 6 (as can best be seen from 2c results).

As can be seen from the individual figures in 2 As can be seen, the sealing lamellae of the two groups are arranged alternately in the axial direction a, ie alternately on the axis 6. While the ring sections 14 of all lamellae 11, 12 are identical and thus (as in 2c can best be seen) are placed next to each other on the axis 6, the strip-shaped sections of the lamellae 11, 12 of the two groups are arranged differently on the ring sections 14 so that they assume a different position in the conveying direction F. As can best be seen from 2d As can be seen, the sealing lamellas 11 are located slightly - seen in the conveying direction F - behind the sealing lamellas 12. The relevant distance in the conveying direction between the two sealing lamellas is shown in 2 B marked with b. It prefers to lay between 0.5 cm and 5 cm.

The sealing slats 11, 12 arranged on the axis 6 thus represent a largely complementary “curtain” which prevents the transfer of water from the first to the second area.

However, preference is given to (and in this regard, particular attention is 2a that the width of the preferably rectangular sealing lamellas 11, 12 in direction Q is selected so that an overlap of the sealing lamellas, seen in conveying direction F, is given. In this respect, the overlap c in 2a For the overlap c, a value between 0.5 cm and 5 cm has proven to be effective. It is also possible to select an overlap of up to half the width of the sealing slats.

Due to the arrangement of the individual sealing lamellae 11, 12 on the axis 6, the ring sections 14 of the sealing lamellae 11, 12 produce the function of a pivot bearing, so that the individual sealing lamellae 11, 12 can pivot on the axis 6, but otherwise have no possibility of movement relative to the axis.

Out of 2c It also becomes clear how the sealing element 1 can be designed. According to this, the individual sealing lamellas 11, 12 are mounted alternately on the axis 6; in the two axial end areas of the axis 6, end elements 19, 20 are fixed by means of a screw connection, which form an axial fixation for the individual sealing lamellas 11, 12 and otherwise also allow the connection to the suspension 5 by means of the chain 10.

In 3 is illustrated to what extent the sealing lamellas 11, 12 can be deflected if necessary, for example if a ski-up of the material 2, ie a high arching, causes this. In 3 It can be seen that the sealing slats 11, 12 can be laid out from the vertical position by up to approx. 60°. Between the lower edge of the slats 11, 12, a distance of 200 mm to 350 mm can then remain to the item 2, for example, so that the item 2 can also be passed during a ski-up.

In the 4 and 5 it is illustrated that in the adjacent second area 4 mentioned, ie in the conveying direction F in front of the sealing element 1, an (air) cross blow-off and/or a (water) cross spray 15 can be provided in order to remove water that may pass through the sealing lamellas. For this purpose, a water outlet 16 is marked, into which said water can be blown off or sprayed off. A cover 17 on the drive side and a cover 18 on the operating side, as in 5 can promote the drainage of water.

List of reference symbols:

1

Sealing element

2

metallic goods (strip/slab)

3

first area

4

adjacent second area

5

suspension

6

axis

7

Connection point

8th

Connection point

9

Connection point

10

Connecting element (chain)

11

Sealing lamella (first group)

12

Sealing lamella (second group)

13

Position for the axle

14

Ring section of the sealing lamella

15

Cross blow-off / cross spraying

16

Water drainage

17

Drive side cover

18

Cover operating side

19

Closing element

20

Closing element

21

Baffle

F

Conveying direction of the metallic material

Q

Direction horizontal and transverse to the conveying direction

a

Axis direction of the axis

b

Distance between the sealing slats

c

overlap

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 3471902 B1 [0002]
• US 5461763 A [0003]

Claims (11)

Sealing element (1) in a rolling mill for rolling a metallic material (2), with which a first region (3), in which the metallic material (2) is exposed to water, is sealed from an adjacent second region (4), characterized in that the sealing element (1) comprises: a suspension (5) which extends horizontally and transversely (Q) to the conveying direction (F) of the metallic material (2), an axis (6) with an axial direction (a) which is connected to the suspension (5) at at least two connection points (7, 8, 9) spaced apart in the direction transversely (Q) to the conveying direction (F) by means of connecting means (10), and a number of strip-shaped sealing lamellae (11, 12) which are arranged next to one another and rotatable about the axial direction (a) on the axis (6). Sealing element according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the suspension (5) is arranged above the metallic material (2). Sealing element according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the suspension (5) has contact points (13) for the axle (6) at the connection points (7, 8, 9). Sealing element according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the connecting means (10) are designed as a chain, as a link or as a swing arm. Sealing element according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the chain (10) has two, three or four chain links. Sealing element according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the sealing lamellae (11, 12) are arranged in two groups on the axis (6), one group being arranged in front of the other group in the conveying direction (F) of the metallic material (2). Sealing element according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the sealing lamellae (11, 12) of the two groups are arranged alternately on the axis (6) in the axial direction (a) of the axis (6). Sealing element according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that the sealing lamellas (11, 12) have at their one axial end a ring portion (14) which surrounds the axis (6), wherein the ring portion (14) produces a rotatable mounting of the sealing lamella (11, 12) on the axis (6). Sealing element according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that it further comprises a transverse blow-off and/or transverse spraying device (15) which is arranged in the adjacent second region (4) in order to be able to remove any water which escapes from the first region (3), in which the metallic material (2) is exposed to water, into the adjacent second region (4). Scale washer of a rolling mill, characterized in that it comprises at least one sealing element (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 includes. Rolling mill, in particular hot rolling mill and particularly preferably hot flat rolling mill, with a scale washer according to Claim 10 .

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