US2409770A - Apparatus for continuously processing metal strips - Google Patents

Description

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' 'Oct. 22, 1946., F. w. LORIG' ETA!- APPAR A'I'US FOR CONTINUOUSLY PROCESSING METAL STRIPS 18 Sheets-Sheet 18 Filed April 15, 1941' fww Patented Oct. 22, 1946 APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY PROCESS- ING METAL STRIPS Frank W. Lorig, Lakewood, Louis L. Miller, Garfield Heights, and Frank E. Robinson, Shaker Heights, Ohio, assignors to The American Steel and Wire Company of New Jersey, a corporation of New Jersey Application April 15, 1941, Serial No. 388,708

This invention relates to the continuous processing of metal strips and, more particularly, is directed to an improved means for performing a .heat treatment on one or several strips of steel wherein the exposure of the strip to the processing treatment can be very carefully regulated and critically controlled.

There are some types of steel which are produced in strip form, such as silicon steels intended for use in electrical apparatus, which strips, in order to develop the optimum in physical or electrical properties, have to be subjected to carefully controlled heat treatment. In the 108.58 of electrical sheets, such processing is carried out by batch annealing or normalizing processes which are facilitated by the physical shape of the material being treated, rendering special equipment in giving effect thereto unnecessary. In the case of strip steel, however, the commercial requirements are such as to render the production of all widths of strip steel, ranging from 6 wide, or less, up to 42" and wider, necessary. The elaborate heating furnaces and appurtenant equipment that must be applied in performing the continuous annealing of such strips, renders prohibitive the provision of separate processing linesfor each strip, or each width of strip to be operated upon. It is, therefore, one of the main considerations of the present invention to provide a unitary line for the continuous heat treatment of one or more strips irrespective of the widths thereof up to a predetermined maximum. 7

In accordance with the present invention, it is contemplated that, either one strip of maximum width, or a plurality of strips of less widths, the total of which does not materially exceed the strip of maximum width, can be processed simultaneously, with each strip being independently controlled and regulated in its course through the processing zones .of the line without interference with or from the adjacentstrips being processed.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a partial plan view of the improved apparatus of this invention;

Figure l is a continuation of the apparatus, this view continuing from the line acl, Figures 1 and 1*; Figure 1 is a further continuation of the apparatus, this view continuing from the line bb, Figures l and 1 Figure 1 is a further continuation of the apparatus, the view continuing from the line cc, Figures 1 and ,1;

Figure 2 .is a partial sectional elevation of the apparatus, the view being taken .along the center line of Figure 1; V

Figure 2 is a continuation of'Figure 2, the

4 Claims. (Cl. 2712.3)

the letter X) showing of this view continuing from the line a--a of Figures 2 and 2 Figure 2 is a still further extension of the apparatus, the view continuing from the line b-b of Figures 2 and 2'; Figure 2 is a still further extension of the apparatus, this view continuin from the line c--c of Figures 2 and 2;

Figures 3, 4, and 5 are side elevational, rear elevational, and plan views, respectively, of a typical form of aligner;

Figures 6 and '7 are side elevational and rear elevational views, respectively, of one of the strip forwarding mechanisms;

Figures 8, 9, and 10 are side elevational, plan, and end views, respectively, of one arrangement of pinch rolls adapted to control the advancement of the strip;

Figures 11 and 12 are side elevational and transverse elevational views, respectively, of one arrangement of master pinch rolls;

Figures 13 and 14 are a fragmentary detailed View (shown partly in section) and a rear elevational view, respectively,,of one of the apparatus units designated by the letter V in the line illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 15 and 15 are schematic planar projections showing how one form of apparatus embodying the present invention can accommodate different widths and numbers of strips, and the relative placement thereof as to the catenary pinch rolls (designated by reference numerals prefixed with the letter M) and wind-up reels (designated by reference numerals prefixed with Figures 16 to 21, inclusive, each shows, in schematic planar projection, the placement of rolls in the catenary pinch roll unit and how difierent widths of strip, as illustrated in Figures 15 and 15 may be accommodated therein in varying numbers.

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary side elevation of the catenary furnace employed in conjunction with the present invention;

Fig. .23 is a sectional elevation of the furnace, taken on line XXII-XXII of Fig. 22;

Figs. 24 and 24A taken together illustrate a wiring diagram of the complete electrical control system of the apparatus, Fig. 24A being a continuation of the diagram of Fig. 24,

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 a side elevational view of one form of equipment that gives effect to a preferred arrangement of the invention.

In general, a strip supply depot is indicatedat A, from which one or more strips are paid successively through an aligner B, a connecting unit 0, intermittently actuated pinch rolls D, from which the strip is guided past an accumulator pit F by aligner units E and G. From thence, the strip is passed through cleaning, rinsing, and drying units H, J, and K, through aligners L to a series of pinch rolls M through M which are adapted to accommodate one or more strips of varying widths, and which are regulative individually to determine the rate of movement of each of the strips through the system, as will be described in detail hereinafter. From the pinch roll unit M the strip is conducted through aligners N and 0, through a heating zone P, which is here illustrated in a form of catenary furnace. From the catenary furnace the strip is passed through a cooling zone Q, thence through other aligners and guide means R and S, to a master pinch roll unit T, from whence it is directed over an accumulator pit U, and thence to the takeups X through X through guide and control means V and W, all of which will be described more fully hereinafter.

As an example of the capacity and flexibility of one apparatus built in accordance with the present invention, similar to that shown in the accompanying drawings, such a line has been designed to handle from one strip 30" wide to seven strips 6" wide, or narrower. It will, of course, be understood that there is nothing critical about these dimensions, these being but illustratory of one arrangement, and capable of being varied within wide limits for the accommodation of a greater or lesser number of strips of diiferent widths than those here specified. In any case, the number of strips usually depends on the individual widths of each, as dictated by the requirements of the orders being filled, and as applied to and limited by the capacity of the particular design of line employed. In furtherance of the example given, however, the total strip width will not exceed 42". Stated another Way, the width of the area occupied by all of the strips, which includes the spacing between adjacent strips, will not exceed 60". Within those limits, or within greater or lesser limits for equipment especially designed therefor, any combinations of widths of strips may be run.

Referring once again to the drawings, the supply depot A may comprise a plurality of horizontal floor stand type reels I for serving strips to the line, seven in number having been shown so as to be consistent with the example already given. These may be of any approved construction and may be varied to suit the taste of the operator.

From the reels I, the strip is passed through aligning device B which, in construction, corresponds to aligners L, N, O, and B, so that one description should suffice for all. By reference to Figures 3-5, each aligner is comprised of side frame members 2 which are set upon suitable mountings or bases 3 adjacent the floor, each side member in relation to the other being spaced therefrom so as to straddle the line of passage of the strip. A pair of rolls 4 are journaled for rotation in the side frames 2, and are preferably provided with ball bearings so as to offer the least possible resistance to the passage of the strip therethrough when they are pressed in engagement therewith in performance of their flattening function. These rolls are preferably idle. Mounted upon the strip approach side of these aligning rolls. and arranged so that one falls above and one falls below the passage of the strip, is a pair of transversely extending plates 5 and 5, which are secured to the uprights 2, closely adjacent the ball bearing rolls already described. As will be observed in the plan view of Figure 5, these plates are provided with a plurality of holes 6 which provide bearings for vertical pin members I, which pins can be selectively a ra ed i t holes in any number required to effect lateral spacing and restraint of the strips.

The tail end of one strip is fastened to the lead end of a new coil in any suitable manner, as has been indicated by the articulator C, which may be a device for welding the strip together in any approved manner.

Immediately following the welder there are arranged the welder pinch rolls D, which are shown in greater detail in Figures 6 and '7. It will be seen that this unit comprises a pair of housings Ill having an upper roll I I revolubly journaled therein on stationary bearings l2. The lower roll !3 is revolubly journaled in the housings it] upon slidable bearings 14 which are adapted to be raised and lowered toward and away from the upper roll H. The slide bearings M of the lower roll are actuated by a plurality of arms i5 which are fulcrumed to the housings ID by pivotal bearings It so as to be moved to raise and lower the slide bearings I 4 .by a fluid cylinder and piston arrangement ll. A motor I8 provides power to each of the rolls H and I3 through a suitable reduction gear unit I9 and drive couplings 20.

The normal position of the lower roll is one of spaced relation to the upper roll so that, normally, strips being moved through the line will pass between these rolls without contact therewith, at which time the rolls are idle. When any one of the strips being run nears the end of its length, the lower roll is raised by the fluid cylinder ll so as to squeeze the strips. Simultaneously, the motor [8 is energized to drive the rolls H and I3 at surface speeds greater than the normal rectilinear speed of travel of the strip, whereby an amount of slack strip is induced to fall in the accumulator pit F. The pinch rolls continue to drive in this fashion until the end of that strip, which is about to become exhausted, reaches the connecting unit C, whereupon the pinch rolls D are automatically stopped but remain closed to secure the several strips, and particularly the length being operated on by the articulator, from being pulled forward into the slack pit F by their own weight. After the connecting step has been completed, the pinch rolls D are allowed to assume their normal inactive open position in order to permit the resumption of the feeding of the strips from the supply depot A.

It will be observed that this arrangement renders unnecessary the stopping of the strip beyond the accumulator pit during the connecting operation since, while this is going on, the remainder of the line beyond the looping pit F continues to operate at the ordinary speed, using the slack strip accumulated in the pit F until the connecting operation has been completed. With respect to the accumulator pit F, it is desirable that this be provided with a wooden lining 30 to prevent marring the surface of the strip. Also, it is desirable that the strip be led into and withdrawn from the pit by guide devices E and G which comprise a plurality of rolls 3i so spaced to prevent any sharp bends or breaks in the strip and which may be provided with vertically arranged spacers 32 similar to those previously described in the case of the aligner B for preventing the lateral displacement of thestrips.

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