Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for receiving a helical formation of rings of hot rolled steel rod emerging from a laying head, and for depositing the rings on a conveyor for continued transport away from the laying head. The apparatus operates to engage and propel lower portions of the rings towards the conveyor at a first rate of travel, while engaging and propelling upper portions of the rings towards the conveyor at a second rate of travel. The first and second rates of travel are different and selected to cause the rings to topple onto the conveyor in an overlapping offset pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rolling unit (10) consisting of two roll stands (12, 14). The roll stands (12, 14) each have pairs of openings (24a) defined through a housing (24) to locate on each side of the pass line (PL), and a pair of eccentric members (26) each having an eccentric opening (26a) are rotatably inserted in these openings (24a), respectively, with a predetermined space being secured axially therebetween. A pair of roll shafts (28), on which rolls (13, 15) are fitted to be rotatable integrally therewith, respectively, are rotatably inserted through these eccentric openings (26a). A pair of adjusting shafts (32) are rotatably disposed in the housing (24). A pair of worms (34), which engage with toothed portions (26b) are fitted on each adjusting shaft (32) to be rotatable integrally therewith. A gear, which is engaged commonly with the adjusting shaft (32). The positions of the rolls (13) can be varied by rotating the adjusting gear via the eccentric members (26).

Abstract: A housingless roll stand has a pair of work roils supported between bearing chocks for rotation about parallel axes. The bearing chocks are mechanically engaged by nuts which in turn are threadedly engaged by opposite hand screw segments on spindles. The spindles serve both to effect symmetrical roll parting adjustments, and to provide a short stress path loop for absorbing roll separating forces during rolling. The nuts and associated adjusting spindles are separable from the bearing chocks, thus enabling them to remain as permanent on line fixtures when making roll changes.

Abstract: A roll stand for a rolling mill has a housing with a through opening. The housing rotatably supports a pair of roll shafts, at least one of which is journalled for rotation in the eccentric bores of interconnected sleeves. The roll shafts carry work rolls positioned in the through opening to define a roll pass therebetween. An adjustment mechanism is axially engageable with one of the interconnected sleeves to rotate both sleeves and thereby adjust the parting between the work rolls. The adjustment mechanism is contained in a module which is separably connected to the housing.

Abstract: A hydrodynamically lubricated assembly is disclosed for adjustably and rotatably supporting the journals of work roll pairs in the housing of a roll stand in a rolling mill. The assembly includes a pair of eccentric sleeves journalled for rotation in the housing. Inner sleeves containing journal bearings are rotatably received in the eccentric sleeves, and the work roll journals are rotatably received in the journal bearings. Hydrodynamic and optionally also hydrostatic fluid supply networks communicate with the journal/bearing interfaces via radial conduits in the inner sleeves and journal bearings. The inner sleeves are anchored against rotation, and the eccentric sleeves are rotatable to adjust the parting between the work rolls.

Abstract: A rolling mill laying head as a quill supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis between axially spaced first and second bearing assemblies. A laying pipe is carried by the quill for rotation therewith. The laying pipe has an entry section lying on the quill axis between the first and second bearing assemblies, and a three dimensionally curved intermediate section extending through and beyond the second bearing assembly to terminate at a delivery end spaced radially from the quill axis to define a circular path of travel. The dimension by which the laying pipe extends beyond the second bearing assembly is less than the diameter of the circular path.

Abstract: A single strand block-type rolling mill has pairs of oppositely inclined work rolls arranged successively along a mill pass line to roll rod and bar products in a twist-free manner. A planar base structure extends in parallel relationship beneath the mill pass line. A plurality of housings are arranged seriatim along the mill pass line. The housings are secured to the base structure and have mutually overlapping portions secured to one another. Each housing includes intermediate drive components for driving a pair of roll shafts carrying one of the work roll pairs, with the intermediate drive components being mechanically coupled to each other and to a common mill drive.

Abstract: Apparatus for shearing elongated products such as rods, bars and the like moving longitudinally along a path of travel. The apparatus includes a pair of constant diameter helical blades mounted for rotation about axes parallel to the path of travel. The rotational orientation of the blades and the spacing between their respective axes is such that segments of the blades coact along a cutting path parallel to the path of travel. The blades are rotated in opposite directions to thereby cause coacting segments thereof to move repetitively along the cutting path in the direction of product movement. A switch diverts the products from the path of travel across the cutting path for shearing by the coacting segments of the cutting blades.

Abstract: Long products are hot rolled and sized by being subjected to progressively diminishing area reductions in a succession of at least three mechanically interconnected two roll passes driven by a common mill drive. The area reductions are achieved by imparting a first cross sectional configuration to the products rolled in the first roll pass, and by imparting a different second cross sectional configuration to the products being rolled in each of the second and third roll passes. A wide range of product sizes is accommodated by selectively adjusting the speeds at which each of the roll passes is driven by the common mill drive in order to vary the drive speed ratios between successive roll passes.

Abstract: A laying head for forming axially moving elongated products into series of rings. The laying head includes an auxiliary guide which is readily dismantled from the laying head in order to accommodate the rolling of larger diameter slower speed products. The guide includes the provision of a helical extension of the guide path defined by the rotating three-dimensionally curved pipe of the laying head. The helical extension is subdivided into an outer cylindrical shroud surrounding the rotational path of the outlet end of the laying pipe, and an inner helical trough having its open side facing the shroud. The helical trough includes a central hub adapted to be detachably secured to the tubular pipe support carrying the laying pipe. The central hub and the tubular pipe support include coacting surfaces which insure that the components are reliably assembled for balanced rotation.

Abstract: A block type rolling mill has a plurality of roll stands arranged along a mill pass line, each roll stand having at least a first pair of work rolls mounted in cantilever fashion on a first pair of roll shafts. The first roll shafts have first pinion gears which are separate from each other and in meshed relationship respectively with one of a pair of intermeshed spur gears carried on a pair of intermediate drive shafts, with one of the intermediate drive shafts of each roll stand being coupled to one of two line shafts extending in parallel relationship to the mill pass line. At least one of the roll stands is provided with a second pair of work rolls mounted in cantilever fashion on a second pair of roll shafts. The second pair of roll shafts have second pinion gears which are separate from each other and each in meshed relationship respectively with one of the intermeshed spur gears of the at least one roll stand.

Abstract: In a rolling mill, for use in combination with a rotatable shaft protruding from a housing, with a work roll mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith exteriorly of the housing, a seal assembly is disclosed for establishing a seal between the shaft and the housing. The seal assembly comprises a circular flinger mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith at a location interposed axially between the work roll and the housing. The flinger has an annular contact surface extending radially from the roll shaft and facing toward the housing. A seal end plate is fixed to the housing and carries a seal holder which has a circular groove facing toward the contact surface. A resilient seal has a circular base received in the circular groove and a pair of flanges extending from the seal holder to terminate at radially spaced edges in sealing contact with the contact surface along inner and outer radially spaced circular lines.

Abstract: A portable carrier module for transporting work rolls and entry and exit guides to and from a cantilevered roll stand in a rolling mill. The carrier module remains removably mounted on the roll stand during the rolling operation, and includes integral roll cooling means automatically coupled to water supply conduits extending through the roll stand housing.

Abstract: A single strand rolling mill has successive pairs of work rolls arranged to roll rod and bar products in a twist-free manner. The work rolls are carried on roll shafts included as part of roll packages which are detachably mounted to gear housings, and the gear housings contain intermediate drive shafts and intermeshed gears connected via line shaft segments and intermeshed bevel gears to a primary mill drive. The gear housings are carried on a base which is made up of a flat vertically upstanding structural member standing on edge and joined to an underlying base plate. The structural member extends beneath and in parallel relationship to the rolling line. Rib members extend laterally away from and are spaced along opposite sides of the structural member. The rib members are joined on edge to both the structural member and the base plate and have upper support edges on which the gear housings are secured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imparting a three-dimensionally curved configuration to a straight elongated element wherein one end of the element is removably supported with its axis coincident with a reference axis. The element is partially pre-bent away from the reference axis into conformity with a two-dimensional first guide path. Thereafter, the pre-bent element is bent into conformity with a three-dimensional helical second guide path.

Abstract: A laying head is disclosed for forming the longitudinally moving hot rolled product of a rolling mill into a helix. The laying head includes a housing carrying a cone assembly for rotation about an axis. The cone assembly has a support member with a three dimensional configuration curving around said axis. A plurality of clamp members are fixed to the support member at spaced locations along the length thereof. A plurality of discrete tubular guides are removably retained by the clamp members at operative positions collectively defining a guide path which is parallel to the curvature of the support member. Means are provided for receiving the product along said axis and for delivering the product into the first of the guides. Means are also provided for rotating the cone assembly, whereupon passage of the product along the guide path will result in the product exiting from the laying head in the form of a helix.

Abstract: In a rolling mill, a rotatable laying pipe having at least one curved tubular pipe section with entry and exit ends. Replaceable tubular liner members are arranged in end-to-end relationship in each pipe section. Retainers are provided at the entry and exit ends of the pipe sections for retaining the liners in place during operation of the laying head.

Abstract: An axial preloading device is disclosed for use with axially adjustable grooved work rolls in a rolling mill. The work rolls are axially adjusted by a mechanism which includes relatively rotatable and reactive supporting components, and the preloading device exerts an axial force on the mechanism to eliminate mechanical backlash between the aforesaid components.