Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a rolling mill which includes a data acquisition module that continually acquires, from mill instrumentation computers, time domain data relating to finished product gauge, entering product gauge, separating forces occurring at each roll stand in the mill, and RPMs of each roll in the roll stands over a calculated data acquisition time period. A monitoring CPU transforms the acquired data into the frequency domain in response to the rolls operating at an approximately constant speed over the data acquisition time period. A frequency spectrum correlation analysis is performed with the frequency domain data in order to identify the specific contributions to frequency amplitudes occurring in the finished product gauge frequency domain data. A determination is then made as to whether the identified frequency amplitudes exceed predetermined thresholds which correspond to a predetermined warning level and a maximum tolerance level of the finished product.

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: A conveyor defines a path along which hot rolled steel rod is transported in the form of overlapping mutually offset rings. Air nozzles are arranged beneath the conveyor path to direct air upwardly against the rings from underlying plenum chambers fed by motor driven fans. Additional water nozzles are arranged to apply water to the rings. Some of the thus applied water is vaporized by the heat of the rod, and the remainder of the water is drained through the air nozzles into the plenum chambers for subsequent removal.

Abstract: A universal joint has a cross formed by two mutually perpendicular pairs of coaxial trunnions, each pair of trunnions being rotatably received in bearings which in turn are coaxially retained in the bearing caps of one or two yokes. The yokes are subdivided into half sections which each include one of the bearing caps. The half sections of each yoke are separably interconnected with a juncture therebetween defined by confronting mating surfaces. Interengaging elements are provided at the juncture for preventing the thus interconnected half sections from shifting in relation to each other in directions which disturb the coaxial alignment of the bearings.

Abstract: A bushing for an oil film bearing assembly has a plurality of hydrostatic oil recesses in its internal bearing surface at the load zone. Each recess is defined by the intersection of a double curved surface of revolution with the bearing surface, the recess thus being in the form of a portion of a prolate spheroid, with a substantially elliptical feathered peripheral edge.

Abstract: An oil film bearing for rotatably supporting the journal surface of a rolling mill roll neck on a hydrodynamically maintained oil film. The bearing includes a bushing having outlets adapted to axially interrupt the load carrying continuity of the oil film by draining oil from the load zone at locations intermediate to the ends of the bushing, thereby subdividing the load zone into at least two axially separated pressure zones. Position sensors are located between the pressure zones to monitor the spatial relationship or oil film thickness between the bushing and the journal surface. The journal surface is defined by at least two sleeve segments received on and fixed relative to the roll neck. Adjacent ends of the sleeve segments are aligned radially or in a coplanar relationship with the axial separation between the pressure zones. Temperature sensors monitor the temperature of the oil being drained through the aforesaid outlets.

Abstract: A rolling mill provided with a pair of rolls rotatable in a roll housing and in a first mode of operation drivably connected to respective drive gears of a main frame and gear housing, the drive gears meshing with respective pinions which mesh together, the main frame and gear housing being capable of being located in either one of two positions angularly spaced at 180 degrees, and the drive gears and pinions are capable of being re-adjusted in position whereby in a second mode of operation the drive gears can be brought into mutually meshing positions and the pinions can be moved apart to become the gears with which the rolls are drivably connected.

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: In a bearing assembly for a roll neck in a rolling mill, an inner seal ring is mounted with an interference fit as by shrink fitting, on an end portion of an inner bearing component, e.g., the sleeve of an oil film bearing or the inner race of a roller bearing. The end portion of the inner bearing component is suitably dimensioned and configured to deflect radially inwardly under the influence of hoop stresses developed as a result of the aforesaid interference fit, thereby causing the inner seal ring to be inclined towards the roll end face. The end portion of the inner bearing component has an outer diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the remainder of the inner bearing component.

Abstract: Decelerator apparatus acting to reduce the distance over which lengths of hot rolled product slide before coming to a halt on leaving a rolling mill stand.So as to avoid the use of pinch rolls or the like, the apparatus employs deforming rollers acting on a leading length of said rolled product in a direction perpendicular to its length and a shear for severing the leading length of product from a following length being acted on by said rolling mill stand whilst said rollers are still in motion.

Abstract: Disclosed is an annular roll for use in combination with a roll shaft having a tapered portion and an end portion, the roll surrounding the tapered shaft portion and having circumferentially spaced keys in an outer face thereof, an abutment engageable with an inner face of the roll to axially locate the roll on the roll shaft, a tapered sleeve axially received in a tightly wedged position betrween the roll and the tapered portion of the roll shaft, an axially shiftable drive ring connected to the sleeve and spline to the shaft for rotation therewith, the drive ring having lugs rotatably interengaged with the keys on the outer face of the roll, a first retainer engageable with the outer face of the roll to axially urge the roll against the abutment, and a second retainer engageable with and acting through the drive ring to prevent axial removal of the sleeve from between the roll and the tapered portion of the roll shaft, a tool for axially shifting the tapered sleeve into and out of its wedged position betwee

Abstract: A rolling mill roll assembly includes a roll shaft having a tapered portion located adjacent to an end portion. An annular tungsten carbide work roll is received on the tapered shaft portion. The work roll has circumferentially spaced keys integrally formed on its outer face. A tapered sleeve is axially wedged between the work roll and the tapered shaft portion. A drive ring is connected to the sleeve. The drive ring is splined to the shaft end portion and is provided with lug members which are axially received between and which are rotatably engaged with the keys on the outer roll face. Driving torque is thus transmitted from the shaft to the roll via the driving ring, with the roll being concentrically located with respect to the shaft axis by the tapered sleeve.

Abstract: A rolling mill run-in table has at least two parallel paths extending alongside the receiving end of a cooling bed. First and second slide members extend respectively along each path on the side thereof closest to the cooling bed. First and second unitary lift assemblies extend respectively along the opposite side of each path. Each lift assembly has a side channel opening laterally towards the cooling bed. An underlying operating mechanism alternately adjusts the left assemblies between lowermost positions at which their side channels are closed by the adjacent slide members and aligned with the respective paths to confine product lengths moving axially therealong, and elevated positions at which the side channels are above the receiving paths and clear of the adjacent slide members to accommodate lateral discharge of the product lengths onto the receiving end of the cooling bed.

Abstract: In a bearing assembly for a roll neck in a rolling mill, an inner seal ring is mounted with an interference fit as by shrink fitting, on an end portion of an inner bearing component, e.g., the sleeve of an oil film bearing or the inner race of a roller bearing. The end portion of the inner bearing component is suitably dimensioned and configured to deflect radially inwardly under the influence of hoop stresses developed as a result of the aforesaid interference fit, thereby causing the inner seal ring to be inclined towards the roll end face. The end portion of the inner bearing component has an outer diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the remainder of the inner bearing component.

Abstract: An oil film bearing for rotatably supporting the journal surface of a rolling mill roll neck on a hydrodynamically maintained oil film. The bearing includes a bushing adapted to interrupt the load carrying continuity of the oil film and to subdivide the load zone into compound pressure zones.

Abstract: A rolling mill laying head has a first tubular shaft mounted on first bearings for rotation relative to a stationary housing structure. A second hollow shaft carrying a three dimensionally curved laying pipe is mounted on second bearings for rotation relative to the first hollow shaft. Both hollow shafts are rotatably driven in the same direction at different speeds.

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 system for preheating air being fed to a continuous fired furnace by means of high temperature waste gases exhausted from the furnace. The system includes two pairs of interconnected regenerators. The regenerators of one pair are alternately connected by means of a reversing valve to an ambient air inlet and a waste gas exhaust stack, and the regenerators of the other pair are alternately connected by means of a second reversing valve to the furnace's waste gas outlet duct and combustion air inlet duct.

Abstract: In a rolling mill wherein product is rolled continuously in successive first and second blocks at the finishing end of the mill, a pinch roll unit is interposed between the two blocks. The motor speed of the pinch roll unit is employed in combination with other variables to preset the motor speed of the second block prior to entry of the product front end therein. The preset motor speed of the second block produces an acceptable level of interblock product tension once the product has entered the second block. Thereafter, product elongation in the first block is monitored and required adjustments to the motor speed of the second block are made in order to maintain interblock product tension within acceptable limits.

Abstract: A universal joint has a cross formed by two mutually perpendicular pairs of coaxial trunnions, each pair of trunnions being rotatably received in bearings which in turn are coaxially retained in the bearing caps of one of two yokes. The yokes are subdivided into half sections which each include one of the bearing caps. The half sections of each yoke are separably interconnected with a juncture therebetween defined by confronting mating surfaces. Interengaging elements are provided at the juncture for preventing the thus interconnected half sections from shifting in relation to each other in directions which disturb the coaxial alignment of the bearings.