Abstract: A clamp for releasably securing a rolling mill roll stand on a support structure, comprises a tubular housing adapted to be secured to the support structure. A piston subdivides the interior of the housing into front and rear chambers. A clamping jaw projects forwardly from the piston through an open front end of the housing. The piston is reciprocally movable between a locked position at which the clamping jaw engages the roll stand, and an unlocked position at which the clamping jaw is disengaged from the roll stand. Resilient elements act in the rear chamber to exert a locking force urging the piston into its locked position, and pressurized fluid acts in the front chamber to overcome the resilient locking force when unlocking the clamp.

Abstract: A seal assembly is disclosed for use between a housing and a rotatable shaft protruding exteriorly from the housing, with the shat being journalled for rotation in an eccentric cartridge which in turn is rotatably adjustable. The seal assembly comprises a circular flinger mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith. The flinger has radially outwardly projecting flanges defining an axial space therebetween. A seal carrier surrounds the flinger and has axially spaced first and second inner rims projecting radially inwardly into the space between the flanges of the flinger. Ring seals are carried by the seal carriers. The inner rims are resiliently urged to maintain the ring seals in contact with the flinger flanges.

Abstract: Selectively replaceable wear elements for rolling mill laying heads. One replaceable wear element forms the end ring guide surface and is installed within the end ring inner diameter without removing the guide ring from the laying head. A plurality of wear element bodies may be installed about one or more portions of the end ring guide surface inner diameter. Size, configuration and material properties of the end ring guide surface wear element bodies may vary for different sections within the ring guide inner diameter. Another replaceable wear element is a tripper paddle that forms a laying head tripper mechanism guide surface. The tripper paddle and guide surface wear element bodies are replaceable external the end ring without removing the end ring or tripper mechanism from the laying head. Either or both types of wear element may be used in a laying head.

Abstract: A modular coolant water jacket has a coolant tube cartridge portion and a selectively separable outer flange portion. Separation of the larger diameter outer flange portion from the cartridge portion facilitates axially oriented insertion and removal of the cartridge tube portion in radially confined spaces. Modular construction also facilitates reuse of the outer flange portion and replacement of only a worn cartridge tube portion.

Abstract: Selectively replaceable wear elements for rolling mill laying heads. One replaceable wear element forms the end ring guide surface and is installed within the end ring inner diameter without removing the guide ring from the laying head. A plurality of wear element bodies may be installed about one or more portions of the end ring guide surface inner diameter. Size, configuration and material properties of the end ring guide surface wear element bodies may vary for different sections within the ring guide inner diameter. Another replaceable wear element is a tripper paddle that forms a laying head tripper mechanism guide surface. The tripper paddle and guide surface wear element bodies are replaceable external the end ring without removing the end ring or tripper mechanism from the laying head. Either or both types of wear element may be used in a laying head.

Abstract: A seal assembly is disclosed for use between a housing and a rotatable shaft protruding exteriorly from the housing, with the shat being journalled for rotation in an eccentric cartridge which in turn is rotatably adjustable. The seal assembly comprises a circular flinger mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith. The flinger has radially outwardly projecting flanges defining an axial space therebetween. A seal carrier surrounds the flinger and has axially spaced first and second inner rims projecting radially inwardly into the space between the flanges of the flinger. Ring seals are carried by the seal carriers. The inner rims are resiliently urged to maintain the ring seals in contact with the flinger flanges.

Abstract: A rolling mill roll stand comprises parallel roll shafts rotatably supported by axially spaced first and second bearings contained in parallel eccentric sleeves. The eccentric sleeves are rotatably supported in a housing and the roll shafts have cantilevered ends that project externally from one side of the housing and that are adapted to carry work rolls. Third oil film bearings are contained by the eccentric sleeves and are arranged to rotatably support the roll shafts at intermediate locations between and spaced axially from both the first and second bearings.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotatably mounting and axially fixing a gear on a shaft comprises a bushing fixed within a bore of the gear. A sleeve is received on and fixed relative to the shaft. The sleeve is surrounded by and journalled for rotation within the bushing. A thrust ring is fixed relative to and projects radially from the shaft on one side of the gear. A retainer on the one side of the gear defines a circular channel within which the annular thrust ring is axially confined.

Abstract: A rolling mill roll stand comprises parallel roll shafts rotatably supported by axially spaced first and second bearings contained in parallel eccentric sleeves. The eccentric sleeves are rotatably supported in a housing and the roll shafts have cantilevered ends that project externally from one side of the housing and that are adapted to carry work rolls. Third oil film bearings are contained by the eccentric sleeves and are arranged to rotatably support the roll shafts at intermediate locations between and spaced axially from both the first and second bearings.