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: 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 coolant seal for use in a rolling mill wherein the neck of a roll is rotatably supported in an oil film bearing contained within a bearing chock, with a seal assembly located between the roll end face and the bearing chock to retain oil in the bearing and to exclude contaminants such as cooling water, mill scale, etc. from the bearing. The seal assembly includes a circular seal end plate fixed relative to the bearing chock at a location surrounding a circular flanged seal mounted on the roll neck for rotation therewith. The coolant seal is circular, with a radially disposed mounting flange integrally joined at its inner edge to a sealing flange extending angularly and flexibly therefrom. The mounting flange is secured to a mounting surface on the seal end plate at a location placing the sealing flange in frictional contact with the roll end face.

Abstract: A water guard for use in a rolling mill wherein the neck of a roll is rotatably supported in an oil film bearing contained in a bearing chock, with a seal assembly located between the roll end face and the bearing chock to retain oil in the bearing and to exclude contaminants such as cooling water, mill scale, etc. from the bearing. The seal assembly includes a circular seal end plate fixed relative to the bearing chock at a location surrounding a flexible seal mounted on the roll neck for rotation therewith. The water guard is circular and it has a radially extending mounting flange integrally joined at its inner edge to an angularly outwardly extending sealing flange. The mounting flange is adapted to be surrounded by and to be secured to the seal end plate, and to provide the sole means for supporting and maintaining the sealing flange in frictional contact with the roll end face.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a roll neck in a rolling mill includes as an integral component a force exerting means consisting of a nut threaded on a ring. The ring is detachably mounted by means of a bayonet-type connection in a non-rotatable axially confined position on the roll neck. The nut is engageable with other bearing components and is rotatable relative to the ring to axially force the bearing assembly into and out of its operative position on the roll neck.

Abstract: A heavy duty axial adjustment mechanism for a rolling mill roll neck which is rotatably supported in a radial bearing contained in a chock. A rolling element thrust bearing has its inner race fixed axially in relation to the roll neck. The outer thrust bearing race is axially confined between separable retainer components which are interconnected by fasteners. The retainer components each have external adjusting threads in engagement with internal adjusting threads on the chock. Rotation of the interconnected retainer components imparts axial adjustments to the roll neck relative to the chock without subjecting the fasteners to damaging thrust forces.

Abstract: A seal is disclosed for use on the neck of a rotatable roll in a rolling mill. The seal includes a flexible circular inner body segment adapted to be mounted in sealing engagement on the roll neck for rotation therewith, and a flexible circular outer body segment adapted to be mounted on the exterior surface of the inner body segment. The outer body segment has axially spaced resilient flanges extending radially outwardly therefrom. The inner and outer body segments, which may if desired be manufactured of different materials, are connected together in a manner which prevents rotation of one segment relative to the other segment, and which also preferably permits the outer body segment to be readily separated from the inner body segment. A reinforcing element may be associated with the outer body segment for the purpose of resisting centrifugal forces acting on the seal during rotation of the roll neck.

Abstract: A flexible seal element with a reinforced drain labyrinth is disclosed for use on the outer seal ring of a seal assembly located between a roll end face and a bearing chock in a rolling mill, particularly the bearing chocks of the upper backup roll and the work rolls in a four-high mill. The seal element has a circular body portion adapted to tightly surround the outer seal ring. A first circular lip extends outwardly away from the body portion at an angle relative to the axis thereof to frictionally contact the roll end face. The seal body has a drain opening which is arranged to be aligned radially with a drainage port in the outer seal ring. The drain opening is protected by a second lip which extends outwardly from the seal body in a direction opposite to that of the first mentioned lip. A relatively stiff baffle member is attached to the seal body at a location spaced radially inwardly from the second lip.

Abstract: A neck seal is disclosed for use on a roll neck in a rolling mill. The neck seal has a flexible circular body with a pair of axially spaced resilient flanges extending radially therefrom. At least one and preferably both of the resilient flanges has a first annular section extending radially outwardly from the seal body to an intermediate peripheral shoulder, and a second annular section extending inwardly from the peripheral shoulder back towards the seal body.