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 rolling mill roll stand has a housing removably mounted on a lower bridge. A pair of work rolls and their respective bearings and bearing chocks are contained within the housing. Separating devices act on the bearing chocks to maintain a gap between the work rolls. Hydraulic roll positioning cylinders are carried in the lower bridge and are arranged to act on the bearing chocks of one of the work rolls. The housing together with the work rolls, bearing chocks and separating devices is removable as a unit from the lower bridge, while allowing the hydraulic positioning cylinders to remain undisturbed.

Abstract: A process for rolling steel rod is provided whereby rolling rod at delivery speeds in excess of 15,000 fpm and cooling same after laying it in spread-out ring form on a conveyor is made feasible with less risk of cobbles and improved rod quality especially in the medium to high carbon content range by entering the rod after rolling into the laying head and thereafter cooling same non-uniformly through a grain size growing phase and a transformation phase with the non-uniformity of cooling rate during the transformation phase being kept in substantially inverse proportion to the differences in effective grain size established in the first phase.

Abstract: In a rolling mill wherein hot rolled rod is directed along a downwardly curved path into a vertical laying head which forms the rod into a series of rings, a method of and apparatus for propelling the rod through the laying head. The rod is passed between a pair of adjustable driven pinch rolls located in advance of the downwardly curved path. An initial closing force is exerted on the pinch rolls to establish an initial parting prior to entry of a rod front end therebetween. The initial parting is sized to produce at least some rod deformation while providing a driving relationship between the pinch rolls and the rod. The initial closing force is greater than the momentary surge in separating force accompanying impact of a rod front end with the pinch rolls. The initial parting is maintained until the rod front end has negotiated the downwardly curved path and has passed through the laying head, at which time the initial closing force is released.

Abstract: A process for rolling steel rod is provided whereby rolling rod at delivery speeds in excess of 15,000 fpm and cooling same after laying it in spread-out ring form on a conveyor is made feasible with less risk of cobbles and improved rod quality especially in the medium to high carbon content range by entering the rod after rolling into the laying head and thereafter cooling same non-uniformly through a grain size growing phase and a transformation phase with the non-uniformity of cooling rate during the transformation phase being kept in substantially inverse proportion to the differences in effective grain size established in the first phase.

Abstract: A multi-line rolling system having a plurality of rolling positions aligned in the direction of rolling. Each rolling position includes a housing or housing structures supporting at least two sets of work rolls which may be selectively coupled to a common power source, thereby permitting the rolling line formed by one roll set to be rendered inoperative while the rolling line of the other roll set continues to roll product received from a feed line. The system further includes an appropriate switching mechanism for directing product from the feed line to either rolling line.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for use in a rolling mill to support the bearing chocks of a work roll in a roll housing. The apparatus includes specially designed components interposed between the bearing chocks and the restraining devices employed to oppose the axial and transverse forces developed during a rolling operation. The aforesaid components offer minimum resistance to movement of the bearing chocks through minute distances in the direction of rolling. The apparatus of the present invention makes it possible to measure tension in the product being rolled by employing sensing devices acting on the bearing chocks.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for uniformly cooling hot rolled rod over a continuous range of cooling rates from less than 0.5.degree. C/sec. to about 20.degree. C/sec. together with a mechanism for removing scale accumulated therein in a confined and safe manner. The context is that of cooling hot rolled steel rod directly after the steel leaves the rod mill wherein the rod may either be cooled rapidly by forced air convection or cooled very slowly under conditions in which a heated fluid or radiant heating must actually be employed in order to retard the cooling rate. The apparatus includes a group of cooling chambers, each of which has a blower which can be used to force cool air from the atmosphere onto the rod. Some of the cooling chambers are also equipped with means for supplying heat to the rod as may be necessary to retard the cooling rate.