Abstract: A cover assembly for a circular bearing port in the yoke of a universal joint comprises a plurality of separate cover segments configured and dimensioned for insertion into the port in positions coacting with each other to close the port. Each of the cover segments has an outer edge seated in a locking groove circumscribing an interior surface of the port. The cover segments are interconnected to form an integral circular cover, and the cover is rotationally fixed with respect to the yoke.

Abstract: An oil film bearing for rotatably supporting a roll in a rolling mill is provide that includes a sleeve having an internal bore and an external spherical surface, the internal bore being configured and dimensioned for axial insertion onto a neck of the roll. A bushing includes an internal spherical surface configured and dimensioned to surround and rotatably contain the external spherical surface of the sleeve, the bushing being subdivided into multiple interconnected segments. A chock for containing and radially supporting the interconnected bushing segments.

Abstract: An oil film bearing rotatably supports a roll in a rolling mill. The bearing comprises a sleeve having an internal bore and an external spherical surface. The internal bore is configured and dimensioned for axial insertion onto a neck of the roll. A bushing has an internal spherical surface configured and dimensioned to surround and rotatably contain the external spherical surface of the sleeve. The bushing is subdivided into multiple interconnected segments contained and radially supported by a chock.

Abstract: A seal assembly for use in an oil film bearing rotatably supporting a roll in a rolling mill. The seal assembly includes a flexible seal mounted on a tapered intermediate section of the roll neck for rotation with the roll and within a fixed circular seal end plate. The seal end plate has a stepped interior defining annular inboard and outboard sealing surfaces, with the outboard sealing surface having a diameter larger than the diameter of the inboard sealing surface. The flexible seal has inboard and outboard flanges projecting radially into contact respectively with the inboard and outboard sealing surfaces of the seal end plate.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a circular bearing port in the yoke of a universal joint comprises a plurality of separate cover segments configured and dimensioned for insertion into the port in positions coacting with each other to close the port. Each of the cover segments has an outer edge seated in a locking groove circumscribing an interior surface of the port. The cover segments are interconnected to form an integral circular cover, and the cover is rotationally fixed with respect to the yoke.

Abstract: Rolling mill bearings incorporate bearing bushings with pluralities of hydrostatic pad recesses, that are preferably in conjunction hydrodynamic bearings also formed within the bushing. Each recess has an isolated lubricant passage that is adapted for coupling to a separate isolated source of pressurized lubricant. In some embodiments herein, the isolated pressurized lubricant source is supplied by a dedicated outlet of a pressure pump. In this manner each hydrostatic pad recess has a dedicated pressurized lubricant supply that is not interrupted by loss of lubricant pressure events in other bearing pads or elsewhere within the rolling mill lubrication system.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a rolling mill laying head. The rolling mill laying head comprises a quill rotatable about a central axis, said quill being equipped with a guide pathway configured and arranged to form a longitudinally moving product into a continuous series of rings; a stationary support structure; and axially spaced radial bearings supporting said quill for rotation about said axis, one of said bearings comprising a hydrostatic oil film bearing having an internal diameter of at least about 500 mm, and having a L/D ratio less than 0.25.

Abstract: A drain connector attaches a hose to a port from which oil is drained from the chock of an oil film bearing. The drain connector comprises an elbow-shaped conduit having a horizontal leg adapted to be connected to the chock in communication with the port, and an angled leg adapted to be connected to the hose. A breather valve in the conduit is adapted to admit ambient air into the conduit when oil is flowing through the conduit from the port to and through the hose, and is adapted to automatically close in the event that the conduit is filled with oil occasioned by a reduction in the flow of oil through the hose.

Abstract: A connector attaches a hose to a port from which oil is drained from the chock of an oil film bearing. The connector comprises a conduit having a first leg adapted to be connected to the chock in communication with the port, and a second leg adapted to be connected to the hose. A latching mechanism coacts with the first leg to releasably secure the conduit to the chock.

Abstract: A bushing for rotatably supporting a journal comprises a cylindrical wall having an inner bearing surface configured and dimensioned to surround the journal. Oil is supplied continuously to a lubricated zone between the journal and the bearing surface. The thus supplied oil escapes in opposite directions from inboard and outboard ends of the lubricated zone. A circular channel is positioned to capture oil escaping from the outboard end of the lubricated zone. A drain conveys oil captured in the channel back in the direction of oil escaping from the inboard end of the lubricated zone.

Abstract: An oil film bearing for rotatably supporting a shaft comprises a spherical housing having a bore in which the shaft is rotatably supported, and an outer spherical surface. A chock contains the spherical housing. The chock is internally configured with an inner spherical surface coacting with the outer spherical surface of the spherical housing to define a raceway configured to accommodate angular rotation of the shaft about a central point.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in a rolling mill oil film bearing to remove a laminar flow of oil exiting tangentially from between a rotating sleeve and a fixed bushing surrounding the sleeve. The system comprises confinement surfaces cooperating with the sleeve and the bushing to define an annular chamber arranged to receive the exiting laminar flow of oil. Impellers project into the chamber and are rotatable with and at the velocity of the sleeve to thereby propel the oil around the annular chamber. An outlet communicates tangentially with the annular chamber for removing oil being propelled around the chamber by the rotation of the impellers. The size of the outlet in relation to the volume of oil received in the annular chamber is such that the chamber remains filled with oil during steady state operation of the bearing.

Abstract: Rolling mill bearings incorporate bearing bushings with pluralities of hydrostatic pad recesses, that are preferably in conjunction hydrodynamic bearings also formed within the bushing. Each recess has an isolated lubricant passage that is adapted for coupling to a separate isolated source of pressurized lubricant. In some embodiments herein, the isolated pressurized lubricant source is supplied by a dedicated outlet of a pressure pump. In this manner each hydrostatic pad recess has a dedicated pressurized lubricant supply that is not interrupted by loss of lubricant pressure events in other bearing pads or elsewhere within the rolling mill lubrication system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in a rolling mill oil film bearing to remove oil exiting from between a rotating sleeve and a fixed bushing surrounding the sleeve. The system comprises an annular chamber arranged to receive the exiting flow of oil. The chamber is isolated from a drainage sump by confinement surfaces including a seal interface defined by a flexible seal in contact with an adjacent rigid component of the bearing. Impellers project into the chamber and are rotable with and at the velocity of the sleeve to rotatively propel oil around the chamber. A discharge conduit communicates tangentially with the chamber and is arranged to receive a pressurized flow of the oil being rotatively propelled around the chamber. A venturi is located in the discharge conduit. A suction conduit connects the venturi to the drainage sump. Oil escaping from the annular chamber past the seal interface into the drainage sump is aspirated by the venturi for removal via the conduit.

Abstract: An oil film bearing for rotatably supporting a shaft comprises a spherical housing having a bore in which the shaft is rotatably supported, and an outer spherical surface. A chock contains the spherical housing. The chock is internally configured with an inner spherical surface coacting with the outer spherical surface of the spherical housing to define a raceway configured to accommodate angular rotation of the shaft about a central point.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in a rolling mill oil film bearing to remove oil exiting from between a rotating sleeve and a fixed bushing surrounding the sleeve. The system comprises an annular chamber arranged to receive the exiting flow of oil. The chamber is isolated from a drainage sump by confinement surfaces including a seal interface defined by a flexible seal in contact with an adjacent rigid component of the bearing. Impellers project into the chamber and are rotable with and at the velocity of the sleeve to rotatively propel oil around the chamber. A discharge conduit communicates tangentially with the chamber and is arranged to receive a pressurized flow of the oil being rotatively propelled around the chamber. A venturi is located in the discharge conduit. A suction conduit connects the venturi to the drainage sump. Oil escaping from the annular chamber past the seal interface into the drainage sump is aspirated by the venturi for removal via the conduit.

Abstract: A seal is disclosed for use in a rolling mill oil film bearing in which a sleeve is mounted on a roll neck for rotation therewith, the sleeve is journalled for rotation in a fixed bushing, and a flow of oil exits from between the sleeve and the bushing. The seal comprises a flexible circular seal body adapted to be mounted on and to rotate with the roll neck. Circumferentially spaced impellers project from the seal body. The impellers are rotatable with the seal body and serve to rotatively propel oil exiting from between the sleeve and bushing.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in a rolling mill oil film bearing to remove a laminar flow of oil exiting tangentially from between a rotating sleeve and a fixed bushing surrounding the sleeve. The system comprises confinement surfaces cooperating with the sleeve and the bushing to define an annular chamber arranged to receive the exiting laminar flow of oil. Impellers project into the chamber and are rotatable with and at the velocity of the sleeve to thereby propel the oil around the annular chamber. An outlet communicates tangentially with the annular chamber for removing oil being propelled around the chamber by the rotation of the impellers. The size of the outlet in relation to the volume of oil received in the annular chamber is such that the chamber remains filled with oil during steady state operation of the bearing.

Abstract: A rolling mill laying head comprises a quill rotatable about a central axis. A guide pipe carried by the quill and is configured and arranged to form a longitudinally moving product into a continuous series of rings. Axially spaced bearings support the quill on a stationary support structure for rotation about its axis. At least one of the bearings comprises a hydrostatic oil film bearing.

Abstract: A seal is disclosed for use on the tapered section of a roll neck in a rolling mill. The seal comprises a flexible circular seal body having a central axis and at least one radially outwardly extending flange joined by a hinge to an angularly extending lip. The hinge has a reduced thickness as compared to the thicknesses of the flange and the lip, and the lip has converging first and second sides leading to an enlarged rim. The rim has first and second peripheral faces that converge to an outer edge contained in a reference plane parallel to the central axis of the seal body.