By Use Of Deflected Arranged To Provide Longitudinally Undulating Path For Work (e.g., "leveling") Patents (Class 72/160)
  • Patent number: 11779982
    Abstract: An edge leveler for leveling an edge of a plate includes a plurality of first rollers and a plurality of second rollers. The plurality of first rollers and the plurality of second rollers are cooperatively arranged to receive only a first edge of a plate between the plurality of first rollers and the plurality of second rollers to straighten the first edge relative to the rest of the plate. The edge leveler is configured to slidably couple to a track and to slide along the track to straighten the first edge of the plate while the plate is stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin Aldrich, Carson Payne, Steve Rulli, Marc Gizzie, Steve Ayres
  • Patent number: 11242586
    Abstract: Systems and methods of threading a metal substrate on a rolling mill include receiving a coil of the metal substrate. The method also includes uncoiling the metal substrate from the coil while the coil and guiding the metal substrate to a work stand of the rolling mill with a threading system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Novelis Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew James Hobbis, Antoine Jean Willy Pralong, Stephen Lee Mick, Rodger Brown, Mark Finn, Peter Knelsen, Terry Lee, Hansjuerg Alder, William Beck, Roberto Quintal, Natasha Iyer, Jeffrey Edward Geho
  • Patent number: 10612113
    Abstract: A high-strength multi-phase steel having minimum tensile strengths of 750 MPa and preferably having a dual-phase microstructure for a cold- or hot-rolled steel strip, in particular for lightweight vehicle construction is disclosed. The high-strength multi-phase steel has improved forming properties and a ratio of yield point to tensile strength of at most 73%. The high-strength multi-phase steel includes in mass %: C?0.075 to ?0.105; Si?0.600 to ?0.800; Mn?1.000 to ?0.700; Cr?0.100 to ?0.480; Al?0.010 to ?0.060; N 0.0020?0.0120; S?0.0030; Nb?0.005 to ?0.050; Ti?0.0050 to ?0.050; B?0.0005 to ?0.0040; Mo?0.200; Cu?0.040%; Ni?0.040 % the remainder iron, including typical elements accompanying steel that are not mentioned above, which represent contamination resulting from smelting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: SALZGITTER FLACHSTAHL GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Schulz, Marion Calcagnotto, Sascha Kluge, Sebastian Westhäuser, Tobias Klinkberg, Thorsten Michaelis
  • Patent number: 10010918
    Abstract: A method uses a device to level a metal plate fabricated from high-strength metal material. The method includes providing a serpentine path between a plurality of upper and lower rollers in parallel arrangement to define a longitudinal spacing. The upper and lower rollers are positioned relative to one another such that a plunge depth is defined based upon a difference between a top-dead-center point of the lower rollers and a bottom-dead-center point of contiguous upper rollers, and a longitudinal spacing and the plunge depth are configured such that the upper rollers and the lower rollers are disposed to impart a bend radius on the metal plate as the metal plate is drawn through the serpentine path such that the metal plate bends about the outer peripheral surfaces of the upper and lower rollers. The bend radius is selected to achieve a desired plastification of the metal sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Allor Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: James Kitson, Anthony Allor, David Withrow
  • Patent number: 9505045
    Abstract: Leveler equipment includes a leveler body, a first roll cassette for a roller leveler, and a second roll cassette for a tension leveler. The roller leveler is formed when the first roll cassette is attached to the leveler body, and the tension leveler is formed when the second roll cassette is attached to the leveler body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: JP STEEL PLANTECH CO.
    Inventors: Keizo Abe, Tomohiro Ishidou
  • Patent number: 9057121
    Abstract: Methods for the manufacture of the above-mentioned titanium alloy for use in combustion engine exhaust systems are disclosed herein. An exemplary method of the disclosed subject matter for the manufacture of titanium alloy for use in a high temperature and high stress environment includes performing a first heat treatment of the titanium alloy at a first temperature, rolling the titanium alloy to a desired thickness, performing a second heat treatment of the titanium alloy at a second temperature, and performing a third heat treatment of the titanium alloy at a third temperature. In some embodiments, the first temperature is selected such that recrystallization and softening of the titanium alloy is optimized without substantial coarsening of second phase particles and can be approximately 1500-1600° F. In some embodiments, the rolling of the titanium alloy reduces the thickness of the titanium alloy by at least than 65%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Titanium Metals Corporation
    Inventors: Yoji Kosaka, Stephen P. Fox
  • Publication number: 20150128675
    Abstract: A roller leveler includes: a leveling roll unit having a plurality of leveling rolls configured to rotate so as to pass a plate while sandwiching and pressing the plate; a pushing cylinder provided at each of an entrance side and a discharge side of the leveling roll unit, at which the plate enters and is discharged, respectively, and configured to press the plate via the leveling rolls; and a driving mechanism configured to rotate the leveling rolls to pass the plate. At least one of the plurality of leveling rolls has a stepped structure, including a lateral center portion with a large diameter, corresponding to a center portion of the plate with respect to a plate width direction, and lateral end portions with a small diameter, corresponding to edge portions of the plate with respect to the plate width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: JP STEEL PLANTECH CO.
    Inventors: Keizo Abe, Toru Aoyama, Toru Sano
  • Patent number: 8978435
    Abstract: A straightening apparatus for straightening wires comprises an entry-side roll arrangement and an exit-side roll arrangement, which are arranged so that a wire that is to be straightened, viewed in a transport direction, arrives between rolls of the entry-side roll arrangement in the straightening apparatus and, after passing between rolls of the exit-side roll arrangement, leaves the straightening apparatus, a distance between two rolls of the exit-side roll arrangement being settable. Furthermore, a pre-definable force F acts on the wire perpendicular to the transport direction between two rolls of the entry-side roll arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Komax Holding AG
    Inventor: Stefan Viviroli
  • Publication number: 20150013417
    Abstract: A metal strip is gripped by an upstream set of infeed tension rollers and, downstream therefrom in a strip-travel direction, by a downstream set of outfeed tension rollers. These tension rollers are rotated so as to tension the strip between the upstream and downstream sets and move the strip downstream in the strip-travel direction. Between the sets the strip first passes around individually supported relatively rotatable stretch rollers to increase a plastic stretch ratio of the strip, and then through a plurality of straightening rollers to reduce curvature and residual tension of the strip and also to increase the plastic stretch ratio of the strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Andreas NOE
  • Patent number: 8789399
    Abstract: A method for leveling parts in a roller leveling machine, which includes an upper and a lower roller frame, and in which upper and lower leveling rollers are each arranged in a separate leveling roller block, at least one of the leveling roller blocks being variable in its position and angle so that the leveling gap can be adjusted, wherein at least one leveling gap setting device is arranged at the infeed side and at the outfeed side of the leveling machine, and an automatic leveling gap control is provided to set the leveling gap. The method includes determining, for each leveling triangle of the roller leveling machine, an offset value based on the thickness, width, and bending moment of the part to be leveled and characteristics of the leveling machine including a max deflection of the roller frame, and readjusting a setting device of the leveling gap as a function of the leveling triangles mapped onto the part to be leveled as it moves through the leveling gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: ARKU Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Braeutigam, Gerald Khim
  • Publication number: 20140157850
    Abstract: A roller leveler for leveling strips of metal has a frame, a bank of upper and lower work rolls journalled in the frame via a housing positioned toward an exit portion of the leveler. A bank of upper and lower back-up rolls is in contact with the upper and lower work rolls to support the work rolls. The bank of upper and lower back-up rolls mounted to the frame via back-up housings. A second bank of upper and lower work rolls is positioned near an entry portion of the leveler. The first bank of upper and lower rolls has rolls of different diameter than the second bank of upper and lower work rolls. A roll or rolls can be mounted in an eccentric fashion that is achieved by permanent or adjustable positioning of offset of the work roll with respect to adjacent rolls or by providing a work roll that is larger in diameter than its adjacent rolls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Butech Bliss
    Inventor: John R. Buta
  • Patent number: 8539804
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a roll gap when rolling a strip (1) in a rolling mill including at least two rolls (3a-b,4a-b), and at least two roll gap actuators (6,7) that independently control the size of the roll gap. The device is adapted to receive information on the amount of wedge shape (POSactOS,POSactDS) in the strip thickness profile across the strip width, and to control said actuators, based on said information on the amount of wedge shape in the strip thickness profile, such that the relative reduction of the strip on both sides of the rolling mill become essentially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventor: Lars Jonsson
  • Patent number: 8365565
    Abstract: An apparatus for leveling thin metal strip moving longitudinally generally in a plane in a travel direction has at least one upstream roll rotatable about an axis and engaging the strip, at least one downstream roll rotatable about an axis and engaging the strip downstream of the upstream roll, and a drive connected to at least one of the rolls for exerting tension on the strip between the rolls. In accordance with the invention pivoting one of the rolls is pivoted about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane or parallel to the direction so as to vary the tension in the strip across a width of the strip and thereby locally plastically deform the strip to level it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: BWG Bergwerk-und Walzerk-Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Noé
  • Patent number: 8333093
    Abstract: The invention is based on a method of producing bent spring elements from a spring steel strip (14), wherein a feed unit (16) delivers the spring steel strip (14) from a supply roll (12) to a bending unit (32) having at least three bending rollers (34) and a reverse bending roller (36), of which at least one bending roller (34) and the reverse bending roller (36) can be adjusted transversely to the spring steel strip (14) by bending motors (60, 62), and wherein a cutting-off unit (44) adjoins the bending unit (32), said cutting-off unit (44) cutting off the spring steel strip (14) into individual spring elements by means of cutting-off tools (46, 48; 76, 78). It is proposed that the cutting-off tools (46, 48; 76, 78) be movable in the longitudinal direction of the spring steel strip (14) in a numerically controlled manner and that they be synchronized with the feed movement of the spring steel strip (14) during the cutting-off operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Kleckner, Julius Mazurkiewicz, Paul Criel
  • Patent number: 8291738
    Abstract: A method of leveling metal strip having a thickness ?1 mm has the steps of passing the strip in a travel direction through an upstream braking-roller set and a downstream tension-roller set and through a group of leveling rollers between the braking-roller set and the tension-roller set. A predetermined tension equal to at least 70% of a yield limit of the strip is applied to the strip between the braking-roller set and the tension-roller set for stretch-bend or tension straightening by differentially driving the upstream and downstream roller sets. The strip is bent between the leveling rollers to correct longitudinal curve. Leveling rollers are used of diameters that increase downstream in the travel direction and that are so great that the strip follows the curvature of the leveling rollers at the predetermined tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: BWG Bergwerk-und Walzwerk-Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Noe
  • Patent number: 8250894
    Abstract: A release mechanism for use in a leveling apparatus that performs a leveling process on a work object that has been wound in a coil configuration as a result of the work object being passed between a front side work roll in contact with the front side surface of the work object and a back side work roll that is in contact with the back side surface of the work, wherein the releasing mechanism switches between a work clamp state that allows performance of the leveling process and a release state that releases the work object from the clamp state by displacing a work roll support member that supports one of the work rolls relative to the another support member to change a distance between the work rolls by utilizing rotational movement of an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Aida Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 8136215
    Abstract: An uncoiling device having an uncoiler for uncoiling a strip is described. The uncoiler is arranged downstream from a thickness measuring device which measures the thickness of the strip. The thickness measuring device is arranged downstream from a straightening device which straightens the strip. The straightening device is arranged downstream from a machining device which further machines the strip. The thickness of the strip is transmitted to a control device which controls the straightening machine and/or the machining device in accordance with the measured thickness of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bertram Schulze
  • Patent number: 8069695
    Abstract: A system and method for cleaning the work rolls of a multi-roll leveler. The system includes a roll cleaning drive system for driving one or both of a set of upper and lower work rolls against a cleaning pad placed therebetween. The roll cleaning drive system is disengageable with the work rolls to be driven thereby. The upper and lower work rolls are driven in opposite rotational directions so as not to eject the cleaning pad from the leveler. The rotational direction of the upper and lower work rolls may be periodically reversed to produce a scrubbing action on the work rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Machine Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony Enneking, Guil Bergman, Dave Hamberg
  • Patent number: 7954351
    Abstract: A metal strip is stretched as it is moved longitudinally generally continuously between an upstream traction-roll set and a downstream traction-roll set. The roll sets are differentially driven—with the downstream set moving at a slightly higher peripheral speed than the upstream set—so as to apply to the strip in a region between the sets a tension generally equal to a stretch limit of the strip. The strip is locally heated or cooled at an upstream location in the region between the roll sets so as to set in the strip in the region a temperature distribution that is nonhomogeneous transversely across the strip at least immediately downstream of the upstream location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: BWG Bergwerk-und Walzwerk-Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Noé
  • Publication number: 20100181078
    Abstract: A handheld tool for straightening coiled tubing in a continuous manner. The tool is configured to straighten coiled tubing that has undergone plastifying deformation, for example, during winding about a coiled tubing reel. The tool is of enhanced mobility and may be employed to provide a straightened portion of coiled tubing without resorting to intermittent reverse kinking or corrugating of the coiled tubing. Rather, the substantially continuous character of the straightened portion of coiled tubing is well suited for stably and reliably accommodating a downhole tool for use within a well during hydrocarbon recovery applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: L. Michael McKee
  • Patent number: 7637132
    Abstract: A self-retaining scraping device for continuously cleaning work rolls of a roller leveler assembly has a first wall having two angled or curved portions and a straight portion extending between the angled portions; and a second wall having two angled or curved portions and a straight portion extending between the angled portions. The first wall and second wall are connected to each other via the straight portions. The angled or curved portions of the first wall extend in an opposite direction from the angled or curved portions of the second wall. The scraping device is inserted between adjacent work rolls and has multiple scraping edges contacting outer surfaces of the work rolls to continuously clean the work rolls. The scraping device is supported by the work rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Butech Bliss
    Inventors: Salvatore James Vasta, Anthony Joseph Nackino
  • Publication number: 20090301156
    Abstract: A tubing straightener includes a housing having a tubing receiving end and a tubing ejection end. At least one set of drive rollers is positioned within the housing and disposed between the first end and the second end. The drive rollers engage tubing to be straightened such that, in use, the drive rollers apply a driving force to the tubing. Each drive roller has more than one circumferential profile for engaging tubing of different diameters. At least one top guide roller and at least one bottom guide roller for guiding the tubing through the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Glen CORBEIL
  • Publication number: 20090282883
    Abstract: A method of leveling metal strip having a thickness ?1 mm has the steps of passing the strip in a travel direction through an upstream braking-roller set and a downstream tension-roller set and through a group of leveling rollers between the braking-roller set and the tension-roller set. A predetermined tension equal to at least 70% of a yield limit of the strip is applied to the strip between the braking-roller set and the tension-roller set for stretch-bend or tension straightening by differentially driving the upstream and downstream roller sets. The strip is bent between the leveling rollers to correct longitudinal curve. Leveling rollers are used of diameters that increase downstream in the travel direction and that are so great that the strip follows the curvature of the leveling rollers at the predetermined tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: Andreas NOE
  • Patent number: 7543470
    Abstract: A roll straightener which is capable of being switched between a zigzag type and an opposed type is disclosed. The roll straightener has an odd-number of pairs of upper and lower rolls. A group of the lower rolls including the second lower roll from an insertion side of the straightener up to a lower roll located at a middle position are movable in vertical and transverse directions of the rolls, while the remaining upper rolls and lower rolls are movable in only the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Nihon Shinkan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Taguchi, Tetsuo Hosonuma
  • Patent number: 7530250
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for straightening a metal strip (1) which is guided in the direction of transportation (R) through a straightening machine (2) and is straightened. In the straightening device (2), the metal strip (1) is impinged upon by a straightening force (F) which is applied by a plurality of straightening rollers (3) in the direction (N) which is perpendicular to the surface of the metal strip (1). According to the invention, prior to the metal strip (1) entering into the straightening machine (2), the thickness (d) of the metal strip (1) is determined and the position (a) of the straightening rollers (3) in the direction (N) which is perpendicular to the surface of the metal strip (1) is taken into account according to the determined thickness (d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Hartung, Andreas Gramer, Ralf-Hartmut Sohl, Peter de Kock, Bodo Falkenhahn
  • Patent number: 7475581
    Abstract: A method of increasing control precision of a path of a product in a leveling machine including: a fixed support cage; two leveling assemblies with parallel rollers, which are placed above and below the strip respectively; devices necessary to adjust the interlocking of the rollers; a mechanism for measuring leveling forces at least of two sides of the machine; and a theoretical pre-setting model. The method directly measures at least one value for the spacing of the leveling rollers, which is compared to reference values, and uses the members for adjusting the position of the leveling rollers to maintain the measured values equal to the reference values. The method is particularly suitable for machines used to level flat metal products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens VAI Metals Technologies SAS
    Inventor: Andrzej Farnik
  • Publication number: 20080302153
    Abstract: A plurality of press devices 2 are arranged in a plastic working system. The plastic working system includes: a loop correction sensor 13 for watching a slack of a coil material C intermittently delivered from a preceding first press device 2a; and a second slack watching means 19 for watching a slack of the coil material C generated at the time of sending the coil material C to a succeeding second press device 2b. According to the slack generated by intermittent feeding of the coil material C sent from the first press device 2a, intermittent feeding is converted to continuous feeding by the feeding means 15. At the same time, the continuous feeding speed is subjected to speed increasing/decreasing control. On the other hand, by the second slack watching means 19, a slack of the coil material C is watched at the time of feeding the coil material C to the second press device 2b and the preceding first press device 2a is subjected to speed increasing/decreasing control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, DENSO PREAS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumio Kondo, Shoichi Takenouchi, Takayuki Nakanishi, Osamu Matsui
  • Publication number: 20080098784
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for straightening a metal strip (1) which is guided in the direction of transportation (R) through a straightening machine (2) and is straightened. In the straightening device (2), the metal strip (1) is impinged upon by a straightening force (F) which is applied by a plurality of straightening rollers (3) in the direction (N) which is perpendicular to the surface of the metal strip (1). According to the invention, prior to the metal strip (1) entering into the straightening machine (2), the thickness (d) of the metal strip (1) is determined and the position (a) of the straightening rollers (3) in the direction (N) which is perpendicular to the surface of the metal strip (1) is taken into account according to the determined thickness (d).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Hartung, Andreas Gramer, Ralf-Hartmut Sohl, Peter de Rock, Bodo Falkenhahn
  • Publication number: 20070180879
    Abstract: A self-retaining scraping device for continuously cleaning work rolls of a roller leveler assembly has a first wall having two angled or curved portions and a straight portion extending between the angled portions; and a second wall having two angled or curved portions and a straight portion extending between the angled portions. The first wall and second wall are connected to each other via the straight portions. The angled or curved portions of the first wall extend in an opposite direction from the angled or curved portions of the second wall. The scraping device is inserted between adjacent work rolls and has multiple scraping edges contacting outer surfaces of the work rolls to continuously clean the work rolls. The scraping device is supported by the work rolls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Salvatore James Vasta, Anthony Joseph Nackino
  • Patent number: 7065997
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and nibbling a sheet metal (3) in coil form comprises pulling devices for pulling the sheet metal, which is delivered from a delivery bobbin or coil, and are driven by a pair of overlapping rollers (12), the sheet metal being adapted to intermittently advance, stop and move backward, the sheet metal being processed by machining heads (15,16), which are arranged at the top and bottom portions of the sheet metal and are designed for transversely move with respect to the sheet metal feeding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Fabrizio Mologni
  • Patent number: 6920774
    Abstract: A drive system for a multi-roll leveler. The drive system is coupled to a set of upper work rolls of the leveler. Preferably, the lower, and not the upper set of work rolls provide the bending necessary to flatten the strip of material. The drive system employs a gearbox housing one or more gear trains adapted to rotationally drive the upper set of work rolls. A drive means is coupled to the gear train(s). When more than one gear train is used, the gear trains may drive an equal or unequal number of upper work rolls. The upper work rolls may be splined to better engage the gear train. Output shafts may be provided on the gear box to connect the gear train(s) to the work rolls. The drive system does not require the use of universal joints to drive the work rolls. When the upper and lower sets of work rolls are contacted with the strip of material, the driven rotation of the upper work rolls causes the strip of material to move through the leveler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Machine Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Guil C. Bergman, Anthony D. Enneking
  • Patent number: 6892561
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for strip processing with at least one uncoiling station, at least one strip processing station (1) and at least one coiling station. Especially to reduce undesirable strip-edge stresses, a known apparatus for strip processing is configured such that a strip-edge stretching station (2) which stretches the edges of the strip, is provided between the uncoiling station and the coiling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Aluminium Norf GmbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Grell
  • Patent number: 6792783
    Abstract: A quick change cassette system for a multi-roll leveler, such as may be used to flatten strips of material. The quick change system is designed for use with a leveler having an upper and lower cassette assembly containing upper and lower work rolls, respectively. The quick change system is also particularly suited for use with a lower work roll cassette that is mounted to the leveler in a hanging arrangement. A cart is mounted to the bottom side of the lower work roll cassette. Wheels are attached to a bottom portion of the cart to guide the cart into and out of the work envelope of the leveler along a set of guide rails. The cart can be moved manually or by means of a motor, cylinder, or other actuator. The cart remains attached to the lower work roll cassette during operation of the leveler. An upper work roll cassette may also be removed or installed to the leveler along with the lower work roll cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Machine Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Guil C. Bergman, Anthony D. Enneking
  • Publication number: 20040148994
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a bridle unit (2), which does not necessitate a lengthening of the distance between the rolling nip (9) and the unwinding of the strip, even if a coloration of the strip (4) is required. To achieve this, the invention provides a bridle unit that is allocated to a rolling stand (1), said unit comprising several rolls that are fixed below the course of the strip and several rolls that are adjustably positioned above the course of the strip, which can be displaced from an initial position towards the strip (4) and from said strip back into the initial position by means of a drive. The roll (11) that lies the closest to the rolling nip (9) of the rolling stand (1) can be displaced from an initial position (12, 13) above and/or below the course of the strip towards the strip and from said strip back into each initial position by means of an additional drive (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Christoph Schwarz, Hans-Joachim Polking, Susanne Hein
  • Publication number: 20040089044
    Abstract: A metal measurement plate (5), having a size suitable for being placed between the set of upper rolls and the set of lower rolls of the leveler, has positioning means (60, 61, 62) for positioning it with respect to the rolls in the leveling direction, and strain gauges (51) for measuring elastic deformations of the plate during clamping on the leveler, said strain gauges being fastened to the plate so as to form several transverse rows of gauges (51 to 56) each located vertically in line with one of said rolls, on the opposite face of the plate with respect to said roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Fabrice Tondo, Jacques-Yves Bourgon, Dominique Bonnet, Christophe Noardo, Gilbert Petig, Pierre Vienot
  • Publication number: 20040069035
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for real-time adjustment of a planisher (1) for planishing metal strips (5), which consists, after the planished strip has been cut into a plate, in measuring said plate at the output of the planisher outside a support zone, correcting said measurement so as to eliminate the influence due to selfweight of the plate, and correcting, as the case may be, the clamping of the rollers located at the planer output so as to obtain a plate with controlled curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Jacques-Yves Bourgon, Olivier Guillard, Fabrice Tondo, Olivier Madelaine-Dupuich, Pierre Lemoine
  • Publication number: 20040055350
    Abstract: A method of processing sheet metal comprises the steps of: providing a tension-leveling apparatus; providing a surface conditioning apparatus; leveling a portion of the sheet metal with the tension-leveling apparatus; and conditioning a surface of the portion of the sheet metal with the surface conditioning apparatus. The tension-leveling apparatus includes a first set of bridle rollers adapted to receive sheet metal from an upstream coil. The tension-leveling apparatus also includes a second set of bridle rollers downstream of the first set of bridle rollers. The tension-leveling apparatus is adapted to engage the sheet metal in a manner to subject the portion of the sheet metal between the first and second sets of bridle rollers to a tensile force. The step of leveling the portion of the sheet metal between the first and second sets of bridle rollers includes engaging that portion with the tension-leveling apparatus in a manner to flatten the portion and reduce internal residual stresses in that portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Kevin Voges
  • Patent number: 6694792
    Abstract: A substrate treatment process includes plural steps of delivering a long substrate with application of tensile force to the substrate, wherein the strength of the tensile force is changed at least between a first delivery step and a second delivery step. This process prevents enlargement of edge waviness of a belt-shaped substrate to stabilize the plasma discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatoshi Tanaka, Hirokazu Ohtoshi, Yasuyoshi Takai
  • Patent number: 6691541
    Abstract: A stretch leveling apparatus having at least two stretching zones and wherein the lengths of the first and second stretching zones are each at least 0.5 times the maximum strip width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: BWG Bergwerk- und Walzwerk -Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Noé, Rolf Noé
  • Patent number: 6668610
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy sheet of the AA 6000 series is subjected to a continuous tension leveling procedure. The sheet is passed through a set of pull rollers and a set of brake rollers and subjected to a longitudinal tension between the two roller sets. Also while travelling under longitudinal tension between the two sets of rollers, the sheet is subjected to bending and reverse bending over a series of small rollers at a wrap angle in the range of about 0 to 12°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Hélène Lagacé, Garry Boles
  • Patent number: 6666063
    Abstract: A process system and produces metal sheets, including electric sheets, and uses at least one sheet machining unit, particularly a notching device. One or more linear transfer devices or more one sheet stacking devices, one or more sheet feeding unit and one or more sheet removal devices are being configured for stacking at least one sheet metal blank, centering and/or orienting at least one sheet metal blank, (c) at least one of notching at least one sheet metal blanks, separate and/or remove one or more interior sheet metal parts, and deposit the one or more notched sheet metal blanks and/or depositing the one or more interior sheet metal parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Pick, Otto Kurz, Alfred Bareis, Thomas Moeller
  • Patent number: 6644085
    Abstract: A printing plate bender for forming shaped edges on a substrate. The printing plate bender generally has a frame, and an elongate mandrel rotatably supported on the frame. The mandrel includes a substrate retainer supported thereon for securing the substrate thereto. The plate bender includes a first substrate guide supported on the frame and disposed adjacent to the mandrel. The printing plate bender further includes a heater disposed in longitudinal alignment with the mandrel and operatively connected with the mandrel. The heater is movably mounted to the frame and upon rotation of the mandrel is movable to a position wherein the heater is in close proximity to the substrate secured to the mandrel in order to assist in forming the desired bend on the printing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Halm Industries Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Piechocniski
  • Publication number: 20030126903
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy sheet of the AA 6000 series is subjected to a continuous tension leveling procedure. The sheet is passed through a set of pull rollers and a set of brake rollers and subjected to a longitudinal tension between the two roller sets. Also while travelling under longitudinal tension between the two sets of rollers, the sheet is subjected to bending and reverse bending over a series of small rollers at a wrap angle in the range of about 0 to 12°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Helene Lagace, Garry Boles
  • Publication number: 20020157440
    Abstract: A stretch leveling apparatus having at least two stretching zones and wherein the lengths of the first and second stretching zones are each at least 0.5 times the maximum strip width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: BWG Bergwerk- und Walzwerk-Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Noe, Rolf Noe
  • Patent number: 6279367
    Abstract: A multiple section bars straightening/cutting system in a bar rolling line comprises a multiple section bars straightening apparatus, an inlet side introduction pinch roller, a multiple traveling section bars cutting apparatus and a rear surface tilting table having an outlet side introduction pinch roller. The multiple traveling section bars cutting apparatus includes a fixed blade and a moving blade each having a plurality of calipers formed in accordance with the cross-sectional shapes of the section bars. The rear tilting table tilts in the direction in which the blades of the multiple traveling section bars cutting apparatus move in synchronism with the movement of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Mehara, Koji Mizuno, Soichi Aoyama
  • Patent number: 6237383
    Abstract: An unwinding device for wire or materials containing several wires, having a rotating support for a reel, a coil or the like and a folding roller allocated to a processing device. According to this invention, a dancer is positioned between the support and the folding roller. A constant direction for unwinding and winding is maintained in such as way that the unwound or wound material is directed along the same plane of curvature as the curvature of the reel devoid of torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Witels Apparate-Maschinen Albert GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Eckehard Albert
  • Patent number: 6122949
    Abstract: A refurbishing device (10) for a fish tape (12) comprising a base (14) and three studs (16). An assembly (18) is for attaching the studs (16) in equally spaced apart locations through the base (14), so that the studs (16) will extend from a bottom side (20) of the base (14). A handle (22) is also provided. An assemblage (24) is for securing the handle (22) to a top side (20) of the base (14) opposite from the studs (16). A person (28) can grasp the handle (22) with a first hand (30) and pull the coiled fish tape (12) between the studs (16) approximately three times with a second hand (32), thus reconditioning the fish tape (12) to like a new, straight and usable condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventors: Robert Lock, Thomas Dziomba
  • Patent number: 6067835
    Abstract: A wire straightener is provided which uses three roller sets in one plane to apply deflection forces to a wire, which may have bends or coiling memory in more than one plane, so that the wire exits the wire straightener essentially straight, and free of bends or the tendency to coil and kink. The wire straightener adjusts for changes in pull angle as a means of accommodating different sizes of wires, by freely rotating around a pivot point, so that the amount of wrap of a wire around the last roller automatically adjusts. The wire straightener can straighten more then one wire at a time, and has multiple wire guides for feeding the wire onto the rollers. It is designed so that the wire may be threaded onto the wire straightener in the middle of a length of the wire, without having to feed the wire on using the end of the wire. The wire straightener is adapted for use with wire which has been wound onto a cylindrical spool for storage and dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Michael R. Pollock
  • Patent number: 6038904
    Abstract: A decamberer for strip of approximate rectangular section has opposed rollers defining a downstream extent each with grooves receiving the strip edges and maintaining the strip in an approximate plane, and defining when viewed perpendicular to the plane an undulatory shape and with a progressively decreasing amplitude of oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Austen Barnes
  • Patent number: 6006573
    Abstract: A cold flow unit for metal wire is disclosed having at least three successive rollers, wherein the metal wire is trained over a part of the roller periphery such that at the transition of the metal wire from one roller to the subsequent roller the transition distance between the points of contact is less than 5 times the metal wire diameter. A device is disclosed for processing metal wire, having a roller cassette and subsequent thereto at least one such cold flow unit, or having at least two successive such cold flow units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventor: Jacobus Lambertus Van Merksteijn