US3765660A

US3765660A - Beam quenching apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: US3765660A
Application number: US00253464A
Authority: US
Inventors: T Veslocki; H Taylor; J Marshall
Original assignee: Inland Steel Co
Current assignee: Inland Steel Co
Priority date: 1972-05-15
Filing date: 1972-05-15
Publication date: 1973-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 1990-10-16

Abstract

A method of selectively cooling the wide flanges of a beam and apparatus for selectively cooling wide flange beams in which a wide flange beam is moved longitudinally between spaced channel forming members adjustably disposed in close proximity to the outer lateral surfaces of the wide flanges of the beam to form a narrow cooling channel extending substantially the width of the said flange and through which cooling water is passed to effect lowering the temperature of the flanges without allowing an appreciable amount of the cooling water to contact the web of the beam.

Description

O United States Patent 1 n11 3,765,660 Taylor et a1. Oct. 16, 1973 [54] BEAM QUENCHING APPARATUS AND 3,148,093 9/1964 Williams et a1. 143/145 METHOD 3,403,541 10/1968 Eisel 72 201 [75 I Inventors: Harold L. Taylor, Hebron, lnd.;

John Marsha, l Holland Primary ExaminerGerald A. Dost Tlmothy veslockl Hess Att0meyl-1ibben, Noyes & Bicknell ville, Ind. [73 Assignee: Inland Steel Company, Chicago,

Ill. 2 1 y i [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 253,464

A method of selectively cooling the wide flanges of a Related Apphcauon Data beam and apparatus for selectively cooling wide flange Continuation of P 1970, beams in which a wide flange beam is moved longituabandOneddinally between spaced channel forming members adjustably disposed in close proximity to the outer lat- [52] US. Cl 266/6 R, 72/201, 148/146 era] surfaces of the i flanges f the beam to f a [51] Int. Cl C21d l/62 narrow cooling Channel extending Substantially the [58] Field of Search 266/2.5, 6 R; width f the Said flange and through which Cooling 148/145, 146; 72/ water is passed to effect lowering the temperature of the flanges without allowing an appreciable amount of [56] References Clted the cooling water to contact the web of the beam.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,418,985 6/1922 Stock 266/6 R 8 Claims 7 Drawing Figures SH EAR REHEATING FURNACES 3 I J I I J J I J I j -12 all SOAKING PITS 13 /#13 BLOOMING MILL 14 L L L BREAKDOWN MILL C HOT ILL BED M H 5 ROUG ING MILL Patented Oct. 16, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 GNM Patented Oct. 16, 1973 4 Sheets-Shoat 5 K, T M MW aw MM m J fzlmo BEAM QUENCHING APPARATUS AND METHOD This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 73,088, filed Sept. 17, l970, and now abandoned.

The present invention relates generally to the rapid cooling of structural shapes during the heat forming or heat treating thereof, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for cooling the flanges of a wide flange metal beam particularly adapted for use in a continuous processing system.

In the forming/or rolling of structural shapes which have a non-uniform cross-section many problems are encountered which do not arise in forming or heat treating bars and rods which have a uniform crosssection. The cooling of non-uniform structural shapes and particularly wide flange beams and the like presents a special cooling problem, because the thickness of the web portin of a wide flange beam is usually less than the thickness of the flange portion thereof. Thus, when a wide flange beam is cooled by a conventional cooling treatment wherein the entire beam is sprayed or otherwise contacted with cooling water, the thinner web cools at a faster rate than the flange. This faster cooling rate can result in warping and distoration of the web portion of the beam due to the stresses created as a result of the temperature differences between the web and the flanges of the beam. Objectionable distortion of the beam ends is also caused in a hot sawing operation when the beam is still at a relatively high temperature. The flanges are also susceptible to damage when dragged across the hot bed while still at a relatively high temperature. As the distortions of the beam must be corrected by straightening the beam in a finishing operation, the greater the distortion of the beam, the greater the production costs of the beam. Also, the beam must be held in the hot bed following the hot sawing until cooled to the proper temperature for straightening, and prolonged holding further increases production costs. The tendency of a wide flange beam to warp or buckle limits the size of and dimensions in which a wide flange beam can be made and reducing the tendency of the web portion to distort on cooling makes it possible to form a beam with a greater ratio of flange thickness to web thickness.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel cooling system and apparatus for minimizing the warping and buckling or distortion of a wide flange beam and the like non-uniform structural shapes during the cooling thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for selectively cooling a wide flange beam which reduce the cost of producing wide flange beams and the like structural shapes.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for producing wide flange beams and the like which minimize distortion during hot sawing thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for producing wide flange beams and the like which significantly reduce the time the beam must be held in the hot bed and flange distortion when the beam is dragged across the hot bed.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for producing wide flange beams and the like having wider variations of dimensions without exhibiting objectionable warping and buckling during cooling.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for producing wide flange beams and the like which have improved physical prop erties.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method and apparatus for selectively cooling the flanges of a wide flange beam.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for cooling wide flange beams or the like which is adapted to cool effectively beams having various flange widths and sizes.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and claims when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cooling apparatus of the present invention embodied in a wide flange steel beam rolling line;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cooling apparatus embodying the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top view partially in vertical section along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view partially in vertical section taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

The cooling apparatus of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1 is embodied in a wide flange steel beam rolling line wherein a conventional steel ingot is removed from the soaking pit l0 and is reduced to a rectangular bloom shape in the blooming mill 11. The bloom after being trimmed to size by the shear 12 is passed to the reheating furnace 13 in order to heat the bloom to a suitable rolling temperature. After reheating, the bloom is further reduced in size in the breakdown mill l4 and roughing mill 15. From the roughing mill 15 the beam sections are passed to the universal mill 16 wherein the thickness of the beam web and beam flanges are shaped to size. The width of the flanges are determined in the edging mill 17. The flange cooling apparatus 18 which is the subject of the present invention receives the beam sections from the edging mill l7 and rapidly cools only the flanges before the beam enters the finishing mill 19 wherein the outwardly flared flanges are straightened. The ends of the beams are cut at the hot saw 20. Thereafter, the beams are held in the hot bed 21 until attaining a temperature suitable for straightening in the finishing operation wherein distortions of the beams are removed and the beams prepared for shipping.

The cooling system and apparatus of the present invention which is specifically illustrated in FIGS. 2-7 of the drawings comprise two identical

channel forming members

22, 22A which are disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the path along which a wide flange beam 23 is being moved during the hot rolling thereof. The

channel forming members

22, 22A are spaced sufficiently to provide a passage therebetween for receiving the wide flange beam 23 at the elevated temperature which is required for the hot forming thereof. The'channel forming

members

22, 22A are each comprised of a supporting frame section 24, 24a secured by suitable fasteners, such as screws, to oppositely disposed longitudinally spaced

mill guide keys

25, 25' and 25a, 25a, respectively. Each of the frame sections 24, 24a has fixedly mounted at the opposite ends thereof

spring boxes

27, 27' and 27a, 27a, respectively. The spring

biased shafts

28, 28', 28a and 28a extend longitudinally through the spring boxes 27 27, 27a and 27a, respectively. The longitudinal axes of the said shafts extend perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the beam 23 and are adapted to be moved perpendicularly to the said directional movement of the beam. The inner ends of each of the

shafts

28, 28 and 28a and 28a have pivotally secured thereto 1

elongated channel plates

30, 30a, respectively, by

suitable bracket members

29, 29' and 29a and 29a. The

channel plates

30, 30a are disposed in parallel planes which extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the

shafts

28, 28 and 28a and 28a, respectively. The

channel plates

30, 30a define. the passage through which the wide flange beams 23 move during cooling.

Each of the

spring boxes

27, 27, 27a and 27a has mounted therein a

coil spring member

31, 31, 31a and 31a, respectively. The

coil spring members

31, 31, 31a and 31a are adapted to receive longitudinally therein the

shafts

28, 28', 28a and 28a respectively. The lower surface of each of the said shafts is provided with a longitudinally extending rack section 32, 32', 32a, 32a which is adapted to coact with a

pinion

33, 33, 33a, 33a, respectively, rotatably mounted in a bearing supported by the

spring box

27, 27', 27a, 27a, respectively, at the outer end thereof.

Pinion shafts

34, 34', 34a and 34a are adapted to effect rotation of the

pinions

33, 33', 33a and 33a,

7 respectively. A At the forward or inner end of the spring boxes 27,

27', 27a, 27a a spring shaft lock means 36, 36', 36a and 36a is mounted for resiliently connecting the

shafts

28, 28, 28a and 28a, respectively, with the supporting frame on which the respective spring box is fixedly mounted. Each of the spring shaft lock means, as best shown in FIG. 7, comprises a locking key 37 slidable vertically in a guide plate 38 mounted for reciprocable sliding longitudinal movement in the spring box with which it is associated. The locking key 37 is actuated by an adjusting screw member 39 extending above the guide plate 38 and forcing the key 37 into locking engagement with the shaft with which it is associated.

A pneumatic cylinder or

air piston assembly

40, 40, 40a and 40a is mounted on the outer lateral surface of each of the

spring boxes

27, 27', 27a, 27a, respectively, by suitable bracket means 41, 41', 41a, 41a, respectively. Each of the

pneumatic cylinders

40, 40, 40a and 40a has a

piston rod

42, 42, 42a and 42a, respectively, extending axially therefrom toward the

channel plates

30, 30a with the longitudinal axis thereof perpendicular to the plane of the

channel plates

30, 30a. The forward or inner end of the

piston rods

42, 42' and 42a, 42a are pivotally connected to the outer surface of the

channel plate

30, 30a, respectively, by suitable bracket means 43, 43' and 43a, 43a, respectively.

Mounted on the end wall of each of the

channel plates

30, 30a by suitable fastener means is a cooling liquid supply means 45, 45a, respectively, comprising cooling liquid supply conduits 4646a' connected with the interior of baffle boxes 47 47a, respectively. Each of the baffle boxes 47', 47a has a vertically disposed elongated slit

orifice

48, 480, respectively, extending through the lateral walls of the baffle boxes and which are adapted to discharge a uniform relatively high velocity sheet or stream of cooling liquid cocurrent or counter-current to the normal movement of the beam 23 through the cooling apparatus. At the forward ends of the

channel plates

30, 30a fixed outwardly turned guide plates 50, 50a are mounted which define the entrance to the passage through which the beam 23 moves.

The

channel plates

30, 30a are also provided with adjustable levelling means 51, 51' and 51a, 51a, respectively, at spaced points between the ends thereof. Each of the adjustable levelling means, as best shown in connection with levelling means 51 in FIG. 4, comprises a bolt 52 with lock nut 52a threadably mounted in a threaded bushing 53' in a vertical passage extending through the channel plate 30 with the lower end of the bolt 52 making contact with a supporting surface 59.

The

gate flange plates

54, 54a having a length slightly longer than the

channel plates

30, 30a are adjustably mounted for vertical movement on the

channel plates

30, 30a, respectively, so that the lower end portions 55 thereof will substantially fill or close the air gap between the outer surface of the flanges of the beam 23 and the inner surface of the

channel plates

30, 30a. The lower end portions 55 and an outwardly tapered portion 55a preferably have a transverse thickness which is less than the remainder of the flange plate. The wear plate supporting surface 59 secured to the lower wall of each of the

channel plates

30, 30a extends toward the corresponding beam flange to substantially close the space therebetween. Thus, the gate flange plate end portions 55 and the plates 59 form the upper and lower end walls, respectively, of the channel through which cooling liquid flows in contact with the outer surface of the flanges of the beam 23. The inner surfaces of the

channel plates

30, 30a together with the outer surfaces of the flanges of the beam 23 form the lateral walls of the cooling liquid channel.

The

gate flange plates

54, 54a are adjustable vertically relative to the

channel plates

30, 30a, respectively, in order to accommodate beams having different flange widths by means of the flange plate adjusting means 56, 56', 56a, 56a associated with

channel plates

30, 30a, respectively. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawing, each of the flange plate adjusting means 56, 56, 56a, 56a is comprised of a threaded

bolt

57, 57, 57a and 57a mounted in the channel plate with each of the

bolts

57, 57 and 57a, 57a threadably 5 engaging a

bracket member

58, 58 and 58a, 58a,

respectively, fixedly attached to the

gate flange plate

54 or 54a with which it is associated.

Th e

gate flange plates

54, 54a are locked in their position of adjustment by a plurality of spaced gate flange plate locking means 60, 60', 60" and 60a, 60a, 60a",

- respectively. The gate flange plate locking means 60, 60, 60" and 60a, 60a, 60a" in the form illustrated in the drawings comprises a

support bracket member

61, 61, 61" and 61a, 61a, 61a which are supported directly or indirectly by the channel plates 30, 300, respectively, and have the upper ends thereof fixedly attached to one of the

gate flange plates

54, 54a. The

gate flange plate

54, 54a have vertically disposed

slots

62, 62, 62" and 62a, 62a, 62a", respectively, to receive therein a threaded

member

63, 63', 63" and 63a, 63a, 63a, respectively. The inner end of each of the threaded

members

63, 63, 63" and 63a, 63a, 63a" has an

enlarged head portion

64, 64, 64" and 64a, 64a, 64a", respectively, which is adapted to frictionally engage the surface of the

gate flange plates

54, 54a,

' respectively, when the threaded

members

63, 63, 63"

and 63a, 63a, 63a draw outwardly the enlarged head portions 64, 64'64" and 64a, 64a, 64a", respectively, as by turning

hand adjusting nuts

65, 65, 65" and 65a, 65a, 65a" which are mounted on threaded

members

63, 63', 63" and 63a, 63a, 63a", respectively.

In order to adjust the cooling apparatus of the present invention to receive a particular size beam, after each of the

channel forming members

22, 22A is lifted into position by means of a crane secured to lifting

lugs

26, 26', 26" and 26a, 26a, 26a" provided on the frame sections 24, 24a, respectively, and is secured to the mill

side guide keys

25, 25' and 25a, 25a, respectively, each of the

channel forming members

22, 22A is then levelled by adjusting the levelling means 51, 51 and 51a, 51a, respectively, and locked in place with a suitable locking means, such as lock nuts 52a, associated with each of the levelling means. The channel plates 24, 24a are then adjusted to provide a suitable passage for receiving the beam 23 by loosening the spring shaft lock means 36, 36 and 36a, 36a associated with the

channel forming members

22, 22A, respectively, to permit moving the

spring shafts

28, 28' and 28a, 28a and the

channel plates

30, 30a associated therewith inwardly or outwardly by turning the

pinion shafts

34, 34 and 34a, 34a, respectively. After each of the

channel plates

30, 30a has been properly positioned on opposite sides of the mill center line and spaced from the mill center line slightly more than one-half the width of the beam size, the spring shaft locking means 36, 36, 36a, 36a are tightened to operatively associate the

shafts

28, 28, 28a, 28a with the

springs

31, 31', 31a, 31 a, respectively. The

gate flange plates

54, 54a are then adjusted for the flange width of the beam to be cooled by loosening the gate flange plate locking means 60, 60 and 60a, 60a and turning the gate flange '

plate adjusting screw

56, 56 and 56a, 56a, respectively. After the

gate flange plates

54, 54a have been positioned relative to the

channel plates

30, 30a so that the lower ends 55 thereof substantially close the air gaps between the edge of the flanges and the channel plates, the gate flange plate locking means 60, 60, 605' and 60a, 60a, 60a" are tightened to effect locking the

gate flange plates

54, 54a, respectively, in operating position.

Cooling water is supplied to the cooling channel formed between the outer lateral surface of the flanges of the beam 23 and the inner lateral surface of the

channel plates

30, 30a by connecting liquid supply conduits 46', 46a to a suitable water pump which supplies cooling water to the

baffle boxes

47, 47a, respectively, for discharge through the passages 48', 48a associated therewith. Air lines are also preferably 5 connected to air operated water valves (not shown) for controlling the rate of flow of the cooling water to the

baffle boxes

47, 47a. Remote control means for the water valves are also preferably associated therewith. m pneumatic c iinaasuoiw;16am are asanected with suitable air pressure lines through pressure valves in the air pressure lines which are preferably operated by r emote control so that the

pneumatic cylinders

40, and 40a, 40a can be actuated to rapidly retract the

channel forming members

22, 22A, respectively, in the event there is a mill breakdown or a malfunction while the beam 23 is passing between the

channel forming members

22, 22A.

As an example of the application of the present invention, the cooling apparatus as shown in FIGS. 2-7 was used to cool the flanges of 67 pound 8 X 8 inch wide flange beams being produced on a 28 inch rolling mill with the cooling apparatus placed in the mill line approximately 25 feet prior to a 40 inch finishing mill. The overall separation distance between the inner surfaces of the

special channel plates

30, 30a which have a length of about 8.75 ft. was set at 9.5 inches. Water was supplied to each of the baffle boxes 47 47a through a 4 inch diameter pipe fed by a single 100 psi pump capable of supplying water at a flow rate of about 800 gallon per minute.

Each of the beams was brought to the cooling apparatus from the edging mill in the usual production fashion. Approximately 100 feet before its entry into the cooling apparatus, the beams flange surface temperature was taken using an optical pyrometer. As the head end of the beam entered the apparatus, the water was turned on and the water flow rate and the exiting water temperature were recorded. The latter was accomplished by catching a portion of the exiting water in a bucket and measuring its temperature with a thermometer. The temperature of the entering water was measured prior to and after the experimental program and was found to have a constant value of F. As the beam left the cooling apparatus, the flange surface temperature was again recorded using an lrcon optical thermometer. The spot on which the instrument was sighted was approximately 7 feet from the point at which the beam exited the apparatus. The beam then entered the finishing mill and the amperage to the final roll stand was recorded. The beams velocity through the apparatus was determined by noting when'the head of the beam entered the cooling device and then recording the time required for the tail end of the beam to travel feet. The data obtained in the foregoing fashion is given in the following Table I:

TABLE I.EXPERIMENTAL DATA FOR FLANGE COOLING APPARATUS Time for Total tail end Cale. Inlet Exit water Amp. of beam beam flange flange flow Inlet Exit to to travel vol. surf. surf. rate water water final Type of 100 ft. (it./ temp. temp. (gaL/ temp. temp. roll beam (see.) min.) F.) F.) min.) F.) F.) stand 67# 8 x 8 11.3 531 2, 080 1, 970 0.0 45 240 67# 8 x 8 11.9 504 2, 1, 880 814 45 72 230 67# 8 x 8 11. 5 522 2, 1, 790 814 45 70 230 67# 8 x 8 12. 1 495 2, 120 1, 770 829 45 71 235 67# 8 x 8 12. 2 492 2, 110 1, 620 82!) 45 (i8 240 TABLE I.EXPERIMENTAL DATA FOR FLANGE COOLING APPARATUS-Cominucd Time for Total tail end Cale. Inlet Exit water Amp. Appar. of beam beam flange flange flow Inlet Exit to sep. to travel vol. surf. surf. rate water water final dis. Type of 100 ft. (ft./ temp. temp. (gal./ temp. temp. roll Exp. No (in.) beam (see) min.) F.) F.) min.) F.) F.) stand 9. 67# 8 x 8 12.1 496 2, 110 1780 822 45 66 230 9. 5 67# 8 X 8 12.1 496 2,120 1, 760 792 45 69 .230 9. 5 67# 8 X 8 12.1 496 2, 100 1, 735 785 45 70 245 9. 5 67# 8 X 8 2,100 1, 680 822 45 70 255 9. 5 67)? 8 x 8 12. 1 496 2, 130 1, 760 822 45 71 230 1 Indicates data not obtained.

Distance between two sides of the apparatus.

In carrying out the foregoing tests, the apparatus functioned perfectly mechanically and the moving beam had no trouble whatsoever in threading the coolidly flowing cooling liquid.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each of said channel plates has supporting means associated therewith for effecting transverse adjustable movement of said channel plates.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each of said ing apparatus. In addition, the cooling water appeared channel plates has associated therewith hydraulic pisto be evenly distributed over the surface of the two ton means for effecting rapid transverse movement of flanges, and only a negligible amount of cooling water said channel plates.

came into contact with the web of the beam. 4. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each of said t as also found at e COOlmg apparatus fune- 2Q gate flange plates is adjustably mounted on one of said tlohed efficlehtly- From the tests Conducted, the C001- channel plates for effecting vertical movement of a said t apparatus produced an average heat flux of PP gate flange plate relative to said channel plate. "h y 783,300 Btu/hr-ftz' f" the 67 a 8 X 8 lhchr 5. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each of said wlde flange beams tested, thls heat flux resulted flange plates is provided with leveling means at spaced drop in the flange surface temperature of approxipoints between the ends thereof matety 250 f rz aFdrep m the overall average flange 6. An apparatus for selectively cooling the flanges of temperature 0 o a beam, comprising whhe e ht h as above desehbee heeh a pair of elongated channel plates mounted in translustrated utllizmg a single cooling apparatus in a steel versely spaced relation to provide an elongated mill rolling line, it should be understood that two or passage adapted to have a beam passed there more of the cooling units can be used in series where through with the beam flanges spaced from but in a greater ceehhg effect on h flanges of th beams 15 close proximity to said channel plates and defining desired. Also, the cooling units can be positioned after elongated narrow cooling channels therebetween the finishing mill, if desired. It should also be underat the outer Surfaces of the beam flanges.

stood h cooling apparatus and method of the a pair of gate flange plates mounted adjacent the present invention can be used to cool selectively strucup er portions of Said channel plates and havin tum] other than Structural e as the lovser edge portions adapted to extend into ant i cooling problems anse m the producnonpf plas' substantially close the spaces between said channel tic structural shapes, such as plastic beams, having nonplates and the beam flanges at the upper ends of uniform cross-sections. 40

. said cooling channels;

i i gg for cooling flanges Ora beam means mounted adjacent the lower edges of said prising; oppositely disposed channel forming members 3 ::j gl fiz szg ggg g gg g az gl g g fiz spaced to provide a longitudinally extending passage b h l d tl'lilerebeltvfveenfor recetvingha heated ibeami ezlich sdaid fiz z s z at t e Ower en S 0 sat coo mg c anne ormmg mem er avmg a c anne p ate [8- posed in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of hqhld suhply means for mtmeucmg coohhg hqutd the Said flanges of a beam and adapted to be disposed into said cooling channels ad acent one end of said in close proximity thereto, a gate flange plate sup- Passage ported adjacent and extending above each said channel The hhharatus 0t etahh 6 t e ehat'aetehzed by plate with each of said gate flange plates having a lower the Prevlsteh of theahs for adlushhg the transverse edge portion which is adapted to substantially close the e te fl l eth f e t plftlttes t i it s air gap between the upper edge portion of one of said Jhs mg e Post 0 e ehge P a es re a We 0 flanges and the oppositely disposed surface of one of the upper ends of the eoehhg ehahhetssaid channel plates whereby a channel is defined about e app of Clam 6 further Charactenzed y a substantial portion of the lateral surface of each of e Provlsloh of gulde means on 531d Channel P t said flanges and a cooling liquid supply means fining an entrance for the beam at one end of said pasmounted adjacent one end of each of said channel Sage, 531d q p meahs-helhg P adjacent plates for directing a stream of cooling liquid into said the PP end of 531d P e f Provldlhg counterchannel and substantially filling said channel with rapcurrent flow of coohhg hquld relahve to the movement of the beam through said passage.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cooling flanges of a beam comprising; oppositely disposed channel forming members spaced to provide a longitudinally extending passage therebetween for receiving a heated beam, each said channel forming member having a channel plate disposed in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of the said flanges of a beam and adapted to be disposed in close proximity thereto, a gate flange plate supported adjacent and extending above each said channel plate with each of said gate flange plates having a lower edge portion which is adapted to substantially close the air gap between the upper edge portion of one of said flanges and the oppositely disposed surface of one of said channel plates whereby a channel is defined about a substantial portion of the lateral surface of each of said flanges, and a cooling liquid supply means mounted adjacent one end of each of said channel plates for directing a stream of cooling liquid into said channel and substantially filling said channel with rapidly flowing cooling liquid.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each of said channel plates has associated therewith hydraulic piston means for effecting rapid transverse movement of said channel plates.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each of said gate flange plates is adjustably mounted on one of said channel plates for effecting vertical movement of a said gate flange plate relative to said channel plate.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each of said flange plates is provided with leveling means at spaced points between the ends thereof.

6. An apparatus for selectively cooling the flanges of a beam, comprising a pair of elongated channel plates mounted in transversely spaced relation to provide an elongated passage adapted to have a beam passed therethrough with the beam flanges spaced from but in close proximity to said channel plates and defining elongated narrow cooling channels therebetween at the outer surfaces of the beam flanges; a pair of gate flange plates mounted adjacent the upper portions of said channel plates and having lower edge portions adapted to extend into and substantially close the spaces between said channel plates and the beam flanges at the upper ends of said cooling channels; means mounted adjacent the lower edges of said channel plates and adapted to substantially close the spaces between said channel plates and the beam flanges at the lower ends of said cooling channels; and liquid supply means for introducing cooling liquid into said cooling channels adjacent one end of said passage.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further characterized by the provision of means for adjusting the transverse spacing between said channel plates and means for adjusting the position of said gate flange plates relative to the upper ends of the cooling channels.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 further characterized by the provision of guide means on said channel plates defining an entrance for the beam at one end of said passage, said liquid supply means being disposed adjacent the opposite end of said passage for providing countercurrent flow of cooling liquid relative to the movement of the beam through said passage.