WO2015011559A2

WO2015011559A2 - Linear bearing plate providing controlled lubricant distribution

Info

Publication number: WO2015011559A2
Application number: PCT/IB2014/001626
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jochen Corts
Original assignee: Corts Engineering Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2013-03-25
Filing date: 2014-03-25
Publication date: 2015-01-29
Also published as: WO2015011559A3

Abstract

A linear bearing plate, or liner, for use within a rolling mill stand including lubrication ports in fluid communication with a lubrication source. Lubrication ports provide areas of active lubrication which are surrounded by areas of passive lubrication so as to provide adequate lubrication during a rolling campaign. Lubricant port discharge can be metered by nozzles or controlled by altering the geometry of the lubricant-carrying conduits defined on a surface of the plate.

Description

LINEAR BEARING PLATE PROVIDING CONTROLLED LUBRICANT

DISTRIBUTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[00001] Linear bearings or liners have been used to provide a flat guiding module or plate-type bearing element for use within rolling stand frames. These bearings typically have at least one slide-bearing surface in contact with another bearing surface and are particularly prone to wear and tear within the hostile rolling environment. Versions of linear bearings are disclosed in PCT Application No. PCT/EP02/03010, which was published as International Publication No. WO 2002/075271, and PCT Application No. PCT/EP03/014573, which was published as International Publication No. WO 2004/058426, each document being incorporated by reference herein.

[00002] To obtain precisely rolled products, all clearances throughout the rolling system must be evaluated and held to the tightest possible tolerances. Failure to maintain bearing clearances often results in a substantial economic reduction of the product, increased maintenance costs, excessive component wear, and other dangerous conditions.

[00003] It has been recognized that bearing wear is often determined by outside influences and mechanical effects such as abrasion, chamfer wear and wear of mounting surfaces. Abrasion may result from scale and abrasive particles, severely worn bearing surfaces from any relative movement between chock and housing, corrosion and localized overloads. Chamfer wear may result in damaged chamfers, reduced bearing surface area, imprecise guidance during chock loading, and open passages for water and abrasive particles. Corrosion (or erosion) may be caused by cooling water chemicals, high pressure descaling water and shimming. Corrosion may result in washed out lubrication, increased humidity, fretting defects and pop-outs of liner material. Wear of liners may also result from heavy impact loads, such as hammering, localized overloads and corrosion / erosion.

[00004] Prior art delivery systems have provided lubrication to linear bearing elements, as disclosed in Applicant's US Patent Publication No. 20120312063, entitled Lubrication Delivery System for Linear Bearings, and US Patent No. 8,353,192, entitled Linear Bearing Plate for Rolling Mill, which are each incorporated herein by reference.

[00005] Referring to FIG. 1, US Patent No. 8,353,192 discloses a bearing plate 18 having multiple lubricant inlet ports 103 providing lubricant to multiple lubricant conduits 108. A plurality of external conduits 104 are coupled to the inlet ports 103, preferably at a side of the plate 18 between the bearing and support surfaces. A limitation of the prior art systems is the significant space occupied by the multiple external conduits 104 feeding multiple inlet ports 103. In certain applications, physical constraints of the rolling mill limit the opportunity to utilize the lubricant distribution system of US Pat. No. 8,353,192.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00006] Addressing the deficiencies of the prior art, there is disclosed systems and methods to resolve linear bearing lubricant distribution deficiencies in an efficient, cost effective manner. In one embodiment, a liner plate for a mill stand includes a plurality of lubricant conduits and apertures and lubricant flow control devices for selectively delivering lubricant across bearing surfaces of the plates.

[00007] In one embodiment, nozzles are provided in the lubricant emitting apertures.

Selection of nozzle sizes can depend on the particular application of the liner plates. In one embodiment, nozzle size can increase as a function of effective distance (e.g., groove length) from the lubricant inlet port.

[00008] In one embodiment, nozzles may be removable elements from the liner plate. Such nozzles may be secured to the liner plate via, for example, a threaded coupling. In other embodiments, differently sized openings could simply be machined into the liner plate.

[00009] In yet another embodiment, groove size (depth or width) can be altered to control the distribution of lubricant across the bearing surface.

[00010] In another embodiment, a filter assembly can be integrated into the liner plate to provide a filtering media through which the lubricant is passed. [00011] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00012] FIG. 1 illustrates a bearing plate and lubricant distribution system of the prior art.

[00013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mill stand incorporating linear bearings of the present invention.

[00014] FIG. 3 is a side elevational depiction of the mill stand of FIG. 2.

[00015] FIG. 4 is a top view of a linear bearing of the present invention.

[00016] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the linear bearing of FIG. 4.

[00017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the linear bearing of FIG. 4.

[00018] FIG. 7 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention. [00019] FIG. 8 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention.

[00020] FIG. 8 A is a cross sectional view of the bearing plate of FIG. 8 taken along line A-A.

[00021] FIG. 8B is a detailed view of the bearing plate of FIG. 8A at B.

[00022] FIG. 8C is a detailed view of the bearing plate of FIG. 8A at C.

[00023] FIG. 8D is a detailed view of the bearing plate of FIG. 8A at D.

[00024] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a bearing plate of the present invention.

[00025] FIG. 9A is a perspective illustration of three nozzles of the bearing plate of

FIG. 9.

[00026] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a bearing plate of the present invention.

[00027] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the bearing plate embodiment of FIG. 10.

[00028] FIG. 12 is a top view of another embodiment of a bearing plate of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00029] FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of a mill stand 10 incorporating linear bearings (or "liners") 12, with the pair of working rolls 14 and chock set 15 depicted in a removed state relative to the mill stand (or "roll stand) housing 16. During use, the linear bearings 12 engage linear bearings 18 attached to the roll stand housing 16 to limit movement of the rolls 14 to a generally horizontal direction. Liners 18 include lubricant ports supplied via a lubrication delivery system as described in additional detail herein. Embodiments of linear bearings 16, 18 are disclosed in PCT applications, PCT/EP02/03010 and PCT/EP03/014573, each document being incorporated by reference herein. [00030] FIG. 3 provides a side elevational view depiction of a mill stand incorporating linear bearings. The mill stand of FIG. 3 depicts components in relatively new, unworn condition. The mill roll is held between mill stand sides by chocks 14 and liner pairs 16. The chocks and chock liners move vertically during operation with the chock liners being in sliding contact with the housing liners. As depicted, slab product 17 moves through roll stand 16. In such a condition, the impact of the rolling mill energy is dispersed across a substantial portion of the chock liner surfaces.

[00031] An embodiment of a delivery system for lubrication to liner 18 is shown in

FIG. 4. A pump 100 directs pressurized lubricant through conduit 104 and through fluid control valve 102 for delivery to liner inlet port 103. Pressurized lubricant is directed through liner 18 via a plurality of conduits 108. The conduits 108 may be defined by a plurality of channels, machined or otherwise formed in the back surface of the liner 18. Once liner 18 is installed on the housing 16, the channels cooperate with a surface of housing 16 to define a plurality of closed conduits for feeding lubricant to the plurality of outlet ports on the bearing surface of liner 18. Inlet port 103 is shown on the side of the liner 18, though in alternative embodiments an inlet port may exist on other surfaces of the liner. Benefits of a lubricant system include a reduction in lubricant consumption, prolonged anti-friction bearing life, a reduction in disposal and maintenance costs, and precise metering of lubricant.

[00032] Liner plate 18 includes a plurality of apertures 120 for securing the liner 18 to a housing 16 and a plurality of ports for emitting lubricant. The lubricant ports are connected via conduits 108 to inlet port 103. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, a metering nozzle 107 is provided in each lubricant port.

[00033] The lubrication-carrying conduits 108 feed multiple lubricant ports. The lubricant ports each include a cup-shaped generally cylindrical depression 110 suitable to contain a volume of lubricant during use. One benefit of the distributed lubricant ports is an equalization of pressure across the liner 18 surfaces during operation. By maintaining equalized pressure, uneven wear of the liner 18 surface can be minimized. [00034] The internal conduits 108 may be formed by a machining operation whereby a channel is cut into the surface of the liner plate. In operation, the channel and a portion of an adjacent flat surface together define a generally closed conduit adapted to transport lubricant toward the lubricant outlet ports.

[00035] FIGS. 4 and 5 thus illustrate a liner 18 having a single inlet port 103 to receive lubricant from an external source and a plurality of conduits 108 to communicate the lubricant to the various outlet ports on the bearing surface.

[00036] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of liner 18 of FIGS. 4 and 5.

[00037] FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of liner 18 in accordance with the present invention. The inner diameter of the nozzles 107 is in direct relation to the length of the lubricant conduit 108. FIG. 7 also shows the nozzles 107 in cross-section.

[00038] FIG. 8 depicts a liner 18 having three different nozzles 107. Each nozzle has a different cross-sectional opening. FIG. 8A is a cross sectional view of the liner 18 of FIG. 8 taken along line A-A. FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 8D are detailed views of the liner 18 of FIG. 8A at B, C, and D, respectively. The nozzles 107 are threaded into corresponding threads defined in the liner 18.

[00039] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of liner 18 showing nozzle 107 in threaded engagement via threads 109 with liner 18. Nozzle 107 may be selected from a group of nozzles having varying metering rates. For a simple aperture nozzle 107, a larger opening 106 yields a larger lubricant flow. FIG. 9A is a perspective view of three nozzles 107.

[00040] Nozzle 107 sizes can be a selected as a function of conduit 108 length from inlet port 103 so as to selectively control the distribution of lubricant across the bearing surface. For example, for those lubricant outlet ports closer to the inlet port 103, a smaller nozzle (lower metering rate) can be utilized. Larger nozzles 107 having larger metering rates can be used at those outlet ports further away from the inlet port 103. Nozzle 107 selection for the plurality of outlet ports can thus be a function of the conduit 108 length as measured from the inlet port 103. [00041] Another aspect of the present invention is the selective control of lubricant across the liner 18 surface. For example, an operator could utilize a larger nozzle 107 within a liner area requiring additional lubricant relative to other portions of the liner 18.

[00042] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a liner 18 of the present invention may further comprise a filter 105 for removing contaminants from the lubricant. Filter 105 may be an internal filter inserted into inlet port 103.

[00043] FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention wherein lubricant is selectively distributed across the liner bearing surface by utilizing conduits 108 having varying cross-sectional dimensions. In the example of FIG. 12, conduits 108 closer to the inlet port 103 have a smaller width relative to conduits 108 feeding more remote outlet ports. In this manner, a designer could optimize the distribution of lubricant by varying the width (or depth) of the conduits 108. An equalized distribution of lubricant across the liner surface 18 may be desirable in some applications. In other applications, the designer could control (increase or decrease) the amount of lubricant being expelled out of certain outlet ports so as to deliver increased or decreased lubricant relative to other portions of the liner 18.

[00044] Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the

corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Claims

1. A linear plate of a bearing assembly for a rolling mill, said linear plate comprising: a generally planar bearing plate having a support surface attached to a planar support surface of a housing of a mill stand and having a bearing surface opposite the support surface which engages a movable bearing surface of the mill stand during operation; and a plurality of stationary lubrication conduits defined by channels in the support surface of the bearing plate and the support surface of the housing, said plurality of lubrication conduits providing fluid communication between a plurality of outlet ports at the bearing surface and a lubricant inlet port positioned on a side of the bearing plate between the support surface and the bearing surface, whereby pressurized lubricant is introduced into the lubricant inlet port, passes through the plurality of lubrication conduits and is expelled out of the plurality of outlet ports to provide lubrication between the stationary bearing surface of the bearing plate and the movable bearing surface of the mill stand during a rolling campaign, and wherein the plurality of outlet ports have differently sized openings for controlling a flow of lubricant through the plurality of outlet ports.

2. The linear plate of claim 1 wherein the bearing plate is secured to the mill stand via a plurality of threaded fasteners passing through the apertures of the bearing plate.

3. The linear plate of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of nozzles at the plurality of outlet ports.

4. The linear plate of claim 3 wherein the plurality of nozzles have differently sized openings.

5. The linear plate of claim 4 wherein larger nozzles providing increased flow of lubricant are positioned in areas of the linear plate requiring increased lubrication.

6. The linear plate of claim 5 wherein larger nozzles are provided at those outlet ports having longer lubrication conduit length.

7. The linear plate of claim 1 wherein the at least one outlet port is connected to at least one lubricant cup open to the bearing surface of the bearing plate.

8. The linear plate of claim 7 wherein the at least one lubricant cup is generally cylindrical in form and extends from the bearing surface toward the support surface of the bearing plate.

9. The linear plate of claim 1 further comprising a filter for removing debris from the lubricant.

10. The linear plate of claim 9 wherein the filter is positioned at the lubricant inlet port.

11. The linear plate of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of nozzles are secured via threads on the plurality of nozzles and the linear plate.

12. The linear plate of claim 1 wherein the differently sized openings comprise conduits having different widths for providing differing amounts of lubricant.

13. The linear plate of claim 1 wherein the differently sized openings comprising conduits having different depths for providing differing amounts of lubricant.

14. A rolling facility comprising: a plurality of mill stands, with each mill stand having at least one roll supported by a plurality of planar bearing plates, with each planar bearing plate having a bearing surface adapted to engage a movable surface of a roll stand component during a rolling operation, with each planar bearing plate having a support surface opposite the bearing surface which is secured against a support surface of a mill stand housing, with a plurality of fasteners passing through apertures in the bearing plate for fixing the position of the bearing plate relative to the support surface of the mill stand, and said bearing plate having a plurality of internal conduits providing fluid communication between a plurality of lubricant outlet ports at the bearing surface and a lubricant inlet port, with each of the plurality of conduits defined by a channel in the support surface of the bearing plate, and with each of the plurality of lubricant outlet ports having a nozzle.

15. The rolling facility of claim 14 further comprising: a lubricant source and an external conduit in fluid communication with the lubricant source and the inlet port of the bearing plate; and at least one control device for selectively controlling a flow of pressurized lubricant through the external conduit and the internal conduits of the planar bearing plate, said pressurized lubricant being expelled out of the outlet ports to provide lubrication between the bearing surface and the movable surface of the roll stand component.

16. The rolling facility of claim 14 wherein the nozzles are differently sized.

17. The rolling facility of claim 14 wherein nozzles are selected based on effective conduit length.

18. The rolling facility of claim 14 wherein the nozzles are removable or integrated into the plate.

19. The rolling facility of claim 14 further comprising a filter for removing debris from the lubricant in the internal conduits.