Title of Invention	STECKEL HOT ROLLING MILL
Abstract	The invention relates to a Steckel hot rolling mill comprising at least one reversing roll stand (1) as well as coilers (6, 7) which are positioned upstream and downstream and present torque-controlled drives. The aim of the invention is to improve such a hot rolling mill in such a way that it optimally counteracts variations in tension and/or mass flow caused by changes in process parameters and allows for high-quality hot rolling, especially of very thin hot-rolled strips. To this end the invention provides for a looper (8, 9) to be positioned between both the coilers (6, 7) and the reversible roll stand (1), which supplies actual values for adjusting tension and mass flow.

Title of Invention

STECKEL HOT ROLLING MILL

Abstract

The invention relates to a Steckel hot rolling mill comprising at least one reversing roll stand (1) as well as coilers (6, 7) which are positioned upstream and downstream and present torque-controlled drives. The aim of the invention is to improve such a hot rolling mill in such a way that it optimally counteracts variations in tension and/or mass flow caused by changes in process parameters and allows for high-quality hot rolling, especially of very thin hot-rolled strips. To this end the invention provides for a looper (8, 9) to be positioned between both the coilers (6, 7) and the reversible roll stand (1), which supplies actual values for adjusting tension and mass flow.

Full Text	The invention relates to a steckel hot rolling mill with at least one reversing roll stand, and coilers with torque-controlled drives positioned upstream and downstream of the roll stand. Steckel hot rolling mills of this type have torque-controlled coilers wherein, however, the control for achieving constant torques during the operation, particularly during rolling of hot- rolled strips, leads to insufficient rolling results. In such collars with their partially large, inert masses, tension variations occur in the strip during the acceleration or deceleration phases at the strip beginning or the strip end or in the case of mass flow defects, wherein the variations cannot be regulated by the torque control, so that the known plants are only permitted to be operated with limited deceleration or acceleration. Such a limited acceleration or deceleration results in longer reversing times, lower rolling speeds and, thus, colder strip beginnings or strip ends which, in turn, require higher rolling forces. Substantial changes of the process variables, such as temperature, rolling force, together with loss of tension due to coiler unbalances and mass flow changes, lead to losses of quality and stability, such as, for example, out-of-center travel of the strip. Therefore, the invention is based on the object of further developing a Steckel hot rolling mill of the above type in such a way that changes of the process variables due to changes of tension and/or mass flow can be counteracted in an optimum manner and that it is especially possible to roll thin hot-rolled strip with uniform, high quality. To this end, it is proposed that a looper each is provided between the coilers and the reversing stand, wherein each looper supplies actual values for a tension control and a mass flow control. Consequently, certain tensions can be adjusted on each side of the reversing roll stand through the two loopers. If mass flow changes occur at the strip entry side or the strip exit side which are characterized essentially by changes of the strip speed, a mass flow control is effected by controlling the strip coiling speed or rate of rotation of the coiler for achieving an adjustment of the mass flow to a desired value. It is an advantage if the loopers have a torque control effecting a constant strip tension, wherein a correction value is added to the torque control in dependence on the looper angle. It is further advantageous if a mass flow computer determines in dependence on the looper angle speed correction values for a control of the rate of rotation of the coiler. The mass flow control added to the tension control makes it possible to regulate high-frequency defects. If the coilers are equipped with preliminary mass flow control and/or a preliminary mass flow regulation, it is ensured that changes, for example, of the desired thickness values or changes in the roll stand geometry, can already be regulated prior to the occurrence of tension or mass flow changes which would be recognized by the loopers. Another advantage is to be seen in the fact that the coiler shafts are provided with angle transmitters which make it possible to determine deviations of the coiling or uncoiling speeds which are supplied to the tension regulators of the strip as preliminary control variables. This makes it possible that tension or mass flow changes resulting from eccentricities of the collars can be taken into consideration during a preliminary control for regulating the loopers, without having to have the errors caused by the eccentricity recognized by the looper and only then having to regulate out these errors subsequently. Essential for the operation of the Steckel hot rolling mills according to the present invention is the fact that low-inertia mass-optimized loopers which follow high-frequency changes are used. By using a special geometry and components of the loopers which are optimized with respect to their mass, it is achieved that these loopers can follow very rapid changes in tension or mass flow so that the errors measured in this manner can be counteracted by the corresponding control circuits. The invention is explained in detail with the aid of a drawing. The Figure shows a reversing roll stand 1 which is arranged between two drivers 2, 3. Roller conveyors 4, 5 are provided between the drivers 2, 3. Arranged upstream and downstream of the drivers are coilers 6, 7, wherein loopers 8, 9 are placed between the coilers 6, 7 and the drivers 2, 3, Each looper 8, 9 is provided with a tension controller 10, 11. The tension controllers 10, 11 are supplied with tension frequency values Picked up at the loopers 8, 9 are actual force values corresponding to tensile stresses as actual tension values well as angles which, after conversion in corresponding tensile stress correction computers 12, 13, are supplied to the tension controllers 10, 11 as tensile stress correction values, The tensile stress control circuits 10, 11 supply the result of the desired/actual value comparison to, for example, adjustment cylinders, not shown, of the loopers 8, 9. The signals which are picked up at the loopers 8, 9 and correspond to angle positions are supplied to mass flow computers 14, 15 and are converted in these mass flow computers 14, 15 into rate of rotation correction values which, in turn, are supplied to rate of rotation controllers 16, 17. The rate of rotation controllers 16, 17 for the coilers 6, 7 are supplied with desired values through an input device 18. Actual rate of rotation values plcked up at the coilers 6, 7 and supplied to the rate of rotation controllers 16, 17. The rates of rotation for the coilers 6, 7 are determined in the rate of rotation computers 16, 17 from the desired values, the actual values and the correction values. When mass flow changes are determined, the rate of rotation of the coilers can be easily corrected by the mass flow control which is superimposed on the rate of rotation control of the coilers 6, 7. In addition to the rate of rotation pickups, not shown, of the coilers 6, 7, the coilers are additionally provided with angle transmitters, The actual values of the current rate of rotation well as the corresponding angles 1, 2, are converted in correction value computers 19, 20 into strip tension correction values which are supplied to the tension controllers 10, 11, so that, for example, tension changes caused by eccentricities can be supplied to the tension controllers 10, 11 for effecting a preliminary control. The reversing roll stand 1 is provided with a rolling speed regulating device 21 which receives its desired values also from the input device 18, The input device 18 has a correction computer which, for effecting a preliminary control of the coilers 6, 7, converts, for example, supplied desired thickness values for the reversing roll stand 1 into corresponding preliminary control rates of rotation which can be supplied to the rate of rotation controllers 16, 17. Material flow changes and/or tension changes resulting from adjustment changes or changes of the material can be supplied to a correction computer 22 which supplies tension correction values and/or rate of rotation correction values to the tension controllers 10, 11 and/or to the rate of rotation controllers 16, 17. This makes it also possible to achieve a preliminary mass flow control of the Steckel hot rolling mill in dependence on changing parameters of the reversing roll stand 1. List of Reference Numerals 1 Reversing Roll Stand 2 Driver 3 Driver 4 Roller Conveyor 5 Roller Conveyor 6 Coiler 7 Coiler 8 Looper 9 Looper 10 Tension Controller 11 Tension Controller 12 Tensile Stress Correction Computer 13 Tensile Stress Correction Computer 14 Mass Flow Computer 15 Mass Flow Computer 16 Rate of Rotation Controller 17 Rate of Rotation Controller 18 Input Device 19 Correction Value Computer 20 Correction Value Computer 21 Rolling Speed Regulating Device 22 Correction Computer WE CLAIM: 1. A steckel hot rolling mill with at least one reversing roll stand, as well as coilers provided with torque-controlled drives arranged upstream and downstream of the roll stand, characterized in that a looper (8, 9) each is provided between the coilers (6, 7) and the reversing roll stand (1), wherein each looper provides actual values for a tension control and for a mass flow control. 2. The steckel hot rolling mill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loopers (8, 9) has a torque control for effecting a constant strip tension, wherein correction values determined in dependence on the looper angles are supplied to the torque control through tensile stress correction computers (12, 13), and that a mass flow computer (14, 15) determines in dependence on the looper angle speed correction values for a control of the rate of rotation of the coilers (6, 7). 3. The steckel hot rolling mill as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the coilers (6, 7) are equipped with a preliminary mass flow control. 4. The steckel hot rolling mill as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein the coilers (6, 7) are equipped with a preliminary mass flow regulation. 5. The steckel hot rolling mill as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the coiler shafts are provided with angle transmitters which are capable of determining deviations of the coiling or uncoiling speeds, wherein the deviations are supplied to the tension controllers (10, 11) of the strip as error values. 6. The steckel hot rolling mill as claimed in any one of claims I to 5, wherein it comprises a low-inertia, mass-optimised loopers (8, 9) which follow high-frequency changes.

Full Text

The invention relates to a steckel hot rolling mill with at least one reversing roll stand, and coilers with torque-controlled drives positioned upstream and downstream of the roll stand.
Steckel hot rolling mills of this type have torque-controlled coilers wherein, however, the control for achieving constant torques during the operation, particularly during rolling of hot-

rolled strips, leads to insufficient rolling results. In such collars with their partially large, inert masses, tension variations occur in the strip during the acceleration or deceleration phases at the strip beginning or the strip end or in the case of mass flow defects, wherein the variations cannot be regulated by the torque control, so that the known plants are only permitted to be operated with limited deceleration or acceleration. Such a limited acceleration or deceleration results in longer reversing times, lower rolling speeds and, thus, colder strip beginnings or strip ends which, in turn, require higher rolling forces. Substantial changes of the process variables, such as temperature, rolling force, together with loss of tension due to coiler unbalances and mass flow changes, lead to losses of quality and stability, such as, for example, out-of-center travel of the strip.
Therefore, the invention is based on the object of further developing a Steckel hot rolling mill of the above type in such a way that changes of the process variables due to changes of tension and/or mass flow can be counteracted in an optimum manner and that it is especially possible to roll thin hot-rolled strip with uniform, high quality.
To this end, it is proposed that a looper each is provided

between the coilers and the reversing stand, wherein each looper supplies actual values for a tension control and a mass flow control. Consequently, certain tensions can be adjusted on each side of the reversing roll stand through the two loopers. If mass flow changes occur at the strip entry side or the strip exit side which are characterized essentially by changes of the strip speed, a mass flow control is effected by controlling the strip coiling speed or rate of rotation of the coiler for achieving an adjustment of the mass flow to a desired value.
It is an advantage if the loopers have a torque control effecting a constant strip tension, wherein a correction value is added to the torque control in dependence on the looper angle. It is further advantageous if a mass flow computer determines in dependence on the looper angle speed correction values for a control of the rate of rotation of the coiler. The mass flow control added to the tension control makes it possible to regulate high-frequency defects.
If the coilers are equipped with preliminary mass flow control and/or a preliminary mass flow regulation, it is ensured that changes, for example, of the desired thickness values or changes in the roll stand geometry, can already be regulated prior to the occurrence of tension or mass flow changes which would be

recognized by the loopers.
Another advantage is to be seen in the fact that the coiler shafts are provided with angle transmitters which make it possible to determine deviations of the coiling or uncoiling speeds which are supplied to the tension regulators of the strip as preliminary control variables. This makes it possible that tension or mass flow changes resulting from eccentricities of the collars can be taken into consideration during a preliminary control for regulating the loopers, without having to have the errors caused by the eccentricity recognized by the looper and only then having to regulate out these errors subsequently.
Essential for the operation of the Steckel hot rolling mills according to the present invention is the fact that low-inertia mass-optimized loopers which follow high-frequency changes are used. By using a special geometry and components of the loopers which are optimized with respect to their mass, it is achieved that these loopers can follow very rapid changes in tension or mass flow so that the errors measured in this manner can be counteracted by the corresponding control circuits.
The invention is explained in detail with the aid of a drawing. The Figure shows a reversing roll stand 1 which is

arranged between two drivers 2, 3. Roller conveyors 4, 5 are provided between the drivers 2, 3. Arranged upstream and downstream of the drivers are coilers 6, 7, wherein loopers 8, 9 are placed between the coilers 6, 7 and the drivers 2, 3,
Each looper 8, 9 is provided with a tension controller 10, 11. The tension controllers 10, 11 are supplied with tension frequency values Picked up at the loopers 8, 9 are actual force values corresponding to tensile stresses as actual tension values well as angles which, after conversion in corresponding tensile stress correction computers 12, 13, are supplied to the tension controllers 10, 11 as tensile stress correction values, The tensile stress control circuits 10, 11 supply the result of the desired/actual value comparison to, for example, adjustment cylinders, not shown, of the loopers 8, 9.
The signals which are picked up at the loopers 8, 9 and correspond to angle positions are supplied to mass flow computers 14, 15 and are converted in these mass flow computers 14, 15 into rate of rotation correction values which, in turn, are supplied to rate of rotation controllers 16, 17. The rate of rotation controllers 16, 17 for the coilers 6, 7 are supplied with desired values through an input device 18. Actual rate of rotation values plcked up at the coilers 6, 7 and supplied to the

rate of rotation controllers 16, 17. The rates of rotation for the coilers 6, 7 are determined in the rate of rotation computers 16, 17 from the desired values, the actual values and the correction values. When mass flow changes are determined, the rate of rotation of the coilers can be easily corrected by the mass flow control which is superimposed on the rate of rotation control of the coilers 6, 7.
In addition to the rate of rotation pickups, not shown, of the coilers 6, 7, the coilers are additionally provided with angle transmitters, The actual values of the current rate of rotation well as the corresponding angles 1, 2, are converted in correction value computers 19, 20 into strip tension correction values which are supplied to the tension controllers 10, 11, so that, for example, tension changes caused by eccentricities can be supplied to the tension controllers 10, 11 for effecting a preliminary control.
The reversing roll stand 1 is provided with a rolling speed regulating device 21 which receives its desired values also from the input device 18, The input device 18 has a correction computer which, for effecting a preliminary control of the coilers 6, 7, converts, for example, supplied desired thickness values for the reversing roll stand 1 into corresponding preliminary control rates

of rotation which can be supplied to the rate of rotation controllers 16, 17.
Material flow changes and/or tension changes resulting from adjustment changes or changes of the material can be supplied to a correction computer 22 which supplies tension correction values and/or rate of rotation correction values to the tension controllers 10, 11 and/or to the rate of rotation controllers 16, 17. This makes it also possible to achieve a preliminary mass flow control of the Steckel hot rolling mill in dependence on changing parameters of the reversing roll stand 1.

List of Reference Numerals
1 Reversing Roll Stand
2 Driver
3 Driver
4 Roller Conveyor
5 Roller Conveyor
6 Coiler
7 Coiler
8 Looper
9 Looper
10 Tension Controller
11 Tension Controller
12 Tensile Stress Correction Computer
13 Tensile Stress Correction Computer
14 Mass Flow Computer
15 Mass Flow Computer
16 Rate of Rotation Controller
17 Rate of Rotation Controller
18 Input Device
19 Correction Value Computer
20 Correction Value Computer
21 Rolling Speed Regulating Device
22 Correction Computer

WE CLAIM:
1. A steckel hot rolling mill with at least one reversing roll stand, as well as
coilers provided with torque-controlled drives arranged upstream and downstream of
the roll stand, characterized in that a looper (8, 9) each is provided between the coilers
(6, 7) and the reversing roll stand (1), wherein each looper provides actual values for a
tension control and for a mass flow control.
2. The steckel hot rolling mill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loopers (8, 9)
has a torque control for effecting a constant strip tension, wherein correction values
determined in dependence on the looper angles are supplied to the torque control
through tensile stress correction computers (12, 13), and that a mass flow computer
(14, 15) determines in dependence on the looper angle speed correction values for a
control of the rate of rotation of the coilers (6, 7).
3. The steckel hot rolling mill as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the coilers (6,
7) are equipped with a preliminary mass flow control.
4. The steckel hot rolling mill as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein the coilers (6,
7) are equipped with a preliminary mass flow regulation.
5. The steckel hot rolling mill as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the coiler shafts are provided with angle transmitters which are capable of determining deviations of the coiling or uncoiling speeds, wherein the deviations are supplied to the tension controllers (10, 11) of the strip as error values.
6. The steckel hot rolling mill as claimed in any one of claims I to 5, wherein it comprises a low-inertia, mass-optimised loopers (8, 9) which follow high-frequency changes.

Documents:

in-pct-2000-0688-che abstract duplicate.pdf

in-pct-2000-0688-che claims duplicate.pdf

in-pct-2000-0688-che description (complete) duplicate.pdf

in-pct-2000-688-che-claims.pdf

in-pct-2000-688-che-correspondence others.pdf

in-pct-2000-688-che-correspondence po.pdf

in-pct-2000-688-che-description complete.pdf

in-pct-2000-688-che-drawings.pdf

in-pct-2000-688-che-form 1.pdf

in-pct-2000-688-che-form 26.pdf

in-pct-2000-688-che-form 3.pdf

in-pct-2000-688-che-form 5.pdf

in-pct-2000-688-che-other documents.pdf

in-pct-2000-688-che-pct.pdf

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Patent Number

221694

Indian Patent Application Number

IN/PCT/2000/688/CHE

PG Journal Number

37/2008

Publication Date

12-Sep-2008

Grant Date

01-Jul-2008

Date of Filing

20-Nov-2000

Name of Patentee

SMS SCHLOEMANN-SIEMAG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Applicant Address

Eduard-Schloemann-Strasse 4, D-40237, Dusseldorf,

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	Peter SUDAU	Huttenweg 5, 57271 Hilchenbach, Deutschland,
2	DR. IND OLAF NORMAN JEPSEN	Biedenkopfer Strasse 14, 57072 Siegen,

PCT International Classification Number

B21B 37/54

PCT International Application Number

PCT/EP99/02652

PCT International Filing date

1999-04-20

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	198 18 207.4	1998-04-23	Germany