Flatness of a rolled strip
First Claim
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1. A system for improving flatness of rolled metal, comprising:
- a cooling unit configured to distribute cooling agent to a strip moving in a longitudinal direction such that the cooling agent distributed by the cooling unit induces a non-homogenous temperature gradient across a width of the strip and subsequent differential tensions across the width of the strip that induces localized increased tension in high tension regions of the strip, wherein the cooling unit comprises at least one nozzle having openings positioned adjacent lateral edges of the width of the strip to distribute more of the cooling agent to the lateral edges of the strip than to a middle of the width of the strip when cooling agent is distributed through the openings of the at least one nozzle, and wherein the cooling unit is positioned a distance upstream of any additional equipment capable of equalizing tension or temperature across the width of the strip, the distance defined by a minimum distance after distribution of the cooling agent is discontinued necessary for the strip to reduce the non-homogenous temperature gradient prior to contacting the additional equipment.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for improving the flatness of a rolled sheet or strip by the application of differential cooling. A cooling agent can be selectively applied along the width of the strip. More cooling can be applied to the edges of the strip, where tension is greatest, to increase tension at the edges. The strip can be allowed to lengthen at these edges, which can improve flatness. In some embodiments, a closed loop flatness control system is used to measure the flatness of a strip and automatically adjust the differential cooling based on the measurement.
18 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for improving flatness of rolled metal, comprising:
a cooling unit configured to distribute cooling agent to a strip moving in a longitudinal direction such that the cooling agent distributed by the cooling unit induces a non-homogenous temperature gradient across a width of the strip and subsequent differential tensions across the width of the strip that induces localized increased tension in high tension regions of the strip, wherein the cooling unit comprises at least one nozzle having openings positioned adjacent lateral edges of the width of the strip to distribute more of the cooling agent to the lateral edges of the strip than to a middle of the width of the strip when cooling agent is distributed through the openings of the at least one nozzle, and wherein the cooling unit is positioned a distance upstream of any additional equipment capable of equalizing tension or temperature across the width of the strip, the distance defined by a minimum distance after distribution of the cooling agent is discontinued necessary for the strip to reduce the non-homogenous temperature gradient prior to contacting the additional equipment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for improving flatness in rolled metal, comprising:
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a cooling unit configured to distribute cooling agent to a strip moving in a longitudinal direction; a plurality of nozzles fluidly connected to a supply of cooling agent and positioned in the cooling unit; a control system coupled to the cooling unit and configured to control the plurality of nozzles to distribute more cooling agent to lateral edges of the strip than a middle of the strip to induce a non-homogenous temperature gradient across a width of the strip, wherein the cooling unit is positioned a distance upstream of any additional equipment capable of equalizing tension or temperature across the width of the strip, the distance defined as a minimum distance after distribution of the cooling agent is discontinued necessary for the strip to reduce the non-homogenous temperature gradient prior to contacting the additional equipment; and a flatness measuring device positioned to measure a flatness of the strip and coupled to the control system to transmit a flatness signal to the control system; wherein the controller controls the cooling unit to induce the non-homogenous temperature gradient as desired based on a comparison of the flatness signal and a desired flatness of the strip. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A system for improving flatness of rolled metal, comprising:
a cooling unit comprising a plurality of nozzles configured to distribute cooling agent to a strip moving in a longitudinal direction such that the cooling agent distributed by the cooling unit induces a non-homogenous temperature gradient across a width of the strip, wherein the cooling agent includes a first portion of the cooling agent having a temperature below a second portion of the cooling agent, wherein the plurality of nozzles includes a first set of nozzles for distributing the first portion of the cooling agent and a second set of nozzles for distributing the second portion of the cooling agent, wherein the first set of nozzles is positioned adjacent lateral edges of the width of the strip to distribute the first portion of the cooling agent to the lateral edges of the width of the strip and the second set of nozzles is positioned adjacent a middle of the width of the strip to distribute the second portion of the cooling agent to the middle of the width of the strip to induce the non-homogenous temperature gradient, and wherein the cooling unit is positioned a distance upstream of any additional equipment capable of equalizing tension or temperature across the width of the strip, the distance defined by a minimum distance after distribution of the cooling agent is discontinued necessary for the strip to reduce the non-homogenous temperature gradient prior to contacting the additional equipment. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
Specification