Combination roll neck and bearing assembly

#This invention relates generally to roll neck bearing assemblies for rolls in rolling mills.

#A well known example of this type of bearing assembly includes as an integral component a mechanical means for axially forcing the bearing assembly into and out of its operative position on the roll neck. The force exerting means consists of a nut mounted on an externally threaded ring. A separable subassembly consisting of a combination clamp ring and key is employed to detachably secure the threaded ring in a non-rotatable axially confined position on the roll neck. The nut is rotatable relative to the axially confined threaded ring and is engageable with other bearing parts. In other similar arrangements, the clamp ring and key are separate components.

#Although these types of bearing assemblies have received worldwide acceptance throughout the rolling mill industry, experience has indicated that the clamp rings and keys sometimes present difficulties to maintenance personnel. More particularly, the clamp rings consist of two semi- circular pivotally interconnected ring segments. The key is received in mating keyways in the threaded ring and roll neck to rotatably fix the former relative to the latter. The ring segments are pivotally seated in a circular groove in the roll neck to provide an abutment cooperating with a shoulder on the roll neck to axially confine the threaded ring.

#FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through the lower portion of a rolling mill bearing assembly (thrust side) embodying the concepts of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is an end view of the bearing assembly shown in FIG. 1 with the end cover removed and with an end portion of the roll neck broken away;

#FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

#Referring initially to FIG. 1, a bearing assembly generally indicated at 10 is shown operatively positioned on a roll neck 12. The roll neck includes a truncated conical section 14 merging with a cylindrical section 16. Cylindrical section 16 in turn merges with a reduced diameter cylindrical section 18 which terminates at a shoulder 20 on the inboard side of a circular external groove 22.

#Referring additionally to FIGS. 2-6 and 8-9, it will be seen that the external circular groove 22 is spaced from the roll end 24 by a plurality of axially extending external ribs 26. The external ribs 26 are separated by external axially extending slots 28.

#A sleeve 30 has a bore 31 tapered to fit tightly on the truncated conical section 14 of the roll neck. Sleeve 30 has a keyway 32 positioned to axially receive a key 34 staked to cylindrical section 16 of the roll neck. Surrounding the sleeve 30 is a stationary chock 36 lined with a bushing 38. As is conventional with bearing assemblies of this type, a high pressure oil film is maintained continuously at the bearing load zone between the sleeve 30 and the bushing 38 when the mill is in operation.