Device for cooling rolls

A cooling apparatus, comprising a device (1, 1′) for cooling a working roll (2) for rolling a rolling stock (3) and having a cooling shell (50, 60) opposite at least a partial area of a circumference of a roll surface for forming a cooling slot (5) that provides for flow of cooling fluid therethrough between the partial area of the roll surface and the cooling shell (50, 60),

• wherein the device (1, 1′) furthermore comprises the means for varying a height (h) of the slot (5) and having:
• a lever (40, 44) having a first end area (41) rotatably connected to a first half (51, 61) of the cooling shell (50, 60) viewed in a circumferential direction (U) of the roll (2), in a vicinity of an upper end of the first half of the cooling shell, and a second end area (49) pivotably supported on a first suspension point (8, 48) remote from the shell (50, 60),
• a drive unit (45, 46) for pivoting the lever (40, 44) about the first suspension point (8, 40) for displacing the shell between different adjustment positions of the shell corresponding to desired heights (h) of the cooling slot (5), and
• a single variable-length linear guide (90, 91) for supporting the shell, extending substantially transverse to a circumferential surface of the shell and having a first end rotatably connected to a second half of the cooling shell, and a second end pivotably supported on a second suspension point (88) remote from the shell,
• wherein the apparatus (10) further comprises a carrier frame (30) movable substantially horizontally and independently of the position of the roll (2), which frame carries the lever (40, 44), a lever drive unit (45), and the linear guide (90, 99).

A method of cooling a working roll (2) for rolling stock (3), comprising the steps of:

• providing a device (1, 1′) for cooling a working roll (2) for rolling a rolling stock (3) and having a cooling shell (50, 60) opposite at least a partial area of a circumference of a roll surface for forming a cooling slot (5) that provides for flow of cooling fluid therethrough between the partial area of the roll surface and the cooling shell (50, 60),
• wherein the device (1, 1′) furthermore comprises the means for varying a height (h) of the slot (5) and having:
• a lever (40, 44) having a first end area (41) rotatably connected to a first half (51, 61) of the cooling shell (50, 60) viewed in a circumferential direction (U) of the roll (2), in a vicinity of an upper end of the first half of the cooling shell, and a second end area (49) pivotably supported on a first suspension point (8, 48) remote from the shell (50, 60),
• a drive unit (45, 46) for pivoting the lever (40, 44) about the first suspension point (8, 40) for displacing the shell between different adjustment positions of the shell corresponding to desired heights (h) of the cooling slot (5), and
• a variable-length linear guide (90, 91) for supporting the shell, extending substantially transverse to a circumferential surface of the shell and having a first end rotatably connected to a second half of the cooling shell, and a second end pivotably supported on a second suspension point (88) remote from the shell;
• making a working roll (2) available;
• determining a diameter of the working roll (2);
• mounting the working roll (2) into a roll stand;
• approaching the cooling device to the roll surface by means of a movable carrier frame (30) which frame carries the lever (40, 44), a lever drive unit (45) and the linear guide (90, 99);
• contacting the roll surface by first and second elements of the cooling shell (50, 60) (21, 22, 24) by pivoting the lever (40, 44) in the direction of the roll surface;
• calculating a position of the working roll (2);
• lifting off the cooling shell (50, 60)by pivoting the lever (40, 44) away from the roll surface;
• conducting cooling liquid into the cooling slot (5);
• adjusting a distance (h) of the cooling shell (50, 60) from the roll surface by pivoting the lever (40, 44) and selectively by adjusting pressure of the cooling agent or a travel path of a piston cylinder unit (90) fastened on the second half of the cooling shell (60);
• starting a rolling process by the working roll (2);
• stopping the rolling process;
• enlarging the cooling slot (5) by at least one of pivoting the lever (40, 44) and moving the device (1, 1′) by means of a carrier frame (30) movable substantially horizontally and independently of the position of the roll and that carries the lever (40, 44), the lever drive unit (45) and the linear guide (17);
• and
• removing the working roll (2) from the roll stand.