Arrangement for controlling the rolling of a cylindrical object

Abstract

Apparatus for controlling rolling motion of a cylindrical object includes a fixed plane formed with guides that are spaced apart along a direction of rolling motion of the cylindrical object and provide a path from an upper surface of the plane to the underside of the plane. An elongate pressure element has a medial segment located on the upper surface of the fixed plane and has first and second ends that are guided to the underside of the plane via the first and second guides respectively. A control device has first and second connections and is operable selectively for providing a pressure medium under pressure discharging the pressure medium to a lower pressure. One of the first and second connections of the control device is connected to the first end of the elongate pressure element and the other of the first and second connections is connected to the second end of the elongate pressure element, for selectively filling the pressure element with a pressure medium through at least one of the first and second ends and for draining the pressure medium from the pressure element through at least one of the first and second ends.

1 . Apparatus for controlling rolling motion of a cylindrical object, comprising: 
 a fixed plane having an upper surface and an underside and formed with guides that are spaced apart along a direction of rolling motion of the cylindrical object and provide a path from the upper surface of the plane to the underside of the plane,    an elongate pressure element having first and second opposite ends separated by a medial segment, the medial segment of the pressure element being located on the upper surface of the fixed plane and the first and second ends of the pressure element being guided to the underside of the plane via the first and second guides respectively,    a control means having first and second connections, the control means being operable selectively for providing a pressure medium under pressure discharging the pressure medium to a lower pressure, and    a connection means for connecting one of the first and second connections of the control means to the first end of the elongate pressure element and for connecting the other of the first and second connections to the second end of the elongate pressure element, for selectively filling the pressure element with a pressure medium through at least one of the first and second ends and for draining the pressure medium from the pressure element through at least one of the first and second ends.    
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plane comprises a sheet or mat on top of which the medial segment of the pressure element is located.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each guide is an opening in the plane or a recess at an edge of the plane.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plane comprises a support made of concrete on top of which the medial segment of the pressure element is located.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each guide is a recess or opening in the concrete support.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure element is a compressible hose or compressible mat.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising at least two pressure elements positioned in parallel on the plane.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the parallel pressure elements are placed in a staggered arrangement.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising at least two pressure elements positioned in sequence on the plane.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means is located below or adjacent the plane.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means has a supply connection to an external source of pressure medium and comprises: 
 a pressure relief valve connected to the supply connection to limit the pressure of the pressure medium,    a first choke valve connected to the pressure relief valve on the side of pressure to be limited,    a second choke valve to limit the discharge flow of the pressure medium from the pressure element, and    a pressure control valve module connected to the first and second ends of the pressure element, the first choke valve and the second choke valve, said module controlling the filling of the pressure element with the pressure medium and draining it of the pressure medium.    
   
   
       12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the control means further comprises: 
 a non-return valve connected to the supply connection to prevent return flow of the pressure medium from the control means to the external source of pressure medium,    a pressure medium tank connected between the non-return valve and the pressure relief valve,    first and second non-return valves connected between the pressure control valve module and the first and second ends of the pressure element to allow the pressure medium to flow into the pressure element; the first and second non-return valves being controllable to allow the pressure medium to flow out of the pressure element through the pressure control valve module and the second choke valve for discharge from the control means.    
   
   
       13 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means has a supply connection to an external source of pressure medium and comprises: 
 a pressure relief valve connected to the supply connection to limit the pressure of the pressure medium,    a one-way restrictor valve connected to the pressure relief valve on the side of pressure to be limited so that it allows free flow of the pressure medium to the first end of the pressure element, and    a choke valve connected between the second end of the pressure element and the one-way restrictor valve.    
   
   
       14 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the control means further comprises a non-return valve connected in series with the choke valve between the second end of the pressure element and the one-way restrictor valve.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means has a supply connection to an external source of pressure medium and comprises: 
 first and second non-return valves connected to the first and second ends respectively of the pressure element to allow the pressure medium to flow out of the pressure element when the pressure of the pressure medium within the pressure element exceeds a predetermined level, at least one of the non-return valves being controllable to allow the pressure medium to flow into the pressure element,    a directional valve to control the flow of the pressure medium into and out of the pressure element, the directional valve having a first port connected to the supply connection and a second port functionally connected to the first and second non-return valves,    a pressure relief valve connected to the second port of the directional valve to limit the pressure of the pressure medium supplied to the first non-return valve,    a one-way restrictor valve connected between the pressure relief valve and the first non-return valve and allowing free flow of the pressure medium towards the pressure element, and    a pressure switch connected to the connection between the one-way restrictor valve and the first non-return valve to detect the pressure of the pressure medium and provide a control signal for the directional valve, the third port of the directional valve being connected to a discharge outlet of the control means.    
   
   
       16 . Apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the control means further comprises a non-return valve between the supply connection and the directional valve to prevent return flow of the pressure medium from the control means to the external source of pressure medium.  
   
   
       17 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means has a supply connection to an external source of pressure medium and comprises: 
 first and second non-return valves connected to the first and second ends respectively of the pressure element to allow the pressure medium to flow out of the pressure element when the pressure of the pressure medium within the pressure element exceeds a predetermined level, at least one of the non-return valves being controllable to allow the pressure medium to flow into the pressure element,    a pressure relief valve connected to the supply connection,    a first one-way restrictor valve connected to the pressure relief valve on the side of pressure to be limited, allowing free flow of the pressure medium towards the pressure element,    a first directional valve having a first port connected to the connection between the supply connection and the pressure relief valve and a second port connected to the second non-return valve,    a second directional valve having a first port connected to the first one-way restrictor valve and a second port connected to the controllable non-return valve, said second directional valve being controllable by pressure at a third port of the first directional valve,    a second one-way restrictor valve connected to a third port of the second directional valve and restricting the discharge flow of the pressure medium, and    a pressure switch connected to the connection between the second directional valve and the connected non-return valve to detect the pressure of the pressure medium and provide a control signal for the first directional valve, fourth and fifth ports of the directional valve being connected to an outlet of the control means;    and wherein when the pressure switch detects an increase of pressure, it provides a control signal to the first directional valve, the first directional valve directs the pressure medium to the fourth port instead of the second port, whereupon the second directional valve guides the flow of the pressure medium through the second one-way restrictor valve to an outlet of the control means.    
   
   
       18 . Apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the control means further comprises: 
 a non-return valve connected to the supply connection to prevent return flow of the pressure medium from the control means to the external source of pressure medium, and    a pressure medium tank connected to the non-return valve at the supply connection and the pressure relief valve.    
   
   
       19 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means has a supply connection to an external source of pressure medium and comprises: 
 first and second non-return valves connected to the first and second ends respectively of the pressure element to allow the pressure medium to flow out of the pressure element when the pressure of the pressure medium within the pressure element exceeds a predetermined level, the first non-return valves being controllable to allow the pressure medium to flow into the pressure element,    a pressure relief valve connected to the supply connection,    a one-way restrictor valve connected to the pressure relief valve on the side of pressure to be limited, allowing free flow of the pressure medium towards the pressure element,    a first quick exhaust valve with a non-return valve input connected to the pressure relief valve and an intermediate input connected to the first non-return valve,    a pressure switch connected to the connection between the intermediate input of the first quick exhaust valve and the first non-return valve to detect an increase of the pressure of the pressure medium and provide a control signal,    a first directional valve having a first port connected to the connection between the supply connection and the pressure relief valve and a second port connected to the second non-return valve, and the fourth and fifth ports connected to an outlet of the control means,    a second directional valve having a first port connected to the third port of the first directional valve, the second and fifth ports closed, and a fourth port connected to an outlet of the control means,    a second pressure relief valve with a limited pressure side connected to an output of the first quick exhaust valve and the other side connected to a third port of the second directional valve, and    a second quick exhaust valve having an output connected to the connection between the second pressure relief valve and the second directional valve, a non-return valve input connected to the connection between the first directional valve and the second non-return valve, and an intermediate input connected to the control of the first non-return valve.    
   
   
       20 . Apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the control means further comprises: 
 a non-return valve connected to the supply connection to prevent return flow of the pressure medium from the control means to the external source of pressure medium, and    a pressure medium tank connected to the non-return valve at the supply connection and the pressure relief valve.    
   
   
       21 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means comprises a closed circulation of the pressure medium.  
   
   
       22 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure element has intermediate connections, the plane includes guides for the intermediate connections and the intermediate connections are connected to the first end of the pressure element through at least one choke valve.  
   
   
       23 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure medium is gas or liquid.  
   
   
       24 . An arrangement for controlling rolling motion of a cylindrical object, comprising at least first and second apparatus according to  claim 1  arranged sequentially in the direction of rolling.  
   
   
       25 . An arrangement according to  claim 24 , wherein the first and second apparatus are arranged so that at least some of the pressure elements are staggered between the sequential apparatus.