Rolling mill roller guide

Abstract

A guide for directing a hot rolled product along a path in a rolling mill comprising at least one annular roller arranged to contact the product. The roller is rotatably supported on a shaft by bearings defining an axial gap therebetween. Fluid is delivered under pressure into the gap and internal vanes respond to the thus delivered fluid by rotatably driving the rollers.

1 . A guide for directing a hot rolled product along a path in a rolling mill, said guide comprising: 
 at least one annular roller arranged to contact the product moving along said path, said roller being rotatably supported on a shaft by bearings defining an axial gap therebetween;    means for delivering fluid under pressure into said gap; and    means responsive to the thus delivered fluid for rotatably driving said roller.    
   
   
       2 . The guide as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the means responsive to the thus delivered fluid comprises vanes on interior surface of said roller.  
   
   
       3 . The guide as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said vanes are integrally formed on the interior surface of said roller.  
   
   
       4 . The guide as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said vanes are formed on the interior surface of a bushing pressed into said roller.  
   
   
       5 . The guide as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said means for delivery fluid includes networks of passageways in said shaft through which said fluid is delivered to said gap.  
   
   
       6 . The guide as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said means for delivering fluid further comprises a spacer element between said bearings, said spacer element having nozzles communicating with said passageways and arranged to direct said fluid towards said vanes.  
   
   
       7 . The guide as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said bearings are ball bearings having inner races fixed with respect to said shaft, and outer races fixed with respect to said roller, said spacer element being fixed with respect to said shaft between said inner races.  
   
   
       8 . The guide as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said fluid includes a lubricant for said bearings.  
   
   
       9 . A guide for directing a hot rolled product along a path in a rolling mill, said guide comprising: 
 mutually spaced annular rollers arranged to contact opposite sides of the product moving along said path, said rollers being rotatably supported on respective shafts by bearings defining axial gaps therebetween;    means for delivering fluid under pressure into said gaps; and    means responsive to the thus delivered fluid for rotatably driving said rollers.