Cleaning device and method for removing a lubricant from the rolls of a roll stand

Abstract

A cleaning device and method remove a lubricant from the rolls of a roll stand. To achieve economical and efficient cleaning of the rolls, the cleaning device includes at least one ultrasonic generator for generating ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic waves being routed to the surface of the rolls by cleaning water; and a supply line for the cleaning water. The supply line is a branch of a cooling water circuit for the roll stand, enabling the water consumption for the roll stand to be kept constant during the cleaning phase. The water is merely redistributed in that a portion of the cooling water is supplied to the cleaning device. This creates the advantage of the roll temperature rising slightly, with the result that the cleaning performance is supported by the higher roll temperature at which the lubricant is better released from the surface of the roll.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A cleaning device for removing a lubricant from rolls of a roll stand, the cleaning device comprising:
 a hollow space configured to receive cleaning water from a water supply line of a cooling water circuit for the roll stand and to apply the cleaning water to a surface of at least one of the rolls;   at least one ultrasonic generator configured to generate ultrasonic waves in the cleaning water such that the ultrasonic waves are transmitted via the cleaning water to the surface of the at least one roll.   
     
     
         18 . The cleaning device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the at least one ultrasonic generator is configured to generate ultrasonic waves at a frequency of between 20 kHz and 2 MHz. 
     
     
         19 . The cleaning device as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising a sealing element that faces a roll gap between the rolls and that is configured to prevent the cleaning water from flowing into the roll gap. 
     
     
         20 . The cleaning device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein an aperture is provided for allowing the cleaning water to be applied to the surface of the at least one roll, the aperture facing away from the roll gap. 
     
     
         21 . The cleaning device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the cleaning device is arranged on an inflow side of the at least one roll. 
     
     
         22 . The cleaning device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the cleaning water contains an emulsifier. 
     
     
         23 . The cleaning device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein a temperature of the cleaning water is between 0° C. and 70° C. 
     
     
         24 . The cleaning device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the cleaning water is applied to the surface of the at least one roll only between a time when a previous roll strip has been discharged from a roll gap between the rolls and a time when a subsequent roll strip has been entered into the roll gap. 
     
     
         25 . The cleaning device as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the at least one ultrasonic generator is configured to generate ultrasonic waves at a frequency of between 35 kHz and 200 kHz. 
     
     
         26 . A method for removing a lubricant from rolls of a roll stand, the method comprising:
 generating ultrasonic waves in cleaning water, the cleaning water being supplied from a supply line that is branched from a cooling water circuit for the roll stand; and   transmitting the ultrasonic waves to the rolls by applying the cleaning water to surfaces of the rolls.   
     
     
         27 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein a frequency of the ultrasonic waves is set at between 20 kHz and 2 MHz. 
     
     
         28 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein a sealing element is provided to prevent an outflow of the cleaning water in a direction of rotation of at least one of the rolls. 
     
     
         29 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the cleaning water is applied to the surfaces of the rolls through apertures in a cleaning device, the apertures facing away from a roll gap that is provided between the rolls. 
     
     
         30 . The method as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the cleaning device is arranged at an inflow side of the rolls. 
     
     
         31 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , further comprising mixing an emulsifier into the cleaning water. 
     
     
         32 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the temperature of the cleaning water is set to between 0° C. and 70° C. 
     
     
         33 . The method as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the cleaning water is applied to the surfaces of the rolls only between a time when a previous roll strip has been discharged from the roll gap and a time when a subsequent roll strip has been entered into the roll gap. 
     
     
         34 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein a frequency of the ultrasonic waves is set at between 35 kHz and 200 kHz. 
     
     
         35 . A cleaning system for removing a lubricant from rolls of a roll stand, the cleaning system comprising:
 a cooling water circuit configured to supply cooling water to the rolls;   a cleaning device configured to receive cleaning water that is supplied to the cleaning device from a supply line that is branched from the cooling water circuit and to apply the cleaning water to surfaces of the rolls; and   at least one ultrasonic generator configured to generate ultrasonic waves in the cleaning water, the ultrasonic waves being transmitted to the surfaces of the rolls via the cleaning water.