Roll Cleaning Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A roll cleaning apparatus having a cleaning member mounted to a support member that extends lengthwise relative to a first roller of the machine. The cleaning member has a brush having a substantial area to place against the surface of the roll. The cleaning member may be movable between an engaged position against the roll during operation, and a disengaged position spaced away from the roll in a non-operating condition, such as when replacement of the cleaning member is desired. The roll cleaning apparatus may include a drive connected to cause linear reciprocation of the cleaning member. The roll cleaning apparatus may have a drive or actuator mounted to move the cleaning member between the engaged and disengaged positions, and may be operable to bias the cleaning member against the roll in use. The roll cleaning member may have a contact head that includes an array of abrasive bristles.

1 . A roller cleaning apparatus for engagement with a roller of a steel rolling facility, said apparatus comprising:
 a cleaning member operable to engage the roller while the roller is revolving;   a carrier;   said cleaning member being mounted to said carrier;   said carrier being mounted to present the cleaning member to the roller;   said cleaning member being movable between a first position in which said cleaning member engages the roller, and a second position in which the cleaning member is located clear of the roller;   said cleaning member having a contact region having both axial and circumferential extent; and   said cleaning member including an array of bristles.   
     
     
         2 . The roller cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said cleaning member has a roller contacting interface element, and said roller contact interface element is operable at temperatures in excess of 200 F. 
     
     
         3 . The roller cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said bristles of said cleaning member include Nylon™ filaments. 
     
     
         4 . The roller cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said bristles include abrasive surface elements. 
     
     
         5 . The roller cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said bristles are made of Brushlon™ material. 
     
     
         6 . The roller cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said cleaning member is axially displaceable relative to the roller, while in contact with the roller and while the roller is revolving. 
     
     
         7 . The roller cleaning apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a drive connected to impart reciprocating axial motion to said cleaning member. 
     
     
         8 . The roller cleaning apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said carrier is movably mounted relative to the roller, and is constrained to cause said cleaning member mounted thereto to move in a manner having a non-zero radial component of displacement relative to the roller. 
     
     
         9 . The roller cleaning apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said carrier is driven by a force maintaining member. 
     
     
         10 . The roller cleaning apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said cleaning member has a circumferentially extending surface conforming to the roller, and said cleaning member has a degree of freedom of motion permitting said circumferentially extending surface to self-center on said roller. 
     
     
         11 . The roller cleaning apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said cleaning member includes a self-centering shoe. 
     
     
         12 . The roller cleaning apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said apparatus includes a motion governor operable to move said cleaning member between said first and second positions. 
     
     
         13 . The roller cleaning apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said apparatus includes a biasing member operable to urge said cleaning member against the roller. 
     
     
         14 . The roller cleaning apparatus of  claim 6  wherein a biasing member is mounted between said support member and a fitting that is rigidly positioned relative to the axis of rotation of the roller, and is operable to move the support member, and the cleaning member attached thereto, relative to the roller. 
     
     
         15 . The roller cleaning apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said biasing member employs a working fluid to urge said bristles against the roller. 
     
     
         16 . The roller cleaning apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a drive mounted to reciprocate said cleaning member axially relative to the roller. 
     
     
         17 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said drive is an oscillator, and said cleaning member is driven by said oscillator non-harmonically relative to the roller. 
     
     
         18 . A machine for rolling sheets of metal, said machine comprising:
 a first roller and a second roller mounted in parallel and defining a nip therebetween;   said first roller having an axis of rotation;   at least a first roller cleaning apparatus for engagement with said first roller, said roller cleaning apparatus including a cleaning member operable to engage the roller while the roller is revolving, and a carrier;   said cleaning member being mounted to said carrier;   said carrier being mounted to present the cleaning member to said first roller;   said cleaning member being movable between a first position in which said cleaning member engages said first roller, and a second position in which the cleaning member is located clear of said first roller;   said cleaning member having a contact region having both axial and circumferential extent; and   said contact region including an array of abrasive bristles.   
     
     
         19 . The machine of  claim 18  further including a second roller cleaning apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . The machine of  claim 19  wherein said first and second roller cleaning apparatuses are mounted to engage said first and second rollers on opposite sides of the nip. 
     
     
         21 . The machine of  claim 18  wherein at least said first roller cleaning apparatus has a drive connected to cause axial reciprocation of said cleaning member while said first roller is revolving. 
     
     
         22 . The machine of  claim 21  wherein at least said first roller cleaning apparatus includes an actuator operatively connected to urge said cleaning member against said first roller. 
     
     
         23 . The machine of  claim 18  wherein said machine is a machine for rolling steel sheet. 
     
     
         24 . The machine of  claim 18  wherein said machine is a machine for cold rolling sheet steel. 
     
     
         25 .- 39 . (canceled)