Guild International Inc.

International Patents Inc.

Christopher C Cooper

Charles R Krejsa

Donald J Wheeler

Dimitri Economou

Continuous strip accumulator includes a convolution transfer annulus providing for controlled expansion and contraction of the stored convolutions between inner and outer sections within the accumulator. During mill match operation of the accumulator, the convolution transfer annulus is retained against movement but still provides support for the strip material as it moves from the inner section to the outer section. A differential drive between the entry and exit pinch rolls provides for mechanical synchronous operation of the entry and exit pinch rolls during the mill match mode. During the welding mode, when it is desired to replenish the supply of strip material, movement of the incoming strip is stopped and the convolution transfer annulus is driven by the differential drive in a direction causing positive transfer of the convolutions from the outer section to the inner section in mechanical synchronism with the exit pinch rolls to provide a continuous uninterrupted supply of strip material to the mill. After the supply has been replenished, the entry pinch rolls are accelerated to fill speed during which the differential drive first causes the convolution transfer annulus to decelerate down to zero and then accelerate in the opposite direction for effecting positive transfer of the stored convolutions from the inner section to the outer section to expand the convolutions and refill the accumulator. Radially extending horizontal drive rolls and idle rolls support the stored convolutions in the inner and outer sections, respectively. Lower strip edge support rollers are desirably provided at the convolution transfer point on the convolution transfer annulus to raise the transition spiral somewhat as the convolutions are being transferred between the inner and outer sections in order to substantially eliminate any sliding contact between the transition spiral and the horizontal support rolls between which the convolutions are being transferred. A mechanical drive connection between the inner drive rolls and entry and exit pinch rolls provides for mechanical synchronous operation thereof.

Continuous strip accumulator

A feed-in mechanism for feeding strip material in helical fashion into an accumulator while preventing any bending or bowing of the incoming strip material by maintaining the strip material in the helix under tension. The feed-in mechanism includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, helically arranged strip guides which define a helical path for the incoming strip, and a traction feed and tensioning device respectively located at the entry and exit ends of the helical path. The traction feed pushes the strip material along the helical path while the tensioning device exerts a pulling force on the strip material to maintain the strip material in the helix under tension. The traction feed includes a stationary idler roller and a powered traction roller journaled in a pivoting frame. The pivoting frame is urged towards and away from the stationary idler roller under controlled squeeze pressure to obtain positive traction between the strip material and traction roller, while the overspeed or overdrive of the traction roller is controlled so as not to overtension and consequently permanently deform the strip material being pulled thereby.

Helical feed-in mechanism for strip accumulator

A strip accumulator characterized by a plurality of circumferentially arranged guide assemblies which positively define a spiral strip path for strip material with adjacent turns thereof being maintained in radially spaced relation, and a common drive for uniformly moving the strip guide assemblies to radially expand and contract the spiral path for the strip material for increasing and decreasing the length of accumulated strip material. In one embodiment, the guide assemblies each include a radially movable guide roll basket which contains and guides multiple turns of the strip material along the spiral path with adjacent turns being maintained in radially spaced relation, and uniform radial movement of the guide roll baskets is obtained by a common drive and drag brake assembly or alternatively by a radially extending drive worm in mesh with a rack in the guide roll basket. In another embodiment, the strip guide assemblies each include a radially extending strip guide and support worm which directly supports the strip thereon with adjacent turns thereof being maintained in radially spaced relation by the turns of the worm. Uniform rotation of the worms by a common drive assembly drives the strip turns radially inwardly and outwardly for filling and emptying of the accumulator.

Controlled expansion strip accumulator

A strip accumulator and method characterized by a plurality of circumferentially arranged strip guide basket assemblies which positively define a spiral path for the strip material with adjacent turns thereof being maintained in spaced relation, and means for uniformly moving the strip guide basket assemblies radially to expand and contract the helical path for the strip material so that a reserve capacity of strip material may be stored in the accumulator and withdrawn as needed to provide for continuous feed of the strip material to a continuous processing line and the like despite interruptions in the in-feed to the accumulator as when the end of the coil is reached and a new coil is required to be welded thereon. The strip accumulator consists of a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced roll support columns or frames for the strip guide basket assemblies that are mounted for radial movement on rails and provided with one or more guide roll assemblies at various elevations and angles which contain, support and guide the strip material along such spiral path or, more accurately, a helical path. Uniform radial movement of the frames may be obtained by a common drive and drag brake assembly connected to each frame by a bi-directional cable and capstan arrangement, such being operative to drive the frames radially outwardly during filling of the accumulator, and place a drag on the frames as they are drawn radially inwardly during emptying of the accumulator. Also provided are entry and exit roll guides which are mounted on rails and coupled to respective vertical frames at the entry and exit to the helical strip path for common radial movement with such frames.

Growing community of inventors

Brunswick, OH, United States of America

Christopher C Cooper