Cross-axis control for three or four roll calenders

Claim 3

The method as described in claim 1 wherein said adjusting of said third control means comprises the steps of: measuring the property at one end portion, measuring the property at said third portion, simultaneously comparing said measurements to indicate the difference, and adjusting said control means only where there is more than a predetermined difference between said third portion property and said one end portion property to restore said predetermined difference.

Claim 8

The method as described in claim 4 wherein said adjusting of said third control means comprises the steps of: measuring the property at one end portion, measuring the property at said third portion, simultaneously comparing said measurements to indicate the difference, and adjusting said control means only where there is more than a predetermined difference between said third portion property and said one end portion property to restore said predetermined difference.

Claim 11

The method, as described in claim 6, wherein said apparatus is a mill having a pair of rolls that shape said material, said first control means adjusts the spacing at one end of said rolls, said second control means adjusts the spacing between the opposite end of said rolls, and said third control means adjusts the spacing between the ends of said rolls relative to the spacing between a central portion of said rolls intermediate said ends.

Claim 12

The method, as described in claim 7, wherein said third control means adjusts the cross-axis of one of said rolls.

Claim 13

The method, as described in claim 7, wherein said third control means bends one of said rolls perpendicular to the direction of material elongation.

Claim 16

The method, as described in claim 10, wherein said apparatus is a mill having a pair of rolls that shape said material, said first control means adjusts the spacing at one end of said rolls, said second control means adjusts the spacing between the opposite end of said rolls, and said third control means adjusts the spacing between the ends of said rolls relative to the spacing between a central portion of said rolls intermediate said ends.

Claim 17

The method, as described in claim 11, wherein said third control means adjusts the cross-axis of one of said rolls.

Claim 18

The method, as described in claim 11, wherein said third control means bends one of said rolls at the center in the direction of the material elongation.

Claim 29

The method as described in claim 18 wherein said apparatus is a mill having a pair of rolls that shape said material, said first control means adjusts the spacing at one end of said rolls, said second control means adjusts the spacing between the opposite end of said rolls, and said third control means adjusts the spacing between the ends of said rolls relative to the spacing between a central portion of said rolls intermediate said ends.

Claim 30

The method as described in claim 19 wherein said third control means adjusts the cross-axis of one of said rolls.

Claim 31

The method as described in claim 19 wherein said third control means bends one of said rolls at the center in the direction of the material elongation.

Claim 36

Control apparatus for automatically maintaining a desired property profile across a material passing through a regulator apparatus in continuous fashion, said regulating apparatus having means including a first actuator for adjusting said property at one end portion thereof, means including a second actuator for adjusting said property at the opposite end portion thereof, said first and second actuators together adjusting said property across the entire material width, means including a third actuator for adjusting said property between said end portions relative to the property at the central portion of the material intermediate said end portions, said control apparatus comprising: at least two gauging means to be located on the output side of said regular apparatus for indicating said property in portions near one end, the opposite end, and central portion of the material, controller means coupled to said gauging means for energizing said first actuator when said indication for said one end portion deviates from a first target to restore the desired property; and for energizing second actuator when said indication for said opposite end portion deviates from a second target to restore the desired property, and energizing said third actuator only when said indication for said central portion deviates by more than a predetermined amount from the simultaneous indication of one of said one end and said other end to reduce the deviation to said predetermined amount.

Claim 37

Control apparatus for automatically maintaining a desired property profile across a material passing through a regulator apparatus in continuous fashion, said regulating apparatus having means including a first actuator for adjusting said property at one end portion thereof, means including a second actuator for adjusting said property at the opposite end portion thereof, said first and second actuators together adjusting said property across the entire material width, means including a third actuator for adjusting said property between said end portions relative to the property at the central portion of the material intermediate said end portions, said control apparatus comprising: at least two gauging means to be located on the output side of said regular apparatus for indicating said property in portions near one end, the opposite end, and central portion of the material, controller means coupled to said gauging means for energizing said first actuator when said indication for said one end portion deviates from a first target to restore the desired property; and for energizing second actuator when said indication for said opposite end portion deviates from a second target to restore the desired property, and energizing said third actuator only when said indication for said central portion deviates by more than a predetermined amount from the simultaneous indication of one of said one end and said other end to reduce the deviation to said predetermined amount.

Claim 38

Apparatus as described in claim 24 wherein said controller means includes a first means that produces an output signal proportional to the difference between said first portion indication and said first target for energizing said first actuator, said controller means includes a second means that produces an output signal proportional to the difference between said second portion indication and said second target for energizing said second actuator, said controller means includes a third means that produces an output signal proportional to the difference between said third portion indication and one of said first and second portion indications for energizing said third actuator.

Claim 39

Apparatus as described in claim 24 wherein said gauge means comprises a first gauge to be positioned to indicate the property in one end portion, a second gauge to be positioned to indicate the said other end portion, and a third gauge to be positioned to indicate the property at the central portion of said elongated strip, each of said first, second and third gauges being coupled to said controller means for energizing said first actuator, second actuator, and third actuator respectively to maintain the strip profile at said first and second targets at said end portions.

Claim 40

The invention as described in claim 24 wherein said gauge means comprises a first gauging device to be positioned at said one end portion of said strip and a second gauging device that is to be movable between said other end portion and said central portion, said controller means periodically deactivating said first and second actuators and moving said second gauging device to said central portion, and the target for comparison with the center portion indication is the indication from said first gauging device at the time said center portion is inspected.

Claim 41

Apparatus as described in claim 24 wherein said gauging means comprises first and second gauges, each of said first and second gauges comprising a measuring servo, and said controller means comprises, a first computer bridge comprising a first target potentiometer and a first repeat slidewire potentiometer driven by said first gauge measuring servo to provide a first output signal proportional to the difference between the setting of said first tarGet potentiometer and said first repeat slidewire, a second computer bridge comprising a second target potentiometer and a second repeat slidewire potentiometer driven by the measuring servo of said second gauge to provide a second output signal proportional to the difference between the setting of the second target potentiometer and said second repeat slidewire, a third bridge comprising a third repeat slidewire potentiometer driven by the measuring servo of said first gauge and a fourth repeat slidewire potentiometer driven by the measuring servo of said second gauge to produce a third output signal proportional to the difference between the settings of said third and fourth repeat slidewire potentiometers, first switch means having a first position connecting said first output signal to said first actuator and having a second position, second switch means having a first position connecting said second output signal to said second actuator and having a second position, third switch means having a first position and having a second position connecting said third output signal to said third actuator, and timer means operably arranged to place said first, second and third switch means simultaneously in said first positions for a period of time and to simultaneously place said first, second, and third switch means periodically in said second positions for a successive time period.

Claim 42

Apparatus as described in claim 24 wherein said gauging means comprises first and second gauges, each of said first and second gauges comprising a measuring servo, and said controller means comprises, a first computer bridge comprising a first target potentiometer and a first repeat slidewire potentiometer driven by said first gauge measuring servo to provide a first output signal proportional to the difference between the setting of said first target potentiometer and said first repeat slidewire, a second computer bridge comprising a second target potentiometer and a second repeat slidewire potentiometer driven by the measuring servo of said second gauge to provide a second output signal proportional to the difference between the setting of the second target potentiometer and said second repeat slidewire, a third bridge comprising a third repeat slidewire potentiometer driven by the measuring servo of said first gauge and a fourth repeat slidewire potentiometer driven by the measuring servo of said second gauge to produce a third output signal proportional to the difference between the settings of said third and fourth repeat slidewire potentiometers, first switch means having a first position connecting said first output signal to said first actuator and having a second position, second switch means having a first position connecting said second output signal to said second actuator and having a second position, third switch means having a first position and having a second position connecting said third output signal to said third actuator, and timer means operably arranged to place said first, second and third switch means simultaneously in said first positions for a period of time and to simultaneously place said first, second and third switch means periodically in said second positions for a successive time period, said third and fourth repeat slidewire potentiometers are also said first and second repeat slidewire potentiometers respectively of said first and second bridges and said third switching means includes a changeover switch means that successively connects said repeat slidewire potentiometers to form said third bridge when said first, second and third switch means are in said second positions.

Claim 43

Apparatus as described in claim 24 wherein said gauge means comprises a first gauge device means that averages the property along a first portion of said material near said one end, a second gauge device means that averages the property along a second portion of said material near said other end and is movable to average the property in a third portion intermediate said one and said other ends, said controller means comprising a first controller coupled to said first gauge means arranged to energize said first actuator when the average property deviates from a target, a second controller coupled to said second gauge means and arranged to energize said first actuator when said second gauge means is averaging said second portion and the average deviates from a target, and a third controller means coupled to said second gauge means and arranged to energize said third actuator when the average from said third portion deviates from the average of one of said first and said second portions.

Claim 44

Apparatus as described in claim 24 wherein said gauge means comprises a first gauge device means that averages the property along a first portion of said material near said one end, a second gauge device means that averages the property along a second portion of said material near said other end and is movable to average the property in a third portion intermediate said one and said other ends, said controller means comprising a first controller coupled to said first gauge means arranged to energize said first actuator when the average property deviates from a target, a second controller coupled to said second gauge means and arranged to energize said second actuator when said second gauge means is averaging said second portion and the average deviates from a target, and a third controller means coupled to said second gauge means and arranged to energize said third actuator when the average from said third portion deviates from the average of one of said first and said second portions, said first and second actuators being deactivated when said third portion is being averaged and said third actuator is operating.

Claim 45

Apparatus for automatically maintaining a desired thickness profile across the width of an elongated strip formed in continuous fashion between a pair of coacting rolls, comprising means including a first actuator for adjusting the spacing between said rolls at one end portion thereof, means including a second actuator for adjusting the spacing between said rolls at the opposite end portion thereof, means including a third actuator for adjusting the spacing between said ends of said rolls relative to the spacing between a central portion of said rolls intermediate said end portions, a gauging means located on the output side of said rolls for indicating strip linear dimensions in portions near one end, the opposite end, and central portion of the material, said gauging means being adapted to simultaneously derive a first signal that indicates the thickness at one of said end portions and a second signal that indicates the thickness at said central portion, controller means coupled to said gauging means for energizing said first actuator when said indication for said one end portion deviates from a first target to restore the desired dimension, and for energizing said second actuator when said indication for said opposite end portion deviates from a second target to restore the desired dimension, and energizing said third actuator only when said second signal indication for said central portion deviates by more than a predetermined amount from the said first signal indication of one of said one end and said other end to reduce the deviation to said predetermined amount.

Claim 46

Apparatus for automatically maintaining a desired thickness profile across the width of an elongated strip formed in continuous fashion between a pair of coacting rolls, comprising means including a first actuator for adjusting the spacing between said rolls at one end portion thereof, means including a second actuator for adjusting the spacing between said rolls at the opposite end portion thereof, means including a third actuator for adjusting the spacing between said ends of said rolls relative to the spacing between a central portion of said rolls intermediate said end portions, a gauging means located on the output side of said rolls for indicating strip linear dimensions in portions near one end, the opposite end, and central portion of the material, said gauging means being adapted to simultaneously derive a first signal that indicates the thickness at one of said end portions and a second signal that indicates the thickness at said central portion, controller means coupled to said gauging means for energizing said first actuator when said indication for said one end portion deviates from a first target to restore the desired dimension, and for energizing said second actuator when said indication for said opposite end portion deviates from a second target to restore the desired dimension, and energizing said third actuator only when said second signal indication for said central portion deviates by more than a predetermined amount from the said first signal indication of one of said one end and said other end to reduce the deviation to said predetermined amount.

Claim 47

Apparatus as described in claim 32 wherein said controller means includes a first means that produces an output signal proportional to the difference between said first portion indication and said target for energizing said first actuator, said controller means includes a second means that produces an output signal proportional to the difference between said second portion indication and said target for energizing said second actuator, said controller means includes a third means that produces an output signal proportional to the difference between said third portion indication and one of said first and second portion inDications for energizing said third actuator.

Claim 48

Apparatus as described in claim 32 wherein said gauge means comprises a first gauge positioned to indicate the linear dimension in one end portion, a second gauge positioned to indicate the linear dimension in said other end portion, and a third gauge positioned to indicate the linear dimension at the central portion of said elongated strip, each of said first, second and third gauges being coupled to said controller means to energize said first actuator, second actuator, and third actuator respectively to maintain the strip profile at said first and second targets at said end portions.

Claim 49

The invention as described in claim 32 wherein said gauge means comprises a first gauging device positioned at said one end portion of said strip and a second gauging device movable between said other end portion and said central portion, said controller means periodically deactivating said first and second actuators and moving said second gauging device to said central portion, and the target for comparison with the center portion indication is the indication from said first gauging device at the time said center portion is inspected.

Claim 50

Apparatus as described in claim 32 wherein said gauging means comprises first and second gauges, each of said first and second gauges comprising a measuring servo, and said controller means comprises a first computer bridge comprising a first target potentiometer and a first repeat slidewire potentiometer driven by said first gauge measuring servo to provide a first output signal proportional to the difference between the setting of said first target potentiometer and said first repeat slidewire, a second computer bridge comprising a second target potentiometer and a second repeat slidewire potentiometer driven by the measuring servo of said second gauge to provide a second output signal proportional to the difference between the setting of the second target potentiometer and said second repeat slidewire, a third bridge comprising a third repeat slidewire potentiometer driven by the measuring servo of said first gauge and a fourth repeat slidewire potentiometer driven by the measuring servo of said second gauge to produce a third output signal proportional to the difference between the settings of said third and fourth repeat slidewire potentiometers, first switch means having a first position connecting said first output signal to said first actuator and having a second position, second switch means having a first position connecting said second output signal to said second actuator and having a second position, third switch means having a first position and having a second position connecting said third output signal to said third actuator, and timer means operably arranged to place said first, second and third switch means simultaneously in said first positions for a period of time and to simultaneously place said first, second, and third switch means periodically in said second positions for a successive time period.

Claim 51

Apparatus as described in claim 32 wherein said gauging means comprises first and second gauges, each of said first and second gauges comprising a measuring servo, and said controller means comprises a first computer bridge comprising a first target potentiometer and a first repeat slidewire potentiometer driven by said first gauge measuring servo to provide a first output signal proportional to the difference between the setting of said first target potentiometer and said first repeat slidewire, a second computer bridge comprising a second target potentiometer and a second repeat slidewire potentiometer driven by the measuring servo of said second gauge to provide a second output signal proportional to the difference between the setting of the second target potentiometer and said second repeat slidewire, a third bridge comprising a third repeat slidewire potentiometer driven by the measuring servo of said first gauge and a fourth rEpeat slidewire potentiometer driven by the measuring servo of said second gauge to produce a third output signal proportional to the difference between the settings of said third and fourth repeat slidewire potentiometers, first switch means having a first position connecting said first output signal to said first actuator and having a second position, second switch means having a first position connecting said second output signal to said second actuator and having a second position, third switch means having a first position and having a second position connecting said third output signal to said third actuator, and timer means operably arranged to place said first, second and third switch means simultaneously in said first positions for a period of time and to simultaneously place said first, second, and third switch means periodically in said second positions for a successive time period, said third and fourth repeat slidewire potentiometers are also said first and second repeat slidewire potentiometers respectively of said first and second bridges and said third switching means includes a changeover switch means that successively connects said repeat slidewire potentiometers to form said third bridge when said first, second and third switch means are in said second positions.

Claim 52

Apparatus as described in claim 32 wherein said gauge means comprises a first gauge device means that averages the material linear dimension along a first portion of said material near said one end, a second gauge device means that averages the material linear dimension along a second portion of said material near said other end and is movable to average the material linear dimension in a third portion intermediate said one and said other ends, said controller means comprising a first controller coupled to said first gauge means arranged to energize said first actuator when the average linear dimension deviates from a target, a second controller coupled to said second gauge means and arranged to energize said second actuator when said second gauge means is averaging said second portion and the average deviates from a target, and a third controller means coupled to said second gauge means and arranged to energize said third actuator when the average from said third portion deviates from the average of one of said first and said second portions.

Claim 53

Apparatus as described in claim 32 wherein said gauge means comprises a first gauge device means that averages the material linear dimension along a first portion of said material near said one end, a second gauge device means that averages the material linear dimension along a second portion of said material near said other end and is movable to average the material linear dimension in a third portion intermediate said one and said other ends, said controller means comprising a first controller coupled to said first gauge means arranged to energize said first actuator when the average linear dimension deviates from a target, a second controller coupled to said second gauge means and arranged to energize said second actuator when said second gauge means is averaging said second portion and the average deviates from a target, and a third controller means coupled to said second gauge means and arranged to energize said third actuator when the average from said third portion deviates from the average of one of said first and said second portions, said first and second actuators being deactivated when said third portion is being averaged and said third actuator is operating.

Claim 54

Apparatus for maintaining a desired property profile across a material passing through a regulator apparatus in continuous fashion, said regulating apparatus having means including a first actuator for separately adjusting said property at one end portion and a second actuator for separately adjusting said property at the opposite end portion, said first and second actuators together adjusting said property across the entire material width, a tHird actuator for adjusting said property at said end portions relative to the property at an intermediate portion of the material, said apparatus comprising: gauging means responsive to the material property for producing an indication of said property, including an end portion indication, and an intermediate portion indication, means for comparing said intermediate portion indication with said end portion indication and for adjusting said third actuator only when said compared intermediate portion and said end portion indication deviate from each other by more than a predetermined amount to reduce the deviation within said predetermined amount, and for actuating said first and second actuators to restore the desired property profile.

Claim 55

Apparatus for maintaining a desired property profile across a material passing through a regulator apparatus in continuous fashion, said regulating apparatus having means including a first actuator for separately adjusting said property at one end portion and a second actuator for separately adjusting said property at the opposite end portion, said first and second actuators together adjusting said property across the entire material width, a tHird actuator for adjusting said property at said end portions relative to the property at an intermediate portion of the material, said apparatus comprising: gauging means responsive to the material property for producing an indication of said property, including an end portion indication, and an intermediate portion indication, means for comparing said intermediate portion indication with said end portion indication and for adjusting said third actuator only when said compared intermediate portion and said end portion indication deviate from each other by more than a predetermined amount to reduce the deviation within said predetermined amount, and for actuating said first and second actuators to restore the desired property profile.

Claim 56

Apparatus for maintaining a desired property profile across a material passing through a regulator apparatus in continuous fashion, said regulator apparatus having means including a first actuator for adjusting said property at one end portion thereof, means including a second actuator for adjusting said property at the opposite end portion thereof, said first and second actuators together adjusting said property across the entire material width, means including a third actuator for adjusting said property between said end portions relative to the property at a central portion of the material, said apparatus comprising: gauging means to be located on the output side of said regulator apparatus for indicating said property in portions near one end, the opposite end, and central portion of the material, means for comparing said central portion indication with one of said end portion indications and for adjusting said third actuator only when said compared central portion and one of said end portion indications deviate from each other by more than a predetermined amount to reduce said deviation within said predetermined amount.

Claim 57

Apparatus for maintaining a desired property profile across a material passing through a regulator apparatus in continuous fashion, said regulator apparatus having means including a first actuator for adjusting said property at one end portion thereof, means including a second actuator for adjusting said property at the opposite end portion thereof, said first and second actuators together adjusting said property across the entire material width, means including a third actuator for adjusting said property between said end portions relative to the property at a central portion of the material, said apparatus comprising: gauging means to be located on the output side of said regulator apparatus for indicating said property in portions near one end, the opposite end, and central portion of the material, means for comparing said central portion indication with one of said end portion indications and for adjusting said third actuator only when said compared central portion and one of said end portion indications deviate from each other by more than a predetermined amount to reduce said deviation within said predetermined amount.

Claim 58

Apparatus for maintaining a desired property profile across a material passing through a regulator apparatus in continuous fashion, said regulator apparatus having means including a first actuator for adjusting said property at one end portion thereof, means including a second actuator for adjusting said property at the opposite end portion thereof, said first and second actuators together adjusting said property across the entire material width, means including a third actuator for adjusting said property between said end portions relative to the property at a central portion of the material, said apparatus comprising: gauging means to be located on the output side of said regulator apparatus for indicating said property in portions near one end, the opposite end, and central portion of the material, controller means coupled to said gauging means for comparing said indication for said one end portion with a first target and for energizing said first actuator to restore said first target, comparing said indication for said opposite end portion with a second target and for energizing said second actuator to restore said second target, and comparing said central portion indication with one of said end portion indications and energizing said third actuator only when said compared central portion indication and one of said end portion indications deviate from each other by more than a predetermined amount to reduce said deviation within said predetermined amount.

Claim 59

Apparatus for maintaining a desired property profile across a material passing through a regulator apparatus in continuous fashion, said regulator apparatus having means including a first actuator for adjusting said property at one end portion thereof, means including a second actuator for adjusting said property at the opposite end portion thereof, said first and second actuators together adjusting said property across the entire material width, means including a third actuator for adjusting said property between said end portions relative to the property at a central portion of the material, said apparatus comprising: gauging means to be located on the output side of said regulator apparatus for indicating said property in portions near one end, the opposite end, and central portion of the material, controller means coupled to said gauging means for comparing said indication for said one end portion with a first target and for energizing said first actuator to restore said first target, comparing said indication for said opposite end portion with a second target and for energizing said second actuator to restore said second target, and comparing said central portion indication with one of said end portion indications and energizing said third actuator only when said compared central portion indication and one of said end portion indications deviate from each other by more than a predetermined amount to reduce said deviation within said predetermined amount.

Claim 60

Apparatus for maintaining a desired property profile across a material passing through a regulator apparatus in continuous fashion, said regulator apparatus having means including a first actuator for adjusting said property at one end portion thereof, means including a second actuator for adjusting said property at the opposite end portion thereof, said first and second actuators together adjusting said property across the entire material width, means including a third actuator for adjusting said property between said end portions relative to the property at a central portion of the material, said apparatus comprisinG: gauging means for indicating the profile of said property in portions near opposite ends and an intermediate portion across the material, control means coupled to said gauging means for adjusting said first and second actuators, to maintain said respective end portions at predetermined property values, said control means adjusting said third actuator to correct for a nonuniform profile, said control means comparing said profile measurements and if the property profile is substantially uniform and deviates from a desired property value at said intermediate portion by more than a predetermined amount said first and second actuators are adjusted together to restore the material property profile to the desired property values without adjusting said third actuator.

Claim 61

Apparatus for maintaining a desired property profile across a material passing through a regulator apparatus in continuous fashion, said regulator apparatus having means including a first actuator for adjusting said property at one end portion thereof, means including a second actuator for adjusting said property at the opposite end portion thereof, said first and second actuators together adjusting said property across the entire material width, means including a third actuator for adjusting said property between said end portions relative to the property at a central portion of the material, said apparatus comprisinG: gauging means for indicating the profile of said property in portions near opposite ends and an intermediate portion across the material, control means coupled to said gauging means for adjusting said first and second actuators, to maintain said respective end portions at predetermined property values, said control means adjusting said third actuator to correct for a nonuniform profile, said control means comparing said profile measurements and if the property profile is substantially uniform and deviates from a desired property value at said intermediate portion by more than a predetermined amount said first and second actuators are adjusted together to restore the material property profile to the desired property values without adjusting said third actuator.

Claim 62

Apparatus for maintaining a desired property profile across a material passing through a regulator apparatus in continuous fashion, said regulating apparatus having means including a first actuator for separately adjusting said property at the opposite end portion, said first and second actuators together adjusting said property across the entire material width, a third actuator for adjusting said property at said end portions relative to the property at an intermediate portion of the material, said apparatus comprising: gauging means for producing profile measurements of said property in portions near opposite ends and an intermediate portion across the material. means responsive to the gauging means for adjusting said third actuator only when the property profile measurements indicate a substantially nonuniform property profile, to restore a more uniform profile, and for actuating only said first and second actuators to restore the desired property profile when the profile is uniform and the said intermediate portion property is greater than a predetermined amount.

Claim 63

Apparatus for maintaining a desired property profile across a material passing through a regulator apparatus in continuous fashion, said regulating apparatus having means including a first actuator for separately adjusting said property at the opposite end portion, said first and second actuators together adjusting said property across the entire material width, a third actuator for adjusting said property at said end portions relative to the property at an intermediate portion of the material, said apparatus comprising: gauging means for producing profile measurements of said property in portions near opposite ends and an intermediate portion across the material. means responsive to the gauging means for adjusting said third actuator only when the property profile measurements indicate a substantially nonuniform property profile, to restore a more uniform profile, and for actuating only said first and second actuators to restore the desired property profile when the profile is uniform and the said intermediate portion property is greater than a predetermined amount.