Method and Device for Quenching Flat Steel Products

Abstract

An apparatus for quenching flat steel products includes a roller conveyor for such flat steel products. The roller conveyor includes upper and lower rollers. At least one nozzle device is arranged above the roller conveyor, and transversely to it, for spraying water onto the flat steel products. At least one suction removal device is arranged above the roller conveyor, and transversely to it, for removing water by suction upstream of an associated upper roller. A method of quenching flat steel products is also provided.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of quenching flat steel products, wherein the flat products are conducted continuously along a roller conveyor, the roller conveyor comprising upper and lower rollers, the method comprising the steps:
 water is sprayed onto the flat steel products by a spraying location; and,   a portion of the sprayed water is removed by suction upstream of at least one of the upper rollers by a suction removal location.   
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 18 , characterised in that the removal of the water is effected upstream of the first upper roller, the first roller being situated downstream of the spraying location. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 18 , characterised in that the water removed by suction is conducted away on both sides with respect to the direction of movement of the flat steel products. 
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 18 , characterised in that the water removed by suction is again sprayed onto the flat steel products downstream of the suction removal location. 
     
     
         22 . Apparatus for quenching flat steel products including:
 a roller conveyor for associated flat steel products, the roller conveyor includes upper and lower rollers;   at least one nozzle device, arranged above the roller conveyor and transversely to it, for spraying water onto the associated flat steel products; and,   at least one suction removal device, arranged above the roller conveyor and transversely to it, for removing water by suction upstream of an associated upper roller.   
     
     
         23 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , characterised in that the suction removal device is arranged between the nozzle device and the first upper roller situated downstream of it. 
     
     
         24 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , characterised in that the suction removal device is arranged upstream of a spiral roller. 
     
     
         25 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , characterised in that the suction removal device includes a first passage, which receives water to be removed and communicates at the top with a second passage, wherein the first passage has a constant cross-section in an upward direction over the breadth of the associated flat steel products and wherein the second passage constitutes two sections, each of which broadens from a centre of the associated flat steel products towards the side and is connected to an associated suction pump. 
     
     
         26 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , characterised in that each section of the second passage broadens such that its cross-sectional area at each position is at least as large as the total cross-sectional area of the first passage calculated from the centre of the flat products to this point. 
     
     
         27 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , characterised in that the breadth of the first passage may be matched to the breadth of the associated flat steel products. 
     
     
         28 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 , characterised in that side walls of the first passage are laterally movable whilst being sealed with respect to the second passage. 
     
     
         29 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 , characterised in that the first passage includes sections which may be separately shut off. 
     
     
         30 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , characterised in that a distance of a suction opening of the first passage to the associated flat steel products is smaller than 10% of its breadth. 
     
     
         31 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , characterised in that the first passage is constructed as a slot passage, the height of which is more than ten times the slot width. 
     
     
         32 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 31 , characterised in that the first passage is defined between a nozzle box of the nozzle device and an associated wall. 
     
     
         33 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , characterised in that a vacuum device is associated with the suction pumps. 
     
     
         34 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , characterised in that the suction pumps are connected to a nozzle device situated downstream.