Device for Compensating Variations in Tension and/or for Adjusting the Tensile Stress on a Conveyed Flexible Material Strand

Abstract

A device for compensating variations in tension and/or for adjusting the tensile stress on a conveyed flexible metal material strand, in particular a metal strip, having at least one movable dancer roll which can be wound around by the material strand. At least one dancer roll can be displaced along a path inclinable to the perpendicular, wherein the inclination angle of the path can be adjusted by means of an adjustment unit.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A device for compensating for variations in tension and/or adjusting the tensile stress on a metal material strand comprising: a metal material strand; a plurality of movable dancer rolls which the metal material strand is wound around; a path for supporting at least one of the plurality of the dancer rolls, wherein the path is capable of being inclined to the perpendicular; and, an adjustment unit for adjusting the inclination angle of the path, wherein the adjustment unit is controllable as the device is operated continuously. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , further comprising: a first deflector roll and a second deflector roll located on either side of the dancer roll for winding the metal material strand around the first deflector roll, the dancer roll, and the second deflector roll thereby forming a strand loop. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the path, which is capable of being inclined to the perpendicular, is linear. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein a bearing of the dancer roll attaches essentially without friction to the path. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the adjustment unit is an electromechanical drive, such as a spindle drive or a regulating element, in particular a hydraulically or pneumatically operating cylinder, so that the path can be pivoted about a pivot point to adjust the inclination angle. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the path, which is capable of being inclined to the perpendicular, is curved in the shape of an arc of a circle having a radius of curvature which is greater than the deflection of the dancer roll along the path. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 19 , wherein a bearing of the dancer roll is guided on a swing arm having a pivot point such that the pivot point of the swing arm is capable of being displaced to adjust the inclination angle. 
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein the adjustment unit comprises an adjusting drive, for displacing the pivot point of the swing arm along a linear, approximately vertically aligned trajectory. 
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 20 , wherein the adjustment unit comprises an adjusting drive, for displacing the pivot point of the swing arm along a curved, approximately vertically aligned trajectory. 
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the dancer roll can be displaced along the path, which is capable of being inclined to the perpendicular, by an actuator, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. 
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the device is capable of compensating for variations in tension and/or adjusting the tensile stress on a metal material strand in a treatment plant for sheet-shaped metal material. 
     
     
         25 . A method for operating a treatment plant for flexible metal material comprising: providing a metal material strand; providing a device for compensating for variations in tension and/or adjusting the tensile stress on the metal material strand wherein the device is the device of  claim 14 ; and, adjusting the tensile stress on the metal material strand during continuous operation of the treatment plant by adjusting the inclination angle of the path using the adjustment unit.