Apparatus and method for quenching rods and tubes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a apparatus for statically quenching a product ( 1 ) coming from a rolling plant, comprising a seat for housing the product ( 1 ) so that, when the product ( 1 ) is housed there, its main development axis (A) coincides with the positioning axis (Z), a series of nozzles ( 4 ) arranged around the positioning axis (Z), along a curvilinear surface ( 3 ), open at the bottom, and adjustable so as to dispense a flow which is tangential to the surface of the product ( 1 ). The invention also relates to a process for static quenching of the product, implementable by such apparatus.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus for statically quenching rods and tubes equipped with a main development axis (A) and coming from a rolling plant, the apparatus comprising a seat for housing a rod or tube equipped with positioning axis (Z), so that when the rod or tube is housed in the seat the main development axis (A) of the rod or tube coincides with the positioning axis (Z), a series of first external nozzles for dispensing quenching agent arranged around the positioning axis (Z), wherein the first external nozzles are arranged along a curvilinear surface, substantially equidistant from the positioning axis (Z), the first external nozzles being adjustable so as deliver a flow of quenching agent tangential to the surface of the rod or tube, wherein longitudinally moving means and lifting means are comprised for positioning the rod or tube coming from the rolling plant so that the main development axis (A) of the rod or tube coincides with the positioning axis (Z),
 wherein the curvilinear surface has an absence of first external nozzles which defines an opening at the bottom so that the first external nozzles are arranged asymmetrically, that possible detached pieces due to possible cracks fall freely and that the lifting means, supporting the product and permitting the evacuation, pass through the opening at the bottom of the curvilinear surface.   
     
     
         7 . Apparatus for the static quenching according to the  claim 6 , characterized in that the first external nozzles are arranged on a curvilinear surface stretches for at least 180°, but less than 360°. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus for static quenching according to  claim 6 , characterized such that the first external nozzles are angularly spaced about the positioning axis (Z) with a degree less than 15°. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus for the static quenching according to  claim 6 , characterized in comprising a second internal nozzle for dispensing quenching agent arranged in correspondence of the positioning axis (Z), for quenching the inner surface of the rod or tube. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus for the static quenching according to  claim 6 , characterized in comprising rotating means in order to operate the rotation of a rod or tube about the main development axis (A), when the rod or tube is housed in the seat. 
     
     
         11 . Process for static quenching rods and tubes equipped with a main development axis (A) and coming from a rolling plant, implementable by an apparatus according to  claim 6  and comprising the following steps:
 receiving the rod or tube from the rolling plant 
 positioning the rod or tube within the apparatus by longitudinally moving means 
 positioning the rod or tube within the apparatus by lifting means passing through the bottom of the curvilinear surface so that the main development axis (A) of the rod or tube coincides with the positioning axis (Z) of the apparatus 
 operating rotating means in order to operate the rotation of the rod or tube about the main development axis (A) 
 opening feeding valves of the nozzles for dispensing the quenching agent and launching the quenching along a curve which is tangent to the product and is open at the bottom 
 quenching 
 closing feeding valves 
 stopping rotating means 
 moving the rod or tube by longitudinally moving means and lifting means in correspondence of a transporting device.