Winding/unwinding device and method for winding/unwinding a metal product in a rolling line

Abstract

Device ( 10 ) and method for winding/unwinding rolled products ( 20 ). The device ( 10 ) is interposed between a rolling unit located upstream ( 102 ) and a rolling unit located downstream ( 105 ). The device ( 10 ) comprises a heating furnace ( 11 ) and a support structure ( 16 ) disposed outside the heating furnace ( 11 ). On the support structure ( 16 ), substantially in a diametrically opposite position, two winding/unwinding drums ( 18 a, 18 b ) are assembled, positioned inside the furnace ( 11 ). The support structure ( 16 ) is selectively rotating to alternatively dispose a first of the two drums ( 18 a or 18 b ) in its winding position or in its unwinding position of a reel ( 29 ). A second of the two drums ( 18 b or 18 a ) consequently assuming the opposite unwinding or winding position.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A winding/unwinding device for rolled products, the device being interposed between a rolling unit configured for reducing a thickness of the rolled products located upstream of the device and another rolling unit configured for reducing the thickness of the rolled products located downstream of the device, the winding/unwinding device comprising a heating furnace and a support structure disposed outside the heating furnace,
 wherein two winding/unwinding drums are assembled on the support structure in a substantially diametrically opposite position, the two winding/unwinding drums being positioned inside said heating furnace,   wherein the two winding/unwinding drums are assembled on the support structure so as to be able to assume an inactive position not interfering with the pass-line of the flat rolled product at least when the rolling line is configured for an endless functioning.   
     
     
         11 . The winding/unwinding device as in  claim 10 , further comprising support and sliding means, able to be selectively activated at least in the moment when the drums assume their inactive position, to define a pass-line for the flat rolled product in the event that the activation of the winding/unwinding drums is not required. 
     
     
         12 . The winding/unwinding device as in  claim 10 , wherein the support structure comprises two discs, selectively rotating, connected to respective lateral covers of said furnace so that a first disc selectively rotates together a first lateral cover and a second disc selectively rotates together a second lateral cover, to alternatively dispose a first of said two drums in its first winding position or in its second unwinding position of a reel, wherein a second of said two drums consequently assuming the opposite unwinding or winding position, or to dispose both said two drums in their said inactive position. 
     
     
         13 . A method for winding/unwinding a rolled product using a winding/unwinding device comprising winding drums, the winding/unwinding device being interposed between at least a rolling unit for reducing a thickness of the rolled products located upstream of the device and at least a rolling unit for reducing a thickness of the rolled products located downstream of the device, the winding drums being located inside a heating furnace wherein they can be disposed in a first position in which a first drum faces toward the rolling unit upstream and is suitable to wind a reel, and another drum faces toward the rolling unit downstream and is suitable to unwind the reel, and a second position in which the two drums invert their position, wherein at least when the rolling line is configured for an endless functioning the winding drums are disposed in a third position in which the two drums are in a position of non-interference with the pass-line of the rolled product so as to allow the rolled product to pass through the device without interfering with said drums, wherein in endless mode, during the passage of the rolled product from said roughing unit to said finishing unit, said heating furnace remains active and keeps the rolled product at a temperature suitable for the subsequent finishing rolling.