Closed loop roller leveler with oscillating laser sensors

Abstract

A closed loop roller leveler assembly for measuring flatness of a strip, having a roller leveler, a flatness sensor, and at least one arm operatively connected to the flatness sensor to raise and lower the flatness sensor. The flatness sensor has a plurality of sensor rolls, at least one load cell, and at least one laser sensor which is mounted on a positioner which oscillates the laser sensors across a width of the strip.

1 . A closed loop roller leveler assembly for measuring flatness of a strip, comprising:
 a roller leveler;   a flatness sensor;   at least one arm operatively connected to said flatness sensor to raise and lower said flatness sensor;   said flatness sensor comprises a plurality of sensor rolls and at least one load cell; and,   at least one laser sensor which is mounted on a positioner which oscillates said laser sensors.   
     
     
         2 . The closed loop roller leveler assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one arm comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders. 
     
     
         3 . The closed loop roller leveler assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said pair of hydraulic cylinders raise and lower said plurality of sensor rolls. 
     
     
         4 . The closed loop roller leveler assembly of  claim 3 , wherein each of said sensor rolls is supported by a load cell. 
     
     
         5 . The closed loop roller leveler assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said laser sensors are mounted on said positioner which is motorized and mounted on a support beam. 
     
     
         6 . The closed loop roller leveler assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor rollers are mounted on pivoting arms. 
     
     
         7 . The closed loop roller leveler assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said laser sensors measure the distance between an associated strip material and a horizontal plane. 
     
     
         8 . The closed loop roller leveler assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one laser sensor comprises a plurality of laser sensor positioned across a width of the associated strip. 
     
     
         9 . The closed loop roller leveler assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said positioner oscillates said plurality of laser sensors across a width of said associated strip. 
     
     
         10 . A method for measuring flatness of a strip comprising:
 providing a roller leveler;   providing a flatness sensor;   raising and lowering said flatness sensor with hydraulic cylinders;   providing a plurality of sensor rolls and load cells;   mounting laser sensors on a motorized positioner;   feeding said strip through said roller leveler and said flatness sensor; and   oscillating said laser sensor with said positioner across a width of the strip.