Mechanically driving multiple shafts from single drive source in rolling mill

摘要

A single drive motor is coupled to a reduction gear which is, in turn, coupled to a distributor unit driving universal joint shafts by a clutch which may be hydraulically varied to suit the required conditions. The motor unit (5), for driving a pair of shafts, for example for rolling mill rollers (1,2), is joined by means of a rotationally rigid coupling (7) to a reduction gear (6) with an output shaft (10). A controlled slip clutch unit (9) couples the output shaft (10) to a shaft (11) driving a distributor gear box (8), providing two output speeds to universal couplings (3,4) and hence the rollers (1,2). The safety clutch unit (9) may consist of a thick- walled housing (12) in which is an annular cavity (14) connected to a source of hydraulic fluid. The cavity may be pressurised or evacuated according to the load requirements to provide a limiting transmission of power.