1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flexible press cover which is intended for a shoe press roll.
2. Description of the Related Art
A shoe press roll of this type is used for dewatering or calendering a moving fibrous web, in particular a paper or board web. The flexible press cover includes a plastic layer, preferably made of polyurethane and, as a strengthening element, a (“conventional”) reinforcement embedded in the plastic layer. The reinforcement can be formed as a woven fabric; however, preference is given to what is known as a laid fabric, which includes axially parallel longitudinal filaments and circumferential filaments wound in. The circumferential filaments can be wound into the plastic layer on the outer side of the longitudinal filaments (see EP 0330680=U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,010, PH 04378). However, the opposite arrangement is likewise possible (see WO 95/29293, Tamfelt).
In relation to the prior art, reference is made to the following further documents:
As is known, a shoe press roll includes a stationary supporting element. Rotatably mounted on the latter are two cover carrying disks for the flexible press cover. In addition, there is arranged on the supporting element a radially displaceable press shoe, which is able to press the revolving press cover against an opposing roll in order to form a press nip extended in the web running direction. It is important that the press cover and the cover carrying disks, together with the supporting element, bound a closed, liquid-tight internal space.
According to document D1, in order to achieve a liquid-tight connection between the press cover end region and one of the cover carrying disks, provision is made to bend over the end region radially inward and to press it against the outer end of the cover carrying disk with the aid of clamping elements.
This arrangement has been tried and tested in practice. However, it is disadvantageous in that a large number of recesses has to be provided in the edge zone of the press cover, between which recesses tongues remain. In some cases, difficulties also arise in achieving the most exact circularity of the press cover.
According to FIGS. 3 and 4 of document D2, attempts have been made to avoid the deformation of the press cover end region described in D1. Each of the two press cover end regions retains the normal cylindrical form, so that the production of recesses and tongues is dispensed with. Provision is made to clamp the cylindrical press cover end region in between an internal expandable (that is to say of enlargeable diameter) spreader ring and an outer ring. However, such an outer ring is frequently disruptive, since the replacement of a worn press cover by a new press cover is more awkward.
According to FIGS. 2 to 4 of document D3, an annular circumferential groove is provided in the outer circumferential surface of a cover carrying disk, into which groove the annular region of the press cover is pressed, specifically by way of a clamping band or by way of a plurality of turns of a high-strength filament or by way of a shrinkage ring. If a covering provided in accordance with FIG. 1 at document D3 is left out, then there is no disruptive outer ring. Nevertheless, this known solution has not been able to gain acceptance in practice.
What is needed in the art is a flexible press cover where the production of recesses and tongues in the press cover end region is superfluous, the mounting of the press cover end region on the respective cover carrying disk is easily achievable, the mounted press cover has good circularity and the outer circumferential surface of the press cover is free of fixing elements.
The present invention provides a flexible press cover with the following requirements satisfied:
The present invention comprises, in one form thereof, a flexible press cover which has an additional strengthening element in at least one of its two end regions. As a result, in the end region, the tensile strength and the tensile rigidity in the circumferential direction are increased with respect to that hitherto known in such a way that it is no longer necessary to clamp the press cover end region in between two components. Instead, the press cover according to the present invention is suitable to be fixed to the outer circumferential surface of a rotatable supporting element belonging to the cover carrying disk without the aid of an outer ring, a clamping band, clamping filament or the like. In the most beneficial case, the arrangement for fixing the press cover to the aforementioned supporting element is completely free of any kind of fixing elements which would be associated with the cover outer surface.
By virtue of the present invention, it is possible to achieve a number of advantages: the form of the press cover end region remains completely or at least approximately cylindrical. During the mounting of the press cover, deformation of the press cover end region is not necessary; the necessity of producing recesses and tongues is thus also dispensed with. The joining of the press cover end region to a radially outer part or region of the cover carrying disk can be carried out in the same way or at least in a very similar way as the joining of two metal components.
Thus, the mounting of the press cover on the cover carrying disks can be carried out in a simpler way than hitherto known, namely with less effort, so that, if required, even an unpracticed person can be entrusted with the mounting work. A further important advantage is that no outer ring (rotating with the press cover) is required. Likewise, the clamping elements required in accordance with D1 are omitted; this makes it easier to work in restricted conditions of space within the papermaking machine.
The press cover end region advantageously has a constant thickness, measured along axially parallel envelope lines. As a rule, on a finally mounted press cover, not only the outer circumferential surface but also the inner circumferential surface of the press cover end region (having the additional strengthening) are therefore cylindrical. However, a departure from this can be made if required. Specifically, it may be advantageous to design the inner circumferential surface of the press cover end region to be slightly conical, with an internal diameter which increases outward or inward. The fixing of the press cover end region to any kind of annular supporting element belonging to the cover carrying disk (or directly to the carrying disk) can be made easier hereby. In both cases, it can be advantageous to provide a supporting element of which the diameter can be enlarged, that is to say can be spread. However, the use of a non-spreadable ring is also possible, for example a mounting ring, which is inserted into a new press cover to be retrofitted outside the shoe press roll (see DE 101 38 527.7).
The present invention can be applied in flexible press covers with different conventional reinforcements, in particular with woven fabric or laid fabric reinforcement. Different embodiments of the additional strengthening are also specified; this can be formed as an additional or strengthened reinforcement. As an alternative to this or in addition, materials with a modulus of elasticity that is higher in the circumferential direction can be used. One further possibility is for a strengthening ring to be integrated into at least one of the press cover end regions. The object of all these measures is to reduce the extensibility in the circumferential direction of the press cover end region as compared with that hitherto.
Protection is also claimed for a complete shoe press roll having a flexible press cover formed in accordance with the present invention. In this case, at least one of the two cover carrying disks can be adapted in one way or another to the press cover end region formed in accordance with the present invention. Details are explained further below within the context of the figure description.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
Press cover 10 is substantially composed of a plastic layer 30, for example of polyurethane, with a conventional reinforcement embedded therein as a strengthening elements; the reinforcement includes, axially parallel longitudinal filaments 31 and circumferential filaments 32 wound thereon. The thickness d of press cover 10 is chosen such that grooves or blind holes 33 can be provided within the pressing zone P. In the end region E, press cover 10 has substantially the same thickness d as in pressing zone P. In end region E, as additional strengthening (that is to say in addition to conventional reinforcement 31, 32), additional circumferential filaments 34 of the highest possible tensile strength and tensile rigidity (high modulus of elasticity) are embedded in plastic layer 30.
According to the present invention, circumferential filaments 34 form an additional reinforcement, produced from high-strength plastic or metal filaments or wires. As compared with circumferential filaments 32 of the conventional reinforcement, the additional circumferential filaments or wires 34 can have a larger filament diameter and/or be formed from a material which has a higher tensile strength and, in particular, a higher modulus of elasticity (e.g. Kevlar). However, it is also possible to choose the same diameter and/or the same material for filaments 32 and 34, preferably a material with a relatively high modulus of elasticity. In addition, the plastic layer can be formed from a material with an increased modulus of elasticity. Between end region E and pressing zone P, press cover 10 can have a zone of lower thickness, in order to increase its flexibility precisely where increased deformation takes place during operation.
Cover carrying disk 20 includes an integrally molded collar 22 and an extension ring 23 screwed to the latter. Collar 22 and ring 23 engage around rolling contact bearing 21 and, on their outer side, bear an axially displaceable clamping ring, which is formed as an annular piston 24. The three aforementioned components 22, 23 and 24 are shaped in such a way that an annular space 25, to which a pressurized medium can be applied, is formed between them. As a result, annular piston 24 can be displaced outward hydraulically or pneumatically parallel to the roll axis. Sealing rings 26 are used to seal off the annular space 25.
In order to connect press cover 10 to cover carrying disk 20, spreader ring 27 is provided. The latter has a cylindrical outer circumferential surface, provided with recesses if required, which engages in the cylindrical inner circumferential surface of the press cover end region E. Spreader ring 27 has a conical inner circumferential surface, which interacts with a conical outer circumferential surface of annular piston 24. In the event of axial displacement of annular piston 24 (to the left in FIG. 1), spreader ring 27 (which bears axially on cover carrying disk 28) is widened, and therefore a secure, liquid-tight connection is made between press cover 10 and cover carrying disk 20. By virtue of additional reinforcement 34, an external clamping link is no longer required in the press cover end region.
The axial displacement of annular piston 24 can also be carried out with the aid of screws (indicated at 28). Screws 28 of this type can also be used for the axial fixing of annular piston 24 after the annular piston has been displaced hydraulically or pneumatically.
Press cover 10A of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
In a shoe press roll according to the present invention, both ends of the roll can be constructed in accordance with FIG. 1. Another possibility is for one end of a shoe press roll to be configured in accordance with
Press cover 10B of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
This makes it easier to insert mounting ring 40, which has a corresponding conical outer circumferential surface. The insertion of this ring 40 (and the fixing of the same in press cover 10B, for example by way of adhesive) is preferably carried out outside the shoe press roll, that is to say before the removal of a press cover that has worn and is to be replaced. For fixing mounting ring 40 bearing press cover 10B to cover carrying disk 20B, the following is provided: the outer circumferential surface of cover carrying disk 20B is offset at 41. The inner circumferential surface of strengthening ring 40 has a corresponding offset, in the example illustrated, a relatively small internal diameter D being followed by a larger internal diameter in the axial direction from the inside to the outside. In this way, press cover 10B, together with pre-mounted mounting ring 40, can be pushed onto cover carrying disk 20B in the direction of the arrow P over the entire (not illustrated) stationary supporting element. This is possible by virtue of the fact that the aforementioned relatively small internal diameter D of ring 40 is still somewhat larger than the external dimensions of the stationary supporting element, including the press shoe and further accessories. In order to screw ring 40 to cover carrying disk 20B, the following is provided: bush 42 is rotatably mounted in a bore in cover carrying disk 20B. Integrally molded at the inner end of bush 42 is a nose flange 43; a radial pin 44 is inserted into the outer end. In the illustrated position of bush 42, the nose of nose flange 42 acts on the inner end of ring 40. However, as a result of rotation of bush 42, the nose permits the strengthening ring to pass when inserted in the direction of the arrow P. In order to fix mounting ring 40 (together with press cover 10B) to cover carrying disk 20B with the aid of the aforementioned nose flange 43, a screw 28 is provided. A plurality of such arrangements are distributed over the circumference of cover carrying disk 20B.
For fixing press cover 10C to mounting ring 40′, the following is provided: the mounting ring has a conical outer circumferential surface that tapers in the outward direction. In addition, in press cover end region E″, circumferential filaments 32A and/or 34A are wound in with increased prestress, so that end region E″ likewise tapers conically in the outward direction. Press cover 10C is fixed onto mounting ring 40′ in a manner similar to the fixing of a vehicle tire to its rim. The press cover design with circumferential filaments wound in under increased prestress can also be combined with a mounting ring whose outer circumferential surface is cylindrical.
Press cover 12 illustrated in
In the exemplary embodiments according to
One strengthening ring 71 has flange 71a projecting radially inward, which bears on one end of cast cylinder 73. The other strengthening ring 72 has flange 72a projecting radially outward, in which clamping screws 78 engage in order to tension longitudinal filaments 74.
In the case of press cover 14 illustrated in
While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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101 38 526 | Aug 2001 | DE | national |
This is a continuation of PCT application No. PCT/EP02/07762, entitled “FLEXIBLE PRESS JACKET AND SHOE PRESS ROLL COMPRISING SUCH A FLEXIBLE PRESS JACKET”, filed Jul. 12, 2002.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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4229254 | Gill | Oct 1980 | A |
4238287 | Gill | Dec 1980 | A |
4702952 | Borel | Oct 1987 | A |
4861434 | Bonander et al. | Aug 1989 | A |
5011578 | Lange et al. | Apr 1991 | A |
5134010 | Schiel | Jul 1992 | A |
5375315 | Griffith et al. | Dec 1994 | A |
5422165 | Arnold | Jun 1995 | A |
5753083 | Schiel et al. | May 1998 | A |
6116156 | Schiel et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
33 38 487 | May 1985 | DE |
35 46 650 | Aug 1990 | DE |
297 02 362 | Jun 1997 | DE |
196 33 543 | Feb 1998 | DE |
WO 9529293 | Nov 1995 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20040173275 A1 | Sep 2004 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/EP02/07762 | Jul 2002 | US |
Child | 10772898 | US |