BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Example embodiments of the invention are explained below by way of figures. Features disclosed by the example embodiments, each individually and in any combination of features, advantageously develop the subjects of the claims and also the embodiments described above. There is shown:
FIG. 1 a roller in a first example embodiment, comprising a roller shell filled with an oscillation-dampening mass in which an equalizing chamber is arranged;
FIG. 2 a roller in a second example embodiment, comprising a roller shell filled with the mass and a modified equalizing chamber arranged in the mass;
FIG. 3 a roller in a third example embodiment, comprising at least one dampening body arranged in the roller shell;
FIG. 4 a roller in a fourth example embodiment, comprising a double-walled roller body in which the annular gap is filled with the oscillation-dampening mass;
FIG. 5 a roller in a fifth example embodiment, comprising a roller shell and a hollow displacement body elastically supported in it;
FIG. 6 a roller in a sixth example embodiment, comprising a roller shell and a solid displacement body elastically supported in it;
FIG. 7 a roller in a seventh example embodiment, comprising a roller shell and a displacement body fixedly supported in it and filled with the mass; and
FIG. 8 a roller in an eighth example embodiment, comprising a roller shell and a displacement body fixedly supported in it and filled with the mass, wherein an annular gap remaining between the roller shell and the displacement body is also filled with the mass.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows a roller in a first example embodiment, comprising a circular cylindrical roller shell 1 to which a trunnion 2 is fastened via a trunnion flange at each of its two axial ends. The roller thus obtained can be mounted on its two trunnions 2 such that it can be rotated and driven about a rotational axis R. The roller can in particular be a calender roller for smoothing a paper web.
In the roller shell 1, which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the rotational axis R, a central hollow space 3 is formed which is likewise rotationally symmetrical with respect to the rotational axis R. On its peripheral side, the shell inner surface of the roller shell 1 forms the wall of the hollow space. The two trunnion flanges seal the hollow space 3 at the two axial front sides of the roller shell 1.
The hollow space is filled with a mixture 4 consisting of a liquid and a multitude of solid particles. The solid particles are granular. The mixture 4 as a whole exhibits a pulpy consistency. The mixture 4 completely fills the hollow space 3, except for a chamber 5 filled with a gas. A flexible membrane 6 forms the wall of the chamber 5. The membrane 6 is preferably elastic. The chamber 5 is thus formed as a bubble, preferably an elastic bubble. The chamber 5 is filled with air, wherein the air pressure in the chamber 5 is greater than the pressure in the surrounding roller. The chamber 5 and thus the whole of the mixture 4 are therefore under a pressure burden. The chamber 5 acts as an equalizing chamber by equalizing changes in volume which the hollow space 3 and the mixture 4 experience relative to each other.
The roller shell 1 is shown as a simple tube. If the roller 1, 2 is a roller for thermo-mechanically treating a web, then the roller shell 1 can be thermally treated, i.e. heated or cooled. The roller 1, 2 can for example comprise peripheral thermal treatment channels which extend axially through the roller shell 1 and preferably port at both axial ends. As a displacement roller, it could comprise an annular gap surrounding the rotational axis R as a thermal treatment channel formed between the roller shell 1 and a displacement body arranged in it. The displacement body can directly envelop the hollow space with the mixture 4, such as the roller shell 1 in the example shown.
FIG. 2 shows a second example embodiment of an oscillation-dampened roller 1, 2, which only differs from the roller 1, 2 of the first example embodiment with respect to the equalizing chamber. The equalizing chamber 7 of the second example embodiment includes a rigid chamber wall 8, a disc-shaped chamber wall 9 and elastic pleated bellows 10. The pleated bellows 10 are metal spring bellows. The chamber wall 8 surrounds the chamber wall 9 and forms a linear guide along the rotational axis R for the chamber wall 9. Furthermore, it also surrounds the pleated bellows 10. The chamber wall 8 is cup-shaped with a preferably circular cylindrical base and a completely encircling side wall which projects from the base, parallel to the rotational axis R, and guides the chamber wall 9. The chamber wall 8 is fastened to one of the trunnion flanges; in the example embodiment, its base is placed onto the flange. The equalizing chamber and the components 8 to 10 forming it preferably exhibit rotational symmetry about the rotational axis R. The bottom end of the pleated bellows 10 is fastened to the cup rim of the chamber wall 8 and thence protrudes into the cup formed by the chamber wall 8. The chamber wall 9 is fastened to the top end of the bellows 10. The chamber wall 8 and the chamber wall 9 together form a piston-cylinder arrangement. The main part of the chamber 7 is formed by the hollow space between the chamber wall 9 and the opposing base of the chamber wall 8 along the rotational axis R. Behind the chamber wall 9, as viewed from the base of the chamber wall 8, a secondary chamber remains between the chamber wall 8 and the pleated bellows 10. The chamber 7 and the secondary chamber are preferably connected to each other, such that pressure equalization can occur. The chamber 7 is sealed off from the mixture 4 by fastening the pleated bellows 10 circumferentially fluid-proof to the chamber wall 8. An expansion of the pleated bellows 10 is counteracted on the one hand by their restoring elasticity force and on the other by the associated increase in pressure in the chamber 7, which can equalize changes in volume which the hollow space 3 and the mixture 4 can experience relative to each other.
FIG. 3 shows a roller 1, 2 in a third example embodiment in which the roller shell 1 does not directly form the container wall of the mixture 4, as in the first and second example embodiment, but rather a dampening body is arranged in the central hollow space 3 of the roller. The dampening body is formed by a container 11 and the mixture 4 which completely fills the container 11. The container 11 is a circular cylindrical container in which the cylindrical shell sits solidly on the roller shell 1 and is rigidly fastened directly to the shell inner surface of the roller shell 1, preferably in a non-positive lock. The circular cylindrical container 11 comprises walls which are thin in comparison to its diameter and length. The cross-section of the hollow space enclosed by the container 11 therefore substantially corresponds to the cross-section of the hollow space 3 of the roller. The axial length of the hollow space 3 of the roller, measured in the direction of the rotational axis R, is however significantly greater than the axial length of the hollow space of the dampening body 4, 11 filled with the mixture 4. Preferably, a number of the dampening bodies 4, 11 are arranged in the hollow space 3 of the roller, spaced from each other along the rotational axis R, and supported on the roller shell 1. By arranging the mixture 4 axially in sections, as may be realized using the dampening body 4, 11 or number of dampening bodies 4, 11, the oscillation characteristics of rollers can be influenced particularly specifically, and individually for each roller. Separate dampening bodies 4, 11 are also particularly suitable for retrofitting rollers which were not originally provided with such oscillation dampening. In one modification, the shell of the container 11 could be replaced by the roller shell 1 by only inserting the disc-shaped bases of the container 11 into the roller shell 1, as front walls.
FIG. 4 shows a fourth example embodiment of an oscillation-dampened roller, in cross-section. The roller includes a double-walled roller body consisting of a thin outer roller shell 1 and a thin inner hollow cylindrical body 12. The roller shell 1 and the cylindrical body 12 are fixedly connected to each other via the two trunnion flanges which correspond to the trunnion flanges 2 of the other example embodiments. The roller shell 1 and the cylindrical body 12 can also be connected to each other in other connecting points over the axial length, but this is not absolutely essential.
The annular gap is completely filled with the mixture 4. The roller shell 1 and the cylindrical body 12 thus form, directly and in conjunction with the two trunnion flanges, the container walls of the hollow space filled with the mixture.
In a fifth example embodiment, FIG. 5 shows a displacement roller in cross-section. The roller comprises a roller shell 1 and a cylindrical body 13 formed as a displacer which is arranged within the roller shell 1 and elastically supported on and fastened to the roller shell 1 by means of elastic support bodies 14. The roller shell 1 can be formed with peripheral thermal treatment channels, as in the first, second and third example embodiment. The hollow space formed by the annular gap between the roller shell 1 and the cylindrical body 13 is completely filled with the mixture 4, as in the fourth example embodiment.
FIG. 6 shows a roller in a sixth example embodiment which differs from the fifth example embodiment only in that the cylindrical body 15 is not a hollow cylinder but a solid cylinder.
FIG. 7 shows a roller in a seventh example embodiment, comprising a roller shell 1 and a hollow cylindrical body 16 arranged in the roller shell 1. The cylindrical body 16 is filled with the mixture 4, i.e. it forms its container wall on the peripheral side. The annular gap between the roller shell 1 and the cylindrical body 16 remains free and a thermal treatment fluid can for example flow through it, as is known from displacement rollers. The cylindrical body 16 is centrically arranged in the interior of the roller and rigidly fastened to the roller shell 1 by means of rigid spacers 17; it is preferably shrunk in.
Lastly, FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of a roller in an eighth example embodiment which differs from the roller in the seventh example embodiment only in that both the cylindrical body 16 and the annular gap remaining between the roller shell 1 and the cylindrical body 16 are each completely filled with the mixture 4. Instead of filling the same mixture 4 into each of the two hollow spaces, i.e. into the interior of the cylindrical body 16 and into the annular gap, the two hollow spaces can also be completely or partially filled with mixtures which differ from each other but which each correspond to the mixture 4 in terms of their type.
One or more equalizing chambers can be provided in the hollow spaces, filled with the mixture 4, of all the example embodiments, for example at least one chamber 5 and/or at least one chamber 7.
In the foregoing description, preferred embodiments of the invention have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principals of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
Patent Application
20080096747
