NL1039346C2 - Sliding block and attachment member. - Google Patents

Description

-1 -

SLIDING BLOCK AND ATTACHMENT MEMBER FIELD OF THE INVENTION

5 The invention relates to the field of the acceleration of material, in particular a stream of granular or particulate material, with the aid of centrifugal force, with, in particular, the aim of causing the accelerated grains or particles to collide with an impact member at such a velocity that they are crushed, but other possible applications are not excluded.

10 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A stream of particle material can be accelerated with the aid of centrifugal force. With this technique the material is fed onto the central part of the rotor that rotates rapidly about a vertical axis of rotation and is provided with accelerating members, which are positioned 15 on top of the rotor a distance away from the axis of rotation, hence the name open rotor, which accelerating members are known from US 4,174,814. The accelerating member comprises here a sliding block that is provided with a stub member that extends from the back face that fits an attachment member, such that the sliding block can firmly locked to the rotor, but has to be secured, with the known rotor with a lock pin that has to be 20 removed for exchange, securing with bolts is known from US 6,070,820. The sliding block, also called stub-shoe, is provided with a sliding face that stretches into the direction of the outer edge of the rotor for accelerating the particle material under influence of centrifugal force, then to be thrown around from the rotor at high velocity to collide with a stationary impact member that is positioned around the rotor, when the material is crushed. 25 Shoes have to be frequently exchanged because of wear, which requires labour and causes down time, taking into account that removal of the locking pin is not always easy. To limit costs, it is therefore very important that as many as possible tons of material can be accelerated with the rotor before the sliding blocks have to be exchanged, normally referred to as the service time of the rotor; which depends on: the wear resistance of the 30 wear material referred to as wear rate, the weight of the shoes which is limited to about 40 kg or about 90 lbs because of handling; the amount of wear material that can be effectively utilized referred to as the wear which is limited to some 30% to 35% because the known stub shoe presents only one sliding face for one way operation of the rotor, and a 1039346 -2- significant amount of construction material has to be applied for attachment means; and of course the number of shoes that can be installed on top of the rotor which depends on the minimum flow space that is required between the shoes for unhindered acceleration of the material along the sliding faces, and a significant part of this flow space is occupied by the 5 attachment members that are positioned behind the shoes, and the angled position of the shoes, about 30 to 35 degrees forward, necessary to limit the stress in the stub member.

This means that with the known shoe rotor from US 6,070,820 which is is widely applied in practice with a diameter typically of about 1000 mm and the stub shoes with a sliding face with a length typically of about 300 mm for processing of feed material with 10 about 80 mm diameter, the maximum number of shoes that can be effectively installed is normally limited to four.

More shoes can be installed when the shoes are made shorter, a solution for five shoe instalment is known from US 5,184.784, and the known rotor from US 6,070,820 (cited before) provides a configuration for six shoe instalment. But shorter shoes are positioned 15 further away form the axis of rotation which means that material is collected by the sliding face at higher velocity which can disturb particle traffic, and leaves a shorter sliding face for acceleration which means that a lower throw velocity is generated and that the throw angle becomes flatter, which reduces the impact intensity; the loss in throw velocity can be compensated for by increasing the rotational velocity, but this increases both the wear rate 20 and the energy consumption.

It is also possible to increase the diameter of the rotor, but this means that the shoes are positioned at greater radial distance from the axis of rotation because longer shoes is not a practical option, which leaves an open space between the inlet pipe and the shoes, which disturbs particle traffic; and requires a larger diameter housing when anvils are 25 applied for stationary impact.

Another disadvantage of the known shoe rotors is that damage to the attachment member cannot be avoided, which requires regular exchange of the attachment members; actually with the known shoe rotor from US 6,070,820, which is widely used in practice, attachment members are fixedly attached to a rotor table that has to to exchanged 30 completely when only one attachment member is damaged, which is a costly and time-consuming affair.

Another approach is symmetrical accelerating members that provide two sliding faces for two way operation of the rotor, which are known with very simple design from US

-3- 3,76,127, and with extremely complicated design from US 5,497,951. Problem with these known rotors is that the practical weight of the symmetrical sliding blocks is also here limited to some 40 kg, and that only four blocks can be installed effectively, which means that rotor service time is hardly affected, if at all.

5 WO 2010/008273, which is name of applicant reveals a very simple symmetrical V- shaped impact block provided with two sliding faces, which block is pivotly attached to the rotor only along the bottom side of the sliding block, also called pivot shoe, such that the attachment member does not occupy space between the acceleration members, and cannot become damaged; which leaves ample room between the sliding blocks to install up to six 10 sliding blocks of about 40 kg with about 300 mm long sliding face - or about 240 kg -increasing service time with more than 50% because the two sliding faces provide higher wear ratio, up to 40%; but still some 5 kg, or some 12.5% of the construction wear material, is required for attachment and adds to the throw away material.

15 AIM OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is, therefore, to provide an open rotor that is provided with accelerating members that do not have the disadvantages listed before, or at least displays these to a lesser extent; more specific, the principle aim is to provide a sliding block of 20 very simple design that requires limited volume for attachment arrangement increasing wear ratio, presents very easy exchange limiting downtime, and enables to install more sliding blocks on the rotor, increasing service time accordingly;

Another aim of the invention is to provide a symmetrical acceleration member for attachment of two sliding block members, suitable for two-way operation; 25 Another aim of the invention is to provide a sliding block that can be used in either way of rotation;

Another aim of the invention is to provide an attachment member that is better protected to damage, increasing lifetime;

Another aim of the invention is to provide an attachment member that can be easily 30 and separately exchanged, limiting downtime;

Another aim of the invention is to provide an attachment member that can be manufactured as a casted member, lowering manufacturing costs;

Another aim of the invention is to provide a very simple rotor assembly that requires -4- limited means for attachment and securing of the different parts, including accessory parts, limiting manufacturing costs and downtime;

Another aim of the invention is to limit the weight of the rotor assembly by utilization of lightweight construction materials for certain parts of the rotor that are not in contact 5 with particle material, compensating for the weight of the additional sliding blocks, such that the rotor according the invention can be exchanged for known rotors, requiring no strengthening of the shaft member.

BRIEF SUMMARY

10

This Brief Summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts relating to the aim of the invention, which is further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

15 The aim of the invention is achieved with a rotor provided with an accelerating member that is carried by the rotor (at a location a distance away from the axis of rotation, which accelerating member comprises at least one sliding block member and an attachment member for attaching the sliding block member to the rotor such that the sliding block member can be exchanged; which sliding block member is provided with two open 20 centrifugal locking chambers which stretch essentially parallel to each other, open from the backside into the direction of the sliding face, respectively open along the bottom side and open along the upper side; which attachment member is provided with two centrifugal locking plates which stretch essentially parallel to each other from the standing support side into the direction of rotation, which locking plates fit the locking chambers when the 25 sliding block member is attached to the attachment member; such that the sliding block member, is centrifugally locked to the attachment member when the sliding block member is positioned between the locking plates when the rotor rotates, avoiding the need for any separate attachment means;

The invention is further described in the description and the claims, to which 30 reference is made.

It is clear that many different configurations and embodiments based on the invention can be can be implemented; for example, the preferred configuration allows for the symmetrical acceleration members that carry two sliding blocks, but the invention allows -5- also for a non-symmetrical configuration for attachment of one sliding block; and the invention allows also for rotors of different diameter and sliding blocks with different weight, different length of the sliding face and different configuration as indicated in the description, and so on; 5 So allows the invention to double the number of sliding blocks that can be installed on the rotor, that is, sliding blocks with about similar length sliding face, leaving sufficient space between the sliding blocks for unhindered passage of the material For example, a 1000 mm diameter rotor can be provided with eight 40 kg, or some 90 lbs, sliding blocks with 300 mm long sliding face, providing some 320 kg of wear material - versus 160 kg 10 with the known shoe rotors that can carry stub shoes. In a similar way can a known configuration with five stub shoes be replaced with a rotor with 10 sliding blocks according the invention, and a rotor with six stub shoes, with 12 sliding block members;

The rotor can according to invention be designed for one way and two-way operation;

The attachment members can according to the invention be configured symmetrically 15 to the radial plane from the axis of rotation for two-way operation, possibly with sliding blocks that are symmetrical to the horizontal plane suitable for either way rotation;

It is preferred that the sliding block along the inner side that faces the axis of rotation, is provided with a concave face, a technique known form WO 2010/005287, which is in name of applicant; 20 It is preferred that the inner lid lining of the crusher housing is positioned as close as possible to the rotor, exploiting the advantages of low lid positioning;

The sliding block according the invention is a casted member of at least an iron based alloy;

The attachment members can according to the invention be manufactured as casted 25 members of at least an iron- based alloy;

Both the sliding blocks and the acceleration members can according to the invention be provided with ceramic inserts or inserts - or otherwise included - of other kind of wear resistant materials;

Both the sliding blocks and the acceleration members can according to the invention 30 be provided with pockets and cavities;

The parts of the rotor assembly, including accessory parts, can according the invention be attached and centrifugally locked to each other with the aid of the sliding block, avoiding the need of any separate attachment and locking means, which means that -6- the rotor parts and accessory parts can be lifted once the sliding block is removed, limiting the attachment means to one attachment member for attachment of the rotor to the shaft member;

Certain non-exposed parts of the rotor assembly can according to the invention be of 5 lightweight construction material, for example aluminium and composite.

It is preferred that the inner lid lining of the crusher housing is positioned as close as possible to the rotor, exploiting the advantages of low lid positioning;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

10

For better understanding, the aims, characteristics and advantages of the device of the invention, which have been discussed, and other aims, characteristics and advantages of the device of the invention, are explained in the following detailed description of the device of the invention in relation to accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

15

Figure 1, shows, diagrammatically, a front 3D view of the known shoe, prior art;

Figure 2, shows, diagrammatically, a back 3D view of the known shoe, prior art;

Figure 3, shows, diagrammatically, a top view of a first embodiment of the known open shoe rotor, prior art, provided with four shoes; 20 Figure 4, shows, diagrammatically, a top view of a second embodiment of the known open shoe rotor, prior art, provided with five shoes, prior art;

Figure 5, shows, diagrammatically, a top view of a third embodiment of the known open shoe rotor, prior art, provided with six shoes;

Figure 6, shows, diagrammatically, a 3D view of a first basic embodiment of the 25 rotor, provided with a first embodiment of a symmetrical attachment acceleration members according the invention;

Figure 7, shows, diagrammatically, a top view of the rotor, according to figure 6;

Figure 8, shows, diagrammatically, a 3D view of the rotor, according to figure 6, provided with one sliding block member; 30 Figure 9, shows, diagrammatically, a first 3D view of a first embodiment of the sliding block member according the invention, from figure 6;

Figure 10, shows, diagrammatically, a second 3D view of a first embodiment of the sliding block member according the invention, from figure 6; -7-

Figure 11, shows, diagrammatically, a third 3D view of a first embodiment of the sliding block member according the invention, from figure 6; 5 Figure 12, shows, diagrammatically, a top view of a second basic embodiment of the rotor, provided with a second embodiment of a symmetrical attachment acceleration members according the invention;

Figure 13, shows, diagrammatically, 3D view of a second embodiment of the sliding block member according the invention, from figure 12; 10 Figure 14, shows, diagrammatically, a 3D view of a second embodiment of the attachment member according the invention, according to figure 12;

Figure 15, shows, diagrammatically, a side view of a first embodiment of a rotor assembly according the invention;

Figure 16, shows, diagrammatically, a side view of the feed plate, according figure 15 15;

Figure 17, shows, diagrammatically, a side view of a circular central locking disk, according figure 15;

Figure 18, shows, diagrammatically, a side view of a lock ring member, according figure 15; 20 Figure 19, shows, diagrammatically, a side view of an attachment member, according figure 15;

Figure 20, shows, diagrammatically, a side view of an outer border cover member, according figure 15;

Figure 21, shows, diagrammatically, a side view of a rotor member, according figure 25 15;

Figure 22, shows, diagrammatically, a 3D view of the the rotor, according to figure 15;

Figure 23, shows, diagrammatically, a 3D view of part of the rotor assembly, according to figure 15; 30 Figure 24, shows, diagrammatically, a 3D view of a third embodiment of the attachment member, according to figure 15;

Figure 25, shows, diagrammatically, a 3D view of an outer border cover member, according to figure 15; -8-

Figure 26, shows, diagrammatically, a top view of a configuration of the rotor according the invention provided with a third embodiment of the sliding block member according the invention.

5 BEST WAY OF IMPLEMENTING THE DEVICE OF THE INVENTION

A detailed reference to the preferred embodiments of the invention is given below. Examples thereof are shown in the appended drawings. Although the invention will be described together with the preferred embodiments, it must be clear that the embodiments 10 described are not intended to restrict the invention to those specific embodiments. On the contrary, the intention of the invention is to comprise alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which fit within the nature and scope of the invention as defined by appended claims.

15 Prior art

Figures 1 to 5, show, diagrammatically, an embodiment (1) of shoe rotor (3) of prior art provided with so-called shoes (2) for acceleration of the particle material. Figure 1, shows a front view of the known shoe (2) provided with a sliding face (4), and figure 2, 20 shows the back view of the known shoe (2) provided with an attachment stub (5) along the back side (26). Figure 3, shows the known rotor (2) that is provided with bracket holders (6) that are carried by the shoe rotor (3) for attachment of the shoe (2) to the shoe rotor (3) with the aid of the attachment stub (5); the shoe (2) and the bracket holder (6) creating an acceleration member (7). Centrifugal force generates very high stresses in the shoe (2) -25 weighing normally some 40 kg - and in the attachment stub (5) in particular. To limit stress in the attachment stub (5), such that the shoe (2) does not break away from the bracket holder (6), it is necessary to position the shoe (2) with the sliding face (4) into a forward position such that the radial line (00) from the axis of rotation (0) with on it the point of gravity (8) of the shoe (2) is as close as possible to the bracket holder (6), 30 preferably so that this radial line (00) crosses the bracket holder (6) when torsion is completely avoided. Such crossing can normally not be attained, because forward position is normally limited to maximum 30 to 35 degrees for practical reasons, forward position is here about 28 degrees. The bracket holder (6) is positioned behind the shoe (2) where it -9- occupies considerable space, limiting the free space (9) between the accelerating members (7) necessary for free flow (10) of the material that is metered onto the centre space (11) of the shoe rotor (3) towards and along the sliding faces (4).

This means that stress in the attachment stub (5) cannot be completely avoided which 5 requires a robust design at the expense of certain weight - weight that cannot be used as wear material for sliding and remains to be thrown away - and makes strong mechanical locking of the shoe (2) to the bracket holder (6) necessary, for with the attachment stub (5) is provided with a locking pin (25) that has to be removed for exchange, which can cause severe problems because the locking pin (25) can get stuck and is then very difficult to 10 remove. Furthermore is the number of shoes (2) that can be installed on the known shoe rotor (3) normally limited to four, such that ample free space (9) remains between the accelerating members (7) for unhindered free flow (10) of the particle material. With the known shoe rotor (3), rotor diameter is typically about 1000 mm and length of the sliding face (4) typically 300mm, leaving a minimum free flow width (12) between the 15 accelerating members (7) of some 260 mm when four shoes (2) are installed. Installing more shoes (2) is not practical when coarser - 60 mm to 100 mm particle diameter - feed material is processed. As can be seen from figure 4, which shows a second embodiment (13) of the shoe rotor (14) with five shoes (2) instalment that limits the free flow space (15) because free flow width (16) is reduced to some 220 mm, whilst a narrowing flow channel 20 (17) is created that hinders free flow (15). Figure 5, shows a third embodiment (19) of the known shoe rotor (20) with six shoe (2) instalment that reduces free flow space (21) to some 180 mm free flow width (22), but the biggest problem is the narrowing flow channel (23) that is created, to such extend that severe hindrance of free flow (24) can be expected, and complete blockage of the free flow (24) is likely to occur.

25 This means, that when 60 to 100 mm feed material is processed, which is normally the case, the number of shoes (2) that can be installed on the known shoe rotor (3) is limited to four for practical reasons, and that more shoes (2) can be installed only when the diameter of the shoe rotor (2) is significantly increased; that is significant larger tan 1000 mm.

30

Overview

Figures 6 to 8, show a first basic embodiment (27) of a rotor (28) provided with a - 10- first embodiment (29) of an accelerating member (30) according to the invention comprising a symmetrical attachment member (32) according to the invention, provided with two sliding block members (33)(34) along each side, involving a first embodiment (35) of the sliding block member (33)(34) according the invention, detailed in figures 9 to 5 11, and a first embodiment (31) of the attachment member (32) according the invention.

The invention allows also for non-symmetric centrifugal accelerating members (not shown here), to be provided with one sliding block member for one-way operation.

The rotor (28) is of open type, is carried by a shaft member (38), and is here rotatable about an essentially vertically directed axis of rotation (0) in both directions (39). Material 10 is metered on to the rotor (27) at a location near the axis of rotation (0), with the aid of a feed pipe (30) of which the feed opening 0 is positioned centrally above the rotor (27), which material is then picked up by the sliding block members (33)(34).

The accelerating members (30) are carried by the rotor (28) at locations a distance away from the axis of rotation (0), in such way that both the sliding block member (33)(34) 15 and the attachment member (32) can be separately exchanged.

The sliding block member (33)(34) is here essentially of rectangular shape, provided with: a sliding face (40) that faces the direction of rotation (39) with a that stretches outwards into the direction of the outer edge (41) of the rotor (28) and forwards angled into the direction of rotation (39) for accelerating of the material under influence of centrifugal 20 force; an inner side (42) that faces the axis of rotation (0) provided with a vertical concave face (40) such that metered material that is picked up by the sliding block member (33)(34) is directed (44)(45) towards the centre (46) of the sliding face (40); a back side (47) opposite of the sliding face (34) that stretches also outwards into the direction of the outer edge (41) of the rotor (28) and forwards angled into the direction of rotation (39), 25 essentially parallel to the sliding face (40); a bottom side (48) that stretches along the top side (49) of the rotor (28); and a upper side (50) opposite of the bottom side (48) that stretches essentially parallel to the bottom side (48).

The attachment member (32) is here of one part, provided with a standing support member (51), symmetrical to the radial plane (52) from the axis of rotation (0), stretching 30 between the two sliding block members (33)(34) into the direction of the outer edge (35) of the rotor (27), and along each side (53)(54) provided with a standing support side (55) each stretching into the direction of the outer edge (41) of the rotor (28) angled into the direction -11 - of rotation (39), which support side (55) stretches along part (56) of the back side (47) of the sliding block member (33).

The support member (51) is here along each side also provided with a standing inward pressure face (57) and two centrifugal locking plates (58)(59); which inward 5 pressure face (57) stretches here concave in vertical direction along the inner side (60) of the support member (51) that is directed towards the axis of rotation (0) essentially perpendicular (61) to the radial plane (52) from the axis of rotation (0); which two centrifugal locking plates (58)(59) stretch essential parallel to each other from the standing support side (55) into the direction of rotation (39), a lower centrifugal locking plate (58) 10 that stretches along the top site (49) of the rotor (28), and an upper centrifugal locking plate (59) that stretches parallel above the bottom centrifugal locking plate (58).

The locking plates (58)(59) are each surrounded by three standing borders (62)(63)(64), with the inward standing border (62) that faces the axis of rotation (0) here stretching from the standing support side (55) into the direction of rotation (39) along a 15 circle (65) around the axis of rotation (0).

The sliding block member (33) is provided with centrifugal locking chambers (66)(67) and a standing outward pressure face (68); which locking chambers (66)(67) stretch essentially parallel to each other open from the backside (47) into the direction of the sliding face (40), respectively open along the bottom side (48) and open along the 20 upper side (50); that is, a bottom centrifugal locking chamber (66) that stretches along the bottom side (48), and an upper centrifugal locking chamber (67) stretching along the upper side (50); which standing outward pressure face (68) is directed towards the outer edge (41) of the rotor (28) and mirrors the inward pressure face (57).

The locking chambers (66)(67) are here each surrounded by three standing edges 25 (69)(70)(71), with the outward standing edge (69) positioned closest to the axis of rotation (0) stretching from the standing support side (55) into the direction of rotation (39) along a circle (129) around the axis of rotation (0).

The bottom locking chamber (66) is configured such that is fits the lower locking plate (42), and the upper locking chamber (67) such that is fits the upper locking plate (59) 30 with the standing inner border (62) facing the standing outer border (69); such that at least part of the back side (47) of the sliding block member (33) stretches along the support side (55); such that the top site (72) of the upper centrifugal locking plate (59) stretches here along the plane with on it the upper site (50) of the sliding block member (33); and the - 12- outward pressure face (68) is configured such that it fits the inward pressure face (59); positioned such that the radial plane (74) from the axis of rotation (0) with on it the point of gravity (75) of the sliding block member (33) crosses the lower (58) and the upper (59) locking plates; when the sliding block (33) is positioned between the locking plates 5 (58)(59).

The sliding block member (33) is here symmetrical to the horizontal plane (76) from the axis of rotation (0), such that the sliding block member (33)(34) can be used along both sides of the attachment member (32).

The invention allows for the attachment member (32) to be provided with a separate 10 lower lock plate member (not shown here) that is carried by the rotor (28), independent of the support member (51).

Positioning of the sliding block member (33) between the locking plates (58)(59) requires only that the sliding block member (33) has to be moved sideways (77) towards the support side (55); that is, in front (78) along the standing outer edge (79) of feed plate 15 (80), which means that a feed plate (80) does not have not to be removed to exchange the sliding block members (33).

The configuration provided with the first embodiment (35) of sliding block member (33)(34) and with the first embodiment (36) of the attachment member (32), achieves that the sliding block members (33)(34) are centrifugally locked to the attachment member (32) 20 when the rotor (28) rotates; that is, with the outward pressure face (68) firmly pressed against the inward pressure face (57) hindering outward upward movement of the sliding block member (33), that is, into the direction of the outer edge (41) of the rotor (28); the concavity of the inward pressure face (57) hinders upward movement of the sliding block member (33), such that most stresses are distributed directly to the support member (51); 25 with the locking plates (58)(59) only hindering sideward movement of the sliding block member (33) generating only limited stresses in the locking plates (58)()59, because the sliding block member (33) can essentially not move along the common joint (81) between the outward standing edge (69) of the sliding block member (33) and the inward standing border (62) of the attachment member (32), when the rotor (28) rotates, because this 30 common joint (81) stretches along the circle (65) around the axis of rotation (0), which means that sliding block member (33) is on its own centrifugally locked to the attachment member (32) when the rotor (28) rotates, avoiding the need for any additional or separate attachment arrangements and securing means, and makes exchange of the sliding block -13 - members (33)(34) very easy, limiting downtime.

As can be seen from figure 6, the sliding block member (37) wears out from the original sliding face (83) gradually inward, typically creating a curved concave sliding face (84) or wear pattern between the centrifugal locking plates (58)(59); without reaching and 5 damaging the centrifugal locking plates (58)(59), that is, when the operation is stopped before the curved sliding face (84) reaches (85) the standing support side (55). The working distance (86) between the centrifugal locking plates (58)(59) has of coarse to be taken sufficient for the curved concave wear pattern (84) to develop this way, but the total height of the sliding face (40) does normally not have to be taken larger that the sliding 10 face (4) of the known shoes (3). The sliding block member (33)(37) according to the invention makes it therefore possible to utilize a large amount of the expensive wear resistant construction material of the sliding block member (33)(37), attaining a high wear ratio because virtually no wear material is lost for attachment arrangement, like the stub (5) of the known shoes from figure 2, for centrifugal locking of the sliding block member (33) 15 to the attachment member (32).

The symmetrical attachment members (32) is very well protected by the sliding block members (33)(34), and can essentially only become damaged by strayed particle material along the top side (72) of the upper lock plate (59), where wear is normally limited, and can be largely avoided by positioning the inner lid lining member (not shown here) very 20 close to the top side (72) of the sliding block member (59), which allows for very long service time of the attachment member (32), however, wear along the standing support side (55) has to be avoided; but when the standing support side (55) becomes damaged exchange of the symmetrical attachment member (32) is easy and can be performed separately. Following the wear pattern (84), the thickness (87) of the centrifugal locking 25 plates (58)(59) increases here into the direction of standing support side (55), such that the working distance (86) between the locking plates (58)(58) increases into the direction of rotation (39), providing extra protection, optimal stress distribution, and easy, unhindered, exchange of the sliding block member (33).

Figure 12 shows a second basis embodiment (88) of a rotor (89), provided with a 30 second embodiment (90) of an accelerating member (91) according the invention, which comprises a second embodiment (92) of a sliding block member (93) according the invention, detailed in figures 13, and a second embodiment (94) of an attachment member (95) according the invention, detailed in figure 14. The second embodiment (90) of the - 14- accelerating member (91) is essentially similar to the first embodiment (29) of the accelerating member (30), but differs in that here the accelerating member (91) not is provided with the inward pressure face (57) an outward pressure face (68) of the first embodiment (29), which means that here the sliding block member (93) is centrifugally 5 locked to the attachment member (95) only with the aid of the locking plates (96)(97), where the outward standing edges (98)(99) of the locking chambers (100)(101) are firmly pressed against the inward standing borders (102)(103) of the locking plates (96)(97), which have to keep the sliding block members (93) in place, generating very high stresses in the locking plates (96)(97), which have to be distributed to the support member (106), 10 which requires more massive locking plates (96)(97); but avoids also here the need for any additional or separate attachment and securing means. Furthermore, the inward standing border (102)(103) stretches from the support side (109) along a straight plane (108) somewhat angled into a direction closer to axis of rotation (0). This means that when the sliding block member (93) has to be taken out, it has to be moved sideways (110) slightly 15 into the direction of the axis of rotation (0), which means that the feed plate (111) has to be removed to exchange the sliding block members (93), when the feed plate (111) is provided with a standing outer border (112), which is normally the case; which standing outer border (112) provides additional mechanical locking, in that the sliding block member (93) cannot be move sideways when the feed plate (111) is in place, though this 20 additional locking is not necessary.

Figure 15 shows a first embodiment (113) of a rotor assembly (114) according the invention, which rotor assembly (113) comprises a rotor member (115) and supporting parts (116)(117), detailed in figures 17 and 8, and accessory parts (118)(119)(120), detailed in figures, 16,19 and 20, such that all parts (116)(117)(118)(119)(120) are locked 25 to the rotor member (115) only with the aid of the pressure that the sliding block member (121) exerts on the top side (122) of the rotor assembly (114), avoiding the need of any separate attachment and locking means, which means that the supporting parts (116)(117) and accessory parts (118)(119)(120) can be lifted from the rotor member (114) once the sliding block member (121) is removed, limiting the attachment means to one bolt member 30 (122) for attachment of the rotor assembly (114) to the shaft member (123).

The rotor member (115), detailed in figures 21 and 22, is of very simple design and easy to manufacture; provided with a circular central space (124) that at the axis of rotation (0) is provided with the bolt member (122) for attachment of the rotor member (115) to the - 15- shaft member (123) such that the rotor member (115) is rotatable in both directions of rotation (125), and is provided with an open lock groove (126) that extends from the standing outer side (127) of the central space (124) into the direction of the outer edge (128) of the rotor member (115), and is here provided with drain openings (129) such that 5 water and dust can be easily removed; and the rotor member (115) is provided with a standing upward lock groove (130) which is open along the top side (131) and stretches along the standing outer border (132) of the rotor member (115).

An outer border cover member (133), an accessory member detailed in figures 20 and 25, protects the outer standing outer border (132) of the rotor member (115) and is 10 along the back side (134) provided with two hook members (135)(136) that stretch respectively in vertical direction downward (135) and upward (136), such that the downward hook member (135) fits the upward lock groove (130), such that the outer border cover members (133) can be positioned next to each other stretching along the outer standing border (132) of the rotor member (115); 15 A lock ring member (132), a supporting part detailed in figure 18 and 23, stretches along the outer edge (128) of the rotor member (115), and is along the bottom side (140) provided with a downward open lock groove (141) that fits the upward hook member of the outer border cover (133), such that lock ring member (132) can be positioned around the outer edge (128) the rotor member (115) with the upward hook member (136) sliding 20 into the downward lock groove (141), locking the outer border cover member (133) to the rotor member (115).

The attachment member (142), detailed in figures 23 and 24, is along the bottom side (143) provided with a hook member (144) that is radially directed towards the outer border (132) of the rotor member (115), such that it fits the lock groove (126) in the central 25 space (124) of the rotor member (115), such that the hook member (144) is centrifugally locked to the rotating rotor member (115) when the rotor member (115) rotates, and can be easily and separately exchanged in case of damage, and the attachment member (142) can be manufactured as a casted part, which makes the configuration very efficient and low cost.

30 A circular central locking disk (145), a supporting member detailed in figure 17, that fits between the inner edges (146) of the hook members (144) of the attachment members (142), is positioned in the central space (124), locking the attachment members (142), such that the attachment members (142) cannot move inward; and the hook member (144) is -16- along the bottom side (142) provided with a notch member (146) that fits an open notch chamber (147) in the top side (148) of the rotor member (115), such that sideward movement of the attachment member is also hindered.

An upper cover member (149), an accessory part indicated in figure 15, is here of 5 one part to be placed on top (150) of the rotor assembly (115), which upper cover member (149) is provided with assembly openings (151) that surround the attachment members (142), such that the upper cover member can be positioned round the attachment members (142), for easy exchange. The invention allows for the upper cover member (149) to be of more than one part.

10 A feed plate (152), detailed in figure 16, is positioned centrally on top (153) of the central locking disk (145) surrounded by the upper cover member (149);

The sliding block members (121) hinder, when positioned between the locking plates (154)(155), hinder the supporting parts and the accessory parts of the rotor assembly (114) to move in upward direction, locking all parts (116)(117)(118)(119)(120) firmly to the 15 rotating rotor member (115), avoiding the need for any separate locking and securing means.

Figure 26, shows another configuration of the rotor (162) according the invention, provided with a third embodiment (163) of the sliding block member (164) according the invention. The sliding block member (164) is here provided with a concave curved sliding 20 face (165) which slows down the velocity at which the particle material slides (166) along the curved sliding face (165), decreasing the wear rate along the sliding face (165), which means that the service time of the sliding block member (164) increases accordingly. The curvature (167) of the sliding face (165) stretches here in continuous way between two angles, a starting angle (168) at the beginning (169) of the curved sliding face (165) and a 25 leaving angle (170) at the end (171) of the curved sliding face (165), which angles (169)(170) decide the wear rate that develops along the curved sliding face (165). A typical curvature (167) can stretch between a starting angle (168) of 10 degrees and a leaving angle (170) of 20 degrees; but the invention allows for other combinations. The sliding face (172) is at the end location (173) more radial directed to limit concentration of wear at 30 this location (173).

The rotor assembly (114) according to the invention provided with the accelerating members (156) according the invention is of very simple design and presents many -17- interesting features and advantages over the known shoe rotor (3).

When the rotor assembly (114) is provided with four accelerating members (156), eight sliding block members (121) can be installed, which means, with typical 40 kg blocks, that some 320 kg of wear material can be effectively utilized, versus 160 kg with 5 the known shoe rotor (3), which means that service time is more than doubled, taken into account that sliding block members (121) provide a significant higher wear ratio than the known shoes (2), because virtually no wear material is lost for attachment means such as attachment stub (5), leaving significant less throw-away material.

The rotor member (115) is very simple and requires limited mass and is therefore 10 low-weight; the lock ring member (132) and the central locking disk (145) are not exposed to particle material, and can therefore be made of a lightweight construction material, such as aluminium and, preferably, of plastic composites including thermoplastic composites and the like; the support member (51) can be provided with an open chamber (not shown here) to save further on weight; enabling the construction of a low-weight rotor assembly 15 (115) according to the invention, such the rotor assembly (115) provided with eight or four extra sliding block members (121), can be carried by the shaft member (not shown here) of the known rotors (3) with four shoes (2), making the rotor assembly (114) according the invention suitable for retrofit with existing shoe rotors (3).

Instalment of eight sliding block members (33)(34) leaves ample free flow space 20 (159) between the accelerating members (30), that is, with a 1000mm diameter rotor (28) a free flow width (160) of more than 220 mm and, very important, provides a widening flow channel (161), hence a free flow space (159) that does not get blocked and is suited to process feed material with diameters up to at least 100mm, at capacity of 300 t/hr and more; similar to the known shoe rotor (3) with four shoes (2).

25 Exchange of the centrifugally locked sliding block members (33)(34) according the invention is so easy that exchange of the eight sliding blocks members (33)(34) does not take more, most probably significantly less, time for exchange than four known shoes (2).

The attachment members (32)(142) become normally only damaged when the sliding block members (32) wear through (85), and are much better protected for wear than the 30 bracket holders (6) of the known shoe rotor (3), which are completely exposed and present limited service time and have to be frequently exchanged.

The attachment members (142) can be centrifugally locked for very easy and separate exchange in case of damage, where with the known shoe rotor (3), all bracket holders (6) - 18- have to be exchanged when one wears through, which is time consuming and costly affair, and the attachment members (33) according the invention can be made as a cast item.

The rotor assembly (114) is extremely simple and therefore low cost to manufacture; the rotor assembly (114) requires only limited parts, and can be designed in such way that 5 all parts are centrifugally locked or clamped, avoiding the need for any mechanical connections like bolts or welding, that is, that essentially only one bolt (122) is required for attachment of the rotor member (115) to the shaft member (123).

Another advantage with the accelerating member (30)(156) is that strong forward direction of the sliding faces (44), necessary with the skidding faces (4) known shoe rotor 10 (3), is avoided; with the sliding block members (33) according to the invention the sliding faces (40) are more radially directed, which radial direction is essentially maintained when the sliding face (40) wears off, and provides a large and constant throw angle, which constancy is more difficult to attain with the known shoe rotors (3).

The standing support member (51) provides ample space to install a protection 15 warning system that the sliding block member (33) is about to wear through.

From the above discussion it is clear that the rotor (28) and rotor assembly (114) according the invention can be implemented with other embodiments - and embodiments derived there from. For example, the accelerating member (30) according to the invention 20 can be provided with one sliding block (not shown here) for one-way operation. The attachment member (32) can be of two parts or more, for example, a separate lower centrifugal locking plate (not shown here) can be carried by the rotor (28); that is, separately from the standing support member (51). The attachment members (32) do not have to be centrifugally locked, and can according the invention be connected to the rotor 25 (28) in different way, otherwise clamped, bolded and welded, and be part of an upper rotor table (not shown here). With casted parts it is possible to provide the sliding block member with a back-side that is convex in vertical direction such that the wear pattern is enclosed, and the support side that stretches along the back side convex such that it fits the concave back side, saving on wear material. The sliding face of the sliding face can stretch in 30 vertical direction along a concave plane, such that acceleration of the particles is slowed down, increasing service time of the sliding block member.

Therefore, the above descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been given with a view to illustrative and descriptive purposes. They are not intended - 19- to be an exhaustive list or to restrict the invention to the precise forms given, and having due regard for the above explanation, many modifications and variations are, of course, possible. The embodiments have been selected and described in order to describe the principles of the invention and the practical application possibilities thereof in the best 5 possible way in order thus to enable others skilled in the art to make use in an optimum manner of the invention and the diverse embodiments with the various modifications suitable for the specific intended use. The intention is that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims according to reading and interpretation in accordance with generally accepted legal principles, such as the principle of equivalents and the revision of 10 components.

15 20 25 30 1039346

Claims (6)

Method for accelerating partial material, comprising: - an open type of rotor (28) consisting of at least a part and being supported by a shaft member (38) and rotatable in at least one direction around a substantially vertical axis of rotation ( 0) in at least one direction of rotation (39), which material is dosed on the rotor 928) at a location near the axis of rotation (0); - at least one accelerator member (30) carried by the rotor (28) at a location spaced from the axis of rotation (0), said accelerator member (30) comprising at least one guide block member (33) and a fastener member (32) for attaching the guide block member (33) to the rotor (28) such that the guide block member (33) can be exchanged; - which guide block member (33) is formed from at least one iron-based alloy, and is provided with a guide surface (40) which extends in the direction of the outer edge (41) of the rotor (28) and forwards in the direction of rotation (39), for accelerating the material under the influence of centrifugal force, a rear side (47) which extends essentially parallel to the guide surface (40), a lower side (48) which extends along the upper side (49) of the rotor (28), an upper side (50) essentially parallel to the lower side (48); 20. which fixing member (32) consists of at least a part and is provided with at least one standing support side (55) which extends along at least a part of the rear side (47); characterized in that: - The guide block member (33) is provided with two open centrifugal locking chambers (66) (67) which extend substantially parallel to each other, open from the rear (47) in the direction of the guide surface (40), respectively open at the bottom (48) and open at the top (50); 30. the fastener (32) is provided with two centrifugal locking plates (58) (59) extending substantially parallel to each other from the standing support side (55) in the direction of rotation (39), which locking plates (58) (59) fit into the locking chambers (66) (67) when the guide block member (33) is attached to the mounting member (32); Such that the guide block member (33) is centrifugally secured to the mounting member (32) as the rotor (28) rotates, making any individual mounting means unnecessary; Device for accelerating partial material according to claim 1, comprising: - an open type of rotor (28) consisting of at least a part and being supported by a shaft member (38) and rotatable in at least one direction about a substantially vertical axis of rotation (0) in at least one direction of rotation (39), which material is dosed on the rotor 928 at a location near the axis of rotation (0); - at least one accelerator member (30) carried by the rotor (28) at a location spaced from the axis of rotation (0), said accelerator member (30) comprising at least one guide block member (33) and an attachment member (32) for attaching the guide block member (33) to the rotor (28) such that the guide block member (33) can be exchanged; - which guide block member (33) is formed from at least one iron-based alloy, and is provided with a guide surface (40) that extends in the direction of the outer edge (41) of the rotor (28) and forwards in the direction of rotation (39), for accelerating the material under the influence of centrifugal force, a rear side (47) that extends essentially parallel to the guide surface (40), a bottom side (48) that extends along the top side (49) of the rotor (28), an upper side (50) essentially parallel to the lower side (48); - which fixing member (32) consists of at least a part and is provided with at least one standing support side (55) which extends along at least a part of the rear side (47); characterized in that: - the guide block member (33) is provided with two open centrifugal locking chambers 30 (66) (67) which extend essentially parallel to each other, open from the rear (47) in the direction of the guide surface (40), respectively open at the bottom (48) and open at the top (50); - the fixing member (32) is provided with two centrifugal locking plates (58) (59) -22- which extend essentially parallel to each other from the standing support side (55) in the direction of rotation (39), which locking plates (58) ( 59) are surrounded by three upright edges (62) (63) (64), with the inward upright edge (62) facing the axis of rotation (0) extending from the support side (44) in the direction of rotation (39) the circle (65) around the axis of rotation (0) or in a direction closer to the axis of rotation (0). - such that the locking plates (58) (59) fit into the locking chambers (66) (67) when the guide block member is placed between the locking plates (58) (59) such that the radial plane (74) from the axis of rotation (0) with the center of gravity (75) of the guide block member (33) intersecting the locking plates (66) (67) such that the guide block member (33) is centrifugally secured to the attachment member (32) when the rotor (28) rotates, and some individual fasteners are unnecessary; 3. Device for accelerating partial material according to claim 2, wherein the accelerator (28) is symmetrical with respect to the radial plane (52) from the axis of rotation (0) and comprises two guide block members (33) (34) and an attachment member (32 arranged between the guide block members (33) (34) for accelerating the material in both directions of rotation (39); 4. Device for accelerating partial material according to claim 2, wherein the guide block member (33) (34) is symmetrical with respect to the horizontal plane (76) such that the same guide block member (33) (34) can be used in both directions of rotation ; 5. Device for accelerating partial material according to claim 2, wherein the fastening member (142) is provided along the underside (143) with a hook member (144) that is radially directed towards the outer edge (128) of the rotor member (115) such that the hook member (144) fits into a locking edge (126) in the rotor member (115), such that the fastener (142) is centrifugally locked and can be exchanged, and some individual fasteners are unnecessary; 30 Device for accelerating partial material according to claim 2, wherein: - the fastening member (32) is provided with a standing support member (51) which is provided with a standing support side (55) and is provided with at least one standing inside the face (57) facing the axis of rotation (0) being essentially perpendicular (61) to the radial plane (55) from the axis of rotation (0); - the guide block member (33) is provided with at least one outward pressure surface (68) that faces the outer edge (41) of the rotor (28) and fits into the inland pressure surface (57); - such that the outward pressure surface (68) is firmly pressed against the inland pressure surface (57) as the rotor rotates. 10 15 20 25 30