WO2024110011A1 - Sealing head of a roller assembly, roller assembly, and method for operating a roller assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing head (2) of a roller assembly (100) with a roller (1) for handling nonwoven, textile, plastic or paper product webs, comprising a rotating sealing head rotor (20) that can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the roller (1) and comprising a vertical sealing head stator (21) that is mounted to be freely rotatable relative to the sealing head rotor (20) via a sealing head main bearing (3) having an outer ring (13). According to the invention, the sealing head main bearing (3), in particular the outer ring (13) of the sealing head main bearing (3), is mounted relative to the sealing head stator (21) via at least one additionally arranged sealing head additional bearing (4).

Description

Sealing head of a roller arrangement, roller arrangement and method for operating a roller arrangement

The invention relates to a sealing head of a roller arrangement with a roller for treating nonwoven, textile, plastic or paper webs, wherein the sealing head has a sealing head rotor that can be connected to the roller in a rotationally fixed manner and is rotatable and a stationary sealing head that is freely rotatably mounted relative to the sealing head motor via a sealing head main bearing having an outer ring.

stator. The invention further relates to a roller arrangement with a roller, in particular a fluid-conducting roller for treating nonwoven, textile, plastic or paper product webs. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a roller arrangement.

Fluid-carrying rollers are well known and usually comprise at least one fluid connection arranged in an axial end region, in particular on the front side, for supplying or discharging one or more fluids. This allows a fluid from an independent, external source to be supplied from the outside into the interior of the rotating roller, used there for a specific purpose and then discharged again via another fluid connection. Depending on the area of application, water, air, oil or steam can be considered as the fluid medium. An example is a temperature-controlled roller, such as a thermal oil-heated roller, which can usually be supplied with thermal oils or steam, so that the surface on a working circumference of the roller can be heated to temperatures between 60 and 400°C, preferably between 100 and 300°C, for a corresponding treatment of a web of material.

For the introduction and discharge of fluid media, in particular for realizing a transition from a non-rotating connection hose to the fluid connection that usually rotates with the roller, corresponding sealing heads are known.

Sealing heads, also called rotary unions, are known in various designs and enable fluid transfer between a stationary and a rotating component. Sealing heads usually comprise a rotating sealing head motor, a non-rotating or stationary sealing head stator and one or more dynamic seals to seal one or more transition channels between the sealing head stator and the sealing head rotor.

Such sealing heads are usually designed to be self-supporting. The sealing head rotor can be connected to the corresponding rotating component in a rotationally fixed manner - in this case to the roller, in particular at its front end. The sealing head stator can be mounted on the sealing head rotor by means of the at least one sealing head main bearing, in particular radially on the outside, and can be attached to it. The sealing head, in particular the sealing head stator, can thus form a free end of the roller arrangement.

The main bearing can be designed as a known rolling or plain bearing. The main bearing can also be designed as an axial or radial bearing. The outer ring of the main bearing forms in particular the stator-side part or the stator-side ring of the main bearing. This means that the outer ring does not necessarily have to be arranged on the outside, in particular not radially on the outside, of the bearing - depending on the design of the sealing head. The outer ring can also be arranged radially on the inside of the bearing, for example, and here form the stator-side bearing part. The sealing head stator generally has at least one axial and/or radial fluid connection to which lines and/or hoses can be connected. For an uncomplicated replacement of the roller on a calender, at least one valve can be provided on the fluid connections; advantageously, two valves are provided for each fluid connection. In particular, a first valve can be provided on the calender side and a second valve on the hose side, so that a relatively simple fluidic separation between the sealing head stator and hose can be achieved when replacing a roller.

Despite this structurally and functionally advantageous and often desired design of the sealing head, bearing friction forces - albeit usually small - act in the sealing head main bearing between the sealing head rotor and the sealing head stator, so that the sealing head stator, which is freely rotatably mounted on the sealing head rotor, must usually be secured against rotation or twisting.

Various types of safety devices are known, and these can be designed differently depending on the size of the system and/or the extent of the risk potential in the event of a failure or malfunction of the sealing head. For example, in the simplest case - particularly in relatively small systems or systems with only a low risk potential due to the fluid properties - the sealing head stator can be mechanically secured against rotation using the lines and hoses attached to it. Among other things, the rigidity and dead weight of the hoses and optionally the valves are used to apply a counter torque to the sealing head stator.

The forces acting on the sealing head stator from the fluid connection flanges, hoses and valves, in particular their own weight, are also referred to below as hose forces.

It should be clear that the force that the hoses can absorb to prevent or assist in preventing the sealing head stator from twisting is limited. Therefore, the arrangement of a holding arm or a torque support is known as an additional or alternative means of preventing twisting - especially in relatively large systems. The torque support can be used in particular It can be used as a mechanical connection between the sealing head stator and a fixed component of the calender or roller. However, the force that can be absorbed is also limited here.

Due to the often relatively high temperatures of the fluids carried in the hoses and the often high fluid pressures, the hoses are usually designed as metal bellows hoses. This makes the hoses relatively heavy and stiff. The latter can be disadvantageous, however, especially with adjustable rollers or rollers whose height can be adjusted on the calender. In particular, when moving, such as raising and lowering the roller on the calender, a dynamic force can be exerted on the sealing head stator due to the hoses attached to it. In particular, the hose forces can generate a variable - in particular unpredictable - torque on the sealing head stator. In particular, this makes it difficult and relatively imprecise to detect a torque between the sealing head rotor and the sealing head stator. For example, with the detection devices known from the prior art, which usually act on the torque support, the additional torques acting on the sealing head stator from the outside must be taken into account. Since such forces - as previously explained - are partly unpredictable, individual force moments, such as the bearing friction that prevails exclusively in the sealing head main bearing, cannot be determined at all or only very imprecisely.

In the present case of the arrangement of the sealing head on a roller for treating a web of material, the risk potential can be relatively high. The properties of the fluid to be transferred, such as pressure, temperature, but also volume flow and the degree of health hazard of the fluid, not only place high demands on the sealing head, but also represent a not insignificant risk potential in the event of a malfunction of the sealing head, particularly for the area surrounding the system. The same applies to the mechanical influences acting on the sealing head from outside, such as high rotor speeds or imbalances occurring in the system. It has been shown that in the present design there is a particular risk potential from the sealing head main bearing. In particular, if the bearing friction increases during operation, for example due to wear or failure of the sealing head main bearing, an enormous force can be exerted by the sealing head rotor on the sealing head stator. In the worst case, this can lead to the failure of an anti-rotation device, the sealing head stator turning with the sealing head motor and the lines and hoses tearing off, as well as the associated leakage of the fluid medium. In the case of thermal oil or steam as the transmission medium, this can mean that the fluid leaks out in large quantities and at high temperatures. As a result of this and the uncontrolled rotating components, further damage, in particular personal injury, cannot be ruled out.

There are therefore efforts to make such sealing heads or roller arrangements with sealing heads particularly safe.

For example, DE 102 01 349 A1 discloses an enclosure for sealing off the area of a calender in which the sealing head is arranged, as well as for securing the area surrounding the calender in the event of the sealing head being destroyed during operation. However, such an enclosure requires a relatively large installation space and constant maintenance and monitoring. Furthermore, it prevents direct visual contact with the sealing head, which can be disadvantageous, particularly for regular visual inspections before or during operation.

In addition, there are monitoring devices for detecting and monitoring the bearing friction that occurs between the sealing head rotor and the sealing head stator. This bearing friction can, for example, originate from the sealing head main bearing, a plain bearing and/or the seals, whereby the sealing head main bearing in particular - as mentioned above - can have the potential to be the main cause of the sealing head blocking due to bearing damage even in the event of a minor fault - such as a failure of a circulating lubrication system for lubricating and cooling the bearing. The detection and monitoring can be carried out, for example, by means of force detection and/or a mathematical determination of the friction torque that occurs. If the bearing friction is exceeded, a shutdown signal is sent out for the controlled shutdown of the system. However, when determining the friction torque using force detection, as already mentioned, other forces must also be taken into account, for example those that act on the sealing head stator from the outside. These can come in particular from the hoses and valves connected to the sealing head stator mentioned above, but also from the other bearings and seals. The torque acting on the sealing head stator can therefore not only be static forces, such as the friction forces in the bearings and seals and the dead weight of the hoses and/or valves, but also dynamic forces, for example when the roller on the calender is raised or lowered or the hoses are accidentally held or raised. This makes such detection and monitoring of a torque or a rotation of the sealing head stator relatively complex and time-consuming. In particular, numerous factors that influence the torque must be taken into account. The detection is therefore often relatively inaccurate. Furthermore, despite such monitoring, the above-mentioned dangers can also occur here, since braking such a system, in particular the rotation of a roller, usually takes a certain amount of time.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a sealing head of a roller arrangement which improves at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages and in particular enables a particularly safe, maintenance-friendly and space-saving sealing head.

The invention solves the problem by a sealing head of a roller arrangement having the features of the main claim, by a roller arrangement having the features of claim 12 and by a method having the features of claim 14. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims, the description and the figures. According to the invention, in the sealing head of the roller arrangement, the sealing head main bearing, in particular the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing, is mounted relative to the sealing head stator via at least one additionally arranged sealing head additional bearing. As a result, in particular in the event of a malfunction or a problem with the sealing head main bearing, the additionally arranged sealing head additional bearing can serve as a type of emergency bearing for the emergency mounting of the sealing head stator relative to the sealing head rotor. In particular, in the event of a complete failure of the sealing head main bearing, the sealing head additional bearing can ensure that the sealing head stator is securely mounted relative to the sealing head rotor at least for the duration of an emergency operation in which the sealing head additional bearing forms the mounting of the sealing head stator on the sealing head rotor, in particular on the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing, and can therefore remain in its position. The outer ring of the sealing head main bearing can rotate with the rest of the sealing head rotor. However, rotation of the sealing head stator and tearing of the lines and hoses as well as the associated leakage of the fluid can be effectively prevented. It can be provided that the emergency operation mentioned above only takes place temporarily and in particular only serves for the time it takes to shut down the system. The sealing head additional bearing can be designed to be small and have a short service life.

In addition, it has been shown that the risk of the sealing head stator rotating with the sealing head rotor is mainly due to an increased frictional moment - ultimately leading to a complete blockage - in the sealing head main bearing rather than due to the friction on the seals or plain bearings. In order to minimize the risk, it is therefore particularly desirable if essentially only the frictional moment occurring in the sealing head main bearing can be reliably and precisely recorded, which is also made possible with the arrangement of the sealing head additional bearing according to the invention. The sealing head additional bearing causes a decoupling of the sealing head stator, in particular the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing, from the other forces acting on the sealing head stator, in particular from the outside, such as the hose, valve and flange forces explained above, as well as other frictional forces, such as from seals or plain bearings. In other words: the arrangement of the sealing head additional bearing can prevent the influence and influencing of the other forces acting on the sealing head stator on detecting a torque between the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing and an inner ring of the sealing head main bearing can be avoided or at least minimized. This enables particularly precise detection of the torque between the sealing head rotor, in particular the inner ring of the sealing head main bearing that is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the sealing head motor, and the sealing head stator, in particular the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing that is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the sealing head stator. Furthermore, this enables a particularly early detection of a problem or a fault in the sealing head main bearing, and thus particularly safe operation of the system.

Preferably, the sealing head additional bearing can be activated as required for emergency mounting of the sealing head stator relative to the sealing head rotor. In particular, it can be provided that the sealing head additional bearing is essentially stationary in normal operation, in which the stationary sealing head stator can be mounted relative to the rotating sealing head rotor via the trouble-free main sealing head bearing, and is only set in rotation in an emergency, in which an increased friction torque in the sealing head main bearing can lead to the sealing head stator rotating. The sealing head additional bearing can therefore serve as an emergency bearing that can be activated in an emergency. Activation is therefore understood to mean rotation or setting in rotation.

Particularly preferably, the sealing head additional bearing can be activated automatically when a predefined force or bearing friction torque between the stationary sealing head stator and the rotating sealing head rotor is exceeded. In particular, it can be provided that the increased friction torque prevailing between the sealing head stator and the sealing head rotor can be used as such to activate the sealing head additional bearing, for example by means of a torque limiter. In this case, the friction torque leading to the activation of the sealing head additional bearing does not necessarily have to have reached a maximum value, as is the case when the sealing head main bearing is completely blocked, but it can be dimensioned in such a way that damage or wear to the sealing head main bearing can already lead to activation of the sealing head additional bearing. In addition, when recording the friction torque, the forces acting on the sealing head from the connected hoses can be taken into account. Forces are not taken into account. In particular, the hose forces do not act on the torque limiter, but can be directed past it to the actual anti-twisting device. The limitation of the bearing friction torque can thus be unaffected by the hose forces, so that the torque limit or the predefined bearing friction torque can be relatively low and can be set particularly precisely. In particular, this makes it possible to decouple the torque limiter or the torques prevailing on the sealing head stator from the external forces, in particular from the hoses acting on the sealing head stator. Particularly preferably - for example when connected to a detection device - when the sealing head additional bearing is activated, an alarm signal is sent to shut down the system.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing is secured against rotation relative to the sealing head stator by means of a friction and/or form-fitting arrangement or by means of a force detection device. This enables a detachable connection between the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing and the sealing head stator on the one hand - in particular by means of the friction and/or form-fitting arrangement - and on the other hand - in particular by means of the force detection device - a detection of a torque force between the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing and the sealing head stator. The force detection device is preferably designed as a force measuring bolt. The torque occurring between the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing and the sealing head stator can be detected as a transverse force occurring at an axial end region of the force measuring bolt, or alternatively via a corresponding structural design - as usual - as a transverse force acting over the entire length of the bolt. This enables the friction torque occurring in the sealing head main bearing to be detected particularly reliably and precisely. In particular, the bearing friction torque forces occurring between the sealing head rotor, in particular the inner ring of the sealing head main bearing which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the sealing head rotor, and the sealing head stator, in particular the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the sealing head stator, can be detected - decoupled from the forces acting on the sealing head stator from the outside. In principle, the sealing head additional bearing can be arranged within the sealing head main bearing. In particular, the sealing head additional bearing can be integrated into the sealing head main bearing. For example, the sealing head additional bearing can be arranged axially between two parts of the sealing head main bearing. This allows the sealing head to be designed to save space. In this case, it can be provided that the sealing head additional bearing can rotate permanently during normal operation, in which the stationary sealing head stator can be supported relative to the rotating sealing head rotor via the trouble-free functioning sealing head main bearing.

The sealing head additional bearing is preferably arranged outside the sealing head main bearing. The sealing head additional bearing is particularly preferably arranged at least partially laterally on the sealing head main bearing - in particular axially next to the sealing head main bearing and/or at least partially radially outside around the sealing head main bearing. In particular, the sealing head additional bearing can at least partially radially surround the sealing head main bearing. The sealing head additional bearing can thus act as an intermediate link between the sealing head main bearing and the sealing head stator. As a result, the sealing head as a whole can be designed to be particularly space-saving. Furthermore, more than one sealing head additional bearing can be provided.

The sealing head additional bearing can be designed as a radial or axial bearing. The sealing head additional bearing can have an inner ring which corresponds to the outer ring of the main bearing or is connected to it in a rotationally fixed manner. In particular, the outer ring of the main bearing and the inner ring of the sealing head additional bearing can be formed by the same or directly adjacent components. The sealing head additional bearing can thus have rolling or sliding elements which are in direct contact with the outer ring of the main bearing. This arrangement allows the sealing head to be designed in a particularly space-saving manner.

The sealing head additional bearing can be designed in particular as a rolling bearing, preferably as a needle bearing, tapered roller bearing or plain bearing. Since it is fundamentally intended to keep the time of emergency operation in which the sealing head additional bearing rotates relatively short, in particular only for the complete braking of the The rolling or sliding elements of the sealing head additional bearing can be made particularly small. This also allows the sealing head to be designed to be particularly space-saving.

Preferably, the sealing head additional bearing can be blocked by means of a torque limiter or a friction and/or form-locking arrangement in normal operation of the sealing head, in which the stationary sealing head stator can be supported relative to the rotating sealing head rotor via the trouble-free functioning sealing head main bearing. The arrangement of the sealing head additional bearing can enable the torque limiter to be completely decoupled from the hose forces acting on the sealing head stator mentioned above. In emergency operation, in which increased friction occurs at the sealing head main bearing and a predefined friction torque between the stationary sealing head stator and the rotating sealing head rotor is exceeded, the sealing head additional bearing is released to rotate with the torque limitation or the friction and/or form-locking of the friction and/or form-locking arrangement being removed. The friction and/or form-fitting arrangement can be arranged radially between the sealing head stator and the sealing head main bearing, in particular in the area of the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing. The sealing head additional bearing can be blocked in particular by bridging the rolling or sliding elements of the sealing head additional bearing. The rolling or sliding elements can be released accordingly by ending this bridging. The sealing head therefore has a safety device which is particularly uncomplicated in its design and particularly reliable in activating emergency operation.

The friction and/or form-fitting arrangement particularly preferably comprises a blocking means. The blocking means can be designed as a non-destructively releasable means or as a predetermined breaking element, such as a shear pin. The blocking means can act to block rotation of the sealing head additional bearing in a first position under a predefined pressure on the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing and can be moved or relocated from the first position to a second position to release rotation of the sealing head additional bearing. The second position does not necessarily have to be another Positioning or positional arrangement of the blocking means is not to be understood as a position or positional arrangement of the blocking means, but also simply another state relating to the blocking means. This can, for example, be a slight lifting of the blocking means from the outer ring of the main bearing when a static friction between the blocking means and the outer ring is released. The blocking means designed as a predetermined breaking element can be inserted into a corresponding recess on the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing in order to block the rotation of the sealing head additional bearing in a first position and can be broken by the force of the friction torque between the sealing head motor and the sealing head stator in order to release the rotation of the sealing head additional bearing and thus be moved to a second position. In the case of the predetermined breaking element, the second position can also be understood in the sense of a second state. In particular, the predetermined breaking element or its parts can also remain in the original position of the first position in the second position. For example, the triggering of the predetermined breaking element can be detected by a cable being sheared off. When the second position is present, the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing can in particular be freely rotatable relative to the sealing head stator. It can be provided that the friction and/or form-fitting arrangement, in particular the blocking means, and the force detection device are formed by the same assembly or by the same arrangement. For example, a suitably designed force measuring bolt can be provided both as the blocking means and as the force detection device.

The blocking means can be designed as a ball, for example. To block rotation of the sealing head additional bearing, the blocking means can be pre-tensioned in a recess arranged on the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing, in particular on its radial outer wall, or on a sleeve connected to the outer ring in a rotationally fixed manner. This corresponds to the first position of the blocking means. The blocking means can be pre-tensioned via a pre-tensioning element, such as a spring. The pre-tensioning element can be supported on the sealing head stator. The recess can basically be designed as a circumferential groove or running surface; the recess is preferably designed as a round opening corresponding to the ball. A positive connection is thus formed between the blocking means and the side walls delimiting the round recess, which is held in place by the pre-tensioning force. of the preload element is limited. The blocking means can therefore represent a rigid connection between the sealing head stator and the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing, and in particular bridge the rolling or sliding elements of the sealing head additional bearing. The rolling or sliding elements of the sealing head additional bearing are therefore generally stationary during normal operation.

In normal operation, in which the sealing head main bearing functions without interference and thus the frictional torque between the sealing head stator and the sealing head rotor is relatively low, the prevailing frictional torque can be transmitted by the positive connection between the blocking means and the side walls of the recess between the sealing head rotor and the sealing head stator, without the sealing head stator rotating.

To activate emergency operation, particularly in the event of a fault in the sealing head main bearing and a resulting increase in the frictional torque between the sealing head rotor and the sealing head stator, the positive connection between the blocking means and the side walls of the recess of the sealing head main bearing can be overcome due to the increased frictional torque between the sealing head rotor and the sealing head stator, so that the blocking means can become disengaged from the recess - or the predetermined breaking element breaks. In particular, the non-destructively releasable blocking means can slip out of the recess against the spring force, particularly into the second position. This breaks the positive connection between the sealing head stator and the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing. The outer ring can therefore rotate with the rest of the sealing head rotor. The rolling or sliding elements of the sealing head additional bearing arranged between the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing and an outer ring of the sealing head additional bearing can then rotate freely according to the rotation and eliminate the frictional torque acting from the sealing head main bearing on the sealing head stator.

It should be clear that the design described above can also include slightly different systems with the same effect. For example, the "ball preload element" arrangement can also be implemented by a spring pressure piece. Alternatively or additionally, the torque limiter can also be implemented in the manner or according to the principle of a known overload clutch, in which for example a slipping and/or engaging clutch, or a torque limiter known per se, for example with a disc brake. In this regard, numerous designs are known which can be provided accordingly.

Preferably, the friction and/or form-fitting arrangement is operatively connected to a switch arrangement in such a way that when the sealing head additional bearing is released, a button or switch of the switch arrangement is actuated, in particular to detect the emergency operation and to trigger a corresponding alarm signal. The switch can be actuated, for example, when the blocking means is moved from the first position to the second position. This enables an alarm to be triggered particularly quickly and safely.

In principle, the sealing head stator can have one or more fluid connections. The sealing head stator preferably has at least two fluid connections, so that a first connection can be used as an inflow and a second connection as an outflow of the fluid. The fluid connections can be arranged radially and/or axially on the sealing head stator. The sealing head stator particularly preferably has two radial fluid connections. This enables a particularly compact roller arrangement. Furthermore, further fluid connections can be provided so that the roller can be supplied with one or more fluids. For example, the sealing head stator can have both one or more radial and one or more axial fluid connections.

The sealing head rotor can basically be a conventional simple hollow shaft. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sealing head rotor is designed as a two-chamber hollow shaft. The sealing head rotor comprises two hollow shafts arranged coaxially to one another, so that two separate chambers are formed along the shaft. In particular, the sealing head rotor can have an internal first chamber and an external second chamber arranged radially around the first chamber. Alternatively, one or more channels can be formed in the sealing head rotor. The chambers or channels can each be provided with connected to one of the fluid connections mentioned above. This allows the roller to be supplied with one or more fluids.

In the roller arrangement according to the invention, it is provided that at least one sealing head with the features according to one of claims 1 to 11 is arranged on the roller, in particular on the front side.

For particularly safe operation, the sealing head stator can be connected to a stationary component of the roller or a calender to prevent rotation in the roller arrangement. For example, the roller can have a stationary bearing mount to which the sealing head stator is connected via a holding arm or a so-called torque support. Alternatively, the sealing head stator can be connected to a calender, in particular a calender frame. This can effectively prevent the sealing head stator from rotating, in particular if the predefined friction torque between the stationary sealing head stator and the rotatable sealing head rotor is briefly exceeded.

The method according to the invention for operating a roller arrangement with the features according to one of claims 12 or 13 provides the following steps:

In normal operation, in which the sealing head main bearing is fully functional, the stationary sealing head stator is supported on the rotating sealing head rotor via the sealing head main bearing and rotation of the sealing head additional bearing is blocked by means of a predefined positive and/or frictional connection between a blocking means and an outer ring of the sealing head main bearing. For this purpose, the blocking means is arranged in a first position in which a frictional torque is transmitted between the sealing head rotor and the sealing head stator via the positive connection of the blocking means. The blocking means can be designed as a force detection device, such as a force measuring bolt. This enables the frictional torque prevailing in the sealing head main bearing to be detected particularly precisely and reliably in normal operation. In an emergency operation, in which there is a fault in the sealing head main bearing and a predefined friction torque between the sealing head rotor and the sealing head stator is exceeded, the entire sealing head main bearing, in particular its outer ring, rotates with the sealing head rotor and the stationary sealing head stator is supported by means of the sealing head additional bearing on the rotating sealing head main bearing, in particular on its outer ring.

To change from normal operation to emergency operation, the blocking means is moved from the first position blocking the rolling or sliding elements of the sealing head additional bearing to a second position releasing the rolling or sliding elements of the sealing head additional bearing due to the predefined friction torque between the sealing head rotor and the sealing head stator being exceeded.

In a particular embodiment of the method, when the blocking means is moved from the first position to the second position, an alarm switch is automatically activated to emit an alarm signal.

In a further embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the blocking means is designed as a force measuring bolt, and in normal operation with the force measuring bolt a torque between an inner ring of the sealing head main bearing and an outer ring of the sealing head main bearing can be detected.

In this way, a particularly safe, maintenance-friendly and space-saving sealing head, a particularly safe, maintenance-friendly and space-saving roller arrangement and a particularly safe and maintenance-friendly operation of a roller arrangement with a sealing head are possible.

Three embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The same reference numerals denote the same components. They show schematically: Figures la and lb - each show a calender with a roller arrangement according to the invention and a sealing head according to the invention;

Figure 2 - a sectional view of a first embodiment of a sealing head according to the invention with a partial representation of a roller arrangement according to the invention;

Figure 3 - a sectional view of a second embodiment of a sealing head according to the invention and a partial representation of a roller arrangement according to the invention; and

Figure 4 - a sectional view of a third embodiment of a sealing head according to the invention with a partial representation of a roller arrangement according to the invention.

In Figures 1a and 1b, a calender 101 is shown with two roller arrangements arranged thereon, in particular with an upper roller arrangement and a lower roller arrangement. In the following, in order to explain the invention, reference is made in particular to the lower roller arrangement 100 according to the invention, whereby the design described here can also apply to the upper roller arrangement shown. For a better overview, essentially only a first frame 102a and a second frame 102b of the calender 101 are shown, on which the roller arrangement 100 is arranged.

The roller arrangement 100 comprises a roller 1 for treating nonwoven, textile, plastic or paper webs and at least one sealing head 2 arranged on the front side of the roller 1, which is often also referred to as a rotary feedthrough.

The fluid-carrying roller 1 can be designed, for example, as a thermal oil-heated roller, which can be supplied with a hot thermal oil to control the temperature of a roller working circumference 10. For this purpose, fluid channels (not shown here) are arranged in the interior of the roller 1. At an axial end region of the roller 1, a roller neck 11 is formed which is offset from the working circumference 10 and on which a bearing receptacle 9 is provided, with which the roller 1 can be mounted on the calender 101 or another device. In this case, the sealing head 2 is arranged on the front side of the roller neck 11.

Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of the sealing head 2 of the roller arrangement 100. Such sealing heads enable in particular a fluid transfer between a stationary and a rotating component.

In the present case, the sealing head 2 comprises a rotatable sealing head rotor 20 which is connected to the roller 1 in a rotationally fixed manner and a sealing head stator 21 which is freely rotatably mounted, in particular vertically, relative to the sealing head motor 20 via a sealing head main bearing 3. The sealing head 2 is thus constructed in a self-supporting manner.

The sealing head rotor 20 is attached to the front of the roller 1 and is thus connected to it in a rotationally fixed manner. The sealing head rotor 20 has a first inner chamber 22 and an outer second chamber 23 arranged radially around the first chamber 22. Both chambers 22, 23 are each connected to a fluid connection on the roller side (not shown in detail) to form a fluid channel.

The sealing head stator 21 mounted on the sealing head rotor 20 forms a free end of the roller arrangement 100 and has an axial fluid connection connected to the inner chamber 22 and a radial fluid connection connected to the outer chamber 23. A flange 6c, 6d with a hose 6a, 6b for supplying or discharging a fluid medium is connected to both connections.

To prevent rotation, the sealing head stator 21 is connected to a static component of the roller 1 via a torque support 12 designed as a beam or a rod, in particular to the bearing holder 9 arranged in the area of the roller journal 11. This allows at least rings friction torque acting from the rotating sealing head motor 20 on the stationary sealing head stator 21 is absorbed.

In normal operation, the sealing head stator 21 is supported relative to the sealing head rotor 20 via the sealing head main bearing 3. The sealing head main bearing 3 is designed as a rolling bearing, in particular as a tapered roller bearing set against one another. The sealing head main bearing 3 rests radially on the inside with an inner ring (not shown in detail) on the sealing head rotor 20 and radially on the outside with an outer ring 13 (not shown in detail) on a freely rotatable sleeve 24. The sleeve 24 extends axially in particular only over the two outer rings 13 (not shown in detail) of the tapered roller bearings 3 set against one another.

In order to decouple the forces acting on the sealing head stator from the outside and for emergency operation of the sealing head 2, an additional sealing head bearing 4, which can be activated if necessary, is arranged between the sealing head rotor 20 and the sealing head stator 21 to support the stationary sealing head stator 21 relative to the rotating sealing head rotor 20. The additional sealing head bearing 4 rests radially on the inside with an inner ring (not shown in detail) on the sleeve 24 and radially on the outside with an outer ring (not shown in detail) on the sealing head stator 21. The additional sealing head bearing 4 is basically mounted so it can rotate freely, but is prevented from moving during normal operation by a friction and/or form-fitting arrangement 5 or a force detection device 14.

Normal operation occurs when the sealing head main bearing 3 is fully functional and only a relatively low frictional torque is transmitted from the rotating sealing head rotor 20 to the stationary sealing head stator 21. For this purpose, the friction and/or form-fitting arrangement 5 is provided in the examples shown in Figures 1 to 3.

The friction and/or form-fitting arrangement 5 comprises a blocking means 50, in the present case designed as a ball, which in normal operation is preloaded by the sealing head stator 21 onto the outer ring 13 of the sealing head main bearing 3 or onto the sleeve 24 by means of a preloading element 51 designed as a spring. Of course, several friction and/or form-fitting arrangements 5 can also be provided distributed over the circumference of the outer ring 13 or the sleeve 24. Alternatively, but not shown here, the blocking means 50 and the preloading element 51 can also be aligned axially, so that the blocking means 50 acts axially on the sealing head main bearing 3 or on the sleeve 24.

The ball 50 is in engagement with a recess 52 formed in the sleeve 24, which is referred to as the first position of the blocking means 50. A positive connection is thus formed between the blocking means 50 and the side walls delimiting the recess 52, the effect of which is limited by the prestressing force of the prestressing element 51. In particular, the positive connection is between the sleeve 24 and the sealing head stator 21. This arrangement allows the sleeve 24 to be assigned to the sealing head stator 21 - at least during normal operation of the sealing head.

The blocking means 50 thus forms a rigid connection between the sealing head stator 21 and the outer ring of the sealing head main bearing 3, and thereby bridges the rolling or sliding elements of the sealing head additional bearing 4. The rolling or sliding elements of the sealing head additional bearing 4, which in this case serves as an emergency bearing, are therefore stationary in normal operation - as are the sleeve 24 and the outer rings 13 of the sealing head main bearing 3.

As soon as a fault occurs in the sealing head main bearing 3, such as damage, wear or total failure, the frictional torque acting from the rotating sealing head motor 20 on the stationary sealing head stator 21 initially increases. As a result, the frictional torque in the positive connection between the blocking means 50 and the side walls delimiting the recess 52 causes an increasing transverse force, which, when a predefined frictional torque is exceeded, leads to the blocking means 50 slipping out of the recess 52 against the spring force, which is referred to as the second position of the blocking means 50.

At this moment, the sleeve 24 is no longer fixed by the blocking means 50 and can therefore rotate freely with the rest of the sealing head main bearing 3 due to the friction torque. The friction between the outer ring 13 of the The rolling or sliding elements of the sealing head additional bearing 4 arranged between the sealing head main bearing 3 or the sleeve 24 and an outer ring of the sealing head additional bearing 4 are now no longer bridged by the blocking means 50 and can rotate freely. The sealing head stator 21 is now supported by the sealing head additional bearing 4 relative to the rotating sealing head rotor 20. The friction torque acting on the sealing head stator 21 from the sealing head main bearing 3 can thus be eliminated by means of the sealing head additional bearing 4 serving as an emergency bearing. The rotation of the sealing head stator 21 together with the stationary fluid connections and the hoses 6a, 6b and flanges 6c, 6d connected to them can therefore be effectively prevented.

In the example of a second embodiment according to the invention shown in Figure 3, the roller arrangement 100 corresponds to the embodiment shown in Figure 2 except for the specific design of the sealing head additional bearing 4. Furthermore, in the example of Figure 3, a switch arrangement 7 is additionally provided for triggering an alarm signal.

In the present case, the sealing head additional bearing 4 is not designed as a radial bearing but as an axial bearing. In particular, the sealing head additional bearing 4 comprises rolling or sliding elements which are arranged axially between the outer ring 13 (not shown in detail) of the sealing head main bearing 3 or the sleeve 24 and a corresponding component of the sealing head stator 21.

Again, a blocking means 50 designed as a ball is provided, which is arranged in a recess in the sleeve 24 during normal operation and prevents the sleeve 24 from rotating with the sealing head rotor 20. If a predefined friction torque is exceeded, the blocking means 50 is also pressed out of the recess in the sleeve 24 so that the sleeve 24 can rotate freely. The friction torque acting from the sealing head main bearing 3 on the sealing head stator 21 can in turn be eliminated by means of the sealing head additional bearing 4 and the sealing head stator 21 can be prevented from rotating.

In this embodiment, the blocking means 50 is additionally connected to the switch arrangement 7 via a rod 8. In this case, it is provided that when the blocking means 50 slips out against the force of the spring 51, the rod ge 8 is also moved upwards in the direction of the switch arrangement 7 and thereby a switch (not shown in detail) in the switch arrangement 7 is actuated to trigger an alarm signal. The alarm signal can be used, for example, for an immediate shutdown and controlled shutdown of the calender.

A further development of the invention, which is shown in Figure 4, deals with decoupling the forces acting from the outside on the sealing head stator 21 and thereby influencing a measurement of the torque occurring between the sealing head motor 20 and the sealing head stator 21. In the sealing heads known from the prior art, the torque acting on the sealing head stator 21 is usually recorded at the torque support 12. However, the recording is also influenced by the deadweight forces of the flanges 6c, 6d, hoses 6a, 6b and the valves (not shown in detail) acting on the sealing head stator 21 - collectively also referred to as hose forces. Figure 4 therefore shows by way of example how the sealing head additional bearing 4 according to the invention and a corresponding arrangement of a force detection device 14 can enable a particularly precise recording or measurement of the torques acting from the sealing head rotor 20 on the sealing head stator 21.

In the embodiment shown as an example in Figure 4, the outer ring 13 of the sealing head main bearing 3 or the sleeve 24 connected to it in a rotationally fixed manner is secured against rotation relative to the sealing head stator 21 by means of a force detection device 14 designed as a force measuring bolt. The sealing head additional bearing 4 arranged between the outer ring 13 or the sleeve 24 and the sealing head stator 21 is therefore basically stationary. The hose forces acting on the sealing head stator 21 from the outside can thus be decoupled by the sealing head additional bearing 4, in particular by a joint rotatability of the sealing head stator 21 with the outer ring 13 of the sealing head main bearing 3 - and in this case with the sleeve 24 - relative to the rest of the sealing head main bearing 3, when a torque acting on the sealing head stator 21 is detected. This allows the friction torque generated exclusively by the friction torque in the sealing head main bearing 3 and acting on the sealing head stator 21 can be detected. The sealing head additional bearing 4 thus serves to decouple the hose forces from the sealing head stator 21.

If a predefined first force/torque limit is exceeded on the force measuring bolt 14, the system can be switched off. In order to effectively prevent the sealing head stator 21 from rotating in an emergency, particularly in the event of major bearing damage to the sealing head main bearing, the force measuring bolt 14 can be dimensioned in such a way that it is released from the blocking position when a predefined second force/torque limit is exceeded, or alternatively breaks, and allows or releases the outer ring 13 and the sealing head additional bearing 4 to rotate. In this emergency, the sealing head stator 21 is then supported on the sealing head motor 20 exclusively via the sealing head additional bearing 4.

It should be clear that the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described. In particular, the structure and arrangement of the sealing head can be modified without changing the essence of the invention. For example, a switch arrangement can also be provided in the example shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, the friction and/or positive locking arrangement 5 shown in Figures 2 and 3 can be designed in a different, not listed, but with the same mode of operation. In addition, a structural and/or functional combination of the force detection device 14 shown in Figure 4 and the friction and/or positive locking arrangement 5 shown in Figures 2 and 3 can also be provided. For example, an element pressed against the outer ring 13 of the sealing head main bearing 3 under a preload force - similar to that shown in Figures 2 and 3 - can be designed as a force detection device, in particular a transverse force detection device, such as a force measuring bolt, which in a first state can detect the torque acting on the sealing head stator and in a second state can release the rotatability of the sealing head additional bearing 4 for emergency running storage. Reference list:

1 roller

2 Sealing head, rotary union

3 Seal head main bearings

4 Seal head additional bearings

5 Friction and/or form-fitting arrangement

6a Hose

6b Hose

6c flange

6d flange

7 Switch arrangement

8 rod

9 Bearing mount

10 Scope of work

11 Roll pin

12 Torque support

13 Outer ring

14 Force measuring device, force measuring bolt

20 Sealing head motor

21 Sealing head stator

22 first chamber

23 Second Chamber

24 sleeve

50 Blocking agents

51 Preload element

52 recess

100 roller arrangement

101 Calender

102a Frame

102b frame

Claims

Patent claims: Sealing head (2) of a roller arrangement (100) with a roller (1) for treating nonwoven, textile, plastic or paper product webs, which has a rotatable sealing head rotor (20) that can be connected to the roller (1) in a rotationally fixed manner and a stationary sealing head stator (21) that is freely rotatably mounted relative to the sealing head motor (20) via a sealing head main bearing (3) having an outer ring (13), characterized in that the sealing head main bearing (3), in particular the outer ring (13) of the sealing head main bearing (3), is mounted relative to the sealing head stator (21) via at least one additionally arranged sealing head additional bearing (4). Sealing head (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing head additional bearing (4) can be activated as required, in particular that the sealing head additional bearing (4) can be activated automatically when a predefined force moment between the sealing head stator (21) and the sealing head rotor (20) is exceeded. Sealing head (2) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the outer ring (13) of the sealing head main bearing (3) or a sleeve (24) connected to the outer ring (13) in a rotationally fixed manner is secured against rotation relative to the sealing head stator (21) by means of a friction and/or form-fitting arrangement (5) or by means of a force detection device (14), in particular a force measuring bolt. Sealing head (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing head additional bearing (4) is arranged within the sealing head main bearing (3). Sealing head (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sealing head additional bearing (4) is arranged at least partially laterally on the sealing head main bearing (3) and/or at least partially radially outside around the sealing head main bearing (3). Sealing head (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing head additional bearing (4) is designed as a radial or axial bearing and has an inner ring which corresponds to the outer ring (13) of the sealing head main bearing (3) or is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the outer ring (13) of the sealing head main bearing (3). Sealing head (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing head additional bearing (4) is designed as a needle bearing, tapered roller bearing or plain bearing. Sealing head (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing head additional bearing (4) can be blocked by means of a friction and/or form-locking arrangement (5) during normal operation of the sealing head (2) and can be released during emergency operation by removing a friction and/or form-locking arrangement of the friction and/or form-locking arrangement (5). Sealing head (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that the friction and/or form-fitting arrangement (5) comprises a blocking means (50) which is arranged in such a way that it acts on the outer ring (13) of the sealing head main bearing (3) or a sleeve (24) connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the outer ring (13) of the sealing head main bearing (3) to block rotation of the sealing head additional bearing (4) in a first position under a predefined preload force, and can be displaced from the first position to a second position to release rotation of the sealing head additional bearing (4). Sealing head (2) according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the friction and/or form-fitting arrangement (5) is operatively connected to a switch arrangement (7) in such a way that when the sealing head additional bearing (4) is released, a switch of the switch arrangement (7) is actuated, in particular to trigger an alarm signal. Sealing head (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing head rotor (20) is designed as a hollow shaft comprising two chambers and the sealing head stator (21) has at least two fluid connections. Roller arrangement (100) with a roller (1) for treating nonwoven, textile, plastic or paper webs, characterized in that at least one sealing head (2) with the features according to one of the preceding claims is arranged on the roller (1). Roller arrangement (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that the sealing head stator (21) is connected to a stationary component (9, 12, 102a, 102b) of the roller (1) or of a calender (101) to prevent rotation. Method for operating a roller arrangement (100) with the features according to one of claims 12 or 13, in which it is provided that - in normal operation, in which the sealing head main bearing (3) is fully functional, the stationary sealing head stator (21) is supported on the rotatable sealing head motor (20) via the sealing head main bearing (3) and rotation of the sealing head additional bearing (4) is blocked by means of a predefined positive and/or frictional connection between a blocking means (50) and a part of the sealing head main bearing (3), and - in an emergency operation in which there is a fault in the sealing head main bearing (3) and a predefined friction torque between the sealing head rotor (20) and the sealing head stator (21) is exceeded, the sealing head main bearing (3) is stationary and the stationary sealing head stator (21) is supported on the rotatable sealing head rotor (20) via the sealing head additional bearing (4), and - when changing from normal operation to emergency operation, the blocking means (50) is moved from a first position blocking the part of the sealing head additional bearing (4) due to the predefined friction torque between the sealing head rotor (20) and the sealing head stator (21) being exceeded. tion is displaced into a second position releasing the sealing head additional bearing (4). Method according to claim 14, characterized in that when the blocking means (50) is displaced from the first position to the second position, an alarm switch is automatically actuated to emit an alarm signal. Method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the blocking means (50) is designed as a force measuring bolt (14), and in normal operation with the force measuring bolt (14) a torque between an inner ring of the sealing head main bearing (3) and an outer ring (13) of the sealing head main bearing (3) is detected.