JP2024000980A - belt - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a belt for a fiber web machine.

SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a belt for use in a fiber web machine. The belt comprises an inner surface (10) and an outer surface (11). The outer surface (11) of the belt (1) comprises a belt wear indicator (20) of a length (21) and a width (22). The belt wear indicator (20) comprises a recess (24) demarcated in the depth direction of the belt from the outer surface of the belt to the bottom of the belt wear indicator and extending to the depth of at least 0.1 mm. The belt comprises an outer surface whereon a groove is not at least substantially formed. A deviation of a depth of 0.1 mm or greater constitutes not more than 10% of the surface area of the outer surface of the belt. The present invention further relates to the use of a belt wear indicator.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3b

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a belt for a fiber web machine. The invention further relates to a method of using a belt wear indicator for a belt of a fibrous web machine.

Paper machines and paperboard, pulp and tissue machines typically include a forming section, a press section, and a drying section. In papermaking, pulp production, and paperboard production, a challenge is how to increase the amount of water removed from a wet fibrous web in order to improve production efficiency without reducing the physical properties of the fibrous web.

Today, these machines typically have felts and wires to support water removal or fibrous web conveyance. Additionally, the paper machine may have finishing sections to improve final product properties, such as calender(s) to improve the smoothness of the dried fibrous web.

It is well known that textile web machines are equipped with many types of rolls, arranged in different sections, with identification features. For example, sleeve rolls can be used in the forming section to improve free water removal from the wet fibrous material. A shoe press can be used, for example, in the press section to improve the removal of residual water in the fibrous web therein. Both sleeve rolls and shoe press rolls require the belt to run properly.

WO200371030 discloses examples of belts comprising polymeric materials. However, there is still a need in the industry for new belts for fibrous web machines.

The present invention relates to belts for textile web machines. One object of the present invention is to provide an improved belt for fiber web machines.

Aspects of the invention are characterized in that they are defined in the independent claims. Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The fibrous web machine may be a paper machine, or it may be a board, pulp, or tissue machine.

The fibrous web machine may include sleeve rolls. Sleeve rolls are typically placed in the wire section of a fibrous web machine. Thanks to the sleeve roll, water removal of the wire section can be improved. Advantageously, the belt according to the present invention is a sleeve roll belt.

Additionally, the fibrous web machine may include a shoe press. A shoe press is typically located in the press section of a fibrous web machine. Thanks to the shoe press, water removal in the press section can be improved. In one embodiment, the belt herein is a shoe press belt.

Furthermore, the fiber web machine can be equipped with at least one calender. Thanks to the calender, the smoothness of the dry fiber web can be improved. In one embodiment, a belt according to the present invention is a roll cover for a calender roll.

Thus, the belt may be a sleeve roll belt, or a shoe press belt, or a roll cover.

Belts according to the present disclosure include a belt wear indicator. Belt wear indicators are advantageously used on belts with non-grooved outer surfaces. Sleeve rolls and calender rolls are preferably provided with belts having a groove-free surface as described above. Advantageously, therefore, the belt with the belt wear indicator is a belt cover of a calender roll or a sleeve roll belt.

Determining the wear level of sleeve roll belts has traditionally been particularly difficult, and therefore belt wear indicators may be particularly useful for sleeve roll belts. Therefore, most advantageously the belt with the belt wear indicator is a sleeve roll belt.

A belt according to the present specification has an inner surface and an outer surface. The belt can include a body that includes a body material. Additionally, the belt can include reinforcing structures that can be embedded within the body, for example. In use, the belt typically forms a closed loop. The belt can be an impermeable belt.

The outer surface of the belt includes a belt wear indicator having a length and a width. The belt wear indicator may include a recess extending from an outer surface of the belt to a predetermined depth defined in a depth direction of the belt.

The belt may have an outer surface free of grooves, with deviations having a depth of more than 0.1 mm forming no more than 10%, preferably no more than 3%, of the surface area of the outside surface of the belt. In one embodiment, the belt does not have any deviations except for belt wear indicators, ie, the belt may have a smooth or at least substantially smooth outer surface.

The belt wear indicator may include at least one visually distinct material that is visually perceptible from the color of the belt. For example, the belt wear indicator may include paint within the recess.

In place of or in addition to the visually distinguishable material, the belt wear indicator can include at least one UV detectable material. For example, the belt wear indicator can include UV-detecting paint within the recess.

The belt includes at least one belt wear indicator. Preferably the belt comprises at least two belt wear indicators. Additionally, the belt includes no more than 2000 belt wear indicators.

As mentioned above, the belt wear indicator extends in the belt depth direction from the outer surface of the belt to a depth that may be defined to the bottom of the belt wear indicator. At least the depth of the belt wear indicator can decrease as the belt wears. In one embodiment, the length of the belt wear indicator decreases as the belt wears. Alternatively or additionally, the width of the belt wear indicator may decrease as the belt wears. In one embodiment, the belt wear indicator tapers in depth from the top of the belt wear indicator to the bottom of the belt wear indicator.

The width of the belt wear indicator can range between 1 mm and 10 mm, measured from a new belt before the belt is worn. Therefore, the belt wear indicator is easily visible.

The belt may be positioned with a safe distance between the belt wear indicator and the belt reinforcement structure, such as a thread, to protect the belt reinforcement structure. The belt wear indicator therefore preferably extends to a depth of at least 0.01 mm less, preferably at least 0.1 mm less, than the depth of the outermost surface of the reinforcing structure of the belt, defined in the depth direction of the belt. .

Accordingly, the distance between the bottom of the belt wear indicator and the outer surface of the reinforcing structure is defined in the depth direction from the bottom of the belt wear indicator to the outermost surface of the reinforcing structure and is at least 0.01 mm, preferably at least It can be 0.1 mm. In this way, the belt wear indicator can be used to protect the reinforcing structure of the belt.

To determine the belt wear rate at any point before the belt wears too much to be safe, the distance between the belt wear indicator and the belt's reinforcing structure is determined from the bottom of the belt wear indicator to the furthest point of the reinforcing structure. It is defined in the depth direction of the belt to the outer surface and may be less than or equal to 1.5 mm, preferably less than or equal to 1 mm.

The belt wear indicator may have, for example, the shape of a cylindrical plug or the shape of one or more grooves.

All belt wear indicators on the belt may cover less than 10% of the belt's outer surface area. Preferably, the belt wear indicator covers no more than 3%, more preferably no more than 1%, and most preferably no more than 0.5% of the belt's outer surface area, defined as the total area of the belt wear indicator's outer surface.

This new solution has many advantages. Because the mechanical components of fibrous web machines are typically compactly arranged, inspection or maintenance has traditionally been difficult due to limited space. Belt wear should be detected early enough to have time to replace the belt in a controlled manner during a shutdown. To save costs, belts are often replaced as late as possible. However, the belt must be replaced with a new one before it breaks.

As belts wear over time, belt inspection and maintenance must be done in a timely manner to avoid malfunctions.

Thanks to the belt wear indicator, which can cover a very small but well-located area of the belt, it is possible to always see the wear rate of the belt, regardless of the current wear rate. Furthermore, the low coverage of the wear indicator on the outer surface of the belt does not affect the operational performance of the belt or the physical properties of the fibrous web.

Traditionally, determining belt wear rates has been difficult and expensive. For example, WO200371030 discloses a paper machine belt comprising polymeric material, which belt can have two layers with different colors. However, with this type of solution it is not possible to know the wear rate before the entire layer wears out, which is either too late to avoid malfunctions or can be controlled during selected outage periods. cannot determine the wear rate of a belt quickly enough to have time to replace the belt in a conventional manner. Therefore, by using this kind of solution it is not possible to see the wear rate of the belt at any possible time. For this reason, belt maintenance cannot be prepared in advance.

Thanks to the belt according to the present specification, the exact wear rate of the belt can be determined cost-effectively.

The novel belt wear indicator can indicate when the belt has worn such that it may fail during use, without substantially affecting other properties of the belt. Additionally, the novel belt wear indicator can indicate how much the belt has worn at any particular moment. Thanks to the new belt, it is possible to easily indicate the wear level of a grooveless belt without using difficult or unreliable measuring devices. Furthermore, the wear rate of the belt can be detected early enough, for example during selected downtime periods, to have time to replace the belt in a controlled manner.

In the following, the invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1a shows an exemplary position of a sleeve roll. FIG. 1b shows an embodiment of a sleeve roll. Figure 2a shows an embodiment of the belt. Figures 2b-3a illustrate some example structures for belts. Figures 2b-3a illustrate some example structures for belts. FIG. 3b is a diagram illustrating an exemplary location of a belt wear indicator. 4a-4f show several exemplary cross-sections of belt wear indicators. 4a-4f show several exemplary cross-sections of belt wear indicators. 4a-4f show several exemplary cross-sections of belt wear indicators. 4a-4f show several exemplary cross-sections of belt wear indicators. 4a-4f show several exemplary cross-sections of belt wear indicators. 4a-4f show several exemplary cross-sections of belt wear indicators.

The drawings are illustrative and may not be drawn to scale. In the figures, similar parts are designated with the same reference numerals.

This solution will be explained in more detail below with reference to some embodiments, but these should not be considered as limiting.

In this specification, reference is made to figures with the following numbers and symbols:
1 Belt 1a Thickness of the belt body 2 First end of the belt 3 Second end of the belt 5 Textile web mechanical fabric, for example wire or felt 6 Textile web 10 Inner surface of the belt 11 Outer surface of the belt 14 Body of the belt 20 Belt wear indicator 21 Belt wear indicator length 22 Belt wear indicator width 23 Belt wear indicator depth 24 Belt wear indicator recess 25 Belt wear indicator filling such as paint in the recess 26 Belt wear indicator location area Length 27 Outer end area of the belt 28 Distance between adjacent belt wear indicators 29 Circumference repetition of wear indicators, i.e. first and last wear indicators determined in MD Distance between indicators 30 Reinforcement structure 31 First yarn layer of the reinforcement structure 32 Second yarn layer of the reinforcement structure 60 Belt attachment point 100 Sleeve roll 102 Support shaft of the sleeve roll 110 Curved element α of the sleeve roll Belt wear indicator and Angle D1 with the outer surface of the belt First direction of the belt D2 Second direction of the belt MD Travel direction of the belt
CD Lateral direction of belt C1 First curve of sleeve roll C2 Second curve of sleeve roll

The embodiments and examples described in the claims and the specification can be freely combined with each other unless otherwise specified.

As used herein, the term "comprising" may be used as an open term, but also includes the closed term "consisting of." Accordingly, unless indicated otherwise, the word "comprising" may be read as "including or consisting of."

For purposes of this specification and claims, unless otherwise indicated, all ranges include any combination of the disclosed maximum and minimum points and include any intermediate ranges therein. , they may or may not be specifically listed herein.

"Thickness" means the depth direction of the belt.

In this application, the terms "travel direction" MD and "cross direction" CD are used. The traveling direction MD refers to the direction of rotation of the belt during use. The lateral direction CD refers to the longitudinal direction, and typically refers to a direction transverse to the traveling direction MD of the belt 1. In use, the lateral direction is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the belt.

In this application, the term "substantially parallel" means that one direction does not deviate from said substantially parallel direction by more than 10 degrees, most preferably by no more than 3 degrees. Thus, for example, "substantially parallel to the travel direction" means in this application that the direction does not deviate from said direction of travel by more than 10 degrees, preferably by more than 3 degrees. means not.

The term "non-grooved surface" means a surface in which deviations having a depth of more than 0.1 mm form 10% or less of said surface, and preferably the surface is planar or at least predominantly Refers to such outer surface of a belt that is flat. This specification does not relate to belts with grooved surfaces. Traditionally, grooves have been distributed throughout the outer surface of the belt to meet specific operational requirements, for example, to remove water in two directions relative to the belt. Surprisingly, some belts with non-grooved outer surfaces, such as sleeve roll belts, have shown many advantages over belts with grooved surfaces. The novel belt therefore has an ungrooved surface in which deviations with a depth of more than 0.1 mm form no more than 10% of said surface.

A fibrous web machine according to the present disclosure may include at least one of a sleeve roll, a shoe press, and a calendar.

Calendar The fibrous web machine may include a calender.

The function of a calendar is typically to improve the smoothness of the fibrous web being processed. Calenders typically have at least two rolls that close together under pressure to compress and smooth the fibrous web.

The belt can be arranged in connection with the calender rolls so that, in use, the belt 1 can pass through the press zone formed between the calender rolls.

Shoe Press The fibrous web machine may include a shoe press.

A shoe press equipped with this belt 1 can be used for dewatering fibrous webs. Shoe presses typically include a counter roll and a press shoe between which a press zone is formed. Thus, an extended press zone, ie a so-called long nip, is formed between the press shoe and the counter roll. The function of the shoe press is typically to remove water from the fibrous web.

The belt is or can be arranged in relation to the shoe press such that during operation the belt passes through the press zone between the counter roll and the press shoe.

Typically, the press shoe and counter roll are compressed so that the shoe press belt, the at least one paper machine fabric, and the fibrous web to be dewatered are all compressed through the nip between the press shoe and the counter roll. are pressed together in the press zone.

A sleeve roll fibrous web machine may include a sleeve roll. The belt may be a sleeve roll belt.

The sleeve roll belt is preferably a grooveless belt; therefore, sleeve roll belt wear can be difficult to notice without belt wear indicator 20. Furthermore, as shown in Figure Ia, sleeve roll belts are typically difficult to access. Therefore, belt wear indicators may be particularly advantageous for sleeve roll belts. A sleeve roll 100 with a belt according to the present disclosure may be placed within a forming section to improve moisture removal within the forming section.

Figure 1b shows an example of a sleeve roll. The sleeve roll 100 with the belt 1 can be used to dewater the fiber web 6 on the wire 5. Belt 1 may be placed on sleeve roll 100.

Sleeve roll 100 can include a support shaft 102. The belt 1 can be arranged around the outer surface of the sleeve roll 100. Therefore, the belt 1 can be led to circle around the support shaft 102.

The belt 1 may be arranged in relation to the sleeve roll 100 such that its outer surface 11 faces the fibrous web 6 and its inner surface 10 faces the sleeve roll 100. Thereby, the sleeve roll 100 can be surrounded by the belt 1 having a loop shape.

Furthermore, the sleeve roll 100 can include support elements arranged at a distance from each other on the support shaft 102. The belt 1, which can go around the outer surface of the sleeve roll, can be supported by support elements.

Sleeve roll 100 may further include a curved element 110. During operation, the belt typically passes through a dewatering zone on the curved element. The curved element 110 can increase the force that stretches the belt over the curved element 110. The curved element 110 can be movable, i.e. the radius of curvature of the belt on the surface of the curved element 110 can be changed by moving the curved element 110 towards the center of the sleeve roll or outwardly from the outer surface of the sleeve roll. can be controlled. Therefore, the elongation of the belt 1 can vary from normal speeds to very high speeds.

The circumference of the belt can be increased or decreased during the belt's operating time by the movable bending element 110. Therefore, the belt can have high elasticity so that it can handle the stretching caused by the sleeve roll's curved element 110. Furthermore, the belt can have good strength properties so that it does not break easily.

As mentioned above, the belt 1 can be guided in orbit around the fixed support shaft 102. Furthermore, the wire(s) 5 can be guided through a curved dewatering zone C1, C2, which dewatering zone can be supported by the belt 1.

The sleeve roll 100 may include at least one curved dewatering zone C1, C2, typically comprising at least two partial curves C1, C2, such that the radius of curvature of the first partial curve C1 is in the direction of belt travel. The radius of curvature may be larger than the radius of curvature of the second partial curve C2 following the first partial curve in MD. This can improve water removal from the fibrous web.

The curved dewatering zones C1, C2 may be formed by the curved elements 110 of the sleeve roll 100. The degree of curvature of the curved element 110 can increase in the direction of travel of the belt 1, so that an increasing dewatering pressure can e.g. The fibrous web 6 is added to the fibrous web 6 as it travels between the fibers. The curved dewatering zones C1, C2 on the curved element 110 may include several curves, such that the radius of curvature preferably decreases in the direction of wire travel. This can improve water removal from the fibrous web.

Curved element 110 can be moved between two or more positions. Therefore, the curved element 110 can be used to control the radius of curvature of the belt 1 on the curved element 110.

The first position of the curved element 110 may form a first surface on the curved element. The first surface may have the same radius of curvature as a nearby surface of the curved element.

In the second position of the curved element 110, the outer surface of the curved element may be moved outwardly. Accordingly, the second position of the curved element 110 may form a second surface on the curved element. The second surface may have a reduced radius of curvature when compared to a nearby surface of the curved element.

In the second position of the bending element 110, the belt 1 may need to be stretched due to the bending element 110. Furthermore, if the curved element 100 is movable, the belt 1 may need to return to its original shape when the curved element returns to the first/retracted position. Therefore, the belt 1 may need to have good elasticity and suitable strength properties.

The sleeve roll 100 may further include an oil lubricant between the inner surface 10 of the belt 1 and the outer surface of the sleeve roll 100. The inner surface 10 of the belt 1 can slide against the outer surface of the sleeve roll 100. The fibrous web 6 to be treated may be guided to the belt 1, typically supported by one or more fabrics such as wires 5.

Belts The belts herein can be configured to be sleeve roll belts. Alternatively, a belt according to the present invention can be configured to be a shoe press belt or a roll cover for a calendar roll.

The belt can have an inner surface 10 and an outer surface 11. The belt may be provided with reinforcing structures 31, 32.

The belt may form a closed loop, at least during operation, ie the belt 1 may be shaped like an endless loop.

The belt 1 can have a length, a circumference, and a thickness. Thickness is the minimum dimension. The circumference and length can be selected to adapt the belt to a sleeve roll 100, shoe press or calendar roll. The circumferential length of the belt 1 is determined such that the inner diameter of the belt 1 is suitable for the purpose during use.

Belt 1 can be an impermeable belt. It is therefore possible, for example, to use an oil layer on the inner surface 10 of the belt without affecting the outer surface 11 of the belt.

In this application, the term "elasticity" refers to the ability of a belt to return to its original shape when a force is removed. Elastic modulus (%) is a value that indicates how elastically the belt can stretch. The belt may be configured to elastically stretch more than 1.5% in the direction of belt travel so that the belt returns to its original length after the force stretching the belt is removed. In one embodiment, the belt is stretched 1.5% to 5.0%, more preferably 2.0% to It can be configured to elastically stretch within a range of 4.0%. Therefore, the belt can have good stretchability and elasticity at least in the direction of travel of the belt. This makes the belt less likely to be damaged. The belt 1 may furthermore be bendable, ie the belt may be able to bend at least up to a predetermined radius of curvature without breaking.

The length of the belt in the transverse direction is defined according to the machine width and can be, for example, in the range 1.5 m to 13 m.

The circumferential length of the belt 1, that is, the length of one rotation, is determined so that the inner diameter of the belt 1 is suitable for use. The circumferential lengths of the sleeve roll belt, shoe press belt, and calender roll may be different. The inner diameter of the belt may range from 700mm to 2000mm.

The belt may have an outer edge 27 (see Figure 3b), which typically does not contact the fibrous web or fabric. The outer edge 27 may have a length in the range 200mm to 400mm, preferably 250mm to 350mm.

The thickness Ia of the belt can be at least 1.5 mm, more preferably at least 2 mm, most preferably 3 mm or more. It is therefore possible to obtain adequate strength and to place reinforcing structures, such as threads, in the belt.

The thickness 1a of the belt may be 10 mm or less, more preferably 7 mm or less, most preferably 4 mm or less, for example in the range 2.5 mm to 5 mm. This thickness, together with the material of the belt, can provide good strength properties to the belt, especially sleeve roll belts and shoe press belts. As for the roll cover of the calender roll, its thickness can be up to 40 mm depending on its operating conditions.

The belt 1 has a main body 14 . The body can include or consist of a body material. Preferably, the belt 1 comprises an elastic body having the ability to resume its initial shape after being compressed. Therefore, the belt 1 can include an elastic body to have good elasticity.

The belt 1 is suitable for textile web machines and can be made from wire, felt or any material that does not damage the textile web and has suitable elongation and strength properties.

The body can include or consist of polymer(s). Body 14 may include or consist of an elastomeric material. The belt 1 may include an elastomeric material as its main raw material.

Body 14 can include polyurethane. The body 14 may comprise primarily polyurethane, for example at least 50% by weight polyurethane, calculated from the total weight of the belt. Polyurethane can improve belt properties such as elasticity and flexibility and is particularly suitable for use in combination with fabric 5 and fibrous web 6. Polyurethane can therefore be used to obtain good strength and elastic properties; therefore, the belt may be able to stretch and flex during operating time without breaking. Additionally, the belt may contain up to 99.9%, more preferably up to 97%, or up to 95% by weight of polyurethane, calculated from the total weight of the belt. For example, reinforcing structures 31, 32 may include other materials (one or more). Methods for producing polyurethanes are known to those skilled in the art. The polyurethane manufacturing process can be based on prior art methods.

The belt body can have a layer(s) of polyurethane having a specific composition and hardness and having good physical properties of crack resistance, abrasion resistance, and flex fatigue resistance.

The belt may be provided with reinforcing structures 30, 31, 32. Reinforcement structure 30 can be a support structure that supports body 14 . The elasticity of the belt should be substantially high, so the reinforcing structure 30 should not reduce the elasticity of the belt too much.

The reinforcing structures 30, 31, 32 may include threads. The term "yarn" refers to a long structure with a relatively small cross section. Yarns can be composed of fibers and/or filaments, with or without twist. The term "filament" refers to very long fibers.

The yarn may be multiple strands. The thread can be based on synthetic polymers.

The belt may have several threads arranged in at least two directions, namely a first direction D1 and a second direction D2. The first direction D1 can be parallel or substantially parallel to the traveling direction MD of the belt. The second direction D2 can be parallel or substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the belt.

Adjacent threads within each layer can either be in contact with each other or bonded to each other, or spaced apart from each other.

The threads in different layers 31, 32 can either be in contact with or bonded to the threads of the next layer, or they can be spaced apart from each other. Preferably, reinforcing yarn layers 31, 32 that are on top of each other are separated from each other. Therefore, the yarn layers do not need to be fixed to each other or bonded to each other in any way. However, the strength properties of the reinforcing structure can be improved if the threads of different layers are in contact or bonded with the threads of the next layer.

The thread can be embedded in the elastic body. Thus, the thread can be completely surrounded by the material of the body.

The yarn can include synthetic fibers that have high strength, high modulus, and high modulus. The yarn can be made of polyamide (PA) such as nylon, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), rayon, viscose, polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyaramid, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), liquid crystal The material may include or consist of at least one of polyester plastic (LCP), polyimide, and polyetheretherketone (PEEK). Yarns comprising or consisting of the above-mentioned materials can strengthen the belt while still allowing the necessary level of flexing and stretching of the belt.

Referring to Figures 2a-b and 3a, the belt can have an outer surface 11 without grooves. As mentioned above, the term "non-grooved surface" refers to the outer surface of the belt such that deviations having a depth of more than 0.1 mm form 10% or less of the surface. Therefore, preferably the outer surface 11 of the belt does not contain many parallel grooves. The belt can have a smooth outer surface. In particular, the outer surface of the sleeve roll belt is preferably smooth or substantially smooth. A belt 1 with a smooth outer surface may have no grooves or patterns with a depth of more than 0.1 mm, except for belt wear indicators.

The outer surface 11 of the belt may include a slight patterning, ie so-called buffing. The depth of the buffing on the outer surface 11 of the belt 1 can be, for example, between 0 and 50 μm or between 3 and 30 μm. A suitable roughness of the outer surface of the belt can have an advantageous effect on cooperation with the fibrous web mechanical fabric.

Belt Wear Indicators The belt 1 comprises one or more belt wear indicators 20. Several examples of belt wear indicators are shown in Figures 2b-4f. Belt wear indicator 20 may be used to alert the user when the belt has worn so much that it may soon fail. Thanks to the belt wear indicator, belt wear can be easily checked during a stop, and the belt can be replaced with a new one controllably during a given stop.

Belt wear indicator 20 may include or consist of a recess 24 . Belt wear may be recorded, for example by a camera, and/or measured as, for example, the depth, width and/or length of the belt wear indicator 20.

The belt wear indicator may therefore have the form of a (blind) hole.

The belt wear indicator 20 may include or consist of a recess 24 without a filling, or the belt wear indicator 20 may include or consist of a recess 24 with a filling 25. Thus, the recess 24 may be at least partially filled with a filling 25.

The filling can include or consist of paint.

Preferably, the recess is not completely filled with filling, but only a layer of paint is present on at least some surfaces of the recess. The recess may have paint on all or substantially all surfaces of the recess.

The color(s) of the belt wear indicator may be different from the color(s) of the belt. Belt wear indicator 20 can have a color that is visually perceptible from the color of the belt. The filling 25, such as paint, therefore preferably has a color that is visually perceivable from the color of the belt. Therefore, the recess 24 may be painted to improve visibility.

In lieu of or in addition to a visually perceptible color(s) from the color of the belt, the belt wear indicator can include a UV-detectable component, such as a UV-detectable paint. Accordingly, the belt wear indicator may have a UV detectable paint.

The UV detectable paint may have the same color as the belt, or the color of the UV detectable paint may be visually perceivable from the color of the belt.

If the belt wear indicator has a UV detectable component, such as paint, the belt wear indicator can have the same color as the belt and still be easily detected from the outer surface of the belt during stops.

In one embodiment, the color of belt wear indicator 20 is the same as the color of the belt. It may be difficult to see the location of the belt wear indicator if the color of the belt wear indicator is the same as the color of the belt and the belt wear indicator does not have a UV detectable component. However, belt wear can still be recorded by a camera and/or measured, for example as the depth of the belt wear indicator 20.

If belt wear indicator 20 includes a filling, the filling can be designed to wear at the same time as the belt. It is therefore possible to avoid markings in the fiber web. The filling may be, for example, a paint within the recess covering at least some surfaces of the recess. This embodiment may be a particularly cost-effective solution that can significantly improve the ease of visual inspection. Furthermore, thanks to the filling, such as paint, the wear of the belt can be easily measured and/or recorded, for example by means of a camera.

After installation, the belt can typically be visually checked only in a small area of the belt. The difficulty of access is mainly due to several frames surrounding the roll, guard-type sheeting, and dewatering elements, as shown in Figure 1a. To obtain easy visual inspection, the belt preferably has several belt wear indicators spaced apart from each other and positioned around the entire circumference of the belt, as shown in Figure 3b. Therefore, at least one of the wear indicators can be observed or accessed no matter where the roll is stopped for maintenance.

The belt may be provided with one or more belt wear indicators, preferably at least ten belt wear indicators.

Thus, the total amount of belt wear indicators can be at least 2 pcs/belt and no more than 2000 pcs/belt, preferably at least 30 pcs/belt, more preferably at least 40 pcs/belt and no more than 500 pcs/belt. It is therefore possible at any time to provide at any position of the belt at least one belt wear indicator 20 that is visible at the installation location of the belt stop position. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain a cost-effective solution that does not significantly affect the properties of the belt. This type of wear indicator can be manufactured easily and quickly without installing external sensors or the like. Furthermore, it may be advantageous not to have too many wear indicators so as not to affect the strength properties of the belt.

If the belt includes multiple belt wear indicators, the belt wear indicators may be spaced apart from each other.

The belt wear indicator 20 can have, for example, a rectangular shape, a cylindrical shape such as a plug shape, a conical shape, a frustoconical shape, or a strip shape such as a groove shape.

In one embodiment, belt wear indicator 20 has the shape of a cylindrical plug. The shape of the cylindrical plug may be advantageous for durability, especially for belts with deep recesses.

In one embodiment, belt wear indicator 20 has the shape of a groove having a length of at least 10 mm. The shape of the groove(s) can provide the technical effect of improving the ease of detecting the accurate wear rate of the belt. By using laterally oriented grooves, the ease of locating localized wear in the CD direction can be improved. Furthermore, the grooves oriented in the MD direction help to find local MD discontinuities, such as support yarn issues.

In one embodiment, the belt wear indicator 20 has the shape of several parallel grooves, each having a length of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 10 mm, preferably less than 100 mm. This type of shape containing several parallel grooves may be used to reveal matrices such as belt wear information. The distance between adjacent grooves forming the shape can be, for example, between 5 mm and 50 mm.

The belt wear indicator 20 may have a circular cross-section as shown in Figure 2b, or a strip-like cross-section as shown in Figure 3a, or any other form. Belt wear indicator 20 can have at least one of a circular, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, and polygonal cross section, for example.

Belt wear indicator 20 can have a suitable width 22 and length 21 to be easily measured. Furthermore, the belt wear indicator 20 can extend to a suitable depth 23 so that it can indicate the level of belt wear.

In one embodiment, all or at least substantially all of the belt wear indicators have a width 22 of 1 mm to 10 mm.

Belt wear indicator 20 may have a width 22 of 1 mm to 10 mm, preferably 2 mm to 6 mm. This type of belt wear indicator can be used to determine the wear rate of the belt without affecting the operational performance of the belt. Accordingly, the belt wear indicator 20 may have a width 22 of 1 mm or more, preferably 1.5 mm or more, and most preferably 2 mm or more. Furthermore, the belt wear indicator 20 can have a width 22 of no more than 10 mm, preferably no more than 8 mm, more preferably no more than 7 mm, and most preferably no more than 6 mm. The width of the belt wear indicator can be used to encode and/or mark different depths of indicators next to each other. Width 22 can be measured as the maximum width 22 of belt wear indicator 20 determined from a new belt.

The belt wear indicator may have a length 21 of 1 mm or more, preferably 2 mm or more, most preferably 3 mm or more. Furthermore, the belt wear indicator 20 can have a length 22 of no more than 100 mm, preferably no more than 40 mm, more preferably no more than 20 mm, most preferably no more than 10 mm, such as no more than 6 mm. Length 21 may be measured as the maximum measurement of belt wear indicator 20 along the outer surface of the belt, determined from a new belt. The length of the belt wear indicator can be used to encode and/or mark different depths of indicators next to each other. This type of belt wear indicator can be used to determine the wear rate of the belt without affecting the operational performance of the belt.

The depth 23 of the belt wear indicator 20 can be determined in the belt depth direction (from a new belt) at the location of the belt wear indicator. The depth 23 of the belt wear indicator 20 typically decreases as the belt wears.

The belt wear indicator 20 may be arranged to extend to a depth 23 of 6 mm or less determined in the depth direction of the belt before the belt wears. The belt wear indicator 20 may be arranged to extend, for example, to a depth 23 of 0.1 mm to 4.2 mm, defined in depth from the outer surface of the belt, before the belt wears. can. Preferably, the belt wear indicator 20 extends to a depth 23 of at least 0.3 mm, more preferably at least 0.5 mm, determined in depth from the outer surface of the belt, before the belt wears. There is.

The belt may have a safe distance between the belt wear indicator and reinforcing structures (such as threads).

The distance between the belt wear indicator and the outermost surface of the reinforcing structure is at least 0.01 mm, preferably at least 0.0 mm, determined in the belt depth direction from the bottom of the belt wear indicator to the outer surface of the reinforcing structure. 0.05 mm, more preferably at least 0.08 mm, most preferably at least 0.1 mm. Thus, the belt wear indicator 20 can alert the user when the belt wears before it causes damage to the threads.

the distance between the belt wear indicator and the outermost surface of the reinforcing structure is less than or equal to 1.5 mm, preferably less than or equal to 1 mm, defined in the depth direction of the belt from the bottom of the belt wear indicator to the outer surface of the reinforcing structure; It may be more preferably 0.8 mm or less, most preferably 0.5 mm or less. Thus, the belt wear indicator 20 can always warn the user before the belt wears too much to become unsafe.

The shape of the belt wear indicator 20 can be tapered from the top of the indicator to the bottom of the indicator. Accordingly, the belt wear indicator 20 can have a tapered shape that tapers in depth from the outer surface of the belt to the bottom of the belt wear indicator 20. Accordingly, the length 21 and/or width 22 of the belt wear indicator 20 may decrease with the depth 23 of the belt wear indicator 20. Therefore, as the belt wears, belt wear indicator 20 may become shorter and/or thinner. This may improve the ease of detecting belt wear since the wear level may be measured from the outer surface of the belt as the length 21 and/or width 22 of the belt wear indicator 20.

The belt wear indicator may cover 10% or less of the total external surface area of the belt. Preferably, the belt wear indicator covers no more than 3%, preferably no more than 2%, more preferably no more than 1%, and most preferably no more than 0.5% of the total outer surface area of the belt. Therefore, belt wear can be easily and cost-effectively determined without affecting the operational performance of the belt.

In order to easily locate the at least one belt wear indicator at the rest position of the belt, the distance between the two nearest belt wear indicators is determined in the machine direction of the belt by no more than 50 cm, preferably no more than 40 cm, most preferably no more than 40 cm. It can be 30 cm or less.
Alternatively or additionally, the distance 28 between two adjacent belt wear indicators may be at least 10 mm, such as 10 mm to 300 mm, preferably 30 mm to 200 mm, most preferably 50 mm to 100 mm.

As shown in Figure 3b, the belt wear indicator can be placed diagonally to facilitate visual inspection. Thus, the ease of checking the wear level of the belt at any position of the belt can be improved, despite the difficult position of the sleeve roll, for example. Further, the helically arranged belt wear indicator provides the advantage of seeing the difference in wear within areas with forming fabric and areas without forming fabric. Furthermore, thanks to the spirally arranged belt wear indicator, forming fabrics of different widths can be used such that some belt wear indicators are always placed below the forming fabric, but belt wear is Measurements can be taken as close to the end of the roll as possible.

The circumferential repeat 29 of the wear indicator may depend on the circumference of the belt. The circumferential repetition 29 of wear indicators defined from the first belt wear indicator to the last belt wear indicator in the MD can be, for example, from 400mm to 1300mm, such as from 500mm to 1000mm. The belt wear indicator is preferably distributed around the entire circumference so that whenever a shutdown occurs, belt wear can be observed at the shutdown position. Otherwise, it is not easy to rotate the roll to see the wear indicator(s).

The belt wear indicator may be located within a belt wear indicator location area(s) 26. The belt 1 may have a first location area of the belt wear indicator, the length of the first location area extending from the first end 2 of the belt towards the center of the belt. The belt 1 may have a second location area of the belt wear indicator, the length of the second location area extending from the second end 3 of the belt towards the center of the belt. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the location of the belt wear indicator does not exceed the first location area 26 and/or the second location area of the belt wear indicator. The length of the first and/or second position area(s) of the belt wear indicator is from the edge(s) 2, 3 of the belt, excluding the outer edge area 27 of the belt, to the center of the belt. For example, it may be in the range of 20 cm to 1.5 m, preferably in the range of 30 cm to 1.2 m, most preferably at least 40 cm.

In one embodiment, the central area of the outer surface of the belt is free of belt wear indicators. Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the belt can be reduced. Additionally, a belt wear indicator may not be needed in the center of the belt since it is typically easier to determine the wear rate of the belt from the side areas of the belt.

The belt should wear evenly. However, in some cases, the center of the belt may wear faster or slower than other parts of the belt. Thus, in one embodiment, the belt also comprises a wear indicator in the central area of the outer surface of the belt. In this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the belt has worn evenly over the entire outer surface area of the belt. Accordingly, in one embodiment, at least one belt wear indicator 20 may be located at or substantially at the center of the belt. Therefore, after replacing the belt, the wear level of the belt can be inspected through the entire outer surface of the belt.

Referring to FIG. 4f, the belt wear indicator 20 may form an angle α of 70 to 110 degrees, preferably 80 to 100 degrees, with the outer surface of the belt at the location of the belt wear indicator 20. Angle α can improve the ease of manufacturing process. Furthermore, a belt wear indicator having an angle α may not substantially affect the properties of the belt. Additionally, this angle allows a user of belt wear indicator 20 to more easily interpret belt wear compared to other angles.

Methods of Manufacturing Belts Belts can be manufactured using methods known to those skilled in the art. for example,
- providing some support yarns;
- forming a body for the belt by casting an elastomeric material;
- optionally curing said material;
- providing belt wear indicator(s) on the outer surface of the belt;
Belts can be manufactured by:

Therefore, the method of manufacturing belts for textile web machines is as follows:
- casting the body material to form the body 14;
- providing a reinforcing structure 31, 32 for the belt;
- optionally curing the body material;
- providing some belt wear indicators on the outer surface;
can include.

The belt wear indicator 20, in particular the recess of the belt wear indicator, may be formed, for example, by micro-drilling techniques or by a laser or a melting tool.

Grooved type indicators may be made using a grooving tool, such as, for example, a fixed diameter round blade. Additionally, fillings, if used, may be added, for example, by applying paint.

The belt may be intended to be placed on a sleeve roll or shoe press or calender roll of a textile web machine. Referring to Figures 2b and 3b, the belt may further include a plurality of belt attachment points 60, for example for belt installation.

Thanks to the belt wear indicator, belt wear can be easily determined. Furthermore, during experimental testing, it was shown that the belt wear indicators according to the present invention do not affect other properties of the belt, such as the strength properties of the belt. Furthermore, the belt wear indicator did not cause markings on the surface of the fibrous web.

The invention has been described with the help of illustrations and examples. The invention is not limited only to the embodiments described above, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (18)

A belt for a textile web machine, the belt comprising:
the belt has an inner surface and an outer surface;
the outer surface of the belt includes a belt wear indicator having a length and a width;
the belt wear indicator comprises a recess defined in the depth direction of the belt from the outer surface of the belt to the bottom of the belt wear indicator and extending to a depth of at least 0.1 mm;
the belt has an outer surface that is at least substantially groove-free;
a deviation having a depth of 0.1 mm or more is no more than 10%, preferably no more than 3% of the surface area of the outer surface of the belt;
belt. the belt wear indicator includes paint within the recess;
the paint is visually perceptible from the color of the belt;
The belt according to claim 1. the belt wear indicator includes a UV-detecting paint within the recess;
The belt according to claim 1 or 2. - the belt has at least two belt wear indicators, and/or - the belt has no more than 2000 belt wear indicators.
The belt according to any one of claims 1 to 3. the length of the belt wear indicator decreases as the belt wears;
The belt according to any one of claims 1 to 4. the width of the belt wear indicator decreases as the belt wears;
The belt according to any one of claims 1 to 5. the belt wear indicator tapers in the depth direction from the top of the belt wear indicator to the bottom of the belt wear indicator;
The belt according to any one of claims 1 to 6. - the width of the belt wear indicator is in a range between 1 mm and 10 mm;
The belt according to any one of claims 1 to 7. - Belt according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the belt wear indicator is in the range between 1 mm and 50 mm. - the distance between the bottom of the belt wear indicator and the outer surface of the reinforcing structure is defined in the depth direction from the bottom of the belt wear indicator to the outermost surface of the reinforcing structure and is at least 0.01 mm; , preferably at least 0.1 mm.
The belt according to any one of claims 1 to 9. - the distance between the bottom of the belt wear indicator and the outer surface of the reinforcing structure is defined in the depth direction from the bottom of the belt wear indicator to the outermost surface of the reinforcing structure, preferably less than or equal to 1 mm; is at least 0.5 mm or less,
The belt according to any one of claims 1 to 10. the belt wear indicator has the shape of a cylindrical plug;
The belt according to any one of claims 1 to 11. the belt wear indicator has a shape that includes one or more grooves;
The belt according to any one of claims 1 to 12. the total outer surface area of all belt wear indicators of said belt covers no more than 1%, preferably no more than 0.5%, of the outside surface area of said belt;
The belt according to any one of claims 1 to 13. the belt is a sleeve roll belt;
The belt according to any one of claims 2 to 14. the belt is a shoe press belt;
The belt according to any one of claims 2 to 14. The belt is a roll cover such as a roll cover of a calendar roll.
The belt according to any one of claims 2 to 14. A method of using a belt wear indicator for a belt in a textile web machine, the method comprising:
the belt wear indicators are distributed around the circumference of the belt such that at least one belt wear indicator is observable at any stop position of the belt;
each belt wear indicator comprises a recess defined from the outer surface of the belt to the bottom of the belt wear indicator in the depth direction of the belt and extending to a depth of at least 0.1 mm;
Method.