WO2009068738A1

WO2009068738A1 - Method and device for making mineral wool rolls

Info

Publication number: WO2009068738A1
Application number: PCT/FI2008/050679
Authority: WO
Inventors: Markku Talonen; Pekka Halme
Original assignee: Paroc Oy Ab
Priority date: 2007-11-28
Filing date: 2008-11-24
Publication date: 2009-06-04
Also published as: RU2440863C1; PL2225170T3; FI20075849A; EP2225170A1; FI20075849A0; EP2225170B1; FI122646B

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and device for making a roll (12) from a mineral wool band or mat (11), wherein the mineral wool band or mat is rolled in a rolling space (R) defined by three rolling elements (1, 2, 3) between themselves. In the method and device, the cross-section of said rolling space (R) in a direction perpendicular to the rolling axis of a rolling motion is substantially in the shape of a triangle, and the density of the mineral wool roll (12) is adjusted according to a change in the size of the rolling space (R) brought about by a change in the size of the roll in such a way that the density of mineral wool remains substantially constant across the entire roll (12).

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MAKING MINERAL WOOL ROLLS

The invention relates both to a method and to an apparatus for making rolls from mineral wool bands or mats, wherein the mineral wool band or mat is rolled in a rolling space, which three rolling elements define between themselves.

The density of a roll produced in a present-day device is highly fluctuating, thus causing problems e.g. in manufacturing insulating pipe sections of min- eral wool. Hence, there is a demand for such a device and method, by means of which the density of a roll can be controlled, such that the density of mineral wool is constant across the entire finished roll.

For this purpose, the Applicant has invented a rolling method, which is char- acterized in that the cross-section of said rolling space in a direction perpendicular to the rolling axis of a rolling motion is substantially triangular in shape, and that the density of the mineral wool roll is adjusted according to a change in the size of the rolling space brought about by a change in the size of the roll in such a way that the density of the mineral wool remains substantially constant across the entire roll, such that the rolling pressure applied by the rolling elements is measured by means of one conveyor and adjusted to an appropriate rolling pressure by means of obtained measuring values.

In a second aspect of the present invention, the Applicant also proposes a rolling device, which is characterized in that the cross-section of said rolling space in a direction perpendicular to the rolling axis of a rolling motion is substantially triangular in shape, and that the density of the mineral wool roll is adjustable according to a change in the size of the rolling space brought about by a change in the size of the roll in such a way that the density of the mineral wool remains substantially constant across the entire roll, such that the rolling pressure caused by the rolling elements is adapted to be measured by means of one conveyor and to be adjusted to an appropriate rolling pressure by means of obtained measuring values.

The use of a rolling method and device according to the invention enables eliminating the problems caused by fluctuations in the roll density.

According to one preferred embodiment for the method of the invention, the triangularly shaped cross-section is maintained in the shape of an isosceles triangle throughout the rolling process. It is particularly preferred that all three rolling elements be belt conveyors, one of which is the same conveyor belt used for conveying the mineral wool band or mat into the rolling space for a rolling process. The use of belt conveyors as rolling elements provides a distinctive added bonus in the form of reduced soiling. Two out of the three conveyor belts are repositioned as the roll size increases. The method according to the invention is particularly useful when the mineral wool band or mat consists of raw wool.

In one preferred embodiment for a device of the invention, the rolling ele- ments are belt conveyors. It is preferred that one of the three belt conveyors be the very belt conveyor which brings a raw wool mat to the rolling end. It is particularly preferred that the drive ends of said other two belt conveyors be provided with a hinge assembly for repositioning each conveyor independently according to the size of the growing roll. It is also preferred that the triangularly shaped cross-section be adapted to remain in the shape of an isosceles triangle throughout the rolling process. The device according to the invention is particularly applicable for use when the mineral wool band or mat to be rolled consists of raw wool.

The invention will now be described more closely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. IA shows the start of a rolling process in a device and method of the invention,

Rg. IB shows an ongoing but unfinished rolling process,

Hg. 1C shows a stage, in which the rolling of a roll has been completed, and

Fig. ID shows the removal of a finished roll from the rolling device.

This is an example of one implementation for a device and method of the invention. This example is not to be construed as limiting the appended claims.

The rolling device according to this example has its rolling end intended particularly for rolling raw mineral wool into a solid roll which does not have any core opening. The raw wool roll, manufactured with a device and method according to this example, can be used for making a section mat. In this case, it is very important that the density of raw mineral wool be constant throughout the mineral wool material. In this specific example, the rolling device has its rolling end consisting of three belt conveyors, a first 1, a second 2, and a third 3 belt conveyor, defining between themselves a rolling space R, often referred also to as a rolling pocket, which extends across the first belt conveyor's 1 belt 13 from side edge to side edge in a lateral direction of the belt 13 and the cross-section of which in a longitudinal direction of the belt 13 is substantially triangular in shape. The first belt conveyor 1 is in this example the same belt conveyor which is used for bringing raw wool, either in the form of a band or a mat 11, into the rolling pocket R for a roll- ing process and this belt conveyor 1 is here substantially horizontal. The belt conveyor 1 has its belt 13 running in clockwise rotational motion over two guide rollers 4 and 5. At one end of this belt conveyor 1, at a so-called rolling end of the rolling device (i.e. at the end next to the guide roll 5), are provided two other belt conveyors 2 and 3. The conveyor belt 3, which is positioned closest to one terminus (the end next to the guide roller 5) of the first conveyor belt, is the belt conveyor which at the start of a rolling process lifts the end of a raw wool mat or band arriving in the rolling pocket to an obliquely upward position in a direction opposite to an arriving direction T of the raw wool mat. When the obliquely upward folded end of the mat comes to contact with the second belt conveyor 2, this conveyor forces the end of the mat downward, resulting in a first rolled-up layer which is depicted in fig. Ib. The second and third belt conveyors 2 and 3 are hinged at their drive ends (7 and 10). Consequently, the conveyors 2 and 3 can be worked by means of an actuator around a reversal point (the guide roller's 7 axle 16 and respectively the guide roller's 10 axle 17) to a desired angle. The third belt conveyor 3 has its belt 15 running in a substantially triangular path over three guide rollers 8, 9 and 10. Since a short and wide conveyor cannot be manufactured, the third conveyor 3 has its belt extended around a third guide roller. In the second belt conveyor 2, a belt 14 proceeds rotationally over two guide rollers 6 and 7. Both in the second 2 and the third 3 belt con- veyors, the belts 14 and 15 rotate clockwise over guide rollers in such a way that in the actual rolling pocket R, as shown in fig. IA, the raw mineral wool mat 11 is carried by the first belt conveyor 1 towards the third conveyor belt 3, which in fig. IA is lifting the end of the mat obliquely upward to the left and the uplifted end is in turn forced by the second belt conveyor 2 back downward with the result that that the mat rolls up on itself counterclockwise (figs. IA and IB).

As the roll 12 increases in size, the conveyor 2 pivots to the left and the conveyor 3 rises upward, the pocket R becoming larger. This is apparent when comparing the pocket of fig. 1C to those of figs. IA and IB. The roll 12 can have its density adjusted according to the pocket size. A suitable indicator can be for example scales, presenting the existing compression force.

When in full size and complete, the roll 12 is removed from the pocket in such a way that the conveyor 3 rises to an elevated position and the conveyor 2 stops, whereby the roll stops its rolling motion and makes a quick exit along the conveyor 1 onto a crosswise discharge conveyor. After the roll has left, the second and third conveyors 2 and 3 return to their initial positions. The stage of a full-size roll is depicted in fig. 1C and the removal of a finished roll in fig. ID.

The difference between this rolling practice and the prior art lies in the fact that the roll takes shape between three symmetrical surfaces, resulting in a smoother roll surface. What is most essential, however, is that the rolling pressure can be measured and regulated by means of the 2-conveyor, whereby a constant wool density is retained throughout the roll. This is important in section mat manufacturing.

Claims

1. A method for making a roll (12) from a mineral wool band or mat (11), wherein the mineral wool band or mat is rolled in a rolling space (R), which three rolling elements (1, 2, 3) define between themselves, characterized in that the cross-section of said rolling space (R) in a direction perpendicular to the rolling axis of a rolling motion is substantially triangular in shape, and that the density of the mineral wool roll (12) is adjusted according to a change in the size of the rolling space (R) brought about by a change in the size of the roll in such a way that the density of the mineral wool remains substantially constant across the entire roll (12), such that the rolling pressure caused by the rolling elements (1, 2, 3) is measured by means of one conveyor (2) and adjusted to an appropriate rolling pressure by means of obtained measuring values.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the triangularly shaped cross-section (R) is maintained in the shape of an isosceles triangle throughout the rolling process.

3. A method as set forth in either claim 1 or 2, characterized in that all three rolling elements (1, 2, 3) are belt conveyors, one of which is the same conveyor belt used for conveying the mineral wool band or mat (11) into the rolling space (R) for a rolling process.

4. A method as set forth in claim 3, characterized in that two conveyor belts (2, 3) are repositioned in accordance with the increase of the size of the roll (12).

5. A method as set forth in any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the mineral wool band or mat (11) to be rolled consists of raw wool.

6. A device for making rolls from mineral wool bands or mats, in which a mineral wool band or mat (12) is capable of being rolled in a rolling space (R), which three rolling elements (1, 2, 3) define between themselves, characterized in that the cross-section of said rolling space (R) in a direction perpendicular to the rolling axis of a rolling motion is substantially triangular in shape, and that the density of the mineral wool roll (12) is adjustable according to a change in the size of the rolling space (R) brought about by a change in the size of the roll (12) in such a way that the density of the mineral wool remains substantially constant across the entire roll (12), such that the rolling pressure caused by the rolling elements (1, 2, 3) is adapted to be measured by means of one conveyor (2) and to be adjusted to an appropriate rolling pressure by means of obtained measuring values.

7. A device as set forth in claim 6, characterized in that the rolling ele- ments (1, 2, 3) are belt conveyors.

8. A device as set forth in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that one of the three belt conveyors (1, 2, 3) is the very belt conveyor (1) which brings a raw wool mat to the rolling end.

9. A device as set forth in claim 8, characterized in that said other two belt conveyors (2, 3) have drive ends (7, 10) thereof provided with a hinge assembly (16, 17) for repositioning each conveyor independently according to the size of the growing roll (12)

10. A device as set forth in any of claims 6-9, characterized in that the triangularly shaped cross-section (R) is adapted to be in the shape of an isosceles triangle throughout the rolling process.

11. A device as set forth in any of claims 7-10, characterized in that the mineral wool band or mat (12) to be rolled consists of raw wool.