WO2012117459A1

WO2012117459A1 - Briquette Machine

Info

Publication number: WO2012117459A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/004792
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takehiko HINO; Ryouma NISHIMURA
Original assignee: Sintokogio Ltd
Current assignee: Sintokogio Ltd
Priority date: 2011-02-28
Filing date: 2011-08-29
Publication date: 2012-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 2013-08-28
Also published as: AU2011361271A1; KR20130138653A; CN102971139A; TW201235106A; BR112013013567A2; KR101804505B1; JP2014050845A; TWI541065B; AU2011361271B2; CN102971139B

Abstract

A briquette machine 10 is disclosed that equalizes the profile of the thickness and weight of the produced briquettes. The briquette machine 10 includes a hydraulic cylinder 106 that is located at the side opposite a stationary-side bearing unit 56 in relating to a movable-side bearing unit 46 such that the axial direction is along the radial direction of a first roll 12 and a second roll 14. The hydraulic cylinder has a cylinder rod 110 in which one end is provided with a positioning mechanism 120 for adjusting the position of the cylinder rod in the axial direction. The briquette machine 10 also includes a pressure detector 124 that is located between the other end of the cylinder rod 110 and the movable-side bearing unit 46 for detecting the pressure that affects an area therebetween and a controller for controlling an adjustable speed motor 26 such that the number of rotations of a feeder screw 24 is increased or decreased based on the increase or decrease of the detected value of the pressure by the pressure detector 124.

Description

Briquette Machine

CROSS REFERENCE OF THE RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-042974, filed on February 28, 2011, entitled "Briquette Machine," and the content of it constitutes part of this application.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a briquette machine for producing briquettes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that a conventional briquette machine includes a pair of rolls to compress and solidify a raw material supplied from a hopper, to form a briquette (for instance, see Patent Literature 1 and 2).

PRIOR-ART DOCUMENTS

[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Laid-open Patent Publication (TOKKAIHEI) No. H09-192896
[Patent Literature 2] Japanese Patent Laid-open Patent Publication (TOKKAIHEI) No. H06-55299

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the objects of such a briquette machine is to equalize the profile of the thickness and the weight of the produced briquettes.

This invention is accomplished in view of the above problem and is intended to provide a briquette machine that can equalize the profile of the thickness and the weight of the produced briquettes.

Means to Solve the Problem

To solve the above problem, a briquette machine in one aspect of the present invention comprises a pair of rolls, each forming the shape of a ring, arranged so that the rotating axes of the respective rolls are parallel to each other, wherein raw materials to be supplied therebetween are pressurized and solidified to compression mold a briquette as the respective rolls are rotated; a stationary-side bearing unit for pivotally supporting a shaft member that is rotatably provided in unison with one roll of the respective rolls; a movable-side bearing unit for pivotally supporting a shaft member that is rotatably provided in unison with another roll of the respective rolls, wherein the movable-side bearing unit can be moved along the radial direction of the respective rolls toward and away from the stationary-side bearing unit; a spacer for adjustment of a gap located between the stationary-side bearing unit and the movable side bearing unit, to form the gap between the respective rolls; a hydraulic cylinder located at side opposite the stationary-side bearing unit in reference to the movable-side bearing unit such that the axial direction is along the radial direction of the respective rolls, and having a cylinder rod in which one end is provided with a positioning mechanism for adjusting the position of the cylinder rod in the axial direction; a pressure detector located between another end of the cylinder rod and the movable-side bearing unit for detecting the pressure that affects the area therebetween; a hopper located above the respective rolls; a feeder screw located in the hopper for thrusting down the raw materials in the hopper inbetween the respective rolls as the feeder screw is rotated; an adjustable-speed motor for rotating the feeder screw at a variable number of rotations; and a controller for controlling the adjustable-speed motor such that the number of rotations of the feeder screw is increased or decreased based on the increase or decrease of the detected value of the pressure by the pressure detector.

With this briquette machine, for instance, variations in the density or fluidity of the raw materials supplied from the hopper causes the compression force that affects the raw materials between the first roll and the second roll to be varied. If the pressure that affects the area between the other end of the cylinder rod and the movable-side bearing unit have therefore increased or decreased, the number of rotations of the feeder screw is increased or decreased based on the variations in that pressure. Therefore, variations in the compression force that affect the raw materials between the first roll and the second roll can be prevented, to thus equalize the profile of the thickness and the weight of the produced briquettes.

To solve the above problem, a briquette machine in another aspect of the present invention comprises a pair of rolls, each forming a ring shape, arranged so that the rotating axes of the respective rolls are parallel to each other, wherein raw materials to be supplied therebetween are pressurized and solidified to compression mold a briquette as the respective rolls are rotated; a stationary-side bearing unit for pivotally supporting a shaft member that is rotatably provided in unison with one roll of the respective rolls; a movable-side bearing unit for pivotally supporting a shaft member that is rotatably provided in unison with another roll of the respective rolls, wherein the movable-side bearing unit can be moved along the radial direction of the respective rolls toward and away from the stationary-side bearing unit; a hydraulic cylinder for applying welding pressure on the other roll of the respective rolls when the other roll undergoes a force in the direction in which the other roll is apart from the one roll of the respective rolls; a hopper located above the rolls; a feeder screw located in the hopper for thrusting down the raw materials in the hopper in between the respective rolls as the feeder screw is rotated; an adjustable-speed motor for rotating the feeder screw at a variable number of rotations; a detector for detecting a force to thrust down the raw materials in between the respective rolls, or an electric current in a driving motor for rotating the respective rolls; and a controller for controlling the adjustable-speed motor such that the number of rotations of the feeder screw is increased or decreased based on the increase or decrease of the detected value by the detector.

With this briquette machine, for instance, variations in the density or fluidity of the raw materials supplied from the hopper cause the compression force that affects the raw materials between the first roll and the second roll to be varied. Thus, the pressure to thrust down the raw materials between the first and second rolls and doing so by means of the feeder screw is increased or decreased. Because the number of rotations is increased or decreased based on the increase or decrease of the pressure to inhibit variations in the compression force that affects the raw materials between the first roll and the second roll, the variations can be prevented, to thereby equalize the profile of the thickness and the weight of the produced briquettes.

In both briquette machines, both the stationary-side bearing unit and the movable-side bearing may include a bearing for pivotally supporting the shaft member; and may include a compressed-air supplying nozzle having a jet orifice for ejecting the compressed air supplied from a compressed-air source. The jet orifice may form an opening that is oriented in between the bearing and the corresponding roll.

With this briquette machine, each stationary-side bearing unit and movable-side bearing unit includes a compressed-air supplying nozzle for ejecting the compressed air supplied from the compressed-air source. The jet orifice of the nozzle forms an opening that is oriented to a location between the bearing and the first roll, and more particularly, between the wall and the sealing member. Therefore, ejecting the compressed air from the jet orifice of the nozzle can inhibit foreign materials or the like from adhering to the outer circumference surface of the first roll close to the side of the bearing. Thus the possibility of damage to the bearing caused by foreign substances or the like can be reduced.

In this case, both the stationary-side bearing unit and the movable-side bearing unit may include a case for receiving the bearing. Further, a compressed-air supplying channel for supplying compressed air from the source may be formed on the case such that the compressed-air supplying nozzle is connected to the compressed-air supplying channel by a connecting pipe.

With the briquette machine, a connecting means to be connected between the compressed-air supplying nozzle and the compressed-air supplying channel employs the connecting pipe. Therefore, pipework for the nozzle can be readily made at a low cost.

In the above briquette machine having the compressed-air supplying nozzle, both the stationary-side bearing unit and the movable-side bearing may include a cover provided on the bearing at the side of the corresponding roll and a sealing member provided inside the cover. Further, a wall may be formed between the sealing member and the corresponding roll in the cover such that the opening of the jet orifice is oriented toward an area between the wall and the sealing member.

With the briquette machine of this embodiment, because the jet orifice of the nozzle forms the opening that is oriented toward the area between the wall and the sealing member, a foreign material or the like is prevented from coming close to the sealing member.

Further, in the briquette machine of this embodiment, both the stationary-side bearing unit and the movable-side bearing may include securing members for securing a rotating shaft-like member on which the shaft portions are formed and secure the corresponding roll. Also, a cylindrical portion may be formed on the securing members such that the cylindrical portion is close to and opposite the leading end of the wall. One portion of the compressed air that is ejected from the jet orifice of the compressed-air supplying nozzle is exhausted to the side of the corresponding roll through and between the leading end of the wall and the cylindrical portion.

With this briquette machine, because a space between the leading end of the wall and the cylindrical portion is narrow, the quantity consumed of compressed air can be reduced.

In any of the above briquette machines, each roll may be configured to include a plurality of segments that are divided in the circumferential direction of the roll.

With this briquette machine, the roll is configured with a plurality of segments that are divided in the circumferential direction. If even one part of the roll is damaged, only the segment or segments corresponding to the damaged part of the roll need be replaced, without it being necessary to replace the entire roll. Thus, the cost for the replacement can be reduced compared to where an entire roll is replaced.

In one embodiment of the present invention, each segment is composed of a powdered high-speed steel.

With this briquette machine, because the segment is composed of the powdered high-speed steel, its fatigue life can be extended.

Each segment may be alternatively composed of alloy tool steel.

With this briquette machine, because the segment is composed of alloy tool steel, in abrasion resistance and low cost a segment that is superior to the segment composed of the powdered high-speed steel can be provided.

Each segment may be alternatively composed of ceramic made of HRC 65 to 80 or a steel alloy.

With this briquette machine, because the segment is composed of a ceramic made of HRC 65 to 80 or a steel alloy, the abrasion resistance of the segment can be improved and thus a long-term use of it is enabled.

Advantage of the Invention

As discussed above in detail, the briquette machine of the present invention can equalize the profile of the thickness and the weight of the produced briquettes.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, schematically illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a front view of a briquette machine of one embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a right-side view of the briquette machine of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a plane view of the briquette machine of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a first roll and a second roll that are provided in the briquette machine of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 illustrates a cross section of both a hopper and a feeder screw that are provided in the briquette machine of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 illustrates a lateral cross section of the first roll and its periphery in the briquette machine of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the principal part in Fig. 6.

[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a plane view of a fixed roll, a movable roll, and their peripheries in an alternate briquette machine that differs from the one of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a front view, with a partial cross sectional view, of the fixed roll, the movable roll, and their peripheries in Fig. 8.

[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a flowchart of the operations of the control section in Fig. 8.

[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 illustrates a first modification of the briquette machine of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of the principal part in Fig. 11.

[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 illustrates a second modification of the briquette machine of Fig. 1.

[Fig. 14] Fig. 14 illustrates a modification of the second roll of Fig. 6.

[Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the principal part of the second roll of Fig. 14.

[Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the principal portion of the second roll of Fig. 14.

[Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a segment in Fig. 14.

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention will now be explained in reference to the drawings.

As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, a briquette machine 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention comprises one pair of rolls that includes a first roll 12 and a second roll 14, a driver 16, a first coupling 18, a second coupling 20, a hopper 22, a feeder screw 24, and an adjustable-speed motor 26.

The first roll 12 and the second roll 14 are contained in a frame 27. The first roll 12 and the second roll 14 each form an annular shape and are arranged such that their respective rotating axes are parallel to each other. On the

outer circumference surfaces

12A and 14A of the first roll 12 and the second roll 14, a plurality of pockets 28 and pockets 30 are provided as illustrated in Fig. 4. The pockets 28 on the first roll 12 and the pockets 30 on the second roll 14 are configured and located such that they are aligned with each other in the circumferential direction of the

rolls

12 and 14.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the driver 16 includes a driving motor 32 and a decelerator 34. In the decelerator 34, a pair of

output shafts

36, 38 is provided in parallel. The first coupling 18 couples the one output shaft 36 and the first roll 12, while the second coupling 20 couples the other output shaft 38 and the second roll 14.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the hopper 22 is located above the first roll 12 and second roll 14 and is provided with the feeder screw 24 therein. The upper part of the feeder screw 24 is provided with a driven mechanism 39.

In the briquette machine 10, when the driver 16 is actuated, the rotary driving force therefrom is transmitted to the first roll 12 and the second roll 14 through the first coupling 18 and the second coupling 20 such that the first roll 12 and the second roll 14 are rotated in opposite directions of each other. In this state, when the adjustable speed motor 26 is rotated, the rotating force therefrom is transmitted to the feeder screw 24 through the driving mechanism 39 to rotate the feeder screw 24. Raw materials in the hopper 22 are then thrust down between the first roll 12 and the second roll 14 from the feeder screw 24. The raw materials are pressurized and solidified by the pockets 28 and the pockets 30, in cooperation with each other, to make a briquette by a compression molding.

As illustrated in Fig. 6 in detail, the first roll 12 is mounted on an outer circumference 40A of a rotating shaft-like member 40 by securing members 42. At the sides of the rotating shaft-like member 40 in the axial direction of the first roll 12, a pair of shaft portions 44 are formed concentrically with the first roll 12. This pair of shaft portions 44 is pivotally supported by a pair of movable-side bearing units 46. On the one shaft portion 44 that is near the first coupling 18 rather than the first roll, a roll-side coupling 48 is concentrically formed.

As denoted by the parenthetic numerals in Fig. 6, similar to the first roll 12, the second roll 14 is also mounted on an outer circumference 50A of a rotating shaft-like member 50 by securing members 52. At the sides of the rotating shaft-like member 50 in the axial direction of the second roll 14, a pair of shaft portions 54 is formed concentric with the second roll 14. This pair of shaft portions 54 is pivotally supported by a pair of stationary-side bearing units 56. On the one shaft portion 54 that is close to the second coupling 20 rather than the first roll, a roll-side coupling 58 is concentrically formed.

Each movable-side bearing unit 46 includes a bearing 60 mounted on the corresponding shaft portion 54, a case 62 that receives the bearing 60, a cover 64 that is provided on the bearing 60 at the side of the first roll 12, and a sealing member 66 that is provided inside the cover 64.

On the case 62, a lubricating-oil supplying channel 68 is formed. The cover 64 is provided with a lubricating-oil supplying nozzle 70. The channel 68 and the nozzle 70 that both supply the lubricating oil are connected by a connecting pipe 72. Further, a jet orifice of the nozzle 70 forms an opening that is oriented in between the bearing 60 and the sealing member 66.
In each movable-side bearing unit 46, when the lubricating oil is supplied from its source (not shown) to the inlet of the channel 68, the lubricating oil is supplied to the bearing 60 through the connecting pipe 72 and the lubricating-oil supplying nozzle 70.

As illustrated in Fig. 7, the cover 64 is provided with a wall 74 located between the sealing member 66 and the first roll 12. The wall 74 is extended radially and inwardly of the cover 64 such that the leading end of the wall 74 is close to and opposite a cylindrical portion 76, which is integrally formed with the securing member 42.

Also, on the case 62, a compressed-air supplying channel 78 is formed. The cover 64 is also provided with a compressed-air supplying nozzle 80. The channel 78 and the nozzle 80, which both supply the compressed air, are connected by a connecting pipe 82. Further, the jet orifice of the nozzle 80 forms an opening that is oriented to the area between the wall 74 and the sealing member 66.

In each movable-side bearing unit 46, when the compressed air is supplied from its source (not shown) to the inlet of the channel 78, the compressed air is ejected in between the wall 74 and the sealing member 66 through the connecting pipe 82 and the a compressed-air supplying nozzle 80. One portion of the compressed air that is ejected in between the wall 74 and the sealing member 66 may be dispersed therebetween in the circumferential direction, while the other portion may be exhausted to the side of the first roll 12 through and between the leading end of the wall 74 and the cylindrical portion 76. Such a removal of dust by ejecting the compressed air may be consistently carried out. Alternatively, it may be carried out on an as-needed basis.

As shown by the parenthetic numerals denoted in Figs. 6 and 7, each rotating shaft-like member 50 on which the second roll 14 is mounted and each stationary-side bearing unit 56 on which the shaft portion 54 is pivotally supported are configured to be the same as the rotating shaft-like member 40 and the movable-side bearing unit 46.

As illustrated in Fig. 8, the movable-side bearing unit 46 can be moved along the radial direction (the X direction) of the first and

second rolls

12 and 14 toward and away from the stationary-side bearing unit 56. Provided between each movable-side bearing unit 46 and the corresponding stationary-side bearing unit 56 is a spacer 104 for adjusting a gap such that the gap is formed between the first roll 12 and the second roll 14. The gap can be adjusted based on the width of the spacer 104. In particular, a plurality of groups of spacers 104 with different widths is provided such that the same group includes a plurality of spacers 104 having the same width. Locating an appropriate combination of these spacers 104 may result in an optimum gap. Such an adjusting of the gap may be carried out, while an appropriate tool, e.g., a clearance gauge, is used for measuring the gap, when equipment is installed or replaced, for instance.

On the opposite side of each stationary-side bearing unit 56 in reference to the corresponding movable-side bearing unit 46, a hydraulic cylinder 106 is located such that its axial direction is along the radial direction of the first and

second rolls

12 and 14. The hydraulic cylinder 106 includes a cylinder body 108 and a cylinder rod 110. The cylinder body 108 is fixed to the side of a housing 112, which contains the stationary-side bearing unit 56, the movable-side bearing unit 46, the first roll 12, the second roll 14, and so on. The cylinder rod 110 includes a piston 114 at the center portion in the longitudinal direction such that the piston 114 is received in the cylinder body 108.

One end of each cylinder rod 110 is formed with a thread 116, which is threaded into an adjustment nut 118. The adjustment nut 118 abuts a wall surface, facing opposite the housing 112, of the cylinder body 108. The thread 116 and the adjustment nut 118 constitute a positioning mechanism 120 in which an amount of the threading therebetween can be adjusted and thus the longitudinal location of the cylinder rod 110 can be adjusted.

On the opposite sidewall of each movable-side bearing unit 46 in relation to the corresponding stationary-side bearing unit 56, a pressure detector 124 is fixedly mounted through a liner 122. The pressure detector 124 is located between the other end of the cylinder rod 110 and the movable-side bearing unit 46 such that the other end of the cylinder rod 110 contacts the pressure detector 124. The pressure that affects an area between the other end of the cylinder rod 110 and the movable-side bearing unit 46 is detected by the pressure detector 124. Further, an output signal from the pressure detector 124 enters a controller 126 via an adder and an amplifier (neither shown).

In the briquette machine 10 that is constructed as described above, the clearance between the first roll 12 and the second roll 14 is set by the spacer 104 for adjustment for a gap when the first roll 12 and the second roll 14 are in an unloaded condition. At this time, the location of the other end of the cylinder rod 110 is adjusted by the adjustment nut 118 so as to contact the pressure sensor 124. At this time, the pressure sensor 124 provides no output signal. One side of the piston 114 in the cylinder body 108 is filled with hydraulic oil to set the cylinder rod 110 by hydraulic pressure.

When raw materials are supplied between the first roll 12 and the second roll 14 and thus a welding pressure affects the area therebetween, the pressure that affects the area between the other cylinder rod 110 and the movable-side bearing unit 46 is detected by the pressure detector 124. The signal based on the detected pressure enters, via the accumulator and the amplifier (neither shown), the controller 126 (Step S1 in Fig. 10).

The controller 126 determines whether the detected value of the pressure by the pressure detector 124 is in a predetermined range (Step S2 in Fig. 10). If it is, the number of rotations of the feeder screw 24 at this time are maintained without change.

If the detected value of the pressure is not within the predetermined range, the controller 126 determines whether the detected value of the pressure is greater than the predetermined range (Step S3 in Fig. 10). If it is, the controller 126 controls the adjustable speed motor 26 to decrease the number of rotations of the feeder screw 24 (Step S4 in Fig. 10).

If the detected value of the pressure is smaller than the predetermined range, the controller 126 controls the adjustable-speed motor 26 to increase the number of rotations of the feeder screw 24 (Step S5 in Fig. 10).

In addition, if the first and

second rolls

12 and 14 involve an invasion by any foreign material therebetween and thus an abnormal welding pressure affects the area therebetween, an impact force due to it is transmitted to the cylinder rod 110 through the movable-side bearing unit 46, the liner 122, and the pressure detector 124. The cylinder rod 110 is then moved against a hydraulic resistance force to absorb the impact force.

The functions and advantages of the embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

With the briquette machine 10, for instance, variations in the density or fluidity of the raw materials supplied from the hopper 22 cause the compression force that affects the raw materials located between the first roll 12 and the second roll 14 to be varied. If the pressure that affects the area between the other end of the cylinder rod 110 and the movable-side bearing unit 46 have therefore increased or decreased, the number of rotations of the feeder screw 24 is increased or decreased based on variations in that pressure. Therefore, variations in the compression force that affects the raw materials between the first roll 12 and the second roll 14 can be prevented, to thus equalize a thickness profile and the weight of the produced briquettes.

Each movable-side bearing unit 46 includes a compressed-air supplying nozzle 80 for ejecting the compressed air supplied from the compressed-air source. The jet orifice of the nozzle 80 forms an opening that is oriented to an area between the bearing 60 and the first roll 12, and more particularly, between the wall 74 and the sealing member 66. Therefore, ejecting the compressed air from the jet orifice of the nozzle 80 inhibits a foreign material or the like from adhering to the outer circumference surface of the first roll 12 close to the side of the bearing 60, and thus a possibility of damaging the bearing 60, due to the foreign material or the like can be reduced.

In particular, one portion of the compressed air that is ejected from the jet orifice of the nozzle 80 is ejected to the side of the first roll 12 pass between the leading end of the wall portion and the cylindrical portion 76. This can more efficiently inhibit a foreign material or the like from adhering to the outer circumference surface close to the side of the bearing 60 (the wall 74).

Because the area between the leading end of the wall 74 and the cylindrical portion 76 is narrower, the quantity used consumed of compressed air can be reduced.

Each stationary side bearing unit 56 is configured to be the same as each movable side bearing unit 46. Therefore, ejecting the compressed air in the stationary-side bearing unit 56 can inhibit foreign substances or the like form adhering to the outer circumference surface of the second roll 14 close to the side of the bearing 60, which is similar to the movable side-bearing unit 46.

Further, a connecting means to be connected between the compressed-air supplying nozzle 80 and the compressed-air supplying channel 78 employs the connecting pipe 82. Therefore, the piping for the nozzle 80 can be readily made at a low cost.

One modification of the embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

In the forgoing embodiment, the number of rotations of the feeder screw 24 is increased or decreased based on the increase or decrease of the pressure that affects an area between the other end of the cylinder rod 110 and the movable-side bearing unit 46. This configuration may be replaced by the following configuration.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, the first roll 12 is arranged such that it can be moved along the radial direction toward and away from the second roll 14. The first roll 12 undergoes a pressure from a hydraulic cylinder 128 when a force affects the first roll 12 in a direction away from the second roll 14. The lower end portion of the hopper 22 is provided with a detector, i.e., a pressure detector 130. The pressure to thrust down the raw materials between the first roll 12 and the second roll 14 by means of the feeder screw 24 is detected by the pressure detector 130. In this modification, the controller 126 controls the adjustable-speed motor 26 to increase or decrease the number of the feeder screws 24 based on the increase or decrease of the detected value of the pressure by the pressure detector 130.

Even in this configuration of the modification, for instance, variations in the density or fluidity of the raw materials supplied from the hopper 22 cause the compression force that affects the raw materials between the first roll 12 and the second roll 14 to be varied. Thus, the pressure to thrust down the raw materials between the first and

second rolls

12 and 14 by means of the feeder screw 24 is increased or decreased. Because the number of rotations is increased or decreased based on the increase or decrease of the pressure to inhibit variations in the compression force, effects on the raw materials between the first roll 12 and the second roll 14 can be prevented, to thereby equalize the thickness profile and the weight of the produced briquettes.

As illustrated in Fig. 13, the pressure detector 130 in the above modification may be replaced with an electric current detector 132 for detecting a driving current in the driving motor 32 that is provided in the driver 16, as the detector. The controller 126 may control the adjustable-speed motor 26 to increase or decrease the number of the feeder screws 24 based on the increase or decrease of the detected value of the driving current by the electric current detector 132.
[0063] Note that the first roll 12 in the forgoing embodiment may be configured to include a plurality of segments 44, which are divided in the circumferential direction of the first roll 12, as illustrated in Figs. 14 through 17. Each segment may be composed of powdered high-speed steel.

The segments 44 are secured to the corresponding shaft portion by the securing members (clamps) 42 (52). As mounting bolts of the securing members (the clamps) 42 (52) are tightened, the inclined shoulders of the segments 44 are thrust down to the shaft portion such that the inclined shoulders are orthogonally clamped on the shaft portion to secure them thereon. To prevent any damage to the segments 44, a gap between the segments 44 and the shaft portion is machined such that they are virtually in close contact with each other. The securing members 42 (52) are divided in the circumferential direction such that they can be removed when replacing the segments. Of course, integrally securing members may be used with a sufficient function.

With the first roll 12 that is configured with a plurality of the segments 44 that are divided in the circumferential direction as discussed above, if even one part of the first roll 12 is damaged, only the segment or segments corresponding to the damaged part of the first roll 12 need to be replaced, without it being necessary to replace the entire first roll 12. Thus, the cost for the replacement can be reduced compared to where the entire first roll 12 is replaced.

Making each segment 44 with the powdered high-speed steel can extend its fatigue life.

Like the first roll 12, the second roll 14 may be configured to include a plurality of segments 44, which are divided in the circumferential direction of the second roll 14.

Each segment 44 may be alternatively composed of alloy tool steel. In this case, a segment that is superior in abrasion resistance and low cost to the segment composed of the powdered high-speed steel can be provided.

Each segment 44 may be alternatively composed of a ceramic of HRC 65 to 80 or a steel alloy. In this case, the abrasion resistance of the segment can be improved and thus a long-term use of it is enabled.

Although one embodiment of the present invention is described above, the present invention is not to be limited by the specific embodiment. Of course, various modifications other than the above specific embodiment may be implemented without deviating from the scope of the present invention.
For instance, to explain the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the specific terms are used to clarify the essential elements of the briquette machine. However, it should be recognized that the present invention is not to be intended to limited to the selected and specific terms and all essential elements contain all technical equivalents that may be operated by ways similar to them.

Brief Description of Numerals

10 Briquette machine
12 First roll (Roll)
14 Second roll (Roll)
16 Driver
18 First coupling
20 Second coupling
22 Hopper
24 Screw feeder
26 Adjustable-speed motor
28, 30 Pockets
32 Driving motor
44, 54 Shaft portion
46 Movable-side bearing unit
56 Stationary-side bearing unit
60 Bearing
80 Compressed-air supplying nozzle
104 Spacer for adjusting a gap
106 Hydraulic cylinder
110 Cylinder rod
120 Positioning mechanism
124 Pressure detector
126 Controller
128 Hydraulic Cylinder
130 Pressure detector (Detector)
132 Electric current detector (Detector)
144 Segments

Claims

A briquette machine comprising:
a pair of rolls, each forming a ring shape, arranged so that the rotating axes of the respective rolls are parallel to each other, wherein raw materials to be supplied therebetween are pressurized and solidified to compress mold a briquette as the respective rolls are rotated;
a stationary-side bearing unit for pivotally supporting a shaft member that is rotatably provided in unison with one roll of the respective rolls;
a movable side bearing unit for pivotally supporting a shaft member that is rotatably provided in unison with another roll of the respective rolls in unison, wherein the movable-side bearing unit can be moved along the radial direction of the respective rolls toward and away from the stationary-side bearing unit;
a spacer for adjustment of a gap located between the stationary-side bearing unit and the movable-side bearing unit, to form a gap between the respective rolls;
a hydraulic cylinder located at the side opposite the stationary-side bearing unit in reference to the movable-side bearing unit such that the axial direction is along the radial direction of the respective rolls, and having a cylinder rod in which one end is provided a positioning mechanism for adjusting the position of the cylinder rod in the axial direction;
a pressure detector located between the other end of the cylinder rod and the movable-side bearing unit for detecting the pressure that affects an area therebetween;
a hopper located above the respective rolls;
a feeder screw located in the hopper for thrusting down the raw materials in the hopper in between the respective rolls as the feeder screw is rotated;
an adjustable-speed motor for rotating the feeder screw at a variable number of rotations; and
a controller for controlling the adjustable speed motor such that the number of rotations of the feeder screw is increased or decreased based on the increase or decrease of the detected value of the pressure by the pressure detector.
A briquette machine comprising:
a pair of rolls, each forming a ring shape, arranged so that the rotational axes of the respective rolls are parallel to each other, wherein raw materials to be supplied therebetween are pressurized and solidified to compress mold a briquette as the respective rolls are rotated;
a stationary-side bearing unit for pivotally supporting a shaft member that is rotatably provided in unison with one roll of the respective rolls;
a movable-side bearing unit for pivotally supporting a shaft member that is rotatably provided in unison with another roll of the respective rolls, wherein the movable-side bearing unit can be moved along the radial direction of the respective rolls toward and away from the stationary-side bearing unit;
a hydraulic cylinder for applying welding pressure on the other roll of the respective rolls when the other roll undergoes a force in the direction in which the other roll is apart from the one roll of the respective rolls;
a hopper located above the rolls;
a feeder screw located in the hopper for thrusting down the raw materials in the hopper in between the respective rolls as the feeder screw is rotated;
an adjustable speed motor for rotating the feeder screw at a variable number of rotations;
a detector for detecting a force to thrust down the raw materials in between the respective rolls, or an electric current in a driving motor for rotating the respective rolls; and
a controller for controlling the adjustable speed motor such that the number of rotations of the feeder screw is increased or decreased based on the increase or decrease of the detected value by the detector.
The briquette machine of claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the stationary-side bearing unit and the movable-side bearing includes
a bearing for pivotally supporting the shaft member; and
a compressed-air supplying nozzle having a jet orifice for ejecting the compressed air supplied from a compressed-air source, wherein the jet orifice forms an opening that is oriented to an area between the bearing and the corresponding roll.
The briquette machine of claim 3, wherein each of the stationary-side bearing unit and the movable-side bearing includes
a case for receiving the bearing, wherein a compressed-air supplying channel for supplying compressed air supplied from the source is formed on the case such that the compressed-air supplying nozzle is connected to the compressed-air supplying channel by a connecting pipe.
The briquette machine of claim 3 or 4, wherein each of the stationary-side bearing unit and the movable-side bearing includes
a cover provided on the bearing at the side of the corresponding roll;
a sealing member provided inside the cover;
wherein a wall is formed between the sealing member and the corresponding roll in the cover; and
wherein the opening of the jet orifice is oriented to an area between the wall and the sealing member.
The briquette machine of claim 5, wherein each of the stationary-side bearing unit and the movable-side bearing includes
securing members for securing a rotating shaft-like member on which the shaft portions are formed and securing corresponding roll, wherein a cylindrical portion is formed on the securing members such that the cylindrical portion is close to and faces the leading end of the wall; and
wherein one portion of the compressed air that is ejected from the jet orifice of the compressed-air supplying nozzle is exhausted to the side of the corresponding roll through and between the leading end of the wall and the cylindrical portion.
The briquette machine of any of claims 1 through 6, wherein each roll is configured to include a plurality of segments that are divided in the circumferential direction of the roll.
The briquette machine of claim 7, wherein each segment is composed of powdered high-speed steel.
The briquette machine of claim 7, wherein each segment is composed of an alloy tool steel.
The briquette machine of claim 7, wherein each segment is composed of a ceramic of HRC 65 to 80 or a steel alloy.