Bearing components for supporting rotatable shafts

Abstract

The present invention provides a bearing component (65) for supporting a rotatable shaft, comprising a bearing housing (20); at least one bearing (32) inserted into the bearing housing (20); wherein the bearing (32) is configured to receive a rotatable shaft (72) extending through the bearing; and a tilting component (41) arranged around the bearing housing (20). The tilting component (41) includes a set of annular disks (44) forming through holes (62) for receiving the bearing housing (20); wherein each of the annular disks (44) includes a plurality of apertures extending through each of the disks, and wherein the tilting component (41) further includes a sleeve element (47) disposed in each of the apertures for holding the annular disks (44) together as a stack and for receiving a fastening device for attaching the tilting component (41) to the bearing housing (20) or the fixed machine element (71). The bearing component (65) also includes at least one fastening element (64) that extends through the sleeve (47) of the tilting component (41) and attaches the tilting component (41) to the bearing housing (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bearing component, such as a bearing component that allows a bearing housing to tilt relative to its central axis. Background Art

[0002] Centrifugal separators generally include a centrifugal rotor mounted to a typically vertical spindle that is driven by a drive unit located below the centrifugal rotor. Compared to the drive unit, the centrifugal rotor typically has a relatively large weight. In addition, the centrifugal rotor is configured to receive a large amount of products to be separated. The mass carried by the spindle during operation of the centrifugal separator is therefore significant. During operation, particularly when the centrifugal rotor must pass a critical rotational speed during startup in order to achieve the most suitable supercritical rotational speed for the desired separation efficiency, a relatively small imbalance of the centrifugal rotor may cause problems.

[0003] US2015 / 283561 discloses a centrifugal separator, which includes a centrifugal drum and a drive spindle rotatably mounted in a drive housing by a neck bearing and a foot bearing. The drive housing surrounds a drive chamber and an electric motor having a stator and a motor rotor. The motor rotor is arranged on the drive spindle, and the stator is fixedly connected to the drive housing. There is an air gap between the stator and the motor rotor. The stator and the motor rotor are arranged between the neck bearing and the foot bearing. The foot bearing is designed as a pivot bearing and supports the centrifugal drum axially. The neck bearing is radially supported in the bearing housing via at least one elastic element, and the bearing housing is then fastened to the drive housing. The elastic element consists of two metal sleeves, which are interconnected by means of a ring consisting of an elastomeric material.

[0004] The elastic element of US2015 / 283561 supporting the neck bearing allows a small radial movement of the spindle during operation. However, this design can cause the spindle to tilt slightly as it moves radially from the geometric center axis. The elastic element supporting the neck bearing does not appear to be configured to compensate for such tilting. The tilting of the spindle can therefore result in forces that strive to rotate the inner and outer bearing rings of the neck bearing relative to each other about the transverse axis, which can cause premature wear of the neck bearing.

[0005] US 9,427,747 discloses a centrifugal separator suitable for heavy-duty applications and comprising a frame, a spindle and a centrifugal rotor on the spindle. The centrifugal rotor comprises a rotor shell forming an internal separation space, an inlet for supplying a fluid and an outlet for discharging separated components. A drive motor having a stator and a rotor drives the spindle and the centrifugal rotor. The motor rotor is supported by a first bearing and a second bearing. A coupling member connects the motor rotor and the spindle for transmitting rotational motion from the motor rotor to the spindle. The third bearing supports the spindle so that it is radially elastic relative to the frame for transmitting a first portion of a radial force between the spindle and the frame. The coupling member comprises a lamella coupling or a universal coupling, and transmits a second portion of the radial force present between the spindle and the frame to the frame via the motor rotor and the first bearing and the second bearing.

[0006] Ball bearings can be used to support rotating shafts that must both rotatably and move at small angles. However, ball bearings can be complex and expensive. Therefore, there is a need in the art for additional, less complex solutions for supporting rotating shafts in different types of equipment. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome the problems discussed above. In particular, it is directed to a bearing component that allows the spindle to tilt or slightly tilt during operation.

[0008] As an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a centrifugal separator as initially defined, wherein a bearing component may have a bearing, a bearing housing, and a tilting component, wherein the bearing housing may include an upper bearing housing and a lower bearing housing, the bearing may include a bearing inserted into the upper bearing housing and a bearing inserted into the lower bearing housing, and the tilting component may include an upper tilting component and a lower tilting component, the upper tilting component and the lower tilting component may respectively include corresponding sleeve elements, characterized in that the upper bearing housing is mounted to a stationary frame via an elastic component and an upper tilting component that allows the spindle to tilt relative to the central axis during operation of the centrifugal separator, wherein the elastic component and the upper tilting component are arranged successively in a radial direction.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic component is located on the radially outer side of the inclined component. Alternatively, the elastic component may be located on the radially inner side of the inclined component.

[0010] By means of the upper tilting member, forces acting on at least one bearing of the upper bearing housing and striving to rotate the bearing rings of the at least one bearing relative to each other and about the transverse axis can be transferred from the bearing and radially outwardly to the upper tilting member, which in turn allows the bearing housing to tilt relative to the central axis. As a result, the torsional forces acting on at least one bearing of the upper bearing housing transverse to the spindle when the spindle is tilted can be significantly reduced compared to an upper bearing housing mounted directly (or only via elastic members) in a fixed frame. As a result, there can be no relative rotational movement between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring of one of the plurality of bearings of the upper bearing housing, even if the spindle is tilted. At least one bearing of the upper bearing housing can thus be operated under low-force conditions, even if the spindle is tilted. In addition, due to the reduced torsional forces, the wear of the elastic member can be reduced compared to an upper bearing housing mounted in a fixed frame only via elastic members. As a result, there can be no relative rotational movement between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring of one of the plurality of bearings of the upper bearing housing, even if the spindle is tilted.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the invention, the upper bearing housing is located between the rotating part of the drive unit and the centrifuge rotor.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the invention, the upper tilting member comprises a set of annular disks extending around the upper bearing housing and attached to the upper bearing housing and the resilient member.

[0013] The annular disks of the group may be flexible. Each of the annular disks may be flexible. In the annular disks of the group, the annular disks may abut each other.

[0014] When subjected to bending stress, a tilt component comprising a set of annular disks will bend easily compared to a tilt component made of a single piece of homogeneous material. In addition, when a tilt component comprising a set of annular disks is subjected to uniaxial stress, it is as strong as a tilt component made of a single piece of homogeneous material. Therefore, a tilt component comprising a set of annular disks provides bendability to reduce torsional loads on at least one bearing while being strong enough to support the spindle via an upper bearing housing.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the annular disk of the group of upper inclined members is attached to the upper bearing housing by at least three primary attachment members equidistantly separated from each other around the annular disk, and is attached to the elastic member by at least three secondary attachment members each positioned between a corresponding pair of adjacent primary attachment members.

[0016] Such alternating attachment of the set of annular disks to the upper bearing housing and to the elastic member can ensure a rigid attachment to the upper bearing housing and to the elastic member, and flexibility allowing tilting of the upper bearing housing and the spindle.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the annular disk of the group of upper inclined members is attached to the fixed frame by at least three primary attachment members equidistantly separated from each other around the annular disk, and is attached to the elastic member by at least three secondary attachment members each positioned between a corresponding pair of adjacent primary attachment members.

[0018] Furthermore, such alternating attachment of the set of annular disks to the fixed frame and to the elastic members can ensure a rigid attachment to the fixed frame and to the elastic members, and flexibility allowing tilting of the upper bearing housing and the spindle.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the primary attachment member and the secondary attachment member comprises a bolt extending through a corresponding aperture through the set of annular disks of the upper tilting member. Such bolts allow the set of annular disks to be easily and effectively mounted to the upper bearing housing and the elastic member.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one bearing comprises: a first bearing comprising an outer bearing ring attached to an upper bearing housing and an inner bearing ring attached to the spindle; a second bearing comprising an outer bearing ring attached to the upper bearing housing and an inner bearing ring attached to the spindle; and a possible third bearing comprising an outer bearing ring attached to the upper bearing housing and an inner bearing ring attached to the spindle. By arranging a plurality of bearings (i.e. at least a first bearing and a second bearing) in the upper bearing housing, a rigid support of the spindle is achieved.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the invention, the centrifugal separator comprises a lower bearing housing mounted to a fixed frame and supporting at least one bearing, the at least one bearing comprising an outer bearing ring attached to the lower bearing housing and an inner bearing ring attached to the spindle. The lower bearing housing may be arranged outside the rotating part of the drive unit. The lower bearing housing and the at least one bearing may contribute to a more rigid support of the spindle and the centrifugal rotor.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the invention, the lower bearing housing is mounted to the fixed frame via a lower tilting member which allows the spindle to tilt relative to the central axis during operation of the centrifugal separator.

[0023] By means of the lower tilting member, forces acting on at least one bearing of the lower bearing housing and striving to rotate the bearing rings of the at least one bearing relative to each other and about the transverse axis can be transferred from the bearing and radially outwardly to the lower tilting member. The at least one bearing of the lower bearing housing can thus be operated under low-force conditions, even if the spindle is tilted. As a result, there can be no relative rotational movement between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring of one of the plurality of bearings of the lower bearing housing, even if the spindle is tilted.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the invention, the lower tilting part comprises a set of annular discs extending around the lower bearing housing and attached to the lower bearing housing and the fixed frame. In contrast to the upper tilting part, the lower tilting part can therefore be directly attached to the fixed frame without any intermediate elastic parts.

[0025] The annular disks of the group or the lower inclined part may be flexible. Each of the annular disks may be flexible. In the annular disks of the group of the lower inclined part, the annular disks may abut against each other.

[0026] When subjected to bending stress, the tilt component including a set of annular disks will bend easily compared to a tilt component made of a single piece of homogeneous material. In addition, when the tilt component including a set of annular disks is subjected to uniaxial stress, it is as strong as a tilt component made of a single piece of homogeneous material. Therefore, the tilt component including a set of annular disks provides flexibility to reduce torsional loads on at least one bearing while being strong enough to support the spindle via the lower bearing housing.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the invention, the annular disk of the set of lower tilting members is attached to the lower bearing housing by at least three primary attachment members equidistantly separated from each other around the annular disk, and to the fixed frame by at least three secondary attachment members each positioned between a respective pair of adjacent primary attachment members. This alternating attachment of the annular disk of the set to the lower bearing housing and to the fixed frame ensures a rigid attachment to the lower bearing housing and to the fixed frame, and flexibility allowing tilting of the lower bearing housing and the spindle.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the primary attachment member and the secondary attachment member that attach the lower tilting member comprises a bolt that extends through a corresponding aperture through the set of annular disks of the lower tilting member, wherein the bolts of the primary attachment member extend through the set of annular disks in a first axial direction and the bolts of the secondary attachment member extend through the set of annular disks in an opposite second axial direction. The bolts allow the set of annular disks to be easily and effectively mounted to the lower bearing housing and the fixing frame.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one bearing of the lower bearing housing comprises: a first bearing comprising an outer bearing ring attached to the lower bearing housing and an inner bearing ring attached to the spindle; a second bearing comprising an outer bearing ring attached to the lower bearing housing and an inner bearing ring attached to the spindle; and a possible third bearing comprising an outer bearing ring attached to the lower bearing housing and an inner bearing ring attached to the spindle. By arranging a plurality of bearings (i.e. at least a first bearing and a second bearing) in the lower bearing housing, a rigid support of the spindle is achieved.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the invention, the lower bearing housing comprises a lower convex spherical surface supported by a concave spherical surface provided on the fixed frame. The spherical surface can provide lower support for the spindle and can provide a tilting point around which the spindle can tilt.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the invention, the rotating component of the drive unit is mounted on the spindle between the upper bearing housing and the lower bearing housing.The rotating component can thus be fixed to the spindle, which can be supported at both the upper and lower ends of the rotating component.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the invention, a drive unit comprises an electric motor having a stator attached to a fixed frame and a motor rotor.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the invention, the rotating component comprises a motor rotor.The motor rotor may thus be arranged on and around the spindle.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the invention, the mandrel is hollow and surrounds the inlet for the product and / or the first outlet for relatively light components.However, in an embodiment, the mandrel is solid.

[0035] The tilting components as discussed above may also be used in other applications besides centrifugal separators. Therefore, as a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bearing component for supporting a rotatable shaft, comprising

[0036] - bearing housing;

[0037] - at least one bearing inserted into the bearing housing; wherein the bearing is configured to receive a rotatable shaft extending through the bearing; and

[0038] a tilting component arranged around a bearing housing; wherein the tilting component comprises a set of annular disks forming through holes for receiving the bearing housing; wherein each of the annular disks comprises a plurality of apertures extending through each of the disks, and wherein the tilting component comprises a sleeve element provided in each of the apertures for holding the annular disks together as a stack and arranged for receiving fastening means for attaching the tilting component to said bearing housing or to a fixed machine element;

[0039] And wherein, the bearing component also includes

[0040] - At least one fastening means extending through the sleeve of the tilting component and attaching the tilting component to the bearing housing.

[0041] The tilting member is thus arranged for attaching the bearing housing to a fixed machine element to allow tilting of the bearing housing relative to its central axis. When the tilting member is mounted around the bearing housing, the rotation axis of at least one bearing can thus be parallel to the normal to the plane formed by the annular disk.

[0042] This aspect is therefore based on the inventor's insight that a tilting component with its disk pack can be used to keep the bearing in place. The disk pack is rigid in the radial and polar directions, but can be flexible in the axial direction. As a result, the tilting torque is low. The disk pack comprises a plurality of disks connected to a sleeve element. This is an advantage, since a plurality of disks have a lower resistance to bending than one disk of the same height. The tilting component of the present disclosure allows a simpler ball bearing or roller bearing, such as a cylindrical roller bearing, an angular contact bearing or a ball bearing, to be used in applications where a complex and expensive ball bearing would be used for accommodating both static and dynamic misalignment.

[0043] As discussed above, forces acting on at least one bearing of the bearing housing in an effort to rotate the bearing rings of the bearing relative to each other and about a transverse axis can be transferred from the bearing and radially outward to the upper tilting member, which in turn allows the bearing housing to tilt relative to the central axis. Therefore, compared to a bearing housing directly mounted in a fixed frame, the torsional forces acting on the bearing of the bearing housing transverse to the rotating axis when the rotating axis is tilted can be significantly reduced. As a result, the tilting member of the present disclosure can provide for reducing relative rotational movement between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring, even if the rotating axis supported by the bearing is tilted. The bearing can therefore operate under low force conditions, even if the rotating axis is tilted.

[0044] Furthermore, a tilt member comprising a set of annular disks will bend easily compared to a tilt member made of one piece of homogeneous material. Furthermore, when a tilt member comprising a set of annular disks is subjected to uniaxial stress, it is as strong as a tilt member made of one piece of homogeneous material. Thus, a tilt member comprising a set of annular disks provides flexibility to reduce torsional loads on the bearing while being strong enough to support a rotatable shaft via a bearing housing.

[0045] The annular disks of the set are thus stacked. The disks of the set can be pressed together, such as with a pressure of at least 60 kN, in order to ensure that there are no small play between the disks. Furthermore, the sleeve element can also be pressed together with the set in order to ensure a tight fit between the sleeve element and the annular disks of the set. When mounted on the bearing housing, the annular disks of the set can be prestressed with a certain spring force.

[0046] The sleeve element for holding the stack of annular discs together may have a through hole for receiving a fastening means, such as a screw member. The apertures of the inclined member may be equally spaced around the annular disc. Thus, the sleeve elements may be equally spaced around the annular disc.

[0047] Furthermore, the body of the tilting member may be the set of annular disks, meaning that the set of annular disks may form the main part of the tilting member. As a result, the part of the tilting member forming the through hole for the bearing housing may only be the set of disks.

[0048] The annular disks of the group may be flexible. Each of the annular disks may be flexible. In the annular disks of the group, the annular disks may abut each other.

[0049] In an embodiment, the set of annular disks comprises at least two annular disks, such as at least four annular disks, such as at least eight annular disks.

[0050] In an embodiment, the annular disk is a metal sheet, such as a steel sheet.

[0051] In an embodiment, the annular disk is made from cold rolled sheet metal, such as cold rolled steel.

[0052] In an embodiment, in every other aperture of the tilting member at least one fastening means attaches the tilting member to the bearing housing.

[0053] In an embodiment, the bearing is a roller bearing other than a ball roller bearing.

[0054] In an embodiment, in the set of annular disks, an individual annular disk has a thickness of less than 5 mm, such as less than 1 mm, such as less than 0.5 mm. All annular disks of the set may have the same thickness.

[0055] The annular disks of the set may have the form of a closed polygon with a plurality of corners, and the orifices may therefore be arranged in the corners. For example, the annular disks may comprise more than four (such as more than six, such as eight or more) corners.

[0056] For example, the annular disk may have an octagonal form. The octagonal shape may thus surround a through hole for receiving the bearing housing.

[0057] Thus, the annular disk of the set of tilting components extends around the bearing housing or the bearing holder and is also attached to the bearing housing. The fastening means may be, for example, a screw element. For example, the annular disk of the set of tilting components may be attached to the bearing housing by at least three primary attachment components equidistantly separated from each other around the annular disk.

[0058] The annular disk of the tilting element can thus form a through-hole which is larger than the diameter of the at least one bearing.

[0059] In an embodiment, the bearing is a roller bearing, such as a cylindrical roller bearing. The roller bearing may be a roller bearing other than a ball roller bearing. Thus, the bearing may be a roller bearing that does not allow angular rotation in two angular directions around a center point.

[0060] In an embodiment, the at least one bearing comprises an outer bearing ring attached to the bearing housing and an inner bearing ring arranged for attachment to a rotatable shaft, such as a spindle.The at least one bearing may for example be one, two or three bearings.

[0061] The present disclosure also provides a tilting component as discussed above in this document, that is, a tilting component is provided, which is arranged to attach a bearing housing to a fixed machine element to allow the bearing housing to tilt relative to its central axis, wherein the tilting component includes a set of annular disks, which form through holes for receiving the bearing housing; wherein each of the annular disks includes a plurality of apertures, which extend through each of the disks, and wherein the tilting component also includes a sleeve element, which is arranged in each of the apertures for holding the annular disks together as a stack and for receiving a fastening device, which is used to attach the tilting component to the bearing housing or the fixed machine element.

[0062] As a further aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising

[0063] -Fixed machine elements

[0064] - A rotatable shaft supported by at least one bearing component according to the above aspect; wherein the bearing housing of the bearing component is attached to the fixed machine element via a tilting component.

[0065] The device may be any kind of device comprising a rotatable shaft, such as, for example, a wind turbine.

[0066] In an embodiment, the device further comprises at least one fastening means attaching the tilting component to the bearing housing in every other aperture of the tilting component and attaching the tilting component to the fixed machine element in every other aperture of the tilting component.

[0067] For example, the annular disk of the set of tilting components may be attached to the bearing housing by at least three primary attachment components equidistantly separated from each other around the annular disk, and to the fixed machine element by at least three secondary attachment components each positioned between a respective pair of adjacent primary attachment components.

[0068] Such alternating attachment of the set of annular disks to the bearing housing and to the fixed machine element may ensure a rigid attachment to the bearing housing and to the fixed machine element, and flexibility allowing tilting of the bearing housing and the rotatable shaft.

[0069] In an embodiment, each of the primary and secondary attachment members includes a bolt extending through a corresponding aperture through the set of annular disks of the tilting member. Such bolts allow the set of annular disks to be easily and effectively mounted to the upper bearing housing and the resilient member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] The invention will now be explained more closely with the aid of a description of various embodiments and with reference to the drawings attached hereto.

[0071] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a centrifugal separator according to a first embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

[0072] Figure 2 public Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of a drive unit of a centrifugal separator.

[0073] Figure 3 Public Figure 2 Cross-sectional view through the fixed frame of the centrifugal separator along the line III-III.

[0074] Figure 4 Public Figure 3 Cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in FIG.

[0075] Figure 5 public Figure 4 An enlarged portion of a section view in .

[0076] Figure 6 Public Figure 3 Cross-sectional view along line VI-VI.

[0077] Figure 7 public Figure 6 An enlarged portion of a section view in .

[0078] Figure 8 A perspective view from above of a portion of a fixing frame is disclosed.

[0079] Fig. 9 Public Figure 2 A cross-sectional view through the fixed frame of the centrifugal separator along the line IX-IX.

[0080] Fig.10 Public Fig. 9 Section view along line XX in FIG.

[0081] Fig.11 public Fig.10 An enlarged portion of a section view in .

[0082] Fig.12 Public Fig. 9 Cross-sectional view along line XI-XI in FIG.

[0083] Fig.13 public Fig.12 An enlarged portion of a section view in .

[0084] Fig.14 A perspective view of the lower portion of the holder is disclosed.

[0085] Fig.15 A method of passing through a fixed frame of a centrifugal separator according to a second embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a similar cross-sectional view.

[0086] Fig.16 Public Fig.15 Cross-sectional view along line XVI-XVI in FIG.

[0087] Fig.17 public Fig.16 An enlarged portion of a section view in .

[0088] Fig.18 Public Fig.15 Cross-sectional view along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG.

[0089] Fig.19 public Fig.18 An enlarged portion of a section view in .

[0090] Fig. 20 public Fig.15 A perspective view from above of a part of the fixing frame.

[0091] Fig.21 Expose the tilting component.

[0092] Fig. 22 A close-up view of the tilting component is shown.

[0093] Fig.23 A bearing component according to an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

[0094] Fig.24 An apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0095] Figure 1 A first embodiment of a centrifugal separator 1 for treating a product by separating a relatively heavy component and a relatively light component from the product is disclosed. The centrifugal separator 1 comprises a fixed frame 2 and a spindle 3 extending parallel to a central axis x. The spindle 3 is supported by the fixed frame 2 and is allowed to rotate relative to the fixed frame 2. The central axis x extends through the lower end and the upper end of the centrifugal separator 1, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 It should be noted that the centrifugal separator 1 may be used in addition to Figure 1 Another orientation than the one shown in FIG. 1 is used in which the center axis x extends vertically.

[0096] The stationary frame 2 may further comprise suitable base elements (not disclosed) allowing the stationary frame 2 and the centrifugal separator 1 to be positioned on the ground, a floor or the like.

[0097] The centrifugal separator 1 comprises a drive unit 4 (see also Figure 2 ), which comprises a rotating part 5 mounted on a spindle 3. The drive unit 4 is configured to rotate the spindle 3 substantially around a central axis x relative to the fixed frame 2. The drive unit 4 may comprise an electric motor having a stator 6 attached to the fixed frame 2 and a motor rotor 7. In the disclosed embodiment, the rotating part 5 comprises or forms the motor rotor 7 of the electric motor.

[0098] Furthermore, the centrifugal separator 1 comprises a centrifugal rotor 8 which is mounted to the upper end of the spindle 3 to rotate together with the spindle 3. The centrifugal rotor 8 surrounds a separation space 9. The centrifugal rotor 8 may comprise a stack of separation discs 10 arranged in the separation space 9. The separation discs 10 may be frustoconical.

[0099] An inlet 11 for the product extends to the separation space 9. A first outlet 12 for relatively light components and a second outlet 13 for relatively heavy components extend from the separation space 9. The second outlet 13 may comprise a plurality of peripheral ports extending through the centrifuge rotor 8.

[0100] The peripheral ports may be openable for intermittent discharge of relatively heavy components, such as sludge, from the separation space 9 .

[0101] In the disclosed embodiment, the inlet 11 is located near the lower end of the centrifugal separator 1. The first outlet 12 is located near the upper end of the centrifugal separator 1.

[0102] The spindle 3 may be hollow and form an internal passage to the separation space 9. In the disclosed embodiment, an inlet 11 for the product extends through the internal passage of the hollow spindle 3 to the inner space of the centrifuge rotor 8. Alternatively, a first outlet 12 for relatively light components may extend through the hollow spindle 3. According to a further alternative, both the inlet 11 and the outlet 12 may be arranged to extend through the hollow spindle 3.

[0103] According to yet further alternatives, the spindle 3 may lack any inlet or outlet, wherein both the inlet 11 and the first outlet 12 may be located near the upper end of the centrifugal separator 1 .

[0104] The centrifugal separator 1 further comprises a housing 14 which is attached to the stationary frame 2 and which surrounds the centrifuge rotor 8 .

[0105] In the disclosed embodiment, the centrifugal separator 1 comprises an upper bearing housing 20 and a lower bearing housing 30. The upper bearing housing 20 may be located between the rotating part 5 of the drive unit 4 and the centrifugal rotor 8. The lower bearing housing 30 may be arranged outside the rotating part 5 of the drive unit 4, i.e. between the rotating part 5 of the drive unit 4 and the lower end of the centrifugal separator 1.

[0106] The upper bearing housing 20 is mounted to the fixed frame 2. Figure 4 In the disclosed embodiment, the upper bearing housing 20 supports a first bearing 22 including an outer bearing ring 24 attached to the upper bearing housing 20 and an inner bearing ring 25 attached to the spindle 3, and a second bearing 23 including an outer bearing ring 24 attached to the upper bearing housing 20 and an inner bearing ring 25 attached to the spindle 3. Roller elements 26 may be provided between the outer bearing ring 24 and the inner bearing ring 25.

[0107] The first bearing 22 and / or the second bearing 23 of the upper bearing housing 20 may be configured to provide radial support to the spindle 3 and possibly also axial support in order to carry the load of the centrifugal rotor 8 .

[0108] The lower bearing housing 30 is mounted to the fixed frame 2. Fig.10 In the disclosed embodiment, the lower bearing housing 30 supports a first bearing 32 including an outer bearing ring 34 attached to the lower bearing housing 30 and an inner bearing ring 35 attached to the spindle 3, and a second bearing 33 including an outer bearing ring 34 attached to the lower bearing housing 30 and an inner bearing ring 35 attached to the spindle 3. Roller elements 36 may be provided between the outer bearing ring 34 and the inner bearing ring 35.

[0109] The first bearing 32 and / or the second bearing 33 of the lower bearing housing 30 may be configured to provide radial support to the spindle 3 and possibly also axial support in order to carry the load of the centrifugal rotor 8 .

[0110] The upper bearing housing 20 is mounted to the fixed frame 2 via elastic members 40 which allow the upper bearing housing 20 and therefore the spindle 3 to move radially during rotation of the spindle 3 .

[0111] In the first embodiment, the upper bearing housing 20 is mounted to the elastic member 40 via the upper tilting member 41 which allows the spindle 3 to tilt relative to the central axis x.

[0112] In the disclosed embodiment, the elastic member 40 comprises an annular elastic element 42 and a ring element 43. The elastic element 42 is attached to the frame 2, and the ring element 43 is attached to the upper inclined member 41.

[0113] The elastic element 42 may be made of a rubber material such as, for example, nitrile rubber.

[0114] In the first embodiment, the elastic member 40 is located radially outward of the upper inclined member 41 , wherein the elastic element 42 may be located outward of the ring element 43 .

[0115] In addition to the elastic member 40 and the upper inclined member 41, the upper bearing housing 20 can be supported by a plurality of spring elements 27 distributed circumferentially around the spindle 3. The spring elements 27 can be placed on the upper intermediate wall 28 of the fixed frame 2 and can support the upper bearing housing 20 from below, such as Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 The spring element 27 allows the upper bearing housing 20 to move elastically in the axial direction.

[0116] The upper tilting member 41 may include a set of annular disks 44 extending around the upper bearing housing 20 and attached to the upper bearing housing 20 and the ring element 43 of the elastic member 40, see Figure 6 and Figure 4 .

[0117] The set of annular disks 44 may include a plurality of annular disks 44 that may be identical to one another. Each of the annular disks 44 may be made of cold rolled sheet metal. Thus, a strong and flexible upper inclined component 41 may be provided that has superior material properties in the context of the inclined components discussed herein compared to hot rolled sheet metal. The annular disks 44 may be made of steel, such as stainless steel, spring steel, or the like, i.e., such as cold rolled steel sheet, cold rolled stainless steel sheet, cold rolled spring steel sheet, etc. The body of the upper inclined component 41 may consist only of the annular disks 44.

[0118] In the disclosed embodiment, the set of annular disks 44 includes eight equally spaced apertures extending through each of the annular disks 44. A corresponding sleeve element 47 is provided in each of the apertures. The sleeve elements 47 are configured to hold the annular disks 44 together and thus ensure the integrity of the upper inclined member 41 of the set. Each of the sleeve elements 47 has a through hole, such as Figure 7 Visible in.

[0119] In the first embodiment, the set of annular disks 44 of the upper inclined member 41 is attached to the upper bearing housing 20 by four primary attachment members 45 equidistantly separated from each other around the annular disks 44, see Figure 6 In particular, the upper inclined member 41 may be attached to four radially extending projections 20' of the upper bearing housing 20, see Figure 7 and Figure 8 .

[0120] Furthermore, the set of annular disks 44 of the upper inclined member 41 may be attached to the ring element 43 of the elastic member 40 by four secondary attachment members 46 each positioned between a corresponding pair of adjacent primary attachment members 45, see Figure 4 In particular, the upper inclined part 41 can be attached to four radially extending protrusions 43' of the ring element 43, see Figure 5 and Figure 8 .

[0121] Each of the primary attachment component 45 and the secondary attachment component 46 may include a bolt extending through a hole of a sleeve element 47 of a corresponding one of the apertures, through the set of annular disks 44 of the upper tilting component 41, wherein the bolt of the primary attachment component 45 may engage a corresponding threaded hole into a corresponding one of the protrusions 20' of the upper bearing housing 20, and the bolt of the secondary attachment component 46 may engage a corresponding threaded hole into a corresponding one of the protrusions 43' of the ring element 43 of the elastic component 40.

[0122] The lower bearing housing 30 can be mounted to the fixed frame 2 via a lower tilting member 51 that allows the spindle 3 to tilt relative to the central axis x. In the disclosed embodiment, the lower tilting member 51 includes a set of annular disks 54 that extend around the lower bearing housing 30. The set of annular disks 54 are attached to the lower bearing housing 30 and the fixed frame 2, such as Fig.12 and Fig.10 Visible in.

[0123] The set of annular disks 54 at the lower inclined part 51 may also include a plurality of annular disks 54 which may be identical to one another. Thus, a strong and flexible lower inclined part 51 may be provided which has superior material properties in the context of the inclined parts discussed herein compared to hot rolled sheet metal. The annular disks 54 may be made of steel such as stainless steel, spring steel or the like, i.e. such as cold rolled steel sheet, cold rolled stainless steel sheet, cold rolled spring steel sheet, etc. The body of the lower inclined part 51 may consist only of the annular disks 54.

[0124] In the disclosed embodiment, the set of annular disks 54 includes eight equally spaced apertures extending through each of the annular disks 54. A corresponding sleeve element 57 is provided in each of the apertures. The sleeve elements 57 are configured to hold the annular disks 54 together and thus ensure the integrity of the lower inclined member 51 of the set. Each of the sleeve elements 57 has a through hole, such as Fig.13 Visible in.

[0125] In the disclosed embodiment, the set of annular disks 54 of the lower inclined member 51 is attached to the lower bearing housing 30 by four primary attachment members 55 equidistantly spaced from one another around the annular disks 54, see Fig.12In particular, the lower inclined member 51 may be attached to the radially extending protrusion 30' of the lower bearing housing 30, see Fig.13 .

[0126] Furthermore, the set of annular disks 54 may be attached to the fixed frame 2 by four secondary attachment members 56 each positioned between a corresponding pair of adjacent primary attachment members 55, see FIG. Figure 9-11 .

[0127] Each of the primary attachment member 55 and the secondary attachment member 56 attaching the lower inclined member 51 includes a bolt extending through a hole of a sleeve element 57 of a corresponding one of the apertures through the set of annular disks 54 of the lower inclined member 51 .

[0128] The bolts of the primary attachment member 55 may extend upwardly through the set of annular disks in a first axial direction, such as Fig.12 The bolts of the secondary attachment member 56 may extend downwardly through the annular disk 54 of the group in an opposite second axial direction, such as Fig.10 Visible in.

[0129] The lower bearing housing 30 may include a lower convex spherical surface 39, which is supported by and can be placed on the concave spherical surface 29 provided on the fixed frame 2. Figure 2 and Fig.12 The spherical surfaces 29, 39 may provide lower support for the spindle 3 and may provide a tilting point about which the spindle 3 may tilt.

[0130] Figure 15-20 Referring to the second embodiment, it differs from the first embodiment only with respect to the attachment of the upper bearing housing 20, and in particular by the positioning of the elastic member 40 and the upper inclined member 41 relative to each other. In the second embodiment, the elastic member 40 is located radially inward of the upper inclined member 41. In the second embodiment, the construction and arrangement of the lower bearing housing 30 are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0131] Also in the second embodiment, the elastic member 40 includes an annular elastic element 42 and a ring element 43 (eg Fig.17 and Fig.19 ), but the elastic element 42 is located radially inwardly of the ring element 43. The elastic element 42 is attached to the upper bearing housing 20, and the ring element 43 is attached to the upper inclined component 41.

[0132] In the second embodiment, the set of annular disks 44 of the upper inclined member 41 is attached to the fixed frame 2 by four primary attachment members 45 equidistantly separated from each other around the annular disks 44, see Figure 18-20 In particular, the upper inclined member 41 may be attached to four radially extending protrusions 2' of the fixed frame 2, see Fig.19and Fig. 20 .

[0133] Furthermore, the set of annular disks 44 of the upper inclined member 41 may be attached to the ring element 43 of the elastic member 40 by four secondary attachment members 46 each positioned between a corresponding pair of adjacent primary attachment members 45, see Figure 15-17 In particular, the upper inclined part 41 can be attached to four radially extending protrusions 43' of the ring element 43, see Fig.16 and Fig.17 .

[0134] Fig.21 and Fig. 22 Further shown is an upper inclined member 41 which may be used in a bearing member according to the present invention. It is to be understood that the upper inclined member 41 discussed herein is not only useful for supporting a bearing housing of a centrifugal separator, but may also be used in other apparatuses. Fig.21 and Fig. 22 An upper tilting part 41 is shown in the form of a set of annular disks 44. The upper tilting part 41 is arranged for attaching a bearing housing to a fixed machine element 71. Thereby it can allow the bearing housing to be tilted relative to its center axis x, i.e. the axis of rotation of the actual bearing arranged in the bearing housing. The upper tilting part 41 comprises a set of annular disks 44 forming a through hole 62. The through hole 62 is thus used to receive the bearing housing or a part of the bearing housing.

[0135] Fig. 22 A partial enlarged view of the set of annular disks 44 and a portion of the upper inclined member 41 is shown. The annular disk 44a includes a plurality of straight portions 61 connected by corners 60 to form a closed polygon. Fig.21 and Fig. 22 In the embodiment shown in , the annular disks 44 of the group form an octagon. In addition, each of the annular disks 44 includes a plurality of apertures extending through each of the disks 44a. The apertures may be located in the corners 60 of the annular disks 44. The upper tilting member 41 also includes a sleeve element 47, which is provided in each of the apertures for holding the annular disks 44 together as a stack. In addition, the sleeve element 47 has a through-port 47a for receiving a fastening device 64 (such as a spiral member). The fastening device 64 is used to attach the upper tilting member 41 to a bearing housing or a fixed machine element 71. Some of the sleeve elements can be used to attach the tilting member to the bearing housing, while other sleeve elements of the sleeve elements can be used to attach the tilting member to the fixed machine element 71. The sleeve element 47 may have a flange extending on the upper side of the annular disks 44 of the group and a gasket 63 on the opposite side of the annular disks of the group.

[0136] For example, the straight portion may have a smaller width than the through hole 62 formed by the annular disk. For example, the diameter of the through hole 62 may be at least five times the width of the straight portion 61 of the disk 44, such as at least ten times.

[0137] In this embodiment, the set of annular disks 44 comprises more than eight annular disks.The annular disks are in the form of steel sheets having a thickness of about 0.5 mm.

[0138] Fig.23 A bearing component 65 is schematically shown comprising a bearing housing. The bearing housing is thus a holder for a bearing. In this embodiment, the bearing housing comprises a single bearing, but the bearing housing may also hold more than one bearing, such as at least two bearings. The bearing is thus inserted into the bearing housing and may have its central through hole so that it can receive and support a rotatable shaft extending through the bearing. The upper inclined component 41 (such as described above with respect to Fig.21 and Fig. 22 The upper tilting member 41 is arranged around the upper part of the bearing housing. In addition, there are fastening means 64, such as spirals, which extend through some but not all of the sleeve elements 47. These fastening means 64 are used to attach the upper tilting member 41 to the bearing housing. The sleeve element 47 without the fastening means 64 that attaches the tilting member to the bearing housing can be used to attach the entire bearing member 65 to a fixed machine element 71. As discussed above in this article, the design of the upper tilting member 41 makes it possible to use other bearings besides ball roller bearings for supporting the rotatable shaft 72. Therefore, the upper tilting member 41 of the present disclosure still allows some changes in the alignment of the axis of rotation during use (for example, during the rotational movement of the rotatable shaft). This is advantageous because a plain roller bearing (such as a cylindrical roller bearing or a plain roller bearing) can be used instead of a ball bearing.

[0139] Fig.24 The device 70 of the present invention is schematically disclosed, comprising a bearing member 65 and an upper tilting member 41. The device 70 comprises a fixed machine element 71 and a rotatable shaft 72 rotatable about a rotation axis. The rotatable shaft 72 is supported by the fixed machine element 71 via at least one bearing member 65. Fig.24 In the embodiment, the rotatable shaft 72 is provided by two bearing members 65 (such as those described above with respect to Fig.23The two bearing components 65 discussed are supported. The bearing component 65 can also be mounted with a spring element (not shown) under one or both of the bearing housings. In this way, the bearing component of the device can better withstand any axial forces. The inclined components of the bearing component are attached to both the bearing housing and the fixed machine element 71. For example, the upper inclined component 41 can be attached to the bearing housing via the fastening means 64 arranged in every other sleeve element and to the fixed machine element 71 via the fastening means 64 arranged in the remaining sleeve elements 47. Fig. 22 In the embodiment, the axis of rotation is vertical. However, the axis of rotation may also be a horizontal axis. The device 70 may be any kind of device having a rotatable shaft. For example, the device 70 may be any kind of device in which a rotational movement must be allowed to change the alignment of the axis of rotation of the rotatable shaft.

[0140] The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but may be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A bearing component for supporting a rotatable shaft, comprising: - bearing housing; - at least one bearing, which is inserted into the bearing housing; wherein, The bearing is configured to receive a rotatable shaft extending through the bearing; and a tilting component arranged around the bearing housing; wherein the tilting component comprises a pack of annular disks forming a through hole for receiving the bearing housing; wherein each of the annular disks of the pack of annular disks comprises a plurality of apertures extending through each of the disks, and wherein the tilting component further comprises a sleeve element arranged in each of the apertures for holding the annular disks together as a stack and arranged for receiving a fastening means for attaching the tilting component to the bearing housing or a fixed machine element; And wherein, the bearing component also includes - At least one fastening means extending through a sleeve element of the tilting component and attaching the tilting component to the bearing housing.

2. The bearing component according to claim 1, wherein: The annular disk set includes at least four annular disks.

3. The bearing component according to claim 2, wherein: The annular disk set includes at least eight annular disks.

4. The bearing component according to claim 1, wherein: The annular disk is a metal sheet.

5. The bearing component according to claim 4, wherein: The annular disk is a steel sheet.

6. The bearing component according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The annular disk package has the form of a closed polygon with a plurality of corners, and wherein the orifices are arranged in the corners.

7. The bearing component according to claim 6, wherein: The annular disk has an octagonal form.

8. The bearing component according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The annular disk is made from cold rolled sheet metal.

9. The bearing component according to claim 8, wherein: The annular disk is made of cold rolled steel.

10. The bearing component according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: In the annular disk package, the thickness of an individual annular disk is less than 1 mm.

11. The bearing component according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: In every other aperture of the tilting component, the at least one fastening means attaches the tilting component to the bearing housing.

12. The bearing component according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The bearing is a roller bearing other than a ball roller bearing.

13. An apparatus having a rotatable shaft, comprising a fixed machine element, wherein: The rotatable shaft is supported by at least one bearing component according to any one of claims 1-12; wherein a bearing housing of the bearing component is further attached to the fixed machine element via the tilting component.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising at least one fastening device attaching the tilting component to the bearing housing in every other aperture of the tilting component and attaching the tilting component to the fixed machine element in every other aperture of the tilting component.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: The rotatable axis is a vertical axis.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: The rotatable axis is a horizontal axis.

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