kneader

Abstract

A kneading machine (41) is provided that allows for easy maintenance of the seals. The kneading machine (41) includes: a chamber (3) having a chamber body (3a) and a bearing support (3b); a rotor (3) having a rotor body (52) and a rotor shaft (54) that are separable from each other; a bearing (2) supporting the rotor shaft (54) in a manner that allows the rotor shaft (54) to rotate within the bearing support (3b); an inner seal (4) sealing the gap between the bearing (2) and the rotor shaft (54); and an outer seal (5) sealing the gap between the bearing (2) and the bearing support (3). The separation of the rotor body (52) from the rotor shaft (54) allows the bearing part (2) to be pulled out from between the bearing support part (3b) and the rotor shaft (54) into the kneading space (S1) inside the chamber body (3a), and allows the bearing part (2) to be inserted from the kneading space (S1) between the bearing support part (3b) and the rotor shaft (54).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a kneader for kneading materials in the presence of a working fluid in a supercritical or subcritical state. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a kneader comprising: a rotor with a rotor shaft; and a viscose seal fitted onto one end of the rotor shaft on the discharge side. The viscose seal has a threaded groove having a groove depth that widens from the pressure side to the atmospheric side in order to suppress leakage of the kneaded material.

[0003] The aforementioned kneading is sometimes carried out in the presence of a supercritical or subcritical working fluid. In this case, the chamber of the kneader used must have high airtightness. In particular, the rotor shaft must have high sealing performance. On the other hand, the seals, such as viscous seals, are consumables and therefore require maintenance such as replacement.

[0004] However, the adhesive seal described in Patent Document 1 is mounted on the rotor shaft and disposed within the cavity along with the rotor. Therefore, in order to maintain the adhesive seal, the rotor needs to be removed from the cavity. This hinders the easy maintenance of the adhesive seal.

[0005] Existing technical documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-87119. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a kneading machine that allows for easy maintenance of seals.

[0007] A kneading machine is provided for kneading materials in the presence of a supercritical or subcritical working fluid. The kneading machine includes a chamber, a rotor, a bearing portion, an inner seal, and an outer seal. The chamber has a chamber body defining a kneading space and a bearing support portion defining a bearing receiving space, the kneading space and the bearing receiving space being interconnected. The rotor has a rotor shaft and a rotor body axially connected in a separable manner, the rotor shaft being disposed within the bearing receiving space, and the rotor body being configured to knead the material within the kneading space. The bearing portion is disposed within the bearing receiving space, between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support portion and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft, in a manner that allows for the disassembly and detachment of the bearing support portion and the rotor shaft. The bearing portion, when supported by the bearing support portion, supports the rotor shaft in a manner that allows the rotor shaft to rotate. The inner seal seals the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft. The outer seal seals the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion and the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support portion. The bearing portion is configured such that separation of the rotor body from the rotor shaft allows the bearing portion to be pulled out along the rotor axial direction from between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft into the engagement space, and allows the bearing portion to be inserted from the engagement space along the rotor axial direction between the bearing support and the rotor shaft. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the kneading device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing a cross-section of the kneader contained in the kneading device along the rotor axis.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the kneader, showing the state in which the rotor body of the kneader is attached to the rotor shaft.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the kneader, showing the rotor body separated from the rotor shaft.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the kneading machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the kneading machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 7This is a cross-sectional view of the kneading machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the kneading machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the kneading machine according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the kneading machine according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of a kneader according to a variation of the seventh embodiment.

[0019] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the kneading machine according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view of a kneader according to a variation of the eighth embodiment.

[0021] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view of the kneader used in the reference example. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 This describes a kneading apparatus 20, including a kneader 41, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The kneader 41 kneads materials in the presence of a working fluid in a supercritical or subcritical state. In various embodiments, the material is rubber, but it can also be resin or food, etc. The kneading apparatus 20 performs the kneading in a batch-type manner.

[0024] The supercritical state refers to a state where the temperature is higher than or equal to the critical temperature of the working fluid and the pressure is greater than or equal to the critical pressure of the working fluid. The subcritical state refers to a state where only one of the temperature and pressure is greater than or equal to the critical value while the other is less than the critical value, or a state where both the temperature and pressure are less than the critical value, but at least one of the temperature and pressure is sufficiently higher than the usual value (normal temperature or normal pressure) and close to the critical state.

[0025] Examples of substances constituting the working fluid include carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, xenon, ethane, ammonia, methanol, and water. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen are particularly suitable for kneading rubber.

[0026] In this embodiment, carbon dioxide (CO2) is used as the working fluid, and kneading is performed in the presence of supercritical carbon dioxide (supercritical CO2). Furthermore, the kneader of the present invention can also be applied to kneading in the presence of other working fluids in a supercritical state or in the presence of a subcritical working fluid.

[0027] The kneading device 20 includes a generating section 21 and a kneading section 22.

[0028] The generation unit 21 generates supercritical CO2. The generation unit 21 includes a tank 31, a first heat exchanger 32, a pump 33, and a second heat exchanger 34.

[0029] The tank 31 stores CO2 gas. The first heat exchanger 32 cools the CO2 gas supplied to the tank 31, thereby turning it into liquid CO2.

[0030] The pump 33 pressurizes the liquid CO2. The power required by the pump 33 to pressurize the liquid CO2 is less than the power required by the pump 33 to pressurize CO2 gas. The pump 33 pumps the pressurized liquid CO2 downstream.

[0031] The second heat exchanger 34 heats the pressurized liquid CO2 inside the container to vaporize the liquid CO2, thereby making the CO2 supercritical CO2.

[0032] The kneading section 22 kneads the material in the presence of supercritical CO2. The kneading section 22 includes the kneader 41, the regulating valve 42, and the separation filter 43.

[0033] In the flow path connecting the generating section 21 and the kneading section 22, materials and additives are added to supercritical CO2. The supercritical CO2 and the added materials and additives are then introduced into the kneader 41.

[0034] Inside the kneader 41, the kneader 41 kneads the material and the additive in the presence of supercritical CO2. The material and the additive are rapidly kneaded by dissolving in supercritical CO2.

[0035] When the material is a polymer such as rubber or resin, the additive is an additive, kneaded rubber, or a plant-derived material containing cellulose nanofibers. When the material is food, the additive is a food additive. The addition of the additive is arbitrary.

[0036] After kneading is completed in the kneader 41, the kneaded mixture of the material and the additive is separated from the supercritical CO2 within the kneader 41. The kneaded mixture and the supercritical CO2 are discharged from the kneader 41 respectively. The regulating valve 42 regulates the flow rate of the supercritical CO2 discharged from the kneader 41. In this embodiment, the regulating valve 42 reduces the pressure of the supercritical CO2 discharged from the kneader 41, converting it into CO2 gas. The separation filter 43 separates the additives remaining in the CO2 gas from the CO2.

[0037] The kneading device 20 also includes a return flow path 23. The return flow path 23 allows CO2 gas separated from the kneaded mixture generated by kneading the material to flow within it and guides the CO2 gas to the upstream side of the first heat exchanger 32. Specifically, the return flow path 23 has an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end being connected to the separation filter 43 of the kneading section 22, and the downstream end being connected to the flow path connecting the tank 31 and the first heat exchanger 32.

[0038] The return flow path 23 allows the CO2 gas separated from the kneaded compound in the kneading section 22 to return to the generation section 21, thereby enabling the CO2 gas separated from the kneaded compound to be reused.

[0039] Figure 1 The overall configuration of the kneading device 20 shown is common to that in the embodiments described later, from the second embodiment onwards. However, the specific configuration of the kneading device including the kneading machine involved in this invention is not limited to [specific configuration]. Figure 1 The structure shown in the figure.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, the kneader 41 according to the first embodiment includes a chamber 3, a pair of rotors 5 and a bearing section 2.

[0041] The chamber 3 includes a chamber body 3a and a bearing support 3b. The chamber body 3a defines a kneading space S1, within which materials are kneaded. The bearing support 3b defines a pair of bearing receiving spaces S2, and with the pair of bearing portions 2 respectively receiving the pair of bearing receiving spaces S2, the pair of rotors 5 are supported by the pair of bearing portions 2 in a manner that allows the pair of rotors 5 to rotate. The pair of rotors 5 knead the materials within the kneading space S1 by rotating within the chamber 3.

[0042] The kneading machine of the present invention is not limited to a kneading machine comprising a pair of rotors. The kneading machine of the present invention also includes: a kneading machine comprising only one rotor; and a kneading machine comprising three or more rotors.

[0043] The pair of rotors 5 extend along the rotor axis within the chamber 3 and are arranged in a parallel configuration in a direction orthogonal to the rotor axis. Each pair of rotors 5 includes a rotor body 52 and a rotor shaft 54 ​​arranged along the rotor axis. Each pair of rotors 5 is rotatably disposed within the chamber 3 such that the rotor shaft 54 ​​is located within the bearing receiving space S2 and the rotor body 52 is capable of kneading the material within the kneading space S1.

[0044] The rotor body 52 includes a pinching portion 52c, a first threaded portion 52a, and a second threaded portion 52b. The pinching portion 52c is disposed within the pinching space S1 and pinches the material. Specifically, the pinching portion 52c has an outer peripheral surface with helical teeth. The teeth have a shape that allows the pinching portion 52c to rotate within the pinching space S1 to pinch the material within the pinching space S1. The first threaded portion 52a and the second threaded portion 52b are located on both sides of the rotor body 5a in the rotor axial direction, and they each have a threaded shape that pushes the material back into the pinching space S1 as the rotor 5 rotates.

[0045] The rotor shaft 54 ​​extends axially from one of the two ends of the rotor body 52 (in this embodiment, the first threaded portion 52a) along the rotor axis. The rotor shaft 54 ​​is configured to pass through the bearing portion 2 housed within the bearing housing space S2 along the rotor axis, and is supported by the bearing portion 2 in a manner that allows the rotor shaft 54 ​​to rotate.

[0046] The rotor body 52 and rotor shaft 54 ​​of each pair of rotors 5 are connected axially along the rotor in a manner that allows them to be separated from each other. Specifically, in the rotor 5 according to this embodiment, the rotor body 52 can be separated from the rotor shaft 54 ​​at a position between the first threaded portion 52a and the rotor shaft 54.

[0047] Figure 3 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the bearing portion 2 and its surrounding parts of the kneader 41, specifically, Figure 3 It is shown in magnification Figure 2The diagram shows the portion enclosed by the dashed line III. The bearing portion 2 is housed within the bearing housing space S2 in a manner that allows for the detachment and reassembly of the bearing support portion 3b of the chamber 3. The bearing portion 2 is cylindrical and can be disposed around the rotor shaft 54. When supported by the bearing support portion 3b, the bearing portion 2 supports the rotor shaft 54 ​​in a manner that allows the rotor shaft 54 ​​to rotate. The bearing housing portion 3b is located radially across the rotor shaft 54 ​​on the opposite side of the rotor shaft 54 ​​(i.e., outside of the bearing portion 2), and supports the entire circumference of each pair of bearing portions 2.

[0048] The kneader 41 also includes an inner seal 4A and an outer seal 4B. The inner and outer seals 4A and 4B are configured to prevent fluid leakage along the rotor axial direction within the bearing housing space S2.

[0049] The inner seal 4A is annular and seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54 ​​and the inner peripheral surface 2n of the bearing portion 2 around its entire circumference. Specifically, an annular inner sealing groove 2f is formed on the inner peripheral surface 2n of the bearing portion 2, and the inner seal 4A is embedded in the inner sealing groove 2f. Figure 3 The inner seal 4A in the example is a single-pressure spring built-in seal, such as Variseal (registered trademark). However, the specific structure of the inner seal 4A is not limited. Furthermore, the kneader 41 may also include a plurality of inner seals arranged along the rotor axis.

[0050] The outer seal 4B is annular and seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface 2e of the bearing portion 2 and the inner peripheral surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b surrounding the bearing receiving space S2 around its entire circumference. Specifically, an annular outer sealing groove 2g is formed on the outer peripheral surface 2e of the bearing portion 2, and the outer seal 4B is embedded in the outer sealing groove 2g. Alternatively, the outer seal 4B may also be embedded in the annular groove formed on the inner peripheral surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b. Figure 3 The outer seal 4B in the example is an O-ring. However, the specific structure of the outer seal 4B is not limited. Furthermore, the kneader 41 may also include a plurality of outer seals arranged along the rotor axis.

[0051] For the kneader 41, the rotor body 52 is separated from the rotor shaft 54 ​​for maintenance (e.g., replacement) of the inner seal 4A or the outer seal 4B. This separation allows the bearing portion 2 to be pulled out axially from between the inner circumferential surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54 ​​into the kneading space S1. Furthermore, this separation allows the bearing portion 2 to be inserted axially from the kneading space S1 between the bearing support portion 3b and the rotor shaft 54. Therefore, maintenance of the bearing portion 2, particularly the replacement of the seals 4A and 4B, can be easily performed. For example, by pulling the bearing portion 2 out from between the bearing support portion 3b and the rotor shaft 54, the inner and outer seals 4A and 4B can be easily replaced respectively. During this operation, it is not necessary to remove the rotor shaft 54 ​​from the chamber 3. Compared with the case where it is necessary to remove the rotor body 52 and the rotor shaft 54 ​​from the chamber 3, the space required around the kneader 41 can be reduced. Specifically, no space is needed for pulling the rotor shaft 54 ​​out of the chamber 3.

[0052] Figure 5 This refers to a kneading machine 41 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this second embodiment, the kneading machine 141 includes all the constituent elements of the kneading machine 41 according to the first embodiment, and the bearing portion 2 includes not only the bearing body portion 2h but also the protrusion 6. The bearing body portion 2h is the portion of the bearing portion 2 located on the side farther from the rotor body 52 than the protrusion 6. Figure 5 The middle part is the right side portion of the protrusion 6, and it is the portion that is inserted between the outer peripheral surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54 ​​and the inner peripheral surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b.

[0053] The protrusion 6 is located on one side of the bearing portion 2 at both ends of the rotor axially, near the end of the rotor body 52 (in this embodiment, the end face of the first threaded portion 52a). Figure 5 The protrusion 6 is formed at the end of the bearing body 2h (left side), and this protrusion 6 is radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the bearing body 2h. Figure 5 The protrusion 6 protrudes from the upper side. That is, the protrusion 6 has a greater thickness in the radial direction of the bearing portion 2 than the thickness of the bearing body portion 2h.

[0054] With the bearing body 2h inserted between the bearing support 3b and the rotor shaft 54, the protrusion 6 protrudes axially toward the rotor body 52 from the bearing support 3b. The inner circumferential surface surrounding the protrusion 6 in the chamber 3 has a large inner diameter to ensure a working clearance 3g between this inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface 6a of the protrusion 6, which is radially opposite to this inner circumferential surface. This working clearance 3g has a radial dimension sufficient to allow insertion of a finger or tool to grasp the protrusion 6.

[0055] The protrusion 6 facilitates the removal of the bearing portion 2 from between the inner circumferential surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54. Specifically, with the rotor body 52 separated from the rotor shaft 54, an operator can grasp the protrusion 6 with their fingers or a tool and pull it into the pinching space S1 along the rotor axis, thereby easily removing the bearing portion 2 from between the bearing support portion 3b and the rotor shaft 54.

[0056] Figure 6 This describes a kneading machine 241 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the kneading machine 241 includes all the constituent elements of the kneading machine 141 according to the first embodiment, and has an external thread 7a formed in the bearing portion 2 and an internal thread 7b formed in the bearing support portion 3b. Specifically, the external thread 7a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion 2 at one end near the rotor body 52 (i.e., the inner axial end) in the axial direction of the rotor. Specifically, the internal thread 7b is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the bearing support portion 3b surrounding the bearing housing space S2 at one end near the kneading space S1 in the axial direction of the rotor. The external thread 7a and the internal thread 7b can be screwed together, thereby fixing the bearing portion 2 within the bearing support portion 3b.

[0057] With the rotor body 52 separated from the rotor shaft 54, rotating the bearing portion 2 relative to the bearing support portion 3b disengages the external thread portion 7a and the internal thread portion 7b, allowing the bearing portion 2 to be easily pulled out from between the inner circumferential surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54. Conversely, the engagement of the external thread portion 7a and the internal thread portion 7b secures the bearing portion 2 to the bearing support portion 3, preventing it from rotating together with the rotor shaft 54.

[0058] Figure 7This describes a kneading machine 341 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the kneading machine 341 includes all the constituent elements of the kneading machine 41 according to the first embodiment, and the bearing portion 2 includes a magnetic portion 8. The magnetic portion 8 has magnetism capable of being attracted by a magnet, and is disposed at one end of the bearing portion 2 in the rotor axial direction near the rotor body 52 (i.e., the inner end in the axial direction). The magnetism of the magnetic portion 8 has such strength that, when the rotor body 52 is separated from the rotor shaft 54, the magnetic portion 8 is attracted by the magnet (e.g., a permanent magnet or an electromagnet), thereby allowing the magnetic portion 8 to be pulled out between the inner peripheral surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b and the outer peripheral surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54. Therefore, the magnetic portion 8 enables the bearing portion 2 to be easily pulled out using the magnet.

[0059] Figure 8 This describes a kneading machine 441 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the kneading machine 441 includes all the constituent elements of the kneading machine 41 according to the first embodiment, and the bearing portion 2 has a threaded hole 9. Specifically, the threaded hole 9 is formed at one end of the bearing portion 2 in the rotor axial direction near the rotor body 52 (i.e., the axial inner end), and the threaded hole 9 opens toward the rotor body 52 along the rotor axial direction. The threaded hole 9 allows a bolt or other pulling tool to have an outer peripheral surface on which an external thread is formed, and the external thread engages with the threaded hole 9 to be inserted into the threaded hole 9.

[0060] Thus, the threaded hole 9 allows the bolt or other external threaded component to engage with and be inserted into the threaded hole 9 while the rotor body 52 is separated from the rotor shaft 54. This enables an operator to easily pull the bearing part 2 out from between the inner circumferential surface 3n of the bearing support part 3b and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54 ​​by holding the pulling tool engaged with the threaded hole 9 and pulling the pulling tool into the pinching space.

[0061] Figure 9 This refers to a kneading machine 541 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the kneading machine 541 includes all the constituent elements of the kneading machine 41 according to the first embodiment, and the bearing portion 2 of the kneading machine 541 includes... Figure 9The diagram shows multiple bearing components (i.e., bearing component 2a, bearing component 2b, and bearing component 2c). The bearing components 2a to 2c are arranged sequentially along the rotor axial direction, starting from the side closest to the rotor body 52, and are separable from each other. The number of bearing components is not limited to three; it can be two or more.

[0062] The bearing members 2a to 2c of the first to third bearings are respectively formed with the same as Figure 8 The threaded hole 9 shown is the same as the threaded hole 9. Specifically, the threaded hole 9 is formed at the respective axial inner ends of the first to third bearing members 2a to 2c and opens toward the rotor body 52 along the rotor axial direction. Each threaded hole 9 allows a bolt or other pulling tool to have an outer peripheral surface with an external thread formed thereon, and the external thread to engage with the threaded hole 9 and be inserted into the threaded hole 9.

[0063] The bearing portion 2 includes multiple inner seals 4A and outer seals 4B. Each of the inner seals 4A and... Figure 2 Similarly to the inner seal 4A shown, the outer seal 4B is the same as... Figure 2 The outer seal 4B shown is similar. The plurality of inner seals 4A are respectively mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion 2 at multiple locations spaced apart in the rotor axial direction. Specifically, according to... Figure 9 In the example shown, inner sealing grooves 2f are formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of the second bearing member 2b and the third bearing member 2c, respectively, and the inner sealing member 4A is embedded in the inner sealing grooves 2f. On the other hand, the outer sealing member 4B is embedded in the outer sealing groove 2g formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second bearing member 2b. The inner sealing member 4A can also be installed on the inner peripheral surface of the first bearing member 2a. Furthermore, the outer sealing member 4B can also be installed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first bearing member 2a and the third bearing member 2c, respectively.

[0064] In the kneading machine 541, with the rotor body 52 separated from the rotor shaft 54, the bearing members can be pulled out axially between the inner circumferential surface 3n of the bearing support 3b and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54 ​​in the order of the first bearing member 2a, the second bearing member 2b, and the third bearing member 2c. Specifically, the operator can easily pull out the first to third bearing members 2a to 2c respectively by screwing the external thread portion of the pulling tool into the threaded hole 9 of each of the first to third bearing members 2a to 2c and pulling out the pulling tool. Furthermore, the area of ​​contact between the outer circumferential surface of each of the plurality of bearing members 2a to 2c and the inner circumferential surface 3n of the bearing support 3b is, for example, smaller than that in... Figure 2 The area of ​​contact between the outer peripheral surface 2e of the bearing portion 2 and the inner peripheral surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b, as shown in the diagram, allows for easy removal of the plurality of bearing components 2a to 2c. This further improves the maintainability of the kneader 541. The more bearing components there are, the more significant this effect becomes.

[0065] Furthermore, the airtightness of the kneader 541 can be improved by sealing the gap between the inner circumferential surface 2n of the bearing portion 2 and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54 ​​through the plurality of inner seals 4A.

[0066] Figure 10 This refers to the kneading machine 641 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The kneading machine 641 according to this embodiment, like the kneading machine 541 according to the sixth embodiment, includes a bearing section 2 having multiple bearing members; however, the multiple bearing members include four bearing members (i.e., a first bearing member 2a, a second bearing member 2b, a third bearing member 2c, and a fourth bearing member 2d arranged sequentially along the rotor axial direction from the side closest to the rotor body 52). Threaded holes 9 are formed at the axial inner ends of each of the first to fourth bearing members 2a to 2d, and each threaded hole 9 opens toward the rotor body 52 along the rotor axial direction.

[0067] Similar to the kneader 541 of the sixth embodiment, the kneader 641 of this embodiment includes a plurality of inner seals 4A and outer seals 4B. The plurality of inner seals 4A are respectively embedded in inner sealing grooves 2f formed on the inner circumferential surfaces of the second and third bearing members 2b and 2c. Specifically, the inner seal 4A embedded in the inner sealing groove 2f of the second bearing member 2b includes a portion located axially between the second bearing member 2b and the third bearing member 2c, and the inner seal 4A embedded in the inner sealing groove 2f of the third bearing member 2b includes a portion located axially between the third bearing member 2c and the fourth bearing member 2d. On the other hand, the outer seals 4B are embedded in an outer sealing groove 2g formed on the second bearing member 2b.

[0068] Although not shown in the figures, it is preferable that the bearing members 2a to 2d adjacent to each other in the rotor axial direction have a shape that allows them to fit together. For example, the first bearing member 2a may have a protrusion protruding toward the second bearing member 2b in the rotor axial direction on its surface facing the second bearing member 2b, and the second bearing member 2b may have a recess that receives the protrusion. Conversely, the second bearing member 2b may have the protrusion, and the first bearing member 2a may have the recess. In this case, for example... Figure 9 As shown, the inner sealing groove 2f for receiving the inner sealing member 4A is preferably formed in the rotor axial direction at a position away from the end of the bearing member on which the protrusion or the recess is formed.

[0069] The kneader 641 also includes Figure 10 The sleeve 10 is shown in the diagram. The sleeve 10 is arranged radially between the inner circumferential surfaces of each of the plurality of bearing members 2a to 2d and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54. The sleeve 10 includes a sleeve body 10a and a sleeve protrusion 10b. The sleeve body 10a is cylindrical, extending axially along the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54. The sleeve protrusion 10b is formed at one end of the sleeve body 10a axially away from the rotor body 52, and protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the other portions. When the plurality of bearing members 2a to 2d and the sleeve 10 are inserted into the bearing receiving space S2 of the bearing support portion 3b, a gap 14 is formed axially between the bearing member furthest from the rotor body 52 among the plurality of bearing members 2a to 2d (i.e., the fourth bearing member 2d) and the sleeve protrusion 10b. Specifically, the fourth bearing member 2d has a recess 2r formed at one end of the rotor axial direction near the sleeve protrusion 10b to ensure the gap 14.

[0070] The sleeve 10 enables the following: with the rotor body 52 separated from the rotor shaft 54, the sleeve 10, along with the first to fourth bearing members 2a to 2d, can be pulled out together along the rotor axis into the clamping space. That is, by pulling the sleeve 10 along the rotor axis, the plurality of bearing members 2a to 2d can be pulled out together with the sleeve 10 from between the inner circumferential surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54. Therefore, compared to pulling out the plurality of bearing members 2a to 2d one by one, the entire bearing portion 2 can be pulled out in a shorter time.

[0071] The sleeve 10 does not necessarily need to be pulled out together with all of the plurality of bearing components 2a to 2d. For example, the following operation can be performed sequentially: using a pulling tool such as a bolt, only the bearing component closest to the rotor body 52 among the plurality of bearing components 2a to 2d (i.e., the first bearing component 2a); then, grasp the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 10 exposed therefrom, and pull out the sleeve 10 and the remaining bearing components (i.e., the second to fourth bearing components 2b to 2d) together.

[0072] The inner seal 4A described in this embodiment seals the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 10 and the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion 2. Thus, the gap sealed by the inner seal 4A between the inner circumferential surface 2n of the bearing portion 2 and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54 ​​is not limited to, for example... Figure 3 The gap shown is formed by the inner circumferential surface 2n of the bearing portion 2 and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54, and also includes, as shown in the figure. Figure 10 As shown, a gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 10 and the inner peripheral surface of the bearing portion 2 at a position radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54.

[0073] The rotor shaft 54 ​​preferably has a rotor shaft protrusion 54b, which faces the end of the bearing portion 2 located axially away from the rotor body 52. ​​The rotor shaft protrusion 54b allows the rotor shaft 54 ​​to be positioned along the rotor axis from the bearing support portion 3b. Figure 10 The rotor shaft 54 ​​is pulled out into the pinching space from the center to the right, thereby pulling out the entire bearing portion 2, which includes the plurality of bearing components 2a to 2d and the sleeve 10.

[0074] The inner circumferential surface of the bearing member closest to the rotor body 52 among the plurality of bearing members 2a to 2d (i.e., the first bearing member 2a) can also have a shape that engages with the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve body 10a. For example, an internal thread portion can be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the first bearing member 2a, and an external thread portion capable of engaging with the internal thread portion can be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve body 10a. Accordingly, by using a pulling tool or the like to pull the first bearing member 2a into the pinching space, the remaining bearing members 2b to 2d and the sleeve 10 can be pulled out together. In this case, as the rotor 5 rotates, the sleeve 10 and the first bearing member 2a can also rotate together with the rotor shaft 54.

[0075] Alternatively, the sleeve 10 can be removed after each of the plurality of bearing components 2a to 2d has been removed.

[0076] The sleeve protrusion 10b further ensures that the plurality of bearing members 2a to 2d, together with the sleeve 10, are pulled out from between the inner circumferential surface 3n of the bearing support 3b and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54. Furthermore, the gap 14 along the rotor axial direction—that is, the gap formed between the fourth bearing member 2d and the sleeve protrusion 10b when the plurality of bearing members 2a to 2d and the sleeve 10 are inserted between the inner circumferential surface 3n of the bearing support 3b and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54—can suppress burn-out caused by the rotation of the rotor 5. Specifically, when the rotor 5 rotates, the sleeve 10 may rotate together with the rotor shaft 54, and since the plurality of bearing members 2a to 2d are supported on the bearing support 3, the rotation of the rotor 5 may cause relative rotation between the sleeve 10 and the plurality of bearing members 2a to 2d. On the other hand, when the pressure of the working fluid in the chamber 3 is high, the plurality of bearing members 2a to 2d may be pushed along the rotor axis to the side opposite to the rotor body 52 due to the pressure of the working fluid. In this case, the gap 14 prevents the fourth bearing member 2d from being pushed against the sleeve protrusion 10b along the rotor axis, thereby preventing burn-out between the fourth bearing member 2d and the sleeve protrusion 10b due to the relative rotation of the plurality of bearing members 2a to 2d with the sleeve 10.

[0077] The kneader 641 according to this embodiment further includes a sleeve seal 11 for sealing the outer peripheral surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54 ​​and the inner peripheral surface 10n of the sleeve 10. The sleeve seal 11 is, for example, an O-ring, and is installed on the outer peripheral surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54. Specifically, an annular sealing groove 54f is formed on the outer peripheral surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54, and the sleeve seal 11 is embedded in the sealing groove 54f.

[0078] The kneader 641 further includes a rotation prevention member to prevent rotation of the bearing portion 2 relative to the bearing support portion 3b. Specifically, the kneader 641 includes... Figure 10 The example shows the first rotation prevention member 12A and the second rotation prevention member 12B. The first rotation prevention member 12A extends radially from the outer side of the bearing support 3b through the bearing support 3b until it reaches the bearing receiving space S2. The radially inner end of the first rotation prevention member 12A engages with a target bearing member selected from the plurality of bearing members 2a to 2d. Figure 10In this context, the target bearing component is the second bearing component 2b. Similarly, the second rotation prevention component 12B extends radially from the outer side of the bearing support portion 3b until it reaches the bearing receiving space S2. The radially inner end of the second rotation prevention component 12B engages with a target bearing component selected from the plurality of bearing components 2a to 2d. Figure 10 In this context, the bearing component of the object is the third bearing component 2c.

[0079] The first and second rotation prevention members 12A and 12B prevent the target bearing members (i.e., the second and third bearing members 2b and 2c) from rotating relative to the bearing support 3b with respect to the rotor shaft 54, thereby preventing the second and third bearing members 2b and 2c from rotating together with the rotor shaft 54 ​​as the rotor 5 rotates.

[0080] As described above, two adjacent bearing members in the rotor axial direction have a mutually fitting structure, which allows the rotation of the bearing member fitted with the target bearing member to be suppressed by preventing the rotation of the target bearing member. This reduces the number of rotation prevention members required to prevent the rotation of each of the plurality of bearing members 2a to 2d. For example, Figure 10 The first bearing member 2a and the second bearing member 2b shown have a mutually fitting structure, which makes it possible to suppress the rotation of the first bearing member 2a by preventing the rotation of the second bearing member 2b by the second rotation prevention member 12A.

[0081] As a variation of the kneader 641, such as Figure 11As shown, the kneader 641 may further include a visco seal 15. The visco seal 15 is disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 10 and the inner peripheral surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b. The visco seal 15 is located axially between the first bearing member 2a and the rotor body 52. ​​Furthermore, a gasket 16 exists between the visco seal 15 and the first bearing member 2a. The visco seal 15 is screwed onto the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve body 10a. Specifically, an external thread 17a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve body 10a, and an internal thread 17b is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the visco seal 15 to engage with the external thread 17a. This engagement enables the sleeve 10 and the visco seal 15 to rotate together with the rotor shaft 54 ​​as the rotor 52 rotates. Furthermore, the engagement can be achieved by pulling the adhesive seal 15 into the engagement space to pull the plurality of bearing components 2a to 2d together with the sleeve 10 out from between the outer peripheral surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54 ​​and the inner peripheral surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b.

[0082] Figure 12 This describes a kneading machine 741 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. The kneading machine 741 according to this embodiment also includes, similarly to the kneading machine 641 according to the seventh embodiment, a bearing portion 2 having a plurality of bearing members arranged along the rotor axial direction, the plurality of bearing members being a first bearing member 2a, a second bearing member 2b, a third bearing member 2c, and a fourth bearing member 2d. Threaded holes 9 are formed at the axial inner ends of each of the first to third bearing members 2a to 2c. The kneading machine 741 further includes: a plurality of inner seals 4A for sealing the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 10 and the inner peripheral surface of the bearing portion 2; and an outer seal 4B for sealing the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion 2 and the inner peripheral surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b. The plurality of inner seals 4A include: an inner seal 4A embedded in an inner sealing groove 2f formed on the second bearing member 2b, the inner seal 4A including a portion located between the second bearing member 2b and the third bearing member 2c; and an inner seal 4A embedded in an inner sealing groove 2f formed on the third bearing member 2c, the inner seal 4A including a portion located between the third bearing member 2c and the fourth bearing member 2d. The outer seal 4B is, for example, an O-ring, mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the second bearing member 2b.

[0083] The bearing portion 2, like the bearing portion 2 in the seventh embodiment, further includes the sleeve 10 and the sleeve seal 11. The sleeve 10 is located radially between the inner circumferential surfaces of the first to fourth bearing members 2a to 2d and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft 54. The sleeve 10 includes a cylindrical sleeve body 10a and a sleeve protrusion 10b. The sleeve seal 11 is embedded in a sealing groove 54f formed on the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54, and seals the inner circumferential surface 10n of the sleeve 10 and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54.

[0084] The kneader 741 according to the eighth embodiment also includes Figure 12 The inner wool strip seal 18 is shown. The inner wool strip seal 18 serves to protect the inner seal 4A from impurities within the kneading material. For example, in… Figure 2 In the kneading space S1 shown, for example, when kneading powder materials containing nanomaterials such as silicon dioxide or carbon, the powder material may intrude into the bearing receiving space S2 and damage the inner seal 4A or the outer seal 4B, thereby reducing the sealing performance of the seals 4A and 4B. In particular, since the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion 2 is in circumferential contact with the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve body 10a, the size of the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion 2 and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54 ​​is prone to deviation in the rotor axial direction, making it easy for the powder material to enter this gap. The inner wool strip seal 18 prevents powder material entering the gap from the kneading space from reaching the inner seal 4A.

[0085] Specifically, the inner wool strip seal 18 is configured such that it seals the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion 2 and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54 ​​(in this eighth embodiment, the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion 2 and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve body 10a) at a position closer to the kneading space in the rotor axial direction than the inner seal 4A. Figure 12In the example of the kneader 741, an annular inner woolen strip seal groove 2p is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the first bearing member 2a, located closer to the kneading space than the inner seal 4A. The inner woolen strip seal 18 is embedded within this groove 2p. The inner woolen strip seal 18 comprises: a base fabric; and a large quantity of fibrous cut pile yarn woven into the base fabric. The base fabric is formed in an annular shape and is embedded within the inner woolen strip seal groove 2p. The cut pile yarn is piled from the base fabric toward the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54, thereby sealing the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the first bearing member 2a and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve body 10a. Specifically, in the eighth embodiment, the tip portion of the cut yarn of the inner wool strip seal 18 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve body 10a, thereby suppressing the powder material entering the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the bearing portion 2 and the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 10 from reaching the inner seal 4A.

[0086] Thus, even if powder material enters the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion 2 and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54 ​​(in Figure 12 The gap between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing part 2 and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve body 10a is in the middle. The inner side wool strip seal 18 also reduces the possibility that the powder material will pass through the inner side wool strip seal 18 and reach the inner side seal 4A, thereby suppressing the powder material from damaging the inner side seal 4A and causing a decrease in the sealing performance of the inner side seal 4A.

[0087] As a variation of the eighth embodiment, it is preferable to: Figure 13 As shown, the kneader 741 also includes an outer wool strip seal 19. The outer wool strip seal 19 is provided to prevent the powder material from reaching the outer seal 5.

[0088] Specifically, the outer weatherstripping seal 19 is configured such that it seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion 2 and the inner peripheral surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b surrounding the bearing receiving space S2 at a position closer to the kneading space than the outer seal 4B in the rotor axial direction. Figure 13In the example of the kneading machine 741, an annular outer woolen strip seal groove 2q is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first bearing member 2a, located closer to the kneading space than the outer seal 4B, and the outer woolen strip seal 19 is embedded in the outer woolen strip seal groove 2q. The outer woolen strip seal 19, like the inner woolen strip seal 18, includes: a base fabric; and a large amount of fibrous cut pile yarn, wherein the base fabric is formed in an annular shape and is embedded in the outer woolen strip seal groove 2q. The cut pile yarn is napped from the base fabric toward the inner peripheral surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b, thereby sealing the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the first bearing member 2a and the inner peripheral surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b. Specifically, in the eighth embodiment, the tip portion of the cut pile yarn of the outer wool strip seal 19 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b, thereby suppressing the powder material entering the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion 2 and the inner peripheral surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b from reaching the outer seal 5.

[0089] The materials forming the inner and outer hairline seals 18 and 19 preferably have SP values ​​that suppress swelling of the inner and outer hairline seals 18 and 19 due to contact with the working fluid. The SP value (Hildebrand solubility parameter: δ) is a property value defined as the square root of the cohesive energy density and represents the dissolution behavior of the solvent. The smaller the difference between the SP value of the inner and outer hairline seals 18 and 19 and the SP value of the working fluid, the easier it is for swelling to occur, which promotes a decrease in the sealing performance and durability of the inner and outer hairline seals 18 and 19.

[0090] Specifically, when the working fluid is supercritical CO2, the SP value of CO2 is 8.7. Therefore, the SP values ​​of the materials forming the inner weatherstrip seal 18 and the outer weatherstrip seal 19 are preferably values ​​where the difference between this SP value and the SP value of CO2 exceeds 0.7, that is, less than 8.0 or more than 9.4. Thus, even when using supercritical CO2 as the working fluid, the reduction in sealing performance and durability of both the inner and outer weatherstrip seals 18 and 19 can be effectively suppressed.

[0091] Thus, even if powder material enters the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion 2 and the inner circumferential surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b, the outer wool strip seal 19 reduces the possibility of the powder material passing through the outer wool strip seal 19 and reaching the outer seal 4B, thereby suppressing damage to the outer seal 4B caused by the powder material, which would lead to a decrease in the sealing performance of the outer seal 4B. The outer wool strip seal 19 does not necessarily need to be used in conjunction with the inner wool strip seal 18. For example, it can also be used from... Figure 13 The kneader 741 shown in the figure omits the inner wool strip seal 18.

[0092] Through with Figure 14 To further illustrate the effects provided by the kneaders of the embodiments described above, a comparison is made with the kneader 941 shown as a reference example. The kneader 941 includes: a rotor 95 comprising a rotor body 952 and a rotor shaft 954; a chamber 93 comprising a chamber body and a bearing support 93b; and a plurality of seals 94A and 94B. The plurality of seals 94A and 94B are internally mounted spring seals for unilateral pressure, sealing between the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft 954 and the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support 93b. The bearing support 93b is composed of a plurality of components 96A, 96B, 96C, 96D, 96E, and 96F arranged along the rotational axis. The seal 94A is axially clamped between components 96B and 96D and is fixed at a position radially inside component 96C; the seal 94B is axially clamped between components 96D and 96F and is fixed at a position radially inside component 96E.

[0093] For the kneader 941, replacing the first and second seals 94A and 94B requires cumbersome work, namely, removing the rotor 95 from the chamber 93 and disassembling the chamber 93. In contrast, for the kneaders of the above embodiments, by separating the rotor body 52 from the rotor shaft 54 ​​and pulling out the bearing portion 2 between the inner circumferential surface 3n of the bearing support portion 3b and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54, the seals 4A and 4B can be easily maintained.

[0094] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but they are merely specific examples and do not particularly limit the present invention. Specific configurations and other aspects can be appropriately modified. Furthermore, the effects and benefits described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely examples of the most preferred effects and benefits produced by the present invention, and the effects and benefits of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0095] For example, the rotation prevention members 12A and 12B involved in the seventh embodiment can also be applied to the first to sixth and eighth embodiments.

[0096] In the sixth to eighth embodiments, any one of the protrusion 6 of the second embodiment, the external thread portion 7a and the internal thread portion 7b of the third embodiment, and the magnetic portion 8 of the fourth embodiment may be provided at the end of the bearing portion 2 as a component for easy removal of the bearing portion 2, in place of the threaded hole 9.

[0097] The inner wool strip seal 18 and the outer wool strip seal 19 can also be applied to the first to seventh embodiments, respectively. For example, like the kneader 41 according to the first embodiment, in a kneader that does not include the sleeve 10, the inner wool strip seal 18 can be configured to seal the gap between the inner circumferential surface 2n of the bearing portion 2 and the outer circumferential surface 54a of the rotor shaft 54.

[0098] As described above, a kneading machine is provided that allows for easy maintenance of the seals. The kneading machine kneads materials in the presence of a supercritical or subcritical working fluid. The kneading machine includes a chamber, a rotor, a bearing portion, an inner seal, and an outer seal. The chamber has a chamber body defining a kneading space and a bearing support portion defining a bearing receiving space, the kneading space and the bearing receiving space being interconnected. The rotor has a rotor shaft and a rotor body that are axially connected and separable from each other, the rotor shaft being disposed within the bearing receiving space, and the rotor body being configured to knead the material within the kneading space. The bearing portion is disposed within the bearing receiving space, between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support portion and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft, allowing for detachment of the bearing support portion and the rotor shaft. The bearing portion, when supported by the bearing support portion, supports the rotor shaft in a manner that allows the rotor shaft to rotate. The inner seal seals the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft. The outer seal seals the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion and the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support portion. The bearing portion is configured such that separation of the rotor body from the rotor shaft allows the bearing portion to be pulled out axially from between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support portion and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft into the engagement space, and allows the bearing portion to be inserted axially from the engagement space between the bearing support portion and the rotor shaft.

[0099] According to the kneader, the inner and outer seals can be easily maintained, for example, replaced, through a simple operation: separating the rotor body from the rotor shaft and pulling out the bearing portion between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft. Furthermore, maintenance of the inner or outer seals does not require removing the rotor shaft from the chamber, thus reducing the space required around the kneader for removing the rotor shaft.

[0100] Preferably, the bearing portion has: a bearing body portion housed in the bearing housing space; and a protrusion located axially on a side closer to the rotor body than the bearing body portion, and having a thickness greater than the thickness of the bearing body portion in the radial direction, wherein, when the bearing body portion is inserted between the bearing support portion and the rotor shaft, the protrusion protrudes axially toward the rotor body than the bearing support portion. The protrusion enables the bearing portion to be easily pulled out from between the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft and the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support portion.

[0101] Alternatively, the bearing portion may have an external thread, and the bearing support portion may have an internal thread that engages with the external thread. The external thread is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion at one end closest to the rotor body in the axial direction of the rotor. The internal thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support portion surrounding the bearing housing space, and by engaging with the external thread, the bearing portion is fixed within the bearing housing space, thereby preventing the bearing portion from rotating together with the rotor shaft.

[0102] The bearing portion may also have a magnetic portion. This magnetic portion is magnetic and is located at one end of the bearing portion along the rotor axial direction, near the rotor body. The magnetic portion is designed to be attracted to a magnet. Specifically, the magnetism of the magnetic portion has such strength that, when the rotor body is separated from the rotor shaft, the magnetic portion is attracted to a magnet, allowing it to be pulled out from between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft. This allows the bearing portion to be easily pulled out from between the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft and the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support.

[0103] The bearing portion may also have a threaded hole. The threaded hole is formed at one end of the bearing portion in the axial direction of the rotor, near the rotor body, and opens toward the rotor body in the axial direction of the rotor. This allows a pulling tool for pulling the bearing portion to engage with the threaded hole and thus connect to the bearing portion.

[0104] Alternatively, the bearing portion may have multiple bearing members arranged along the rotor axial direction and supporting the rotor shaft in a way that allows the rotor shaft to rotate. This allows the bearing portion to be pulled out from between the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft and the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support portion, unit by unit, and allows the bearing portion to be inserted between the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft and the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support portion, unit by unit.

[0105] In this case, a sleeve may also be included, located radially between the plurality of bearing members and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor shaft. With the rotor body separated from the rotor shaft, the sleeve, together with the plurality of bearing members arranged around the sleeve, can be pulled out from between the inner peripheral surface of the bearing support and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor shaft.

[0106] Preferably, the sleeve has: a sleeve body extending axially along the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft; and a sleeve protrusion projecting radially outward from one end of the sleeve body opposite to the rotor body in the axial direction toward the bearing portion. The sleeve protrusion further ensures that the plurality of bearing members can be pulled out together with the sleeve. Preferably, with the plurality of bearing members and the sleeve inserted into the bearing receiving space, a gap is formed axially between the bearing member furthest from the rotor body and the sleeve protrusion, which suppresses burn-in between the sleeve protrusion and the bearing member due to rotor rotation.

[0107] Preferably, the kneader further includes an inner wool strip seal for sealing the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft, wherein the inner wool strip seal is located axially closer to the rotor body than the inner seal itself. The inner wool strip seal prevents impurities entering the gap from the kneading space from reaching the inner seal, thereby preventing the sealing performance of the inner seal from being reduced due to the impurities.

[0108] Preferably, the kneader further includes an outer wool strip seal to seal the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion and the inner peripheral surface of the bearing support portion surrounding the bearing receiving space, wherein the outer wool strip seal is located axially closer to the rotor body than the outer seal itself. The outer wool strip seal prevents impurities entering the gap from the kneading space from reaching the outer seal, thereby preventing the sealing performance of the outer seal from being reduced due to the impurities.

[0109] Preferably, when the working fluid is supercritical CO2, the material forming the inner weatherstrip seal has an SP value of less than 8.0 or greater than 9.4. This increases the difference between the SP value of the working fluid (8.7) and the SP value of the inner weatherstrip seal, thereby suppressing swelling of the inner weatherstrip seal due to contact with the working fluid, and effectively suppressing the reduction in sealing performance and durability of the inner weatherstrip seal caused by such swelling.

[0110] Similarly, it is preferable that, when the working fluid is supercritical CO2, the material forming the outer weatherstrip seal has an SP value of less than 8.0 or greater than 9.4. This increases the difference between the SP value of the working fluid (8.7) and the SP value of the outer weatherstrip seal, thereby suppressing swelling of the outer weatherstrip seal due to contact with the working fluid, and effectively suppressing the reduction in sealing performance and durability of the outer weatherstrip seal caused by such swelling.

[0111] The kneader may further include a rotation prevention member to prevent the bearing portion from rotating relative to the bearing support portion about the rotor shaft. By preventing the rotation of the bearing portion by the rotation prevention member, it is possible to further ensure that the bearing portion properly supports the rotor shaft in a manner that allows the rotor shaft to rotate.

[0112] In a bearing section having multiple bearing members arranged axially along the rotor shaft and supporting the rotor shaft in a manner that allows it to rotatably, it is preferable that the rotation prevention member is configured to prevent rotation of a target bearing member selected from the multiple bearing members, wherein the target bearing member and the bearing member adjacent to the target bearing member axially along the rotor shaft have a shape that engages with each other in a manner that inhibits relative rotation. This allows the rotation of the bearing member engaged with the target bearing member to be suppressed by preventing rotation of the target bearing member by the rotation prevention member.

Claims

1. A kneading machine, characterized in that, Kneading materials in the presence of a supercritical or subcritical working fluid, and including: The chamber has a chamber body and a bearing support, the chamber body defining the kneading space, the bearing support defining the bearing receiving space, and the kneading space and the bearing receiving space are interconnected. A rotor having a rotor shaft and a rotor body, the rotor shaft and the rotor body being connected axially along the rotor in a separable manner, the rotor shaft being disposed within the bearing receiving space, and the rotor body being configured to knead the material within the kneading space; The bearing portion is disposed within the bearing housing space and between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support portion and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft in a manner that allows the bearing support portion and the rotor shaft to be disassembled and assembled. When supported by the bearing support portion, the bearing portion supports the rotor shaft in a manner that allows the rotor shaft to rotate. An inner seal seals the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft; and, An outer seal seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion and the inner peripheral surface of the bearing support portion, wherein... The bearing portion is configured such that separation of the rotor body from the rotor shaft allows the bearing portion to be pulled out along the rotor axial direction from between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft into the engagement space, and allows the bearing portion to be inserted from the engagement space along the rotor axial direction between the bearing support and the rotor shaft.

2. The kneader according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bearing portion has: The bearing body is housed within the bearing housing space; and, The protrusion is located axially on a side closer to the rotor body than the bearing body portion, and has a thickness greater than the bearing body portion in the radial direction. With the bearing body inserted between the bearing support and the rotor shaft, the protrusion protrudes axially toward the rotor body from the bearing support.

3. The kneader according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bearing portion has an external thread. The external thread portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion at one end of the rotor body in the axial direction of the rotor. The bearing support portion has an internal thread portion that can engage with the external thread portion. The internal thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support portion surrounding the bearing receiving space, and the bearing portion is fixed in the bearing receiving space by screwing it with the external thread.

4. The kneader according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bearing portion has a magnetic component. The magnetic part is disposed at one end of the bearing part along the axial direction of the rotor, near the rotor body, and the magnetic part has magnetism that allows it to be attracted by a magnet.

5. The kneader according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bearing portion has a threaded hole. The threaded hole is formed at one end of the bearing portion in the axial direction of the rotor, near the rotor body, and opens toward the rotor body in the axial direction of the rotor.

6. The kneader according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The bearing section has multiple bearing components. The plurality of bearing components are arranged in a manner that is aligned along the rotor axis and support the rotor shaft in a manner that allows the rotor shaft to rotate.

7. The kneader according to claim 6, characterized in that... Also includes: A sleeve is located radially between the outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of bearing components and the rotor shaft, wherein, With the rotor body separated from the rotor shaft, the sleeve, together with the plurality of bearing components arranged around the sleeve, can be pulled out from between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing support and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft.

8. The kneader according to claim 7, characterized in that, The sleeve has: A sleeve body extends axially along the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft in the rotor axis; and, The sleeve protrusion protrudes radially outward from one of the two ends of the sleeve body on the opposite side of the rotor body in the axial direction of the rotor, toward the bearing portion. With the plurality of bearing components and the sleeve inserted into the bearing receiving space, a gap is formed along the rotor axis between the bearing component furthest from the rotor body and the sleeve protrusion.

9. The kneader according to claim 1, characterized in that... Also includes: The inner wool strip seal seals the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing portion and the outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft, wherein... The inner wool strip seal is located axially closer to the rotor body than the inner seal.

10. The kneader according to claim 9, characterized in that, The working fluid is supercritical CO2. The material forming the inner weatherstrip seal has an SP value of less than 8.0 or greater than 9.

4.

11. The kneader according to claim 1, characterized in that... Also includes: The outer weatherstripping seal seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion and the inner peripheral surface of the bearing support portion surrounding the bearing housing space, wherein... The outer weatherstripping seal is located axially closer to the rotor body than the outer seal itself.

12. The kneader according to claim 11, characterized in that, The working fluid is supercritical CO2. The material forming the outer weatherstrip seal has an SP value of less than 8.0 or greater than 9.

4.

13. The kneader according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that... Also includes: A rotation prevention component prevents the bearing portion from rotating relative to the fixed portion with respect to the rotor shaft as the center.

14. The kneader according to claim 13, characterized in that, The bearing section has multiple bearing components. The plurality of bearing components are arranged in a manner that aligns along the rotor axis and supports the rotor shaft in a manner that allows the rotor shaft to rotate. The rotation prevention member is configured to prevent rotation of the target bearing member selected from the plurality of bearing members. The object bearing member and the bearing member adjacent to the object bearing member in the rotor axial direction have a shape that fits into each other in a manner that inhibits relative rotation.

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