Separator arrangement and machine tool

Abstract

The disclosure concerns a separator arrangement (10) for separating a mixture of gas, liquid particles, and solid particles. The separator arrangement (10) comprises a stationary housing (14), a centrifugal separator (16), and a drive arrangement (18). The centrifugal separator (16) comprises a separator rotor (20) arranged in the stationary housing (14). The drive arrangement (18) is arranged for rotating the separator rotor (20) about a rotational axis (22). The separator arrangement (10) further comprises a screen member (40) being provided with through holes (42). A flow path through the separator arrangement (10) leads in a direction through the through holes (42) to the rotor inlet (28) and the drive arrangement (18) is arranged for rotating the screen member (40) about the rotational axis (22).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a separator arrangement and to a machine tool.BACKGROUND

[0002] In the metal manufacturing industry, a machine tool utilises one or more tools for machining workpieces, such as metal workpieces. Machining may be performed e.g., by cutting, boring, grinding, shearing, etc. A cutting fluid is utilised for cooling the workpiece and / or the one or more tools that engage with the workpiece and furthermore, act as a lubricant between the one or more tools and the chips removed from the workpiece.

[0003] The machine tool includes a cabinet which encloses the workpiece and the one or more tools while the workpiece is machined. The cabinet may be provided for one or more reasons, such as safety, cleanliness, preventing cutting fluid from being sprayed outside the machine, collecting of solid cutting debris such as metal swarf, chips, etc.

[0004] The cabinet of the machine tool is ventilated. However, to prevent cutting fluid and solid debris from polluting the ambient environment of the machine tool and / or ventilation conduits leading from the machine tool, the ventilated mixture of gas, liquid particles, and solid particles must be cleaned. Namely, often a mist of cutting fluid is formed within the cabinet during use of the machine tool. Moreover, manufacturing debris in the form of solid particles may spread within the cabinet.

[0005] Various cleaning apparatuses and cleaning technologies have been proposed for cleaning the ventilated mixture. A common denominator for many of such cleaning apparatuses is the use of a so-called HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter as a last cleaning stage to ensure sufficient cleanliness of the air that is ventilated from a machine tool. An HEPA filter has to satisfy a predetermined cleaning efficiency standard.

[0006] It has been suggested to use a centrifugal separator for cleaning the ventilated mixture from a machine tool. WO 2004 / 041441 and WO 2004 / 024297 disclose centrifugal separators suitable for this purpose. Another example is known from WO2023 / 161106 A1 which discloses a system including a disk stack separator arranged within a housing comprising a chamber in which a rotor comprising an oil separating element is arranged, a shaft is configured to rotatably mount the oil separating element, a gas inlet is configured for supplying crankcase blow-by gases to the oil separating element along the shaft, a gas outlet is provided for discharging the oil-separated gases, a filter is arranged between another gas inlet and another gas outlet, where the filter is composed of a layer of arranged fibers, the former gas inlet is configured to be connected to a crankcase blow-by outlet of an internal combustion engine (ICE) and the former gas outlet is connected to the latter gas inlet.SUMMARY

[0007] It would be advantageous to achieve an arrangement for reliable cleaning of a ventilated mixture of gas, liquid particles, and solid particles from a machine tool. In particular, it would be desirable to prevent clogging of, or at least increase service life of, a centrifugal separator utilised for cleaning of a ventilated mixture of gas, liquid particles, and solid particles from a machine tool. To better address one or more of these concerns, one or more of a separator arrangement and a machine tool having the features defined in one or more of the independent claims is provided.

[0008] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a separator arrangement for separating a mixture of gas, liquid particles, and solid particles, the separator arrangement comprising a stationary housing, a centrifugal separator, and a drive arrangement. The centrifugal separator comprises a separator rotor arranged in the stationary housing. The drive arrangement is arranged for rotating the separator rotor about a rotational axis. A rotor inlet of the separator rotor is arranged radially inside a rotor outlet of the separator rotor. The separator arrangement further comprises a screen member being provided with through holes, wherein a flow path through the separator arrangement leads in a direction through the through holes to the rotor inlet, and wherein the drive arrangement is arranged for rotating the screen member about the rotational axis.

[0009] Since the separator arrangement comprises the screen member provided with the through holes and since the flow path through the separator arrangement leads in a direction through the through holes to the rotor inlet - in use of the separator arrangement, the screen member provides a prefiltering of the mixture to be separated, prior to it entering the centrifugal separator. Moreover, since the drive arrangement is arranged for rotating the screen member about the rotational axis - at least part of the particles that have been prefiltered by the screen member from the mixture will loosen from the screen member. Thus, an at least partially self-cleaning separator arrangement is provided. This at least reduces clogging of the centrifugal separator and accordingly, increases service life of the separator arrangement.

[0010] In more detail, comparatively larger particles of the mixture to be separated, in particular solid particles such as manufacturing debris generated in a machine tool, will not pass the screen member and thus, make contact with an outer surface of the screen member. Accordingly, such larger particles will not reach the separator rotor, which will not be clogged by these particles. Since the screen member is rotated by the drive arrangement, the particles making contact with the outer surface of the separator rotor are each affected by a centrifugal force. In many cases, even most cases, the centrifugal force will cause the particles to be released and / or flung from the screen member. In comparison with a stationary filter arranged prior to a separator rotor of a centrifugal separator, less maintenance, such as cleaning of the separator rotor, is required. Thus, service life of the centrifugal separator is at least increased.

[0011] According to a further aspect there is provided a machine tool comprising a cabinet, wherein a separator arrangement according to any one of aspects and / or embodiments discussed herein is connected to a ventilation outlet of the cabinet.

[0012] Since the separator arrangement according to any one of aspects and / or embodiments discussed herein is connected to the ventilation outlet of the cabinet, the effects and advantages of the above discussed separator arrangement are provided in connection with the machine tool. Also, the mixture of gas, liquid particles, and small solid particles that has passed through the screen member, and which mixture enter the centrifugal separator is referred to as the mixture.

[0013] The separator arrangement is arranged for cleaning a mixture of gas, liquid particles, and solid particles from a machine tool. Herein this mixture of gas, liquid particles, and solid particles is alternatively referred to as the mixture.

[0014] The machine tool utilises one or more tools for machining workpieces, such as metal workpieces. As discussed in the background portion above, machining may be performed e.g., by cutting, boring, grinding, shearing, etc. and a cutting fluid is utilised for cooling the workpiece and / or the one or more tools and to act as a lubricant between a tool and the chips that are cut from the workpiece. Accordingly, the mixture may comprise air, cutting fluid, and metal pieces.

[0015] The cabinet encloses the workpiece and the one or more tools while the workpiece is machined in the machine tool. Via the ventilation outlet of the cabinet of the machine tool, the mixture is ventilated from the cabinet.

[0016] The separator arrangement may be arranged at the ventilation outlet, in close vicinity of the machine tool. For instance, the separator arrangement may be mounted on or at the cabinet.

[0017] The centrifugal separator is configured to separate heavy constituents of the mixture as a heavy phase from a gaseous phase. Accordingly, the heavy phase may comprise cutting fluid and solid particles. The heavy phase may be liquid i.e., the separated solid particle may flow with the separated cutting fluid from the centrifugal separator.

[0018] The separator rotor defines a separation space, in which the mixture is separated into the heavy phase and the gaseous phase utilising centrifugal forces acting on the constituents of the mixture.

[0019] The drive arrangement may comprise an electric motor. A rotor shaft may connect the drive arrangement at least with the separator rotor and also with the screen member. The rotor shaft may be journalled in the stationary housing and arranged to be rotated about a rotational axis.

[0020] The flow path provides fluid communication through the separator arrangement between the through holes of the screen member, the rotor inlet, the separation space, and the rotor outlet. Downstream of the rotor outlet, the flow path is divided into a path for the separated gaseous phase and a path for the separated heavy phase. These two paths have different outlets from the separator arrangement.

[0021] In operation of the separator arrangement, the mixture to be separated is continuously led through the through holes of the screen member, where larger solid particles and some liquid particles are parted from the mixture. The mixture now containing smaller solid and liquid particles continues via the rotor inlet into the separation space. The mixture enters the separator rotor from a central portion thereof. As the separator rotor rotates, heavy constituents of the mixture are separated and are propelled from the rotor outlet at an outer periphery of the separator rotor as droplets, which may contain solid particles, against a circumferential inner wall surface of the stationary housing. The droplets and solid particles form the separated heavy phase which is led out of the centrifugal separator via a heavy phase outlet. The gaseous phase i.e., mainly air relieved of the heavy constituents, is led out of the separator arrangement via a gas outlet passage.

[0022] The rotation of the separator rotor by the drive arrangement has a pumping effect on the mixture and the gaseous phase passing through the separator rotor, which increases a gas pressure between the rotor inlet and the rotor outlet.

[0023] The centrifugal separator may be configured for concurrent separation. That is, the two separated phases travel in the same direction through the separator rotor. More specifically, as the mixture travels from the centre of the separator rotor towards its periphery, centrifugal forces acting on the heavy constituents of the mixture cause the heavy phase to form in the separation space of the separator rotor. Thus, separated heavy phase and gaseous phases exit the rotor outlet at the periphery of the separator rotor.

[0024] The separator rotor may comprise a separation aid e.g., a number of separating members, which improve the separation of the heavy constituents from the gaseous phase. The separation aid may comprise separating members in the form of e.g., axially stacked frustoconical separation discs or axially extending vanes which are directed radially in the separator rotor. As the separator rotor rotates, the heavy constituents are forced against radially inwardly facing surfaces of the separating members, forming thereon droplets of the heavy phase while moving towards the periphery of the separator rotor.

[0025] In a machine tool, the stationary housing is stationary in relation to the cabinet. The separator rotor, the screen member, and part of the drive arrangement are arranged to rotate in relation to the stationary housing.

[0026] If not otherwise stated, axial and radial references used herein relate to the rotational axis of the separator rotor and the screen member.

[0027] The terms upstream and downstream refer to a direction or position seen along a flow direction along the flow path through the separator arrangement i.e., upstream is closer to a source of the flow and downstream is farther from the source of the flow.

[0028] A rotor shaft may be directly or indirectly connected to the screen member. An indirect connection between the rotor shaft and the screen member may be provided e.g., via the separator rotor.

[0029] The screen member with its through holes is devised for preventing solid particles that have a larger dimension than at least one dimension of the through holes from passing the screen member. Moreover, since the screen member necessarily includes physical material between the through holes, also liquid particles may contact the screen member and may be prevented by the screen member from entering the separator rotor. As mentioned above, due to the rotation of the screen member, the particles, solid and liquid, may be flung from the screen member. Thus, in operation of the separation arrangement a self-cleaning effect of the screen member is provided.

[0030] The screen member comprises a screen or sieve configured for separating coarser particles from finer particles. The screen member may comprise e.g., a perforated plate, a perforated cylinder, or a mesh or a net of strands of metal or plastic material.

[0031] According to embodiments, the screen member may be accessible from outside the stationary housing. In this manner, the screen member may be cleaned or removed without having to open up the stationary housing.

[0032] According to embodiments, the screen member may be separately removable from the separator arrangement. In this manner, the screen member alone may be removed from the separator arrangement e.g., for convenient cleaning of the screen member in a therefor suitable location and with suitable cleaning means.

[0033] According to embodiments, the separator arrangement may comprise a fan member, and the drive arrangement may be arranged for rotating the fan member about the rotational axis. In this manner, the fan member may contribute to producing an under-pressure that draws the mixture into the separator arrangement.

[0034] According to embodiments of the machine tool, the screen member may be accessible from inside the cabinet. In this manner, firstly, the separator arrangement may be arranged at an entry of the ventilation channel from the machine tool and secondly, the screen member may be cleaned while mounted in the machine tool or accessed via the cabinet for removal from the separator arrangement e.g., for cleaning or being replaced with a new screen member.

[0035] Further features of, and advantages with, the invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Various aspects and / or embodiments of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the example embodiments discussed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a machine tool, and Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a section through a separator arrangement, and Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a section through a separator arrangement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Aspects and / or embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and / or clarity.

[0038] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a machine tool 2.

[0039] The machine tool 2 is configured for machining e.g. a metal workpiece 4 e.g., by one or more of cutting, boring, grinding, and shearing. A tool 6 which may be of many different kinds is utilised for the machining.

[0040] During use of the machine tool 2, the workpiece 4 may be rotated while the tool 6 is moved in relation to the workpiece 4, such as in a lathe, or the workpiece 4 may be stationary and a rotating tool 6 is moved in relation to the workpiece 4, such as in a milling machine.

[0041] The machine tool 2 comprising a cabinet 8. The cabinet 8 encloses the workpiece 4 and the tool 6 while the workpiece 4 is machined.

[0042] A separator arrangement 10 according to any one of aspects and / or embodiments discussed herein is arranged in fluid communication with a ventilation outlet 12 of the cabinet 8.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiments, the separator arrangement 10 is mounted to the cabinet 8 at the ventilation outlet 12. Alternatively, the ventilation outlet 12 may be arranged in close vicinity of the cabinet 8 and the separator arrangement 10 may be mounted at the cabinet 8.

[0044] The cabinet 8 forms a stationary structure 8', against which the separator arrangement 10 can be mounted.

[0045] During machining, a cutting fluid is supplied to the workpiece 4 and / or the tool 6. Commonly, the cutting fluid together with cutting debris that has been removed from the workpiece by the tool 6 is sprayed around within the cabinet 8. Larger cutting debris, such as larger chips, will quickly fall towards a bottom of the cabinet 8. Some of the smaller cutting debris however, can remain in the air within the cabinet 8 over a stretch of time sufficiently long for it to be ventilated from the cabinet rather than falling to its bottom. Accordingly, a mixture of air, liquid particles, and solid particles is formed within the cabinet 8, and ventilated therefrom via the ventilation outlet 12.

[0046] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a section through a separator arrangement 10 for separating a mixture of gas, liquid particles, and solid particles.

[0047] Specifically, the separator arrangement 10 is configured for cleaning of a mixture of gas / air, liquid particles, and solid particles that is ventilated from a cabinet 8 of a machine tool, such as the machine tool 2 discussed above with reference to Fig. 1.

[0048] The separator arrangement 10 comprising a stationary housing 14, a centrifugal separator 16, and a drive arrangement 18.

[0049] The centrifugal separator 16 comprises a separator rotor 20 arranged in the stationary housing 14.

[0050] The drive arrangement 18 is arranged for rotating the separator rotor 20 about a rotational axis 22. For instance, the drive arrangement 18 may comprise an electric motor 24.

[0051] A rotor shaft 26 may connect the electric motor 24 with the separator rotor 20.

[0052] In Fig. 2, the separator arrangement 10 is shown with a vertically oriented rotational axis 22, an orientation that the rotational axis 22 and the separator arrangement 10 may have when mounted at a machine tool.

[0053] However, other orientations of the rotational axis, and accordingly, of the separator arrangement may be provided when the separator arrangement is mounted at a machine tool. For instance, the rotational axis may have a substantially horizontal orientation.

[0054] During use of the separator arrangement 10, the mixture entering the separator rotor 20 via a centrally arranged rotor inlet 28 is separated into a gaseous phase and a heavy phase in the separator rotor 20. The separated phases leave the separator rotor 20 via a rotor outlet 30 at a periphery of the separator rotor 20. Accordingly, the rotor inlet 28 is arranged radially inside the rotor outlet 30.

[0055] A separation space 21 is provided within the separator rotor 20. The rotor inlet 28 leads to the separation space 21 and the rotor outlet 30 leads to a circumferential space 23 around the separator rotor 20 within the stationary housing 14.

[0056] Accordingly, the separator rotor 20 defines a separation space 21, in which the separation of the mixture takes place during use of the separator arrangement 10.

[0057] According to embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiments, the stationary housing 14 may be provided with a gas outlet 32 for the separated gaseous phase.

[0058] When the separator arrangement 10 is arranged at a machine tool, the gas outlet 32 may be arranged at an upper portion of the stationary housing 14.

[0059] Further components of the separator arrangement 10 may be arranged downstream of the gas outlet 32.

[0060] According to embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiments, the stationary housing 14 may be provided with a heavy phase outlet 34 for a separated heavy phase.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiments, the heavy phase outlet 34 is provided at a lower portion of the stationary housing 14 when the separator arrangement 10 is arranged at a machine tool. The separated heavy phase thus, may be transported by gravity towards the heavy phase outlet 34.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiments, the heavy phase outlet 34 is formed by a number of through holes in the stationary housing 14.

[0063] When installed at a ventilation outlet of the cabinet 8 of a machine tool, the heavy phase outlet 34 may be arranged in fluid communication with the ventilation outlet and an interior of the cabinet 8. Thus, separated heavy phase may be led from the centrifugal separator 16 back into the cabinet 8 of the machine tool.

[0064] The centrifugal separator 16 is configured to separate heavy constituents of the mixture as a heavy phase from a gaseous phase. Accordingly, the heavy phase may comprise cutting fluid and solid particles. A different manner of seeing it may be that the heavy phase is a liquid phase which contains solid particles.

[0065] The separator rotor 20 comprises a separation aid arranged in the separation space 21.

[0066] According to embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiments, the separator rotor 20 comprises a stack of separation discs 36. That is, in these embodiments, the separation aid comprises the stack of separation discs 36.

[0067] Between the separation discs 36 in the stack, interspaces are formed through which the mixture travels from a central portion of the separator rotor 20 towards an outer periphery of the separation discs 36 while being separated into the heavy phase and the gaseous phase as the separator rotor 20 rotates. In Fig. 2 only some of the separation discs 36 are indicated.

[0068] In these embodiments the separation discs 36 are frustoconical and stacked with their wide ends facing downwardly. In alternative embodiments, the frustoconical separation discs may be stacked with their wide ends facing upwardly.

[0069] In alternative embodiments, other types of separation aids may be utilised, such as e.g. axially extending vanes projecting radially outwardly from the rotor shaft 26.

[0070] The centrifugal separator 16 is configured for concurrent separation. Accordingly, during use of the separator arrangement 10, the mixture enters the separator rotor 20 from a central portion thereof. As discussed above, the heavy phase is separated in the separator rotor 20 and is then propelled from an outer periphery of the separator rotor 20 as droplets against an inner wall surface 38, which extends circumferentially around the separator rotor 20 and may form part of the stationary housing 14.

[0071] The flow of the mixture, the gaseous phase, and heavy phase through the separator arrangement 10 is indicated with small arrows in the righthand half of Fig. 2.

[0072] The separator arrangement 10 further comprises a screen member 40 being provided with through holes 42. The drive arrangement 18 is arranged for rotating the screen member 40 about the rotational axis 22.

[0073] For instance, the rotor shaft 26 may be directly connected to the screen member 40.e.g., with a screw 41 and a washer 43 as shown in Fig. 2.

[0074] Alternatively, the rotor shaft 26 may be indirectly connected to the screen member 40, such as via the separator rotor 20. That is, the screen member 40 may be connected to the separator rotor 20, which in turn is connected to the rotor shaft 26. For an example, see further below with reference to Fig. 3.

[0075] The screen member 40 is arranged such that it forms a protruding part of the separator arrangement 10. Thus, the screen member 40 is accessible from outside of the separator arrangement 10.

[0076] According to some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiments, a portion of the housing 14 may extend axially along at least a portion of the screen member 40.

[0077] A flow path through the separator arrangement 10 leads in a direction through the through holes 42 of the screen member 40 to the rotor inlet 28 of the separator rotor 20. The flow path continuous through the separator rotor 20 the rotor outlet 30. Downstream of the rotor outlet 30 the flow path is divided and leads to the gas outlet 32 and the heavy phase outlet 34. Partly, the flow path is also indicated with the small arrows in the righthand half of Fig. 2.

[0078] During use of the separator arrangement 10 in a machine tool, the mixture of gas, liquid particles, and solid particles that is ventilated from the machine tool will be subjected to two cleaning stages.

[0079] In a first cleaning stage the mixture is led through the through holes 42 of the screen member 40. At the screen member 40, larger solid particles and some liquid particles of the mixture cannot pass through the through holes 42 and will make contact with a surface of the screen member 40.

[0080] Since the screen member 40 is rotated by the drive arrangement 18, many of the larger solid particles and also liquid droplets are flung off the surface of the screen member 40 e.g., back into the cabinet 8 of the machine tool. Accordingly, the screen member 40 is self-cleaning, at least to a certain extent.

[0081] Gas, smaller solid particles, and liquid particles pass through the through holes 42 of the screen member 40. The mixture, now containing said gas, smaller solid particles, and liquid particles, passes from inside the screen member 40 to a second cleaning stage.

[0082] The second cleaning stage is performed in the separator rotor 20 and includes the above discussed separation of the mixture into the heavy phase and the gaseous phase.

[0083] Mentioned purely as examples, the separator arrangement 10 may be configured for cleaning within a range of 300 - 1500 m3 / h of the mixture. For this purpose the stack of separation discs 36 may comprise within a range of 50 - 200 separation discs 36 having an outer diameter within a range of 80 - 250 mm, which are rotated a speed within a range of 1000 - 3500 rpm.

[0084] According to embodiments, the through holes 42 of the screen member 40 may have a smaller hole diameter or a smaller hole width than a distance between two adjacent separation discs 36 within the stack of separation discs 36. In this manner, solid particles that could clog the stack of separation discs 36 may be prevented from reaching the stack of separation discs 36.

[0085] More specifically, solid particle having a dimension larger than the hole diameter of the through holes 42 do not pass through the screen member 40. Alternatively, in the case of e.g. oblong through holes 42, solid particles having a dimension larger than the hole width at least do not pass at any large amounts through the screen member 40. Since the rotor inlet 28 is arranged downstream of the screen member 40, such larger solid particles will not reach the separator rotor 20 and the separation discs 36 arranged therein.

[0086] The rotor shaft 26 may extend from the drive arrangement 18 at least partially through the stationary housing 14. The separator rotor 20 may be connected to the rotor shaft 26, and the screen member 40 may be connected to the rotor shaft 26. In this manner, the drive arrangement 18 may be provided for rotating the separator rotor 20 and the screen member 40 about the rotational axis 22 directly via the rotor shaft 26.

[0087] For instance, the screw 41 and the washer 43 may press the screen member 40 against the separator rotor 20 for securing the screen member 40 and the separator rotor 20 to the rotor shaft 26 and the drive arrangement 18.

[0088] The screen member 40 is accessible from outside the stationary housing 14. Thus, the screen member 40 may be cleaned or removed from the separator arrangement 10 without having to open up the stationary housing 14. This may be advantageous for providing quick service and / or replacement of the screen member 40.

[0089] According to embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiments, the stationary housing 14 may be configured for attaching to a stationary structure 8', such as a cabinet 8 of a machine tool. In this manner, a connection between the separator arrangement 10 and the cabinet 8 of the machine tool may be readily provided.

[0090] For instance, the stationary housing 14 may be provided with through holes 44 for screws 45 to extend therethrough and together with nuts connect the stationary housing 14 to matching holes through the cabinet 8 of the machine tool, as indicated at the lefthand side of Fig. 2.

[0091] According to embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiments, the stationary housing 14 may comprise a first housing portion 14' configured to be attached to the stationary structure 8' and a second housing portion 14" configured to be releasably connected to the first housing portion 14' and / or to the stationary structure 8'. In this manner, the stationary housing 14 may be taken apart. Namely, the second housing portion 14" may be removed from the first housing portion 14' with the first housing portion 14' remaining attached to the stationary structure 8'.

[0092] Accordingly, when mounted at a machine tool, the entire separator arrangement 10 does not have to be removed from the machine tool for providing at least partial access to an interior of the separator arrangement 10. By removing the second housing portion 14" such at least partial access may be provided e.g., for performing service on the separator arrangement 10, exchanging parts, and / or cleaning parts of the separator arrangement 10.

[0093] In Fig. 2, the first housing portion 14' is indicated with cross hatchings at one inclination and the second housing portion 14" is indicated with cross hatchings at an opposite inclination.

[0094] According to embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiments, the gas outlet 32 may be configured for connection to an HEPA filter 46. In this manner, an HEPA filter 46 may be connected to the separator arrangement 10 in case a particular installation of the separator arrangement 10 should so require.

[0095] According to some embodiments, the separator arrangement 10 may comprise an HEPA filter connected to the gas outlet 32. In this manner, during use of the separator arrangement 10, gaseous phase leaving the centrifugal separator 16 may be subjected to a further cleaning stage in the HEPA filter 46 e.g., to fulfil regulatory requirements for releasing the gaseous phase into a room or other closed space where the machine tool is placed.

[0096] The rotation of the separator rotor 20 by the drive arrangement 18 during use of the separator arrangement 10 has a pumping effect on the mixture and the gaseous phase passing through the separator arrangement 10. A pressure of the mixture and the gaseous phase passing through the separator rotor 20 increases between the rotor inlet 28 and the rotor outlet 32.

[0097] According to some embodiments, the separator arrangement 10 may comprise a fan member 48 arranged within the stationary housing 14. In such embodiments, the drive arrangement 18 is arranged for rotating the fan member 48 about the rotational axis 22.

[0098] During use of the separator arrangement 10, the fan member 48 may contribute to producing an under-pressure that draws the mixture into the separator arrangement 10 and an overpressure that transports at least the gaseous phase through the gas outlet 32 out of the stationary housing 14.

[0099] According to some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiments, the fan member 48 may be connected to, or may form part of, the separator rotor 20.

[0100] For instance, the fan member 48 may comprise blades 50 extending radially from the separator rotor 20.

[0101] In the machine tool, the screen member 40 may be accessible from inside the cabinet 8.

[0102] Thus, the screen member 40 can be cleaned when the separator arrangement 10 is mounted in the machine tool. Also, the screen member 40 can be accessed e.g., for removal from the separator arrangement 10 e.g., in order to be cleaned or to be replaced with a new screen member 40.

[0103] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a partial section through a separator arrangement 10 according to embodiments. The separator arrangement 10 of the Fig. 3 embodiments resembles in much the separator arrangement 10 of the Fig. 2 embodiments. Accordingly, reference is also made to the above discussion of the Fig. 2 embodiments. In the following some similar features will be discussed but mainly, the differences between the embodiments will be discussed.

[0104] Again, the separator arrangement 10 comprises a stationary housing 14, a centrifugal separator 16 with a separator rotor 20, and a drive arrangement 18 arranged for rotating the separator rotor 20 about a rotational axis 22.

[0105] Again, the stationary housing 14 comprises a first housing portion 14' configured to be attached to a stationary structure 8' such as the cabinet 8 of a machine tool and a second housing portion 14" configured to be releasably connected to the first housing portion 14' and / or to the stationary structure 8'.

[0106] In Fig. 3, the first housing portion 14' is indicated with cross hatchings at one inclination and the second housing portion 14" is indicated with cross hatchings at an opposite inclination.

[0107] The first housing portion 14' may be connected to the cabinet 8 and the second housing portion 14" may be accessible from inside the cabinet 8. In this manner, portions of the separator arrangement 10 including the second housing portion 14" may be reached from within the cabinet 8 e.g., for the purpose of maintenance of the separator arrangement 10.

[0108] Again, the screen member 40 is accessible from outside the stationary housing 14 for cleaning and / or removal. This is advantageous for providing quick service and / or replacement of the screen member 40.

[0109] As in Fig. 2, the section extends along the rotational axis 22 of the drive arrangement 18 and the separator rotor 20. The partial section of Fig. 3 shows a different angular sector of the separator arrangement 10 than in Fig. 2. Accordingly, Fig. 3 does not show the connection between the first housing portion 14' and the cabinet 8 of the machine tool. Instead, a securing of the second housing portion 14" to the first housing portion 14' and / or the cabinet 8 is shown.

[0110] The second housing portion 14" may be removed from the first housing portion 14' with the first housing portion 14' remaining attached to the cabinet 8.

[0111] Thus, the stationary housing 14 may be taken apart e.g., for performing service on the separator arrangement 10, exchanging parts, and / or cleaning parts of the separator arrangement 10.

[0112] The rotor shaft 26 is indirectly connected to the screen member 40. In these embodiments, the screen member 40 is connected to the separator rotor 20, which in turn is connected to the rotor shaft 26.

[0113] For instance, the screen member 40 may be connected to the separator rotor 20 via a bayonetted coupling 45. By releasing the bayonetted coupling 45, the screen member 40 is released from the separator rotor 20 and from the separator arrangement 10.

[0114] According to embodiments, the separator rotor 20 and the screen member 40 may be removable from the first housing portion 14' and / or the stationary structure 8' together with the second housing portion 14". In this manner, an easy removal of the separator rotor 20 and the screen member 40 may be provided.

[0115] For instance, as shown in Fig. 3, the separator rotor 20 may be connected via a splined coupling to the rotor shaft 26 and the second housing portion 14" may be arranged in sliding abutment with a portion of the separator rotor 20. As indicated in Fig. 3, the sliding abutment may be provided by an axial plain bearing 47 between the second housing portion 14" and a portion of the separator rotor 20. Thus, when the second housing portion 14" is removed from the first housing portion 14' and / or the stationary structure 8', the separator rotor 20 together with the screen member 40 will slide off the splines on the rotor shaft 26 to be removed together with the second housing portion 14".

[0116] In the illustrated embodiments, a releasable connection between the first housing portion 14' and the second housing portion 14" and / or the cabinet 8 is realised via a pivotable member 46 that is pivotably connected to the cabinet 8.

[0117] The pivotable member 46 is pivotable about a pivot axis 48 between two positions. In a first position of the pivotable member 46, the second housing portion 14" is secured to the first housing portion 14' and the cabinet 8 and in a second position of the pivotable member 46, the second housing portion 14" is removable from the first housing portion 14' and the cabinet 8.

[0118] Additionally, in these embodiments, the screen member 40 is separately removable from the separator arrangement 10, via the above discussed bayonetted coupling 45.

[0119] It is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and that the invention is defined only by the appended claims. A person skilled in the art will realize that the example embodiments may be modified, and that different features of the example embodiments may be combined to create embodiments other than those described herein, without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A separator arrangement (10) for separating a mixture of gas, liquid particles, and solid particles, the separator arrangement (10) comprising a stationary housing (14), a centrifugal separator (16), and a drive arrangement (18), wherein the centrifugal separator (16) comprises a separator rotor (20) arranged in the stationary housing (14), wherein the drive arrangement (18) is arranged for rotating the separator rotor (20) about a rotational axis (22), wherein a rotor inlet (28) of the separator rotor (20) is arranged radially inside a rotor outlet (30) of the separator rotor (20), wherein the separator arrangement (10) further comprises a screen member (40) being provided with through holes (42), wherein a flow path through the separator arrangement (10) leads in a direction through the through holes (42) to the rotor inlet (28), and wherein the drive arrangement (18) is arranged for rotating the screen member (40) about the rotational axis (22).

2. The separator arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the separator rotor (20) comprises a stack of separation discs (36).

3. The separator arrangement (10) according to claim 2, wherein the through holes (42) of the screen member (40) have a smaller hole diameter or smaller hole width than a distance between two adjacent separation discs (36) within the stack of separation discs (36).

4. The separator arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a rotor shaft (26) extends from the drive arrangement (18) at least partially through the stationary housing (14), and wherein the separator rotor (20) is connected to the rotor shaft (26), and wherein the screen member (40) is connected to the rotor shaft (26).

5. The separator arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen member (40) is accessible from outside the stationary housing (14).

6. The separator arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stationary housing (14) is configured for attaching to a stationary structure (8'), such as a cabinet (8) of a machine tool (2).

7. The separator arrangement (10) according to claim 6, wherein the stationary housing (14) comprises a first housing portion (14') configured to be attached to the stationary structure (8') and a second housing portion (14") configured to be releasably connected to the first housing portion (14') and / or to the stationary structure (8').

8. The separator arrangement (10) according to claim 7, wherein the separator rotor (20) and the screen member (40) are removable from the first housing portion (14') and / or the stationary structure (8') together with the second housing portion (14").

9. The separator arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen member (40) is separately removable from the separator arrangement (10).

10. The separator arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a separation space (21) is provided within the separator rotor (20), and wherein the rotor inlet (28) leads to the separation space (21) and the rotor outlet (30) lead to a circumferential space (23) around the separator rotor (20) within the stationary housing (14).

11. The separator arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stationary housing (14) is provided with a gas outlet (32) for a separated gaseous phase.

12. The separator arrangement (10) according to claim 11, wherein the gas outlet (32) is configured for connection to an HEPA filter (46).

13. The separator arrangement (10) according to claim 11 or 12, comprising an HEPA filter (46) connected to the gas outlet (32).

14. The separator arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stationary housing (14) is provided with a heavy phase outlet (34) for a separated heavy phase.

15. The separator arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a fan member (48), wherein the drive arrangement (18) is arranged for rotating the fan member (48) about the rotational axis (22).

16. The separator arrangement (10) according to claim 15, wherein the fan member (48) is connected to of forms part of the separator rotor (20).

17. A machine tool (2) comprising a cabinet (8), wherein a separator arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims is connected to a ventilation outlet (12) of the cabinet (8).

18. The machine tool (2) according to claim 17, wherein the screen member (40) is accessible from inside the cabinet (8).

19. The machine tool (2) according to claim 17 or 18 and the separator arrangement (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first housing portion (14') is connected to the cabinet (8), and wherein the second housing portion (14") is accessible from inside the cabinet (8).

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