Sealing assembly for a drive shaft of a substance solution system, and substance solution system
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VOITH PATENT GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-27
AI Technical Summary
In pulping systems, the radial deflection of drive shafts due to strong forces from rotating rotor blades leads to mechanical stress and accelerated wear of the sealing arrangement, resulting in reduced service life.
A sealing arrangement with a housing, multiple ring-shaped seal packings, and a floating water ring that allows for radial movement of the drive shaft, reducing the forces acting on the sealing components and minimizing wear by creating space for temporary deflection.
The solution effectively reduces wear on the sealing arrangement due to radial movements, thereby increasing its service life and maintaining system efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024069421_23012025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Sealing arrangement for a drive shaft of a mass dissolution system and mass dissolution system [1] The present disclosure relates to a sealing arrangement for a drive shaft of a system for dissolving substances and to a system for dissolving substances with such a sealing arrangement. The present disclosure relates in particular to a shaft seal with a floating water ring to provide clearance for radial movement of a drive shaft. State of the art [2] In waste paper processing, so-called pulpers are frequently used to break down waste paper or pulp and convert it into a pumpable suspension suitable for papermaking. The pulper consists of a large container into which water and waste paper are fed. Inside the container, a rotating rotor, such as a vane rotor, is arranged to shred the waste paper. Once the desired pulp density is reached, the container can be emptied and the contents fed into further processing steps for paper production. [3] Typical rotor blade shapes include backward-curved blades to achieve a pumping action in the container without requiring excessive amounts of energy. However, the waste paper fed into the container is often in the form of bales or other initially solid packages, so that strong forces perpendicular to an axis of rotation can occur when the rotor turns. This leads to a temporary radial deflection of a drive shaft connected to the rotor. Such radial displacement creates mechanical stress and leads to faster wear of components, especially a sealing assembly in which the drive shaft is supported. [4] From US 1,085,196, CH430355 A, a shaft seal is known whose essential feature is that the seal is divided into a radial and an axial seal. A ring housing with a U-shaped cross-section is provided to receive the sealing elements. Two sealing rings are arranged in the ring housing, acting radially in the same direction and axially in opposite directions. A common spring is provided to press both sealing rings against their axial sealing points. [5] From DE 1 241 726 a shaft seal for use on ships is known in which a conductive connection to the ship's hull is provided in order to prevent components of the seal from dissolving due to the salt water. [6] US1,052,735 discloses a shaft seal with a lip seal. The angled lip seal is made of a flexible material such as glass-filled Teflon. A spring element presses the sealing lip radially inwards onto the shaft. [7] From DE 199 04 761, a shaft seal for sealing against paper pulp suspension is known. In this shaft seal, a barrier water flow has been replaced by a sealing and lubricating agent, which is continuously replenished. It is an axial sealing ring. This is followed by lip seals. Ring volumes are formed between them. These ring volumes are filled with the aforementioned sealant. Disclosure of the invention [8] It is an object of the present disclosure to specify a sealing arrangement for a drive shaft, in particular for a system for dissolving substances and a system for dissolving substances with such a sealing arrangement which can compensate for a radial movement of a drive shaft. [9] In particular, it is an objective of the present disclosure to minimize wear of the sealing arrangement due to radial movements of the drive shaft and thus to increase the service life of the sealing arrangement.
[0010] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.
[0011] According to an independent aspect of the present disclosure, a sealing arrangement for a drive shaft is specified, in particular for a system for dissolving substances, especially a pulper. The sealing arrangement can also be referred to as a "shaft seal".
[0012] The sealing arrangement comprises a housing; a receiving space within the housing, wherein the receiving space is configured to receive a drive shaft; a plurality of sealing packings between an inner wall of the housing and the receiving space; and a sealing ring.
[0013] The multiple sealing packs are arranged in an annular shape and surround the receiving space. The multiple sealing packs comprise a first sealing pack and a second sealing pack, with the outermost circumferential sections of the first and second sealing packs being set away from the inner wall of the housing.
[0014] The sealing ring is positioned, at least partially, between the first and second sealing packs to provide or maintain a distance between them. An outermost circumferential section of the sealing ring is spaced from the inner wall of the housing to allow radial movement of the first sealing pack, the second sealing pack, and the sealing ring towards the inner wall of the housing, caused by the drive shaft.
[0015] The sealing ring can also be called a "water ring".
[0016] According to the invention, both the sealing packings and the sealing ring are spaced away from the inner wall of the housing, thus creating clearance for temporary radial movement of the drive shaft. As a result, fewer forces act on the sealing assembly, thereby reducing wear of the sealing assembly due to radial movements of the drive shaft and thus increasing the service life of the sealing assembly.
[0017] The term “sealing pack”, also referred to as “packings” in English, as used in the context of this disclosure, generally refers to braided Materials and / or woven materials that are arranged or wound around a driven shaft, for example, to minimize fluid loss. A lubricating fluid may also be provided to minimize friction between the sealing packing and the shaft. In some embodiments, the sealing packing may be at least partially impregnated with the lubricating fluid.
[0018] According to some embodiments, the sealing packings comprise fibers as a braided material. The braided material, in particular, determines the surface structure of the sealing packings.
[0019] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the material of the sealing packings may be selected from the group which includes or consists of Teflon (PTFE), graphite, Kevlar and combinations thereof.
[0020] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described here, the housing is at least partially cylindrical. In particular, the inner wall can have a cylindrical shape.
[0021] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the receiving space has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the radial movement of the drive shaft. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the receiving space can be substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the drive shaft.
[0022] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described here, the receiving space is cylindrical. The longitudinal axis of the receiving space can correspond to a cylinder axis or be the cylinder axis itself.
[0023] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the plurality of sealing packings surround the receiving space in a circumferential direction. For example, each annular sealing packing has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the radial movement of the drive shaft and / or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the receiving space and / or substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft.
[0024] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described here, the plurality of sealing packs are arranged sequentially along the longitudinal axis of the receiving space. In other words, the sealing packs can be stacked on top of each other along the longitudinal axis of the receiving space.
[0025] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described here, the sealing arrangement further comprises a fluid space between the inner wall of the housing and the receiving space.
[0026] In some embodiments, the fluid chamber can be at least partially filled with a cooling and / or cleaning fluid via an inlet. The cooling and / or cleaning fluid can be introduced into the fluid chamber to dissipate frictional heat and / or foreign material. Frictional heat can be generated by the rotation of the drive shaft relative to the static sealing arrangement. Foreign material can also be displaced due to the rotation of the Foreign materials can form on the drive shaft relative to the static sealing arrangement, for example, in the form of abrasion. These materials can include paper fibers, fillers, and abrasive components from the waste paper (sand, glass, etc.). These are flushed to the left, back into the process. Only sealing water escapes to the right. The fluid primarily flows through opening 136 to the sealing gap between 120 and 14.
[0027] In some embodiments, the first sealing pack, the second sealing pack, and the sealing ring are arranged in the fluid chamber. The first sealing pack, the second sealing pack, and the sealing ring occupy only a portion of the fluid chamber volume, so that the remaining volume can be filled with the cooling and / or cleaning fluid.
[0028] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the sealing ring comprises a first section, a second section, and a median section between the first section and the second section. The median section can connect the first section and the second section.
[0029] In some embodiments, the central section is arranged between the first and second sealing packs to provide or maintain the distance between them. In particular, the central section can be positioned along the longitudinal axis of the receiving chamber and / or the longitudinal axis of the sealing ring between the first and second sealing packs to provide or maintain this distance. Thus, the central section can serve as a longitudinal spacer and / or as a sealant distributor.
[0030] In some embodiments, the first section extends at least partially over the outermost circumferential section of the first sealing pack, and the second section extends at least partially over the outermost circumferential section of the second sealing pack. This allows the first and second sealing packs to be fixed in place.
[0031] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described here, a radial distance is provided between the outermost circumferential section of the sealing ring and the inner wall of the housing in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm or in the range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm to allow the radial movement of the first sealing pack, the second sealing pack and the sealing ring towards the inner wall of the housing in this area.
[0032] In some embodiments, the outermost circumferential section of the sealing ring can correspond to an outermost circumferential section (e.g., an outer circumferential surface) of the first section and / or an outermost circumferential section (e.g., an outer circumferential surface) of the second section of the sealing ring.
[0033] In particular, a distance in the radial direction can be maintained between the outermost circumferential section (e.g., the outer circumferential surface) of the first section and the inner wall of the housing. The gap between the first sealing pack, the second sealing pack, and the sealing ring can be between 0.5 mm and 5 mm or between 0.5 mm and 2 mm to allow radial movement of the first sealing pack, the second sealing pack, and the sealing ring towards the inner wall of the housing within this range. Additionally or alternatively, a radial gap between the outermost circumferential section (e.g., the outer circumferential surface) of the second section and the inner wall of the housing can be between 0.5 mm and 5 mm or between 0.5 mm and 2 mm to allow radial movement of the first sealing pack, the second sealing pack, and the sealing ring towards the inner wall of the housing within this range.
[0034] In some embodiments, the radial distance between an outer circumferential surface of the cut-off means and the inner wall of the housing may be greater than the radial distance between the outermost circumferential section (e.g., the outer circumferential surface) of the first section and the inner wall of the housing. Additionally or alternatively, the radial distance between the outer circumferential surface of the cut-off means and the inner wall of the housing may be greater than the radial distance between the outermost circumferential section (e.g., the outer circumferential surface) of the second section and the inner wall of the housing.
[0035] In some embodiments, the distance in the radial direction between an outer circumferential surface of the central section and the inner wall of the housing can be in the range between 0.5mm and 5mm or in the range between 0.5mm and 2mm.
[0036] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described here, the sealing ring is formed in one piece. In particular, the first section, the second section, and the middle section can be formed in one piece.
[0037] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described here, the sealing ring comprises at least one opening, wherein retaining means can be inserted into the at least one opening to prevent rotation of the sealing ring, e.g., about its longitudinal axis and / or the longitudinal axis of the receiving space and / or the axis of rotation of the drive shaft.
[0038] In some embodiments, the at least one opening comprises, or is, a hole or bore, in particular a through hole or through bore.
[0039] In some embodiments, the retaining means comprise, or are, at least one retaining bolt that can be inserted into the at least one opening. When the at least one retaining bolt is inserted into the at least one opening, a longitudinal axis of the at least one retaining bolt can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the receiving space and / or to the longitudinal axis of the sealing ring and / or to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft. In other words, the longitudinal axis of the at least one retaining bolt can extend in a radial direction.
[0040] In some embodiments, the central section of the sealing ring includes at least one opening. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the first section and / or the second section and / or the middle section may be provided with one or more openings for the retaining means.
[0041] In some embodiments, the retaining means can be connected to the housing. For example, the housing can include at least one recess or at least one through-hole (or at least one through-bore) that corresponds to the at least one opening in the sealing ring and into which the retaining means can be inserted. This allows the sealing ring to be fixed relative to the housing and prevents rotational movement due to the rotation of the drive shaft.
[0042] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described here, the sealing ring comprises or consists of a plastic. It is also possible to design the sealing ring from metal and plastic.
[0043] In some embodiments, the plastic of the sealing ring may include or consist of Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE) or polyoxymethylene (POM).
[0044] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the sealing arrangement further comprises a spacer ring which is arranged adjacent to the first sealing pack or second sealing pack between the inner wall of the housing and the receiving space.
[0045] In some embodiments, the spacer ring can be axially movable.
[0046] In some embodiments, the spacer ring can comprise or consist of a metallic material. The metallic material can be, for example, aluminum or stainless steel.
[0047] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the plurality of sealing packings comprises at least one further sealing packing which is arranged adjacent to the first sealing packing and / or second sealing packing between the inner wall of the housing and the receiving space.
[0048] In some embodiments, at least one additional sealing packing can contact the inner wall of the housing to prevent fluid from escaping between the sealing packing and the inner wall of the housing.
[0049] In some embodiments, the Ab stand ring can be arranged between the at least one further sealing packing and the first sealing packing or the second sealing packing.
[0050] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described here, the plurality of sealing packings are arranged for contact with the drive shaft. Optionally, another annular sealing element or sealing material, e.g., an O-ring, can also be provided between the spacer ring 140 and the housing 114.
[0051] According to some embodiments, which can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the sealing arrangement further comprises clamping means arranged adjacent to the plurality of sealing packs and configured to exert a force on the plurality of sealing packs substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of to exert pressure on sealing packings and / or towards the longitudinal axis of the receiving space and / or towards the longitudinal axis of the sealing ring and / or towards the axis of rotation of the drive shaft.
[0052] In some embodiments, the clamping means can comprise a contact element and at least one elastic element connected to the contact element. The contact element can contact a (last or outermost) sealing packing of the plurality of sealing packings and exert force on this sealing packing. This compresses the plurality of sealing packings, thereby stabilizing them.
[0053] In some embodiments, the contact element is ring-shaped.
[0054] In some embodiments, the contact element is designed as a so-called "gland follower" or as a stuffing box gland.
[0055] In some embodiments, at least one elastic element comprises, or is, a spring.
[0056] According to another independent aspect of the present disclosure, a system for dissolving substances is specified. The system comprises a container configured to receive a substance material to be dissolved; a drive shaft; a rotor attached to one end of the drive shaft, the rotor being configured to comminute the substance material; and a sealing arrangement according to the embodiments described in this document, wherein the drive shaft is rotatably mounted in the sealing arrangement.
[0057] Preferably, the system is set up for waste paper processing, virgin paper-containing material and paper-containing production rejects.
[0058] Preferably, the system is a pulper, i.e., a large mixing vat used in the paper, cardboard or paperboard industry to dissolve waste paper, production rejects or pulp and convert it into a pumpable suspension suitable for papermaking. Brief description of the drawings
[0059] Examples of the manifestation of the revelation are shown in the figures and are described in more detail below. They show: Figure 1 schematically shows a system for dissolving substances according to embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 2 schematically shows a sectional view of a sealing arrangement for a drive shaft of a system for dissolving substances according to embodiments of the present disclosure, and Figure 3 schematically shows a perspective view of a sealing arrangement for a drive shaft of a system for dissolving substances according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Implementations of the revelation
[0060] Unless otherwise noted, the same reference symbols are used for identical and similarly acting elements in the following.
[0061] Figure 1 schematically shows a system 10 for dissolving substances according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0062] Preferably, the system 10 is a pulper configured to dissolve waste paper, production rejects or pulps and convert them into a pumpable suspension suitable for papermaking.
[0063] System 10 comprises a container 12 into which a material S to be dissolved, such as waste paper, and water W are supplied. System 10 further comprises a rotatable drive shaft 14, which is driven by a drive 18, such as an electric motor, and a rotor 16, which is attached to one end of the drive shaft 14, the rotor 16 being configured for shredding or dissolving the material S. The drive shaft 14 is rotatably mounted in a sealing assembly 100.
[0064] The waste paper fed into the container 12 is often in the form of bales or other initially solid packages, so that strong forces perpendicular to an axis of rotation DA can arise when the rotor 16 rotates. This leads to a temporary radial deflection of the drive shaft 14 connected to the rotor 16. Such radial displacement generates mechanical stress and leads to faster wear of components, especially the sealing assembly 100 in which the drive shaft 14 is mounted. Due to the radial deflection of the drive shaft 14, fluid can penetrate the sealing assembly 100 and accelerate wear.
[0065] The embodiments of the present disclosure make it possible to reduce such wear of the sealing arrangement 100 due to the temporary radial deflection of the drive shaft 14 connected to the rotor 16.
[0066] Figure 2 schematically shows a sectional view of a sealing arrangement 100 for a drive shaft 14 of a system for dissolving substances according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 schematically shows a perspective view of the sealing arrangement 100.
[0067] In principle, a sealing arrangement 100 according to the invention can be used for any drive shaft 14. However, the sealing arrangement 100 is described below as an example for a drive shaft 14 for a system for dissolving the stock, i.e., for a drive shaft of a pulper used in papermaking or waste paper processing.
[0068] The sealing arrangement 100 comprises a housing 110 and a receiving chamber within the housing 110. The receiving chamber is designed to accommodate a drive shaft 14. At least two sealing packings 120a, 120b, 120c are arranged between an inner wall 116 of the housing 110 and the receiving chamber. The sealing arrangement 100 further comprises a sealing ring 130.
[0069] The at least two or more sealing packings 120a, 120b, 120c are annular in shape and surround the receiving space. In particular, the plurality of sealing packings 120a, 120b, 120c contact the drive shaft 14. The plurality of sealing packings 120a, 120b, 120c can be braided, rope-like, or fabric-like structures that fit tightly around or against the drive shaft 14 to minimize fluid loss. Furthermore, A lubricating fluid shall be provided to minimize friction between the multitude of sealing packings 120a, 120b, 120c and the drive shaft 14 and to prevent backflushing of contaminants into the process.
[0070] The multiple sealing packs 120a, 120b, 120c comprise a first sealing pack 120a and a second sealing pack 120b, wherein the outermost circumferential sections 122a, 122b of the first sealing pack 120a and the second sealing pack 120b are spaced away from the inner wall 116 of the housing 110. That is, there is a gap between the inner wall 116 of the housing 110 and the two sealing packs 122a, 122b.
[0071] The sealing ring 130 is at least partially arranged or inserted between the first sealing pack 120a and the second sealing pack 120b in order to provide or maintain a distance dl between the first sealing pack 120a and the second sealing pack 120b.
[0072] An outermost circumferential section 134a, 134b of the sealing ring 130 is spaced from the inner wall 116 of the housing 110 by a distance d2 (e.g. in the range between 0.5mm and 5mm or in the range between 0.5mm and 2mm) to allow a radial movement RB of the first sealing packing 120a, the second sealing packing 120b and the sealing ring 130 towards the inner wall 116 of the housing 110 caused by the drive shaft 14.
[0073] The receiving space has a longitudinal axis LAI that runs essentially perpendicular to the radial movements RB of the drive shaft 14. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis LAI of the receiving space can run essentially parallel to a rotational axis DA of the drive shaft 14. The receiving space can be cylindrical and conform to the shape of the drive shaft 14.
[0074] The multitude of sealing packings 120a, 120b, 120c surround the drive shaft 14 in a circumferential direction within the receiving space. For example, each annular sealing packing 120a, 120b, 120c has a longitudinal axis LA2 that is substantially perpendicular to the radial movements RB of the drive shaft 14 and / or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis LAI of the receiving space and / or substantially parallel to the axis of rotation DA of the drive shaft 14.
[0075] The multiple sealing packs 120a, 120b, 120c are arranged sequentially along the longitudinal axis LAI of the receiving space. In other words, the sealing packs 120a, 120b, 120c can be stacked on top of each other along the longitudinal axis LAI of the receiving space.
[0076] The sealing arrangement 100 can further include a fluid chamber FR between the inner wall 116 of the housing 110 and the receiving chamber. The fluid chamber FR can be at least partially filled with a cooling and / or cleaning fluid via an inlet. The cooling and / or cleaning fluid can be introduced into the fluid chamber FR to dissipate frictional heat and / or foreign material. The frictional heat can be generated by the rotation of the drive shaft 14 relative to the static sealing arrangement 100. The foreign material can also be generated due to the rotation of the drive shaft 14 relative to the static sealing arrangement 110, for example, in the form of abrasion.
[0077] In some embodiments, the first sealing packing 120a, the second sealing packing 120b, and the sealing ring 130 are arranged in the fluid chamber FR. The first sealing packing 120a, the second sealing packing 120b, and the sealing ring 130 occupy only a portion of the volume of the fluid chamber FR, so that the remaining volume can be filled with the cooling and / or cleaning fluid. In the example shown in Figure 2, the fluid chamber FR is formed between the inner wall 116 of the housing 110 and an upper surface of the sealing ring 130, and between an underside of the sealing ring 130 and the receiving chamber or the drive shaft 14.
[0078] The sealing ring 130 may comprise or be made of a plastic. In some embodiments, the plastic of the sealing ring 130 may comprise or be Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE).
[0079] The sealing ring 130 comprises a first section 132a, a second section 132b, and a central section 132c between the first section 132a and the second section 132b. The central section 132c can connect the first section 132a and the second section 132b.
[0080] The first section 132a, the second section 132b and the middle section from section 132c can be formed in one piece or as a single unit.
[0081] The central section 132c is arranged between the first sealing pack 120a and the second sealing pack 120b to provide or maintain the distance dl between the first sealing pack 120a and the second sealing pack 120b. In particular, the central section 132c can be arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis LAI of the receiving space and / or the longitudinal axis LA3 of the sealing ring 130 between the first sealing pack 120a and the second sealing pack 120b to provide or maintain the distance dl between the first sealing pack 120a and the second sealing pack 120b in the direction of the longitudinal axis LAI of the receiving space and / or the longitudinal axis LA3 of the sealing ring. Thus, the central section 132c can serve as a longitudinal spacer.
[0082] The first section 132a extends at least partially over the outermost circumferential section 122a of the first sealing packing 120a, and the second section 132b extends at least partially over the outermost circumferential section 122b of the second sealing packing 120b. This allows the first sealing packing 120a and the second sealing packing 120b to be fixed longitudinally.
[0083] A radial distance (e.g., distance d2) between the outermost circumferential section 134a of the first section 132a and the inner wall 116 of the housing 110 can be in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm or in the range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm. Furthermore, a radial distance (e.g., distance d2) between the outermost circumferential section 134b of the second section 132b and the inner wall 116 of the housing 110 can be in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm or in the range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm. Thus, the radial movement RB of the first sealing pack 120a and the second sealing pack 120b can be... and the sealing ring 130 towards the inner wall 116 of the housing 110 in this area.
[0084] In some embodiments, a radial distance d3 between an outer circumferential surface 134c of the central section 132c and the inner wall 116 of the housing 110 can be greater than the radial distance (e.g., distance d2) between the outermost circumferential section 134a of the first section 132a and the inner wall 116 of the housing 110. Furthermore, the radial distance d3 between the outer circumferential surface 134c of the central section from section 132c and the inner wall 116 of the housing 110 can be greater than the radial distance (e.g., distance d2) between the outermost circumferential section 134b of the second section 132b and the inner wall 116 of the housing 110.
[0085] The sealing ring 130 can further comprise at least one opening 136, e.g., in the central section 132c, wherein retaining means HM can be inserted into the at least one opening 136 to prevent a rotational movement of the sealing ring 130, e.g., about its longitudinal axis LA3 and / or the longitudinal axis of the receiving space LAI and / or the axis of rotation DA of the drive shaft 14.
[0086] The retaining means HM can comprise at least one retaining bolt that can be inserted into the at least one opening 136. When the at least one retaining bolt HM is inserted into the at least one opening 136, a longitudinal axis of the at least one retaining bolt can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LAI of the receiving space and / or to the longitudinal axis LA3 of the sealing ring 130 and / or to the axis of rotation DA of the drive shaft 14. In other words, the longitudinal axis of the at least one retaining bolt can extend in a radial direction.
[0087] The retaining elements HM can be connected to the housing 110. For example, the housing 110 can include at least one recess or at least one through-hole 118, e.g., in the inner wall 116, which corresponds to the at least one opening 136 in the sealing ring 130 and into which the retaining elements HM can be inserted. This allows the sealing ring 130 to be fixed relative to the housing 110 and prevents rotational movement due to the rotation of the drive shaft 14.
[0088] The sealing arrangement 100 can further comprise a spacer ring 140, which is arranged adjacent to the second sealing pack 120b (or adjacent to the first sealing pack 120a; not shown) between the inner wall 116 of the housing 110 and the receiving space. In some embodiments, the spacer ring 140 can be axially / radially movable or have play. The spacer ring 140 can comprise or be made of a metallic material, such as aluminum or stainless steel.
[0089] At least one further sealing pack 120c may be provided, which is arranged adjacent to the first sealing pack 120a and / or second sealing pack 120b between the inner wall 116 of the housing 110 and the receiving space. In some embodiments, the spacer ring 140 may be arranged between the at least one further sealing pack 120c and the second sealing pack 120b. The at least one further sealing pack 120c may contact the inner wall 116 of the housing 110.
[0090] The sealing arrangement 100 can further comprise clamping means 150, which are arranged adjacent to the plurality of sealing packs 120a, 120b, 120c and are configured to provide a Force F to be exerted on the plurality of sealing packings 120a, 120b, 120c substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis LA2 of the plurality of sealing packings 120a, 120b, 120c and / or to the longitudinal axis of the receiving space LAI and / or to the longitudinal axis of the sealing ring LA3 and / or to the axis of rotation DA of the drive shaft 14.
[0091] In some embodiments, the clamping means 150 can comprise, for example, an annular contact element 152 and at least one elastic element 154 connected to the contact element 152. The at least one elastic element 154 can comprise a spring or be a spring itself. The contact element 152 can contact a (last or outermost) sealing packing of the plurality of sealing packings 120a, 120b, 120c and exert the force F on this sealing packing. This compresses the plurality of sealing packings 120a, 120b, 120c, thereby stabilizing the plurality of sealing packings 120a, 120b, 120c.
[0092] According to the invention, both the sealing packings and the sealing ring are spaced away from the inner wall of the housing, thus creating clearance for temporary radial movement of the drive shaft. As a result, fewer forces act on the sealing assembly, thereby reducing wear of the sealing assembly due to radial movements of the drive shaft and thus increasing the service life of the sealing assembly.
[0093] Although the invention has been further illustrated and explained in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived from them by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that the embodiments mentioned as examples are truly only examples and are not to be understood in any way as limiting, for example, the scope of protection, the possible applications, or the configuration of the invention.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without leaving the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.
Claims
Patent claims 1. A sealing arrangement (100) for a drive shaft (14) of a system (10) for dissolving substances, comprising: a housing (110); a receiving space within the housing (110), the receiving space being adapted to receive a drive shaft (14); a plurality of sealing packs (120a, 120b, 120c) between an inner wall (116) of the housing (110) and the receiving space, wherein the plurality of sealing packs (120a, 120b, 120c) are formed in a ring shape with braided and / or woven material and surround the receiving space, wherein the plurality of sealing packs (120a, 120b, 120c) comprise a first sealing pack (120a) and a second sealing pack (120b), and wherein outermost peripheral portions (122a, 122b) of the first sealing pack (120a) and the second sealing pack (120b) are spaced from the inner wall (116) of the housing (110);and a sealing ring (130) arranged at least partially between the first sealing pack (120a) and the second sealing pack (120b) to provide a distance (dl) between the first sealing pack (120a) and the second sealing pack (120b), wherein an outermost peripheral portion (134a, 134b) of the sealing ring (130) is spaced from the inner wall (116) of the housing (110) to allow radial movement (RB) of the first sealing pack (120a), the second sealing pack (120b) and the sealing ring (130) towards the inner wall (116) of the housing (110) caused by the drive shaft (14); 2. Sealing arrangement (100) according to claim 1, wherein braided material of the sealing packs (120a, 120b; 120c) comprises fibers.
3. Sealing arrangement (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid space (FR) between the inner wall (116) of the housing (110) and the receiving space, wherein the first sealing packing (120a), the second sealing packing (120b) and the sealing ring (130) are arranged in the fluid space (FR), and wherein the fluid space (FR) can be filled at least partially with a cooling and / or cleaning fluid via an inlet.
4. Sealing arrangement (100) according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the sealing ring (130) comprises a first portion (132a), a second portion (132b) and a central portion (132c) between the first portion (132a) and the second portion (132b), wherein the central portion (132c) is arranged between the first sealing packing (120a) and the second sealing packing (120b) to provide the distance (dl) between the first sealing packing (120a) and the second sealing packing (120b), wherein the first portion (132a) extends at least partially over the outermost peripheral portion (122a) of the first sealing packing (120a), and wherein the second portion (132b) extends at least partially over the outermost peripheral portion (122b) of the second sealing pack (120b).
5. Sealing arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a distance between the outermost circumferential portion (134a, 134b) of the sealing ring (130) and the inner wall (116) of the housing (110) is in the range between 0.5 mm and 2 mm in order to enable the radial movement (RB) of the first sealing packing (120a), the second sealing packing (120b) and the sealing ring (130) towards the inner wall (116) of the housing (110) in this range.
6. Sealing arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sealing ring (130) comprises at least one opening (136), wherein holding means (HM) can be inserted into the at least one opening (136) in order to prevent a rotational movement of the sealing ring (130), in particular wherein the holding means (HM) can be connected to the housing (110).
7. Sealing arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sealing ring (130) comprises a plastic or consists of plastic, in particular wherein the plastic is Teflon and / or POM and / or the sealing ring (130) consists of a combination of plastic and metal.
8. Sealing arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a spacer ring (140) arranged adjacent to the first sealing pack (120a) or second sealing pack (120b) between the inner wall (116) of the housing (110) and the receiving space.
9. Sealing arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: the plurality of seal packings (120a, 120b, 120c) comprise at least one further seal packing (120c) arranged adjacent to the first seal packing (120a) and / or second seal packing (120b) between the inner wall (116) of the housing (110) and the receiving space; and / or the plurality of seal packings (120a, 120b, 120c) are configured for contact with the drive shaft (14). 10 Sealing arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising tensioning means (150) arranged adjacent to the plurality of sealing packs (120a, 120b, 120c) and arranged to exert a force (F) on the plurality of sealing packs (120a, 120b, 120c) substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of sealing packs (120a, 120b, 120c).
11. System (10) for dissolving substances, comprising: a container (12) adapted to receive a substance (S) to be dissolved; a drive shaft (14); a rotor (16) attached to one end of the drive shaft (14), wherein the rotor (16) is configured for comminuting the material (S); and a sealing arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the drive shaft (14) is rotatably mounted in the sealing arrangement (100).