Bearing structure for kneading machine

Abstract

To provide a bearing structure for a kneading machine that is able to improve maintainability by facilitating replacement of a sealing member.SOLUTION: A bearing structure for a kneading machine includes: a bearing portion 2 detachably provided in a chamber 51 of the kneading machine 41 and rotatably supporting a rotor shaft 52b of a rotor 52 provided in the chamber 51; a fixing portion 3 provided on a side opposite to the rotor shaft 52b with the bearing portion 2 interposed therebetween in the chamber 51, and supporting the bearing portion 2; a sealing member 4 provided in the bearing portion 2 and sealing a gap between the bearing portion 2 and the rotor shaft 52b; and an O-ring 5 sealing a gap between the bearing portion 2 and the fixing portion 3. A rotor body 52a of the rotor 52 can be separated from the rotor shaft 52b. When the rotor body 52a is separated from the rotor shaft 52b, the bearing portion 2 can be inserted and removed in an axial direction of the rotor 52 from between the fixing portion 3 and the rotor shaft 52b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bearing structure of a kneader that kneads materials in the presence of a working fluid in a supercritical state or a subcritical state.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a roller shaft sealing device of a kneader provided with a visco seal at the discharge side end of the rotor shaft of the kneader. In Patent Document 1, by forming the groove depth in the screw groove of the visco seal to be large from the pressure side toward the atmosphere side, leakage of the kneaded material is suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a kneader that kneads materials in the presence of a working fluid in a supercritical state or a subcritical state, it is necessary to maintain higher airtightness in the chamber than in the past. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the sealing performance of the shaft portion of the rotor higher than in the past. On the other hand, since the sealing material is a consumable, it is also important to facilitate the replacement of the sealing material during operation and improve the maintainability.

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the visco seal is arranged in the chamber together with the rotor in a state of being inserted into the rotor shaft. Therefore, when replacing the visco seal, it is necessary to take out the rotor from the chamber, and the maintainability is poor.

[0006] A cross-sectional view of the bearing structure 801 of a conventional kneader is shown in FIG. 14. In this kneader, kneading of materials is performed in the presence of a working fluid in a supercritical state or a subcritical state. In this bearing structure 801, the gap between the rotor shaft 61 of the rotor 60 and the chamber 70 is sealed by a lip seal 80. The chamber 70 is composed of a plurality of members 71. The lip seal 80 is fixed to the chamber 70. Therefore, when replacing the lip seal 80, it is necessary to remove the rotor 60 from the chamber 70 and disassemble the chamber 70, resulting in poor maintainability.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a bearing structure for a kneader that can facilitate the replacement of a sealing material and improve maintainability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention relates to a bearing structure for a kneader that kneads materials in the presence of a working fluid in a supercritical state or a subcritical state, comprising a bearing portion detachably provided in a chamber of the kneader and rotatably supporting a rotor shaft of a rotor provided in the chamber, a fixing portion provided on the opposite side of the rotor shaft across the bearing portion in the chamber and supporting the bearing portion, a first sealing material provided on the bearing portion for sealing a gap between the bearing portion and the rotor shaft, and a second sealing material for sealing a gap between the bearing portion and the fixing portion, wherein the rotor body of the rotor is separable from the rotor shaft, and when the rotor body is separated from the rotor shaft, the bearing portion can be inserted and removed in the axial direction of the rotor from between the fixing portion and the rotor shaft.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, when the rotor body is separated from the rotor shaft, the bearing portion can be inserted and removed in the axial direction of the rotor from between the fixing portion and the rotor shaft. Therefore, by separating the rotor body from the rotor shaft and extracting the bearing portion from between the fixing portion and the rotor shaft, the first sealing material and the second sealing material can be easily replaced. Thereby, the maintainability can be improved. Further, when replacing the first sealing material or the second sealing material, since it is not necessary to take out the rotor shaft from the chamber, the space in front of the rotor shaft at the installation location of the kneader can be effectively utilized compared to the case where the rotor body and the rotor shaft are taken out from the chamber.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] [First Embodiment] (Configuration of Kneading Device) The bearing structure (bearing structure) of the kneader according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided in a kneader that kneads materials in the presence of a working fluid in a supercritical state or a subcritical state. As shown in FIG. 1 which is a block diagram showing the kneading device 20, the kneader 41 is provided in the kneading device 20. In the present embodiment, the material is rubber, but it may be resin, food, or the like. The kneading device 20 of the present embodiment performs kneading in a batch manner.

[0013] Here, the supercritical state means a state where the temperature is equal to or higher than the critical temperature of the working fluid and the pressure is equal to or higher than the critical pressure of the working fluid. The subcritical state means a state where only one of the temperature and the pressure reaches the critical state and the other does not reach the critical state, or a state where both the temperature and the pressure do not reach the critical state, but at least one of the temperature and the pressure is sufficiently higher than normal temperature and normal pressure and is close to the critical state.

[0014] Examples of the substance constituting the working fluid include carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, xenon, ethane, ammonia, methanol, water, and the like. Among these, carbon dioxide and nitrogen are suitable for kneading rubber.

[0015] In the present embodiment, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is used as the working fluid, and kneading is performed in the presence of supercritical carbon dioxide (supercritical CO 2 ). Note that kneading may be performed in the presence of other working fluids in the supercritical state or in the presence of a working fluid in the subcritical state.

[0016] The kneading device 20 has a production unit 21 and a kneading unit 22.

[0017] The production unit 21 produces supercritical CO 2 . The production unit 21 has a tank 31, a first heat exchanger 32, a pump 33, and a second heat exchanger 34.

[0018] The tank 31 stores CO 2 gas. The first heat exchanger 32 cools the CO 2 gas supplied from the tank 31 into liquid CO 2 (liquid CO 2 ).

[0019] The pump 33 pressurizes the liquid CO 2 . Pressurizing the liquid CO 2 requires less power for the pump 33 than pressurizing the CO 2 gas. The pump 33 pumps the pressurized liquid CO 2 to the downstream side.

[0020] The second heat exchanger 34 heats the pressurized liquid CO 2 to vaporize the liquid CO 2 . By vaporizing the liquid CO 2 inside the container, the second heat exchanger 34 pressurizes the CO 2 . As a result, the CO 2 becomes supercritical CO 2 .

[0021] The kneading unit 22 kneads the materials in the presence of supercritical CO 2 . The kneading unit 22 has a kneader 41, a regulating valve 42, and a separation filter 43.

[0022] The materials and additives are supplied to the flow path connecting the production unit 21 and the kneading unit 22. The materials and additives supplied to the flow path are transferred into the kneader 41 together with the supercritical CO 2 .

[0023] The kneader 41 kneads the supercritical CO inside it.2 In the presence of 2 , the material and the additive are kneaded. Since the material and the additive dissolve in supercritical CO 2 , they are quickly kneaded.

[0024] When the material is a polymer material such as rubber or resin, the additive is an additive, kneaded rubber, and a plant-derived material containing cellulose nanofibers, etc. When the material is food, the additive is a food additive, etc. Note that the additive may not be used.

[0025] When the kneading in the kneader 41 is completed, in the kneader 41, the kneaded product of the material and the additive and supercritical CO 2 are separated. The kneaded product is discharged from the kneader 41. The regulating valve 42 regulates the flow rate of the supercritical CO 2 discharged from the inside of the kneader 41. In the present embodiment, the regulating valve 42 reduces the pressure of the supercritical CO 2 discharged from the inside of the kneader 41 to make it CO 2 gas. The separation filter 43 separates the additives remaining in the CO 2 gas.

[0026] Also, the kneading device 20 has a return flow path 23. In the return flow path 23, the CO 2 gas separated from the kneaded product after kneading the material flows. The upstream end of the return flow path 23 is connected to the separation filter 43 of the kneading section 22. The downstream end of the return flow path 23 is connected to the flow path connecting the tank 31 and the first heat exchanger 32.

[0027] The CO 2 gas separated from the kneaded product in the kneading section 22 is returned to the production section 21 through the return flow path 23. Thereby, the CO 2 gas separated from the kneaded product can be reused.

[0028] (Configuration of the bearing structure) As shown in FIG. 2 which is an overall cross-sectional view of the kneader 41, the kneader 41 has a chamber 51 and a pair of rotors 52. A kneading chamber 51a is formed inside the chamber 51. In the kneading chamber 51a, the material is kneaded by the pair of rotors 52. The pair of rotors 52 are each rotatably provided in the kneading chamber 51a inside the chamber 51. When each of the pair of rotors 52 is rotated, the material inside the chamber 51 is kneaded. Note that the rotors 52 do not necessarily have to be in a pair.

[0029] The rotor 52 has a rotor body 52a and a rotor shaft 52b. The rotor body 52a is provided with spiral teeth. The rotor shaft 52b extends in the axial direction of the rotor 52 from the end of the rotor body 52a. In the present embodiment, the rotor body 52a is separable from the rotor shaft 52b.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a partially enlarged view of a cross-section around the bearing structure 1 shown in FIG. 2 (an enlarged view of III in FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 3, the bearing structure 1 has a bearing portion 2, a fixing portion 3, a sealing material 4, and an O-ring 5. The bearing portion 2 is detachably provided inside the chamber 51. The bearing portion 2 is cylindrical and rotatably supports the rotor shaft 52b. The fixing portion 3 is provided on the side opposite to the rotor shaft 52b across the bearing portion 2 inside the chamber 51. The fixing portion 3 supports the bearing portion 2 over the entire circumference.

[0031] The sealing material (first sealing material) 4 is provided on the bearing portion 2. The sealing material 4 is annular and is fitted into an annular groove formed on the inner peripheral surface (lower surface in the figure) of the bearing portion 2. The sealing material 4 seals the gap between the bearing portion 2 and the rotor shaft 52b. In the present embodiment, the sealing material 4 is a Bariseal (registered trademark), but it is not limited to this. Also, in FIG. 3, there is one sealing material 4, but a plurality of sealing materials 4 may be provided in the axial direction of the rotor 52.

[0032] The O-ring (second sealing material) 5 is provided on the bearing portion 2. The O-ring 5 is fitted into an annular groove formed on the outer peripheral surface (upper surface in the figure) of the bearing portion 2. The O-ring 5 seals the gap between the bearing portion 2 and the fixing portion 3. Incidentally, the O-ring 5 may be provided on the fixing portion 3 by being fitted into an annular groove formed on the inner peripheral surface (lower surface in the figure) of the fixing portion 3. Also, in FIG. 3, there is one O-ring 5, but a plurality of O-rings 5 may be provided in the axial direction of the rotor 52.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4 which is a cross-sectional view of the kneader 41, when replacing the sealing material 4 or the O-ring 5, the rotor main body 52a is separated from the rotor shaft 52b. Thereby, the bearing portion 2 can be inserted and removed in the axial direction of the rotor 52 from between the fixing portion 3 and the rotor shaft 52b. Therefore, by separating the rotor main body 52a from the rotor shaft 52b and extracting the bearing portion 2 from between the fixing portion 3 and the rotor shaft 52b, the sealing material 4 and the O-ring 5 can be easily replaced. Thereby, the maintainability can be improved. Also, when replacing the sealing material 4 or the O-ring 5, it is not necessary to take out the rotor shaft 52b from the chamber 51. Therefore, compared with the case of taking out the rotor main body 52a and the rotor shaft 52b from the chamber 51, the space in front of the rotor shaft 52b at the installation location of the kneader 41 can be effectively utilized.

[0034] [Second Embodiment] Next, the bearing structure of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the description of the configuration and the effects thereof that are common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and mainly the differences from the first embodiment will be described. Note that the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

[0035] (Configuration of Kneader) As shown in FIG. 5 which is a cross-sectional view of the kneader 41, the bearing structure 101 of the present embodiment has a protruding portion 6 in addition to the configuration of the bearing structure 1 of the first embodiment. The protruding portion 6 is provided at the end of the bearing portion 2 on the side of the rotor main body 52a. In the radial direction of the rotor 52 (the vertical direction in the figure), the thickness of the protruding portion 6 is thicker than that of the bearing portion 2. When the bearing portion 2 is inserted between the fixing portion 3 and the rotor shaft 52b, the protruding portion 6 protrudes toward the rotor main body 52a side from the fixing portion 3 in the axial direction of the rotor 52. A gap into which a finger or a tool can be inserted is formed between the inner peripheral surface (the lower surface in the figure) of the fixing portion 3 and the surface of the protruding portion 6 facing it.

[0036] With such a configuration, by separating the rotor main body 52a from the rotor shaft 52b and pulling the protruding portion 6, the bearing portion 2 can be easily extracted from between the fixing portion 3 and the rotor shaft 52b.

[0037] [Third Embodiment] Next, the bearing structure of the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the description of the configuration and the effects thereof that are common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and mainly the differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

[0038] (Configuration of Kneader) As shown in FIG. 6 which is a cross-sectional view of the kneader 41, the bearing structure 201 of the present embodiment has a male screw portion 7a and a female screw portion 7b in addition to the configuration of the bearing structure 1 of the first embodiment. The male screw portion 7a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the end of the bearing portion 2 on the side of the rotor main body 52a. The female screw portion 7b is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fixing portion 3. The female screw portion 7b can be screwed with the male screw portion 7a. During kneading, the male screw portion 7a and the female screw portion 7b are screwed together.

[0039] With such a configuration, by separating the rotor body 52a from the rotor shaft 52b, rotating the bearing portion 2 with respect to the fixed portion 3, and releasing the screw engagement between the male screw portion 7a and the female screw portion 7b, the bearing portion 2 can be easily extracted from between the fixed portion 3 and the rotor shaft 52b. Further, during kneading, by screwing the male screw portion 7a and the female screw portion 7b together, the bearing portion 2 can be prevented from rotating together with the rotor shaft 52b.

[0040] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, the bearing structure of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the description of the configuration common to the first embodiment and the effects thereof will be omitted, and mainly the differences from the first embodiment will be described. Note that the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.

[0041] (Configuration of Kneader) As shown in FIG. 7 which is a cross-sectional view of the kneader 41, the bearing structure 301 of the present embodiment has a ferromagnetic portion 8 in addition to the configuration of the bearing structure 1 of the first embodiment. The ferromagnetic portion 8 is ferromagnetic and is provided at the end portion of the bearing portion 2 on the side of the rotor body 52a.

[0042] With such a configuration, by separating the rotor body 52a from the rotor shaft 52b and pulling the ferromagnetic portion 8 using a magnet or an electromagnet, the bearing portion 2 can be easily extracted from between the fixed portion 3 and the rotor shaft 52b.

[0043] [Fifth Embodiment] Next, the bearing structure of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the description of the configuration common to the first embodiment and the effects thereof will be omitted, and mainly the differences from the first embodiment will be described. Note that the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.

[0044] (Configuration of Kneader) As shown in FIG. 8 which is a cross-sectional view of the kneader 41, the bearing structure 401 of the present embodiment has a threaded hole 9 in addition to the configuration of the bearing structure 1 of the first embodiment. The threaded hole 9 is formed in the axial direction of the rotor 52 at the end of the bearing portion 2 on the side of the rotor body 52a. A bolt or the like having a thread formed on its outer peripheral surface can be screwed into the threaded hole 9.

[0045] With such a configuration, the rotor body 52a can be separated from the rotor shaft 52b, and by screwing a bolt or the like into the threaded hole 9 and pulling the bolt or the like, the bearing portion 2 can be easily extracted from between the fixing portion 3 and the rotor shaft 52b.

[0046] [Sixth Embodiment] Next, the bearing structure of the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the description of the configuration common to the first embodiment and the effects thereof will be omitted, and mainly the differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.

[0047] (Configuration of Kneader) As shown in FIG. 9 which is a cross-sectional view of the kneader 41, in the bearing structure 501 of the present embodiment, a plurality of bearing portions 2 are provided in the axial direction of the rotor 52. In the present embodiment, three bearing portions 2 are provided in the axial direction of the rotor 52, but the number of bearing portions 2 is not limited to this. Hereinafter, they are referred to as the first bearing portion 2a, the second bearing portion 2b, and the third bearing portion 2c in order from the side of the rotor body 52a toward the opposite side.

[0048] A threaded hole 9 is formed at the end of each of the three bearing portions 2a to 2c on the side of the rotor body 52a. Further, a sealing material 4 is provided in each of the second bearing portion 2b and the third bearing portion 2c. An O-ring 5 is provided in the second bearing portion 2b. Note that a sealing material 4 may be provided in the first bearing portion 2a, or an O-ring 5 may be provided in each of the first bearing portion 2a and the third bearing portion 2c.

[0049] With such a configuration, when the rotor body 52a is separated from the rotor shaft 52b, it can be withdrawn from between the fixed portion 3 and the rotor shaft 52b in the order of the first bearing portion 2a, the second bearing portion 2b, and the third bearing portion 2c.

[0050] Also, the sealing material 4 provided in each of the bearing portions 2a to 2c seals the gap between the bearing portion 2 and the rotor shaft 52b, thereby improving the airtightness. Also, the larger the number of bearing portions 2, the smaller the area of contact of each bearing portion 2 with the fixed portion 3. Therefore, the larger the number of bearing portions 2, the easier it is to withdraw each bearing portion 2. Thus, the maintainability can be further improved.

[0051] [Seventh Embodiment] Next, the bearing structure of the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the description of the configuration common to the first embodiment and the effects thereof will be omitted, and mainly the points different from the first embodiment will be described. Note that the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

[0052] (Configuration of Kneader) As shown in FIG. 10, which is a cross-sectional view of the kneader 41, in the bearing structure 601 of the present embodiment, as in the sixth embodiment, a plurality of bearing portions 2 are provided in the axial direction of the rotor 52. In the present embodiment, four bearing portions 2 are provided in the axial direction of the rotor 52, but the number of bearing portions 2 is not limited to this. Hereinafter, the first bearing portion 2a, the second bearing portion 2b, the third bearing portion 2c, and the fourth bearing portion 2d are defined in order from the rotor body 52a side toward the opposite side.

[0053] In each of the three bearing portions 2a to 2c, a threaded hole 9 is formed at the end on the rotor body 52a side. Also, seal members 4 are provided between the second bearing portion 2b and the third bearing portion 2c, and between the third bearing portion 2c and the fourth bearing portion 2d, respectively. An O-ring 5 is provided on the second bearing portion 2b. In the present embodiment, adjacent bearing portions 2 are fitted to each other. Although not shown, for example, the first bearing portion 2a may have a convex portion protruding toward the second bearing portion 2b on the contact surface with the second bearing portion 2b. And the second bearing portion 2b may have a concave portion into which the convex portion of the first bearing portion 2a is fitted. For example, these convex and concave portions may be provided on the reverse bearing portions 2, respectively. When providing convex and concave portions that fit into each other on adjacent bearing portions 2, it is preferable that the seal member 4 is fitted into a groove on the inner peripheral surface of the bearing portion 2 rather than the contact surface between adjacent bearing portions 2 (see, for example, FIG. 9). Thus, by adopting a structure in which adjacent bearing portions 2 are fitted to each other, one bearing portion 2 whose rotation is prevented by a rotation prevention member 12 (described later) can reduce the rotation of the other bearing portion 2.

[0054] Also, the bearing structure 601 has a sleeve 10. The sleeve 10 is provided between the four bearing portions 2 and the rotor shaft 52b. The sleeve 10 has a sleeve body 10a and a sleeve protrusion 10b. The sleeve body 10a is cylindrical and extends in the axial direction of the rotor 52. The sleeve protrusion 10b is arranged on the side opposite to the rotor body 52a with respect to the four bearing portions 2 in the axial direction of the rotor 52, and protrudes from the end of the sleeve body 10a toward the fixing portion 3.

[0055] When the rotor shaft 52b is separated from the rotor body 52a, the sleeve 10 is withdrawn in the axial direction of the rotor 52. By withdrawing the sleeve 10 in the axial direction of the rotor 52, it is possible to withdraw the four bearing portions 2 together from between the fixing portion 3 and the rotor shaft 52b.

[0056] With such a configuration, by separating the rotor body 52a from the rotor shaft 52b and extracting the sleeve 10 in the axial direction of the rotor 52, a plurality of bearing portions 2a to 2d can be collectively extracted from between the fixed portion 3 and the rotor shaft 52b. As a result, compared to extracting the plurality of bearing portions 2a to 2d one by one, the bearing portion 2 can be extracted in a shorter time.

[0057] The sleeve 10 is extracted, for example, as follows. First, the first bearing portion 2a closest to the rotor body 52a side is extracted using bolts or the like. Then, a gripping portion for the sleeve 10 can be formed, and the sleeve 10 is extracted by gripping it. Thereby, the three bearing portions 2 can be extracted collectively.

[0058] Also, the sleeve protruding portion 10b of the sleeve 10 is adjacent to the rotor shaft 52b in the axial direction of the rotor 52. Therefore, by extracting the rotor shaft 52b, the plurality of bearing portions 2a to 2d and the sleeve 10 can be extracted collectively.

[0059] Also, when the first bearing portion 2a closest to the rotor body 52a side is screwed with the sleeve body 10a, by extracting the first bearing portion 2a using bolts or the like, the remaining bearing portions 2 and the sleeve 10 can be extracted collectively. In this case, an internal thread portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first bearing portion 2a and an external thread portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve body 10a are screwed together. Therefore, when the rotor 52 rotates, the sleeve 10 and the first bearing portion 2a rotate together with the rotor shaft 52b.

[0060] Note that after extracting the four bearing portions 2 one by one, the sleeve 10 may be extracted.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 10, when four bearing portions 2 and a sleeve 10 are inserted between the fixing portion 3 and the rotor shaft 52b, a gap 14 is formed between the fourth bearing portion 2d adjacent to the rotor 52 in the axial direction and the sleeve protrusion 10b. When the rotor 52 rotates, the sleeve 10 may rotate together with the rotor shaft 52b. On the other hand, the four bearing portions 2 are supported by the fixing portion 3. Under the condition that the pressure of the working fluid in the chamber 51 is high, the four bearing portions 2 are pushed by the pressure of the working fluid to the side opposite to the rotor body 52a in the axial direction of the rotor 52. When no gap 14 is formed between the fourth bearing portion 2d adjacent to the rotor 52 in the axial direction and the sleeve protrusion 10b, when the four bearing portions 2 are pushed to the side opposite to the rotor body 52a, the fourth bearing portion 2d adjacent to the sleeve protrusion 10b abuts against the sleeve protrusion 10b. When the sleeve 10 rotates in this state, seizure occurs between the fourth bearing portion 2d and the sleeve protrusion 10b. Therefore, a gap 14 is formed between the fourth bearing portion 2d adjacent to the rotor 52 in the axial direction and the sleeve protrusion 10b. Thereby, the occurrence of seizure can be suppressed.

[0062] Further, the bearing structure 601 has an O-ring 11. The O-ring 11 is provided on the rotor shaft 52b. The O-ring 11 is fitted into an annular groove formed on the outer peripheral surface (upper surface in the figure) of the rotor shaft 52b. The O-ring 11 seals the gap between the rotor shaft 52b and the sleeve 10.

[0063] Further, the bearing structure 601 has a rotation prevention member 12. In the present embodiment, two rotation prevention members 12 are provided. One rotation prevention member 12 penetrates the fixing portion 3 and its tip is engaged with the second bearing portion 2b. The other rotation prevention member 12 penetrates the fixing portion 3 and its tip is engaged with the third bearing portion 2c.

[0064] The rotation prevention member 12 prevents the bearing portion 2 from rotating with respect to the fixing portion 3 around the rotor shaft 52b. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the second bearing portion 2b and the third bearing portion 2c from rotating as the rotor shaft 52b rotates.

[0065] As described above, in the present embodiment, adjacent bearing portions 2 are fitted to each other. Therefore, with a smaller number of rotation prevention members 12 than in the case where rotation prevention members 12 are provided for each of the plurality of bearing portions 2a to 2d, it is possible to prevent each of the bearing portions 2a to 2d from rotating as the rotor shaft 52b rotates.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 11 which is a cross-sectional view of the kneader 41, the bearing structure 601 of the present embodiment may have a visco seal 15. The visco seal 15 is disposed between the sleeve 10 and the fixing portion 3. The visco seal 15 is disposed on the rotor body 52a side rather than the first bearing portion 2a in the axial direction of the rotor 52. A spacer 16 is disposed between the visco seal 15 and the first bearing portion 2a. The visco seal 15 and the sleeve body 10a are screwed together. Specifically, a male screw portion 17a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve body 10a and a female screw portion 17b formed on the inner peripheral surface of the visco seal 15 are screwed together. Therefore, when the rotor 52 is rotated, the sleeve 10 and the visco seal 15 rotate together with the rotor shaft 52b. In the case of this configuration, by removing the visco seal 15, the four bearing portions 2 and the sleeve 10 can be removed together.

[0067] [Eighth Embodiment] Next, the bearing structure of the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the description of the configuration common to the first embodiment and the effects achieved thereby will be omitted, and mainly the points different from the first embodiment will be described. Note that the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

[0068] (Configuration of Kneader) As shown in FIG. 12 which is a cross-sectional view of the kneader 41, in the bearing structure 701 of the present embodiment, the bearing portion 2 has four bearing portions 2 (first bearing portion 2a, second bearing portion 2b, third bearing portion 2c, fourth bearing portion 2d) provided in the axial direction of the rotor 52, similar to the seventh embodiment.

[0069] Also, similar to the seventh embodiment, among the four bearing portions 2, screw holes 9 are formed at the ends of each of the three bearing portions 2a to 2c on the rotor body 52a side. Also, seal members 4 are provided between the second bearing portion 2b and the third bearing portion 2c, and between the third bearing portion 2c and the fourth bearing portion 2d, respectively. An O-ring 5 is provided on the second bearing portion 2b.

[0070] Also, the bearing structure 701 has a sleeve 10, similar to the seventh embodiment. The sleeve 10 is provided between the four bearing portions 2 and the rotor shaft 52b. The sleeve 10 has a sleeve body 10a and a sleeve protrusion 10b. Also, the bearing structure 701 has an O-ring 11 provided on the rotor shaft 52b, similar to the seventh embodiment.

[0071] And in the bearing structure 701 of the eighth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a first pile seal 18 is provided on the bearing portion 2. Examples of the material kneaded in the kneading chamber 51a (see FIG. 2) include powder materials containing nanomaterials such as silica and carbon. When such a powder material invades the region where the bearing portion 2 is located, the seal member 4 and the O-ring 5 may be damaged or scratched, resulting in a decrease in sealing performance. In particular, the bearing portion 2 has a sliding surface on the rotor shaft 52b side that contacts the sleeve body 10a. Therefore, the gap on the rotor shaft 52b side of the bearing portion 2 is likely to vary in interval, and the powder material is likely to enter. The first pile seal 18 is provided to reduce the powder material that has entered this gap from reaching the seal member 4.

[0072] The first pile seal 18 is fitted into an annular groove formed in the inner peripheral surface (lower surface in the figure) of the bearing portion 2. Although not shown, specifically, for example, the first pile seal 18 has a base fabric and a large number of fibrous cut pile yarns woven into the base fabric. The base fabric is annular and is fitted into the groove formed in the inner peripheral surface of the bearing portion 2. The cut pile yarns stand up from the base fabric toward the rotor shaft 52b side and seal the gap on the rotor shaft 52b side. For example, in the eighth embodiment, the tip portion of the cut pile yarn of the first pile seal 18 contacts the sleeve body 10a so as to be pressed against it. Thereby, the powder material that has entered the gap between the bearing portion 2 and the sleeve 10 is sealed by the first pile seal 18. As a result, it is possible to reduce the intrusion of the powder material to the sealant 4 side.

[0073] As described above, the bearing portion 2 is provided with the first pile seal 18 that seals the gap on the rotor shaft 52b side of the bearing portion 2. The first pile seal 18 is provided on the rotor body 52a side of the sealant 4.

[0074] With this configuration, even if the powder material enters the gap on the rotor shaft 52b side of the bearing portion 2, it is sealed by the first pile seal 18. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the powder material reaches the sealant 4 beyond the first pile seal 18. As a result, it is possible to reduce the damage or scratching of the sealant 4 by the powder material and the resulting reduction in sealing performance.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 13, the bearing structure 701 of the present embodiment may be provided with a second pile seal 19 in the bearing portion 2. The second pile seal 19 is provided to reduce the possibility that the powder material reaches the O-ring 5.

[0076] The second pile seal 19 is fitted into an annular groove formed on the outer peripheral surface (upper surface in the drawing) of the bearing portion 2. Although not shown, for example, similar to the first pile seal 18, the second pile seal 19 has a base fabric and a large number of fibrous cut pile yarns. The base fabric is fitted into the groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion 2. The cut pile yarns stand up from the base fabric toward the fixing portion 3 side and seal the gap on the fixing portion 3 side. For example, in the eighth embodiment, the tip portion of the cut pile yarn of the second pile seal 19 contacts the fixing portion 3 so as to be pressed against it. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the intrusion of the powder material that has entered the gap between the bearing portion 2 and the fixing portion 3 toward the O-ring 5 side.

[0077] As described above, the bearing portion 2 is provided with the second pile seal 19 that seals the gap on the fixing portion 3 side of the bearing portion 2. The second pile seal 19 is provided closer to the rotor main body 52a side than the O-ring 5.

[0078] With this configuration, even if the powder material enters the gap on the fixing portion 3 side of the bearing portion 2, it is sealed by the second pile seal 19. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the powder material reaches the O-ring 5 beyond the second pile seal 19. As a result, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of damage or scratching of the O-ring 5 by the powder material, which may cause a decrease in the sealing performance.

[0079] It is preferable to use a material for the first pile seal 18 and / or the second pile seal 19 (hereinafter simply referred to as "pile seal") having an SP value difference from the working fluid exceeding 0.7. The SP value is the solubility parameter. Each substance has a unique SP value. When the difference between the SP value of the pile seal and the SP value of the working fluid (hereinafter simply referred to as "SP value difference") is 0.7 or less, there is a high possibility that the pile seal swells and softens. This is because when the SP value difference is a close value such as 0.7 or less, the working fluid dissolves into the pile seal. If the pile seal swells and softens, there is a risk that the powder material in the kneading chamber 51a will pass beyond the pile seal and leakage of the powder material will occur.

[0080] For example, when the working fluid is CO in a supercritical state or a subcritical state 2 in this case, since the SP value of carbon dioxide is 8.7, the SP value of the material of the pile seal is preferably less than 8.0 or greater than 9.4. Specific examples of the material of the pile seal that satisfy this condition include fluororesin (SP value is 3.6), silicone rubber (SP value is 7.0), epoxy resin (SP value is 11.2), and nylon 66 (SP value is 13.5), etc.

[0081] As an example when the difference in SP values is 0.7 or less, Example 1 was carried out. In Example 1, the working fluid is supercritical CO 2 and the material of the pile seal is polyethylene with an SP value of 8.0. Therefore, the difference in SP values in Example 1 is 0.7. As a result of Example 1, the pile seal swelled and leakage of the powder material occurred. Also, as an example when the difference in SP values exceeds 0.7, Example 2 was carried out. In Example 2, the working fluid is supercritical CO 2 and the material of the pile seal is silicone rubber with an SP value of 7.0. Therefore, the difference in SP values in Example 2 is 1.7. As a result of Example 2, the pile seal did not swell and no leakage of the powder material occurred.

[0082] Thus, when the working fluid is CO in a supercritical state or a subcritical state 2 in this case, it is preferable that the SP value of the material of the first pile seal 18 and / or the second pile seal 19 is less than 8.0 or greater than 9.4. Thereby, swelling due to supercritical or subcritical CO 2 dissolving into the first pile seal 18 and / or the second pile seal 19 can be suppressed, and the durability of the first pile seal 18 and / or the second pile seal 19 can be improved.

[0083] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not particularly limited thereby. Specifically, configurations and the like can be appropriately changed in design. Also, the operations and effects described in the embodiments of the invention merely list the most suitable operations and effects resulting from the present invention, and the operations and effects according to the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the invention.

[0084] For example, in the first to sixth and eighth embodiments, the rotation prevention member 12 may be provided.

[0085] Also, in the sixth, seventh, and eighth embodiments, instead of the screw hole 9, the protruding portion 6 of the second embodiment, the male screw portion 7a and the female screw portion 7b of the third embodiment, or the ferromagnetic portion 8 of the fourth embodiment may be provided at the end of the bearing portion 2.

[0086] Also, in the first to seventh embodiments, the first pile seal 18 and / or the second pile seal 19 may be provided. For example, when the sleeve 10 is not provided as in the first embodiment, the first pile seal 18 seals the gap between the bearing portion 2 and the rotor shaft 52b.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0087] 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701 Bearing structure 2 Bearing portion 3 Fixing portion 4 Sealing material (first sealing material) 5 O-ring (second seal) 6 Protruding portion 7a Male screw portion 7b Female screw portion 8 Ferromagnetic portion 9 Screw hole 10 Sleeve 10a Sleeve body 10b Sleeve protruding portion 11 O-ring 12 Rotation prevention member 14 Gap 15 Bisco Seal 16 Spacer 17a Male Thread Part 17b Female Thread Part 18 First Pile Seal 19 Second Pile Seal 20 Kneading Device 21 Manufacturing Department 22 Kneading Section 23 Return Flow Path 31 Tank 32 First Heat Exchanger 33 Pump 34 Second Heat Exchanger 41 Kneader 42 Control Valve 43 Separation Filter 51 Chamber 52 Rotor 52a Rotor Body 52b Rotor Shaft 60 Rotor 61 Rotor Shaft 70 Chamber 71 Member 80 Buri Seal 801 Bearing Structure

Claims

1. A bearing structure of a kneader that kneads materials in the presence of a working fluid in a supercritical state or a subcritical state, a bearing portion that is detachably provided in a chamber of the kneading machine and rotatably supports a rotor shaft of a rotor provided in the chamber; a fixing portion that is provided in the chamber on an opposite side of the rotor shaft with respect to the bearing portion and supports the bearing portion; a first seal member provided in the bearing portion and configured to seal a gap between the bearing portion and the rotor shaft; a second seal material that seals a gap between the bearing portion and the fixed portion, A rotor body of the rotor is separable from the rotor shaft, A bearing structure for a kneading machine, characterized in that, when the rotor body is separated from the rotor shaft, the bearing portion can be inserted and removed in the axial direction of the rotor from between the fixed portion and the rotor shaft.

2. a protruding portion provided at an end of the bearing portion on the rotor body side, the protruding portion having a thickness in a radial direction of the rotor greater than that of the bearing portion; 2. The bearing structure of a kneader according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion protrudes axially toward the rotor body further than the fixed portion when the bearing portion is inserted between the fixed portion and the rotor shaft.

3. a male thread portion formed on an outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the bearing portion on the rotor body side; 2. The bearing structure for a kneader according to claim 1, further comprising a female thread portion formed on an inner peripheral surface of the fixed portion and capable of being screwed into the male thread portion.

4. 2. The bearing structure of a kneader according to claim 1, further comprising a ferromagnetic portion provided at an end of the bearing portion on the rotor body side.

5. 2. The bearing structure for a kneader according to claim 1, further comprising a threaded hole formed in the axial direction at an end of the bearing portion on the rotor body side.

6. 3. The bearing structure of a kneader according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the bearing portions are provided in the axial direction.

7. The bearing structure of a kneader as described in claim 6, characterized in that it has a sleeve that is provided between the multiple bearing portions and the rotor shaft, and that when the rotor body is separated from the rotor shaft, can be pulled out in the axial direction, thereby enabling the multiple bearing portions to be pulled out together from between the fixed portion and the rotor shaft.

8. The sleeve is A sleeve body extending in the axial direction; a sleeve protrusion disposed on an opposite side of the rotor body with respect to the bearing portions in the axial direction and protruding from an end of the sleeve body toward the fixed portion, The bearing structure of a kneader as described in claim 7, characterized in that when a plurality of the bearing portions and the sleeve are inserted between the fixed portion and the rotor shaft, gaps are formed between adjacent bearing portions and the sleeve protrusions in the axial direction.

9. A bearing structure for a kneader as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a first pile seal for sealing the gap on the rotor shaft side of the bearing portion is provided on the rotor body side of the first sealing material.

10. The bearing structure of a kneader as described in claim 9, characterized in that a second pile seal for sealing a gap on the fixed portion side of the bearing portion is provided on the rotor body side of the second sealing material.

11. 3. The bearing structure for a kneader according to claim 1, further comprising a rotation prevention member for preventing the bearing portion from rotating relative to the fixed portion about the rotor shaft.

12. The bearing portion is provided in a plurality of portions in the axial direction, 12. The bearing structure of a kneader according to claim 11, wherein adjacent ones of the bearing portions are fitted into each other.

13. The working fluid is CO in a supercritical or subcritical state. 2 and 10. The bearing structure of a kneader according to claim 9, wherein the material of the first pile seal has an SP value of less than 8.0 or more than 9.

4.

14. The working fluid is CO in a supercritical or subcritical state. 2 and The bearing structure of a kneader according to claim 10, characterized in that the material of the second pile seal has an SP value of less than 8.0 or more than 9.4.

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