ROTOR ASSEMBLY FOR A CRUSHER AND CRUSHER COMPRISING A ROTOR ASSEMBLY - Patent application

Abstract

A rotor assembly for a grinding mill including a housing and a rotatable shaft rotatably mounted within the housing, the rotor assembly comprising: a hub mountable on the rotatable shaft; and a plurality of rotor arms extending outwardly from the hub for grinding material received within the housing when the rotatable shaft is rotated, the hub including a plurality of hub sections connectable together to form the hub, the hub sections being separable from one another and movable radially outward away from the rotatable shaft.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technical field relates generally to pulverizers and / or vertical mills, and more particularly to a rotor assembly for a pulverizer and a pulverizer comprising the rotor assembly. The technical field further relates to a method for removing the rotor assembly from the pulverizer. [Background technology]

[0002] Comminuting devices or "crusher" have been used to crush, separate, aerate, and / or homogenize solid materials, such as waste materials. Crusher are sometimes used in certain industrial transformation operations to reduce the particle size of input materials, such as ores.

[0003] A crusher typically includes a housing, a rotatable shaft vertically disposed within the housing, and one or more rotor assemblies mounted on the rotatable shaft. Each rotor assembly typically includes a rotor hub that engages the rotatable shaft and a number of rotor arms that extend outwardly from the rotor hub. Material is introduced into the housing through an inlet and is crushed by rotation of the shaft and rotor assembly, and the crushed material is discharged through an outlet of the housing.

[0004] For various reasons, it may be desirable or necessary to remove one or more of the rotor hubs from the rotatable shaft when the mill is not in operation. For example, it may be desirable or necessary to perform maintenance on the rotor hub, on the rotatable shaft, or on the interior of the housing. Additionally, it may be desirable or necessary to replace a portion of the rotor hub, such as one or more rotor arms of the rotor hub, or the entire rotor hub or hubs if the hub becomes damaged, wears out, or will receive a different input material. Additionally, it may be desirable or necessary to disassemble a portion of the mill or the entire mill, for example to facilitate transporting the mill or to dispose of the mill.

[0005] In some instances, the rotor hub may be removed from the rotatable shaft by sliding the rotor hub along the shaft toward the top end of the shaft. However, it may not be possible or practical to remove the rotor hub in this manner. For example, in some grinding machines, the top and bottom ends of the rotatable shaft are secured to the ceiling and floor plates of the housing. This configuration would require removing the ceiling or floor plate in order to slide the rotor hub off one of the ends of the shaft.

[0006] Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide a grinder and a rotor assembly for a grinder that overcomes or mitigates at least one of the above disadvantages. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect, a rotor assembly for a grinding mill is provided, the grinding mill including a housing and a rotatable shaft rotatably mounted within the housing, the rotor assembly comprising: a hub mountable on the rotatable shaft; and a plurality of rotor arms extending outwardly from the hub for grinding material received within the housing when the rotatable shaft is rotated, the hub including a plurality of hub sections connectable together to form the hub, the hub sections being separable from one another and movable radially outward away from the rotatable shaft.

[0008] In at least one embodiment, the plurality of hub sections includes two hub sections.

[0009] In at least one embodiment, the hub sections are disconnectable from one another by moving the hub sections relative to one another in a direction parallel to the axis of the rotatable shaft.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, each hub section includes at least one hub section connector, and each hub section connector is adapted to engage a corresponding hub section connector of another one of the hub sections.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, each hub section connector includes one of a male hub section connector and a female hub section connector.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, each hub section includes first and second hub section ends, the first hub section end including a male hub section connector and the second hub section end including a female hub section connector.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the male and female hub section connectors form a dovetail connection.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the male hub section connector includes a narrow base portion and a flared end portion extending away from the narrow base portion, the flared end portion being wider than the narrow base portion.

[0015] In at least one embodiment, the female hub section connector includes a narrow neck portion and a flared inner portion extending away from the narrow neck portion and into the corresponding hub section, the flared inner portion being wider than the narrow neck portion.

[0016] In at least one embodiment, the rotor hub includes upper and lower hub plates spaced apart from one another and extending substantially parallel to one another, and an annular core member disposed between the upper and lower hub plates and coaxially engageable with a rotatable shaft.

[0017] In at least one embodiment, a portion of the rotor arm is disposed between the upper and lower hub plates.

[0018] In at least one embodiment, the rotor hub further includes a plurality of plate spacers extending between the upper and lower hub plates.

[0019] 13. A rotor assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein each plate spacer includes a cylindrical barrel extending perpendicular to the upper and lower hub plates for receiving fasteners extending through the cylindrical barrel and through the upper and lower hub plates.

[0020] In at least one embodiment, the annular core member is substantially polygonal and defines a plurality of corners, the annular core member further comprising a plurality of fastener openings, each fastener opening located at one of the corners of the annular core member.

[0021] In at least one embodiment, the annular core member is substantially octagonal.

[0022] In at least one embodiment, the annular core member includes a body having a top core member surface and a bottom core member surface, a top circular protrusion extending away from the top core member surface, and a bottom circular protrusion extending away from the bottom core member surface.

[0023] In at least one embodiment, the top core member surface and the bottom core member surface are substantially planar and extend substantially parallel to one another.

[0024] In at least one embodiment, the upper hub plate has a central plate opening and the upper hub plate can be received on the top core member surface such that the top circular projection is received within the central plate opening of the upper hub plate.

[0025] In at least one embodiment, the central plate opening in the upper hub plate has a diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the top circular protrusion such that the top circular protrusion fits snugly within the central plate opening in the upper hub plate.

[0026] In at least one embodiment, the lower hub plate has a central plate opening and the lower hub plate can be received on the bottom core member surface such that the bottom circular projection is received within the central plate opening of the lower hub plate.

[0027] In at least one embodiment, the central plate opening in the lower hub plate has a diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the bottom circular projection such that the bottom circular projection fits snugly within the central plate opening in the lower hub plate.

[0028] In at least one embodiment, the rotor hub further includes top and bottom retaining rings coaxially engaged with the rotatable shaft and disposed on either side of the upper and lower hub plates.

[0029] In at least one embodiment, each of the top and bottom retaining rings is substantially flat and has an inner diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the rotatable shaft.

[0030] In at least one embodiment, the top retaining ring has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the top circular protrusion of the annular core member such that when it abuts the upper hub plate it overlaps both the top circular protrusion and the upper hub plate.

[0031] In at least one embodiment, the bottom retaining ring has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the bottom circular protrusion of the annular core member such that when it abuts the lower hub plate it overlaps both the bottom circular protrusion and the lower hub plate.

[0032] In at least one embodiment, the top retaining ring includes a first plurality of fastener receiving openings and the bottom retaining ring includes a second plurality of fastener receiving openings alignable with the first plurality of fastener receiving openings, thereby enabling the top and bottom retaining rings to be connected together using a plurality of fasteners that engage corresponding fastener receiving openings of the first and second plurality of fastener receiving openings and corresponding fastener openings of the annular core member.

[0033] In at least one embodiment, the rotor assembly further comprises a hub locking member selectively engageable with the rotor hub to secure the rotor hub at a desired axial position along the rotatable shaft.

[0034] In at least one embodiment, the locking member includes a ring member coaxially engageable with the rotatable shaft, the ring member engageable with both the hub and the rotatable shaft to prevent movement of the hub relative to the rotatable shaft.

[0035] In at least one embodiment, the ring member includes an annular wall having a top end and a bottom end and a top flange located at the top end, the annular wall being wedged between the hub and the rotatable shaft to prevent movement of the hub relative to the rotatable shaft.

[0036] In at least one embodiment, the annular wall has a cylindrical inner surface for engaging a rotatable shaft.

[0037] In at least one embodiment, the ring member is quasi-annular and includes first and second ring ends spaced apart from one another.

[0038] In at least one embodiment, the ring member is substantially resilient to allow the first and second ring ends to move toward one another.

[0039] In at least one embodiment, the annular wall has a tapered outer surface that is slidable in contact with a corresponding angled inner surface of the hub when the ring member is moved along the rotatable shaft toward the hub to move the first and second ring ends toward each other.

[0040] According to another aspect, there is further provided a shaft assembly for a grinding mill including a housing, the shaft assembly comprising: a rotatable shaft rotatably mountable within the housing; a hub mountable on the rotatable shaft; and a plurality of rotor arms extending outwardly from the hub for grinding material received within the housing when the rotatable shaft is rotated, the hub including a plurality of hub sections connectable together to form the hub, the hub sections being separable from one another and movable radially outward away from the rotatable shaft.

[0041] According to another aspect, there is further provided a grinding mill comprising: a housing; a rotatable shaft rotatably mountable within the housing; a hub mountable on the rotatable shaft; and a plurality of rotor arms extending outwardly from the hub for grinding material received within the housing when the rotatable shaft is rotated, the hub including a plurality of hub sections connectable together to form the hub, the hub sections being separable from one another and movable radially outward away from the rotatable shaft.

[0042] In at least one embodiment, the plurality of hub sections includes two hub sections.

[0043] In at least one embodiment, the hub sections are disconnectable from one another by moving the hub sections relative to one another in a direction parallel to the axis of the rotatable shaft.

[0044] In at least one embodiment, each hub section includes at least one hub section connector, and each hub section connector is adapted to engage a corresponding hub section connector of another one of the hub sections.

[0045] In at least one embodiment, each hub section connector includes one of a male hub section connector and a female hub section connector.

[0046] In at least one embodiment, each hub section includes first and second hub section ends, the first hub section end including a male hub section connector and the second hub section end including a female hub section connector.

[0047] In at least one embodiment, the male and female hub section connectors form a dovetail connection.

[0048] In at least one embodiment, the male hub section connector includes a narrow base portion and a flared end portion extending away from the narrow base portion, the flared end portion being wider than the narrow base portion.

[0049] In at least one embodiment, the female hub section connector includes a narrow neck portion and a flared inner portion extending away from the narrow neck portion and into the corresponding hub section, the flared inner portion being wider than the narrow neck portion.

[0050] In at least one embodiment, the rotor hub includes upper and lower hub plates spaced apart from one another and extending substantially parallel to one another, and an annular core member disposed between the upper and lower hub plates and coaxially engageable with a rotatable shaft.

[0051] In at least one embodiment, a portion of the rotor arm is disposed between the upper and lower hub plates.

[0052] In at least one embodiment, the rotor hub further includes a plurality of plate spacers extending between the upper and lower hub plates.

[0053] In at least one embodiment, each plate spacer includes a cylindrical barrel extending perpendicular to the upper and lower hub plates for receiving a fastener extending through the cylindrical barrel and through the upper and lower hub plates.

[0054] In at least one embodiment, the annular core member is substantially polygonal and defines a plurality of corners, the annular core member further comprising a plurality of fastener openings, each fastener opening located at one of the corners of the annular core member.

[0055] In at least one embodiment, the annular core member is substantially octagonal.

[0056] In at least one embodiment, the annular core member includes a body having a top core member surface and a bottom core member surface, a top circular protrusion extending away from the top core member surface, and a bottom circular protrusion extending away from the bottom core member surface.

[0057] In at least one embodiment, the top and bottom core member surfaces are substantially planar and extend substantially parallel to one another.

[0058] In at least one embodiment, the upper hub plate has a central plate opening and the upper hub plate can be received on the top core member surface such that the top circular projection is received within the central plate opening of the upper hub plate.

[0059] In at least one embodiment, the central plate opening in the upper hub plate has a diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the top circular protrusion such that the top circular protrusion fits snugly within the central plate opening in the upper hub plate.

[0060] In at least one embodiment, the lower hub plate has a central plate opening and the lower hub plate can be received on the bottom core member surface such that the bottom circular projection is received within the central plate opening of the lower hub plate.

[0061] In at least one embodiment, the central plate opening in the lower hub plate has a diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the bottom circular projection such that the bottom circular projection fits snugly within the central plate opening in the lower hub plate.

[0062] In at least one embodiment, the rotor hub further includes top and bottom retaining rings coaxially engaged with the rotatable shaft and disposed on either side of the upper and lower hub plates.

[0063] In at least one embodiment, each of the top and bottom retaining rings is substantially flat and has an inner diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the rotatable shaft.

[0064] In at least one embodiment, the top retaining ring has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the top circular protrusion of the annular core member such that when it abuts the upper hub plate it overlaps both the top circular protrusion and the upper hub plate.

[0065] In at least one embodiment, the bottom retaining ring has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the bottom circular protrusion of the annular core member such that when it abuts the lower hub plate it overlaps both the bottom circular protrusion and the lower hub plate.

[0066] In at least one embodiment, the top retaining ring includes a first plurality of fastener receiving openings and the bottom retaining ring includes a second plurality of fastener receiving openings alignable with the first plurality of fastener receiving openings, thereby enabling the top and bottom retaining rings to be connected together using a plurality of fasteners that engage corresponding fastener receiving openings of the first and second plurality of fastener receiving openings and corresponding fastener openings of the annular core member.

[0067] In at least one embodiment, the pulverizer further comprises a hub locking member selectively engageable with the rotor hub to secure the rotor hub at a desired axial position along the rotatable shaft.

[0068] In at least one embodiment, the locking member includes a ring member coaxially engageable with the rotatable shaft, the ring member engageable with both the hub and the rotatable shaft to prevent movement of the hub relative to the rotatable shaft.

[0069] In at least one embodiment, the ring member includes an annular wall having a top end and a bottom end and a top flange located at the top end, the annular wall being wedged between the hub and the rotatable shaft to prevent movement of the hub relative to the rotatable shaft.

[0070] In at least one embodiment, the annular wall has a cylindrical inner surface for engaging a rotatable shaft.

[0071] In at least one embodiment, the ring member is quasi-annular and includes first and second ring ends spaced apart from one another.

[0072] In at least one embodiment, the ring member is substantially resilient to allow the first and second ring ends to move toward one another.

[0073] In at least one embodiment, the annular wall has a tapered outer surface that is slidable in contact with a corresponding angled inner surface of the hub when the ring member is moved along the rotatable shaft toward the hub to move the first and second ring ends toward each other. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0074] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a grinder according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the grinder shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a rotatable assembly for the grinder shown in FIG. 1, shown separated. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a grinding rotor assembly for the rotatable assembly shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the grinding rotor assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the grinder rotor assembly shown in FIG. 4, showing the grinder rotor assembly with the top liner layer removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the grinding rotor assembly shown in FIG. 4, showing the grinding rotor assembly with the top liner layer, top retaining ring, and one of the plate sections of the upper hub plate removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the grinding rotor assembly shown in FIG. 4, showing the grinding rotor assembly mounted on a rotatable shaft. [Figure 9] FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the grinding rotor assembly shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 10A] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of an annular core member for the grinding rotor assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a top view of the annular core member shown in FIG. 10A. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10B is an elevational cross-sectional view of the annular core member shown in FIG. 10A. [Figure 11A] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view showing a hub lock member for the grinding rotor assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is a top view showing the hub locking member shown in FIG. 11A. [Figure 11C] FIG. 11B is a side view showing the hub locking member shown in FIG. 11A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0075] It will be appreciated that for brevity and clarity of illustration, where deemed appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or similar elements or steps. Additionally, numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components are not described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments described herein in any way, but merely to illustrate implementations of various embodiments described herein.

[0076] For the sake of brevity and clarity, i.e., to avoid unnecessarily providing multiple reference numbers in multiple figures, not all figures include reference numbers for all components and features, and reference numbers for some components and features may appear in only one figure, and components and features of the present disclosure shown in other figures can be easily inferred from those other figures. The embodiments, geometric configurations, materials referred to, and / or dimensions shown in the figures are optional and are provided for illustrative purposes only.

[0077] Locational descriptions such as "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," "left," and "right" are to be interpreted in the context of the figures and correspond to the location and orientation of the grinder and corresponding parts when used, unless otherwise specified. Locational descriptions should not be considered limiting.

[0078] 1 and 2, there is shown a grinder 10 according to one embodiment. The grinder 10 is adapted to receive an input material and to grind or pulverize the input material.

[0079] It will be understood that the terms "grind," "grind," "pulverize," and "pulverization" are used herein to mean reducing the size of particles in an input material.

[0080] The input material can be completely solid or at least partially solid. In particular, the input material can include waste, glass, compost, wood, asphalt, shingles, plastic, rocks, ores, minerals, cement, ceramics, metal pieces, or any other material that can be crushed.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiment, the grinder 10 includes a base 12 and a housing 20 mounted on the base 12. Specifically, the housing 20 includes a bottom end 22 connected to the base 12 and a top end 24 opposite the bottom end 22. The housing 20 is hollow and includes a housing sidewall 26 extending between the top end 24 and the bottom end 22 to define an interior chamber 28 in which grinding occurs. Specifically, the housing 20 includes an inlet 30 located at the top end 24 for receiving input material and an outlet 32 ​​located at the bottom end 22 through which the ground material may be discharged once ground in the interior chamber 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet 32 ​​allows the ground material to be discharged tangentially to the housing sidewall 26. It will be appreciated that the outlet 32 ​​may be variously configured. For example, the outlet 32 ​​may be located in a bottom surface of the housing 20 such that the ground material may be discharged axially downward from the housing 20. Additionally, it will be appreciated that, alternatively, the outlet 32 ​​may not be located exactly at the bottom end 22 of the housing 20, but may be located so as to generally point towards the bottom end 22. Similarly, the inlet 30 may not be located exactly at the top end 24 of the housing 20, but may instead be located so as to generally point towards the top end 24.

[0082] 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 20 is generally cylindrical and defines a central housing axis H that extends between the top end 24 and the bottom end 22 of the housing 20. The housing 20 is adapted to be disposed such that the central housing axis H extends substantially vertically when the mill 10 is in operation. In this configuration, input material fed into the inlet 30 will eventually tend to fall by gravity towards the outlet 32.

[0083] In the illustrated embodiment, housing sidewall 26, instead of being made from a single, integral cylindrical body, includes a plurality of wall sections 27 that extend substantially between top end 24 and bottom end 22 of housing 20 and are disposed side by side to form housing sidewall 26. Alternatively, housing sidewall 26 may instead be made from a single, integral generally cylindrical body.

[0084] Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 20 further includes an access door 34 defined within the housing sidewall 26. The access door 34 is closed during operation of the grinder 10 and may be opened to provide access into the interior chamber 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the access door 34 includes a first door panel 36a and a second door panel 36b hingedly connected to the housing sidewall 26. Alternatively, the access door 34 may include a single door panel or may be configured according to any other suitable configuration.

[0085] 2 and 3, the grinder 10 further comprises a rotatable assembly 102 disposed within the interior chamber 28 and a rotational actuator 104 operatively coupled to the rotatable assembly 102 for rotating the rotatable assembly 102 to generate an air flow within the housing 20. Specifically, the rotatable assembly 102 includes a rotatable shaft 106 located within the interior chamber 28 and extending between the top end 24 and the bottom end 22 of the housing 20 along a central housing axis H, and a plurality of grinding rotor assemblies 108a, 108b, 108c secured to the rotatable shaft 106 for rotation about the central housing axis H when the rotatable shaft 106 is rotated.

[0086] In the illustrated embodiment, the grinding rotor assemblies 108a, 108b, 108c include a lower rotor assembly 108c located proximal to the outlet 32 ​​and toward the bottom end 22 of the housing 20, and two upper rotor assemblies 108a, 108b spaced apart from one another and located above the lower rotor assembly 108c. Alternatively, the rotatable assembly 102 may instead include more than three or less than three grinding rotor assemblies.

[0087] Each grinding rotor assembly 108a, 108b, 108c includes a rotor hub 120 and a number of rotor arms 122 extending outwardly from the rotor hub 120 toward the housing sidewall 26. The rotatable shaft 106 extends through the rotor hub 120 such that the rotor arms 122 are disposed in an arm rotation plane that extends perpendicularly through the central housing axis H. In this configuration, therefore, when the rotatable shaft 106 is rotated, the rotor arms 122 remain in and move along the arm rotation plane. Alternatively, instead of being disposed completely in the rotation plane, the rotor arms 122 may instead be angled upwards or downwards relative to the rotatable shaft 106. In yet another embodiment, rotor arms 122 may instead be pivotally connected to rotatable shaft 106 such that rotor arms 122 may be selectively angled upwardly and downwardly as desired, either manually or automatically using one or more arm actuators.

[0088] In the illustrated embodiment, the rotatable shaft 106 includes a top end 110 connected to the top end 24 of the housing 20 and a bottom end 112 located toward the bottom end 22 of the housing 20. The rotatable shaft 106 may be mounted to the housing 20 via bearings located at the top end 24 and bottom end 22 of the housing 20 to maintain the rotatable shaft 106 in alignment with the central housing axis H while allowing the rotatable shaft 106 to rotate relative to the central housing axis H.

[0089] It will be appreciated that with this configuration, removing the rotor assemblies 108a, 108b, 108c by sliding them along the rotatable shaft 106 toward its top end 110 requires removal of the top end 24 of the housing 20, which can be relatively complicated and time consuming. This may further require one or more workers to climb an elevated structure to reach the top end 24 of the housing 20, which may be inconvenient and / or may potentially lead to injury. This may further require realigning or balancing the rotatable shaft 106 at the time the top end 24 is removed and replaced on the top end 110 of the rotatable shaft 106.

[0090] Instead, in the illustrated embodiment, rotor assembly 108a, 108b, 108c, or at least a portion of rotor assembly 108a, 108b, 108c, is laterally removable from rotatable shaft 106. In other words, rotor assembly 108a, 108b, 108c, or one or more portions of rotor assembly 108a, 108b, 108c, may be moved radially outward, away from rotatable shaft 106 and generally toward housing sidewall 26.

[0091] This configuration allows for access to the rotor assemblies 108a, 108b, 108c through the access door 34, and for the rotor assemblies 108a, 108b, 108c, or at least a portion of the rotor assemblies 108a, 108b, 108c, to be removed from the housing through the access door 34. In another embodiment, the housing 20 may not include an access door 34. In this embodiment, the rotor assemblies 108a, 108b, 108c to be accessed may instead be accessed by removing one or more of the wall sections 27 of the housing sidewall 26.

[0092] 4-7, rotor assemblies 108a, 108b, 108c will now be described, specifically using rotor assembly 108a as a reference, although it will be understood that rotor assemblies 108a, 108b, 108c are configured substantially similarly to one another, and thus the following description may be applied interchangeably to any of the other rotor assemblies 108b, 108c.

[0093] In the illustrated embodiment, rotor hub 120 is not made of a single integral piece. Instead, rotor hub 120 includes multiple hub portions 200a, 200b that are separate from one another and connectable together to form rotor hub 120. Hub portions 200a, 200b are further disconnectable from one another to allow hub portions 200a, 200b to be laterally removed from rotatable shaft 106. In the illustrated embodiment, rotor hub 120 includes a first hub portion 200a and a second hub portion 200b. Alternatively, rotor hub 120 may include three or more hub portions 120.

[0094] In the illustrated embodiment, the rotor hub 120 includes an upper hub plate 202 and a lower hub plate 204 spaced apart from one another and extending substantially parallel to one another, and an annular core member 300, shown in Figure 7, disposed between the upper hub plate 202 and the lower hub plate 204 in coaxial engagement with the rotatable shaft 106. The rotor arms 122 are further sandwiched between the hub plates 202, 204 and connected to the rotor hub 120 via fasteners or pins that extend through the rotor arms 122 and through at least one of the upper hub plate 202 and the lower hub plate 204.

[0095] Each hub plate 202, 204 is substantially annular and includes a circular outer edge 206 and a circular inner edge 208 that defines a central plate opening 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the central plate opening 210 is substantially larger than the diameter of the rotatable shaft 106 such that the hub plates 202, 204 do not directly engage the rotatable shaft 106, as will be further described below.

[0096] In the illustrated embodiment, the rotor hub 120 further includes a plurality of plate spacers 250 extending between the upper hub plate 202 and the lower hub plate 204. The plate spacers 250 further contribute to maintaining the upper hub plate 202 and the lower hub plate 204 substantially parallel to one another. Specifically, each plate spacer 250 includes a cylindrical barrel 252 extending perpendicular to the upper hub plate 202 and the lower hub plate 204. The cylindrical barrel 252 is hollow and adapted to receive fasteners extending through the cylindrical barrel 252 and through the upper hub plate 202 and the lower hub plate 204. Alternatively, the plate spacers 250 may not include a cylindrical barrel and may instead be configured according to any other suitable configuration.

[0097] 10A-10C, annular core plate 300 includes a body 302 having a top core member surface 304 and a bottom core member surface 306 that are substantially planar and extend substantially parallel to one another. The annular core member 300 further includes a top circular protrusion 308 extending away from the top core member surface 304 and a bottom circular protrusion 310 extending away from the bottom core member surface 306. The top circular protrusion 308 and the bottom circular protrusion 310 define a periphery of a central core member bore 311 that extends through the annular core member between the top core member surface 304 and the bottom core member surface 306.

[0098] In the illustrated embodiment, the body 302 is substantially octagonal and has eight corners 312. The body 302 further includes eight fastener openings 314, each fastener opening 314 located at one of the eight corners 312. Alternatively, the annular core member 300 can instead be circular, rectangular, or have any other suitable shape.

[0099] 8, when the upper hub plate 202 and the lower hub plate 204 are engaged with the annular core member 300, the upper hub plate 202 is received on the top core member surface 304 and the top circular protrusion 308 is received within the central plate opening 210 of the upper hub plate 202. Specifically, the top circular protrusion 308 has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the central plate opening 210 such that the top circular protrusion 308 fits substantially snugly within the central plate opening 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the top circular protrusion 308 also has a height substantially equal to the thickness of the upper hub plate 202 such that the top circular protrusion 308 is flush with the upper hub plate 202.

[0100] Similarly, lower hub plate 204 is received on bottom core member surface 306 and bottom circular projection 310 is received within central plate opening 210 of lower hub plate 204. Bottom circular projection 310 has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of central plate opening 210, and bottom circular projection 310 further has a height substantially equal to the thickness of lower hub plate 204.

[0101] 6 and 7, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the upper and lower hub plates 202, 204 includes a first plate section 212a and a second plate section 212b that are connectable together to form a corresponding upper or lower hub plate 202 or 204. In this configuration, each plate section 212a, 212b defines one of the hub portions 200a, 200b. Specifically, each plate section 212a, 212b is substantially semicircular and includes opposed first and second plate section ends 214a, 214b. When the upper hub plate 202 and the lower hub plate 204 are connected together, the first plate section end 214a and the second plate section end 214b of the first plate section 212a are connected to corresponding ones of the first plate section end 214a and the second plate section end 214b of the second plate section 212b.

[0102] Each plate section 212a, 212b further includes a pair of hub section connectors 216, 218, each of which is connectable with a corresponding connector on the other plate section 212a, 212b. More specifically, each plate section 212a, 212b includes a male connector 216 located at a first plate section end 214a and a female connector 218 located at a second plate section end 214b. The male connector 216 is connectable with the female connector 218 on the other plate section 212a, 212b, and the female connector 218 is connectable with the male connector 216 on the other plate section 212a, 212b. Alternatively, one of the first plate section 212a and the second plate section 212b can include two male connectors and the other of the first plate section 212a and the second plate section 212b can include two female connectors. In other embodiments, instead of male / female connectors, the hub section connector can include any other suitable connector.

[0103] As best seen in FIG. 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the connectors 216, 218 engage one another in a dovetail-style connection. Specifically, the male connector 216 extends away from the first plate section end 214a and includes a narrow base portion 220 and a flared end portion 222 extending away from the narrow base portion 220. The female connector 218 includes a similarly shaped recess with a narrow neck portion 224 and a flared inner portion 226 extending away from the narrow neck portion 224 into the corresponding plate section 212a, 212b. In this configuration, the flared end portion 222 of the male connector is wider than the narrow base portion 220 and the flared inner portion 226 of the female connector 218 is wider than the narrow neck portion 224. This configuration prevents the plate sections 212a, 212b from moving horizontally away from one another when connected. To disconnect the male connector 216 from the female connector 218, the plate sections 212a, 212b must be moved away from each other, i.e., upwards or downwards. Alternatively, the male connector 216 and the female connector 218 can instead be hook-shaped or have any other suitable configuration.

[0104] 6 and 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotor hub 120 further includes a top retaining ring 230 and a bottom retaining ring 232 disposed on either side of the upper hub plate 202 and the lower hub plate 204 in coaxial engagement with the rotatable shaft 106. Each retaining ring 230, 232 is substantially flat and has an inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the rotatable shaft 106. Additionally, the top retaining ring 230 has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the top circular protrusion 308 of the annular core member 300 such that it overlaps both the top circular protrusion 308 and the upper hub plate 202 when abutting against the upper hub plate 202. Similarly, the bottom retaining ring 232 has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the bottom circular protrusion 310 of the annular core member 300 such that it overlaps both the bottom circular protrusion 310 and the lower hub plate 204 when abutting against the lower hub plate 204.

[0105] The top and bottom retaining rings 230, 232 further include a plurality of fastener receiving openings 234 disposed on each retaining ring 230, 232 such that they are vertically alignable with corresponding fastener receiving openings 234 in the other of the retaining rings 230, 232. More specifically, the top and bottom retaining rings 230, 232 are connectable together using elongated fasteners that extend through the corresponding fastener receiving openings 234 in the top and bottom retaining rings 230, 232 and through corresponding fastener openings 314 in the annular core member 300.

[0106] When the rotor hub 120 is assembled, the plate sections 212a, 212b of the upper hub plate 202 are connected together, the plate sections 212a, 212b of the lower hub plate 204 are connected together, the upper hub plate 202 and the lower hub plate 204 engage the annular core member 300, and the top and bottom retaining rings 230, 232 are secured together through the annular core member 300. In this configuration, the plate sections 212a, 212b of the upper hub plate 202 are held between the top retaining ring 230 and the annular core member 300 and therefore are prevented from disconnecting from one another. Similarly, the plate sections 212a, 212b of the lower hub plate 204 are held between the bottom retaining ring 232 and the annular core member 300 and therefore are prevented from disconnecting from one another.

[0107] Referring back to FIG. 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotor assembly 108a further includes a top liner layer 330 located on the upper hub plate 202. The top liner layer 330 is provided to cover and protect the fasteners extending through the plate spacers 250 from wear and tear and can prevent accumulation of ground material on or around the heads of the fasteners that can make the fasteners more difficult to remove. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the top liner layer 330 includes a first liner layer panel 332a and a second liner layer panel 332b that are both semicircular and together form an annular configuration. Providing the top liner layer 330 in two separate liner layer panels 332a, 332b allows the liner layer panels 332a, 332b to be moved laterally away from the rotatable shaft 106 when removed from the upper hub plate 202. Alternatively, the top liner layer 330 may include three or more liner panels, or may include a single liner panel that can be removed by moving it upwardly along the rotatable shaft 106.

[0108] 8, 9, and 11A-11C, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotor assembly 108a further includes a hub locking member 400 that can engage the rotor hub 120 to secure the rotor hub 120 at a desired axial position along the rotatable shaft 106. More specifically, the hub locking member 400 includes a ring member 402 that is located toward an upper end of the rotatable shaft 106 and coaxially engages the rotatable shaft 106. The ring member 402 can engage both the rotor hub 120 and the rotatable shaft 106 to prevent movement of the hub 120 relative to the rotatable shaft 106. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the ring member 402 is configured to prevent both axial movement and rotation of the rotor hub 120 relative to the rotatable shaft 106.

[0109] In the illustrated embodiment, the ring member 402 is configured to be wedged between the rotor hub 120 and the rotatable shaft 106. Specifically, the ring member 402 includes an annular wall portion 404 extending between a top annular wall end 406 and a bottom annular wall end 408, and a top flange 410 located at the top annular wall end 406. As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the annular wall portion 404 includes an inner surface 412 and an outer surface 414 extending opposite one another and extending between the top annular wall end 406 and the bottom annular wall end 408. The inner surface 412 is substantially cylindrical to extend in contact with and engage the rotatable shaft 106, whereas the outer surface 414 includes one or more angled surfaces configured to engage corresponding similarly angled surfaces defined on the rotor hub 120. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer surface 414 tapers at a taper angle along its entire circumference. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the annular core member 300 further includes a bore side 350 that extends around the central core member bore 311 and also tapers at a similar taper angle as the outer surface 414 of the annular wall 404.

[0110] Alternatively, instead of being completely tapered, the outer surface 414 can include one or more angled portions and one or more non-angled portions. In this embodiment, the bore side 350 can also include one or more corresponding angled portions for engaging the one or more angled portions of the annular wall 404.

[0111] 11B and 11C, in the illustrated embodiment, the ring member 402 is quasi-annular and includes a first ring end 416 and a second ring end 418 facing toward and spaced apart from one another. Additionally, the ring member 402 is also substantially resilient to allow the ring member 402 to deform to move the first ring end 416 and the second ring end 418 toward one another. Specifically, the ring member 402 is configured such that when the ring member 402 is coaxially engaged with the rotatable shaft 106 and positioned above the annular core member 300, lowering the ring member 402 toward the annular core member 300 causes the outer surface 414 of the annular wall 404 to slide against the bore side 350 and reduce the diameter of the ring member 402. This tightens the ring member 402 around the rotatable shaft 106, thereby increasing the friction between the annular wall portion 404 and the rotatable shaft 106, thereby substantially preventing movement of the ring member 402 relative to the rotatable shaft 106.

[0112] In the illustrated embodiment, the top flange 410 further includes a number of fastener openings 420 for receiving fasteners 422 to secure the ring member 402 to the annular core member 300. Specifically, the fasteners 422 extend through the fastener openings 420 and through corresponding fastener openings 352 defined in the top circular protrusion 308 of the annular core member 300. In this configuration, tightening the fasteners 422 will urge the ring member 402 towards the annular core member 300, thereby tightening the ring member 402 around the rotatable shaft 106.

[0113] Thus, in this embodiment, the ring member 402 frictionally engages the rotatable shaft 106. In one embodiment, the ring member 402 may include a positioning element configured to cooperate with a corresponding positioning element defined on the rotatable shaft 106 at a predetermined location to substantially prevent axial movement and / or rotation of the ring member 402 relative to the rotatable shaft 106. For example, the ring member 402 may include a radially inwardly extending protrusion or key, and the rotatable shaft 106 may include a recess or keyway sized and shaped to receive the protrusion or key. Alternatively, the ring member 402 and the rotatable shaft 106 may include different positioning elements, or in other embodiments, may not include a positioning element at all. In yet other embodiments, the hub lock member 400 may instead be threadedly engaged with the annular core member 300 or may engage with the annular core member 300 according to any suitable configuration. In still other embodiments, the ring member 402 may not be quasi-annular and may be configured according to any other suitable configuration. In yet another embodiment, the hub locking member 400 may not include a ring member, and instead may include one or more wedge members that do not extend around the entire circumference of the rotatable shaft 106.

[0114] 5 and 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotor assembly 108a further includes a bottom retaining member 500 that coaxially engages the rotatable shaft 106 below the lower hub plate 204. The bottom retaining member 500 abuts the bottom retaining ring 232 and provides additional support to hold the plate sections 212a, 212b relative to one another. The bottom retaining member 500 also supports the rotor hub 120 when the hub locking member 400 is removed or in a position that does not prevent movement of the rotor hub 120 relative to the rotatable shaft 106.

[0115] In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom retention member 500 includes a split collar 502 made of a plurality of collar members 504, 506 that are connectable together to form the split collar 502. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the split collar 502 includes a first collar member 504 and a second collar member 506 that are substantially similar to one another. Specifically, each collar member 504, 506 is substantially semicircular and extends between a first collar member end 508 and a second collar member end 510. Each collar member end 508, 510 is configured to be placed in contact with a corresponding end 508, 510 of the other collar member 506 and to receive a fastener 512 that extends through the corresponding end 508, 510 of the collar members 504, 506, thereby forming the substantially circular split collar 502.

[0116] In one embodiment, the bottom retention member 500 frictionally engages the rotatable shaft 106. Specifically, when a fastener 512 extending through the collar member ends 508, 510 is tightened, the collar members 504, 506 are moved toward each other and engage the rotatable shaft 106. In some embodiments, the first and second collar members can include an inner surface configured to provide enhanced friction with the rotatable shaft 106.

[0117] Alternatively, split collar 502 may be configured according to any other suitable configuration. For example, split collar 502 may instead include a single quasi-annular member having two free ends disposed adjacent one another, the two ends configured to be moved toward one another by tightening fasteners engaging the two ends.

[0118] In another embodiment, the bottom retaining member 500 can cooperate with a corresponding structure defined in the rotatable shaft 106 at a predetermined location. For example, the rotatable shaft 106 can include a groove and the split collar 502 can be sized and shaped to be received in the groove to prevent movement of the split collar 502 axially along the rotatable shaft 106. Alternatively, the structure can include a protrusion extending radially outward from the rotatable shaft 106 that can abut an underside of the bottom retaining member 500 or engage a receiving recess defined in the bottom retaining member 500, or can include any other structure that can contribute to positioning and / or maintaining the bottom retaining member 500 at a desired axial location along the rotatable shaft 106.

[0119] Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotor assembly 108a further includes an outer support ring 550 having a larger diameter than the bottom retaining ring 232 and concentrically disposed around the bottom retaining ring 232 below the lower hub plate 204. The outer support ring 550 can help prevent the plate sections 212a, 212b of the lower hub plate 204 from moving axially relative to one another and / or help maintain the plate sections 212a, 212b of the lower hub plate 204 in a horizontal plane. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer support ring 550 includes a first support ring half 552 and a second support ring half 554, each of which is semicircular. Alternatively, the outer support ring 550 can be a single continuous circular piece, can include three or more pieces, or can be configured according to any other suitable configuration. In another embodiment, the rotor assembly 108a may not include the outer support ring 550.

[0120] To disconnect the first and second hub portions 200a, 200b from one another, the top retaining ring 230 is first disengaged from the upper hub plate 202 and slid upward along the rotatable shaft 106 and away from the upper hub plate 202. Alternatively, the top retaining ring 230 may be made of multiple retaining ring sections that can be moved laterally away from the rotatable shaft 106.

[0121] Additionally, the top liner layer 350 is removed from the upper hub plate 202 by laterally moving the liner layer panels 352 a, 352 b off of the upper hub plate 202 and away from the rotatable shaft 106 .

[0122] In one embodiment, the fasteners extending through plate spacer 250 are then removed.

[0123] One of the plate sections 212a, 212b is then moved upwardly relative to the other of the plate sections 212a, 212b in a direction parallel to the axis of the rotatable shaft 106, thereby disengaging the connectors 216, 218 of the upper hub plate 202 from one another. The plate sections 212a, 212b may then be moved laterally away from one another and away from the rotatable shaft 106.

[0124] In some situations, it may not be necessary or desirable to remove both plate sections 212a, 212b of the upper hub plate 202. For example, it may be necessary to remove only the first plate section 212a to repair or replace one of the rotor arms 122 located below the first plate section 212a.

[0125] In some circumstances, it may also be necessary or desirable to remove one or both of the plate sections 212a, 212b of the lower hub plate 204. In this case, the annular core member 300 may be removed by first disengaging the fasteners 422 and moving the hub locking member 400 upward along the rotatable shaft 106, and then moving the annular core member 300 upward along the rotatable shaft 106.

[0126] It will be appreciated that when the hub locking member 500 is removed, the lower hub plate 204 is supported by the bottom retaining member 500 upon which the bottom retaining ring 232 abuts.

[0127] The bottom retaining ring 232 and the outer support ring 550 may then be removed from the lower hub plate 204, and one of the plate sections 212a, 212b of the lower hub plate 204 and one of the plate sections 212a, 212b of the lower hub plate 204 may be moved upwardly, thereby disengaging the connectors 216, 218 of the lower hub plate 204 from one another. The plate sections 212a, 212b of the lower hub plate 204 may then be moved laterally away from one another.

[0128] In some circumstances, it may be necessary or desirable to further move one or more of the rotor assemblies 108a, 108b, 108c to another position along the rotatable shaft 106. In this instance, the hub locking member 500 of the corresponding rotor assembly 108a, 108b, 108c may be removed by disengaging the fastener 422 and moving the hub locking member 500 upward along the shaft 106. The bottom retaining member 500 may then be removed and allowed to move relative to the shaft 106. The entire rotor hub 120 may then be moved along the shaft 106 to another desired position. The bottom retaining member 500 may then be moved along the shaft 106 such that the bottom retaining member 500 abuts the bottom retaining ring 232 and becomes clamped around the shaft 106. The hub locking member 500 may then be lowered onto the annular core member 300 and secured to the annular core member 300, thereby maintaining the rotor hub 120 in the desired position.

[0129] It will be understood that the above methods for removing at least a portion of rotor hub 120 from shaft 106 and relocating rotor hub 120 to another location along shaft 106 are provided by way of example only and that a variety of alternative methods may also be used.

[0130] While the above description provides examples of embodiments, it will be recognized that certain features and / or functions of the described embodiments may be modified without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. Accordingly, what is described above is intended to be illustrative and non-limiting, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that other variations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. 1. A rotor assembly for a pulverizer, the pulverizer including a housing and a rotatable shaft rotatably mounted within the housing, the rotor assembly comprising: a hub mountable on the rotatable shaft; a plurality of rotor arms extending outwardly from the hub for pulverizing material received within the housing when the rotatable shaft is rotated; Equipped with 11. A rotor assembly comprising: a hub including a plurality of hub sections connectable together to form the hub, the plurality of hub sections being separable from one another and movable radially outwardly away from the rotatable shaft.

2. 2. The rotor assembly of claim 1, wherein said hub sections are disconnectable from one another by moving said hub sections relative to one another in a direction parallel to an axis of said rotatable shaft.

3. 3. The rotor assembly of claim 1, wherein each hub section includes at least one hub section connector, each hub section connector adapted to engage a corresponding hub section connector of another one of the plurality of hub sections.

4. 4. The rotor assembly of claim 1, wherein a rotor hub includes upper and lower hub plates spaced apart from one another and extending substantially parallel to one another, and an annular core member disposed between the upper and lower hub plates and coaxially engageable with the rotatable shaft.

5. a portion of the rotor arm disposed between the upper hub plate and the lower hub plate; the rotor hub further including a plurality of plate spacers extending between the upper hub plate and the lower hub plate; the annular core member is substantially polygonal and defines a plurality of corners, the annular core member further comprising a plurality of fastener openings, each fastener opening being located at one of the corners of the annular core member; and 5. The rotor assembly of claim 4, wherein said annular core member includes at least one of: a body having a top core member surface and a bottom core member surface; a top circular protrusion extending away from said top core member surface; and a bottom circular protrusion extending away from said bottom core member surface.

6. at least one of the upper hub plate and the lower hub plate has a central plate opening, the upper hub plate being capable of being received on the top core member surface such that the top circular projection is received within the central plate opening of the upper hub plate; and / or 6. The rotor assembly of claim 5, wherein said lower hub plate has a center plate opening and said lower hub plate can be received on said bottom core member surface such that said bottom circular projection is received within said center plate opening of said lower hub plate.

7. 6. The rotor assembly of claim 5, wherein said rotor hub further includes top and bottom retaining rings coaxially engaged with said rotatable shaft and disposed on either side of said upper and lower hub plates.

8. each of the top and bottom retaining rings being substantially flat and having an inner diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the rotatable shaft; said top retaining ring having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of said top circular projection of said annular core member such that said top retaining ring overlaps both said top circular projection and said upper hub plate when abutting said upper hub plate; said bottom retaining ring having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of said bottom circular projection of said annular core member such that said bottom retaining ring overlaps both said bottom circular projection and said lower hub plate when abutting said lower hub plate; and the top retaining ring includes a first plurality of fastener receiving openings and the bottom retaining ring includes a second plurality of fastener receiving openings alignable with the first plurality of fastener receiving openings, thereby facilitating connection of the top and bottom retaining rings together using a plurality of fasteners that engage corresponding ones of the first and second plurality of fastener receiving openings and corresponding fastener openings of the annular core member; The rotor assembly of claim 7 characterized by at least one of the following:

9. 9. A rotor assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a hub locking member selectively engageable with the rotor hub to secure the rotor hub at a desired axial position along the rotatable shaft.

10. 10. The rotor assembly of claim 9, wherein said hub locking member includes a ring member coaxially engagable with said rotatable shaft, said ring member engagable with both said hub and said rotatable shaft to prevent movement of said hub relative to said rotatable shaft.

11. 11. The rotor assembly of claim 10, wherein said ring member includes an annular wall having top and bottom ends and a top flange located at said top end, said annular wall being wedgable between said hub and said rotatable shaft to prevent movement of said hub relative to said rotatable shaft.

12. the ring member being quasi-annular and including first and second spaced apart ring ends; the ring member being substantially resilient to permit the first and second ring ends to move toward one another; and wherein the annular wall has a tapered outer surface that is slidable in contact with a corresponding angled inner surface of the hub as the ring member is translated along the rotatable shaft toward the hub to move the first and second ring ends toward one another.

13. 1. A shaft assembly for a pulverizer, the pulverizer including a housing, the shaft assembly comprising: a rotatable shaft rotatably mountable within the housing; a hub mountable on the rotatable shaft; a plurality of rotor arms extending outwardly from the hub for pulverizing material received within the housing when the rotatable shaft is rotated; Equipped with the hub includes a plurality of hub sections connectable together to form the hub, the plurality of hub sections being separable from one another and movable radially outwardly away from the rotatable shaft. Shaft assembly.

14. Housing and a rotatable shaft rotatably mountable within the housing; a hub mountable on the rotatable shaft; a plurality of rotor arms extending outwardly from the hub for pulverizing material received within the housing when the rotatable shaft is rotated; Equipped with the hub includes a plurality of hub sections connectable together to form the hub, the plurality of hub sections being separable from one another and movable radially outwardly away from the rotatable shaft. Crusher.

15. 15. The pulverizer of claim 14, wherein the hub sections are disconnectable from one another by moving the hub sections relative to one another in a direction parallel to the axis of the rotatable shaft.

Images