Roller press, in particular high-pressure roller press

Abstract

The invention relates to a roller press, in particular for comminuting, briquetting, or compacting material, comprising • - a press frame (25) and • - two press rollers (26) which are rotationally driven (in opposite directions) and between which a roller gap is formed. The press rollers (26) are rotatably mounted on the press frame (25) by means of bearing assemblies (1), and the bearing assemblies (1) of at least one of the press rollers (26) each have a rolling bearing (3), a bearing housing (4) which receives the rolling bearing (3), and outer seals (9) for forming an outer sealing chamber. A press roller (26) is mounted in the bearing housings (4) by means of the rolling bearings (3) preferably in an angularly movable manner in order to allow the press roller to be inclined (relative to the other press roller). The roller press is designed in such a way that the rolling bearings (3) of at least one of the press rollers (26) are sealed oil-lubricated rolling bearings, each of which has one or more inner seals (8) in order to form an inner sealing chamber that receives the rolling elements (7) of the rolling bearing (3), and a circulating lubrication function is provided, comprising an oil-circulation function between an oil inlet (11) for the inner sealing chamber and an oil outlet (13) for the outer sealing chamber, for example by discharging the oil from the inner sealing chamber into the outer sealing chamber via the inner seals.

Description

[0001] Roller press, especially high-pressure roller press

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to a roller press, in particular a high-pressure roller press, with

[0004] - a press frame,

[0005] - two (counter-rotating) driven press rollers, between which a roller gap is formed, wherein the press rollers are rotatably mounted on the press frame by bearing arrangements, wherein the bearing arrangements of one press roller or both press rollers each have a rolling bearing and a bearing housing accommodating the rolling bearing, as well as external seals (in the region of the bearing housing) for forming an external sealing space (formed by the bearing housing / outer housing).

[0006] The press roller is mounted with the roller bearings (or by the roller bearings) in an angularly movable manner in the bearing housings, for example, in order to allow an inclination of one of the press rollers relative to the other press roller or of both press rollers relative to each other.

[0007] The roller press, e.g., a high-pressure roller press, is preferably designed and equipped for the comminution, briquetting, or compacting of material. It is used, for example, for the comminution of highly abrasive materials, such as ore, cement clinker, slag, or ceramic raw materials. It is also referred to as a material-bed roller mill, especially in the case of high-pressure comminution. Alternatively, the roller press can be used for compacting material, e.g., for compacting fertilizers. During compaction, the feed material is pressed between the rollers into a slurry. Furthermore, the roller press can be used for briquetting and, consequently, for the production of briquettes. This also includes the possibility of hot briquetting, e.g., of directly reduced iron (DRI). Especially in the case of comminution, the roller surfaces can be equipped with a wear-resistant coating or wear-resistant elements.For compaction or briquetting, the roller surfaces are usually equipped with suitable tools or surfaces (e.g., compaction or briquetting tools or surfaces). These surfaces are always subject to wear, so replacement may become necessary. For this purpose, the rollers may have a roller core and a bandage arranged thereon, or a plurality of segments. In this case, the wear-resistant layer or the tools are formed by the bandages or segments or are arranged on them.

[0008] The two rollers of the roller press are driven in opposite directions. Preferably, one of the press rollers is designed as a fixed roller and the other as a floating roller, with the floating roller being movable relative to the fixed roller, namely, adjustable against the fixed roller with a variable gap width. For this purpose, the floating roller can be adjusted against the fixed roller using force-generating means, e.g., hydraulically and / or pneumatically, and is thus supported against a hydropneumatic spring. The gap between the rollers adjusts itself automatically until a certain pressure is exerted between the rollers.

[0009] Preferably, at least one of the press rollers (in particular the floating roller) is mounted in the press frame for angular movement to allow for an inclination of at least one of the press rollers relative to the other press roller. For this purpose, the rolling bearings of the press roller are particularly preferably designed as spherical roller bearings, which have an outer ring, which is fastened, for example, to the bearing housing, and an inner ring, which is fastened or can be fastened, for example, to the press roller or a shaft of the press roller and is rotatable and tiltable relative to the outer ring.

[0010] Roller presses of the type described above are known, for example, from WO 2005 / 070549 A1, DE 102021 103 573 A1, DE 20 2021 103 408 A1 and DE 10 2020 114 815 A1.

[0011] The lubrication of the rolling bearings, such as the spherical roller bearings, within the roller press is particularly important. In practice, grease lubrication is often used for the rolling bearings of a roller press, i.e., grease is used as the lubricant. The entire bearing assembly is sealed by the external seals in the area of ​​the bearing housing. This is a consumable lubrication system that has proven effective in practice, particularly in conjunction with spherical roller bearings.

[0012] Alternatively, oil is also used as a lubricant for the bearings of roller presses, specifically in conjunction with cylindrical roller bearings, which themselves do not allow for misalignment. To still allow for misalignment of the roller relative to the press frame, in these oil-lubricated designs, the entire bearing housing is adjustable or rotatable relative to the press frame. The cylindrical roller bearing and the bearing housing are not angularly adjustable relative to each other. Based on the prior art, the invention is based on the object of creating a roller press with an optimized bearing arrangement and, in particular, for optimized lubrication of the rolling bearings.

[0013] To achieve this object, the invention teaches, in a generic roller press of the type described above, in which the press roller with the rolling bearings is preferably mounted in the bearing housing for angular movement to allow an inclination of the press roller (relative to the bearing housings), that the (two) rolling bearings of at least one of the press rollers are designed as sealed, oil-lubricated rolling bearings, each with one or more internal seals to form an internal sealing chamber accommodating the rolling elements of the rolling bearing, and that circulating lubrication is provided with an oil circulation between at least one oil inlet into the internal sealing chamber and at least one oil outlet. Preferably, the circulating lubrication is provided with an oil circulation between at least one oil inlet into the internal sealing chamber and at least one oil outlet from the external sealing chamber via an escape of the oil from the internal sealing chamber via or through the internal seals into the external sealing chamber.

[0014] According to the invention, in this arrangement with rolling bearings, and in particular spherical roller bearings, grease lubrication and consequently loss lubrication are dispensed with and, according to the invention, oil lubrication is implemented, specifically as circulating oil lubrication. It is particularly important that this circulating oil lubrication is used in combination with a sealed rolling bearing (e.g., spherical roller bearing), so that sealed, oil-lubricated rolling bearings, e.g., spherical roller bearings, are used that are equipped with one or more internal seals and form an internal sealing chamber, e.g., between the bearings of the rolling bearing, which are preferably an inner ring and an outer ring. The circulating lubricating oil reaches the internal sealing chamber directly inside the sealed rolling bearing via the oil inlet and consequently into the area of ​​the rolling elements arranged between the bearing rings (e.g., outer ring and inner ring).The oil flows from the inner sealing chamber into the outer sealing chamber, for example, via the inner seals, since the inner seals can be designed as dynamic sealing points which allow oil to pass from the inner sealing chamber into the outer sealing chamber (e.g. due to tilting between the inner ring and outer ring of the rolling bearing). The oil is drained from the outer sealing chamber via an oil drain and circulated. Oil circulation is therefore particularly preferably achieved by the oil entering the inner sealing chamber flowing into the outer sealing chamber via the inner seals. Alternatively or additionally, an oil drain can be implemented directly from the inner sealing chamber so that the oil entering the inner sealing chamber exits the inner sealing chamber via a drain opening and is circulated.

[0015] The design of the roller bearing with circulating oil lubrication in combination with sealed rolling bearings (with internal seals) has the primary advantage of eliminating the need for loss lubrication. Furthermore, the rolling bearings are particularly reliably protected against external contamination. This avoids, for example, the disadvantages associated with unsealed bearings with oil lubrication. At the same time, eliminating grease lubrication and consequently loss lubrication eliminates the costs of procuring and disposing of grease for bearing lubrication. Furthermore, the system is particularly environmentally friendly because there is no leaking or replacing grease. By using internal seals, the invention achieves the same lubricating effect with far lower lubricant circulation volumes compared to conventional circulating oil lubrication systems with open rolling bearings. Nevertheless, the advantages of circulating oil lubrication are retained.

[0016] The invention is also based on the realization that in roller presses, the use of rolling bearings is advantageous, as they allow the roller to be tilted within the bearing housing. For example, the inner ring and outer ring of the rolling bearing, with the interposition of rolling elements, are not only rotatable relative to one another, but also angularly adjustable. For this purpose, spherical roller bearings are preferably used, in which the inner ring and outer ring, with the interposition of rolling elements, are rotatable relative to one another and can be tilted against one another. In a spherical roller bearing, for example, one or two rows of spherical rollers are used as rolling elements, the axes of which are inclined relative to the rotational axes of the bearing. The raceway of the outer ring is generally hollow. The spherical roller bearing always allows not only rotation of the inner ring relative to the outer ring, but also tilting within certain limits.This allows the press roller of the roller press to be tilted relative to the bearing housings in which the spherical roller bearings are held.

[0017] Particularly in the case of designs using rolling bearings of this type, the oil from the inner sealing chamber passes into the outer sealing chamber via the inner seals, since the inner seals are designed in particular as dynamic sealing points which only allow a limited amount of oil to pass from the inner sealing chamber into the outer sealing chamber, even if there is tilting between the inner ring and outer ring of the rolling bearing. The oil is drained from the outer sealing chamber via an oil drain and circulated. Oil can also escape from the inner sealing chamber via the inner seals into the outer sealing chamber when the roller is not tilted, although this is usually in very small quantities. Furthermore, the invention also fundamentally encompasses embodiments in which no tilting or misalignment of the roller or rollers is provided.

[0018] According to the invention, the oil is circulated, but using a rolling bearing with internal seals and consequently a sealed rolling bearing, and in particular a spherical roller bearing, so that the oil is preferably supplied to the sealed rolling bearing via an oil inlet and discharged from the bearing housing (as the outer housing) via an oil outlet. For this purpose, the oil inlet can open into the sealed rolling bearing, e.g., via an inlet opening integrated into the outer ring. The oil escapes from the inner sealing chamber formed by the inner seals, which contains the rolling elements, in the area of ​​the inner seals, in particular via their dynamic sealing points. If the inner seals are designed as gap seals, the dynamic sealing points are their sealing gaps.When designed as contact seals, the dynamic sealing points are the contact areas that are in sliding contact during operation, for example in the area of ​​their elastic sealing lips. Above a certain, predefined oil pressure in the inner sealing chamber, for which the seals are designed accordingly, the seals become leaky and permeable and oil can escape from the inner sealing chamber into the outer sealing chamber. With gap seals, the same is predetermined by the gap design. After escaping from the inner sealing chamber, the oil enters the outer sealing chamber, which forms an oil holding chamber, from where it continues its path in the oil circulation, for example via a drain opening integrated into the bearing housing or outer housing.The oil intake chamber is designed in particular in such a way that no contaminants, for example those extracted from the rolling bearing or those that have entered the housing in another way, collect there in a sump-like manner, but are carried along by the oil circulation and filtered out in the oil circulation.

[0019] The rolling bearing, e.g., a spherical roller bearing, is preferably supplied with oil via the inlet to such an extent that the oil continuously escapes from the sealed rolling bearing through the inner seal and is thus forced into circulation. Compared to conventional circulating oil lubrication systems (with open bearings), the invention allows the use of small amounts of oil to achieve the same lubricating effect. The relatively small interior of the rolling bearing, e.g., a spherical roller bearing, is sufficiently supplied with oil, and circulation is achieved with relatively small amounts of oil. This has the particular advantage of making the entire circulating oil lubrication system, such as the piping, pump, etc., smaller and thus more cost-effective.

[0020] The sealed rolling bearing is preferably realized in that the one or more inner seals (8) are arranged so as to act between an inner ring and an outer ring of the rolling bearing, or are designed as seals integrated into the rolling bearing, in particular with the possibility of fastening directly in or on one of the rolling bearing rings or on the rolling bearing rings and / or do not or hardly protrude beyond the outer dimension of a comparable unsealed rolling bearing and / or are arranged directly or indirectly adjacent to the actual rolling bearing.

[0021] The design of the outer seals can be based on the generally known outer seals used in the bearing housing area in conventional lubrication concepts for roller presses. The outer seals can be designed as contact seals or include contact seals. Optionally, the outer seals can be designed as sealing air seals that can be pressurized with sealing air. Furthermore, the outer seals can alternatively or additionally be designed as seals that are or can be pressurized with sealing grease, or include seals that are pressurized with sealing grease.

[0022] A particular advantage of the circulating oil lubrication system according to the invention is the protection of the bearing from contamination. For this purpose, the circulating lubrication system can be equipped not only with an oil delivery device, e.g., a pump, but optionally also with at least one filter and / or at least one water separator. Optionally, a device for regulating or controlling the temperature of the circulating oil can also be provided.

[0023] A further advantage of circulating oil lubrication is the ability to monitor the circulating oil. While this is generally known, the monitoring is implemented in a roller press in combination with a sealed, oil-lubricated rolling bearing, particularly a spherical roller bearing, which simultaneously prevents dirt from entering the rolling bearing.

[0024] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the circulating lubrication system is equipped with a computer, e.g., a diagnostic computer (i.e., analysis computer). This enables optimal monitoring and / or control of the oil circulation, including the possibility of oil analysis, and thus improved system monitoring. Alternatively or additionally, it is expedient to (additionally) equip the circulating lubrication system with one or more sensors, e.g., for monitoring the oil quantity and / or for analyzing the oil circulated or returned via the oil outlet (i.e., oil return) and / or the oil supplied to the oil inlet. These sensors are preferably connected to the diagnostic computer.

[0025] For example, it is possible to control the circulating oil volume using one or more sensors. This can prevent certain areas of the circulation, such as the outer sealing chamber and / or the inner sealing chamber, from being filled with an excessive amount of oil.

[0026] For example, at least one temperature sensor can be used as a sensor to monitor the oil temperature. Alternatively or additionally, at least one viscosity sensor can be used to determine and subsequently monitor the viscosity and thus also the quality of the oil. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, at least one contamination sensor (or purity sensor) and / or a material sensor can be used as a sensor, i.e. one or more sensors that can detect contamination, foreign substances or foreign particles - e.g. independently of the viscosity - and preferably also analyze them in a material-sensitive manner. This way, on the one hand, contamination of the lubricant (i.e. oil) can be detected. Furthermore, particles in the oil can be detected in a material-sensitive manner. For example, the sensor can be designed in such a way that mineral particles and / or metallic particles can be detected or differentiated from one another. For example,conclusions can also be drawn about the function of the seals used, e.g. outer seals and / or inner seals. While, for example, metallic particles can originate from the bearing components themselves, mineral particles can have penetrated from outside via the system into the outer housing. The particles can therefore indicate damage in the area of ​​the seals / bearings or also in the area of ​​the system. As described, the circulating lubrication system (i.e. the circulating device) can be equipped with at least one filter for the circulating oil. For example, one (or more) filters can be integrated into the return lines between the oil outlet and the conveying device and / or in the oil supply line between the conveying device and the oil inlet. The circulating oil lubrication system for the bearing offers the option of filtering in the inlet and / or return line or, alternatively, via a bypass or a tank. A water separator can be integrated as an option.If one or more sensors are provided for the analysis of the circulating oil, it is advantageous to arrange one (or more) optional filters downstream of the sensor or sensors - with respect to the direction of oil circulation.

[0027] Overall, the inventive design of a roller press enables optimal monitoring of the sealing arrangement and, optionally, also improved monitoring of the roller press or its operation. The described analysis of the circulating oil allows the bearings and sealing systems to be monitored, and conclusions can also be drawn about the function of the roller press if necessary.

[0028] Improved and controlled lubrication conditions, such as temperature monitoring, cleanliness monitoring, and filtration, result in longer bearing service life. During computer-based data analysis, artificial intelligence and machine learning methods can also be used for further optimization.

[0029] Oil analysis (e.g., online analysis) uses the described sensors to monitor temperature, determine cleanliness levels, and / or determine the type of contamination. Optionally, a temperature control system, such as a cooling and / or heating system, can be integrated into the circulation system. This allows the viscosity of the circulating oil to be adjusted, preferably based on measured viscosity values. Cooling and / or heating preferably occurs in the inlet. This allows, among other things, optimal lubrication conditions to be set for the respective operating condition.

[0030] Basically, the invention provides for circulating lubrication, i.e. the oil is circulated. Since - in comparison to conventional circulating oil lubrication with open or unsealed bearings - a lower exchange or a small circulation quantity is achieved, the circulating oil is generally not used or is only used to cool the bearing to a limited extent. If necessary, additional cooling measures can therefore be provided optionally. For this purpose, a cooling system can be integrated, for example, into the bearing housing(s). However, the invention also includes embodiments in which the circulating oil is used in addition to cooling the bearing. In this case, cooling of the circulating oil with a cooling unit can be particularly advantageous in order to dissipate process and bearing heat. However, cooling can also be expedient solely for the purpose of the viscosity regulation or control described above.

[0031] As already mentioned, the rolling bearings used in the invention are those whose bearing design allows tilting of the roller relative to the bearing housing, and in which the inner and outer rings of the rolling bearing can preferably be tilted relative to each other within certain limits. Spherical roller bearings are particularly preferred for this purpose. The spherical roller bearing always allows not only the rotation of the inner ring relative to the outer ring, but also tilting within certain limits. This is particularly important for the use of roller presses.

[0032] According to the invention, the bearing, e.g., a spherical roller bearing, is sealed with seals called internal seals, which directly seal the bearing, for example, between the inner and outer rings. These internal seals can be designed in a generally known manner as gap seals or as sliding seals, e.g., as sealing discs. It is crucial that the internal seals allow controlled oil outflow, even if tilting of the inner ring relative to the outer ring is permitted in the spherical roller bearing. This offers the possibility of implementing circulating lubrication even in a sealed bearing. Despite the sealed design, the oil is circulated in forced circulation, thus achieving the advantages of circulating lubrication while simultaneously providing optimal protection for the spherical roller bearing against contamination. Bearing lubrication is loss-free and completely grease-free, making it cost-effective and economical.Longer bearing service life is achieved, which can be further optimized through appropriate monitoring. At the same time, despite the bearing seal, the circulating oil lubrication system enables optimized system monitoring by allowing analysis of the circulating oil.

[0033] Spherical roller bearings are particularly preferred as rolling bearings within the scope of the invention. However, other types of rolling bearings are also considered. Particularly noteworthy are double-row tapered roller bearings in an X or O arrangement, as well as other multi-row roller bearings, such as cylindrical roller bearings. Alternatively, other types of rolling bearings are also used, such as single-row roller bearings or ball bearings. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings, which merely represent exemplary embodiments. They show:

[0034] Fig. 1 a roller press in a simplified representation,

[0035] Fig. 2 shows a bearing arrangement of a roller press in a perspective view and

[0036] Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the object according to Fig. 2.

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a roller press, in particular a high-pressure roller press, which can be used for comminution, compaction and / or briquetting. It can therefore be a material bed roller mill or a compacting or briquetting machine. It has a press frame 25 and two counter-rotating press rollers 26 mounted in the press frame 25, between which a roller gap is formed. The material is fed into this roller gap during operation. The gap width of the roller gap can be changed during operation of the roller press. One of the press rollers 26 is designed as a fixed roller and the other press roller 26 as a loose roller, whereby the loose roller can be adjusted against the fixed roller via force generating means, e.g. hydraulically, so that the gap width of the roller gap changes within certain limits during operation. The roller gap orThe gap width adjusts itself automatically until a certain pressure is applied between the rollers 26. The rollers 26 can become skewed relative to one another, for example, by allowing the loose roller to be skewed relative to the fixed roller. The press rollers 26 are each rotatably mounted in bearing assemblies within the press frame 25. The press rollers 26 each have a cylindrical roller body 26a and shaft ends 2 connected to the roller body at the end face. These shaft ends 2 are rotatably mounted on the press frame 25 by bearing assemblies 1.

[0038] The bearing assemblies 1 of at least one of the press rollers 26 (in particular the loose roller and preferably both the loose roller and the fixed roller) each have a rolling bearing 3 and a bearing housing 4 receiving the rolling bearing 3, as well as external seals 9 for forming an external sealing chamber. In the exemplary embodiment, the rolling bearings 3 are designed as spherical roller bearings 3. The press roller 26 is thus rotatably and angularly movable in the bearing housings 4 with the spherical roller bearings 3, so that an inclination of the press roller 26 or the shaft end 2 within the bearing housing 4 and thus also relative to the other press roller 26 is permitted. The spherical roller bearings 3 have an outer ring 5 fastened to the bearing housing 4 and an inner ring 6 fastened to the shaft or the shaft end 2, which is rotatable and simultaneously tiltable relative to the outer ring 5.The rolling elements 7 rotate between the inner ring 5 and the outer ring 6, whereby in the exemplary embodiment two rows of barrel rollers are provided, the axes of which are inclined relative to the axis of rotation D of the bearing and the shaft ends 2.

[0039] According to the invention, the spherical roller bearing 3 is designed as a sealed, oil-lubricated spherical roller bearing with internal seals 8 between the outer ring 5 and the inner ring 6. In the exemplary embodiment, the internal seals 8 are implemented as disc seals, which can be statically sealed in corresponding recesses on the outer ring, and whose elastomer sealing lip rests against the inner ring 6 in a sliding, sealing manner, forming a dynamic sealing point. The internal seals 8 form an internal sealing space between the outer ring and the inner ring, which accommodates the rolling elements 7 of the rolling bearing 3.

[0040] The shaft or shaft end 2 is mounted in the manner described with the spherical roller bearing 3 in the bearing housing 4 (arranged on the press frame 25) as an outer housing, wherein the bearing housing 4 is sealed against the shaft 2 by means of external seals 9, so that the outer housing 4 forms an external sealing chamber. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing assemblies 9 on the two sides of the rolling bearing are designed (slightly) differently. An elastomeric seal 9a is provided in each case in the embodiment as a lip seal. In addition, the sealing assemblies 9 can be designed with a sealing disc 9b, for example, fixedly arranged on the outer housing, on which the sealing surfaces of the elastomeric seals 9a run.The sealing disc 9b in the left area is equipped with a labyrinth, particularly to prevent the ingress of dirt. In the right area, the sealing disc in this embodiment is equipped with only a smaller labyrinth 9, or a labyrinth-like passage. Furthermore, an additional elastomer seal 9c is provided in the right area.

[0041] Furthermore, Fig. 3 shows that a bushing 28 is clamped onto the shaft end 2, specifically with a nut 29. This creates the (rotationally fixed) connection between the shaft end 2 and the inner ring 6 of the bearing 3. The outer sealing chamber forms an oil receiving chamber for the oil escaping from the spherical roller bearing 3 via the dynamic sealing point of the inner seals 8.

[0042] In the exemplary embodiment, a circulating lubrication system, namely an oil circulating lubrication system, is implemented with an oil circulation between an oil inlet 11 into the inner sealing chamber and the oil outlet 13 from the outer sealing chamber, in such a way that oil can escape from the inner sealing chamber via the inner seals 8 (as a dynamic sealing point) into the outer sealing chamber.

[0043] An oil inlet 11 opens into the sealed spherical roller bearing 3 via an inlet opening 12 extending through the bearing housing 4 and opening into an annular groove 23 on the inner surface of the bearing housing 4 (or alternatively on the outer surface of the outer ring). From this groove, several lubrication openings 24, distributed in the circumferential direction and penetrating the outer ring 5 radially, open between the two rows of spherical rollers. Furthermore, oil outlets 13 are provided, which are connected to the outer sealing chamber and consequently the oil receiving chamber, via one or more outlet openings 14 integrated into the outer housing.

[0044] The circulating lubrication system or circulating lubrication device has at least one oil conveying device 15, e.g. a pump, with which the oil is circulated through the bearing arrangement 3. The oil conveying device 15 conveys the oil via the supply line 16 and the oil inlet 11 into the spherical roller bearing 3. From there, it passes via the internal seals 8 (as a dynamic sealing point) into the outer sealing chamber and consequently the oil collecting chamber outside the sealed spherical roller bearing and inside the bearing housing 4. From there, it is transported via the drain openings 14 and the return lines 17, in particular as part of a pressureless return, to the conveying device 15. The circulating lubrication system is optionally equipped with one or more filters 18 (only indicated here) for the circulating oil. For example, a filter 18 is integrated into each of the two oil return lines 17. Optionally, orAlternatively, a filter 18 can be implemented in the oil supply line 16 or in a bypass (not shown). In one embodiment, the delivery device 15 and / or the filters 18 can also include devices for regulating or controlling the oil temperature and / or a water separator.

[0045] The figures also show that the circulating lubrication system is optionally equipped with one or more sensors 19, 20, 21 that measure and monitor the condition and properties of the circulating oil. Examples include a temperature sensor 19, a viscosity sensor 20, and a sensor 21 for determining cleanliness levels. These sensors are connected to a diagnostic computer 22, which is also shown only in a simplified schematic.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, it is particularly expedient to provide a filter (only) in the oil supply line 16 and, if necessary, to dispense with a filter in the oil return line 17 so that the sensors

[0047] 19, 20, 21 detect the quality of the returned oil before filtering. If, alternatively or additionally, sensors 18 are arranged in the return line(s) 17, it would be expedient to connect the sensor(s) 19,

[0048] 20, 21 are to be arranged between the oil drain or drain opening 14 and the respective filter 18. This is not shown in detail in the figures.

[0049] The figures show an overall design with a completely grease-free circulating oil lubrication system, which offers optimized monitoring and analysis capabilities, including seal monitoring and viscosity control. Compared to conventional circulating oil lubrication systems, this not only allows for smaller oil volumes, but also enables simpler and more precise oil diagnostics, providing more precise information on viscosity, contamination status and type, etc., thus enabling accurate bearing service life predictions and predictions regarding replacement and overhaul times.

[0050] Since relatively small amounts of oil can be used, the circulating lubrication in the example shown cannot always be used to cool the bearing. Therefore, the figures show additional cooling channels 27, which can be integrated into the outer housing as part of a separate cooling system.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Roller press, in particular for crushing, briquetting or compacting material, with - a press frame (25), - two (counter-rotating) driven press rollers (26), between which a roller gap is formed, wherein the press rollers (26) are rotatably mounted in the press frame (25) by bearing assemblies (1), wherein the bearing assemblies (1) of at least one of the press rollers (26) each have a rolling bearing (3) and a bearing housing (4) receiving the rolling bearing (3) as well as external seals (9) for forming an external sealing chamber, characterized in that the rolling bearings (3) of at least one of the press rollers (26) are designed as sealed, oil-lubricated rolling bearings, each with one or more internal seals (8) for forming an internal sealing chamber receiving the rolling elements (7) of the rolling bearing (3), and in that circulating lubrication with an oil circulation is provided between at least one oil inlet (11) into the internal sealing chamber and at least one oil outlet (13).

2. Roller press according to claim 1, characterized in that the circulating lubrication between the at least one oil inlet (11) in the inner Sealing chamber and at least one oil drain (13) from the outer sealing chamber via an escape of the oil from the inner sealing chamber via the inner seals into the outer sealing chamber.

3. Roller press according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the press roller (26) is mounted with the roller bearings (3) in an angularly movable manner in the bearing housings (4) in order to allow an inclined position of the press roller (relative to the other press roller).

4. Roller press according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rolling bearings (3) are designed as single-row or multi-row roller bearings, in particular as spherical roller bearings.

5. Roller press according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the press rollers (26) each have a cylindrical roller body (26a) and shaft ends (2) connected to the end face of the roller body (26a), wherein the shaft ends (2) of at least one press roller (26) are mounted in the bearing housings (4) with the oil-lubricated and sealed roller bearings (3).

6. Roller press according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the oil inlet (11) opens into the inner sealing chamber and comprises, for example, one or more lubrication holes (24) distributed in the circumferential direction and radially penetrating a bearing of the rolling bearing, wherein the lubrication holes (24) can optionally be connected on the supply side via a groove (23) running around the outer housing or the bearing (e.g. outer ring).

7. Roller press according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one oil drain (13) is connected to the outer sealing space as an oil receiving chamber (10) within the bearing housing (4), e.g. via a drain opening (14) integrated into the bearing housing (4) or connected to the outer housing.

8. Roller press according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an escape of the oil from the inner sealing space into the outer sealing space via the dynamic sealing point of the one or more inner seals (8) is provided, wherein the dynamic sealing point is the sealing gap in the case of a gap seal and the contact area of ​​the contact seal, in particular the elastic sealing lip thereof, which contact area is in sliding contact during operation in the case of a contact seal.

9. Roller press according to claim 8, characterized in that the sealing gap of the inner seals (8) designed as gap seals or a contact pressure of the inner seals (8) designed as contact seals is set or adjustable, for example, depending on one or more parameters of the circulating lubrication, for example, depending on the lubricant pressure, a maximum lubricant filling of the inner sealing space, a predetermined lubricant flow rate, or the like.

10. Roller press according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that one or more inner seals (8) are arranged so as to act between an inner ring (6) and an outer ring (5) of the rolling bearing (3), or are designed as seals (8) integrated into the rolling bearing, in particular with the possibility of fastening directly in or on one of the rolling bearing rings (5, 6) and / or do not or hardly protrude beyond the outer dimension of a comparable unsealed rolling bearing and / or are arranged directly or indirectly adjacent to the actual rolling bearing (3).

11. Roller press according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the outer seals (9) are designed as sliding seals or comprise sliding seals and / or that the outer seals (9) comprise one or more labyrinth seals or are designed as labyrinth seals.

12. Roller press according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the outer seals (9) are designed as sealing air seals which can be acted upon by sealing air or comprise sealing air seals.

13. Roller press according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the circulating lubrication comprises an oil conveying device (15) and / or a filter (18) and / or a water separator and / or a device for regulating or controlling the temperature of the circulating oil.

14. Roller press according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the circulating lubrication is equipped with one or more sensors (19, 20, 21) for analyzing the oil circulated or supplied via the oil return line (13) and / or supplied to the lubricant inlet (11).

15. Roller press according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the circulating lubrication system is equipped with a computer (22), e.g., a diagnostic computer, wherein the sensor(s) are preferably connected to the computer (22).

16. Roller press according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized characterized in that at least one sensor is designed as a temperature sensor (19).

17. Roller press according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that at least one sensor is designed as a viscosity sensor (20).

18. Roller press according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that at least one sensor is designed as a contamination sensor (21) and / or as a material sensor.

19. Roller press according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the contact pressure of the outer seals (9) is adjustable, e.g., depending on one or more parameters of the circulating lubrication, e.g., depending on the oil pressure.

20. Roller press according to one of claims 1 to 19, wherein at least one of the press rollers (26) is designed as a fixed roller and the other press roller is designed as a loose roller that can be adjusted against the fixed roller and is angularly movable in order to change the roller gap, wherein the bearing housings (4) of the loose roller are displaceable parallel to one another in the press frame (25), characterized in that at least the rolling bearings of the loose roller are designed as sealed, oil-lubricated rolling bearings (3), e.g. spherical roller bearings, with circulating lubrication.

Images