Sealing assembly for fluid-immersion shredding chamber

Abstract

A fluid-immersion shredder is provided. The shredder includes a wall structure defining a chamber configured to contain a liquid. At least a portion of the wall structure includes an interior wall adjacent an exterior wall, the interior wall and exterior wall having an opening therethrough. The shredder further includes a drive shaft extending through the opening and into the chamber. The shredder further includes a sealing assembly extending radially around the drive shaft at least in the area of the opening, the sealing assembly including a metal-faced seal assembly, such as a CAT® seal in the area between the opening in the exterior wall structure and the shaft.

Description

SEALING ASSEMBLY FOR FLUID-IMMERSION SHREDDING CHAMBERFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure generally includes a materials shredder with a fluidimmersion shredding chamber, and a sealing assembly for use in such a shredder.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Materials shredders can be used to shred a variety of different articles, materials, and other things. For example, lithium-ion batteries are used commonly in various consumer electronics and other products (e.g., cellphones, laptops, power tools, electric vehicles, and a vast number of other applications). And, as the number of lithium-ion batteries has increased, the need for disposing of and / or reusing the materials of such batteries has also increased. Often, materials shredders are used to recycle, or otherwise dispose of, lithium-ion batteries.

[0003] Some material shredders can include a fluid-immersion shredding chamber. For example, the shredder can include an assembly of shredding instruments (e.g., teeth, knives, grinders, etc.) that are positioned in the shredding chamber, immersed in the fluid, and manipulated (e.g., rotated, spun, etc.) to shred the material in the chamber. In some examples, immersing the shredding instruments in a fluid can help retain shredded material and improve material recovery. For example, fluid-immersion shredders can be used to shred lithium-ion batteries and the fluid-immersion chamber can contribute to retaining the shredded portions of the batteries. One of the issues faced in the use and design of these fluid-immersion shredding chambers is in the sealing assembly between the shafts (on which the shredding instruments are carried) and the sidewalls of the fluid-immersion chamber.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0004] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only, are schematic in nature, and are intended to be exemplary rather than to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0005] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of shredding assembly with shredding instruments omitted to view the shafts, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure;

[0006] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the shredding assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure;

[0007] FIG. 3 depicts an enlarged view of the encircled region 3 in FIG. 2, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure;

[0008] FIG. 4 depicts a side view of a sleeve of the sealing assembly, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of the sleeve of FIG. 4, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the cross-sectional view of the sleeve of FIG. 5, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a sealing ring and rubber toric assembly of the sealing assembly, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 8 depicts a side view of FIG. 7, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 9 depicts a side view of an outer retainer flange of the sealing assembly, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 10 depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of a representative shaft of the shredding assembly, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure; and

[0016] FIG. 12 depicts and enlarged view of the encircled region 12 of FIG. 11, showing the location of the sealing assembly of FIG. 3.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] This detailed description is related to a shredder with a fluid-immersion shredding chamber (e.g., a fluid-immersion shredder). In addition, this detailed description is related to a sealing assembly for containing fluid in the shredding chamber. For example, the shredding chamber can include a plurality of shredding instruments (e.g., teeth, knives, etc.) that are manipulated (e.g., rotated, spun, reciprocated, etc.) to shred or otherwise disassemble various objects (e.g., batteries). In some examples, the shredding instruments are mounted on a shaft that rotates to manipulate (e.g., turn) the shredding instruments inside the chamber. In addition, the shaft can extend through (e.g., insert into and exit from) an opening in a sidewall of the shredding chamber. At least some examples of the present disclosure are directed to oneor more sealing assemblies for reducing the likelihood that fluid from the chamber might leak through the opening.

[0018] Examples of the present disclosure can include one or more sealing assemblies positioned relative to the shaft and the opening in the shredding-chamber sidewall. That is, often the interface associated with the sidewall (e.g., the opening in the sidewall) and the shaft can include various structures and relative positions, such as positions within the opening and positions on either side of the opening. Other examples of sealing assemblies are also described in application WO2023 / 139543, entitled Shredder with Fluid-Immersion Shredding Chamber, fded January 21, 2023, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety. It has been found that certain deficiencies exist in the utilization of mechanical seals (such as those having springs, set-screws, etc.) and the use of lip seals in the environment of a fluid-immersion shredding chamber. The mechanical seals require maintenance and certain components of the lip seals can erode over time in the abrasive environment of the fluid-immersion chamber.

[0019] The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the modes for carrying out the present teachings when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 depicts a shredder 10 with a shredding chamber 12. In some aspects, the shredding chamber 12 contains a fluid. The shredder 10 includes a number of drive shafts 14 that extend across and through the shredding chamber 12. While not shown, the drive shafts 14 may have shredding instruments (e.g., teeth, knives, etc.) mounted on the shafts 14 that are arranged inside the shredding chamber 12 and that can be immersed in fluid (not illustrated) contained within the shredding chamber 12. The shafts 14 are rotated to manipulate the shredding instruments to shred, grind, or otherwise break apart articles (e.g., lithium-ion batteries) introduced into the shredding chamber 12. In some examples, the shredder 10 can include multiple shafts 14 and multiple sets of shredding instruments. For example, the shredder 10 in FIG 1 includes four shafts 14 and four sets of shredding instruments. In some examples, a shredder can include fewer shafts and fewer sets of shredding instruments. In some examples, a shredder can include more than four shafts 14 and more than four sets of shredding instruments. For brevity, this disclosure describes only one of the shafts and sealing assemblies, and it is understood that the same description can apply to other shafts. The shredder 10 may also include a protective guard (not shown) disposed over the chamber 12 to retain objects within the chamber 12 during the shredding process. The drive shaft 14 may be the primary mechanism for causing movement of the shredding instruments. Thus, a portion ofthe shaft 14 external to the shredding chamber 12 can be mechanically coupled to a drive system (not shown), which may include a motor, engine, or any other suitable device capable of powering the shredder via rotation of the drive shafts 14.

[0021] The chamber 12, being a fluid-immersion shredding chamber offers certain advantages. For example, in the instance of shredding a lithium-ion battery, particular immersion liquids may help liberate and / or remove lithium metal and cathode materials from within other battery materials, thereby enhancing the shredding process due to the ease of separating the different materials, and / or allowing for the collection and reusability of such materials. Such an immersion liquid may include entrained electrolyte materials, for example. Other non-limiting advantages of performing the shredding / separating process under immersion may include enhanced heat management, insulation and / or neutralization of hazardous materials (e.g., due to chemical characteristics of the immersion liquid selected for a particular battery or other object), enhanced waste management, etc.

[0022] The shaft 14 extends through an opening in a wall structure 16, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. In some aspects, the wall structure 16 includes an interior wall 18 and an exterior wall 20. The wall structure 16 defines an opening through which the shaft 14 extends. However, because the chamber 12 is designed as a fluid-immersion chamber, it is necessary to seal the area between the shaft 14 and the opening defined by the wall structure 16. As seen in FIG. 12, the shaft 14 has an axially extending portion 22 that generally extends through the opening defined by the wall structure 18. As seen in FIG. 3, a sealing assembly 24 extends between the shaft 14 along portion 22 and the opening defined by the wall structure 16. In other words, the sealing assembly 24 extends radially outward from the shaft 14 (along portion 22) to the opening defined by the wall structure 18. Absent examples of the subject application, the shredding chamber 12 can be susceptible to leaking fluid and / or shredded fragments in association with the opening defined by the wall structure 16. For example, as the shaft 14 moves (e.g., spins or rotates) and is subject to various forces (e.g., lateral shifting due to contacting shredded articles), gaps between parts associated with the opening can allow fluid and / or fragments to leak or escape. However, in contrast to conventional shredders, examples of the present disclosure include the sealing assembly 24 along the shaft 14, in the area of the opening defined by the wall structure 16.

[0023] The sealing assembly 24 includes, in some aspects, a sleeve 26 that extends over an area of the shaft 14. In some aspects, as best seen in FIG. 6, the sleeve 26 includes a keyed portion 28. In some aspects, the keyed portion 28 has a shape corresponding to the shape ofthe shaft 14 (such as the portion indicated at 29 in FIG. 12). The keyed portion 28 effects a rotation of the sleeve 26 as the shaft 14 rotates. While the keyed portion 28 is shown with a hexagonal shape, other shapes or methods of keying the sleeve 26 to the shaft 14 are contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the sleeve 26 includes a support arm 30 that extends axially away from the keyed portion 28. The support arm 30 includes a first annular surface 32 and a second annular surface 34. As best seen in FIG. 3, the first annular surface 32 engages a bearing surface 36 on the shaft 14, and the second annular surface engages a bearing surface 38A and a bearing surface 38B on the shaft 14. As seen in FIG. 12, in some aspects, the shaft 14 may have a groove 40 formed therein between bearing surface 38A and bearing surface 38B. In some aspects, an O-ring 42 is disposed in the groove 40 and abuts the second annular surface 34 of the support arm 30. The sleeve 26 may further include a radial wall 44 extending radially outward from the support arm 30, generally in the area of the first annular surface 32. The radial wall 44 supports a seal housing arm 46 that extends axially away from the radial wall 44. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the seal housing arm 46 includes a ramp surface 48 that angles radially outwardly from the radial wall 44. In other words, the ramp surface 48 extends from a first end 50 with a first diameter to a second end 52 with a second diameter, where the second diameter is greater than the first diameter. The seal housing arm 46 may also include, in some aspects, a retaining lip 54. In some aspects, the retaining lip 54 has an inner surface that angles radially inwardly. In other words, the inner surface of the retaining lip 54 has a first diameter beginning at the second end 52 of the ramp surface 48, and a second diameter at an outer end 56, where the first diameter at the second end 52 is greater than the second diameter at the outer end 56. The support arm 30 has an outer surface 58 that, in combination with the radial wall 44, the ramp surface 48 and the retaining lip 54, define a first pocket space 60. As best seen in FIG. 3, the seal housing arm 46 has an outer radial surface 62 that is adjacent a lower end 64 of the exterior wall 20 (the lower end 64 defining, in part, the opening in the wall structure 16).

[0024] A metal-faced seal assembly 66 partially extends into the first pocket space 60. In some aspects, the seal assembly 66 is a CAT® seal available from Caterpillar. As best seen in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, the seal assembly 66 has a first seal ring 68 and a second seal ring 70. The first seal ring 68 has a metal bearing face 72 and the second seal ring 70 has a metal bearing face 74. In use, the bearing face 72 abuts the bearing face 74, and the bearing faces 72 / 74 move relative to one another. In some aspects, the first seal ring 68 has an inner surface 76 that isdisposed over the outer surface 58 of the support arm 30. The seal assembly 66 also includes a first toric 78 disposed over a sealing ramp 80 of the first seal ring 68. In some aspects, the first toric 78 is a compressible or deformable ring, such as rubber (but other materials could be used as needed depending on the material or objects being shredded by the shredder 10). As best seen in FIG. 3, the sealing ramp 80 may have a first section 82 that gradually increases in diameter, and a second section 84 that rapidly increases in diameter. The sealing ramp 80 of the first seal ring 68 and the ramp surface 48 of the seal housing arm 46 contain, and compress, the first toric 78 (from a generally round, uncompressed state shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, to a compressed, somewhat oblong shape shown in FIG. 3). To install the seal assembly 66 into the first pocket space 60, the first toric 78 is compressed to allow it to move past the outer end 56 of the retaining lip 54. In some aspects, the second seal ring 70 has an inner surface 86 that is disposed over the outer surface 58 of the support arm 30. The seal assembly 66 also includes a second toric 88 disposed over a sealing ramp 90 of the second seal ring 70. Like the first toric 78, the second toric 88 is a compressible or deformable ring, such as rubber (but other materials could be used as needed depending on the material or objects being shredded by the shredder 10). As best seen in FIG. 3, the sealing ramp 90 may have a first section 92 that gradually increases in diameter, and a second section 94 that rapidly increases in diameter.

[0025] As best seen in FIGS. 3, 9 and 10, the sealing assembly 24 also includes, in some aspects, a retaining flange 96. The retaining flange 96 may include an outer collar 98, having through holes 100. The flange 96 may be fixedly coupled to the exterior wall 20, such as through bolts 102. Like the sleeve 26, the flange 96 may include a seal housing arm 104. As best seen in FIG. 10, the seal housing arm 104 includes a ramp surface 106 that angles radially outwardly from a first end 108 with a first diameter to a second end 110 with a second diameter, where the second diameter is greater than the first diameter. The seal housing arm 104 may also include, in some aspects, a retaining lip 112. In some aspects, the retaining lip 112 has an inner surface that angles radially inwardly. In other words, the inner surface of the retaining lip 112 has a first diameter beginning at the second end 110 of the ramp surface 106, and a second diameter at an outer end 114, where the first diameter at the second end 110 is greater than the second diameter at the outer end 114. The outer surface 58 of the support arm and the seal housing arm 104 (including the ramp surface 106 and the retaining lip 112), define a second pocket space 116. As best seen in FIG. 10, the seal housing arm 104 has an outer radial surface 118 that is adjacent the lower end 64 of the exterior wall 20 (the lower end 64 defining, in part, the opening in the wall structure 18). The sealing ramp 90 of the second sealring 70 and the ramp surface 106 of the seal housing arm 104 contain, and compress, the second toric 88 (from a generally round, uncompressed state shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, to a compressed, somewhat oblong shape shown in FIG. 3). To install the retaining flange 96 over the seal assembly 66, the second toric 88 is compressed to allow the retaining lip 112 to move past the second toric 88. In this position, the bolt 102 may be installed and tightened to hold the retaining flange 96 in place. Once in position, the retaining flange 96 holds the bearing face 72 against the bearing face 74, while still allowing the first seal ring 68 to rotate relative to the second seal ring 70.

[0026] As seen in FIG. 3, a lip seal 120 may, in some aspects, be located in an area 122 in the flange 96 (see FIG. 10). The lip seal 120 further seals the area between the flange 96 and the outer surface 58 of the support arm 30. In some aspects, the flange 96 includes a groove 124 that accommodates a snap ring 126. The snap ring 126 retains the lip seal 120 in the proper position.

[0027] As disclosed in WO2023 / 139543, other sealing assemblies may be used farther axially outwardly (to the right in FIGS. 2 and 3) along the shaft 14. In some aspects, a labyrinth seal 130 is disposed axially inwardly from the seal assembly 66. More specifically, the labyrinth seal 130 may include a stationary ring 132 that is fixedly coupled to the interior wall 18 (such as by bolts or screws). The stationary ring 132 includes an annular channel 134. The labyrinth seal 130 further includes a disc 136 that is fixedly coupled to the sleeve 26, such as by bolts 138. The disc 136 has an outwardly extending annular projection 140 that is shaped and sized to fit within the channel 134 on the stationary ring 132.

[0028] As the shaft 14 turns, the sleeve 26, being keyed to the shaft 14, turns with the shaft 14. Because the disc 136 is fixedly coupled to the sleeve 26, the disc 136 will also turn with the shaft 14, with the projection 140 moving within the channel 134. As the sleeve 26 moves, the compression of the first toric 78 against the first seal ring 68 causes the first seal ring 68 to move as the shaft 14 turns. The retaining flange 96, being fixedly coupled to the exterior wall 20, remains stationary as the shaft 14 rotates. The compression of the second toric 88 against the second seal ring 70 causes the second seal ring 70 to remain stationary as the shaft 14 rotates. Similarly, the lip seal 120 remains stationary as the shaft 14 rotates (with the support arm 30 of the sleeve 26 rotating under the lip seal 120).

[0029] In assembling the seal assembly 24, the O-ring 42 can be placed in the groove 40 on the shaft 14. The sleeve 26 can be installed on the shaft 14. The stationary ring 132 can be coupled to the interior wall 18, and the disc 36 can be coupled to the sleeve 26. In someaspects, a lubricant may be used in between the channel 134 and the projection 140. With the sleeve 26 in place, the metal faced seal assembly 66 may be moved into place within the sleeve 26 (with the first toric 78 moved past the outer end 56 of the retaining lip 54). The retaining flange 96 can then be coupled to the exterior wall 20 with bolts 102. The lip seal 120 can then be moved into place between the support arm 30 of the sleeve 26 and the retaining flange 96, and held in place with the snap ring 126.

[0030] The sealing assembly 24 includes the labyrinth seal 130 (located between the interior wall 18 and the sleeve 26), the annular surfaces 32 and 34 on the support arm 30 of the sleeve 26, the O-ring 40 (between the support arm 30 and the groove 40), the metal-faced seal assembly 66 (located between the sleeve 26 and the retaining flange 96), and the lip seal 120 (located between the retaining flange 96 and the support arm 30 of the sleeve 26). The metalfaced seal assembly 66 seals between: the first toric 78 and the ramp surface 48 on the seal housing arm 46; between the first toric 78 and the sealing ramp 80 of the first seal ring 68; between the bearing face 72 on the first seal ring 68 and the bearing face 74 on the second seal ring 70 (note that in some aspects, a lubricant may be used in the interface area between bearing face 72 and bearing face 74); between the second toric 88 and the ramp surface 106 of the retaining flange 96; and between the second toric 88 and the sealing ramp 90 on the second seal ring 70. The use of the seal assembly 66 in the area of the shaft 14 between the exterior wall 20 and the shaft 14 offers better sealing properties for the fluidic environment, given the materials often being shredded with the shredder 10, as compared to previously used mechanical seals, lip seals and wiper seals (or a combination thereof).Clauses

[0031] In addition to the claims at the end of this specification, the following clauses represent example aspects of concepts contemplated herein. Any one of the following clauses may be combined in a multiple dependent manner to depend from one or more other clauses. Further, any combination of dependent clauses (clauses that explicitly depend from a previous clause) may be combined while staying within the scope of aspects contemplated herein. The following clauses are examples and are not limiting.

[0032] Clause 1 : A fluid-immersion shredder, comprising: a shredding chamber having a wall structure defining a chamber configured to contain a liquid, at least a portion of the wall structure having an opening therethrough; a drive shaft extending through the opening and intothe chamber, the drive shaft defining an axis; and a sealing assembly extending radially around the drive shaft at least in the area of the opening, the sealing assembly including a metal-faced seal assembly in the area between the wall structure in the opening and the drive shaft.

[0033] Clause 2: The shredding system of clause 1, wherein the wall structure includes an interior wall and an exterior wall, and wherein the opening extends through both the interior wall and the exterior wall, the metal-faced seal assembly located radially between the opening in the exterior wall and the drive shaft.

[0034] Clause 3: The shredding system of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the metal-faced seal assembly includes a first metal seal ring and a first deformable toric, the first deformable toric located radially between the first metal seal ring and the opening in the exterior wall.

[0035] Clause 4: The shredding system of any of clauses 1-3, wherein a second end of the spring abuts the second seal ring.

[0036] Clause 5: The shredding system of any of clauses 1-4, further comprising a sleeve disposed radially around the drive shaft, the sleeve having an annular support arm adjacent the drive shaft and an annular seal housing arm spaced radially away from the support arm, the space between the support arm and the seal housing arm defining a first pocket space, and wherein the first metal seal ring and the first deformable toric are held at least partially within the first pocket space.

[0037] Clause 6: The shredding system of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the sleeve is keyed to the drive shaft, such that the sleeve rotates with the drive shaft.

[0038] Clause 7: The shredding system of any of clauses 1-6, further comprising an annular retaining flange fixedly coupled to the exterior wall adj acent the opening in the exterior wall, the retaining flange spaced radially away from the drive shaft and the support arm of the sleeve, the space between the support arm and the retaining flange defining a second pocket space, and wherein the second metal seal ring and the second deformable toric are held at least partially within the second pocket space.

[0039] Clause 8: The shredding system of any of clauses 1-7, wherein the first metal seal ring includes a first bearing face orthogonal to an axis of the drive shaft, and wherein the second metal seal ring includes a second bearing face orthogonal to the drive shaft axis, and wherein the first bearing face abuts the second bearing face, wherein the first bearing face is moveable relative to the second bearing face.

[0040] Clause 9: The shredding system of any of clauses 1-8, wherein the sealing assembly further comprises a lip seal, and the lip seal is disposed between the retaining flange and the support arm.

[0041] Clause 10: The shredding system of any of clauses 1-9, wherein the sealing assembly further comprises a labyrinth seal comprising a stationary ring that is fixedly coupled to the interior wall and a disc fixedly coupled to the sleeve and configured to rotate with the shaft and the sleeve.

[0042] Clause 11 : A fluid-immersion shredder, comprising: a wall structure defining a chamber configured to contain a liquid, at least a portion of the wall structure having an interior wall adjacent an exterior wall, the interior wall and exterior wall having an opening therethrough; a drive shaft extending through the opening and into the chamber, the drive shaft defining an axis; and a sealing assembly extending radially around the drive shaft at least in the area of the opening, the sealing assembly including a metal-faced seal assembly in the area between the opening in the exterior wall structure and the shaft.

[0043] Clause 12: The fluid-immersion shredder of clause 11, wherein the metal-faced seal assembly includes a first metal seal ring and a first deformable toric, the first deformable toric located radially between the first metal seal ring and the opening in the exterior wall.

[0044] Clause 13: The fluid-immersion shredder of any of clauses 11-12, wherein the metal-faced seal assembly includes a second metal seal ring and a second deformable toric, the second deformable toric located between the second metal seal ring and the opening in the exterior wall.

[0045] Clause 14: The fluid-immersion shredder of any of clauses 11-13, further comprising a sleeve disposed radially around the drive shaft, the sleeve having an annular support arm adjacent the drive shaft and an annular seal housing arm spaced radially away from the support arm, the space between the support arm and the seal housing arm defining a first pocket space, and wherein the first metal seal ring and the first deformable toric are held at least partially within the first pocket space.

[0046] Clause 15: The fluid-immersion shredder of any of clauses 11-14, wherein the sleeve is keyed to the drive shaft, such that the sleeve rotates with the drive shaft.

[0047] Clause 16: The fluid-immersion shredder of any of clauses 11-15, further comprising an annular retaining flange fixedly coupled to the exterior wall adjacent the opening in the exterior wall, the retaining flange spaced radially away from the shaft and the support arm of the sleeve, the space between the support arm and the retaining flange defining a secondpocket space, and wherein the second metal seal ring and the second deformable toric are held at least partially within the second pocket space.

[0048] Clause 17: The fluid-immersion shredder of any of clauses 11-16, wherein the first metal seal ring includes a first bearing face orthogonal to an axis of the drive shaft, and wherein the second metal seal ring includes a second bearing face orthogonal to the drive shaft axis, and wherein the first bearing face abuts the second bearing face, wherein the first bearing face is moveable relative to the second bearing face.

[0049] Clause 18: The fluid-immersion shredder of any of clauses 11-17, wherein the sealing assembly further comprises a lip seal and the lip seal is disposed between the retaining flange and the support arm.

[0050] Clause 19: The fluid-immersion shredder of any of clauses 11-18, wherein the sealing assembly further comprises a labyrinth seal comprising a stationary ring fixedly coupled to the interior wall and a disc fixedly coupled to the sleeve and configured to rotate with the shaft and the sleeve.

[0051] Clause 20: The fluid-immersion shredder of any of clauses 11-19, wherein the sealing assembly further comprises a labyrinth seal comprising a stationary ring fixedly coupled to the interior wall and a disc fixedly coupled to the sleeve and configured to rotate with the shaft and the sleeve.

[0052] While various embodiments have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the embodiments. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combination with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other embodiment unless specifically restricted. Accordingly, the embodiments are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.

[0053] While several modes for carrying out the many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings that are within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and exemplary of the entire range of alternative embodiments that an ordinarily skilled artisan would recognize as implied by, structurally and / or functionally equivalent to, or otherwise rendered obviousbased upon the included content, and not as limited solely to those explicitly depicted and / or described embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMSClaimed is:

1. A fluid-immersion shredder, comprising: a shredding chamber having a wall structure defining a chamber configured to contain a liquid, at least a portion of the wall structure having an opening therethrough; a drive shaft extending through the opening and into the chamber, the drive shaft defining an axis; and a sealing assembly extending radially around the drive shaft at least in the area of the opening, the sealing assembly including a metal-faced seal assembly in the area between the wall structure in the opening and the drive shaft.

2. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 1, wherein the wall structure includes an interior wall and an exterior wall, and wherein the opening extends through both the interior wall and the exterior wall, the metal-faced seal assembly located radially between the opening in the exterior wall and the drive shaft.

3. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 2, wherein the metal-faced seal assembly includes a first metal seal ring and a first deformable toric, the first deformable toric located radially between the first metal seal ring and the opening in the exterior wall.

4. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 3, wherein the metal-faced seal assembly includes a second metal seal ring and a second deformable toric, the second deformable toric located between the second metal seal ring and the opening in the exterior wall.

5. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 4, further comprising a sleeve disposed radially around the drive shaft, the sleeve having an annular support arm adjacent the drive shaft and an annular seal housing arm spaced radially away from the support arm, the space between the support arm and the seal housing arm defining a first pocket space, and wherein the first metal seal ring and the first deformable toric are held at least partially within the first pocket space.

6. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 5, wherein the sleeve is keyed to the drive shaft, such that the sleeve rotates with the drive shaft.

7. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 6, further comprising an annular retaining flange fixedly coupled to the exterior wall adjacent the opening in the exterior wall, the retaining flange spaced radially away from the drive shaft and the support arm of the sleeve, the space between the support arm and the retaining flange defining a second pocket space, and wherein the second metal seal ring and the second deformable toric are held at least partially within the second pocket space.

8. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 7, wherein the first metal seal ring includes a first bearing face orthogonal to an axis of the drive shaft, and wherein the second metal seal ring includes a second bearing face orthogonal to the drive shaft axis, and wherein the first bearing face abuts the second bearing face, wherein the first bearing face is moveable relative to the second bearing face.

9. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 8, wherein the sealing assembly further comprises a lip seal and the lip seal is disposed between the retaining flange and the support arm.

10. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 9, wherein the sealing assembly further comprises a labyrinth seal comprising a stationary ring that is fixedly coupled to the interior wall and a disc fixedly coupled to the sleeve and configured to rotate with the shaft and the sleeve.

11. A fluid-immersion shredder, comprising: a wall structure defining a chamber configured to contain a liquid, at least a portion of the wall structure having an interior wall adjacent an exterior wall, the interior wall and exterior wall having an opening therethrough; a drive shaft extending through the opening and into the chamber, the drive shaft defining an axis; and a sealing assembly extending radially around the drive shaft at least in the area of the opening, the sealing assembly including a metal-faced seal assembly in the area between the opening in the exterior wall structure and the shaft.

12. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 11, wherein the metal-faced seal assembly includes a first metal seal ring and a first deformable toric, the first deformable toric located radially between the first metal seal ring and the opening in the exterior wall.

13. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 12, wherein the metal-faced seal assembly includes a second metal seal ring and a second deformable toric, the second deformable toric located between the second metal seal ring and the opening in the exterior wall.

14. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 13, further comprising a sleeve disposed radially around the drive shaft, the sleeve having an annular support arm adjacent the drive shaft and an annular seal housing arm spaced radially away from the support arm, the space between the support arm and the seal housing arm defining a first pocket space, and wherein the first metal seal ring and the first deformable toric are held at least partially within the first pocket space.

15. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 14, wherein the sleeve is keyed to the drive shaft, such that the sleeve rotates with the drive shaft.

16. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 15, further comprising an annular retaining flange fixedly coupled to the exterior wall adj acent the opening in the exterior wall, the retaining flange spaced radially away from the shaft and the support arm of the sleeve, the space between the support arm and the retaining flange defining a second pocket space, and wherein the second metal seal ring and the second deformable toric are held at least partially within the second pocket space.

17. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 16, wherein the first metal seal ring includes a first bearing face orthogonal to an axis of the drive shaft, and wherein the second metal seal ring includes a second bearing face orthogonal to the drive shaft axis, and wherein the first bearing face abuts the second bearing face, wherein the first bearing face is moveable relative to the second bearing face.

18. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 17, wherein the sealing assembly further comprises a lip seal and the lip seal is disposed between the retaining flange and the support arm.

19. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 18, wherein the sealing assembly further comprises a labyrinth seal comprising a stationary ring fixedly coupled to the interior wall and a disc fixedly coupled to the sleeve and configured to rotate with the shaft and the sleeve.

20. The fluid-immersion shredder of claim 19, wherein the stationary ring includes an annular groove and the disc includes an annular projection sized and shaped to mate with the groove.

Images