Elastic Support Body with Reinforcing Profiles for Nip Load Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing presses with extended nips, particularly those using metallic components, are costly, rigid, and prone to uneven load distribution and increased wear due to inflexibility, leading to variable paper properties.
Innovation Solution
An elastically deformable support body with embedded reinforcing profiles and pressure chambers that expand to conform to the counter-pressure surface, allowing for controlled pressure distribution and reduced wear, while being more cost-effective and adaptable to different pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a metallic press shoe with accurately adapted profile is used, then the load distribution precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid metal to elastic material, allowing the press shoe to deform and adapt to the counter-roll surface. This elastic deformation enables accurate load distribution without requiring complex manufacturing of precisely adapted metallic profiles, as the elastic material naturally conforms to the opposing surface geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The press shoe is constructed as a composite structure combining an elastic material core with a metallic reinforcement framework. This composite design provides both the conformability of elastic materials and the structural strength of metal, achieving accurate load distribution while simplifying manufacturing compared to fully metallic precision-machined components.
2Strength
If a metallic press shoe is used, then the structural strength is improved, but the flexibility and adaptability to surface deformations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The press shoe combines elastic material with metallic reinforcement, creating a composite structure that simultaneously achieves the structural strength of metal and the flexibility to adapt to surface deformations. The elastic material allows the press shoe to conform to variations in the counter-roll surface, while the metallic framework provides necessary structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The press shoe design applies different material properties to different regions: the core uses elastic material for flexibility and conformability, while metallic reinforcement elements are strategically placed to provide structural strength where needed. This local differentiation of material qualities allows the press shoe to be both strong and adaptable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a thin-walled Yankee cylinder is used as counter roll, then the adaptability to pressure distribution is improved, but the structural stability and resistance to deformation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The counter-roll employs a composite construction with a thin-walled elastic shell surrounded by a metallic reinforcement framework. This structure allows the thin wall to adapt to pressure distribution variations while the internal metallic support maintains structural stability and prevents excessive deformation, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.
4Manufacturing precision
If hydraulic cylinders are added to influence the press shoe conformity, then the load profile uniformity is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic press shoe material inherently provides self-conformability to the counter-roll surface through its elastic deformation properties. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for external hydraulic cylinders or complex adjustment systems, achieving uniform load profiles while maintaining simple device architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a self-conforming nip that reduces edge wear, maintains uniform load profiles, and is forgiving to irregularities, enabling efficient treatment of fibre webs with improved paper quality and lower manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
said support body being elastically deformable... a pressurization of the pressure chambers cause the pressure chambers to expand in a controlled manner in the direction of said working surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A support body (7) for an apparatus having an extended nip (N) formed between the support body and a counter-pressure member, having a working surface (13), being elastically deformable, and comprising a plurality of pressure chambers (94, 96, 98) pressurized for controlled expanding in the direction of the working surface in order to load the nip (N). According to the invention the support body comprises a plurality of reinforcing profiles (100, 106, 108) disposed in at least one chamber of the pressure chambers, the interiors of the profiles being in fluid communication with one another via holes (102), a wall of the profile facing said working surface including holes (104, 107, 109) for communicating fluid between the interior of the profile and the chamber in which said profile is located, said profiles providing an inner support to walls defining said at least one chamber. The invention also refers to a support body assembly for an apparatus having an extended nip, comprising said support body and a holding device (8) for the support body, providing an outer support to all sides of the support body having said chambers except the side of the working surface. The invention also relates to an apparatus for the treatment of a fibre web, comprising said support body assembly. Methods of forming an extended hip and controlling the load in an extended nip in said apparatus are also disclosed.