Sleeve Roll Sliding Surface for Low-Friction Water Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sleeve rolls for fiber web machines have significant friction issues due to large contact areas and lubricant heating, leading to adherence and increased weight, and require precise alignment, making them less versatile and costly.

Innovation Solution

A sleeve roll design with a curvilinear forming element and a lubricated sliding surface, utilizing fluid pockets and showers for low-friction operation, adjustable tension, and separate lubrication systems for bearings and forming elements, along with a polygonal axle beam for enhanced flexibility and reduced weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a massive forming element with large contact area is used, then water removal effectiveness is improved, but friction increases and lubricant heating occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater removal effectivenessVSAvoidfriction and heat
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The forming element is divided into multiple segments that can be adjusted independently. This segmentation allows optimization of the contact area with the belt loop, providing sufficient pressure for water removal while reducing the total contact area to minimize friction and heat generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The forming element incorporates adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment of the contact pressure and contact area with the belt loop. This enables optimization of water removal effectiveness while controlling friction levels by adjusting the forming element's position and pressure distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-generated harmful factors

If significant lubricant amount is used to reduce friction, then friction is reduced, but the total weight of the sleeve roll increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefrictionVSAvoidsleeve roll weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a lubricant circulation system with pumps and channels that deliver lubricant precisely to the friction surfaces. This hydraulic system allows using minimal lubricant quantity while maintaining effective lubrication, avoiding the need for large lubricant reservoirs that would increase the sleeve roll weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The lubricant circulation system is designed to automatically recirculate and reuse lubricant through integrated channels and reservoirs. The system continuously supplies fresh lubricant to friction surfaces and collects used lubricant for recycling, maintaining effective lubrication with minimal lubricant inventory and reduced overall weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the sleeve roll is designed for precise alignment, then operational reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidalignment requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The forming element is designed with universal mounting features and adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow it to be installed and aligned in multiple positions. This universal design enables the same component to accommodate different alignment requirements without requiring custom-designed complex alignment systems, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable positioning mechanisms allow the forming element to be dynamically aligned during installation and operation. This dynamic alignment capability eliminates the need for precision-machined fixed alignment features, simplifying manufacturing while ensuring proper operational alignment through adjustable positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-generated harmful factors

If a lubricant circulation system with large reservoir is used, then lubrication effectiveness is improved, but the weight and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication effectivenessVSAvoidlubricant reservoir volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lubricant circulation system uses hydraulic principles with high-pressure pumps and efficiently designed channels to deliver lubricant precisely where needed. This hydraulic system maximizes lubrication effectiveness by ensuring proper lubricant flow and pressure at friction surfaces while minimizing the total lubricant volume required in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The lubricant circulation system is designed with localized lubricant delivery points positioned precisely at the friction surfaces between the forming element and belt loop. This local quality approach ensures concentrated lubrication where it is most needed, maximizing lubrication effectiveness with minimal lubricant volume and reduced reservoir size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design enables smoother operation with reduced friction, lower weight, and improved versatility, allowing easy installation and retrofitting, while maintaining effective water removal and fabric support.

Implementation Method 1

a lubricated sliding surface for fabric support and lubrication of the forming element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

said forming element being in contact with the belt loop in order to form rising pressure for water removal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3913133B1Sleeve roll for a wire section of a fiber web machine
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 VALMET TECH OY
  • EP3913133B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3913133B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3913133B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sleeve roll for a wire section of a fiber web machine. The sleeve roll (21) includes a stationary axle (28) and two circular roll heads (29) supported on the stationary axle (28) and arranged to rotate. The sleeve roll (21) further includes a belt loop (30) arranged around the stationary axle (28) and tensioned between the roll heads (29). There is also a curvilinear forming element (22) arranged between the stationary axle (28) and the belt loop (30). Said forming element (22) is in contact with the belt loop (30) in order to form rising pressure for water removal. Before the forming element (22) in the rotating direction of the belt loop (30) there is a lubricated sliding surface (31) for fabric support and lubrication of the forming element (22).