A rotary machine includes a vessel that defines an interior for receiving materials. The vessel is mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation that extends through the vessel. The rotary machine also includes a sprocket mounted circumferentially about an exterior of the vessel so as to encircle the axis of rotation of the vessel. The sprocket includes a plurality of sprocket teeth. The sprocket defines a sprocket pitch diameter and a sprocket addendum diameter. The rotary machine also includes a drive wheel that intermeshes with the sprocket for driving rotation of the vessel about the axis of rotation of the vessel. The drive wheel includes a plurality of rollers that are received between the sprocket teeth of the sprocket. The rollers each have a roller diameter and a roller axis. The rollers are rotatable about their respective roller axes. The drive wheel has a drive wheel pitch diameter defined by the roller axes. The sprocket addendum diameter is equal to the sprocket pitch diameter plus a distance equal to at least 1.0 times the roller diameter.

A rotary machine includes a vessel that defines an interior for receiving materials. The vessel is mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation that extends through the vessel. The rotary machine also includes a sprocket mounted circumferentially about an exterior of the vessel so as to encircle the axis of rotation of the vessel. The sprocket includes a plurality of sprocket teeth. The sprocket defines a sprocket pitch diameter and a sprocket addendum diameter. The rotary machine also includes a drive wheel that intermeshes with the sprocket for driving rotation of the vessel about the axis of rotation of the vessel. The drive wheel includes a plurality of rollers that are received between the sprocket teeth of the sprocket. The rollers each have a roller diameter and a roller axis. The rollers are rotatable about their respective roller axes. The drive wheel has a drive wheel pitch diameter defined by the roller axes. The sprocket addendum diameter is equal to the sprocket pitch diameter plus a distance equal to at least 1.0 times the roller diameter.

A releasable pneumatically operated coupling for an industrial drive such as for a grinding mill. A variable speed motor has its output shaft provided with a flange rotating therewith on which are mounted a plurality of radially moveable arcuate elements having friction pads on their radially inner surfaces. An inflatable ring surrounds the arcuate elements and, upon inflation, urges the pads into driving contact with an annular friction surface on a coupling output shaft. The arcuate elements have U-shaped undercuts in the axial torque bar passages therethrough for stress relief. Separate speed sensors on the motor shaft and coupling output shaft provide signals to a comparator which, upon sensing a predetermined speed difference, provide a signal to an electrically operated valve which exhausts air pressure from the inflatable ring to release the coupling.

A releasable pneumatically operated coupling for an industrial drive such as for a grinding mill. A variable speed motor has its output shaft provided with a flange rotating therewith on which are mounted a plurality of radially moveable arcuate elements having friction pads on their radially inner surfaces. An inflatable ring surrounds the arcuate elements and, upon inflation, urges the pads into driving contact with an annular friction surface on a coupling output shaft. The arcuate elements have U-shaped undercuts in the axial torque bar passages therethrough for stress relief. Separate speed sensors on the motor shaft and coupling output shaft provide signals to a comparator which, upon sensing a predetermined speed difference, provide a signal to an electrically operated valve which exhausts air pressure from the inflatable ring to release the coupling.

A method and associated apparatus for detaching a frozen charge from an inner wall of a grinding pipe of a tube mill such as is used for grinding. The method includes controlling a driving device of the grinding pipe to detach a frozen charge from an inner wall of the grinding pipe, which driving device is operable to apply a driving torque to the grinding pipe. Controlling the driving device includes varying the driving torque applied to the grinding pipe around a predetermined reference level.

A method and associated apparatus for detaching a frozen charge from an inner wall of a grinding pipe of a tube mill such as is used for grinding. The method includes controlling a driving device of the grinding pipe to detach a frozen charge from an inner wall of the grinding pipe, which driving device is operable to apply a driving torque to the grinding pipe. Controlling the driving device includes varying the driving torque applied to the grinding pipe around a predetermined reference level.

A planetary ball mill can include a central axis, a hub, and a plurality of milling pots. In some examples, the milling pots surrounding the central axis are configured to be transitioned between horizontal and vertical positions during operation of the planetary ball mill.

An apparatus for producing spherical metallic powders through continuous ball milling. The apparatus includes a comminution component. The comminution component includes an inlet to receive a metallic material at a first region within the comminution component and an outlet to dispense the metallic powder from a second region within the comminution component. The apparatus includes a plurality of grinding components to grind the metallic material, the plurality of grinding components being arranged within the comminution component. The apparatus includes a drive component, connected with the comminution component, to induce movement of the metallic material and the plurality of grinding components within the comminution component such that the metallic material is fragmented through contact with the plurality of grinding components at the first region and an external surface of the fragmented metallic material is altered at the second region to produce the metallic powder.

An apparatus for producing spherical metallic powders through continuous ball milling. The apparatus includes a comminution component. The comminution component includes an inlet to receive a metallic material at a first region within the comminution component and an outlet to dispense the metallic powder from a second region within the comminution component. The apparatus includes a plurality of grinding components to grind the metallic material, the plurality of grinding components being arranged within the comminution component. The apparatus includes a drive component, connected with the comminution component, to induce movement of the metallic material and the plurality of grinding components within the comminution component such that the metallic material is fragmented through contact with the plurality of grinding components at the first region and an external surface of the fragmented metallic material is altered at the second region to produce the metallic powder.

A planetary mill for comminuting material to be ground includes a carrier device rotatable about a sun axis, and a drive for rotatably driving the carrier device about the sun axis at a sun rotational speed. A first planetary grinding station includes a first grinding vessel receiving device for a grinding vessel fillable with material to be ground and grinding media. The receiving device and grinding vessel are mounted on the carrier device and are rotatable about a first planetary axis of rotation, eccentrically with respect to the sun axis. A drive rotatably drives the receiving device with the grinding vessel about the first planetary axis of rotation at a first planetary rotational speed.