METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE TREATMENT OF MATERIALS

Abstract

A system for the treatment of materials, to be selected from between materials in a fluid state (1) and particles suspended in a fluid material (1), comprising at least one upper kinematic pair equipped with two mechanical elements (2a, 2b; 2a, 2c), said kinematic pair being in contact with a material in a fluid state (1) or with particles suspended in a fluid material (1); motor means (5) to generate a pre-set relative velocity (v) between the elements (2a, 2b; 2a, 2c) of said kinematic pair, and tensioning means (8) to subject said kinematic pair to a pre-set pressure (P).

Claims

1. A system for the treatment of materials, selected from between materials in a fluid state and particles suspended in a fluid material, comprising: at least one upper kinematic pair equipped with two mechanical elements, said kinematic pair being in contact with a material in a fluid state or in contact with particles suspended in a fluid material; motor means to generate a pre-set relative velocity (v) between the mechanical elements of said kinematic pair; and tensioning means to subject said kinematic pair to a pre-set contact pressure (p); characterised in that the upper kinematic pair is formed by at least one bearing equipped with rolling elements arranged between a moving ring and a fixed ring.

2. The treatment system according to claim 1, characterised in that the bearing comprises a cage for separating the rolling elements.

3. The treatment system according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises at least one upper kinematic pair formed by a gear, a cam-follower mechanism, a chain-sprocket mechanism, a chain transmission, a belt transmission, a cable transmission, a pin-on-disk tribometer, or a ball-on-disk tribometer.

4. The treatment system according to claim 1, characterised in that the upper kinematic pairs are housed in a chamber hermetically closed by a cover.

5. The treatment system according to claim 4, characterised in that the closed chamber is equipped with conduits for the entry or exit of materials in a fluid state.

6. The treatment system according to claim 4, characterised in that the chamber is equipped with at least one bore for the controlled entry and/or exit of gas.

7. The treatment system according to claim 4, characterised in that it is furthermore equipped with a coil through which a heat exchange fluid circulates.

8. The treatment system according to claim 4, characterised in that it is further equipped with at least one window allowing the access of electromagnetic or acoustic radiation to the inside of the chamber.

9. The treatment system according to claim 4, characterised in that the motor means comprise a motor connected to a transmission shaft, such that said motor is capable of transmitting an angular velocity (w) to said transmission shaft, said shaft accessing the inside of the chamber through an opening provided in the cover body of the cover, such that the shaft can transmit said angular velocity (w) to one of the elements of the kinematic pair.

10. The treatment system according to claim 9, characterised in that the cover further comprises a retainer and an O-ring.

11. The treatment system according to claim 4, characterised in that the chamber comprises a chamber body for housing the material in a fluid state, and a sleeve and a washer for fixing the kinematic pairs.

12. The treatment system according to claim 4, characterised in that the tensioning means comprise a fixed base on which the chamber is arranged and a moving platform movable by means of tightening devices so as to exert pressure on the cover of the chamber, said tightening devices being controlled by an actuating device.

13. The treatment system according to claim 12, characterised in that the tensioning means are furthermore equipped with: speed reducers arranged between the tightening devices and the actuating device; a cardan joint, and guides for guiding the movement of the moving platform.

14. The treatment system according to claim 1, characterised in that it is further equipped with vibrating means to subject the kinematic pair to a vibratory movement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0083] FIG. 1 is an ordered exploded view of a bearing equipped with upper kinematic pairs, for use in an embodiment of the treatment system of the present invention;

[0084] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the upper kinematic pairs created in a bearing according to FIG. 1 in a treatment system according to the present invention;

[0085] FIG. 3A is a side elevational view of the main components provided in a possible embodiment of the treatment system according to the present invention, based on bearings;

[0086] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3A;

[0087] FIG. 3C is an ordered exploded view of the elements shown in FIG. 3A;

[0088] FIG. 4 is an ordered exploded view of the chamber provided in an embodiment of the treatment system according to the present invention;

[0089] FIG. 5 is an ordered exploded view of the cover of the chamber, provided in an embodiment of the treatment system according to the present invention;

[0090] FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views illustrating additional elements of the treatment system in two possible embodiments of the treatment system according to the present invention; and

[0091] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a complete embodiment of the treatment system according to the present invention.

NUMERICAL REFERENCES OF THE FIGURES

[0092] (1) Fluid; [0093] (2) Bearing; [0094] (2a) Rolling element; [0095] (2b) Moving ring; [0096] (2c) Fixed ring; [0097] (2d) Cage; [0098] (3) Cover; [0099] (3a) Cover body; [0100] (3b) Retainer; [0101] (3c) O-ring; [0102] (4) Chamber; [0103] (4a) Chamber body; [0104] (4b) Sleeve; [0105] (4c) Washer; [0106] (4d) Bore; [0107] (4e) Window for radiation; [0108] (5) Motor means; [0109] (5a) Motor; [0110] (5b) Shaft [0111] (5c) Protuberance of the shaft [0112] (5d) Coupling for coupling the motor to the shaft; [0113] (5e) Fixing element of the motor; [0114] (6) Coil; [0115] (7) Conduits for the entry/exit of material in a fluid state; [0116] (8) Tensioning means; [0117] (8a) Fixed base; [0118] (8b) Moving platform; [0119] (8c) Tightening devices; [0120] (8d) Reducers; [0121] (8e) Actuating device; [0122] (8f) Cardan joint; [0123] (8g) Guides for the moving platform; [0124] (9a) Load cell; [0125] (9b) Thermocouple; [0126] (A) Section line; [0127] (h.sub.1, h.sub.2) Thicknesses of the films of material in a fluid state; [0128] (p) Pressure; [0129] (v) Relative velocity between the elements of the kinematic pair; [0130] (w) Angular velocity.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0131] Throughout the present invention, as well as in the figures, the elements with equal or similar functions will be designated with the same numerical references.

[0132] FIG. 1 shows an axial bearing 2 for use in an embodiment of a treatment system according to the present invention.

[0133] Said bearing 2 is supported on a fixed base 8a and comprises rolling elements 2a which, in this particular case, are steel spheres, arranged between a moving ring 2b and a fixed ring 2c. To assure the separation between the different rolling elements 2a, the bearing 2 is furthermore equipped with a cage 2d. This figure also schematically illustrates how, in a treatment system according to the invention, an angular velocity w is imparted on the moving ring 2b and a contact pressure p is exerted on the moving ring 2b which pushes said ring against the fixed ring 2c.

[0134] FIG. 2 schematically shows the upper kinematic pairs present in the bearing 2 which, within a treatment system according to the present invention, is placed in contact with a material in a fluid state 1 which can contain suspended particles intended for being mixed with said fluid.

[0135] This specific case, the mechanical elements are the rolling elements 2a, the moving ring 2b, and the fixed ring 2c. In fact, there are two upper kinematic pairs for each rolling element 2a present in the bearing 2: a first kinematic pair formed by the moving ring 2b and the rolling element 2a and a second kinematic pair formed by the rolling element 2a and the fixed ring 2c.

[0136] If the relative velocity v existing between the elements of the kinematic pairs and the contact pressure p to which the mechanical elements are subjected are suitable, a first film of fluid material 1, with a width h.sub.1 is formed between the elements of the first kinematic pair and a second film of fluid material, with a width h.sub.2, is formed between the elements of the second kinematic pair.

[0137] As will be obvious for one skilled in the art, in those cases in which the system for the treatment of materials according to the present invention is used for mixing a material in a fluid state 1 with suspended particles, the mixture of the material in a fluid state and the particles (and not only the material in a fluid state) will give rise to the first and second films, of widths h.sub.1 and h.sub.2, mentioned in the preceding paragraph.

[0138] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C show the main components provided in a treatment system according to the present invention. FIG. 3A is a side elevational view, whereas FIG. 3C is an ordered exploded view thereof. FIG. 3B is in turn a cross-sectional view along line A.

[0139] A chamber 4 housing therein, according to this particular embodiment of the treatment system of the invention, two axial bearings 2, each of which is equipped with rolling elements 2a, a moving ring 2b, and a fixed ring 2c, can be seen in said FIGS. 3A-3C.

[0140] The chamber 4 likewise houses the material in a fluid state 1. Obviously, in those cases in which the system for the treatment of materials according to the present invention is used for mixing a material in a fluid state 1 with suspended particles, the chamber 4 will house the mixture formed by the material in a fluid state and the suspended particles intended for being mixed with the material in a fluid state. Furthermore, said cover 4 comprises a body 4a, and a sleeve 4b and washer 4c allowing the radial fixing of the axial bearings 2.

[0141] Furthermore, the chamber 4 is equipped with a cover 3 subjected to a pressure p, exerted by pressure means (not seen in FIGS. 3A-3C). Said cover 3 comprises a body 3a equipped with a through hole allowing the passage of a shaft 5b. Said shaft 5b is part of the motor means 5 and is fitted with the moving rings 2b of each bearing, such that the angular velocity w generated by the motor means 5 is transmitted without friction to the moving rings 2b of each bearing 2.

[0142] In this particular embodiment of the invention, the shaft 5b is equipped with a protuberance 5c which maximises contact between said shaft 5b and the moving rings 2b so as to prevent relative movement, and therefore friction, between same.

[0143] The cover 3 is subjected to the pressure p generated by tensioning means (not seen in FIGS. 3A-3C). Said pressure p is transmitted to the mechanical elements of the bearings 2 through the body 3a of the cover 3. Moreover, in this particular embodiment of the invention, the cover 3 is also equipped with a retainer 3b and an O-ring 3c which prevent the material in a fluid state 1 (or, as the case may be, the mixture formed by the material in a fluid state 1 and the suspended particles) from being able to seep out of the chamber 4 through the through hole present in the body 3a of the cover 3. The retainer 3b and the O-ring 3c also prevent the entry or exit of air or other gases with respect to the inside of the chamber 4.

[0144] FIG. 4 shows an ordered exploded view of a chamber 4 for use in a treatment system according to the present invention. In this particular embodiment of the invention, in addition to the body 4a, the sleeve 4b, and the washer 4c, the chamber 4 is also equipped with a bore 4d for the controlled entry and/or exit of gas, as well as a window 4e, allowing the access of electromagnetic or acoustic radiation, for example and in a non-limiting manner, ultrasound, to the inside of the chamber.

[0145] In those cases in which the system for the treatment of materials according to the present invention is used for mixing a material in a fluid state 1 with the suspended particles, the electromagnetic and/or acoustic radiations mentioned in the preceding paragraph are normally used to improve the dispersion of the particles in the fluid material and if the particles are nanoparticles, to furthermore improve the adhesion between said nanoparticles and the fluid material 1.

[0146] FIG. 5 shows an ordered exploded view of the cover 3 described in FIGS. 3A to 3C. As seen above, said cover 3 comprises the body 3a, the retainer 3b, and the O-ring 3c.

[0147] FIG. 6 shows a particular embodiment of a treatment system according to the present invention which further comprises a coil 6, in addition to other components already explained in relation to other preceding figures. Said coil allows controlling the temperature of the fluid material 1, or as the case maybe, of the mixture formed by the fluid material 1 and the suspended particles.

[0148] Likewise, FIG. 7 shows a particular embodiment of a treatment system according to the present invention which further comprises conduits 7 allowing the entry and/or exit of the fluid material 1, or as the case maybe, of the mixture formed by the fluid material 1 and the suspended particles, with respect to the inside of the chamber, in addition to other components already explained in relation to other preceding figures.

[0149] Lastly, FIG. 8 shows a particular embodiment of a complete treatment system according to the present invention. In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in this figure, the motor means 5 comprise a motor 5a connected to the shaft 5b through a coupling 5d. Therefore, when the motor 5a is actuated, the resulting driving torque is transmitted to the shaft 5b, such that said shaft 5b is capable of rotating at an angular velocity w (schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3A).

[0150] Furthermore, in this particular embodiment of the invention, the chamber 4 containing the fluid material 1, or as the case maybe, the mixture of fluid material 1 and suspended particles, is arranged on the fixed base 8a. The motor 5a is fixed to said fixed base 8a by means of a fixing element 5e.

[0151] Moreover, in this particular embodiment of the invention, the pressure means 8 comprise, in addition to the fixed base 8a, a moving platform 8b which is capable of moving as a result of the action of an actuating device 8e (in this embodiment, a motor) which causes the rotation of tightening devices 8c which, in this embodiment of the invention, are screws coupled to threaded through portions provided in the moving platform 8b. As a result of this movement, the moving platform 8b can exert pressure on the cover 3 of the chamber 4, and said pressure is in turn transmitted by contact to the mechanical elements.

[0152] Optionally, speed reducers 8d can be arranged between the screws 8c and the actuating device 8e. Said reducers 8d allow amplifying the force which the screw can exert for one same pair of the actuating device 8e. Preferably, there are also provided a cardan joint 8f which allows equalising the rotating speed of the reducers 8d and guides 8g which allow the moving platform 8b to move parallel to the fixed base 8a.

[0153] There are also provided in this embodiment of the invention at least one load cell 9a intended for measuring the compressive force applied on the cover 3 by the tensioning means and at least one thermocouple 9b intended for measuring the temperature of the fluid material 1, or as the case maybe, of the mixture formed by the fluid material 1 and the suspended particles intended for being mixed with said fluid material 1.

[0154] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments herein disclosed. For a person skilled in the art, other possible different embodiments of this invention will be evident in light of the present description. As a result, the scope of protection of the present invention is exclusively defined by the claims that follow.