SHEARING PART

Abstract

A shearing part for a plasticising screw has at least one inlet channel and at least one outlet channel, which run helically around or parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the shearing part. The inlet channel is open upstream and closed downstream. The outlet channel is open downstream and closed upstream. The inlet outlet channels are arranged lying directly adjacent to one another and contiguous to one another, and are connected directly with one another fluidically, so that inflowing melt can flow over directly from the inlet channel into the outlet channel, wherein a flow direction transversely to longitudinal axis (X) of the shearing part is produced. The inlet channel has a depth (T) at which shearing action on the melt is substantially avoided. The outlet channel is configured as shearing surface, so that shearing action is present onto melt flowing through the outlet channel.

Claims

1. A shearing part for a plasticising screw, with at least one inlet channel (2, 2a, 2b), which has an open inlet channel start situated at the upstream end of the shearing part (1), and a closed inlet channel end (6, 6a, 6b) situated at the downstream end of the shearing part (1), and with at least one outlet channel (3, 3a, 3b), which has an open outlet channel end (7, 7a, 7b) situated at the downstream end of the shearing part (1), and a closed outlet channel start (8, 8a, 8b) situated at the upstream end of the shearing part (1), wherein the at least one inlet channel (2, 2a, 2b) and the at least one outlet channel (3, 3a, 3b) run helically around the longitudinal axis (X) of the shearing part (1) or parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the shearing part (1), wherein the inlet channel (2, 2a, 2b) and the outlet channel (3, 3a, 3b) are arranged lying directly adjacent to one another and contiguous to one another, wherein the inlet channel (2, 2a, 2b) continues directly into the outlet channel (3, 3a, 3b) and the inlet channel (2, 2a, 2b) and the outlet channel (3,3a, 3b) are fluidically connected here directly with one another, in such a way that melt flowing into the inlet channel (2, 2a, 2b) can flow over directly from the inlet channel (2, 2a, 2b) into the outlet channel (3, 3a, 3b), wherein a flow direction is produced which lies substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis (X) of the shearing part (1), that the inlet channel (2, 2a, 2b) has a depth (T) at which a shearing action on the melt flowing through the inlet channel (2, 2a, 2b) is substantially avoided, and that the outlet channel (3, 3a, 3b) is configured as shearing surface (9), in such a way that a shearing action is present on the melt flowing through the outlet channel (3, 3a, 3b).

2. The shearing part according to claim 1, wherein the shearing surface (9), viewed in radial direction of the shearing part, has the same height over its entire extent, such that a shear gap with constant gap width (S) is formed.

3. The shearing part according to claim 1, wherein the height of the shearing surface (9), viewed in radial and/or axial direction of the shearing part, changes so that a shear gap with variable gap width (S) is present.

4. The shearing part according claim 1, wherein at the transition between the inlet channel (2, 2a, 2b) and the outlet channel (3, 3a, 3b) a rounding (10) is provided comprising a rounded channel boundary (14).

5. The shearing part according to claim 1, wherein two inlet channels (2a, 2b) and two outlet channels (3a, 3b) are provided, wherein respectively one inlet channel (2a, 2b) and one outlet channel (3a, 3b) are fluidically connected with one another and form a half of the shearing part (1), wherein the two halves are arranged helically around the longitudinal axis (X) of the shearing part (1) and are separated from one another fluidically by barrier webs (4a, 4b).

6. The shearing part according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the inlet channel (2, 2a, 2b) is configured substantially in a semi-circular or semi-oval shaped manner.

7. The shearing part according to claim 1, wherein the inlet channel start (5) is configured in a funnel-shaped manner.

8. The shearing part according to claim 1, wherein the barrier web(s) (4, 4a, 4b) is or respectively are configured in such a way that a portion (M) is present lying parallel to the inlet channel (2, 2a, 2b), and that the barrier web (s) (4, 4a, 4b) are configured at the upstream end and at the downstream end of the shearing part running in circumferential direction, wherein the barrier web(s) (4, 4a, 4b) have end portions (N) which lie orthogonally to the longitudinal axis (X) of the shearing part (1).

9. A single-screw plasticising unit with a cylinder (12) and with rotatably a linearly drivable screw (11) received therein, wherein the screw (11) has a shearing part (1) according to claim 1.

10. The plasticising unit according to claim 9, wherein the shearing part (1) forms the head of the screw, and its front end is configured conically.

11. The plasticising unit according to claim 9, wherein the shearing part (1) is arranged spaced apart from the front end of the screw (11).

Description

[0030] The invention is to be described further below with the aid of example embodiments and with reference to the figures.

[0031] There are shown:

[0032] FIG. 1 course of the shear rate to which a melt fluid element is exposed with respect to time

[0033] FIG. 2 shearing part according to the invention as part of a screw shaft in a cylinder

[0034] FIG. 3 section along the line A-A in FIG. 2

[0035] FIG. 4 flattened representation of a shearing part according to FIG. 1

[0036] FIG. 5a section along the line B-B in FIG. 4 with semi-circular inlet channel cross-sectionwithout rounding of the channel boundaries

[0037] FIG. 5b section along the line B-B in FIG. 4 with semi-circular inlet channel cross-sectionwith rounding of the channel boundaries

[0038] FIG. 5c section along the line B-B in FIG. 4 with rectangular inlet channel cross-section

[0039] FIG. 6 flattened representation of a shearing part according to the invention with only one barrier web, one inlet channel, one outlet channel and one shearing surface

[0040] FIG. 7a section along the line C-C in FIG. 6 with semi-circular inlet channel cross-sectionwithout rounding of the channel boundaries

[0041] FIG. 7b section along the line C-C in FIG. 6 with semi-circular inlet channel cross-sectionwith rounding of the channel boundaries

[0042] FIG. 8a flow profile in a shearing part according to the invention with arrangement, in pairs, of barrier webs, inlet channels and outlet channels acting as shearing surface

[0043] FIG. 8b flow profile in a shearing part in the manner of the prior art in accordance with WO02/00416A1 and NL1015542, FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows the use of a shearing part according to the invention at the downstream end of a screw 11, which is arranged in a rotatably and linearly driven manner in a cylinder 12. Downstream of the shearing part, a backflow barrier 13 is situated. According to FIGS. 2 and 3, a shearing part 1 according to the invention has two inlet channels 2a, 2b and two outlet channels 3a, 3b, which are respectively connected fluidically with one another and each form a half of the shearing part 1, as is indicated with the line L in FIG. 3. The two halves are arranged helically around the longitudinal axis X of the shearing part 1 and are separated from one another fluidically by barrier webs 4a, 4b. One half of the shearing part is to be described in further detail below. This comprises an inlet channel 2a and an outlet channel 3a, which run helically around the longitudinal axis X of the shearing part 1. The inlet channel 2a has an open inlet channel start 5, situated at the upstream end of the shearing part, which inlet channel start runs out in the present case in a funnel-shaped manner in upstream direction. At the downstream end of the shearing part, the inlet channel has a closed inlet channel end 6a. The outlet channel 3a has an open outlet channel end 7a at the downstream end of the shearing part and a closed outlet channel start 8a at the upstream end.

[0045] In the region between the upstream and downstream end of the shearing part 1, viewed in circumferential direction, the inlet channel 2a continues directly into the outlet channel 3a, wherein here the inlet channel 2a and the outlet channel 3a are directly connected fluidically with one another, in such a way that melt flowing into the inlet channel 2a can flow over directly from the inlet channel into the outlet channel, as is indicated by the arrows P. In the region between rear and front barrier web, the inlet channel 2a has a depth T (see FIG. 3), in which a shearing action on the melt flowing through the inlet channel is substantially avoided. The outlet channel is configured as shearing surface 9 (see FIG. 3), such that a shearing action is present onto the melt flowing through the outlet channel 3a.

[0046] At the transition 10 or respectively in the transition region 10 between the inlet channel 2a and the outlet channel 3a a rounding 10 is provided in order to avoid a break edge and in order to produce an expansion flow. The rounding can be a rounded edge orin cross-sectioncan also assume different shapes as long as a critical bending radius is not fallen below, which could lead to a breaking of fibres.

[0047] According to FIG. 3, the cross-section of the inlet channel 2a can be configured substantially in a semi-oval shape; however, it can also be configured in a substantially semi-circular shape (see FIG. 5a) or can have other cross-sections (see FIGS. 5b and 5c).

[0048] FIG. 4 shows a flattened representation of the shearing part according to the invention from FIGS. 2 and 3 with an arrangement, in pairs, of two inlet channels 2a, 2b and two outlet channels 3a, 3b. Respectively one inlet channel and one outlet channel are connected with one another fluidically and form a half of the shearing part 1, wherein the two halves are arranged helically around the longitudinal axis of the shearing part 1. A first barrier web 4a is associated with the inlet channel 2a, and a second barrier web 4b is associated with the inlet channel 2b. The barrier webs are placed on the side of the respective inlet channel 2a, 2b facing away when viewed in rotation direction. Each of the barrier webs 4a, 4b is configured in such a way that it has a portion M lying parallel to the inlet channel 2a, 2b and delimiting the latter. At the upstream end of the shearing part 1 and at the downstream end of the shearing part 1, both barrier webs 4a, 4b are formed running in circumferential direction and therefore have end portions N, which lie orthogonally to the longitudinal axis X of the shearing part. Each barrier web 4a, 4b is continued in conveying direction, therefore in such a way that the melt at the end of the respective inlet channel 2a, 2b can not flow further axially to the screw tip, but rather is forced in circumferential direction onto the shearing surface 9 (see arrows P in FIG. 2). Therefore, each inlet channel at the downstream end of the shearing part has a closed inlet channel end 6a, 6b. Upstream, the barrier webs 4a, 4b are continued so that the melt can not flow directly into a shearing surface 9, but rather is forced into the inlet channels 2a, 2b. As a result, the outlet channels 2a, 2b at the downstream end of the shearing part has an open outlet channel end 7a, 7b and has at the upstream end a closed outlet channel start 8a, 8b. In total, therefore, a pair of inlet channels, outlet channels, shearing surfaces and barrier webs are produced. Through the arrangement in pairs, a pressure profile is produced which is symmetrical with respect to the screw axis X. Thereby, a deflection of the shearing part 1 or respectively of the screw 11 from the screw axis X is prevented. Consequently, the plasticising screw 11 and the shearing part 1 are exposed to a reduced wear.

[0049] FIGS. 5a to 5c show sectional illustrations along the line B-B in FIG. 4 for different embodiments of a shearing part 1 according to the invention. FIG. 5a shows a sectional illustration with a semi-circular cross-section of inlet channel 2a and inlet channel 2b. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5b differs from that of FIG. 5a in that at the transition from the inlet channel 2a into the outlet channel 3a a rounding of the channel boundaries 14, given reference number 10, is provided. FIG. 5c shows an embodiment with a rectangular cross-section of inlet channel 2a and inlet channel 2b and consequently with a right-angled channel boundary 14.

[0050] The embodiment according to FIG. 5b with rounding of the channel boundaries offers several advantages. On the one hand, it leads to a compression of the flow and to the production of an expansion flow. Such expansion flows lead to an improved disintegration of fibre clusters. In addition, there is no edge on which fibres could be broken. In particular with a rounding having a suitably large radius, the risk of fibre breakage can be significantly reduced. The rounding should be configured in such a way that the critical fibre bending radius is not fallen below. The embodiments according to FIGS. 5a and 5c, i.e. without rounding, can then come into use when not only are filler agglomerates to be distributed, but also the fillers themselves are to be broken. This is advantageous for example in the processing of colour masterbatches.

[0051] Viewed in radial direction of the shearing part, the shearing surface 9 can have the same height over its entire extent, such that a shear gap with constant gap width S is formed. According to requirements, a suitably large shear gap can be set.

[0052] FIG. 6 shows a flattened representation of a shearing part according to the invention with only one inlet channel 2, one outlet channel 3, one shearing surface 9 and one barrier web 4. In the embodiment according to FIG. 7a, the single inlet channel 2 has a semi-circularly cross-section with an acute-angled channel boundary 14. FIG. 7b shows an embodiment with a rounding 10 of the channel boundary 14.

[0053] FIG. 8a shows the flow profile in a shearing part according to the invention with an arrangement, in pairs, of barrier webs, inlet channels and outlet channels acting as shearing surface.

[0054] FIG. 8b shows the flow profile in a shearing part with an arrangement, in pairs, of barrier webs, inlet channels and outlet channels, wherein respectively a shearing surface is arranged between an inlet channel and an outlet channel. A shearing part of this type is known from WO02/00416A1 and NL1015542, FIGS. 1 to 4.

TABLE-US-00001 Reference list 1 shearing part 2, 2a, 2b inlet channels 3, 3a, 3b outlet channels 4, 4a, 4b barrier web 5 inlet 6a, 6b inlet channel end 7a, 7b outlet channel end 8a, 8b outlet channel start 9, 9a, 9b shearing surfaces 10 transition region with edge rounding 11 screw 12 cylinder 13 backflow barrier 14 channel boundary