DISC STACK, ROTOR UNIT, CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR, METHOD OF PROVIDING DISC STACK, AND METHOD OF PROVIDING ROTOR UNIT

Abstract

A disc stack of frustoconical separation discs is configured to be mounted in a separation chamber of a centrifugal separator. The discs are stacked upon each other in a manner forming narrow separation spaces between adjacent discs. The discs are welded to each other at radially outer portions of the discs. A rotor unit for a centrifugal separator, a centrifugal separator including a rotor unit, a method of providing a disc stack of frustoconical separation discs, and a method of providing a rotor unit for a centrifugal separator are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A disc stack of frustoconical separation discs configured to be mounted in a separation chamber of a centrifugal separator, wherein the discs are stacked upon each other in a manner forming narrow separation spaces between adjacent discs, and wherein the discs are welded to each other at radially outer portions of the discs.

2. The disc stack according to claim 1, wherein the discs are made of a non-metallic material.

3. The disc stack according to claim 1, wherein the discs comprise welding sections at radially outer portions of the discs, and wherein the discs are welded to each other via the welding sections.

4. The disc stack according to claim 3, wherein the welding sections protrude from a frustoconical surface of the respective disc.

5. The disc stack according to claim 3, wherein the welding sections separate the discs in a manner forming at least portions of the narrow separation spaces between adjacent discs.

6. The disc stack according to claim 3, wherein each of the discs comprises at least three welding sections.

7. The disc stack according to claim 3, wherein the discs are welded to each other along aligned welding sections.

8. A rotor unit for a centrifugal separator, comprising: the disc stack according to claim 1; and a first end disc at a first axial end of the disc stack and a second end disc at a second axial end of the disc stack.

9. The rotor unit according to claim 8, wherein each of the first and second end discs is welded to the disc stack at radially outer portions of the end disc and radially outer portions of a disc of the disc stack being adjacent to the end disc.

10. The rotor unit according to claim 8, further comprising a drive shaft interface for connection of a drive shaft to at least one of the first and second end discs, or a drive shaft connected to or integrated with at least one of the first and second end discs.

11. The rotor unit according to claim 10, wherein at least a proportion of the discs are rotationally locked to the drive shaft only via welds at radially outer portions of the discs.

12. A centrifugal separator for gas separation, comprising the rotor unit according to claim 8.

13. A method (100) of providing a disc stack of frustoconical separation discs configured to be mounted in a separation chamber of a centrifugal separator, wherein the method comprises: stacking the discs upon each other in a manner forming narrow separation spaces between adjacent discs; and welding the discs to each other at radially outer portions of the discs.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein each of the discs comprises at least one welding section, and wherein the step of welding the discs to each other further comprises the step of: welding the discs to each other by welding the at least one welding section of adjacent discs to each other.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises the step of: aligning the welding sections of the discs before the step of welding the discs to each other.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises the step of: aligning the welding sections of the discs to positions allowing a continuous weld of the welding sections, before the step of welding the discs to each other.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the discs comprise spacers forming the narrow separation spaces between adjacent discs, and wherein the method further comprises the step of: compressing the disc stack in an axial direction thereof, before, and/or during, the step of welding the discs to each other.

18. A method of providing a rotor unit for a centrifugal separator, wherein the rotor unit comprises frustoconical separation discs and a first and a second end disc, wherein the method comprises: stacking the separation discs upon each other onto one of the first and second end discs to form a disc stack of separation discs having a first axial end facing the end disc and narrow separation spaces between adjacent discs; placing the other end disc of the first and second end discs at a second axial end of the disc stack; and welding the discs to each other at radially outer portions of the discs.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the discs comprise spacers forming the narrow separation spaces between adjacent discs, and wherein the method further comprises the step of: compressing the rotor unit in an axial direction thereof, before, and/or during, the step of welding the discs to each other.

20. The disc stack according to claim 1, wherein the discs are made of a polymeric material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] Various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the example embodiments discussed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0056] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a rotor unit, according to some embodiments, in an assembled state,

[0057] FIG. 2 illustrates a disc stack of the rotor unit illustrated in FIG. 1,

[0058] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a rotor unit according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1, in a disassembled state,

[0059] FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of a separation disc of a disc stack illustrated in FIG. 1-FIG. 3,

[0060] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a rotor unit according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, in a partially assembled state,

[0061] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section of a rotor unit according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. 5,

[0062] FIG. 7 illustrates a rotor unit according to some further embodiments,

[0063] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a cross section through a centrifugal separator, according to some embodiments,

[0064] FIG. 9 illustrates a method of providing a disc stack of frustoconical separation discs configured to be mounted in a separation chamber of a centrifugal separator, and

[0065] FIG. 10 illustrates a method of providing a rotor unit for a centrifugal separator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] Aspects of the present invention will now be described more fully. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

[0067] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a rotor unit 10, according to some embodiments, in an assembled state. The rotor unit 10 is configured to be mounted in a separation chamber of a centrifugal separator, such as in a separation chamber of a crankcase gas separator, as is further explained herein. The rotor unit 10 is configured to rotate around a rotation axis ax during operation in the centrifugal separator so as to separate matter having different densities. According to the illustrated embodiments, the rotor unit 10 comprises a drive shaft 31 for connection to a drive arrangement and a supporting shaft 32 for connection to a support arrangement, such as a bearing, as is further explained herein.

[0068] The rotor unit 10 comprises a disc stack 1 of frustoconical separation discs 3. For the reason of brevity and clarity, the separation discs 3 are in some places herein referred to as “the discs 3”. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the discs 3 are stacked upon each other in a manner forming narrow separation spaces 4 between adjacent discs 3. Moreover, the discs 3 of the disc stack 1 are welded to each other at radially outer portions 5 of the discs 3, which provides several advantages, as is further explained herein.

[0069] According to the illustrated embodiments, the rotor unit 10 comprises a first end disc 11 at a first axial end 21 of the disc stack 1, and a second end disc 12 at a second axial end 22 of the disc stack 1. The discs 3 of the disc stack 1 may be made of a polymeric material, i.e. a non-metallic material. Likewise, the first and second end discs 11, 12 may also be made of a polymeric material. Purely as an example, the discs 3, 11, 12 may be made of a fibre-reinforced polymer, such as fibreglass. Moreover, the discs 3, 11, 12 may be made of polyamide or nylon, such as PA66, with or without a fibre-reinforced polymer, such as fibreglass. According to some embodiments, the discs 3 of the disc stack 1 and the first and second end discs 11, 12 are made of the same material. In this manner, welding of the discs 3, 11, 12 to each other is facilitated and a continuous, coherent, and strong weld can be provided, as is further explained herein. The first and second end discs 11, 12 are more structurally rigid than the discs 3 of the disc stack 1.

[0070] Moreover, according to the illustrated embodiments, each of the first and second end discs 11, 12 is welded to the disc stack 1 at radially outer portions 25, 25′ of the end disc 11, 12 and radially outer portions 5 of adjacent discs 3 of the disc stack 1, which provides several advantages, as is further explained herein.

[0071] FIG. 2 illustrates the disc stack 1 of the rotor unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. As mentioned above, the disc stack 1 comprises frustoconical separation discs 3. The discs 3 are stacked upon each other in a manner forming narrow separation spaces 4 between adjacent discs 3. Moreover, as can be seen in FIG. 2, the discs 3 of the disc stack 1 are welded to each other at radially outer portions 5 of the discs 3.

[0072] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a rotor unit 10 according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1, in a disassembled state. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the discs 3 comprise welding sections 6 at radially outer portions 5 of the discs 3. As is further explained herein, when assembling the disc stack 1 according to the illustrated embodiments, the discs 3 are welded to each other via the welding sections 6.

[0073] According to the illustrated embodiments, each disc 3 comprises twelve welding sections 6 positioned at equal distances from each other around a circumference of the respective disc 3. According to further embodiments, each disc 3 may comprises at least three welding sections 6, or at least six welding sections 6, which may be positioned at equal distances from each other around the circumference of the respective disc 3.

[0074] The discs 3 of the disc stack 1 comprise spacers 8 protruding from a frustoconical surface 7 of the respective disc 3. Spacers 8 protruding from a frustoconical surface 7 of one of the discs 3 is also seen and indicated in FIG. 2. The spacers 8 form the narrow separation spaces 4 between adjacent discs 3, indicated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0075] FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of a separation disc 3 of the disc stack 1 illustrated in FIG. 1-FIG. 3. As indicated in FIG. 4, the spacers 8 protrudes from the frustoconical surface 7 of the respective disc 3 in a direction of a surface normal N of the frustoconical surface 7. The is height H of the spacers 8, measured in the direction of the surface normal N, corresponds to the width of the narrow separation spaces 4 between adjacent discs 3, indicated in FIG. 1-FIG. 3. The height H of the spacers 8, measured in the direction of the surface normal N, may for example be within the range of 0.15 mm to 1 mm, more preferably 0.20 mm to 0.60 mm. Moreover, due to the spacers 8 which protrude from the frustoconical surface 7 of the respective disc 3 in a direction of the surface normal N, uniform narrow separation spaces between adjacent discs can be provided in a quick, simple, and efficient manner by compressing the disc stack in an axial direction thereof, as is further explained herein.

[0076] Moreover, as can be seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the welding sections 6 also protrude from the frustoconical surface 7 of the respective disc 3. As indicated in FIG. 4, according to the illustrated embodiments, the height H of the welding sections 6, measured in the direction of the surface normal N of the frustoconical surface 7, corresponds to the height H of the spacers 8, measured in the direction of the surface normal N. Thus, according to the illustrated embodiments, the height H of the welding sections 6, measured in the direction of the surface normal N of the frustoconical surface 7, also corresponds to the width of the narrow separation spaces 4 between adjacent discs 3, indicated in FIG. 1-FIG. 3. In this manner, the welding sections 6 separate the discs 3 in a manner forming at least portions of the narrow separation spaces 4 between adjacent discs 3, indicated in FIG. 1-FIG. 3. Moreover, due to these features, a continuous and coherent weld of welding sections 6 can be provided in a quick, simple, and efficient manner.

[0077] Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, according to the illustrated embodiments, the welding sections 6 protrude radially from the respective disc 3. A radial direction rd of the disc 3 is indicated in FIG. 4. Since the welding sections 6 protrude radially from the respective disc 3, the process of aligning the welding sections 6 is facilitated, before or during welding the discs 3 to each other via the welding sections 6, as is further explained herein. Moreover, since the welding sections 6 protrude radially from the respective disc, the process of welding the discs 3 to each other is facilitated. It should be noted that embodiments where the welding sections 6 does not protrude radially from the respective disc 3 is also contemplated.

[0078] It should also be noted that the radially protruding welding sections 6 may be arranged to not protrude radially beyond the radius of the discs 3 after welding, i.e. in the assembled state when the welding sections 6 have been welded to each other.

[0079] According to embodiments, the welding sections 6 may be aligned before welding the discs 3 to each other using a fixture, or the like.

[0080] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a rotor unit 10 according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, in a partially assembled state. In FIG. 5, the separation discs 3 are stacked upon each other onto the first end discs 11 to form a disc stack 1 of separation discs 3 having a first axial end 21 facing the first end disc 11 and narrow separation spaces 4 between adjacent discs 3, 11. Moreover, the second end disc 12 is placed at a second axial end 22 of the disc stack 1.

[0081] In FIG. 5, the rotor unit 10 is illustrated in a state before welding of the discs 3, 11, 12 to each other. According to the illustrated embodiments, each of the first and second end discs 11, 12 comprises welding sections 6′, 6″. For the reason of brevity and clarity, the first and second end discs 11, 12 are in some places herein referred to as “the discs 11, 12”. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ of the discs 3, 11, 12 are aligned to positions allowing a continuous and coherent weld of the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″. In FIG. 5, the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ of the discs 3, 11, 12 are aligned to positions in which the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ extend along lines 9 and form rows 35 of welding sections 6, 6′, 6″. Moreover, in FIG. 5, the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ of the discs 3, 11, 12 are aligned to positions in which the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ extend along a respective straight line 9 being substantially parallel to a rotation axis ax of the disc stack 1. In this manner, the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ of the discs 3 can be welded to each other to provide a continuous and coherent weld along the lines 9 in a quick, simple, and efficient manner.

[0082] According to further embodiments, the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ of the discs 3, 11, 12 may be aligned to positions in which the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ extend along curved lines. As an example, the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ of the discs 3, 11, 12 may be aligned to positions in which the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ form a partial helix shaped pattern of welding sections 6, 6′, 6″.

[0083] In the following, an assembling process of the rotor unit 10 will be explained. The assembling process may be performed by an assembler or by an assembling machine. In the assembling process, the separation discs 3 may be stacked, i.e. placed, upon each other onto the first end disc 11 to form a disc stack 1 of separation discs 3 having a first axial end 21 facing the first end disc 11 and narrow separation spaces 4 between adjacent discs 3, 11. Moreover, the second end disc 12 may be placed at a second axial end 22 of the disc stack 1.

[0084] Before welding the discs 3, 11, 12 to each other, the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ of the discs 3, 11, 12 may be aligned to positions allowing a continuous and coherent weld of the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″. The process of aligning the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ may be performed during or after the process of stacking the discs 3, 11, 12 onto each other. After the stacking of the discs 3, 11, 12 and the alignment of the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″, a rotor unit 10 is provided as illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0085] Before, and/or during, the welding of the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″, the rotor unit 10 may be compressed in an axial direction ad thereof. The compression of the rotor unit 10 may be obtained by applying opposing forces onto the first and second end discs 11, 12 in the axial direction ad of the rotor unit 10. According to some embodiments, the rotor unit 10 is compressed in the axial direction ad thereof during welding of the discs 3, 11, 12 to each other by welding the welding sections 6 of adjacent discs 3, 11, 12 to each other. In this manner, uniform narrow separation spaces 4 between adjacent discs 3, 11, 12 can be provided in a quick, simple, and reliable manner. Moreover, the compression force may ensure a rigid and durable rotor unit 10. Furthermore, the need for a compression spring compressing the rotor unit 10 in the axial direction ad thereof is circumvented. This is because when welded, the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ may ensure that a compression force is obtained between the discs 3, 11, 12 of the rotor unit 10.

[0086] During the welding, at least parts of the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ are melted and are joined together when cooling, which causes fusion between the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″. When welded, a rotor unit 10 is provided as illustrated in FIG. 1. The discs 3, 11, 12 of the rotor unit 10 may be welded to each other using ultra-sonic welding, heated-tool welding, or the like.

[0087] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross section of a rotor unit 10 according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. 5. The cross section of FIG. 6 is made in a plane comprising the rotation axis ax of the rotor unit 10.

[0088] According to the illustrated embodiments, drive shaft 31 of the rotor unit 10 is connected to the first end disc 11. As an alternative, or in addition, the drive shaft 31 of the rotor unit 10 may be connected to the second end disc 12. Furthermore, according to some embodiments, the drive shaft 31 may be integrated with one or both of the first and second end discs 11, 12. According to the illustrated embodiments, the discs 3 of the disc stack 1 are rotationally locked to the drive shaft 31 only via welds at radially outer portions 5 of the discs 3. In this manner, a rotor unit 10 is provided having conditions for an improved fluid flow characteristics, as is further explained herein. Moreover, a rotor unit 10 is provided having conditions for having low weight.

[0089] According to the illustrated embodiments, the rotor unit 10 comprises a hollow space 33 radially inside the discs 3 of the disc stack 1. The hollow space 33 extends through the rotation axis ax. That is, according to the illustrated embodiments, the shafts 31, 32 of the rotor unit, i.e. the drive shaft 31 and the supporting shaft 32 do not extend into the hollow space 33 radially inside the discs 3 of the disc stack 1. Accordingly, a shaft-less hollow space 33 is provided radially inside the discs 3 of the disc stack 1. In this manner, improved flow characteristics is provided of fluid flowing through the rotor unit 10 during operation of the rotor unit 10, i.e. fluid flowing through the hollow space 33 from inlet apertures 37 in the second end disc 12 to the narrow separation spaces 4 between adjacent discs 3, 11, 12. The inlet apertures 37 in the second end disc 12 are also indicated in FIG. 1.

[0090] FIG. 7 illustrates a rotor unit 10 according to some further embodiments. The rotor unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 7 comprises the same features, functions, and advantages as the rotor unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, with some exceptions explained below. According to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 7, the rotor unit 10 comprises a drive shaft interface 34 for connection of a drive shaft to the rotor unit 10. According to the illustrated embodiments, the drive shaft interface 34 is connected to the second end disc 12. Thus, according to the illustrated embodiments, the drive shaft interface 34 is configured to connect a drive shaft to the second end disc 12. As an alternative, or in addition, the drive shaft interface 34 may be configured to connect a drive shaft to the first end disc 11.

[0091] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a cross section through a centrifugal separator 50, according to some embodiments. The centrifugal separator 50 comprises a rotor unit 10 according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6. According to the illustrated embodiments, the centrifugal separator 50 is a crankcase gas separator configured to separate a liquid phase, as well as particles and/or substances, from crankcase gases of an internal combustion engine using the rotor unit 10. According to further embodiments, the centrifugal separator 50 may be another type of rotor separator configured to separate liquid phases, particles and/or substances from other types of fluids than exhaust gases. The centrifugal separator 50 comprises a housing 44 forming a separation chamber 48. The housing 44 is a stationary housing 44 which means that it is arranged to be stationary relative the internal combustion engine during operation. The centrifugal separator 50 comprises an inlet 56 for inflow of gases into the separation chamber 48. Moreover, the centrifugal separator 50 comprises a bearing 51 holding and supporting the supporting shaft 32 and a drive arrangement 52, 54 configured to rotate the rotor unit 10 around the rotation axis ax by applying a torque to the drive shaft 31.

[0092] The centrifugal separator 50 illustrated in FIG. 8 comprises a hydraulic drive arrangement 52, 54 with a hydraulic nozzle 52 and turbine wheel 54. The hydraulic nozzle 52 may be connected to an engine oil circuit of the internal combustion engine. According to such embodiments, during operation of the internal combustion engine, oil may be pumped through the hydraulic nozzle 52 onto a turbine wheel 54 connected to the drive shaft 31 to thereby rotate the drive shaft 31 and the rotor unit 10. As an alternative, the centrifugal separator 50 may comprise another type of hydraulic drive arrangement, such as a reaction drive where a liquid jet is discharged from a rotor in a tangential direction, at a position offset from the rotational axis of the rotor, thereby providing the rotational force of the rotor. As a further alternative, the centrifugal separator 50 may comprise an electric drive arrangement, such as an electric motor arranged to rotate the drive shaft 31 and the rotor unit 10. As a still further alternative, the centrifugal separator 50 may comprise a turbine wheel connected to the drive shaft 31, where the turbine wheel is arranged to be driven by exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine to rotate the drive shaft 31 and the rotor unit 10. Moreover, as a still further alternative, the centrifugal separator 50 may comprise a mechanical drive arrangement configured to rotate the drive shaft 31 and the rotor unit 10, i.e. by connection via a drive belt to a generator drive shaft, or the like.

[0093] The centrifugal separator 50 illustrated in FIG. 8 comprises an inlet 56 for the crankcase gas around the supporting shaft 32. However, the centrifugal separator 50 may comprise a separate inlet for the crankcase gas in an upper region of the housing 44. From the inlet 56, the crankcase gas is ducted into the rotor unit 10. For clarity and brevity, the separation discs are not illustrated in FIG. 8. During rotation of the rotor unit 10, oil particles, as well as other particles and/or substances, from the crankcase gas is separated from the gas. The separated oil particles, and other particles and/or substances, are led to an oil outlet 58 of the centrifugal separator 50, which together with oil from the hydraulic nozzle 52 used to drive the wheel 54, is led back to the engine oil circuit of the internal combustion engine. The centrifugal separator 50 further comprises a cleaned crankcase gas outlet 60, where cleaned crankcase gas is led to an inlet of the internal combustion engine or is led out into the surrounding air.

[0094] It should be noted that the orientation of the inlet and the outlets, as well as the conical discs, may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention. Gas to be cleaned is led into the centre of the disc stack and rotor, travels radially outward within the disc stack, and leaves the disc stack at the periphery thereof as separated gas and particles. This can be accomplished through a gas inlet from above or below, with an outlet for cleaned gas being positioned above or below the disc stack, with the inner surface of the discs facing upward or downward.

[0095] FIG. 9 illustrates a method 100 of providing a disc stack of frustoconical separation discs configured to be mounted in a separation chamber of a centrifugal separator. The method may encompass providing a disc stack 1 according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1—FIG. 3 and FIG. 5-FIG. 7 being configured to be mounted in a separation chamber 48 of a centrifugal separator 50 according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 8. Moreover, some features are explained with reference to FIG. 4. Therefore, below, simultaneous reference is made to FIG. 1-FIG. 9. The method 100 illustrated in FIG. 9, is a method 100 of providing a disc stack 1 of frustoconical separation discs 3 configured to be mounted in a separation chamber 48 of a centrifugal separator 50. The method 100 comprises: [0096] stacking 110 the discs 3 upon each other in a manner forming narrow separation spaces 4 between adjacent discs 3, and [0097] welding 120 the discs 3 to each other at radially outer portions 5 of the discs 3.

[0098] According to some embodiments, each disc 3 comprises at least one welding section 6, and wherein the step of welding 120 the discs 3 to each other comprises the step of: [0099] welding 122 the discs 3 to each other by welding the welding sections 6 of adjacent discs 3 to each other.

[0100] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the method 100 may comprise the step of: [0101] aligning 112 the welding sections 6 of the discs 3 before the step of welding 122 the discs 3 to each other.

[0102] Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the method 100 may comprise the step of: [0103] aligning 114 the welding sections 6 of the discs 3 to positions allowing a continuous and coherent weld of the welding sections 6 before the step of welding 122 the discs 3 to each other.

[0104] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the method 100 may comprise the step of: [0105] aligning 116 the welding sections 6 of the discs 3 to extend along a line 9 before the step of welding 122 the discs 3 to each other.

[0106] Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the method 100 may comprise the step of: [0107] aligning 118 the welding sections 6 of the discs 3 to extend along a line 9 being substantially parallel to a rotation axis ax of the disc stack 1 before the step of welding 122 the discs to each other.

[0108] According to some embodiments, the discs 3 comprise spacers 8, 6 forming the narrow separation spaces 4 between adjacent discs 3, and wherein the method 100 comprises the step of: [0109] compressing 119 the disc stack 1 in an axial direction ad thereof, before, and/or during, the step of welding 120, 122 the discs 3 to each other.

[0110] FIG. 10 illustrates a method 200 of providing a rotor unit for a centrifugal separator. The rotor unit may be a rotor unit 10 according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5-FIG. 7 being configured to be mounted in a separation chamber 48 of a centrifugal separator 50 according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 8. Moreover, some features are explained with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. Therefore, below, simultaneous reference is made to FIG. 1-FIG. 8 and FIG. 10.

[0111] The method 200 illustrated in FIG. 10 is a method 200 of providing a rotor unit 10 for a centrifugal separator 50, wherein the rotor unit 10 comprises frustoconical separation discs 3 and a first and a second end disc 11, 12. The method 200 comprises: [0112] stacking 210 the separation discs 3 upon each other onto one of the first and second end discs 11 to form a disc stack 1 of separation discs 3 having a first axial end 21 facing the end disc 11 and narrow separation spaces 4 between adjacent discs 3, 11, [0113] placing 212 the other end disc 12 of the first and second end discs 11, 12 at a second axial end 22 of the disc stack 1, and [0114] welding 220 the discs 3, 11, 12 to each other at radially outer portions 5, 25, 25′ of the discs 3, 11, 12.

[0115] According to some embodiments, each disc 3, 11, 12 comprises at least one welding section 6, 6′, 6″, and wherein the step of welding 220 the discs 3, 11, 12 to each other comprises the step of: [0116] welding 222 the discs 3, 11, 12 to each other by welding the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ of adjacent discs 3, 11, 12 to each other.

[0117] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the method 200 may comprise the step of: [0118] aligning 213 the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ of the discs 3, 11, 12 before the step of welding 222 the discs 3, 11, 12 to each other.

[0119] Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the step of aligning 213 the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ of the discs 3, 11, 12 may comprise the step of: [0120] aligning 214 the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ of the discs 3, 11, 12 to positions allowing a continuous and coherent weld of the welding sections 6, 6′, 6″ before the step of welding 222 the discs 3, 11, 12 to each other.

[0121] According to some embodiments, the discs 3, 11, 12 comprise spacers 8, 6 forming the narrow separation spaces 4 between adjacent discs 3, 11, 12, and wherein the method 200 comprises the step of: [0122] compressing 218 the rotor unit 10 in an axial direction ad thereof, before, and/or during, the step of welding 220, 222 the discs 3, 11, 12 to each other.

[0123] It is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and that the invention is defined only by the appended claims. A person skilled in the art will realize that the example embodiments may be modified, and that different features of the example embodiments may be combined to create embodiments other than those described herein, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

[0124] As used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one or more stated features, elements, steps, components, or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, components, functions, or groups thereof.