ROLLER CRUSHER AND METHOD FOR OPERATION THEREOF

Abstract

A scraper device for a roller crusher, which scraper device includes a rotatable multi head scraper unit having at least two scrapers arranged tangentially about the rotatable multi head scraper unit at a respective radial distance from a rotational axis of the rotatable multi head scraper unit. The scraper device further includes a rotation actuator arranged to selectively rotate the rotatable multi head scraper unit to allow operative use of one of the at least two scrapers at a time. The scraper device further includes at least one brake arrangement configured to prevent and/or restrict rotation of the rotatable multi head scraper unit during operation of the one of the at least two scrapers. A roller crusher including the scraper device and a method for operating the roller crusher is also provided.

Claims

1. A scraper device for a roller crusher, comprising: a rotatable multi head scraper unit having at least two scrapers arranged tangentially about the rotatable multi head scraper unit at a respective radial distance from a rotational axis of the rotatable multi head scraper unit; a rotation actuator arranged to selectively rotate the rotatable multi head scraper unit to allow operative use of one of the at least two scrapers at a time; and at least one brake arrangement configured to prevent and/or restrict rotation of the rotatable multi head scraper unit during operation of the one of the at least two scrapers.

2. The scraper device according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable multi head scraper unit comprises at least three scrapers arranged tangentially about the rotatable multi head scraper unit at a respective radial distance from the rotational axis.

3. The scraper device according to claim 1, wherein a first-in-line scraper and a last-in-line scraper are positioned such that these are separated with an angle of at least 120 degree upstream of the first-in-line scraper.

4. The scraper device according to claim 1, wherein a first-in-line scraper and a last-in-line scraper are positioned such that these are separated with an angle of at least 180 degree upstream of the first in line scraper.

5. The scraper device according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable multi head scraper unit is releasably arranged in the scraper device, to allow exchange of the rotatable multi head scraper unit.

6. The scraper device according to claim 1, further comprising a shaft member having a first and a second end and being rotatably arranged, wherein the rotatable multi head scraper unit is attached to the first end of the shaft member, and wherein the rotation actuator is arranged at the second end of the shaft member.

7. The scraper device according to claim 6, further comprising a support arrangement arranged to at least partially encircle the shaft member and further arranged to be connected to a frame of the roller crusher.

8. The scraper device according to claim 7, wherein a first brake arrangement of the at least one brake arrangement is supported by the support arrangement, and wherein the first brake arrangement comprises a friction element, configured to selectively engage the shaft member, or an engagement element attached thereto, to thereby prevent and/or restrict a rotation of the rotatable multi head scraper unit.

9. The scraper device according to claim 8, wherein the friction element is elastomeric or is attached to a supporting element which is elastomeric, and wherein the first brake arrangement further comprises a supporting structure structured and arranged to at least partially enclose the friction element or the supporting element.

10. The scraper device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation actuator comprises a gear box.

11. The scraper device according to claim 10, wherein the gear box is configured to act as a second brake arrangement of the at least one brake arrangement.

12. The scraper device according to claim 11, wherein the gear box comprises a gear train having a gear ratio larger than 1.

13. The scraper device according to claim 1, wherein a third brake arrangement of the at least one brake arrangement is a ratchet arrangement.

14. The scraper device according to claim 1, wherein the scraper device further comprises a drive unit arranged to provide kinetic energy to the rotation actuator for the selectively rotation of the rotatable multi head scraper unit.

15. The scraper device according to claim 1, wherein the scraper device has rotary indexing capability for selectively rotating the rotatable multi head scraper unit between predefined angular positions.

16. A roller crusher having two generally parallel rollers arranged to rotate in opposite directions, and separated by a gap, each roller having two ends, the roller crusher comprising: a flange attached to one of the ends of one of the rollers, the flange extending in a radial direction of the roller, and the flange having an extension (E) past an envelope surface of the roller, wherein the roller crusher further comprises a scraper device according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable multi head scraper unit is arranged such that one of the at least two scrapers, by the rotation actuator, is selectively positionable at an end of a roller having a flange, and, by the at least one brake arrangement, is prevented and/or restricted to move relative to the roller to thereby at least partially allow removal of material accumulated on the flange and/or on the envelope surface at an end portion of the roller adjacent the flange.

17. The roller crusher according to claim 16, wherein the roller crusher comprises two flanges attached to opposite ends of one of the rollers, and wherein a scraper device according to claim 1 is arranged at each ends of the roller with the flanges.

18. A method for operating a roller crusher for grinding granular material, wherein the roller crusher has two generally parallel rollers arranged to rotate in opposite directions, and separated by a gap, each roller having two ends, the roller crusher comprising: a flange attached to one of the ends of one of the rollers, the flange extending in a radial direction of the roller, and the flange having an extension (E) past an envelope surface of the roller, wherein the roller crusher further comprises a scraper device according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable multi head scraper unit is arranged such that one of the at least two scrapers, by the rotation actuator, is selectively positionable at an end of a roller having a flange, and, by the at least one brake arrangement, is prevented and/or restricted to move relative to the roller; wherein the method comprises at least the step of: at least partially removing material accumulated on the flange and/or on the envelope surface at an end portion of the roller adjacent the flange by means of the one of the at least two scrapers.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of: rotating the multi head scraper unit such that the one of the at least two scrapers is exchanged with another one of the at least two scrapers at the end of the roller having a flange.

20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of: rotating the rotatable multi head scraper unit such that the one of the at least two scrapers is moved from a first operating position to a second operating position, wherein a distance between the one of the at least two scrapers and the envelope surface as defined in an un-worn state of the one of the at least two scrapers is larger at the first operating position than at the second operating position.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the scraper device further comprises a drive unit arranged to provide kinetic energy to the rotation actuator for the selective rotation of the rotatable multi head scraper unit, and wherein the method further comprises: rotating the multi head scraper unit by means of the drive unit.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the roller crusher further comprises a sensor system for monitoring the condition of the scraper device; and a controller operatively connected to the sensor system and to the drive unit, and wherein the method further comprises: the control unit controlling the rotation of the multi head scraper unit based on output data from the sensor system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] The disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which show an example of a presently preferred embodiment of the disclosure.

[0076] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roller crusher according to prior art.

[0077] FIG. 2A is a schematic top view of two rollers of the roller crusher of FIG. 1.

[0078] FIG. 2B is a schematic top view of two rollers of a roller crusher of the prior art according to an alternative embodiment.

[0079] FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of segments of a roller crusher according to the prior art.

[0080] FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view of segments of a roller crusher according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0081] FIG. 3C is an enlarged view of parts of FIG. 3B highlighting the position of the scraper surfaces relative to the roller surface.

[0082] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rotatable multi head scraper unit according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0083] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rotatable multi head scraper unit according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

[0084] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the rotatable multi head scraper unit of FIG. 4 arranged at a lower end of a roller with a flange according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0085] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the rotatable multi head scraper unit of FIG. 5 arranged at an upper end of a roller with a flange according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0086] FIG. 8A is a perspective view with a partial cut-through of a scraper device carrying the rotatable multi head scraper unit of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0087] FIG. 8B is an exploded perspective view of parts of the scraper device and rotatable multi head scraper unit of FIG. 8A.

[0088] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the scraper device of FIG. 8A but here instead carrying the rotatable multi head scraper unit of FIG. 5 according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

[0089] FIG. 9B is a front view with a partial cut-through of the scraper device and rotatable multi head scraper unit of FIG. 9A.

[0090] FIG. 10 is a perspective view with a partial cut-through of a scraper device according to another embodiment of the disclosure carrying a rotatable multi head scraper unit of FIG. 4.

[0091] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of parts of a roller crusher, a scraper device and a sensor system for monitoring the condition of the scraper device according to an example embodiment of the disclosure.

[0092] FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of a rotatable multi head scraper arranged in two different operating positions with respect to a roller according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0093] The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled addressee. Like reference characters refer to like elements throughout.

[0094] As discussed in the background part of this disclosure, the arrangement of flanges to the ends of the crushing rollers (as shown in FIG. 2A and further discussed below), either one flange in each end of one of the grinding rollers (as shown in FIG. 2A and further discussed below), or one flange on each grinding roller (as shown in FIG. 2B and further discussed below), the crushing effect along the length of the grinding rollers are maintained. However, these flanges and also the edges of opposite grinding roller are under a lot of stress and wear during operation of the roller crusher due to accumulation of grinded material in the transition between the flange and an envelope surface of the grinding roller. Prior art has suggested a scraper element for removing this accumulation of material, but an object of the present disclosure is to proceed from there and provide a scraper device with reduced maintenance time and with a simplified procedure for scraper position adjustment and replacement.

[0095] With reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 8A-B, 9A-B, and 10, this is achieved, in full or at least in part by a scraper device 200, 200′, 300 and a roller crusher 1 comprising such a scraper device 200, 200′, 300, which scraper device 200, 200′, 300 comprises a rotatable multi head scraper unit 210, 210′, 310a, 310b having at least two scrapers 100 arranged tangentially about the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210, 210′, 310a, 310b at a respective radial distance T from a rotational axis A of the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210, 210′, 310a, 310b. The scraper device 200, 200′, 300 further comprises a rotation actuator 202 arranged to selectively rotate the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210, 210′, 310a, 310b to allow operative use of one of the at least two scrapers 100 at a time, and at least one brake arrangement B1, B2, B3 configured to prevent and/or restrict rotation of the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210, 210′, 310a, 310b during operation of the one of the at least two scrapers 100.

[0096] The scraper device 200, 200′ of the present disclosure provides a number of advantages, such as enabling a compact scraper arrangement, reducing maintenance time for exchange of a worn scraper, allowing for an easier replacement procedure once the scrapers needs to be replaced, allowing for a completely automated scraper exchange procedure, and allowing for adjusting a distance between the scraper which performs a scraping operation, herein termed “operating scraper”, and the envelope surface of the roller by adjusting the angular position of the rotatable multi-head scraper unit.

[0097] FIG. 1 shows a roller crusher 1 according to the prior art. Such roller crusher 1 comprises a frame 2 in which a first, fixed crusher roller 3 is arranged in bearings 5, 5′. The bearing housings 35, 35′ of these bearings 5, 5′ are fixedly attached to the frame 2 and are thus immoveable. A second crusher roller 4 is arranged in the frame 2 in bearings 6, 6′ which are arranged in the frame 2 in a slidable moveable manner. The bearings 6, 6′ can move in the frame 2 in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the first and second crusher rollers 3, 4. Typically a guiding structure 7, 7′ is arranged in the frame on first and second sides 50, 50′ along upper and lower longitudinal frame elements 12, 12′, 13, 13′ of the roller crusher 1. The bearings 6, 6′ are arranged in moveable bearing housings 8, 8′ which can slide along the guiding structure 7, 7′. Further, a number of hydraulic cylinders 9, 9′ are arranged between the moveable bearing housing 8, 8′ and first and second end supports 11, 11′ which are arranged near or at a first end 51 of the roller crusher 1. These end supports 11, 11′ attach the upper and lower longitudinal frame elements 12, 12′, 13, 13′ and also act as support for the forces occurring at the hydraulic cylinders 9, 9′ as these are adjusting the gap width and reacting to forces occurring at the grinding rollers 3, 4 due to material fed to the roller crusher 1.

[0098] Such roller crushers work according to a technique called interparticle crushing. The crushing rollers 3, 4 rotates counter to each other as illustrated schematically in FIG. 1 using the arrows. The gap between the crushing rollers 3, 4 is adjusted by the interaction of feed load and the hydraulic system effecting the position of the second crusher roller 4. As shown in FIG. 1 and also in FIG. 2A which shows the rollers 3, 4 from above, one of the grinding rollers 3 further comprises flanges 36, 36′ arranged at opposite ends of the grinding roller 3, wherein each flange 36, 36′ has an extension E past an envelope surface 37 of the roller body of the roller 3 (see FIG. 3A), and positioned axially outward of the roller body of the opposite grinding roller 4.

[0099] Another prior art roller crusher is disclosed in e.g. WO2013/156968, in which each of the grinding rollers with bearings is arranged in interconnected arch-shaped frame sections, wherein each interconnected arch shaped frame sections are pivotably connected to a base frame. The disclosed subject matter within this disclosure is equally applicable in such a prior art roller crusher arrangement.

[0100] As also illustrated in FIG. 3A, each flange 36 is arranged on an end of the roller 3 such that an inner surface 39 of the flange 36 is located at a distance F from the end of the opposing roller 4. The distance F is necessary to avoid contact between the flange 36 and roller 4 which could lead to material damage. At the same time, the distance F should not be too large, as that increases the risk of material leaving the roller crusher through the gap thus formed. The distance F may be realized by mounting the flange 36 to the roller 3 via shims 15, best illustrated in FIG. 3A. The purpose of the flanges 36, 36′ is to prevent material from exiting the gap at the end thereof, thereby forcing all material that enters the roller crusher to pass through the crushing gap to be crushed. An alternative embodiment of a roller crusher with flanges is illustrated in FIG. 2B. The only difference between the two embodiments is that the roller crusher in FIG. 2B has flange 36 disposed on the second grind roller 4′ instead of the first grind roller 3′, which means that each of the grinding rollers 3′, 4′ has one flange 36, 36′ each. As readily appreciated by the person skilled in the art, the technical effect of preventing material to exit the roller crusher 1, 1′ at the ends of the gap will be equally well achieved for both disclosed embodiments. Importantly, the disclosed inventive concept is equally applicable to both these embodiments.

[0101] As previously mentioned, the gap between the rollers 3, 4 can be adjusted. For crushing operation, the roller crusher 1 is preset to have a specific distance between the rollers, the so-called start-up gap G. This is illustrated in FIG. 3A. The start-up gap G is selected based on several different factors, such as the roller crusher size (i.e. grinding roller diameter), the desired properties of crushed material etc. The start-up gap G may be in the range 10 to 140 mm. However, typically, the start-up gap G is within the range 60 to 90 mm.

[0102] As initially described, a problem with this type of grinding assemblies is that material tend to build up at the corner 40 (see FIG. 3A) between the envelope surface 37 of the grinding roller 3 and the inner surface 39 of the flange 36, 36′. Such material build-up 41 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 3A for the roller crusher 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2A, and is generally unwanted as it generates increased local loads in this area during operation, which may cause wear, damage and/or deformation on the opposite grinding roller 4 which does not have a flange as well as on the flanges 36, 36′. To provide a solution to this problem, means for removing at least a part of this build-up material 41 is provided. The current disclosure relates to such means, in the form of a scraper device 200 which utilizes mechanical scrapers 100. The mechanical scrapers 100 will first be discussed with reference to FIGS. 3A to C, followed by a description of the scraper device 200, 200′ and 300 with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10.

[0103] FIG. 3B illustrates a mechanical scraper 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The mechanical scraper 100 is attached to a scraper device 200 which will be described in detail later but is here illustrated in isolation with respect to the grinding rollers 3, 4 to enhance clarity. The mechanical scraper 100 comprises two wear members 102a, 102b disposed at an end of the scraper 100 so as to define a scraping surface 104a generally facing the roller 3, and a scraping surface 104b generally facing an inner surface 39 of the flange 36. The wear members 102a, 102b are attached to scraper main body 103. As illustrated in FIG. 3C, which shows parts of FIG. 3B enlarged, the wear members 102a, 102b may be arranged on the scraper main body 103 such that a distance L1 between the envelope surface 37 of the roller 3 and the scraping surface 104a decreases towards the flange 37. This allows for material to more easily be transported away from the corner 40 between the inner surface 39 of the flange 36 and the envelope surface 37 of the roller 3 once scraped off, thus contributing to an efficient material removal process.

[0104] The nature of the material build-up 41 and the speed at which the at least one mechanical scraper 100 and the material build-up 41 meets, tend to make material removal substantially impact-driven. Hence, instead of the scraper with time creating a carved recess in the build-up material, large surface portions of the material build-up 41 are more or less instantaneously broken off when encountering the scraper. This is schematically illustrated in FIG. 3B. The remaining portion of the material build-up 41 has been found to present a relatively uniform outer surface. It is not necessary to remove the material build-up 41 completely. Preferably, only parts of the build-up 41 should be removed. The partial removal of the material build-up 41 will reduce overall wear of the scraper 100 as it is exposed to a significantly less degree of wear when positioned further away from the roller surface 37. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the scraper 100 is positioned at a minimum flange distance S2 from the inner surface of the flange 36. As can be seen in FIGS. 3A and B, this minimum flange distance S2 is larger than the distance F between the roller 4 and the inner surface 39 of the flange 36. This may appear somewhat surprising, as it can be expected that the scraper 100 may miss removing material necessary to be removed in order to completely avoid contact between roller 4 and the material build-up 41. However, positioning the scraper 100 closer to the flange 36 is associated with other disadvantages. Firstly, it increases the risk of the scraper 100 being damaged by the flange 36 and/or material build-up 41 on the flange 36, a risk that increases with decreasing distance to any moving surface. Secondly, it increases the risk of damaging the flange 36 itself. By positioning the scraper 100 at a minimum flange distance S2 being larger than the distance F, a reasonable trade-off is obtained. A sufficient amount of material is removed from the build-up material 41 at the flange 36, while keeping the scraper 100 at a safe distance from the flange 36, which results in a prolonged scraper life as well as flange life. Preferably, the scraper 100 is positioned such that a minimum flange distance S2 between each scraping surface 104a, 104b of the at least one scraper 100 and an inner surface 39 of the flange 36 is 1-25 mm. More preferably, the scraper 100 is positioned such that a minimum flange distance S2 between each scraping surface 104a, 104b of the at least one scraper 100 and an inner surface 39 of the flange 36 is at least 11 mm. The risk of flange damage has been found to be significantly reduced at this distance. Needless to say, flange bending is unwanted as it will allow material to slip out from the crusher gap at the sides, hence leading to parts of the material bypassing the roller crusher, with an end result that the material output from the roller crusher will not have the specified size distribution.

[0105] The scraper 100 is only schematically illustrated in FIG. 3B to allow defining the preferred position of the scraper 100 in relation to the roller crusher 1, or more specifically, in relation to the roller envelope surface 37 and/or flange 36. Turning instead to FIGS. 4 to 9, it will be described in detail how scrapers, such as the scraper 100 of FIG. 3B, may be mounted on a scraper device 200, 200′ for use on a roller crusher 1.

[0106] The scraper device 200, 200′ is essentially a multi-scraper device having the capability to exchange scrapers 100 at an operating position P located at a roller envelope surface 37 or a roller 3 with a flange 36. The ability to exchange scrapers 100 are achieved by providing a rotatable multi head scraper unit 210, 210′ which carries the mechanical scrapers 100. During operation of the roller crusher 1, one of the scrapers 100 is positioned in the operating position P and performs scraping of build-up material 41 present on the end of the roller 3, whereas the other scrapers 100 are positioned further away from the roller envelope surface 37 and consequently are idle scrapers not performing any scraping. Thus, only one scraper 100 of the scraping device 200 performs scraping at any point in time. Two different example embodiments of a rotatable multi head scraper unit 210, 210′ will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0107] FIG. 4 illustrates a rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′ according to a first example embodiment. The rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′ has

[0108] at least two scrapers 100 (for this particular example embodiment: 3 scrapers 100) arranged tangentially about the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′ at a respective radial distance T from a rotational axis A of the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′. For the example embodiment, the scrapers 100 are mutually equidistantly spaced at 120 degrees from each other. In other words, for this non-limiting example embodiment, the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′ is symmetric. The rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′ comprises a spider 230′ which is attached to a rotationally arranged shaft member 240′ which in turn is rotationally attached to a part of a roller crusher via a support structure 250′. As previously described, each scraper 100 comprises a scraper body 103 and two wear members 102a, 102b which presents the wear surfaces 104a, 104b. Each scraper 100 is releasably fastened to the spider 230′ at dedicated support structures 220 by bolting. The bolting allows for an easy assembly procedure when preparing a rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′ for being mounted on a roller crusher 1. The rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′ further comprises wear protective elements 232′ structured and arranged to protect the peripheral edges of the spider 230′ from abrasive wear. During scraping operation, significant material will impact the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′ and in an absence of the wear protective elements 232′, the spider 230′ would risk being irreversibly damaged even before all three scrapers 100 has served their time. The rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′ is attached to a shaft member 240′ which is rotatably attached to support arrangement 250′. The support arrangement 250′ is structured and arranged to be connected to a frame 2 of the roller crusher 1.

[0109] FIG. 5 illustrates a rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 according to a second example embodiment. The rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 also comprises at least two scrapers (for this particular example embodiment: 4 scrapers 100a, 100b, 100c and 100d) arranged tangentially about the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 at a respective radial distance T from a rotational axis A of the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210. The scrapers 100a-d are equidistantly spaced but in contrast to the first example embodiment, the scrapers 100a-d of the second example embodiment are not mutually equidistantly spaced from each other. Instead, all four scrapers 100 are nonuniformly distributed so as to be disposed generally on one side of the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210, leaving the opposite side of the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 free from scrapers. In other words, the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 is asymmetric. However, the scrapers 100a-d and their associates support structures 220 may be the same as the ones illustrated in FIG. 4 for the first example embodiment and are therefore not further described here. Another way of describing the positioning of the scrapers 100a-d is in terms of a line of scrapers. When positioning a new rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 on a roller crusher 1, the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 is arranged with respect to the roller envelope surface 37 such that scraper 100a will be positioned in the operating position P. Hence, scraper 100a will be the first scraper to perform scraping. For this reason, the scraper 100a is termed herein the “first-in-line scraper”. The first-in-line scraper 100a is followed by scraper 100b and 100c and finally by scraper 100d, the later termed herein as the “last-in-line scraper”. For the second example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the first-in-line scraper 100a and the last-in-line scraper 100d are positioned such that these are separated with an angle of about 180 degree upstream of the first-in-line scraper 100a. Thus, whereas downstream of the first-in-line scraper 100a, there is provided both a scraper 100b and a scraper 100c, there are no scrapers arranged directly upstream of the first-in-line scraper 100a. Many alternative embodiments of the rotatable multi head scraper unit are contemplated. For example, a first-in-line scraper and a last-in-line scraper may be positioned such that these are separated with an angle of at least 120 degree upstream of the first-in-line scraper. The spider 230 of the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 is also asymmetric and presents, on its scraper-free side, a rounded profile extending radially outwardly only a fraction of the distance T. The provision of the asymmetrical rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 with the spider 230 shaped in this way provides an alternative way to minimize problems with wear damage. Instead of actively protecting the rotatable multi head scraper unit by means of wear protective elements as for the first example embodiment, damage is minimized for the second example embodiment by a design which minimizes the risk of material impacting on a scraper 100 which is idle and waiting to serve as operating scraper. The rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 is releasably attached to a shaft member 240. It may be beneficial to provide the releasable attachment using a quick fastener, as this will reduce time for replacement of the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210. Such a releasable fastening device may be e.g. a flange connection or a bushing. The bushing may be e.g. a tapered bushing, an XT bushing, or a QD bushing. For the second example embodiment disclosed herein, a QD bushing 234 is used. Such QD bushings 234 are well known in the art and are therefore not further described herein. The shaft member 240 is rotatably attached to a support arrangement 250 which is omitted from FIG. 5 to increase clarity but are described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. The support arrangement 250 is structured and arranged to be connected to a frame 2 of the roller crusher 1.

[0110] The rotatable multi head scraper unit 210, 210′ of the inventive concept has the advantage that it can provide both an active scraper and a series of back-up scrapers at a relatively limited space at a grinding roller 3 of a roller crusher 1. It is contemplated that the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210, 210′ may be arranged at different positions with respect to the grinding roller 3 dependent on the type of roller crusher 1. This is illustrated in FIG. 6 which discloses the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′ of the first example embodiment located at about seven o'clock, i.e. at a lower end of the roller 3, and in FIG. 7 which discloses the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 of the second example embodiment located at about 11 o'clock, i.e. at an upper end of the grinding roller 3.

[0111] Two example embodiments of the scraper device, the scraper device 200′ and 200, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. The only difference between the two scraper embodiments is that the first embodiment, scraper device 200′ in FIGS. 8A and B, is equipped with rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′ of FIG. 4, whereas the second embodiment, scraper device 200 in FIGS. 9A and B, is equipped with rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 of FIG. 5. Since the two embodiments have so many features in common, they will be described together herein.

[0112] Both the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′ and the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 may be releasably attached to the shaft member 240 by means of QD bushing 234. The shaft member 240 extends from a first end 241 at which the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210, 210′ is arranged, to a second end 242 at which the shaft member 240 connects to a rotation actuator 202, which will be described in detail later.

[0113] As illustrated in FIGS. 8A and B, the shaft member 240 is a stepped shaft. The shaft member 240 has a first shaft portion 243 which connects to the first end 241 and a second shaft portion 244 which connects to the second end 242. The first shaft portion 243 has a first shaft diameter D1 and the second shaft portion 244 has a second shaft diameter D2. The first shaft diameter D1 is smaller than the second shaft diameter D2, and the shaft member 240 presents an annular surface 245 substantially transverse to the rotational axis A at the intersection between the annular surface 245 and the first shaft portion 243. The purpose of the annular surface 245 will be described in what follows.

[0114] The scraper device 200′, 200 further comprises a support arrangement 250 which is arranged to at least partially encircle the shaft member 240 and further arranged to be connected to a frame 2 of the roller crusher 1. The support arrangement 250 comprises a bracket 252 which is mounted onto a mounting plate 258. The mounting plane 258 is in turn connected to support structures 64 which are connected to the frame 2 of the roller crusher 1 by means of support rods 66. (see FIGS. 9A and B). Also seen in FIGS. 9A and B is parts of a dust enclosure 62 inside which the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 is arranged. However, as readily appreciated by the person skilled in the art, the scraper device 200 is not supported by the dust enclosure 62. It extends through an opening 63 of the dust enclosure 62 but is fully supported by the frame 2.

[0115] The bracket 252 has through-holes 254 on opposite sides thereof, through which through-holes 254 the shaft member 240 extends. The bracket 252 presents an interior space in which is housed a first brake arrangement B1 configured to prevent and/or restrict rotation of the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 during scraping operation by exerting a radially inwardly directed pressure onto the shaft member 240. The first brake arrangement B1 comprises a friction element 262 arranged to encircle the second shaft portion 244 of the shaft member 240 so as to be in abutment therewith. The first brake arrangement B1 further comprises a supporting element 264 which is made from an elastomeric material, such as rubber or polyurethane. The supporting element 264 encircles the friction element 262 and is arranged within a supporting structure 253 which for the example embodiment forms a part of the bracket 252. The supporting structure 253 at least partially encloses the supporting element 264 and thereby serves to spatially constrain the supporting element 264 radially outwardly and axially in the direction towards the gear box 270. The supporting element 264 is compressed from the outside by tightening bracket cap 255 to the bracket 252. This compression of the supporting element 264 will affect its elastomeric material such that it expands in other directions, i.e. axially towards the gear box 270, radially outwardly and radially inwardly towards the friction element 262. Since any expansion directed axially and radially outwardly is effectively prevented by the support structure 253, the net result will be that the supporting element 264 compresses the friction element 262 which in turn exerts a pressure onto the shaft member 240. As readily appreciated by the person skilled in the art, this will create a latent rotational resistance or damping in the mechanical system, thereby providing the first brake arrangement B1. Finally, the bracket cap 255 has a trough-hole 256 which has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the adjacently disposed through-hole 254b of the bracket 252. The diameter of the through-hole 256 is selected to match the first shaft diameter D1 of the first shaft portion 243, whereas the through-holes 254a and 254b are selected to match the second shaft diameter D2 of the second shaft portion 244. Importantly, the diameter of the through hole 256 is smaller than the second shaft diameter D2. This allows using the bracket cap 255 for retraining the shaft member 240 within the support arrangement 250 (and thereby on a roller crusher) when tightening the bracket cap 255 with respect to the bracket 252 (the shaft member 240 is retained from the opposite side by a gear box 270 which will be described in what follows).

[0116] The rotation actuator 202 comprises a gear box 270 and a maneuvering wheel 279. The maneuvering wheel 279 is attached to a drive shaft 277 of the gear box 270 and is used to supply kinetic energy in the form of rotational motion to the scraper device 200 for rotating the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 when there is a need to exchange a worn-out scraper (such as e.g. the front-in-line scraper 100a) to a next-in-line scraper (in the example: the scraper 100b). The gear box 270 comprises a gear train 272 which mechanically interconnects the drive shaft 277 with the shaft member 240. The gear box 270 further comprises a housing 271 which supports the gear train and protects the same from foreign objects which may risk damaging the gear train 272. The housing 271 is only partly shown in FIG. 8A to enhance clarity but is illustrated also in FIGS. 9A and B. The drive train 272 comprises a drive gear 273 attached to drive shaft 277. The drive gear 273 engages first idler gear 274 which has a gear diameter being larger than the gear diameter of the drive gear 273, thereby providing a gear ratio larger than one. The first idler gear 274 is arranged on idler shaft 278 at a first end thereof and a second idler gear 275 is arranged on idler shaft 278 at a second end thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the second idler gear 275 is a worm, or sometimes: worm screw, which is a gear in the form of a screw. The second idler gear 275 engages the driven gear 276 which connects to the shaft member 240. The driven gear 276 is a worm wheel which meshes with the worm. The second idler gear 275 and the driven gear 276 are sometimes together referred to as a worm drive. A purpose of providing a worm drive in the gear box 270 is twofold: Firstly, the worm drive will allow altering the rotational axis 90 degree with respect to the shaft member 240, which may be beneficial for some applications due to e.g. space constrains. Secondly, the worm drive provides a relatively large gear ratio, which also may be beneficial as will be explained in what follows.

[0117] The (overall) gear ratio of the gear train 272 is defined as the ratio between the number of rotations of the drive gear 273 and the number of rotations of the driven gear 276. This implies that a gear ratio larger than 1 will allow a larger number of revolutions caused by applying a lower torque to the drive gear 273 to be transformed into a lower number of revolutions with a higher torque on the driven gear 276. A gear box 270 having a gear train 272 with a gear ratio larger than 1 may be beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, as previously mentioned, it provides a means for transforming a low-torque rotation to a high torque rotation. This may be advantageous as it allows to maneuver the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210 manually by hand, in the example embodiment by means of the maneuvering wheel 279. However, the gear box 270 of the scraper device 200 also serves another function: it constitutes a brake arrangement, termed herein as the second brake arrangement B2. As readily appreciated by the person skilled in the art, any gear box will provide some degree of braking, in the sense of preventing and/or restricting rotation. This function arises as a result from frictional forces and inertial forces in the drive train. However, the ability of the gear train to function as a brake increases with increasing gear ratio (which is why we tend to use the reverse gear or the first gear after having parked our cars, the reverse gear and first gear having the largest gear ratio). In other words, the gear ratio will affect the level of brake power that the gear box 270 may provide to the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210. Specifically, the brake power will increase with increasing gear ratio of the gear train 272.

[0118] Turning again to FIG. 8A which illustrates these features most clearly, the scraper device 200′, 200 may further comprise a third brake arrangement B3 in the form of a ratchet arrangement 280. The ratchet arrangement 280 is disposed at an end of the idler shaft 278 and comprises a ratchet wheel 281 attached to the idler shaft 278, and a pawl 283 which is pivotably arranged in the gear box 270. The pawl 283 is biased towards the ratchet wheel 281 by means of a spring 284. The ratchet wheel 281 comprises a plurality of teeth 282 which are asymmetrical with each tooth having a moderate slope on one edge and a much steeper slope on the other edge. When the teeth 282 move in the opposite (backward) direction, the pawl 283 will catch against the steeply sloped edge of the first tooth 282 it encounters, thereby locking it against the tooth 282 and preventing any further motion in that direction.

[0119] FIG. 10 illustrates a scraper device 300 according to an alternative example embodiment. The scraper device 300 differs from the scraper device 200′ in that the shaft member 340 extends all the way to the other side of the roller crusher where a second support arrangement 205′ supports the shaft. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the scraper device 300 comprises two rotatable multi head scraper units 310a, 310b, each rotatable multi head scraper unit 310a, 310b having at least two scrapers 100 arranged tangentially about the rotatable multi head scraper unit 310a, 310b at a respective radial distance from a rotational axis A. The rotation actuator 300 is further arranged to selectively rotate both rotatable multi head scraper units 310a, 310b together. As readily appreciated by the person skilled in the art, the rotatable multi head scraper units 310a, 310b cannot be mounted onto the shaft member 340 in the same manner as for the previously disclosed example embodiments. Therefore, the rotatable multi head scraper units 310a, 310b may consist of two separate parts which are joined together from opposite sides of the shaft member 340 as seen transversely to the rotational axis A.

[0120] FIG. 11 illustrates a sensor system 80 for a roller crusher 1 used together with a scraper device 400 according to an example embodiment of the disclosure. The scraper device 400 is similar to the scraper device 200′ of FIG. 8A but differs in that it further comprises a drive unit 70, in the form of an electrical motor. The drive unit 70 is attached to the drive shaft 277 replacing the manually operated manoeuvring wheel 279 of the scraper device 200′. The sensor system 80 comprises sensors 82 for monitoring the condition of the scraper device 400, and a control unit 500 operatively connected to the sensor system 80 and to the drive unit 70. The sensor system 80 monitors the condition of the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′ from two sides, as illustrated in FIG. 11. The sensors 82 may comprise e.g. optical sensors, such as e.g. laser-based optical sensors. The sensors 82 may alternatively or additionally comprise non-optical sensors such as e.g. microwave sensors, radar sensors or any other non-optical sensors suitable for the task. This is advantageous as it allows to automatically determine when there is a need for exchanging a worn-out scraper 100. It is contemplated that this exchange operation is available during operation of the roller crusher 1, hence removing a need for a roller crusher shut down. Moreover, the sensor system 80 may allow for an improved prediction as to when the roller crusher 1 has to be shut down for a replacement of a completely worn out rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′. For example, the sensor system 80 may be configured to determine how many scrapers 100 of the at least two scrapers are still available for scraping.

[0121] Finally, an aspect of the scraper devices of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 12, which illustrates the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′ and the roller 3 of FIG. 11. The particular roller and/or rotatable multi head scraper unit is not essential for this aspect, and this should be construed as an example embodiment only. An intrinsic advantage of the scraper device of the disclosure is that the rotatable multi-head scraper unit allows for adjusting a distance between the scraper which performs a scraping operation, i.e. the operating scraper, and the envelope surface of the roller by adjusting the angular position of the rotatable multi-head scraper unit. This built-in adjustment ability of the scraper device may allow adjusting the thickness of the build-up material allowed to remain on the envelope surface of the roller. It may also remove the need to mount all scrapers to the rotatable multi head scraper to have the same radial distance from the rotational axis. Furthermore, it may allow compensating for scraper wear, as will be explained in what follows.

[0122] Scrapers, such as the scraper 100 illustrated in FIG. 12, will be exposed to wear during scraping operation. Therefore, the radial extension T of the scraper 100, i.e. the radial distance from the rotational axis A of the rotatable multi-head scraper unit 210′, will gradually decrease during the life of the scraper 100. This will result in the build-up material 41 at the flange 36 to become gradually thicker with time. In other words, even if the operating scraper 100 is continuously performing an efficient scraping of build-up material 41, the scraping operation as such will not be consistent in time. By adjusting the angular position of the rotatable multi-head scraper unit 210′, the operating scraper 100 may be moved to a position which is closer to the enveloped surface 37, thereby compensating for the effect of wear on the radial extension T of the scraper 100.

[0123] This is illustrated in FIG. 12 by two different operation positions P1 and P2, respectively. When the scraper 100 is first positioned in an operating position, i.e. when the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′ is selectively rotated to arrange scraper 100 to come into contact with build-up material 41, the scraper 100 is arranged at the distance H1 from the envelope surface 37 of the roller 3. This is illustrated in FIG. 12 as a first operating position P1 (indicated by line P1 defining the angular position of the scraper 100 in dashed contour). When the scraper 100 has been partially worn during operation (not shown), the rotatable multi head scraper unit 210′ is selectively rotated by the angle G to a second operating position P2 at which the scraper 100 is instead arranged at a distance H2 from the envelope surface 37 of the roller 3, as defined in un-worn state of the scraper 100. It is stressed that the distances H1 and H2 are here defined for an un-worn scraper 100. As readily appreciated by the person skilled in the art, the scraper 100 will not reach the distance H2 in the second operation position P2 if being worn. Instead, the scraper 100 may in its worn state e.g. reach the distance H1, or close to the distance H1, also in the second operating position P2.

[0124] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

EMBODIMENTS

[0125] Embodiment 1. A scraper device for a roller crusher, comprising

[0126] a rotatable multi head scraper unit having at least two scrapers arranged tangentially about the rotatable multi head scraper unit at a respective radial distance from a rotational axis of the rotatable multi head scraper unit;

[0127] a rotation actuator arranged to selectively rotate the rotatable multi head scraper unit to allow operative use of one of the at least two scrapers at a time; and

[0128] at least one brake arrangement configured to prevent and/or restrict rotation of the rotatable multi head scraper unit during operation of the one of the at least two scrapers.

[0129] Embodiment 2. The scraper device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the rotatable multi head scraper unit comprises at least three scrapers arranged tangentially about the rotatable multi head scraper unit at a respective radial distance from the rotational axis.

[0130] Embodiment 3. The scraper device according to Embodiment 1 or 2, wherein a first-in-line scraper and a last-in-line scraper are positioned such that these are separated with an angle of at least 120 degree upstream of the first-in-line scraper.

[0131] Embodiment 4. The scraper device according to Embodiment 1 or 2, wherein a first-in-line scraper and a last-in-line scraper are positioned such that these are separated with an angle of at least 180 degree upstream of the first in line scraper.

[0132] Embodiment 5. The scraper device according to any one of Embodiment 1 to 4, wherein the rotatable multi head scraper unit is releasably arranged in the scraper device, to allow exchange of the rotatable multi head scraper unit.

[0133] Embodiment 6. The scraper device according to any one of Embodiment 1 to 5, further comprising a shaft member having a first and a second end and being rotatably arranged, wherein the rotatable multi head scraper unit is attached to the first end of the shaft member, and wherein the rotation actuator is arranged at the second end of the shaft member.

[0134] Embodiment 7. The scraper device according to Embodiment 6, further comprising a support arrangement arranged to at least partially encircle the shaft member and further arranged to be connected to a frame of the roller crusher.

[0135] Embodiment 8. The scraper device according to Embodiment 7, wherein a first brake arrangement of the at least one brake arrangement is supported by the support arrangement, and wherein the first brake arrangement comprises a friction element, configured to selectively engage the shaft member, or an engagement element attached thereto, to thereby prevent and/or restrict a rotation of the rotatable multi head scraper unit.

[0136] Embodiment 9. The scraper device according to Embodiment 8, wherein the friction element is elastomeric or is attached to a supporting element which is elastomeric, and wherein the first brake arrangement further comprises a supporting structure structured and arranged to at least partially enclose the friction element or the supporting element.

[0137] Embodiment 10. The scraper device according to any one of Embodiment 1 to 9, wherein the rotation actuator comprises a gear box.

[0138] Embodiment 11. The scraper device according to Embodiment 10, wherein the gear box is configured to act as a second brake arrangement of the at least one brake arrangement.

[0139] Embodiment 12. The scraper device according to Embodiment 11, wherein the gear box comprises a gear train having a gear ratio larger than 1.

[0140] Embodiment 13. The scraper device according to any one of Embodiment 1 to 12, wherein a third brake arrangement of the at least one brake arrangement is a ratchet arrangement.

[0141] Embodiment 14. The scraper device according to any one of Embodiment 1 to 13, wherein the scraper device further comprises a drive unit arranged to provide kinetic energy to the rotation actuator for the selectively rotation of the rotatable multi head scraper unit.

[0142] Embodiment 15. The scraper device according to any one of Embodiment 1 to 14, wherein the scraper device has rotary indexing capability for selectively rotating the rotatable multi head scraper unit between predefined angular positions.

[0143] Embodiment 16. A roller crusher having two generally parallel rollers arranged to rotate in opposite directions, and separated by a gap, each roller having two ends, the roller crusher comprising:

[0144] a flange attached to one of the ends of one of the rollers, the flange extending in a radial direction of the roller, and the flange having an extension (E) past an envelope surface of the roller, wherein the roller crusher further comprises a scraper device according to any one of Embodiment 1 to 15, wherein the rotatable multi head scraper unit is arranged such that one of the at least two scrapers, by the rotation actuator, is selectively positionable at an end of a roller having a flange, and, by the at least one brake arrangement, is prevented and/or restricted to move relative to the roller to thereby at least partially allow removal of material accumulated on the flange and/or on the envelope surface at an end portion of the roller adjacent the flange.

[0145] Embodiment 17. The roller crusher according to Embodiment 16, wherein the roller crusher comprises two flanges attached to opposite ends of one of the rollers, and

[0146] wherein a scraper device according to Embodiment 1 is arranged at each ends of the roller with the flanges.

[0147] Embodiment 18. A method for operating a roller crusher for grinding granular material, wherein the roller crusher has two generally parallel rollers arranged to rotate in opposite directions, and separated by a gap, each roller having two ends, the roller crusher comprising:

[0148] a flange attached to one of the ends of one of the rollers, the flange extending in a radial direction of the roller, and the flange having an extension (E) past an envelope surface of the roller, wherein the roller crusher further comprises a scraper device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the rotatable multi head scraper unit is arranged such that one of the at least two scrapers, by the rotation actuator, is selectively positionable at an end of a roller having a flange, and, by the at least one brake arrangement, is prevented and/or restricted to move relative to the roller; wherein the method comprises at least the step of:

[0149] at least partially removing material accumulated on the flange and/or on the envelope surface at an end portion of the roller adjacent the flange by means of the one of the at least two scrapers.

[0150] Embodiment 19. The method according to Embodiment 18, further comprising the step of:

[0151] rotating the multi head scraper unit such that the one of the at least two scrapers is exchanged with another one of the at least two scrapers at the end of the roller having a flange.

[0152] Embodiment 20. The method according to Embodiment 18 or 19, further comprising the step of:

[0153] rotating the rotatable multi head scraper unit such that the one of the at least two scrapers is moved from a first operating position to a second operating position, wherein a distance between the one of the at least two scrapers and the envelope surface as defined in an un-worn state of the one of the at least two scrapers is larger at the first operating position than at the second operating position.

[0154] Embodiment 21. The method according to Embodiment 19 or 20, wherein the scraper device further comprises a drive unit arranged to provide kinetic energy to the rotation actuator for the selective rotation of the rotatable multi head scraper unit, and wherein the method further comprises:

[0155] rotating the multi head scraper unit by means of the drive unit.

[0156] Embodiment 22. The method according to Embodiment 21, wherein the roller crusher further comprises a sensor system for monitoring the condition of the scraper device; and a controller operatively connected to the sensor system and to the drive unit, and wherein the method further comprises:

[0157] the control unit controlling the rotation of the multi head scraper unit based on output data from the sensor system.