Roller drive system for roller hearth kiln
AssigneeEisenmann SE
InventorCharles H. Birks
Life of this patent
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Abstract
There is disclosed herein a drive system and a coupling system for each roller in a roller hearth kiln. The drive system is modular and encased and includes a plurality of aligned drive worms that engage driven gears that in turn rotate a drive shaft. The casing defines an oil sump which lubricates and cools the worm and gear and permits higher precision elements to be used. A cup-like ball-bearing style coupling system is used to drivingly couple the drive shaft to the roller.
Claims11
A roller drive system for use in a high temperature roller hearth kiln of the type used in treating ceramic materials which includes a plurality of transversely positioned rollers spaced along the length of the kiln and extending sideways of the kiln for engagement with said drive system wherein:
- said drive means are provided external of the kiln in a plurality of modular elongated units for engagement with the rollers;
- each unit is encased, elongated, and includes a pair of ends, and is constructed to cause a plurality of rollers to rotate and each unit includes:
- a plurality of pinion-like worm gears, each for coupling to a roller;
- and
- a worm assembly which extends between the ends of the unit and includes:
- an elongated drive shaft;
- and a plurality of worm-like members each member mounted to said drive shaft so that said worm-like members are axially aligned with each other and coupled to said drive shaft for rotation and each worm-like member is constructed to engage a pinion-like worm gear;
- the worm-like assembly being mounted above the pinion-like worm gears;
- whereby said plurality of rollers are rotated.
A coupling system for use in a high temperature roller hearth kiln of the type used in treating ceramic materials which includes transversely positioned rollers that are spaced along the length of the kiln, each of which extends transverse of the kiln for engagement with a roller drive or support system, which coupling system includes at least one coupling assembly for driving a roller, said assembly including;
- output shaft means having one end for rotatable engagement with drive means, and the other end including a drive hub mounted thereon and having a plurality of drive indentations spaced around the circumference of the hub;
- a cylindrical and tubular coupling sleeve for receiving and engaging a roller and the hub sleeve, said coupling having an inner and outer sleeve, said inner sleeve having drive indentations at one end corresponding to the hub drive indentations and constructed to snugly and tightly engage a roller and the outer sleeve surrounds and tightly engages the inner sleeve;
- securement means associated with the inner and outer sleeve for securing said sleeves to a roller;
- and
- transmission means for interfitting with the hub and sleeve indentations to couple the sleeve to the hub for the transfer of power and movement between the hub to the inner and outer sleeve and the roller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.