Adjustable press roller using silicone elastomer as pressure medium

An adjustable press roller for adjusting and controlling roller deflection and nip pressure between the press roller and a counter surface, said press roller comprising:

• a stationary yoke defining at least one opening surrounded by side walls and a bottom wall;
• a hollow cylindrical shell arranged rotatably around the stationary yoke, and being disposed for pressing the nip of the rollers, a pressing member mounted in the at least one opening of the yoke in slidable engagement with the side walls and for pressing against an inner wall of said shell to deflect the shell such that it radially presses on the nip and under tension, said pressing member and said inner wall of said shell having a sliding engagement therebetween, said pressing member and said opening defining a space;
• a pressure medium disposed in the space for expanding and deforming to transmit a force to the pressing member and for returning to its initial state upon release of pressure thereon, wherein the pressure medium comprises a room temperature vulcanizing silicone elastomer compound, the silicone serving as a hydraulic fluid replacing pressure medium;
• and
• a pressure creating member for applying pressure on the silicone such that the silicone, by way of its expansion and deformation in response thereto, transmits pressure to the pressing member which is, in turn, pressing against the inner wall of said shell, which shell thus deflects radially pressing said nip, and upon releasing said pressure, the silicone resumes its initial state, assisted by the tension of the deflected shell.