Method of and apparatus for sharpening orbiting knives
AssigneeHauni Maschinenbau AG
InventorAlfred Drenguis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The orbiting knife or knives on a rotary knife holder in a tobacco shredding machine is or are automatically adjusted relative to a sharpening tool in response to signals indicating changes of one or more variable parameters which are indicative of the need for a sharpening of the knife or knives. Such parameters include at least the magnitude of torque which is required to rotate the knife holder but often also the temperature of the mass of condensed tobacco being fed into the range of the knife or knives, the quantity of tobacco per unit length of the mass, the mosture content of tobacco in the mass, the presence and/or the size and/or the nature of foreign matter in the mass, and others.
Claims20
A method of sharpening at least one knife which orbits along an endless path about a predetermined axis and the sharpening of which necessitates an adjustment relative to at least one sharpening tool adjacent said path, comprising the steps of:
- monitoring the magnitude of torque which is required to orbit the at least one knife about said axis at a predetermined speed;
- and
- adjusting the at least one knife relative to the at least one sharpening tool in response to departures of the magnitude of monitored torque from a predetermined range of acceptable magnitudes.
Apparatus for comminuting a mass of compacted smokable material, comprising:
- means for advancing the mass toward a severing station;
- a knife holder rotatable at said station about a predetermined axis;
- at least one knife adjustably mounted on said holder for orbital movement about said axis along an endless path to repeatedly sever the mass at said station;
- at least one knife sharpening tool adjacent said path;
- adjustable means for displacing said at least one knife relative to said holder and said at least one sharpening tool;
- means for applying to said holder a variable driving torque;
- means for monitoring the magnitude of the torque being applied to said holder;
- and
- means for adjusting said at least one knife relative to said holder and said at least one sharpening tool when the magnitude of monitored torque departs from a range of acceptable magnitudes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.