Abstract: An apparatus for granulating extruded material includes an extruder and an underwater granulator connected to the extruder and having a cutting plate for cutting extruded material, the granulator being hinged so that it can swivel about a swivel axis when disconnected from the extruder. A feed pipe is connected to said granulator for providing process water and a discharge pipe is connected to the granulator for transporting and cooling granulate, the feed pipe and the discharge pipe each having a swivel joint with an axis of rotation which is coaxial to the swivel axis.

Abstract: A drive unit for a granulator, in particular an underwater granulator, includes a rotor that is, or can be, connected to a cutting blade of the granulator. The unit is equipped with an electric motor for driving the rotor and radial bearings for supporting the rotor in a housing, in addition to a device for applying an axial force, which presses the cutting blade against a cutting plate during operation. An axial force is applied in as simple a manner as possible with the least possible wear and tear by using a device for applying an axial force that includes at least one magnetic axial bearing, having a first axial bearing part, which is fixed in the housing of the drive unit, and co-operates with an axial bearing part that is displaceably, mounted in the rotor.

Abstract: A diverter valve is provided for an extruder, especially a twin-screw extruder, that allows for the replacement of the extruder screws without dismounting the same. The diverter valve includes a valve housing with a first flow passage, which can be fastened indirectly or directly to an extruder cylinder, whereby the valve housing can be arranged on the extruder cylinder with the first flow passage aligned with the screw area. The cross section of the first flow passage is constructed large enough to pass extruder screws arranged in the extruder through the flow passage.

Abstract: A granulating device is provided, especially one used to produce plastic granulates, having a screen device that contains a housing and at least one flow passage and can be connected to an extruder, and a granulator that is arranged downstream from the flow direction of the screen device. To obtain quick disassembly and assembly of the extruder screws, the granulator is removable from the screen device, especially by being pivoted away from it. The screen device is designed such that in the operating and assembly states of the screen device, an opening that is arranged coaxially to the extruder screws can be produced in the screen device through which the extruder screw or screws can be removed completely from the extruder cylinder.

Abstract: A diverter valve is provided for an extruder, especially a twin-screw extruder, that allows for the replacement of the extruder screws without dismounting the same. The diverter valve includes a valve housing with a first flow passage, which can be fastened indirectly or directly to an extruder cylinder, whereby the valve housing can be arranged on the extruder cylinder with the first flow passage aligned with the screw area. The cross section of the first flow passage is constructed large enough to pass extruder screws arranged in the extruder through the flow passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for granulating extruded material includes an extruder and an underwater granulator connected to the extruder and having a cutting plate for cutting extruded material, the granulator being hinged so that it can swivel about a swivel axis when disconnected from the extruder. A feed pipe is connected to said granulator for providing process water and a discharge pipe is connected to the granulator for transporting and cooling granulate, the feed pipe and the discharge pipe each having a swivel joint with an axis of rotation which is coaxial to the swivel axis.

Abstract: An extruder includes a barrel having at least one axial bore extending to a downstream end of the barrel, a cutting plate of a granulating unit, received against a contact surface at the downstream end, and a plurality of heating elements in the barrel in the immediate vicinity of the contact surface. The heating elements are preferably heating cartridges which are received in two pairs of parallel bores at right angles to each other, thereby forming a square in a plane transverse to the axial bore.

Abstract: The invention relates to a screw pump comprising an inlet cross-section and an outlet cross-section for conveying free-flowing media, in particular plastic melts and rubber blends. Said pump comprises two screw shafts (20, 21), having a distance (&agr;) between their axes, which are located in a pump housing (3) comprising two partially overlapping housing bores (4, 5) that run through said housing (3) in a longitudinal direction and which can be rotationally driven in an equidirectional manner. A plurality of single-flight screw element groups (1, 2), which closely intermesh, are arranged on said shafts in a rotationally-fixed manner. The invention also relates to a multi-screw extruder comprising a screw pump of this type.