ROLLER BODY WITH PROFILE CHANNELS FOR A THERMAL TREATMENT FLUID

Abstract

A roller body for treating a web-shaped material, comprising a shell and profiles which are arranged on an inner circumferential area of the shell, distributed about a rotational axis of the roller body, and together with the shell form channels for a thermal treatment fluid which extend at least substantially axially The shell forms an outer wall and the profiles form side walls of the channels respectively The side walls are each connected to the shell by means of a connecting seam produced by a material fit; and the side walls of immediately adjacent profiles exhibit an inclination of less than 90° to the shell in their cross-section up to the connecting seam such that they point away from each other from the connecting seam outwards.

Description

This application claims priority to German Application No. 10 2007 026 386.6 filed Jun. 6, 2007, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to a thermally treatable roller body for treating a web-shaped material, for example for manufacturing paper.

2. Description of the Related Art

Thermally treatable roller bodies with axial bores for a thermal treatment fluid are known for example from U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,605. Instead of drilling the channels for the thermal treatment fluid into a shell of the roller body, the channels can also be formed by means of profiles which are fastened to an inner circumferential area of the shell. Such profile channels are for example described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,932,091. The advantage is that it is possible to fall back on prefabricated profiles in order to provide the channels and that material can be saved on the shell. The shell can also be formed from a material which need not be suitable for introducing the bores, which are generally several metres long. Semicircular profiles or L profiles which are bevelled outwards at their ends in the manner of a bracket are used in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 2,932,091. The semicircular profiles are welded onto the shell by means of fillet welds by supplying an additive. The L profiles are placed onto each other in such a way that they each abut the shell with one end and the edges of an immediately adjacent L profile with their respectively other end, where they are welded. In this way, the L profiles form rectangular channels, the side walls of which are formed by two immediately adjacent L profiles. The embodiment with the semicircular profiles is problematic with regard to accessibility for the welding tool, while the rectangular channels each comprise three welded seams and the L profiles each have to abut the edge of an adjacent profile via one of their limbs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to simplify the manufacture of roller bodies with profile channels.

The subject of the invention is a roller body for treating a web-shaped material, which comprises a shell and axially extending profiles which are arranged on the inside of the shell, i.e. on an inner circumferential area of the shell, are distributed about a rotational axis of the roller body and together with the shell form channels for a thermal treatment fluid which are axial or extend at least substantially axially. The channels preferably extend continuously from one axial end to the other axial end of the shell. Before being joined, the profiles are open in cross-section on one longitudinal side, where they are connected to the shell in a seal over their axial length, such that for each of the channels, the shell forms the outer wall and one of the profiles respectively forms all the other walls, in particular the side walls of the respective channel. The profiles abut the shell along their two side walls, which limit the open longitudinal side of the respective profile to the left and right, and are fixedly connected, fluid-proof, to the shell along the side walls by means of a connecting seam which is produced by soldering or preferably welding. The connecting seams can also be adhesive seams, if the roller body is operated at a correspondingly low temperature which adhesive seams withstand. In such embodiments, the roller bodies can also consist of plastic, preferably fibre-reinforced plastic, and the channels can be adhered or laminated onto the roller body.

In accordance with the invention, the side walls of immediately adjacent profiles exhibit an inclination of less than 90° to the shell, more specifically to the inner circumferential area of the shell, up to the respective connecting seam. As viewed in the cross-section of the roller body, a space is obtained between the side walls of immediately adjacent profiles which is limited in the circumferential direction to the left and right of the two side walls of the immediately adjacent profiles up to the connecting seam and tapers up to the connecting seam. This improves accessibility to the connecting seam, in particular for a joining tool and for checking purposes. As compared to profiles which are for example semicircular in cross-section, in which the side walls of the channels correspondingly meet the shell at a right angle, the distances between immediately adjacent channels as measured in the circumferential direction about the rotational axis can be reduced. The intermediate space obtained between the inclined side walls up to the connecting seam enables the profiles to be arranged more closely in the circumferential direction.

The side walls formed by the profiles are preferably linear, i.e. they run relative to the inner area of the roller shell at a constant inclination, which is greater than 0° and smaller than 90°, up to the respective connecting seam. Alternatively, however, they can also be curved in cross-section, i.e. they can extend at an inclination which changes in the direction of the inner shell area, up to the connecting seam. Linear side walls are however advantageous, on the one hand with respect to avoiding dead spaces in the flow cross-section and on the other hand with respect to as good an accessibility for the joining tool as possible. The side walls limit the profiles to the left and right on the lower side which is open towards the shell.

In preferred embodiments, the profiles are angled profiles. V profiles are particular suitable. It is advantageous if the two limbs of the V profile together enclose an angle in the range of 60 to 120°. The limbs of the V profiles are preferably of equal length. V profiles are cost-effective and, with regard to their geometry, a particularly good compromise between the flow-engineering conditions in the channels, the requirements of the joining process and commercial procurability. L profiles, i.e. V profiles in which the limbs forming the side walls point at right angles to each other, are particularly suitable. Instead of the preferred simple V profiles, however, it is also for example possible to use profiles having a trapezoidal cross-section, i.e. boat-shaped profiles with side walls which preferably point to each other in a V shape, or otherwise polygonal profiles.

The invention understands side walls to mean only those profile walls which limit a flow cross-section of the fluid, i.e. which are in contact with the fluid flowing through on their inner side when the roller is in operation. It is these side walls which protrude up to the respective connecting seam. On each of the side walls connected to the shell, the connecting seam therefore extends directly along the rim edge or rim area of the side wall which faces the shell and not slightly away from the side wall. This achieves a particularly true-to-shape connection between the side walls and the shell. In the region of their rim which faces the inner area of the shell, the side walls can no longer rise off the inner shell area due to mechanically or thermally induced stresses. The danger of them rising off exists if the profiles comprise connecting flanges which bend away from the side walls, and are connected to the roller shell slightly away from the side walls in the region of the connecting flanges.

The inclination of the side walls is preferably selected from the range of 30° to 60°, such that the side walls, or a tangent onto the respective side wall, and the inner circumferential area of the shell enclose an angle in the cited range, at the point of their connecting seam. The side walls of immediately adjacent profiles are correspondingly spread away from each other, from their connecting seam outwards, at an angle in the range of 60° to 120°. A spreading angle in the range around 90°, corresponding to an inclination of the side walls of about 45° with respect to the inner circumferential area of the shell, is ideal.

The side walls formed by the profiles can in principle be connected to the shell by means of a fillet weld; however, the connecting seams are more preferably V seams. Since, in preferred embodiments, the shell exhibits a simple, smooth area on its inner circumferential area in the region of the respective connecting seam, the connecting seam is technically only a half V seam. Using angled profiles, in particular simple V profiles with only two limbs, is particularly suitable for forming such connecting seams. If the angled profile is for example formed by bevelling a metal sheet, the facing areas at the two free ends of such a profile already inherently point at an inclination to the inner circumferential area of the shell when the ends of the limbs are positioned onto the inner circumferential area of the shell. Round profiles which are formed by bending round metal sheets and extend in cross-section over an angle in the range of for example 90° to 120°, can however likewise be used with respect to the preferred seam form as a V seam. Although profiles are preferably used which already inherently comprise a facing area at each of their two free ends which points at an inclination to the inner circumferential area of the shell when positioned, the profiles can however also be provided with a corresponding phase at their two free facing areas by machine-finishing, for example grinding, in order to produce V seams. In preferred embodiments, the angle which the facing areas of the side walls and the inner circumferential area of the shell enclose is selected from the range of 30° to 60°.

In preferred embodiments, the profiles and the roller shell are welded to each other without additives. One preferred welding method is electron-beam welding. In the case of energy-beam welding, the profiles and the roller shell are advantageously made of homogeneous materials, which is favourable for welding without additives. In principle, however, the profiles can also be welded with additives; for instance, the connecting seams can be welded using powder. Electron-beam welding is also a particularly preferred welding method when using additives, wherein homogeneous materials are also advantageously employed in this case, i.e. the profiles and also the additive welding material are each homogeneous with the material of the roller shell. Gas shielded welding is likewise a candidate for welding, as is laser welding as another method of energy-beam welding. The additive can be supplied in the form of a welding or soldering wire, as applicable also in addition to a powdered additive material. If the demands on thermal and mechanical stability permit, they can also be soldered or as applicable bonded, for example adhered or laminated on. The connecting seams can be machine-finished, for example by grinding, in order to avoid notching effects at the transition from the connecting seam to the profile or as applicable to the shell.

The profiles can be adjacently arranged in the circumferential direction, sufficiently closely that immediately adjacent profiles are connected to the shell by means of the same connecting seam. In particular when welding by means of an energy beam, the profiles can be arranged with the respectively adjacent side walls tightly packed on the inner circumferential area and/or inner area of the shell or—as discussed again below—an annular shell part which is then joined to the shell together with at least one other annular shell part. In particular in energy-beam welding, a plurality of connecting seams can be simultaneously produced adjacently in one welding operation, either by means of different energy-beam welding tools or preferably one energy-beam welding tool with a fan of partial beams. Particularly preferably three, four or five connecting seams, or as applicable only two or also six connecting seams, are adjacently produced simultaneously by moving the welding tool with the plurality of partial beams or a plurality of welding tools forwards along the profiles in the welding direction in one processing operation and so producing the connecting seams. For welding with additives in particular, but also when welding without additives, the profiles for joining can also be arranged such that a narrow gap respectively remains between profiles which are immediately adjacent in the circumferential direction, into which additive can be supplied and melted, in order to produce the respective connecting seam.

For joining the profiles, it is advantageous if the shell is composed of a plurality of annular shell parts. The annular shell parts are joined to the shell. The annular shell parts extend in the circumferential direction about a rotational axis of the shell, preferably each over an angle of at most 180°. Even more preferably, they each only extend over an angle of at most 120°. An angle of 120° is particularly preferred. In such embodiments, the roller shell or merely an axial segment of the shell consisting of three annular shell parts is joined. The annular shell parts can in particular be identical to each other in terms of size and shape. On the other hand, the possibility is not to be excluded that they differ from each other with respect to their axial length or circumferential extension. The annular shell parts are preferably cylindrical on their outer circumferential area or their inner circumferential area; particularly preferably, they are cylindrical on both circumferential areas. Constructing the roller shell from annular shell parts of the type cited is advantageous for joining the profiles, since the joining tool can be deployed from the open side of the respective annular shell part and guided along the profiles in order to produce the connecting seam or to preferably simultaneously produce the plurality of seams. Accessibility is significantly improved as compared to welding in a closed shell.

After joining the profiles with the annular shell parts, wherein the profiles preferably each only extend over the axial length of a single annular shell part, the annular shell parts are joined to the roller shell. The statements made with respect to joining the profiles apply similarly to joining the annular shell parts. The annular shell parts are likewise preferably joined by energy-beam welding, particularly preferably by electron-beam welding. The annular shell parts can in particular be joined by means of I connecting seams along their facing areas which face each other during joining. The connecting seams can in principle point at an inclination to the rotational axis of the roller shell to be produced, but preferably extend parallel to the rotational axis. The roller shell can be joined from a plurality of shell segments in the axial direction, wherein the circumferential connecting seam or the plurality of circumferential connecting seams of the shell segments are likewise preferably I seams.

Manufacturing the shell from annular shell parts is preferably used in combination with the flow channels formed in accordance with the invention; however, joining from annular shell parts is also advantageous in its own right, in particular in combination with profiles which are arranged and joined for forming flow channels on the inner area of the annular shell parts, before the annular shell parts are joined to each other to form the roller shell. The shell is preferably formed from sheet steel. The profiles are preferably likewise steel sheets.

The shell can be over 8 m, even over 10 m long and can have an outer diameter of over 100 cm, even over 120 cm. It is a few centimetres thick. The profiles can be the same length as the shell, as applicable even slightly longer; preferably, they are a few centimetres shorter than the shell. If the shell is composed of annular shell parts, then this applies, with regard to profiles which may protrude, to the outer annular shell parts axially to the left and right, and correspondingly to the axial portions of the profiles arranged there. As measured onto the inner circumferential area of the shell, the profiles have a height in the centimetre range, preferably between 1 and 8 cm. V profiles advantageously have a limb length of 1 to 10 cm. The thickness of the profiles, in particular the side walls, is a few millimetres, preferably 2 to 8 mm.

Fittings can be arranged in the channels, in order for example to constrict the flow cross-section and so affect the transfer of heat to the shell. The fittings can also merely serve to produce turbulence, i.e. can be optimised in their geometry with respect to their turbulence-producing effect. The fittings can advantageously be arranged and, if necessary, fastened in the profiles before the profiles are joined to the shell.

Forming the channels by means of profiles also enables the flow cross-section of each channel or of selected channels in the axial profile of the respective channel to be varied in a simple way. One simple and therefore preferred variation is to vary the height of the channels or only of the selected channels as measured radially with respect to the rotational axis of the roller body. The side walls formed by the two limbs of for example a V profile, or also the side walls of any other profile cross-section, can thus be shortened as viewed over the axial length of the respective profile. Thus, the flow cross-section can be reduced in the flow direction of the thermal treatment fluid, in order to equalise the transfer of heat onto the shell due to the associated increase in the flow velocity when there is a decrease in the difference in temperature between the thermal treatment fluid and the shell over the axial length of the respective channel.

If outward and return flow channels are formed by the profiles, in order for example to supply the thermal treatment fluid at one axial end of the shell and drain it off again at the same end, a plurality of groups of profiles can be used, wherein the profiles within each group exhibit the same cross-section and the profiles from group to group exhibit different cross-sections. Thus, the profiles of one group can exhibit a large cross-section, i.e. a large cross-sectional area, and the profiles of the other group or of one or more other groups can exhibit a smaller cross-section, in order to form outward flow channels and return flow channels which differ from each other in the cross-section of the profiles. In particular, the outward flow channels can be formed by the profiles having the larger cross-section, and the return flow channels can be formed by the profiles having the smaller cross-section. Advantageously, at least one of the profiles having the smaller cross-section is arranged between the profiles having the larger cross-section. If, as is preferred, the profiles having the smaller cross-section are radially flatter, with respect to the rotational axis, than the profiles having the larger cross-section, then accessibility to the ends of the profiles which are to be joined is also improved in such an arrangement. Simple V profiles or L profiles are also advantageous for such embodiments, wherein it is also preferred if the limbs of these angled profiles enclose the same angle—for example, each point at right angles to each other—in each of the two or even more groups of profiles. Merely for the sake of completeness, it may be noted that the profiles of the outward flow channels and the profiles of the return flow channels can also be identical.

The thermal treatment fluid is preferably distributed via a distributor space into the channels or—in the case of outward flow channels and return flow channels—into the outward flow channels, or is collected in a collecting space after it has flowed through the channels or—in the case of outward flow channels and return flow channels—the outward flow channels. Here, as elsewhere, the word “or” is understood in the sense of “and/or”, i.e. it includes in each case the meaning of “either . . . or” and also the meaning of “both . . . and”. Accordingly, either a distributor space only or a collecting space only or, as is preferred, both a distributor space and a collecting space or a plurality of distributor spaces or a plurality of collecting spaces can be provided. The distributor space or collecting space is formed at an axial end of the shell, for example in a trunnion flange arranged at the axial end or preferably in the shell. If the thermal treatment fluid only flows through the roller body in one axial direction, then a distributor space is formed at the inflow end and a collecting space is formed at the outflow end in preferred embodiments. The distributor space or collecting space is understood to mean a space which extends up to the periphery in the radial direction or is formed there as an annular space, in order to connect all the channels or—in the case of outward flow channels and return flow channels—only the outward flow channels or only the return flow channels or as applicable also only a subgroup of the respective channels fluidically to each other.

If the thermal treatment fluid is supplied and drained off at the same axial end, a distributor space and a collecting space are formed at said supplying and draining end in preferred embodiments. A collecting space is preferably formed at the opposite end in such embodiments. A distributor space can also be formed there. If a distributor space or collecting space is formed or a plurality of distributor spaces or collecting spaces are formed, one or more of these spaces—preferably, all of these spaces—can be arranged in the shell. Alternatively, however, one or more of these spaces or all of these spaces can also be formed in one of the trunnion flanges or in both trunnion flanges. Mixed forms are also conceivable, in which a distributor space or collecting space is formed in the shell and a collecting space or distributor space is formed in one of the trunnion flanges.

A distributor space or collecting space can advantageously be formed by a disc-shaped or flatly curved partition structure—in the preferred simplest case, an at least substantially planar partition disc. Along its outer circumference, the partition structure comprises cavities for the channels or merely for a part of the channels. The relevant channels protrude through the partition structure in the region of the cavities or protrude into the cavities or up to the cavities. The cavities are shaped to conform to the outer contour of the channels protruding through them and are connected, for example soldered or preferably welded, to said channels, fluid-proof. If V profiles or L profiles are used, the partition structure comprises a correspondingly serrated profile over its outer circumferential rim.

In alternative embodiments, connecting channels are formed in a single trunnion flange or in a left-hand and a right-hand trunnion flange, for example as radially extending bores which connect a central supply line or drainage line to a distributor space or collecting space and to the channels or some of the channels.

In addition to the flow guides already cited, on the one hand only comprising outward flow channels, i.e. with a fluid supply at one axial end of the roller and a fluid drain at the other axial end of the roller, and a simple outward and return flow with a supply line and a drainage line at the same end, other flow guides can also be realised, for example a triple through-flow, namely a supply line at one end of the roller, an outward flow, a return flow, another outward flow and a drainage line at the other end of the roller. A quadruple through-flow of the roller body can also be realised, comprising—one after the other in the flow direction—a first outward flow channel, a first return flow channel, a second outward flow channel and a second return flow channel, i.e. with a supply line and a drainage line for the thermal treatment fluid at the same end of the roller. An equally advantageous variant is the supply line at one end of the roller and distribution into outward flow channels, wherein two adjacent outward flow channels are combined to form a return flow channel at the other end of the roller, i.e. the fluid flowing in the two outward flow channels to the other end flows back completely or at least partially from the two outward flow channels in a return flow channel and is drained off again at the same end of the roller.

In addition to the roller body itself, the invention also relates to a roller which comprises the roller body and is fitted in a web-treating machine, for example a paper machine, or is provided for being fitted. At each of the axial ends of the roller shell, the roller comprises a trunnion flange for rotationally mounting and distributing fluid or at least for sealing and preferably also for rotary-driving. One or both trunnion flanges can in particular close off a distributor space or collecting space formed at the respective axial end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the invention are illustrated below on the basis of figures. The features disclosed by the example embodiments, each individually and in any combination of features, advantageously develop the subjects of the claims and also the configurations illustrated above. There is shown:

FIG. 1 a roller with profiles which form channels and partition discs for forming distributor spaces and collecting spaces;

FIG. 2 a roller body of the roller, in a cross-section;

FIG. 3 a circumferential portion of the roller body, in cross-section;

FIG. 4 a circumferential portion of a roller body which is modified with regard to the profiles;

FIG. 5 a circumferential portion of a roller body which is modified again with regard to the profiles;

FIG. 6 a roller with profiles which form channels, and distributor spaces and collecting spaces which are formed in trunnion flanges;

FIG. 7 the cross-section C-C of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 the cross-section D-D of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 the detail A of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 a roller with profiles which form channels and a modified embodiment of distributor spaces and collecting spaces in the trunnion flanges;

FIG. 11 the cross-section E-E of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 the cross-section F-F of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 a section of a roller with profiles which form channels and a welded distributor and collecting system;

FIG. 14 a roller body with a shell which is joined from annular shell parts, in a cross-section;

FIG. 15 an axial segment of the roller body, joined from annular shell parts, of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 a roller body which is joined from two segments of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 a roller body which is composed of a plurality of segments and annular shell parts; and

FIG. 18 a roller body which is composed of a plurality of segments and annular shell parts, in a lateral view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a roller for thermo-mechanically treating a web-shaped material, for example a paper web in a paper machine. The roller can in particular be a calender roller. The roller comprises a roller body with a hollow-cylindrical shell 1, a first trunnion flange 2 and a second trunnion flange 3, which are fastened to the shell 1 at opposite axial ends. The trunnion flanges 2 and 3 serve to rotationally mount the roller body about a rotational axis R. The trunnion flange 2 forms the drive flange, onto which the torque for rotary-driving the roller is introduced. The trunnion flange 3 serves to supply and drain off a thermal treatment fluid, for example, a thermal oil, using which the shell 1 is thermally treated to a desired temperature for treating the web-shaped material.

A distributor system for the thermal treatment fluid is formed in the interior of the shell 1. A central supply line 4 and, concentrically around the supply line 4, a drainage line 5 for the thermal treatment fluid extend in the axial direction through the trunnion flange 3. The drainage line 5 is obtained, by means of a pipe inserted into the trunnion flange 3, as an annular gap between the pipe and a surrounding inner shell area of the trunnion flange 3. Alternatively, the drainage line 5 could also be obtained by bores which extend axially through the trunnion flange 3. In another modification, the drainage line 5 could be formed centrally and the supply line 4 could be formed to surround the drainage line 5. The thermal treatment fluid can be supplied to the distributor system through the supply line 4 and can be drained off through the drainage line 5. The distributor system includes, both on the supplying and draining side of the roller comprising the trunnion flange 3 and on the drive side comprising the trunnion flange 2, each of a distributor space 6 and a collecting space 7 as well as peripheral thermal treatment channels 10a and 10b which extend axially over the entire length of the shell 1, at any rate over the entire length over which the roller acts on a maximum-width web to be treated. The thermal treatment channels 10a and 10b are formed on the inner circumferential area of the shell 1, uniformly distributed about the rotational axis R. The thermal treatment channels 10a are outward flow channels, and the thermal treatment channels 10b are return flow channels. The thermal treatment channels 10a and 10b are adjacently arranged, alternately consecutive in the circumferential direction, i.e. each outward flow channel 10a is followed in the circumferential direction by a return flow channel 10b, and each return flow channel 10b is followed in the circumferential direction by an outward flow channel 10a.

The two distributor spaces 6 and the two collecting spaces 7 are axially limited by partition structures 8 and 9 and one of the trunnion flanges 2 and 3, respectively, and on the supplying and draining side are also fluidically separated from each other by the partition structure 9 on that side. The partition structures 8 and 9 are shaped as circular discs, each with a serrated outer circumferential rim. The partition structures 8 and 9 are arranged at the respective axial end of the shell 1 at a slight axial distance from each other and likewise at a slight axial distance from the respective trunnion flange 2 or 3, such that the distributor spaces 6 and collecting spaces 7 are each shaped as cylindrical discs. On the supplying and draining side, the distributor space 6 is limited between the partition structures 8 and 9, and the collecting space 7 is limited by the trunnion flange 3 and the partition structure 9. On the opposite drive side, the collecting space 7 is axially limited between the partition structures 8 and 9, and the distributor space 6 is limited by the partition structure 9 and the trunnion flange 2.

When the roller is in operation, the thermal treatment fluid is introduced centrally into the distributor space 6 of the supplying and draining side through the supply line 4 and flows on the circumferential rim of the axially inner partition structure 8, into the outward flow channels 10a. The thermal treatment fluid flows through the outward flow channels 10a in the axial direction and, via the outer circumferential rim of the axially opposite inner partition structure 8, enters the collecting space 7 there, where it is redirected inwards towards the rotational axis R and flows through a central opening of the axially outer partition structure 9, into the distributor space 6. The thermal treatment fluid flows radially outwards through the distributor space 6 of the drive side and, via the outer circumferential rim of the partition structure 9, enters the return flow channels 10b. The thermal treatment fluid flows through the return flow channels 10b in the axial direction, is collected in the collecting space 7 on the supplying and draining side, and flows back through the collecting space 7 and the central drainage line 5 into the external fluid supply system of the roller.

FIG. 2 shows the roller body in the cross-section B-B indicated in FIG. 1. The thermal treatment channels 10a and 10b are limited radially outwards by the shell 1, i.e. by the inner circumferential area of the shell 1, and inwards by profiles P which are arranged on the inner circumferential area of the shell 1, adjacently in the circumferential direction about the rotational axis R, and joined fixedly and fluid-proof to the shell 1 by being welded over their entire axial length. The thermal treatment channels 10a and 10b are each limited by a single profile P and the shell 1, i.e. the shell 1 and one of the profiles P, respectively, together form the circumferential wall of the respective thermal treatment channel 10a or 10b.

The profiles P are angled profiles—in the example embodiment, isosceles L profiles with a first limb 11 and a second limb 12 which together enclose an angle a of at least substantially 90°. The profiles P lie adjacently, closely spaced, such that profiles P which are immediately adjacent in the circumferential direction are connected to the shell 1 by means of a common, axially continuous welded seam 13. The welded seams 13 are welded using powder or even more preferably by means of an electron beam.

FIG. 3 shows a circumferential portion of the roller body. In order to illustrate the geometric relationships with regard to preparing the weld, a profile P before the welding connection has been produced is shown on the right, and a profile P after the welding connection has been produced is shown in the left-hand half of FIG. 3. The limbs 11 and 12 form the side walls of the thermal treatment channel 10a or 10b limited by the respective profile P, and the shell 1 forms the outer wall. In the cross-section in the example embodiment, thermal treatment channels 10a and 10b having a triangular flow cross-section are obtained. The profiles P are each positioned on the inner circumferential area of the shell 1 via the inner edge of their limbs 11 and 12. The free facing areas of the limbs 11 and 12 point perpendicular to the respective limb 11 or 12 and accordingly at an angle a of about 45° to the inner circumferential area of the shell 1, i.e. they each therefore enclose an angle 13 of about 45° with the inner circumferential area, and correspondingly limit a wedge-shaped intermediate space together with the inner circumferential area, into which the powdered additive for the welding process is introduced by welding in the hollow shell 1 using powder. Respectively immediately adjacent profiles P are positioned onto the inner circumferential area of the shell 1 at a small distance from each other in the circumferential direction, such that the additive can penetrate into the intermediate space between the shell 1 and the facing areas of the respectively immediately adjacent limbs 11 and 12. The welded seams 13 are produced by welding, as shown schematically in the right-hand half of FIG. 3 for each limb 11 or 12, each in the form of a V seam, more specifically a half V seam, wherein the respectively immediately adjacent limbs 11 and 12 are respectively connected together to the shell 1 by a welded seam 13. The welded seams 13 can be formed as fillets between the immediately adjacent limbs 11 and 12 by ablative machine-finishing, for example grinding, in order to avoid notching effects.

FIG. 4 shows a circumferential portion of a roller body 1 which is modified with regard to the cross-section of the thermal treatment channels 10a and 10b. The modification is that the return flow channels 10b exhibit a smaller flow cross-section than the outward flow channels 10a, such that the thermal treatment fluid flows through the return flow channels 10b at a greater flow velocity than through the outward flow channels 10a, and the difference in temperature between the thermal treatment fluid and the shell 1 which is already reduced in the return flow channels 10b is at least partially compensated for in this way. The outward flow channels 10a correspond to the outward flow channels 10a of FIGS. 2 and 3. The profiles P of the outward flow channels 10a are indicated by Pa and the profiles P of the return flow channels 10b are indicated by Pb. The profiles Pb are likewise angled profiles—in the example embodiment, L profiles with limbs 11 and 12 which point at least substantially at right angles to each other. The profiles Pb differ from the profiles P_a only in the radial height and/or length of the limbs 11 and 12, which is reduced in the profiles Pb as compared to the profiles P_a. There are no other differences with respect to the profiles P of FIGS. 2 and 3. Due to the reduced limb length and/or radial height, the outward flow channels 10a draw closer to each other in the circumferential direction. As a result, space for the joining tool—in the example embodiment, the welding tool —is nonetheless gained due to the reduced radial height of the return flow channels 10b. The accessibility of the joining region and the capacity for checking the welded seams 13 is further improved.

FIG. 5 shows a circumferential portion of the roller body 1 with another modification with respect to the arrangement of profiles P. All the profiles P correspond to the profiles P in the example embodiment of FIG. 3 and to the profiles P_a of the example embodiment of FIG. 4. Outward and return flow channels 10a and 10b are thus again formed, as in the example embodiment of FIG. 3, by profiles P which each have the same cross-section. Unlike the other two example embodiments, the limbs 11 and 12 of each profile P are each connected to the roller body 1 by means of a separate connecting seam 14 of their own. The profiles P are correspondingly spaced apart from their two respectively immediately adjacent profiles P in the circumferential direction of the roller body 1 far enough that each of the connecting seams 14 for each limb 11 and 12 can be individually produced as a V seam. Due to the increased distance between respectively immediately adjacent profiles P, accessibility during welding is improved as compared to other two examples. Aside from this difference, the example embodiment of FIG. 5 corresponds to the example embodiment of FIG. 3.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the profiles P and Pa and Pb can also be welded to the shell 1, and preferably also to each other in pairs, by means of energy-beam welding, in particular electron-beam welding, by being closely arranged adjacently in the circumferential direction, wherein they can also contact each other laterally. For joining without additives, homogeneous materials are advantageously welded to each other. For energy-beam welding, the profiles P or Pa and Pb can be arranged in a linear contact with the inner area of the shell 1, each with an inner edge on the facing side of the side walls 11 and 12, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. Alternatively, however, the profile limbs 11 and 12 can also be flattened on their facing sides, in order to obtain area contact with the shell 1. They can also be rounded on their facing sides.

The cross-sectional shape of the partition structures 8 and 9 can also be seen from the cross-sectional representation of FIG. 2. If the profiles P are identical, the partition structures 8 correspond in cross-section to the inner cross-section of the shell 1 which is free in FIG. 2. The two axially inner partition structures 8 seal the distributor space 6 on the supplying and draining side and the collecting space 7 on the opposite side, axially inwards. They exhibit a circular cross-section which is closed up to the circumferential rim, and are serrated on their outer circumferential rim in accordance with the cross-sectional shape of the profiles P and—in the modified embodiment—the profiles P_a and Pb, and are fixedly connected, fluid-proof, to the profiles P and—in the modified example embodiment—the profiles P_a and Pb. The axially outer partition structures 9 differ from the axially inner partition structures 8 in particular in the profile of their outer circumference since only the profiles P or Pb of the return flow channels 10b protrude through them. In other words, only the ducts for the profiles P and/or P_a for the outward flow channels 10a are missing in the outer partition structures 9. In the example embodiment, a central breach is also provided in each of the outer partition structures 9, on the supplying and draining side for the thermal treatment fluid flowing in and on the opposite side for the thermal treatment fluid to be supplied to the return flow channels 10b. The collecting space 7 on the supplying and draining side and the distributor space 6 on the opposite side are closed off radially outwards by the respective trunnion flange 2 or 3.

It may also be noted with respect to the distributor spaces 6 and collecting spaces 7 that they are still formed within the shell 1 in the example embodiment. In one modification, at least one—or both—axially outer spaces 6 and/or 7 could be formed in the respective trunnion flange 2 or 3. In another modification, both spaces 6 and 7 can be formed in the respective trunnion flange 2 or 3 at one axial end or at both axial ends.

FIG. 6 shows a roller with the profile system of the example embodiment of FIG. 4 and a distributor and collecting system which is formed in the trunnion flanges 2 and 3. FIGS. 7 and 8 show the cross-sections C-C and D-D indicated in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 shows a view onto the supplying and draining side of the roller, which is indicated by A in FIGS. 6 and 9. The drainage line 5 is formed in the trunnion flange 3 by a plurality of axial supply channels arranged in uniform distribution about the central supply line 4. The fluid is supplied through the central supply line 4 on the supplying and draining side, and directed outwards via connecting channels 4a in the trunnion flange 2, into a peripheral annular channel serving as a distributor space 16. The connecting channels 4a and the distributor space 16 are formed in the trunnion flange 3. The outward flow channels 10a connect the distributor space 16 to a collecting space 17 which is likewise formed as an annular channel and is formed at the opposite end of the roller in the trunnion flange 2. Connecting channels 4b lead from this collecting space 17 into a central space 18 in the trunnion flange 2. The space 18 is connected to a second distributor space 16 via other connecting channels 4c which are likewise formed in the trunnion flange 2. The second distributor space 16 is likewise formed as an annular channel in the trunnion flange 2. The distributor space 16 distributes the thermal treatment fluid into the return flow channels 10b which feed into a collecting space 17 which connects the return flow channels 10b to the drainage line 5 on the supplying and draining side via connecting channels 4d. The collecting space 17 of the supplying and draining side is likewise formed as an annular channel in the trunnion flange 3. The connecting channels 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are each formed as radial bores in the trunnion flange 2 or 3 which connect the distributor and collecting spaces 16 and 17 in the respective trunnion flange 2 or 3 to the supply line 4 or drainage line 5 or to the space 18.

FIG. 10 shows another roller with the configuration of the profiles Pa and Pb of FIG. 4 and a distributor and collecting system, formed in the trunnion flanges 2 and 3, for the thermal treatment fluid. The supplying and draining side corresponds to the example embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 9. Only the opposite end of the roller is modified as compared to the example embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 9, in that a distributor space is not formed there but rather only a collecting space 17 in the form of a circumferential, self-contained annular channel in the trunnion 2. This collecting space 17 is closed off radially outwards by the roller body 1, as is also the case for the distributor and collecting spaces 16 and 17 of the example embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 9. As in that case, the fluid is supplied through the central supply line 4, directed outwards via the connecting channels 4a into the distributor space 16 of the supplying and draining side, and from there enters the outward flow channels 10a. The thermal treatment fluid flowing through the outward flow channels 10a is collected on the opposite side in the collecting space 17 and flows back through the return flow channels 10b to the supplying and draining side, is collected in the collecting space 17 there, and is guided back into the cycle again for the purpose of thermal treatment via the connecting channels 4d and the drainage line 5. It may also be noted with respect to the distributor space 16 of the supplying and draining side of both example embodiments that all the outward flow channels 10a are connected to said distributor space 16, but all the return flow channels 10b are guided through said distributor space 16 up to the collecting space 17 of the supplying and draining side. In the example embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 9, all the outward flow channels 10a feed into the collecting space 17 on the side of the trunnion flange 2, while all the return flow channels 10b are guided, fluidically separate, through said collecting space 17 and feed into the distributor space 16 there. In the example embodiment of FIG. 10, by contrast, all the outward and return flow channels 10a and 10b feed into the collecting space 17 on the side of the trunnion flange 2.

FIG. 13 shows a section of a roller with a welded distributor and collecting system. Only a section of the end of the roller including the trunnion flange 3 is shown. The distributor and collecting system is obtained using connecting pipes and distributing rings which are welded to each other. The connecting pipes form connecting channels 4a, functionally as in the example embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 12. The connecting pipes are therefore likewise indicated by 4a. A distributor ring 16 can also be seen, which is welded onto the pipes 40 and the roller body 1, and also the profiles P. For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the arrangement of the profiles P corresponds to the example embodiment of FIG. 3. A central distributor cup which is fixedly connected, for example screwed, to the trunnion flange 3 and serves to connect the connecting pipes 4a to the supply line 4 is indicated by 19. If, as in the other example embodiments, the trunnion flange 3 serves to both supply and drain off the thermal treatment fluid, another distributor cup can be arranged in the distributor cup 19, into which welded pipes for forming the connecting channels 4d of the example embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 12 lead. In alternative embodiments, however, the thermal treatment fluid can also be drained off on the opposite side by the trunnion flange 2. In such embodiments, only the distributor system is thus formed on the side of the trunnion flange 3 and only the collecting system is formed on the opposite side. In design terms, the collecting system would correspond to distributor system of the supplying side. A pressure equalisation gap is indicated by 20.

Although the distributor and collecting system is preferably formed either with partition discs only or with distributor and collecting spaces formed in the trunnion flanges or as a welded distributor and collecting system only, mixed forms of the different distributor and collecting systems are not to be excluded, for example forming a distributor or collecting space at one end of the roller by means of one or more partition discs and forming a distributor space or collecting space at the other end of the roller in the trunnion flange at that end. It is thus, for example, possible to form the end of the roller of the supplying and draining side in accordance with the example embodiment of FIG. 1 and the opposite end of the roller in accordance with the example embodiment of FIG. 6, FIG. 10 or FIG. 13. The end of the roller with the trunnion flange 2 of FIG. 6 can also for example be replaced with the welded system of FIG. 13 or the partition disc system in the trunnion flange of FIG. 1, to name but a few examples.

FIG. 14 shows a roller shell which is joined from annular shell parts 1a, 1b and 1c. The annular shell parts 1a, 1b and 1c are identical to each other. They extend in the circumferential direction about the rotational axis R over an angle y of 120° each and abut each other via their axially extending facing sides which point parallel to the rotational axis R. In the abutting regions, they are each joined in pairs by means of an axially continuous I welded seam 1d.

Constructing the roller shell from annular shell parts 1a, 1b and 1c facilitates arranging and joining the profiles P—alternatively, the profiles Pa and Pb—on the inner shell areas of the annular shell parts 1a, 1b and 1c. The annular shell parts 1a, 1b and 1c comprise cylindrical inner and outer circumferential areas.

For joining, the profiles P are arranged on the inner area of the respective annular shell part 1a or 1b or 1c and joined to the annular shell part 1a, 1b or 1c by electron-beam welding. The profiles P—alternatively, the profiles Pa and Pb or profiles of another type—are preferably adjacently arranged sufficiently closely in the circumferential direction that the immediately adjacent side walls are welded to the respective annular shell part 1a, 1b or 1c by the same energy beam. In order to accelerate the welding process, a plurality of energy beams can be simultaneously moved forwards axially along the profiles P in the welding direction, wherein one of the connecting seams is continuously produced for each energy beam. Particularly preferably, four connecting seams which are consecutive in the circumferential direction are produced. If, as is preferred, they are arranged closely adjacent, then they are the connecting seams 13; if the profiles P or P_a and Pb are arranged at a distance, then they are the connecting seams 14 (FIG. 5). When arranged closely adjacent, the profiles P or P_a and Pb can be arranged as in FIGS. 3 and 4 or preferably even more closely together in the circumferential direction.

After joining the profiles P, P_a and Pb or profiles of another type, the annular shell parts 1a, 1b and 1c are fixed in a joining position relative to each other, either in pairs or all three simultaneously, and the connecting seams 1d are produced. As mentioned, the connecting seams 1d are likewise preferably produced by means of electron-beam welding. The profiles are preferably arranged such that when the connecting seams 1d are produced, one of the connecting seams for the profiles is also simultaneously produced. It is then in particular possible, as shown in FIG. 14, for one of the two side walls of one of the profiles at each of the two free circumferential ends of the annular shell parts 1a, 1b and 1c to taper such that the relevant connecting seam for the profile comes to rest radially overlapping with the respective connecting seam 1d.

FIG. 15 shows an axial segment, joined from three annular shell parts 1a, 1b and 1c, for an axially longer roller shell, for example for the roller shells 1 of FIGS. 16 and 18. The annular shell parts 1a, 1b and 1c can also themselves form a roller shell I alone.

FIG. 16 shows a roller shell 1 which is joined from two axial segments in accordance with the segment of FIG. 15, by joining the two segments to each other by producing a circumferential connecting seam 1e.

FIG. 17 shows another example of joining for a roller shell 1 consisting of annular shell parts 1a, 1b and 1c. This roller shell 1 respectively comprises four of these annular shell parts, adjacent in the axial direction. FIG. 17 shows how, in a first step, the annular shell parts 1a, 1b and 1c for joining the assembled roller shell 1 can be joined for example in groups of three to respectively form a shell segment in accordance with FIG. 15, and then axially joined to each other in pairs by means of connecting seams le. Alternatively, FIG. 17 also shows how the annular shell parts 1a, 1b and 1c can be joined to each other in a virtually free order, and how segments in accordance with FIG. 15 need not be respectively manufactured in a first step and then joined, axially abutting each other. Firstly joining segments in accordance with FIG. 15 and then joining such segments together is, however, preferred.

Claims

1-27. (canceled)

28. A roller body for treating a web-shaped material, comprising:

a shell; and

a plurality of profiles which are arranged on an inner circumferential area of the shell, distributed about a rotational axis of the roller body, and together with the shell form channels for a thermal treatment fluid which extend at least substantially axially;

wherein the shell forms an outer wall and the profiles form side walls of the channels, respectively;

and wherein the side walls are each connected to the shell by means of a connecting seam produced by a material fit;

wherein the side walls of immediately adjacent profiles exhibit an inclination of less than 90° to the shell in their cross-section up to the connecting seam, such that they point away from each other directly from the connecting seam.

29. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein the profiles each comprise a first limb and a second limb which form the side walls and extend towards an open side of the profile and respectively terminate in one of the connecting seams via their facing sides.

30. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein the side walls point towards the inner areas of the shell and are respectively shaped on their facing side facing the inner area of the shell such that they are in contact with the inner area of the shell over an area or only linearly along an edge when the connecting seams are produced.

31. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein the side walls are linear.

32. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein the profiles are angled profiles.

33. The roller body according to claim 32, wherein the profiles are L profiles or V profiles.

34. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein the side walls each comprise a facing side which faces the shell and encloses an angle with the shell, which is greater than 0° and smaller than 90°, before the respective connecting seam is produced.

35. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein the connecting seams are V seams.

36. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein the connecting seams are welded seams, soldered seams or bonded seams.

37. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein the connecting seams are welded by means of an electron beam or a laser beam or using powder or a shielding gas.

38. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein the ends of the side walls of immediately adjacent profiles on the shell are connected to the shell by means of the same connecting seam or a separate connecting seam each.

39. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein the shell is joined from annular shell parts which extend in the circumferential direction over an angle (y) of at most 180° in each case, and the annular shell parts are joined to each other by means of axially extending connecting seams.

40. The roller body according to claim 39, wherein the annular shell parts are joined to each other by welded seams produced by energy-beam welding.

41. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein fittings which constrict the flow cross-section or produce turbulence are arranged in at least one part of the profiles.

42. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein at least one part of the profiles exhibits a cross-section contour which varies in the axial direction.

43. The roller body according to claim 42, wherein the radial height varies.

44. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein at an axial end of the shell, axially within or outside the shell, a distributor space or collecting space is provided, via which the thermal treatment fluid is distributed into at least a part of the channels or collected from at least a part of the channels.

45. The roller body according to claim 44, wherein a disc-shaped partition structure is arranged at the end in the shell, and the profiles or only a group of the profiles protrude into or through the partition structure, and in that the partition structure is connected to the profiles or only the group of the profiles, circumferentially sealed along its outer circumferential rim about the rotational axis.

46. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein a first group of the profiles exhibit a large cross-section and a second group of the profiles exhibit a comparatively smaller cross-section, and in that at least one of the profiles of the second group is arranged between two profiles of the first group in the circumferential direction about the rotational axis.

47. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein a first group of the profiles are radially high and a second group of the profiles are comparatively radially flat, and in that at least one of the profiles of the second group is arranged between two profiles of the first group in the circumferential direction about the rotational axis.

48. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein a first group of the profiles form outward flow channels and a second group of the profiles form return flow channels.

49. The roller body according to claim 48, wherein at a first axial end of the roller body, axially within or outside the shell, a distributor space connected to the outward flow channels is provided.

50. The roller body according to claim 49, wherein at the first axial end of the roller body, axially within or outside the shell, a collecting space connected to the return flow channels is provided.

51. The roller body according to claim 49, wherein at the other axial end of the roller body, axially within or outside the shell, a collecting space connected to the outward flow channels is provided.

52. The roller body according to claim 50, wherein at the other axial end of the roller body, axially within or outside the shell, a return flow channels is provided.

53. The roller body according to claim 48, wherein: at the end of the roller body, axially within or outside the shell, a disc-shaped partition structure is arranged; the profiles of both groups or only of one of the groups protrude into or through the partition structure; and the partition structure is connected to the profiles protruding into or through it, circumferentially sealed along its outer circumferential rim about the rotational axis.

54. The roller body according to the claim 53, wherein another such disc shaped partition structure is arranged at the end, the first and second group protrude through one of the partition discs and only one of the groups protrudes through the other partition disc.

55. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein a left-hand and a right-hand trunnion flange are connected to the roller body, and an annular distributor space or collecting space, which the roller body closes off radially outwards, is formed on an outer circumference or near an outer circumference by at least one of the trunnion flanges.

56. The roller body according to claim 28, wherein a distributor and collecting system with welded pipes and a welded distributor ring or collecting ring are formed on at least one axial end of the roller body.

57. A method for manufacturing a roller body according to claim 28, wherein: the profiles are arranged on the inner areas of annular shell parts and joined to the annular shell parts by producing the connecting seams; and the annular shell parts joined to the profiles, which each extend in the circumferential direction over an angle (y) of at most 180°, are joined to each other to form the shell.

58. The method according to claim 57, wherein a plurality of the profiles are respectively joined simultaneously to one of the annular shell parts by energy-beam welding with a plurality of energy beams or partial beams of a fanned energy beam.