Moving fluid in a rotating cylinder
View Patent ↗The invention may utilize shaft horsepower for rotating cylinders to move a fluid in an axial direction within the cylinder. The cylinder may comprise a spiral blade on or in its inner surface with a pitch relative to a central axis of the cylinder. The blade's pitch may be variable or uniform with respect to the central axis. In some applications, plural blades may be positioned within the cylinder. The invention is particularly suitable for imparting kinetic energy sufficient to assist with the evacuation of condensate from a paper dryer cylinder with reduced or no blow through steam. The invention also has applications for spinner wheels.
1 . A wheel for making mineral wool or metal wool, the wheel comprising:
a) a hollow, cylindrical shell having an inner surface comprising at least one helical groove, wherein a cavity within the shell is defined at least by the inner surface, and wherein the wheel is rotatable about a central axis;
b) the cavity in fluid communication with an inlet and outlet;
c) a cylindrical cage positioned entirely within the cavity and comprising opposed annular end members coupled by a plurality of axially oriented bars, wherein the bars are spaced apart to define a plurality of apertures between adjacent bars; and
d) an outer endcap and an inner endcap operably coupled to the cage and the shell.
2 . The wheel of claim 1 , further comprising a hub with a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the cavity and the inlet.
3 . The wheel of claim 1 , wherein the helical groove has a uniform pitch relative to the central axis.
4 . The wheel of claim 1 , wherein the helical groove has a varying pitch relative to the central axis.
5 . The wheel of claim 1 , wherein the shell further comprises an outer surface configured to receive molten material for making mineral wool or metal wool.
6 . The wheel of claim 1 , wherein the shell further comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the inlet and the outlet are each proximate to the second end of the shell.
7 . The wheel of claim 1 , wherein the cavity is partially filled with coolant.
8 . The wheel of claim 7 , wherein the cavity is filled with less than 50% coolant.
9 . The wheel of claim 1 , further comprising a siphon positioned at least in part in the cavity and in fluid communication with the outlet.
10 . The wheel of claim 9 , wherein a shoe is coupled to the siphon.
11 . The wheel of claim 9 , wherein a scoop is coupled to the siphon.
12 . The wheel of claim 9 , wherein the siphon is a stationary siphon.
13 . The wheel of claim 12 , wherein an end of the siphon is positioned within an inner diameter of the cage.
14 . A wheel for making mineral wool or metal wool, the wheel comprising:
a) a hollow, cylindrical shell having an inner surface, a first end, and a second end; wherein a cavity within the shell is defined at least by the inner surface, wherein the inner surface comprises at least one helical groove, and wherein the wheel is rotatable about a central axis;
b) a cage positioned within the cavity and comprising a cylindrical framework comprising a plurality of bars and an aperture between the adjacent bars;
c) the cavity in fluid communication with an inlet and outlet, wherein the inlet and the outlet are each proximate to the second end of the shell; and
d) a central member attached to the second end of the shell and disposed around the central axis, wherein the central member comprises a plurality of inlet apertures in fluid communication between the inlet and the cavity; and
e) a siphon in fluid communication between the outlet and the cavity, wherein a portion of the siphon is positioned within the central member.
15 . The wheel of claim 14 , wherein the siphon is a stationary siphon.
16 . The wheel of claim 14 , wherein the cage comprises opposed annular end members defining an inner diameter of the cage and coupled by the plurality of bars, wherein the bars are axially oriented and are spaced apart to define a plurality of the aperture between adjacent bars, and wherein an end of the siphon is positioned within the inner diameter of the cage.
17 . The wheel of claim 14 , wherein a shoe is coupled to the siphon.
18 . The wheel of claim 14 , wherein a scoop is coupled to the siphon.
19 . The wheel of claim 14 , wherein the cavity is partially filled with coolant.
20 . The wheel of claim 19 , wherein the cavity is filled with less than 50% coolant.