Device for aligning the refining disc of a refining apparatus

1. Apparatus for aligning a refining disc in a refiner for disintegrating lignocellose-containing material, said refiner including an axle package and a support for supporting said axle package with respect to the ground, said axle package including a rotatable axle attached to said refining disc and a bearing housing in which said rotatable axle is journalled, said bearing housing including bearings for said axle to facilitate rotation thereof, said apparatus comprising a first wedge member slidable along said support, a second wedge member disposed between said first wedge member and said bearing housing, whereby said bearing housing rests upon said second wedge member, said second wedge member slidable in a transverse direction to said slidable movement of said first wedge member, a controller for controlling the displacement of said first wedge member, said controller comprising an actuator disposed at one end of said support and a control axle extending from said actuator to said first wedge member, said control axle being rotatable about its longitudinal axis and being rotatably secured to said first wedge member, whereby operation of said actuator causes rotation of said control axle, which causes displacement of said first wedge member, which causes transverse displacement of said second wedge member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controller further comprises at least one controller bearing housing, said controller bearing housing being attached between said actuator and said first wedge member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said control axle comprises first and second sub-axle portions, and a shaft coupling for coupling together said first and second sub-axle portions, said at least one controller bearing housing being attached between said shaft coupling and said first wedge member, and said first sub-axle portion being attached to said first wedge member and journalled by said bearings of said at least one controller bearing housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control axle includes a threaded section for attaching said control axle to said first wedge member, and including an inner threaded member in engagement with said threaded section of said control axle and fixedly engaged to said first wedge member, said first wedge member being displaceable with respect to said control axle.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said threaded section of said control axle and said inner threaded member comprise parts of a ball screw.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes a support member for supporting said bearing housing, said support member being disposed between said second wedge member and said bearing housing, said bearing housing including a recess for accepting said support member, whereby said support member is adapted to engage said recess in said bearing housing, said support member having a convex contact surface for engagement with said recess in said bearing housing, said convex contact surface being displaceable with respect to the surface of said recess in said bearing housing.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 including a plate comprising a polymer material disposed between said support member and said second wedge member, thereby providing a sliding surface therebetween without the need for lubrication.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said plate has a length corresponding to the length of the portion of said support member proximate to said second wedge member.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said support member is secured to said bearing housing.