Drive unit for horizontally turning rotational solid

Abstract

Disclosed is a drive unit for a rotational solid ( 2 ) which revolves around the essentially horizontal longitudinal axis ( 3 ) thereof. Said drive unit is arranged laterally below the rotational solid (2) such that the driving pinion/s ( 4, 4 ′) engage/s in the toothed ring ( 6 ) of the rotational solid ( 3 ) in a downward direction at an angle between 35° and 90° from the horizontal line. Said arrangement of the housing ( 1 ) of the drive unit substantially reduces the lateral space required for the entire installation. Another advantage lies in the fact that the drive unit can be mounted directly on the floor or base of the installation, whereby no additional console or base is needed.

1 . Drive unit for a body of revolution, able to turn about its essentially horizontal lengthwise axis, and having at its circumference a gear rim, the drive unit comprising a gear train with driven pinions for engaging the gear rim, with the drive unit arranged underneath and at the side of the body of revolution so that the driven pinions engage with the gear rim at an angle between 25° and 90° downward from the horizontal.  
   
   
       2 . Drive unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive unit has a pair of driven pinions, which engage directly in succession with the gear rim of the body of revolution, and set off from each other in relation to the lengthwise axis of the body of revolution.  
   
   
       3 . Drive unit according to  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising a housing for the gear train, the housing having a horizontally extending base plate, as well as an opening plate, from which the gear rims of the pinions protrude from the gear train housing, the opening plate being arranged to extend at an angle of 60° to  0° in relation to the base plate.    
   
   
       4 . Drive unit according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein when the drive pinions engage the gear rim of the body of revolution the drive unit is arranged essentially perpendicularly underneath the body of revolution, the drive unit having two driven pinions, which are arranged symmetrically in relation to the vertical axis of the body of revolution, engaging with the gear rim, and at the same time forming the bearing support for the body of revolution in this place.  
   
   
       5 . Drive unit according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the pinions have a graduated toothing.  
   
   
       6 . Drive unit according to  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising a drive motor which is flanged to the drive gear train across a coupling, with the axis of the drive unit running parallel to the axis of rotation of the body of revolution when the drive pinions engage the gear rim of the body of revolution.  
   
   
       7 . Drive unit according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the body of revolution to be driven is a hollow cylinder, configured as the grinding drum of a ball mill.  
   
   
       8 . A method of driving a body of revolution, able to turn about its essentially horizontal lengthwise axis and having at its circumference a gear rim comprising: 
 providing a drive unit having a gear train with drive pinions for engaging the gear rim,    arranging the drive unit underneath and at the side of the body of revolution so that the pinions engage with the gear rim at an angle between 25° and 90° downward from the horizontal, and    operating the drive unit to rotate the body of revolution.    
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the body of revolution is part of a mill selected from the group consisting of a ball mill and a cement mill.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for milling material comprising: 
 a body of revolution able to turn about its essentially horizontal lengthwise axis and within which material to be milled can be filled,    a gear rim at the circumference of the body of revolution,    a drive unit for rotating the body of revolution about its essentially horizontal lengthwise axis, the drive unit including a gear train with driven pinions engaging the gear rim with the drive unit arranged underneath and at the side of the body of revolution with the driven pinions engaging the gear rim at an angle between 25° and 90° downward from the horizontal.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the body of revolution is part of a mill selected from the group consisting of a ball mill and a cement mill.