(19)

&   
(11) EP 1 218 156 B1
(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.:

of the grant of the patent: B29B 9/06 (2006.01)
14.02.2007 Bulletin 2007/07
(86) International application number:
(21) Application number: 00963633.3 PCT/US2000/025706

(22) Date of filing: 20.09.2000 (87) International publication number:

WO 2001/021371 (29.03.2001 Gazette 2001/13)

(54) WATER FLOW GUIDE FOR PELLETIZER

WASSERSTROMFÜHRUNG FÜR GRANULIERVORRICHTUNG
GUIDE DE DEBIT D’EAU POUR GRANULATEUR

(84) Designated Contracting States: (72) Inventor: MARTIN, John, W.

AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU Buchanan, VA 24066 (US)
MC NL PT SE
(74) Representative: Laufhütte, Dieter et al
(30) Priority: 21.09.1999 US 400287 Lorenz-Seidler-Gossel
Widenmayerstrasse 23
(43) Date of publication of application: 80538 München (DE)
03.07.2002 Bulletin 2002/27
(56) References cited:
(73) Proprietor: Gala Industries, Inc. DE-A- 2 328 019 GB-A- 1 152 781
Eagle Rock, VA 24085 (US) GB-A- 2 124 964 US-A- 3 564 650
US-A- 4 300 877
EP 1 218 156 B1

Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give
notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in
a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art.
99(1) European Patent Convention).

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)

 1 EP 1 218 156 B1
Description
[0001] The invention relates to an underwater pelletiz-
er according to the first part of the main claim.
[0002] Underwater pelletizers are well known and in-
clude a die plate with multiple orifices through which mol-
ten polymer strands are extruded with the orifices termi-
nating at a die face on the die plate. A powered rotary
cutter including a cutter hub mounted on a shaft with a
plurality of blades supported from the cutter hub is asso-
ciated with the die face for shearing the extruded polymer
strands into pellets as the polymer is extruded beyond
the die face. A water box encloses the die face, cutter
hub and blade, to form a cutting chamber through which
water flows to quench and rigidify the extruded polymer
strands, thus enabling the cutting blades to better shear
the extruded strands into pellets. The flow of water
through the cutting chamber defined by the water box
also conveys a slurry of the water and sheared pellets
through the outlet of the water box to a pellet dewaterer
and/or a dryer. The above described underwater pelletiz-
ers are disclosed in related U.S. patents including U.S.
Patent Nos. 4,123,207, 4,251,198, 4,621,996, 4,728,276
and 5,059,103, all owned by the assignee of this inven-
tion. Additional U.S. patents which relate to pelletizers
are as follows:
3,207,818 4,245,972 4,978,288
3,341,892 4,300,877 5,215,763
3,353,213 4,846,644
3,862,285 4,943,218
[0003] U.S. Patent No. 3,341,892 illustrates cutter hub
assemblies directing water flow to the cutting area of the
die plate. However, the water enters through the pelletiz-
er shaft and is routed through the cutter hub with the
water serving as an aid to pelletization. The water is not
pressurized in the cutting chamber and gravity is relied
upon to actually get the pellets into a solid stream of water
to transport the pellets to the lower portion of the cutting
chamber where the pellets exit. This patent also illus-
trates a flute style spray nozzle assembly that introduces
a spray of water directed at the cutter blades where its
purpose is to assist in so-called "hot face" die plate pel-
letization.
[0004] U.S. Patent No. 3,862,285 illustrates a cooling
system for the production of plastic sheets incorporating
a flow guide design. U.S. Patent No. 4,245,972 illustrates
the use of flow control that is actually designed to keep
water away from the cut pellets until centrifugal force and
gravity transport the pellets to a water ring formed within
the bowl (formed at 14 and 10 in the patent).
[0005] U.S. Patent No. 4,300,877 uses the cutter hub
as an integral component of the flow control which could
result in plastic contamination and cause tedious cleanup
issues for operating personnel. U.S. Patent No.
4,846,644 illustrates what is called a high speed "cooler"
2
and is essentially a water ring pelletizer somewhat similar
to the structure disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,300,877
and which does not use water to encapsulate/transport
the pellets as they are cut.
5 [0006] U.S. Patent No. 3,207,818 illustrates a cutting
process where the specific gravity of the polymer plays
an important role in operation. The "chamber" has no
specific water (or process medium) flow guiding devices.
The flow guide of this invention operates independently
10 of any specific gravity considerations.
[0007] U.S. Patent No. 4,978,288 illustrates a water
ring pelletizer where water is again isolated from the pel-
letizing process until well after cutting has taken place
and U.S. Patent No. 5,215,763 also illustrates a water
15 ring pelletizer.
[0008] While the above listed patents disclose various
structures associated with underwater pelletizers, the in-
vention disclosed in the instant application utilizes the
controlled flow of water not only to assist in cutting or
20 shearing the pellets but also to quench and isolate pellets
immediately after cutting has occurred. The type of pel-
letization known as "hot face", as shown in U.S. Patent
No. 3,341,892, uses an assist spray and is not underwa-
ter pelletization as utilized in the present invention. Un-
25 derwater pelletization as in the present invention utilizes
the pressurized water to encapsulate and isolate the pel-
lets and also uses the pressurized water to transport the
pellets away from the cutter hub.
[0009] The improved underwater pelletizer according
30 to the invention is defined by the combination of the fea-
tures of claim 1. In the following subclaims preferred em-
bodiments of the invention are defined.
[0010] The water flow guide of the present invention
produces a pressurized water flow, accurately guided, to
35 allow the underwater pelletization of polymers of nearly
any diameter, even micropellets, i.e. pellets formed from
polymer strands extruded through orifices having a di-
ameter less than or equal to 0.050 inches, as well as
polymers of a wide range of specific gravity/rheological
40 characteristics. The flow guide within the underwater pel-
letizer relies on the water pressure/flow as opposed to
gravity, such as is used in water ring pelletizers, and the
pressurized water actually transports the pellets from the
moment they are cut until they are introduced into a drying
45 structure.
[0011] The water flow guide of the present invention
is positioned within the cutting chamber defined by the
water box of an underwater pelletizer in order to selec-
tively guide the pressurized water passing through the
50 water box. By selectively guiding the pressurized water
in the cutting chamber, it has been
found that the water can more efficiently quench the ex-
truded polymer strands to cool and rigidify the strands,
thus enabling the cutter blades to more effectively and
55 cleanly cut or shear the extruded strands into pellets.
Also by selectively guiding the pressurized water with the
water flow guide of this invention it is possible to increase
the efficiency of the pressurized water flowing through
2
 3 EP 1 218 156 B1
the water box to convey the sheared pellets away from
the cutting chamber to the water box outlet and then to
a pellet dewaterer and/or a pellet dryer.
[0012] In addition, the flow guide of this invention per-
mits flow management of the pressurized water flow into
and around the cutter within the cutting chamber. This
leads to a reduction or even elimination, of cavitation
which occurs when water cannot get into the central area
of the cutter hub and die plate, thus reducing or eliminat-
ing pellet clusters or agglomerates forming in the cutting
chamber, especially when producing micropellets. By re-
ducing or eliminating pellet clusters or agglomerates, ex-
pensive shutdowns of the equipment and operator re-
quirements and time to clean up and restart are signifi-
cantly reduced. In addition, the wasting of polymer Ma-
terials is reduced, all increasing productivity of the pel-
letizer. Moreover, if agglomerations and cutting chamber
clog ups occur, the agglomerate or clog within the cutting
chamber is easier to clean off and remove by the operator
because there is no longer a large open cutting chamber
to fill up with molten, but solidifying polymer. Further-
more, the reduction of cavitation allows the pelletizer to
produce good quality, well sheared pellets at higher
speeds and/or with more cutter blades, thus making it
possible to yield higher rates of production, in pounds/
hour or kilograms/hour, which results in a higher capacity
for the same size pelletizer.
[0013] Furthermore, it is believed that the flow guide
of the present invention allows the pelletizer to operate
with less load, and thus pulls less amperes by the motor
which, in turn, allows the pelletizer to operate more effi-
ciently with less power requirements. Also, in utilizing the
water more efficiently with the flow guide of the present
invention, less water flow is required for the pelletizer.
Less water flow translates into smaller pumps and/or less
pump energy consumption.
[0014] The water flow guide of this invention is oriented
in the cutting chamber between the water inlet and the
water and pellet slurry outlet of the water box which are
typically disposed in diametrically opposed relation, such
as a water inlet at the bottom of the cutting chamber and
the water and pellet slurry outlet at the top. The water
flow guide effectively directs the pressurized cooling wa-
ter toward the die face and the polymer strands being
extruded from the die face. By directing the water flow to
the die face, it has been found that the water more effi-
ciently cools and rigidify the polymer strands in order that
the rotating cutting blades can shear the extruded poly-
mer strands with a straight diametric cut. Also, effective
direction of the pressurized water flow in association with
the die face will more effectively entrain the sheared pel-
lets in the water flow thereby more efficiently conveying
the slurry of water and pellets to the outlet in the water
box which enables the slurry to be introduced into a pellet
dewaterer or pellet dryer.
[0015] The water flow guide is stationarily mounted
within the cutting chamber, preferably on the front of the
pelletizer. The flow guide is in the form of a cylindrical
4
tubular member affixed to the pelletizer in generally con-
centric relation to the rotating shaft of the pelletizer, pref-
erably with the body of the guide filling out the majority
of the cutting chamber volume. The free end of the guide
5 tubular member preferably terminates adjacent to the ro-
tating cutter hub and cutting blades mounted thereon.
[0016] In a first embodiment of the invention, the water
flow guide is a generally cylindrical tubular member with
the external surface thereof being disposed adjacent to
10 the generally cylindrical inner surface of the water box,
preferably with a very small clearance therebetween. The
tubular member includes a generally cylindrical axial bore
which is positioned over and surrounds the rotating cut-
ting hub shaft forming an annular space therebetween.
15 The cylindrical outer surface of the water flow guide in-
cludes diametrically opposed axially extending recesses
with one recess in alignment with the water inlet and the
other recess in alignment with the slurry outlet of the wa-
ter box. One end of each of the axial recesses is spaced
20 from the ends of the cylindrical surface and in registry
with the water inlet and slurry outlet, respectively. The
other end of each of the axial recesses opens to a free
end of the water flow guide which terminates adjacent
the cutter hub and cutter blades.
25 [0017] As such, the flow of water is directed axially
from the water inlet toward the die face and the flow of
water and pellets is directed axially away from the die
face and cutter hub toward the slurry outlet. Water flows
from the axial recess in registry with the water inlet across
30 the die face for more effective heat exchange engage-
ment with the polymer strands being extruded from the
die face to more efficiently cool and rigidify the extruded
polymer strands which enables the extruded strands to
be more effectively sheared into pellets by the cutter
35 blades. The water and sheared pellets then are dis-
charged along the axial recess in registry with the outlet
in the water box as a slurry of pellets and water. The
slurry enters the open end of the axial recess in registry
with the outlet and moves axially in the recess in the outer
40 surface of the water flow guide and then out through the
outlet in the water box.
[0018] In a second embodiment of the invention, the
water flow guide also comprises a generally cylindrical
tubular member with an outer wall, again preferably,
45 sized to be only slightly smaller than the inner wall of the
water box to provide a very small clearance between the
adjacent surfaces. However, the tubular member in this
embodiment has a radial opening forming a tubular radial
extension of the pressurized water inlet which terminates
50 in the internal annular space defined by the cylindrical
axial bore spaced concentrically from the cutter shaft of
the pelletizer. An open end of the cylindrical axial bore
terminates in spaced but adjacent relationship to the cut-
ter hub and cutter blades to enable incoming pressurized
55 water to be discharged from the open end of the cylin-
drical bore toward the cutter hub, cutter blades and die
face. The pressurized water flow in the annular space
between the shaft and the cylindrical inner wall of the
3
 5 EP 1 218 156 B1
axial bore flushes pellets from this area to keep it clear
of pellets and can serve to prolong the life expectancy of
the pelletizer shaft seals. This embodiment of the water
flow guide also includes an external cylindrical surface
having an axial recess in alignment with the outlet of the
water box similar to the corresponding recess in the first
embodiment. One end of the axial recess is in registry
with the outlet. The axially extending recess includes an
open end terminating adjacent the cutter hub to provide
a flow passage for the slurry of water and pellets being
discharged from the pelletizer.
[0019] In a third embodiment of the invention, the water
flow guide again includes the generally tubular cylindrical
member as described in the first and second embodi-
ments. The cylindrical member also has a pair of diamet-
rically opposed recesses aligned with and in registry with
the pressurized water inlet and outlet in the water box in
a manner similar to the recesses as described in the first
embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the free end
of the water flow guide is sloped or beveled so that the
bottom portion of the right side of the free end of the water
flow guide is spaced from the die face a distance less
than the upper portion of the right side. The left side of
the free end is oppositely sloped. Therefore, water en-
tering the water box and passing through the axial recess
toward the die face encounters less resistance to flow as
it enters a larger volumetric area between the bottom
portion of the free end of the water flow guide and the
die face. The slope or bevel and the counterclockwise
rotation of the cutter hub and cutters at relatively high
rotational speed provides less resistance to water flow
to the left side of the water flow guide before getting to
the area in which the cutter hub and cutter blades are
rotating thereby avoiding the tendency of the majority of
water flow occurring across one-half of the water flow
guide and cutter hub and cutter blades. The right side of
the water flow guide is more restrictive to water flow im-
mediately as it travels across the water inlet area. As the
rotating cutter hub and cutter blades are rotating and cut-
ting plastic pellets, the total flowing mass consisting of
water and pellets is increasing. The additional free flow
area in the water flow guide accommodates the pellets
being added to the water flow stream as they are being
sheared from the polymer strands at the die face.
[0020] In a fourth embodiment of the invention, the wa-
ter flow guide includes a tubular cylindrical member con-
structed in accordance with the third embodiment with
the addition of a radially extending hole extending straight
inwardly from the inner surface of the axial recess in reg-
istry with the pressurized water inlet. The inner end of
the radial hole terminates at the surface of the axial bore
of the tubular member which is spaced concentrically
around the cutter shaft. This enables a portion of the pres-
surized water to flow around the cutter shaft in order to
flush the area around the cutter shaft. This circular flow
around the cutter shaft removes any cut pellets that may
have a tendency to pack into this area. Maintaining the
area around the cutter shaft free of pellets can prolong
6
the life of cutter shaft seals.
[0021] In each embodiment of the invention, pressu-
rized water inflow is directed axially toward the die face,
the cutter hub and cutter blades for more effective heat
5 exchange contact between the cooling water and strands
of polymer extruded from the die face to cool and rigidify
the strands of polymer for more efficient shearing of the
polymer strands by the cutting blades. Also, the slurry of
water and polymer plastics are more effectively moved
10 away from the rotating cutter hub and cutter blades and
discharged axially toward the outlet of the water box.
[0022] Accordingly, it is an object of the present inven-
tion to provide a water flow guide positioned in the cutting
chamber of an underwater pelletizer to guide pressurized
15 water flow from a water inlet, axially toward the die face
for more effective heat exchange contact with the poly-
mer strands being extruded through the die plate in order
for the rotating cutter blades to more effectively shear
the polymer strands into pellets. The pressurized slurry
20 of pellets and water flow is then directed away from the
die face radially and axially to a water and pellet slurry
outlet for subsequent separation of pellets and water and
drying of pellets. The selectively guided pressurized wa-
ter flow assists in quenching the polymer strands, shear-
25 ing the strands into pellets and transporting the pellets
after shearing.
[0023] Another object of the present invention is to pro-
vide a water flow guide associated with the interior of a
cutting chamber of an underwater pelletizer for establish-
30 ing an axial flow path for incoming water from a lateral
or radial inflow to direct water toward the cutter hub, cutter
blades and die face to more efficiently cause heat ex-
change contact with the extruded polymer for cooling and
rigidifying polymer strands extruded from the die face for
35 more effective shearing of the strands into pellets with
the flow guide also establishing an axial flow path for
discharge of a slurry of pressurized water and pellets to
a radial or lateral discharge outlet in a water box of an
underwater pelletizer.
40 [0024] A further object of the present invention is to
provide a water flow guide stationarily positioned in the
cutting chamber of an underwater pelletizer in which the
flow guide with the tubular member defines passages for
circulation of incoming pressurized water toward and
45 around the die face, cutter hub and cutter blades for ef-
ficient heat exchange contact with the polymer strands
as they are extruded and sheared at the die face and
then axially away from the die face to a discharge for
more efficiently discharging the slurry of water and
50 sheared pellets.
[0025] Another object of the present invention is to pro-
vide a water flow guide in accordance with preceding
objects in which the water flow guide comprises a gen-
erally tubular member which includes diametrically op-
55 posed axial recesses in the external surface thereof ex-
tending from an end of the tubular member adjacent the
cutter hub and cutter blades axially to a point in alignment
with the water inlet and slurry outlet of the cutting cham-
4
 7 EP 1 218 156 B1
ber.
[0026] A still further object of the present invention is
to provide a water flow guide in which the tubular member
includes an axial bore having an internal surface spaced
from the shaft drivingly supporting the cutter hub and
cutter blades with the tubular member including an inlet
extension communicating the pressurized water inlet of
the cutting chamber with the internal surface of the tubu-
lar member so that inlet water can flow axially around the
drive shaft toward the cutter hub and die face to maintain
the space between the internal surface of the guide and
shaft free of pellets.
[0027] Still another object of the present invention is
to provide a water flow guide associated with the water
box, cutting chamber, cutting hub and cutting blades to
define a water flow path oriented across the die face for
more efficient use of the water in cooling and rigidifying
polymer strands extruded from the die face and more
efficient use of the water in entraining and conveying pel-
lets sheared from the strands to the outlet of the cutting
chamber.
[0028] Yet another object of this invention to be spe-
cifically enumerated herein is to provide a water flow
guide in accordance with the preceding objects and
which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture,
be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide
a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting
and relatively trouble free in operation.
[0029] These together with other objects and advan-
tages which will become subsequently apparent reside
in the details of construction and operation as more fully
hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had
to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof,
wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
RRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030]
Figure 1 is a vertical, longitudinal sectional view of
an underwater pelletizer having one embodiment of
a water flow guide in accordance with the present
invention positioned therein and illustrating the water
flow path through the cutting chamber.
Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical sectional view along
section line 2-2 in Figure 1 illustrating the association
of the water flow guide to the water box, pelletizer
drive shaft, cutter hub, water inlet and water and slur-
ry outlet.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the water flow guide
shown in Figures 1 and 2 looking at the end adjacent
the die plate, cutter hub and cutter blades.
Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal, sectional view of
an underwater pelletizer having a second embodi-
ment of a water flow guide in accordance with the
present invention positioned therein and illustrating
the flow path of water through the cutting chamber.
Figure 5 is a transverse, vertical sectional view along
8
section line 5-5 in Figure 4 of the water flow guide
illustrating its association with the water box, pelletiz-
er drive shaft, cutter hub, water inlet and water and
slurry outlet.
5 Figure 6 is a perspective view of the water flow guide
shown in Figures 4 and 5 looking at the end adjacent
the die plate, cutter hub and cutter blades.
Figure 7 is an end elevational view of the water flow
guide illustrated in Figures 4-6 looking at the end
10 adjacent the die plate, cutter hub and cutter blades.
Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of the water flow
guide illustrated in Figure 7 taken along section line
8-8 on Figure 7.
Figure 9 is an end elevational view of a third embod-
15 iment of a water flow guide in accordance with the
present invention looking at the end adjacent the die
plate, cutter hub and cutter blades.
Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view of the embod-
iment of the invention illustrated in Figure 9 taken
20 along section line 10-10 on Figure 9.
Figure 11 is an end elevational view of a fourth em-
bodiment of a water flow guide in accordance with
the present invention looking at the end adjacent the
die plate, cutter hub and cutter blades.
25 Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view of the water flow
guide illustrated in Figure 11 taken along section line
12-12 on Figure 11.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODI-
30 MENTS
[0031] Although four preferred embodiments of the in-
vention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that
the invention is not limited in its scope to the details of
35 construction and arrangement of components of these
specific embodiments. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in
various ways. Also, in describing the preferred embodi-
ments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake
40 of clarity.
[0032] Figures 1-3 illustrate a water flow guide gener-
ally designated by reference numeral 10 associated with
an underwater pelletizer generally designated by refer-
ence numeral 12 such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent
45 No. 5,059,103. The underwater pelletizer 12 is schemat-
ically illustrated and includes a die plate 14 having a plu-
rality of die orifices 16 therein through which molten pol-
ymer is extruded into strands which pass through a die
face 18 on the inner surface of the die plate 14. The die
50 plate 14 is connected to a pelletizer water box generally
designated by reference numeral 20 which includes a
cutting chamber 22 and also includes a pressurized water
inlet 24 and a diametrically opposed outlet 26 for dis-
charge of a pressurized slurry of water and pellets from
55 the cutting chamber 22 for conveyance out of the water
box 20 to a pellet dewaterer and/or a pellet dryer (not
shown). The pelletizer 12 includes a motor 28 with an
output shaft 30 drivingly connected to a cutter hub shaft
5
 9 EP 1 218 156 B1
32 having a cutter hub 34 mounted thereon. The cutter
hub 34 includes a plurality of radially extending support
arms 36 which support replaceable cutter blades 37
which coact with the die face 18 to shear the extruded
strands of polymer into pellets. Except for the water flow
guide 10 of the present invention, the structure of the
underwater pelletizer may correspond generally with that
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,059,103 or any other
known configuration and design.
[0033] An underwater pelletizer, such as illustrated in
U.S. Patent No. 5,059,103, utilizes water to cool and ri-
gidify the strands of polymer as they are discharged from
the die face with the spacing of the cutter blades and the
rotational speed of the cutter hub determining the size of
pellets sheared from the extruded polymer strands. Wa-
ter flowing in through the water inlet not only cools and
rigidifies the polymer strands but also conveys the
sheared pellets as a slurry from the cutting chamber into
the outlet.
[0034] As shown by the arrows 51 and 53 in Figure 1,
the water flow guide 10 of the present invention guides
the inlet water from inlet 24 toward the die plate 14 so
that it moves along the surface of the die face 18 and
over and around the rotating cutter hub 34 and cutter
blades 37. by selectively directing this water flow the ex-
truded strands of polymer may be more efficiently
quenched thereby more effectively cooling and rigidifying
the polymer strands. The better cooling and rigidification
allows the rotating cutter blades 37 to more effectively
shear the extruded strands to form pellets by making a
substantially straight diametric cut through the polymer
strands. Also, the water flow guide 10 provides more ef-
fective entrainment of the pellets in the water and more
effective conveyance of the water and pellet slurry
through the flow path for discharge through outlet 26 from
the water box 20 for subsequent dewatering and drying.
[0035] The water flow guide illustrated in Figures 1-3
of this invention includes a generally cylindrical tubular
member 38 having an outer surface 40 and a cylindrical
axial bore or chamber 42 which is substantially concentric
with and closely surrounds the drive shaft 32 as illustrated
in Figure 1, thus forming an annular space 43. The cy-
lindrical tubular member 38 includes a peripheral recess
44 in one end thereof which conforms with and fits over
a cylindrical projection 46 forming part of the pelletizer.
The opposite end 48 or free end of the cylindrical member
38 is flat with a tapered or beveled edge 56 around its
periphery. The free end 48 terminates adjacent the cutter
blades 37 on the cutter hub 34. A plurality of longitudinally
extending through bolts 50 are countersunk into the flat
surface 48 of the tubular member 38 and extend there-
through and screw thread into the projection 46 of the
pelletizer structure. Thus, the tubular cylindrical member
38 is rigidly affixed to the pelletizer and is oriented in
concentric relation to the cutter hub shaft 32 with the ex-
ternal surface 40 adjacent the interior surface of the cut-
ting chamber 22.
[0036] The external surface 40 of the cylindrical mem-
10
ber 38 includes diametrically opposed longitudinally ex-
tending grooves or recesses 52 which are arcuate in
transverse configuration. The grooves or recesses 52
are in alignment with the diametrically opposed water
5 inlet 24 and slurry outlet 26, respectively. The inner end
of each recess 52 is preferably arcuately curved at 54 so
that the outer edge of the upwardly curved inner end co-
incides with the interior surface of the aligned edge of
each the water inlet 24 and the slurry outlet 26, respec-
10 tively. The outer end of each recess terminates at the
free outer end 48 and beveled edge surface 56 which
faces the rotational path of the cutter blades 37 as illus-
trated in Figures 1 and 3.
[0037] Preferably, the external surface 40 of the guide
15 is closely adjacent or engaging the internal surface of the
cutting chamber 22 and the flat surface 48 is closely ad-
jacent the cutter hub 34 and cutter blades 37 with suffi-
cient clearance not to interfere with their rotation. Thus,
except for the selectively designated water flow paths
20 defined by recesses 52, and the space around the die
plate 18, cutter hub 34 and cutter blades 37, the guide
10 preferably fills the whole cutting chamber 22. As illus-
trated in Figure 2, the close fitting relationship of the water
flow guide 10 in relation to the water box 20 and cutting
25 chamber 22 assures that incoming pressurized water will
engage the axial recess 52 in alignment with the water
inlet 24 causing the water to move axially toward the die
face 18, the cutter hub 34, cutter hub arms 36 and cutter
blades 37 and then transversely across the die face 18
30 and around the cutter hub assembly. This selective di-
rection of the water thus results in more effective heat
exchange contact with polymer strands extruded through
the die face 18 as illustrated by the arrows 51 and 53 in
Figure 1. Water passing over the die face 18 and over
35 the cutter hub 34 not only will more effectively cool and
rigidify the polymer strands for more effective and effi-
cient shearing of the strands into pellets but also will more
efficiently entrain the pellets in the water flow for more
effective conveyance of the pellets in the water slurry for
40 discharge through the axial recess 52 in alignment with
the outlet 26.
[0038] As discussed above, use of the water flow guide
10 of the present invention substantially reduces cavita-
tion of water in the cutting chamber 22 which occurs in
45 underwater pelletizers due to the rotational movement of
the cutter hub, arms and cutter blades which tend to cre-
ate a vacuum at the center of rotation. This center vac-
uum may be considered a vacuum bubble and the size
of the vacuum bubble will vary depending upon the cutter
50 hub speed, number of blades and the size of the blades
and the water pressure within the water box. Cavitation
or a vacuum bubble can contribute to significant cutting
problems especially when shearing polymer products
that are difficult to shear or those considered as sticky or
55 of a very low viscosity. Thus, the reduction of cavitation
provides good quality, well sheared pellets at higher
speeds with more cutting blades thereby increasing yield
rates of production and provides the capability to produce
6
 11 EP 1 218 156 B1
smaller size pellets.
[0039] In addition, use of the water flow guide 10 re-
duces or eliminates clusters and agglomerates which
tend to build up in the cutting chamber, especially when
producing micropellets, i.e. less than or equal to 0.050
inches. When clustering or agglomerates occur, the pel-
letizer must be shut down for clean up and then restarted
which results in substantial down time of the equipment,
wasted operator time and waste of polymer materials as
well as reduced productivity. Even if agglomeration, or
cutting chamber clog up, occurs the guide 10 enables
the agglomerate or clogging material to be more easily
cleaned off or removed from the cutting chamber by the
operator because there is no longer a large open cutting
chamber that fills up with molten but solidifying polymer.
[0040] Use of the water flow guide 10 also allows the
underwater pelletizer to operate with less motor load re-
quiring the use of less energy. Also, by increasing the
efficiency of the pressurized water flow, the water flow
guide allows less water flow for the pelletizer which en-
ables smaller pumps and less pump energy consump-
tion.
[0041] Figures 4-8 illustrate a second embodiment of
the water flow guide of the present invention associated
with an underwater pelletizer in a manner similar to that
illustrated in Figures 1-3. In this embodiment, the flow
guide generally designated by the reference numeral 60
comprises a cylindrical tubular member 62 having an ax-
ial external recess 64 which is the same as and operates
in the same manner as the recess 52 in Figures 1-3 and
is in alignment with the outlet 66 for discharge of the water
and pellet slurry. However, in this embodiment of the in-
vention, the outer surface of the cylindrical member 62
in alignment with the water inlet 68 includes a radial pas-
sageway 70 which generally forms a continuation or ex-
tension of the water inlet 68 and which communicates
with a cylindrical interior surface 72 in the tubular cylin-
drical member 62. The interior surface 72 is generally
concentric with and surrounds the pelletizer shaft 74. The
cylindrical interior surface 72 is preferably spaced a
greater distance from the exterior surface of the drive
shaft 74 than in the first embodiment, as illustrated in
Figure 4, thus forming an annular space 75 defining a
generally annular water flow path between the interior
surface 72 and the shaft 74. This annular space and flow
path enables incoming pressurized water to move in a
circular or spiral path, indicated by the reference numeral
77, around the drive shaft 74 and axially of the drive shaft
for discharge through the open end of the tubular cylin-
drical member 62 toward the die face 76 on the die plate
78 and toward, over and around the cutter hub and blade
assembly generally designated by reference numeral 80.
[0042] The free end edge of the cylindrical member 62
adjacent the cutter hub and blade assembly 80 and pe-
ripherally of the interior surface 72 is flat with a tapered
or beveled surface 84 similar in configuration to the end
edge of the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-3
and guide flow path 75 outwardly of the tubular member
12
62 and downwardly along the surfaces 82 and 84 for
more effective contact with the entire surface area of the
die face 76. The flow path of the water in this embodiment
of the invention is also illustrated by the arrows in Figure
5 4 with the water moving in a circular path and in an axial
path toward the die face 76 for more effective heat ex-
change contact with the polymer strands being extruded
from the die face 76 to cool and rigidify the polymer
strands for more effective shearing into pellets and more
10 effective entrainment of the pellets with the water to en-
able discharge of a water and plastic pellet slurry away
from the cutter hub and blade assembly 80 to the outlet
66 and then to a dewaterer and/or pellet dryer.
[0043] This embodiment of the water flow guide keeps
15 the shaft area flushed which can protect the shaft and
reduce or eliminate pellet or fines buildup around the
shaft 74 thereby reducing seal failures (seals generally
designated by reference numeral 79). The flushing of the
annular space 75 also prevents buildup of pellets or fines
20 in those components of the spring bias structure, gener-
ally designated by reference numeral 81, incorporated
into the cutter hub drive shaft which can reduce spring
design effectiveness and require frequent maintenance
and cleaning.
25 [0044] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a third embodiment
of the water flow guide of the present invention generally
designated by reference numeral 90. Flow guide 90 com-
prises tubular member 92 having an internal axial bore
94, an external axial recess 96 for alignment with a pres-
30 surized water inlet and a diametrically opposed axial re-
cess 98 for alignment with a water and pellet slurry outlet.
This embodiment of the invention is oriented in the same
position in the water box are the first and second embod-
iments as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4.
35 [0045] The free end of the water flow guide 90 is bev-
eled or sloped at 100 so that the distance between the
lower portion of the water flow guide 90 and the die face
is greater than the distance between the upper portion
of the free end 100 of the flow guide 90 from the die face.
40 Thus, water entering the water box and passing through
the axial recess 96 toward a die face encounters less
resistance to flow as it enters a larger volumetric area
between the bottom portion of the free end of the water
flow guide 90 and the die face. As illustrated in Figure 9,
45 the arrows 91 on flow guide 90 indicate the counterclock-
wise direction of rotation of the cutter hub and cutter
blades at a relatively high rotational speed. The sloped
end 100 provides less resistance to water flow to the left
side of the water flow guide before getting to the area in
50 which the cutter hub and cutter blades are rotating there-
by avoiding the tendency of the majority of water flow
occurring across one-half of the water flow guide and
cutter hub and cutter blades. The right side of the water
flow guide is more restrictive to water flow as it travels
55 across the water inlet area. In addition, a tapering sloped
relief 102 is provided in the sloped end 100 of the water
flow guide in opposing angular directions on the free end
of the water flow guide. As the rotating cutter hub and
7
 13 EP 1 218 156 B1
cutter blades are rotating and cutting plastic pellets, the
total flowing mass consisting of the water and pellets is
increasing. The additional free flow area in the right side
of the water flow guide accommodates the pellets being
added to the water flow stream as they are being sheared
from the polymer strands at the die face.
[0046] Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a fourth embodi-
ment of the water flow guide generally designated by
reference numeral 110 and which includes a tubular
member 114 constructed in the same manner as the third
embodiment illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, except that
the tubular member 114 includes a radial hole 116 com-
municating the axial bore 118 in the water flow guide with
the axial recess 120 in alignment with the pressurized
water inlet. The radial hole 116 permits some flow of wa-
ter into the axial bore 118 in the annular space between
the bore and the drive shaft to flush the pellets, fines or
the like from the area external of the shaft thereby pro-
tecting the shaft seals and prolonging their life. The slope
of the free end 122 and the tapering slope down of the
free end edge of the tubular member 114 is designated
by reference numeral 124 and is the same as that illus-
trated in Figures 9 and 10. The axial recess 126 in the
upper portion of the tubular member 114 is aligned with
the water box outlet for the slurry of water and pellets in
the same manner as the other embodiments of the water
flow guide.
[0047] One skilled in the art would readily recognize
from the foregoing that the water flow guide of the present
invention can be made from any suitable wear-resistant
and water-resistant metal material, such as aluminum,
brass and stainless steel. It has also been recently found
that certain solid plastic materials, such as nylon 66, can
also be used for the water flow guide of the present in-
vention. It is also contemplated that ceramic materials
and layered materials may be usable in the future. The
materials currently preferred are stainless steel and nylon
66.
[0048] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention.
Claims
1. An underwater pelletizer (12) which comprises a die
plate (14) with extrusion orifices (16) terminating in
a die face (18), a driven rotary cutter blade hub (34)
supported in opposed relation to said face (18), cut-
ter blades (37) mounted on said blade hub (34) and
moving in a plane generally parallel to and closely
adjacent said die face (18) to cut strands of material
extruded through said orifices (16) into pellets, a wa-
ter box (20) enclosing said die face (18), cutter blade
hub (34) and cutter blades (37), said water box (20)
including an inlet (24) for water flow into the water
box (20) and an outlet (26) for discharge of a slurry
of water and pellets entrained in the water; charac-
terized in that a separate water flow guide (10) is
14
positioned in said water box (20) for directing water
and pellet flow through said water box (20).
2. The pelletizer as defined in claim 1, wherein said
5 water flow guide (10) includes a member (38) having
an outer surface (40), said outer surface (40) having
at least one axial recess (52) providing an axial flow
path.
10 3. The pelletizer as defined in claim 1, wherein said
water flow guide (10= includes a tubular member
(38) having an external surface (40) generally in con-
centric close fitting relation to an interior surface of
the water box (20), said external surface (40) of said
15 tubular member (38) including an axial recess in
alignment with the water box inlet (24) and an axial
recess (52) in alignment with the water box outlet
(26), each of said recesses (52) including an open
end adjacent said die face (18) for guiding incoming
20 water axially toward the die face and guiding a slurry
of pellets and water axially toward the water box out-
let (26).
4. The pelletizer as defined in claim 3, wherein said
25 recesses (52) are oriented in diametrically opposed
relation and being in the form of an axial groove par-
allel to the rotational axis of the cutter blade hub (34).
5. The pelletizer as defined in claim 4, wherein each of
30 said recesses (52) includes an arcuately curved in-
ner end (54) for changing radial flow of water into
the water box (20) to axial flow and axial flow of a
water and pellet slurry into radial flow.
35 6. The pelletizer as defined in claim 1, wherein tubular
member (114) includes a radial hole (116) forming
a continuation of the water inlet (24) and communi-
cating with an internal recess (118) in the tubular
member (114).
40
7. The pelletizer as defined in claim 1, wherein the free
end (122) of tubular member (92) includes a tapering
relief area (124), said relief area (124) sloping from
the bottom of the tubular member toward the top
45 thereof.
8. A pelletizer (12) as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
water flow guide (10) includes a tubular member (38)
adapted to be positioned in said water box (20) and
50 having a free end (48) adapted to be closely spaced
from said cutter blade hub (34) and blades (37), said
tubular member (38) including at least one passage-
way (52) for directing water entering through the wa-
ter inlet (24) toward the die face (18) and cutter blade
55 hub (34) for more efficiently causing the incoming
water to cool and solidify the strands of material ex-
truded through the orifices (16).
8
 15 EP 1 218 156 B1
9. A pelletizer (12) as defined in claim 8, wherein said
tubular member (38) includes a second passageway
(52) for directing discharge of water and pellets to-
ward the outlet (26) for more efficiently conveying
formed pellets away from said die face (18) and cut-
ter blade hub (34).
10. A pelletizer (12) as defined in claim 8, wherein said
tubular member (38) includes an external surface
(40) adapted to be oriented closely adjacent an in-
terior surface of the water box (20), said external
surface (40) having at least one axial recess (52)
providing an axial water flow passageway (52).
11. A pelletizer (12) as defined in claim 8, wherein said
tubular member (38) includes an external surface
(40) adapted to be oriented generally in concentric
close fitting relation to the interior of the water box,
said external surface (40) of said tubular member
(38) including an axial recess adapted to be posi-
tioned in alignment with the water box inlet (24) and
an axial recess (52) adapted to be positioned in align-
ment with the water box outlet (26), each of said re-
cesses including an open end adapted to be posi-
tioned adjacent said die face (18) for guiding incom-
ing water toward the die face (18) and for guiding a
slurry of pellets and water toward the water box outlet
(26).
12. A pelletizer (12) as defined in claim 8, wherein said
recesses (52) are oriented in diametrically opposed
relation and each being in the form of an axial groove
adapted to be oriented generally parallel to the rota-
tional axis of the cutter blade hub (34).
13. A pelletizer (12) as defined in claim 12, wherein each
of said recesses (52) includes an arcuately curved
inner end (54) for changing radial flow of water into
the water box (20) to axial flow and axial flow of the
water and pellet slurry into radial flow.
14. A pelletizer (12) as defined in claim 12, wherein each
of said recesses (52) includes a transverse arcuate
configuration and beveled end edges 856) adapted
to be positioned adjacent the cutter blade hub (34).
15. A pelletizer (12) as defined in claim 11. wherein said
tubular member (62) includes a radial passageway
(70) in diametrically opposed relation to an axial re-
cess (64) and adapted to be positioned in alignment
with the water inlet (68) to convey water to the interior
of the cutting chamber (22), said tubular member
(62) having an interior surface (72) adapted to en-
close a drive shaft (74) for the cutter blade hub (80)
in generally concentric spaced relation to provide an
annular longitudinal passageway (75) between the
interior surface (72) of the tubular member (62) and
the drive shaft (74) for movement of water in a cir-
16
cular and axial flow path toward the cutter blade hub
(34) and die face (76).
16. A pelletizer (12) as defined in claim 15, wherein an
5 end edge portion of tubular member (92) in alignment
with the radial flow path includes a radial recess (82)
and an inclined surface (84) for directing water flow
toward the die face (76) with axial water flow exiting
from a lower portion of the annular flow path adapted
10 to flow across the die face (76) and around the cutter
blade hub (80) toward the axial recess (64) in an
opposite portion of the outer surface of the tubular
member (62).
15
Patentansprüche
1. Unterwassergranulator (12), umfassend eine in ei-
ner Formwerkzeugfläche (18) auslaufende Form-
20 werkzeugplatte (14) mit Extrudierböhrungen (16), ei-
ne angetriebene Drehschneidemessernabe (34),
die in gegenüberliegender Beziehung zu der Fläche
(18) gehalten wird, auf der Messernabe (34) mon-
tierte und sich in einer im Allgemeinen parallel zu
25 und dicht bei der Formwerkzeugfläche (18) bewe-
gende Schneidemesser (37), mit denen durch die
Bohrungen (16) extrudierte Materialstränge zu Gra-
nulat geschnitten werden, einen Wasserkasten (20),
der die Formwerkzeugfläche (18), die Schneidemes-
30 sernabe (34) und die Schneidemesser (37) um-
schließt, wobei der Wasserkasten (20) einen Einlass
(24) für den Wasserzufluss in den Wasserkasten
(20) und einen Auslass (26) zum Abführen einer Auf-
schlämmung aus Wasser und in dem Wasser mit-
35 geführtem Granulat aufweist;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
eine getrennte Wasserstromführung (10) in dem
Wasserkasten (20) angebracht ist, um den Wasser-
und Granulatstrom durch den Wasserkasten (20) zu
40 leiten.
2. Granulator nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Wasser-
stromführung (10) ein Element (38) mit einer Außen-
fläche (40) aufweist, wobei die Außenfläche (40) zu-
45 mindest eine axiale Ausnehmung (52) aufweist, die
einen axialen Strömungsweg bereitstellt.
3. Granulator nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Wasser-
stromführung (10) ein röhrenförmiges Element (38)
50 mit einer Außenfläche (40) mit im Allgemeinen kon-
zentrischer, enger Passungsbeziehung zu einer In-
nenfläche des Wasserkastens (20) aufweist, wobei
die Außenfläche (40) des röhrenförmigen Elements
(38) eine axiale Ausnehmung aufweist, die am Was-
55 serkasteneinlass (24) ausgerichtet ist, und eine axia-
le Ausnehmung (52), die am Wasserkastenauslass
(26) ausgerichtet ist, wobei jede der Ausnehmungen
(52) ein offenes Ende aufweist, das an die Form-
9
 17 EP 1 218 156 B1
werkzeugfläche (18) angrenzt, um das ankommen-
de Wasser axial zu der Formwerkzeugfläche hin zu
leiten und eine Aufschlämmung aus Wasser und
Granulat axial zu dem Wasserkastenauslass (26)
hin zu leiten.
4. Granulator nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Ausnehmun-
gen (52) in einander diametral gegenüberliegender
Beziehung angeordnet sind und die Form einer axia-
len Nut aufweisen, die parallel zu der Drehachse der
Schneidemessernabe (34) verläuft.
5. Granulator nach Anspruch 4, wobei jede der Aus-
nehmungen (52) ein bogenförmig gekrümmtes inne-
res Ende (54) aufweist, um den radialen Wasser-
strom in den Wasserkasten (20) hinein in einen axia-
len Strom zu ändern und um den axialen Strom einer
Aufschlämmung aus Wasser und Granulat in einen
radialen Strom zu ändern.
6. Granulator nach Anspruch 1, wobei das röhrenför-
mige Element (114) ein radiales Loch (116) aufweist,
das eine Fortsetzung des Wassereinlasses (24) bil-
det und mit einer inneren Ausnehmung (118) in dem
röhrenförmigen Element (114) in Verbindung steht.
7. Granulator nach Anspruch 1, wobei das freie Ende
(122) des röhrenförmigen Elements (92) einen ko-
nisch zulaufenden Entlastungsbereich (124) um-
fasst, wobei der Entlastüngsbereich (124) schräg
von dem unteren Teil des röhrenförmigen Elements
zu dessen oberem Teil verläuft.
8. Granulator (12) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Was-
serstromführung (10) ein röhrenförmiges Element
(38) aufweist, das in dem Wasserkasten (20) ange-
ordnet werden kann, und ein freies Ende (48) auf-
weist, das einen geringen Abstand von der Schnei-
demessernabe (34) und den Messern (37) haben
kann, wobei das röhrenförmige Element (38) zumin-
dest einen Durchlass (52) zum Leiten von durch den
Wassereinlass (24) eintretendem Wasser zu der
Formwerkzeugfläche (18) und zu der Schneidemes-
sernabe (34) umfasst, um zu bewirken, dass das an-
kommende Wasser die durch die Bohrungen (16)
extrudierten Materialstränge effektiver kühlt und er-
starren lässt.
9. Granulator (12) nach Anspruch 8, wobei das röhren-
förmige Element (38) einen zweiten Durchlass (52)
aufweist, um das abgeführte Wasser und Granulat
zu dem Auslass (26) zu leiten, damit geformtes Gra-
nulat effektiver von der Formwerkzeugfläche (18)
und der Schneidemessernabe (34) weg transportiert
wird.
10. Granulator (12) nach Anspruch 8, wobei das röhren-
förmige Element (38) eine Außenfläche (40) auf-
18
weist, die dicht neben einer Innenfläche des Was-
serkastens (20) angeordnet sein kann, wobei die Au-
ßenfläche (40) zumindest eine axiale Ausnehmung
(52) aufweist, die einen axialen Wasserstromdurch-
5 lass (52) bereitstellt.
11. Granulator (12) nach Anspruch 8, wobei das röhren-
förmige Element (38) eine Außenfläche (40) auf-
weist, die im Allgemeinen in konzentrischer, enger
10 Passungsbeziehung zum Inneren des Wasserka-
stens angeordnet sein kann, wobei die Außenfläche
(40) des röhrenförmigen Elements (38) eine axiale
Ausnehmung aufweist, die an dem Wasserkasten-
einlass (24) ausgerichtet positioniert werden kann,
15 und eine axiale Ausnehmung (52), die an dem Was-
serkastenauslass (26) ausgerichtet positioniert wer-
den kann, wobei jede der Ausnehmungen ein offe-
nes Ende aufweist, das an die Formwerkzeugfläche
(18) angrenzend positioniert werden kann, um das
20 ankommende Wasser axial zu der Formwerkzeug-
fläche (18) hin zu leiten und um eine Aufschlämmung
aus Granulat und Wasser zu dem Wasserkasten-
auslass (26) hin zu leiten.
25 12. Granulator (12) nach Anspruch 8, wobei die Ausneh-
mungen (52) in einander diametral gegenüberlie-
gender Beziehung angeordnet sind und jede die
Form einer axialen Nut aufweist, die im Allgemeinen
parallel zu der Drehachse der Schneidemessernabe
30 (34) angeordnet sein kann.
13. Granulator (12) nach Anspruch 12, wobei jede der
Ausnehmungen (52) ein bogenförmig gekrümmtes
inneres Ende (54) aufweist, um den radialen Was-
35 serstrom in den Wasserkasten (20) hinein in einen
axialen Strom zu ändern und um den axialen Strom
der Aufschlämmung aus Wasser und Granulat in ei-
nen radialen Strom zu ändern.
40 14. Granulator (12) nach Anspruch 12, wobei jede der
Ausnehmungen (52) eine quergerichtete, bogenför-
mige Konfiguration und angefaste Endkanten (56)
aufweist, die an die Schneidemessernabe (34) an-
grenzend positioniert werden können.
45
15. Granulator (12) nach Anspruch 11, wobei das röh-
renförmige Element (62) einen radialen Durchlass
(70) in diametral gegenüberliegender Beziehung zu
einer axialen Ausnehmung (64) aufweist, der an dem
50 Wassereinlass (68) ausgerichtet positioniert werden
kann, um Wasser zum Inneren der Schneidekam-
mer (22) zu transportieren, wobei das röhrenförmige
Element (62) eine Innenfläche (72) aufweist, die eine
Antriebswelle (74) für die Schneidemessernabe (80)
55 in einer im Allgemeinen konzentrischen Abstands-
beziehung umschließen kann, um einen ringförmi-
gen, länglichen Durchlass (75) zwischen der Innen-
fläche (72) des röhrenförmigen Elements (62) und
10
 19 EP 1 218 156 B1
der Antriebswelle (74) für die Bewegung von Wasser
in einem kreisförmigen und axialen Strömungsweg
hin zu der Schneidemessernabe (34) und der Form-
werkzeugfläche (76) bereitzustellen.
16. Granulator (12) nach Anspruch 15, wobei ein an dem
radialen Strömungsweg ausgerichteter Endkanten-
bereich des röhrenförmigen Elements (92) eine ra-
diale Ausnehmung (82) und eine geneigte Fläche
(84) zum Leiten des Wasserstroms zu der Form-
werkzeugfläche (76) hin umfasst, wobei ein axialer
Wasserstrom, der aus einem unteren Bereich des
ringförmigen Strömungswegs austritt, durch die
Formwerkzeugfläche (76) hindurch und um die
Schneidemessernabe (80) herum zu der axialen
Ausnehmung (64) in einem gegenüberliegenden Be-
reich der Außenfläche des röhrenförmigen Elements
(62) hin strömen kann.
Revendications
1. Granulateur immergé (12) comprenant une filière
(14) munie d’orifices d’extrusion (16) se terminant
dans une face de filière (18), un moyeu de lame de
coupe rotative mené (34) supporté en face de ladite
face (18), des lames de coupe (37) montées sur ledit
moyeu de lame (34) et se déplaçant dans un plan
globalement parallèle à ladite face de filière (18) et
à proximité étroite de celle-ci pour couper en granu-
lés des brins de matière extrudés par lesdits orifices
(16), une boîte à eau (20) renfermant ladite face de
filière (18), ledit moyeu de lame (34) et lesdites lames
de coupe (37), ladite boîte à eau (20) comprenant
une entrée (24) permettant l’entrée d’eau dans la
boîte à eau (20) et une sortie (26) pour évacuer un
mélange d’eau et de granulés entraînés dans l’eau,
caractérisé en ce qu’un guide d’écoulement d’eau
séparé (10) est positionné dans ladite boîte à eau
(20) pour diriger l’écoulement d’eau et de granulés
dans ladite boîte à eau (20).
2. Granulateur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
ledit guide d’écoulement d’eau (10) comprend un
élément (38) ayant une surface extérieure (40), la-
dite surface extérieure (40) ayant au moins un évi-
dement axial (52) qui forme un chemin d’écoulement
axial.
3. Granulateur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
ledit guide d’écoulement d’eau (10) comprend un
élément tubulaire (38) ayant une surface extérieure
(40) globalement en relation concentrique étroite
avec une surface intérieure de la boîte à eau (20),
ladite surface extérieure (40) dudit élément tubulaire
(38) comprenant un évidement axial aligné avec l’en-
trée de la boîte à eau (24) et un évidement axial (52)
aligné avec la sortie de la boîte à eau (26), chacun
20
desdits évidements (52) comprenant une extrémité
ouverte voisine de ladite face de filière (18) pour gui-
der l’eau entrante de manière axiale vers la face de
filière et guider un mélange de granulés et d’eau de
5 manière axiale vers la sortie de la boîte à eau (26).
4. Granulateur selon la revendication 3, dans lequel
lesdits évidements (52) sont orientés en opposition
diamétrale et sont sous la forme d’une rainure axiale
10 parallèle à l’axe de rotation du moyeu de lame (34).
5. Granulateur selon la revendication 4, dans lequel
chacun desdits évidements (52) comporte une ex-
trémité intérieure courbée en arc (54) pour changer
15 l’écoulement radial d’eau dans la boîte à eau (20)
en écoulement axial et l’écoulement axial d’un mé-
lange d’eau et de granulés en écoulement radial.
6. Granulateur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
20 l’élément tubulaire (114) comprend un trou radial
(116) formant un prolongement de l’entrée d’eau (24)
et communiquant avec un évidement intérieur (118)
formé dans l’élément tubulaire (114).
25 7. Granulateur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
l’extrémité libre (122) de l’élément tubulaire (92)
comprend une zone de dégagement progressif
(124), ladite zone de dégagement (124) étant en
pente du bas vers le haut de l’élément tubulaire.
30
8. Granulateur (12) selon la revendication 1, dans le-
quel ledit guide d’écoulement d’eau (10) comprend
un élément tubulaire (38) adapté pour être position-
né dans ladite boîte à eau (20) et ayant une extrémité
35 libre (48) adaptée pour être espacée de manière
étroite par rapport audit moyeu de lame (34) et auxdi-
tes lames (37), ledit élément tubulaire (38) compre-
nant au moins un passage (52) pour diriger l’eau
entrant par l’entrée d’eau (24) vers la face de filière
40 (18) et le moyeu de lame (34) pour que l’eau entrante
refroidisse et solidifie de manière plus efficace les
brins de matière extrudés par les orifices (16).
9. Granulateur (12) selon la revendication 8, dans le-
45 quel ledit élément tubulaire (38) comprend un
deuxième passage (52) pour diriger l’évacuation
d’eau et de granulés vers la sortie (26) pour trans-
porter de manière plus efficace les granulés formés
à l’écart de ladite face de filière (18) et dudit moyeu
50 de lame (34).
10. Granulateur (12) selon la revendication 8, dans le-
quel ledit élément tubulaire (38) comprend une sur-
face extérieure (40) adaptée pour être orientée au
55 voisinage proche d’une surface intérieure de la boîte
à eau (20), ladite surface extérieure (40) ayant au
moins un évidement axial (52) formant un passage
d’écoulement d’eau axial (52).
11
 21 EP 1 218 156 B1 22

11. Granulateur (12) selon la revendication 8, dans le- filière (76), l’écoulement d’eau axial sortant d’une
quel ledit élément tubulaire (38) comprend une sur- partie inférieure du chemin d’écoulement annulaire
face extérieure (40) adaptée pour être orientée glo- étant adapté pour s’écouler d’un bord à l’autre de la
balement en relation concentrique étroite avec l’in- face de filière (76) et autour du moyeu de lame (80)
térieur de la boîte à eau, ladite surface extérieure 5 vers l’évidement axial (64) dans une partie opposée
(40) dudit élément tubulaire (38) comprenant un évi- de la surface extérieure de l’élément tubulaire (62).
dement axial adapté pour être positionné en aligne-
ment avec l’entrée de la boîte à eau (24) et un évi-
dement axial (52) adapté pour être positionné en ali-
gnement avec la sortie de la boîte à eau (26), chacun 10
desdits évidements comprenant une extrémité
ouverte adaptée pour être positionnée au voisinage
de ladite face de filière (18) pour guider l’eau entrante
vers la face de filière (18) et pour guider un mélange
de granulés et d’eau vers la sortie de la boîte à eau 15
(26).

12. Granulateur (12) selon la revendication 8, dans le-

quel lesdits évidements (52) sont orientés en oppo-
sition diamétrale et sont chacun sous la forme d’une 20
rainure axiale adaptée pour être orientée de manière
générale parallèlement à l’axe de rotation du moyeu
de lame (34).

13. Granulateur (12) selon la revendication 12, dans le- 25

quel chacun desdits évidements (52) comporte une
extrémité intérieure courbée en arc (54) pour chan-
ger l’écoulement radial d’eau dans la boîte à eau
(20) en écoulement axial et l’écoulement axial du
mélange d’eau et de granulés en écoulement radial. 30

14. Granulateur (12) selon la revendication 12, dans le-

quel chacun desdits évidements (52) comprend une
configuration transversale en arc et des bords d’ex-
trémité biseautés (56) adaptés pour être positionnés 35
au voisinage du moyeu de lame (34).

15. Granulateur (12) selon la revendication 11, dans le-

quel ledit élément tubulaire (62) comprend un pas-
sage radial (70) en opposition diamétrale avec un 40
évidement axial (64) et adapté pour être positionné
en alignement avec l’entrée d’eau (68) pour ache-
miner l’eau à l’intérieur de la chambre de coupe (22),
ledit élément tubulaire (62) ayant une surface inté-
rieure (72) adaptée pour renfermer un arbre d’en- 45
traînement (74) pour le moyeu de lame (80) en re-
lation globalement concentrique espacée pour four-
nir un passage longitudinal annulaire (75) entre la
surface intérieure (72) de l’élément tubulaire (62) et
l’arbre d’entraînement (74) pour le mouvement d’eau 50
dans un chemin d’écoulement circulaire et axial vers
le moyeu de lame (34) et la face de filière (76).

16. Granulateur (12) selon la revendication 15, dans le-

quel une partie de bord de l’élément tubulaire (92) 55
alignée avec le chemin d’écoulement radial compor-
te un évidement radial (82) et une surface inclinée
(84) pour diriger l’écoulement d’eau vers la face de

12
EP 1 218 156 B1

13
EP 1 218 156 B1

14
EP 1 218 156 B1

15
EP 1 218 156 B1

16
EP 1 218 156 B1

17
EP 1 218 156 B1

18
EP 1 218 156 B1

19