Grinding pan bearing arrangement and drive of a roller mill

Claim 1

A roller mill of the type having a housing structure supported on a foundation, a substantially horizontal grinding pan supported for rotation about a substantially vertical mill axis, at least one grinding roller supported by pivotable journals for rolling contact on the grinding pan, means to pivot the rotational axis of the roller to move the roller into and out of engagement with the grinding pan, and driving means below the grinding pan to rotate the grinding pan, comprising, the grinding pan having a horizontal pan section and an integral substantially vertical depending section, a support ring in contact with the lower end of said depending section and having a larger diameter than said depending section to extend radially therebeyond, at least three hydrostatic bearings symmetrically arranged for supporting said support ring at said radially extending location for coaxial rotation with said grinding pan, at least three radial hydrostatic bearings symmetrically arranged to guide said support ring radially, each bearing being adjustably mounted on a base support element of the housing structure so that they distribute the entire load of the grinding operation through the grinding pan, support ring, and base support elements to the foundation, said base support elements being radially outwardly spaced with respect to said mill axis so that said driving means is readily accessible when in operating position.