Patent ID: 6793473
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: B29B

Abstract:
A self-aligning cutter hub assembly for use in an underwater pelletizer connected to a drive shaft and enabling cutter blades on a cutter hub to be aligned with and move in parallel relation to a die face on an extrusion die plate, said cutter hub assembly comprising a centrally located axial bore defined by an inner surface on said cutter hub, said inner surface of the bore being partially spherical, an adapter rigidly mountable on an end of said drive shaft and received in said bore, said adapter including a partially spherical outer surface with the partially spherical surfaces being closely related and matching each other, each of the partially spherical surfaces including a pair of recesses each receiving a torque transmitting element partially received in each of the recesses in the matching surfaces to drivingly connect the hub to the drive shaft and enable pivotal movement of the hub on said end of said drive shaft, and a removable retainer on said cutter hub which forms an obstruction for an open end of each of said recesses in the hub to retain said elements in said recesses by direct contact with said elements when said adapter is in perpendicular relation to said shaft.