Tools and methods for installing seals into grooves, especially for water jet spray devices.

Abstract

Tools and methods for installing seals into grooves, particularly suitable for water jet spraying devices. An installation tool for annular elastomeric seals includes a wheel that rotates about an axis (24), the wheel having a hook device (23) for a curved section of the annular seal, the hook protruding outward from the rim (21) of the wheel and extending in a plane perpendicular to the axis (24) of the rim.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a tool for installing a seal into a groove. The invention also relates to a method for installing a seal into a seal mounting groove, wherein a seal mounting tool is used. Background Technology

[0002] Water jet spinning technology is widely used in the field of nonwoven materials. This technology consolidates the fiber web by spraying water. For this purpose, an ejector is needed to uniformly distribute high-pressure water, with a pressure between 1 and 400 bar, along the entire length of the web formed by the machine. The water jet ejector device, also known as an ejector, mainly consists of a body and jaws. The jaws are pressure-resistant and form an inner chamber with an inlet. The inner chamber communicates with an outlet slit leading to the outside of the jaws or ejector via an orifice plate. An annular groove is machined within the jaws around the outlet slit. This groove is track-shaped and has two opposing parts, each consisting of an inner edge, an outer edge, and two curved ends. A seal with two straight sections and two curved sections is placed in this groove to ensure the retention and sealing of the orifice plate. The purpose is to ensure that high-pressure water can only be ejected from the ejector through the holes (nozzles) in the orifice plate.

[0003] The elastomeric seal installation tool described in French Patent 2902035 employs this technology. This invention aims to improve the installation of annular elastomeric seals in injectors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to the invention, a tool or an assembly of the tool and a seal (installed with the tool) is used, comprising a wheel that rotates about an axis and has a single hook. The hook projects outward from the rim of the wheel and extends only in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rim. It is symmetrical with respect to this plane. Its two sides are equidistant from the sides of the wheel or the rim in the axial direction, respectively. The hook has a concave surface and a convex surface opposite the concave surface. The seal to be installed is hooked onto the hook and wound around the rim, thus being able to unfold without twisting under excellent guidance. Additionally, this keeps the seal away from dust and other contaminants generated by contact with the ground, which is the case when the straight section length of the seal is 3 to 4 meters. To better balance the seal on the wheel, it is preferable that the concave surface of the hook in contact with the seal has the same radius of curvature as the annular surface of the seal.

[0005] To accurately guide the seal through the chamber orifice of the injector, according to an embodiment that can be combined with the above but also constitute a separate invention, the tool includes a bracket fixed to a shaft, the inner core of which forms a straight channel, and a plate fixed to the base plate of the bracket, the plate extending from the channel through a channel outlet. The channel length is preferably 50 to 200 mm.

[0006] To better guide the seal during winding, two notches parallel to the longitudinal direction of the channel are provided on the outer surface of the inner core. These two notches open to the front of the channel inlet and are symmetrical about each other with respect to the central plane. This ensures that the two parallel segments of the seal remain well parallel during winding.

[0007] Preferably, two guide grooves are provided on the inner side of the channel, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the channel. The two guide grooves are symmetrical with respect to the mid-plane of the rim, which is perpendicular to the axis. These two guide grooves are used to guide the extended plate or extended sheet, whose two longitudinal edges are inserted into the guide grooves through the channel inlet.

[0008] The tool also includes a slider, the extension sheet of which extends the slider, which is introduced into the channel via a channel outlet. The lower surface of the slider has a transverse guide groove wider than the diameter of the seal. As the seal unfolds from the wheel, which acts as an unwinder, the curved section of the seal automatically falls into this guide groove as it slides through the channel. The seal can then be installed into the injector.

[0009] The lower surface of the slider refers to the side facing the jaws when the slider is introduced into the injector, not the side facing the body. However, this side is not necessarily below the other side; it depends on the position of the injector.

[0010] Preferably, the slider has two shoulders that are symmetrical to each other with respect to the longitudinal midplane of the slider. The shoulders cooperate with two stop blocks on the side of the channel to restrict the slider from entering the channel when it is introduced through the outlet.

[0011] Preferably, the slider is divided into three parts: the first part has a first flat main surface and a second main surface, the second main surface is opposite to the first main surface and has a bevel and a guide groove after machining; the second part forms an extended sheet with a thickness less than that of the first part, and its first main surface is flush with the first main surface of the first part; and a third holding part holds the second part on the first part.

[0012] Preferably, the plate is fixed in a way that allows it to move at the bottom of the channel and extend beyond the channel outlet. This ensures proper guidance of the seal and its insertion into the slider groove. However, this plate, which can also be integrated with the support, is fragile and prone to breakage in this case. It is preferable to manufacture it as a separate component from the support.

[0013] To ensure accurate guidance of the slider as it enters the injector, the bracket has two corners. The two corners extend from the bracket in the direction of the channel exit and project from the plate in the direction of the channel exit.

[0014] The present invention also aims to provide a method for installing an annular elastomeric seal into an injector using a tool according to the invention, wherein the seal is passed through two notches and wound around a wheel, the free-bending section (unhooked) of the seal is passed through a channel and introduced into the channel from the channel inlet, and allowed to pass under the plate, a slider is introduced into the channel through the channel outlet, with one side of the guide groove facing the plate, the free-bending section is introduced into the slider guide groove, an extension plate is mated with the slider, and the slider and extension plate assembly is introduced into the injector chamber until the bending section enters the mounting groove of this section of the seal in the injector chamber, as described in French Patent 2902035. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The attached diagram is for illustrative purposes only:

[0016] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an injector using the mounting tool according to the invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a partial 3D view, in which the top of the main body at the end of the injector chamber has been removed, and the slider has not yet been introduced;

[0018] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the wheel of the tool according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 A perspective view of the tool according to the invention, wherein a plate has been fixed on it;

[0020] Figure 5 A 3D view of the channel before the plate is fixed;

[0021] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the slider and extension plate assembly;

[0022] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view of the wheel, with the slider in the channel of the bracket;

[0023] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A sectional view along the CC line; and

[0024] Figure 9 for Figure 7 Sectional view along line DD. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figure 1 The ejector shown includes an upper body 1 to which jaws 2 are screwed, forming a pressure-resistant stainless steel ejector. The body and jaws form an inner chamber 3, which has an inlet and communicates via a slit 4 through a perforated plate (not shown) with an outlet slit 5 leading to the outside of the jaws or ejector.

[0026] An annular groove 6 is machined within the jaws 2, surrounding the outlet slit 5. An elastic seal 7 made of elastomeric material should be installed within this groove. Figure 2 As shown, the groove 6 has two opposing straight portions 8 and 9, each formed by inner edges 10 and 11 and outer edges 12 and 13, and also has two curved ends 14 (only one shown), both formed only by the inner edges. Of these curved ends, the groove is referred to as open. If the seal is pre-stretched, a portion of the seal falling into the thus formed area will easily rest against the edge 14 through elastic recovery.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, a second orifice 15 is provided on the second front side of the jaw 2. Its size allows a tool for installing the seal in the groove to move within it. A first orifice 15 of the same size is located at the other end of a channel 16, which is formed by orifices 15 passing through the surface 17 and inner surface 18 of the body 1; a groove 6 is machined therein.

[0028] The cross-section of the orifice 15 and the cross-section of the channel are just larger than the rectangle formed by the overall dimensions of the installation tool.

[0029] Figures 3 to 7 The installation tool for the annular elastomeric seal shown includes a wheel 20, with a single hook 23 extending from the rim 21. The concave surface of the hook 23's curved portion 22 has the same radius of curvature as the annular surface of the seal, on which the seal can be hooked and in contact. The hook 23 extends in the midplane of the rim 21, perpendicular to the wheel axis 24. The annular seal 19, made of elastomeric material, is hooked onto the hook 23 via one of its curved sections (see...). Figure 7 The inner core 30 is wrapped around the rim 21. Two recesses 28 and 29 are provided on the outer surface of the inner core 30. These two recesses are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the channel within the inner core 30 and open to the front of the channel entrance. They guide the seal 19 and ensure that the two straight sections remain parallel during winding. The two recesses 28 and 29 are symmetrical about each other with respect to the mid-plane. The wheel is symmetrical about the mid-plane of the rim, which is perpendicular to the axis. The channel formed by the inner core 30 is straight and 10 cm long. Two guide grooves 33 and 34 for introducing the extension plate 47 are provided on the inner side of the channel. As the seal passes through the channel from the inlet to the outlet, the channel has a bottom formed by a sealing plate 35. The plate 35 extends from the channel and its end is concave, matching the shape of the sealing mounting groove in the portion facing the orifice.

[0030] The hook-shaped rod 36 is slidably mounted in the guide groove 37 on the outer surface of the cheek plate 31 of the support. The bottom of the channel is formed by the plate 35.

[0031] The slider is made of a material that slides easily on stainless steel, such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), and consists of a pad having a rectangular, flat, and smooth upper surface 40. The left side of the tool ( Figure 6 The tool is T-shaped, having a handle 41 and a stop bar 42. The stop bar 42 is rectangular, 20 mm wide and 10 mm high. The handle 41 is generally rectangular, 10 mm wide and 5 mm high. The tool height H is 10 mm. The lower surface of the handle 41 (upper in the figure) is flat and parallel to surface 40. The handle 41 forms a drive post or drive pin, intersecting with a downward-opening (upward in the figure) guide groove 43. A seal can be placed in the guide groove 43, thus passing around the pin. On the other side of the guide groove 43, the lower surface is connected to a longitudinal center rod 44, on which an arrow F indicating the direction of slider introduction is provided. Two inclined surfaces 45, symmetrical to each other with respect to the rod 44, are provided on the longitudinal edge of the tool. The inclined surfaces slope at a 15° angle from the lower surface 42 of the rod towards the lowest platform 46 of the tool, the tool being at the same level as the lower surface of the handle 41 and the rod 44.

[0032] The slider has two shoulders (see) Figure 8 and Figure 9 These two shoulders mate with the two shoulders 52 on the inner side of the support. Two angles 53 extend from the cheek plate 31 of the support into the extension on the side of the channel. The total distance between the angles 53 is just less than the width of the injector orifice.

[0033] The tool also includes an extension plate 47 (see...) Figure 6 The device, made of a rollable stainless steel sheet or thin sheet, is movably mounted on the slider by a fastener 48 with claws 49, which are inserted into holes 50 in the slider by interlocking with an extension plate 47. The fastener 48 is tightened onto the slider by two screws 51.

[0034] The method for using the tool to install the seal in groove 6 is as follows:

[0035] The seal 19 is hung on the hook 22 to wind the seal 19 onto the wheel, and the seal is carefully wound after passing through the notches 28 and 29. Then, the free-bending section of the seal 19 is passed through the channel and introduced into the channel from the channel inlet, and passed under the plate 35. The slider is introduced into the channel through the channel outlet, with the guide groove 43 facing the plate 35, until the free-bending section is introduced into the slider guide groove 43. After the extension plate 47 is connected to the slider, the slider and extension plate 47 assembly is introduced into the injector chamber through the injector orifice until the bending section enters the mounting groove of this section of the seal in the injector chamber, as described in French Patent 2902035.

Claims

1. A mounting tool for a seal (19) characterised in that, The tool comprises a wheel rotating about an axis (24), the wheel having a single hook (23) projecting outwardly from the wheel rim (21) and extending in a median plane of the wheel rim perpendicular to the axis (24), the curved section of the seal (19) being hooked on the hook (23) and wound around the wheel rim (21).

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein, The seal is circular and the portion of the hook (23) in contact with the seal (19) has the same radius of curvature as the torus of the seal (19).

3. A mounting tool for an annular elastomeric seal, characterised in that, The tool comprises a support, the inner core (30) of which forms a straight passage and the inner surface of which is provided with a plate (35) projecting from the passage via a passage outlet, the plate (35) being able to be integral with the support.

4. The tool of claim 3, wherein, The outer surface of the inner core (30) is provided with two notches (28, 29) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the passage, the notches (28, 29) opening onto the front face of the passage inlet and being symmetrical with respect to a median plane.

5. The tool of claim 3, wherein, The tool comprises a slider introduced into the passage via the passage outlet, the lower surface of the slider having a transverse guide groove (43) having a width greater than the diameter of the seal.

6. The tool of claim 5, wherein, The slider has two shoulders symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal median plane of the slider, the shoulders cooperating with two stops (52) on the sides of the passage, thereby limiting the entry of the slider into the passage when it is introduced via the passage outlet.

7. The tool of claim 6, wherein, The inside of the passage is provided with two guide grooves (33, 34) parallel and symmetrical with respect to a median plane, the guide grooves opening onto the front face of the passage inlet.

8. The tool of claim 7, wherein, The tool comprises an elongated plate (47), the two longitudinal edges of which are inserted into the guide grooves (33, 34).

9. The tool of claim 7, wherein, The support comprises two corners (53) projecting from the support in the direction of the passage outlet and projecting from the plate (35). The tool comprises a support, the inner core (30) of which forms a straight passage and the inner surface of which is provided with a plate (35) projecting from the passage via a passage outlet, the plate (35) being able to be integral with the support. The outer surface of the inner core (30) is provided with two notches (28, 29) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the passage, the notches (28, 29) opening onto the front face of the passage inlet and being symmetrical with respect to a median plane. The tool comprises a slider introduced into the passage via the passage outlet, the lower surface of the slider having a transverse guide groove (43) having a width greater than the diameter of the seal. The slider has two shoulders symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal median plane of the slider, the shoulders cooperating with two stops (52) on the sides of the passage, thereby limiting the entry of the slider into the passage when it is introduced via the passage outlet. The inside of the passage is provided with two guide grooves (33, 34) parallel and symmetrical with respect to a median plane, the guide grooves opening onto the front face of the passage inlet. The tool comprises an elongated plate (47), the two longitudinal edges of which are inserted into the guide grooves (33, 34). The support comprises two corners (53) projecting from the support in the direction of the passage outlet and projecting from the plate (35).

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