Explosion-proof valves for separating system components or workpieces, including sealing rings

Abstract

The invention discloses an explosion-proof valve for separating system components or workpieces for pipeline installation, comprising a housing (1), a closing body (7), wherein the closing body is axially guided on a guide rod (13) in the housing (1) and can be shifted from a defined open position to a sealed closed position in the presence of a pressure or suction wave in at least one closing movement direction in the pipeline, a spring assembly (18), which is in operative connection with the closing body (7) and is used on the guide rod (13) to hold the closing body (7) in the open position, a sealing ring (19) located on the inner side of the housing (1), the closing body (7) being able to press against the sealing ring (19) in its closed position 15, and a receiving groove (21), which is applied to the inner side (20) of the housing (1) and is preferably open opposite to the closing movement direction (SB) of the closing body (7) and is used to hold the sealing ring (19).

Description

[0001] This patent application claims the priority of German patent application DE 10 2019 205 027.1, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The invention relates to an explosion-proof valve used for disassembling system components or workpieces so as to carry out pipeline installation.

[0003] Explosion-proof valves of this type are known from a large number of publications, in particular from the applicant. Thus, according to CH 694 303A5 or CH 694 377A5, these explosion-proof valves have a housing, a closing body axially guided on a guide rod on the housing, the closing body being displaceable from a defined open position to a sealed closed position in the event of a pressure or suction wave in at least one closing movement direction in the pipeline, a spring assembly located on the guide rod, the spring assembly being operatively connected to the closing body for holding the closing body in the open position, and a bearing assembly, each bearing assembly carrying an end of a guide rod and connected to the housing by at least one suspension cross member, and a sealing ring on the inside of the housing, pressed against the closing body in its closed position.

[0004] Two different designs and bearing arrangements of the sealing rings used are disclosed in both invention disclosures. On the one hand, a sealing ring of approximately teardrop-shaped cross section, with a groove-shaped receiving groove, is fitted onto the annular end edge of the tubular shell of the valve housing and bonded there. In its sealing area, against which the closing body bears in its closed position, the sealing ring protrudes into the flow cross section of the valve, which prevents a free flow of the medium through the explosion-proof valve. In addition, there is a need to improve the bearing arrangement and support of the sealing ring in order to ensure an optimal sealing effect in the closed position of the valve.

[0005] On the other hand, the variants shown in these documents feature a sealing ring of rectangular cross section which is glued into a corresponding recess on the valve body. The sealing edge forms a 90° external angle in cross section and against which the closing body bears in the closed position, is subject to wear due to its sharp edges and requires improvement in terms of the sealing effect. The rectangular shape of the sealing ring is also not optimal in terms of the flow properties of the medium in the valve.

[0006] Explosion-proof valves having the basic design and functional sequence and adhesively bonded sealing rings having the described cross-sectional configuration are also known from DE 102 13 865 B4, EP 1 579 134 B1, EP 1 897 668 B1 and DE 10141 348 B4 from the applicant.

[0007] The object on which the present invention is based is to provide a universal explosion-proof valve having a sealing ring which is improved with regard to the load-bearing arrangement and the sealing effect.

[0008] According to one embodiment, an explosion-proof valve for separating system components or workpieces for pipeline installation comprises a housing, a closing body in which the closing body is axially guided on guide rods and can be displaced from a defined open position into a sealed closed position in the event of a pressure or suction wave in at least one closing movement direction in the pipeline, a spring assembly in operative connection with the closing body, the spring assembly on the guide rods for holding the closing body in the open position, and a sealing ring on the inside of the housing against which the closing body can be pressed in its closed position, wherein an open receiving groove is applied to the inside of the housing for holding the sealing ring. The sealing ring is held in an open receiving groove attached to the inside of the housing.

[0009] According to the configuration of the invention, a particularly stable bearing arrangement of the sealing ring is achieved by means of the receiving groove, and the sealing ring is also relatively easy to install.

[0010] In one embodiment, a preferred further development of the explosion-proof valve is described. Thus, the receiving groove can be open opposite to the closing movement direction (SB) of the closing body. Thus, the sealing ring is inserted into the receiving groove in the closing movement direction and protrudes in the direction opposite to the closing movement direction of the closing body, i.e. axially. Thus, when acting in the closed position, the sealing ring is actually pressed into the receiving groove, which further strengthens its stable support in the critical closed position. In addition, the structure according to the invention does not narrow the flow cross section of the valve in the radial direction, which leads to fluidity advantages.

[0011] If, according to one embodiment, the receiving groove can be defined on its radially inner side by a tubular portion of the housing, further flowability improvement and structural simplification can be achieved.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the sealing ring can be inserted into a receiving groove with an anchoring portion, the cross-sectional shape of which is substantially configured as a flat rectangle. The insertion length of the anchoring portion can then be at least one third greater than its radial thickness. This in turn can stabilize the sealing ring bearing arrangement, thereby benefiting the sealing performance of the closing body in the closed position.

[0013] The sealing ring can be fixed in the receiving groove by means of an adhesive connection known per se. According to one embodiment, a form-fitting and / or adhesive connection is used to fix the sealing ring in the receiving groove, however, it is more advantageous for the sealing ring to be connected in the receiving groove by a form-fitting connection, since this essentially eliminates any problems arising during the assembly work of the adhesive connection and the adhesive itself. In addition, since the drying time of the required adhesive is omitted, there are no long downtimes, which is a great advantage during the maintenance of the valve. Furthermore, no auxiliary materials are required for pre-treating the bonding area and for pressing the seal by means of a pressing device for clean bonding.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the sealing part of the sealing ring interacts with the closing body of the valve in the closed position, the sealing part being arranged outside the receiving groove and in front of it against the closing movement direction. In the arrangement of the sealing part of the sealing ring, in front of the receiving groove and opposite to the closing movement direction, on the outside, interacting with the closing body of the valve in the closed position, further flow optimization in the sealing design can be achieved. This further improves the sealing interaction between the closing body and the seal.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing portion of the sealing ring is smoothly incorporated into the tubular shell portion of the housing at its radially inward flange. The sealing portion of the sealing ring is smoothly incorporated into the tubular portion of the housing at its radially inward flange. This means that there is an almost seamless transition channel between the tubular portion and the sealing ring, which is again advantageous from a fluidity perspective.

[0016] According to one embodiment, by connecting the sealing portion of the sealing ring to the inner side of the housing through a circumferential sealing lip at its radially outwardly directed flange, the inner contour of the sealing ring is spherical, specifically approximately a quarter circle, in contact with the medium flowing through the valve, thereby further improving the flow conditions.

[0017] The effect of the above-mentioned measures is to optimize the flow conditions in the explosion-proof valve, in particular when used cumulatively, since the flow contact surface is very smooth and does not form internal corners or even undercuts.

[0018] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the sealing ring can be formed as a hollow chamber profile, which has a circumferential hollow chamber, specifically extending only in the region of the sealing portion of the sealing ring. Thus, on the one hand, a clear functional separation is achieved between the anchoring of the sealing ring in the housing, and on the other hand, an improvement in the sealing effect is achieved. In the anchoring part, the sealing ring is therefore constructed solid, which is conducive to a stable bearing arrangement. In the region of the sealing portion, the provision of a hollow chamber here ensures a high flexibility of the sealing ring, which ensures a clean and tight fit of the closing body around the entire circumference of the sealing ring. At the same time, tolerances caused by widening the housing parts together, other assembly processes and possible loss of roundness of the rotationally symmetrical closing body can be optimally compensated. The sealing ring also helps to absorb any deformations or uneven thermal expansions caused by an uneven flow of hot process media to the valve.

[0019] According to another preferred embodiment, the anchoring portion of the sealing ring is provided with anchoring protrusions, which act opposite to the insertion direction. The cross section of the sealing element can also be provided with anchoring protrusions radially inside, for example in the form of ribs or barbs, so as to make it easier to assemble on the anchoring portion. In this way, the solid anchoring portion is more flexible during assembly, but provides sufficient force to prevent it from being pulled out.

[0020] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of an example of embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 Show according to Figure 2 A view of the explosion-proof valve viewed in the direction of arrow I;

[0022] Figure 2 Show according to Figure 1 An axial section of the explosion-proof valve at the section line II-II;

[0023] Figure 3 Show according to Figure 1 Explosion-proof valve Figure 2 Exploded perspective view in cross section;

[0024] Figure 4 and 5 Show according to Figure 2 Details of IV and enlarged details of V; and

[0025] Figure 6 The sealing ring in a second exemplary embodiment is shown in cross section.

[0026] From the figure Figures 1 to 3 As can be seen in the figure, the explosion-proof valve shown has a housing 1 which consists of two half-shells 3 and 4 which are detachably connected to one another at a central flange connection 2. Towards the flange connection 2, the two half-shells 3 and 4 are radially widened relative to their tubular housing parts 5 and 6 in order to ensure a sufficient flow cross section through the valve in the region of the closing body 7 of the valve.

[0027] This will be discussed in further detail below. At the ends remote from the flange connection 2, the half-shells 3 and 4 are provided with connecting flanges 8 and 9, with which the explosion-proof valve can be installed in a pipeline (not shown).

[0028] The following will refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 Explain the internal structure of the explosion-proof valve. For example, the closing body 7 mentioned is designed as a rotationally symmetrical hollow body, and its cross section is approximately elliptical, and the medium can Figure 2 and Figure 3 The flow is around the hollow body in the open position shown. The configuration of a closing body 7 with a so-called interference edge 10 at the periphery and sealing edge 11 is known, for example, from the above-mentioned EP 1 579 134 B1 and need not be discussed further here.

[0029] The closing body 7 is fastened to a support tube 12 which is guided for longitudinal displacement along the central axis by means of sliding bushings 14, 15 on a guide rod 13 for indirect mounting of the closing body 7. The guide rod 13 itself is fastened at each end in a cylindrical retainer 16, 17, each designed to taper conically in the direction of the flanges 8 and 9 in order to optimize the flow conditions through the valve. The retainers 16 and 17 are then held centrally in the tubular housing parts 5 and 6 of the half-shells 3 and 4 by means of four suspensions A.

[0030] A preloaded helical compression spring 18 is inserted between the guide rod 13 and the carrier tube 12, which is supported on the one hand on the left-hand sliding bushing 14 (ref. Figure 2 ) is firmly connected to the guide rod 13 and is supported on the right-hand sliding bushing 15 (reference Figure 2 ), which is fastened to the right end of the support tube 12. Therefore, the support tube 12 is loaded against the closing movement direction SB of the closing body 7 - that is, with reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3 and maintains contact with the retaining member 17. Therefore, the closing body 7 is in Figure 2 and Figure 3 The explosion-proof valve is shown in the open position and can be maintained in a stable manner at the open position at a specified flow rate of the medium flowing through the valve.

[0031] If an explosion pressure wave passes through the explosion-proof valve in the closing movement direction, the closing body 7 is suddenly entrained in this direction against the load of the helical compression spring 18, and its sealing edge 11 is pressed against the sealing ring 19 provided on the inner side of the housing 1, thereby closing the explosion-proof valve. In this way, the system components arranged on the side opposite to the explosion source in the closing body (connected to the left flange 8 through the output pipe) are protected from the influence of the explosion pressure wave and separated from the interference side of the system components. In the closed position of the closing body 7, which is not shown in the figure, the closing body 7 is locked by the locking device V (which will be discussed in more detail below), so that the valve remains closed until the reset can be started manually.

[0032] In the following, reference Figures 2 to 4, the special design of the sealing ring 19 of the explosion-proof valve that interacts with the sealing edge 11 of the closing body 7 will be explained in more detail. For example, in order to receive the sealing ring 19 on the inner side 20 of the housing 1 at the transition channel of the tubular housing part 5, a radial extension in the direction of the flange connection 2 is provided, which is open against the closing movement direction SB for fixing the sealing ring 19. On its radially inward side, this receiving groove 21 is formed by the end area 22 of the tubular housing part 5 itself. The latter is surrounded by a shoulder area 23 of the half shell 3, the cross section of which is chamfered. The sealing ring 19 is inserted into the receiving groove 21 by an anchoring part 24, which has a substantially flat rectangular cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the receiving groove 21. Ribs or barbs can be provided on the radial inner side. As a result, during assembly, the solid anchoring part is more flexible, but provides sufficient force to resist withdrawal. The insertion length E of the anchoring part parallel to the closing movement direction SB is thus approximately one third greater than the radial thickness D of the anchoring part 24. In order to fix the anchoring part 24 in the receiving groove 21, the latter has a circumferential recess 25 radially on the outside at the shoulder region 23, by means of which a positive connection is produced between the anchoring part 24 and the receiving groove 21.

[0033] The sealing portion 26 of the sealing ring 19, in the closed position of the valve, interacts with the sealing edge 11 of the closing body 7, outside and in front of the receiving groove 21 against the closing movement direction SB. The sealing portion 26 therefore does not engage in the free flow cross section of the tubular housing part 5 of the half-shell 3. Instead, it merges smoothly into the tubular housing part 5 at its radially inward edge 27, the purpose of which is that the edge 27 is formed as a protrusion corresponding to the wall thickness of the tubular housing part 5. From here, the inner contour 28 of the sealing portion 26, into which the medium flows through the valve, is outwardly spherical in cross section, forming a quarter circle. Furthermore, the inner contour 28 then merges into a circumferential sealing lip 30 towards a radially outwardly directed flange 29, according to which the sealing portion 26 abuts the inner side 20 of the half-shell 3.

[0034] Due to the configuration of the sealing ring 19, in particular in the region of the sealing portion 26, the free valve cross section between the closing body 7 and the inner side 20 of the housing 1 during opening is optimized in terms of flow, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, since the transition channel is constructed as a relatively smooth surface, no undercut is provided and no part of the seal is in the free cross section of the tubular housing part 5. This has the advantage that product residues are avoided and hygiene is improved when the valve is used in sensitive industries such as systems for producing food or medicines.

[0035] Specific as Figure 4As shown, a circumferentially structured hollow chamber 31 is provided in the sealing portion 26 of the sealing ring 19, which makes the sealing ring 19 particularly flexible here. This helps to ensure that the sealing edge 11 of the closing body 7 can fit cleanly and tightly. As a result, tolerances within the entire assembly caused by welded joints, assembly deviations and lack of roundness of the closing body 7 can be effectively compensated.

[0036] exist Figure 6 In a further development of the sealing ring 19 shown, a ramp-shaped barbed anchoring protrusion 59 is formed on the radial inner side of the anchoring portion 24, pointing opposite to the insertion direction ER, which serves to simplify assembly and to stably anchor the sealing ring 19 as described above in the receiving groove 21. Figure 6 On the radially outer side of the sealing ring 19 , a flat groove 60 is also shown, which is shaped to be circular in cross section and interacts with the recess 25 on the housing 1 .

[0037] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 , a further construction of an explosion-proof valve will now be described in more detail with respect to the suspension A and the locking device V and its mode of operation. The suspension A of the mentioned retaining elements 16 and 17 is - except for the equipment of the functional devices to be discussed in more detail - designed in principle in the same way for the retaining elements 16 and 17. Therefore, reference is made to Figure 2 Details on the V circle and in Figure 5 The four suspensions A present in the illustrated embodiment are discussed in more detail, with the unit shown enlarged. In this case, the retaining elements 16 and 17 support the respective ends of the guide rods 13 as bearing assemblies L and are retained on the respective half-shells 3 and 4 of the housing 1 via a suspension crossmember 32 and the receiving adapter 33 fixes the latter, wherein there is play in the bearing arrangement. To this end, the suspension crossmember 32 is screwed into a corresponding internal thread 34 in the retaining elements 16 and 17. Similarly, the suspension crossmember 32 is received by a threaded bushing 35 on the receiving adapter 33. The latter has an annular shoulder 36, by means of which the receiving adapter 33 is supported on a flexible retaining ring 37. This flexible retaining ring is fastened on a flange 38 of a receiving opening 39 accommodating the receiving adapter 33, in the manner of an edge protection profile. To this end, the retaining ring 37 is mounted with its bearing groove 40 on the flange of the receiving opening 39. As shown Figure 5 As shown, the receiving adapter 33 is installed with clearance due to the structure shown. Its bearing clearance acts in both radial R and axial A directions ( Figure 5 ).from Figure 3 and Figure 5As is more evident in FIG. 1 , the receiving openings 39 of the suspension A are each arranged in the region of a flat bearing surface 41 on the cylindrical housing parts 5 and 6 . These flat bearing surfaces 41 are stamped into the respective housing parts 5 and 6 .

[0038] In order to securely mount the two retaining elements 16, 17, the respective suspension cross member 32 with the receiving fitting 33 is inserted into the corresponding receiving opening 39 and the corresponding threaded connection is tightened via the internal thread 34 and the threaded bushing 35. The bearing arrangement of the receiving fitting 33 in the receiving opening 39 with play via the flexible retaining ring 37 thereby compensates for any possible dimensional deviations in the structural components.

[0039] In the case of the right retaining element 17, the suspension A serves only to support the retaining element 17. Therefore, the receiving adapter 33 is designed here with a closing cover 42 that is closed to the outside.

[0040] The two suspensions A of the retaining element 16 located in the closing movement direction SB, i.e. on the side of the closing body 7 opposite to the explosion source, are occupied by additional functional devices, i.e. on the one hand the upper suspension A has a locking device V, see Figure 2 and Figure 3 On the other hand, the lower suspension A has a sensor device C. These suspensions thus fulfil a dual function, on the one hand they support the retaining element 16 and on the other hand they ensure the incorporation of additional functional devices into the functional mechanism of the explosion-proof valve.

[0041] This functional mechanism is located at the end of the support tube 12 and has a clip 43 formed as a truncated cone, wherein in the embodiment shown, the clip 43 on the side of the locking device V is functionally important. On the one hand, when a two-way explosion-proof valve is used instead of the one-way explosion-proof valve shown, the clip 43 arranged at the other end has functional importance. On the other hand, in the case of the one-way valve shown, it has the function of being able to adjust the center position of the closing body relative to the flange connection 2. For this purpose, Figure 2 and Figure 3 The structure shown in FIG. 2 requires that a locking device V and a sensor device C are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner on both sides of the separation plane T of the flange connection 2 .

[0042] The latch device V, which is arranged in the upper left and integrated in the suspension A, has in the central part a radially extending latching rod 44, which is guided in a radially displaceable manner in a socket 45 screwed onto the adapter 33, in the adapter 33 itself and in the suspension cross member 32. Via a collar 46, a release spring 47 is configured as a helical compression spring, the function of which is to push the latching rod 44 radially inwards when released. In the suspended position shown, the latching rod 44 is retracted upwards and is held in this suspended position by a support bushing 48, which is axially displaceable in the retaining element 16. The latter is loaded by another helical compression spring 49 in the opposite direction of the closing movement direction SB.

[0043] A return mechanism 50 is constructed at the upper end of the socket 45, which is well known in the prior art. Since the return mechanism 50 is not critical to the present invention, it will not be described in detail to avoid unnecessary tedium.

[0044] On the side opposite to the locking device V, the sensing device C is integrated into the suspension A, wherein in this case a sensing rod 51 is guided in a radially displaceable manner in a receiving adapter 33 and a corresponding suspension cross member 32. A bearing cap 52 is screwed onto the receiving adapter 33, into which a helical compression spring 53 is inserted for applying a load to the sensing rod 51 in a radially inward direction via a collar 54 attached thereto. At the end of the sensing rod 51 protruding from the bearing cap 52, a feeler 55 is provided, which interacts with a proximity switch 56. The latter is held on a support column 57 at the bottom of the tubular housing part 5. Alternatively, a mechanical switch can also be attached, which is mounted in a radial extension of the sensing rod 51 and is also mounted to the bearing column 57 via an adapter piece.

[0045] If a sudden pressure wave due to an explosion in the system local to the right of the valve shown passes through the explosion-proof valve, the closing body 7 is suddenly displaced to the engagement position in the closing movement direction due to the applied pressure against the force of the helical compression spring 18. Figure 2 and Figure 3 16, and the valve is sealed in its closed position by abutting against the sealing ring 19. With the movement of the closing body 7, the support tube 12 is displaced with the clip 43, which hits the support bushing 48 in the retaining element 16 and also displaces it to the left against the action of the helical compression spring 49. This releases the locking lever 44, which retracts to the left with the closing body 7 behind the rear clip edge 58 of the clip 43 when the support tube 12 is deflected accordingly. As a result, the closing body 7 and, accordingly, the explosion-proof valve are locked in their closed position.

[0046] During the described triggering process, the tapered front portion of the catch 43 simultaneously pushes the sensing rod 51, which is engaged inwardly by the slot in the support bushing 48 and outwardly against the action of the helical compression spring 53. This causes the sensing member 55 to move away from the proximity switch 56, allowing the latter to provide an electrical signal to the corresponding control (not shown) that the explosion-proof valve has been triggered. Alternatively, depending on the signal required by the control, the retaining piece of the proximity switch 56 can be rotated 180° and the sensing member 55 moved into the sensing area of ​​the proximity switch 56. If a mechanical switch is used, the sensing member is omitted and the sensing rod directly actuates the mechanical switch.

[0047] To return the explosion-proof valve to Figure 2 and Figure 3 To return to the open position shown, the latch rod 44 is moved back upwards by the return mechanism 50. As a result, the catch 43 is released and the support tube 12 with the closing body 7 can be returned to the open position under the influence of the helical compression spring 18. In the process, the support bushing 48 returns to the position below the retracted latch rod 44. Figure 2 At the same time, the sensing rod 51 can be retracted to the sensing position in the support bushing 48 again under the influence of the helical compression spring 53, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown.

Claims

1. An explosion-proof valve for separating system components or workpieces for pipeline installation, comprising - housing (1), - a closing body (7) which is axially guided on a guide rod (13) in the housing (1) and can be displaced from a defined open position into a sealed closed position in the event of a pressure or suction wave in at least one closing movement direction in the pipeline, - a spring assembly (18) which is in operative connection with the closing body (7), the spring assembly being used on the guide rod (13) to hold the closing body (7) in the open position, and - a sealing ring (19) on the inside of the housing (1), against which the closing body (7) can be pressed in its closed position, Features an open receiving groove (21) applied to the inner side (20) of the housing (1) for retaining the sealing ring (19), The receiving groove (21) is defined on its radially inward side by the tubular shell portion (5) of the housing (1), The sealing portion (26) of the sealing ring (19) interacts with the closing body (7) in the closed position of the valve, the sealing portion being arranged outside the receiving groove (21) and in front of it against the closing movement direction (SB), wherein the sealing portion (26) of the sealing ring (19) is smoothly integrated into the tubular shell portion (5) of the housing (1) at its radially inward flange (27), and The sealing portion (26) of the sealing ring (19) abuts the inner side (20) of the housing (1) at its radially outward flange (29) in a circumferential sealing lip (30).

2. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiving groove (21) is open in the opposite direction to the closing movement direction (SB) of the closing body (7).

3. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The sealing ring (19) is inserted into the receiving groove (21) through an anchoring portion (24); the cross-sectional shape of the anchoring portion (24) is a flat rectangle, and its insertion length (E) is at least one third greater than the radial thickness (D) of the anchoring portion (24).

4. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A positive fit and / or adhesive connection for fixing the sealing ring (19) in the receiving groove (21).

5. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The inner contour (28) of the sealing ring (19) is spherical in shape, specifically a quarter circle, and the inner contour can contact the medium flowing through the valve.

6. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The sealing ring (19) is formed as a hollow chamber section having a circumferential hollow chamber (31).

7. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 6, characterized in that: The hollow chamber (31) extends only in the region of the seal (26).

8. The explosion-proof valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: The anchoring portion (24) of the sealing ring (19) is provided with an anchoring protrusion (59), and the anchoring protrusion (59) moves in the opposite direction to the insertion direction.

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