Apparatus and methods for heat-treating shrinkage linings

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for heat-treating shrink lining. The apparatus (10) includes a support (22) configured to receive shrink lining (12); an induction heating unit (16) for heating the shrink lining; and / or a cooling unit (18) for cooling the shrink lining. According to the invention, the support (22) is arranged in a fixed manner at the apparatus, while the cooling unit (18) has a cooling tube (24) movable between a release position of the support and a cooling position of the support, wherein the cooling tube is loaded with a cooling liquid by a tank (28).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for heat-treating shrink linings, comprising a support configured to receive the shrink lining; preferably an inductive heating unit for heating the shrink lining; and / or a cooling unit for cooling the shrink lining. The invention further relates to a corresponding method in cases where the tool is retracted into or out of the shrink lining. Background Technology

[0002] A cooling device for shrink lining is known from EP 1 470 888 A1, which has an immersion chamber filled with a cooling liquid and constructed to contain the shrink lining. There, the shrink lining can be flushed with the cooling liquid in a fixedly arranged tower-like immersion chamber when the liquid level is raised. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Based on this, the present invention aims to further improve the apparatuses and methods known in the prior art and to describe a structure that is as simple as possible and can operate reliably for a rapid and protective tool workflow.

[0004] To address this task, a combination of features described herein is proposed. Advantageous designs and improvements of the invention are derived herein.

[0005] The present invention is based on the idea of ​​holding shrinkable lining in a support and correspondingly providing a cooling unit and, if possible, a heating unit. Therefore, according to the invention, the support is arranged in a manner fixed to the instrument, and the cooling unit has a cooling tube that moves between a release position of the support and a cooling position of the support, wherein the cooling tube is loaded with cooling liquid by a tank or liquid reservoir.

[0006] This achieves simplified processing with reduced operational intervention while simultaneously enabling uniform and rapid cooling, thus preventing undesirable deformation or warping in the tool. Specifically, the following advantageous effects are observed:

[0007] The tool housing or shrink liner can be cooled directly and automatically after the shrinking process. The user then comes into contact with the cooled tool housing. This is particularly important for workplace safety.

[0008] - It can deliver large amounts of liquid into the cooling pipes, thereby enabling rapid heat removal from the hot tool housing.

[0009] - Cooling is independent of the external shape or tool profile.

[0010] - The liquid column in the cooling tube completely surrounds the tool housing. The tool housing is thus not cooled point by point, which would otherwise lead to deformation of the tool housing and thus concentricity error (Rundlauffehlern, sometimes also called radial deviation).

[0011] - The instrument is simple in structure because it only requires a linear unit to perform the cooling process and, if possible, to bring the induction heating unit back to its initial position.

[0012] Advantageously, the cooling pipe can be traveled along the vertical guide section by means of a lifting actuator. Here, it is particularly advantageous to reduce susceptibility to interference by having the lifting actuator located outside the cooling pipe and thus not having direct contact with the cooling liquid.

[0013] To avoid obstruction, it is advantageous for the cooling pipes to descend into the housing or frame in the release position.

[0014] Similarly, given another simplification of liquid delivery, it can be concluded that the cooling pipe is connected to the tank via a cooling liquid line and can be filled with cooling liquid in the cooling position while the tank is under compressed air loading.

[0015] Given that rapid and uniform cooling is also advantageous, the shrinkage lining is completely surrounded by a liquid column in the case of cooling pipes filled with cooling liquid.

[0016] Advantageously, the cooling pipe has a cylindrical sleeve axially oriented relative to the central axis of the shrink lining to be cooled, with a bottom unit at its lower end providing a passage for the cooling liquid. Preferably, the cooling pipe or sleeve is transparent, allowing the operator to consistently see the tool receiving portion. This is especially beneficial in cases of component damage, where the cooling process may not proceed as planned, as the operator can see the still-hot, uncooled tool receiving portion without unintentionally touching it.

[0017] To ensure high cycle count and good heat dissipation, it is advantageous that the tank capacity for coolant is preferably several times the capacity of the cooling pipes.

[0018] Another particularly preferred design configuration includes an air-blowing unit, which can be loaded with compressed air, for drying the shrink lining in the upper section of the cooling pipe. The air-blowing unit automatically dries the tool housing, so that it is ready for use directly after cooling without additional treatment.

[0019] To further improve the reliability of the instrument, it is advantageous to arrange a baffle screen (Rückhaltesieb) at the support, which is connected to the free cross-section of the cooling pipe.

[0020] Another improvement is derived from the following: the heating unit, preferably formed by an induction coil, is preferably manually movable to the heating position acting on the shrinkage lining.

[0021] Another simple automation feasibility scheme is derived from the following: when the cooling pipe is raised to the cooling position, it spontaneously moves the heating unit away from the support and back to the initial position.

[0022] To allow for easy positioning, it is advantageous that the heating unit is guided along the wire rope and can be locked there by means of a wire rope bracket.

[0023] Another suitable way to simplify the process is to allow the cable support to be released from its locked position via a trigger mechanism, such as a button.

[0024] To simplify the return motion to the initial position, it is advantageous that the wire rope support has a freewheel for unobstructed lifting of the heating unit.

[0025] Advantageously, the wire rope is clamped at the frame between two spaced-apart clamping points.

[0026] Another advantageous design configuration is that the linearly moving heating unit is connected to the current supply unit via a trailing cable.

[0027] Also advantageous for flexible use is that the heating unit is formed as a module that can be separated from the cooling unit and can operate via a rotatable operation / display area in either a horizontal or vertical orientation.

[0028] Another improvement in this respect is achieved by the fact that the heating unit and the cooling unit are preferably releasably or connectable to each other via a tool-free, operable connecting device.

[0029] Regarding the method, the task mentioned at the beginning is solved by moving the cooling pipe to the cooling position where the shrink lining is wrapped, wherein the cooling pipe is filled with cooling liquid by a reservoir. Thus, the advantages mentioned above can also be obtained.

[0030] Advantageously, the shrink liner is held in place in the support, while the heating unit reciprocates between a rest position and an operating position relative to the shrink liner. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The invention will then be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0032] Figure 1 The apparatus, with heating and cooling units for heat-treating shrink lining, is shown in a side view.

[0033] Figure 2In relation to Figure 1 A partially truncated side view rotated 90° shows the apparatus in the case of an activated heating unit;

[0034] Figure 3 In accordance with Figure 2 The side view shows the apparatus with the cooling unit activated;

[0035] Figure 4 The bottom unit, which can be inserted into the cooling pipe on the bottom side, is shown in axial section.

[0036] Figure 5 An air-blowing unit for placement on the cooling pipes of the cooling unit is shown in axial section; and

[0037] Figure 6 The wire rope support for the heating unit is shown in a side view. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The combined cooling and heating device 10 shown in the accompanying drawings is used to regulate the temperature of the shrinkage lining 12 during the retraction or retraction of the shaft tool 14, particularly a milling machine or drilling machine. For this purpose, the induction heating unit 16 and the cooling unit 18, configured as a liquid cooler, are modularly combined with each other at the housing frame 2.

[0039] The shrink liner 12 can be fixedly positioned in a receiving portion or support 22 arranged in a manner fixed to the instrument. For heating the shrink liner 12, a heating unit 16 can be used... Figure 1 The initial position shown in the figure descends to Figure 2 The heating position is shown in the diagram. Due to the thermal expansion of the shrinkage lining 12 caused by induction heating, it is then possible to insert or remove the tool 14. To accelerate cooling, the cooling unit 18 can be used to... Figure 1 The release position shown in the image is raised to... Figure 3 The cooling location shown is filled with liquid.

[0040] The cooling unit 18 includes a cooling pipe 24, a lift actuator 26 for the cooling pipe, and a reservoir or tank 28 for the coolant 30. The cooling pipe 24 can be automatically traveled along a vertical guide formed by two parallel rods 32, 34 by means of the lift actuator 26. The lift actuator 26 can be formed, for example, by a pistonless pneumatic cylinder that operates with compressed air. In the released position, the cooling pipe 24 descends into an area of ​​the frame 20 that is, if possible, shell-closed.

[0041] Cooling pipe 24 is connected to tank 28 via cooling liquid line 36 and can be filled with cooling liquid 30 in the cooling position under compressed air loading of the tank. Filling is performed at least in such a way that the shrink liner 12 is completely surrounded by the liquid column 35, as it is in Figure 3 As shown in the diagram. Here, a larger volume of liquid can be squeezed into the cooling pipe 24, which also circulates. Combined, this promotes faster heat conduction away from the heat-shrinkable lining 12. In this regard, it is also advantageous that the capacity of the tank 28 for the cooling liquid 30 is many times, for example, twice, that of the cooling pipe 24.

[0042] Suitably, the cooling tube 24 has a cylindrical sleeve 38 oriented axially relative to the central axis of the shrink liner 12 to be cooled or the tool rotation axis. This is advantageously constructed of a transparent material, such as acrylic glass, so that the operator has visual control over all process steps.

[0043] A bottom unit 42 with a passage 40 for cooling liquid is arranged at the lower end of the sleeve 38, and its construction is made of Figure 4 More details are available. The lower substrate 44 can be connected to the lift driver 26. An eccentrically arranged connecting sleeve 46 allows for the connection of the cooling liquid line 36. A cooling channel plate 48 is disposed on the substrate 44, which supplies cooling liquid to radially distributed peripheral through portions 40 via an annular channel 50 communicating with the connecting sleeve 46. Here, concentric O-rings 52 are responsible for sealing relative to the substrate 44. An axially drilled hole 54 is provided for the through engagement of the central guide rod 34, in which a sealing element 56 prevents liquid from passing through.

[0044] As in the same way Figure 5 As an additional functional unit, a compressed air-loaded blowing unit 58 is positioned above the cooling pipe 24 so that, in its descent, it can achieve compressed air drying of the shrink liner 12 without further assistance. The sleeve-shaped blowing unit 58 has aerodynamic connection 60, through which compressed air is distributed onto an annular channel 62 and from there to blowing nozzles 64 arranged at peripheral angles pointing inward into the cooling pipe 24. A cover diaphragm 66 with a movable liner provides exhaust protection relative to the surrounding environment.

[0045] To prevent objects from unintentionally falling into the cooling unit 18, a fixed barrier screen 68 is provided between the support 22 and the central rod 34. Figure 2 ), which joins into its free cross-section as the cooling pipe 24 travels upward.

[0046] The heating unit 16 includes an induction coil 70, which can be manually moved from an initial position at the top of the tower-type frame assembly 72 to a heating position below the shrinkage lining 12. In the opposite direction, the induction coil 70 spontaneously moves back to its initial position as the cooling pipe 24 is raised, leaving the support 22. The vertically movable induction coil 70 is flexibly connected to the current supply unit via a drag cable 74.

[0047] To simplify positioning, the induction coil 70 can be moved along the wire rope 78 by means of a manually operable motion unit 76 and locked thereby by means of a wire rope support 80.

[0048] As from Figure 6 Ideally, the wire rope support 80 has a trigger mechanism in the form of a button 82 to release the lock that resists downward movement. To allow spontaneous lifting during upward movement of the cooling pipe 24, a freewheel 84 is integrated into the wire rope support 80. The wire rope 78 is secured itself between two spaced-apart clamping points 86, 88 fixed to the frame.

[0049] In principle, it is possible for the heating unit 16 to be removed from the frame 20 and operated as a special module, where horizontal orientation is also possible in addition to vertical orientation. To support both operating types, an operating / display area 90 that can be manually or electronically rotated 90° can be provided. To accommodate different diameters of shrink lining, replaceable pole shoes can be prepared in a storage section (Magazin, sometimes also called a loading section) 92. Another operator-friendly feature is that the heating unit 16 and the cooling unit 18 can be loosely connected to each other or connected via a tool-free, operable connecting device 94.

Claims

1. An apparatus for heat-treating a shrink liner (12), comprising a support (22) configured to receive the shrink liner (12), a heating unit (16) for heating the shrink liner (12), and a cooling unit (18) for cooling the shrink liner (12), characterized in that, The support (22) is arranged to be fixed to the instrument, and the cooling unit (18) has a cooling tube (24) movable between a release position of releasing the support (22) and a cooling position of enclosing the support (22), wherein the cooling tube (24) is lowered into the housing or frame (20) in the release position, wherein the cooling tube (24) is loaded with cooling liquid by the box (28), and wherein the cooling tube (24) spontaneously moves the heating unit (16) away from the support (22) to the initial position when raised to the cooling position, wherein an air blowing unit (58) capable of being loaded with compressed air for blowing and drying the shrink lining (12) is arranged in the upper section of the cooling tube (24).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating unit (16) is induction.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling pipe (24) can travel along the vertical guide (32, 34) by means of the lifting driver (26).

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The cooling pipe (24) is connected to the box (28) via a cooling liquid line (36) and can be filled with cooling liquid in the cooling position when compressed air is loaded in the box (28).

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, In the case of a cooling pipe (24) filled with cooling liquid, the shrinkage liner (12) is completely surrounded by a column of liquid.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The cooling pipe (24) has a cylindrical sleeve (38) axially oriented relative to the central axis of the shrink liner (12) to be cooled, and a bottom unit (42) with a passage for cooling liquid is arranged at its lower end.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The cylindrical sleeve (38) is transparent.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The capacity of the tank (28) for cooling liquid is many times that of the cooling pipe (24).

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, A barrier screen (68) is arranged at the support (22) and joined to the free cross-section of the cooling pipe (24).

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The heating unit (16) can be moved to a heating position that acts on the shrink lining (12).

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The heating unit (16) formed by the induction coil (70) can be moved to a heating position that acts on the shrink lining (12).

12. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The heating unit (16) can be manually moved to a heating position that acts on the shrink lining (12).

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The heating unit (16) is guided along the wire rope (78) and can be locked thereby by means of the wire rope support (80).

14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The wire rope support (80) can be released from its locked position by a triggering mechanism.

15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that, The triggering mechanism is a button (82).

16. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The wire rope support (80) has a freewheel (84) for unobstructed lifting of the heating unit (16).

17. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The wire rope (78) is clamped at the frame (20) between two spaced-apart clamping points (86, 88).

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The heating unit (16), which can travel linearly, is connected to the current supply unit via a drag cable (74).

19. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The heating unit (16) forms a module that can be separated from the cooling unit (18) and is operable via a rotatable operation / display area (90) in a horizontal or vertical orientation.

20. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The heating unit (16) and the cooling unit (18) can be loosely connected to each other or can be connected.

21. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that, The heating unit (16) and the cooling unit (18) are releasably or connectably connected to each other via a tool-free, operable connecting device (94).

22. A method for heat-treating shrinkage lining (12) in the case of tool retraction / retraction, comprising at least the following steps: a) The shrink lining (12) is heated by the heating unit (16). b) The shrink lining (12) is cooled by the cooling unit (18). c) The shrink lining (12) is dried by blowing air through the air blowing unit (58). Its features are, In step b), the cooling pipe (24) moves from a release position in the housing or frame (20) to a cooling position that wraps the shrink liner (12), wherein the cooling pipe (24) is filled with cooling liquid by a reservoir, wherein the shrink liner (12) is fixedly held in a support (22), wherein the cooling pipe (24) spontaneously moves the heating unit (16) away from the support (22) to the initial position when it is raised to the cooling position, and wherein the blowing unit (58) capable of being loaded with compressed air is arranged in the upper section of the cooling pipe (24).

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, In step a), the heating unit (16) reciprocates between a rest position and an operating position relative to the shrinkage lining (12).

Images