Expansion joint for industrial piping

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multilayer, longitudinally (X-X) split expansion joint of an industrial pipe configured to connect a first pipe end (101) to a second pipe end (102), comprising a wire mesh (2) forming an inner layer of the expansion joint and having at least one split in the axial direction (X-X); a multi-part insulating material (3) enclosing the wire mesh on the outside, forming an intermediate layer of the expansion joint; a first multi-part metal ring disc (4) and a second multi-part metal ring disc (5), the first metal ring disc (4) being arranged at a first longitudinal end (11) of the expansion joint and the second metal ring disc (5) being arranged at a second longitudinal end (12) of the expansion joint; a fluid-tight fabric layer (6) configured on the outside of the insulating material (3) and forming an outer layer of the expansion joint, comprising at least one split in the axial direction (X-X); the fabric layer (6) being fluid-tightly connected to the first metal ring disc (4) and to the second metal ring disc (5).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a multilayer expansion joint for an industrial pipe, for example a flue gas pipe of a power plant. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an industrial pipe comprising a multilayer expansion joint according to the present invention. BACKGROUND

[0002] Expansion joints of various embodiments are known from the prior art for fluid conveying systems such as industrial pipes. The expansion joints provide a flexible connection between two pipe ends, for example for compensating for length changes of the pipe in terms of thermodynamics, and, if necessary, for compensating for small relative movements between the pipe ends, for example due to pressure changes. In some cases, the expansion joints have to withstand extreme conditions, such as very high temperatures or corrosive media through the pipe. One embodiment of such a pipe system is the flue gas discharge of a power plant. For example, DE 10 2018 208 477 A1 shows an expansion joint. Other types of expansion joints are, for example, bellows, which are preferably made of metal. During operation of such expansion joints, the problem arises that they can be damaged. As a rule, the known expansion joints are sleeve-shaped, so that if the expansion joint cannot be repaired on site, it has to be replaced. The expansion joint therefore has to be completely removed and a new expansion joint inserted into the pipe system. In this case, the industrial plant has to be shut down, which incurs very high costs. Replacing an expansion joint, which is usually 1 to 2 m in diameter, can take several hours or days. This is a major problem for the operators of industrial plants. SUMMARY

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an expansion joint which can be installed as simply and quickly as possible, which can be used as a replacement kit or repair kit, in particular in the event of a damaged existing expansion joint, and which can be installed quickly and easily.

[0004] This object is achieved by a multilayer expansion joint having the features of the technical solution described below. Other technical solutions show preferred further developments of the invention.

[0005] In comparison, the multi-layered, longitudinally divided expansion joint for industrial pipes according to the invention having the features of the technical solution described below has the advantage that it can be used as a repair kit or replacement kit for existing expansion joints. Alternatively, the multi-layered expansion joint can be used as a new component to be installed. However, due to its multipart design, the expansion joint can be used in particular for existing pipes of an industrial pipe. In this case, it is possible to install the expansion joint particularly easily and quickly. Damaged, already existing expansion joints on the industrial pipe can remain on the industrial pipe. The expansion joint according to the invention is placed from the outside on the damaged expansion joint and the individual layers will then be joined at the division points extending in the longitudinal direction and the expansion joint will then be joined to the pipe ends. In this process, the expansion joint according to the invention is very simple in design and inexpensive. According to the invention, this will be achieved in such a way that the expansion joint for connecting a first pipe end to a second pipe end comprises a layered expansion joint divided in the longitudinal direction, wherein a plurality of layers are provided, which are arranged on top of one another and are made of different materials and have different functions. The layers are divided in the longitudinal direction at least once, preferably several times, and are configured to be attached from the outside to the pipe sides to be connected and are connected at the division points of the individual layers. In this process, it is not necessary to remove the existing expansion joint that has been damaged, so that no pipe separation is necessary for the fixing of the expansion joint according to the invention. The several layers of the expansion joint are divided in the longitudinal direction of the expansion joint. After a part of one layer has been attached to the pipe, the respective layer is joined to form a conventional sleeve-like shape.

[0006] Depending on the material of the individual layers, these have exactly one or several longitudinal division zones. The expansion joint comprises a longitudinally divided wire mesh of metal, which forms an inner layer of the expansion joint. Furthermore, the expansion joint comprises an insulating material which surrounds the wire mesh on the outside. The expansion joint also comprises a longitudinally divided first metal ring disc and a longitudinally divided second metal ring disc. In this regard, the first metal ring disc is arranged at a first longitudinal end of the expansion joint, while the second metal ring disc is arranged at a second longitudinal end of the expansion joint. Furthermore, a longitudinally divided mesh layer which is fluid-tight is provided as the outermost layer of the expansion joint arranged on the outside of the insulating material. The mesh layer is fluid-tight connected to the first metal ring disc and the second metal ring disc.

[0007] The multi-part expansion joint thus consists of a plurality of layers, which are separated at least once in the longitudinal direction of the expansion joint and possibly several times depending on the material. For example, the innermost layer, which is a wire mesh, is preferably separated only once in the longitudinal direction, since the flexibility of the wire mesh allows it to be arranged around the existing pipe end and the damaged expansion joint by bending and embracing. Subsequently, the butt joint at the wire mesh can be connected, for example, via auxiliary wires or by a welded connection. In the next step, an insulating material is applied to the outside of the wire mesh. The insulating material can also be separated in the longitudinal direction of the expansion joint or, for example, consist of a large number of individual sheets. Next, a first metal ring disc and a second metal ring disc, which are each separated at least once in the longitudinal direction, are arranged at the first and second longitudinal end of the expansion joint. The parts of the first and second metal ring disc are then joined together, preferably via a welded connection. Finally, a fluid-tight mesh layer, which is also separated at least once in the longitudinal direction, is arranged on the outside of the insulating material and then fluid-tight connected to the first and second metal ring disc. Thereby, the sleeve-like expansion joint is finished and can be connected to the pipe end, for example, by welding at the metal ring disc.

[0008] The multi-part expansion joint according to the application can be provided as a repair kit and can be fixed to the pipe end in a quick and relatively easy manner. The industrial plant using the expansion joint thus does not have to be shut down for a long time.

[0009] Preferably, the connection between the mesh layer and the first and second metal ring disc is achieved via threaded connections. They can be attached in a quick and easy manner. They can also be released again in order to replace parts of the expansion joint if necessary.

[0010] Preferably, the first metal ring disc comprises a first fixing flange and the second metal ring disc comprises a second fixing flange. In this case, the mesh layer is fluid-tight connected via a plurality of threaded connections between the first support bar and the first fixing flange and between the second support bar and the second fixing flange. The threaded connections preferably each comprise a bolt and a nut, so that the mesh layer, the fixing flanges and the support bars are clamped between the bolt head and the nut.

[0011] In order to have a particularly compact construction that can withstand as large a pressure as possible, the wire mesh preferably comprises a first outwardly protruding end region and a second outwardly protruding end region. The first and second end regions thus protrude outwardly from the base of the wire mesh. Preferably, the first and second outwardly protruding end regions are each parallel to the metal ring disc.

[0012] Further preferably, the wire mesh is connected to the first and second metal annular gaskets via connecting elements. Preferably, the connecting elements are bolts comprising a larger diameter gasket, which connect the wire mesh of the first and second metal annular discs. Preferably, a plurality of connecting elements are provided along the circumference thereof. Further preferably, the first and second metal annular discs are arranged at an angle of 40° to 50°, particularly preferably 45°, with respect to the central axis of the expansion joint and are inclined with respect to one another.

[0013] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present application, the wire mesh comprises a receiving area at the base for receiving a damaged expansion joint, which is already present and connected to the pipe end.

[0014] Preferably, the outer mesh layer has an arcuate longitudinal cross-section, which in particular is able to compensate for length changes, for example caused by temperature changes. The curve of the mesh layer preferably points outwards.

[0015] In order to be able to reliably secure the multi-layered expansion joint, the wire mesh preferably comprises a first and a second support area at the base, which are each provided at a respective longitudinal end of the wire mesh, each support area resting on the respective pipe end at the outer circumference of the pipe end.

[0016] Preferably, the multi-part expansion joint is designed such that the metal annular discs are preferably formed in two parts or three parts or four parts.

[0017] According to a further preferred embodiment, the wire mesh is formed in two parts or three parts or four parts. According to a further preferred embodiment, the outer mesh layer is formed in two parts or three parts or four parts. Preferably, the insulating material is also formed in two parts or three parts or four parts.

[0018] Further preferably, the inner diameter of the multi-layered expansion joint is greater than or equal to 1 m, in particular greater than or equal to 2 m, and preferably greater than or equal to 4 m.

[0019] Further preferably, the parts of the first and second metal annular discs are each connected to one another via a welded connection. Preferably, the metal annular discs are also connected to the pipe end of the industrial pipeline via a welded connection. The multi-part expansion joint according to the present application is preferably used in industrial plants in pipelines as a repair kit. The pipeline is preferably located in a power plant, for example in a flue gas pipeline. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] The preferred embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic top view of an expansion joint according to a preferred embodiment of the present application in an assembled state,Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view in longitudinal direction of the expansion joint in assembled state, and

[0022] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of the expansion joint. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the following, a multi-layered expansion joint 1 split along a longitudinal direction X-X will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 The multi-layered expansion joint split along a longitudinal direction X-X is a multi-layered expansion joint which is split along a longitudinal direction X-X.

[0024] The term "multi-layered expansion joint split along a longitudinal direction X-X" not only refers to the fact that the expansion joint is made of several layers which are stacked on top of each other, but also to the fact that the individual layers are split along the longitudinal direction or formed in several parts. This allows the expansion joint to be mounted from the outside to an existing pipe connection without having to completely disassemble the pipe connection.

[0025] As can be taken from Figure 1 and Figure 2 the expansion joint 1 comprises a first longitudinal end 11 and a second longitudinal end 12 and connects a first pipe end 101 to a second pipe end 102. As indicated by arrow A in Figure 2 a gaseous medium, such as a flue gas, flows through the pipe.

[0026] As can be further taken from Figure 2 the first pipe end 101 and the second pipe end 102 have been connected to each other via a metallic bellows 103, however, the metallic bellows 103 has a damage 104, such as a crack or a hole. Thus, the multi-part expansion joint 1 of the present application serves as a repair kit, wherein the repair of the pipe connection can be achieved without having to disassemble the old damaged bellows 103. Thus, the downtime of a factory using the pipe connection can be minimized.

[0027] The expansion joint 1 comprises a wire mesh 2 which forms an inner layer of the expansion joint. The inner layer forms the innermost layer of the expansion joint. The wire mesh 2 comprises a receiving area 20 at a base 19 where the damaged bellows 103 is received. Furthermore, the base 19 of the wire mesh comprises a first support area 23 and a second support area 24, the first support area 23 resting on the outside of the first pipe end 101 and the second support area 24 resting on the outside of the second pipe end 102.

[0028] A first outwardly protruding end area 21 is adjacent to the first support area 23. A second outwardly protruding end area 22 is adjacent to the second support area 24. Both the first end area 21 and the second end area 22 are configured at an angle a of substantially 45° with respect to the central axis of the expansion joint 1. As can be taken from Figure 2It can be seen in that the angles a of the first end region 21 and the second end region 22 are directed oppositely, so that in cross section the wire mesh 2 has a truncated conical shape.

[0029] In this exemplary embodiment, the wire mesh 2 is designed in such a way that the wire mesh has continuous slits in the longitudinal direction X-X and is thus formed in one piece. For assembly, the wire mesh 2 can be bent and placed around the damaged corrugated pipe 103. Subsequently, the longitudinal slits in the wire mesh 2 can be closed, for example, by braiding or welding the individual wire ends. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the wire mesh 2 is formed in multiple parts in the longitudinal direction and thus comprises multiple longitudinal connection points.

[0030] The expansion joint 1 further comprises an insulating material 3, which surrounds the wire mesh 2 on the outside. The insulating material 3 serves for thermal insulation of the pipe and can also be formed in multiple parts, which are thus attached to the outside of the wire mesh 2 in a shell-like manner. Depending on the type of insulating material, the individual parts can be joined together or attached to the wire mesh. Furthermore, the expansion joint comprises a first metal ring disc 4 and a second metal ring disc 5. Both the first metal ring disc 4 and the second metal ring disc 5 are formed in multiple parts. In this exemplary embodiment, the first metal ring disc 4 and the second metal ring disc 5 are formed in two half-ring parts in a two-piece manner. This can be seen in Figure 1 , in which the first metal ring disc 4 is formed from a first part 41 and a second part 42, which are both formed in a half-ring shape. The first part 41 and the second part 42 are joined together via a first welded connection 43. At 180° opposite (not shown), a further welded connection is provided for connecting the half-ring parts 41, 42 of the first metal ring disc 4.

[0031] Similarly, the second metal ring disc 5 is provided with a first part 51 and a second part 52, which are joined together via a second welded connection 53 and a further, not shown, welded connection.

[0032] It can further be seen in Figure 2 that the first metal ring disc 4 has a first fixing flange 44 protruding in the direction of the central axis from the first metal ring disc 4. Similarly, the second metal ring disc 5 is formed with a second fixing flange 55 protruding in the direction of the central axis.

[0033] Furthermore, a connecting element 9 is provided, which connects the wire mesh 2 to the first metal ring disc 4 or the second metal ring disc 5. In this regard, the connecting element 9 comprises a washer 90 and a bolt 91 (see Figure 3 ), wherein a plurality of connecting elements 9 are provided along the circumference to connect the wire mesh 2 to the first metal ring disc 4 or the second metal ring disc 5 at multiple locations. The expansion joint 1 further comprises a fluid-tight fabric layer 6, which forms the outermost layer of the expansion joint. From Figure 2As can be seen, fabric layer 6 has an arc shape. This allows the expansion joint to compensate very well for thermally induced length changes between the first tube end 101 and the second tube end 102.

[0034] Fabric layer 6 is also formed of two parts, which are connected to each other via a fluid-sealed connecting seam 63 and another connecting seam (180° opposite each other) (see Figure 1 Fabric layer 6 includes a first semi-circular portion 61 and a second semi-circular portion 62.

[0035] Furthermore, the fabric layer 6 is fluid-tightly connected to the first metal ring disk 4 and the second metal ring disk 5. This allows for... Figure 3 See details below. Here, multiple threaded connections 7 are provided for the connection between the fabric layer 6 and the first metal ring disk 4 (see [link]). Figure 1 Each threaded connection 7 includes a bolt 70 and a nut 71. Furthermore, a first support bar 8a made of metal is provided, such that the fabric layer 6 is held between the first support bar 8a and the first fixing flange 44 via the threaded connection 7. In this respect, a first washer 72 and a second washer 73 are respectively provided at the heads of the nut and the bolt. Similarly, opposite ends of the fabric layer 6 are held between the second fixing flange 55 and the second support bar 8b.

[0036] Therefore, metal support strips 8a and 8b are disposed at each end of the fabric layer 6, and each support strip is formed by a first partial ring 81 and a second partial ring 82. The two partial rings 81 and 82 are semi-circular.

[0037] By clamping the fabric layer 6 at the two free ends between the support bar 8 and the fixed flanges 44 and 55, a reliable seal can also be achieved on the outside of the expansion joint.

[0038] from Figure 3 As can be seen, the first fixing flange 44 and the first metal ring disk 4 are connected to each other via the third welding connection 15. Similarly, the second fixing flange 55 is also connected to the second metal ring disk 5 via the fourth welding connection 16.

[0039] from Figure 1 and Figure 2It can further be seen that the expansion joint 1 is welded to the first pipe end 101 and the second pipe end 102. Here, a fifth welded connection 13 is provided between the first pipe end 101 and the first metal ring disc 4. A sixth welded connection 14 is provided between the second metal ring disc 5 and the second pipe end 102. Due to the multi-layered structure of the expansion joint, in which some layers are formed by several parts, the expansion joint 1 can be mounted from the outside on a damaged expansion joint already present on the pipe connection. Since the pipelines on which the expansion joint according to the invention is used usually have a diameter of several meters, this can also facilitate handling of the individual parts of the expansion joint, since the division of the layers of the expansion joint means that the weight of each individual part is less than the corresponding sleeve-shaped one-piece component. If the damage to the expansion joint 103 is only slight, the expansion joint can even be installed on the damaged expansion joint 103 as a repair kit while it is in operation. In addition to the above written description of the invention, reference is made to the attached drawings of the embodiment of the invention of Figures 1 to 3 which can explicitly supplement the disclosure.

[0040] Legend to the drawings

[0041] 1 Multi-layered expansion joint, cut along the longitudinal direction

[0042] 2 Metal wire mesh

[0043] 3 Insulating material

[0044] 4 First metal ring disc

[0045] 5 Second metal ring disc

[0046] 6 Fabric layer

[0047] 7 Threaded connection

[0048] 8a First support strip

[0049] 8b Second support strip

[0050] 9 Connection element

[0051] 11 First longitudinal end of the expansion joint

[0052] 12 Second longitudinal end of the expansion joint

[0053] 13 Fifth welded connection

[0054] 14 Sixth welded connection

[0055] 15 Third welded connection

[0056] 16 Fourth welded connection

[0057] 19 Base

[0058] 20 receiving area

[0059] 21 outwardly projecting first end region

[0060] 22 outwardly projecting second end region

[0061] 23 first support region

[0062] 24 second support region

[0063] 41 first portion of metal ring disc

[0064] 42 second portion of metal ring disc

[0065] 43 first welded connection

[0066] 44 first securing flange

[0067] 51 first portion of second metal ring disc

[0068] 52 second portion of metal ring disc

[0069] 53 second welded connection

[0070] 55 second securing flange

[0071] 61 first portion of fabric layer

[0072] 62 second portion of fabric layer

[0073] 63 fluid-tight connecting seam

[0074] 70 bolt

[0075] 71 nut

[0076] 72 first gasket

[0077] 73 second gasket

[0078] 81 first partial ring of support strip

[0079] 82 second partial ring of support strip

[0080] 90 disc

[0081] 91 bolt

[0082] 101 first pipe end

[0083] 102 second pipe end

[0084] 103 metal bellows

[0085] 104 damage

[0086] Flow direction in a pipe

[0087] X-X longitudinal direction

[0088] α angle

Claims

1. A multi-layered, split expansion joint of an industrial pipe in a longitudinal direction (X-X) adapted to connect a first pipe end (101) to a second pipe end (102), the expansion joint comprising: - a wire mesh (2) forming an inner layer of the expansion joint and having at least one split in the longitudinal direction (X-X), - a multi-part insulating material (3) surrounding the wire mesh on the outside, forming an intermediate layer of the expansion joint, - a multi-piece first metal ring disc (4) and a multi-piece second metal ring disc (5), the first metal ring disc (4) being arranged at a first longitudinal end (11) of the expansion joint and the second metal ring disc (5) being arranged at a second longitudinal end (12) of the expansion joint, and - a fluid-tight fabric layer (6) arranged on the outside of the insulating material (3) and forming an outer layer of the expansion joint and having at least one split in the longitudinal direction (X-X), wherein the fabric layer (6) is fluid-tightly connected to the first metal ring disc (4) and to the second metal ring disc (5).

2. The expansion joint according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the fabric layer (6) and the first metal ring disc (4) and the second metal ring disc (5) is formed via a plurality of threaded connections (7).

3. The expansion joint according to claim 2, wherein the first metal ring disc (4) comprises a first fixing flange (44) and the second metal ring disc (5) comprises a second fixing flange (55), and wherein the fabric layer (6) is fluid-tightly connected via a plurality of threaded connections (7) between a first support bar (8a) and the first fixing flange (44) and between a second support bar (8b) and the second fixing flange (55).

4. The expansion joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wire mesh (2) comprises a first outwardly protruding end region (21) and a second outwardly protruding end region (22) protruding outwardly from a base of the wire mesh (2).

5. The expansion joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein connecting elements (9) are provided to connect the wire mesh (2) to the first metal ring disc (4) and to the second metal ring disc (5), respectively.

6. The expansion joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first metal ring disc (4) and the second metal ring disc (5) protrude outwardly at an angle (a) in the range of 40° to 50° with respect to a central axis of the expansion joint and are inclined with respect to each other.

7. The expansion joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wire mesh (2) comprises a receiving region (20) extending parallel to the longitudinal direction (X-X) at a base (19).

8. The expansion joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in a longitudinal cross-section, the fabric layer (6) is arcuate to compensate for temperature-dependent length changes.

9. Expansion joint according to claim 7, wherein the wire mesh (2) comprises a first support area (23) and a second support area (24) at the base (19), wherein both support areas (23, 24) are adapted to rest on the outside of the pipe end.

10. Expansion joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wire mesh (2) and / or the insulating material (3) and / or the first metal ring disc (4) and / or the second metal ring disc (5) and / or the textile layer (6) are formed in two parts or three parts or four parts.

11. Expansion joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inner diameter of the expansion joint is greater than or equal to 1 m.

12. Expansion joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first metal ring disc (4) and the second metal ring disc (5) are adapted to be connected to the pipe end via a welded connection.

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