Tool for close-fit sealing of opening of device surrounded by uneven sealing surface

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool for tightly sealing an opening (2) of a device (1) surrounded by an uneven sealing surface (3), comprising: an adapter (4) having a first end face (5) as a contact surface, the first end face (5) having a first surface contour (6) corresponding to a negative contour of the uneven sealing surface (3); and at least one flat seal (8) arranged between the uneven sealing surface (3) of the device (1) and the first end face (5) of the adapter (4). In addition, the invention further relates to a sealing system with the tool, application of the tool, a machining process of the tool and a machining process of the adapter (4) of the tool.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool for tightly fitting and sealing an opening of a device surrounded by an uneven sealing surface, comprising an adapter having a first end face as a contact surface, the first end face having a first surface contour corresponding to the tight-fitting negative contour of the uneven sealing surface. In addition, the present invention also relates to a tool for tightly fitting and sealing an opening of a device surrounded by an uneven sealing surface, comprising an adapter having a first end face as a contact surface, the first end face having a first surface contour, wherein the first surface contour is irregular.

[0002] As is known to all, there are seals for sealing device openings surrounded by uneven sealing surfaces. For example, there are annular sealing elements, which are usually mass-produced as standard products. The sealing of the annular seal and the flange and the flange dimensions are usually the contents of the corresponding standards. Flat seals are usually used as flange sealing rings. An important criterion for the use of flange sealing rings or matching flanges is the surface pressure acting on the sealing surface, which must be set in a suitable manner according to the sealing material. If the surface pressure is too high, there is a risk of damage to the flange sealing ring in principle, and if the surface pressure is too low, it will lead to insufficient sealing effect. In addition, the seal may also be exposed to harsh chemical conditions, so the chemical resistance of the seal is also crucial.

[0003] Document DE 10 2013 002 753 B3 discloses a processing technology for sealing a sealing element for sealing a connection point between two flanges, wherein at least one of the two flanges has an uneven sealing surface, wherein at a plurality of circumferential positions on the circumference of at least one flange, a distance value is respectively determined between the sealing surfaces of the flanges facing each other, wherein the circumferential positions are perpendicular to the circumferential tangent and are particularly located successively in the radial direction, and a unique thickness value is determined based on a plurality of distance values ​​at each circumferential position, and a sealing element is processed according to all thickness values ​​depending on the circumferential position, wherein the sealing element has a thickness depending on the circumferential position, and the thickness is constant in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential tangent, particularly in the radial direction, at each circumferential position corresponding to the flange, and is consistent with the thickness value determined for the corresponding circumferential position.

[0004] The disadvantage of this solution is that if there are significant deviations in the distance values ​​perpendicular to the circumferential tangent, the sealing requirements are usually not met, because only one thickness value is observed at each circumferential position in the radial direction. In addition, the sealing element may wear or fatigue due to physical or chemical loads, which requires the tedious production and installation of new sealing elements.

[0005] Document DE 10 2011056835B4 discloses a flange sealing ring having an annular metal base and sealing surfaces, which are formed by sections of the base, wherein the metal base is composed of at least three parts, namely, an upper part, a lower part and a middle part, and the middle part has at least one cavity, in which a non-electrical pressure sensor is installed, wherein the pressure sensor is arranged on both sides of the middle part and is covered by the upper part and the lower part, and is sealed relative to the inner circumference of the flange sealing ring. The pressure sensor determines the local pressure inside the flange sealing ring, whereby the local surface pressure can be measured on the pressure sensor.

[0006] A disadvantage of this solution is that if there are significant deviations in the distance values ​​in the radial direction and / or in the direction perpendicular to the circumferential tangent, the leak-tightness cannot be ensured even if the surface pressure can be set ideally by means of the pressure sensor.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sealing fixture for uneven sealing surfaces which can be replaced easily, quickly and cost-effectively in the event of chemical decomposition, severe wear or material fatigue, without significant position deviations. Another object of the present invention is to be able to provide commonly required spare parts easily, quickly and cost-effectively when repairing the fixture. Another object is to provide a fixture for reliable sealing of uneven sealing surfaces even if there are severe deviations in the distance values ​​in the radial direction of the uneven sealing surface and / or perpendicular to the circumferential tangent. Ensuring mechanical integrity is an essential prerequisite for achieving reliable sealing.

[0008] According to the present invention, these objects are achieved by a tool for close-fitting sealing according to claim 1 or 2, by a sealing system according to claim 11, by using a tool according to claim 17, by a process for processing a tool or a sealing system according to claim 18, and by a process for processing an adapter matched with the tool according to claim 19. Advantageous embodiments of the tool are given in claims 3 to 10, and advantageous embodiments of the sealing system are given in claims 12 to 16.

[0009] According to the present invention, a tooling for tightly sealing an opening of a device surrounded by an uneven sealing surface comprises an adapter having a first end face as a contact surface, the first end face having a first surface contour corresponding to or irregular to the negative contour of the uneven sealing surface, and at least one flat seal arranged between the uneven sealing surface of the device and the first end face of the adapter.

[0010] The advantage obtained by this is that due to the close-fitting negative contour or irregular surface contour, no excessive surface pressure is formed locally, which may cause physical damage to the flat seal. Therefore, for the flat seal arranged between the adapter and the uneven sealing surface, a uniform surface pressure that matches the corresponding type of seal can be applied to its entire surface, and then a sealed sealing surface can be achieved technically. In addition, flat seals are easy to obtain commercially, because no special processing is required for the uneven sealing surface.

[0011] The term "device" in this specification should be understood as a general term for technical equipment consisting of multiple components and fulfilling a specific function. Such a "device" can be, for example, a mixer, a tower, a reactor or a heat exchanger.

[0012] The term "uneven sealing surface" is understood in this specification to mean an uneven three-dimensional surface which can be connected accordingly to a corresponding tool or a corresponding component so as to achieve a technical seal, and then no fluid will escape from the uneven sealing surface, or only a small amount of fluid will escape. In this case, the flow rate of the small amount of fluid that escapes is understood to be the maximum permissible flow rate based on the standard conditions TA-Luft. The standard conditions TA-Luft are regulated by the Clean Air Technical Guidelines, the first general administrative regulations of which can be found at the Federal Environment Agency in the new version of the Federal Emission Control Act: https: / / www.umweltbundesamt.de / (Retrieved on July 4, 2022).

[0013] Preferably, the device at least partially has a coating. Further preferably, the coating is an enamel coating. The uneven sealing surface is especially formed on the coating. The device especially has an enamel coating, further preferably, the uneven sealing surface is formed on the enamel coating. The uneven sealing surface is especially formed by forming or applying the coating under processing conditions. The uneven sealing surface is thus especially a device surface with a coating, especially with an enamel coating.

[0014] In the present description, the term "device opening" is understood to mean a manhole of a device or a device opening surrounded by a flange.

[0015] In this description, the term “adapter” is to be understood as a component which can be positioned on a sealing surface provided with a flat seal in order to achieve a technical seal after the adapter has been crimped onto the sealing surface.

[0016] In the present description, the term "surface profile" is to be understood, for example, as a geometric surface structure of an uneven sealing surface to be sealed. The first surface profile is particularly irregular. For example, the first surface profile has, in particular, protrusions and recesses, wherein the protrusions and recesses preferably have different deviations from the average height of the first surface profile. In addition, adjacent protrusions and / or recesses preferably have different mutual distances. The deviation between the maximum surface profile height and the minimum surface profile height is preferably less than 10 mm, further preferably less than 7 mm. Typically, the first surface profile is determined by the surface of the device coating. Therefore, the first surface profile depends in particular on the formation or application of the device coating.

[0017] In this specification, the term "negative profile" is understood to mean a calculated surface profile that corresponds to the mirror image surface profile of the uneven sealing surface to be sealed. Thus, heights in the negative profile correspond to depths in the surface profile and vice versa. Subsequently, this calculated negative profile can be machined on the end face of the adapter by means of a machining tool, such as a CNC milling machine. Thus, after machining, the surface profile of the end face corresponds to the calculated negative profile taking into account measurement and machining tolerances.

[0018] In this description, the term "flat seal" is to be understood as a seal which can be installed between two flanges of a component or device, for example in the field of machine, device and pipeline construction. Flat seals are typically annular, preferably circular. Flat seals are primarily acted upon by pressure, temperature and the fluid to be sealed. Chemical and physical loads must generally be taken into account.

[0019] In the present description, the term “contact surface” is to be understood as a surface or a supporting surface on which, for example, a flat seal can be arranged.

[0020] The fit accuracy of a close-fitting negative profile can be given by the definite integral F of the indefinite integral function f(r,φ): Here, dA is a surface element and the integration is performed over the entire end face A of the adapter. In the case where the adapter is positioned on an uneven sealing surface, the indefinite integral function determines the size of each local gap height formed between the uneven sealing surface and the end face of the adapter, wherein the specific location of each local gap height is defined by the radial coordinate r and the circumferential coordinate φ. Preferably, within the indefinite integral function, the thickness of the flat seal is also subtracted from each local gap height in order to calculate the fit accuracy based on the assumption that the adapter is positioned on an uneven sealing surface without a flat seal. By performing a definite integral F on the end face A of the adapter, the value of the fit accuracy can be calculated.

[0021] In another example of calculating the fit accuracy value, the fit accuracy value is the maximum local gap height that occurs, which gap height is formed between the uneven sealing surface and the end face of the adapter when the adapter is positioned on the uneven sealing surface. Preferably, the thickness of the flat seal can also be subtracted from the maximum local gap height in order to calculate the fit accuracy based on the assumption that the adapter is positioned on the uneven sealing surface without the flat seal.

[0022] The fit accuracy value depends primarily on the machining tolerances during the production of the adapter and / or the measuring accuracy of the uneven sealing surface of the device and / or the positioning accuracy of the adapter. The maximum permissible fit accuracy value is specific to each application. The type of flat seal, the material of the flat seal, and the size of the uneven sealing surface all influence the maximum permissible fit accuracy value.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the adapter is made of a metal or a metal alloy or different metals or metal alloys, preferably austenitic, superaustenitic or austenitic-ferritic stainless steel or a nickel-based alloy.

[0024] This has the advantage that the adapter has a higher hardness than the flat seal, so that the surface contour of the adapter that fits the negative contour also remains unchanged during the sealing process and essentially only the flat seal deforms. In addition, the adapter has a high strength and allows high surface pressures, which can extend the service life. In addition, by using a material that is sufficiently corrosion-resistant (for example a metal or a metal alloy), the service life can also be extended.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the flat seal contains at least partially graphite or at least partially perfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA). These materials are preferred in particular for chemical processes because they have good chemical resistance, for example to acidic substances.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the tool for the tight-fitting seal is equipped with a flat seal made of graphite with an insert or a metal expanded mesh lining, or with a flat seal made of PFA. In this way, suitable flat seals are used, which can be used permanently in combination with the adapter, because the material of the flat seal has sufficient deformation capacity to adapt to the surface contour of the adapter and the surface contour of the uneven sealing surface.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the adapter includes an outer side surface that forms a certain angle and connects the first end surface, and at least two positioning elements are fixed thereon in a fixed position. The positioning elements each have a guide rail, which is designed so that when the adapter is positioned on the first uneven sealing surface of the device covered by the flat seal, the corresponding guide rail is guided by a protrusion on the device, preferably by a close-fitting bolt on the device, and the adapter thus reaches its predetermined position. This has the advantage that radial movement or circumferential movement is avoided during the positioning process. In this way, the adapter can be positioned to its predetermined position relative to the uneven sealing surface as conveniently as possible, so that a close-fitting seal of the device opening surrounded by the uneven sealing surface can be easily achieved in application.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the guide rail is modular in design so that it can be removed again after positioning. In this way, for example, after positioning, the fixture and the uneven sealing surface of the device can be clamped together without interference using the clamp bolts.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the guide rail comprises a locking strip, which preferably comprises an elongated hole. This results in a design that is easy to implement and also allows for easy and sufficiently precise positioning.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the corresponding positioning element is fixed to the outer side of the adapter in a fixed position by at least one fastening element, preferably by a bolt, particularly preferably by a close-fitting bolt, or the outer side of the adapter has a notch for each positioning element, and the positioning element comprises at least a bolt and a spring, wherein the corresponding spring engages in the corresponding notch of the outer side of the adapter, and the bolt fixes the notch and the spring together in a fixed position. In this way, a very accurate fixation between the adapter and the uneven sealing surface can be ensured. Preferably, the notch can be a polygonal notch, such as a triangular or quadrilateral notch.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the adapter is a cover, preferably a manhole or a blind cover.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the adapter has a second end face as a second contact surface and located opposite the first end face, and a second surface profile, wherein the second surface profile of the adapter matches the close-fitting negative profile of the sealing surface arranged on the component and surrounding the opening, and wherein the tooling includes at least one additional flat seal arranged between the sealing surface of the component and the second end face of the adapter. The second surface profile is in particular regular. For example, the second surface profile in particular has protrusions and recesses, wherein the protrusions and recesses preferably have different deviations from the average height of the second surface profile. In addition, adjacent protrusions and / or recesses preferably have different mutual distances. The deviation between the maximum surface profile height and the minimum surface profile height is preferably less than 10 mm, further preferably less than 7 mm.

[0033] Preferably, the component at least partially has a coating. Further preferably, the coating is an enamel coating. The sealing surface arranged on the component and surrounding the opening is especially formed on the coating. The component especially has an enamel coating, and further preferably, the sealing surface arranged on the component and surrounding the opening is especially formed on the enamel coating. The sealing surface arranged on the component and surrounding the opening is especially formed by forming or applying the coating under processing conditions. Therefore, the sealing surface arranged on the component and surrounding the opening is especially a component surface with a coating, especially an enamel coating.

[0034] Typically, the second surface profile is determined by the surface of the component coating. Thus, the second surface profile depends in particular on the formation or application of the component coating. Preferably, the first surface profile and / or the second surface profile are irregular.

[0035] The adapter has in particular a second end face as a second contact surface and located opposite the first end face and a second surface contour, wherein the second surface contour is irregular, and wherein the tool comprises at least one further flat seal arranged between the sealing surface of the component and the second end face of the adapter.

[0036] These preferred embodiments achieve double-sided sealing by having an adapter with a corresponding negative profile to the uneven sealing surface on its two end faces. In this way, for example, two pipes can be connected together.

[0037] In another alternative and preferred embodiment, two adapters are used for two components in order to be able to connect, for example, two pipes, two device flanges or a pipe and a device. An adapter is used for each component in order to seal a sealing surface arranged on the respective component and surrounding an opening. An additional seal is then preferably inserted between the two adapters in order to continue to ensure the technical tightness achieved by the two adapters during use.

[0038] Another object of the present invention is a sealing system comprising a device and a tool according to the present invention.

[0039] In a preferred first embodiment, the sealing system comprises a device, a component and a tooling according to the present invention, wherein the component is preferably a pipe with a flange or a connecting device with a flange. The tooling can be used to mount the component on the device in a fluid-tight manner.

[0040] In another preferred embodiment, the sealing system comprises a device, a component and a tool according to the invention, wherein the device has a flange, preferably an enamel-coated flange, whose opening is surrounded by an uneven sealing surface. Here, the component is preferably a flanged pipe or a flanged connection device.

[0041] Typically, flanges are present on the device and usually need to be sealed once it is put into operation. The uneven sealing surface of the flange with enamel coating can have great deviations in particular, since the enamel coating on the flange can have great thickness deviations and the flange can have shape and position deviations relative to the adapter due to processing conditions. The shape and position deviations, the maximum surface profile height and / or the minimum surface profile height are determined in particular in accordance with DIN 28007-2:2017-04.

[0042] The coating of the device and / or component is preferably an oxide layer, in particular an enamel coating. The coating, in particular the enamel coating, preferably contains oxides of silicon, boron, sodium, potassium, cobalt, nickel and / or aluminum and, if necessary, oxides of titanium, zirconium and / or molybdenum. Further preferably, the coating, in particular the enamel coating, contains SiO2, B2O3, Na2O, K2O and / or Al2O3.

[0043] In a further preferred embodiment, the sealing system comprises a device and a fixture according to the invention, wherein the device comprises a flange, preferably an enamel-coated flange, the opening of which is surrounded by the uneven sealing surface.

[0044] In a further preferred embodiment of the sealing system, the device or the connected device is a stirred vessel, a mixing device, a tower, a phase separator, a separator, a pipeline or a reactor, preferably a chemical reactor or a chemical reaction tower, particularly preferably a reaction tower for the production of acrylates.

[0045] Another aspect of the invention is the use of a tool or a sealing system according to any of the above-described embodiments in chemical processes, in particular in acrylate processing or processes in which acrylates are present. For such applications, the tool must have an increased chemical resistance to the chemicals in order to avoid chemical degradation of the adapter and / or one or both flat seals.

[0046] Another aspect of the present invention is a processing technology of the tooling according to the present invention or the sealing system according to the present invention, wherein the process comprises the following steps:

[0047] Prepare at least one device opening, flat seal and adapter that is surrounded by an uneven sealing surface,

[0048] For the first end face of the adapter, collect the shape and position deviation of at least one uneven sealing surface by three-dimensional scanning, preferably by three-dimensional laser scanning,

[0049] redesigning the adapter in the form of a CAD design based on the three-dimensional scan measurement data, wherein for the redesign of the adapter a negative contour is created for at least one uneven sealing surface and, if two uneven sealing surfaces are present as contact surfaces, a negative contour is created for each of the two uneven sealing surfaces,

[0050] · machining a first surface contour on the first end face of the adapter by a machining tool, preferably by a CNC milling machine, particularly preferably by a five-axis CNC milling machine, wherein the negative contour data of the uneven sealing surface designed by CAD are transmitted to the machining tool via an interface, preferably via a CAD / CAM interface, wherein, in the presence of two uneven sealing surfaces as contact surfaces, the first surface contour is machined for the first end face of the adapter by the machining tool, and the second surface contour is machined for the second end face of the adapter, wherein the data of the two negative contours of the two uneven sealing surfaces designed by CAD are transmitted to the machining tool via the interface, and

[0051] Positioning the adapter on the uneven sealing surface, wherein the flange seal is arranged between a first end face of the adapter and the uneven sealing surface, and when there are two uneven sealing surfaces as contact surfaces, a flat seal is arranged between the respective end face of the adapter and the corresponding uneven sealing surface.

[0052] The shape and position deviation of the uneven sealing surface of the first end face of the adapter can be captured very accurately by 3D scanning or 3D laser scanning, and depending on the specific measuring equipment, a measurement tolerance within the double-digit or even single-digit micron range can be achieved.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment of the tooling according to the present invention or the processing technology of the sealing system according to the present invention, the shape and position deviation of at least one uneven sealing surface are collected for the first end face of the adapter by three-dimensional scanning, preferably three-dimensional laser scanning, for which one or more protrusions are present on the device, and these protrusions define a reference system for the shape and position deviation of the uneven sealing surface. Here, the protrusions are preferably close-fitting bolts, wherein it is particularly preferred that exactly two close-fitting bolts are installed on the device in a fixed position.

[0054] Here, the adapter includes an outer side surface that forms a certain angle and connects the first end surface. According to the number of protrusions on the device, preferably the same number of positioning elements are fixed on the outer side surface of the adapter in a fixed position, wherein the positioning elements respectively have guide rails, which are designed so that when the adapter is positioned on the first uneven sealing surface covered by the flat seal, the corresponding guide rails are guided by the protrusions on the device, preferably by the close-fitting bolts on the device, and the adapter thus reaches its predetermined position.

[0055] Taking into account the reference system and the position of the adapter positioning element, the shape and position deviation of the uneven sealing surface of the first end face of the adapter are determined by three-dimensional scanning, wherein the optical path of the uneven sealing surface is preferably kept unobstructed during the measurement of the shape and position deviation by three-dimensional scanning.

[0056] By transferring the measured data to the CAD software, the negative contour can be created quickly and reliably. By combining the individual process steps, a fully automated tooling manufacturing process can be achieved.

[0057] Another aspect of the present invention is a processing method for the sealing system according to the present invention, wherein the process preferably comprises the following steps:

[0058] Prepare at least one device opening, flat seal and adapter that is surrounded by an uneven sealing surface,

[0059] For the first end face of the adapter, collect the shape and position deviation of at least one uneven sealing surface by three-dimensional scanning, preferably by three-dimensional laser scanning,

[0060] redesigning the adapter in the form of a CAD design based on the three-dimensional scan measurement data, wherein for the redesign of the adapter a negative contour is created for at least one uneven sealing surface and, if two uneven sealing surfaces are present as contact surfaces, a negative contour is created for each of the two uneven sealing surfaces,

[0061] ·Machining a first surface contour on the first end face of the adapter by a machining tool, preferably by a CNC milling machine, particularly preferably by a five-axis CNC milling machine, wherein the negative contour data of the uneven sealing surface designed by CAD is transmitted to the machining tool via an interface, preferably via a CAD / CAM interface, wherein, in the presence of two uneven sealing surfaces as contact surfaces, the first surface contour is machined for the first end face of the adapter by the machining tool, and the second surface contour is machined for the second end face of the adapter, wherein the data of the two negative contours of the two uneven sealing surfaces designed by CAD are transmitted to the machining tool via the interface.

[0062] Positioning the adapter on the uneven sealing surface, wherein the flange seal is arranged between a first end face of the adapter and the uneven sealing surface, and in the case of two uneven sealing surfaces as contact surfaces, a flat seal is arranged between the respective end face of the adapter and the corresponding uneven sealing surface, and

[0063] Clamping the sealing system by means of at least one clamping element, preferably by means of a plurality of clamping bolts, wherein the clamping element clamps the uneven sealing surface of the device and the adapter together, and in the case of two uneven sealing surfaces as contact surfaces, at least one clamping element clamps two uneven sealing surfaces of the device and the adapter together.

[0064] Similar to the tooling process, by combining the various processing steps of the sealing system according to the present invention, a fully automated production process can be achieved.

[0065] Another aspect of the present invention is a process for processing a tool according to the present invention or a transition joint of a sealing system according to the present invention, wherein the process comprises the following steps:

[0066] · preparing at least one device opening surrounded by an uneven sealing surface and an adapter blank,

[0067] · For the first end face of the blank, by 3D scanning, preferably by 3D laser scanning,

[0068] Acquisition of shape and position deviations of at least one uneven sealing surface,

[0069] redesigning the adapter in the form of a CAD design based on the three-dimensional scan measurement data, wherein for the redesign of the adapter a negative contour is created for at least one uneven sealing surface and, if there are two uneven sealing surfaces as contact surfaces, a negative contour is created for each of the two uneven sealing surfaces, and

[0070] ·Machining a first surface contour on the first end face of the blank by a machining tool, preferably by a CNC milling machine, particularly preferably by a five-axis CNC milling machine, wherein the negative contour data of the uneven sealing surface designed by CAD is transmitted to the machining tool via an interface, preferably via a CAD / CAM interface, and in this way the blank is processed into an adapter, wherein, in the presence of two uneven sealing surfaces as contact surfaces, the first surface contour is processed for the first end face of the blank by the machining tool, and the second surface contour is processed for the second end face of the blank, wherein the data of the two negative contours of the two uneven sealing surfaces designed by CAD are transmitted to the machining tool via an interface, and in this way the blank is processed into an adapter.

[0071] Similar to the processing of the tooling or the sealing system, by combining the various processing steps of the tooling according to the present invention or the adapter of the sealing system according to the present invention, a fully automated production process can be achieved.

[0072] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are to be regarded as schematic diagrams. They do not constitute any restrictions on the invention, for example in terms of specific dimensions or design variants.

[0073] in:

[0074] Figure 1 A first embodiment of a sealing system according to the invention with an adapter and a component is provided, wherein the adapter can be positioned on an uneven sealing surface of a device.

[0075] Figure 2 A second embodiment of the sealing system according to the invention is provided with an adapter in the form of a cover, wherein the adapter can be positioned onto uneven sealing surfaces of the device.

[0076] Figure 3 A third embodiment of the sealing system according to the invention is provided with a double-sided adapter, wherein the adapter has a first end face with a first surface contour and a second end face with a second surface contour and can be positioned accordingly to connect the component to the device.

[0077] Figure 4 The measured surface profile of the uneven sealing surface of the flange in Example 1 is shown in a smoothed two-dimensional view.

[0078] Figure 5 The measured surface profile of the uneven sealing surface of the flange in Example 2 is shown in a two-dimensional view.

[0079] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 More details of the first embodiment of the sealing system according to the invention are given in FIG.

[0080] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 More details of the second embodiment of the sealing system according to the invention are given in FIG.

[0081] Figure 8 yes Figure 3 More details of a third embodiment of the sealing system according to the invention are given in FIG.

[0082] List of reference symbols used :

[0083] 1 Device

[0084] 2 Device opening

[0085] 2' Component Opening

[0086] 3 Uneven sealing surface of the device

[0087] 3' Uneven sealing surface of component

[0088] 4 Adapter

[0089] 5 First end face

[0090] 5' Second end

[0091] 6 First surface profile

[0092] 6' Second surface profile

[0093] 7 Side

[0094] 8 Flat seal

[0095] 9 Positioning elements

[0096] 10 Guide rails

[0097] 11 Protrusion

[0098] 12 Components

[0099] 13 Locking bar

[0100] Figure 1 A first embodiment of a sealing system according to the invention is shown, comprising an exemplary embodiment of a tool, a device 1 and a component 12 according to the invention.

[0101] exist Figure 1 The left side shows a cross-section along the longitudinal axis of the sealing system, while the Figure 1 The right side shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the positioning element 9, which is marked as detail "B" in the left figure. For the sake of clarity, the individual components are shown at a distance from each other and in the unclamped state.

[0102] Here, the adapter 4 is positioned on the uneven sealing surface 3 of the device 1 equipped with a flat seal 8, wherein the opening 2 of the device 1 is surrounded by the uneven sealing surface 3. Further, a component 12 is positioned on the adapter 4 equipped with another flat seal 8 opposite the adapter 4. In addition, the adapter 4 has a first end face 5 as a contact surface, and the first end face 5 has a first surface contour 6 corresponding to the negative contour that fits tightly with the uneven sealing surface 3. In addition, the adapter 4 has an outer side surface 7 that forms a certain angle and connects the first end face 5 and two positioning elements 9 facing each other, and the positioning elements 9 are respectively fixed on the outer side surface 7 of the adapter 4 in a position-fixed manner. The positioning elements 9 each have a guide rail 10, which is designed so that when the adapter 4 is positioned on the first uneven sealing surface 3 of the device 1 covered by the flat seal 8, the corresponding guide rail 10 is guided by the close-fitting bolt 11 on the device 1, and the adapter 4 thus reaches its predetermined position. In this exemplary embodiment, the guide rail 10 includes a locking strip 13 with a long hole.

[0103] Figure 2 A second embodiment of a sealing system according to the invention is shown, comprising an exemplary embodiment of a tool according to the invention and a device 1 .

[0104] exist Figure 2 The left side shows a cross-section along the longitudinal axis of the sealing system, while the Figure 2 The right side shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the positioning element 9, which is marked as detail "B" in the left figure. For the sake of clarity, the individual components are shown at a distance from each other and in the unclamped state.

[0105] Here, the adapter 4 is positioned on the uneven sealing surface 3 of the device 1 equipped with a flat seal 8, wherein the opening 2 of the device 1 is surrounded by the uneven sealing surface 3. In the present embodiment, the adapter 4 is a cover. In addition, the adapter 4 has a first end face 5 as a contact surface, and the first end face 5 has a first surface contour 6 corresponding to the negative contour that fits tightly with the uneven sealing surface 3. In addition, the adapter 4 has an outer side surface 7 that forms a certain angle and connects the first end face 5 and two positioning elements 9 facing each other, and the positioning elements 9 are respectively fixed on the outer side surface 7 of the adapter 4 in a position-fixed manner. The positioning elements 9 each have a guide rail 10, which is designed so that when the adapter 4 is positioned on the first uneven sealing surface 3 of the device 1 covered by the flat seal 8, the corresponding guide rail 10 is guided by the close-fitting bolt 11 on the device 1, and the adapter 4 thus reaches its predetermined position. In the present exemplary embodiment, the guide rail 10 includes a locking strip 13 with a long hole.

[0106] Figure 3 A third embodiment of a sealing system according to the invention is shown, comprising an embodiment of a tool, a device 1 and a component 12 according to the invention.

[0107] exist Figure 3 The left side shows a cross-section along the longitudinal axis of the sealing system, while the Figure 3 The right side shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the positioning element 9, which is marked as detail "B" in the left figure. For the sake of clarity, the individual components are shown at a distance from each other and in the unclamped state.

[0108] Here, the adapter 4 is positioned on the uneven sealing surface 3 of the device 1 provided with a flat seal 8, wherein the opening 2 of the device 1 is surrounded by the uneven sealing surface 3. In addition, a component 12 is positioned on the uneven sealing surface 3' provided with the flat seal 8 opposite the adapter 4, wherein the adapter 4 has a first and a second end surface 5, 5' with corresponding surface contours 6, 6', so that the component 12 can be connected to the device 1. In addition, the adapter 4 has an outer side surface 7 that forms a certain angle and connects the first end surface 5 and two positioning elements 9 facing each other, and the positioning elements 9 are respectively fixed on the outer side surface 7 of the adapter 4 in a fixed manner. The positioning elements 9 each have a guide rail 10, which is designed so that when the adapter 4 is positioned on the first uneven sealing surface 3 of the device 1 covered by the flat seal 8, the corresponding guide rail 10 is guided by the fitting bolt 11 on the device 1, and the adapter 4 thus reaches its predetermined position. In the exemplary embodiment, the guide rail 10 includes a locking strip 13 with a long hole.

[0109] Figure 6 Shows Figure 1 More details of the first embodiment of the sealing system according to the invention are given in Figure 6 The figure in the lower left corner shows a top view of the adapter 4, and Figure 6 The lower right corner of the figure shows Figure 1 In addition, the guide rail 10, the close-fitting bolt 11, the side 7 and the locking strip 13 to which the sealing system belongs are also shown in the lower area of ​​the illustration.

[0110] Figure 7 Shows Figure 2 More details of the second embodiment of the sealing system according to the present invention are given in Figure 7 The figure in the lower left corner shows a top view of the adapter 4, and Figure 7 The lower right corner of the figure shows Figure 2 In addition, the guide rail 10, the close-fitting bolt 11, the side 7 and the locking strip 13 to which the sealing system belongs are also shown in the lower area of ​​the illustration.

[0111] Figure 8 Shows Figure 3More details of the third embodiment of the sealing system according to the present invention are given in FIG. Figure 8 The figure in the lower left corner shows a top view of the adapter 4, and Figure 8 The lower right corner of the figure shows Figure 3 In addition, the guide rail 10, the fitting bolt 11, the side 7 and the locking strip 13 to which the sealing system belongs are also shown in the lower area of ​​the illustration. Example 1

[0112] Component testing of sealing systems

[0113] In this example 1, for an embodiment of the sealing system according to the invention comprising a flange, a flat seal 8 and an adapter 4, the mechanical integrity of the correspondingly selected flat seal 8 was tested after compression. Here, the adapter 4 and the flange are both made of steel EN 1.4541. The nominal diameter of the flange is DN50, wherein the flange has an uneven sealing surface 3.

[0114] The measured surface profile 6 of the uneven sealing surface 3 is Figure 4 In the figure, a smoothed two-dimensional view is shown, wherein the surface contour 6 of the uneven sealing surface 3 is located according to the Figure 4 The scale on the left side of the figure is shown in grayscale. The individual numbers shown on the surface profile 6 are in millimeters. Figure 4 As shown, the maximum surface profile height is 3.6 mm and the minimum surface profile height is −4.3 mm. The maximum and minimum values ​​are located more in the edge region of the surface profile 6 of the uneven sealing surface 3 .

[0115] During the test, a number of circular, annular flat seals 8 with a nominal diameter of DN 50 were tested according to Table 1. The inner diameter was 61 mm and the outer diameter was 107 mm.

[0116] Position the adapter 4 with the corresponding flat seal 8 onto the uneven sealing surface 3 of the flange and press it in. The pressing force corresponds to an assembly tightening torque of 75 Nm for a nominal diameter DN 50. The friction coefficient μ is 0.13.

[0117] Table 1: Flat seals used for mechanical testing

[0118]

[0119] Tests have shown that, for both Sigraflex Universal Pro and Novaphit SSTC TaL models, the flat seal 8 with graphite lining can adequately adapt to the unevenness of the uneven sealing surface 3 without mechanical damage. This also applies to seals made of PFA. Simona uses PFA and the technical data sheet is available at this Internet link: http: / / products.simona.de / download / PFA_2022-06-29_14-03-50-891.pdf (Retrieved on June 30, 2022).

[0120] Example 1 shows that when the adapter 4 is pressed against the uneven sealing surface 3, the flat seal 8 can adjust itself sufficiently to ensure mechanical integrity. Mechanical integrity is a basic prerequisite for achieving a reliable seal.

[0121] Example 2 :

[0122] Perform a leak test

[0123] In this example 2, the technical tightness of an embodiment of a sealing system according to the invention comprising an enamel-coated flange, a flat seal 8 and an adapter 4 was tested after compression. Figure 2 Corresponding to the sealing system of this example, the test device is device 1, and the corresponding surface of the flange is the uneven sealing surface 3 of device 1.

[0124] The adapter 4 is made of steel EN 1.4541. The nominal diameter of the enamel-coated flange is DN50, wherein the enamel-coated flange has an uneven sealing surface 3. During processing, the shape and position deviation of the uneven sealing surface 3 of the first end face 5 of the adapter 4 are first determined by three-dimensional laser scanning. The measurement data of the three-dimensional scan are transferred to the CAD software. Next, the adapter 4 is redesigned and calculated in the form of a CAD design, wherein a negative profile is created for at least one uneven sealing surface 3 for the redesign of the adapter. Next, the CAD design data is transferred to the CNC milling machine via the CAD / CAM interface so that the CNC milling machine can produce a tightly fitting negative profile for the uneven sealing surface 3 for the first end face 5 of the adapter 4.

[0125] The measured surface profile 6 of the uneven sealing surface 3 is Figure 5 In the two-dimensional view, the surface profile 6 of the uneven sealing surface 3 is shown according to the Figure 5 The scale on the left side of the figure is shown in grayscale. The individual numbers shown on the surface profile 6 are in millimeters. Figure 5 As shown, the maximum surface profile height is 0.2 mm and the minimum surface profile height is −0.4 mm. The maximum and minimum values ​​are located more in the edge region of the surface profile 6 of the uneven sealing surface 3 .

[0126] During the test, a plurality of flat seals 8 were tested according to Table 2. Circular and annular flat seals 8 were used for the tightness test in order to assess whether all steps of the sealing system processing technology can be implemented so that the technical tightness can be fully achieved.

[0127] For the leak test, a test rig with a vacuum-resistant cover was used so that the space around the flange was evacuated by means of a helium mass spectrometer leak detector. Helium as the test medium was introduced into the flange opening 2 at room temperature at the bottom of the test rig. An overpressure of 10 bar was set. The leak rate was determined by means of a helium mass spectrometer leak detector. The measured leak rates for the tested seals are listed in Table 2.

[0128] Table 2: Test results / leakage rates

[0129]

[0130] Compared to the commonly used PTFE seal Gylon Style 3504E, the measured leakage rates in Table 2 show that the same level of tightness can be ensured by using the tested flat seals 8Sigraflex and PFA. For the standard condition TA-Luft leakage class 0.01, the permissible leakage rate corresponds to 1*10 -2 The leakage rate is mg / (s·m), where the standard conditions TA-Luft are regulated by the Clean Air Technology Guidelines, the first general administrative regulations of the new Federal Emission Control Act can be accessed at the Federal Environment Agency: https: / / www.umweltbundesamt.de / (Retrieved on July 4, 2022).

[0131] All tests showed lower leakage rates than those specified by TA-Luft for technical tightness under standard conditions. Therefore, all tests fulfilled the technical tightness requirements.

[0132] The results of Example 2 show that technical tightness can be reliably achieved when using the tooling according to the invention and the sealing system according to the invention to seal uneven sealing surfaces 3. An exemplary embodiment of a processing method for a tooling according to the invention was applied and successfully implemented.

Claims

1. A tool for tightly sealing an opening (2) of a device (1) surrounded by an uneven sealing surface (3), comprising: An adapter (4) having a first end face (5) as a contact surface, the first end face (5) having a first surface profile (6) corresponding to the negative profile of the uneven sealing surface (3); and at least one flat seal (8) arranged between the uneven sealing surface (3) of the device (1) and the first end face (5) of the adapter (4).

2. A tool for tightly sealing an opening (2) of a device (1) surrounded by an uneven sealing surface (3), comprising: An adapter (4) having a first end surface (5) as a contact surface, wherein the first end surface (5) has a first surface profile (6); and at least one flat seal (8) arranged between the uneven sealing surface (3) of the device (1) and the first end surface (5) of the adapter (4), wherein the first surface profile (6) is irregular.

3. The tooling according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The adapter (4) is made of metal or metal alloy or different metals or metal alloys.

4. The tooling according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The flat seal (8) contains at least partially graphite or at least partially perfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA).

5. The tooling according to claim 4, wherein: The tooling is equipped with the flat seal (8) made of graphite with an insert or a metal expanded mesh lining, or with the flat seal (8) made of PFA.

6. The tooling according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The adapter (4) comprises an outer side surface (7) which forms a certain angle and connects the first end surface (5), at least two positioning elements (9) are fixed on the outer side surface (7) of the adapter (4) in a positionally fixed manner, and the positioning elements (9) respectively have guide rails (10), and the guide rails (10) are designed so that when the adapter (4) is positioned on the first uneven sealing surface (3) of the device (1) covered by the flat seal (8), the corresponding guide rails (10) are guided by the protrusions (11) on the device (1), preferably by the close-fitting bolts on the device (1), and the adapter (4) thus reaches its predetermined position.

7. The tooling according to claim 6, wherein: The corresponding positioning element (9) is fixed to the outer side surface (7) of the adapter (4) in a position-fixed manner by at least one fastening element, preferably by a bolt, particularly preferably by a close-fitting bolt, or the outer side surface (7) of the adapter (4) has a groove for each positioning element (9), and the positioning element (9) comprises at least a bolt and a spring, wherein the corresponding spring engages in the corresponding groove of the outer side surface (7) of the adapter (4), and the bolt fixes the groove and the spring together in a position-fixed manner.

8. The tooling according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The adapter (4) is a cover, preferably a manhole or a blind cover.

9. The tooling according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The adapter (4) has a second end face (5') as a second contact surface and located opposite the first end face (5) and a second surface contour (6'), wherein the second surface contour (6') of the adapter (4) matches the close-fitting negative contour of a sealing surface (3') arranged on the component (12) and surrounding the opening (2'), and wherein the tooling includes at least one additional flat seal (8') arranged between the sealing surface (3') of the component (12) and the second end face (5') of the adapter (4).

10. The tooling according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The first surface profile (6) and / or the second surface profile (6') is irregular.

11. A sealing system comprising a device (1) and a tool according to claims 1 to 10.

12. The sealing system of claim 11, wherein: The device (1) has a coating, and the uneven sealing surface (3) is formed on the coating.

13. The sealing system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The device (1) has an enamel layer.

14. The sealing system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein: The sealing system comprises a component (12) and a tool according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the component (12) is preferably a pipe with a flange or a connecting device with a flange.

15. The sealing system according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein: The device (1) has a flange, preferably an enameled flange, and the opening (2) of the device (1) is surrounded by the uneven sealing surface (3).

16. The sealing system according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein: The device (1) or the connected device is a stirred container, a mixing device, a tower, a phase separator, a separator, a pipeline or a reactor, preferably a chemical reactor or a chemical reaction tower, particularly preferably a reaction tower for the production of acrylic esters.

17. Use of a tool according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a sealing system according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein: The tool or the sealing system is used in chemical processes, in particular in acrylate processing processes or processes in which acrylate is present.

18. A process for manufacturing a tool according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a sealing system according to any one of claims 11 to 16, comprising the following steps: preparing at least one opening (2) of the device (1) surrounded by an uneven sealing surface (3), a flat seal (8) and an adapter (4), For the first end face (5) of the adapter (4), the shape and position deviation of at least one of the uneven sealing surfaces (3) are collected by three-dimensional scanning, preferably by three-dimensional laser scanning, Redesigning the adapter (4) in the form of CAD design based on the three-dimensional scanning measurement data, wherein: In order to redesign the adapter (4), a negative contour is created for at least one of the uneven sealing surfaces (3) and, if two uneven sealing surfaces (3, 3') are present as contact surfaces, a negative contour is created for each of the two uneven sealing surfaces (3, 3'). · machining a first surface profile (6) on the first end face (5) of the adapter (4) by means of a machining tool, preferably by means of a CNC milling machine, particularly preferably by means of a five-axis CNC milling machine, wherein the negative profile data of the uneven sealing surface (3) designed by CAD is transmitted to the machining tool via an interface, preferably via a CAD / CAM interface, wherein, in the presence of two uneven sealing surfaces (3, 3') as contact surfaces, the first surface profile (6) is machined for the first end face (5) of the adapter by means of the machining tool, and a second surface profile (6') is machined for the second end face (5') of the adapter, wherein the data of the two negative profiles of the two uneven sealing surfaces (3, 3') designed by CAD are transmitted to the machining tool via the interface, and Positioning the flat seal (8) between the uneven sealing surface (3) of the device (1) and the first end surface (5) of the adapter (4), wherein an additional flat seal (8) is prepared in the presence of two uneven sealing surfaces (3, 3') as contact surfaces, wherein one of the two flat seals (8) is arranged between the uneven sealing surface (3) and the first end surface (5), and the additional flat seal (8) is arranged between the second uneven sealing surface (3') and the second end surface (5').

19. A process for manufacturing an adapter (4) of a tool according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the following steps: Preparing at least one opening (2) of the device (1) surrounded by an uneven sealing surface (3) and an adapter blank, For the first end face (5) of the blank, collect the shape and position deviation of at least one of the uneven sealing surfaces (3) by three-dimensional scanning, preferably by three-dimensional laser scanning, Redesigning the adapter (4) in the form of CAD design based on the three-dimensional scanning measurement data, wherein: In order to redesign the adapter (4), a negative profile is created for at least one of the uneven sealing surfaces (3), and in the case of two uneven sealing surfaces (3, 3') as contact surfaces, a negative profile is created for each of the two uneven sealing surfaces (3, 3'), and · A first surface contour (6) is processed on the first end face (5) of the blank by a processing tool, preferably by a CNC milling machine, particularly preferably by a five-axis CNC milling machine, wherein the negative contour data of the uneven sealing surface (3) designed by CAD is transmitted to the processing tool via an interface, preferably via a CAD / CAM interface, and in this way the blank is processed into the adapter (4), wherein, in the presence of two uneven sealing surfaces (3, 3') as contact surfaces, the first surface contour (6) is processed for the first end face (5) of the blank by the processing tool, and the second surface contour (6') is processed for the second end face (5') of the blank, wherein the data of the two negative contours of the two uneven sealing surfaces (3, 3') designed by CAD are transmitted to the processing tool via the interface, and in this way the blank is processed into the adapter (4).

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