Electric explosion-proof oil seal joint and method

Abstract

The invention discloses an electric anti-explosion oil seal joint and a method. The electric anti-explosion oil seal joint comprises a tubular male head and a tubular female head, each of the male head and the female head comprises a connecting end and a fixed end; the male head and the female head are connected in a sealed mode through a limiting buckle structure arranged at the connecting end. A first annular groove for placing the annular sealing rubber ring is formed in the inner wall of the connecting end of the female head; the annular sealing rubber ring is used for sealing a connecting gap after the male head and the female head are connected; the fixed ends of the male head and the female head are both provided with second annular grooves used for containing the annular gas-liquid bags. The annular gas-liquid bag is provided with a first valve structure for injecting gas or liquid; the pipe wall of the male head or the female head is provided with a second air valve structure used for injecting electric appliance insulating oil and a release valve used for discharging gas or the electric appliance insulating oil. The electric anti-explosion oil seal connector is small in size, rapid in connection and suitable for being used in flammable and explosive dangerous scenes of small devices in scattered positions, the working efficiency can be improved, and the equipment cost can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electrical equipment, and particularly to an explosion-proof oil seal joint and method. Background Technology

[0002] In flammable and explosive hazardous locations such as oil and petrochemical plants, the use of intelligent equipment is becoming increasingly common. These intelligent devices rely on electricity for power.

[0003] In flammable and explosive hazardous locations, cable connections and locations of some live components are prone to tip discharge, arc discharge, and other hazards, which can easily lead to safety accidents.

[0004] To prevent safety accidents, existing technologies generally use explosion-proof boxes or enclosures to isolate cable connections and live components in flammable and explosive hazardous environments. For example, the cable connections and live components are sealed in explosion-proof boxes or enclosures filled with electrical insulating oil.

[0005] The inventors discovered through research that existing technologies still have at least the following shortcomings:

[0006] Existing explosion-proof boxes and enclosures are relatively large and not suitable for use in scenarios involving multiple smaller components located in different positions.

[0007] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of the invention and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to improve the safety and reliability of equipment in flammable and explosive hazardous scenarios that include multiple small components located in different positions.

[0009] This invention provides an explosion-proof oil seal connector, characterized in that it includes a tubular male connector and a tubular female connector; both the male connector and the female connector include a connecting end and a fixing end; the male connector and the female connector are sealed together by a limiting buckle structure provided at the connecting end; both the male connector and the female connector are fixedly connected to the cable sleeved therein through the fixing end.

[0010] The inner wall of the female connector is provided with a first annular groove for placing an annular sealing rubber ring; the annular sealing rubber ring is used to seal the connection gap after the male connector and the female connector are connected.

[0011] Both the male and female heads have a second annular groove at their fixed ends for placing an annular gas-liquid bladder; the annular gas-liquid bladder has a first valve structure for injecting gas or liquid.

[0012] The male or female connector has a second valve structure for injecting electrical insulating oil on its pipe wall, and a vent valve for discharging gas or electrical insulating oil.

[0013] Preferably, in this invention, the electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector is used to seal exposed cable joints in flammable and explosive environments.

[0014] Preferably, in this invention, the fixed end of the male connector further includes threads for connection with a blind plate.

[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, a method for using an electrically explosion-proof oil seal connector is also provided, for use with the electrically explosion-proof oil seal connector as described above, comprising the following steps:

[0016] When the aforementioned explosion-proof oil seal connector is used to seal exposed cable joints in flammable and explosive environments:

[0017] The male connector is fitted onto one side of the cable connector, and the female connector is fitted onto the other side of the cable connector;

[0018] The male and female connectors are connected together in a sealed manner by a limiting buckle structure, forming an integral tubular structure that is fitted over the cable connector.

[0019] Gas or liquid is injected into the annular gas-liquid bladder at the fixed end of the male connector and the annular gas-liquid bladder at the fixed end of the female connector through the first valve structure, so that the annular gas-liquid bladders compress the cable; after the two annular gas-liquid bladders compress the cable, a sealed space is formed between the two annular gas-liquid bladders.

[0020] Electrical insulating oil is injected into the sealed space through the second valve structure; the original gas is discharged or the original electrical insulating oil is replaced through the vent valve.

[0021] Preferably, in this invention, it further includes:

[0022] When the aforementioned explosion-proof oil seal connector is used to seal live components in flammable and explosive environments:

[0023] The male connector is fitted over the live component, and the female connector is fitted over the cable connected to the live component.

[0024] The male and female connectors are connected together in a sealed manner by a limiting buckle structure, forming an integral tubular structure that is sleeved on the outside of the live components.

[0025] A blind flange connector is threaded onto the fixed end of the male connector;

[0026] Gas or liquid is injected into the annular gas-liquid bladder at the fixed end of the female connector through the first valve structure so that the annular gas-liquid bladder compresses the cable; after the annular gas-liquid bladder compresses the cable, a sealed space is formed between it and the blind flange connector.

[0027] Electrical insulating oil is injected into the sealed space through the second valve structure; the original gas is discharged or the original electrical insulating oil is replaced through the exhaust valve.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0029] This invention uses quick connectors to replace the bulky explosion-proof boxes and enclosures of existing technologies; it is suitable for the safe isolation of small individual components scattered in flammable and explosive hazardous scenarios; after connecting the male and female connectors, this invention seals the gap between the connector and the cable by injecting liquid or gas into an annular gas-liquid bladder to compress the cable, thereby forming a sealed cavity, and then injecting electrical insulating oil into the sealed cavity, thereby achieving safe isolation of exposed cable connectors or live components.

[0030] Because the electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector of this invention is small in size and quick to connect, it is suitable for use in flammable and explosive hazardous scenarios that include multiple small components located in different positions. This not only improves work efficiency but also effectively reduces equipment costs.

[0031] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the present invention and to implement it according to the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, technical features and advantages of the present invention easier to understand, one or more preferred embodiments are listed below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0032] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector described in this embodiment of the invention;

[0034] Figure 2 This is another structural schematic diagram of the electrically explosion-proof oil seal connector described in this embodiment of the invention;

[0035] Figure 3 This is a step diagram illustrating the method of using the electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector as described in this embodiment of the invention;

[0036] Figure 4 This is another step diagram of the method of using the electric explosion-proof oil seal connector described in this embodiment of the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it should be understood that the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments.

[0038] Unless otherwise expressly stated, throughout the specification and claims, the term "comprising" or its variations such as "including" or "comprises" shall be understood to include the stated elements or components without excluding other elements or other components.

[0039] In this document, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used to distinguish two different elements or parts, and are not used to define specific positions or relative relationships. In other words, in some embodiments, the terms "first," "second," etc., can also be used interchangeably.

[0040] Example 1

[0041] To improve the safety and reliability of equipment in flammable and explosive hazardous environments, including those with smaller components located in multiple locations, such as... Figure 1 As shown in the cross-sectional view, this embodiment of the invention provides an electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector, comprising:

[0042] The male connector 01 and female connector 02 are tubular; both the male connector 01 and female connector 02 include a connecting end and a fixing end; the male connector 01 and female connector 02 are sealed together by a limiting buckle structure provided at the connecting end; the inner wall of the connecting end of the female connector 02 is provided with a first annular groove for placing an annular sealing rubber ring 03; the annular sealing rubber ring 03 is used to seal the connection gap after the male connector 01 and female connector 02 are connected; the fixing end of both the male connector 01 and female connector 02 is provided with a second annular groove for placing an annular gas-liquid bladder 04; the annular gas-liquid bladder 04 is provided with a first valve structure 41 for injecting gas or liquid; the tube wall of the male connector 01 or female connector 02 is provided with a second valve structure 05 for injecting electrical insulating oil, and a relief valve 06 for discharging gas or electrical insulating oil.

[0043] The electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector in this embodiment of the invention has a split structure, namely, it includes a male connector 01 and a female connector 02; both the male connector 01 and the female connector 02 are tubular; depending on the function during installation, the two ends of the male connector 01 and the female connector 02 are divided into a connecting end and a fixing end; the connecting end refers to the end used to connect the male connector 01 and the female connector 02 together; the fixing end refers to the end that is fixedly connected to the cable.

[0044] After the male connector 01 is inserted into the female connector 02, they can be connected together through a limiting buckle structure, thus forming an integral tubular structure. The cavity of the tubular structure can be used to accommodate the cable connector. Since this embodiment of the invention is applied to flammable and explosive environments, it is necessary to effectively isolate and seal the cable connector. Therefore, in this embodiment of the invention, a first annular groove is provided on the inner wall of the connection end of the female connector 02. After the male connector is inserted into the female connector, the annular sealing rubber ring 03 in the first annular groove will seal the gap between the male connector 01 and the female connector 02.

[0045] When the electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector in this embodiment of the invention is used to seal exposed cable connectors in flammable and explosive locations, the male connector 01 and the female connector 02 need to be respectively fitted onto the cables on both sides of the cable connector. In this way, when the male connector 01 and the female connector 02 are connected together, the cable connector can be placed in the cavity formed by the connection of the male connector 01 and the female connector 02.

[0046] The tubular structure formed by the connection of male connector 01 and female connector 02 can be fitted onto the cable connector. In order to seal both ends of the tubular structure to form a cavity for sealing and isolating the cable connector, in this embodiment of the invention, gas or liquid is injected into the annular gas-liquid bladder 04 in the second annular groove of the fixed end of male connector 01 and female connector 02 to pressurize it, so that the annular gas-liquid bladder 04 expands and presses the cable, thereby sealing both ends of the tubular structure.

[0047] In this embodiment of the invention, after the male connector 01 and the female connector 02 are connected to form an integral cavity, electrical insulating oil needs to be injected into it. For this purpose, electrical insulating oil is injected into the sealed space through the second valve structure 05; then, the original gas is discharged or the original electrical insulating oil is replaced through the vent valve 06. It should be noted that the second valve structure 05 and the vent valve 06 are respectively located on both sides of the integral cavity, for example, the second valve structure 05 is located at the bottom and the vent valve 06 is located at the top, which facilitates the injection of electrical insulating oil and the discharge of gas.

[0048] In this embodiment of the invention, the second valve structure 05 and the relief valve 06 are preferably disposed on the male head 01, but can also be disposed on the female head 02. Alternatively, one (the second valve structure or the relief valve) can be disposed on the male head 01 and the other on the female head 02.

[0049] Preferably, in this embodiment of the invention, a rubber layer may be applied to the inner wall of the male connector 01 and the female connector 02, thereby providing insulation and buffer protection for the cable connectors or live components isolated therein.

[0050] Preferably, in order to improve the durability and stability of the limiting buckle structure, the limiting buckle structure in this embodiment of the invention includes hemispherical recesses that surround the outer wall of the male connector 01 and are spaced apart; a circular through hole is provided on the tube wall of the female connector 02 at a position that matches the hemispherical recesses on the outer wall of the male connector 01; and a locking mechanism 07 is also fitted at the position of the circular through hole on the outer wall of the male connector 01.

[0051] When the male connector 01 is inserted into the female connector 02, a limiting steel ball (first limiting steel ball 08) can be inserted through the circular through hole in the wall of the female connector 02. In this embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism 07 is a ring-shaped structure. After the male connector is inserted into the female connector 02, the locking mechanism 07 can be fitted onto the circular through hole in the outer wall of the male connector 01 to press the first limiting steel ball 08 into the hemispherical recess in the outer wall of the male connector 01. In this way, the limiting steel ball (first limiting steel ball 08) will partially enter the hemispherical recess in the male connector 01, while the other part of the limiting steel ball (first limiting steel ball 08) will remain in the hemispherical recess in the female connector 02, thereby playing a role in connection and limiting.

[0052] In practical applications, the rear end of the locking mechanism 07 in this embodiment of the invention can be provided with a limiting protrusion, and then a hemispherical recess adapted to the second limiting steel ball 09 is provided on the outer wall surrounding the male connector end; in this way, when the locking mechanism 07 is installed in place, the limiting protrusion will be blocked by the second limiting steel ball 09.

[0053] To improve the stability of the locking mechanism 07 and prevent shaking caused by the connection gap after the locking mechanism 07 is fitted, in this embodiment of the invention, a pressure spring 10 is also installed between the annular protrusion on the inner wall of the locking mechanism 07 and the annular protrusion on the outer wall of the male connector. In this way, the pressure spring 10 can press and fix the locking mechanism 07 to the limiting protrusion, thereby preventing the locking mechanism 07 from shaking.

[0054] Furthermore, in another implementation of this invention, the limiting buckle structure includes hemispherical recesses distributed at intervals around the outer wall of the male connector 01; hemispherical recesses are also provided on the inner wall of the female connector 02; the hemispherical recesses are as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the first limiting steel ball 08 in the hemispherical recess can protrude from the inner wall of the female connector end under the action of the bottom spring; thus, when the male connector 01 is inserted into the female connector 02, the limiting steel ball (first limiting steel ball 08) will partially enter the hemispherical recess of the male connector 01 connector end, and the other part of the limiting steel ball (first limiting steel ball 08) will remain in the hemispherical recess of the female connector 02 connector end, thereby playing a role in connection and limiting.

[0055] Preferably, in order to be suitable for sealing live components in flammable and explosive environments, the fixed end of the male head 01 of the electrically explosion-proof oil seal connector in this embodiment of the invention may also include a thread 11 for connecting to a blind plate.

[0056] In other words, when connecting live components to cables, it is only necessary to inject gas or liquid into the annular gas-liquid bladder 04 on one side of the cable connection (the female end side) to pressurize it, so that the annular gas-liquid bladder 04 expands and presses the cable, thereby sealing one end of the tubular structure. The other end of the tubular structure can be sealed by threaded connection with a blind plate.

[0057] In summary, the embodiments of the present invention use quick connectors to replace the bulky explosion-proof boxes and enclosures in the prior art; they are suitable for the safe isolation of small individual components scattered in flammable and explosive hazardous scenarios; after connecting the male and female connectors, the embodiments of the present invention form a sealed cavity by injecting liquid or gas into an annular gas-liquid bladder to compress the cable, thereby sealing the gap between the connector and the cable, and then injecting electrical insulating oil into the sealed cavity, thereby achieving safe isolation of exposed cable connectors or live components.

[0058] Because the electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector in this embodiment of the invention is small in size and quick to connect, it is suitable for use in flammable and explosive hazardous scenarios that include multiple small components located in different positions. This not only improves work efficiency but also effectively reduces equipment costs.

[0059] Example 2

[0060] Corresponding to the above-described embodiment of the electrically explosion-proof oil seal connector, another aspect of this invention provides a method for using the electrically explosion-proof oil seal connector; the method for using the electrically explosion-proof oil seal connector in this invention is applicable to the electrically explosion-proof oil seal connector in Embodiment 1.

[0061] When the aforementioned explosion-proof oil seal connector is used to seal exposed cable joints in flammable and explosive environments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the method of using the electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector in this embodiment of the invention may specifically include the following steps:

[0062] S11. Place the male connector on one side of the cable of the cable connector and the female connector on the other side of the cable connector.

[0063] S12. The male and female connectors are sealed together by a limiting buckle structure to form an integral tubular structure that is fitted over the cable connector.

[0064] S13. Gas or liquid is injected into the annular gas-liquid bladder at the fixed end of the male connector and the annular gas-liquid bladder at the fixed end of the female connector through the first valve structure, so that the annular gas-liquid bladders expand and compress the cable; in this way, after the two annular gas-liquid bladders compress the cable, a sealed space is formed between the two annular gas-liquid bladders.

[0065] S14. Inject electrical insulating oil into the sealed space through the second valve structure; discharge the original gas or replace the original electrical insulating oil through the vent valve.

[0066] It should be noted that since the method of using the electric explosion-proof oil seal connector in this embodiment of the invention is the specific method of using the electric explosion-proof oil seal connector in Embodiment 1, its specific implementation and the beneficial effects can be referred to the electric explosion-proof oil seal connector in Embodiment 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0067] Example 3

[0068] Corresponding to the above-described embodiment of the electrically explosion-proof oil seal connector, another aspect of this invention provides a method for using the electrically explosion-proof oil seal connector; the method for using the electrically explosion-proof oil seal connector in this invention is applicable to the electrically explosion-proof oil seal connector in Embodiment 1.

[0069] When the aforementioned explosion-proof oil seal connector is used to seal live components in flammable and explosive environments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the method of using the electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector in this embodiment of the invention may specifically include the following steps:

[0070] S21. The male connector is placed over the live component, and the female connector is placed over the cable connected to the live component.

[0071] S22. The male connector and the female connector are connected together in a sealed manner by a limiting buckle structure to form an integral tubular structure that is sleeved on the outside of the live component.

[0072] S23. Install a blind flange connector on the threaded end of the male connector;

[0073] S24. Gas or liquid is injected into the annular gas-liquid bladder at the fixed end of the female connector through the first valve structure so that the annular gas-liquid bladder compresses the cable; after the annular gas-liquid bladder compresses the cable, a sealed space is formed between it and the blind flange connector.

[0074] S25. Inject electrical insulating oil into the sealed space through the second valve structure; discharge the original gas or replace the original electrical insulating oil through the exhaust valve.

[0075] It should be noted that since the method of using the electric explosion-proof oil seal connector in this embodiment of the invention is the specific method of using the electric explosion-proof oil seal connector in Embodiment 1, its specific implementation and the beneficial effects can be referred to the electric explosion-proof oil seal connector in Embodiment 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0076] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An explosion-proof oil seal connector, characterized in that, It includes a tubular male and female connector; both the male and female connectors include a connecting end and a fixing end; the male and female connectors are connected in a sealed manner by a limiting buckle structure provided at the connecting end; The inner wall of the female connector is provided with a first annular groove for placing an annular sealing rubber ring; the annular sealing rubber ring is used to seal the connection gap after the male connector and the female connector are connected. Both the male and female heads have a second annular groove at their fixed ends for placing an annular gas-liquid bladder; the annular gas-liquid bladder has a first valve structure for injecting gas or liquid. The male or female connector has a second valve structure for injecting electrical insulating oil on its pipe wall, and a vent valve for discharging gas or electrical insulating oil.

2. The electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The explosion-proof oil seal connector is used to seal exposed cable joints in flammable and explosive environments.

3. The electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector is also used to seal live components in flammable and explosive environments; the fixed end of the male connector also includes threads for connection with a blind flange.

4. The electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The limiting buckle structure includes: Hemispherical recesses are spaced apart and surrounding the outer wall of the male connector end; the hemispherical recesses are used to accommodate the first limiting steel ball.

5. The electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The limiting buckle structure includes: A hemispherical recess is also provided on the pipe wall of the female connector end, at a position that matches the hemispherical recess on the outer wall of the male connector end.

6. The electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The limiting buckle structure includes: A circular through hole is provided on the tube wall of the female connector end, at a position that matches the hemispherical recess on the outer wall of the male connector end; a locking mechanism is also fitted at the position of the circular through hole on the outer wall of the male connector end.

7. The electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector according to claim 6, characterized in that, The locking mechanism has a limiting protrusion at its rear end; The outer wall surrounding the male connector end is also provided with a hemispherical recess that is adapted to the second limiting steel ball; After the locking mechanism is installed in place, the limiting protrusion will be blocked by the inner hemispherical recessed second limiting steel ball.

8. The electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, A pressure spring is installed between the annular boss on the inner wall of the locking mechanism and the annular boss on the outer wall of the male connector.

9. The electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, Also includes: The inner walls of the male and female heads are lined with a rubber layer.

10. A method of using an electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector, applicable to the electrical explosion-proof oil seal connectors described in claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, include: When the aforementioned explosion-proof oil seal connector is used to seal exposed cable joints in flammable and explosive environments: The male connector is fitted onto one side of the cable connector, and the female connector is fitted onto the other side of the cable connector; The male and female connectors are connected together in a sealed manner by a limiting buckle structure, forming an integral tubular structure that is fitted over the cable connector. Gas or liquid is injected into the annular gas-liquid bladder at the fixed end of the male connector and the annular gas-liquid bladder at the fixed end of the female connector through the first valve structure, so that the annular gas-liquid bladders compress the cable; after the two annular gas-liquid bladders compress the cable, a sealed space is formed between the two annular gas-liquid bladders. Electrical insulating oil is injected into the sealed space through the second valve structure; the original gas is discharged or the original electrical insulating oil is replaced through the vent valve.

11. The method of using the electrical explosion-proof oil seal connector according to claim 10, characterized in that, Also includes: When the aforementioned explosion-proof oil seal connector is used to seal live components in flammable and explosive environments: The male connector is fitted over the live component, and the female connector is fitted over the cable connected to the live component. The male and female connectors are connected together in a sealed manner by a limiting buckle structure, forming an integral tubular structure that is sleeved on the outside of the live components. A blind flange connector is threaded onto the fixed end of the male connector; Gas or liquid is injected into the annular gas-liquid bladder at the fixed end of the female connector through the first valve structure so that the annular gas-liquid bladder compresses the cable; after the annular gas-liquid bladder compresses the cable, a sealed space is formed between it and the blind flange connector. Electrical insulating oil is injected into the sealed space through the second valve structure; the original gas is discharged or the original electrical insulating oil is replaced through the exhaust valve.

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