Compact reinforced compensator used in high-vacuum-degree environment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of compensators, in particular to a compact reinforced compensator used in a high-vacuum-degree environment, which comprises a connecting mechanism, the connecting mechanism comprises a flange and a connecting plate, the surface of the connecting plate is provided with a skin matched with the connecting plate in shape, the skin is attached to the connecting plate, and the connecting mechanism and the skin define a closed flow channel; a straight-section pressing plate and a corner pressing plate are further arranged on the surface of the skin, the straight-section pressing plate is attached to the straight edge of the skin, and the corner pressing plate is attached to the corner of the skin; the flange and the connecting plate are perpendicular to each other and are made of integrally-formed metal materials. A circle of mounting holes are formed in the flange and are used for mounting and fixing adjacent equipment. The technical problems that most of existing compensators are only improved in baffle structure, only the simple safety protection effect can be achieved, sealing of the compensator is not beneficial, and the compensator is easily limited by an internal flow channel or an external space are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of compensator technology, and more specifically to a compact reinforced compensator for use in high vacuum environments. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of vacuum technology, compensators are common devices, mainly used to compensate for axial or radial displacement of the gas passage caused by temperature changes, mechanical vibration, installation errors, etc. Under high vacuum conditions, the performance of the compensator directly affects the stability and reliability of the vacuum system. Traditional compensators are either made of metal bellows, which have the advantage of good suction capacity, but the disadvantage of limited radial compensation and easy deformation, affecting the sealing effect; or they use conventional non-metallic compensators, which have the advantage of strong axial and radial compensation capacity, but the disadvantage of poor strength, making them extremely easy to break under high vacuum conditions. To solve the above problems, existing solutions mainly involve adding baffle structures inside non-metallic compensators, selecting high-strength materials, or using duplex metal compensators, but some problems and limitations still exist. First, simply improving the baffle structure can only provide basic safety protection and does not benefit the sealing of the compensator, and is easily constrained by the internal flow channel or external space. Second, the load that non-metallic materials can withstand is ultimately limited. Finally, using a compound metal compensator results in a very long and inflexible compensator to meet the necessary radial compensation, and large-diameter metal compensators are extremely expensive. To ensure the sealing and stability of the vacuum system, there is an urgent need to invent a compensator that combines the advantages of both metal and non-metal compensators, namely, strong compensation capacity, good sealing performance, flexibility, compactness, easy installation, and strong suction resistance.

[0003] Existing patents also include compensators reinforced with skin. However, these structures are either unsuitable for high vacuum environments or constrained by external space. Chinese patent application publication number CN215111258U proposes an expansion joint with good corrosion resistance, thermal insulation, and high rigidity. The inner side of the expansion joint's skin is filled with a layer of fluororubber cloth, stainless steel wire alkali-free fiberglass cloth, aluminum silicate needle-punched blanket, and ceramic fiber. In high vacuum environments, the filling materials are the main load-bearing components, posing a safety hazard. Furthermore, the sealing of this skin utilizes an external pressure plate structure, resulting in significant outward protrusion and further constraint by external space.

[0004] The skin design proposed in Chinese patent applications with publication numbers CN105570594A, CN217258810U, and CN210266368U, while capable of withstanding the load and corrosion and erosion effects of media in certain high-pressure environments, is not suitable for high-vacuum environments. In high-vacuum environments, under the strong suction, the skin will come into direct contact with the internal steel components, especially at the four corners of square compensators, where it is extremely prone to damage. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a compact reinforced compensator for use in high vacuum environments.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A compact reinforcing compensator for high vacuum environments includes a connecting mechanism comprising a flange and a connecting plate. The surface of the connecting plate is provided with a skin adapted to the shape of the connecting plate, and the skin is attached to the connecting plate. The connecting mechanism and the skin form a closed flow channel. The surface of the skin is also provided with a straight section pressure plate and a corner pressure plate, the straight section pressure plate being attached to the straight edge of the skin and the corner pressure plate being attached to the corner of the skin.

[0007] Furthermore, the flange and the connecting plate are perpendicular to each other and are made of one-piece metal; a ring of mounting holes is provided on the flange for installation and fixing with adjacent equipment.

[0008] Furthermore, mounting holes are provided on the straight edges of the connecting plate and on the surface of the straight edges of the skin, with the mounting holes on the skin corresponding to the mounting holes on the connecting plate; mounting holes are provided on the surface of the straight section pressure plate, with the mounting holes on the straight section pressure plate corresponding to the mounting holes on the skin.

[0009] Furthermore, both ends of the straight section pressure plate and both ends of the corner pressure plate are provided with fixing plates, and each fixing plate is provided with mounting holes; the fixing plates are used to connect the straight section pressure plate and the corner pressure plate end to end, and to press and fix the skin onto the surface of the connecting plate.

[0010] Furthermore, a width-fixing plate is also provided on the flange to ensure that the overall width of the compensator no longer changes.

[0011] Furthermore, the skin is V-shaped, protruding outward from the flow channel, and is used as the axial expansion and contraction compensation of the compensator.

[0012] Furthermore, the structure of the skin, from the inside out, consists of rubber, base fabric, rubber, wire mesh, rubber, base fabric, and rubber. The rubber used is EPDM rubber, and it is vulcanized using a mold.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: This invention provides a compact reinforced compensator for high vacuum environments, combining the advantages of both non-metallic and metallic compensators. This structure boasts strong compensation capability, high load-bearing capacity, convenient molding, and low cost. It employs a combination of straight sections and pressure plates at the four corners, achieving excellent sealing performance and a test pressure vacuum level as high as 65 kPa·g. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a right view of the present invention; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A sectional view along the middle AA; Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point C in the middle; Figure 5 for Figure 2 A sectional view along the middle edge BB; Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of point D in the middle.

[0015] Figure label: 1. Large end flange; 2. Small end flange; 3. First connecting plate; 4. Second connecting plate; 5. Straight section pressure plate; 6. Corner pressure plate; 7. Internal baffle; 8. Nut; 9. Flat washer; 10. Hex head bolt; 11. Socket head screw; 12. Skin; 13. Fixing plate; 14. Width plate. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are not all embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0017] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement and numerical expressions of the components and steps described in these embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0018] The following description of exemplary embodiments is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the invention or its application or use in any way. Techniques, methods, and apparatus known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail herein, but where applicable, such techniques, methods, and apparatus should be considered part of this specification.

[0019] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, this embodiment provides a compact enhanced compensator for high vacuum environments, comprising two sets of connecting mechanisms. The connecting mechanisms are rectangular, with a flow channel formed within the rectangle. One set of connecting mechanisms includes a large-end flange 1 and a first connecting plate 3, which are perpendicular to each other and are made of integrally formed metal. The other set of connecting mechanisms includes a small-end flange 2 and a second connecting plate 4, which are perpendicular to each other and are also made of integrally formed metal. The large-end flange 1 and the small-end flange 2 are parallel to each other and located outside the flow channel. A ring of mounting holes is linearly arrayed on the surfaces of both the large-end flange 1 and the small-end flange 2 for mounting and fixing to adjacent equipment.

[0020] A first connecting plate 3 and a second connecting plate 4 are arranged opposite to each other. A skin 12, adapted to the shape of the connecting mechanism, is provided between the first connecting plate 3 and the second connecting plate 4. The skin 12 is attached to the outer surface of the first connecting plate 3 and the second connecting plate 4. A ring of mounting holes is linearly arrayed on the straight edge surface of the first connecting plate 3 and the second connecting plate 4. A ring of mounting holes is linearly arrayed on both sides of the straight edge surface of the skin 12. The two rings of mounting holes on the skin 12 correspond to the mounting holes of the first connecting plate 3 and the second connecting plate 4, respectively. Eight straight section pressure plates 5 and eight corner pressure plates 6 are also provided on the outer surface of the skin 12. The straight section pressure plates 5 are attached to the straight edge outer surface of the skin 12 using a through bolt connection. The corner pressure plates 6 are attached to the corner outer surface of the skin 12. Each straight section pressure plate 5 has mounting holes linearly arrayed on its surface, and the mounting holes of the straight section pressure plates 5 correspond to the mounting holes of the skin 12. Each straight section pressure plate 5 and each corner pressure plate 6 is provided with a fixing plate 13. Each fixing plate 13 has a mounting hole and is clamped by an arc-shaped thin pressure plate. The fixing plate 13 connects the straight section pressure plate 5 and the corner pressure plate 6 end to end, forming a rectangle, and presses and fixes the skin 12 onto the outer surface of the first connecting plate 3 and the second connecting plate 4.

[0021] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, during assembly, the first step is to align the mounting holes on both sides of the skin 12 with the mounting holes of the first connecting plate 3 and the second connecting plate 4, and then align the mounting holes of the straight section pressure plate 5 with the mounting holes of the skin 12. Use hexagonal head bolts 10 to pass through the mounting holes of the straight section pressure plates 5 from the inside to the outside of the mounting holes of the connecting plates, and then use nuts 8 that are compatible with the hexagonal head bolts 10 to lock the connecting plates, skin 12 and straight section pressure plates 5. Repeat the first step above until all eight straight section pressure plates 5 are installed. Step 2: Place the corner pressure plate 6 on the corner of the skin 12, align the straight section pressure plate 5 and the fixing plate 13 of the corner pressure plate 6, and use the hex socket screw 11 to pass through the mounting hole of the fixing plate 13 of the corner pressure plate 6 from one side of the mounting hole of the fixing plate 13 of the straight section pressure plate 5. Then, use the nut 8 that matches the hex socket screw 11 to lock the straight section pressure plate 5 and the corner pressure plate 6. Repeat the above step 2 until all eight corner pressure plates 6 are installed.

[0022] To ensure smooth installation, the dimensions of the skin 12 should have a necessary margin based on the steel structure dimensions; preferably, 5mm can be reserved as an installation margin. After the skin 12 is assembled, the reserved margin of the skin 12 should be evenly distributed to the four sides, and then tightened.

[0023] The structure of the skin 12, from the inside of the flow channel outwards, consists of rubber, base fabric, rubber, wire mesh, rubber, base fabric, and rubber again. The rubber used is EPDM rubber, vulcanized using a mold. EPDM rubber possesses excellent sealing and high / low temperature resistance, allowing for long-term use between -40℃ and +150℃, maintaining good elasticity and mechanical properties even under extreme temperature conditions. Furthermore, the addition of the wire mesh enhances the strength and tear resistance of the skin 12, improving its overall rigidity. The wire mesh is preferably a multi-layer woven mesh, with its aperture and thickness determined through strength calculations. Generally, the wire mesh thickness is controlled between 1.5mm and 2mm, and the aperture is 5-20 mesh. The base fabric is preferably a high-strength, fatigue-resistant polyester material (PET), with a thickness of 0.5mm-1.5mm.

[0024] like Figure 6 As shown, the skin 12 is V-shaped, protruding outward from the flow channel between the first connecting plate 3 and the second connecting plate 4. The V-shaped protrusion can serve as axial expansion and contraction compensation for the compensator, and also prevent the flow channel from being sucked in under vacuum conditions, reducing friction with other structures. An internal baffle 7 is also provided at the position of the V-shaped inner gap of the skin 12. The internal baffle 7 blocks the V-shaped inner gap of the skin 12, which is used for airflow guidance to avoid the generation of large turbulence in the airflow. In addition, it is also used for limiting the movement during installation to prevent damage to the skin 12 due to excessive pulling.

[0025] Preferably, when the vacuum degree in the flow channel does not exceed 60 kPa, the diameter of the wire mesh is preferably 10 mesh, the total thickness of the skin 12 is 10 mm, the tensile strength of the base fabric is not less than 1000×900 N / cm, the peel force is not less than 250 N / 2.54 cm, and the outward convex height of the V-shape is not less than 60 mm.

[0026] like Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the hexagonal head bolts 10 are located on the inner side of the connecting plate and the outer side of the straight section pressure plate 5, both fitted with flat washers 9. The flat washers 9 are made of flexible metal, such as aluminum or soft copper. A gap is left between the fixing plates 13 of the straight section pressure plate 5 and the corner pressure plate 6 after assembly to pull the corner pressure plate 6 closer together, achieving a sealing effect. The sealing of the corners of the skin 12 mainly relies on the deformation of the corner pressure plate 6 itself; therefore, the corner pressure plate 6 should be sufficiently thin while meeting strength requirements, preferably with a thickness of 3mm.

[0027] Both the large-end flange 1 and the small-end flange 2 are equipped with multiple protruding width-fixing plates 14. Each width-fixing plate 14 has corresponding mounting holes. After the compensator is installed on the equipment, long bolts are passed through the corresponding mounting holes on the width-fixing plates 14 and secured with nuts 8 to ensure that the overall width of the compensator does not change, thus maintaining its stability. Furthermore, the width-fixing plates 14 also prevent metal parts from damaging non-metallic parts during transportation.

[0028] It should be noted that the connecting mechanism can also be other shapes, such as a circular compensator with a similar structure, or a square compensator with a similar structure but without rounded corners, or a similar structure instead of a rounded corner compensator structure, etc. The structure of the skin 12 can also be replaced with a W-shaped outward convex shape, or a combination array of multiple V-shaped outward convex shapes, etc.

[0029] The above specific embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to examples, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A compact reinforcing compensator for use in high vacuum environments, comprising a connecting mechanism, the connecting mechanism including a flange and a connecting plate, characterized in that, The surface of the connecting plate is provided with a skin that matches the shape of the connecting plate. The skin is attached to the connecting plate, and the connecting mechanism and the skin form a closed flow channel. The surface of the skin is also provided with a straight section pressure plate and an edge and corner pressure plate. The straight section pressure plate is attached to the straight edge of the skin, and the edge and corner pressure plate is attached to the edge and corner of the skin.

2. The compact reinforced compensator for high vacuum environments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flange and the connecting plate are perpendicular to each other and are made of one piece of metal; a ring of mounting holes is provided on the flange for installation and fixing with adjacent equipment.

3. The compact reinforced compensator for high vacuum environments according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting plate has mounting holes on its straight edge, and the skin has mounting holes on its straight edge surface. The mounting holes on the skin correspond to the mounting holes on the connecting plate. The straight section pressure plate has mounting holes on its surface, and the mounting holes on the straight section pressure plate correspond to the mounting holes on the skin.

4. The compact reinforced compensator for high vacuum environments according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both ends of the straight section pressure plate and both ends of the corner pressure plate are equipped with fixing plates, and each fixing plate has a mounting hole. The fixing plates are used to connect the straight section pressure plate and the corner pressure plate end to end, and to press and fix the skin onto the surface of the connecting plate.

5. The compact reinforced compensator for high vacuum environments according to claim 4, characterized in that, A width-fixing plate is also provided on the flange to ensure that the overall width of the compensator remains unchanged.

6. The compact reinforced compensator for high vacuum environments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The skin is V-shaped, protruding outward from the flow channel, and is used as the axial expansion and contraction compensation of the compensator.

7. The compact reinforced compensator for high vacuum environments according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The structure of the skin, from the inside out, consists of rubber, base fabric, rubber, wire mesh, rubber, base fabric, and rubber. The rubber used is EPDM rubber, and it is vulcanized using a mold.

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