Adapter device

Abstract

The invention relates to an adapter device (1) for attaching a coupling or a pipe to a flange (2), e.g., to a connection flange of a conveyor device, comprising a mounting bracket (3) on which several mounting bolts (4) for mounting to the flange (2) are arranged, and a tubular pipe adapter (5) adjustable in an axial direction (R) in the mounting bracket (3), which has a connection nozzle (7) for connecting a coupling or pipe and which, by adjusting in the axial direction (R) in the mounting bracket (3), can be pressed with its sealing end (8) against a sealing seat of the flange (2) in a sealing manner, wherein the mounting bolts (4) can be inserted into recesses (6) of the flange (2) such that the mounting bracket (3) is locked in a fixed axial position against this axial direction (R) during the adjustment of the pipe adapter (5) against the flange (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an adapter device for fastening a coupling or a line to a flange, e.g. to a connecting flange of a conveying device.

[0002] A conveying device can, for example, be a pump equipped with one or more flanges for connecting the pump to one or more lines (e.g., pipes or hoses) or to other components of a system. The conveying device, e.g., a pump, can, for example, have an inlet flange (on the suction side) and / or an outlet flange (on the pressure side). The flange (or flanges) can, in particular, be a standard flange.

[0003] A pump can, for example, be an eccentric screw pump which has a stator, a rotor rotating in the stator, a drive for the rotor and a pump housing connected to the stator, which has at least one inlet and / or outlet for the medium to be pumped. The pump housing connected to the stator on the suction side is generally referred to as the suction housing and a housing or housing nozzle connected to the pressure side is referred to, for example, as the pressure nozzle. In principle, however, it is also possible to operate the pump in the opposite pumping direction, so that the suction housing is then arranged as the pump housing on the pressure side. In any case, in such an eccentric screw pump, the pump housing on the one hand and the nozzle connected to the opposite end, e.g. pressure nozzle, are provided with flanges, e.g. standard flanges, to which, for example,Cables or other components are connected.

[0004] Such an eccentric screw pump is a member of the group of rotating positive displacement pumps, which are used to pump a wide variety of media, particularly highly viscous liquids, in a wide range of industries. The liquids to be pumped may, for example, also contain solid particles.

[0005] However, the invention also relates to pumps of other designs and also to other conveying devices as well as other devices or machines that are equipped with at least one flange, e.g. a standard flange, for connecting a line or another machine component.

[0006] For operation, such a flange is typically used to connect pipes or other components with a corresponding (identical) flange. The two flanges are connected, e.g., by screwing, with at least one seal interposed. The flanges have a central passage through which, for example, a medium to be transported can pass. These are to be distinguished from the holes (or similar openings) distributed around the circumference of the flange through which the screws or bolts for the connection are passed.

[0007] The (detachable) connection of flanges via screw connections is common practice and has proven extremely effective.

[0008] Thus, it has been common practice to connect the flange to a pipe or hose line of the test bench using a standard flange connection during testing (e.g., in a test bench). In practice, so-called weld-neck flanges are screwed onto the standard flange connections of the pumps on the pressure and suction sides, which are then connected to the pipes or hose lines of the test benches using various types of quick-release couplings. The weld-neck flange, familiar from practice, thus forms an adapter device for attaching a coupling, e.g., a quick-release coupling, to a flange of the pump being tested.

[0009] Even though this prior art solution allows for various types of quick couplings to be connected to the weld neck flange, attaching the weld neck flange to the pump flange using screws is complex and, in particular, time-consuming. This is where the invention comes in.

[0010] The invention is based on the object of creating an adapter device for fastening a coupling or a line to a flange, e.g., to a connecting flange of a conveyor device, which is characterized by particularly simple handling and, in particular, can be fastened quickly and easily to a flange, e.g., to a standard flange.

[0011] To achieve this object, the invention teaches an adapter device for fastening a coupling or a line to a flange, e.g. to a connecting flange of a conveyor device, with a mounting bracket to which several mounting bolts are attached for mounting (the mounting bracket) to the flange, and a tubular pipe adapter which is held in the mounting bracket in an axial direction and which has a connecting piece and which, by adjustment in the axial direction in the mounting bracket, can be pressed or is pressed with its sealing end in a sealing manner, e.g. in a liquid-tight manner, against a sealing seat of the flange, wherein the mounting bolts can be inserted into the recess of the flange in such a way that the mounting bracket - during the adjustment of the pipe adapter in the axial direction - is locked or fixed in a (fixed) axial position on the flange opposite to this axial (adjustment) direction.

[0012] For this purpose, the pipe adapter can be rotatably mounted in the mounting bracket, e.g., in an opening in the mounting bracket. During rotation in one direction, the pipe adapter is adjusted axially relative to the mounting bracket (against the flange). The mounting bolts engage in the recesses of the flange in such a way that the mounting bracket is locked in this direction of rotation while the pipe adapter rotates in the direction of rotation (D).

[0013] The pipe adapter can be held in the mounting bracket, in particular by means of a threaded connection, so that it can rotate and thus be adjusted in the axial direction. This can be achieved, for example, by forming the threaded connection (between the pipe adapter and the mounting bracket) with an external thread on the outer circumference of the pipe adapter and an internal thread in an opening in the mounting bracket. The external thread and the internal thread can be designed, for example, as a trapezoidal thread.

[0014] According to the invention, a novel adapter device is therefore provided that creates a connection between a flange, e.g., a standard flange, and a line (e.g., a pipe or hose) that is easy and quick to create and easy and quick to release. In particular, the adapter device according to the invention can be attached to the flange without complex screw connections.

[0015] For this purpose, the adapter device according to the invention consists of the mounting bracket and the mounting bolts attached / attachable thereto on the one hand, and the pipe adapter on the other hand. The pipe adapter, through which, for example, a conveying medium flows during operation, is held adjustably, e.g. rotatably, in the mounting bracket so that by adjusting the axial direction (against the flange), the pipe adapter is pressed with its (frontal) sealing end against the sealing seat of the flange (e.g. of the pump) in a liquid-tight manner. The adapter device can therefore be quickly and easily attached to the flange without the use of screws, so that a line, e.g. of a test bench, can also be easily and quickly connected to the flange.

[0016] Of particular importance here is that the mounting bracket, which in practice can be designed as a mounting plate, for example, is locked in a fixed axial position on the flange or relative to the flange using the mounting bolts attached to the mounting bracket, preventing rotation therebetween in at least one direction of rotation. If the tubular pipe adapter is subsequently rotated in the mounting bracket, the pipe adapter moves axially against the flange and consequently also against the sealing seat of the flange, since the mounting bracket itself is fixed in a fixed axial position relative to the flange and is also held rotationally fixed relative to the flange, at least in the direction of rotation that corresponds to the movement of the pipe adapter against the flange. For details, please also refer to the description of the figures.

[0017] The adapter device or the mounting bracket is attached to the flange via the mounting bolts. These are preferably fixed to the mounting bracket in a form-fitting manner, e.g. by screw connections. The mounting bracket is then fastened to the flange by means of the mounting bolts attached to the mounting bracket. For this purpose, the mounting bolts are preferably held and locked in the recesses (e.g. holes) of the flange in a form-fitting manner. It is within the scope of the invention that at least two, preferably at least three, e.g. four or more mounting bolts are attached to the mounting bracket, in positions that correspond to the openings in the flange, e.g. the standard flange. For example, the flange can also be provided with four openings (e.g. holes). However, it is also possible for the number of mounting bolts to be fewer than the number of holes in the flange. For example,If a connection is to be made to a flange with more than four holes, e.g., six or eight holes, it may be sufficient to use a mounting bracket with only four mounting bolts. This is because the mounting bolts merely fix the mounting bracket to the flange, while the liquid-tight connection is created by adjusting the pipe adapter within the mounting bracket, for example, by screwing the pipe adapter into the mounting bracket against the sealing seat of the flange.

[0018] It is important that the mounting bolts ensure, on the one hand, that the mounting bracket is fixed in an axial position or counter to the axial (sealing) direction, and that, on the other hand, a rotationally fixed connection is created so that the mounting bracket does not rotate in the mounting bracket as the pipe adapter rotates (in the sealing direction of rotation), or only rotates over a very limited angular range until it finally reaches an end position that ensures a rotationally fixed connection, at least in the sealing closing direction. For this purpose, the mounting bolts can be designed as mushroom-head bolts, e.g. mushroom-head screws, which are attached to the mounting bracket at one end, e.g. with a threaded end (e.g. screwed into the mounting bracket) and which engage in the respective recess in the flange with the opposite end, namely a mushroom-head end.The mushroom head ends preferably each have an eccentric mushroom head which has a larger diameter than the pin section of the mounting bolt and is also designed and arranged eccentrically relative to the pin section. During assembly, the mounting bolts are inserted into the bores of the flange with their mushroom head ends and locked in the recesses, for example by slight twisting. At the same time, this fixates the bolt in a fixed axial position, at least in one axial direction, namely against the closing direction of the pipe adapter. The pipe adapter can then be rotated in the mounting bracket and adjusted against the flange without the mounting bracket being able to deflect axially against the closing or sealing direction.

[0019] During assembly, the mushroom heads are guided through the holes in the flange. By then screwing the pipe adapter against the flange, the entire assembly may be slightly rotated within the holes so that the mushroom heads engage behind the back of the flange and create a positive fit. By (further) rotating the pipe adapter, it seals the flange connection without the need for conventional screw connections in the recesses of the flange. For sealing, the pipe adapter can be provided with a seal on the end, e.g. an O-ring, which is inserted into a seal receptacle on the end. Alternatively or additionally, an (additional) seal can be provided in the area of ​​the flange or on the sealing seat of the flange. The sealing effect can be optimized by turning the pipe adapter with a suitable tool, e.g. a simple hook wrench.For this purpose, the pipe adapter can be provided with a suitable profile on its circumference, e.g. with projections to which the tool, e.g. the hook wrench, engages.

[0020] A line, such as a pipe or hose, can be connected to the tubular pipe adapter, so that the adapter device easily creates a connection between the line and the flange. This is particularly advantageous when connecting lines for testing or inspection purposes, since such testing does not require a permanent connection to ensure continuous operation of the machine in a system. A further simplification is achieved by the pipe adapter being or will be provided with a coupling piece of a standard coupling, e.g. a quick-release coupling, so that the line can be attached to the adapter device using a quick-release coupling. Known solutions can be used here, which are also used in the state of the art in conjunction with a welding neck flange.

[0021] The adapter device and its components are preferably made of metal, e.g., steel. Heat-treatable steels, e.g., chromium-molybdenum steel or chromium-nickel-molybdenum steel, are particularly preferred. The mounting bracket, the mounting bolts, and / or the pipe adapter are therefore preferably made of steel, e.g., one or more of the aforementioned steels, although different steels can also be used for the individual components.

[0022] Quick-release couplings, which are also known from the state of the art, are preferably attached to the connection piece. For this purpose, conventional versions with a ring handle can be used, for example.

[0023] The invention significantly simplifies the attachment of lines or couplings to cylinders. This shortens assembly times, for example, during installation on test benches. This leads to process optimization in production and thus cost savings. Furthermore, handling is easier, thus reducing the risk of injury when installing an adapter.

[0024] The focus of the invention is the adapter device according to the invention, which can be fastened to a flange.

[0025] The invention also relates to a flange connection comprising a flange and an adapter device of the type described, which is attached to the flange. The adapter device according to the invention is therefore also protected in combination with a flange.

[0026] Finally, the invention also relates to a conveying device with an inlet flange and / or an outlet flange and with at least one adapter device of the type described attached to the inlet flange or the outlet flange. The adapter device is therefore also protected in combination with a conveying device that has one or more flanges. The invention is then used in particular for testing / checking such a conveying device, e.g., in a test bench. The conveying device can, for example, be a pump, preferably an eccentric screw pump. However, the invention can also be used with conveying devices of other types and with machines of other types that are provided with one or more flanges that are to be connected, for example, with couplings, e.g., quick-release couplings.

[0027] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to drawings which merely represent an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 1 an adapter device according to the invention in a perspective view, Fig. 2 the adapter device according to Fig. 1 in a mounted state on a flange, Fig. 3 a section through the object according to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 the mounting bracket of the adapter device Fig. 1, Fig. 5 a mounting bolt of the adapter device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 6 a pipe adapter of the adapter device according to Fig. 1.

[0028] The figures show an adapter device 1 which is attached to a flange, e.g., to a connecting flange 2 of a conveyor device. A line (e.g., a pipe or hose) can be attached to the adapter device 1 (e.g., via a quick-release coupling) and thus connected to the conveyor device via the connecting flange 2. The adapter device 1 can, for example, be used in a test bench in which the conveyor device or another machine is tested and is not permanently connected to a line of the test bench for testing purposes, but only temporarily. Fig. 1 the adapter device 1 itself and in Fig. 2, this adapter device 1 is shown in the mounted state on a flange 2, which may, for example, be the flange 2 of a conveying device, e.g. an inlet flange or an outlet flange of a pump.

[0029] The adapter device 1 consists (essentially) of a mounting bracket 3, to which several mounting bolts 4 are attached, and of a tubular pipe adapter 5. The mounting bracket 3 is in Fig. 4, a single mounting bolt 4 is in Fig. 5 and the Fig. Figure 6 shows the tubular pipe adapter 5, in a perspective view. The adapter device 1 composed of these components 3, 4, 5, which can be designed, for example, as a quick-coupling adapter for standard flanges, is shown in Figures Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 shown.

[0030] A plurality of mounting bolts 4 are fastened to the mounting bracket 3, by means of which the adapter device 1 is fixed to the flange 2. For this purpose, the mounting bolts 4 can be inserted into the recesses 6 (e.g. bores) in the flange 2. The tubular adapter 5 has a connecting piece to which a line or also a coupling or a coupling piece for connecting a line can be connected. The tubular pipe adapter 5 is held in the mounting bracket 3 so as to be adjustable in an axial direction R relative to the flange 2, such that the adjustment in the axial direction R in the mounting bracket 3 simultaneously presses the tubular pipe adapter 5 with its sealing end 8 facing the flange 2 against the flange 2, namely against a sealing seat of the flange 2, in a liquid-tight manner.For this purpose, the pipe adapter 5 is held rotatably in an opening 9 in the mounting holder 3, specifically by means of a threaded connection, so that the mounting holder 3 is simultaneously adjusted in the axial direction R relative to the mounting holder during rotation in the direction of rotation D and is thus pressed against the sealing seat of the flange 2 during rotation in the direction D. In the exemplary embodiment, the threaded connection is formed by an external thread 10 on the outer circumference of the pipe adapter 5 and an internal thread 11 in the opening 9 in the mounting holder 3. The external thread 10 and the internal thread 11 can, for example, be designed as a trapezoidal thread, as shown in FIG. Fig. 3. However, other threaded connections can also be used.

[0031] It is important that as the pipe adapter rotates in the direction of rotation D, it is pressed in the axial direction R against the sealing seat of the flange 2, thus creating a liquid-tight connection. For this purpose, it is important that the mounting bracket 3, in which the pipe adapter 5 rotates, is locked in a rotationally fixed and fixed axial position on the flange 2. In the illustrated embodiment, this is achieved very easily via the mounting bolts 4, which engage in the recesses 6 of the flange 2 in such a way that the mounting bracket is blocked both against the axial direction R and in the direction of rotation D while the pipe adapter rotates in the direction of rotation D.

[0032] The mounting bolts 4 are, on the one hand, positively fixed to the mounting bracket 3 via screw connections, and on the other hand, they engage positively in the recesses 6 of the flange 2. For this purpose, the mounting bolts 4 in the exemplary embodiment are designed as mushroom-head bolts, e.g., mushroom-head screws. One end of the mushroom-head bolts is designed as a threaded end 12 with a thread, so that the mushroom-head bolts 4 can be fastened to the mounting bracket 3 via a screw connection. The opposite end is designed as a mushroom-head end 13, wherein this mushroom-head end 13 has an eccentric mushroom head 14 which has a larger diameter than the pin section 15 of the mounting bolt 4 and is also designed eccentrically with respect to the pin section 15. This design enables the mounting bracket 3 with the mounting bolts 4 attached to it to be quickly and easily inserted into the bores 6 of the flange 2.During a slight rotation in the direction of rotation D, the mushroom-head ends 13 engage behind the flange 2 in the area of ​​the recesses 6, thus providing both anti-rotation security and axial security. Axial security in one direction, namely in the direction away from the flange 2 and opposite to the closing direction R, is sufficient, since the mounting bracket 3 is pressed against the sealing seat in a direction away from the flange during the rotation D of the pipe adapter 3. The fixing of the mounting bracket 3 relative to the flange 2 in the axial direction consequently occurs during the rotation of the pipe adapter 5 against the sealing seat of the flange.

[0033] The assembly of the adapter device according to the invention is carried out as follows: The adapter device 1 is inserted into the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, is guided into the area of ​​the flange 2 and fastened to the flange via the mounting bolts 4 attached to the mounting bracket 3. For this purpose, the mounting bolts 4 are inserted with their mushroom head ends 13 into the recesses 6 of the flange 2. The pipe adapter 5 is only screwed into the mounting plate 3 far enough that the insertion of the mounting bolts 4 into the openings 6 of the flange 2 is not impeded. By slightly rotating the mounting bracket 3 in the direction of rotation D relative to the flange 2, it is ensured that the mushroom head ends 13 or the eccentric mushroom heads 14 engage behind the flange 2 or a rear surface of the flange next to the openings 6, so that the mounting bracket 3 is axially fixed in the direction away from the flange (opposite the direction R). The pipe adapter 5 is now rotated in the direction of rotation D and thus pressed against the flange 2.Since the pipe adapter is locked to the flange in the direction of rotation D, a reliable fastening of the mounting bracket 3 to the flange 2 is ensured during screwing in and thus during sealing.

[0034] In order to ensure reliable sealing, e.g. for testing purposes, the pipe adapter 3 can be provided at its front end 8 with a receptacle 16 for a seal 17, e.g. a receptacle for an O-ring.

[0035] The pipe adapter 3 can be provided on its circumference, e.g., in the area of ​​the connecting piece 7 or in another area, with a profile, e.g., with webs 18 or other projections, which simplify manual screwing and thus sealing. For this purpose, the projections 18 can be designed, e.g., such that a tool, e.g., a simple hook wrench, can be used for fastening. Furthermore, the connecting piece is designed such that a line or a coupling, e.g., a quick-release coupling, can be attached to the adapter device. Details of this design are not shown in the figures.

[0036] The adapter device 1 according to the invention can preferably be used for connecting a line to a flange 2 of a conveying device. The conveying device can be, for example, a pump, so that the Fig.The flange shown in Figure 2 can be, for example, an inlet flange or an outlet flange of a pump.

Claims

[1] Adapter device (1) for fastening a coupling or a line to a flange (2), e.g. to a connecting flange of a conveyor device, with a mounting bracket (3) on which several mounting bolts (4) are arranged for mounting on the flange (2), and a tubular pipe adapter (5) which is held in the mounting bracket (3) so as to be adjustable in an axial direction (R), which has a connecting piece (7) for connecting a coupling or line and which can be pressed with its sealing end (8) sealingly against a sealing seat of the flange (2) by adjustment in the axial direction (R) in the mounting bracket (3), wherein the mounting bolts (4) can be inserted into recesses (6) of the flange (2) in such a way that the mounting holder (3) - during the adjustment of the pipe adapter (5) in the axial direction (R) against the flange (2) - is locked in a fixed axial position opposite to this axial direction (R). [2] Adapter device according to claim 1, wherein the pipe adapter (5) is rotatably held in the mounting holder (3), e.g. in an opening (9) of the mounting holder (3), and is adjusted in the axial direction (R) relative to the mounting holder (3) during rotation in a direction of rotation (D), wherein the mounting bolts (4) can be inserted into the recesses (6) of the flange (2) in such a way that the mounting holder (3) is blocked in this direction of rotation (D) during rotation of the pipe adapter (5). [3] Adapter device according to claim 2, wherein the pipe adapter (5) is held in the mounting holder (3) by means of a threaded connection so as to be rotatable and thereby adjustable in the axial direction (R). [4] Adapter device according to claim 3, wherein the threaded connection is formed by an external thread (10) on the outer circumference of the pipe adapter (5) and an internal thread (11) in an opening (9) of the mounting holder (3), wherein the external thread (10) and the internal thread (11) are designed, for example, as a trapezoidal thread. [5] Adapter device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mounting bolts (4) are fixed to the mounting holder (3) in a form-fitting manner, e.g. by a screw connection, and / or wherein the mounting bolts (4) are fixed or locked in a form-fitting manner in the recesses (6) of the flange (2). [6] Adapter device according to claim 5, wherein the mounting bolts (4) are designed as mushroom-head bolts, e.g., mushroom-head screws, which are fastened to the mounting bracket (3) with one end, e.g., a threaded end (12), and which engage with a mushroom-head end (13) in the recess (6) of the flange (2). [7] Adapter device according to claim 6, wherein the mushroom head ends (13) each have an eccentric mushroom head (14) which has an enlarged diameter compared to the pin portion (15) of the mounting bolt (4) and is formed eccentrically with respect to the pin portion (15). [8] Adapter device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mounting bracket (3), the mounting bolts (4) and / or the pipe adapter (5) are made of metal, preferably of steel, e.g. of one or more tempering steels. [9] Adapter device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the connecting piece (7) of the pipe adapter is designed for the connection of a coupling, e.g. quick coupling, or itself as a coupling or coupling piece. [10] Flange connection with a flange (2) and an adapter device (1) fastened to the flange (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9. [11] Conveying device, e.g. pump, with an (e.g. suction-side) inlet flange (2) and / or an (e.g. pressure-side) outlet flange (2), and with at least one adapter device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 fastened to the inlet flange and / or to the outlet flange.

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