Flammsperre

Abstract

Flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) which is designed to prevent flame penetration of flammable fluids from one flow side of the flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) to an opposite flow side of the flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410), wherein the flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) comprises an outer shell (12, 12", 112, 212, 312, 412) and a flow-through body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414), wherein the outer shell (12, 12", 112, 212, 312, 412) surrounds the flow-through body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) at least partially on its radially outer side, wherein the outer shell (12, 12", 112, 212, 312, 412) defines an axial direction (X) which is orthogonal to its circumferential direction and / or its radial direction, wherein the flow-through body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) has a plurality of channels (18, 218) through which fluid can flow, which channels extend substantially in the axial direction (X) from a first end face (20, 220) of the flow-through body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) to a second end face (22, 222) of the flow-through body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414), wherein at least some, in particular all, of the channels (18, 218) of the flow-through body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) are formed by arranging at least one metal sheet layer (24, 224) against one another or on top of one another, wherein the one metal sheet layer (24, 224) or, in the case of a plurality of metal sheet layers (24, 224), at least one of the plurality of metal sheet layers (24, 224) is embossed at least in sections, and wherein the flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) further comprises a deflection element (28, 30, 32, 38, 130) which is designed to deflect fluid emerging from the flow-through body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) from the substantially axial flow direction defined by the channels (18, 218) in the direction of a radial flow direction.

Description

The present invention relates to a flame arrester which is designed to prevent a flame breakdown of flammable fluids from one flow side of the flame arrester to an opposite flow side of the flame arrester.So-called flame arresters are known from the prior art for installations and components in which fluids located therein can ignite. Flame arresters are intended to prevent a deflagration arising in one part of a plant from propagating into other plant parts.Flame retardants are used, for example, in diesel engines. In this case, it may occur that a diesel mist arising in the crankcase ignites. In order to prevent damage to the crankcase or the entire engine, a pressure occurring due to the deflagration / explosion can be vented in an explosion-proof manner with the aid of a flame arrester. The flame barrier acts in such a way that sufficient energy is extracted from the flame in the flame barrier in order to avoid the flame strike-through. Narrow gaps are usually used for this purpose.Flame arresters known from the prior art usually comprise a multiplicity of thin metal sheets stacked one on top of the other, which are often of annular configuration. By means of spacers, for example washers, these metal sheets can be arranged spaced apart from one another in order to form the gaps.Such a stacked construction of the metal sheets is complicated to assemble and therefore cost-intensive. Furthermore, the radially outer ends of the sheets are usually exposed, as a result of which damage to the thin sheets can occur.It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a flame arrester which can at least reduce, if not even eliminate, the disadvantages of the known flame arresters, in particular can be produced in an improved manner.This object is achieved according to the present invention by a flame arrester, flame arrester which is configured to prevent a flame strike through of flammable fluids from a flow side of the flame arrester to an opposite flow side of the flame arrester, wherein the flame arrester comprises an outer jacket and a throughflow body, wherein the outer jacket surrounds the throughflow body at least partially on its radially outer side, wherein the outer jacket defines an axial direction which is orthogonal to its circumferential direction and / or its radial direction, wherein the throughflow body has a plurality of channels through which fluid can flow, which channels extend substantially in the axial direction from a first end side of the throughflow body to a second end side of the throughflow body through said latter, wherein at least some, in particular all, the channels of the flow body are formed by arranging at least one sheet metal layer on one another or on top of one another, wherein the one sheet metal layer or, in the case of a plurality of sheet metal layers, at least one of the plurality of sheet metal layers is formed embossed at least in sections, and wherein the flame barrier further comprises a deflection element which is configured to deflect fluid emerging from the flow body from the substantially axial flow direction defined by the channels in the direction of a radial flow direction.Thus, by providing the deflecting element, it can be achieved that fluid emerging from the flame arrester, which is usually very hot, can flow along a surface of the superordinate assembly, for example along an outer side of a crankcase. This can prevent objects and / or persons arranged in the region of the crankcase from being damaged or injured.The axial direction can be understood in particular as a direction which follows the outer contour of the outer jacket in a direction orthogonal to a circumferential direction of the outer jacket. In this case, the circumferential direction of the outer jacket can be viewed in particular at a substantially constant distance from at least one longitudinal end of the outer jacket. The outer jacket can be formed closed in particular in the circumferential direction.The term "radial" can also be understood for non-round bodies, such as polygons, as being orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the body.With reference to a sheet metal layer, "embossed" can be understood to mean that its course is transformed, for example using an embossing method, from a substantially planar course of a sheet metal web into a relief-like, for example wave-like, course. An embossed sheet metal layer does not have to be embossed over its entire surface, but can also merely have embossed partial sections, so that the embossed sheet metal layer can have both at least one planar and at least one section running in relief in its longitudinal extension direction and / or width extension direction.The channels through which fluid can flow can be designed in the manner of corrugations, zigzags or tubes. Further channel shapes, which are possible by arranging at least one sheet metal layer on one another or on top of one another and allow a flow of fluid therethrough, are likewise conceivable.In the case of use in which the propagation of a flame is to be prevented, the flow direction of the flame arrester can be defined such that fluid initially passes through the first end face of the flow body from an upstream side of the flow body, flows through the channels of the flow body and then exits through the second end face on a downstream side of the flow body. The flow direction can relate to a main flow direction, irrespective of vortices, secondary flows or the like.Advantageously, the outer jacket can project at least partially over the first end face of the flow body in the axial direction, and / or the outer jacket can project at least partially over the second end face of the flow body in the axial direction, wherein in particular the part of the outer jacket projecting over the second end face of the flow body can be provided with passages which pass through a wall of the outer jacket at least in sections.Here, "protruding" can mean that the outer jacket can extend in the axial direction beyond the first end side or the second end side of the flow body and away from the flow body.The passages can in particular each have an oval, circular, rectangular or another suitable shape, in particular a rectangular shape with rounded corners. Of course, the passages can also have different shapes from one another. It is also conceivable that the outer jacket can have a multiplicity of small passages or else, compared thereto, fewer passages, but rather larger-area passages. The sizes of the passages can also be different from one another.Furthermore, a flange can be arranged on at least one of the section of the outer jacket projecting beyond the throughflow body and the section of the inner jacket projecting beyond the throughflow body. Such a flange can be connected to the outer jacket and / or the inner jacket in particular in a fluidically sealed manner. Such a flange can be designed, for example, in the manner of a plate, in particular in a region radially inside the inner jacket as a closed plate, or in the manner of a ring, in particular provided with a central opening. A flange arranged on a fluid inlet side of the flame arrester can be annular, for example, and / or a flange arranged on a fluid inlet side of the flame arrester can be plate-shaped, for example. A flange can be formed in one piece or in multiple parts. A flange formed in multiple parts can be composed, for example, of a plurality of plate-like and / or ring-like flanges, in particular in a fluidically sealed manner.Furthermore, in the case of the plurality of metal sheet layers, the plurality of metal sheet layers can comprise at least one metal sheet layer which is of substantially smooth configuration and which, as viewed in the radial direction thereof, bears against the at least one embossed metal sheet layer, or, in the case of a single metal sheet layer, the metal sheet layer can have at least one embossed section and at least one smooth section, wherein the metal sheet layer can be formed in such a way that, in the flow body, as viewed in the radial direction thereof, an embossed section of the metal sheet layer follows a smooth section.For the first case, in which a plurality of sheet metal layers are present, the channels through which fluid can flow can be formed by intermediate spaces which are formed by the at least one substantially smooth sheet metal layer resting against one another on the at least one stamped sheet metal layer.For the second case, in which the flow body is formed from a single sheet metal layer, the single sheet metal layer can be formed such that it has at least one substantially smooth section and at least one embossed section in its longitudinal extension direction. By suitably forming this single sheet metal layer on top of one another, it can be achieved that, by a smooth section resting against an embossed section, intermediate spaces are created therebetween, which can function as channels of the flow body. This suitable forming can be achieved, for example, by winding or by folding the sheet metal layer on itself or on a core, in particular on the inner jacket. In this case, in particular the length of longitudinal extent of the respective section along the sheet metal layer can be fixed on itself as a function of a winding radius of the sheet metal layer, with the result that it can be ensured that, in the deformed state of the flow body, as viewed in the radial direction thereof, an embossed section follows a smooth section.The direction of longitudinal extent of the at least one sheet metal layer can be, in particular, that direction along a respective sheet metal layer which runs orthogonally to the axial direction of the sheet metal layer, in its assembled state. This can also be, in particular, that direction in which the sheet metal layer has its largest dimension.A "substantially smooth" metal sheet layer can be understood to mean, for example, a metal sheet layer which is smooth with respect to at least one, in particular both, axes of extension (length and width of the metal sheet layer), at least in sections, in particular across the entire metal sheet. In this case, "smooth" sections are substantially free of embossings.In this connection, in at least one region of the flow body, when viewed in the radial direction thereof, embossed sections or sheet metal layers and smooth sections or sheet metal layers can be arranged in an alternating manner.Thus, as described above, the channels can be formed by a smooth metal sheet, or a smooth metal sheet portion, resting against an embossed metal sheet, or against an embossed metal sheet portion. By the alternating arrangement of the sheet metal layers, a plurality of channels can be provided in the circumferential direction as well as in the radial direction of the flow body.Furthermore, the flow-through body can be designed in the manner of a disk or ring, as viewed in a cross section which runs orthogonally to the axial direction, wherein in particular an outer circumference of the flow-through body and / or, in the case of a flow-through body which is designed in the manner of a ring, an inner circumference of the flow-through body can / can have a substantially circular, rectangular, square, polygonal or oval shape.Alternatively to the above-mentioned shapes of the inner or outer circumference, other suitable shapes can also be possible.In the case of a through-flow body configured in the manner of a disk, the at least one sheet metal layer can first be formed in a small radius of curvature, wherein the radius of curvature can increase with increasing winding layers following one another in the radial direction. This means that such a flow-through body can be designed to build up radially outwards, in particular starting from a central region thereof.If an annular flow-through body is desired, this can be achieved, for example, by winding the at least one sheet metal layer directly onto a core, in particular the inner jacket of the flame arrester, which core defines the inner periphery of the flow-through body with its outer shape.It may also be possible to obtain a flow-through body of a desired shape by removing undesired portions of an existing flow-through body.In this connection, in the case of an annularly formed throughflow body, an inner jacket can be arranged on an inner periphery of the throughflow body, which inner jacket can be formed in particular in the form of a tube, wherein the inner jacket extends substantially in the axial direction and is configured to receive the at least one sheet metal layer on its radially outer side.The flow-through body can have an outer wall which surrounds the flow-through body on its radial outer side. In the assembled state of the flame arrester, the outer wall can be arranged in particular between the throughflow body and the outer casing. The same can apply analogously to an inner wall which, in particular in the case of an annular flow-through body, can be arranged on an inner periphery of the flow-through body. In the assembled state of the flame arrester, the inner wall can be arranged in particular between the throughflow body and the inner jacket. Thus, the flow-through body can be more easily handled in its not yet mounted state, for example without changing and / or losing its predetermined shape.Accordingly, the flow body may be directly wound around the inner shell, and an additional manufacturing step of winding the at least one sheet metal layer on a core as described above may be omitted. In this case, the axial direction of the outer jacket can correspond to the axial direction of the inner jacket and / or an axial direction of the outer contour or an axial direction of the inner contour of the flow body.In this case, the inner jacket can protrude at least partially beyond the second end face of the flow body in the axial direction, and / or the inner jacket can protrude at least partially beyond the first end face of the flow body in the axial direction, wherein in particular the part of the inner jacket protruding beyond the first end face of the flow body can be provided with passages which pass through a wall of the inner jacket at least in sections.Here, "protruding" can mean that the inner jacket can extend in the axial direction beyond the second end side or the first end side of the flow body and away from the flow body.The passages can in particular each have an oval, circular, rectangular or another suitable shape, in particular a rectangular shape with rounded corners. Of course, the passages can also have different shapes from one another. It is also conceivable that the outer jacket can have a multiplicity of small passages or else, compared thereto, fewer passages, but rather larger-area passages. The sizes of the passages can also be different from one another.Furthermore, the deflecting element can be arranged at a distance in the axial direction from the second end face of the flow body.By positioning the deflecting element at a distance from the second end face of the flow body, a gap can be produced between the deflecting element and the outer jacket in the sense of outlet openings for the fluid. In addition, the flow-through body can be protected from external mechanical damage.The deflecting element can be formed by a section of the inner jacket and / or the deflecting element can be formed by a component produced separately from the inner jacket, in particular the deflecting element can extend radially outwards at least in sections with respect to the axial direction.In the case that the deflecting element is formed by a section of the inner jacket, this section of the inner jacket can be produced integrally with the inner jacket. The section of the inner jacket can be formed into the desired shape as a deflection element by a forming process. In the case that the deflecting element is provided in addition to or instead of the shaped inner jacket described above as a separately produced component, this can be formed, for example, as a plate or a ring.Advantageously, the flame barrier can comprise a closure element which is configured to fluidically separate the flow body from an opening, in particular a fluid inlet opening, the flame barrier or a superordinate assembly, in a closure position, and to produce a fluidic connection of the flow body to the opening in a release position, wherein the closure element can be prestressed into the closure position, in particular by an elastic prestressing element.In this way, the flame arrester, in particular the throughflow body, can be closed during normal operation of the superordinate assembly. Thus, for example, a preload force which is exerted by the preload element on the closure element can be designed such that the preload force is greater than a force which acts on the closure element on a side of the closure element opposite the preload element on account of a pressure which prevails in the superordinate assembly. It can thus be ensured that the closure element remains in the closure position during normal operation of the superordinate assembly. In the event that the pressure prevailing in the superordinate assembly rises, for example due to an explosion / deflagration, the closure element can be displaced against the prestressing element out of the closure position and fluid can enter the flame arrester from the superordinate assembly.The closure element and the prestressing element can be introduced, for example, via the central opening in the first flange, into the interior of the flame arrester, in particular in the case of a first flange formed in multiple parts, and the plate can then be attached or, in particular in the case of a first flange formed in one part, can be introduced into the interior of the flame arrester before the first flange is attached.The preload element can be formed from a compression spring, in particular a helical spring or helical spring, or a tension spring. A helical spring can have the advantage that in its compressed state it has a smaller axial extent (for example viewed along a central axis thereof) than a comparable compressed helical spring.In particular, at least in a state of the flame arrester mounted on a superordinate assembly, an interior space of the flame arrester, which is accessible to fluid not yet passed through the throughflow body, can be sealed off from an outer side of the flame arrester, with the exception of the fluid connection via the channels of the throughflow body.In other words, that space of the flame arrester which is arranged upstream of the throughflow body can be fluidically sealed off from an outer side in such a way that the channels of the throughflow body remain as the sole further flow path for the fluid entering therein. The term "upstream" can refer here in particular to a main fluid flow along which fluid flows from an inlet side of the flame arrester to an outlet side of the flame arrester in the case of use of the flame arrester, that is to say when the closure element is displaced out of the closure position. The term "outer side of the flame arrester" can be used in particular to refer to a space downstream of the throughflow body and / or downstream of the second end side of the throughflow body.In this connection, in the case of an annular flow body, a region of the interior space of the flame arrester which is surrounded by the inner jacket can be sealed off towards an outer side of the flame arrester on account of a fluidic seal of the inner jacket itself, and / or the closure element can generate a fluidic seal with a portion of the remaining flame arrester, in particular an end portion of the inner jacket, in its release position.Thus, in the case of use of the flame arrester, the closure element can be displaced out of its closure position in such a way that the fluid entering the flame arrester can follow the flow path described further above without the closure element being displaced as far as an end stop in the process. Alternatively, the closure element can be displaced out of its closure position in such a way that it can be displaced against an end stop. Such an end stop can be achieved, for example, by a complete compression of the prestressing element and / or by contact of the closure element with a further section of the flame arrester. For example, in the case of use of the flame arrester, the closure element can be displaced from its closure position to such an extent that it bears against a free end of the inner jacket. This contact between the inner jacket and the closure element can be such that substantially no fluid can any longer flow past the closure element into an interior of the inner jacket. For this purpose, the inner jacket and / or the closure element can have a sealing element in order to increase a sealing effect between the inner jacket and the closure element.The flame barrier can comprise a further flow body, which is arranged at a distance from the one flow body, in particular in the axial and / or radial direction.For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned at this point that the expression "radially spaced" can also comprise an embodiment in which the flow body and the further flow body bear radially against one another, such that there is no spacing therebetween in the sense of a gap. The two flow-through bodies can thus be arranged at mutually different radial positions or span different radial positions.By providing a further flow body, more channels can be provided to the fluid entering the flame barrier, at which channels the fluid can come into contact with the sheet metal layers in order to draw energy from the fluid. As a result, the flame-retardant effect of the flame barrier can be improved and / or more fluid can be treated at the same time, in comparison with the provision of only one such flow body.In particular, the further flow body can be configured to be flowed through by fluid in a direction opposite to the one flow body. Thus, for example, a fluid stream can be divided into two sub-fluid streams, one of which passes through one flow body and the other passes through the further flow body. For this purpose, in particular an axial spacing of the further flow-through body from the one flow-through body may be advantageous, wherein a fluid stream may in particular enter a space formed between the two flow-through bodies. With such an arrangement, a predetermined portion of fluid divided into a first sub-fluid flow portion and a second sub-fluid flow portion can be treated substantially simultaneously by the one flow body and the other flow body.It is also conceivable for fluid entering the flame arrester to pass first through the one throughflow body and then through the further throughflow body. Since not only contact with the sheet metal layers, but also deflection of the fluid stream from which fluid can draw energy, it can be advantageous to deflect the fluid stream by, for example, 180° after passing through the one flow body and thus to conduct it through the further flow body. For such a treatment of the fluid, a radial spacing of the one flow body from the further flow body may be advantageous in particular.Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It represents: FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of components of a first embodiment of a flame arrester according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows a first variant of the flame arrester according to the invention from FIG. 1 in a side cross-sectional view with additional components; FIG. 3 shows a second variant of the flame arrester according to the invention from FIG. 1 in a side cross-sectional view with, in comparison with FIG. 2, other components arranged thereon; FIG. 4 shows the side cross-sectional view from FIG. 3 with additional components arranged thereon; FIG. 5 shows a third variant of a flame arrester according to the invention in a side cross-sectional view; FIGS. 6 and 7 show two cross-sectional views of a second embodiment of a flame arrester according to the invention; FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a flame arrester according to the invention; FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a flame arrester according to the invention; and FIGS. 10 and 11 show two cross-sectional views of a fifth embodiment of a flame arrester according to the invention.In the side cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 1, a flame arrester according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. In the side cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, the flame arrester 10 can be seen to have an outer jacket 12, a flow-through body 14 which is surrounded by the outer jacket 12 on its radially outer side, and an inner jacket 16 which is arranged on a radially inner side of the flow-through body 14.The outer jacket 12 is here formed as a substantially cylindrical base body which defines a central axis X by means of its shape. The direction defined by the central axis X will also be referred to as an "axial direction" hereinafter. The axial direction could, however, also be defined as the direction in which the outer contour of the outer jacket extends orthogonally to its circumferential direction, wherein this direction is parallel to the central axis X in the present case.The flow-through body 14 includes a plurality of channels 18 configured to allow fluid to pass therethrough from a first end face 20 of the flow-through body 14 to a second end face 22 of the flow-through body 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the channels 18 extend substantially parallel to the axial direction X. The channels 18 of the flow body 14 are formed here by intermediate spaces which are formed by arranging at least one embossed metal sheet layer on a non-embossed, in particular substantially smoothly extending, metal sheet layer or by arranging embossed sections and non-embossed sections of a single metal sheet layer one on top of the other.It can also be seen in FIG. 1 that the outer jacket 12 protrudes beyond the flow body 14 in the axial direction X both on the first end side 20 of the flow body 14 and on the second end side 22 of the flow body 14. In an analogous manner, in the embodiment of the flame arrester 10 according to the invention shown in FIG. 1, the inner jacket 16 protrudes beyond the throughflow body 14 both on the first end side 20 of the throughflow body 14 and on the second end side 22 of the throughflow body 14 in the axial direction X.In this case, the section of the inner jacket 16 protruding beyond the flow body 14 on the first end side 20 of the flow body 14 and the section of the outer jacket 12 protruding beyond the flow body 14 on the second end side 22 of the flow body 14 have passages 26. Thus, fluid can enter an interior of the inner shell 16 from an inlet side A (also referred to as the "upstream side") of the flame arrester 10, from there via the passages 26 of the inner shell 16 to the first end side 20 of the flow body 14, then via the channels 18 through the flow body 14 and from the second end side 22 of the flow body 14 via the passages 26 of the outer shell 12 on an outlet side B (also referred to as the "downstream side") through the flame arrester 10.As can be seen in FIG. 1, the flow-through body 14 is of annular configuration in the embodiment illustrated here. In particular, the at least one sheet metal layer 24 can be wound directly onto the inner jacket 16.FIG. 2 shows the side cross-sectional view from FIG. 1 in a first variant, wherein a first flange 28 is attached to the portions of the outer jacket 12 and of the inner jacket 16 which project beyond the first end face 20 of the flow body 14, said first flange being formed here substantially annularly in such a way that it has a central opening in the region of the inlet side A of the flame arrester 10 and being formed closed in that region which extends between the inner jacket 16 and the outer jacket 12.On the outlet side B of the flame arrester 10, a second flange 30 is attached, which is designed as a closed circular disk in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. In particular, the first flange 28 and / or the second flange 30 may be connected to the outer jacket 12 and / or to the inner jacket 16 in a fluidically sealing manner, such that fluid entering the flame arrester 10 via the inlet side A may only follow the flow path described further above.FIG. 3 now shows a second variant 10' of the first embodiment of the flame arrester 10. The flame barrier 10' is substantially identical to the flame barrier 10, with the decisive difference that a flange 32 with a central opening is also arranged on the outlet side B of the flame barrier 10'. In particular, the flange 32 arranged on the outlet side B of the flame arrester 10' can be designed identically to the first flange 28 arranged on the inlet side A of the flame arrester 10'.With reference to FIG. 4, in which the flame arrester 10' of FIG. 3 is further developed, it can be seen that a closure element 34 is arranged in an interior of the flame arrester 10', said closure element being configured to close the central opening of the first flange 28 on the inlet side A of the flame arrester 10'. The closure element 34 is biased into the closure position shown in FIG. 4 by a biasing element 36, which is designed here as a compression spring.In order to be able to provide the biasing element 36 with an abutment surface on its side opposite the closure element 34, the central opening of the flange 32 is closed by a plate 38 which is connected to the flange 32 via fastening elements 40. Thus, when the flame arrester 10' is installed, the two flanges 28 and 30 can first be attached to the respective end faces of the outer jacket 12 and of the inner jacket 16, and the closure element 34 and the prestressing element 36 can then be introduced into the flame arrester 10', and the plate 38 can be connected to the flange 32.In particular, the plate 38 may be attached to the flange 32 in a fluidic sealing manner. At least the plate 38 and the flange 32, in particular also the fastening elements 40, can also be referred to as a second flange of multi-part construction.The above description of the closure element 34 and of the prestressing element 36 is of course equally applicable to the first variant of the flame arrester 10 according to FIG. 2.If the flame arrester 10' is now attached on its inlet side A to a superordinate assembly, such as the crankcase of an engine, and if an explosion / deflagration occurs in this superordinate assembly, the explosion pressure / deflagration pressure arising as a result can act on the closure element 34 on a side of the closure element 34 facing the superordinate assembly and counter to the prestressing force applied by the prestressing element 36. If the pressure from the higher-order assembly is greater than the prestressing force of the prestressing element 36, the closure element 34 is displaced from its closure position in the direction of a release position and, in particular, ignited fluid can enter the flame arrester 10'. When the fluid passes through the flow body 14, i.e. its channels 18, the fluid is extracted from it by the contact of the fluid with the sheet metal layers 24 of the flow body 14 so much energy that a flame cannot propagate from the first end face 20 of the flow body 14 to the second end face 22 of the flow body 14. As soon as the pressure in the superordinate assembly falls below the prestressing force applied by the prestressing element 36, the closure element 34 is moved back into its closure position.FIG. 5 shows a third variant 10'' of the flame arrester 10, 10' described above. The side cross-sectional view of the flame arrester 10'' illustrated in FIG. 5 corresponds substantially to the second variant 10' according to FIG. 3, with the difference that the outer jacket 12'' does not extend beyond the second end face 22 of the throughflow body 14 in the axial direction X, and that the inner jacket 16'' of this variant 10'' does not extend beyond the first end face 20 of the throughflow body 14. That is, fluid entering the flame arrester 10'' via the inlet side A can flow directly radially outwards to the first end face 20 of the flow body 14 without having to pass through passages 26. The same applies analogously to the outflow of fluid on the outlet side B of the flame arrester 10'' radially outwards. In this way, a flow cross section available for the fluid can be enlarged at these points and thus the flow property can be improved. The first flange 28 is here only connected to the outer jacket 12". The second flange 32 is here only connected to the inner jacket 16".All or even some of the features and effects described with reference to the flame arresters 10 and 10', in particular the closure element 34 and the prestressing element 36, can likewise be applicable to the flame arrester 10'' according to FIG. 5.Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, there is shown a second embodiment of the flame arrester of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 110. In Figs. 6 and 7, components identical to the previous description are denoted by identical reference numerals, whereas analogous components are denoted by reference numerals increased by 100. In the following, with respect to the second embodiment 110 of a flame arrester according to the invention, relevant differences thereof from the description of FIGS. 1 to 5 given above will be discussed, wherein it should be expressly pointed out at this point that all or else only some of the features described with respect to FIGS. 1 to 5 can also be applicable to the second embodiment 110 of the flame arrester, and vice versa.The flame arrester 110 according to FIGS. 6 and 7 also has an outer jacket 12 to which a first flange 28 having a central opening is attached on the inlet side A of the flame arrester 110. Arranged radially inside the outer jacket 12 is an annularly formed through-flow body 114 having channels 18 running parallel to the axial direction X. An inner jacket 116 is arranged in the radial interior of the flow-through body 114. The inner jacket 116 is designed as a solid cylinder in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Alternatively, the inner jacket 116 could also be hollow on the inside. The inner jacket 116 is connected to a second flange 130 on the outlet side B of the flame arrester 110. The second flange 130 is here plate-like, in particular without a central opening, i.e. non-annular.On its side opposite the second flange 130 as viewed in the axial direction X, the inner jacket 116 has a contact surface 142, against which the prestressing element 36 can bear in order to urge the closure element 34 into its closure position. The contact surface 142 can be formed integrally with the inner jacket 116 or as an element separate therefrom.As can be seen in FIG. 7, spacer sleeves 144 are provided between the first flange 28 and the second flange 130, which spacer sleeves are configured to define and maintain a distance between the first flange 28 and the second flange 130 through their longitudinal extent. As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, a longitudinal extent (in the axial direction X) of the spacer sleeves 144 is greater than an extent of the outer sleeve 12 in the axial direction X, such that a gap 146 is formed between the second flange 130 and the end of the outer sleeve 12 adjacent thereto, via which gap fluid can escape from the flame arrester 110 on the outlet side B.Referring now to Fig. 8, there is shown a third embodiment of the flame arrester of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 210. Analogously to the comment given with respect to the second embodiment 110 of the flame arrester according to the invention according to FIGS. 6 and 7, the third embodiment 210 of a flame arrester according to the invention will also be described only with respect to its differences from the preceding description. Here, identical components are also again denoted by identical reference symbols and analogous components are described in the 200's number circle.The third embodiment 210 of a flame arrester according to the invention according to FIG. 8, in particular with respect to its upper half illustrated in FIG. 8, is very similar to the embodiment according to FIG. 4. The outer jacket 212 and the inner jacket 216 also have passages 26 here, so that fluid can flow out of an interior of the inner jacket 216 via the passages 26 of the inner jacket 216 to a first end side 20 of the flow body 14, then via channels 18 through the flow body 14 as far as its second end side 22 and from there via passages 26 of the outer jacket 212 out of the flame barrier 210.Analogously to the flame arrester 10' shown in FIG. 4, the flame arrester 210 according to FIG. 8 is also closed on its upper side shown in FIG. 8 by a second flange which comprises the annular flange 32, the plate 38 and the fastening elements 40. On its lower side shown in FIG. 8, the flame arrester 210 is provided with a first flange 28.Likewise analogously to the flame arrester 10' of FIG. 4, the flame arrester 210 according to FIG. 8 comprises a prestressing element 36 and a closure element 34, which are arranged in an interior of the inner jacket 210 and bring about a closure of the central opening of the first flange 28 on an inlet side A of the flame arrester 210.In addition, the flame arrester 210 comprises a further flow-through body 214, which in the embodiment shown here is formed identically to the flow-through body 14. The further flow-through body 214 is arranged here, as viewed along the axial direction X, on a side of the passages 26 of the inner jacket 216 opposite the flow-through body 14. The flow body 14 and the further flow body 214 are arranged here coaxially with respect to the central axis X.Fluid which enters the interior of the flame arrester 210 via the inlet side A and exits the latter via the passages 26 of the inner jacket 216 can thus flow both via the first end side 20 of the throughflow body 14, through the latter and out of the flame arrester 210 via the passages 26 of the outer jacket 212 and via a first end side 220 of the further throughflow body 214, via the channels 218 of the latter through the latter to a second end side 222 of the further throughflow body 214 and subsequently out of the flame arrester 210 via passages 226 of the outer jacket 212. With respect to the axial direction X, fluid therefore flows through the flow body 14 and the further flow body 214 in mutually opposite directions (in the case of use of the flame arrester 210). Due to the provision of the further flow-through body 214, the fluid flowing into the flame arrester 210 can thus be brought into contact with more material, namely both the metal sheet layers 24 of the flow-through body 14 and the metal sheet layers 224 of the further flow-through body 214, with the result that a flame-arresting effect can be improved as a result.FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment 310 of a flame arrester according to the invention. As already explained in the preceding embodiments, all or only some of the features, advantages and effects described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 can be applicable here to the embodiment of the flame arrester 310, and vice versa. The embodiment 310 of the flame retardant of Figure 9 will be described in the 300's number circle.Thus, the flame arrester 310 also has an outer casing 312 which has a first flange 28 on its inlet side A of the flame arrester 310. At an end of the outer jacket 310 opposite the first flange 28 as viewed in the axial direction X, a flange is also arranged here, analogously to FIG. 4, which comprises the components 32, 38 and 40. Here too, a prestressing element 36 is provided, which acts with a prestressing force on a closure element 34 in order to urge it into a closure position, as shown in FIG. 9.However, unlike the previous embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 8, in the flame arrester 310, a flow body 314 is arranged upstream of the closure element 34, that is to say is arranged closer to the inlet side A of the flame arrester 310 than the closure element 34. An axial end of the inner jacket 316 opposite the first flange 28 serves here as a stop surface for the closure element 34 in its closure position.If a non-operationally increased pressure now occurs in a superordinate assembly on which the flame arrester 310 is arranged, fluid can flow into the flame arrester 310 via the inlet side A and first pass through the flow body 314 here before it comes into contact with the closure element 34 in order to displace said closure element out of the closure position, with the result that fluid can flow into an interior space of the outer casing 312 and via passages 326 of the outer casing 312 to an outer side of the flame arrester 310.The flow body 314 is here substantially circular disk-shaped.FIGS. 10 and 11 show a fifth embodiment 410 of a flame arrester according to the invention. As already explained in the preceding embodiments, all or only some of the features, advantages and effects described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 can be applicable here to the embodiment of the flame arrester 410 and vice versa. The embodiment 410 of the flame arrester of Figures 10 and 11 will be described in the 400's number circle.The flame arrester 410 is similar in its structural design to the flame arrester 110 according to FIGS. 6 and 7, to which explicit reference is hereby made. In contrast to the flame arrester 110, the flame arrester 410 does not, however, have an annular but rather a disk-shaped throughflow body 414. The prestressing element 36, which prestresses the closure element 34 into its closure position, is supported at its longitudinal end opposite the closure element 34 on a contact plate 448. The contact plate 448 is connected to the first flange 28 via webs 450, wherein the webs in the embodiment shown here are set obliquely to the main surface of the first flange 28 to which the webs 450 are connected, in particular at an angle in a range from 20° to 70°, advantageously in a range from 30° to 60°, in particular at an angle of approximately 45°. Passages 426 are formed between the webs 450 through which the fluid entering the flame arrester 410 can pass to the flow body 414.Fluid that has passed through the flow body 414 can, analogously to the flame arrester 110, emerge via a gap 446 which is formed between an outer jacket 412 of the flame arrester 410 and a second flange 130, the second flange 130 being connected to the first flange 28 via spacer sleeves 144.

Claims

Flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) which is configured to prevent a flame penetration of flammable fluids from a flow side of the flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) to an opposite flow side of the flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410), wherein the flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) comprises an outer jacket (12, 12", 112, 212, 312, 412) and a throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414), wherein the outer jacket (12, 12", 112, 212, 312, 412) surrounds the throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) at least partially on its radially outer side, wherein the outer jacket (12, 12", 112, 212, 312, 412) defines an axial direction (X), which is orthogonal to its circumferential direction and / or its radial direction, wherein the flow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) has a plurality of channels (18, 218) through which fluid can flow, which channels extend substantially in the axial direction (X) from a first end side (20, 220) of the flow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) to a second end side (22, 222) of the flow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) through the latter, wherein at least some, in particular all, of the channels (18, 218) of the flow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) are formed by arranging at least one sheet metal layer (24, 224) on one another or on one another, wherein the one sheet metal layer (24, 224) or, in the case of a plurality of sheet metal layers (24, 224), at least one of the plurality of sheet metal layers (24, 224), 224) is formed at least sectionally embossed, and wherein the flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) further comprises a deflection element (28, 30, 32, 38, 130) which is configured to deflect fluid emerging from the flow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) from the substantially axial flow direction defined by the channels (18, 218) in the direction of a radial flow direction.Flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the outer jacket (12, 12", 112, 212, 312, 412) projects in the axial direction (X) at least partially beyond the first end face (20, 220) of the throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414), and / or in that the outer jacket (12, 12", 112, 212, 312, 412) projects in the axial direction (X) at least partially beyond the second end face (22, 222) of the throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414), wherein in particular the part of the outer jacket (12, 12", 112, 212, 312, 412) which projects beyond the second end face (22, 222) of the throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) is provided with passages (26, 226) which a wall of the outer jacket (12, 12", 112, 12", 112, 212, 312, 412) can pass at least in sections.Flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the case of the plurality of sheet metal layers (24, 224), the plurality of sheet metal layers (24, 224) comprises at least one substantially smooth sheet metal layer (24, 224) which, as viewed in the radial direction thereof, bears against the at least one embossed sheet metal layer (24, 224) in the throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414), or in that, in the case of a single sheet metal layer (24, 224), the sheet metal layer (24, 224) has at least one embossed section and at least one smooth section, wherein the sheet metal layer (24, 224) is shaped such that, as viewed in the radial direction thereof, an embossed section of the sheet metal layer (24, 224) follows a smooth section.Flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, in at least one region of the flow-through body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414), as viewed in the radial direction thereof, embossed sections or sheet metal layers (24, 224) and smooth sections or sheet metal layers (24, 224) are arranged in an alternating manner.Flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414), as viewed in a cross section which runs orthogonally to the axial direction (X), is of disc-like or annular configuration, wherein in particular an outer periphery of the throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) and / or, in the case of an annularly configured throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414), an inner periphery of the throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) has a substantially circular, rectangular, square, polygonal or oval shape.Flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inner jacket (16, 116, 216, 316) is arranged on an inner circumference and / or on an inner circumference of the throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314), said inner jacket being in particular of tubular design, wherein the inner jacket (16, 116, 216, 316) extends substantially in the axial direction (X) and is configured to receive the at least one sheet metal layer (24, 224) on its radially outer side.Flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the inner jacket (16, 116, 216, 316) protrudes in the axial direction (X) at least partially beyond the second end face (22, 222) of the throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314), and / or in that the inner jacket (16, 116, 216, 316) protrudes in the axial direction (X) at least partially beyond the first end face (20, 220) of the throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314), wherein in particular the part of the inner jacket (16, 116, 216, 316) protruding beyond the first end face (20, 220) of the throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314) is provided with passages (26) which pass through a wall of the inner jacket (16, 116, 216, 316) at least in sections.Flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflecting element (28, 30, 32, 38, 130) is arranged at a distance in the axial direction (X) from the second end side (22, 222) of the throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 411).Flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310) according to Claims 6 and 8, characterized in that the deflecting element (28, 30, 32, 38, 130) is formed by a section of the inner jacket (16, 116, 216, 316), and / or in that the deflecting element (28, 30, 32, 38, 130) is formed by a component (28, 32, 130) produced separately from the inner jacket (16, 116, 216, 316), in particular wherein the deflecting element (28, 30, 32, 38, 130) extends radially outwards at least in sections with respect to the axial direction (X).Flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) further comprises a closure element (34) which is configured to fluidically separate the throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) from an opening, in particular a fluid inlet opening, of the flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) or of a superordinate subassembly, in a closure position, and to produce a fluidic connection of the throughflow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) to the opening, wherein the closure element (34) is prestressed into the closure position in particular by an elastic prestressing element (36).Flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the prestressing element (36) is formed from a compression spring, in particular a helical spring or a helical spring, or a tension spring.Flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at least in a state of the flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410) which is mounted on a superordinate assembly, an interior space of the flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410), which is accessible to the flow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) as yet not passed through, is sealed off from an outer side of the flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310, 410), with the exception of the fluid connection via the channels (18, 218) of the flow body (14, 114, 214, 314, 414).Flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210) according to the preceding claim and optionally according to claim 6 and / or optionally according to claim 10, characterized in that, in the case of an annular flow body (14, 114, 214), a region of the interior space of the flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210) which is surrounded by the inner jacket (16, 116, 216, 316) is sealed itself towards an outer side of the flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210) on account of a fluidic seal of the inner jacket (16, 116, 216, 316), and / or the closure element (34), in its release position, generates a fluidic seal with a portion of the remaining flame arrester (10, 10', 10", 110, 210, 310), in particular an end portion of the inner jacket (16, 116, 216, 316).Flame arrester (210) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flame arrester (210) comprises a further flow body (214), which is arranged at a distance from the one flow body (14), in particular in the axial and / or radial direction.Flame arrester (210) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the further flow body (214) is configured to be flowed through by fluid in a direction opposite to the one flow body (14).

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